Were you at the exhilarating opening weekend of the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA)? If you missed it, fret not as SIFA has many other stunning performances and activities across the next two weeks of the festival. We attended the festival’s opening and put together a handy list of five key things to note about the festival.
1. It’s three weeks of exhilarating performances
OCD Love by L-E-V Dance Company (Israel)
SIFA runs from Apr 26-May 12, with multiple ticketed and free events happening daily. From big-time local commissions like Toy Factory Productions’ A Dream Under the Southern Bough, to acclaimed theater productions like An Enemy of the People, and stirring dances like OCD Love from Israel’s L-E-V Dance Company, there’s something for everyone every day of the week. You can access the festival schedule to plan out your calendar here; no more wondering what to do.
2. You’ll be able to catch some of the best artists in the world in Singapore for the first time
Nico Muhly Speaks Volumes (US)
Nowhere else will you be able to catch actor and director Amer Hlehel, classical composer Nico Muhly, who will perform with fellow musicians from the US and Singapore and star choreographer Michelle Dorrance all in one place. The exclusive SIFA lineup showcases some of the best international artists across the genres of theater, dance, music, literary and visual arts. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy these highly lauded productions.
3. There’s an all-new film program with 13 films making their Singapore premiere
Arabia
Curated by the Asian Film Archive, a brand new film program called Singular Screens will unveil 13 international films at SIFA, and shine a spotlight on the performance genre of film. And it’s no ordinary film festival. Singular Screens was curated in line with this year’s general sentiment of the Festival programming, in exploring ideas of resistance and the experience of the individual. Some must-catch films include the Asian premiere of Madeline’s Madeline, a psychodrama probing the fine line between mental illness and teenage rebelliousnes; The Nothing Factory, about the collapse of capitalism; as well as Arabia (Araby), an intriguing movie about a young man’s meandering journey amidst contemporary Brazil. A ticket costs just $9 and is available here.
4. You can meet the artists after the show—and have a drink with them
House Pour at Festival House (The Arts House)
Another new initiative to look forward to is Festival House—essentially The Arts House transformed into a bustling gathering point, in the style of a festival village, for audiences and artists to meet and discuss anything they’d like from the shows. For the entirety of the festival, the space is hosting dialogues, masterclasses and workshops correlating to the performances; but the highlight will surely be House Pour, a pop-up bar within the House where you can meet your favorite artists for a drink after the shows, or discuss with your buddies what you liked about what you just saw in the theaters. Be sure to sample the specially concocted SIFA cocktail and mocktail, created with flair and infused with exotic yet refreshing flavors.
5. Your next chance to catch festival fever will be next year
There’s no other festival like SIFA, and especially not one that generates such buzz and excitement both before and during the festival. Whether you’re an arts aficionado or a first-time arts goer, you’re sure to be swept up in the exhilaration of it all. The festival is already in full swing, so book your tickets now here.
