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Geylang Singapore: A Clash of Sights and Sounds

November 12, 2018May 24, 2018

Singapore is a place which has so much to offer. In order to truly experience Singapore the way the locals do, you need to arm yourself with suitable knowledge. For today’s discussion, we shall be focusing on a particular district: Geylang.

As you may know, Singapore City is a fully developed district so it combines urban settings with suburban touches. It’s actually not all that surprising to see residential homes near or next to commercial establishments. So what’s in Geylang?

Sights

Geylang has been long known to be the district that you go to for adult entertainment. Yes, it has been known to be the red-light district of Singapore. However, this does not mean to imply that this is all that it offers visitors and locals.

Geylang has a lot of entertainment establishments like little gambling halls or bowling alleys. They also have some little museums and galleries in the area.

Sounds

A thriving night life spot, Geylang is known to have the best sorts of parties. If you go to the right time of year, you may even be treated to a block party. This is where they close down the avenue and throw a street wide party where they blast local and international music.

They also get their local celebrities and artists to perform during these events. So if you’ve ever wanted to get to know the indie scene of Singapore, this place would be a good place to visit.

Accommodations

Geylang is an entertainment district so you can expect it to have a lot of inns or little hotels nearby. Since the area is always awake you would probably expect the accommodations to be on the pricey side. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Geylang is know for the really cheap yet wholly pleasant accommodations in the area.

In Retrospect

Every country has their version of Geylang and each will have its own particular charm and attractions. While Geylang will probably always have its reputation of being a red-light district, this should not dissuade you from trying it out. You may just end up surprising yourself at what you discover about the places to stay, the places to eat, and even the sights and sounds that you get to see.

One of the best things about travelling is that you get to meet new people that you normally would not be able to come across. Have you been to Geylang? What was the most memorable thing about it?

Lyrical and Video Genius: Emperor’s New Clothes

October 17, 2018May 24, 2018

Today, we discuss something that we hold dear to our hearts: Panic! At the Disco and one of the songs that reached massive airplays and critical success. This song hails from the 2015 album of this band. The song that we’re referring to is Emperor’s New Clothes.

Source

In other forms of media, Emperor’s New Clothes is of course, based of the children’s story about an emperor who was so used to sycophants who always told him exactly what he wanted to hear. The emperor was swindled by a couple of clothes makers who said that their material was so sheer that only truly discerning people would be able to appreciate it.

Of course, the emperor believing that he was one such person, lapped up everything almost too willingly. While the courtiers couldn’t see anything, they never told their ruler anything lest they suffer his displeasure. During a parade where the emperor was showing off his new “clothes”, a child had commented that the emperor was in fact, naked.

The Song

The song Emperor’s New Clothes has a rather aggressive tone to it. The line “Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers” is very indicative of the arrogance of the Emperor who finds himself at the top of the world. No one was ever allowed to tell him otherwise. The lines “It if feels good, tastes good—it must be mine” was pretty much at the heart of the tale.

Regardless of the dangers or whether he was being played a fool, the emperor needed to have everything that he considered to be the best or something that he perceived other people would want for themselves.

The Video

If you’re a highly religious person, you may want to avoid seeing this video. That said, we think you’re missing out. The video compliments that aggressive tone of the song and is very much what you would expect for someone who truly believes the lines that he says to be truth.

The video follows the band’s other song: This is Gospel. It is a great retrospective view of mortality and the virtues that you carry with you into the afterlife.

In Retrospect

Music will always be a great tool in which artists can express themselves and add a bit more culture into the world. People will always have their own feelings and interpretations about music and that’s one of the things that make it integral to our growth as a culture and as a species. This song is a great way to start conversations and ask what their interpretation of both the song and the music video is.

Have you seen or listened to Emperor’s New Clothes? What do you think of it?

Animals and Film: Movies Which Showcases Relationships between Man and Animal

September 10, 2018May 24, 2018

Animals play a pretty big part in our lives. Not only are they good companions but they actually help raise the quality of life that some of us live. Today, we wanted to focus on some films which really showcase the relationships between man and animals. Of course, we’re exactly restricting the list to literal ‘man’ and animals. Ladies are more than welcome, too!

As always, this list is of our own making, based on our own preferences. So if we happen to miss any of your favorite movies about people and animals, you’re completely free to share your insight with us. Without further ado, here are our choices:

Paulie

Movie-goers in general often expect the animal featured in a film to be either a cat or a dog—it could even be an elephant. In this case, the animal in focus is actually a parrot. What sets this pet apart is that he could physically speak and understand our language. This was due to the fact that parrots are mimics and he was around a little dyslexic girl while she was being taught how to speak.

What follows is a heart-wrenching tale of loss, separation, trust, betrayal, and finding your home.

Marley & Me

Anyone who is a big fan of Owen Wilson will know this film. We don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn’t seen it but you should go watch this film. It showcases the life of a couple alongside their much beloved golden retriever Marley.

Marley & Me is actually the name of the column that Owen Wilson’s character creates in the film. If there was ever a film to showcase how greatly the impact of a well-loved pet could have on the lives of a family, it would be this film.

Black Beauty

Based on the 1877 novel, this film has touched many a horse lover’s heart. It chronicles the life of a horse named Black Beauty and his experiences at the hands of different owners. He learns about kindness, cruelty, and event an ethical sort of treatment at the hands of those that understand how hard Victorian society had been using horses for transport and leisure.

In Retrospect

Animals are an everyday part of our existence whether as pets or sources of nourishment. The relationships between humans and animals have long been the focus of theories and careers. Since a lot of us are actually pet owners, it was not surprising in the least that there would be films that heavily showcase the simple yet strong bond between a person and the animal in their care.

Do you have a pet? Which movie about people and animals do you like the most?

What Makes a 5 Start Hotel So Different From the Rest?

August 15, 2018May 24, 2018

When you’re looking for a good place to stay or even host your event at, you may want to consider looking at a 5 star hotel in your area. In the world of music and movie industry, a majority of press junkets and even mingling or self-promotional events are held at five star hotels. So what makes them so different from the rest of the hotels? Let’s take a closer look!

A 5 Star Hotel…

Has multiple roomed suites

A lot of smaller hotels usually have a single bedroom suite or a studio unit. A five star hotel will normally have suites which have several rooms; they’ll be around two to three rooms. In the more expensive spectrum of room choices, a 5 star hotel will normally have penthouse units where their guests have an entire floor to themselves.

Is a great place to hold events

Not only will they have sufficient space for your event but they’ll even have special packages to help your event planning. Normally, they will have a list of accredited suppliers which they can vouch for. A five star hotel simply reeks of excellence no matter what they do.

Is super pricey

The luxury that you get to experience at a five star hotel is no joke. In order to attain that rating, they need to make sure that everything that they have is the latest in technology. The bedding and everything is of the highest quality. So it would only make sense that the price that you are expected to pay is a bit higher than normal.

Has great security

If you’re planning on hosting an event at a five star hotel, you can be rest assured that you security and the security of your guests are well taken cared of. This is actually why it would be pretty ideal to host your events at a high caliber hotel.

When you’re thinking of choosing a venue for your event, be sure that you coordinate with the hotel staff. That way, they can help you with any logistics and fully brief you on any inclusions or exclusions in the package that you’ve chosen.

In Retrospect

A 5 star hotel is pretty much synonymous with luxury and good service. When you’re trying to find a good spot to host your event or you’re just looking for a great place to stay, this sort of hotel should be a good choice. Of course, you will be expected to pay a pretty penny for the chance to stay at a hotel of this caliber.

Have you managed to stay at a 5 star hotel before? What made it so different from the rest of the other hotels that you’ve experienced?

Why Are Hosting Events Critical for the Success of Bands and Movies?

July 18, 2018May 24, 2018

When you’ve got a band or a business, it is quite important that you host suitable events. Today, we wanted to discuss why hosting events are actually critical for the success of a band or a movie. Events are great publicity ploys in order to generate sufficient buzz about a band or a movie. Here are a few reasons why:

Movies and Bands

If you’ve got a movie in the works or it’s about to be released, hosting an event would be important. If you’re part of a band that wants to make it big, hosting events would be critical as well. Here are a few good reasons why:

It Generates Interest

Bands and Movies cannot just be released and then expect it to be successful. Carefully hosted events are critical for its success. For bands, events can be a great chance to find sponsors and widen their network regarding local businesses where they can perform.

Hosting an event is a great way to introduce yourself to the market at large and help it generate interest for what you’re representing.

Cultivates Supporters

Every band or movie will need supporters. After all, supporters can mean ticket sales on later dates. Hosting an event is a great way to get to know your fans and help to cultivate a bit of loyalty. Bands and Movies need supporters in order to sustain them.

After all, if no one cares about the band or the movie, either will not last for much longer. Hosting an event is a great way to really get a pulse on the feedback of the market.

Self-Promotion

In order for a band or a movie to work, it needs to be able to do self-promotion. After all, no one can support you if no one knows you exist. Hosting an event like a junket for the press or even a cocktail event is a great way to really put the word out there about you.

In Retrospect

Publicity will always play a big part in the success of a band or a movie. In order to for people to know you exist, you need to tell them that you exist. Hosting an event will always be a good chance to establish your identity as a band or the identity of the cast—if it’s a movie. Entire careers are actually made on publicity. So if you think your band or movie needs a bit more publicity, don’t hesitate to reach out to a publicist.

Have you ever hosted an event? How did it affect your band or movie?

Thinking of a Beach Party? Two Things to Consider When It Comes to Music

June 8, 2018July 7, 2018

As summer comes along like clockwork, it would be around that time of the year where a majority of people, brands, and even celebrities plan out a beach party. Beach parties are often “the place to be” during the summer months. If you’re planning on hosting a beach party, you’re going to have to be smart about it.

After all, beaches are notorious for odd winds, sand which gets everywhere, and the ever continuous search for a reliable source of power. So if you’re planning on throwing a beach party, you may want to remember these two things when it comes to the planning it and the music that goes with it: You’ll also get a chance to meet:

The Most Handsome Banker In Singapore

Pedro Cardoso is known to grace such beach style events where he busts out a move infront of raving fans. The handsome banker has stolen hearts at the most recent Zouk party event and you might get a chance to see him at your next beach party.

Check the Weather

Strong winds will require stronger sound systems. If the weather doesn’t look very good, you may want to consider moving your party to a latter date. The weather will determine if a party will have the sort of ambiance that it requires in order to be homey or fun.

The weather will also determine the viability of setting up equipment without getting it damaged. The weather will also be dictating whether or not the venue will be able to accommodate you and your party. So we cannot emphasize enough that you should always check with the weather.

Do yourself a favor and coordinate with the local government agencies if you’re planning on hosting it on a public beach.

Get a Good DJ

While one may think that having a well-built playlist is enough, you would be very much surprised. A DJ is an essential part of any good beach party. They set the mood and provide the party-goers with the chance to interact and really hype up the event.

For example, in 2014 there was a party at Siloso Beach. The DJs really tore up the place and to this day it is regarded as one of the best beach parties ever thrown. A good DJ will determine if your party is a hot one or a dud.

In Retrospect

The beach may not always seem like the best location to throw a party but it always pays off when you do things really well. There are a lot of times where the best sorts of memories are made on the beach. Our popular culture (which includes TV and movies) really puts a lot of examples out there regarding the sort of fun (and mistakes) you can have at a beach party.

Have you ever thrown a beach party? What did you do regarding the music?

Exploring Magic Films: Why Do They Continue to Draw in Crowds?

May 11, 2018May 24, 2018

We generally love movies because they allow us to dive headfirst into whole new worlds where the impossible becomes completely possible. Today, we want to explore the films about magic. Specifically, we wanted to explore why they continue to draw in massive crowds.

Magic has always been quite appealing to a majority of movie-goers around the world. Unless, of course, you happen to be completely religious—but that’s another story! So why are movies about magic so popular? Well, we’ve got a few theories!

Macho Fatigue

For the past how many years, the muscle-bound action men like Schwarzenegger or even Tom Cruise which dominated much of the active cinema. The choices were rather simple if you look at the cinema playbill each month without a doubt you will always see something in the action genre.

While this was fine back then, people eventually got tired of seeing the same guy get into bigger messes and somehow still find a way to make everything okay. Mission Impossible is the biggest offender of this trope. So it doesn’t really surprise us in the least that people are just plain tired of the shooting, kicking, and even punching.

Not Every Culture Acknowledges Magic

There are those that fully believe in it and there are those that would fully crucify you if you even so much as brought it up. This is partly why magic shows like Vision are so popular. They provide audiences with a break from their normal culture and give them a period of time where they may actually believe in magic.

It’s a Different Kind of Thrill

While you would always like for the good guys to win, when magic is in the mix that can be a pretty tall order. Audiences are always holding their breath to see if a magic trick is going to go off without a hitch. There have been magical tales wherein the bad guy wins and the world lives in darkness for quite some time.

This isn’t something that you can expect from Tom Cruise movies that have a specified number of sequels in the contract. So it’s kind of hard to think they’re in danger when you know there’s a sequel coming.

In Retrospect

Magic will probably always be a hot topic when it comes to cinema-goers. It provides quite an escape from the mundane life that we typically live. It’s a good exercise in perception as well as there are usually little tells or clues when a magic trick goes down. Much like “The Prestige” or even “Now You See Me”, audiences are often left breathless until the reveal has been done.

Do you fancy magic films? Which one happens to be your favorite?

SIFA on Spotlight: What Fun Things Can You Do There?

April 26, 2018May 24, 2018

If you’re a music fan, you will be well aware that music festivals are one of the biggest celebrations of music that we have to date. There are a lot of different genres that are celebrated so you may want to go and check out which ones are the best fit for your taste.

In terms of reputation, Coachella often takes the cake as the most well-known music festival. Back in the day, that used to be the Burning Man Festival. This year’s Burning man will be on August 26^th so you may want to plot your trips. While both these festivals are western ones, this does not mean that the East doesn’t have their own music festivals. Today, we want to talk about SIFA or Singapore International Festival or Arts.

SIFA is not just a music festival; it is a festival of the arts so there will be massive representation of all types of art. Here are a few things that you can do there for fun:

Catch a Film

One of the highlights of SIFA is the fact that audiences get to view films from different countries. You can catch Singular Screens throughout the entirety of the festival. You can also choose to standby on the 28^th to catch “I’ve Got A Little Problem”—a submission by China.

Join a Literary Discussion

Many of us on the writing team are really looking forward to Verses of Love and Life; as well as, 1984. These literary pieces will be up for discourse through the eyes of fans and critics alike. It is always a treat to see a different point of view about a topic that touches the minds of so many.

Watch Poetry in Motion

The Dorrance Dance Company is gracing SIFA this year. They are a dance troupe which will be staging a history of tap dance. If you’re a big fan of choreography and want to also get a chance to pick the mind of a professional dancer, come and join this event.

In Retrospect

SIFA 2018 actually starts today and ends on the 12^th of May. So you may want to check if you’ll still be able to catch any of the festivities. If not, you have plenty of time to catch next year’s activities. Always remember that preparation is the key to make sure that you get the most out of your SIFA experience.

For those who are going to be able to go this year, here’s a question for you: which weekend or event are you looking forward to the most?

Of Brotherhood and Reality: Films Which Focus On the Tale of Brothers

April 12, 2018May 24, 2018

Movies have a great knack for accurately (or fantastically) depicting relationships between people. Today, we wanted to focus on the films which specifically focus on the tale of brothers. When we say brothers, of course we really mean a variety of things like: blood brothers, half-brothers, and even adopted brothers. While best guy friends can act like brothers, they’re sadly not making the cut today.

Without further ado, here are some of our favorite films about brothers:

Legends of the Fall

This 1994 American epic follows the tale of three particular brothers. The tale is set in the Western frontier where men lived off of the land. It follows the heartbreak of two older brothers failing to keep their younger brother safe from the war.

It also chronicles their passion for a single woman. This film does a pretty great job of juggling the difficulty of living back in the Western sphere—where Native Indians were not treated like people. It does a wonderful job of seeing the struggles of the heart and the eventual power of family.

Ran

If there was ever a film from the East that really went out to portray the intricacies of family relationship—especially when power played a factor—we highly suggest that you pick up Ran from 1985. The story follows three brothers and their subsequent power struggles to control what territories and legacies their father had left for them.

Life and familial relationships are never as easy as they appear to be. If you have ever wanted to see how the bonds of three brothers were tested, broken, and somewhat rekindled, you may want to tune into this film.

Black Mud

Canada came out swinging with this film. This particular story, much like the one above it is about a coming of age in the life of two young brothers. We liked this film a lot because not only were you able to see the myriad of complexities that came with a child trying to be an adult in a difficult situation but viewers were also treated to the beautiful expanse of Canadian wilderness and landscapes.

In Retrospect

The capacity of movies to fully depict or even inaccurately depict the dynamic between brothers is one of the reasons why we think it is fully fascinating. Everyone will have their own list of their ‘movies about brothers’ list so we hope that you give ours the benefit of the doubt.

That being said, what films about brothers do you keep for your personal collection or queue up in your streaming sites?

The Power of Musicals: Two Reasons Why Musicals Still Matter

March 29, 2018May 24, 2018

If you are really into music but want it to tell a story through music, you look no further than musicals. While there are those that continue to wonder about the power of musicals, we have a couple of reasons as to why they matter.

For beginners, musicals are either in the form of theater productions or films. They combine mastery of lyrics and symphony along with the subtle and effective nuances of narrative and acting. There are a lot of musicals out there ranging from the amateur ones to the ones that really made it big. Here are the two reasons why we firmly believe why musicals still truly matter:

Social Change

A common battle cry in support of musicals often says that they are an instrument for social change. We believe that musicals have the ability to challenge narratives that are presently believed or have always been believed.

For example, the likes of RENT showcased the reality of HIV and the stigma that people live with. How about the injustice that face those in the lower income bracket or the people who were not white; these issues were prevalent and there were so many more.

Celebration of Cultural Achievement

Musicals provide audiences with a very good example of cultural achievements that would not probably be noted. For example, back in the day women were not allowed to perform on stage. The stages were nowhere as sophisticated or as safe as they are now.

In Retrospect

Some of the more enduring musicals of our time either told a really good story or was a clear representation of the time period where it was set. If we were to rank which things made wide ripples in the sea of awareness, musicals would be ranked pretty darned high. Musicals aren’t just instruments for social change or a celebration of cultural achievement.

Musicals are the stories that we tell and pass down from one generation to the next. Do you like musicals? Which ones do you like the most?