Inclusivity Takes Centre Stage At Gardens By The Bay This National Day
The annual Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert (NDC) returns on 4 August (Sunday) this year, from 7.30 pm to 10 pm.
Themed "Our Home, Our Heart, Our Singapore", the 6th edition of this concert, which will take place at The Meadow, will feature several notable firsts, including:
IMAGE: DIVERSE ABILITIES DANCE COLLECTIVE
Debut appearance of Diverse Abilities Dance Collective
For the first time, Diverse Abilities Dance Collective (DADC) will be performing in this year's NDC.
Established in 2018, DADC is a community initiative by local company Maya Dance Theatre that aims to foster inclusivity through dance via collaborations between persons with disabilities and art-makers.
DADC practises dance techniques which are inspired by the Indian classical dance form Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance, and also engages members to learn employability skills related to the arts.
During the concert, DADC will be performing an uplifting dance sequence as vocalist Amni Musfirah sings popular Singapore ballad Bunga Sayang.
IMAGE: FACEBOOK/@THARMANSHANMUGARATNAM
President Tharman's first time as the concert's Guest of Honour
For the first time, Singapore's ninth President, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, will be attending NDC as Guest of Honour, where he and his wife Ms Jane Ittogi will do a self-introduction in sign language.
In addition, during the finale of the concert, President Tharman will lead the audience in reciting the pledge, accompanied by members from the Singapore Association for the Deaf in sign language.
First "live" performance of NDP 2024 theme song
You've seen it in music videos, but this will be your first chance to see Benjamin Kheng's "Not Alone" performed in person.
Can't get enough of NDP music? You'll also get to enjoy riveting renditions of past NDP songs such as NDP 2022's "Stronger Together" by Taufik Batisah and NDP 2021's "Breathing City" by Sezairi, both of whom are Singapore Idol winners.
From local talent to light sticks and lots of family fun
IMAGE: FAITH MUSIC CENTRE
An array of awesome artistes
NDC 2024 will be hosted by popular audio personalities, Mediacorp 987's Avery Yeo and Mediacorp YES 933's Hazelle Teo, and will include performances by a lively line-up of local artistes and musicians. Here are some of the performers you can look forward to:
- Olivia Ong (concert headliner)
- Shabir
- Yung Raja
- Jack & Rai
- Fire Rainbow Band (An inclusive live band from Faith Music Centre, a social enterprise that conducts music courses for individuals, including persons with disabilities)
- Liu Ling Ling
- Rahimah Rahim
- John Klass
- The Vasantham Boyz
There will also be performances by Mediacorp artistes and talents from Mediacorp's reality singing competitions.
IMAGE: GARDENS BY THE BAY
A family-friendly carnival
Head down to Gardens by the Bay before NDC starts for a wide range of pre-concert activities, starting at 4.30 pm.
From go-kart races to nostalgic carnival games like ring toss, a bouncy castle, roving acts by jugglers and stilt walkers, and pre-concert performances by various artistes, the festivities promise a world of family-friendly fun.
In addition, you can snag free goodies such as light sticks, temporary tattoo stickers, balloon sculptures, popcorn, and even free air plants or potted plants propagated from plants in Gardens by the Bay.
You can also purchase Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert 2024 #SGYesWeCan tote bags for $5.
Proceeds from the sale of tote bags go towards Gardens by the Bay's community outreach initiative Gift of Gardens, which allows the disadvantaged and disabled to enjoy the cooled conservatories for free.
Find out more about NDC 2024 here or here.
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