Dance Party 2003

By Cheryl Chia • Urbanwire
• email reporter • email story • printer friendly version

 

"It's getting hot in here, so take off all your shirts"

Even before the barricades came up due to precautionary Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) measures, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) never had a dance party in the Atrium; simply because no one had thought of such an ingenious idea.

However on Jul 25, the popular open space was transformed into a dance floor for over 200 staff and students who danced to a mix of hip-hop, R & B and techno music spun by deejay Jay Pereira from Ignite Entertainment.

Organised by the Information and Communications Technology Society (ICTS), it was intended as a campus-wide activity, a departure from their usual practice of keeping it to only ICT students and staff.

Mr Brendon Lam, 30, ICT lecturer-in-charge of the party said, “Previously we had the party over at Blk 27 and 31, and for this year, we wanted something a little bit different so we had it at the Atrium.”

Permission for the use of the Atrium was given for the sole reason that lecturers would be present and there would not be a single trace of alcohol in sight.

As for making the party open to all NP students, Mr Lam added, “Formerly it (ICT’s annual dance party) was a very closed affair, … so we wanted to open up a bit and allow our students to mingle with students from other schools to also do some networking perhaps.”

Boogie right now and right on my shoulder

This became possible only after zoning was lifted on Jul 17.

Project leader of this event, Lim Jiajun, 19, final-year ICT student, said that a reason for making this year’s dance party a campus-wide event was also to create more awareness for ICTS. “The purpose of this event is to allow the freshmen of ICT to know the students of all levels and departments so that in the future the school can be just like 1 big family”, he added.

And like a big family, the students all mingled around and danced to the great music for the night.

A smaller crowd
Of the 200 over students and staff present, most of these were made up of ICT people. But nevertheless, the crowd enjoyed the company and the performers who gave a commendable show.

The turnout was a little less than expected. The organisers were expecting more than 350 people but it was probably due to the fact that Zoukout – Nokia Remix was also held on the same night.

“It’s (the turnout) a little disappointing, but I think Zoukout probably messed with it a little bit right, but it seems like they (the students) are having fun, so that’s all that matters,” added Mr Christopher Chou, 23, Information & Communications Technology (ICT) lecturer..

Let's bring on the music fellas

Another glaring reason for smaller turnout was that publicity and ticket sales for the event only started a week before the actual date.

“It could have been better had we started ticket sales earlier,” said Colin Lim Tze Ping, 19, final-year ICT student and assistant project leader for this event.

Although they didn’t get the Convention Centre as a venue, they were fortunate to have secured the Atrium, as it started raining at 7 pm.

Tiu Xian Long, 19, final-year ICT student said, “if it’s outdoors we wouldn’t be able to hold it because it’s raining heavily”.

Mr Cheng Chee Chian, 49, ICT lecturer noted another advantage of the venue: “more people can come in and it’s quite open”.

Not just a dance marathon
Although the party was slated to start at 6:30pm, it only really began at about 8 pm after the students had their fill of free refreshments such as curry puffs and soon kueh. Students also had to make do with orange cordial because being a school event, alcohol was not allowed.

Each person was also given half a jigsaw puzzle at the entrance, and had to find his/her matching piece to redeem a prize of a CD case and a USB charger.

To further add to the action and hype were emcees Melissa Chiew and Wong Kee Soon, final-year Mass Communication (MCM) students. Both were invited to promote interaction between different schools.

“I find that [the party] is quite happening actually. When the lights were off, then the party really started,” said Melissa. As Melissa also mentioned, once the people came down to dance, the atmosphere was much more carefree. Some of the guys were so enthusiastic that they took off their shirts and went on dancing.

But it wasn’t one long dance marathon. The organisers had arranged for entertainment as well. As if to inspire the rest, there was a Dancesport performance by Amanda Cho, 19, a 2nd-year Early Childhood Education (ECH) student and Elrond Chen, 19, final-year Electrical Engineering (EE) student. Both are from Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) co-curricular activity Dancesport, and were trained in Latin dance. The pair’s perfect poise and coordination evidently wowed the audience.

Boy does that guy have talent

Another highlight was Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Concert band, which played a modern and hip repertoire, rather than orchestral music. Lead guitarist Md. Ashrat, 19, final-year Film, Sound & Video (FSV) student and Reuel T. Ramos, 20, final-year Business Information Technology (BIT) student as bass player certainly increased the cool factor of the party with their upbeat band music.

“I think it is very creative of them (organisers) to come up with such an event. It’s very encouraging especially when you have lecturers supporting such events,” said Reuel.

Poor turnout or not, the party ended off at 10:30 pm on a high note with the 2 best female and male dancers winning prizes like a USB cable and CD accessories, sponsored by Tamac Marketing.

Excuse me, are you a little old to dance?
The lecturers present were definitely not there to monitor the party or chase after students for their assignments; they were there with the same motive as the students, to relax.

Chen Yuyi, 21, an exchange student from Hang Zhou, China, said that, “in our country lecturers seldom attend our dance parties, but here, I’m surprised that a lot of lecturers attend!”

“The music is good and it’s also good to know that our youth hasn’t been lost on you guys (students present at the party),” said Mr Chou, one of about 25 lecturers on the dance floor.