Arts on the Move 30 May 2009 (Saturday)

Hi All,

Singapore Arts Festival 2009 is here and the Esplande is bustling with activity.

I was poring over the online catalogue of events for this season. Being a sucker for free arts performances, I decided to focus on the non-ticketed performances. I've picked a few and narrowed to just one for this weekend.

"Arts on the move" - Mono the Monkey (Electric-Circus from the Netherlands)

Merlion Park at 5pm


Gavin and myself made our way there. It was a hot and humid afternoon. Many tourists were there. Horror of all horrors. No stage, No performers, No monkey. Ok, we were slightly early. I was having some doubts.. As usual.. I got the jitters.. Maybe I was duped.. Well, Gavin and I walked along the Singapore River, under the road-bridge and lined by Starbucks, Tapas and a souvenir shop. We found ourselves at the Fullerton hotel area at the end of the path. A very quiet place, ideal for siesta and lazing around with tea and a good read. Ok, got to face the fact, re-traced footsteps back to Merlion Park.


Hurray, Mono arrived~ Yup, you've guessed it. Mono is a robot. Chay~ I was so looking forward to watching a real monkey ride and bike and turn the music box. Sheesh.


The lady was the presenter of the show while the guy was Mono's controller. He's got the mouthpiece and the sling bag is a controller unit with mini joystick. Overall just a kids' show. I'm awed by the mechanics and the work behind building Mono. Oh, the ancient mechanical music box is also very nostalgic. Great job!!





















At the end of the day, I was interviewed by a Ngee Ann Polytechnic Mass Comm. student. She was asking questions regarding public opinion on SAF (Singapore Arts Festival, what else? Sinagpore Armed Forces?).

Before we left, a group of patriotic Singaporeans held hands around the mini Merlion and sang "We are Singapore, Singaporeans". No acapella. Horrendous. Gavin vomitted at their effort.

Endnote: We went back to Merlion Park in the evening for the Diamond (by Dream Engine UK) performance. Acrobats on two flowing fabric. Not too amazed. But watching it in the drizzle, very romantic. Then caught the local string quartet VOX with their renditions of pop songs. Not to my liking. I prefer Classical and yup, reminds me. I must go look for violin lessons to sign up. Soon.