THE SCHOOL
30th May to June 4th
WHAT : A participatory performance, taking place across multiple sites in Stamford Arts Centre. Step into The School, put on the uniform, and join fellow participants on a series of communal assemblies, group lessons, solo journeys, unexpected assignments, and strange encounters. Just like school as we think we know it, yet nothing like it at all. The audience is an active actor, shaping the narrative by their behaviour.
In English, three and a half hours long, with a minimum of 16 participants. The minimum age is 16 years.
WHEN : 7.00 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays
WHERE : Stamford Arts Centre, 155 Waterloo Street
HOW MUCH : S$ 48.00
ORGANISED BY : The Arts House Limited
DETAILS : https://www.sifa.sg/creation/creation-details/festival-commission/the-school
THE SCHOOL
30th May to June 4th
WHAT : A participatory performance, taking place across multiple sites in Stamford Arts Centre. Step into The School, put on the uniform, and join fellow participants on a series of communal assemblies, group lessons, solo journeys, unexpected assignments, and strange encounters. Just like school as we think we know it, yet nothing like it at all. The audience is an active actor, shaping the narrative by their behaviour.
In English, three and a half hours long, with a minimum of 16 participants. The minimum age is 16 years.
WHEN : 7.00 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays
WHERE : Stamford Arts Centre, 155 Waterloo Street
HOW MUCH : S$ 48.00
ORGANISED BY : The Arts House Limited
DETAILS : https://www.sifa.sg/creation/creation-details/festival-commission/the-school
CHIMPANZEE
26th to 28th May
WHAT : An hour in a theatre, a day in a biomedical facility, a lifetime in the mind of a chimpanzee.
Chimpanzee is based on the stranger-than-fiction stories of chimpanzees raised as children in human homes, in a series of cross-fostering experiments conducted in the United States.
In this “deeply felt nonverbal memory play” (New York Magazine), a chimpanzee reminisces about the comfort, curiosity and freedom she had growing up in a human family, a contrast to her bleak present-day reality in a biomedical facility.
Shifts in time and place are conveyed through exquisite, lifelike bunraku-style puppetry and haunting sound and lighting design.
In English, one hour with no intermission.
Admission for children 12 years and older.
WHERE : Esplanade Theatre Studio
WHEN : 26 May, Friday, 8.00 p.m.
27 May, Saturday, 3.00 p.m. & 8.00 p.m.
28 May, Sunday, 3.00 p.m.
HOW MUCH : S$ 30.00 to S$ 38.00 ++
ORGANISED BY : Esplanade, Theaters by the Bay, with Nick Leanne
DETAILS : https://www.esplanade.com/whats-on/festivals-and-series/festivals/2023/flipside/events/chimpanzee?utm_source=Esplanade+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=21d4d96a77-eme_issue63_042023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_abb3f82f99-21d4d96a77-56966044#synopsis
CHIMPANZEE
26th to 28th May
WHAT : An hour in a theatre, a day in a biomedical facility, a lifetime in the mind of a chimpanzee.
Chimpanzee is based on the stranger-than-fiction stories of chimpanzees raised as children in human homes, in a series of cross-fostering experiments conducted in the United States.
In this “deeply felt nonverbal memory play” (New York Magazine), a chimpanzee reminisces about the comfort, curiosity and freedom she had growing up in a human family, a contrast to her bleak present-day reality in a biomedical facility.
Shifts in time and place are conveyed through exquisite, lifelike bunraku-style puppetry and haunting sound and lighting design.
In English, one hour with no intermission.
Admission for children 12 years and older.
WHERE : Esplanade Theatre Studio
WHEN : 26 May, Friday, 8.00 p.m.
27 May, Saturday, 3.00 p.m. & 8.00 p.m.
28 May, Sunday, 3.00 p.m.
HOW MUCH : S$ 30.00 to S$ 38.00 ++
ORGANISED BY : Esplanade, Theaters by the Bay, with Nick Leanne
DETAILS : https://www.esplanade.com/whats-on/festivals-and-series/festivals/2023/flipside/events/chimpanzee?utm_source=Esplanade+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=21d4d96a77-eme_issue63_042023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_abb3f82f99-21d4d96a77-56966044#synopsis
REALM OF SILK
20th May
WHAT : Watch robots dance and paint to live music : a multidisciplinary performance inspired by silkworms and algorithms.
Nature and technology inspire each other in this one-of-a-kind performance which intersects the worlds of visual art, performance and technology. Realm of Silk is an investigation of the collaborative potential of human and robot. The delicate art of the hand-drawn line is combined with different types of algorithms, inspired by the beauty of silk and the natural, complex art of the silkworm, whose silk embodies the potential for transformation and metamorphosis, just like technology.
Performance artist Sougwen Chung has been pushing the frontiers of human-robot hybridity and this latest iteration of a robot as a discrete art partner is linked to the artist’s brainwave patterns.
45 minutes, no intermission. Recommended for ages 13 and above.
WHEN : 3.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m.
WHERE : Victoria Theatre, 9 Empress Place
HOW MUCH : S$ 38.00 to S$ 48.00
ORGANISED BY : The Arts House Limited
DETAILS : https://www.sifa.sg/creation/creation-details/festival-commission/realm-of-silk
REALM OF SILK
20th May
WHAT : Watch robots dance and paint to live music : a multidisciplinary performance inspired by silkworms and algorithms.
Nature and technology inspire each other in this one-of-a-kind performance which intersects the worlds of visual art, performance and technology. Realm of Silk is an investigation of the collaborative potential of human and robot. The delicate art of the hand-drawn line is combined with different types of algorithms, inspired by the beauty of silk and the natural, complex art of the silkworm, whose silk embodies the potential for transformation and metamorphosis, just like technology.
Performance artist Sougwen Chung has been pushing the frontiers of human-robot hybridity and this latest iteration of a robot as a discrete art partner is linked to the artist’s brainwave patterns.
45 minutes, no intermission. Recommended for ages 13 and above.
WHEN : 3.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m.
WHERE : Victoria Theatre, 9 Empress Place
HOW MUCH : S$ 38.00 to S$ 48.00
ORGANISED BY : The Arts House Limited
DETAILS : https://www.sifa.sg/creation/creation-details/festival-commission/realm-of-silk
FLIPSIDE 2023
26th May to 4th June
WHAT : A playful festival of circus, comedy, physical theatre and puppetry. Expect performances and curated experiences presented in surprising and thought-provoking ways from music with humour and improv comedy, to workshops and craft activities.
Coinciding with the school holidays, the festival offers an exciting range of both free and ticketed programmes for families and curious adults, featuring a mix of Singapore, regional and international artists from seven countries.
This year puppetry takes centre stage. Puppets, being objects, offer some emotional distance, but when masterfully conceptualised and manipulated, we can see so much of ourselves in them.
Puppets appear outdoors too in the form of roving seagulls, often seen as a nuisance. The lovable, larger-than-life scavengers roaming the Esplanade Waterfront may interrupt your conversation or try to steal your food.
Flipside also celebrates the wonderfully imaginative world of clowning, physical comedy and street arts. Be inspired by the creative absurdity of street artists as they find the most complicated ways to do the simplest of tasks. These artists show that sometimes the most enjoyable journey between points A and B is the most convoluted one, but it is also a journey of self-discovery that reveals the many shades of being human.
Flipside continues to be a key platform for Singapore’s circus and aerial arts community. Following the success of the annual Aerial Open Stage showcase, this year’s launch of Circus Open Stage features ground circus practitioners performing short routines.
WHERE : Various locations in Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay
WHEN : Various
HOW MUCH : Free and ticketed
ORGANISED BY : Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
DETAILS : https://www.esplanade.com/whats-on/festivals-and-series/festivals/2023/flipside
FLIPSIDE 2023
26th May to 4th June
WHAT : A playful festival of circus, comedy, physical theatre and puppetry. Expect performances and curated experiences presented in surprising and thought-provoking ways from music with humour and improv comedy, to workshops and craft activities.
Coinciding with the school holidays, the festival offers an exciting range of both free and ticketed programmes for families and curious adults, featuring a mix of Singapore, regional and international artists from seven countries.
This year puppetry takes centre stage. Puppets, being objects, offer some emotional distance, but when masterfully conceptualised and manipulated, we can see so much of ourselves in them.
Puppets appear outdoors too in the form of roving seagulls, often seen as a nuisance. The lovable, larger-than-life scavengers roaming the Esplanade Waterfront may interrupt your conversation or try to steal your food.
Flipside also celebrates the wonderfully imaginative world of clowning, physical comedy and street arts. Be inspired by the creative absurdity of street artists as they find the most complicated ways to do the simplest of tasks. These artists show that sometimes the most enjoyable journey between points A and B is the most convoluted one, but it is also a journey of self-discovery that reveals the many shades of being human.
Flipside continues to be a key platform for Singapore’s circus and aerial arts community. Following the success of the annual Aerial Open Stage showcase, this year’s launch of Circus Open Stage features ground circus practitioners performing short routines.
WHERE : Various locations in Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay
WHEN : Various
HOW MUCH : Free and ticketed
ORGANISED BY : Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
DETAILS : https://www.esplanade.com/whats-on/festivals-and-series/festivals/2023/flipside
THE SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS
19th May to 4th June
WHAT : The Anatomy of Performance - Some People is the theme this year, exploring the spectrum of the human experience. Progressive and original works express contemporary complexities and possibilities in performance and are the catalyst for creative intersections between international and local artists.
There are four newly commissioned productions and 11 invited international presentations, as well as digital experiences with a new series of writing and animated art.
The Festival comprises three platforms: CREATION, featuring 15 unique presentations including festival commissions and invited works, LIFE PROFUSION, SIFA’s parallel virtual entity, and SIFA X, a platform for experimental expression.
Festival Video : https://sifa.sg/
WHEN : Various times
WHERE : Various locations
HOW MUCH : Varying costs
ORGANISED BY : The Arts House Limited
DETAILS : https://www.sifa.sg/
THE SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS
19th May to 4th June
WHAT : The Anatomy of Performance - Some People is the theme this year, exploring the spectrum of the human experience. Progressive and original works express contemporary complexities and possibilities in performance and are the catalyst for creative intersections between international and local artists.
There are four newly commissioned productions and 11 invited international presentations, as well as digital experiences with a new series of writing and animated art.
The Festival comprises three platforms: CREATION, featuring 15 unique presentations including festival commissions and invited works, LIFE PROFUSION, SIFA’s parallel virtual entity, and SIFA X, a platform for experimental expression.
Festival Video : https://sifa.sg/
WHEN : Various times
WHERE : Various locations
HOW MUCH : Varying costs
ORGANISED BY : The Arts House Limited
DETAILS : https://www.sifa.sg/
ASIAN FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN’S CONTENT (AFCC) 2023
25th to 28th May
WHAT : A fully in-person event celebrating the buoyancy and playfulness of children`s stories and books through the theme “Play!”; its different dimensions in books, stories and performances. Featuring over 70 programmes and over 100 writers and speakers from Singapore and around the world. The festival comprises panels, workshops, public programmes and more. Vietnam is the Country of Focus.
WHERE : National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064
WHEN : Various
HOW MUCH : S$ 68.00 to S$ 187.00
Concession discount for students and senior citizens at 50% and more.
ORGANISED BY : Singapore Book Council
DETAILS : https://afcc.com.sg/2023/page/tickets
ASIAN FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN’S CONTENT (AFCC) 2023
25th to 28th May
WHAT : A fully in-person event celebrating the buoyancy and playfulness of children`s stories and books through the theme “Play!”; its different dimensions in books, stories and performances. Featuring over 70 programmes and over 100 writers and speakers from Singapore and around the world. The festival comprises panels, workshops, public programmes and more. Vietnam is the Country of Focus.
WHERE : National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064
WHEN : Various
HOW MUCH : S$ 68.00 to S$ 187.00
Concession discount for students and senior citizens at 50% and more.
ORGANISED BY : Singapore Book Council
DETAILS : https://afcc.com.sg/2023/page/tickets
GOODMAN OPEN HOUSE
June 24
WHAT : Engaging the community through the arts, this promises to be a fun-filled day of programmes and activities in music, dance and visual arts for families. This year’s Open House presents an eclectic array of open studios, workshops, performances, all-day activities, and a pop-up market.
The programming focuses on audience participation as a way of introducing various art forms to visitors. Expect garden trails, live painting demonstrations and storytelling sessions. Explore artists’ studios for personal viewing and sharing sessions with artists, join dancers and musicians, wind down with a sound bath. Festivities culminate with a Tenants Parade celebrating artists.
DEETS : https://artshouselimited.sg/gac-goh-2023
WHERE : Goodman Arts Centre
WHEN : 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
HOW MUCH : Free and ticketed
ORGANISED BY : Arts House Limited
GOODMAN OPEN HOUSE
June 24
WHAT : Engaging the community through the arts, this promises to be a fun-filled day of programmes and activities in music, dance and visual arts for families. This year’s Open House presents an eclectic array of open studios, workshops, performances, all-day activities, and a pop-up market.
The programming focuses on audience participation as a way of introducing various art forms to visitors. Expect garden trails, live painting demonstrations and storytelling sessions. Explore artists’ studios for personal viewing and sharing sessions with artists, join dancers and musicians, wind down with a sound bath. Festivities culminate with a Tenants Parade celebrating artists.
DEETS : https://artshouselimited.sg/gac-goh-2023
WHERE : Goodman Arts Centre
WHEN : 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
HOW MUCH : Free and ticketed
ORGANISED BY : Arts House Limited
MONSTROUS FUN!
June 16 and 17
WHAT : Family-friendly activities inspired by local literature as part of the annual children’s multilingual literary arts festival. Local stories come to life in imaginative art and craft activities, bilingual storytelling sessions, interactive tours, and a Magical Monster Hunt. A wide range of literary-based programmes in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil for children between the ages of 3 and 12.
DEETS : https://artshouselimited.sg/tah-whats-on/tah-signature-programmes
WHERE : Various venues at The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane
WHEN : 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
HOW MUCH : Free and ticketed
ORGANISED BY : Arts House Limited
MONSTROUS FUN!
June 16 and 17
WHAT : Family-friendly activities inspired by local literature as part of the annual children’s multilingual literary arts festival. Local stories come to life in imaginative art and craft activities, bilingual storytelling sessions, interactive tours, and a Magical Monster Hunt. A wide range of literary-based programmes in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil for children between the ages of 3 and 12.
DEETS : https://artshouselimited.sg/tah-whats-on/tah-signature-programmes
WHERE : Various venues at The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane
WHEN : 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
HOW MUCH : Free and ticketed
ORGANISED BY : Arts House Limited
BEYOND
13th May
WHAT : Music meets mathematics in Beyond.��Inspired by the endless string of digits in the mathematical constant π, the concert poses the question: What lies beyond? Beyond words. Beyond consciousness. Beyond time. Beyond life.��The performance explores ideas of the infinite and the ineffable – from spells to bewitch the unwitting to the silent steps that herald the omnipresent divine. The concert will also feature the Asian premiere of Jacob Mühlrad’s “Ay Li Lu”, co-commissioned with choirs from Canada, Finland and South Africa. The song, born from Jewish mysticism, melds a Yiddish lullaby with repeated incantations of 3.14159... transporting us to somewhere above space and time.
Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes with a 20minute intermission.
In English, Latin, Yiddish, German and Swedish.
WHERE : Victoria Concert Hall, 11 Empress Place, Singapore 179558
WHEN : 7.30 p.m.�
HOW MUCH : S$ 30.00 ++
ORGANISED BY : The Singapore Youth Choir Ltd
DETAILS : https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/beyond0523
BEYOND
13th May
WHAT : Music meets mathematics in Beyond.��Inspired by the endless string of digits in the mathematical constant π, the concert poses the question: What lies beyond? Beyond words. Beyond consciousness. Beyond time. Beyond life.��The performance explores ideas of the infinite and the ineffable – from spells to bewitch the unwitting to the silent steps that herald the omnipresent divine. The concert will also feature the Asian premiere of Jacob Mühlrad’s “Ay Li Lu”, co-commissioned with choirs from Canada, Finland and South Africa. The song, born from Jewish mysticism, melds a Yiddish lullaby with repeated incantations of 3.14159... transporting us to somewhere above space and time.
Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes with a 20minute intermission.
In English, Latin, Yiddish, German and Swedish.
WHERE : Victoria Concert Hall, 11 Empress Place, Singapore 179558
WHEN : 7.30 p.m.�
HOW MUCH : S$ 30.00 ++
ORGANISED BY : The Singapore Youth Choir Ltd
DETAILS : https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/beyond0523
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISSOCIA
11th to 14th May
WHAT : What would you do if you lost an hour out of your day? How far would you go to get that time back?��Determined to retrieve her missing hour, Lisa embarks on a surreal adventure into the weird, wacky underworld of Dissocia. Brimming with imagination, magic and possibility, it’s the kind of place where polar bears sing and cars fly.��But, as Lisa spends more time in Dissocia, she begins to discover the dangers that lurk beneath its bright, colourful surface. She meets a host of strange, funny characters, from a violent scapegoat to insecurity guards, all of whom desperately want her to stay in Dissocia – hopefully forever.��A tragicomic exploration of trauma and mental health, The Wonderful World of Dissocia turns theatrical convention inside out to hilarious and heartbreaking effect.
Recommended for patrons 16 years old and older. Contains strong language and scenes relating to sexual violence and mental health that some may find upsetting.
Approximately 2 hours, including intermission.
WHERE : The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre @ Wild Rice, Funan, 107 North Bridge Road Singapore 179105
WHEN : Thursday & Friday : 7.30 p.m.�Saturday & Sunday : 2.30 p.m. & 7.30 p.m.
HOW MUCH : S$ 35.00 ++
ORGANISED BY : Wild Rice Limited
DETAILS : https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/world0523
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISSOCIA
11th to 14th May
WHAT : What would you do if you lost an hour out of your day? How far would you go to get that time back?��Determined to retrieve her missing hour, Lisa embarks on a surreal adventure into the weird, wacky underworld of Dissocia. Brimming with imagination, magic and possibility, it’s the kind of place where polar bears sing and cars fly.��But, as Lisa spends more time in Dissocia, she begins to discover the dangers that lurk beneath its bright, colourful surface. She meets a host of strange, funny characters, from a violent scapegoat to insecurity guards, all of whom desperately want her to stay in Dissocia – hopefully forever.��A tragicomic exploration of trauma and mental health, The Wonderful World of Dissocia turns theatrical convention inside out to hilarious and heartbreaking effect.
Recommended for patrons 16 years old and older. Contains strong language and scenes relating to sexual violence and mental health that some may find upsetting.
Approximately 2 hours, including intermission.
WHERE : The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre @ Wild Rice, Funan, 107 North Bridge Road Singapore 179105
WHEN : Thursday & Friday : 7.30 p.m.�Saturday & Sunday : 2.30 p.m. & 7.30 p.m.
HOW MUCH : S$ 35.00 ++
ORGANISED BY : Wild Rice Limited
DETAILS : https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/world0523
APPLE’S CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS, FREE
Every Saturday, 13 May to 17 June
WHAT : Six pairs of artists and children with different abilities lead free workshops at Apple Stores, marking Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Explore augmented reality, create animations, stories, podcasts, games and more using Procreate, AR Makr and other apps for the iPad and iPhone. Great for ages 6–15.
DEETS : https://www.apple.com/sg/today/collection/grow-with-creativity/
WHERE : Apple Stores @ Marina Bay Sands, Orchard Road and Jewel Changi Airport
WHEN : Saturdays
HOW MUCH : Free. Book your space on the link above.
ORGANISED BY : Apple, in collaboration with Superhero Me.
APPLE’S CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS, FREE
Every Saturday, 13 May to 17 June
WHAT : Six pairs of artists and children with different abilities lead free workshops at Apple Stores, marking Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Explore augmented reality, create animations, stories, podcasts, games and more using Procreate, AR Makr and other apps for the iPad and iPhone. Great for ages 6–15.
DEETS : https://www.apple.com/sg/today/collection/grow-with-creativity/
WHERE : Apple Stores @ Marina Bay Sands, Orchard Road and Jewel Changi Airport
WHEN : Saturdays
HOW MUCH : Free. Book your space on the link above.
ORGANISED BY : Apple, in collaboration with Superhero Me.
E.S.C. - ESCAPE AT SCIENCE CENTRE
Ongoing
WHAT : Exciting escape-room immersive experiences (from ball-filled enclosures to quaking floors) that utilise the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, with an added sprinkle of theatricality. Three rooms - Museum of Humankind, Shangri-La and Dr. X - each offer a different immersive world.
Recommended for ages 13 and above with a recommended group size of 4. Each 60 minute session can take up to 8 persons. Wear covered flat shoes for all rooms; skirts and heels not recommended. Bring a jacket along too.
DEETS : https://www.esc.sg/therooms
WHERE : The Annexe, Science Centre, 15 Science Centre Road,
Singapore 609081
WHEN : Thursdays to Sundays & Public Holidays: 10.00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.
Mondays to Wednesday & Gazetted School Holidays: 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
HOW MUCH : S$ 30.00
ORGANISED BY : Co-created by Science Centre Singapore, Gushcloud International and How Drama
E.S.C. - ESCAPE AT SCIENCE CENTRE
Ongoing
WHAT : Exciting escape-room immersive experiences (from ball-filled enclosures to quaking floors) that utilise the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, with an added sprinkle of theatricality. Three rooms - Museum of Humankind, Shangri-La and Dr. X - each offer a different immersive world.
Recommended for ages 13 and above with a recommended group size of 4. Each 60 minute session can take up to 8 persons. Wear covered flat shoes for all rooms; skirts and heels not recommended. Bring a jacket along too.
DEETS : https://www.esc.sg/therooms
WHERE : The Annexe, Science Centre, 15 Science Centre Road,
Singapore 609081
WHEN : Thursdays to Sundays & Public Holidays: 10.00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.
Mondays to Wednesday & Gazetted School Holidays: 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
HOW MUCH : S$ 30.00
ORGANISED BY : Co-created by Science Centre Singapore, Gushcloud International and How Drama