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ChannelNewsAsia 9 August 2003
TCS 5 News 9 August 2003
Singaporeans and tourists party the
night away to celebrate National Day
By Johnson Choo
Singaporeans and tourists partied the night away on
Friday, celebrating the ban on bar top dancing and the
Nation's Birthday!
The two dancers engaged by a Jazz Bar were keen to
jazz up its image.
Not quite its usual fare of "live" music but it's keen
to attract new customers. Manager of Blue Note Jazz
Bar, Amy Zhang said: "For the dancers, they're here
to dance because people like to watch."
Allowing bar top dancing has been linked to efforts
to Remake Singapore.
While the response to Nation.03, an outdoor party organised
by some members of the gay community, can be seen as
a gauge of Singapore's tolerance.
Over the past two years, the event had evolved from
a niche party for the gay community to one that attracts
party-goers from all sectors of society.
All wanting the same thing - good music and a good
party. Said one partygoer: "Although there're a lot
of guys around, but it's a pretty good atmosphere, good
music and it's a brilliant location. It's excellent
right?"
And the rejoinder from his girlfriend: "I think it
brings across the real meaning of National Day, because
everybody just celebrates together. It doesn't matter
whether you're straight, gay, or whatever!"
Theatre actress, Pamela Oei said: "I'm wearing a "Born
this way" t-shirt, and some of my other friends are
wearing "Born that way", but it doesn't matter because
we're just born anyway!"
The party drew party goers from the region with at
least 500 from Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Dr Stuart Koe from Event Organiser, Fridae, said: "Out
of the approximately 4 to 5 thousand people we have
here, I'd say about 25 to 30 percent are tourists and
we're very excited about that."
This tourist travelled from San Francisco and was pleasantly
surprised.
"It's quite fun and quite a surprise. I would not expect
this from Singapore," said a gay man who is a tourist
from San Francisco.
Surprising or not, this is the 3rd year the party has
been organised and its growing popularity could make
it a "must see" event on the world party circuit.
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