N I G H T . H O W L S

On the last weekend of August, Singapore had its annual Night Festival. It was held for three nights straight. On the nights of the event, the streets of Bras Basah-Bugis Precinct was turned into a circus! Buildings were turned into giant screens projecting art, streets were closed to make way for parades and dancing people, museums were transformed into stages for artists of all kinds and gardens were suddenly stages for all various act for the performing arts. Never have I seen so many people from all walks of life, all shapes and sizes, from different generations gather in the nick of night to enjoy and appreciate the arts.

(1) Armenian Street before the Festival Started (2) The Peranakan Museum all lighted up

Our first stop for Friday night was at The Peranakan Museum. It was my first time there, it's exterior and interiors can be compared to SAM but only smaller. The museum basically showcases the history and culture of the Peranakans. I was very lucky to have met the owner (or i think the general manager) of the museum, and I did not even realize she (yes, she's a she) was the owner not until she said "Oh, how nice of you to dress up so fancy just to visit our museum. And, and she's a foreigner not a local! How cool is that. 

(1) Me, channeling my inner Peranakan spirit via telephone @ the Emily of Emerald Hill Exhibition. (2) My co-teacher/friends/Friday buddies goofing around the museum. 

For the Night Festival, the Peranakan Musuem hosted a lot of indoor activities for both young and old. They had performances from different groups like mime acts, acapella singers, Samba drum groups, glow in the dark graffiti and Mask art for the kids. Outside of Armenian street was the Substation which was like a pub-ish/bar of some sort, which staged some local bands, they were quite good actually, kind of like OPM. And by the side (literally by the side) of the building were some art installations, my friends and I had fun playing with the interactive art that made cool cosmic sounds! 

(2) People watching an act at the Peranakan museum (1) The Substation provided a venue for local bands to showcase their music 

My favorite favorite acts of the whole festival were Fuerzabruta by Ozono Producciones from Argentina. They had 3 acts, 2 were done in SMU Green and 1 one done along Armenian Street. All 3 performances were all so spectacular, they left all the people at awe. I couldn't stop saying "woooow" jaw-dropping acts, really! 

(1&2) La Argentina, flying across Armenian Street. (3) The crowd was bedazzled with the amazing performance. (4) Bloco Singapura drumming away (5) Corredoras: 2 dancers somersaulting in silvered curtain in SMU. 

And of course, how can I forget the work of art projected on the facade of the National Museum, SAM and SAM @ 8Q.

(1) Facade of Singapore's National Museum, becomes canvas for Multimedia Artists. (2) My good friend Jill  

There were loads of other things, like photo booth by PEEK! Ghost stories by the park, food stalls for the foodies. And lots more! So, there you have it folks, Singapore Night Festival! Hope next year would be even more awesome! :)

(1) The Night howls L-R: Jill, Mark, Tami, Greffin and Alex! :)