A mega-production by the Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) about a girl and her adventures after she receives a nutcracker doll (right). In celebration of SDT's 20th anniversary, with Singapore Press Holdings as the silver anniversary sponsor.
Where: Esplanade Theatre MRT: City Hall When: Sat, Wed - Next Sat , 8pm Admission: $51 - $141 Tel: 6348-5555
Charity
PARAGON CHARITY GIFT HOUSE
Make a $15 donation to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and pick up a token gift in exchange at the Charity Gift House at Paragon Shopping Centre.
Where: Paragon shopping centre, Orchard Road MRT: Somerset When: Till Dec 26, 10am - 10pm Tel: 6738-5535 Info: www.paragon.com.sg
ADOPT A PRECIOUS SCHOOL POCKET MONEY FUND BEAR
Support the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund - adopt a Precious School Pocket Money Fund bear for only $2.
Where: Suntec City Mall, Tropics, Level 3, 3 Temasek Boulevard MRT City Hall When: Till Dec 28, 10am - 10pm Admission: Free Tel: 6825-2668 Info: www.sunteccity.com.sg
Christmas
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT@HORT PARK
An outdoor family Christmas concert at Hort Park with the B5 Brass Quintet, Canadian soprano Katherine Wallace, the Alliance Francaise Singers and jazz dancer Kirsty Aitkin.
Where: Hort Park, 33 Hyderabad Road, Event Lawn, off Alexandra Road MRT: Queenstown When: Sun , 6pm Admission: Free Tel: 9188-0336 Info: Goodie bags will be given to the first 300 families, award-winning jazz dancer Kirsty Aitkin will be there to.
CHRISTMAS DINNER & DANCE
Treat your loved one to a Christmas dinner and dance at The Arts House which has Ms Irene Ng, the MP for Tampines GRC, as guest-of-honour. There is a gift exchange too.
Where: The Arts House, Blue Room, Old Parliament House, 1 Old Parliament Lane MRT: Raffles Place When: Sat (Dec 13), 7.30 - 10.30pm Admission: $90 at the door ($80 in advance) with free flow of beer Tel: 6781-1806 Info: Take along a gift worth at least $10 for the gift exchange. Dress code: sophisticated attire E-mail singaporefacebook@hotmail.com to register or visit http://www.touche.sg
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY FOOD AND TRADITIONS
Australian-born etiquette consultant and food and travel writer Raelene Tan explains colourful Christmas customs.
Where: National Museum of Singapore, The Salon, Level 1, 93 Stamford Road When: Sun , 3pm Admission: $25 Tel: 6332-3659 Info: www.nationalmuseum.sg
ANOTHER CRAZY CHRISTMAS
The Dim Sum Dollies - Selena Tan, Pam Oei and Emma Yong - join Hossan Leong, husband-and-wife thespians Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin, and Broadway Beng Sebastian Tan to spice up your Christmas festivities at this Crazy Christmas show.
Where: Suntec Theatre, Suntec Singapore, Level 2 MRT: City Hall When: Mon - Dec 22, 8pm including 3pm matinees on Sat & Sun Admission: $41 -$71 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: Take note that Hossan Leong will not be performing at the 8pm show on Dec 22, www.dreamacademy.com.sg
MY MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS
An exhibition of Christmas cards and stamps where you can also view winning entries of the recent 'Design Christmas Card Competition' organised by the Singapore Philatelic Museum for primary schoolchildren aged seven to 12.
Where: Singapore Philatelic Museum, 23-B Coleman Street MRT: City Hall/Clarke Quay When: Mon 1- 7pm (Mon), 9am - 7pm (Tue - Sun) Admission: $5 (adult), $4 (child aged three - 12) and senior citizens aged 60 and above, free for senior citizens every Mon Tel: 6337-3888 Info: www.spm.org.sg
Classical
MUSICAL ADVENTURE OF AH BOY - A DAY LOST IN THE JUNGLE!
A lighthearted Singapore Chinese Orchestra family concert featuring music and drama. The SCO will perform works such as The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky and Happy Wanderer by Friedr W. Moller.
Where: Singapore Chinese orchestra Concert Hall, Singapore Conference Hall MRT: Tanjong Pagar When: Sat , 8pm Admission: $13 - $21 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: Catch fringe events such as face painting, balloon sculpting and an instrument touch tour at Singapore Conference Hall from 6.30pm
2008 NATIONAL CHINESE MUSIC COMPETITION
Winners of the biennial competition will perform on the dizi, erhu, guzheng, pipa, sheng, suona, yangqin and zhongruan at the Prize Winners' Concert on Saturday .
Where: Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music Concert Hall, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge MRT: Clementi
When: Sat , 7.30pm Admission: $11 Tel: 6348-5555 (tickets for concert and masterclass) Info: Pay $6 for a masterclass at the Singapore Conference Hall on Sun. Visit
www.nac.gov.sg
BERTRAM WEE IN RECITAL
Sixteen-year-old Singapore pianist Bertram Wee will perform works such as Chopin's 4 Nocturnes and Prokofiev's Sonata No. 6 in A major.
Where: Alliance Francaise Auditorium, 1 Sarkies Road MRT: Newton When: Sat , 8.30pm, Sun , 4.30pm Admission: $10 Tel: 9652-6834 Info: E-mail manifesto316@gmail.com
RUAN EXPRESSIONS
Marvel at the diversity of the ruan, a Chinese four-string instrument, at this concert by the Ruan Ensemble.
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall MRT Hall: City Hall When: Sun , 3pm Admission: Free Tel: 6828-8377
Contest
4TH UNITED STATES DOG AGILITY ASSOCIATION SANCTIONED TRIALS '08
Watch some of Singapore's top agility dogs earning qualifying titles at these trials. Also catch the first flyball dog competition where teams of dogs can compete against each other and more.
Where: West Coast Park Dog Run, Car Park 1, off West Coast Highway MRT station: HarbourFront When: Sun , 9am to 5pm Admission: Free Tel: 6728-7879 Info: www.pups.sg
ELVIS PRESLEY KARAOKE CONTEST
This contest is held in conjunction with Elvis Presley's 74th birth anniversary, with performances by Singapore's own Elvis Presley, Wilson David.
Where: Hotel Royal, Jade Room, 36 Newton Road
MRT: Novena When: Jan 8, 6.30 - 11pm (5.30pm: screening of Elvis Presley's Aloha From Hawaii concert) Admission: $40, pay $10 to enter the contest
Tel: 9686-3806 (Daniel Chan) Info: The Elvis Presley karaoke contest is open to both genders. Submit entries by Dec 14. E-mail dcelvis_meetup@yahoo.com.sg to book or visit www.elvis_meetup.com/169/about
Dance
IMAGINE TREES - A CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL DANCE INITIATIVE
Learn how to be green from this poignant tale told through dance, live music, costumes and multimedia projection by The Arts Fission Company.
Where: Esplanade Theatre Studio MRT: City Hall When: Sat & Sun , 11am, 3 & 7pm Admission: $38 Tel: 6348-5555
Film
LITTLE MOTH
Set in Hubei, China, this story is about a little handicapped village girl who is bought by gangsters to be a prop in a begging scam. By Peng Tao. It has English subtitles.
Where: The Arts House, Screening Room, Old Parliament House, 1 Old Parliament Lane MRT: Raffles Place When: Sat , 8pm Admission: Free Tel: 6332-6914 Info: E-mail tickets@toph.com.sg to register your name as seats are limited
FOR EVERY MINUTE I LIVE, I'LL ENJOY SIXTY SECONDS
This documentary by Zhang Zhangqing is a disturbing film that raises many questions about the social consequences of the new economic and social systems that have emerged in contemporary China. It has English subtitles.
Where: The Arts House, Screening Room, Old Parliament House, 1 Old Parliament Lane MRT: Raffles Place When: Sat , 2.15pm Admission: Free
PASSABE (PG)
A documentary about the remote village of Passabe on the border between East and West Timor, the site of a bloody massacre.
Where: Sinema Old School MRT: Dhoby Ghaut When: Sat , 3.50pm Admission: $8 Tel: 6336-9707 Info: www.sinema.sg/oldschool
Gig
WYCF CLOSING GALA CONCERT
A concert of choral works in different styles and languages, featuring a 30-strong combined school festival choir.
Where: Victoria Concert Hall, Empress Place MRT: Raffles Place When: Sat , 3pm Admission: $11 Tel: 6348-5555
HARMONY FOR HUMANITY CONCERT
Performances by Asian Idol Hady Mirza and local a cappella group Budak Pantai.
SILVER COUPLE SUPERSTARS YU TIAN AND LI YA PING'S FIRST SINGAPORE CONCERT
Yu Tian, who's also known as Taiwan's Elvis Presley, and his wife Li Ya Ping and their three children entertain you with fresh renditions of oldies.
Where: The Max Pavilion, Singapore Expo MRT: Expo When: Sat , 8pm Admission: $81 - $151 Tel: 6348-5555
EMI FUJITA ACOUSTIC LIVE CAMOMILE CLASSICS
The Japanese vocalist will serenade you with her distinctive vocals. Her last concert here four years ago was sold out.
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall MRT: City Hall When: Sat, 7.30pm Admission: $61 - $141 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: Emi's solo debut album Camomile in 2001 received Platinum and Golden Disc Awards in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore and she has released a series of albums under the same title which achieve the No.1 rating in many Asian countries.
KNOB IT!
This concert features four electro-acoustic acts from Malaysia, including Dian Bang, an emerging band from the Malaysian-Chinese indie music scene; Ika, a female singer-songwriter; Silent Prayer; and DJ Rainf, an electronica artist.
Where: Esplanade Recital Studio MRT: City Hall When: Sat , 8pm Admission: $31 Tel: 634805555
Guitar Festival/Competition
CRISTINA AZUMA & ERIC FRANCERIES
Catch two six-string virtuosos who are here for the 8th International Guitar Festival 2008. Brazilian guitarist Cristina Azuma performs on Saturday evening while French guitarist Eric Franceries performs on Sunday afternoon.
Prizes totalling more than $38,000 and including specially handcrafted guitars and accessories await winners at the final of this competition. Contestants come from China, the United States, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Where: When: DBS Auditorium, Level 3, DBS Building, Tower 1, 6 Shenton Way MRT: Tanjong Pagar When: Sun , 8pm
Ever wondered how penguins can survive in sunny Singapore? Find out at this two-day camp at the Jurong BirdPark, which includes guided tours of the Lory Loft, Avian Hospital and World of Darkness owl exhibit.
Where: Jurong BirdPark, 2 Jurong Hill MRT: Chinese Garden When: Sat , 2pm to 9.30am on Sun ( Admission: $130 be adult) & $110 (child aged three to 12), including entry, panorail ride, all meals and conducted tours Tel: 6661-7809/819 Info: E-mail education@birdpark.com.sg to register on a first-come-first-served basis. The camp includes a barbeque dinner at the scenic pelican Cove and a campfire at night
AMAZING RACE@JURONG BIRDPARK
Fancy winning a three-day stay at the Ananatara Resort in Bali worth more than $2,000 minus airfare? Be among the 30 families here to participate in this Amazing Race which involves performing certain tasks at Jurong BirdPark's new African Waterfall Aviary. By I Love Children, a non-profit body promoting family life, and Jurong Birdpark.
Where: Jurong Birdpark MRT: Chinese Garden When: Sun , 11.30am Admission: $26, including entry tickets for two adults and two children for the first 25 families while the remaining five families will be charged $18 per adult and $9 a child Tel: 6842-7266 Info: Families can also look forward to various fun activities at the I Love Children Bus there. I Love Children encourages Singaporeans to give high priority to family life and children. Visit www.ilovechildren.org.sg
Party
ZOUKOUT
Jump into your swimwear and dance the night away at SingTel's dance music festival from dusk to dawn at Sentosa's Siloso Beach. The sundown set lined up to entertain you includes Nouvelle Vague, Dimitri from Paris, Bloco Singapura, Electrico, Mambo Jambo and Vicarious Bliss.
Where: Sentosa, Siloso Beach MRT: HarbourFront When: Sat , 6.30pm - 8am, Sun Admission: $51 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: www.zoukout.com
Show
RUSSEL WONG EXHIBITION
An exhibition of celebrity photographer Russel Wong's travel and personal works at this three-day exhibition.
Where: Asian Art Options, 131 Devonshire Road, Level 2 MRT: Novena When: Till Sun , 11am - 5pm Admission: Free Tel: 6372-0357
Talk
PICTURE BOOK FORUM
First-time writers and illustrators will get valuable tips and guidance at this Picture Book Forum. Featuring The Straits Times Press book publishing team, Australian writer Meredith Costain and Leigh Hobbs, an Australian author and illustrator of children's books.
Where: Grand Plaza Park Hotel, Ballroom 1, Level 2, 10 Coleman Street MRT: City Hall When: Sat , 8.30am - 5.30pm Admission: $55 a day Tel: 6848-8290 Info: The forum is organised by the Media Development Authority and the National Book Development Council of Singapore. Visit www.bookcouncil.sg
THE SECRET AFFAIR OF ELEPHANTS
A talk by Roger Mann, a British conservationist with Wildlife SOS, which is building the first elephant sanctuary in India.
This comic drama will take you on a rollercoaster ride through a minefield of office politics, petty differences, sexual harassment and hidden desires. Directed by Tracie Pang.
Where: DBS Arts Centre, Merbau Road, Robertson Quay MRT: Clarke Quay When: Sat , 4 & 8pm Admission: $51 & $61 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: The play is meant for those aged 16 and above because of mature themes and use of coarse language
LET ME OFF!
Culled from real-life experiences, this play is a fun-filled interactive theatre piece exploring how Singaporeans interact with migrant workers, especially maids. Presented by Migrant Voices.
Where: The Arts House, Play Den, Old Parliament House, 1 Old Parliament Lane MRT: Raffles Place When: Sun , 5 & 7.30pm Admission: Free Info: E-mail ticketing@migrantvoices.org to reserve a seat as seats are limited
SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS
This beloved fairy tale is given a twist and accompanied by side-splitting gags and snazzy songs. Directed by Hossan Leong, this Wild Rice production features Sebastian Tan as The Queen and Elena Wang as Snow White.
Where:Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street MRT: City Hall/Bugis When: Till next Sat , 7.30pm (Tue - Fri), 2.30 & 7.30pm (Sat & Sun) Admission: $41 - $62 Tel: 6348-5555
Web
BRUSH UP YOUR ENGLISH
Fine-tune your language skills with English As It Is Broken!
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