Sherlene SoonNo booze, no drugs, no computers. Yet, youths in Singapore were engaged to the wee hours of the morning of May 22 in the country’s first 24-hour celebration of the passion for activities ranging from sports to the arts, embracing hobbies such as skateboarding, basketball, football, dance, fashion and even graffiti.
All24 was organised around several countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines, by Adidas and Singapore was lucky to be one of them. It made its debut here at the non-profit youth platform *SCAPE.
The first night kicked off (literally) with a Public VS. Celebrities soccer and basketball match, with DJ KoFlow spinning in the background with impressive mixes many different genres including pop and r&b.
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The celebrity soccer team, made up of Randall Tan, Sebastian Sim, Rai (from Jack and Rai) Scott O’ Donell (former S League coach) and Kui Jien, who scored a goal. Ironically, the host of Malaysian Idol as well as Asian Idol somehow managed to score an own goal as well. He might not be the best player on the team, but he definitely won over the audience by being the most comedic one.
Who’d expect the tall and masculine DJ Shan Wee to expose his lack of athletic prowess as he appeared a little clumsy while battling on the celeb team for the basketball match along with Paul Foster and Marcus Chew (Adidas Senior Brand Manager). The 3-on-3-basketball match kept the audience on their feet as they hollered for the respective celebrities to score one for the team.
Taking a break from the matches, football free-styler Rikki took over the main stage and wowed the crowd with his forte. Practising free-style soccer for over 7 years, no one took their eyes off Rikki until he finished his routine and left the stage.
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Skateboarders were on practising and showing off their tricks at the temporary skatepark, with mini ramps and grinding rails, specially set up for the event, with choruses of cheers, laughter and even bawls of pain emitting at different times from the area.
24-year-old skateboarder Juraimi did a kickflip front-board on the second obstacle in the course and managed the finish the last one without a glitch, which made him one of the few who could finish all 3 obstacles and still remain erect on his board. After training for 12 years, I wouldn’t expect any less of this skateboarder. Inspite of the audience’s approving ovations of his tricks, Juraimi didn’t clinch the top prize.
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A compact corner away from the hustle and bustle, aspiring designers were quietly working on a variety of shoes and watches, spicing them up in a DIY fashion with studs and detailed embroidery.
The designers were busy working away to design the best shoes and watches they could with their coloured pens and materials, filling up the blank watch that served as the canvas for their dream concepts.
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Graffiti artists such as Clogtwo, Killer Gerbil, Antz and zero were part of the showcase on a 15-meter wall through the night. Other artists who signed up to showcase their own designs were given blank A-frames as well to work on their street art. Votes were casted to pick the best design and 2 winners will get the chance to battle out in a Graffiti Battle Show-down at 6pm the very next day.
Using colourful spray paints, Rozaimie won himself the chance to participate in the Graffiti Battle Show-down as his mesmerizing cityscape won over the hearts of many.
It was hard for the public to place their vote as more people joined in the fun at after 22 hours of the event, watching as the artists transform a blank canvas to a breathtaking work of art, which led up to the battle.
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The closing ceremony commenced with more free-style soccer, but this time by the Urban Street Team made up of Terry, Terence and Azri, whom have been performing since 2009. Having been in competitive soccer before, the trio put on a really playful and fun show for the crowd.
The winners of the night were announced after the 24 hours ended with a countdown, each of the winners walked away with Adidas vouchers worth at least $100 each.
Kenneth Wong prided his watch design, “Passion Overload” that stood out from the rest, The winning watch design would be manufactured and sold in stores soon so do keep a lookout.
Props to Brian Chia for his creative work which resembles a Jeremy Scott masterpiece as he takes home best shoe design. His work would be displayed in stores for more people to appreciate.
It was indeed an all rounded 24 hours event that embodied the spirit of the springtime of life.
Were you there to participate or watch? If you did, leave us a comment on your take!
Photos courtesy of Sherlene Soon