SINGAPORE - The annual Singapore Night Festival opened on Friday night in the Bras Basah-Bugis precinct with a burst of colour and sound.

Visitors to the School of the Arts were treated to a a rousing drumming performance titled Spark! by five LED-lit drummers of the World Beaters Music group from the United Kingdom.

Those at the Singapore Art Museum took in a fire and light performance by local group Starlight Alchemy.

The music and art extravaganza runs for four days over the next two weekends and celebrates Singapore's jubilee year with its theme, Glitz And Glamour.

Now in its eighth year, the event organised by the National Museum of Singapore will see more than 100 programmes put together by both local and international acts.

Among these will be interactive installations, a street parade and a specially comissioned light projection on the facade of the National Museum titled The Anooki Celebrate Singapore.

For the first time, there will be a series of workshops and artist talks for members of the public to get an insight into the creative processes and inspiration behind some of the artwork and performances.

Last year, some half a million people attended the event.

Admission is free while some events are ticketed. Visit www.nightfest.sg for information.