Everyone was unbelievably friendly to one another. There were no airs and it seemed as if we had known each other for ages but many of us had only met for the first time.

And no, I’m not talking about a successful campaign by the Social Development Unit. 

A group of 30 random people chanced upon Facebook group, “The Singapore Art Café,” and gathered for “Facebook Gathering One,” a closed-door event on Oct. 01 to showcase their music, artwork, photos, poems and short stories.

Jonathan How, organiser and owner of Singapore Art Café at the Library at Esplanade, affectionately called this gathering “FBG 1.” 

How said, “I like communities, and Facebook is by far the most convenient way of communicating with people, unlike MySpace or Friendster.” 

The line between friend and stranger has blurred over the years with the advent of online communities. 

Would you consider someone you just added onto your online profile as your friend? And hang out with them for an evening after you got to know them through acts of “throwing sheep” and “giving hatching gifts?” 

Utilising Facebook applications to “throw sheep” and “give hatching gifts” are expressions of endearment and affection. Think gift-giving, except they are virtual and free-of-charge.

The pervasiveness of Facebook and the consequence of meeting online friends have led some to believe that people are actually more disconnected and distant than before and that would replace real-life face-to-face communication. 

And that belief held true for me initially. During the event, I felt quite distant and disconnected. I didn’t know most of them, and yet, they were behaving as if they had known each other for a long time. 

After some time, I started to realise why. 

These were all people who loved music and the arts. Just like me. It was this love and common interest that bonded us together.

What it takes is a commonality that will spur us on to cheer for one another. 

Even though we’re just ‘virtual’, distant and disconnected acquaintances, there are no barriers when it comes to a common understanding that there is such a thing as a passion for music.

This desire to simply hook up has translated to amazing figures. According to Facebook.com, there are “more than 43 million active users, and more than 200,000 new registrations per day since Jan. 2007.”

The possibilities are endless. One is no longer limited to a hand phone contact list. You can meet random strangers instantaneously.

Just be wary that you might be preyed on as well. Altering your privacy level is necessary if you are on the receiving end of unwanted attention. 

Or if you fancy the idea of preying on unsuspecting others, perhaps you should try to seek help first. 

Through Facebook, I met many new friends, exchanged ideas and tips from seasoned musicians and performers, and greatly increased my social circle. 

A community can be created by anyone, anywhere in the world although I was a reluctant Facebook convert when I first started.

I ignored all application requests and hated it when people wrote on my wall, leaving comments that were uncalled for.

Until this Facebook event at the Singapore Art Café gave me the opportunity to perform guitar at the Esplanade.

I guess I would be throwing more sheep even though my mid-term exams are just around the corner.