HOT ACTS AT NDP FRINGE CELEBRATIONS

Tossing and twirling their flame-tipped batons in the air, the 11 bare-footed performers were barely a metre away from one another as they weaved in and out to the beat of the music.

Aged between 14 and 20 years old, the youths emanated the confidence of seasoned performers, as the audience gasped in awe. The nail-biting climax of their act saw them turning into fire-breathers and eaters.

These performers from CircusOutreach, a non-profit arts company for young people, are some of the 400 volunteers who will be entertaining spectators on 9 Aug as part of the National Day Parade (NDP) fringe celebrations.

For the first time in NDP history, the celebration of the nation's birthday will go beyond the National Stadium.

Starting from 2 pm, parade-goers can revel in the carnival mood at Kallang MRT and Geylang Drive as they make their way to the stadium.

Instead of a hot and boring walk, they will be entertained by inline skaters, BMX riders and unicycle hockey performances. Also, they can pore over the 40-plus metre-long graffiti art display along Geylang Drive - something that is rarely seen on the streets of Singapore.

Just outside the East and West Entrances of the stadium, the crowd will be entertained by roving jugglers, stilt walkers, face painters, balloon sculptors and magicians.

Besides the fire-breathers, there will also be stage performances by cheerleaders, hip-hop dancers and a skipping rope team.

The volunteer performers, aged nine to 35, come from both CircusOutreach and Team Singapore.

"I think it is a very good platform for young people to get an opportunity to identify with the nation, as well as do something constructive," said Knik Pang (left), Executive Director of CircusOutreach.

"Not everyone can get into the stadium to watch the show, but everyone can be part of the celebrations in this way. I just hope that we do not stop people from going into the stadium because they are TOO entertained!"

Chairman of NDP 2006 fringe celebrations, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Rajandharan, said that the idea was to get spectators into a celebratory mood even before they stepped into the stadium.

"We want to catch them when they step out of the MRT station or when they are locking their car in the carpark," said LTC Rajandharan.

"In fact, not only people with tickets for NDP, but everyone who has nothing to do from 2 to 5 pm, come party with us!"
Small stages will be set up outside the East and West Entrances of the National Stadium, where there will be performances such as rope-skipping (above left) and breakdancing (above right).