MANDO club, Mandarin music and Chinese entertainers.

So you think these performers are local?

Take a second look.

If there is one thing that is taking the Mando clubs by storm, it is the entertainers from China.

It makes you wonder: Are we seeing a dearth of local talent?

Or do our performers pale in comparison to our foreign counterparts?

While nightspot owners are not saying it, at least for two clubs, the picture is crystal clear.

These days, you can find an entourage of China girls performing at some of the hottest Chinese discos like Dragonfly and Lunar.

At the former, they make up about half the entertainers, with six dancers, a four-piece pop band, one vocalist and a dance choreographer.

Lunar has four female vocalists from China for two of its resident bands, Lunar and Blackstone.

There are only three local band boys compared to 11 musicians from China.

Many go by cutesy stage names like Cissy, Cindy, Chocolate and Candy, but they are no Sideshow Judys.

Helming four prime-time sets nightly, they sing, dance and play in theband.

But are they just a novelty?

Said Mr Calvin Sio, vice-president of marketing for Lifebrandz, which runs Lunar: 'The concept of Lunar's music and decor is anchored to Chinese roots.

'We felt that it was appropriate to engage the musicians from China who can perform a mix of modern Chinese songs.

'They also can play a variety of traditional instruments, like the zither, bamboo flute, lute and fiddle. This gives the place a different dimension.'

According to Mr Sio, the three-month-old Chinese club draws at least 700 people each night - a more successful model than when it was Clinic, a hospital-themed dance club featuring Damien Hirst's artwork.

One of the star attractions at Dragonfly are the China dancers.

But they aren't just pretty faces or run-of-the-mill podium dancers, according to Ms Cheryl Khong, Dragonfly's publicity manager.

'You will be surprised to know some of our dancers are armed with a degree or diploma in performing arts (dance).

'One of them, Tata, started dancing when she was 8 and has mastered more than 50 different forms of the Chinese ethnic dance styles.

'A few have performed in famous musicals in China, like Snow Wolf Lake.'

The other draw is also the club's Chocolate band, featuring four female musicians from Beijing, along with its vocalist, Celest.

Like the dancers, they were hired after auditions were conducted in Nan Ning, in southern China.

But why not have local musicians in place of these foreign talents?

Ms Khong said: 'Dragonfly's concept is based on a concert setting, which is fully-choreographed, complete with costumes. The Dragonfly dancers are able to present the different dance forms, which is an important aspect of a show club.'

One veteran operator in Clarke Quay who declined to be named said: 'The foreigners are hungrier and more hard-working than the locals who tend to take things for granted. Take our club dancers. Only a few take pride in their work, coming up with new choreography.'

While club operators did not want to reveal how much these imports are paid, it is believed to be in the region of between $3,500 and $5,000 a month.

But they are worth the pay, said club owners.

NOT MANY LOCAL GROUPS

As for the bands, there are only a handful of Mando-pop groups in a sea of English cover-bands, which means that one would have to look beyond our shores.

As Mr Sio put it: 'You generally see South American musicians perform at the Latin clubs because the natives do it better than us.

'The same would apply for the ethnic nightspots. The foreigners give more authenticity to the theme.'

Lunar also has about eight waitresses from China.

Said Mr Sio: 'We felt that the China waitresses will complete Lunar's concept. They already have prior experience back home. But it was challenging in the beginning to familiarise them with the local bar culture, and getting them to understand and speak good English.

'But the good thing is, they are patient and eager to learn. They have improved dramatically in the last three months.'

Of course, these girls also provide eye-candy and end up with fans.

Said Ms Khong: 'Some customers send bouquets of flowers to them. Sometimes, even bottles of Moet and Hennessy.'

Article first published in The New Paper on Dec 7, 2007.