Big Night Out: Singapore Night Festival this weekend has something for everyone

The Singapore Night Festival returns this year in its ninth edition with an expanded line-up from its inaugural Open-Call for Night Lights and increased number of programming partners such as Mint Museum of Toys, POMO shopping mall and Harley Davidson Singapore.

Christie Chua, creative director for the festival, shared: “The Festival is made up of different components — for example, Night Lights and Highlight Shows. Then there are the fringe activities which are pretty much dotted everywhere within the precinct, adding to the vibe and energy of the space.

“It is also a great way to engage with our various stakeholders and to showcase the various talents that we have here, locally as well as foreign.” Based on the theme of Inventions and Innovation, the festival is set to be a big night out for everyone, as science fiction and fantasy combine in performances and light art installations.

While there are always the big-ticket draws of light shows at the National Museum, why squeeze with the crowds and have the same Instagram photos as everyone else? Here is a list of what else you can and should check out when you are at the Bras Basah-Bugis precinct this weekend.

For the hardcore pop culture geeks

The recent Star Wars Rogue One Trailer not enough to satiate your Star Wars obsession? Witness a fight choreography inspired by the epic lightsabre battles in the Star Wars films, Chinese martial arts films and Western action films. This programme, titled The Siege by FightSaber Singapore, is taking place at Armenian Street from 9.30pm to 10pm and 11.30pm to midnight. A Lucasfilm recognised non-profit fan group, FightSaber was set up in 2010 and aims to bring high-action re-enactments of lightsabre duels from the Star Wars movies to the masses to promote greater appreciation for stage choreography as a dramatic and theatrical art form.

This weekend at Armenian Street, the team will play a range of iconic Star Wars archetypes such as a Jedi, a Sith or a Bounty Hunter and in a battle of good versus evil. Harry Potter fans still hungover from the release of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child need to see the absurd, disturbing and strangely poetic sight of two French men walking around the festival grounds with their heads stuck inside a jar of swimming goldfish. Surely, this brings to mind the famous bubble-head charm cast by the Cedric Diggory (played by Robert Pattinson) as seen in Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire. Catch Les AquamenS by Machtiern Company from 8pm to 11.30pm dressed in suits and walking around leisurely.

For too-cool millennials

Are you one of those millennials who have the attention span of a goldfish and require all information to be condensed within 140 characters or via Snapchats? Then make your way down to Centre 42 for Late Night Texting, which celebrates a night of text-based works through fun, bite-sized experiences. Located at Waterloo Street, Centre 42 is known for promoting texts and writings for Singapore stage. As part of this year’s Night Festival, the centre has decided to put together these quirky performances, along with drinks and retail in their open courtyard, where the only rule for the night is “minimal fuss, maximum fun”.

Free admission for all on a first come first serve basis, Late Night Texting includes a series of nine short plays titled Eat My Shorts by Dark Matter Theatrics, each ten minutes long, written by local playwrights and performed by Danielle Cutiongco, Salif Hardie and Jasmine Xie.

In addition to this, catch stories of crime, conspiracies and superstitions performed in the nooks and crannies of Centre 42 throughout the night by a dynamic ensemble of actors from Saga Seed Theatre. Meanwhile, there is also A Little Night Music by Les Musicables, two shows chock-full of songs, dances and stories, each just half an hour long. Audiences are also free to interact with performers and watch their suggestions turn into full-blown, improvised musicals on the spot, which they can, well, capture on Snapchat.

For hot folks who need air-conditioning

We do not need to tell you about global warming, what with July being marked as Earth’s hottest month in modern times. Thankfully, there are light projections done by the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts within the confines of the cool air-conditioned Ixora room at the Peranakan Museum. Called A Kaleidoscope Of Spring, the interactive projections showcase the exquisite beauty of Peranakan heritage through colourful traditional motifs. The good news is, this is open until 2am, so it makes for a happy escape for festivalgoers seeking to cool down any time.

There is also Shifting Interactions by LASALLE College of the Arts on Level 2 of the National Museum of Singapore Glass Atrium. Yes, the dance performance installation tying together electronic media and sculptured pieces takes place in the air-conditioned expanse of the atrium.

For boys who ‘wheely’ love their toys

Guys (and girls) obsessed with motorcycles and bicycles, Singapore Night Festival has much to offer this year. Rrready To Rrrumble! on Armenian Street will see a convoy of 50 motorcycles led by Harley Davidson choppers followed by cafe racers and Singapore’s very own Vespa group, the Mod Squad. Festivalgoers can look forward to jaw-dropping daredevil motorcycle stunts performed by professional stunt riders from Speedzone, this weekend from 7.30pm to 8pm.

At the National Museum Rotunda, visitors are invited to get active on the interactive installation known as Into Pulsar by Singapore artist Ryf Zaini, which explores the evolution of the wheel since its inception before 3500 BCE. At the base of the 6m tall installation, you can activate the coloured lighting in the structure by pedaling the bicycle, tricycle and hand-cranked device. Almost like clockwork, the pedaling activates the gears, sprockets and wheels fitted at the top of the structure. At the level 1 Concourse of the museum, Bikes 4 Fun allows festivalgoers to explore the limitless possibilities of traditional two-wheeled machines by interacting with these modified bicycles. Cycling enthusiasts will definitely have the most fun.

For families with toddlers

We know how trying it can be to keep young children immersed in a festival like this. Do not panic or give up. Head for Queen Street as it will be transformed into a canvas intended to entertain young children with a three-part installation. The Very Wishing Story starts at opposite ends of Queen Street and is based on the narrative of a boy and girl separately discovering a magical marble. You can enter the journey from The Cave at Supermama@SAM or at The Forest at National Design Centre. Both journeys converge at a light installation at Waterloo Centre Artsplace known as The Waterfalls. Here, the characters will meet other children in the story and build a magical world together.

More fun for the young can be had at the Young Inventors Lair held at the Canyon, located in the basement of the National Museum of Singapore. Inspired by the festival theme, the space allows children to show off their spirit of innovation by making simple inventions from basic craft activities.

A roving act throughout the festival grounds that is bound to excite both adults and children is Suaveciclo by VJ Suave from Brazil. The artists ride on tricycles which has projectors that beam animated stories onto open spaces and surrounding buildings, trees and sidewalks. The stories feature cartoonish characters flying and running across these spaces in a playful and interactive manner.

For audio fiends 


Those who prefer their entertainment on the audio-sensory side can partake in Weekend Noise, back on the first weekend of the Singapore Night Festival. The show will be held at the Festival Village Stage at Singapore Management University Campus Green & University Square.

From 6pm until late, there will be a line-up of Noise alumni musicians, such as Singaporean indie rock outfit Stopgap and Singaporean singer-songwriter Linying who released her first single Sticky Leaves this year, landing on Spotify’s viral charts in the US and the UK.

There will also be performances by emerging Australian acts including Tali Mahoney, known for her indie-pop-melancholy tunes, and Frida, who with their percolating rhythm are the very definition of dreamy.

For more homegrown music, check out Muse@SAM at the Singapore Art Museum Glass Hall from 8pm until late where musicians such as Suasion, King Kong Jane, Stangerfox and Shirly Temple will keep your head-bopping all night.