DANZA! 2009

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DANZA! 2009 is a self-initiated community involvement project that aims to raise funds and awareness for the Yellow Ribbon Fund in Singapore. DANZA! is a dance showcase where youth from all over Singapore have come together to use their remarkable talents to share their passion for dance and support the Yellow Ribbon's cause of re-integrating ex-offenders and their families into society. The concert features stunning performances by Lindy Hop Ensemble, Salsa Fanatico, Methodist Girls' School, Pioneer Junior College, Hwa Chong and many many others!

DANZA! will be held at 7.30 pm on the 1st of September at Republic Polytechnic (directions). The theme of this dance showcase is ‘Metamorphosis’ in relation to the experience of the ex-offenders.

Tickets can be ordered online by emailing danza2009.admin@gmail.com. Do include your name, phone number and quantity required in the email.

Updates

28 August, 2009
Fancy a preview of the visual treat on Tuesday night? Pictures from the dance rehearsal last Sunday are up at the gallery! :) Only 4 days to Danza! Invite all your friends!

20 August, 2009
Profile of Raffles Modern Dance is up here :)

19 August, 2009
Profiles of Republic Polytechnic's Modern and Hip Hop Dance Groups are up here :)

19 August, 2009
Profiles of Methodist Girls' School Dance Club and emcee, Singapore Idol contestant Kimberly Chan are up here and here :)

Danza! featured on Hwa Chong portal, HCunite! :D

13 August, 2009
Profiles of Lindy Hop Ensemble and Hwa Chong Chinese Dance are up here :)

11 August, 2009
Profile of Salsa Fanatico is up here :)

9 August, 2009
Profile of the guest band, Fire Away, Samson! is up for your viewing pleasure here.

Take note that the date of DANZA! 2009 has changed slightly to 1st September, 7.30pm, at Republic Polytechnic Auditorium.

4 August, 2009
DANZA! 2009 is no longer a competition, but now a dance showcase! More details about the participating groups coming up soon :D

25 July, 2009
The $10 administrative fee has been removed, so there's no more worry about empty wallets :D Registration is closing soon on 31 July!

On a random note. Happy Birthday to the comm's common alma matter, MGS :D

19 July, 2009
The "about us" page has been updated and a FAQ added. Additional details have also v been added to the competition details page. The gallery has also been revamped.

15 July, 2009
Pictures from MND Family Day and Singapore Arts Street Opening have been uploaded to the gallery :)

10 July, 2009
Please note that there has been a change in the details for the DANZA! 2009 dance competition. It will now be held on 1st September, 7pm, at Republic Polytechnic Auditorium.

In addition, a gallery has been added, so look out for the pictures of recent events that will be uploaded over the weekend :)

6 July, 2009
Check out the events calendar and learn how you can volunteer!

5 July, 2009
Registration is now open! More details can be found here.

4 July, 2009
The website is up! :D

Event Details

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Date: 1st September 2009
Venue: Republic Cultural Centre (directions)
Time: 7.30pm
Theme: Metamorphosis

Emcees

Kimberly Chan

Kimberly Chan is a JC1 student at Victoria Junior College. Her past days in FMPS, MGS and the British International School Shanghai saw her front many school productions - School Daze, Making the Grade, Score! and Grease. Recently in VJC, she played lead in the school musical, The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane. She has been seen on stage with local theatre companies like DramaPlus (Open Sesame) and Wild Rice (Cinderellah!)

Kimberly sings as well as she acts. An active member of her school choirs, she's sung at the School Youth Festival as well as events like IPSCAM. While living in Shanghai, she performed 2 solo vocal recitals of Musical Theatre numbers to raise funds for a local Chinese Orphanage. But the highlight of her vocal experience was singing solo segments for the National Day Parade 2008. She is currently a contestant on Singapore Idol.

Dancing shoes came on early for Kimberly – at the tender age of four. She did a combination of ballet and tap at Dance Circle Studios, and later added flamenco, hip-hop and jazz to the list. Kimberly is now doing Spanish dance at Intermediate level (Major Grades) of the Spanish Dance Institute and Advance II (Major Grades) of the Royal Academy of Dance.

Although she has a tough schedule as a JC student, Kimberly balances her studies and her passion for the performing arts. She's well on her way to being a successful all rounded performer Singapore can be proud of.

Guest Band

Fire Away, Samson!

Fire Away, Samson! is a group of five little boys. They are Coeway, Darren, Zach, Jerald and Zak, a group of alphabetical enthusiasts who do many things together. Through knitting, cross-stitching and sewing, they have acquired the skills of weaving the threads of guitars with petals of expression to create a little thing they would like to call their comforter. Others call it music. Their music is personal, their music is honest. Fire Away, Samson! writes to love, to forgive and to move on, for every seed must die before it grows. This is their music for them, from them, for you, through you.

Particpants

Hwa Chong Chinese Dance

Hwa Chong Chinese Dance Society has showcased diverse dances, ranging from folk to traditional and modern Chinese Dance. This year, the Hwa Chong Chinese Dance Society attained the Gold with Honours award at the Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging and was very priviledged to be selected to participate in the SYF Dance Presentation held at the NUS University Cultural Centre.

Lindy Hop Ensemble

Established in 1997 & based at the YMCA, the Lindy Hop Ensemble is a YMCA Associate in the Arts. Lindy Hop Ensemble is the first Singapore dance group to perform at New York City, at the prestigious Lincoln Centre for Performing Arts in 2000, with the Mama Lou Parks Dancers from Harlem and the Jiving Lindy Hoppers from London. Lindy Hop Ensemble has staged a 10-day stage production at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to rave reviews from the international media.

Hey Miles!
Often associating swing dancing with the past, we tend to forget that dance is an art form that can and should evolve. Experience this tonight as the Lindy Hop Ensemble wake you up and keep your eyes riveted with their high-speed concoction of classic Lindy Hop steps chilled with fresh contemporary moves set to original music composed by local musicians Kelvin Tan & Jeremy Sharma. Bounce along and enjoy!

Jeep is Jumpin'
Originally played by Duke Ellington back in the 1930s when dance halls were packed and television was still only available in black and white, sit up and swing along as this wonderful tune comes alive again this evening through the colourful and sometimes crazy steps of the Lindy Hop Ensemble. Watch out for their signature airborne aerial moves!

Catch the inimitable high octane energy of the Lindy Hop Ensemble on YouTube or visit us at http://www.flystep.com/.

Methodist Girls' School Dance Club

The Methodist Girls' School Dance Club was formed in 1996 with 30 members. The glittering stage was then un-chartered territory which every girl dreamed of conquering. The girls had the passion, the enthusiasm and the unfailing support of Mrs Chew Mei Ling, the teacher-in-charge; they were not afraid to take those first faltering steps towards living their dream.

It has been thirteen years, and the Methodist Girls' School Dance Club has swelled in number and blossomed to applause from all quarters. Confident sashays and stunning pirouettes, boogie-woogie, exotic cha-cha, swing, hip-hop – you name them, they have mastered the steps. Their repertoire now extends from the classical to the contemporary, from the demure to the dynamic, and they are still learning; there is no end to the beauty of this timeless art. In the Methodist Girls' School Dance Club, the novices are immediately captivated; in no time they are transformed into nimble fairies, lost in the wonder of dance.

A Hymn to Spring
The very essence of celebration and joyousness is captured through this contemporary piece. It is a dance that portrays unspeakable joy and the beginning of good tidings. The innately complex choreography by Mr Shahbirul Zaki Ahmad is displayed in the dancers' synchronized movements and dancing in unity as one dance team. It combines both technique of a high standard and the singular style of the choreographer. The execution of the moves is perfect to a T as each movement is danced with precision, grace and strength. Every delightful thought and feeling ever experienced comes bursting to life in this dance. Indeed, this dance is the epitome of the beauty of dance.

Raffles Modern Dance

Raffles Modern Dance presents you with Revolution, an energetic and vibrant dance performance. Watch all four styles sweep across the stage, stunning you with the versatility of the dancers. From a emotional contemporary piece, that transforms to sleek and sultry hip-hop pieces, this dance is sure to grab your attention from start to finish.

Republic Polytechnic Hip Hop Dance Group

Republic Polytechnic Hip Hop Dance Group is made up of Republicans who share a common passion for Hip Hop Dance. Be it B-boying (also known as Break-Dancing) or hip hop dance moves, the IG has wowed the school with a wide range of dance moves since 2004. What sets the Hip Hop IG apart from the other dance crews is its primary focus on B-boying. The group hopes to offer opportunities for passionate individuals who put in their best shot for what they believe in. And for them, they believe that "An interest group that dances together, stays together..."

Republic Polytechnic Modern Dance Group

The Republic Polytechnic Modern Dance Group was founded in 2006 by a group of students out of an interest for the contemporary dance art form. The dance squad has been actively participating in all sorts of performances in order to gain experience and exposure. Through the art of contemporary dance, the group is committed to teaching the values of strength, health, commitment, dedication, teamwork and self-discipline. Consisting mainly of first year students under the guidance of the second year seniors, the 40-member group has shown immense dedication and commitment by devoting much of their time to training and preparation for performances. Over the past 3 years, the Republic Polytechnic Modern Dance Group have been invited to perform at various events such as Party Rendezvous 2008 @ Zouk, RP Official Opening 2007, Heritage Festival 2007, ASEAN Night 2006 and in 2007 'Revelations' a full length dance production in collaboration with RP’s Indian Cultural Group, Maya Dance Theatre and Gamelan Asmaradana.

Salsa Fanatico

Salsa Fanatico, in association with Jitterbugs Swingapore, is a dance performance company based in Singapore.

It is made up of an eclectic mix of students, professional dancers and ordinary working professionals who have taken to the rhythms and movements of Salsa and other Street Latin dances with gusto.

Salsa Fanatico has performed at many prestigious events in Singapore and overseas, including the 4th (2002) and 7th (2005) Annual West Coast Salsa Congresses in Los Angeles, USA. Salsa Fanatico provides dance classes and workshops, choreography, performances in Salsa and other Latin dances.

Gallery

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MND Family Day
4th July 2009

Singapore Arts Street Opening
11th July 2009

Dance Rehearsal
23rd August 2009

Opportunities for volunteering

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We would love for you to help us in other fund raising events! Email us at danza2009.admin[@]gmail.com if you wish to participate. Thank you!

Future opportunities are:

Yellow Ribbon Street Sales
Date: 28 August 2009
Venue: Jurong East

The Yellow Ribbon Street Sale is a fund-raising event that is solely focused on the Yellow Ribbon Fund. Volunteers will be needed to assist in the sales, distribution of goodie bags, tin can donations and campaigning.

Yellow Ribbon Prison Run
Date: 6 September 2009
Venue: Changi Prison Complex

The inaugural Yellow Ribbon Prison Run 2009 is an iconic run that offers participants an opportunity to run through the Changi Prison Complex with passing through historical sites like Johore Battery, Changi Chapel Museum and Old Changi Prison Wall. Following the run, there will be a carnival targeted at the ex-offenders and their families and participants of the run. Here, volunteers are needed for the sale of merchandise to raise funds, promoting the concert and ticket sales.

MND Family Day 2009

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On the 4th of July 2009, the DANZA committee went down to East Coast Park to participate in MND Family Day 2009. It was a day for members of the MND family to bond together and have a day of fun. A charity bazaar tent was set up, where the Yellow Ribbon Project was given a booth to promote their cause. We went down to sell handcrafted merchandise made by the prison in-mates. We raised a total of $294 from today, and also had a handful of fun promoting the cause of Yellow Ribbon Project among the general public. Photos will be up soon!

About Us

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We are a group of students embarking on a self-initiated community project under the Citibank Youth for Causes banner. In the course of 6 months, we intend to help raise awareness and funds for the Yellow Ribbon Fund. These funds will go to help ex-offenders and their families.

Aside from planning a dance showcase for students between the ages of 16-20, entitled DANZA!, our group has volunteered to help the Yellow Ribbon Fund at various other events. The following are a non-exclusive list of events that we will be volunteering/have volunteered at: Ministry of Development Family Day (4th July), Yellow Ribbon Street Sales (28th Aug) and the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run (5th Sep).

We hope to spread the message that these ex-offenders deserve a second chance just as much as anyone. We hope that in the future everyone in society will accept these ex-offenders and help unlock the second prison.

The Committee

Sandra Chua [Anglo Chinese School (Independent)]

Larisa Cheng [Anglo Chinese School (Independent)]

Grace Fong [Anglo Chinese School (Independent)]

Liana Chek [Anglo Chinese School (Independent)]

Shaunald Neo [Anglo Chinese School (Independent)]

Maisie Koh [Anglo Chinese Junior College]

Sarah Chua WH [Anglo Chinese Junior College]

Hew Jia Ni [Raffles Institution (Junior College)]

Joanne Ong [Hwa Chong Institution (College Section)]

Sarah Chua KX [Hwa Chong Institution (College Section)]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Youth for Causes?
- YFC is a joint project by YMCA and Citibank carried out annually, more details can be found here
- 100 teams are chosen to carry out a project with seed funding of $1600 sponsored by Citibank

What is the Yellow Ribbon Fund and what do they do?

YRFund contributes to the development and implementation of reintegration programmes for ex-offenders as well as support programmes to strengthen families of ex-offenders

Money raised goes to providing financial support for:

The provision of rehabilitative and aftercare services to prisoners and inmates

Public awareness programmes aimed at creating awareness in giving 2nd chances to ex-offenders and inspiring community action to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders

Services associated with rehabilitation and reintegration for family members of prisoners and inmates before and after their discharge from custody

More information can be found here

What we have done so far?
- Events volunteered at: Ministry of Development Family Day & Singapore Arts Street Festival
- Total Outreach: approx. 6000 people
- Amount raised: $883 by selling merchandise handcrafted by inmates

What are the details of the event?
- ~~Registration closes on the 31st of July~~
- ~~Dance Circle Arts has volunteered to help us run the competition professionally and find judges~~
- The event will now be a dance showcase rather than a competition
- Guest of Honour: Chairperson of the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Mr Philip Tan

Our Beneficiary

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The Yellow Ribbon Project is a community initiative in Singapore that aims to create awareness, generate acceptance and inspire community action to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders into society. Every year, more than 10,000 individuals are released from the various prisons and Drug Rehabilitation Centres (DRC) in Singapore. Many ex-offenders who sincerely wish to change face uphill challenges after their release. Their attempts to lead normal lives are fraught with difficulties caused by the stigma that they inevitably face. Shackled by their criminal records, they are often turned away from job opportunities as soon as their past convictions are revealed.

Events

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Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to volunteer!

July

MND Family Day 2009
- 4th July
- Event report

August

Yellow Ribbon Street Sales
- 28th August
- Jurong East
- Volunteer!

September

DANZA!
- 1st September
- 7pm
- Republic Polytechnic

Yellow Ribbon Prison Run
- 6th September
- Changi Prison Complex
- Official website
- Volunteer!

Sponsors & Supporters

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Contact Us

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Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions to see if we have already answered your question there. Otherwise, feel free to contact us through any of the following means: