The Singapore Night Festival returns this month for its 10th edition, and it’s taking a stroll down memory lane to celebrate the outdoor arts fest’s debut in 2008. Spread across five zones, the line-up will be featuring over 70 programmes by 65 local and international acts, as well as themed trails and performances happening across three consecutive nights.
We’ve already spotlighted the 10 local artists to catch, so here’s the lowdown on 10 must-see things to get psyched about before the fest kicks off at the end of the month.
Convolutions by EZ3kiel
Aug 18-26, 7.30pm-midnight at National Museum of Singapore façade. Free.
Think of this as a visual poem. Watch as the façade of the museum lights up with laser projections accompanied by tinkling melodies.
Festival Stage & Village
Music performances: Aug 24-25, 8.30pm-midnight & Aug 26, 8pm-midnight at SMU Campus Green. Village opens at 6pm. Free.
Swing by the open space area at the heart of the fest for a weekend filled with good vibes and great tunes by the likes of The Sally Suitcase, The Pinholes, Jasmine Sokko, Spacedays, Adia Tay, Havana Social Club and loads more. When you’re not too busy grooving to the music, grab a bite to eat at the food stalls, check out handmade trinkets at the flea market, and watch thrilling performances such as pro-wrestling shows by Grapple Max Dojo at the Pit.
Globe by Close-Act Theatre
Aug 24-26, 8pm-8.30pm & 10.30pm-11pm at Cathay Green (field opposite The Cathay). Free.
Presented in and around a massive sphere, this awe-inspiring performance uses a mix of video projection, circus techniques and pyrotechnics to showcase a kid’s perspective of the real world.
Late Night Texting
Aug 25-26, 6pm-11pm at Centre 42. Free.
More than 30 text-based performances take place over two nights at the two-storey blue bungalow along Waterloo Street. Programmes on the line-up include plays by Malay and English playwright collective Main Tulis Group, funny times with improv comedian group The Latecomers, and spoken word poems by destination:INK.
Les Hommes Debout (The Standing Men) by AADN
Aug 18-26, 7.30pm-midnight at Singapore Art Museum. Free.
Get interactive with 16 human-sized figurines that come to life in whimsical ways, with changing colors and flashes of light.
Night Heritage Tour
Aug 18, 19, 25, 26, 7pm-9pm at Fort Canning Park. Free.
This trail by the National Parks Board brings you into the depths of Fort Canning Park after sunset, with stories of the legends behind the history of the area.
Night Lights Bicycle Trail
Aug 18-23, 7.30pm-midnight (last rental at 11pm) at L1, Outdoor deck of Stamford Gallery, National Museum of Singapore. Free.
Hop on two wheels and breeze past the sweaty masses to explore the installations scattered around the area with free rentals by Hello, Bicycle!. Alternatively, you could bring your own set of wheels (skateboards and e-scooters are welcome) to help you whizz along pavements without getting stuck in human traffic.
Performances at Armenian Street
Aug 24-26, various times at Armenian Street. Free.
Expect the crowds to descend upon the closed-off street once again for several nights of partying with electrifying performances by the likes of the New Stream Brass Band, Bloco Singapura, Raw Earth and more.
Play to Screen
Aug 25-26, 8pm-10pm at DECK. $28, includes one drink.
The visual and music showcase projects works by Magnum Photos, Chia Aik Beng and Mindy Tan to the tune of live performances by musicians from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. There’ll also be an outdoor film screening of Wagner, Genius in Exile followed by a Q&A discussion with Antoine Wagner himself.
The Bulb Heads by Sans Compagnie Fixe
Aug 24-26, 7.30pm-8pm, 9pm-9.30pm, 10.30pm-11pm. Free.
The roving act traipses across the grounds of SMU, Singapore Art Museum and National Museum of Singapore with its two silhouettes featuring massive vintage-style bulbs replacing their heads — it’s kinda like they’re offering a path of light to follow in the darkness.
The Singapore Night Festival 2017 is on from Aug 18-26, 7.30pm-midnight at the Bras Basah/Bugis areas. Performance nights from Aug 24-26.
