Chingay 2010
16 January 2010
People’s Association Headquarters

The name of this record already deserves a Record – “The Largest Simultaneous Display of Original Hand-Painted Art Banners at a Public Building”. Awesome, right? I know. I was awed myself.

It was quite a spectacular sight, though – to have had so many banners draped over the People’s Association’s corridors. Well, the spectacle was so wide that even with a wide-angle lens, I had to stand right at the furthest point of the track in order to catch a nice wide-shot of the unfurling of banners. Even then, the people standing on long tables and benches on the right side of the field facing the building had to be cut off the frame (it was THAT wide.)

But the fun came before and after the actual event – the Samba Party rehearsals! To have about 2000 people gathered in the PA HQ rehearsing for the Samba segment of Chingay. People from all walks of life, young and old. Everyone was enjoying themselves. The participants were asked to gather in the middle of the field to witness the record-setting event – they probably could’ve added another line to the title to make it “The Largest Simultaneous Display of Original Hand-Painted Art Banners at a Public Building Witnessed by more than 2340 People”, why not?

My favourite part was the part where the native Brazilian Samba queen was dancing on a platform, and the energy level just shot up to a maximum. The people were cheering and clapping, even Mr Fan was into the moment, dancing with her. It was the perfect energy pumper to hype up the crowd for the BannerArt event. Awesome. The festival spirit was truly present.

I can’t wait for the actual Samba Party on the 30th of January. If the rehearsals are this fun, I can’t wait for the PARTYYYYYYY~~~~ every single rehearsal I feel like Samba-ing along. But I can’t, cos of the wires and mic and bags, etc etc etc I have to handle. Dang. But I coouldn’t help skipping to the beat whenever I had a small little chance. (:

Till next time!
Myokii