Arts in Your Neighbourhood

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All parents want to expose their children to the Arts. It’s always good to start them young, and Arts in Your Neighbourhood (AYN) makes it so much easier by bringing the arts to familiar places in well-loved estates! Imagine our delight when we found out Together We Watch was to be performed at SAFRA Toa Payoh – what better way to spend the weekend than to expose the kids to some enriching arts entertainment!

Days at the local Community Centre were so much different when I was a young boy. The Television Set was a prized commodity, and not every Singaporean had the luxury of owning one. Families used to gather at the television sets during meal times till late, watching their favourite programmes. In that era, the Community Centre Television Set served as a gathering point for the new estates.

nac performance

Inspired by these childhood experiences, “Together We Watch” by MySuperFuture Theatrical Productions is a walk down this memory lane. Commissioned specially for Arts in Your Neighbourhood 2015 by the National Arts Council, this interactive theatre performance brings the present-day Singaporean into a housing estate in the 1970s. It highlights the fact that the arts isn’t just found in the galleries and museums, but can be experienced wherever you are!

arts in your neighborhood

The drama revolves around the life of a young teenager and her Ah-gong. As technology becomes a stronger influence in our lives through smart phones, the mini drama explores the fact that we cannot forget our off-line relationships.  Relationships must be nurtured, and we must be actively strengthening these family social fabrics. Precious memories are always forged when there is the sharing of experiences and stories. These are the basic building blocks needed in every relationship.

singapore playground

Arts in Your Neighbourhood also offers a myriad of arts activities, including installations, musical performances and other theatre productions for one to enjoy. Here are some of the key highlights:

art installation

H for House (Installation at SAFRA Toa Payoh), is inspired by everyone’s classroom recollections. Wrapped entirely in chalkboard, feel free to draw, scribble and write your thoughts down on this mini classroom house and return to school for a lesson on alphabets and art.

  • 5 – 22 November, SAFRA Toa Payoh

Press by Twardzik Ching Chor Leng (visual arts installation). A life-sized, interactive wooden art installation that brings the idea of ‘Pin Art’ alive, this work invites audiences to leave their own impressions by pressing against the rods of the artwork, or simply arranging them to their liking to create their own designs.

  • 5 – 22 November, Mapletree Business City

I Tell You… by I Theatre  (theatrical storytelling trail). A unique theatrical storytelling trail that takes audiences on a whirlwind journey through the Tiong Bahru estate, told through the perspective of a local taxi driver named ‘Ah Hee’. Join the cast as they bring local stories and interesting characters of the neighbourhood to life. Registration is required. For more information, visit http://ayn2015itheatre.peatix.com

  • 14 November, Tiong Bahru, 6pm | 8pm

Music on the Green by The Philharmonic Winds feat by Sara Wee.  A musical performance presented by The Philharmonic Winds and special guest, Sara Wee from 53A. Audiences can expect a medley of familiar and entertaining pop songs under the stars in the heart of the city.

  • 21 November, Dhoby Ghaut Green Amphitheatre, 7.30pm

Also look out for the complimentary AYN 2015 Activity Booklet, an interactive guide that exposes children to the different art forms through questions, hands-on activities and bite-sized information nuggets. I’ve gotten my copy and the kids are so excited to circle out all the performances they want to check out. You can get a copy from the AYN venues during performance times, or download it online from www.artsforall.sg. This booklet is suitable for ages 9 and above.

We have marked out on our calendars in March and November! Our family can’t wait to visit Arts in your Neighbourhood. Looks like the school holidays are going to turn out really fun for all!

Arts in Your Neighbourhood will be running from 5 – 22 November 2015 (3 weekends including the November school holidays)

Venue: 18 venues in total, all over Singapore.

  • North: Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Toa Payoh, Woodlands
  • Central: Dhoby Ghaut, Bugis
  • East: Kallang, Tampines
  • West: Jurong, Queenstown, Yew Tee, Boon Lay
  • South: Mount Faber, Pasir Panjang, Tiong Bahru

Do visit artsforall.sg.ayn for the full programme, and download the AYN activity booklet to ensure the fun continues even after the show!.

(Disclaimer: This post is an advertorial, but all opinions are 100% our own.) 

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