Every first Wednesday of the month, ArtsEquator releases our editor’s picks of shows/events/programmes that our readers can look out for in that month.
This list in published in no particular order.
1. VECTOR#1: An Economy Of Means
Physical show: 16-18 April, Block O Multipurpose Studios, Goodman Arts Centre
[SINGAPORE/In-venue] Dance Nucleus presents its new presentation platform, VECTOR #1: An Economy of Means, which supports the work of independent performers. The event issues its artists the challenge of presenting a work rich with meaning using minimal means. Billed as an exhibition of experimental live art, the event presents six solo works by Singapore-based artists Hasyimah Harith, Pat Toh, Norhaizad Adam, Dapheny Chen, Hwa Wei-An; and Jereh Leung, who will perform a piece by guest artist River Lin (Taipei/Paris). With a single ticket, audiences can attend all days of the three-day exhibition.
2. Under The SEA on demand
Anytime
[THAILAND/SEA/Video On Demand] Is Southeast Asia finally having its moment? I’m not sure, but the pandemic has definitely encouraged artists and arts workers in the region to connect and have more conversations with one another. In a stroke of genius, in lieu of a physical BIPAM its organisers instead launched Under The SEA, inviting artists, educators, journalists, art makers and more from all 11 Southeast Asian countries (yes, Brunei and Timor-Leste too). The videos are now available on demand, and there are plans to upload more resources relating to contemporary performing arts, all of which will be accessible via a one-time payment.
3. PerForm
April 2021-March 2024, with first digital lecture on 6 May 2021
[SINGAPORE] Thought leadership and knowledge production and sharing is a big part of the ethos for T:>Works, which recently announced its new 3-year fellowship programme PerForm. In response to the recent developments, including the pandemic and losses of space in Singapore, the company is focusing on the idea of multiple ‘locals’, from local practices to an individual’s engagement with their local communities. The announced fellows include Ho Rui An, Jerrine Tan, Munirah Mansoor, Nurul Huda Rashid, Shubigi Rao, and Wong Bing Hao. Shubigi Rao will present the inaugural lecture on 6 May.
4. The Room 記忘錄
7-9 May, 8pm (GMT+8)
[MALAYSIA/Online] I have to confess, I don’t know exactly what to expect from this online show by Sabahan company PITaPAT Theatre. There’s something about a man and woman, two rooms, memory and a mystery. It is apparently a deconstruction/reconstruction of its 2017 show, Kakak, an adaption of Jean Genet’s The Maids, but The Room feels like a departure from this. Still, the lack of more information, in contrast to the surfeit of information online, makes for enough of an intriguing prospect.
5. You Are Here
2 Apr-2 May 2021, Wild Rice @ Funan
[SINGAPORE/In-venue] Poet and storyteller Pooja Nansi’s warmly personal theatre show from 2015/2016 makes a welcomed return to WILD Rice’s intimate theatre in Funan. You Are Here combines songs, storytelling and spoken word, and a presentation of documentation, photos and artefacts to tell a compelling story of family, belonging and identity across oceans and time. Pooja also has a new book of poetry out, We Make Spaces Divine, which has struck the chord for many members of minority communities in Singapore.
ArtsEquator is introducing three new series in 2021 – Hot List, Teaser Tuesday and Cakap-Cakap – to help promote shows, events and other arts and culture programmes in Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia. Read here for more.
To submit a show/event/programme for consideration for any our new three series, you must fill in this form. All entries to be featured must be submitted by the 15th of the preceding month. ArtsEquator reserves the right not to publish any information that is shared, at our editorial discretion.
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.