SINGAPORE: The Chingay Parade 2009 will be held on January 30 and 31, and organisers say they have a grand opening in store.
Based on the theme of Wonderland and with a total of 13 floats with 3,800 performers, the parade promises a colourful show.
It will be the first time that the public can join in Asia's grandest street and floats parade.
They can be part of the parade by signing up for a workshop to design their own wearable art and learn simple rhythmic movement.
The wearable art public contingent for Chingay welcomes people of all
ages, regardless of citizenship. The winning entry will even get an
award.
Part of the opening number is by the Tong Liang Fire Dragon troupe
from China. Its bare-bodied dancers will perform under balls of flames.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will also be making its parade debut with an automated 8-metre high Dragon Float.
Senior Associate Provost of NTU, Professor Er Meng Hwa, said: "We have
actually programmed the dragon to do the head movements - up and down
and sideways as well. And this will be blended in with 120 dancers from
our Cultural Activities Club to complete the story on this contemporary
Chinese dance."
- CNA/yt