da:ns festival - Footwork @ Esplanade

Media Invite

Have you heard of the da:ns festival? Well, it’s the 10th edition this year. Previously, I have heard about this event but being a male and not so much a dancer myself, I usually will just brush it aside as another “art” festival in Singapore. But since I have 2 daughters who love to dance especially Jayne, this year I was glad to be invited to give the festival a try.

A short intro to da:ns festival – an invitation to move.

Celebrating the spirit of movement since 2006, da:ns festival 2015 presents a world of dance that inspires and makes you fall in love with dance all over again. With world-renowned dance icons such as Sylvie Guillem, Akram Kahn and Israel Galvan, specially commissioned original works by Singapore artists Kuik Swee Boon and Choy Ka Fai, and a host of free programmes including What’s Your Move? mass dance sessions and Rasas, a platform showcasing the rich Asian dance heritage.

da:ns festival is happening at Esplanade from 9 to 18 Oct 2015. For more information, you can check on their website.

One of the programmes that is happening on 13 & 14 Oct is the last world tour of world famous dancer Sylvie Guillem.  Sylvie’s unparalleled career has spanned almost 35 years of both dancing ballet and contemporary work and this time, she will present her final dance programme in Singapore.

If you are unable to make it for any of the programmes, then at least try to join in for What’s Your Move? party at the Esplanade Waterfront. Three themed nights over two weekends, there’s a dance for everyone to enjoy.

Friday I’m In Love
9 Oct (Waltz 8-9pm / Tango 930-1030pm / Milonga 1030pm onwards)
16 Oct (Lindy Hop 8-9pm / Charleston 930-1030pm)

Saturday Night Fever
10 Oct (Salsa 8-9pm / Bachata 930-1030pm)
17 Oct (Hip Hop 8-9pm / K-Pop 930-1030pm)

Sunday Funday
11 Oct (Jive 8-9pm / Flamenco 930-1030pm)
18 Oct (Street Dance 8-9pm / Bollywood 930-1030pm)

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Building up to this invitation to move, we were invited to try out the Footwork sessions, happening from Jun – Oct 2015. Footwork is basically an introductory dance class that gets people to discover the joy of movement. It offers a range of introductory dance classes for all ages, conducted by professional instructors.

Jayne doing her stretches before the class. And also some of her own invented dance moves.

  

We attended the Jazz class instructed by Denise from Wings To Wings Dance Development Centre.

Warm ups and already the girls are having so much fun.

  

Joey has quite a nice posture when she danced.

 

 

A great time of bonding and fun (for the girls). I enjoyed watching too.

With Teacher Denise.

 

Footwork Sessions

Youth & Adults
(basic workshops designed for youth, adults and senior citizens with little or no experience in dance)

$14 per session (1hr 30mins, with breaks)
Adult Ballet, Bellydance, Cha Cha Cha, Jive, Hip Hop, K-Pop MV Dance, Latin Jazz, Tap Dance, Rumba, Krumping and more

Parents & Kids
(a great way for parents and kids aged 7-10 years old to bond and have lots of fun and laughter)

$24 for 1 adult and 1 child / $36 for a family of 3 (1hr, with breaks)
Cha Cha Cha, Flamenco, Jazz, Hip Hop

Twinkle Toes
(specially for little ones aged 3-6 years old, these dance-play workshops are designed to help the young ones explore space, improve coordination and develop their listening and social skills)

$24 for 1 adult and 1 child / $36 for a family of 3 (1hr, with breaks)
Ballet Baby, Bhangra Baby, Bollywood Baby, Pop Baby, Swing Baby

Check out the following website for classes available and ticketing information.

Color Run 2015

We have only ran occasionally around our flat and usually for 3km. So when the chance dropped on us to run in the Color Run 5km race, we were a bit worried. Can we make it? What if my knee cannot take the distance?

Little did we know, the true nature of Color Run. It is the happiest5k run on earth! The Color Run was founded in March 2011 as an event to promote healthiness and happiness by bringing the community together to participate in the “Happiest5k on the Planet”.

The Color Run is a 5km, un-timed race in which the runners are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer mark. With only 2 rules: wear white at the starting line & finish plastered in color.

Armed with the new knowledge, Kless and I went ahead and had in mind to totally enjoy ourselves to the max!

A clean photo before the run.

The race was really more of a walkathon than anything. Thousands were happy walking through the 5km route and enjoy time with one another or with other Color Runners.

This is us after the first kilometer mark, the color is BLUE.

And subsequently: PINK, GREEN, ORANGE & PURPLE.

 

 

Some of the youths actually lay down on the colored-filled paths and try to get themselves covered in colors. But the older couple are just happy to have some fun (without the kids), and enjoyed some dating time.

Kless is simply super cute in multi-colors!

  

We will be looking forward to Color Run 2016 and maybe with the girls.

Thanks to Swisse for inviting us for this amazing fun!

Happy Meal Books

Do you like McDonald’s? Here is another reason for you to love it more.

Starting from 3 Sep till 30 Sep, for a total of 4 weeks, McDonald’s is giving you a chance to buy a Happy Meal set for your children, because with every Happy Meal set, you will receive a free Happy Meal Book, specially selected from publisher Dorling Kindersley’s (“DK”) “Watch Me Grow” and “WOW” series. This is part of the ongoing commitment to children’s happiness and well-being, McDonald’s seek to inspire more family reading time and to put the fun back into reading with its Happy Meals.

The “Watch Me Grow” books explore an animal’s-eye view of life through a collection of popular animal titles that include “Panda” and “Penguin”. The “WOW” series is a spectacular show and tell experience, exploring each subject in a unique way through stunning photographic images.

Week 1: Sep 3 – 9
Watch me grow! Panda
WOW! HUMAN BODY

Week 2: Sep 10 – 16
Watch me grow! Butterfly
WOW! ART AND CULTURE

Week 3: Sep 17 – 23
Watch me grow! Elephant
WOW! ANCIENT HISTORY

Week 4: Sep 24 - 30
Watch me grow! Penguin
WOW! SPACE

Since 1979, McDonald’s Happy Meals has been bringing flavorsome, fun-sized fare to kids. Over the years, their philosophy of offering balanced, great-tasting meals to suit children’s lifestyle and tastes has not changed.
The kids-sized fare now includes meal options that come in 500-calorie-and-under sets. Each Happy Meal also comes with milk along with a choice of Apple Slices or a Corn Cup (now lower in sodium).
Last year, McDonald’s also made the decision to switch to using Canola Blend oil to fry Chicken McNuggets after they’re par fried in Sunflower Oil. This change has reduced the level of saturated fat by approximately 30%.

MORE FUN!
Kids can join Ronald McDonald for a session of Art & Craft and fun reading at the following restaurants:

19 September – McDonald’s Bishan Park – 10am to 12pm

20 September – McDonald’s Ang Mo Kio Park – 10am to 12pm

26 September – McDonald’s Kallang – 10am to 12pm

27 September – McDonald’s Ridout Tea Garden – 10am to 12pm

4D3N Bangkok Trip 2015 - Part 2

So if you have missed the Part 1 of this series, you can click here to read.

As mentioned previously, I will be introducing this Night Market we have explored for the first time based on a friend’s recommendation who has been staying in Bangkok for more than 10 years.

Train Night Market Ratchada aka Talad Nud Rod Fai, located behind Esplanade Cineplex (easily assessable by MRT – Thailand Cultural Centre Station). Don’t be mistaken by the main Rod Fai Market which is located at Srinakarin Soi 51, behind Seacon Square Shopping Mall. Train Night Market Ratchada was opened earlier this year but already it is bustling with market goers, as it guarantees great food and a variety of night market shopping.

Just chill with friends while waiting for the sun to set which promises a different kind of fun.

 

The Train Night Market Ratchada runs from 5pm to 1am every Thursday through Sunday.

 

If you are looking for a denim jeans or berms, this is the right place.

Night falls and we see more people arriving at the market, where the food stalls are quickly being filled and businesses thrives.

As tired legs brought us nearer to the section for drinks, we were easily drawn by the music and ambience around the area.

Just look at the crowd.

This is a place I will surely come back again when I visit Bangkok.

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In all our traveling log, we have never done a sponsored food review overseas before. So for the first time, all thanks to my fellow Daddy Blogger friend Eddie, we were introduced to Jacqueline and her unique Ping’s Thai Teochew Seafood Restaurant.

The main shop is located at Asoke and the new outlet is at Pathumwan Princess Hotel (level 2).

Led by the renowned Chef Saetia Hung Ping, who has more than half a century’s culinary skills to perfect Ping’s superior and naturally flavorful chicken broth as well as many unique dishes.

For an hour or so, we were treated to the best meal on this trip, in fact in all our Bangkok trip.

Ping’s Braised Superior Special Shark’s Fin & Fish Maw

 

Stir Fried Fish Maw with Tiger Prawn

 

Braised Goose Web & Noodle in Clay Pot

 

Succulent Jumbo River Prawn

 

Fried Oyster Omelette on Sizzlling Hot Plate

Thai Style Shrimp Cake

Curry Crab in Thai Style

Even the Ice Blended Coconut Drink and Coconut Jelly Dessert are superb!

 

End of the meal, I was left dumbfounded. Where can I find such good food in Bangkok? =)

Thanks to Jacqueline and Ping’s for the amazing experience and treat!

For more information, check out the menu at Ping’s Restaurant Group.

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Time passes quickly when everything is enjoyable. Kless and I had one of the most relaxing trip by far to Bangkok. Damaged done for all the shopping. Had our fill of massages and great food.

 

Topped with the best traveling companions, the GUos, I could not have asked for a better trip.

Next trip to Korea!