ART & ENTERTAINMENT IN SINGAPORE

The Arts scene showcases events and performances, ranging from the classical to the avant-garde. Art aficionados may take their pick from classical music concerts by world renowned local soloists, plays, or outdoor performances like the Singapore Dance Theatre's "Ballet Under the Stars".

For a distinctly Singaporean experience, try watching a production by one of Singapore's many multilingual  theatre companies. Arts groups like The Necessary Stage, TheatreWorks and Action Theatre put on productions in English, Theatre Kami in Malay, The Theatre Practice in Mandarin and Agni Kootthu in Tamil and English.

The Singapore Arts Festival is held every year in the month of June. The two-week Arts marathon covers a wide spectrum of performance art, dance and music. Arts on the Move takes theatre beyond the confines of traditional performance venues, to parks, town centres and pedestrian malls. The Late Night Series, a hit with the trendy crowd, features experimental works which blend theatre with multimedia technology.

Singapore also plays host to the popular World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) festival, where the pulsating beats of world music infuse a colourful display of ethnic crafts and cuisine. Check out WOMAD Singapore for more information on the festival dates and performance calendar.

 

Those who prefer blockbuster entertainment will not be disappointed as extravaganzas like Cirque du Soleil, Les Misérables and Miss Saigon have made their appearances here. International superstars like Mariah Carey, Buena Vista Social Club, Laura Fygi and Faye Wong also make Singapore their obligatory port-of-call on their Asian tours.

The Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay, a new performing arts centre at Marina Bay, will feature a 1,800 seat concert hall, a lyric theatre, outdoor performance spaces and an 8,000 square metre retail mall.

Contact the National Arts Council for a list of local Arts groups and performance venues.

Sneak a peek at the Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay.

Check out the Substation - an intimate performance space for workshops and installations and the DBS Arts Centre - home of the Singapore Repertory Theatre.

PASS THE POPCORN!

With ticket prices significantly cheaper here than many other countries, movies are the reigning passion of most Singaporeans.

The accessibility of multiplexes and corresponding timing of film releases with the US and the UK make cinemas a favourite haunt on weekends.