Showing posts with label What to do in Singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label What to do in Singapore. Show all posts

SIFA 2026: Where to Start (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

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Hi Huneybees,


Let’s be real for a second.
Arts festivals can feel a little… intimidating.

So many shows. So many names. So many things happening at once.

But here’s the thing about the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) 2026 - this year’s “Let’s Play!” theme makes it one of the most approachable editions yet.

If you’ve ever thought, I want to go… but I don’t know where to start,” this is your sign. Here’s how I’d explore SIFA this May without overthinking it ~~~


Start Here: The Festival Village (No Ticket Needed)

The Festival Village is basically the heart of SIFA, and the best part? It’s free!

Set against the city skyline, this space is designed for wandering, not planning. You’ll find performances, installations and creative encounters happening from dusk into the late night.

It’s where art feels the least intimidating where you can walk in, watch something for a few minutes, move on, grab a bite, and stumble into something completely unexpected.

Perfect if you:

  • Don’t want to commit to a full show

  • Just want to soak in the vibe

  • Are bringing friends who are “not really artsy”


Discover the Nets with Noli Timere. 
(Image Credit: Arts House Group)

Want Something Wow? Head to Punggol

If you’re in the mood for something visually unforgettable, SIFA is bringing large-scale experiences to Nexus at Punggol Digital District.

We’re talking about a full-on aerial performance with artists suspended 25 feet in the air which is not your typical “sit and watch quietly” kind of show.

There’s also a theatrical procession filled with colour, movement and music that transforms the space into something almost dreamlike. This is where you go when you want to feel like:
๐Ÿ‘‰ “Okay wow, this is different.”


Lush Life
(Image Credit: SIFA 2026)

Into Big Names & Powerful Stories?

If you prefer something more structured, SIFA’s main productions bring together both local icons and international voices.

You’ve got familiar names like Jacintha Abisheganaden and Dick Lee, alongside bold reinterpretations of classics like Hedda Gabler and Hamlet with the latter performed by a cast of actors with Down syndrome, offering a deeply human and refreshing perspective.

These are the shows that stay with you... the ones you think about long after the curtain call.


Hedda Gabler.
(Image Credit: Arts House Group)

Not Sure If the Arts Are “Your Thing”? This Year Feels Different

What stands out about SIFA 2026 is how open it feels.

You don’t need to “understand art” to enjoy it.
You don’t need to dress up or sit quietly through everything.

You can:

  • Walk through installations

  • Join interactive experiences

  • Watch something halfway and leave

  • Or just hang out and take it all in

This year is less about being an audience… and more about being part of the experience.

If your first instinct was, don’t think this is for me,” — I’d say give it shot anyway.

Start small.
Start with the Village.
Start with curiosity.

Because sometimes, the best experiences aren’t the ones you plan…
they’re the ones you just walk into.


When & How to Go

SIFA 2026 runs from 15 to 30 May 2026, with programmes happening across multiple venues in Singapore.

Early bird tickets come with 20% savings, and some programmes are eligible for the SG Culture Pass, making it a great time to explore something new without breaking the bank.

Full details are available at sifa.sg.

Follow SIFA 2026 on FacebookInstagram and Youtube.


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i Light Singapore 2025: The Ultimate Date Night Trail — From AR Surprises to Glowing Dreams

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Hi Huneybees,

If you’re on the hunt for a date night that’s a little more magical, a little more meaningful, and very Instagrammable, i Light Singapore 2025 might just be what you’re looking for. From digital oracles to glowing dream bridges, this year’s festival is filled with art that’s interactive, playful, and unexpectedly touching.

Themed "To Gather", this edition marks Singapore’s SG60 celebrations, and you can feel that spirit of togetherness pulsing through the entire experience. Here’s my curated guide to viewing the installations, whether you’re planning a casual walk or something a little more romantic.



 Start with a Glow-up at Sign
๐Ÿ“The Promontory

This one’s hard to miss. A towering kinetic sculpture shaped like an infinity loop lights up the bay with dynamic waves of colour. As we arrived, couples were already lounging nearby, taking it in like a digital campfire. It doesn’t actually burn, but its flickering lights mimic flames so convincingly that it creates this almost meditative, dreamlike atmsphere. It’s the perfect place to begin your evening, just far enough from the CBD buzz to feel like a getaway, yet with Marina Bay’s skyline reminding you this is still very much the city you love.

Settle into the nearby Campfyre @ NOMADS, grab a couple of light bites, and just lean into each other. Whether you’re deep in conversation or quietly people-watching, it’s one of those rare city spots that invites you to slow down and just be together.

Step Into a Garden That Grows With You
๐Ÿ“Lawn beside NTUC Building  

Take a stroll through Take a walk through the meadow with me, and the ground literally comes alive beneath your feet. Glowing flowers respond to your presence with light and melody, intensifying as more people gather. Crafted from recycled acrylic and industrial fragments, the whole scene feels like an urban fairytale. It’s gentle, emotional, and immersive. ideal for couples who love to pause, reflect and co-create moments.

Dance Together at VJYourself!
๐Ÿ“Event Square, Marina Bay

Feeling playful? Don’t miss VJYourself! by Playmodes Studio (Spain). It’s like a digital mirror with a twist. Step in front of the screen and like no one’s watching (or do it together!), your movements are captured and remixed into a giant, glowing video montage. It’s silly, spontaneous, and oddly touching seeing yourself reflected back in pulsing waves of light. Great icebreaker or just a reminder that it’s okay to be goofy together.

Turn Each Other’s Heartbeats into Art
๐Ÿ“Breeze Shelters

At In Tandem, your heartbeat becomes part of the light show. It's an interactive piece built by NTU students using biometric sensors, so go ahead and place your hands on the sensors, watch as your pulses create a shared rhythm of light and sound inside the glowing orb. It’s a small, meaningful interaction; one of those “we’ll remember this” kind of moments.

A Walk Beneath Giants
๐Ÿ“Red Dot Design Museum

Take a slow, hand-in-hand stroll along the waterfront, and don’t be surprised if you both stop mid-conversation to stare up in awe. Fantastic Planet by Amanda Parer features three massive, glowing humanoid figures that seem to have landed right in the heart of the city. They’re peaceful, a little mysterious, and the perfect backdrop for those couple selfies you didn’t plan on taking (but definitely will).

There’s something oddly peaceful about being so small under their gaze. I overheard someone whisper, “It’s like they’re visiting from another world,” and that summed it up perfectly.

Whisper to the Future at Urban Oracle
๐Ÿ“Pontoon near Red Dot Design Museum

Imagine wandering down a quiet stretch of the pontoon, city lights shimmering off the water, and coming across glowing letters suspended over the bay. The Urban Oracle by Ultravioletto is part poetry, part prophecy. Press one of the red buttons along the boardwalk, and a pulse of light flows through the letters like a heartbeat, delivering an AI-generated message inspired by Singapore’s past, present, and future. It’s inspired by ancient temple oracles, reimagined with a digital twist. A little mysterious, a little romantic, just perfect if you love decoding meaning in the stars… or the code.

Link Hands at Embrace
๐Ÿ“Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade

Embrace is a beautiful tribute to solidarity and connection. Link hands with your date (or new friends!) beside life-sized silhouettes, and watch them glow to life. Created in celebration of the Singapore Armed Forces’ 60th anniversary, the installation symbolises strength in unity, like a quiet, radiant salute to those who protect us. It’s surprisingly moving.

Dance Across a Light Piano
๐Ÿ“Helix Bridge

Next stop: Mozart on the Helix Bridge. It’s a giant, deconstructed piano that lights up and plays music with every step. It’s playful and a little chaotic, just like love sometimes. The piece reflects how creativity can rise from disruption. A beautiful nod to our messy, musical lives. Don’t be afraid to let loose and dance across it together (bonus points if one of you pretends you're in La La Land).

Discover a Portal at Clifford Square
๐Ÿ“Clifford Square

Elementary by Tonoptik brings a bit of sci-fi magic to the waterfront. Two viewers on opposite sides of a glowing screen interact with floating shapes, but nothing behaves the way you expect. It’s fun, a bit chaotic, and perfect for sparking conversation about control, nature, and unpredictability in life (and love).

Cross the Bridge of 1,000 Dreams
๐Ÿ“Cavenagh Bridge

If there’s one installation that feels like walking through a dream, it’s this one. Bamboo sticks lined with children’s designs light up to form a glowing bridge of collective imagination. Each stick represents a different future. It’s heartwarming and hopeful - a reminder that Singapore itself was built on dreams, just like any great relationship.

Watch a Waterfall Flow Upwards
๐Ÿ“UOB Plaza Faรงade

Thousands of LED tubes simulate a waterfall, but instead of falling down, the light flows upward. Reverse Waterfall plays with perception and reality in a way that makes you stop, think, and smile. A great metaphor for any couple who's ever decided to do things a little differently.

Get Lost in a Garden of Guardians
๐Ÿ“Raffles Place Park

This inflatable forest of tropical blooms is all colour, joy, and quiet power. Inspired by the artist’s own family history of florists, The Guardians is like stepping into someone’s memory of beauty. With six designs based on Singapore’s native plants, this is a soft, inclusive space that invites reflection and rest, or perhaps a little couples' hide-and-seek...

Feel the Wind Glow at Saulux
๐Ÿ“Fountain Plaza, South Beach Avenue

Saulux is a luminous field of willowy twigs that light up with every breeze. The glow is warm and golden, and the whole space feels alive and whispering. If you’re the type of couple who finds magic in nature, this one’s a must-visit.

See the World Differently at This Is Not a Screen
๐Ÿ“South Beach Avenue, Level B1 

Made from recycled phone screens, this piece plays with how we perceive light and reality. No two people see the same thing - depending on your angle, colour and form shift completely. A smart, layered reminder that in love and life, perspective changes everything.

AI and a Bit of Dancing

Catch the digital showcase by Alibaba Cloud called Cloud City: Built with AI, where you can upload a photo of yourself and watch as it transforms into a futuristic dreamscape. It's wild to see yourself in a sci-fi world, envisioned by generative AI. Slightly uncanny, but incredibly cool.

On 20 June, put on your wireless headphones and groove through the festival at the Silent Disco Parade. There’s something kind of magical about dancing in sync with your partner in the middle of the city, surrounded by glowing art. You’ll both be laughing by the end. Guaranteed!

Take to the Water - Paddle or Cruise

If you're feeling adventurous, try the Glow Paddle - a dragon boating experience in LED-lit boats. Prefer to sit back and relax? Hop on the i Light River Cruise Shuttle and float past the installations together, taking in the view from a new angle. It's peaceful, romantic, and a nice break for your feet.

End the Night at GastroBeats

Finally, make your way to GastroBeats at Bayfront Event Space. Share some bites, explore the local vendors, or just sway to live music under the stars. There are pet-friendly zones, artisanal goods, and even a nostalgic sound journey through Rewind, Replay, Remix: SG Edition. It’s the perfect way to wind down, maybe even with dessert in hand.




So if you’re looking for a date night that’s out of the ordinary, trade in the usual routine for something a little more magical - i Light Singapore 2025 is the perfect way to light up your night and share a sense of wonder together. There’s so much more to see and do, and you can dive into all the highlights in my earlier introduction post here.

i Light Singapore 2025 runs from 29 May to 21 June, 7.30pm to 11pm daily (till midnight on Fridays & Saturdays). Admission is free, but some activities may require tickets.

*Bonus Tip: Most installations come alive after dark, so arrive around 7:30 PM and give yourselves a few hours to explore. Wear comfy shoes, and don’t forget a power bank for all those Instagrammable moments.






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What’s On at SIFA 2025 This Week (Part 2): COLONY Shines with Dance, Drama & Diversity

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Hi Huneybees,

We’re keeping the SIFA 2025 excitement going with Part 2 of our festival spotlight series and trust me, you’ll want to bookmark this one! After last weekend’s spectacular opening at the SIFA Pavilion and powerful shows like Animal Farm and Umbilical, this week we're diving into something deeply moving, beautifully inclusive, and oh-so-relevant for our times.

Introducing... COLONY – A True Colors Project ๐Ÿงก


A Cross-Cultural Celebration of Inclusion Through Dance, Music & Film

COLONY is not your average performance; it's a breathtaking fusion of contemporary dance, live music, film, and raw storytelling that explores community, identity, and what it truly means to belong. Featuring 13 performers from six countries - Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Japan, this show is an emotional rollercoaster that spotlights diversity while confronting themes of prejudice, exclusion, and hope.

It's like watching a beautifully choreographed conversation unfold, where bodies speak, music stirs your soul, and film draws you closer to each dancer’s journey. 


The Story Behind the Movement

Set in a fictional community where fear and ignorance create invisible barriers between people, COLONY imagines what happens when a mysterious stranger challenges these divides with empathy and connection. Will the community listen? Will they change?

Directed by the brilliant Remesh Panicker, with choreography by Andy Benjamin Cai, music by Azrin Abdullah, and visuals by award-winning filmmaker Mak CK, this is a show that will tug at your heartstrings and spark important conversations long after the curtain falls.


Accessibility at Its Heart

In a world where we’re all navigating identity, inclusion, and connection, COLONY is more than a show; it’s a healing experience, a conversation-starter, and a bold step toward a more inclusive arts scene.

And with Singapore celebrating its 60th year of independence, there’s no better time to support powerful homegrown stories like this one - COLONY leading the way with:

  • Creative captioning

  • Audio description

  • SgSL (Singapore Sign Language) interpretation for post-show dialogues

  • Wheelchair-accessible seating

This is truly performance art made for everyone.

Show Dates:

  • 30 & 31 May, 8PM

  • 1 June, 3PM (with post-show dialogue on 31 May & 1 June)

Venue: Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Building
Tickets: Available here

*Huney tip: Catch the 31 May or 1 June shows for the full experience, the post-show dialogues offer a rare chance to chat with the creative team and cast!



Want more juicy SIFA 2025 updates and performance picks? Don’t forget to check back for Part 3 of our series — and follow COLONY’s journey here:

๐Ÿ”— Official SIFA COLONY Page
๐Ÿ“ธ @colony_atruecoloursproject on Instagram




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SIFA 2025 Takes the Stage (Part 1) - Here’s What to See Before or After Gaga Rocks Singapore

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Hi Huneybees,

It’s a huge weekend for the arts in Singapore! Not only is Lady Gaga bringing her larger-than-life energy to town, but it’s also the long-awaited opening of the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) 2025, and we’ve got your cheat sheet to the most exciting performances and installations to catch.

As part of Singapore’s 60th birthday celebrations, this year’s festival theme "More Than Ever" puts the spotlight on homegrown talent, national reflection and bold visions for the future. Whether you’re a theatre buff, dance lover, or just vibing in the Gaga-glow of creative energy, here are 5 must-see picks to kick off your SIFA experience:


SIFA Pavilion. (Image courtesy of Arts House Limited)

1. SIFA Pavilion @ Bedok Town Square

Opens: 16 May | Free Entry
Start your SIFA journey at the all-new SIFA Pavilion - a pop-up art space that’s equal parts performance venue and interactive playground. Located at Bedok Town Square, the Pavilion will host a rotating slate of free installations, performances, and workshops. Think of it as the artsy cousin to your concert-going energy this weekend.

Don’t Miss:

  • The Sea and the Neighbourhood (Performance)

  • Speculative F(r)ictions (Installation)

  • Hearsay (Workshop)


Animal Farm. (Image courtesy of Arts House Limited)

2. Animal Farm - Dark, Puppeted, and Uncomfortably Real

Where: Drama Centre Theatre
When: 16–18 May | From $48

George Orwell’s iconic tale of power and betrayal gets a twisted puppet makeover by The Finger Players, under the sharp direction of Oliver Chong. Prepare for a visceral experience for this is Animal Farm like you've never seen it before. Gaga may sing about being "Born This Way," but this farm shows how power can reshape identity altogether.


Told By My Mother. (Image courtesy of Pierre Gondard)

3. Told By My Mother - Dance, Love & Lebanon’s Echoes

Where: Victoria Theatre
When: 16–17 May | From $38

Need a breather from the sensory overload? Lebanese choreographer Ali Chahrour brings the quiet power of maternal love to the stage, drawing from Arabic traditions and contemporary soundscapes. It’s poetic, moving, and deeply personal that's just the kind of raw emotion that Gaga herself would champion.


Umbilical. (Image courtesy of Arts House Limited)

4. Umbilical - Memory, Identity & AI on Stage

Where: SOTA Studio Theatre
When: 16–18 May | From $48

Blending movement, music, projections, and artificial intelligence, Umbilical dives into Singapore’s own story of separation and rebirth. Set during the 1965 split from Malaysia, it’s a timely reflection on connection and independence, that feels just right as the country celebrates 60 years.


LATTICE. (Image courtesy of Arts Hosue Limited)

5. LATTICE - A Quiet City Symphony

Where: Funan B2 Pedestrian Link
When: Now till 1 June | Thu–Sun, 10am–10pm

LATTICE invites you to slow down. As you walk through this underground pedestrian space, digital art unfolds in tandem with real-life city motion, where it’s serene, surreal, and a beautiful contrast to the weekend's louder events.



Whether you're headed to the concert or cruising through the city for something soulful, SIFA 2025 promises unforgettable artistic moments that are "More Than Ever". Stay tuned for more updates!




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It's A Whole New World With Aladdin The Musical

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Hi Huneybees,


2019 is definitely a whole new world for fans of Disney's Aladdin story. Not only will there be a real-life movie version coming to our cinema together with M.A.C will launching a collection of makeup base on the movie and also the most exciting of all, a musical that brings the fairytale live to us!


A story that we grew up singing to the tunes of "A Whole New World" has been brought onto the Broadway stage and this Eglish-language production will play its first and only Asian stop in Singapore at Sands Theatre coming this July.



From the producer of The Lion King, the beloved story of Aladdin comes to life in this spectacular new musical. Breathtaking sets, mind-blowing special effects, over 300 lavish costumes, and a fabulous cast bring the magic of Disney’s Aladdin to life on stage.


In the middle-eastern town of Agrabah, Princess Jasmine is feeling hemmed in by her father’s desire to find her a royal groom. Meanwhile, the Sultan’s right-hand man, Jafar, is plotting to take over the throne. When Jasmine sneaks out of the palace incognito, she forms an instant connection with Aladdin, a charming street urchin, and reformed thief. After being discovered together, Aladdin is sentenced to death, but Jafar saves him by ordering him to fetch a lamp from the Cave of Wonders. Where there’s a lamp, there’s a Genie, and once Aladdin unwittingly lets this one out, anything can happen! Will Aladdin’s new identity as “Prince Ali” help him win Jasmine’s heart and thwart Jafar’s evil plans? Will the Genie’s wish for freedom ever come true? 

Well, you've seen the animation, you know the story, come see the magic come alive or complete your fairytale series with this magical and mystical if you didn't know the story yet...


As a prelude to the opening of the theatrical show, I got to sneak peek 3 of the acts from the show and it was magical to see and hear Princess Jasmine (Shunshri Kandiah), Aladdin (Graeme Isaako) and the Genie (Gareth Jacobs) performing right before my eyes!

Graeme Isaako performing "Proud of Your Boy". On his way to winning the heart of Princess Jasmine, Prince Abdullah confronts Aladdin and calls him an embarrassment to his family name. Hurt and alone, Aladdin vows to make something of his life.

*I'll update the video clips soon. Stay tuned*


Shunshri Kandiah and Graeme Isaako performing "A Whole New World".
Unimpressed by the pompous prince, Jasmine turns Ali down on the spot. When Kassim questions Aladdin's "scheme", Aladdin rejects his friends, while the Genie tries to convince Aladdin to be himself. Suspicious of Ali but not recognizing Aladdin, Jafar tricks him into seeking Jasmine in her private chambers. Ali offers Jasmine a ride on his magic carpet, where Jasmine they sang of their love and Jasmine runs off to tell her father that she has found "the perfect suitor" once they returned safely back in the palace.
Gareth Jacobs performing "Friend Like Me"
Ater retrieving the lamp from the dazzling Cave of Wonders, Aladdin reaches for a necklace that reminds him of Jasmine. Touching the forbidden treasure triggers the cave's collapse, knocking Aladdin out. When he comes to and rubs the lamp, a beaming Genie appears in a cloud of smoke and offers 3 wishes to the new Master of the Lamp.

The actors performed so well and I relived my childhood memories at the cinema watching the animation. They are great 'depiction' of what I think the cartoon characters would be like if they were to come to live! I can't wait for July to come and watch the whole production.


So, be sure to get your tickets early and not miss this spectacular musical!
 For more information, please log into www.MarinaBaySands.com.




TICKETING AND SHOW INFORMATION

Performance Times
Tuesday to Friday: 7.30pm
Saturday: 2.00pm & 7.30pm
Sunday: 1.00pm & 6.30pm

Ticket Price
From $68*
*Excludes the booking fee of $4 SGD per ticket

Ticket Bookings
Internet: www.MarinaBaySands.com/ticketing or www.sistic.com.sg
Phone: +65 6688 8826
In-Person At: Marina Bay SandsBox Offices
(Museum, Theatre, SkyPark, Retail Mall and Hotel Tower 1 Lobby)

Corporate & Group Bookings
Base Entertainment Asia has an exclusive concierge service for all Partnerships, Sponsorships, Corporate & Group Bookings. BasXclusive specializes in dedicated events including the "Money Can't Buy Experiences', which pioneered and integrated hospitality with the best in live entertainment, focusing on personalizing the needs of each individual client to curate the most memorable and one-off experiences at their theatre. For more information, please contact: BaseXclusive@baseentertainment.com.sg.





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