Stewords Riverboat

Bruce Kuhn - Acts of the Apostles

13 August 2010

And so it came to pass that all who were on board on Thursday, 12 August 2010, were treated to a very engaging solo recital/performance of 'Acts of the Apostles' by Bruce Kuhn, in an exclusive Dinner Theatre event hosted by the Riverboat.

'Acts of the Apostles' is the story of the first-century Church, found in the Bible. We found ourselves captivated and liberated at the same time as the Broadway actor narrated the events with the energy and passion of an eyewitness, bringing to life its meaning and message in all its richness with clever acting and impersonations. Reciting word-for-word from Eugene Peterson's 'The Message', Bruce used no props except for a simple wooden bench.

When asked the secret to his amazing memory, Bruce, who also teaches storytelling, said that he does not remember words, but stories... and the words will fit themselves in naturally. As he performs, he tries as best as he can to picture the events unfolding in his mind, and tells it as he sees it! Of course, it takes lots of practice to get the actual words in place.

For more information on Bruce Kuhn, you can visit his website at www.brucekuhn.com.

Look forward to more Dinner-Theatre events coming your way on board the Riverboat, as we continue to support the performing arts! Check out also our monthly Rock the Riverboat events where local bands take the stage to showcase their music. See you on board!

A Whole New World - MV Doulos

24 March 2010

Come rejoice with us as we embark on a whole new exciting project! That's right, eight years into running the Riverboat as Singapore's iconic floating lifestyle venue, we now find ourselves taking stewardship of yet another boat, or ship, rather!

Our Director and former Chief Executive, Eric Saw, has together with his wife Alice set up a new company called BizNaz Resources International Pte Ltd, through which they have bought the historic MV Doulos, the world's oldest ocean-going passenger ship.

Built in 1914, just 2 years after the Titanic, the Doulos has served as an onion carrier, a supply ship during both world wars, a migrant transporter, an all-first-class cruise liner, and most recently as a floating book fair and Christian ministry under GBA Ships.

With recent changes in international maritime laws, the Doulos would have needed extensive (and expensive!) retrofit to continue sailing the oceans. There was talk of her possibly ending up in the scrapyard, and amid cries of 'Save the Doulos!' from all over the world, we too put in our bid together with other hopeful buyers from many different countries to save her and preserve her rich history. Suffice to say, we got her, and she is now in a local shipyard awaiting repairs and retrofit to prepare her for her new role as a non-cruising vessel.

Once ready, we plan to rename her 'Doulos Phos', which means 'Servant' and 'Light' in Greek. Subject to approval from the authorities, we intend to operate her as a premier floating lifestyle venue housing a number of F&B outlets, meeting and conference facilities, a library or bookshop, a Bible school, a maritime museum, accomodation cabins, as well as retail and office spaces. We are even considering a spa or a childcare centre. She is expected to welcome the public on her decks once again in the first or second quarter of 2011.

The Doulos brings with her a world of oppurtunities, which are both exciting and challenging at the same time. As the lyrics of the Disney song so aptly puts it... there's no one to tell us 'no', or where to go, or say we're only dreaming. With every turn a surprise, we are truly learning the ropes of walking on water, living out this dream one day at a time. And now, with some time to spare, let us share this whole new world with you...

Watch this space for links to the Doulos official site once it is launched.

Welcome aboard a colourful piece of maritime history...