Street Corner Heritage Galleries Scheme

For those who might not be too familiar or heard about Street Corner Heritage Galleries previously. What is the Street Corner Heritage Galleries Scheme all about?

The Street Corner Heritage Galleries scheme by the National Heritage Board (NHB) started off in Balestier in 2020, followed by Kampong Gelam in 2021, Little India in 2022 and Chinatown in 2022. The Street Corner Heritage Galleries scheme is an excellent way to celebrate and document the rich experiences of heritage businesses, this scheme aims to foster a deeper appreciation for heritage in everyday spaces.

Under this scheme, NHB works closely with interested owners of heritage businesses with at least 30 years of history to co-create “mini-museums” to showcase the history, heritage, culture and stories of their businesses and trades, through the displays of historical documents, photographs and artefacts.

A brief history of Katong-Joo Chiat district

You would probably know Katong-Joo Chiat from pictures of the colourful pre-war Peranakan shophouses, that attracts not only locals to head there for a photo shoot. Our international friends have also make their way into Katong-Joo Chiat district for its charm, beauty and colourful blend of old and new, from its colourful pre-war shophouses in the neighbourhood, the diverse communities co-existing with modern shopping malls and hip cafes. 

There are rich history, heritage and culture elements in Katong-Joo Chiat, waiting for you to discover them behind those heritage businesses in Katong-Joo Chiat. Each has their own story of resilience, innovation and intergenerational piety. What are some of the stories and insights into heritage businesses in this vibrant Katong-Joo Chiat precinct? What are some of the lesser-known anecdotes behind those classic delicacies to inspirational tales of intergenerational support and cooperation? 

Why not take a walk and explore Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat, discover and find out more about them?

Six Participating Businesses for Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat

NHB is launching Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat with six participating businesses: 

• Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah
• Joo Chiat Fei Fei Wanton Noodle House
• Kim Choo Kueh Chang
• Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant
• Sin Heng Claypot Bak Koot Teh
• D’Bun

Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0 – Empowering the Community 

This Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat is an expansion of the scheme, as part of the NHB’s ongoing efforts under the Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0, to empower more Singaporeans to get involved with the celebration of our heritage and support heritage businesses and crafts. The Street Corner Heritage Galleries scheme provides curatorial support and assistance in terms of research and content development, and funding for the fabrication of showcases. 

NHB will also work closely with the heritage businesses to develop programmes that complement the showcases, and provide opportunities for them to participate in key NHB events to increase awareness of their businesses and offerings. 

What can the public look forward to? From guided trails and workshops that will showcase the Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat during NHB’s inaugural Heritage Activation Nodes (HAN), that will be launched in Katong-Joo Chiat district and various precincts from this year as part of NHB Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0. The HAN provides opportunities for the community to develop and implement projects that will increase the number of heritage touchpoint in the heartlands and celebrate the distinctive heritage of their neighbourhoods. 

Mr Gerald Wee, Director, Education and Community Outreach, NHB said: “We have been encouraged by the success of the pilot Street Corner Heritage Galleries scheme over the past three years. Feedback from the business owners has been positive and we hope this expansion of the scheme will allow more heritage businesses to showcase their stories and heritage, and to benefit from increased public awareness and support.”

A short tour of Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat

During the media session, we took a short tour of the Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat district. Starting off at Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant, next was Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah, Joo Chiat Fei Fei Wanton Noodle House and Kim Choo Kueh Chang.

Although it was a short session at each location due to time constraints, we heard stories from the  people behind the those heritage businesses. Although I had explored Katong-Joo Chiat quite a fair bit over the years for heritage, history and arts related events and activities, as well as doing photography shoots at various locations in the iconic Katong-Joo Chiat, hanging out at the Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market by The Retro Factory, there were still many stories that I am hearing it for the first time about Katong-Joo Chiat district. 

As I don’t stay in the east side of Singapore, and I am not too knowledgable about Peranakan cuisine, I didn’t know about the history and legacy of Guan Hoe Soon Restaurant until that day when I stepped into the premises for the start of the media event for Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat. I would love to visit and try their authentic Peranakan cuisine after trying out some of their delicious kueh and light bites that they prepared for the media event. 

Next up was Kway Guan Huat Joo Chiat Popiah. I heard about them previously, now I got to visit their store and hearing them share their history, stories and journeys. I love to eat popiah, I am going to check out their website, see which popiah skin or popiah sets to order, and plan a popiah eating gathering.

Visiting Kim Choo Kueh Chang at Joo Chiat Place, the original location and also its main factory, it was not the same as their East Coast Branch where I visited a few times over the years whenever there were events held in the Katong-Joo Chiat district. We were given a tour of their factory during our media tour, hearing them share about KIm Choo Kueh Chang history, stories and journeys. 

On a personal note, it was good to meet Mr Lim of Joo Chiat Fei Fei Wanton Noodle House again, I met him a few years back, thanks to Victor, a senior in Scouting, also a heritage enthusiast that I met at Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market, for introducing him. 

The four Street Corner Heritage Galleries in Katong-Joo Chiat district that we visited, all had their own unique history, stories and journeys, from one generation to the next. I would like to invite you to explore and check them out during your exploration of Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat, whereby you can learn more about their origins, how they continued to thrive and grow over the years.

For more information on Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat

If you like to know more information on Street Corner Heritage Galleries: Katong-Joo Chiat, please visit https://go.gov.sg/schgkatongjoochiat 

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The story behind Katong Dreaming

Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour is created by August Lum, Marc Nair, Nicodemus Tan, and Valerie Lim. Produced by Jamie Lee for Betel Box Tours, and supported by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and National Arts Council (NAC) Performing Arts Pilot Grant. Both STB and NAC seek to encourage the development and trial of innovative performing arts tours by tour operators. 

Let’s go on a Katong Dreaming Musical Tour!

Most locals and international visitors that know/heard of Katong, they would remember Katong and Joo Chiat districts for its colourful houses, sleepy streets, and of course, our favourite Singapore topic – food. However, it’s more than just that, how much do you know about the rich Peranakan history, culture and traditions that built up Katong and Joo Chiat districts?

When you embark on this 2-in-1 performing arts tour and travel adventure – Katong Dreaming Musical Tour, not only will you hear the stories of Katong and Joo Chiat districts as you walk through those two districts, admiring the architecture, colours and design of those old houses, you will also get to hear original songs, poems, and this movement set to an original score. 

Without further ado, follow me below and let’s go on a Katong Dreaming Musical Tour!

First and foremost, it begins with Bak Chang

First and foremost, it begins with Bak Chang. When you sign up for Katong Dream: A Musical Tour, the start point is at Kim Choo Kueh Chang at 111 East Coast Road. If this is your first time visiting Kim Choo Kueh Chang, I strongly encourage you to check them out. 

Once you finished your registration, collect your headset, listen to the administrative instructions, you are more than ready to embark on your unique 2-in-1 performing arts tour and travel adventure. 

This is where you start your Katong Dreaming Musical Tour, it begins with Bak Chang. Somehow, you might be very relaxed, happily chatting with people or dreaming about Katong, that you won’t know the musical tour has started! 

Do you know what is a Bak Chang, its history and origin? Listen to this “Bak Chang Beginnings”, written by Marc Nair, when you join the musical tour.   

Next up, It also begins with the Sea

After knowing your Bak Chang, it’s time to move out and explore Katong and Joo Chiat. Next up, it also begins with the Sea. Just a short walk away from Kim Choo Kueh Chang, walking through traffic light cross junction, experiencing your first back lane experiences, you would reach this road lined up with a very unique architecture and design, they are elevated terrace houses. 

The elevated terrace houses are what remain of how close Katong was to the sea. This might be your first time watching an outdoor performing arts tour. With your headphones on, listen and enjoy this outdoors arts performance play, “It Begins with the Sea”, written by Mark Nicodemus Tan, music by August Lum.

Do you remember cinematic Roxy Baby?

The older locals in Katong and Joo Chiat would remember the Roxy Cinema that once stood where Roxy Square is. An iconic and popular location with Katong and Joo Chiat residents, its history and heritage is not forgotten, written down in “Roxy Baby” by Marc Nair, with music by August Lum. 

Looking through Pintu Pagar

The iconic row of colourful heritage Peranakan terrace houses at Joo Chiat, along Koon Seng Road, have been popular with both international visitors and locals alike.   

The design and architecture of the have a feature known as “Pintu Pagar”, a half-height outer door that acts as a “fence” for the main front door when it is left open during the day, providing both privacy and security while providing ventilation.

When you watch the musical play segment unfolds in front of you at the Peranakan terrace houses, there would be curiosity building up inside you when looking through Pintu Pagar, what goes behind those Peranakan terrace houses?  

“Pintu Pagar”, written by Marc Nair and Mark Nicodemus Tan, with music by August Lim.  

See and experience the untold Back Lane stories

The back lanes of Katong and Joo Chiat districts are not exactly on most peoples’s mind and thoughts to visit. The back lanes may not be the most glamorous, yet they tell you many different stories, culture and living, as well as history and heritage. 

See and experience the untold Back Lane stories for yourself, it’s more than just street photography or architecture photography. 

“The Back Lane”, written by Marc Nair

We love our Coffeeshop Talk

We love our coffee, both Arabica and Robusta coffee. We love our Coffeeshop Talk, whether at a kopitiam drinking local Nanyang kopi, or at a cafe, enjoying our coffee time. Some kopitiam are more than just eating and drinking places, they are a cultural hub of people, gatherings and exchanging stories.  

“Coffeeshop Talk”, written by Marc Nair.

Do check out this video of Sin Hin, traditional coffee shop: https://vimeo.com/674832451 

What is Under the Banyan Tree?

The Banyan Tree, to most people, is probably just another tree species from the diverse flora and fauna on Earth. Not many people I reckon would know about Banyan Tree and its connections to the spiritual side of things.

What is under the Banyan Tree at the Joo Chiat Place Parking Lot? They are home to a few deity worship, place inside nicely built wooden box houses, visited and maintained nicely by believers around the district.

What is Under the Banyan Tree could be a mystery to some, it could also be a place of worship, only if you choose to see, know and learn about them, for both locals and international visitors alike.    

“Under the Banyan Tree”, written by Marc Nair and Mark Nicodemus Tan, with music by August Lum. 

Time for a Kopi O

As we are nearing the end of the Katong Dreaming Music Play journey, is it time for a Kopi O? You have now reached your end point: Betel Box Hostel. As you sit down, rest and relax from your earlier musical tour walk in Katong / Joo Chiat district, would you like to have a cup of Kopi-O to relax, unwind and chill?

“Kopi O”, written by Nicodemus Tan, music by August Lum.

Grand Finale is Here There 

The grand finale to wrap up your musical play journey, “Here There” is a twin cinema poem first developed by Singaporean poet Yeow Kai Chai in 2010. It’s generally read in three ways, vertically down each column, horizontally across the entire length of the poem. Read in all three ways, watch and listen to the Grand Finale musical performance. 

“Here There”, written by Marc Nair, with music by August Lum. 

A Huge Round of Applause for Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour

As the Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour drew to a close at Betel Box, the performers and organisers received a huge round of applause from all of us that walked, immersed, listened, watched and become a part of this musical play walking journey. 

We stayed back for a short while, chatting and congratulating the performers and organisers behind this musical tour. It’s not your usual musical play whereby you can mingle with the performers and organisers/crew straight after a musical play performance. 

Katong Dreaming is Not your typical musical play

For me a visual storyteller that has been documenting and covering history, heritage, culture and arts, somehow I am not that into musical plays or theatre performances. When I embarked on Katong Dreaming musical tour, I was brought into another world, that is not utopian, like a Time Machine ride from the past when our forefathers first stepped foot into Singapore, into the modern Singapore cosmopolitan city of today.

Katong Dreaming brings you on a rich history, heritage, cultural and travelling tour of Katong district in Singapore through an immersive and powerful musical play through a walk around the Katong district. Through this musical play, you can have a deeper and wider understanding about Peranakan history, heritage and culture.

A Uniquely Singapore travel experience for both locals and international visitors alike. I would like to encourage you to book this unique, enriching and immersive Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour in Singapore.

I could have shot some videos as snippets of this amazing, mesmerising and immersive Katong Dreaming Musical Tour. However, I decided that I would like you to fully experience them yourself when you sign up for this musical tour. 

I would like to invite you, whether you are a local or an international visitor, to join this uniquely created and produced in Singapore musical tour, and be a part of Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour!

Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour

If you like to know more about Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour, please visit https://katongdreaming.peatix.com/, you can book your tickets from there too!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katongdreaming/ 

Hashtag:#katongdreaming 

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At NHB inaugural Craft X Design showcase held at the National Museum of Singapore, visitors can get up close and personal with four prototypes of contemporary and creative amalgamation of tradition, heritage and culture, combined with modern contemporary living and design through the world, eyes, craft and skillsets of the cultural and heritage practitioners and contemporary modern designers coming together in a unique and eye opening experience.

Craft X Design was introduced by NHB, part of their efforts under Our SG Heritage Plan to cultivate stronger public awareness and appreciation of Singapore’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. This helps to create platforms to showcase Singapore’s rich and diverse trades and crafts. 

Mr Yeo Kirk Siang, Director, Heritage Research & Assessment, NHB, said, “By actively nurturing partnerships between crafts persons and local designers to produce contemporary products using traditional craft techniques or materials, we aim to revitalise local traditional crafts, by opening up new markets and new customer bases, and thus ensuring their long-term sustainability and commercial viability. The result of the pilot edition of Craft X Design conveys the important message that traditional crafts continue to have a place and relevance in our society today through innovation.” 

Traditional Chinese Lanterns | Harmony Spheres 

Practitioner: Jimm Wong

Designers: Melvin Ong, Xu Xiao (NextOfKin Creatives)

Traditional Chinese lanterns have a long tradition and history dating back to the Han Dynasty (206BC to 220AD). In Singapore, they are traditionally hung in places of worship and clan associations, and during festivities or special occasions such as deities’ birthdays, weddings and Mid-Autumn Festival. 

Traditional Chinese lanterns are made of bamboo frames, the bamboo splints are cut to the required length and thickness, followed by soaking in water before being heated over a fire and the bamboo strips can be Ben for the lantern frame. This would followed by gluing the oil-coated silk paper onto the lantern frame, before they can be painted with traditional characters, motifs and/or family surnames. 

In a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Chinese lantern by NextOfKin Creatives, they designed it to be an elegant dining lamp, titled “Harmony Spheres”. This symbolises a nice and good mix of tradition and contemporary, by preserving the lighting function and the bamboo strips of a traditional Chinese lantern, while adding a contemporary spin through its unique multi-spherical structure.

This Harmony Spheres lamp is further inspired by the Chinese ivory puzzle ball, they have intricately carved layers that can rotate individually. With its open-ended spheres further producing a layered and textured lighting effect. The translucent exterior design produces a graceful arc of the bamboo ribs, held together by 3D-printed rims.

In order to see, feel and experience this Harmony Spheres lamp, get up close and personal (without touching it) at this exhibition. You will be able to feel the tradition and contemporary combining together as one.  

Ketupat Weaving | Raya Furniture

Practitioner: MDM Anita Tompang 

Designer: Mr Andrew Loh

Whenever I see a Ketupat, the first thing that comes to my mind is delicious Malay cuisine. Ketupat is a rice cake wrapped in a pouch, traditionally woven with coconut leaves, used in religious ceremonies throughout the Malay world as form of food offering. In Singapore, it’s usually prepared as a festive food by the Malay-Muslim community during Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji. 

Ketupat weaving is often a family activity that brings together generations together in a celebratory spirit of Hari Ray festivities. More than just weaving ketupat for rice cakes, ketupat pouches are also woven from colourful ribbons to decorate Malay homes during festive periods, they can be woven into a variety of shapes and sizes, including the ketupat raya, the most common ketupat from seen during the Hari Raya festive celebrations. 

How do you transform the ketupat into something contemporary? Through Raya, a celebration of the ketupat raya. It’s being transposed from ketupat raya to contemporary furniture, paying tribute to the sophistication and versatility of the weaving techniques. 

How is Raya Furniture produced? They are woven around foams of different densities instead of coconut leaves and rice cakes, inspired by the function of ketupats as containers. Each module is woven or riveted together with other modules, stacked in different combinations to create the bench and stool on display. 

The modular nature of Raya furniture is a respond to the growing nature of creative designed spaces and encourages users to experiment with modifying/re-transforming their Raya modules into a variety of functional everyday uses.

Peranakan Beadwork and Embroidery | Rejuvenation Gown

Practitioner: Raymond Wong

Designers: Joanna Lim, Joanne Quak (Aller Row)

Peranakan beadwork and embroidery are exquisitely beautiful and intricate crafts, marked with a rich repertoire of motifs and techniques that weave together diverse Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European influences, reflecting Peranakan culture. Two iconic examples of Peranakan beadwork and embroidery are the beaded slippers (kasut manek) and the Peranakan kebaya dress. 

Peranakan beadwork uses glass and metal seed beads, individually stitched in place onto the cloth. The Peranakan kebaya featured two triangular front panels (lapik) that fall gently over the hips. Combining lacework as well as satin, zigzag and buttonhole stitches are employed to outline floral or geometric motifs on the kebaya. 

Rejuvenation Gown is a contemporary take on the traditional Peranakan kebaya, adapting and incorporating elements of Peranakan kebaya onto a cape-sleeved couture gown, fusing Lim and Quak’s joint vision of creating fashion wear tailored for the modern women, as well as showcasing Wong’s interest in Peranakan culture and expertise in traditional Peranakan beadwork and embroidery techniques. 

Rangoli | Refined Rangoli

Practitioner: Ms Vijaya Mohan

Designer: Jarrod Lim (Jarrod Lim Design)

Rangoli, is a traditional Indian art form dating a long wat back in time to pre-Aryan India. It is a multi-coloured floor decoration, using rice flour or other natural substances such as grains, seeds, vermillion and/or turmeric powder, to create motifs that symbolise joy, prosperity, and/or thanksgiving to the deities. 

They are traditionally drawn on the ground at the entrance of households and are commonly seen during Indian festivals such as Deepavali. Their shapes may range from geometric shapes, to auspicious animals and floral designs, to symbols of Hindu deities. Some of the popular motifs include circular designs that signify the continuity of time, the lotus flower with Goddess Lakshmi in the middle, that represents prosperity and fertility in Hinduism. 

From a 2D art form to a 3D art form, giving rise to Refined Rangoli, widening the possibilities and diversities of Rangoli art form into a modern contemporary design of 3D metalware, including a lampshade and a bowl, a combination of decorative art form with new practical applications. 

Refined Rangoli metalware preserves Rangoli’s artistic flavours and cultural expressions, bringing them to life via laser cutting technology, producing intricate Rangoli motifs carved out onto slices of stainless steel. The thin and flexible metal slices were then folded by hand into the form of the lampshade and bowl.

In order to see, feel and experience the Refined Rangoli, get up close and personal (without touching it) at this exhibition. You will be able to feel the tradition and contemporary combining together as one.  

NHB Craft X Design showcase – A Must Visit 

The inaugural NHB Craft X Design showcase is amazing, a real eye opener into how we can merge the world of heritage, culture and traditions together with modern contemporary inputs from design and applications to everyday living. 

This showcase is an inspiration to all, it’s also a modern contemporary method of continuing heritage, culture and traditions from the older generations to the younger generations. Highly recommended for extended families to bring their children/grandchildren to visit, learn and appreciate about Singapore’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, preserving, conserving and passing on our heritage, culture and traditions to the future generations.

Craft X Design Showcase Information

Venue: National Museum of Singapore, Longer Concourse, Level 1, 93 Stamford Road, S178897

Date: 2nd July 2022 to 31st July 2022

Time: Opens daily 10am to 7pm

Admission: Free

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How I met Alvin was most likely to be a museum event, I was introduced by Belinda, the great connector and networker. “Come and visit the Intan!” Alvin said to me. “Alright, sure!” I replied to Alvin. Fast forward to 16^th June 2019, I finally visited the Intan! I had one of my most memorable visit to a museum here in Singapore, an exquisite Peranakan Experience at the Intan. Let me bring you through on my story of learning and exploring up close and personal Peranakan history, heritage and culture at the Intan with Alvin Yapp.

I joined a scheduled Intan Tea Tour with two other visitors from overseas, along with another family based in Singapore, on a Saturday morning. The Intan attracts both local and international visitors. The tour took about an hour, starting with a brief history on the origins of Peranakan history, heritage and culture by Alvin. Thereafter, he brought us around a tour of his Peranakan museum on the ground floor, telling the stories, the origin and history behind them.

On the second floor, there are even more Peranakan treasures! Prior to going up, Alvin kindly requested “No photography is allowed to be taken on the second floor”. We respected his privacy and request, no questions asked. Oh, what are the type of Peranakan treasures and collection on the second floor? I would like to keep this a suspense, for you to visit the Intan and discover them for yourself!

Upon finishing the tour, we went back down to the ground floor, sat down, had tea, delicious Nonya kueh and continued chatting with Alvin, listening to his stories. As the other visitors left, I stayed behind for a bit longer, preparing for the second half of my exquisite Peranakan experience. While chatting with Alvin, he shared this with me, “Every piece of Peranakan artefact inside the Intan has a story behind it.” I was curious, wanting to learn and understand more about Intan.

Me: When and how did the Intan get started?

Alvin: The Intan is sometimes referred to as an ‘Accidental Museum’ I started collecting Peranakan antiques to learn about my own culture. When I had my own apartment, visitors were keen to visit me to view and learn about P culture. We eventually registered ourselves at The Intan in 2006, and NHB appointed The Intan as a member of the museum roundtable association in 2010.

Me: What are some of your favourite Peranakan collections and what are some of the stories behind them?

Alvin: Each piece has it’s own story. My first piece is a humble planter’s chair. I got it from a garage sale by using my Dad’s station wagon. Another piece that is special to me would be a pair of beaded slippers that my g’ma gave to my mum. I always say….everything else, money can buy. Heirloom pieces are priceless.

Me: What makes the Intan so special and unique?

Alvin: Everything Here are some things we keep hearing from our guests

1. Am surprised that the owner still lives in the house
2. Special to visit a ‘house’ museum where we can interact and engage with the owner/collector himself.
3. It’s a living museum
4. Very experiential where we can ask all the questions we want
5. You can also check out Tripadvisor reviews….wat travelers’ say about The intan is extremely interesting!

There were stories on some of the Peranakan collections, some were heart warming, some heart wrenching when I heard it from Alvin, while looking at the Peranakan collections, I was amazed, touched and enlightened by them. That is the exquisite Peranakan experience that I am talking about earlier, only at the Intan, surrounded by a vast and wide collection of Peranakan history, heritage, culture, conservation and preservation, through the private stories, heart, mind, soul and amazing passion of Alvin Yapp, the owner of the Intan.

The Intan is not a big museum by floor size, it is a “huge” museum by the diversity of Peranakan culture packed inside there, filled with such a rich Peranakan history, heritage, culture, stories behind them and a level of passion unparalleled by the private museum owner Alvin Yapp. This is definitely one of the best private museum in Singapore, in my personal humble opinion.

I would like to invite you to book a visit to the Intan, go for your own exquisite Peranakan experience adventure! Thank you Intan, thank you Alvin, for this memorable exquisite Peranakan Experience!

<A TGH Photography x Canon EOS RP Explorer series production>

Information on the Intan

Address: 69 Joo Chiat Terrace, Singapore 427231

Telephone: +65 6440 1148

Email: contactus@the-intan.com

Important! Take note!

The Intan is a private Peranakan Museum. Please be kindly reminded that visits to the Intan are STRICTLY by appointments only! Book your Intan tour here on their website!

Social Media

Website: http://the-intan.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheIntanSG/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theintansg/

Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/theintansg/

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As you watched and immersed yourself into the heart, mind and soul of this immigrant in Singapore (going back in time to a much earlier generation) who came to Nanyang for a better life and married a local Malay woman. As his business flourished, he also had a good loving and happy family, a comfortable life. However, he still think about his family in his hometown.

In order to cheer him up, his grandchildren, came up with something special for their grandfather, a harmonious and special fusion of two polar genres, Nanyin and music of today’s era.

This family and love story, Memoirs of Nanyang, presented to you through this remarkable perfomance, a combination of 2,000 year old Nanyin music, meeting Malay music and Mandarin pop music, that would impress and amaze you on how different cultures and music are able to combine together, producing such an amazing musical performance, celebrating the spirit and essence of family, love, bonding and multiculturalism.

Be touched, be mesmerised, be awed, by Memoirs of Nanyang.

Memoirs of Nanyang (情锁南洋)

Date: Saturday 25^th May 2019

Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm

Venue: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Auditorium

Ticket Pricing: S$38 , S$28 (excludes booking fee)

Tickets: https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/csccce2019

Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre

Website: https://www.singaporeccc.org.sg

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/singaporechineseculturalcentre

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/singaporechineseculturalcentre/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAyGrbeMegLonj-e3dI_Rtg

Siong Leng Musical Association

Website: http://www.siongleng.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SiongLengMusicalAssociation/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siongleng.sg/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeB6bb5Z6WV-rf4szH4PYdw

I would like to thank Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Siong Leng Musical Association for the invitation to a preview of Memoirs of Nanyang – A Nanyin Musical.

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Together with Victor, June, Iris, Uncle CE and myself, along with John, our EOS World Community Manager and Ron from Canon Imaging Academy of Canon Singapore, we had a fun morning photo walk, helping out the group guides in the photo walk, starting off from Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen. The Peranakan Project Photo Walk was organised by Marine Parade Cluster, whereby my friend Jude is also active inside the Marine Parade Cluster.

Group photo courtesy of John

For those who love delicious Peranakan cuisine, do visit Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen, we had a delicious brunch before starting off on our photo walk. Before starting the guided photo walk, participants had the opportunity to do food photography shoot with the Peranakan dishes setup on the table.

A big group photograph was taken outside Old Bibik’s Peranakan Kitchen before the start of The Peranakan Project, a photo walk exploring and learning about Peranakan history, heritage and culture in the Joo Chiat district. We visited some of the iconic landmarks in Joo Chiat district, the colourful Peranakan Houses along Koon Seng Road, Katong Houses along 150 East Coast Road, Katong Antique House, Kim Choo Kueh Chang before finishing the photo walk at Joo Chiat Community Club. Our group made pit stops at some of the back alleys of Joo Chiat district where there were interactive stations for participants to join in and have fun.

As one of the photo guides and helpers, I didn’t take as many photographs as I would like, since I had to help to keep a lookout for my group’s participants, therefore I took photos of the participants and behind the scenes photos instead. I had previously explored Joo Chiat district on a number of occasions, just a few weeks back prior to the Peranakan Project photo walk, I planned a video and photo shoot for Hpility SG Vivo Smartphone project in this vicinity.

Personally for me, the visit to Katong Antique House was very memorable, a remarkable private museum that has a long and rich history and heritage packed inside there. I hope to visit them again to learn more about in-depth about Peranakan history, heritage and culture. Kim Choo Kueh Chang was also great, participants got the opportunity to taste some of the nonya delights, absolutely authentic and delicious.

A photo walk, would never be a real photo walk until you started chatting with participants, photo guides and helpers on camera gears, the debates and discussions between photographers whether they are enthusiasts or professional photographers. I brought my Canon EOS RP full-frame mirrorless camera out for the Peranakan Project photo walk, attracted some fanfare attention from fellow Canon photographers as well photographers using other camera brands. We did have some interesting chats and debates among us at the Joo Chiat Community Centre! Nevertheless, the lightweight Canon EOS RP makes it very ideal for street photography and travel photography too!

Thanks to Marine Parade Cluster for organising The Peranakan Project photo walk, it was fun to help out in a small way back to the community and heritage sector.

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