Saturday, November 27, 2010

Anime Festival Asia 2010

- Family Friendly

Who says you have to go all the way to Japan to experience the cosplay culture? ??? Pictures, Images and Photos
Answer is: You don't have to! There is an Anime Festival Asia held in Singapore to spread the love for Japanese Pop Culture, mainly Anime yearly. It is a time where Japanese lovers of Anime, can dress in costumes portraying their favourite character from a show and have a small get together in this annual festival and meet their fellows fans of Anime.

Don't be in awe when you see the detailed and colourful costumes of the cos-players!
(You might think it's exaggerating but in fact, this is just the way they should be!)
Last week, the we visited the Anime Festival Asia 2010 held at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Halls 401-402, on Sunday, 14 November 2010.

Basic Ticket Price (Festival Only): $8 per day
This ticket will grant you access to the exhibition grounds, including exclusive merchandises in Akiba Town, Maid Café, Butler Café and other fun activities in AFA X main exhibition grounds.
* Does not grant access to main stage activities.

Festival + Stage Access - $15 per day
Grants full access to exclusive main stage activities and content, such as Special Guest Appearances, Movie Screenings, AFA Regional Cosplay Championships and more!
* Does not grant access to I LOVE ANISONG concerts.

F+S(upgrade access) - $10
Those who have bought the Festival-only Access tickets will have to purchase these tickets if they wish to access the Stage area. Your Festival-only Access ticket will have to be presented at the ticket counter during the time of purchase.

*Note that all prices are in SGD currency.
For more information please click HERE

If it's your first Anime Festival, be prepared to be fascinated and be in complete shock when you stepped into the exhibition. You'll expect it to be very crowded, full of people that are as young as 6 years old to 50 years old visitors. This festival is something you've never seen or experienced before.



You are bound to see many cosplayers around. Everyone is wearing different types of costumes as they are playing different characters. What will surprise you is unexpected! You might see males dressing up as a female character and they would be wearing skirts or dresses. So keep your eyes peeled for special cosplayers like them. Attending this festival will bring you to greater heights and feel as though you've just been transported to another world.

There are lots of photo opportunities. Cosplayers there are extremely sociable and friendly. If you have any questions about their customes or who they are portraying, feel free to ask them. They're definitely more than happy to answer your queries. It will be a truly amazing sight, seeing Japanese and locals getting along well.




If you are interested in taking part in this exhibition, and meeting fellow cosplayers, feel free to dress up and come down to the exhibition!
We say it is a must to come and feel the vibrant atmosphere of the Japanese pop culture all gathered here, once in your life time.

A second corner you shouldn't miss in the exhibition is called Cool Japan Experience. Talks are made by well-known experts in some industries like the music and technology industries, in Japan. Their main purpose was to let you know how the various sectors worked and managed to promote their Pop Culture overseas, especially in Asia.

And this year, Mr Go Nakanishi, and Animation producer of King Record,gave a talk and explained to the audience about how animations were created. He also shared with the audience his future predictions on how well Animation business would be successful in the markets of other Asian Countries like Singapore, Korea and Malaysia etc.

hungry Pictures, Images and Photos
If you are thirsty and hungry, you can always pop by at the MMK Meido Café & Atelier Royale Butler Cafe, in the exhibition.

That's right! There is a mini cafe inside the exhibition, and there would be actual waitresses and waiters. Though the waitresses and waiters are cosplayers, you can trust them for their excellent service! These themed cafes are extremely popular in Japan but now, you don't have to fly to Japan to experience this dining experience, you could come to Singapore too!

This corner is a very special and 'kawaii' (cute) corner that's constantly buzzling with customers throughout the time we were there. The place's main attractions were the females dressed in Japanese school uniforms and males dressed as waiters. If you've never been to a themed cafe, this is your chance.

Although the food is mediocre and might take some time to arrive due to the crowd, the service you get from the waiters and waitresses will guarantee you a great dining experience like you've never had! With servers dressing up in japanese schoolgirls uniform and butler suits, what more can you ask for? Servers would even offer to help you pour sugar into your tea and are extremely helpful during your visit to the cafe! You will definitely be impressed with their hospitality

So, you must be wondering now, why were the female cosplayers dressed in Japanese school uniforms instead of the Meido costumes.
Well, this is because the theme for this year was 'School Days'.
*Meido = French maid


Click HERE to have a summarised view of how it was like in the Cafe, during the Anime Festival!

So, what are you waiting for? If you are not here for this event this year, be sure to come down to the same event next year in 2011 in Singapore! Be it to share your love for cosplay or to gain a whole new experience in the anime world with just a small amount of money! With a new theme every year, you will receive nothing but pleasant surprises!
We are sure that you will not regret coming down and the best of all, you get to meet new people that are really cool and all dressed up to the nines and learn what the Japanese Pop Culture is all about!

Tips:
  1. Travel happy, travel light! Refrain from bringing a lot of belongings so it would be easier for you to run after that cool cosplayer to snap a photo with!
  2. Do bring an extra battery along with you just in case your camera dies on you. You wouldn't want to miss a great opportunities to take memorable photos with the cosplayers!
  3. Take good care of your belongings. With the amount of people there, it's safer to keep your bags in front of you where you can see it.

So, who says Singapore is boring now? There will be more events and festivals coming right up on this blog! Watch this space and start booking your flight to Singapore now for a great deal of fun by participating in the countless events and festivals that's held right here!

Till then!

Credits to Google for the photos

Monday, November 22, 2010

Culture Xchange 1

Want to do some sight seeing and shopping at the same time in Singapore? Visit Singapore during our festive season then! When the streets of Singapore would be beautifully lit up to further enhance your experience in Singapore!



Christmas
Place to go: Orchard

Christmas is one of Singapore's festival to celebrate. With Christmas just around the corner, Orchard Road is definitely going to be a place to go for the spectacular light up. Everyone will be amazed by the spectacular light decorations that are diffused across the immaculate black sky. This will add on to the joyous festive occasion!

Not just that, there will be sales all around Singapore and Orchard Road is the place to find most of the biggest shopping malls in Singapore. It's the largest shopping district in Singapore and the light decoration is an added bonus to enhance your shopping experience. You will bound to enjoy your trip there for easy Christmas shopping with so many different stores selling so many different things. From clothes to toys or home decorations! Finding the perfect gift for your loved ones will be less of a headache this Christmas!
If you are lucky, you can even catch Santa and his elves walking down the street!
That is definitely a photo opportunity! Get your cameras ready and 'say cheese' for the camera to capture that very special and beautiful moment where Christmas comes alive on the streets of Singapore!


If you want to just enjoy the scenery and the view, Singapore's largest mall will just be able to grant you your wish! The biggest Christmas Tree will be up and for all to enjoy at Vivocity! The tree is about 30m in height! From the sky park at Vivocity, you would also be able to see Sentosa that is just opposite! The sky park will also be nicely decorated for Christmas and the large pool with depths that will not go above your knee will be warm and nice to just soak your feet in or take a walk around the park in that pool. The night view is fantastic along with the cool breeze that only makes things so much better.

Vivocity, being the biggest mall in Singapore also means that you can to shop till you drop in the day and relax and enjoy the nicely lit up sky park at night!

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Deepavali
Place to go: Little India @ Serengoon

Walking through Serengoon road is really a magnificent experience during this festival. It seems as if the roads have come alive and we have reached a totally different place and this certainly show us that, Deepavali also known as the Festivals of lights does live up to it's name. Women are dressed in their new intricately embroided Saris with their hands painted with henna (is a flowering plant used to dye skin, hair, fingernails and even leather and wool) art, welcoming the festivals by lighting up their houses with Diyas which are made of clay, fueled with Oil from Coconuts or Mustard or Ghee (clarified butter), the wick made of cotton wool. This indeed marks the celebration of light overcoming darkness.

p/s: Henna is akin to a temporary tattoo. So if you want a beautifully detailed tattoo that can last up to a week, do allow the artisans at the street to do henna for you! Their wonderful skills will give you a delightful surprise! Be careful and let the henna dry first to ensure the perfection for the final outcome!

Here's a quick summary of how Deepavali came about!
Deepavali has a very rich history and legends in which the most common one is the tale of how
Narakasura won the favor of God and was blessed with the rule of a kingdom. He ruled his kingdom with tyranny, which led his subjects to appeal to Lord Sri Krishna, the divine ruler of Madura, for help. Narakasura was subsequently was killed by Lord Krishna in battle and on Lord Krishna’s return, the city was in complete darkness as it was the night of a new moon. To celebrate his victory and to welcome Lord Krishna, the people lit lamps, and to this day, Hindus mark the victory of Lord Krishna over King Narakasura by lighting oil lamps. Isn't this tale intriguing and make you feel as though you must come over and take a look at this beautiful street? You should! For an experience and view you will never forget and even dream about it in your sleep!

For two weeks the whole stretch of Serangoon road and little India becomes an explosion of vibrant, colourful arches and lights. It is too extravagant to be expressed in words. The hustle and bustle in the bazaars would make anyone from other races to join in and celebrate the festival. In the bazaar there are many festive stalls that are vividly decorated with wares such as fragrant flowers, garlands.

Every street, every lane along Serangoon road you will find people celebrating, their eyes captured with happiness, dreams and many hopes for the new year. You will see the Hindus sharing their happiness by exchanging gifts and wishing others prosperity in the new year. They forget all grievances and misunderstandings for the day and celebrate the festival wholeheartedly. It's such a happy festival that will bound to lift your spirits and join in the celebration! You can even try the mouthwatering Indian delicacies especially the sweetmeats that melt in your mouth. It is the best time to taste the Indian delicacies where people put all their love into making the delicacies. You would regret missing the delicacies that is oh so good during this festive season. lickin yummy Pictures, Images and Photos

The highlight of this festival is at night where the whole stretch of road is lighted up and decorated. The scenery is totally jaw dropping. It becomes even brighter when people start burning firecrackers. This enhances the atmosphere of celebrations. People celebrate this festival to the fullest each year. It is indeed a celebration of good over evil, and light overcoming darkness.


Tip:
  1. You might want to consider bringing an umbrella with you as December in Singapore might be a little rainy
  2. Travel light if you're planning to shop till you drop or not you'll end up lugging your personal belongings and your shopping bags
So why wait! Come on down to visit this bustling city with so many events and festivals to celebrate!

Lifestyle


One of the events that just ended with an awesome response with sold out tickets for certain performing acts attracts people from all over the world is Singapore Sun Festival!

It's a music, food and wellness and lifestyle event which is very popular with the crowd in Singapore and overseas. The event that branches out to different performances and galleries is held at different places at different days and timings based on the category of the sub event around Singapore. This would also allow participants of the event to be able to travel around Singapore and explore the different places that contains their own unique rich history. This will give you the chance to tour around Singapore and to attend wonderful events that links to living wellness.

Some of the events of this festival are free. Which means you can participate in certain events without having to purchase tickets! An example of a free public event would be the MOON SALUTATION @ ACM GREEN.

So you can grab your yoga mat and head over to the Asian Civilization Museum Green for a fruitful experience and lots of fun! Go with your friends for a catch up over a good workout!
It's totally free so why not?

Famous chefs, yoga instructors and performers from all over the world will be in town for this festival and you are in for a treat! With a festival that caters to living wellness, you are sure to find an event that is of your interest, so don't hesitate or not all the tickets for that particular event would be gone by then!

This is the 4th year that The Sun Festival is held in Singapore, and if there's a 5th be sure to grab your tickets quick! For public events that do not require any tickets, do join them! It's an festival you wouldn't want to say no for anything!

P/S: There is a phrase that says the early bird catches the worm. So buy your tickets early as there are early bird discounts! (up to 15% discount subjected to certain concerts and events)


Attention to all shopaholics!
Buying something on sale is a very special feeling. In fact, the less I pay for something, the more it is worth to me. I have a dress that I paid so little for that I am afraid to wear it. I could spill something on it, and then how would I replace it for that amount of money? -Rita Rudner


This is definitely one event you will never want to miss out! The Great Singapore Sales! This is an island wide sales event that almost all shopping malls are participating in. It's a great time and excuse to go shopping without having to worry about burning a huge hole in your pocket! Get your shopping bags ready (it's good to be environmentally friendly and shop at the same time!) and head out for 8 weeks full of shopping to your heart's content!

It's hard to resist the tempting offers that are offered everywhere in Singapore! From fashion, to electronic gadgets to food to hotel stays and so much more, you'll be so spoilt for choices! With items you can get at such low prices, why wait? Come on down and join everyone to battle it out for that cardigan you've been eying on but with a brand new price tag you cannot resist!

And if you are worrying about not having enough time to get all those good bargains, no worries! Certain shopping malls do extend their opening hours till late night (about 11pm) so you can do your late night shopping in your blissful state of mind.

To get further discounts, visit The Great Singapore Sales. Special offer coupons can be printed out to get extra discount that will bring a wide smile to your face. And if you are a tourist, extra benefits and more discount can be find at the website! You can have your own tourist privilege card that will give you even more privileges at the stores as long as you flash them with your passport!

Based on personal experience and countless feedback from everyone that has spent more than usual on a shopping trip during the sales period, this is the sales that can spare less thoughts for your wallet. Everything is a good buy and so worth it!

Credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift.... The hangover comes the day after. -Joyce Brothers
The Great Singapore Sales is held yearly around May to July, so if you missed it, not to worry, there's always another chance to go for your long awaited retail therapy that does not cause you to worry too much about 'The hangover' with items going at a cheaper rate!

Tip: Try to go grab those insanely unbelievable bargains on a weekday. You wouldn't want to get involved in a cat fight over that last piece of item you've set your eyes on. Stocks do run out quick during sales! The weekend crowd can also be quite difficult to handle and long queues for the fitting rooms are inevitable!

See you in Singapore!

Credits to Google and Weheartit

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Welcome to the blog of Events and Festivals!


Singapore being a bustling multiracial country and with tourism playing a huge role, is host to many events and home of different festivals. With races like Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians, examples of the most celebrated festivals are Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas.

The events hosted in Singapore covers a wide variety from arts,culture and music to sports events. You name it, we have it. There are always on going events and there will be one bound to go well with your area of interests. Singapore is jam-packed with lots of exciting events and our full events calendar will prove just that.

Stay tune to this blog to find out more about the events and festivals that is held in Singapore! Besides introducing the event and festival as it it, we will include details and other exciting information that you will have to read on to find out, example, how to get tickets to certain events at a cheaper rate, where to go for the best festive atmosphere in Singapore and our personal experience which will give it a special touch!

Meanwhile here's Singapore's MRT line that will help facilitate to you travel around Singapore with our really good and easy transport system!


Here's a short clip from Singapore Tourism Board to promoto Singapore as a tourist destination


Till then, see you again!