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International dance groups, opera show by kids among highlights at Chingay 2024

2024-02-04 00:00:00.0 海峡时报-新加坡原网页

SINGAPORE – Live music, strobe lights and pyrotechnics filled the night sky as the audience cheered on parade performers at the F1 Pit Building.

Standing on the stage was 11-year-old Benjamin Ng, dressed in traditional Chinese garb. With four other children, he put on a Chinese opera performance in Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Teochew and Hainanese. For the Primary 6 pupil, this year’s Chingay Parade will be his biggest performance yet.

“I’m excited to put on a show in front of a big audience and perform alongside my friends,” Benjamin told The Straits Times at the Feb 3 preview for media and primary and secondary school students.

Come Feb 23 and 24, his group will be performing for up to 16,000 people a night at the parade, which will involve more than 3,500 performers. The F1 track at the venue will be transformed into a 230m-long display of graphics and visuals to complement the performances – the largest for a street parade in Singapore.

Themed “Blossom”, the seven parade segments will use floral elements to showcase Singapore’s culture and traditions, as well as live music.

In the first act, 230 young people in outfits inspired by the national flower Vanda Miss Joaquim will dance to music from a live band playing a rock version of the parade’s theme song, which gets a jazz, ethnic and electronic dance music remix in other acts.

This year’s theme song for the parade was produced by Chingay’s youngest ever music director, 23-year-old Robbie Say, and assistant music director Jason Gelchen.

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A troupe from Uzbekistan will debut at the parade in a dance showcase alongside performers from China, Thailand and other countries, while Singapore-based Brazilian dance collective SoulBrasil will also display their moves.

In a heartfelt tribute to seniors, 500 performers from En Community Services Society, Soka Gakkai Singapore and the North West Community Development Council Dance Fit Club will take the stage in a dance routine to celebrate graceful ageing.

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Ms Malliga Manikkam, 51, who is part of the People’s Association Indian Contingent, was all smiles as she performed at the media preview.

She has been dancing since she was five years old, and has taken part in eight iterations of Chingay. This year, she was thrilled to be chosen to perform, and has been practising since November.

She said: “I just love performing. I love being on stage and showing my friends and family that I still have what it takes.”

Chingay 2024’s artistic director Fan Dong Kai said keeping the excitement high every year is a challenge, but it is rewarding.

The key, he added, is to encourage the community to innovate and yet preserve Singapore’s traditional and cultural elements.

Ms Malliga Manikkam, 51, who is part of the People’s Association Indian Contingent, at the Chingay 2024 media preview on Feb 3. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

Chingay was started in the early 1970s to liven up Chinese New Year festivities after firecrackers were banned. Over the years, it has evolved into Singapore’s biggest multicultural celebration and community arts showcase.

Seats at the F1 Pit Building for the parade have been increased to 32,000 over the two nights, up from 20,000 in 2023. Tickets are priced from $20 to $60 at Sistic, and PAssion Card members can get a 20 per cent discount.