Old world charm

Old world charm

An older generation will have fond memories of New World Amusement Park, a colourful theme park filled with nightclubs, rides and games situated in Jalan Besar. It entertained Singaporeans for 60 years before it closed in 1987.

Now, all that is left of the place is a gateway bearing the name "The New World" at City Square Mall.

But thanks to a new exhibition at that same shopping centre, you can relive the colourful heyday of New World, which was declared Malaya's "pioneer amusement park" by its owners Ong Peng Hock and Ong Boon Tat at its opening in 1923.

Held from April 27 to May 3, New World of Singapore will paint a picture of the theme park and its historical significance with photographs and videos. There will also be live performances of the kinds of dances and songs popular in the nightlife spot.

New research will also reveal lesser-known facts about New World. For example, it was the site that launched a number of arranged marriages as families often set their children up on dates there.

The curators Tan Teng Teng and Genine Loo said New World was the first entertainment spot in Singapore that was accessible to the public. Visitors paid a small entrance fee and could enjoy all the park's facilities.

Before New World opened, such nightlife spots were available only to the Europeans or the well-heeled.

New World was also significant in setting other records. It was once advertised as having the largest air-conditioned cabaret East of the Suez, and had Singapore's first open-air raised stage for dance performances.

Unsurprisingly, it attracted interesting characters who gave the place a seedier reputation. Cheongsam- wearing "taxi girls" were so-called because men could purchase dances with them, whether Malay folk dances such as joget and ronggeng, or the ubiquitous cha-cha.

Some big names started their careers at New World as well, such as a-go-go singer Sakura Teng and exotic dancer Rose Chan, known locally as the Queen of Striptease.

The exhibition will pay special tribute to Chan. Besides being known for acts which involved python wrestling and bending iron rods with her throat, she also did a lot of charity work.

To bring the experience of New World to life, there will be live performances on May 1 and 2, including cabaret and joget dances.

"Taxi girls" will also share a dance with visitors while a singer will serenade the crowd with English and Chinese tunes.

 

WHAT'S ONE

OLE OLE TEMASEK: 50 YEARS OF SINGAPORE MALAY POP MUSIC

Where: National Museum of Singapore, Salon, Level 1

When: April 17 to May 17, 10am to 6pm daily

Admission: Free

NEW WORLD OF SINGAPORE

Where: City Square Mall, Fountain Square, Basement 1 (near to MRT Exit 1), 180 Kitchener Road

When: April 27 to May 3, noon to 8pm daily; Reliving New World Singapore programming on May 1 and 2, 6 to 10pm

Admission: Free

THE FOUNDATION OF RUN RUN SHAW'S CINEMA EMPIRE

Where: Exhibition at National Museum of Singapore, Concourse Gallery (beside Food For Thought), Level 1; Films will be screened at Gallery Theatre, National Museum of Singapore, Basement 1

When: Exhibition from May 1 to June 28; Films from May 2 to 31

Admission: Free for exhibition; tickets for films at $8 each (from www.sistic.com.sg from Monday, 10am)

FROM THE BELLY OF THE CARP

Where: Singapore River (from Clarke Quay Central Promenade to Read Bridge)

When: Light projection on water from May 15 to 19, 7.30pm to midnight; roving performances on May 15 and 16, 6 to 10pm (From The Belly Of The Carp performances at 7.20 and 8.40pm on May 15; and 7 and 7.20pm on May 16)

Admission: Free, pay for food and drinks

GETAI ETHNICA BY LEPARK AND TAJ

What: A rooftop concert merging indie and electronic music with traditional instruments such as the erhu. Featuring local bands such as rockers Cashew Chemists, jazz folk outfit Qilin Group and soul singer Vanessa Fernandez.

Where: People's Park Complex, rooftop carpark, Level 6

When: May 9 and 10, 7 to 9pm

Admission: $10 (collection at the door)

NIGHT OUT AT TIONG BAHRU

What: Explore Tiong Bahru beyond its cafe culture, with a kueh-making class, open-air music performances, spoken word poetry and more.

Where: Tiong Bahru Estate area

When: April 24 and 25, various timings

Admission: Tickets and registration are required for some events (from www.sistic.com.sg from Monday, 10am)

TELOK AYER STREET LIGHT UP

What: National monuments such as Al-Abrar Mosque and Thian Hock Keng Temple will be lit by professional lighting designers.

Where: Telok Ayer Street (between McCallum and Boon Tat Street)

When: May 8 to 10, 7.30pm to midnight

Admission: Free

TEOCHEW METAL ROD PUPPETRY DEMONSTRATION

What: A demonstration of an old form of puppetry, where metal rods are used to animate puppets. In Mandarin.

Where: National Museum of Singapore, Seminar Room, Level 2

When: April 25; choose between three 60-minute sessions: 1.30, 3.30 and 5.30pm

Admission: Free, e-mail nhb_nm_lectures@nhb. gov.sg with your name, contact number and preferred timeslot.

Go to heritagefest.sg for more information for all events.


This article was first published on Apr 10, 2015.
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