Xavier's First Wind Instrument - Recorder

I wanted to expose Xavier to music and hopefully he gains an interest it in. So I got him his first instrument, a recorder. Okay I'm not expecting him to be able to play real notes on it now but to get a feel of it. And the recorder is cheap, $5.50.

So what did he think of the recorder?


Think he had fun as he could not stop giggling and laughing everytime he blows into the recorder.

Merry Christmas 2010

Our tree is filled with Christmas gifts this year, mostly for Xavier. And he would like to says a big THANKS to all the generous uncles and aunties by doing a song, a dance and some piano playing. 

First, a Christmas song. Xavier would sway to the Jingle Bell song and shout out two words of the song. 

Next, a "piano performance". We went to my cousin's place for Christmas feast and Xavier seems to be having fun with the piano. 

Lastly a penguin dance. We head to my in-law's place to visit the newly arrived nephew (born one day before my birthday). Xavier gamely don the penguin suit and did the penguin dance.

Hope all of you like what Xavier has performed.

Singapore Sun Festival 2009 - Afro Cuban All Stars

Image from Esplanade website.

I haven't been this drench from dancing for years and I haven't been this high for a long time. But yesterday I found my happy feet again (although they are aching from the dancing now). What am I talking about? The Afro Cuban All Stars concert at Esplanade yesterday evening.

The magical performance got the whole Esplanade Concert Hall dancing to the soulful Cuban favourites. The first two pieces got our hearts racing already but typical of Singaporean attending a concert, everyone just (recklessly) sit and listen, soaking up the Cuban beats. Then Juan de Marcos González came over to the mic and said, "You guys gonna dance right? Free your mind."

Slowly, two by two people started to go to the aisles and area near the exit sign (the green sign near the exit door when there are usually to dance. Vivien picked the seats on level 2 where its a single row (at the curve of the hall) so we could just stand up and dance without interrupting others. And before we knew it, everyone was on their feet dancing. The talents in this band is unbelievable and whenever one of the members had a solo to flaunt their skills, it always ends with thunderous applause from the audience.


The above youtube clip shows a classic performance from the "old school" Afro Cuban All Stars when the Cuban legends like Rubén González and Ibrahim Ferrer were still alive and playing with the band.


This clip shows the "new" Afro Cuban All Stars, similar to the crew that had performed for us yesterday (except we didn't have the trombone guy).

If you had heard of or known and love Buena Vista Social Club, Afro Cuban All Stars would not be foreign to you. If you are new to them, "Free Your Mind" and have a listen to their music. Optional Rum and Cuban cigars for complete experience.

p.s. I feel like dancing again!