What's on: Thursday's top picks from Life!

The Wunderkammer Obscura is a camera obscura, an invention that predated the modern-day camera, and a cabinet of wonders or “wunderkammer” in German. -- FILE PHOTO: DR ISABELLE DESJEUX
The Wunderkammer Obscura is a camera obscura, an invention that predated the modern-day camera, and a cabinet of wonders or “wunderkammer” in German. -- FILE PHOTO: DR ISABELLE DESJEUX

THE ART OF GIVING EXHIBITION

A fund-raising exhibition featuring works by contemporary artists from all over the world. Thirty per cent of the proceeds will go to the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped. Direct donations are also welcome. Organised by Vinci Arts Gallery.

Where: Mandarin Gallery, hallway connecting Chatterbox in the gallery to Mandarin Orchard's 5th-floor lobby, Orchard Road MRT: Somerset When: Till April 9, 10am - 10pm Admission: Free Tel: 6100-1117 Info: Go to www.vinciarts.com or e-mail melissa@vinciarts.com

Art

AQUARIA

This solo exhibition is by award-winning British contemporary artist Sarah Harvey, known for her paintings of human figure suspended in light-filled azure and aquamarine waters. Her weightless figures are simultaneously liberated and engulfed, revealed and obscured, suggesting freedom, fear and fantasy.

Where: Collectors Contemporary, Petro Centre, 01-03, 5 Jalan Kilang Barat, off Jalan Bukit Merah MRT: Tiong Bahru/Redhill When: Fri - May 17, 11am - 7pm (Tue - Sat), Closed on Sun, Mon & public holidays Admission: Free Tel: 6878-0103 Info:www.collectors.com.sg

TJINTU KUWARITJA WIRU MULAPA - A GREAT DAY

A showcase of 30 outstanding new works by Tjala Arts, a leading Australian indigenous art community art centre.

Where: The ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Gallery 9 Unit 01-05, 39 Keppel Road MRT: Tanjong Pagar/Outram When: Till Sat, noon - 7pm (Tue -Sat), By appointment on Sun, Mon & public holidays Admission: Free Info: www.redotgallery.com

Classical

BACH: ST. JOHN PASSION (GALA)

Under the baton of Lim Yau, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra will perform J.S. Bach's St John Passion for the first time. Written for Good Friday, it has become more popular as a masterpiece of astounding musical beauty depicting the arrest, trial, cruxifixion and burial of Christ. Lim is joined by the combined voices of the Singapore Symphony Chorus, the Hallelujah Chorus and the Nafa Choir.

Where: Esplanade Concert Hall MRT: Esplanade/City Hall When: Fri, 7.30pm Admission: $21 - $101 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: There will be a pre-concert talk at library@esplanade at 6.30pm and an open rehearsal on Thu from 6.30 - 10.15pm on Thu. Go to www.sistic.com.sg

Festivals

NIGHT WALK WITH THE STORYTELLER (THE ARTS HOUSE 10TH ANNIVERSARY)

Be enthralled by tales inspired by the spaces and walls of The Arts House on this night walk by master storyteller Kamini Ramachandran and friends.They will take you on a multi-sensorial experience of live storytelling, heightened by food, scent and sound, through secret crevices in The Arts House.

Where: The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane MRT: Raffles Place When: Till Fri, 9pm Admission: $11 ($9 concession for students, senior citizens and The Arts House members) Info: Get tickets at www.bytes.sg. Each walk is limited to 30 people. Go to www.theartshouse.com.sg/Prpgrammes/EventPage.aspx?EventID=3424

SINGAPORE YOUTH FESTIVAL 2014 ARTS PRESENTATION

Students from primary schools will put up dance and music performances, secondary school students will present band displays and those from junior colleges and centralised institutes will stage dramas during the month-long Singapore Youth Festival 2014 Arts Presentation ending on April 30.

Where: Various venues, such as Singapore Conference Hall, School of the Arts, Kallang Theatre, University Cultural Centre, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Goodman Arts Centre and The Republic Cultural Centre Theatre MRT: Various When: Till April 30, various times Admission: Free Info: www.singaporeyouthfestival.sg

Films

FILMS CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF CHARLIE CHAPLIN

Catch three early movies of silent-movie icon Charlie Chaplin: Kid Auto Races At Venice (1914), The Vagabonds (1916) and The Immigrant (1917), with live music performed by The Young Musicians' Orchestra Singapore. A fund-raising event by non-profit organisation Opera Viva.

Where: Alliance Francaise, 1 Sarkies Road MRT: Newton When: Sat & Sun, 2.30 - 3.30pm, 5 - 6pm (sold out) & 7.30 - 8.30pm Admission: $21 ($43 for tax-exempt donation ticket, $13 for children aged under 12) Tel: 6348-5555 Info: www.sistic.com.sg

ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL: SPECIAL VENICE EDITION

Catch more than 10 films from the recent 70th Venice Film Festival at the 11th Italian Film Festival: Special Venice Edition featuring Italian and Asian films, including the Golden Lion winner, Sacro GRA, the only documentary to win the Venice FIlm Festival's highest honour. Other films include Bertolucci On Bertolucci, about the life and work of legendary director Bernardo Bertolocci, and a special screening of a restored version of Federico Fellini's 1960 classic, La Dolce Vita. Presented by the Italian Cultural Institute in collaboration with the Venice Biennale.

Where: The Cathay Cineplex and National Museum of Singapore MRT: Dhoby Ghaut and other stations (Cathay Cineplex) and Dhoby Ghaut (Natonal Museum) When: Till Mon, various times Admission: $12 Info: http://tickets-cathay.com.sg (Cathay) and www.miticketplus.com (National Museum). Also go to www.facebook.sm/ItalianFilmFest

Gigs

LET'S MEETUP FOR A BEATLES TRIBUTE SHOW

Fans of The Beatles can perform Beatles songs or listen to their hits at this event.

Where: Actors The Jam Bar, *Scape Orchard Branch, 02-38 *Scape Singapore, 2 Orchard Link MRT: Somerset/Orchard When: Thu, 7pm onwards Admission: Free entry (pay 20 per cent less for food and drinks from 7 - 9pm) Tel: 6536-6651

Kids

SINGAPORE'S FIRST JUNIOR CHEFS' PASTRY WORKSHOP

Spanish pastry Master Chef Christian Escriba, who is here for the 18th World Gourmet Summit, will conduct Singapore's first junior chefs' pastry workshop for 16 lucky children aged from six to 12, with adult accompaniment.

Where: ToTT Store, 896 Dunearn Road MRT: Clementi When: Thu, 2 - 4.30pm Admission: $128 Tel: 6219-7077

RAPUNZEL

Learn about friendship in this musical fairy tale, in which Rapunzel goes on a journey of self-discovery. By The Little Company, a division of the Singapore Repertory Theatre. Recommended for children aged two to six.

Where: DBS Arts Centre, 20 Merbau Road MRT: Clarke Quay When: Till April 27, 10am (Tue - Fri), 11am & 2pm (weekends & public holidays) Admission: $25 - $38 Tel: 6348-5555

Shows

EDWARD BURTYNSKY: WATER

In his photo exhibition, Canadian photographer and artist Edward Burtynsky illustrates the scale and impact of manufacturing and human consumption on the world's water supplies.

Where: Sundaram Tagore Gallery, 01-05, Gillman Barracks, 5 Lock Road MRT: Labrador Park When: Till Sun, 11am - 7pm (Tue - Sat), 11am - 6pm (Sun) Admission: Free Tel: 6694-3378 Info: E-mail singapore@sundaramtagore.com

Talks

FRIDAY WITH FRIENDS! DE-MYSTIFYING CHINESE PORTRAITS

Did Western artists such as Matisse or Picasso have any influence on Chinese portraits? Find out at this talk, which will also examine how Western styles crept in during Qing emperor Qianlong's reign (1736-1795). The speaker is Friends of the Museums docent Pauline Ong.

Where: Asian Civilisations Museum, Empress Place MRT: Raffles Place When: Thu, 7 - 8pm Admission: Free Info: No registration is required. Go to www.acm.org.sg

Theatre

MADE IN SINGAPORE: RISING SON

Written by Singapore Cultural Medallion recipient Dick Lee, this play, which is set against the backdrop of the Japanese Occupation, tells the coming-of-age stories of his father, aunt and a Japanese army lawyer living next door. Part of three plays presented by the Singapore Repertory Theatre.

Where: DBS Arts Centre, Merbau Road MRT: Clarke Quay When: Till April 12, 4pm (Tue), 8pm (Thu), Fri & Sat, 4 & 8pm Admission: $38 & $48 (Thu & Sat matinee shows), $48 & $58 (Fri & Sat evening shows), no shows on Sun, Mon & Wed Tel: 6348-5555 Info: www.sistic.com.sg

INSIDE JOB (IINTERACTIVE THEATRE)

Plunge into a crime drama that unfolds in real time on the streets of Singapore at this interactive theatrical experience set against some of Singapore's most poular hangouts.

Where: Meeting point will be revealed to participants 24 hours before the chosen time slot via e-mail and/or SMS and you can meet other members of the group before the crime drama When: Till July 13, 4, 5 & 6pm (Sat & Sun) Admission: $70 each, including alcoholic/non-alcoholic refreshments and light snacks Info: Buy tickets online at www.theinside.com.sg

COMPILED BY MAGDALENE LUM

The listings on this page are free. Write to Life!Happenings, Life!, The Straits Times, Podium Level 2, 1000 Toa Payoh North, Singapore 318994, e-mail stlife@sph.com.sg or fax 6319-8276 at least two weeks ahead. Include the name of the event, organiser, venue, date and time, ticket prices and nearest MRT station as well as your name, address and contact number. We reserve the right to edit or reject items. Go to the website www.straitstimes.com (click on Lifestyle under Breaking News) for the What's On listings on Mon to Thu and Sat

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