The local arts and culture scene has never been this busy: there’s no less than five major festival happening between now and mid-October. From crowd-pleasing visual spectacles to edgy short films curated by Singapore’s film programmers, here’s where you might want to be.
Singapore International Festival of Arts
This year’s “post-empires” theme touches of the modernization of life after colonialism, a subject close to home. Heavy fodder aside, there are musicals, plays, film screenings, stand-up comedy sets and music and dance performances, such as Kumar’s Living Together (for politically incorrect guffaws) and Dance Marathon: OPEN WITH A PUNK SPIRIT! A Male Ant Has Straight Antenna, which is a raw portrayal touching on the definition of masculinity. There’s also a circus-themed art installation Cabanons by French conceptual artist Daniel Buren where audiences can witness a gravity-defying performance. Through Sep 19.
Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts
Celebrating Singapore’s rich Malay culture and heritage, this festival has tribute performances like a concert dedicated to renowned veteran singer Nona Asiah and a play chronicaling the life of the first president, Yusof Ishak. There are also performances by popular Indonesian band pop-rock band, Noah, who will be performing on Aug 15, alternative rockers Pitahati from Malaysia and a workshop by Malaysian hip-hop artist Altimet. Don’t forget to check out Pasar Pesta (Aug 14-16), a bazaar selling traditional Malay crafts, cupcakes and other vintage-inspired knick-knacks. Aug 13-16.
Starlight Alchemy
Singapore Night Festival
Returning with a “Glitz and Glamor” theme this year, the annual nocturnal arts festival promises a party-like atmosphere with some 100 acts including aerial stunts, street artists wielding fire props and LED lights, salty cabaret routines, stand-up and improv comedy shows, all set against impressive light installations and live music by local bands. Come here for headliners such as Becca D’Bus, Kumar and fire and light show, Alchemy by Starlight Alchemy. No festival is complete without food and shopping, and The Festival Village has bites, flea markets and buskers providing tunes. Aug 21-22 & 28-29.
Asian Film Symposium
After a six-year hiatus, this showcase of short films from Southeast Asia is back at Objectifs. Film programmers like Singapore’s Leong Puiyee, Cambodia’s Davy Chou and Malaysia’s Varadila Nurdin curate a series of cutting-edge short films from their respective countries. This year’s theme is “Pop! Culture” with a country focus on Taiwan. Sep 10-13.
Sylvie Guillem
Dans Festival
One of the largest dance events here, there’s a star-studded lineup of dance-makers like ballet doyenne Sylvie Guillem, who will be performing for the last time, an award-winning Argentinian tango duo Tango Legends and a critically acclaimed Spanish-Indian fusion dance showcase TOROBAKA. There’s a mix of contemporary and traditional dance forms, and even a conceptual art piece featuring dialogues from 88 dancers and choreographers in the region. Oct 9-18.