From The Straits Times    |

The Singapore Night Festival, organised by the National Museum of Singapore, returns to downtown Bras Basah and Bugis from Aug 22 to 23 and Aug 29 to 30, 2014. All performances and activities will take place between 7pm and 2am.

The theme is Bold And Beautiful, and there are more than 130 activities spread across 10 venues, including spectacular light installations and live performances.

As in past editions of the event, Armenian Street will be closed to traffic on festival nights, which will create a street carnival experience aptly termed the Block Party.

If last year’s festival is any gauge, this year could see almost 500,000 visitors over both weekends.

Organisers recommend that festival goers take public transport because of limited parking and plan their routes using the Festival Map, which is available online (www.sgnightfest.sg) as well as on site.

For operational queries, festival goers can call the Singapore Night Festival Hotline on 8479 5352 during festival hours (7pm to 2am tonight, tomorrow, next Friday and next Saturday).

Here, we recommend 9 must-see acts in the festival.

1. Earth Harp
What: The National Museum will be transformed into a giant harp by artist William Close, joining the ranks of other architectural beauties across the globe which Close has worked on, such as the Colosseum in Rome. Catch his musical collaborations with local drum collective ZingO, home-grown female singing act Sound Of Sirens and Austrian acrobatic troupe Phoenix.

Earth Harp.jpg

The closing weekend (August 29, 30) with Phoenix will feature aerial stunts and an electrifying pyrotechnic show worthy of a thousand snaps. A smaller scale harp will be available for visitors to pluck at the museum’s Rotunda on level 1 from 7pm to 2am on both weekends of the festival.
Where: National Museum of Singapore, Front Lawn
When: Friday and Saturday (August 29, 30), 7.30 to 11.45pm. There will be breaks in between the performances.

2. Follies For E Birds
What: This lyrical dance performance by The Arts Fission Company gives audiences a glimpse into the world of the “kinnaree”, half-human and half-bird hybrids who will flit and cavort within the confines of the museum’s galleries, trying to establish a sense of home.

Follies For E Birds.jpg

Performed by both professional and child performers aged as young as three, the playful dance promises to delight even as it delivers a stark message of the effects of urbanisation on the natural world.
Where: National Museum of Singapore, Level 2, Fashion Gallery
When: Friday and Saturday (August 29, 30), six 25-minute shows on the hour between 7pm and midnight

3.Homemade
What: Local musical talents shine again at Homemade, with urban beats and local rock sharing the spotlight this year. 

Homemade.jpg

The closing weekend features a wave of nostalgic rock music by artists such as The Pinholes and a not-to-be-missed reunion of 1990s local music darlings, The Stoned Revivals.
Where: SMU Green
When: Friday and Saturday (August 29, 30), 8pm to 12.30am
Info: For more information on the line-up, go to www.sgnightfest.sg

4. Alsos* and Dresses Of Memory
What: First-time festival venue Armenian Church hosts two works. Alsos* by Scenocosme is an interactive outdoor installation made up of fluorescent flowers that emit musical notes when you wave flashlights at them.

Dresses of Memory.jpg

Taegon Kim’s hauntingly beautiful Dresses Of Memory (above), which consist of full-length dresses made meticulously from 40km of fibre optic cables, is set beautifully against the interiors of the 179-year-old church.These two works are part of Night Lights, a series of lighting installations on display around the Bras Basah-Bugis precinct from tonight till Aug 30.
Where: Armenian Church
When: Friday and Saturday (August 29, 30), 7.30pm to 2am; Sunday to Thursday, 7.30 to 11pm

5. Rom-com Film Weekend
What: All you need is love, or so it seems for these film selections, which have been curated by The Substation.

Rom-com Film Weekend.jpg

Eight short tales about the affairs of the heart spanning up to 24 minutes in length will be screened at The Substation. And did we mention they are all local films? It is love, Singapore-style.
Where: The Substation Theatre
When: Friday and Saturday (August 29, 30), 7.30pm to 8.30pm and 9.30pm to 10.30pm
Info: For more information on the line-up, go to www.sgnightfest.sg

6. Afro Jogets
What: Expect some unlikely bedfellows as neighbours the Peranakan Museum and The Substation join forces to present music that represents their respective cultural leanings.

Afro Jogets.jpg

Unexpected dalliances include traditional Peranakan music by The Main Wayang Co being played alongside afrobeats – a genre of music that originated from Africa – by Instigator Afrobeat Orchestra, as well as Indonesian keronchong music jamming alongside crazy Jamaican ska beats.
Where: Armenian Street, Main Stage
When: Friday and Saturday (August 29, 30), 8 to 9pm

7. Singapore Pro Wrestling
What: Watch a wrestling match in the flesh, with a live ring set up in the middle of Armenian Street. There will be three bouts each night featuring local wrestlers of both genders.

Singapore Pro Wrestling.jpg

Matches will follow three formats: four-way fights, tag team matches and inter-gender matches.Expect a high level of athleticism combined with a healthy dose of the theatrical.One thing is for sure, you will not be spared the colourful spandex and trash talking by the fighters, who will don different personas of good and evil. While the fights are for public viewing and no blood will be spilt, parental guidance is advised for young children.
Where: Armenian Street
When: Friday and Saturday (August 29, 30), 10.15 to 10.45pm and 11.15 to 11.45pm

8. Singapore Really Really Free Market
What: You can leave your wallet at home for this market with a difference – everything is really, really free. There is a mix of free items (think clothes, CDs and books) and free services (ukulele lessons, for example).

Singapore Really Really Free Market.jpg

Started in 2009, these markets by Post-Museum are known for their relaxed and friendly vibe. Case-in-point: there have been people offering free hugs and smiles in past editions of the market. Do not be greedy, though, and take only what you need.Those with items or services to give away can contact the organisers at www.facebook.com/srrfm.
Where: 51 Armenian Street (within the former premises of Select Books)
When: Friday and Saturday, 8pm to midnight

9. Festival Village
What: Another first for the festival is a chill-out area for visitors known as the Festival Village, located across the road from The Cathay. Snack on pulled pork buns and cheese steaks and desserts such as durian creme brulee and Dutch pancakes, or poffertjes.

Festival Village.jpg

Those who need an energy booster can head to Justin Metcalf’s Coffee for a shot of caffeine crafted by a master barista trainer. You can also catch live music performances and film screenings every night. Those who love to sing can show off their vocals at special open mic sessions that will be conducted at different times of the night.
Where: Cathay Green
When: Friday and Saturday (August 29, 30), 7pm to 2am

This article was first run in The Straits Times newspaper on August 22, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber. 

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