The National Day weekend is a great time to enjoy free heritage and cultural-themed programmes, as well as good deals on family and sporting activities around town. Here are 10 things to check out from August 8 to 10.
CULTURE AND HERITAGE
Our Brick Estate
An overlooked aspect of Singapore's heritage, the humble brick played a substantial role in Singapore's nation building, from colonial times when kilns were first built here, through to the 1970s, when bricks were used to build many of the first HDB estates. Architectural and urban historian Dr Lai Chee Kien gives this talk for 50 people at the Library @ Esplanade.
When: Aug 10, 3 to 3.45pm
Where: Library @ Esplanade, 03-01,
8 Raffles Avenue
Admission: Free
Info: Go to www.esplanade.com
Singapore Char Siew Baos!
Home-grown band Singapore Char Siew Baos! will give a pop interpretation of favourite local songs such as Chan Mali Chan, Together, Home and Five Stars Arising. The four-member band, known for their pop covers and original songs, will be joined by xinyao veteran Wu Jiaming, the original singer of Xiao Ren Wu De Xin Sheng (Voices From The Heart), who will join the band on bass for the song. The band perform their 45-minute set three times on Aug 8.
When:Aug 8, 7.30, 8.45 and 10pm
Where: Outdoor Theatre, Esplanade - Theatres On The Bay
Admission: Free
Info: Go to www.esplanade.com
The Art Of Celebration - Palette Of Local Delights
Singapore's cultural diversity is best revealed through its food, a notion home-grown installation artist Angela Chong plays with in her latest gastronomic-themed work at Scotts Square.
The three-storey, floor-to-ceiling installation in the mall's atrium is made up of more than 60 handmade paper sculptures, each imprinted with kaleidoscopic images of kueh and local cakes. When viewed from certain angles, they reveal the number 49, in honour of Singapore's birthday.
At the atrium's ground level are several "kuehleidescycles", a series of interactive sculptures which twists and turns to reveal facets of different types of kueh and sweets that the artist photographed and digitally manipulated to reveal beautiful patterns.
Members of the public have the chance to make their own "kuehleidescycles" at free workshops in the atrium on Aug 16 and 17, from noon to 8pm.
When: Daily, now till Aug 31 from 10am to 10pm
Where: Atrium, Scotts Square, 6 Scotts Road
Admission: Free
Info: Call Scotts Square on 6235-0575
Our Folksongs, Our Tunes
The Orchestra Collective, an independent musical ensemble based here, will perform a medley of homespun musical classics such as Rasa Sayang, Singapura, Sunny Island and Finale (The Republic), the fifth and final movement of Singaporean composer Tsao Chieh's Singapore Symphonic Suite For Orchestra.
The 46-member wind ensemble will perform the hour-long concert in the Esplanade's Concert Hall, which seats 1,600 on a first-come, first-served basis.
When:Aug 10 at 3pm
Where: Concert Hall, Esplanade - Theatres On The Bay
Admission: Free
Info: Go to www.esplanade.com
(Re)discovering Donald Moore: Singapore's Arts pioneer
Moore (1923-2000) was one of the country's forgotten arts pioneers, instrumental in promoting the literary, visual and performing arts here. With the support of the National Archives, The Arts House has put together the first retrospective of Moore's life.
On display are more than 80 artworks, fine china pieces, books published by Moore and his wife Joanna and programme booklets of events he brought to Singapore in the 1970s. There is also an exhibition of more than 50 of Moore's black-and-white photographs.
When: Aug 7 to 29 daily from 10am to 8pm
Where: Blue Room, The Arts House,
1 Old Parliament Lane
Admission: Free
Info: Go to www.theartshouse.com.sg
FAMILY
Museum Open Houses
The National Museum of Singapore and Singapore Philatelic Museum will be holding open houses on National Day where families can enjoy the programmes for free.
At the National Museum, children and adults can enjoy craft activities and games reminiscent of childhood in the 1980s. At the Philatelic Museum, in conjunction with the DC Comics Super Heroes exhibition, children can pose in costumes at the Pose & Post Photobooth, or make their own superheroe stamps and buttons.
When: Aug 9, 10am to 6pm (activities till 5pm)
Where: National Museum, 93 Stamford Road
Admission: Free
Info: Go to www.nationalmuseum.sg
When: Aug 9, 9.30am to 7pm Where: Singapore Philatelic Museum, 23-B Coleman Street
Admission: Free
Info: spm.org.sg
Sentosa Celebrates
Go back in time to relive the memories of Singapore in the old days. Take a picture wearing costumes from the 1960s or become a true kampung kid in an 1980s- inspired playground, with nostalgic games and activities such as ketupat weaving, hopscotch and chapteh.
There will also be live performances, a photo contest and a mass line dance that will attempt to break a Singapore record.
When: Aug 9 to 11, 11am to 7pm
Where: Merlion Plaza & Palawan Beach, Sentosa
Admission:Free
Info: Go to www.sentosa.com.sg
Singapore Cable Car Promotions
To celebrate the nation's 49th birthday, Singapore Cable Car is treating visitors to a 49 per cent discount on the second ticket for every full-priced adult ticket purchased. Senior citizens aged 60 years and above can ride for $4.90.
When: Aug 8 to 11
Where: Faber Peak Singapore
Info: Go to www.faberpeaksingapore.com
SPORTS AND GAMES
Sports Hub Free Play
The new Singapore Sports Hub is extending free usage for its world-class facilities till Aug 17. Head down for a swim at the OCBC Aquatic Centre or play a game of badminton at the OCBC Arena.
Where: 7 Stadium Drive (OCBC Aquatic Centre) and 5 Stadium Drive (OCBC Arena)
Info: For more information and bookings, go to www.sportshub.com.sg.
One Fit Nation: 49er Challenge
Safra Toa Payoh marks Singapore's 49th birthday with the One Fit Nation 49er Challenge. Its fun fitness tests include 49 seconds planking, 49 sit-ups, 49 burpees, a 49m shuttle run and 49 jumping jacks. In addition, there will be free-for-all activities such as face painting and a temporary tattoo booth. Visitors can also watch the National Day Parade, which will be screened live.
When: Aug 9, noon to 8pm
Where: Safra Toa Payoh
Admission: $5 (members), $10 (non-members)
Info: Go to www.safra.sg
