Flashy electronic and alternative music festivals not your thing? If you’re more into retro, old-school performances, you might want to check out Silver Arts 2018, returning once again from Sep 6-30 to celebrate seniors and creative ageing through over 37 programs islandwide.
Organized by National Arts Council (NAC), Silver Arts is back for its seventh edition and aims to showcase not only the senior talents, but promote inter-generational bonding (as always). So bring along your mum, dad, sister, nephew—everyone has something to enjoy over the month. Festival highlights include tunes from Indonesian composer Wandly Yazid, who composed Malay film music from the ’40s to ’60s, performed by an Angklung orchestra; and nostalgic melodies led by local Chinese music ensemble Ding Yi Music Company. Or be taken back to the ’80s, especially if you’re into the likes of Fong Fei Fei, Teresa Teng and Fei Yu-Ching. You can also participate in sing-along concerts in Cantonese and Hokkien, as well as watch veteran singers and vocal coaches Ann Hussein and Sheila De Niro perform Malay evergreens.
There’s a lot happening in the film and theater department, too. Look forward to an original production by Chong Tua Kee in the familiar tale of The Tortoise and the Hare; or catch the retro Chinese musical set in the ’70s, Singing Market the Musical, by Malaysian company Asia Musical Productions. Additionally, young film directors Png Zhen Yu and Kanna Vijayakumar will each be presenting a local film commissioned specially for Silver Arts 2018, focusing on how seniors can find a new lease of life in their golden years.
Artworks contributed by 84 senior participants as part of community art projects will also be on display at the NLB Plaza from Sep 15-30. More than just drawings and paintings, the exhibition lets you relive their personal stories and immerse yourself in Chinese dialect rhymes, through digital mapping techniques and augmented reality tools. A 100-mirror installation and performances will also be happening from Sep 6-12 at Kampung Admiralty, Singapore’s first retirement community in the north.
Silver Arts 2018 is happening from Sep 6-30 at various locations. More information on other workshops, talks and seminars here.
