Young performers jive to pop hits at ChildAid concert

Now in its 14th year, event raises money for two funds for children

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More than 140 performers aged five to 19 sang, danced and played instruments to music through the decades at Resorts World Theatre. All proceeds from the charity concert go towards helping underprivileged children.
ChildAid performers singing Bring It All Back by S Club 7 at the concert last night. The group also performed the Backstreet Boys' I Want It That Way and the Spice Girls' Wannabe, with the five girls dressed in the Spice Girls' iconic outfits, and the six boys in white suits. They were among 143 ChildAid performers, aged five to 19, who took to the stage. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

The ChildAid 2018 concert opened last night with three upbeat numbers including Abba's Dancing Queen from the 1970s, with performers paying tribute to the evolution of pop music from the 1960s.

Jointly organised by The Straits Times and The Business Times, the concert raises money for two different funds for children.

They are The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which provides pocket money to schoolchildren from low-income families, and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, which helps fund arts training for underprivileged children and youth.

This year's theme is "Jumpin' Jukebox Jive" and the 143 performers, aged five to 19, took to the stage to sing, dance and play instruments to hits like Fun, Fun, Fun by The Beach Boys from the 1960s, and a mash-up of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance and Poker Face from the 2000s.

Home-grown singer-songwriter and Cultural Medallion recipient Dick Lee reprised his role as creative director. His company, Dick Lee Asia, produced the show.

Now in its 14th year, ChildAid is held at Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Sentosa. President Halimah Yacob will be the guest of honour at the concert today, the last day it is being staged.

ChildAid 2018's main sponsors are Citi Singapore and United Overseas Bank.

The three platinum sponsors are Porsche Asia Pacific and Stuttgart Auto, the Tote Board, and Suntory Beverage & Food Asia.

Performer Sofea Darwisyah Iskandar, aged 11, and 36 other children sang and danced to a mash-up of Christina Aguilera's song Beautiful and James Blunt's You're Beautiful.

"This concert is also a way to boost my confidence and make new friends," said the Primary 5 pupil from Bukit View Primary School.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 26, 2018, with the headline Young performers jive to pop hits at ChildAid concert. Subscribe