Join the culture club and hit up the Civic District for a weekend of fascinating exhibitions, live performances and interactive workshops.
Whoever said that Singapore’s one of the least exciting cities in the world must have been living under a pretty large rock. Aside from boasting some of the world’s best bars, Michelin restaurants and the coolest gigs (Dua Lipa, we’re looking at you), the local culture scene is growing at a phenomenal pace. Case in point: Arts Weekend Civic District is shaking up the whole precinct with heaps of exhibitions, free performances and workshops, all happening every last weekend of the month. How’s that for a clapback?
Culture vultures and connoisseurs of complementary events, simply pop into any one of the Civic District’s arts venues from 30 March to 1 April – Asian Civilisations Museum, The Arts House, Esplanade, National Gallery Singapore, Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall – and catch any one of the free programmes below.
Saturdays@ACM: Pho-nomenal Vietnam
31 March
Curious about Vietnamese culture? The Asian Civilisations Museum is shining the spotlight on Vietnam in the latest in its family-friendly series, Saturdays@ACM. Expect folk stories, traditional performances and arts and crafts inspired by historical artefacts in the museum.
Saturdays@ACM: Pho-nomenal Vietnam, 31 March 2018 (1-5pm), 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555.
Music@Empress
31 March
Great news for those who prefer a picnic under the stars to chin-wagging over a canvas – BYOB (bring your own basket) and kick back at the Empress Lawn for a performance by Vietnamese band 16s, and a Đàn đá (Vietnamese Lithophone) showcase by Thao. The ACM is celebrating all-things Vietnamese, so don’t miss this live cultural music event!
Music@Empress, 31 March 2018 (6-7.30pm), Empress Place, Singapore 179555.
i Light Marina Bay
Now ‘til 1 April
No arts festival is complete without those Insta-worthy installations and seriously, what would we do without the ‘gram? Trigger-happy spectators, here’s where you can go for a visual treat that’ll light up your feed. This year, i Light Marina Bay is extending into the Civic District’s and transforming Esplanade Park with six installations (out of the 22 sustainable light art showcases) by both local and international artists from 14 countries.
i Light Marina Bay, now until 1 April 2018, Marina Bay district.
Standing Through Time – The Arts House from the 1800s
From 26 March
Turn back the clock and see how The Arts House has evolved with Singapore since the 19th century, in a brand new permanent exhibition that features maps, paintings and photographs with over 200 years of history. We say its perfect fodder for the next trivia night.
Standing Through Time – The Arts House from the 1800s, from 26 March, 1 Old Parliament Lane, Singapore 179429.
Novo Winds
30 March
If you are a real sucker for nostalgic tunes from Abba, Disney and the Sound of Music, then you’ll want to catch this concert by community band Novo Winds. We know you won’t be able to resist a Dancing Queen singalong.
Novo Winds, 30 March 2018 (7.30pm, 8.45pm and 10pm), Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981.
Wandering in Black and White by Tang Ling Nah at Art Playscape
30-31 March
For more family fun, drop by the National Gallery Singapore’s newly refreshed “playscape” at the Keppel Centre for Art Education, which packs a fascinating lineup of activities. You can even create your own characters inspired by an iconic masterpiece by Singapore artist Liu Kang – and watch them come to life.
Here’s something for the kids: The National Gallery Singapore is also making recycling fun for visitors by encouraging them to build miniature cities using recycled materials at Tabletop City. Lesser ipad time, and more hands-on creativity? You bet we’re in.
Wandering in Black and White by Tang Ling Nah and Drop-in Activity: Tabletop City, 30-31 March 2018 (10am-6pm), National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957.
Russian at Heart
1 April
Meander in the fervoured expressions of classical music’s romantic and contemporary superstars – Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Shostakovic – performed by Russian-British violinist Alina Ibragimova and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Our tip: this is best savoured with deep, existential musings and a glass of fine red.
Russian at Heart, 1 April (4pm), Victoria Concert Hall, 9 Empress Place, Singapore 179556. Tickets are available via SISTIC.
This article is sponsored by the National Arts Council