The market stalls and the stage that had stood
beside Joo Chait Complex the last
fortnight had been all but disassembled overnight. Two Saturdays running a
talent quest had featured, a kind of Open Mic Karaoke where young and old had
participated. A large crowd had been drawn Sunday for the finale. Great number
of karaoke bars roundabout. (From memory Bambang Yudohonyo was a keen crooner?)
The event might have been devised by the traders, the music a draw for potential customers. Certainly the people came. Some afternoons a professional band played, the lads in their stage suits like the APEC leaders for the group photos.
The familiar faces from the street climbed up on stage and collected the mike like seasoned pros. Older Elvis fans sporting dyed jet manes; pint-sized Suzi Quattros with elastic G-strings showing above jeans when they squatted low with the pull and tug of the song.
All the contestants knew the moves. Video hits played big in this part of the world clearly.
Geylang Serai is the largest Malay quarter in Singapore. Scarved hijab women, young and old. Nails, hands and feet brightly painted, the fleshiness of faces accentuated by tightened scarves. Lipstick, face powder, eye-liner and lashes, really going to town.
The event might have been devised by the traders, the music a draw for potential customers. Certainly the people came. Some afternoons a professional band played, the lads in their stage suits like the APEC leaders for the group photos.
The familiar faces from the street climbed up on stage and collected the mike like seasoned pros. Older Elvis fans sporting dyed jet manes; pint-sized Suzi Quattros with elastic G-strings showing above jeans when they squatted low with the pull and tug of the song.
All the contestants knew the moves. Video hits played big in this part of the world clearly.
Geylang Serai is the largest Malay quarter in Singapore. Scarved hijab women, young and old. Nails, hands and feet brightly painted, the fleshiness of faces accentuated by tightened scarves. Lipstick, face powder, eye-liner and lashes, really going to town.
G.
Serai dazzled the live-long day. The vivid flowers of the former forest trucked
into the market opposite bloomed in the street fashions.
None of these women in the traditional dress got up on stage during the fortnight. They might have known the moves and had the voices, but these talents were kept under wrap, left for the mirror behind closed doors perhaps. Meanwhile no lack of appreciation for those who could turn it on, the Suzi Qs very much included.
Sunday there must have been a couple of hundred in the audience for the finale, one of the surprising stars the tubby carpet seller on the near corner. Many kept the same seats over the fortnight. Passersby with their shopping greeted and detained. Children and babies. Two or three dozen bikers attended Sunday in full leathers.
The audience jived in front of their chairs, old ladies rocking in their seats, a smashing good time had by all.
Entirely alcohol free of course, when it looked like spirits had been lifted by a wee dram. Even in the supermarket at the bottom of Joo Chait Complex it did not seem to be on the shelves.
None of these women in the traditional dress got up on stage during the fortnight. They might have known the moves and had the voices, but these talents were kept under wrap, left for the mirror behind closed doors perhaps. Meanwhile no lack of appreciation for those who could turn it on, the Suzi Qs very much included.
Sunday there must have been a couple of hundred in the audience for the finale, one of the surprising stars the tubby carpet seller on the near corner. Many kept the same seats over the fortnight. Passersby with their shopping greeted and detained. Children and babies. Two or three dozen bikers attended Sunday in full leathers.
The audience jived in front of their chairs, old ladies rocking in their seats, a smashing good time had by all.
Entirely alcohol free of course, when it looked like spirits had been lifted by a wee dram. Even in the supermarket at the bottom of Joo Chait Complex it did not seem to be on the shelves.
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