Hey hey hey,

Jon has an upcoming performance on 23 August at the closing celebrations for Esplanade on the Waterfront.

Stay tuned for more details and pass the message round!

Yeah!!! Thanks for the good news Eve!! Please keep us posted!! yahoo

REally! That's good news! But hope to get hear more details and the timing soon so that other plans can be re-arranged!

Heard that there's going to be fireworks on evening of 23rd Aug too as part of the National Day celebrations too!? So it's going to be a spectacular evening!

If you are still relishing the big "O" (I mean The Olympics) and rejoicing from Singapore's recent victory after 48 years, this may be one reason for you to head down to Esplanade Outdoor Theatre @ Waterfront Promenade for the National Day closing celebration concert this Saturday. The other reason will be, need I say - If you have been missing Jonathan Leong terribly and hoping to see him in action, you will get the opportunity to witness his performance and obtain some temporary respite from any aching heartaches.

If it goes according to schedule, there will be a fireworks display at 9.00pm and the concert proper will kick off at 10.00pm (unless there are last minute changes). Don't expect Jon to appear at least until after 10.00pm so be prepared for a late night if you are planning to stay for the entire concert.

...but the tickets are sold out already!!!...

There is no need to go into panic mode - the celebration concert is absolutely free (so don't know how it was thought to be a ticketed event).

As part of Esplanade's community programmes aimed as an outreach to the masses to liven up the local performing arts scene, free weekend concerts are organised on a regular basis. I can't say that for the indoor concerts which are often ticketed events.

Another free-for-all event lined up for next weekend 29-31 August 2008 that you might want to check out is the Baybeats 2008 which is the equivalent of Esplanade's alternative music festival (guess we got to provide people with alternatives in life too). Featuring regional and international acts (relatively unknown and new bands), this festival provides a platform for them to showcase punk, indie-pop, electro, emo and basically music with lots of attitude (ouch .....!)

Baybeats 2008 does not feature Jonathan Leong unless he chooses to be in the audience which I cannot confirm.

Oh, the Singapore Fireworks Festival is a ticketed event.
http://www.fireworks.com.sg/
Tickets are for seats on the floating platform I believe.
I thought Jon's performance is part of the carnival activities...so it is not??
I am a little confused...
But as long as I can get to see Jon, anything goes!! smitten

To clarify any doubts anyone out there may still have :-

The Singapore Fireworks Celebrations 2008, the ticketed event which Alice was referring to actually takes place @ Marina Bay Floating Platform whereas the National Day Closing Celebration Concert which involves Jonathan Leong's performance is located at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre (which I had mentioned in the post). How the two venues can be construed to be the same is anyone's guess?

You may be able to catch part of the fireworks display depending on which location you may be standing. If you really want to catch a bird's eye view of the magnificent sight, riding the Singapore Flyer (haha!) may be a good choice.

The level of interpretation has really amazed me. No worries however, dealing with bizarre queries has often been part of my job as well.

Found the following details from the Esplanade website:

Esplanade Outdoor Theatre Performances

23 Aug, Sat
7.30 – 9pm
Prozac

10 - 11.30pm
Celebration Concert Hosted by Najip Ali and Rosalyn Lee
Featuring Ngak & Clement, Shirlyn Tan, Jack & Rai, Tay Kewei, Jiahui, Vanessa Fernandez, Kaira Gong and Jonathan Leong


Here is the link:
http://www.esplanade.com/SOPApp/espsop/por...2Mus7CJQHN9sJFM

:D :D :D

Hey everyone....

Sorry I have been away and could not update you all.

Here's the detail :


it is to celebrate esplanade's opening of the new amphitheatre. thats the closing day concert.

time : 22.00 - 23.30 pm

No tickets is required.

for any further arrangement on the day, please contact Kaileng. She will be the contact person of the day.

Cheers
Eveline

Dear Agatha, Carol and Eve,

Thanks for the clarification and info.
I will be there!!
See you!! $neh

yes darlings, do contact me & see if we can all meet at certain time!

:)


i so wanna see Bro!

& Ngak :P

Hi there, long time no post here liao... I go the email liao. I would love to go, but I dont think I can stay up too late. Besides, I would already be involved in the Heartstrings Walk located at the Esplanade Park before that... guest of honor for that event is our very own Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong. Ah well, can still see Jon Leong some other time... ;)

:D :D :D

Bro was good as usual! :D



here's a pic of our dearest!

hehex. sorry no time to resize :P

Hey there, thanks to all who turn up for the evening to support all the artistes and particularly Jon. Your screams said it all. All the artistes and the backup band/musicians gave their best & it was a very entertaining evening. Oh..oo…the wait till 11:15pm for Jon to appear was worth it ‘cos he sang 3 english songs…

hehe. i esp like the finale. he was like a regional star taking the stage with the rest of the artist supporting him :)

Kaileng .... Absolutely agree Jon has the makings of a regional star!!! smitten

This outdoor concert is just fabulous with the big crowds on such high.

The electrifying atmosphere with Jon performing 3 fantastic songs and anchoring the whole show, wow what a finale indeed!

He has always been the one for the big stage and has such great showmanship!

Those who went really enjoyed themselves and can't stop smiling yea! ;)

Arrrgh ... So disappointed that I had to miss it!

there's always the next time :)

Meanwhile, do remember to catch Bro on TV :)

It was really a great experience standing together with the many hundreds of people watching the splendid fireworks display and enjoying the great performances by the local musicians at waterfront bay!!!

Jon was the last performer for the night. His 1st song was done with the local band 'Jack and Rai' (sorry, I dunno the title, by Queen I think, new to me but it has got catchy beats). The 2nd song was a beautiful number “Little Wonders” !!! Really nice! His last song really wow-ed us - “Always be my baby’! A great song choice for the finale indeed! Jon and all the performers received thunderous applause and screams from the audience during the finale. Simply overwhelming I must say! And, for those who were not there, Jon dedicated this song to all his supporters. :D

Hey Eilly, you are making my day getting sadder & sadder ... ! :(

Seems Jon was thoroughly enjoying his performance and really inspired the crowds to come alive to dance, scream and clap along! What a wonderful night!

Wow, he is sooo "romantic" to dedicate this beautifully tiltled song "Always be my baby" to all his supporters .... its so touching! smitten

Really have missed a fantastic and energising performance by the FABULOUS JONATHAN LEONG!!!

The country's 43rd Independence Day might have come and gone but the celebrations had not ended, at least from the two events that were about to take place within an hour of each on last Saturday night.

The spectacular fireworks display kept the crowds which congregated around the Merlion Park and Esplanade Waterfront spellbound for fifteen minutes as they feasted their eyes on the visual sights which unfolded before them like artistic works against the skyline. Meanwhile the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre which is located some metres away was set to rock the nation with its own closing celebration concert.

Though the continuous drizzle looked set to mar the event, the revamp to the amphitheatre could not have come at a more timely occasion. As Singaporeans stood and sat alongside foreigners in the concert venue, the newly-added shelter sails which protected them from the unpredictable elements of the weather was indeed something to be thankful for.

Anyone who values punctuality would have appreciated that the concert got off to a rousing start promptly at the stroke of ten. Showcasing some of the noteworthy musicians and vocalists who believe in the music that they live for, you could say that propriety was the order for that night. The event needless to say ran like clockwork precision with each performer being given some ten minutes to demonstrate their prowess on stage.

Najip Ali and Rosalyn Lee the hosts even tried to engage in some light banter with the audience. At one stage, Najip even tried to be funny by telling Jonathan, "I told the audience to stay back for you" (but I don' recall Najip saying so earlier, haha).

Backed by a ten-member band which comprised keyboards, percussions, drums, guitars and bass, the audience were treated to English songs from Shirlyn Tan, Ngak & Clement, Vanessa Fernandez, Kaira Gong, Jack & Rai and Jonathan Leong. The Mandarin music fans were not forgotten as Tay Ke Wei and Wu Jia Hui took the honours. There was even a Hokkein song from the Getai movie 881 which came courtesy of Ngak with Jia Hui echoing the Mandarin lines.

If you had been starting to drift into dreamland, Jonathan Leong's opening number "Under Pressure" would have awakened your senses. Teaming up with Rai on vocals (one half of the duo Jack & Rai) in an attempt to reprise the original David Bowie and Queen collaboration, it has been a while since he belted out a Western rock song in such fashion. Completely in his element, he looked at ease trying to keep the crowd energized. Having not lost his charm, his supporters who had turned up specifically for his performance can certainly attest to this.

Switching over to a mellow note, "Little Wonders", his second number touches on how little things can shape our lives and define who we really are. It is a timely reminder that despite the stressful lives we may lead, it may be worthwhile to take a breather to appreciate the little things that we often take for granted. Though the bad times will pass, the memories of such little wonders (or pleasantries) will forever be lodged in the minds (that is the interpretation of the song so I am not trying to preach, folks).

When Mariah Carey first co-wrote and recorded this song "Always Be My Baby" in 1996, she probably might not have thought that 12 years later her composition would be given a revival. Some might still remember that David Cook gave this former R&B hit single a refreshing interpretation during the AI competition. While Jonathan sang Cook's version, this ability to inject masculinity that females cannot do without (???) into the rendition does certainly help to give it an "added" flavour.

While Jonathan Leong might have caused some hearts to skip a beat that night, in any case, you might have gotten your wish of being his girl and always be his baby during those precious few minutes of his rendition. Dedicated to his supporters, it was basically to thank them for "being with him all this while". Awesome lyrics if you want to get a "feel" of what I mean :-

"You'll always be a part of me, I'm part of you indefinitely, Girl don't you know you can't escape me, Ooh darling cause you'll always be my baby".

If one of the aspects of life involves making choices, choosing the appropriate songs will be vital as well. If the intention was to depart from the stage and leave the audience craving for more, then "Always Be My Baby" which was Jonathan's finale song would have succeeded in this aspect. An excellent choice of song there!

As the rest of the performers returned to the stage for the finale and the final lines, "Time can't erase a feeling this strong ......... you will always be my baby", were sung for the very last time, one could not help but feel a sense of sentimentalism. I guess this feeling will always remain in the hearts of those who have truly experienced it.

As for those who were seeking a respite, you might have just found the perfect antidote!

oh no!!! i missed a really good show...

Is there any recording or photos??


I really want to watch it...

any way to watch this show??


PLS PLS help me...

I am about to die....



worthy

It was indeed a night of thrills & bonuses and we were rewarded for our resolve to turn up to support Jon despite the drizzle that refused to subside. First, it was the thrill of the spectacular fireworks and then there were the sizzling fireworks of the Jonathan Leong kind! :D

We sat ourselves at the right side of the stage near the Performers Tent, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jon’s arrival and maybe see him hanging out before his performance. We plan to make our way nearer to the middle block as the concert proceeds so we’ll be nearer Jon when it’s his turn to perform. ;)

Ahh…Najib and Ros come on stage and welcomes everyone. The concert commences….Shirlyn…Ngak & Clement…Vanessa…..I spot Min Min…ooooo…Jon’s here already! Excitement heightens! Kewei….. hey, the couple sitting one person away from our left have vacated their seat! We quickly move to the left to take over their spots inching our way closer to the center as planned. And guess who comes to take over the seats that we just vacated??? Jon’s mom and her friends!!! Wow! What a bonus! She was seated on our right with just one person between us! “Hi Mary! It’s great to see you!” She smiles and returns the greetings. :D :D

The concert continues with Jiahui…Ngak joins Jiahui….Kaira…Jack & Rai….Jon should be next…the anticipation and excitement increases…Najib & Ros comes onstage to join Jack & Rai and introduces Jon…screams abound!!! yahoo Jon comes onstage…bantering time and he gets teased about his long hair…the hosts leave the stage…Rai & Jon give credit to and introduces each band member…and then it was time for their group number…they launch into Queen’s Under Pressure…the band’s superb…Jon, Jack & Rai are hamming it up and rockin’ it…the audience is electrified…seems like the night has just begun even though it was now close to half past eleven in the night! Applause a plentiful… wave

Jon introduces his second song and encourages us to be appreciative of little things. He starts to sing Rob Thomas’ Little Wonders…more screams from us…we are mesmerized…..more screams, applause and more screams… drool

Being a huge fan of David Cook, and having DC’s Always Be My Baby as my mobile ring tone, you can imagine how thrilled and delighted I was when the music began for Jon’s third song and Jon opened his sexy mouth to sing “We were as one babe…” Wheeee…Jon’s singing DC’s version of Always Be My Baby!!!! We appreciate that you dedicated this song to your supporters; thanks so much, Jon!! smitten Muack! Awww…Jon, you’re so sweet, so your supporters will always be your baby? And…time can’t erase a feeling this strong? wink1 wink1

Jon really captured our hearts as always with his renditions, cool moves and great stage presence! Too soon the finale comes with all the other performers returning to join Jon to sing the last part of the song. They really got the audience singing along and befittingly received resounding applause! wave

After a short chat with Jon’s mom, I quickly ran backstage to join the rest to look for Jon. Quick! Quick! Let’s go before Jon leaves! Jon! Mmm…I got to give Jon a long hug…..coz it’s for tonight and to make up for being jet-lagged and being in a daze and not giving Jon a hug at his Flyer birthday bash. :P

Who’s next for a photo with Jon? Me! Me! Argh! Jon, the memory is full on my camera memory card already coz I was videoing your performances. Out comes my mobile as backup camera. “Sorry, it’s too dark, the camera in your phone doesn’t have any flash”, informed Min. Sniff. :( “Never mind, next time lah” Jon consoles. Sniff. Well, looking on the bright side, this would be my Dark Knight mystery photo with Jon with just our silhouette showing. Oops, did I mean dark night? ;)

All too soon, Jon has to leave. Reluctant to let Jon go, we trooped on behind Jon to send him off as far as we were allowed to. Being the consistent chivalrous gentleman that he is, we see Jon offering to carry his own bag and despite her protest, Jon takes his bag from his petite Hype colleague. Oh Jon, it’s such Little Wonders about you that continues to endear you to your supporters! smitten

Sadly, it’s the signal to finally let Jon go when Jon turns round to thank us again for coming to support him. Do we have to let you go? Didn’t you just sing to us “…and we’ll linger on…”? wink1

Guess we’ll just have to be content for the moment and patiently wait till October to meet up with Jon again at Mediacorp….

Thanks Elle, Agatha, Carol for such a detailed write-up of the event! I'm still in a daze! Completely enjoyed the night!

Anyway, do look out for more free events to be held at this open air amphitheatre at Esplanade! I'm so happy that Singapore is putting more efforts in promoting and showcasing our local talents!