[Media Invite] The Mongol Khan : Exclusive First Look & Graphic Novel Launch Event

 The Mongol Khan:
Coming Soon to Singapore for Asia Premiere

The Mongol Khan - Official Photo credit to Katja Ogrin (Base Entertainment Asia)

The Mongol Khan, a majestic Mongolian theatrical production is set to conquer Singapore's Sands Theatre from 17 October 2024, marking its highly anticipated Asia Premiere. Inspired by the region's rich history, this epic theatrical production brings to life the fascinating historical events that happened in Central Asia 3000 years ago, taking audiences on a journey that feels both timeless and relatable. Following a sell-out season at The London Coliseum in 2023, this groundbreaking production is set to makes history again as the first-ever Mongolian theatrical production to take stage in Singapore. 

Exclusive Media Invitation

Triple J - Jessie, Jas, Jayce
Thanks Kelvin for the photo

I was thrilled to be invited to attend the First Look of The Mongol Khan and its graphic novel launch. Brought along Jayce with me and we walked over from office after work to attend this exclusive event at the Sands Theatre.  

Cocktails and Canapes were served throughout and it was nice to meet familiar faces too! 

 First Look at The Mongol Khan

Sneak Peak of Some Traditional Dances and Performances

Mongolian Traditional Dance 
Dancer: Enkhbolor

A graceful dance to express happiness. It is said that during a festive feast after eating and drinking, the Inner Mongolian people will grab wine cups from the table and start to dance. This dance therefore arose from this custom. Throughout the dance, we also noticed that the cups were actually filled with water as some scenes showing water being poured out of the wine cups. Such great skill of balancing without spilling the water inside. 

Mongolian Original Dance
Dancer: Shijirmaa

This fascinating performance truly leaves a deep impression as this lady is able to made different sounds from the throat resembling that of the birds. 

Mongolian Horse Fiddle
Artist: Maidarravjaa

It's amazing how this Mongolian Horsehead Fiddle, or Morin Khur, a humble two-stringed instrument, yet in the skilled hands can conjure evoke the thunderous gallop of ten thousand horses. The image of horses galloping in the vast, untamed green fields and I'm really impressed.

Mongolian Religious Dance
Dancers: Davaa, Maidarravjaa, Enkhblor, Lkhagva

The last performance was the Mongolian Religious Dance. It was truly an eye opener. Such colourful and elaborated masks and costumes. It does reminds me of the Chinese Opera dance. 

 The Mongol Khan Graphic Novel Launch

Autograph session with Hero Bataar, Director and Executive Producer and Author  

The graphic novel went on sale after the performance. Kelvin bought a copy and scored a meet-and-greet with the director, Hero Bataar on stage to get the book signed. We were really curious as to how the autograph looks like and it turned out that Hero not only signed the book with his signature but he had also asked them to write their names and sign on the page. After which, he transformed their signatures into two animals! 

Don't miss this spectacular theatrical show. Tickets are now on sale via Marina Bay Sands Ticketing, SISTIC and KLOOK. Quote "CHEWYJAS" to get 5% discount on Klook (Minimum purchase $50). UOB debit and credit cardholders enjoy a 15% discount off tickets across all categories and performances. The Mongol Khan graphic novel, available now at Kinokuniya, offers a deeper dive into the story. 

XOXO

[Event] Singapore International Jewelry Expo 2024

I visited Singapore's most prestigious jewellery show, the Singapore International Jewelry Expo (SIJE) 2024 which was held at Marina Bay Sands Singapore, Sands Expo & Convention Centre Halls A & B from 11 July to 13 July. SIJE is the leading trade show for the jewellery industry, connecting local and international exhibitors with key buyers in Singapore, ASEAN and beyond, facilitating business opportunities and growth. 

SIJE 2024 - Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Photo Credit: IEG Asia 

The show was officially opened by Guest-of-Honour Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Cluture, Community and Youth. Also present at the official opening of SIJE 2024 were His Excellency Dante Brandi, Ambassador of Italy to Singapore and Brunei; Mr Giorgio Calveri, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Agency (ITA) Singapore; Mr Sulistijo Djati Ismojo, Deputy Chief of Mission/Head of Chancery, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore; His Excellency Senarath Dissanayake, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Singapore; His Excellency, Samer Anton Naber, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the Republic of Singapore.

SIJE 2024 - Opening Ceremony of Indonesian Pavilion
Photo Credit: IEG Asia 

SIJE 2024 - Opening Ceremony of Italian Pavilion
Photo Credit: IEG Asia 

The Italian Pavilion at SIJE 2024 was officially opened by Guest of Honour Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth; His Excellency Mr. Dante Brandi, Ambassador of Italy to Singapore and Brunei; and Mr Giorgio Calveri, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Agency (ITA) Singapore. This milestone event fosters bilateral trade ties between Italy and Singapore, especially in the jewellery industry. The pavilion showcases 14 renowned Italian master jewellers, highlighting exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs, made possible by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), demonstrating Italy's commitment to strengthening business relationships and commercial prospects in the region. 

First look at some exceptional gemstones and jewellery from across the globe

A S$3.8 million one-of-a-kind Jade Necklace by Ivy Masterpiece. Each piece of jade in this necklace has been painstakingly curated to present this rare piece of perfection. This HKJJA-certified necklace has 47 Natural Imperial Jadite Beads and weights a total of 691 carats. 

Another piece by Ivy Masterpiece is this Natural Fancy Light Pink "Cushion" Diamond Ring with a carat weight of 4.01 carats and GIA-certified set with marquise and oval-shaped Diamonds mounted in an 18K 750 White Gold Ring. Priced at S$ 1.18 million. My photo doesn't do justice to this stunning piece. It was so dazzling and sparkles from every angle, captivating the eye no matter how you look at it.

A rare and magnificent 9-carat Pigeon Blood Ruby of Mozambique origin, set with two trapezoid diamonds in a timeless white gold ring casing by DeGem, valued at S$ 4 million. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to get a photo of the actual piece. 

Unique, handmade pieces spotted in the Indonesian Pavilion

At the Indonesian Pavilion, we spotted many one-of-a-kind, handmde jewelry pieces featuring intricate designs and delicate patterns. Each piece was skillfully crafted, displaying lustrous pearls and other precious gemstone.  

Various Stage and Longue Programme

SIJE 2024 brought together jewellery enthusiasts and professionals over the four days exhibition show. There were insightful sharing sessions, stylish fashion shows, receptions and community-based activities for public and invited guests. 

XOXO

[Media Invite] Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands

For the very first time, the highly acclaimed theatre production, Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show debuted in Asia at the Singapore's Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands on 13 June 2024. This was following a trail of sold-out performances across Australia, the UK, Ireland and North America. 

This is a brand new stage adaptation of the BAFTA & Emmy® award-winning children's television series, Bluey which is produced by Ludo Studio and is also available in Singapore on CBeebies, BBC Player and Disney+. Bluey's Big Play in Singapore is supported by Base Entertainment Asia, Maybank, StarHub and SPH Media and presented by BBC Studios and Andrey Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Company.   

"We're thrilled to be bringing Bluey's Big Play to Singapore at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Snads", said Director Rosemary Myers of Windmill Theatre Company. "The response to the show from fans across Australia, the U.S.A and the UK and Ireland has been nothing short of amazing and we can't wait for families in Singapore to experience all the fun and excitement of having Bluey and her family on stage live in their city".  

I'm glad to have the opportunity to be invited to catch the show with four tickets thanks to Base Entertainment Asia. Since it's the school holiday, my girl followed me to my workplace and we took a nice and slow stroll after work to Marina Bay Sands.

During tickets collection, we spotted a handful of children dressing up as Bluey and Bingo which was so adorable. After collecting the tickets, we went to have a quick dinner while waiting for our friends Pink and Enya to meet us. 

Throughout the 50 minutes show, audiences of all ages get to meet Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad as the Heeler family in different iconic sets with no interval. The storyline is nicely crafted to show the relationships between siblings and also the importance of putting down the phone to spend quality time with the children. It is very easy to relate to the Heeler family's adventures. There are also some interactive segments to keep the audiences engaged, for example when we were asked to copy the characters' action. Interestingly, I always thought Bluey is a boy and Bingo is a girl, it was only after watching this show that I found out that both Bluey and Bingo are girls. For this show, the crew operates the Giant puppets movements behind and they did it so skillfully.  

Stayed around after the show ended as bubbles and large balls were released to the audience to bounce them around. This part certainly got all the kids and adults excited as we all tried to get a hand at bouncing the giant balls. 

Glad the girls enjoyed the show and warmed up to each other quite easily. Thanks Mummy Pink who helped to capture the fun moments. Love our unspoken matching outfits with blue! 

XOXO

[Experience] Immersive Disney Animation at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands

I visited the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands with my family to experience the Immersive Disney Animation. If you've ever felt that reality and growing up has extinguished the spark in you, this is a chance to rekindle that spark and magical feeling. Celebrating 100 years of Disney animation excellence, the experience promises to transport visitors to the dynamic and enchanting worlds of many beloved Disney characters.

Presented by Base Entertainment Asia in collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studio, the opening show on November 18, 2023 was a triple celebrations as Immersive Disney Animation marked its Southeast Asia premiere and the show also saw the premiere of Let It Go from Frozen. Not only that it was also Mickey Mouse's and Minnie Mouse's 95th Birthday. 

The entire 90-minute experience is presented in three sections. Be sure to arrive early to take photos outside too. I dressed my girl up as a classic Snow White princess for this Disney experience. 

The first section is Exhibit Area 1, where 62 movie posters from 100 years of Disney animation are displayed on the wall. We took lots of photos with the larger-than-life 3.6 meter tall Mickey Mouse and also with the statues of Elsa and Anna. We picked up the fall leaves on the floor and did a cute boomerang with them.

The next section is Exhibit Area 2 where visitors can delve deeper into the exhibition for a behind-the-scenes look at the technology and creativity that brings the sketches of Disney's legendary animators to life. We witnessed the evolution of our favourite Disney scenes, characters and songs. There are also drawing tables where visitors can learn the techniques used for sketching various Disney characters. 

Finally, we entered the Show Gallery, a transformative 360-degree environment that immerses visitors in a captivating Disney narrative with scenes, characters and songs from Disney animated films of the past and present. There is also a responsive floor projection that synchronises with visitors' steps and our interactive wristbands that light up and change colours accordingly. 

Here, it's a big free-seating area, adults can sit anywhere they like while the children are free to run, dance and jump around. Some moment of highlights includes how the Show Gallery transports visitors Under the sea, from scenes in The Little Mermaid, using shimmering bubbles. Another remarkable moment was when snow bubbles appears, unveiling the icy landscapes of Show Yourself from Frozen II. We also sang our hearts out to many Disney songs, with Let it go from Frozen being the loudest.  

The Immersive Disney Animation exhibition also includes sensory-friendly sessions in the Show Gallery that will be specifically adapted for individuals with sensory sensitivities. These sessions will be presented at reduced volume levels, with adjusted lighting and designated quiet spaces. 

[Update on 31st Jan 2024] Promo Alert - This coming Chinese New Year, Disney lovers can enjoy 50% off tickets to Immersive Disney Animation before the exhibition ends on 25 February 2024. Some details for the Prosperity 50% Off: 

- Enjoy 50% off all tickets

- Applicable to all categories

- Valid only for Sundays 5.30pm & 7pm and all weekday sessions

- Promotion ends on 13 Feb at 11.59pm, or as soon as all tickets are sold out

- Discount will automatically be reflected upon check-out at 

https://www.marinabaysands.com/entertainment/shows/immersive-disney-animation.html. 

XOXO