Little SIFA Returns with Magical Sailboats, Music & Puppetry at Empress Lawn

Hi Huneybees,

The Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) 2025 is in full swing and the magic isn't just for grown-ups. Families, get ready to explore Little SIFA, the festival’s dedicated kids' programme, back for its second year at Empress Lawn, right beside the Victoria Theatre and Asian Civilisations Museum.

This year’s edition invites children (and the young at heart) to play, imagine, and discover through music, theatre, and immersive art, all free to attend!

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Step Into History: The House Between the Winds
(Interactive Soundscape & Drama Performance by Yang Jie)

Your Little SIFA adventure starts with a showstopper: a magnificent 6-metre-tall sailboat parked right on the lawn. This isn’t just for show, it’s part of Singaporean artist Yang Jie’s interactive installation that responds with lights and sound as you explore it.

The sailboat is more than a structure, it’s a symbol of Singapore’s transformation from a bustling trading port to a modern-day home. Kids (and adults!) can step into this magical world and experience a story that unfolds through sound, movement, and light.

Bonus fun: On weekends, stay for the theatrical journey of a seafarer seeking a mythical tree that is a visual, dialogue-free performance perfect for little ones who love storytelling without words.

Installation: Daily, 19 May – 1 June 2025, 10am – 9pm
Performances: Fridays to Sundays, 23–25 May & 30 May–1 June 2025, 5pm – 9pm

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Photo Credits: Singapore International Festival of Arts

Groove to The Purple Symphony

Don’t miss The Purple Symphony, Singapore’s largest inclusive orchestra, made up of musicians of all abilities playing both Western and Asian instruments. At Little SIFA, they’ll perform fun, familiar tunes that are perfect for little ears and curious minds. Expect toe-tapping rhythms, heartwarming energy, and music that bridges all walks of life.

Performance Times:
23–25 May 2025, 7pm – 7.30pm

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Photo Credits: The Finger Players

Meet the Animals: Animal Farm (Kid-Friendly Puppet Edition)
(By The Finger Players)

The classic George Orwell tale gets a child-friendly twist! This 30-minute version of Animal Farm features life-sized puppets and storytelling that introduces young audiences to the story in a gentle, imaginative way.

The best part? Kids can interact with the puppets after the show. A great way to spark curiosity about theatre and puppetry.

Show Dates:
30 May – 1 June 2025, 7pm – 7.30pm

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Bring the Whole Family Down to Empress Lawn

All of Little SIFA’s programmes take place at Empress Lawn, a beautiful, open-air space perfect for a relaxed artsy outing with kids. Whether you're wandering through the sailboat installation, enjoying a twilight puppet show, or grooving to inclusive music, it’s a fun and meaningful way to introduce little ones to the arts. Other than the performances mentioned above, there's also side workshops for all to join in and DIY your own crafts.

Admission is free for all activities, so pack a picnic mat, gather your mini-explorers, and make a magical evening of it!

Full programme and details: sifa.sg/sifa-2025/little-sifa.

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Excited to Be Part of a Record-Breaking Moment: 113 Chang'es Unite for Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration

Hi Huneybees,

Last weekend, I experienced an exhilarating record-breaking moment that I won’t forget anytime soon. It had been quite a while since I last celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival with such a large, vibrant crowd, and the sense of community was truly heartwarming.

As part of PAssionArts Festival 2024, Canberra Community Club hosted a Mid-Autumn themed celebration - “Moonlit Serenade”, filled with exciting activities that kept everyone engaged throughout the night. In the weeks leading up to the event, residents and students came together to craft 1,000 lanterns, which were proudly displayed on the rooftop. This stunning installation quickly became a popular spot for photo opportunities.

I even got the chance to make a lantern to bring home! It’s been a long time since I’ve indulged in some hands-on crafting, and it was such a nostalgic and enjoyable experience to reconnect with a creative pastime.

There were plenty of other activities to enjoy, including Air Dry Clay Mooncake Keychain Making, DIY Ice Cream Cup Making, Recycled Pouch Making, Food-themed Keychain Crafting, and something I found particularly intriguing - Calligraphy Writing on Chopsticks.

The highlight of the evening, however, was the unique Singapore Book of Records (SBOR) attempt for the "Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Chang’e," the moon goddess. Participants arrived in a variety of Chinese traditional costumes, and the final count reached an impressive 113 people. The youngest participant was just 11 months old, while the eldest was 82 years old!

The night concluded with graceful dance performances by the enchanting Chang'es, as everyone left happily with their lanterns or self-made crafts in hand.

The PAssionArts Festival 2024 will continue until 30 September 2024, offering a vibrant celebration of creativity and culture with events happening all over Singapore. Find the ones near you and join in the fun! Be sure to follow PAssionArts for more updates.

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1,000 Lanterns in the Making for Canberra PAssionArts Festival 2024

Hi Huneybees,

Lanterns made from the cardboard paper towels and toilet rolls collected from the community.
Photo Credit: PAssionArts Festival 2024

In an effort to craft 1,000 lanterns for the Canberra PAssionArts Festival and Mid-Autumn celebrations, Canberra residents came together to design vibrant lanterns made entirely from cardboard rolls.

This lantern-making initiative, part of the PAssionArts Festival 2024, supports sustainability and fosters community connections through art. Around 200 residents, spanning toddlers, families, teenagers, and senior citizens, participated in workshops held at Canberra CC and Residents’ Network Centres, pouring their creativity into each lantern for this shared project.

Families from Canberra, young and old, create beautiful lanterns to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival. These handcrafted lanterns will be featured in the upcoming "Moonlit Serenade" event in conjunction with PAssionArts Festival, showcasing 1,000 lanterns. 

Photo credit: PAssionArts Festival 2024.

These 1,000 handcrafted lanterns will be showcased in a dazzling display at the "Moonlit Serenade" Canberra PAssionArts Festival on 7 September 2024. The festival will also feature an exciting attempt to set a new Singapore Book of Records for the largest gathering of 100 people dressed as Chang'e, the moon goddess!

"This year’s PAssionArts Festival, as part of the Mid-Autumn celebrations at Canberra, has really shown how strong our community spirit is. Seeing everyone pitch in to make these 1,000 lanterns by hand just goes to show how much we can achieve when we come together. It’s been heartwarming to see everyone’s efforts come to life, and I believe this will be a celebration we’ll all remember." --- Ms Emily Chin, Chairperson of the Canberra Community Arts and Culture Club.

Residents from Canberra Briskwalkers Interest Group participate in a lantern-making activity at the Residents’ Network centre, to contribute their handmade lanterns towards the target of 1,000 lanterns for the upcoming Canberra PAssionArts Festival 2024. 

Photo credit: PAssionArts Festival 2024.

Ticketing Details: Don't miss out on this magical celebration! Join in at the Canberra Community Club on 7 September 2024 and witness the beauty of 1,000 handcrafted lanterns. More event details are available on FB, and registration closes on 7 September 2024: OnePA’s Registration Link. See you there!

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