girl beach: Street Fest winners will show off talent at YOG

MY PAPER WEDNESDAY MARCH 17, 2010, HOME, PAGE A8
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BY JOY FANG, joyfang@sph.com.sg

PHOTO: SPOTLIGHT: Ms Ayana Wong is glad activities such as belly dancing will be featured.
(PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN)

WINNERS of the band, percussion, belly-dancing and rap contests in this year’s Singapore Street Festival will get to perform to an international audience – at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

PHOTO: http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/992085/10228607/0/1251197707/belly_dance_wear.jpg

Selected participants in the festival’s previous contests will join them in performing at various locations for the inaugural YOG, which will be hosted by Singapore from Aug 14 to 26.

PHOTO: http://www.daughtersofrhea.com/melina%20with%20candles.jpg

The festival, which is in its ninth year, aims to be a platform for youths to express their talents in creative ways, such as through belly-dancing, hip-hop and yo-yo performances.

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Organised by founder Annie Pek and supported by the National Arts Council and National Youth Council, it will be held from June 4 to 20. This year, it is part of the YOG’s community-engagement programme.

PHOTO: http://www.bellydancingcostume.info/belly_dancing_costumes/belly_dancing_costume.jpg

It can promote youth culture and create buzz for the YOG, said Mr Teo Ser Luck, Senior parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, yesterday.

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At the festival preview, he said that the YOG is not just about sports. He said: “It’s about educational values. It’s about getting youths interested in activities that are healthy and that can retain their interest. The festival has all of that.

PHOTO: http://www.mommy-muse.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/belly-dance-performance_20080802_1639-copy.jpg

“There will be broadcasts and also promotion internationally... Hopefully, some (youths can) get spotted.”

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Ms Pek, 54, said that she would pick only those with leadership qualities, passion, a willingness to learn and a never-say-die spirit to perform at the YOG.

PHOTO: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Kensington_Belly_Dance_1.JPG

Dance teacher Ayana Wong, 29, last year’s first runner-up in belly dancing, said that the festival highlights little-known activities, such as belly dancing.

PHOTO: http://www.tribalternative.com/gfx/mlrb.jpg

She said: “Youths who have not had the chance to perform on various platforms will find it an honour and achievement to perform at an international level. It will also boost their confidence.”
BY JOY FANG, joyfang@sph.com.sg