The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may have caused events to be dialled back, but everyone’s favourite arts centre by the bay has found a way to give the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival the modern celebration it deserves.
This Sep 25-Oct 4, join Esplanade in a momentous affair that commemorates traditional Chinese arts such as puppetry, poetry, xiqu and more with free-to-access digital programmes performed by local artists and arts collectives at this year’s Moonfest Online.
All available via Esplanade Offstage and Huayi’s Facebook page across the festival dates, look forward to shows streamed live from the Esplanade Concourse, as well as five newly-produced videos filmed at various performing venues at Esplanade. These include Teochew Opera by Nam Hwa Opera, folk songs by Marcus Chin, crosstalk by Johnny Ng and Yong Ser Bin, a Chinese dance by Li Ruimin and Zheng Long, as well as a poetry and music performance by Lee Yong Tick.
Archival video screenings of concerts by popular Northern Shaanxi folk singer Wang Er Ni and family-friendly puppetry theatre The Magic Paintbrush, presented at Moonfest in 2013 and 2017 respectively, can be expected as well.
And as you stay home with your loved ones, why not try your hand at interactive and engaging activities by attempting DIY crafts, attending an osmanthus jelly mooncake-making session, checking out Wing Chun martial arts and more on the virtual platforms available.
Finally, for the very first time, the Esplanade’s beloved Lantern Walkabout session will be taking place in the virtual realm as well. So take a stroll along the Esplanade Waterfront and enjoy a scenic view of the Marina Bay and city skyline via your mobile device, sans the physical crowd interactions.
Plus, you’ll get to play interactive games, catch snippets of performances and witness a spectacular firework showcase as part of the virtual walkabout.
For a modern way to celebrate a traditional festival, be sure to check out Moonfest Online.
Moonfest Online happens Sep 25-Oct 4 on Esplanade Offstage and Huayi’s Facebook page. More information available here.
