Free concerts at parks to celebrate SG50

Free concerts at parks to celebrate SG50

HOME-GROWN singers Kit Chan and Olivia Ong, as well as students from Catholic High School and MacPherson Primary School, are among the acts scheduled to appear at Bishan- Ang Mo Kio Park in the middle of the month.

Visitors will be part of the action at the park's Grand Lawns I and II on March 14. They will be able to relive their childhood by playing games such as marbles and flying kites.

They will also be encouraged to stand together to form a map of Singapore that will be photographed by an aerial camera.

The activities are part of a free outdoor concert to celebrate SG50. It is being held in conjunction with SG Heart Map @ Park - an online map that lets Singaporeans post photos and stories about their favourite places in the country.

Roving vans will be on site for visitors to contribute.

Since the map was launched last November, many parks have featured among Singaporeans' favourite places. Contributor Yoke Clara wrote of the Botanic Gardens: "I like to go there at times to find peace. It also brings me closer to nature."

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Ms Grace Fu, also spoke of her memories of the Botanic Gardens and its iconic tembusu tree: "This is a place where my then boyfriend - my husband now - and I spent many hours strolling in the park during our courtship days."

She also recalled the time when, aged two, her parents took her there to dance.

Later in life, Ms Fu, who is also the co-chair of the SG50 Environment and Infrastructure Committee in this project, held class reunions there. "Now, the Botanic Gardens is a favourite jogging spot for me," she said.

The final Heart Map will be unveiled in November. The tapestry of stories and shared experiences will help trace the development of Singapore from its early days to today.

Five other free concerts will be held. The National Parks Board (NParks) said details will be released at a later date.

andreang@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on March 07, 2015.
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