PUBLISHED August 2nd, 2020 05:00 am | UPDATED August 9th, 2020 11:15 am
Singapore turns 55 this year and that calls for a celebration – as different it may look this year. If you are still undecided about your National Day plans, check out what to eat here, plus we have things to keep you busy throughout the week. Revel in the magic of music and storytelling through Checkpoint Theatre‘s latest online production or kickstart your own music career with AKA Sounds‘ DJing workshop. Need an escape from reality? Explore the fascinating virtual world in Reza Hasni’s interactive online exhibition or enjoy a movie night with your family under the stars.
Escape to the Virtual World in Centre for Altered Togetherness
Explore six virtual worlds through Reza Hasni‘s participative online solo exhibition, Centre for Altered Togetherness (C-A-T), developed in collaboration with local designer Tiong Hong Siah (founder of Screensavers), sound designer Tengo La Firma and curator Tulika Ahuja (founder of MAMA MAGNET). This one-of-a-kind experience lets users worldwide interact with each other while understanding the dynamic relationship between the virtual and physical world through Reza’s signature psychedelic-style artwork. See the delicate balance between man and nature through a maze in Motherearth, solve a puzzle world in Soul Searching and juxtapose the future with the past through Fantasy.
Centre for Altered Togetherness is available online for both mobile and desktop users from 7 August until 31 December 2020. The first 200 visitors get a chance to send a customised postcard from C-A-T to anywhere in the world, free of cost.
Watch a Movie Under The Stars
Movie nights are about to get a whole lot better as Downtown East brings back its monthly drive-in movie screenings, which kicks off this week with the award-winning musical The Greatest Showman. Watch ugh Jackman, Zendaya and Zac Efron on a 12-metre by eight-metre screen under the stars at the Begonia open-air carpark, with the audio beamed directly to your car stereo via FM frequency for your own “surround sound”. Movie munchies like Burgers (S$4.50) and Soft Drinks (S$1.50 each) from Ministry of Burgers, as well as snacks (from S$2) from Candy House, can be delivered right to your car by Hi-Roller servers on roller skates – sense a retro vibe yet? Only forty cars with up to five persons in each are allowed, so get your tickets soon!
The first Drive-in Movie Screening is happening on 8 August 2020 from 7.30pm – 10pm. Tickets are priced at S$18 per car. Get your tickets here.
Learn The Basics of DJing with AKA Sounds
Ever wished you could spin tracks like your favourite DJ? Who better to learn from than homegrown DJ Amanda Keisha Ang (stage name AKA Sounds) herself? Starting from church choirs and girl power bands, Amanda has worked her way up to being one of the industry’s coolest beatmakers. Take the first step towards your dream by signing up for her Intro To Basics of DJing Workshop (S$60). Through this three-hour-long beginner class, you will be able to grasp the fundamentals of DJing and equipment set up and learn beatmatching with the aid of a live demo. Wrap it up with a one-to-one practise sesh with AKA Sounds to solidify your techniques.
Intro to Basics of DJing Workshop is happening on 2 August 2020 at 11am – 2pm and 3pm – 6pm. Get your tickets here.
Stay Home Shorts
Staying in for the National Day long weekend? There’s no better time to ruminate on what it means to be Singaporean. For National Day, the Singapore Art Museum has put together a special lineup from local filmmakers for its series Stay Home Shorts. Savour the everyday sights and sounds of Singapore afresh with Royston Tan’s 36 Ways to Say Good Morning, or take a walk down memory lane with Ervin Han’s bittersweet look at time and age, Playgrounds.
Stay Home Shorts is available from 7 to 16 August 2020, via Singapore Art Museum’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
Check Out Two Songs and a Story by Checkpoint Theatre
Birthed from the uncertain and difficult times of isolation, Two Songs and a Story blends music with the art of storytelling in this online video series directed by Huzir Sulaiman. Watch and be moved by the touching monologues and musical performances of five talented artists, ants chua, Inch Chua, Jo Tan, Rebekah Dorai and weish, as they craft a multi-faceted portrait of strength and fragility, peace and disruption based on their personal experiences. The video stream will be valid for 72 hours from the date of purchase of your e-ticket.
Two Songs and a Story is happening from 6 August to 31 August 2020. Tickets are priced at S$15 each and available for purchase here.