Weekend guide (6-8 January): Singapore Fringe Festival, CNY light-up, Electronics Expo
The work week may have just started, but the scent of the upcoming weekend is already around the corner. Promising to be a blast of a year, the inaugural weekend of 2017 kicks of the preparations for the upcoming Chinese New Year, with several events lined up to welcome the year of the Rooster. The arts scene in Singapore also amps up with the Fringe Festival boasting several events over two weeks.
1. M1 Singapore Fringe Festival
Back for its 13th edition, the annual Singapore Fringe Festival this year features the theme Art & Skin, and celebrates local and international theatre, dance, music, visual arts and mixed media.
Stretching over two weekends, the festival will be hosted at multiple venues across the island and is divided into four categories: Fringe Highlights, Live Fringe, Fresh Fringe and Fringe Activities, with each category hosting or displaying different types of acts.
When: 4 – 15 January
Where: Various
Price: Free – $25, discounts available for NSFs, students and senior citizens
Website: http://www.singaporefringe.com/fringe2017/index.php
2. Legend of the Moon
Making its debut overseas tour in Singapore, Chinese cultural show Legend of the Moon is set against the backdrop of a 3D stage and features special effects. Directed by the same man who choreographed the Beijing Olympics dance drama Thousand-Hand Bodhisattva, the musical showcases the life, culture and art of the Dong people from China.
Proceeds from the first show will also be donated to the President’s Challenge.
When: 6 & 7 January
Where: The Star Theatre
Price: $28 – $88
Website: http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/legend0117
3. Chinatown CNY light-up
The preparations for the annual Chinatown light-up began more than two months before Chinese New Year. Featuring more than 4,000 handcrafted lanterns, the area will also play host to nightly stage shows, a countdown party and an international lion dance competition this year.
The area around New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street has been all dolled up and is set to light up this Saturday (7 Jan) with rooster-inspired lanterns. Take a walk down Chinatown or watch the many performances by both local and international street performers.
When: 7 January – 25 February
Where: Chinatown
Price: Free
Website: http://chinatownfestivals.sg/
4. Pongal Festival street light-up
While Chinatown will be in the festive colours of Chinese New Year, Little India is set to receive its own light-up on the same day to welcome the Pongal Festival.
The colourful lights, coupled with traditional Indian treats and clothing, are just some of the highlights of the many festivities along this stretch of Serangoon Road for the whole month.
When: 7 January – 12 February
Where: Serangoon Road
Price: Free
Website: http://www.littleindia.com.sg/events-calendar?lightbox=dataItem-iw4kd8n1
5. ASEAN Basketball League – Singapore Slingers vs Westports Malaysia Dragons
If you’ve immersed yourself sufficiently in the cultural heritage of Singapore and are looking for something with a bit more action, how about heading down to the OCBC Arena and cheering the Singapore Slingers this Sunday?
Support Singapore’s local basketball team as they take on Westports Malaysia Dragons in a home game of the ASEAN Basketball League. Having missed the Championship last season, the Slingers are all geared up to make Singapore proud.
When: 8 January
Where: OCBC Arena
Price: $6 – $16
Website: http://www.singaporeslingers.com/schedule
6. Polytechnic open houses
The GCE O’Level results will be released in the coming few weeks and tertiary institutions are gearing up to welcome young adults into the next phase of their lives.
All five polytechnics in Singapore are set to host their open houses this weekend to showcase their various courses along with their individual programme highlights of performances and activities. Regardless if you’re a student going into tertiary education or a parent keen on understanding your child’s options, be sure to head to a poly near you.
When: 5 – 7 January
Where: Singapore Poly, Republic Poly, Ngee Ann Poly, Nanyang Poly, Temasek Poly
Price: Free
Website:
http://www.nyp.edu.sg/openhouse/
https://www1.np.edu.sg/openhouse/
http://www.tp.edu.sg/openhouse
http://www.rp.edu.sg/discover/
7. CNY Electronics Expo
The CNY Electronics Expo will be held over the weekend at Expo Hall 6 from 6-8 January, 11am to 9pm daily. Shoppers can expect grab cheap deals just in time to welcome the New Year, just in time for that brand new gadget you might have been eyeing.
When: 6-8 January
Where: Expo Hall 6
Price: Free
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Electronics-Expo-117636541774482/
8. NOON to MOON
One of the most unique rooftop parties, NOON to MOON stretches from the early hours of the afternoon of 7 Jan to just before midnight.
Situated 59 floors above ground level at Marina Bay Sands, CÉ LA VI provides the perfect ambience to watch the sunset as you groove to the tunes of Alle Farben.
When: 7 January
Where: CÉ LA VI Singapore
Price: Free before 5:30pm and $35 after
