Leng Kee dance troupe brings past performances back into the present

SPIRITS NOT DAMPENED: Participants from Leng Kee dance troupe braved the rain and used creative props to showcase their dance performance. (PHOTO: Chelsea Charlotte Smith)

Chingay 2017 is bringing about a blast from the past by recreating past performances from the 1970s. Leng Kee dance troupe has the honor along with other groups to work together in the segment named “Wecare for the past”.

They will be showcasing these performances through colourful costumes, music and dance, in a bid to recreate the Chingay flavour from 40 years ago.

Leng Kee dance troupe is part of the CDAA and specialize in traditional Chinese dance. They have almost 30 years of experience. “We feel that we can do the traditional performance justice as we specialize in traditional dance.” said Ms Ng Siew Moy, the Chairman of the CDAA.

The troupe's performance is titled “Pick A Back (老辈少)”, which is inspired by a traditional Chinese Folk Dance.

They will be wearing pink traditional Chinese costumes and some will carry props that gives the illusion of the dancers clinging on the back of an old man, while others carry drums in their performance at the F1 pit stop.

“Many Singaporeans have forgotten about the past,” said Ms Ng Siew Moy. “We want to show everyone traditional dances and bring them back to the good old days.”

The troupe is even collaborating with first generation performers - dancers who performed in Chingay during the 1970s, to accurately recreate yesteryear’s performances. The costumes and props used are also designed to be similar to the ones used in the past to stay true to the original performance.

Ms Ng said: “We managed to find 3 dancers who have performed in Chingay for about 40 years. Since our segment is also a way for us to celebrate 30 to 40 years of traditional Chinese dance, we felt that it was only right to look for these dancers to take part in this segment with us.”

Renowned dance instructors in the industry are also assisting the troupe in choreographing and fine-tuning the traditional dances. Participants spent 2 hours practising every week, starting from November last year till January this year.

The People’s Association hopes that re-creating yesteryear’s performances will foster a sense of nostalgia and strengthen their sense of belonging, especially among the elderly

population in Singapore.

Besides “WeCare for the past”, Chingay 2017 also consists of other segments like “WeCare for the present” and “Youthcare” through a variety of international and local performances.

local events.

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