DISCOVER SINGAPORE’S ARTS WEEKEND CIVIC DISTRICT EVERY LAST WEEKEND OF THE MONTH
PUBLISHED March 30th, 2018 02:30 pm | UPDATED July 24th, 2024 11:12 am
The Civic District has been the stage for many cultural happenings, such as the magical Light To Night Festival, dance movement Got To Move, and Singapore Writers Festival. But did you know? The last weekend of every month sees a whole slew of arts programmes where young and old alike can appreciate high quality live music, join in interactive programmes and catch art exhibitions of the museums within the Civic District.
The first edition of Music@Empress 2018 heard the dynamic duo ShiLi and Adi perform in full harmony, the soulful vocals and expressive guitar of Umar Sihan, and even rock music with KINGS SG. Don’t miss it on 31 March 2018, 6pm-7.30pm this month!
Easy-going and family friendly, the atmosphere of this urban picnic is enhanced by colourful mats and beanbags scattered across the lawn for you to ease in comfortably. Just bring your own food; the organisers will be providing the popcorn. To redeem, simply like the National Arts Council’s Facebook Page or follow @nacsingapore on Instagram. Be sure to check out National Arts Council’s Facebook Page for monthly giveaways too!
The last weekend of the month is also the best time to catch exhibitions at special rates and free admission. So if you’re already heading down to Music@Empress, why not learn about the land of pho and non la at Asian Civilisation Museum (ACM)’s Pho-Nomenal Vietnam? Watch folk stories come to life with traditional Vietnamese cultural performances and the little ones can even bring home a piece of art after a hands-on craft activity inspired by objects in the museum collection.
If you’re in the mood to stroll down memory lane, skip over to The Arts House for Standing Through Time – The Arts House from the 1800s. The first of its kind in Singapore, this self-guided pictorial journey back in time follows the building’s construction in 1826 and its evolving roles in the historical development of Singapore.
Those who can’t make it for Music@Empress, fret not; the musicality of the weekend actually starts the night before at Esplanade, where Novo Winds – a community band under the baton and new musical direction of conductor Joseph Teo – brings a series of cool classics such as Abba Gold, Do-Re-Mi, Beauty and the Beast and more at 7.30pm, 8.45pm, and 10pm at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre.
Alternatively, on Sunday (1 April) at Victoria Concert Hall, Russian-British violinist Alina Ibragimova will be joining Singapore Symphony Orchestra in paying homage to three great Russian musicians, featuring the sweet yearnings of Tchaikovsky’s lyricism, the impish energy of Prokofiev, and the dark astringency and twilit enigma of Shostakovich’s Third String Quartet.
Whichever night you head out over the long weekend, why not cap it off at iLight Marina Bay? Southeast Asia’s leading sustainable light art festival is extending into Esplanade Park in the Civic District for the first time. Happening now until Sunday, 1 April, and it certainly will enhance what promises to be an inspiring night out!
For more information and updates, follow the National Arts Council, National Gallery Singapore, The Arts House, Esplanade and the Asian Civilizations Museum on Facebook.
