1. Sharul Channa’s Am I Old? Virtual Edition
What: A comedy monologue by Singaporean comedian Sharul Channa, Am I Old? will introduce you to 68-year-old retired teacher, Savitri. Listen to her hilarious stories of love, life and ageing. This live performance will be delivered via Zoom. Tickets are by donation, with proceeds going to AWARE. Each performance will be followed by a panel discussion with a family caregiver, an elderly person and a representative from AWARE.
When: Wednesday, 22 April, 6.30pm and Friday, 24 April, 6.30pm
2. A Frame In Time
What: A Frame In Time is a three-part documentary series on Channel NewsAsia which delves into social issues and history in Singapore through an examination of paintings in the national collection, as well as re-enactments of scenes and interviews with artists, scholars and historians. The two episodes that are currently available online revolve around the work of artists such as Lai Foong Moi, Chua Mia Tee and Koeh Sia Yong.
When: Currently available online
https://www.facebook.com/wildrice.sg/posts/3089936417737073
3. Shows by WILD Rice
What: Singapore theatre company WILD Rice will be streaming its shows for free from this Friday – starting with its recent restaging of the iconic Emily of Emerald Hill, followed by Supervision by Thomas Lim and pantomime Monkey Goes West. The videos will be available for one week each only. There will also be live talkback sessions online held every Thursday.
When: Emily of Emerald Hill streams from 24 April (Friday), 7.30pm; Live Talkback: 30 April (Thursday), 9pm
4. StoriesTogether by Viddsee
What: Viddsee has curated community-focused content, with playlists such as Lockdown Cinema Club, an initiative by filmmakers from the Philippines to help their fellow film workers in the country, and Di Rumah Aja with content by Indonesian filmmakers.
When: Available online
5. These Foolish Dreams by Destination: Ink
What: Attend a poetry open mic on Zoom in this online edition of cult fave Destination: Ink. There will also be a guided journaling session led by poet Irie Aman. Entry is free though a donation to a worthy cause is highly encouraged.
When: Thursday, 23 April, 8-10pm
6. Thai Film Archive’s Apart for Awhile Playlist
What: Thai Film Archive has uploaded clips and full movies onto its channel on YouTube, most notably Santi-Vina (1954), Thailand’s first feature film to be shot on 35mm with sound, which was thought to be lost for over six decades. The playlist also includes short documentary clips showing Thailand’s first escalator and Bangkok’s last tram.
When: Available online
7. IN SILENCE WE CREATE: A Sculptural Making Workshop
What: Malaysia Design Archive is hosting a four-day workshop on sculpture making taught by Berlin-based designer-researcher Evey Kwong. Delivered via Zoom, the workshop is available via donation to a COVID-19 support effort in Malaysia.
When: 26 April to 3 May
8. Reflections from Home by Theatre for Seniors
What: Members from The Necessary Stage’s Theatre for Seniors group present short monologues which present how the older generation are dealing and managing with the pandemic. These monologues are available on apART.sg, a platform for artists to come together during this time.
When: Available online
9. Poets on Permits
What: A 24-minute documentary by filmmaker Upneet Kaur-Nagpalon which features five migrant workers in Singapore who write poetry. Featuring individuals from Bangladesh, Philippines, India, China and Indonesia, the 2016 documentary reveals their innermost thoughts and feelings about their lives in Singapore.
When: Available online
10. Touch You Later!
What: An online participatory performance that explores our relationship with touch, and the loss of touch, in a time of COVID-19, Touch You Later! is led by Chong Gua Khee and Bernice Lee. These small group sessions will be held via Zoom for up to 5 audiences each time.
When: Thursday, 30 April, hourly between 5pm to 9.30pm
https://www.facebook.com/tropicalartsclub/posts/957034908087286
11. Tropical Arts Crisis Club
What: Tropical Arts Club is a talkshow hosted on Instagram which features interviews with predominantly younger Singapore artists and creatives working in the arts. It is currently presenting a “Crisis Club” in response to COVID-19, with artists sharing their strategies on coping and dealing with the future.
When: Available online on Facebook and Instagram
12. BooksActually’s Chats Actually
What: BooksActually’s founder Kenny Leck is having daily conversations live on Instagram with writers from Singapore and beyond, which often segues into entertaining rants and digressions based on questions from the viewers.
When: Daily at 2pm
About the author(s)
Nabilah Said is an award-winning playwright, editor and cultural commentator. She is also an artist who works with text across various artforms and formats. Her plays have been staged in Singapore and London, including ANGKAT, which won Best Original Script at the 2020 Life Theatre Awards. Nabilah is the former editor of ArtsEquator.