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Because Wendy is such a mega QUEEN fan, we had to stay till the stroke of midnight to catch the “THE KILLER QUEEN SHOW” at Beerfest Asia 2010. And who am I to be complaining... I love "Bohemian Rhapsody" done live anythime! “THE KILLER QUEEN SHOW” was an act that showcased the music of the greatest rock band of the twentieth century and pays homage to the most charismatic and flamboyant front man of all, Freddie Mercury.


Dragged along by Wendy, plonking ourselves just a row behind the first. Can you spot me snapping away with my camera lifted high in the centre?

It was in fact a little eerie to witness how alike the band members were to the real Queen's musical legacy, energy, iconic performances and insane wardrobe!


Brisbane actor and musician Johnny Blunt, bared an uncanny resemblance to Freddie Mercury. I wouldn't say he was as suave, but he was very close!

For the same entrance ticket price of S$27 to Beerfest Asia 2010, you not only get 2 free beers but also 2 nightly live tribute concerts to AC/DC, Queen or U2. They may be tribute performances, but they were REALLY good (at least for the two I caught). I'd call that great value for money!

World famous Hell’s Belles is the premier all female AC/DC tribute act. They are wicked, fierce and totally hard core! June would have totally loved them with the guitar and hair! I've personally never been a AC/DC fan and only know a couple of their more noticeable tunes... like 'You Shook Me' and 'Highway to Hell'... No thanks to 'Iron Man 2'. AC/DC appeared too evil to me in my younger days.


Both musicians playing Brian Johnson and Angus Young were absolutely spot on! Just that they are GIRLS!


Playing ALL AC/DC, ALL the time, ALL over the globe, spanning ALL the pure rock brilliance of AC/DC’s career (from “High Voltage” to “Back and Black” and beyond), Hell’s Belles do justice to the Aussie legends with patented Hell’s Belles devotion, precision, and fury.


Endorsed by Angus Young himself (Blender Magazine; 2003), Hell’s Belles are the closest one can get without actually moving to Australia or joining AC/DC’s road crew.


Hell’s Belles Live - Pardon the overpowering bass... it was really loud!


Hell’s Belles Live

Read:
Beerfest Asia 2010: Beer of the World Unite!

More Beerfest Asia 2010 Pictures

When Erika mentioned about Beerfest Asia 2010, I had the impression that she was talking about Oktoberfest, the Munich Beer Festival brought into Singapore. And then I realised it was a another money making Beer Festival bringing in both exhibitors and beer lovers from around the region to sample up to 250 different beers! The 4 day festival was into its second year running and was packed with live stage performances, giant screen broadcast of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa and outdoor bazaars. I couldn't resist the opportunity to check out rare finds in the malted barley catalog. I was even serious enough to download an iPhone app on beer with a hope to learn a thing or two.


The festival venue, Singapore Flyer was jam packed with folks from around the Shenton and Marina Bay office vicinity, many in their shirt and pants attire.


Currency of the venue - Chips! My ticket price of S$27 entitles 2 free beers redeemable at offering outlets

Two huge outdoor screens where erected on both wings of the venue for live soccer... best watched with beer! I was enjoying my sausage and wedges platter while checking out the different beers people are consuming.


This picture was taken moments before Germany hit a miss fire at a penalty shot against Serbia! Total embarrassment sending the crowd crazy!

And then it was time to check out the BEERS!





Wendy bought a bottle of Dead Frog's Nutty Flavored beer on the far left. Had a roasted nut taste which was refreshingly flavorful

CommunicAsia, Broadcast Asia and Enterprise IT were back again this year covering 8 halls after a poor showing in 2009 due to the recession. I had to miss the show last year due to an unusually hectic work week. 3D Television was the obvious exhibit this year and there were numerous smaller innovations worth the visit. A couple of big names such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Microsoft have pulled out of the show chosing to run their own showcase separately out of the Expo venue. Exhibitors were also more cautioned about throwing away freebies with fewer gimmicky stage performances.


Free International SKYPE Calls to anywhere around the world at the SKYPE Booth!


You'd sell your identity for a 1/4 cup of SKYPE Slurpee! We were more then happy to exchange our business cards for it!


NTT DoCoMo's Chocolate Phone. All phones at the NTT DoCoMo booth were available only in Japan


Samsung Mobile's coolest gadget - Samsung Galaxy Beam, Smart Projector On Phone. Pico Projector (9 Lumen Brightness, capable to project on screens from 5" - 50". Runs on Android OS 2.1


More prominent solar panels exhibits in the move to a greener future


Always a delight to check out the latest Arriflex film camera at the Cine Equipment Booth


Jack & Ray from EIC compares for free acoustics gigs at the Panasonic Booth


3D Television or projection (with or without 3D Glasses) were the obvious overkill this year. Panasonic had a stage with roller bladders zipping around to give greater dynamism to demo their 3D screens

Having had a weak Arts Festival season last year, I was determined to set aside more time this year to enjoy the 2010 offerings. However, unlike previous years I was excited in only a handful of performances, which was actually perfect because its been harder to coordinate time with friends for the events. It also felt that budget for the festival seemed to have shrunk this year. I have to point it again to the unappealing closing ceremony... but all in all, it was a good festival.

1 Festival Opening Event - "Invitation to Dream - A Fire Garden Installation" Compagnie Carabosse (France)
1 Interactive Performance - "Cargo Kuala Lumpur - Singapore" Hebbel am Ufer / Berlin (Swiss / Germany)
1 Symphony Orchestra Concert - "The Carnival Of Animals and Peter & The Wolf" Kamchàtka Theatre Company (Spain)
1 Outreach Performance - "The Hood" La Passionata Svironi (Israel)
1 Walkabout Tour - Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall Backstage Tour - Singapore Arts Festival (Singapore)

Read:
Wishing I had more time at the festivals
Singapore Arts Festival 2008 Opening Celebration - Water Fools
The 2007 Arts Festival Round Up

Marina at Keppel Bay

It was quite a chore hunting down where to eat at Vivo City after "The Hood" performance. The place was jam packed with people and I was kindda in the mood for some pasta... I took the opportunity to suggest checking out Marina at Keppel Bay. According to Celeste, this place has been around for at least 2 years! Wendy never knew it even existed and I only heard about it from Anne late last year. Obvious proof we're not in loop for the high and fine.

Having thought that this was a place for atas fine dining, I was surprised to find that TCC The Coffee Connoisseur has an outlet there. I was quite certain I could afford a pasta there with my 15% TCC VIP membership. Celeste pointed out another outlet, Privé Bakery which we could consider for drinks. She raved about their milkshakes.


The bridge from Telok Blangah Road into the marina

Just a stone's throw away from hustling Vivo City was a serene berth for private yachts. Specially designed with yachting and yacht owners in mind, Marina at Keppel Bay aims to help in the growth of Singapore's yachting community in advancing knowledge, enjoyment and participation in yachting and nautical arts. I've had my taste of the high life last year on a private yacht for a dinner celebration. I was on the verge of puking like the Merlion while still trying to look cool with motion-sickness. The high life at sea is not for me.


We were happy to discover that the very small and cozy TCC was having a 1 for 1 main course promotion till 25 July! Sweet! Celeste and I both ordered a Seafood Aglio Olio while Wendy dove straight into 3 deserts!

There was no way in a ZILLION years anyone could make me attend the Mega Line Dance closing event for Singapore Arts Festival 2010; so I planned to watch a last free performance; The Hood by an Israelian company, La Passionata Svironi.

Winner of the Bat-Yam Street Festival, Israel 09, La Passionata Svironi has created a new genre of miniature and interactive theatre. Greeted first by a song and dance ensemble by the performers dressed in black and white faux-1950s 'Plesentville' outfits, singing tunefully about how they were all such good backstabbing neighbours, inviting us into their homes.


Each home (a charming little wendy-house with removable tops with holes you can stick your head and/or hands into) has a different story and character... one was the home of a pregnant lady, one sleeps around with the neighbour, one a weird celebrity psycho and another a bookworm (which was the house that we visited).


As such every house had their own puppets and props. Small groups of audiences were 'chosen' to put their heads inside seven miniature houses created by Svironi Michal and her team.


We waited patiently for about an hour before most of the kids had their turn and insisted on checking out the house of the bookworm. Audrey, the performer for the house was very animated and we could hear her enthusiasm from where we stood. We quickly understood why this was the home of the bookworm when we stuck our heads into the house and discovered a book-like arrangement with pages to display characters from. Celeste decided to role act with Audrey while Wendy and I enjoyed the show. Wendy had the additional task of providing music through a wind-up device on the side of the house.