KidsFest 2014 – Tickets on sale now

Last weekend, I brought Asher to the KidsFest 2014 preview at the British Club where he met some of the performers, including the Gruffalo’s Child – a character which he is familiar with from the Gruffalo series of children books which Rachel reads to him:

Kids meet the Gruffalo’s Child

Asher hi-five with the gruffalo’s child

Kids meet King Henry

Gruffalo story book reading time

Playing games

KidsFest debuted in Hong Kong and Singapore in 2012 and will return from 15 Jan to 9 Feb 2014 next year with nine international theatre productions adapted from best-selling children’s books.

KidsFest 2014 muffins

The family-friendly productions will be shown at two performing venues in 2014; at DBS Arts Centre and Drama Centre Theatre.

KidsFest 2014  also see the introduction of KidsFest+ – an exclusive backstage experience on scheduled dates for selected productions where fans can interact up close with the cast over an autograph or photo session – much like the fun preview session which I brought Asher to.

Roaaarrrrrr!

“KidsFest is an exciting festival for the whole family where compelling characters are brought to life and scenes from well-loved books are enacted vividly on stage. It is a wonderful platform for family bonding and at the same time, nurtures a child’s interest in literature and language. Our aim is for KidsFest to be a staple in Singapore’s calendar of cultural events when families can look forward to a series of world-class productions,” said Mr Matthew Gregory, Executive Producer of ABA Productions Pte Ltd.

The KidsFest 2014 organisers promise each production to be an adventure for the family; with catchy music, engaging scenes and even audience participation for some. There will also be surprises thrown in for the kids along the way.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices range from S$35 to S$62.

Book them at any SISTIC outlet, official SISTIC website or call the hotline 6348 5555. For more information, visit the official KidsFest website and the official Singapore Facebook page.

Here are some of the shows to look out for in KidsFest 2014: 

Back by popular demand is of course, the well-loved Gruffalo! This charming production adapted from the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler showcases Mouse’s adventurous journey into the ‘deep dark wood’ and his encounter with the terrifying Gruffalo. Though the use of sheer wit, learn how the quick-thinking Mouse evades danger.

Following hot on the heels of The Gruffalo’s sell out tour comes the must-watch sequel; The Gruffalo’s Child. Find out just how brave the Gruffalo’s Child is as she ventures into the ‘deep dark wood’ to find the ‘big bad mouse’, the one thing her father, The Gruffalo is afraid of.

For the history-buff, you’re in for a treat! Indulge in the drama during the Tudors dynasty at Horrible Histories Terrible Tudors starring the monarch, Henry VIII himself. Hear the legend (and the lies!), find out about the triumphs and what is so terrible during this enthralling era.

The HORRIBLE HISTORIES team also brings a fresh take into the mysterious world of ancient Egypt as they unearth the enigmatic symbols in Horrible Histories Awful Egyptians. Learn the power of the pyramids and discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in town – find out why the Egyptians made their mummies and how they did it!

Some other must-watch productions includes What the Lady Bird Heard, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Snow Dragon and Private Peaceful as they grace the local stage for the first time In 2014.

LEGO Friends Friendship Giveaway

LEGO Friends has recently launched their new friendship campaign and is partnering Alvinology.com for a giveaway.

As part of the friendship campaign, LEGO Friends has rolled out a short film titled, “How to Build a Friendship”:

In addition to this, LEGO Friends  has also rolled out a Limited Edition Friendship Diary, encouraging children to jot down their thoughts and feelings. The diary is filled with engaging activities including drawing spaces, craftwork and an assortment of games that can be played with friends. A nice gift for the little ones.

I am giving away the following on this blog:

Top Prize
1 x Friendship Diary
1 x Heartlake Pet Salon (usual price: S$59.90)

Runner Up Prizes (x2)
1 x Friendship Diary
1 x Mia’s Magic Tricks (usual price: S$19.90)

How can you win these prizes?

Follow these simple steps:

1. Watch the “Lessons of Friendship” film
2. Do a screen capture of the video
3. Write a nice Friendship-related statement with the screen capture as a meme and email it to alvinologist@gmail.com by 15 Nov 2013. Here is a sample from me: 
   

The most creative memes (purely by judging only) will win the prizes

Easy?

Send in your entries now. I look forward to reading your memes. 🙂

[Movie Review] Like Father, Like Son (そして父になる Soshite Chichi ni Naru)

Like Father, Like Son (そして父になる Soshite Chichi ni Naru) is a multiple international awards-winning 2013 Japanese drama film directed by Hirokazu Koreeda. It was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and won the Jury Prize as well as a commendation from the Ecumenical Jury. It also won the Rogers People’s Choice Award at the 2013 Vancouver International Film Festival and the Wuaki.TV Audience Award at the 2013 San Sebastián International Film Festival.

Koreeda also directed Nobody Knows (誰も知らない Dare mo shiranai), a 2004 Japanese drama film based on the 1988 event known as the “Affair of the four abandoned children of Sugamo”. I enjoyed Nobody Knows very much and appreciate Koreeda’s sensitivity in bringing out children emotions and how they see the world.

Expectations were high when I went for the preview screening of Like Father, Like Son.

Trailer:

Synopsis:

Ryota (Masaharu Fukuyama) and Midori (Machika Ono) are an ambitious urban couple pushing themselves and six-year-old son Keita (Keita Ninomiya) up the social ladder. The boy, however, appears to lack the drive found in his father. Then the parents are told shocking news: Keita was swopped with another baby at birth. Should they keep him or fix the mistake and take their biological son, raised by laidback shopkeeper Yudai (Lily Franky) and wife Yukari (Yoko Maki)?

If you were the father or mother of Keita, what would you have done?

As a father of a two year son now, I find I am unable to make a clear decision. The first conclusion I had was the same as Ryota – why not try to keep both? The problem is, would the other party agree? Is it fair to them?

The film got me thinking about the age-old debate of nature vs nature.

In Ryota, I see the failings of an elitist mindset, something which we often fault the current batch of PAP leaders in Singapore for. Ryota is not a bad person. He wants the best for his child, but it took him a while to reconcile the fact that regardless whether it was his biological son or the son he brought up, the child is not him.

The film had an open ending. It works for me as it invokes thinking. Rachel and I were still talking about it after we left the theatres, debating over the different scenarios that could have panned out.

While the parents stress themselves out thinking which decision works best for themselves, what is neglected is the feelings of the children. The director brought out this message subtly, but with a strong, lasting impact.

Koreeda is good in dealing with topics revolving around kids’ emotions.

Like Father, Like Son is one of the best movie which I have watched this year. Do go catch it. It is now showing in Singapore cinemas.

NTUC First Campus – It Began With You

Are you familiar with NTUC First Campus?

NTUC First Campus (NFC) is a pioneering childcare operator in Singapore, established since the 1970s. It manages three pre-school brands which parents with young children will be familiar with – My First Skool, The little Skool-House International and The Caterpillar’s Cove.

NFC runs a total of 120 centres island-wide, guided by the principle that every child deserves a good start in life. Its social mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of social or economic background, can receive quality and affordable early childhood care and education.

It is with these in mind that NFC embarks on a social recruitment campaign to promote the appreciation for pre-school educators and encourage more to fulfill their aspirations in joining the early childhood care and education industry. I am happy to know of this campaign spearheaded by NFC and am more than willing to help spread the words.

Personally, I have great respect for people working as pre-school educators, just like those in the nursing professions. These are jobs which require a lot of care and patience.

Close your eyes and visualise what a pre-school educator should be like – does a kind, parent-like figure comes to mind?

Can you picture yourself as this person?

If you can, the future of Singapore may just lie in your nurturing hands:

If you love children and believe you can make a difference in the little ones’ lives, consider sending your resume over for a career with NTUC First Campus.

NFC works hard to establish support network and career advancement opportunities for their staff. Both new and current teachers can develop their knowledge and skills in their tailored training programs, as well as learn the best practices through regular meetings and forums.

To find out more about NFC careers and positions available, do visit their official social recruitment website – It Began with You.  or their official facebook page. 

Meanwhile, if you are undecided, consider taking this online challenge to find out if you can understand a child will and have what it takes to be a pre-school teacher:

NFC is giving away S$50 CapitaMall vouchers weekly for participants of the online challenge. In addition, there is also a grand prize of a travel package worth S$1,500. Try out the online challenge HERE on Facebook or HERE if you do not have a facebook account. Have fun. 🙂

I just turned 33

Happy birthday… to myself.

Last week, I noticed I am starting to spot some white hairs.

Instead of dyeing my hair jet-black, I decided to change my hairstyle and tint it slightly for a refreshing change as I reach double 3 of age:

The secret to good skin? Adobe Photoshop. Front view.

Back view

Side view

I am feeling younger already. 🙂

My new hairstyle was done at Naoki Yoshihara by Ash. I blogged about this japanese salon at Liang Court previously. You can visit their official facebook page to find out more about them.