Ming Wong
Festival of Europe
Florence, Italy
6 – 22 May 2011
Video installation

Frontier Danceland
16th Crown Arts Festival
and Dance Forum
Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan
16 – 28 May 2011
Dance

Kamal Dollah
Namibia
15 – 28 Jul 2011
Community visual art workshops and exhibition

Sean Lee
Galeria Tagomago
Barcelona, Spain
7 Jul – 10 Sep 2011
Photography

The Singapore International Foundation’s arts and culture grant, Singapore Internationale, has supported the presentation of Singapore’s creative works overseas and cross-cultural collaborations between Singapore artists and their foreign peers for over a decade. Here’s a look back at the recent performances that have brought the Singapore arts scene to the world, and a line-up of upcoming performances and exhibitions that continue the exchange.

Upcoming

Chihuahua, Mexico, 18-23 Apr 2011

With her body as the object on display, Chia Chu Yia offers a performance art piece in Communication Laboratory – Belief . This visual performance, based on interactions with the natives in Mexico through body language, will be held at the Tarahumara Mountain Range.

Central Java, Indonesia, 22 Apr – 1 May 2011

For Butterflies In My Stomach; Bees Around My Head, multi-disciplinary artist Angeline Seah will use the sounds of Indonesian children’s heartbeats. This sound/action performance will be held at the 15th century historical Hindu temple Sukuh, Padepokan Lemah Putih Solo premises in Karanganyar.

Applications for Singapore Internationale are open from 4 April to 27 May 2011, for works that will be exhibited abroad from 1 July 2011; and from 4 July to 26 August 2011, for works that will be exhibited abroad from 1 October 2011. For more information, please write to contactus@sif.org.sg.

Past Performances

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 18 Dec 2010

In Seeking Sita, the Maya Dance Theatre used a new approach to tell the timeless tale of the Ramayana. This production connected dancers from different countries and backgrounds.

Mexico city, Mexico,Jan-Feb 2011

Vertical Submarine, an award-winning collective of Singaporean artists, presented its two latest works from their A View with a Room project. The Flirting Point and How We Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb focused on the relationship between the representation of text and images.

Tokyo, Japan, 8 Jan 2011

Children from Singapore and Japan joined hands and lent their voices to stage a fundraising concert for ChildAid Asia 2011 at the Shinjuku Bunka Centre, Tokyo.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 19-22 Jan 2011

A thought-provoking production by The Necessary Stage, Model Citizens explored how people become model citizens, as well as contemporary topics in human relationships. The Singapore production has since scored five nominations for this year’s Life! Theatre Awards for Production of the Year, Best Director, Best Script and two for Best Actress.

Beirut, Lebanon, 14-17 Jan 2011

Singapore musician Marc Chia, aka One Man Nation, wowed the crowd at the All Jazz Club with his experimental performance. This included implanted contact microphones hidden in the machines he used.

Tokyo, Japan, 23-27 Feb 2011

Xuan’s paintings centre on existential issues, a subject close to her heart. Her Tokyo exhibition, consciousness Precedes Universes, was held at the Okarina B Gallery. “It is tremendously exciting to show my work overseas, especially in such a vibrant and artisitic city as Tokyo,” said Xuan.

Derby, United Kingdom, Feb-Apr 2011

For The Blind, Zhao Renhui uses a series of images that documents the use of an invisible cloak to observe animals at intimate distances. This visual art installation/photo exibition will be held at the Pickford House Museum.

5 – 16 JANUARY
VARIOUS VENUES

Singaporean and international artists take centrestage in this annual festival of theatre, music, dance, visual arts and mixed media.

This year’s event has Art And Education as its theme and will feature 19 performances from 10 countries, including nine ticketed and nine non-ticketed programmes. The fringe highlights include a photography exhibition by Indian photographer Achinto Bhadra, and a play exploring the role that education plays in everyday life.

http://www.singaporefringe.com/

12 – 16 JANUARY
MARINA BAY AREA

This inaugural event will feature museum-style exhibits presented by 100 selected galleries from around the world.

Visitors can look forward to viewing masterpieces from established names as well as special projects by young and emerging artists.

Educational talks will be available for all, whether you’re a potential buyer, an art lover or art student.

A groundbreaking exhibition will also be held at the Singapore Art Museum. It will feature art works by Southeast Asian contemporary artists alongside pieces by superstar artists from China, Japan, Korea and India.

www.artstagesingapore.com

15 JANUARY – 28 FEBRUARY
CHINATOWN

Soak in the Chinese New Year festive atmosphere at Chinatown, which will come alive with stunning street light ups, night markets and decorations. Lion and dragon dances will further add to the cheery atmosphere.

Check out the street bazaars offering goodies and decorations for the festive season, and don’t miss the visual feast on show at nightly cultural performances at Ayer Kreta Square.

On the night of 2 Feb, the eve of the New Year, join Singaporeans as they turn out in full force for last minute bargains in food and flowers at Chinatown.

www.visitsingapore.com

20 JANUARY
SRI SRINIVASA PERUMAL TEMPLE

Don’t miss this spectacular 4km street procession as Singaporean Hindus embark on a journey to demonstrate their unwavering faith.

Some devotees carry milk-pot offerings for Lord Subrahmanya, whereas others attach kavadis (large metal frames) to their bodies using hooks and spikes.

UNTIL 23 JANUARY
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

Get a glimpse of the bustling life of the Italian city of Pompeii before it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. Nearly 280 artefacts excavated from Pompeii and its neighbouring towns showcase what people in those long-ago times ate, enjoyed as art and wore as jewellery, as well as the games they played for entertainment.

Most exhibits are original pieces from the collection of the Special Superintendence for the Archaeological Heritage of Naples and Pompeii.

www.nationalmuseum.sg

1 – 13 FEBRUARY
FLOATING PLATFORM @ MARINA BAY

To usher in Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 3 & 4, this annual carnival will feature traditional and contemporary song-and-dance performances and stalls selling food and souvenirs.

Come night time, the carnival takes a spectacular turn as an impressive display of lanterns is illuminated.

11 & 12 FEBRUARY
F1 PIT BUILDING & PROMENADE

Don’t miss Singapore’s annual cultural extravaganza which opens with a 39m long dragon setting off firecrackers and ends with thousands of performers flooding the parade ground with candlelight. A street party follows the parade.

The 39th edition of the annual street carnival to celebrate Chinese New Year will feature more than 8,000 performers. While Chinese performers make up the bulk of the participants, this year’s parade will feature the largest ever contingent of Malay and Indian participants.

www.chingay.org.sg/

12 FEBRUARY
EAST COAST PARK

Whether you are 15 or 55, test the limit of your endurance by taking part in South-east Asia’s largest biathlon. This swim-run event comprises an Olympic-standard 1.5km swim followed by a 10km run. You can choose from several categories depending on your experience.

www.safra.sg/singaporebiathlon

14 FEBRUARY
SINGAPORE INDOOR STADIUM

Here’s a chance for Eric Clapton fans to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the legendary guitarist. For this concert, part of his 2011 tour, the legendary rock and blues guitarist will play some of his favourite hits as well as those from his new album Clapton.

www.sistic.com.sg

FROM 3 MARCH TUESDAY TO SUNDAY
SANDS THEATRE AT MARINA BAY SANDS

See the Lion King roar as Disney’s internationally-acclaimed musical makes its South-east Asian premiere at the Sands Theatre.

The beloved tale of Simba, the wide-eyed cub destined to be the King of the Pridelands, will be depicted through special effects and enchanting music including Elton John’s and Tim Rice’s Academy Award-winning song,“Can You Feel The Love Tonight”.

www.marinabaysands.com/
www.sistic.com.sg

4 – 6 MARCH
F1 PIT BUILDING

Spend your time in Singapore in a fun and healthy way by taking part in this cycling event, which includes categories for both amateur cyclists, professional riders and even a tricycle race for tots!

Some 12,000 participants are expected to be cheered on by more than 20,000 spectators as they ride past some of the city’s best known landmarks such as the Singapore Flyer and the Padang.

www.ocbc.cyclesingapore.com.sg

11 – 20 MARCH
ESPLANADE – THEATRES ON THE BAY

If you are a fan of pulsating live music – hiphop, indie, electronica and soul included – the Mosaic Festival Festival is not to be missed. This popular eclectic music event features renowned international acts as well as masterclasses for budding musicians.

www.mosaicmusicfestival.com

13 MARCH – 15 MAY
SINGAPORE ART MUSEUM

Check out contemporary art in all its form in this premier platform for artistic dialogue in Singapore. For this third edition of the Singapore Biennale, paintings, drawings, sculptures and other installations will be featured alongside a variety of new media displays and performances.

www.singaporebiennale.org

Fridays, Saturdays in October & Sunday 31 October
Night Safari

Take treat or treating to a new level at the Night Safari where creatures of the night – animals and otherwise – gather. Ghouls, demons and otherworldly denizens will roam the dark jungles of one of the best night zoos in the world.

http://www.halloweenhorrors.com.sg/

16-17 October
Esplanade Theatre

The Lyon Opera Ballet, presents Mats Ek’s bold retelling of Giselle as part of the Singapore Da:ns Festival. Reimaging the 19th century classic of modern times, the ballet is set in a surreal landscape where Ek’s Giselle is trapped in a lunatic asylum

www.sistic.com.sg
www.dansfestival.com

14-24 October
The Room Upstairs @ Action Theatre

This is the world premiere of the winning play (as voted via SMS by members of the public) from live show Theatre Idols 2010 during which readings of original new plays were staged. Written by Singaporean playwright Edgar Liao, this comedy drama musical tells a funny and moving story of an old Singapore woman who, after dying, discovers she cannot cross over into her home in the Underworld because she had died in a foreign land.

www.sistic.com.sg

19-20 October
Esplanande Recital Studio

Barely 30 years old, China national Sun Huang is regarded as the best erhu player of her generation. Join Sun as she premiers several erhu concertos – Liu Wenjin’s The Admirable Spirits of Xueshan and Qu Dawei’s The First Erhu Concerto.

www.sistic.com.sg

24 October
University Cultural Centre Hall

Be ready for an evening of soaring vocals as the ustad – or maestro – Pakistani Rahat Fateh Ali Khan showcases qawwali music, a form of Sufi devotional music, and Bollywood hits.

www.sistic.com.sg

www.charkula.com

28–30 OCTOBER
DRAMA CENTRE BLACK BOX

The Finger Players’ multi-disciplinary performance is about a group of travellers as they drift in a strange yet familiar city, attending unthinkingly to their various obligations – until a wild and primal call distracts them from their ennui.

www.sistic.com.sg

2 NOVEMBER
Esplanade Concert Hall

World-renowned tenor José Carreras brings the romance of Italy to the stage in a performance that promises to be magical. He will be joined by soloists from the Accademia del Maggio Fiorentino, conductor Paolo Olmi and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Orchestra.’

www.sistic.com.sg

3–13 November
Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel

Who said history was boring? The Reduced Shakespeare Company – loved the world over for its tongue-in-cheek acts – condenses the history of anything into sharp rollicking comedy.
www.sistic.com.sg
www.reducedshakespeare.com

5 November
Little India

Revel in the energy and excitement of Dewali (Deepavali) as Little India transforms into an even more bustling and brilliant hive of activity and colour. Look out for bazaars, parades and the annual light-up ceremony in the lead up to the actual day on 5 November.

18-20 November
Esplanade Theatre

Christmas comes early with this New York-based troupe. Combining the best of cabaret and jazz for a retro-spectacular show that will feature gospel favourites, they will be sure to get those toes tapping.

www.sistic.com.sg

1 December
Esplanade Concert Hall

The round-bodied ruan – an ancient Chinese lute – takes centrestage in a recital featuring newly arranged ruan pieces such as  Moon over Mount Guan, Dripping Water from a River, as well as Chinese composer Ning Yong’s Ancient Rhyme of Mount Zhongnan. The specially arranged repertoire will showcase the full range of the ruan – loved for its mellow, soothing sounds.

www.sistic.com.sg
www.esplanade.com

1-4 December
Singapore Indoor Stadium

The award-winning BBC TV series, Walking with Dinosaurs comes to life in a stunning theatrical event. Be enthralled as 20 life-sized dinosaurs, including the great Tyrannosaurus Rex, rule the earth again.

www.sistic.com.sg
www.dinosaurlive.com.sg

11 December
The floating platform @ Marina Bay, Singapore Indoor Stadium

Community-building and mass karaoke come together in a night of good fun featuring oldies, community songs and other nostalgic tunes.

www.sistic.com.sg

11 & 12 December
Esplanade Concert Hall

The first of a series of performances headlined by Singapore’s T’ang Quartet to harness the raw energies of talented young artists – with no rules of engagement!

www.sistic.com.sg

9–18 July
Various venues

Ground-breaking literary organisations Word Forward and The Writers Centre, Singapore have come together to launch the second Lit Up, a festival for emerging writers and performers.

This year, a host of local and international writers will be featured in the ten-day programme of free performances, workshops and discussions. Festival highlights include The Write Stuff Drama Fest and The National Youth Poetry Slam League Finals.

http://www.litup.sg

23–24 & 26–27 July
Esplanade Theatre

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Singapore Lyric Opera (SLO) will perform The Magic Flute, an opera regarded as Mozart’s best. The Magic Flute tells of how Prince Tamino overcomes trickery and obstacles to rescue the lovely Pamina. Originally set in Egypt, this version has been reinterpreted with an Asian twist and set in the East. The timeless tale, set in a fantastical land, coupled with its rousing and well-known arias makes this opera accessible to opera fans and novices alike.

http://www.sistic.com.sg

23–24 July
Esplanade Theatre Studio
Rhinoceros explores the dichotomous aspect of human nature, encompassing love, brutality, truth and lies. Inspired by Eugène Ionesco’s play of the same name, this contemporary dance work led by award-winning Korean choreographer Lee Tae-Sang takes a look at the absurdity of modern life.

http://www.sistic.com.sg

31 July
Universal Studios Singapore, Sentosa

Bringing together the best in Korean and Japanese pop culture, the Sundown Festival will feature Korean acts Afterschool and F.Cuz POP and Japanese bands SuG and LM.C. Tenko, among a host of other movers and shakers. The famed Japanese Taiko drumming group will also up the tempo at this event for all fans of K-pop and J-pop culture and fashion.

http://www.sistic.com.sg

2 August
Fort Canning Park
Legendary Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash is set to rock Fort Canning at his first-ever performance in Singapore. Having established his name in the pantheon of guitar gods with seminal rock anthems such as Sweet Child O’ Mine, Slash has gone on to release a highly-acclaimed solo self-titled album. He will be joined by his touring band, which includes Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy (vocals), Bobby Schneck (guitar), Todd Kerns (bass) and Brent Fitz (drums).

http://www.sistic.com.sg

http://www.lamcproductions.com

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4 August–4 September
Drama Centre Theatre

A crowd favourite, Boeing Boeing is back as part of W!LD RICE’s 10th anniversary offerings. This mile-high adventure tells of swinging bachelor Bernard (Adrian Pang) and his three air stewardess girlfriends. All’s well until a timetable change turns things around. Directed by Glen Goei, this sexy, cheeky comedy, comes revamped with a new set and sexy costumes.

http://www.chinatown.org.sg

6–15 August
Esplanade Theatre

The first ever Mandarin musical to be written in Singapore, December Rains enjoyed a highly-acclaimed and sold-out run in 1996. It centres on a pair of lovers whose relationship is mired in convoluted obstacles, grievances and mistakes resolved only by time, deep devotion and sacrifice. The highly-anticipated return of this touching tale is back bigger than ever, featuring Singapore’s own Kit Chan, Broadway star George Chan and theatre veteran Jeffrey Low.

http://www.sistic.com.sg

14–26 August

Singapore will make history in August when it hosts the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. This 12-day event will draw 3,200 athletes, aged between 14 and 18, and 15,000 participants including officials, spectators and media.

9–10 September
Esplanade Theatre Studio

Breaking The Silence is a powerful play which tells the true stories  of people who survived the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. Told in a series of vignettes, the play – performed in Khmer with English subtitles – also includes dialogues  and sharing sessions at the end of each performance.

The play is a continuation of 3 Years, 8 Months, 20 Days – a 2006 performance based on the childhood stories of three actresses who survived the Khmer Rouge regime. Director Annemarie Prins wanted to continue telling the stories and looking at how the Khmer people have gone on with their lives.

http://www.amritaperformingarts.org

http://www.sistic.com.sg

10–12 September
Singapore Indoor Stadium

What do you want to be when you grow up? The Sesame Street gang ponder the question as they prepare for a pageant. ‘When Elmo Grows Up’ sees Bert dreaming of being a forest ranger and Telly of being a cowboy, while Elmo tries hard to decide what he wants to be. One for children of all ages, this live Muppet show features the whole furry and feathered gang in a Broadway spectacle filled with classic children’s songs.

http://www.sistic.com.sg

17–19 September
Various venues

Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, Moonfest presents an array of traditional Chinese art and music programmes by the water. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest celebration held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. In celebration, traditional mooncakes – sweet pastries filled with bean paste – are eaten with tea and lanterns are lit as people ‘shang yue’ (literally, appreciate the moon). It’s also a good reason to get together with friends and family to enjoy the beauty of the autumnal equinox.

http://www.esplanade.com

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12–21 March
Esplanade Theatre

Immerse your senses in a world of music in this year’s Mosaic Music Festival, which includes the Chucho Valdes Quintet from Cuba, Karsh Kale & MIDIval Punditz from India, Singapore’s very own B-Quartet and many more acts from the United States, United Kingdom, Argentina, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and Taiwan.

www.sistic.com.sg

6–7 March
F1 Pit Building

Grab your bike and have some great family fun at the second OCBC Cycle Singapore. This time around, the biggest cycling event in Singapore will take place across the weekend to give cyclists of all levels a chance to take to the roads. Kids and toddlers get to pedal their own dedicated races along Marina Bay on Saturday. This will be followed the next day by a 20km community ride, 40km Challenge, 50km Super Challenge and the Criterium event for competitive riders.
www.ocbc.cyclesingapore.com.sg

4 March–10 April
DBS Arts Centre

The Singapore Repertory Theatre’s The Little Company is back with the adventures of the lovable Bear and Chicken. This time, Bear and Chicken’s fear of going to a new school leads them to join the circus instead. But their dreams of becoming a clown, acrobat and lion tamer don’t turn out as they expect. This charming tale of discovery illustrates that not all lessons in life are learnt in a classroom and how fears can be blown out of proportion.
www.sistic.com.sg

4–7 March
Esplanade Theatre

After its sold-out run in 2009, Singapore’s undisputed queen of comedy Kumar returns with Stripped Bare & Standing Up – a no holds barred show in which he exposes the naked truth of what it means to be a drag queen. Nothing is sacred as Kumar takes on the subjects of race, language and religion – from his crush on a teacher, wearing his first dress, buying his first pair of size-11 Manolo Blahnik stilettos or his army stint. Be prepared for a rollicking session with Singapore’s loudest, proudest diva.
www.sistic.com.sg

3–19 March
Alliance Française Theatre

Ollie and the Slurge is a modern-day fable about bullying, the environment and standing up for one’s beliefs. Young Ollie is bullied in school for his appearance and his ideas on caring for the environment. Ollie’s father is bullied by his boss because times are hard. The boss is bullied by his wife because she wants more money. How do they change this? With original live music and wonderful live-action puppets, Ollie and the Slurge is a fun family musical with a conscience.

www.sistic.com.sg

Hone your inner triathlete in this multi-level race designed to suit every level of fitness and skill. This unique race series comprises an aquathlon and duathlon leading up to a triathlon event on 2 May. Open to anyone aged eight years old and above, the three-race series welcomes beginners, athletes and professionals and promises friendly and healthy fun for everyone.

28 February: Aquathlon
14 March    : Duathlon
2 May       : Triathlon
www.singaporesprintseries.com

19–20 February
Esplanade Theatre

The classic tale of war between the sexes takes on an urban spin in this modern comedic retelling of the love-hate relationship. As the male and female protagonists engage in a ‘war’ on the battlefield of love, who will succumb? Directed by eminent Hong Kong director Edward Lam, this play also features Taiwanese idol Ariel Lin, multi-faceted Taiwanese actor David Wang, and renowned Hong Kong music producer Denise Ho. Performed in Mandarin with English subtitles.
www.esplanade.com

19–20 February
F1 Pit Building

This year’s Chingay will showcase a dazzling vision of Asia with the theme, The Soaring City. ‘Flying horses’ will kickstart the festivities and the first ever
firecracker dragon display will join traditional dragon and lion dances, while well-loved tales such as Butterfly Lover, Puteri Gunung Ledang and Indralogam will be weaved into the parade for a rich multi-ethnic festival.

www.chingay.org.sg

26–28 February
Iluma Shopping Centre

From 3D animation and videography to photography, the showcase from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s fresh batch of Multimedia & Animation diploma graduates has it all. Discover what the young new media creatives have to offer at this wide-ranging display of student potential.
www.ict.np.edu.sg/showdown2010

6–7 February
Changi Exhibition Centre

Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, the Singapore Airshow, is back and ready to entertain when the six-day trade show opens to the public for a weekend. Apart from the latest in fighter jets, the Singapore Airshow will unveil – for the first time – the Green Pavilion, which will showcase groundbreaking ideas in aviation that tackle the challenges of climate change. Aviation enthusiasts and novices alike will be enthralled by masterful aerial acrobatics, fairground attractions, food, shopping and carnival fun. Located at the sprawling purpose-built Changi Exhibition Centre, visitors can also get a panoramic view of Singapore’s eastern seaboard.
www.singaporeairshow.com
www.sistic.com.sg

30 January
Singapore Indoor Stadium

Taiwanese pop princess A*Mei presents a darker and edgier side in her first world tour named after her Puyuma name, Gulilai Amit. Be prepared for a visual and aural feast as she entertains with crowd favourites such as Released, Sisters, Bad Boy and more.

www.sistic.com.sg

29 January–3 February
Esplanade Theatre

Dubbed by The New York Times as the “world’s most popular opera” and regarded as the culmination of Giacomo Puccini’s compositional maturity, La Bohème features some of Italian opera’s favourite arias.

The Singapore Lyric Opera’s take on the passionate love affair between Mimi and Rodolfo comprises an Asian cast of opera greats such as Nancy Yuen, Kota Murakami, Simon Kyung Lee and Martin Ng. Performed in Italian with English and Mandarin subtitles.

www.sistic.com.sg

21–24 January
Esplanade Theatre

Who says ballet is for girls? Men in Tutus is a hilarious all-male comedy ballet by New York’s Les Ballets Grandiva that combines classical ballet and contemporary dance with tongue-in-cheek humour. Prissy? Prim? Hardly. This performance is a rollicking take of male foibles, mishaps and hissy fits.

www.sistic.com.sg

14 January
Singapore Indoor Stadium

Formed in 1987 and now well established with their own subversive punk-rock flavour, American rock trio Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass guitar, vocals) and the Tre Cool (drums, percussion) will perform in Singapore for the first time.

The Grammy Award-winning band, widely credited to have revived mainstream interest in punk rock in the United States, has won three Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album for its ‘rock opera’ American Idiot and Record of the Year for Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

www.sistic.com.sg

13–24 January
Various venues

Back for the sixth time, the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival takes on a provocative edge as it explores the relationship between Art and The Law. Organised and curated by The Necessary Stage, the Festival will push the boundaries of culture, lives and society. Festival highlights include _______Can Change, by The Necessary Stage – a play that touches on race, religion and sex – as well as Our Own B612, by Taiwanese pop duo katncandix2. Photographer Phillip Toledano will also present the Asian premiere of America the Gift Shop, an installation project that asks: if American foreign policy had a gift shop, what would it sell? Also premiering are these groundbreaking works: an installation piece by Burmese artist Htein Lin and a contemporary dance-theatre production by Debris Company from Slovakia.

www.singaporefringe.com
www.sistic.com.sg