Grand Finals For Let’s Challenge - Mar 06
Yes, we are back in business after the renovation!! And what better way to start it out than to have the Grand Finals of the Lets Challenge Contest (Mar 06) in the Café Bar!!
This time round, competition was very intense, with the top 3 winners separated only by a few votes (audience’s choice), and they should be, as all of them were so professional we almost thought we were having a star-filled concert!!
To better differentiate their abilities, we added a twist to the competition this time round. All contestants were required to sing a verse or chorus of another song (by a singer of the opposite gender). The catch? To bring out the emotions of those phrases they were crooning. Great job people!!
So…… after an “head-aching” (the choice is tough you know :P) session of judging, here’s the judges choice for the top 5 positions:
Douglas Seah -曾经爱你永远爱你,
Eugene Lim - I Believe,
Yong Guang - 凌晨三点钟,
Neo Chua - 你那么爱她,
Wai Chye - 恋上另一个人
And here’s the audience’s choice for the night:
Douglas Seah, Eugene Lim, Yong Guang,
Karen Ng (or better known as 花花) - 记得
Ning In - 遗失的美好
And so emerged the following top 3 winners for Let’s Challenge (Mar 06)
Winner: Douglas Seah
1st runner up: Eugene Lim
2nd Runner Up: Yong Guang
Well Done guys, and congratulations!!
For those of you who failed to clinch the top 3 positions, fret not!! You can always rejoin the competition in the coming months, just like some of the other contestants.
One very good example to follow would be the champion for this round. Douglas did not win the first time round, but with his determination and tips from our instructors on those days he was here, he improved and won this time round!!
The judges also exclaimed, “we have seen much improvements for those repeat contestants. It goes to show that our contest has really brought out the stars in them!”
Closed for Renovations
Announcement for all patrons of Hark Music Café Bar:
Please note that Hark Music Café Bar will be closed tonight as we are carrying out a small degree of renovation to bring to you a more cosy and relaxing environment……
For those die hard patrons, fear not! We will be open for business as usual from tomorrow onwards. Catch our new look then!! Seeya!!
What Hark Music means to one of our customer
Looking through the thoughts of our customers (penned down on “My Day @ Hark”), it was great to see that they enjoyed their time in Hark Music.
One particular piece caught our attention immediately.
Sean wrote down what the word Hark Music means to him:
High Satisfaction from singing for an audience
Art of host; I learnt it through Thursday weekly competition.
Real advice from the music teachers.
Karaoke in the most unusual way.
Many opportunities for you and me to perform.
Underestimate myself….. NO WAY! The more I sing, the better I become.
Soft music, unplugged singing and great performance.
I strongly recommend this place.
C you @ Hark Music Café :P
Wow! Thanks Sean for such a meaningful comment!
Starry starry night……
We were looking at the notice board in the café (wonder where it is? Try going through the door beside the stage……) and saw lots of praises on our friendly service crews. They were elated to receive such feedbacks…… and all of them said such comments from the floor would definitely bring their morale and service standards to a higher level.
That goes for one of our 3-day old crew member, Jimmy too. He says, “This is a relaxing place where I can enjoy great music while I work…… customers are so friendly, and it helps to heighten my service level and keeps me smiling all night long.” He also added, “I enjoy singing, and I hope to be able to sing on stage for the audience one day……”.
Hey Jimmy, the 5 mnutes of stardom is yours to take!!
Did we just say stars? Speaking of which, Sly (Sylvester Sim) was here tonight!! Everyone were simply frenzied by his appearance in Hark!! (Being able to see “stars” is also one of the perks working in Hark Music Café!!) Cool guy!!
He did not sing though… was here just to relax and enjoy his drinks.
Hmm…… Wonder which other stars will be here the next time?Maybe we should have a “hall of fame” to picture down celebraties who patronizes Hark Music, yeah?
Going the Extra Miles........
Today's sunday crowd was a little more than usual, but most of them just wanted to sit back and enjoy the music brought by our musicians. Not much dedication slips for Philip and Alvin though.... so they ended on time, but aye! Just after Alvin packed up his guitar and stuffs, there was a request from the floor for one of their friends to sing on stage..... Much to his delight, he quickly went back up to gather his equipments to let Trudy croon one last number from 梁静茹.... (wonder if we can be nominated for G.E.M.S. :P)
Anyway, she did quite a fabulous job in taking up that number (though she claims she was very nervous), so much so that Philip encouraged her to sign up for the "Let's Challenge" contest, and which she did!!
Catch her next month in the contest!
And remember to book early for this Thursday's Grand Finals!! Its gonna be a big JAM!! Seeya!!
Duets, Duets and more duets
There seems to be another trend emerging in Hark Music Cafe Bar. 5 minutes Star"s" are coming up in pairs to do duets, and even supposedly Solo numbers!! But hey! It's great fun to see what they do with the song on stage, especially when they add in their own special elements.
One of the "couple" (actually its 2 guys :P) handled it as if they were giving their own mini concerts!! Wow! The effect was fantastic!! One of the was waving his hands in the air while he was singing and even woo-ed the crowd in the fully packed bar to sing along...... What a way to go guys, you are truly the stars for that night! and got everyone really high.
Talking about "High", Amos also brought in his share of "high-ness" on his rendition for 恋爱ING. He did such a wonderful job on it that he recieved thunderous applause and whistles from the crowd!!!
Let's Challenge - Last qualifying round for Mar 06!!
Today's the last qualifying round of Let's Challenge - March 06, and was everyone psyched up for the finals or what? After an intense round of competition, Adrian, Maggie and Wai Chye emerged from the group as the top 3 winners this week. Here's a glimpse of their still shots:
Expect 8 males and 4 females in next week's Grand Finals!! Come on down to Hark Music Cafe Bar to hear them belt out their songs, unplugged!! There will also be a surprise song (Only to be revealed to them on the day of the Grand Finals!!) to test their improvisation skills!!
Hear what our judges have to say to them!! Vote for them!! Cheer for them!! See a live competition unveal right before you!!
So to avoid entry refusal, please book your seats with us early...... We are expecting a big JAM next Thursday!!
Go Amos Go!
Yup, Amos stole the light tonight. While he had played "Kiss Goodbye" countless times for all the 5 mins singers, he has never done the number himself until he debut his own version tonight. Great number man!
Another song which he did (with a "Let's Challenge" finalist) was a power hit duet from Power Station! The audience was simply awed by their powerful voices. Some even exclaimed that they hope to see the combination duet perform another heart-thumping song!
Oh! Remember Ian and Gelaine? Who had their solemnization held in Hark Music Cafe Bar last saturday?
We received a pleasant surprise mail from them today!!
Here's what they wrote to us:
“Really want to thank you and your team so much for the wonderful time we had for our Solemnization at your cafe.
It would certainly be the most memorable time of our lives... and we have your cafe to thank to make our event meaningful and joyful for both of us, as well as our guests. :) All our guests had also commented the brilliant concept of the cafe and it's uniqueness as a solemnization venue. The food was great too but the portions were really too large for 30 pax. :P”
Well Ian and Gelaine, it sure is our utmost pleasure to have rendered our place and services to you!
Uncles Learn to Rock!
Last night, a group of elderly men and their partners paid Hark Music a visit. Most of the people were expecting them to bring us some golden oldies, but hey! They stunned everyone when they went up on stage to bring the house down with “That’s why you go away” (by Michael Learns to Rock). They also brought everyone a Chinese hit “九百九十九朵玫瑰”. They are really “IN”, aren’t they?
Salutes to you all, Sirs!
Another customer went up on stage via a nickname “小兵兵”. Our musicians were expecting someone new (it was a first time this name appeared on the dedication slip), but a familiar face appeared on stage instead. Aiy…… so he was a repeat “5 minute” star, but he used the name “海盗” the previous time instead. He sure is creative…… Coming up with new nicks every time he goes on stage. Wonder what names he’ll use the next time he comes……
Birthday Parties in Hark Music Café Bar
For the past 2 nights (Friday and Saturday), Hark Music was host to 7 birthday parties! Yap, 7 birthday stars were here with their friends in celebration of their special day!
All of them were invited (or saboed by their friends) on stage to do a few numbers. In return, their friends also sportingly went up to sing for those they were holding the celebration for.
Well done people! Hope you all had an enjoyable party here in Hark Music Café Bar.
For those who want to have a private function in our café bar, do feel free to contact us too for special arrangements.
R.O.M. in Hark Music Café Bar
Ian and Gelaine were here in the afternoon for their R.O.M.! Amidst the special gardenic setting of Hark Music Café Bar, they pledged their love for one another and said “I do” in the presence of their invited Justice of Peace, family and friends.
They of course, were then treated to a host of visual, audio and mouth watering delights.
Well, firstly the backdrop was a stunning banner of the couple that had everyone starring. Also, Amos was here as their wedding singer and he sure brought up the mood as he got the couple’s friends and relatives to congratulate them by singing on stage! And they did with much enthusiasm!
Buffet lunch followed and everyone was then treated to a fine spread of local delights.
Here’s wishing Ian and Gelaine many many years of happiness and bliss! Congratulations!
3rd “Let’s Challenge” for Mar 06
So it’s becoming a trend for Singaporeans to take part in singing competitions. Lots of stars-to-be were here tonight to fight it out for a place in this month’s grand finals, one of whom was Neo Chua, who was here the second time. As per his last attempt, he won himself a place in the finals this month. Hopefully this time round, he would be able to clinch those evasive first 3 ranks amongst all the finalists. All the best, Neo! Remember to bring more friends in to support you……
This time round though, some contestants were overwhelmed by the floor that they forgot their lyrics. But hey! The audience was very supportive and sang along with them. Well done folks. Keep up the good support. And remember, come down and support your favorite “idol” on the last Thursday of this month. Your vote counts a lot for them!! Seeya!!
Besides Neo, here are the other 2 winners this week:
Well Done Ladies!
So our call for ladies to show your prowess (08 Mar 06 entry) was answered tonight!
Lots of tables were filled up with girl power and they sang pretty well too……
One of them was Mandy (last month’s Let’s Challenge 1st runner up), who was here with last week’s winners. She sang 奔 and 路 and was her voice powerful or what? She simply blew everyone off their feet. Even Amos’s guitar went bonkers when she was performing (just a joke, it was a coincidence)!
Douglas (one of the few men around tonight) also brought everyone a number (你最珍贵) with our host for the night, Brenda. Though it was their first time “duetting”, I must say they hit it off quite well…… in the singing I mean :P
Keep it up ladies!
Die hard patron!!
Lets appetite ourselves with something from our friends first:
Joanne, Ning In, Mei Lian and Grace says, “Hark Music is a nice and relaxing place for all age group. The atmosphere is great with soothing music…… We are looking forward to longer operating hours during the weekdays…… Sincerely like to thank all the staffs here for their GREAT services, especially Jane”.
Another customer, Gi, thinks Hark is simply incredible as she relives the magical sounds of music. She also woos everybody to accompany her on this magical ride and enjoy the revitalizing moments. She added, “欢乐今宵吧!”
Thanks for all the compliments ladies. Hark Music Café Bar is indeed glad to have you enjoy the moments……
We would also like to mention this person who took special efforts to patronize our café. She fell down during her wakeboarding session and was in clutches!! When she moved around, she even needed her friends to “escort” her.
Sherry, we’d just like you to know that all of us here are very touched by your efforts. Thanks for the support. Take care and get well soon!!
Something from our crew
For tonight’s entry, let’s hear something from one of our crew member, You Wei (Zhen Zi Dan look alike).
He introduces himself as a music and F&B person, who simply love to serve customers with his utmost pleasure. Working in Hark Music Cafe, has by far, provided him with lots of opportunities to learn how to interact tactfully with customers (not that he is not able to, but he is glad to be able to hone his interactive skills further). He is also able to enjoy music while working and he says, “It’s more than satisfying to be able to do that”.
You Wei also added, “my colleagues are such an enjoyable bunch that I can manage to smile even during busy times…… their smiles and laughter enhances my working experience and brings my F&B services to customers to a higher level.”
His favorite day is Friday, because that’s when regulars patronize the café (some even dedicate songs to him…. Wow, envy envy!) And that’s also when he has his lovable bubbly colleague, Janet, to lighten him up with her “addictive smile”!
He sums up that working in Hark Music is fun, and the saying “Work Hard and Play Hard” is more than justifiable here!
True to what he said, customers dedicated songs to him tonight. Not to listen though, but for him to sing!!!
While he initially shy away from this request on the floor, he nonetheless went up on stage finally to bring to everybody the song 断点. And wow! He did it with lots of feel and professionalism. The crowd was simply stunned by his singing! Well done, man!!
Is office wear in fashion?
It was a night of parade of all sorts of office wear. Yup, most of the contestants for the “Let’s Challenge” contest this week were in their office attire. Has it gone into fashion lately?
Anyway, here’re the pictures of the top 3 winners for this week:
Look out for them at the grand finals (last Thursday of the month)!
Dedications, dedications, and more dedications for Men’s Night!
It was Men’s night, and my! Was the turnout fantastic! So much so that our dedication forms ran out! Ladies, you got to show our men what you can achieve on Tuesdays (Ladies Night).
Mark, Joanne and Alvin were flooded with dedications, but hey, they did a great job arranging for the 5 minute performers up on stage. Everyone was smiling their way up on stage, including an elderly man, who crooned to the tune of 当你孤单你会想起谁. He sang so well, one of the customers from another table voiced: “Wah! 这里都是高手, 我都 “paiseh” 上台……” Not to worry my friend, everyone’s a star in Hark Music Café Bar. Bring out your courage and come on up to enjoy the 5 minutes of stardom!
If you can’t muster enough courage, try taking a beer! Its (selected brand) at a promotional price of $6 for Tuesdays and Wednesdays! Cocktails and non alcoholic drinks (if you prefer them instead) are at promotional prices of $8 and $5 respectively.Don’t wait. Great drinks and Stardom awaits you……
Bye Alvin Khoo :( Welcome Alvin Goh!
Not such a happy day for all of us as one of our performer is leaving us. Alvin Khoo, our keyboardist, was performing one last time here in Hark Music Café Bar before embarking on his next phase in life (in Singapore)….. National Service! He exclaims while we were casually conversing, “I’ll definitely come back to perform…… that’s if Hark Music wants me, haha……”
Well Alvin, Hark Music will always welcome talents like you. All the best for your NS and take care.
So we have one less “Alvin” (we have four in Hark Music!) now, but guess what? Our new keyboardist goes by the name of Alvin Goh! Have we run out of names? :P Anyway, welcome aboard, Alvin!
So if you want to find out who our 4 Alvin’s are, you know what to do right? Seeya in Hark Music Café Bar!
By the way, is there any Simons or Theodores around?
It was however, not such a gloomy day for a pair of our customers, who declared his love for his wife right on stage! The recipient of that declaration was gleaming away at her seat. Wish the 2 of you many loving years ahead!
Oh! And talking about declaration of love, Hark Music is going to have a solemnization (R.O.M.) event next Saturday. See how our café bar can be transformed to cater to your special day. Catch more news of it then!
我也是歌手 - I’m a star too!
PAPA (Patrick, Amos, Philip, Alvin) was on stage again tonight and guess what? The drums were put into action! Yes, Amos suddenly had the enthusiasm to play the drums to support the 3 of us. Though coordination could be better (Hey! it was an unrehearsed first time for all of us), I must say it was quite an enjoyable session.
Hope the audience was not too deafened by all the instruments.
And hope they were not too frenzied by the dropping of the keyboard!
Oh! And we had a special appearance by Hark’s “cover girl”, Samantha (you should be able to spot her in our brochures and posters). She crooned 制造浪漫 with Amos during the unplugged karaoke session….. Still sounds as good as per before.
OK, here’s something from the audience:
Hui Yi was here tonight simply because she and her “hark kakis” miss this place.
She says her friends and her love this place!! Best Music, not to mention musicians and wonderful services. Thanks for the compliments, Hui Yi.
Another customer, Kai, wasn’t expecting much from Hark Music Café (it was her first time here) when her friends “dragged” her down to this “don’t know what café thingie”. Her first impression: “WAH! Such a nice ambience and so cozy! It’s so relaxing here…… and they sell beer some more…… Cool!”
So if you want to find out what “Wah”-ed Kai and what made Hui Yi and kakis love this place, give our café a visit. Loads of fun, laughter, music and good drinks await you……
1st "Let's challenge" competition of Mar 06
Phew…. What a busy night. The contestants for the “Let’s challenge” really stirred the audience up. Exclaimed Ms Wendy Ng,” The contest today really sparked up our weekdays and get us in the mood for the upcoming weekend”. She even recommends reserving your seats early to avoid being refused entry to the jam packed café on Thursdays.
That almost became a reality for fellow customer Joanne Tan, who, thanks to our quick witted staffs, got herself a front row seat specially set up despite arriving late in the evening. She offers,” … really like the view of what’s happening directly in front of us. I also like the way Amos hosts the show… you can hear everyone laughing when he introduces the contestants up on stage….”
Mockery? No. Just some clean fun and laughter to share with the audience and contestants, one of whom (Adrian Neo) was a contestant last month who failed to secure a place in the finals. This time round, he did quite a spectacular job in singing 火柴天堂, but was still one position short of getting into the finals.He however, says he’ll be back next month to take part again! What he likes most was that amongst the fun he has, his singing improved with tips from our judges. Keep up the good spirit, Adrian!
Lets see who outsang Adrian:
Here's a look at our previous winners: 
Superstars in Hark Music Cafe Bar
Wow! What an exciting day it was for hark music!
Singapore's very own Superstars Wei Lian and Xin Hui were here in the morning to film scenes for their new debut show "梦拼图". They all look super cool. Even some of the "extras" look like superstars! Talk about 偶像剧.
The whole filming process was quite smooth, except for one of the scenes whereby one of the extras kept doing the wrong thing, causing them to retake and retake and retake that scene......
You should hear the person in charge scolding her. She was fuming mad......
So filming is really ain't that simple eh? Even a small character can cause so much hiccups.
On the down side though, we all had to wake up before the sun appears to get the cafe ready for the shoot. All of us were so "zombified" after the whole thing that our boss decided to let us take a nap before starting work in the afternoon. Thanks boss!
OK, that's about it for now. Remember to catch the superstars and Hark Music Cafe Bar in the new show. Try spotting the difference in the setting of the cafe in the show. They did quite a marvelous job in it...... Cheers.
