Our Blocks Rock party moves to Bedok Reservoir-Punggol this weekend
Get to know your neighbours with the second of Our Blocks Rock parties this weekend
Residents of the Bedok Reservoir-Punggol area, prepare to party as Our Blocks Rock moves to your neighbourhood this weekend.
A cool, modern take on the pasar malam, the block parties aim to make "harmony happenin'", for residents to bond through food and fun.
This weekend's party is the second of 17 parties organised by the People's Association (PA) Panel of Activists for Community Engagement (Pace) and The New Paper.
The series of parties will travel to heartland locations all over Singapore until December.
From 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, those living in and around Bedok Reservoir-Punggol can go to the open field beside Hougang MRT station, mingle with neighbours and party until 10pm.
At the free party, they can enjoy live music by a DJ, sample contemporary cuisine or shop for unique locally made products.
The interest groups in the area will also be featured , One of them is Spyder IG, a group of 10 who formed in 2012 and who meet regularly to discuss bike trends and to use their Spyder bikes (three-wheeled motorcycles) to deliver food to the needy.
HEARTLAND
Activities including dodgeball, softball, balloon sculpting and Indian handicrafts will also be available.
Mr Ken Jalleh Jr, creative editor of The New Paper,said: "We're keen on these parties because TNP is very much a local paper aligned to the heartland.
"Also, with National Day around the corner, it's a nice way to chill and get to know your neighbours."
The first of these block parties was held at Hougang Avenue 8 earlier this month.
About 2,000 residents got the chance to taste interesting foods like Tio Smoke's crunchy cereal-like balls infused with liquid nitrogen and buy artisanal products while listening to live music.
Added Mr Jalleh: "We've tweaked a few things after the first party.
"For example, we're starting later, at 4pm, and extending the party into the night when it's not so hot."
Local vendors with unique offerings were a hit, including Soi Coco, which offers coconut shakes.
Owner Yin Peishan, 20, likens the block parties to a farmers' market.
"I thought the (block parties) were quite a different concept and I really like the way (PA and TNP) are organising it," said Ms Yin.
Owners of Abracowdabra, Mr Danny and Ms Evelyn, also found the parties special.
Abracowdabra, which specialises in halal cookie dough dishes, will be selling their popular chocolate chip cookie dough french toast.
Ms Evelyn, 20, said: "Danny is Malay and I'm Chinese. We do this (Abracowdabra) with a passion and to (show) we can be united to create something beautiful and worth sharing.
"We also have our friendly group of cafe friends such as Word and Barakah-Fe who are very multiracial. We can see beauty in diversity."
I thought the (block parties) were quite a different concept and I really like the way (PA and TNP) are organising it.
- Ms Yin Peishan, owner of Soi Coco
About the event
WHAT:
Our Blocks Rock parties
WHERE:
Open field next to Hougang MRT station
WHEN:
Saturday and Sunday, 4pm to 10pm
TICKETS:
Admission is free
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