There is no doubt the Botanic Gardens is a prime venue for any concert. The sloping hill down to the magnificent view of the giant waterlilies and concert stage just roars out ‘entertainment’. On a daily basis, I look at the empty stage while doing bench presses with my gym class, but on weekends, the stage transforms into a beehive with excited families and full picnic baskets, especially when the stage is hosting top performers like during the Vesak weekend which just passed.
The Botanic Gardens transforms into a beautiful venue for a weekend of concerts. Photo: Temasek
I’ve attended a few concerts in the Botanic Gardens, mainly classical music ones. I was initially worried about bringing my family comprising kids of three and five years old to an event where people are mainly there to listen to music. This, turned out to be the least of my worries. However, getting there and parking were issues I hadn’t considered. I’d imagined the SG50 official park concerts to be popular, but ignorant (but also happy) was I to the fact, that this Temasek Jubilee event was obviously also one not to be missed.
As we walked in just before the show started, my hunch was confirmed. Every little spot on the grass was taken up by picnic mats, homemade cuisine and people with flashing phones. It seemed like not only families of different nationalities were there, even Singapore’s Prime Minister had chosen this venue for his Sunday night activity! As a result of the crowds, my family and our friends (with another two kids) chose a spot at the back of the hill. The music wasn’t as clear, but at least our kids weren’t tied down to a stamp-sized area.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attends the Jubilee at the Botanics. Photo: Temasek
Sunday night was a particularly hot and humid one, but the atmosphere was wonderful. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra began their one-hour musical voyage with recognisable pieces from the Broadway scene, but soon after showed their real talent, when Bizet’s Carmen took in the park with a power and tempo that made you worry if real bull fighters were about to enter the stage! No toreador appeared, but eminent vocalist Amni Musfirah took the stage like one, when she recited “Somewhere” from West Side Story.
Photo: Temasek
At this time, my daughter and I decided to walk closer to the stage, along with my friend and her little girl. This was when we wished we had make the extra effort to get nearer, earlier. While powerful music can be on its own, add the energy from the musicians, the light, the scenery and 5000 people warped into this scenery, and the energy gets amplified.
After the “Moon River” performance, we stopped our walk to sit. As Amni Musfirah uttered the first few words of “I dreamed a dream” from the Les Miserables musical, I glanced at my friend to see that she too had liquid eyes. It was a very touching performance, in fact, so good that my 3-year-old managed to stay quiet, looking intensively towards the stage.
Photo: Temasek
Next, it was the boys’ turn. My husband and my son, along with our friend and his boy, joined the front rows for “Count on Me Singapore”. For Singaporeans, it was an old classic; for us, it was a new anthem added to our musical hard disk that is slowly filling up while being here in this country. Simple lyrics that were obviously still on the local hard disk, judging by the lip-syncing action happening!
The show was rounded off by the other Singapore classic “Home” – where the 5,000 spectators were to head after the show. Many probably had their arms sore for being so active with their hand fans in the soaring heat, but they would leave with a richer experience despite the climate. Jubilee at the Botanics was one hour of digestible and recognisable material performed by Singapore’s impressive symphony orchestra. We would go again, next time in a taxi though, an hour early and with a stack of fans and water in our picnic baskets.
