SAF MDC WOWS CHINGAY SPECTATORS

When Mr Zaini Mohammed Tahir reminisces about the Chingay parades of yesteryears, he recalls that they were held during the day.

The Artistic Manager of the Singapore Armed Forces' Music and Drama Company (SAF MDC) said the participants had to perform "from Tangs to Liang Court" from as early as eight in the morning.

"But Chingay is now more globalised and with it being held at night, there is much more glitz and glamour with the lights," he said.

The opening act of Chingay 2007 was certainly full of glitz and glamour, with 70 performers - 45 from the SAF MDC and 25 from Dance Emotion, a dance company headed by Mr Dan Kwoh, an MDC alumnus - strutting down Orchard Road in flamboyant costumes complete with feathers and shimmers on 24 Feb.

This was the first time that the SAF MDC was chosen to perform the opening act for the Chingay parade. Mr Zaini choreographed the dance movements together with Mr Kwoh.
"The theme given to us by the People's Association (PA) was 'Mardi Gras', so we opted for something carnival-like, with high energy and lots of spectator interaction," said Mr Zaini.

"The invitation by PA to SAF MDC to be the opening act of the Chingay parade is really a good recognition that we've finally come of age," he added.

The performers engaged the spectators by inviting them to join in the dance, while free gifts like key chains and other souvenirs were also handed out to the latter.

Among the SAF MDC performers wowing the spectators with their slick dance moves at this year's Chingay were Mr Aidil Amin and Lance Corporal (LCP) Jonathan Ang.

"Carrying the weight of the head dress was the biggest challenge as we walked through all four performing spots," said Mr Aidil, who has performed in five previous Chingay parades.

Unlike Mr Aidil, this was LCP Ang's debut and what made it more memorable for him was that this was his first major dance performance.

"I'm very excited to perform, but dancing with the harness and in the costume really added to the difficulty of the dance," he said.

Admitting that he had not been interested in previous Chingay parades, LCP Ang said: "Now, I finally know that there is so much preparation involved, and it's really good to see so many volunteers taking part in it."