Happening over two weekends from 21 to 29 August, the Singapore Night Festival celebrates our vibrant arts and culture scene. With a stellar line-up of performances, light installations, aerial stunts and more, this is one event you won’t want to miss. Here are 10 reasons why you should check out the event this weekend.
1. Kumar. In a dress.
KUMAR’S CABARET – QUEEN OF GLAMOUR
When: 21, 22, 28 & 29 August, 10pm – 10.45pm, Where: House of Glamour, Cathay Green, 2 Handy Road, #04-05 Dhoby Ghaut Singapore 229233 Admission: $15 (18 year and above only)
The undisputed drag queen of Singapore will be at the festival this year with his unique (and sometimes irreverent) brand of live stand-up comedy. Kumar, who made a name for himself at the now defunct Boom Boom Room, has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years now – so you’ll definitely have a raucous good time at his Cabaret.
(Source: Nightfest.sg)
2. Dancers playing with fire
STARLIGHT ALCHEMY – ALCHEMY
When: 21 – 22 August, 8pm, 9.30pm and 11pm Where: Singapore Art Museum, Front Lawn, 71 Bras Basah Rd, 189555, Admission: Free
Be dazzled by the maestros at Starlight Alchemy, Singapore’s very own fire performance group that has wowed crowds with their unique ability to perform with fire. This year, the group will put up a 25-minute performance retelling the journey of reconciliation between Apollo from the world of Ethereal Light and Nuri from the world of Eternal Flame. Too cheem for you? Don’t worry, the awesome stunts and killer dance moves will keep you entertained either way.
(Source: Starlight Academy)
3. Good eats and free entertainment
EAT & SHOP @ FESTIVAL VILLAGE
When: 21, 22, 28 & 29 August, 6pm – 2am, Where: Campus Green, Singapore Management University, 81 Victoria St, 188065, Singapore, Admission: Free
If you only have time for one activity during the festival, pop by the Festival Village at SMU’s Campus Green. Over there, you will find tempting treats like Pandan Churros with Gula Melaka Sauce, double-coated creamsicles and…wait for it…handmade Crispy Roast Pork. We’re getting hungry just thinking about all that food.
This year’s Festival Village also shines light on Singapore’s local talent, with a special salute to busking heroes. The event will play host to local buskers such as The Lost Hat, The Glad Stones, HubbaBubbas, The Lorong Boys and Awi Rafael – so keep your eyes and ears peeled for them. For a full list of performers, see here.
(Source: Neh Neh Pop Facebook Page)
4. An epic indie music performance
MOONAGE DAYDREAM BY TIRAMISU
When: 22 – 23 August, 1am – 1.45am, Where: House of Glamour, Cathay Green, 2 Handy Road, #04-05 Dhoby Ghaut Singapore 229233, Admission: $15
What’s a festival without some indie music eh? Local rock band Tiramisu will be putting on a “pseudo cabaret showcase”, featuring glam rock music, lots of visual projections and some pretty smooth dance moves.
If you’re wondering why the band is called Tiramisu – apparently it was named after one of the guys in the band choked on cocoa powder from the popular coffee-flavoured dessert. A strange experience to name your band after, but hey, these guys have been a steady fixture in the local music scene since 1997 (that’s 18 years!).
(Source: Nightfest.sg)
5. Celebrity puppets
LOST VEGAS BY FRANKIE MALACHI
When: 28 – 29 August, 7pm – 7.45pm, Where: House of Glamour, Cathay Green, 2 Handy Road, #04-05 Dhoby Ghaut Singapore 229233, Admission: Free (with registration)
Are you a Punch and Judy fan? Catch professional puppeteer Frankie Malachi in a cheeky new performance titled Lost Vegas, which will feature former celebrities, performers and singers in their puppet versions. Here’s hoping he has a Kim Kardashian puppet.
(Source: Nightfest.sg)
6. Angels and a street parade
GARDEN OF ANGELS PARADE BY THEATER TOL
When: 28 – 29 Aug, 9 pm and 11pm, Where: Front Lawn, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, 178897, Admission: Free
Ever wanted to experience an honest-to-goodness street parade in Singapore? Well, you’re in luck because Belgian theatre company Theater Tol are back in Singapore to bring our streets to life. The street parade will start from Armenian Street and move towards the National Museum, where a carousel of angels will descend from the sky (okay, okay from suspension cables but you know it doesn’t sound as poetic).
(Source: Theater Tol)
7. Peranakan displays on crack
ILLUMINATE BY NANYANG ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
When: 21 ,22 , 28 and 29 August, 7.30pm-2am, Where: Peranakan Museum, Lecture Room, 39 Armenian St, 179941, Singapore
If you think that Peranakan fashion is limited to what Jeanette Aw wore in The Little Nyonya, think again. The creative Fashion Design students at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts have put up a glow-in-the-dark display of futuristic Peranakan prints, ethnic patterns and fabrics illuminated by UV light. If you’ve ever wanted to view Peranakan culture in a new light (literally), this is the show to check out.
(Source: Nightfest.sg)
8. Eskimos running amok on the National Museum
THE ANOOKI CELEBRATE SINGAPORE
When: 21 – 29 August, 7.30pm – 11pm (Sun-Thu), 7.30pm – 2am (Fri-Sat), Where: Facade, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, 178897, Singapore, Admission: Free
Skip the movie theatre and head to the National Museum instead, where you’ll be able to watch adorable animation characters Anook and Nooki run amok across the facade of our very revered national museum. Created by graphic designers David Passegand and Moetu Batlle, Anook and Nook (or Anooki, for short) have taken the animation world by storm with their rambunctious escapades (and cuteness in general). The animated duo will be putting up a show specially created for Singapore’s 50th birthday, and you won’t want to miss out on their contagious tunes. Step aside Minions, there’s some competition in town.
(Source: Nighfest.sg)
9. Up your Instagram game
CATCH THE LIGHT WITH BRYAN VAN DER BEEK
When: 26 – 27 August, 8pm – 9.30pm, Where: House of Glamour, Cathay Green, 2 Handy Road, #04-05 Dhoby Ghaut Singapore 229233, Admission: $32
Want to #levelup on your Insta-photography skills? Award-winning photographer Bryan van der Beek will teach you the tricks of the trade, so you can capture perfect night shots with your smartphone.
(Source: Nightfest.sg)
10. LED Light Drummers (yes, really)
SPARK! BY WORLD BEATERS MUSIC LLP
When: 21 – 22 August, 7.30pm – 11.30pm, Where: School of the Arts/Armenian Street/National Museum of Singapore/Singapore Management University, Admission: Free
As you roam about the Singapore Night Festival this weekend, look out for the team of five drummers lit in trippy LED lights. The drummers will be roving around the area and interacting with the crowd, so you can catch a glimpse of their dazzling costumes and stellar music choreography. Think of it as The Nutcracker on steroids.
(Source: Nightfest.sg)
