Arts guide: July 12 to 20

VICTORIA THEATRE AND CONCERT HALL OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND. Visit the newly refurbished, oldest performing arts centre in Singapore, with guided tours and special performances by the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir, T’ang Quartet and other arts groups. July 19 and 20, 10am to 7pm, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall. Free admission. For more info, visit www.vtvch.com.

ART APART FAIR 2014. The 4th edition of the fair will feature more than 1500 pieces of art produced by over 200 emerging artists, which will be displayed at the Presidential Suite, hotel rooms, along the corridors, as well as the hotel’s open area. A selection of the paintings will be put up for a closed ballot auction at the end of the event. There will also be art talks and discussions by Russian art experts and a Lucky Draw where you can stand to win a painting, valued at approx, S$2000. July 18 to 20, various times, PARKROYAL on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering St. Tickets from S$10. For more info, visit http://www.artapartfair.com/

THE SOUND OF MUSIC. From the home of West End musical theatre, the London Palladium, this critically-acclaimed production, based on the original 1959 Broadway production (which won six Tony Awards), will be coming to Singapore to perform their famous tunes made popular by the 1965 movie musical of the same name. Tickets from S$65 to S$195 at SISTIC. Till August 10, various times, Grand Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands.

HAND (GUN) ZEN. An exhibition of recent works by artists Kai Lam and Ben Puah, curated by Cultural Medallion recipient Lee Wen. July 18 to 30, 12pm to 9pm, The Substation Gallery. Free admission.

CATS OF THE WORLD. This non-profit community exhibition features photos from aspiring and professional, cat-loving photographers. There will also be paintings from multi-disciplinary artists such as, David Chan, Ginette Chittick and Ly Yeow, among others that will be on sale for S$100 each, to raise funds for the Cat Welfare Society. Till July 28, 10am to 10pm, The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane. Free admission. For more info, visit www.gattidelmondo.blogspot.com.

BALLET UNDER THE STARS. The Singapore Dance Theatre’s (SDT) 19th Edition of their annual performance will include pieces by George Balanchine, Val Caniparoli, Edwaard Liang and Edmund Stripe, as well as showcase the world premiere of a new work by Natalie Weir. July 18 to 20, 25 to 27, 6.30pm, at Fort Canning Green, Tickets at S$25 from SISTIC. For more info, visit http://www.singaporedancetheatre.com/

KERITY, LA MAISON DES CONTES (ELEANOR’S SECRET). Part of the Cine-Kid July festivities, Alliance Française is screening a movie about seven year-old Natanael, who goes on a fantasy adventure with characters from children’s literature. In French with English subtitles. July 13, 4pm, Alliance Française Theatre, Alliance Francaise, 1 Sarkies Road. Tickets from S$8 to S$10 at SISTIC.

ASTRID DAHL RETROSPECTIVE ART EXHIBITION. Having been showcased globally, Australian artist and art educator Astrid Dahl — who spent part of her childhood in Singapore — will be having a solo exhibition where 10 per cent of all sales proceeds will be donated to The Red Pencil Charity Organisation, an art therapy programme for children suffering from illnesses, injuries and traumas. Free admission. July 16 to 22, 10am to 10pm, ION Art Gallery, Level 4, ION Orchard.

BUTTERFLY. The Studios 2014 presents a modern, multi-disciplinary adaptation by Ramesh Meyyappan of the classic opera Madame Butterfly. July 17 to 19, 8pm, Esplanade Theatre Studio. Tickets at S$28 from SISTIC.

CASTING SWORD. Part of the M1 Chinese Theatre Festival, this play is based on a 2,000 year-old legend from the Yangtze River, and has been adapted by Director Wu Xi in a blend of theatre, dance, multimedia, and folk music. July 17 to 20, various times, LASALLE College of the Arts: Flexible Performance Space. Tickets at S$38 from SISTIC. For more info, visit http://en.practice.org.sg/m1ctf2014/

1 TABLE 2 CHAIRS EXPERIMENTAL SERIES. A performance in the traditional theatrical concept used in Chinese opera, where the minimalistic set is transformed only by the movement of its performers. Part of the M1 Chinese Theatre Festival. July 17 to 20, various times, LASALLE Creative Cube. Tickets at S$38 from SISTIC. For more info, visit http://en.practice.org.sg/m1ctf2014/

THE PILLOWMAN. Couch Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning play by Martin McDonagh – a dark comedy that revolves around the interrogation of a fiction writer, Katurian, by two detectives. July 17 to 26, 8pm, Drama Centre Black Box, Drama Centre. Tickets at S$30 from SISTIC.

THANGKA ART EXHIBITION. For one day only, Bhutanese artist, Tobgay, will be showcasing his past works done in the historical Thangka art form. In addition, visitors can observe the artist putting finishing touches onto his latest piece during the exhibition. July 18, 4pm to 8 pm, Office Lounge, Shora Marvels Pte Ltd, 63 Kim Yam Road. Free admission.

THE TEAHOUSE. The Young People’s Performing Arts Ensemble presents a cross talk play performed by local Singaporean children, about how tea culture gave way to the urbanised Kopi culture. July 18 and 19, 8pm, Drama Centre Theatre, Drama Centre.Tickets from S$25 to S$27 at SISTIC.

#willyoubemyfriend. Performed by 1N THE ACT, #willyoubemyfriend is about the pitfalls that young people are prone to regarding the use of online social media. The play will be conducted as a forum theatre performance that encourages discussion on the issue of connecting through cyber space and its subsequent consequences. Various dates and times, Esplanade Recital Studio. Tickets at S$20 from SISTIC. For more info, email www.esplanade.com/fyi