ArtsEquator

Siao Char Bors Comedy presents Nat Kang
2023-09-16 20:00 - 22:30 (Asia/Shanghai) | The Projector Golden Mile, 6001 Beach Rd, #05-00 GOLDEN MILE TOWER, Singapore, 199589, Singapore
SIAO CHAR BORS COMEDY, your favourite women & queer-friendly comedy open mic night is back on stage with a vengeance! Featuring an exciting range of fresh open micers, drag queens ACYD RAYNE and DIQ ENVY and visiting Malaysian headliner NAT KANG!
A percentage of proceeds from ticket sales will be going to Malaysia’s Community Health Care Clinic, a community-based clinic working with affected populations on HIV and AIDS, gender identity and sexual health. Find out more here.
NAT KANG
NAT KANG is one of Southeast Asia’s only comedians specialising in musical and also dark comedy. With a sense of humour often described as mixing the musical, the morbid, and moronic, he was one of Malaysia’s most booked live comedy show hosts during the pandemic.
Since 2016, he has worked with nearly all of Malaysia’s major comedy headliners (Douglas Lim, Joanne Kam, Harith Iskander, Rizal van Geyzel, etc), and also various international stars such as Stephen K. Amos (UK), Papa CJ (IND), Liz Miele (USA), Nigel Ng aka Uncle Roger (UK/MAL), and even Tinky Winky the Teletubby.
Having performed across Southeast Asia and recently debuted his first solo show in 2023, he is now bringing his second solo show on tour, and is proud to be returning to headline Siao Char Bors Comedy for the first time since 2019.

Fundraising for Impact: What's the Plan (Workshop)
2023-09-21 09:00 - 2023-09-22 17:00 | Lasalle College of the Arts, 1 McNally Street Singapore 187940, Singapore, Singapore, 187940, Singapore
Date/Time: 21 & 22 Sep / 9:00am – 5:00pm and 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Application deadline: 4 Sep 2023
Fundraising in the arts is an emerging field that requires specialised knowledge and skill sets. This course will enable you to expand funding options and consider fundraising as an alternative source of revenue for your arts organisation. To help develop your competencies and build a strong foundation in this discipline, LASALLE College of the Arts is partnering with the National Arts Council (NAC) to run a course on the essentials of fundraising.

The workshop comprises of a one-and-a-half-day workshop and one-hour clinic which is to be completed two weeks after the workshop. Attendees will work on their assignment individually in the first half of the second day.
After a successful twelfth run since its inception in 2015, the workshop is back with a refreshed curriculum developed by Professor Bill Byrnes who has over 40 years of arts management and fundraising experience. Current topics include fundraising in the COVID-19 era and organisational self-assessment methods to review website and social media presence conducted by Usha Menon, a sought after trainer and practitioner in fundraising, with over 33 years of experience.
All participants will leave the course with a fundraising strategy for their organisation or for a specific campaign.

The Finger Players x Joe Louis Theatre Company: WIP Presentation
2023-09-21 20:00 - 21:30 | 42WS Black Box, 42 Waterloo Street S187951, 42WS Black Box, 42 Waterloo Street S187951, Singapore, Singapore, S187951, Singapore
A myth. An insatiable desire for blood. A beautiful-looking woman with supernatural abilities to detach her head. The Finger Players and Joe Louis Theatre Company present a WIP puppetry presentation that depicts different interpretations of the infamous folklores Krasue and Penanggalan. This horrifying yet beautiful two-part showcase combines contemporary and traditional elements of puppetry. It is part of Phase 1 of a three-year collaboration, between the two companies, which will culminate to a finale production happening in 2025.
At the end of the presentation, there will be a post-presentation discussion by our Artistic Director, Oliver Chong.
Ticket holders are highly encouraged to support the presentation by donating at the door. Thank you for your generous support.

The Race Around The Moon
2023-09-23 14:00 - 18:00 | Gateway Theatre’s Sky Garden, 3615 Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 159461, Gateway Theatre's Sky Garden, 3615 Jalan Bukit Merah,, Singapore, Singapore, Singapore 159461, Singapore
Join us on an unforgettable journey in the heavens, with beloved characters Chang’e, Jade Rabbit, and Wu Gang in an all-new Mid-Autumn tale! After years of living on the moon, the legendary trio are given a chance to return to earth—but there’s a catch! Only the victor of the amazing race around the moon will be granted this privilege. The three friends are bent on winning, and as they will soon find out, this race will test their wits, skills, and even the bonds of their precious friendship.
Will their friendship endure competition and disappointment, and will they discover the secret of true success?

ACM Adventures
2023-09-24 11:00 - 15:00 | Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Pl,, Singapore, 179555, Singapore
ACM Adventures: Dear Diary…
If you had a diary, what would you write about? Explore the practice of writing through a storytelling and drama performance. Then, design your own personal journal. And don’t forget to check out special calligraphic tools in the Islamic Art Gallery!

ACM Adventures: Shine Bright
Let’s get lit! Listen to a drama performance and enjoy a storytelling session in the galleries. Craft your own candle holder inspired by a candelabra from the Maritime Trade Gallery.

STPI Guided Tours
2023-09-28 11:30 - 12:30 | STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery, 41 Robertson Quay, Singapore, Singapore, 238236, Singapore
STPI is thrilled to present “21 Years: A Story in Multiple Parts”. Explore the exhibition and gain insights into the artworks through our guided tours, led by STPI staff and docents. Our guided tours also offer an exclusive look into our Creative Workshop and Papermill. Guided tours at STPI are free of charge.
Register your interest. Drop-in guests are welcome.

STPI Guided Tours
2023-09-28 11:30 - 12:30 | STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery, 41 Robertson Quay, Singapore, Singapore, 238236, Singapore
STPI is thrilled to present “21 Years: A Story in Multiple Parts”. Explore the exhibition and gain insights into the artworks through our guided tours, led by STPI staff and docents. Our guided tours also offer an exclusive look into our Creative Workshop and Papermill. Guided tours at STPI are free of charge.
Register your interest below. Drop-in guests are welcome.

Air in Skin
2023-09-28 19:30 - 21:30 | Stamford Arts Centre, 0202, 155 Waterloo Street, Singapore, Singapore, 187962, Singapore
“To be a woman in this world is to be a voyeur to your own life. To be wanted is to be silent. To stay alive is to be a balloon tethered to air. When one says “love”, what comes to mind?”
Air in Skin by Michaela Hay, directed by Indumathi Tamilselvan brings us an inventive and heartfelt coming of age story that unpacks the instability of self, the persistence of emptiness, and what lies beyond hope.
Join us for a night of meditative healing and hilarious exploration of personhood, presented by Bored Whale Theatre.
Date: 28 – 30 Sep
Time: 730PM
Venue: Stamford Arts Centre #03-01 155 Waterloo St, Singapore 187962

Capturing Nature Exhibition
2023-09-29 09:00 - 2024-03-31 18:00 | Singapore
The pressing urge of humans to leave marks of their existence is attested by direct prints of hands found in pre-historic caves. This desire to be remembered and documented was among the factors that stimulated the development of human intelligence.
Hailed as the earliest precursor to photography, Nature Printing is the practice of taking impressions directly or indirectly from the surface of natural objects such as leaves, flowers, ferns, seaweed, snakeskin, and more, to produce an image on paper. Nature printing was popular with botanists in the 18th century as an aid in their study of useful and medicinal plants. By printing directly from specimens, they were able to represent plants in an affordable way and to great effect.
In the 19th century, the desire for life-like scientific images in combination with technological innovations led to developments in nature printing. Significant advances occurred between 1842 and 1868, at the kaiserlich-königliche Hof- und Staatsdruckerei zu Wien [Imperial-Royal Court and State Printing Office in Vienna]. Their nature prints still trick the eye with exceptional detail and life-like appearance.
This exhibition spans two rooms, featuring objects mainly from Europe, but also India, Japan, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, dating from 1748 to the present.
The exhibition is curated by
Capturing Nature: Matthew Zucker, Pia Östlund
NParks: Michele Rodda, Martina Yeo
Photography: Martin Slivka
This exhibition would not have been possible without the loan of materials from Matthew Zucker and Pia Östlund, and generous donations through the Garden City Fund.

STPI Evening Tours
2023-09-29 18:00 - 19:00 | STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery, 41 Robertson Quay, Singapore, Singapore, 238236, Singapore

Podcast: Stories of the Un(forgotten) – Landmarks
2023-09-30 - 2023-11-30 | Online
Can landmarks be forgotten?
Many landmarks have graced Singapore’s soil and skyline, but as they make way in the name of development, their stories slowly fade away with the passage of time.
Enter Stories of the Un(forgotten) – Landmarks, a dramatized Podcast by Emerging Playwright gongxin. Through weaving historical facts, anecdotal interviews and a rich, lush, immersive soundscape, Playwright gongxin brings together Wind, Moon, Bird, Rain and Tree in this nostalgic series.
Plug in to these stories and memories of the forgotten landmarks, and un-forget them with every episode.

STPI Gallery | An Introduction to Woodblock Printing
2023-09-30 10:00 - 13:00 | STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery, 41 Robertson Quay, Singapore, Singapore, 238236, Singapore
Curious to try woodblock printing? Join this introductory workshop to experiment with woodblock carving, printing and layering using simple geometric shapes.

Workshop | Liu Kuo-sung and his Ink Experimentation
2023-09-30 15:00 - 17:30 | National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew's Rd, #01 – 01,, Singapore, 178957, Singapore
Workshop | Liu Kuo-sung and his Ink Experimentation
Sat 30 Sep 2023 | 3 pm – 5:30 pm | Meeting point: National Gallery Singapore, City Hall Wing, Level 4, Level 4 Gallery | S$8, registration required: https://bit.ly/LKS_Workshop

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Ink master Liu Kuo-sung is known for his experimentations with materials and techniques. He achieved sequential breakthroughs during the 1970s and 1980s by establishing painting techniques that did not require the use of brushes, such as “ink rubbing,” “paper rubbing” and “water rubbing.”

Led by curator Jennifer K. Y. Lam, this workshop will focus on a lecture script created by Liu before his retirement from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1992. Join us and delve deeper into his experimental ink techniques through hands-on activities.

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About the facilitator

Jennifer K. Y. Lam is Curator at National Gallery Singapore, where she actively contributes to the continuous research on art in Singapore and the ink medium. Her co-curated exhibitions include “Rediscovering Treasures: Ink Art from the Xiu Hai Lou Collection” (2017), “(Re)Collect: The Making of Our Art Collection” (2018), “Wu Guanzhong: Learning from the Master” (2019–2020), “Nam June Paik: The Future is Now” (2021), “Wu Guanzhong: Travelling with the Master” (2022) and “Liu Kuo-sung: Experimentation as Method” (2023).

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About “Liu Kuo-sung: Experimentation As Method”

“Liu Kuo-sung: Experimentation As Method” is a major retrospective show that celebrates the ink master’s artistic career spanning 70 years, from the 1950s to the 2010s. With a selection of over 60 works tracing his creative evolution, the show highlights the artist’s significant innovations in modern Chinese ink painting, focusing on his experiments with the materiality of ink and paper, which were inspired by his own reading of Chinese art history beyond orthodox narratives.

Ding Yi Chamber Classics: Says Hu 精细集：《胡 • 说》
2023-10-01 07:30 - 21:00 | Esplanade Recital Studio, 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore, 038981, Singapore
Ding Yi Music Company presents a new chamber series: Chamber Classics, a series exploring the intricacies and classics of Chinese Chamber music!
The first edition of the series, ‘Says Hu’ spotlights on the huqin section as we hear the beauty of erhu, gaohu, zhonghu together with the Western string instruments cello and double bass. Renowned huqin musician and Singapore Chinese Orchestra concertmaster Li Bao Shun will lead the ensemble as the artistic advisor of the concert and perform a Singapore premiere piece titled ‘Sword Sorrow’, composed by Zhang Zheng.
Ding Yi huqin musician Chen Ning and double bass musician Chee Jun Hong will each present a solo, ‘Reminiscences of the Silk Road’ and ‘Yangguan Refrains’. The concert will showcase different huqin combinations and techniques which offer a new perspective of the huqin section. Listen and indulge in the intimate conversations between the huqin section and the ensemble!
This concert is curated by former Ding Yi’s concertmaster Chin Yen Choong and led by current concertmaster Fred Chan Hong Wei.
Huqin and Ding Yi Chamber Ensemble
‘Sword Sorrow’ Composed by Zhang Zheng*
Huqin Ensemble
‘Dance on Strings’ Composed by Luo Mai Shuo*
‘Going to West Gate’ Rearranged by Bao Yuankai
‘Hunting the Tiger Up the Mountain’ Rearranged by Huang Xiaozhi, adapted and arranged by Chen Chunyuan
*Singapore premiere

Cambodia: War and Beauty
2023-10-03 - 2023-10-15 | BACC, 939 Rama 1 Rd, Pathum Wan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
Cambodia is often depicted in the public imagination as either the land of Angkor and Apsaras or the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge. An American writer once referred to the countries of Southeast Asia as “the Lands of Cruelty and Charm”. However, Cambodia is more than death and decoration. It is people who have struggled and survived war and atrocities, displacement, and political and social chaos, all the while working to preserve their culture. That culture now faces the new threat of unconstrained overdevelopment.
This is the focus of the photo exhibition “Cambodia: War and Beauty”, organized by SEA Junction and Ophidian, on 3-15 October 2023 on the curved wall, 3rd floor of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). This photographic retrospective, exhibited previously in FCC Angkor by Avani and Meta House in Phnom Penh in 2020 and Paris in 2022, presents a collection of black and white and color photos taken by David A. Feingold, a research anthropologist and an award-winning documentary filmmaker, over the last six decades in Cambodia.
While fostering a better understanding and appreciation of Cambodia’s history, culture, and society, the exhibition aims to showcase the contradictory and complementary elements of Cambodian culture in a historical context.
Organizer:
SEA Junction, established under the Thai non-profit organization Foundation for Southeast Asia Studies (ForSEA), aims to foster understanding and appreciation of Southeast Asia in all its socio-cultural dimensions- from arts and lifestyles to economy and development. Conveniently located at Room 407-8 of the Bangkok Arts and Culture Center or BACC (across MBK, BTS National Stadium), SEA Junction facilitates public access to knowledge resources and exchanges among students, practitioners and Southeast Asia lovers. For more information see www.seajunction.org
Suite 408
BACC
939 Rama 1 Rd, Pathum Wan
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
t & f: +66-97-002-4140 (Call / Line / Whatsapp)
e: southeastasiajunction@gmail.com

Call for Applications: SIF's Arts for Good Fellowship 2023
2023-10-04 08:00 - 2024-01-26 18:00 | Singapore International Foundation, The Atrium@Orchard, Singapore, Singapore, 238890, Singapore
The Singapore International Foundation’s Arts for Good Fellowship 2023 is back with the sixth edition – exploring the theme of Empowering Meaningful Ageing through the Arts. It is scheduled to take place online from 4 – 6 October, 3 November and 1 December 2023, and in person in Singapore from 22 – 26 January 2024. Participating Fellows will be able to

build capacity by developing skills and new perspectives in running effective Arts for Good initiatives
connect with professionals from an international ecosystem keen on using the arts for social change
join a global alumni network in supporting and collaborating with one another for future Arts for Good initiatives

Apply by 25 June here – https://sif.org.sg/Our-Work/Cultural-Exchange/Arts-for-Good-Fellowship

Lunchtime Concerts
2023-10-06 - 2023-11-10 | Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Pl,, Singapore, 179555, Singapore
In partnership with the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST), this series brings classical music to ACM across two seasons every year. Visit the Shaw Foyer on Fridays at 12.30pm in October and November, to enjoy live music performed by the talented students of YST.

Songs of A Rebellious Teen – Art Fazil's 30th Anniversary Album Celebration
2023-10-06 20:00 - 21:30 | Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Dr, 038981, Singapore
In 1993, Art Fazil released a self-titled album under Pony Canyon Records. The album received much critical acclaim with the radio hit Sometimes When I Feel Blue. The song went on to clinch the COMPASS Music Award for Best Local English Song and the album was marketed in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Now, on the 30th anniversary of this iconic album, acclaimed musician Art Fazil brings us on a nostalgic journey that reunites him with his original backing band, The Healers and relives the unforgettable concert that took place at the DBS Auditorium in 1994. Art Fazil’s soulful tunes and poignant lyrics will stir heartful emotions in this jubilant celebration that reminds us why his music remains eternally cherished. Don’t miss this legendary concert that pays homage to an era of musical brilliance and passion.

Arts@SBG: Concert in the Gardens presents Thomson Swing Band and Thomson Big Band
2023-10-08 18:00 - 19:00 | Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, Singapore, 259569, Singapore
The Arts@SBG: Concert in the Gardens series presents Thomson Swing Band and Thomson Big Band!
Having entertained audiences in Singapore, Southeast Asia, India, and Australia for thirty years, Thomson Jazz Club’s two big bands, Thomson Big Band and Thomson Swing Band will be back to delight the crowd at the Singapore Botanic Gardens after a 3-year hiatus.
Thomson Swing Band will dazzle with their jazz rendition of classic songs like It Had To Be You and When I Fall In Love. Thomson Big Band, the Club’s flagship band, will showcase a selection from their recent performance at the 2023 Thailand International Jazz Conference in Bangkok. The tunes range from the 1940s right up to the present day, spanning 80 years of jazz compositions and showcasing a wide range of big band styles.
This concert is part of the Arts@SBG: NAC-ExxonMobil Concert in the Gardens series. Singapore Botanic Gardens is a part of the National Arts Council’s Arts and Culture Nodes Network.

Art of Seeing: Photography Workshop
2023-10-12 09:00 - 2023-10-26 11:00 | Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film, 155 Middle Road, Singapore, 188977, Singapore
Duration: 6h over 3 sessions
Course Description:
Designed with the absolute beginner to photography in mind, Art of Seeing: Photography pares our long-running Basic Photography workshop down to the essentials in three bite-sized sessions, making it especially ideal for those who are pressed for time too.
Divided into ‘Theory’, ‘Practical’, and ‘Post-Production’ sessions, participants will get to learn basic manual camera functions and terminology before putting them to the test in a guided shoot along the colourful and bustling Waterloo Street next to Objectifs Centre. The course will wrap up with a session on Adobe Lightroom, where participants will get to try out the photo editing software on Objectifs’ iMacs.
If you’re deciding whether or not to pick up photography as a long-term hobby, this workshop is a perfect opportunity for you to find out! Check out the Course Overview for more information on each session.
Dates:
1. Thu, 12 Oct, 9 – 11am
2. Thu, 19 Oct, 9 – 11am (Guided Shoot)
3. Thu, 26 Oct, 9 – 11am
Technical Requirements:
Participants are to bring their own DSLRs or a prosumer digital camera like the mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (MILC) for the workshop.
Objectifs also has limited sets of cameras for loan. Please email info@objectifs.com.sg after registration to let us know if you need to loan a camera set from us for the duration of the workshop. Please note that there is a deposit of $150 for each camera set rental. The deposit will be refunded upon sound return of the camera on the final day of the workshop.
Please register via our website.

The Art and Craft of Facilitating Drama Activities
2023-10-12 10:00 - 17:00 | Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Road, Block O, Singapore, Singapore 439053, Singapore
Drama activities can be used to establish relationships, develop group cohesion, develop skills, and as a springboard to activities.
Organised by SDEA, this course is a practical dive into the act of facilitation of drama activities for non-performative intentions and objectives.
Participants will reflect on principles of improvisation in facilitation, enhance their facilitator’s presence and body language, and build a reflexive practice.
It is designed for those new to the field, as well as those who have some experience and want to become a better drama facilitator.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:

Identify, plan, and facilitate basic drama activities for outcomes such as group-building, focus, creativity, and imagination, among others;
Improve their physical presence and body language as a facilitator;
Build reflexivity in their practice.

Course Objectives:

Expose participants to a variety of drama activities in an applied drama context
Understand how drama activities can be used for developing executive functions, building community, and as part of group processes
Understand principles of facilitation related to drama activities
Recognise and understand individual needs in a group setting
Incorporate reflexivity into the practice of facilitation

Pre-requisites:

Minimum 18-years-old
Some experience in facilitating drama activities

Suitable for:

People considering a career in drama facilitation in community contexts
Drama Practitioners
Programme Executives with Social Service Agencies

Keynote Lecture | Video Vanguard: Channelling Body, Society and Spirit in Southeast Asia by Dr Edwin Jurriëns
2023-10-13 18:00 - 19:00 | National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew's Rd, #01 – 01,, Singapore, 178957, Singapore
Keynote Lecture | Video Vanguard: Channelling Body, Society and Spirit in Southeast Asia by Dr Edwin Jurriëns
Fri 13 Oct | 6pm | City Hall Wing, Basement 1, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium | Free, registration required: https://bit.ly/SMSY_KeynoteLecture

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In this keynote lecture, Dr Edwin Jurriëns (Convenor and Associate Professor of Indonesian Studies at the Asia Institute, Faculty of Arts, The University of Melbourne) will discuss various concepts and contexts related to the interpretation of the works in the “See Me, See You” exhibition, arguing that the artists and their works are part of the Southeast Asian creative vanguard of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Dr Jurriëns proposes that this pioneering quality is reflected in their ability to break with the notion of the autonomy of art before reconnecting it with the praxis of life, presenting artistic innovation and imaginative visions for a better world. Moreover, the works set in motion dynamic processes of creation and reflection where audiences play an active part. Instead of just being static objects or technological tools, they can be seen as forms of corporeal, social and spiritual channelling.

The lecture will be followed by an exhibition launch reception for Part 2 of “See Me, See You: Early Video Installation of Southeast Asia”.

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About the Speaker

Edwin Jurriëns is Convenor and Associate Professor of Indonesian Studies at the Asia Institute, Faculty of Arts, The University of Melbourne. His main research interests lie in environmental and socially engaged art and media. His publications include the monographs ‘The Art of Environmental Activism in Indonesia: Shifting Horizons’ (Routledge, 2023) and ‘Visual Media in Indonesia: Video Vanguard’ (Routledge, 2017), as well as the edited volume ‘Digital Indonesia: Connectivity and Divergence’ (ISEAS, 2017).

He is editor of the ‘Asian Visual Cultures’ book series published by Amsterdam University Press and regional editor of ‘The Newsletter’ of the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS). He has had fellowships with the Institute for Area Studies at Leiden University, Monash Art, Design and Architecture at Monash University in Melbourne, The Graduate Institute in Geneva, The University of New South Wales in Canberra, and IIAS in Leiden. He was co-convenor of the 2016 Indonesia Update of the Australian National University in Canberra.

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About the exhibition

Join us on a journey back in time to and explore the history of video installation art with “See Me, See You: Early Video Installation of Southeast Asia”. This two-part exhibition offers a fascinating look at the pivotal moments when video installation first emerged in the 1980s and 1990s.

Through experimentation, these ten Southeast Asian Artists combined installation, performance, audience participation together with video, leading to a new form of art as a result of their interdisciplinary approach.

In its first instalment, featuring works by Apinan Poshyananda (Thailand), Baharudin Mohd Arus (Malaysia), Chng Nai Wee (Singapore), Johnny Manahan (Philippines) and Jean Marie Syjuco (Philippines).

The second part, opening in October, will showcase works by Heri Dono (Indonesia), Hasnul Saidon (Malaysia), Ray Langenbach (Malaysia), Vincent Leow (Singapore) and Krisna Murti (Indonesia).

Artwork credit: Vincent Leow. “Dream World”. 1990. Installation view of National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore, 1990. Image courtesy of the artist. © Vincent Leow

Lapse by Melati Suryodarmo (Indonesia)
2023-10-13 19:30 - 20:30 | Esplanade Annexe Studio, 1 Esplanade Drive, 038981, Singapore
Known for her bold, durational solo performances, acclaimed Indonesian visual and performance artist Melati Suryodarmo premieres Lapse, a new dance creation performed by collaborators from Indonesia, Taiwan and Singapore.
First released as two short films, this iteration marks the live performance premiere of Lapse. Here, Suryodarmo dives into the metamorphic constellation of body and environment through evocative, visceral imagery suspended in factual absurdity. With sound design and live music by Yuen Chee Wai from Singapore music collective The Observatory, Suryodarmo orchestrates movement patterns that steer the group of performers to connect by failures while collectively attempting a new structure and alchemy of senses.
Drawing inspiration from by-products of chaos and situations that represent a gradual decline in the efficiency, stability, and overall functioning of society, Lapse signifies a transition from a state of order and coherence to one of disorder and confusion. Within this deep-rooted turbulence, Suryodarmo points to the symptomatic nature of systemic breakdowns, ethical decline and societal disillusionment of our time. While lapses in society begin to manifest through the decay of behaviour, diminishing social cohesion, ruptured institutions and the disintegration of moral frameworks, the work investigates the unpredictable space between reality and a vision of collective commitment towards change.
Lapse by Melati Suryodarmo is commissioned by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
This production is presented as part of da:ns focus – Connect Asia Now (CAN), a weekend that spotlights contemporary dance works by Asian artists focusing on distinct voices and creative impulses from the region.

13 & 14 by TAO Dance Theater
2023-10-13 20:00 - 21:30 | Singtel Waterfront Theatre at The Esplanade, 8 Raffles Ave., Singapore 039802, Singapore, Singapore, 039802, Singapore
“Tao Ye is emerging rapidly as a force to be reckoned with, as well as the most exciting name in modern dance.”
– Time Out Beijing
“Absolutely amazing … An extraordinary experience for the audience.”
– Västerbottens-Kuriren (Sweden)
After their sold-out performance at da:ns festival nine years ago, the acclaimed TAO Dance Theater takes the stage at Esplanade once again, this time on a grander scale with 14 dancers at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre. The award-winning contemporary dance company presents a double bill of 13 and 14, the two latest instalments of choreographer Tao Ye’s signature Numerical Series. Known for their distinct minimalist stye of repetition and restriction, TAO has found immense success worldwide and is recognised as one of Asia’s leading contemporary dance companies.
This production is presented as part of da:ns focus – Connect Asia Now (CAN), a weekend that spotlights contemporary dance works by Asian artists focusing on distinct voices and creative impulses from the region.

Singapore Flamenco Festival 2023
2023-10-13 20:00 - 2023-10-15 20:00 | Esplanade Recital Studio, 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore, 038981, Singapore
Singapore Flamenco Festival 2023
Get ready for an unforgettable Flamenco Journey 13-15 Oct !
13 Oct, 8pm: Reflections of Time: Triple Bill
A groundbreaking triple bill by the Flamenco Sin Fronteras company, “Reflections of Time” starts with a dance drama of a man tranversing the realms of life and death; then a meditation of the meaning of time in TS Elliot’s Burnt Norton, and lastly a de-construction and interplay of rhythms, time and space between 3 cultures
14 Oct, 8pm/ 15 Oct, 3pm: The Golden Age of Flamenco
‘The Golden Age of Flamenco” brings us back in Time, to a period where the history of Flamenco was created. We pay tribute to the purity of music, dance, song that make our archives come alive with 4 of the best Flamenco artistes in Spain today, featuring Luis de Luis,Claudia la debla, Miguel Lavi and David Caro.

Mali Bucha: Dance Offering by Kornkarn Rungsawang (Thailand)
2023-10-13 21:00 - 22:30 | Esplanade Theatre Studio, 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore, 038981, Singapore
Cross material and virtual worlds with up-and-coming choreographer Kornkarn Rungsawang in this ritual-inspired performance that combines dance, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Rum Kea Bon is an ancient ritual performed at shrines and temples in Thailand where dance is used as a tool for negotiation by humans towards higher beings in a bid to make wishes come true. The charming dancer, hired as a messenger to access higher beings, enhances the likelihood of one’s wish fulfilment.
Inspired by this ritual, Kornkarn created Mali Bucha: Dance Offering, a hybrid constellation of augmented reality, virtual reality and dance. This immersive and participatory iteration of Rum Kea Bon crosses between physical and immaterial worlds, with a digital shrine accessible through AR and VR throughout the duration of the performance. Audience members will be able to view, make wishes and offer flowers to the digital shrine, with VR headsets present on site for audiences.
Kornkarn thus acts as an interface between the material plane (the real-time audience) and the digital realm (the virtual shrine), communicating individual wishes and thanksgiving to higher beings through dance. Flowing as a current throughout Mali Bucha is a belief system that concerns itself with duality—economics and ecology, image and sound, old and new, the mundane and the transcendent.
This performance marks the full-length premiere of Mali Bucha: Dance Offering, after being workshopped at various leading platforms in Asia and Europe, such as Dance Nucleus in Singapore, Kinosaki International Arts Centre in Japan, and Tanz Kongress in Germany. As a dancer, Kornkarn has spent years performing with the renowned Pichet Klunchun and training in both classical and contemporary dance forms. Now as a dancemaker to watch, she continues to bridge the traditional and contemporary, reflecting modern cultural impulses of this generation.
Mali Bucha: Dance Offering is commissioned by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
This production is presented as part of da:ns focus – Connect Asia Now (CAN), a weekend that spotlights contemporary dance works by Asian artists focusing on distinct voices and creative impulses from the region.

BMSG FES'22 (Online)
2023-10-14 - 2023-10-31 | Online
BMSG, a trailblazer in Japan’s music industry, has just concluded BMSG FES’23, a two-weekend music extravaganza which took place in Tokyo and Osaka to celebrate its third anniversary. This year’s festival expands its horizons, introducing a fresh concept with two venues and two new songs, marking a significant milestone in BMSG’s journey. BMSG FES’23 took place in both Tokyo and Osaka, Japan’s two largest cities, showcasing the depth and diversity of Japanese music culture. BMSG has just announced that they will be streaming the recording of the full festival online for fans worldwide.
The Music: “The Sun from the EAST” and “The Moon in the WEST“
BMSG FES’23 features not one but two new songs, each an ode to the talent and creativity of the BMSG family. Following the tradition of “New Chapter” which was previously produced by BMSG CEO and rapper, SKY-HI and Ryosuke “Dr.R” Sakai, the 2 songs “The Sun from the EAST” and “The Moon in the WEST” were released on 18 September 2023.
Additionally at BMSG FES’23, rare collaborative moments were unveiled throughout the event. Notable collaborative performances included ‘YOLO’ by Team C, featuring Aile The Shota, SHUNTO, REIKO, RUI, and TAIKI, which showcased a reunion of talent from the auditions program ‘THE FIRST,’ which brought energy to the forefront. BMSG artists Novel Core, SHUNTO (BE:FIRST), and RYOKI (BE:FIRST) joined forces to deliver ‘MF,’ a new collaborative hip-hop track that left the audience wanting more. ‘One More Day Remix‘ was a nostalgic highlight, the latter half of the song was performed by BMSG’s original four artist trainees – REIKO, RAN, KAIRYU, and SEITO – who embarked on their journey together during the ‘MISSIONx2‘ auditions program from Day 1. ‘One More Day Remix’ closes the section as a surprise to all audiences, where solo artists and groups collaborate one after another in a non-stop medley for half an hour before handing over to the grand finale. These performances were just a glimpse of the magic that unfolded at BMSG FES’23, making it an unforgettable celebration of music and talent.
BMSG FES’23 Streaming Details
BMSG FES’23 is not just for local fans in Japan, it is a celebration with the world. Overseas fans will have the opportunity to stream over 60 songs performed by 23 BMSG artists over 4 hours from 14 October 2023, via Zaiko.
Start Date of Streaming: 14 October 2023, Saturday from 5PM SGT
Streaming period: 14 to 31 October 2023
Video duration: 4.5 hours
Language: Japanese with English subtitles for talk sections and stage banter
Ticket Purchase online for Streaming: Through 31 October 2023 8PM SGT
Price: 4,800 JPY *additional service fees of 473 JPY excluded (approximately SGD 44, with an additional service fee of SGD 4.35 excluded)
URL: ZAIKO – BMSG FES’23 streaming
*Please run a test viewing prior to purchasing of tickets to confirm the service availability in your area. (ZAIKO STREAMING TEST)

New Scripts Garage Nov 2023: Malay-language Edition
2023-10-14 12:00 - 2023-10-18 12:00 | 42 Waterloo St, 42 Waterloo St, 187951, Singapore
The New Scripts Garage is a regular offer of dramaturgical support for new scripts, convened every other month, with low barriers to entry. On a regular basis, we open our inboxes for script submissions from playwrights seeking dramaturgical support for their work.
For the November 2023 cycle, we are collaborating with Teater Ekamatra to offer a Malay-language edition, that will accept up to eight scripts through an Open Call.

This programme prioritises writer development over polish and aims to get the writer excited to work on the next draft of their script, with a clearer sense of where to go.
Script Eligibility:

We are accepting plays in the Malay-language or predominantly (at least 80%) in the Malay-language for this special edition. Translations are welcome where available.
We are not accepting straight adaptations of other work (e.g. novels, films), but will accept adaptations with a clear creative, re-inventive, and/or radical approach.
We prioritise completed drafts of full length plays and shorter plays. We may consider partially complete drafts of scripts with extensive scenes.

DRUM UP JB!
2023-10-14 14:00 - 21:30 | Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House, Johor Bahru, Mercu 2, Jalan Tanjung Puteri 1, R&F Puteri, Johor Bahru, Johor, 80300, Malaysia
Drum Up JB! is a collaboration between KL-based Orang Orang Drum Theatre (OODT) and Johore’s JB Drums, inspired by the multiple facets of the Malaysian identity including diverse musical instruments of Malaysian cultures.
The show has been constantly evolving with new ideas and improvements since it was first performed at the magnificent jewel-shaped opera house early this year, thus making the upcoming show better than all its previous offerings.
The recently received ArtsFAS grant has also enabled new additions of theatrical elements including impressive multimedia sensory designs and hi-tech lighting to the artistic visual and auditory experience, hence complementing the explosive energy of the percussion ensemble, drumming combinations and physical movements.
Drum Up JB! is a 90-minute performance encapsulating two themes – ‘24 Festive Drums’ and ‘LaguKu.’
The first theme ‘24 Festive Drums’ features 24 drums, each representing the 24 festivals in the lunar calendar which have guided the farmers in China for thousands of years.
In 2009, 24 Festive Drums was recognised as a Malaysian National Intangible Cultural Heritage, turning it into a heritage performance. It has since been embraced across 5 continents, with over 400 troupes around the world.
One of the highlights of the first half of the show is a performance called ‘The Memories’ which is inspired by the history of Malaysian Chinese ancestors migrating southward in search of a way out, wishing to gain survival on foreign land.
It depicts how people went through a series of adversity and mishaps, sailing across the sea, borders and cities to a foreign place, in the pursuit of a new beginning.
The second theme ‘LaguKu’ explores the interwoven values, cultures and experiences of Malaysians through music, featuring folk songs in different mother tongues.
This performance blends vocal expression and physical movement with diverse music instruments from different cultures, such as the aboriginal people of Malaysia (kuling tangan), Malay (Gendang, Kompang), Chinese (Shigu) and world music instruments (shaker, wood xylophone, etc).
According to the co-founder of OODT Zyee Leow, the different instruments, though having unique sounds of their own, creates a beautiful ‘rojak’ of sounds and cultures once blended – very much resembling the Malaysian identity.
Besides the spectacular performance itself, the venue of ‘Drum Up JB!’ – Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House – is another great pulling factor making it a not-to-be missed show.
Opened in early 2020 and named after the wife of Johor’s ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar – Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, the state-of-the-art opera house is built across 114,430 square feet of reclaimed land and has an impressive architecture of a distinctive jewel-shaped facade. It overlooks the Woodlands Causeway and has a breathtaking view of the sea.
Drum Up JB! has been a bimonthly programme at the opera house since early of the year, taking place at the main performance hall which encompasses an intimate setting of 600 seats constituting 500 normal seats and 100 VIP box seats.
Drum Up JB! also offers post-show discussion with the creative team at 4PM on 14th October, Museum of 24 Festive Drums Guided Walk at 10.30am on 15th October and 24 Festive Drums Workshop at 1.30PM on 15th October. The events will be conducted in English and Mandarin. All events are free, except for the drumming workshop which requires an entrance donation.
Besides ArtsFAS, Yayasan Hasanah and the Ministry of Finance, Drum Up JB! is also supported by R&F Development, Think City, Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru, Malaysia Digital Districts, Sun Bus Tech Sdn Bhd and Wiwynn Malaysia.
The upcoming show on the 14 October offers two showtimes 2PM and 8PM and will be the second last show of the season at the opera house. The final show will take place on 30th December.
To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/drum-up-jb
For more information, please visit https://www.drumupjb.com/
