The streets of Bras Basah and Bugis will soon be home to the ninth edition of the Singapore Night Festival, and we’re psyched. Not just ’cause we love a good reason to chillax on a road void of vehicles (there’s Car Free Sunday for that), but ’cause this nocturnal arts event has never failed to mesmerise and entertain us. Even the throngs of sweaty bodies congregating in the outdoor areas can’t put a damper on our excitement.
This year’s fest is set to the theme of ‘Inventions and Innovation’, with unconventional light art installations, eclectic roving street artists and intriguing performances to look out for. Read on to find out the must-see highlights.
Invasion by Close-Act
Aug 26 & 27: 9.45pm-10.15pm, 11.30pm-midnight at the National Museum of Singapore’s front lawn
Ever dreamed of watching mythical beasts come to life? This interactive performance from The Netherlands turns your fantasies into reality (well, sort of) with magical creatures, brave warriors, prehistoric animals and robots engaging in a fierce battle over Earth. It looks freakin’ epic, if you ask us.
Journey by NOVAK
Aug 19, 20, 26 & 27: 7.30pm-2am and Aug 21-25: 7.30pm-11pm at the Singapore Art Museum façade
Dive into the enigmatic world of Victorian novelist Jules Verne (who wrote Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth), as seven of his books are reinterpreted by this UK creative studio to craft a projection-mapping adventure that’ll take you from landscape to landscape in his classics.
The Wheel House by Acrojou
Aug 19 & 20: 8pm-8.25pm, 9.25pm-9.50pm, 10.50pm-11.15pm at the main grounds
Join in the journey of this enthralling rolling acrobatic theatre show from the UK as it portrays a ‘tender, post-apocalyptic love story” while travelling along the streets with the audience by its side.
House of Curiosities by Sweet Tooth by Cake
Aug 19, 20, 26 & 27: 6pm-8pm, 8.30pm-10.30pm, 11pm-1am at Cathay Green
Adapted from the tale of The Mechanical Heart, this local production welcomes visitors through a time machine gateway into a magnificent fantasy parade, complete with steampunk-inspired inventions, a neo-Victorian tea party, and a magic and fashion show. Tickets are $15 for adults.
Les Aquamens by Machtiern Company
Aug 19 & 20: 8pm at School of the Arts, 9.30pm at Festival Village at Singapore Management University, 11pm at Armenian Street
Decked out in suits, two men wander around the streets to chat with passers-by. Sounds kind of normal, right? Except they’ve both got their heads stuck in a bowl filled with water and swimming goldfish. Half-comical, half-perplexing, the roving performance by the French company raises the question of how people connect and communicate with barriers in between them.
Suaveciclo by VJ Suave
Aug 26 & 27: 7.30pm-2am at various locations
The Brazil-based new media art duo bring to Singapore audio-visual installations displaying animated stories that the public can interact with and manipulate in real time.
Keyframes by Group LAPS
Aug 19, 20, 26 & 27: 7.30pm-2am, Aug 21-25: 7.30pm-11pm at the National Museum of Singapore façade
The French collective weaves little stories onto the façade of the National Museum in an installation that’s part-animation and part-moving sculpture, using LED figures to bring movement and energy to the building.
The Bloc Party
Aug 19, 20, 26 & 27: 7.30pm-2am at Armemian Street
Everyone’s favourite street party returns for four nights of fun. Included on the line-up are a motorcycle convoy headed by Harley Davidson Singapore, a light saber battle by FightSaber Singapore (for all you Star Wars fans), percussion beats by Rhythm de Passion, a cappella melodies by Vocal XTC, and lots more.
Festival Village
Aug 19, 20, 26 & 27: 6pm-1am at Singapore Management University Campus Green & University Square
Bop to tunes by local acts like Stopgap, Linying and HubbaBubbas, as well as Aussie names such as Alice Ivy, Tali Mahoney and Frida, as you stroll through the F&B stalls and flea market booths in the al fresco space.
Singapore Night Festival 2016 is on Aug 19 & 20 and Aug 26 & 27 from 7.30pm-2am around the Bras Basah.Bugis area. Free admission, except for House of Curiosities. The full line-up of events will be revealed closer to the date.
