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The Elephants Are Coming!

The Elephant Parade Singapore 2011

Last night in Singapore a very special event was held amidst the crazy fighting of words and testosterone generated from the upcoming General Election. A friendlier and more calming event was held in the middle of Orchard Road. The Elephant Parade Singapore 2011 was inaugurated at the Gallery at the Grand Hyatt hotel.

The event was officially launched by Professor Tommy Koh, Patron of the Elephant Parade and Claire Chiang, Chairman of Wildlife Reserves Singapore and Ambassador of Elephant Parade, together with the founders of the Elephant Parade, Mr Marc and Mike Spits.

The Elephant Parade is the largest open air art exhibition of decorated life sized elephant statues. Famous and upcoming artists contribute to the conservation of Asian elephants and the public awareness of their life threatening situation. In the past 100 years Asian elephant populations have plummeted from 250,000 to 25,000.
Imagine having more than 100 elephants lining up on the streets of Orchard Road in Singapore this coming November.

Singapore is the first country to be part of the Asia tour. The exhibition in Singapore will be held along the streets of Orchard Road from the 11th November 2011. More than 100 international and Singapore artists and celebrities will be part of this event. Famous Singapore artists such as, Francis Ng, Steve Lawler, Simond Chew, Michael Ng, Rosihan Dahim and Sarkasi Said will be decorating life sized fiberglass baby elephants. Well-know Asian celebrities such as, Bobby Chinn, Ashley Isham, Shabnam Melwani and Tina Tan Leo will also be part of this event.

Singapore multiple award winning artist, Francis Ng (center) with the founders of the Elephant Parade, Mr Marc Spits (left) and Mr Mike Spits (right)

After the parade, the decorated elephants sculptures will be auctioned off by Sothebys Auction in order to raise funds for The Asian Elephant Foundation. The Asian Elephant Foundation is an independent charity that supports various projects throughout Asia, varying from elephants hospitals to the lease of land, where elephants have enough space to mate and live in peace.

So come this 11th November, get to see more than 100 elephant sculptures parading along Orchard Road and parks in Singapore. And if you would like to help contribute to the cause, you can also own your very own mini replicas from one of your favorite artist or celebrity at TANGS Gallery Stores.

So watch out for them as the elephants are coming to Singapore!

Netherland, Singapore based artist, Frances Alleblas working her magic on her elephant

Singapore artist, Michael Mindflyer and his team adding a touch of Singapore to his elephant

Thailand artist, ~~Attasit Aniwactchon with his finished elephant~~ Nat Posila and the Orangephant’s creation. He will be creating one more with a touch of Singapore’s favorite fruits

The legend, Singapore artist, Mr Sarkasi Said and his work in progress elephant

April 28, 2011
No Regrets, A Tribute to Edith Piaf by Sing’theatre

If you are preparing for your “What’s your greatest regret?” public speech, try singing No Regrets, in French. Soak in the songs of French music legend Edith Piaf at Sing’theatre’s revue, No Regrets, A Tribute to Edith Piaf, a talented French song bird, starting Wed 4 May 11. You would have heard her songs at many Parisian-styled cafes and in various romantic movies.

Artitute was invited to a media lunch with Sing’theatre for their upcoming revue, No Regrets…a tribute to Edith Piaf. Suzzana and I had the opportunity to chat with Robin Goh, whose voice you might have been hearing on bilingual radio 883JiaFM, and Hossan Leong, who plays the comical “double confirm” characters in a current TV advertisement. So what are two guys doing in a show about a lady and her songs about her tragic life?

Robin, bless his mellow singing voice, will be singing as Edith Piaf’s lover in duets with the ladies.

Hilde Holme and Robin Goh, best known for his role in Chang and Eng the musical

Hossan Leong, well known Singapore actor and comedian

Hossan will narrate in English the sad stories of Edith Piaf’s life, to which she famously said she had no regrets of. Denise Tan, Angela Scundi, Hilde Holme and Jeanne Ghanem are in the cast.

Denise Tan, recently acted in Animal Farm

No fancy set, no fancy costumes, no fancy props. The interpretations of the performers, artistic director Nathalie Ribette and music director Elaine Chan will be the focus. I believe the directors’ known respect for the performers’ input will draw different strengths to enhance these often played songs.

Nathalie is French. Hossan and Robin can really speak French. Edith Piaf’s songs are known to evoke fond memories of France. This is the perfect excuse to gather your French loving friends. It is time to practise the correct pronunciation of La Vie En Rose.

The cast and director of No Regrets whom we met at Hediard.
From left:
Hossan Leong, Hilde Holme, Nathalie Ribette, Robin Goh

Come congratulate Nathalie on the fifth anniversary of Sing’theatre, which she founded.

No Regrets, A Tribute to Edith Piaf starts Wed 4 May 11 at the DBS ART CENTRE – Home of SRT (20, Merbau Road- Robertson Quay) . Buy your tickets now through SISTIC.

Anything goodie in this article has not been influenced by the Hediard goodie lunch and goodie bag, I think. 😉

April 25, 2011
Singapore Biennale – Family Day Out

If you have been whining about how boring Singapore is and there’s nothing to do in this little red dot. Stop your whine and head down to the Old Kallang Airport this weekend

The Singapore Art Museum has organized a series of fun-filled activities at the Singapore Biennale – OPEN HOUSE for this Easter weekend. You can shop to your hearts content at the flea market. And maybe unearth some art farty finds. Or join in the special tours to learn more about the art works on site. Maybe even to get to meet the artists in person.

Also, how can you beat the icing on cake that it’s free admission this Good Friday and every Sunday till the end of the Biennale? Don’t we all love freebies?

So stop whining and make your way down to the Old Kallang Airport this long weekend. And if you need a free ride, hop on a free shuttle bus from the Singapore Art Museum at Bras Basah Road or find your way around with the following buses.

Bus: SBS 2, 7, 12, 13, 21, 26 31, 32, 33, 51, 63, 80, 100, 175, 197. Or SMRT 67, 546, 853, 853C, 961, 961C, 985 and NR7.

Check out Singapore Biennale, OPEN HOUSE for more details.

April 21, 2011