Kevin MakNyctophiles, mark your calendars – this year’s Singapore Night Festival will be happening from 18 – 26 August! Themed “10 Magical Years,” the 10th anniversary of this annual bonanza promises a spectacular line-up of dazzling light art installations in the heart of the city.
Nestled in the artistic precinct of Bras Basah and Bugis, this year’s instalment invites Singaporeans and visitors alike to take to the streets and be entertained through the night. From 7.30pm to 12 midnight, one can expect a feast for the eyes as you navigate your way through the many night light installations.
There will also be a line-up of musical performances at the Festival Village to keep everyone entertained and the area’s architecture comprising of rustic buildings and contemporary landmarks makes for a stunning festival backdrop – definitely something you wouldn’t want to miss!
Image credit: Jnzl’s Photos
So what can one actually do at the Singapore Night Fest, you ask?
Here’s the scoop on what to expect:
What: Singapore Night Festival 2017
Where: Bras Basah and Bugis Precinct
When: 18–26 August 2017
Marvel at illuminated landmarks
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Image credit: SG Yung
Image credit: Pinprestige
What’s a night festival without an array of night light installations to gawk at in awe? Every year, the Singapore Art Museum and the National Museum of Singapore are transformed into ephemeral works of wonder with a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours on display. This year’s will definitely be no different!
Be prepared to ogle at a variety of art performances and installations such as ‘Globe’ by Close Act, which uses circus techniques and pyrotechnics to create a visualization of the liberty and joy of flying, and ‘The Bulb Heads’ by Sans Compagnie Fixe, which features two roaming silhouettes with bulbs for heads communicating through the flickering of lights. There are also interesting and interactive installations that go beyond visual appreciation such as ‘Flock’ by KMA and ‘Les Hommes Debout’ (The Standing Men) by Pierre Amoudruz, Victor Roux and Valentin Durif, which invite you to explore the narrative from different perspectives or even start a dialogue with the artists!
You should definitely also look out for ‘Nostos: Records of The Self’ by Aesop, as this engaging installation involves using your sense of olfactory aka smell. By imprinting the aroma to memory, visitors use their nose to navigate their way around this installation space! Inspired of the words nostos and algos which mean homecoming and ache respectively, Aesop uses nostalgia as a trigger down memory lane for this exhibit to mark the Festival’s 10th anniversary. How novel!
Take to the streets that come alive
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Image credit: ocm.on
Fancy some live band performances or feeling peckish and looking to grab a bite? Head down to the Festival Village and be treated to a variety of eats and performances from homecoming bands such as Timbre Music’s New Stream Brass Band, Lunisolar Vibes by ZingO Festival Drum Group and Homemade: Lindy Rocks! By Raw Earth which is a blend of electric energy music styles! Get ready to groove to the beat as you dance the night away!
Do take note that performances will only be held on three consecutive nights from 24-26 August 2017, so that you get more time to check out the festival’s diverse offerings. Get ready to groove to the beat as you dance the night away!
Apart from live band music, DECK also presents ‘Play to Screen’ which is a visual and music performance which celebrates the beauty of image making. For two nights under the stars, witness Magnum Photos, Aik Beng Chia and Mindy Tan on an outdoor projection, accompanied by young music talents Lim Han Quan and Kevin Tan from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. There will even be a special screening of ‘Wagner, Genius in Exile’ which documents the trail of renowned composer, Richard Wagner’s exile to Switzerland, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for it!
Traipse through 5 zones with over 70 exciting programmes and activities created by over 65 local and international artists to inspire, amaze and enchant you! Want to experience the best of the Night Festival? Then you should definitely check out the themed trails to help you maximise your time! Named Magic of Love, Magic of Imagination and Magic of Chance, choose one that appeals to you the most for an adventure with new sights and sounds! Tired of walking? Why not participate in the Bicycle Trail? This year, Hello, Bicycle! offers festivalgoers a whole new way of experiencing the Night Festival as you whizz through the streets on wheels! Don’t have a bike? No problem, just rent one for free!
Explore cultural institutions after hours
Image credit: John M. Quick
Image credit: howieccw
Image credit: howieccw
Prepare for a cultural immersion through the night as landmarks such as the National Museum of Singapore, the Peranakan Museum and The Substation remain open till the wee hours of the morning! A fantastic line-up of displays, events and shows promises to make your nighttime museum-hopping dreams come true.
Are you sold yet? The Singapore Night Festival is more than just another outdoor performing arts festival, it’s a platform for artists to come together to collaborate, create and engage festival-goers of all ages. So hurry and mark your calendars! We promise you that this is one event you wouldn’t want to miss, especially since it’ll be its 10th anniversary.
