Annex B: “Christmas Blooms in Singapore” by Orchard Road Business Association INTRODUCTION For the last 27 years, Christmas Light-Up @ Orchard has been a signature event which locals and tourists look forward to. This iconic annual event was created by Singapore Tourism Board, but since 2009, Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) has directed the Light-Up on Orchard Road, as part of Singapore’s year-end ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ celebrations. The theme this year is ‘Christmas Blooms in Singapore’, and this 2011 Light-Up on A Great Street will run from Saturday 19 November 2011 to Monday 2 January 2012. Hitachi is again the Main Sponsor of Christmas Light-Up @ Orchard (CLU) 2011, and Hitachi has played this role for a total of 21 years. ORBA is also delighted to once again have the support of Visa as the Official Card, and Tiffany & Co. as the Official Jeweller of the event. THEME This year’s theme celebrates Singapore’s famous identity as a Garden City, as Orchard Road is transformed into a spellbinding garden of lights. Visitors walking on the streets of Orchard Road will be greeted by thousands of glowing blue flowers. Each flower is composed of five little hearts which symbolise the heart-warming wishes of the Yuletide season, bringing love, goodwill and cheer to all. As Orchard Road twinkles softly with blue lights, it will make for a stylishly enchanting addition to Singapore’s Christmas celebrations. LIGHT UP BEYOND THE LIGHT-UP For the first time at the Switch-On Ceremony on Saturday 19 November, Singaporeans and tourists will be able to join in the magical moment through ORBA’s charity initiative ‘Light Up Beyond the Light-Up’. This special effort, held in collaboration with Celebrate Christmas In Singapore (CISS), will see ORBA donating S$1 to Community Chest for every CCIS Candle lit. Thousands of CCIS Candles lining the street from Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza towards Mandarin Gallery will illuminate Orchard Road and add to the charming Christmas ambience. Members of the public can participate in this momentous occasion by approaching any CCIS volunteer dressed in red for a candle outside Ngee Ann City at 7:30pm. Visitors can also look forward to a 45-minute post-ceremonial concert presented by Vocal Associates from Tanjong Pagar Community Club. Themed ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’, this 21-member ensemble will perform a repertoire of well-loved Christmas songs like ‘Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!’ and ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’. The concert will present a delightful round-up to the night’s celebrations. BEST DRESSED BUILDING CONTEST The Orchard Road ‘Best Dressed Building Contest’ is open to all shopping malls and hotels in the precinct. This year, nine buildings will be competing for the grand prize of S$80,000 in cash. The three runner-ups will each stand to win S$30,000 in cash. The nine buildings and their décor themes are: 1) Forum The Shopping Mall – A Fairy Merry Christmas 2) Grand Park Orchard - Opulent Christmas and New Year with Park Hotel Group 3) ION Orchard – Shake up the Christmas Glitz 4) Orchard Central – Christmas with an OC Attitude 2011 5) Paragon – Christmas at Paragon 2011 6) Ngee Ann City / Takashimaya Shopping Centre – Takashimaya Shines with Swarovski Elements This Christmas 7) Tanglin Mall – A Christmas Carol in the city 8) TANGS Orchard – An Enchanting Christmas 9) The Centrepoint – The Centrepoint celebrates a Galactic Christmas with Mr Moon Public Voting & Judging Period Saturday 19 November 2011 – Sunday 4 December 2011 Scoring • Judges’ Scores (80%) based on: Visual Effect (Day) (30%) Visual Effect (Night) (40%) Eco-friendly Features (10%) • Public Voting on Facebook (20%) Members of the public are invited to vote for their favourite Best Dressed Building on Orchard Road’s Facebook fan page from Saturday 19 November 2011 to Sunday 4 December 2011. Three lucky voters for each of the four winning buildings will stand to win up to S$1,500 worth of shopping vouchers. The top four best dressed buildings will be announced on Friday 16 December 2011 in The Straits Times. The award ceremony will be held on Thursday 2 February 2012 at the ORBA Annual Lo-Hei event. Please refer to – Orchard Road’s Facebook fan page www.facebook.com/orchardroad.sg. Terms and conditions apply. Page 2 of 4 STREET PERFORMANCES To enhance the festive experience, a series of live musical performances will take place in front of Wheelock Place from 7pm nightly, Friday 16 December 2011 to Saturday 24 December 2011. Friday, 16 December • NJCHORALE (comprising former choir members from National Junior College) will be back on Orchard Road, serenading visitors with a cappella numbers like ‘Tiny Little Christmas’, ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ and ‘I’ll be Home for Christmas’. Saturday, 17 December • Kelmo , an independent and multi-talented local singer-songwriter, will perform a selection of songs featuring popular picks like ‘More than Words’, ‘Top of the World’ and ‘Christmas and You’. • Set to release her debut album at the end of this year, former beauty queen Cheryl Wee will take the stage with familiar Christmas tunes. She will also be delivering a medley of Chinese hits like ‘ 关 怀方式’, ‘ 遇见’ that will wow the audience with her sweet voice. Sunday, 18 December • Having made a name for themselves in the local indie music scene, the Ukulele Girls are set to captivate hearts with their tropical sounds and distinctive vocals. Standard-fare of Christmas songs aside, they will also be doing covers of contemporary pop hits like ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz and ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ by the Beatles. • An experienced artist and accomplished songstress, Shimona Kee will enchant with her soulful renditions of ‘Kiss Me’ by Sixpence None the Richer, ‘Firework’ by Katy Perry and ‘Lovefool’ by The Cardigans. Her repertoire also includes Christmas songs that will resonate in the hearts of her audience. Monday, 19 December to Saturday, 24 December 2011 • Celebrate Christmas In Singapore (CCIS) has also lined up a series of Yuletide melodies, dances and puppetry by local and foreign performing groups from 7pm nightly. SHOPPING REWARDS – SHOP WITH VISA @ ORCHARD From Saturday 19 November 2011 to Monday 2 January 2012, Visa cardholders can receive a $10 shopping voucher with a minimum spend of $200* within the same day at any of the following 11 shopping malls: 1) 313@somerset 2) Forum The Shopping Mall 3) ION Orchard Page 3 of 4 4) Knightsbridge @ Grand Park Orchard 5) Mandarin Gallery 6) Orchard Central 7) Paragon 8) Ngee Ann City Level 5 / Takashimaya Department Store 9) TANGS Orchard 10) The Centrepoint 11) Wisma Atria *Terms and conditions apply Exclusive Shop with Visa @ Orchard Promotion at Metro Paragon The first 1,000 Visa cardholders to spend a minimum of $200 in a single receipt at Metro Paragon will be able to redeem a free heart-shaped umbrella. About Orchard Road Business Association Since 1998, Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) has represented the interests and welfare of businesses along Orchard Road. Through the creation of activities, business development, promotion and marketing, ORBA preserves, promotes, improves and facilitates businesses on Orchard Road. ORBA also organises memorable events for visitors and tourists to Orchard Road, such as the Christmas Light- Up @ Orchard, Fashion Steps Out @ Orchard and Rev-Up @ Orchard. The Christmas Light-Up @ Orchard is an annual signature event that heralds the start of the festive season here in Singapore, which many look forward to as an unforgettable experience. Membership in ORBA is open to Orchard Road stakeholders, as well as non-stakeholders who have an affiliation to lifestyle business along Orchard Road. There are currently more than 60 members in the Association, including the owners and management of shopping malls, departmental stores, leading retailers, hotels and restaurants. ORBA operates under the auspices of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) with its administration entrusted to an Executive Committee (EXCO) comprising some of Orchard Road’s key stakeholders. The EXCO is headed by Mrs Sng Ngoi May, Executive Director of Orchard 290 Ltd (Owner and Manager of Paragon Shopping Centre) as Chairman. For more information, please visit www.orchardroad.org or www.facebook.com/orchardroad.sg For enquiries, please contact: Ms Adine Loh Ms Jasmine Fu Associate Director Assistant Manager, Marketing Communications Tel: +65 6733 1120 Tel: +65 6733 1120 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] # # # Page 4 of 4 .