Last night, 29 August 2026 (Saturday), I was invited to the Grandest Dinner Celebration of my Life – the Esplanade Gala Night.
It started with an innocent 9:12am text from a dear friend, Dr. Peter Chew, on 10 August to see if I was free for dinner. I replied I was indeed available and asked him what was the occasion and he replied, “No occasion”.
Then came the official interactive questionnaire to complete and I noticed that the dress code was “evening formal”. Time to dig out my John Lennon “Abbey Road” All-White ensemble.
This is an annual invite-only event attended by the nation’s upper crust art benefactors. It was great to catch up with some familiar faces (with fat wallets).
The stars came out to play! Caught up with old friends, made new fun ones.
The brilliant scheme was to have the dining area right on stage overlooking the grand seating area – back facing front. That way, the dinner guests were given a rare chance to experience what it is like to stage aperformance at a world-class grand concert venue; letting us check out first-hand the dressing rooms, rear stage, side stage, theatre stage, cargo lifts and workshop.
Dr. Peter Chew (above image). My kind “No occasion” dinner host.
My “Guest Artist” Dinner Pass (above image). Auspicious Table 28!
Me In My All-White Suit (above image). Always great to blend in with the furniture, especially cool in black light.
Me Making A Grand Entrance (above image).
The Lighted Bar (above image). Lubricating myself with liquid enlightenment. Cheers!
My Buddy Jeremiah Choy (above image). He’s the mastermind behind the entire Esplanade Gala Extravaganza. He is usually the One they call for major events like SG50 National Day celebrations. You will see his brilliant light and sound show masterpieces in the images below.
My Gorgeously Radiant Niece, Christel Hon (above image).
Dr. Peter Chew, The Gracious Host Of Auspicious Table 28 (above image).
Gorgeous Suspended Poetry In Motion While We Dine – 1 (above image). Check out the grand Esplanade Theatre backdrop.
Gorgeous Suspended Poetry In Motion While We Dine – 2 (above image).
Gorgeous Suspended Poetry In Motion While We Dine – 3 (above image).
Gorgeous Suspended Poetry In Motion While We Dine – 4 (above image).
Some Song And Dance While We Dine (above image).
Oh Yes! And the Food was Super Fabulous too!
The Menu (above image).
Works Of Arts – 1 (above image). 48 Hours Slow Cooked Wagyu Short Rib In Rendang Paste – with pickled daikon, spiced barbecued asparagus, ginger pumpkin puree, potato pave and beetroot fluid.
Everyone was taking out their phones to photograph the food, before appreciating the food … slowly.
Works Of Arts -2 (above image). Flower Crab in Curry Emulsion.
Works Of Arts -3 (above image). Cassis Mont Blanc Dessert – Cassis jelly, Mont Blanc mousse, chestnut candy and raspberry sorbet.
Works Of Arts – 4 (above image). Raspberry Sorbet. Even a solo Sorbet looks divine!
Me Basking In My “Pinch Me” Dream-State Moment (above image). Check out the gorgeous lighting galaxy.
As Debbie Gibson reminded me just last week, “Dreams Do Come True”.
Dream Big!
