Singapore Night Festival 2015

By Dejiki on August 22, 2015 in Art+Culture, Photos

With glittering lights, music and art, Singapore Night Festival 2015 is set to dazzle. Check out photos of Night Fest 2015 here!

In celebration of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee, this year’s Night Festival promises an exciting line-up of street shows, installations and activities. It felt like there are more things to see and do compared to last year’s edition, with an emphasis on dialogue with the installations.

It should take some 4-5 hours to experience a few shows and Night Lights, and even more if you are catching the ticketed events. Some performances are scheduled for the second weekend, so you might need to come back for a few nights.

The Anooki Celebrate Singapore – a cute video projection on the facade of the National Museum. A total crowdpleaser. Repeats throughout the night.

The installation ends off with a ~~Blood Moon~~.. SG50 logo that felt like the artists were forced to include.

Le Desir Et La Menace – Three wire bird sculptures perched on the National Museum’s famous Banyan Tree.

A Little Nonya’s Dream – Projection Mapping. See dreams of a a Nonya girl come to life on a paper Peranakan mansion.

Singapore Night Festival 2015 - A Little Nonya's Dreams 2

And So They Say – Wind up the crank handle of the film projector to view stories from the pioneer generation.

Tennis Swing – Swings with a sporty twist, one that create an environment mimicking a tennis match.

Singapore Night Festival 2015 - Tennis Swing Girl Solo

There might be a queue for Tennis Swing, though.

While you’re here, you can also check out the 50 Made in Singapore Products exhibition.

This year, Singapore Art Museum will play host to a few acts by the Starlight Alchemy. From the first night alone, this is clearly the most popular attraction at this year’s Night Festival.

Catching lights, fire and sound, this multi-disciplinary flow arts show also makes great use of LED objects that activate with the music. Don’t know how it works but the audience is instructed to switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices.

Starlight Alchemy’s famous ‘fire helix’ is performed with an LED variation (for at least the first Act, I think).

Singapore Night Festival 2015 - Starlight Alchemy presents ALCHEMY Act 1 - Shock of Recognition 3

This year’s Festival Village is held at the SMU Green, which is much more central than Cathay Green last year.

As you walk around the Festival Village, don’t be alarmed to hear the drifting sound of drums, and the trampling footsteps shortly after. Festival visitors are drawn to the lights of Spark!

As if in a trance, the performers march around different festival zones, turning their heads in unison. I was lucky to encounter them twice without even planning for it.

Singapore Night Festival 2015 - Spark! by World Beaters Music (UK) 3

The House of Glamour is a new addition that houses several performances, including Kumar’s Cabaret and other glitzy, glam-rock themed acts. You’ll need a ticket to watch each show here, although I’m told that at least for one show (Glitz & Glamour-quism) is free if you register. More details here.

The iconic steps of School of the Arts (SOTA) is home to this ‘glow in the dark’ garden, filled with plants that illuminate with the flashlight.

I missed out on the Armenian Street zone of last year’s Night Festival. No boxing theatrics this year (what a shame!) but several roving performances will take place in this area. It’s also a nice place to chill out with food and drinks – the Chef on Wheels (Travelling COW) was here!

The Substation is screening local films, hosting a pop-up and a series of performance art. It’s packed, even on the first night – so don’t be surprised if you can’t get in.

While it’s not part of the Night Festival official programme, you can see Samantha Lo’s (SkL0) solo show on the LIMPEH series here.

LIMPEH in many styles.

Coffee and Cuts. Coffee from $4. Pay what you will for a haircut.

The limelight’s free, lasting as long as your haircut takes.

The Peranakan Museum will be open during Night Fest event nights, and there’s a small Night Lights inside.

Illuminate – A showcase of glow-in-the-dark fashion by NAFA students.

The Peranakan Museum is very crowded (perhaps come back another day?), so I’d suggest heading to the next Night Lights.

Over at the Armenian Church, you can explore the Hanami, a garden of LED cherry blossoms. In between your walk, experience Embruns De Lune when wandering characters wearing clothes of light come forward with a surprise.

Tip for those who want to be chosen: Gaze into the performers’ eyes; don’t bother with pointless attempts at selfies.

Over at the National Design Centre, the atrium is now home to a giant light carpet – Pixel Waves 2015. There are some other Night Lights along Queen Street (if you’re walking towards, or away from the Singapore Art Museum). So do check out SAM at 8Q as well.

The furthest Night Light from the lot is The Lightbox Project at the DECK. There are also some special programmes and showcases here held in conjunction with the Night Fest. More info at deck.sg