Eat your fill, learn new skills at our block party
The second Our Blocks Rock party has great food and fun learning activities to take part in
Chill, eat and soak in the fun with your Bedok Reservoir-Punggol neighbours from 4pm today and tomorrow.
The party, the second of 17 in the Our Blocks Rock series of parties, will be held at the open field next to Hougang MRT station.
There will be food such as rainbow bagels, chocolate chip cookie dough french toast, and homemade coconut products.
And there will be fun.
Ever thought about getting your own henna tattoo?
Self-taught henna artist and owner of Dishacreationz, who wishes to be known as Ms Divya, 22, is selling her intricate henna designs from as low as $5 to $15.
She has perfected her craft over nine years.
Earlier this year, she clinched first prize for her Pongal-inspired henna design at the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (LISHA) Henna Competition.
Ms Divya, who is also pursuing a full-time film degree at Lasalle College of the Arts, said: "Usually, (Singaporeans) have to go to Little India if they want to do henna.
"But during these block parties, we are coming to them, and it's a good opportunity for everyone to try henna out."
She said: "A lot of kids love drawing and (there are) kids, especially Chinese ones, who will stop to observe what I am doing.
"(The block parties) are a good exposure for (the younger generation) to learn something new. After all, henna is very much part of the Indian and Malay tradition."
For DJ wannabes, instructors from the Tech'1 Music will be at the parties with a mixing booth for residents to pick up the basics of mixing music.
'INTIMIDATING'
Said the owner, DJ Tech'1: "At first, when people look at the DJ console, they find the equipment quite intimidating.
"But our instructors will be there to guide (the residents), help them to familiarise themselves with the equipment and teach them basic mixing.
"DJ-ing is for everyone and it's easy to pick up."
Today's line-up also includes cultural and live acoustic performances.
Residents can look forward to a fusion dance incorporating moves from various cultures.
There will also be a Harmony Treasure Hunt, with 1,000 Harmony Packs up for grabs on each of the two days.
The treasure hunt will take residents through stations where they will learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and administer interim first aid.
They will also be taught how to enhance community vigilance.
Each Harmony Pack comes with a 10 per cent discount voucher to be used at any of the participating food and beverage stalls.
This parties are organised by the People's Association (PA) Panel of Activists for Community Engagement (Pace) and The New Paper.
(The block parties) are a good exposure for (the younger generation) to learn something new. After all, henna is very much part of the Indian and Malay tradition.
- Ms Divya, self-taught henna artist and owner of Dishacreationz
Treats to eat
Some unique flavours to check out:
SOI COCO
What is it: Freshly prepared 100 per cent Thai coconut products.
What to look out for: Puddings and shakes (right) made from young coconuts imported from Thailand daily. Organic gula melaka, specially imported from Indonesia, is used to make Soi Coco's coconut puddings.
Price: $4.50 for a coconut pudding ($8 for 2), $4.90 for a 250ml coconut shake.
ABRACOWDABRA
What is it: French toasts and sides (chicken fingers with a choice of three sauces: tangy lemon dill mayo, hot and spicy, and cheesy sauces).
What to look out for: Chocolate chip cookie dough french toast with cookies or biscuits within (right). The cookie dough base is made using butter and milk high in fat content, as well as Valrhona chocolate from France, to produce a more buttery and flavourful dough. The raw cookie dough is edible as eggs are not used.
Price: $6.50 for a french toast, $5 for chicken fingers.
WORD
What is it: Bagels, sodas (in seven flavours: strawberry, grape, lychee, mango, lemonade, guava and ice cream soda) and more.
What to look out for: Rainbow bagels filled with mango cream cheese, smores, oreo biscuit crumble with maple syrup to top it all off; Magic Mushrooms (battered mushrooms); and Cut the Crab (mozzarella cheese crab balls).
Price: $3.50 for each soda ($15 for 5), $8 for a rainbow bagel, $7 for Cut the Crab and Magic Mushroom.
Win swag with tales of racial harmony
Storytellers, here is your chance to write and be read - and maybe win an iPad, a Montblanc pen or a Kindle.
Just pen your thoughts on harmony for a nationwide writing competition titled "Share Your Harmony Experience", organised by the People's Association (PA) Panel of Activists for Community Engagement (Pace) and The New Paper .
Residents can share stories and pictures of their racial harmony experiences and inspire others to embrace cultural diversity.
Ten submissions will be short-listed by PA and the top three winning entries stand to win a 9.7 inch 32GB iPad (first prize), a Montblanc pen (second prize) and a Kindle (third prize).
The winning entry will also be featured in The New Paper. All winners will be notified by end-December.
HOW TO TAKE PART
All entries should be sent to PA_iknowmyneighbours@pa.gov.sg. Stories should not exceed 1,000 words.
Duration: Today to Nov 30
Deadline: 11.59pm, Nov 30
Photographs may be submitted with each story. The photos should be in JPEG format with resolution of at least 300 dpi.
Each entry must be accompanied by a title, full name and contact number.
About the event
WHAT:
Our Blocks Rock parties
WHERE:
Open field next to Hougang MRT station
WHEN:
Today and tomorrow, 4pm to 10pm
TICKETS:
Admission is free
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