SG Culture Pass: Sneak peek at where you can spend your $100 credit

SINGAPORE – Over 400 programmes have been approved for the first batch of events that are eligible for the

SG Culture Pass credits

. Though the full list will go live only on Sept 1 at

sgculturepass.gov.sg

, some arts groups are already advertising what they have to offer.

Currently, about 40 per cent of events listed are live performances, while workshops and talks form another 30 per cent. The majority, 70 per cent, are priced at $50 or less, so you should be able to use your $100 credits on at least two tickets.

Here are some early picks to look at.

1. Art workshops

The Visual Arts Centre near Dhoby Ghaut MRT station has a whopping 18 programmes approved by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

From leather-, tile- and batik-painting workshops to figurine making to caricature drawing, these are pitched at those brave enough to throw out reservations about their “artistic abilities” and get their hands dirty.

Elsewhere, there are more options for the connoisseur in paper- and magnet-making courses and sessions on book-binding.

Balloon splatter art and graffiti offer the thrill of creating beauty from chaos, with a tinge of bonhomie rebellion, while Nanyang Food’s sauce appreciation workshop imparts to you secret knowledge you can use to impress your friends at your next cook-off.

2. Shows galore

The vibrant theatre scene in Singapore is staging some of its best shows to attract your government-given dollar.

Currently on stage are works like The Theatre Practice’s Mandopop musical

Partial Eclipse Of The Heart

– five friends led by singer Joanna Dong crooning your favourite tunes as they gather at a chalet every decade; and the Singapore Repertory Theatre’s dinner theatre

Fried Rice Paradise – The Makan Party

, which delegates the power to you to determine who gets to take over a legacy fried rice restaurant.

For more testy fare, The Necessary Stage presents SG Insecure from late October, with irreverent stories of migrant workers and student activism in a country that on the surface is quite comfortable with surveillance.

Scour through the lengthy list for your next favourite theatre company, from Sight Lines Entertainment, known for its murder mysteries and now immersing you in theatrical escape game The Dreamcatcher; to the polished Tamil company Agam Theatre, staging its blockbuster Mission Malligapoo at The Esplanade in November.

There are also full-fledged concerts by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra and Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

3. A walk around Singapore town

Restless to get your steps in while experiencing culture? On the approved list are quite a few tours that will get you sweaty.

These walking tours will reacquaint you with the familiar city through new lenses – for instance, visiting kebaya-makers in Kampong Gelam, or understanding the vanishing Orang Laut and Orang Pulau practices in West Coast Park, the last remaining space for these former seafaring tribes to dock their sampans.

Mr Ho Yong Min, better known as heritage educator The Urbanist, offers his expertise for a 2½-hour tour around the civic district in search of the origins of the National Anthem Majulah Singapura.

On a contemplative exploration of Geylang, Deck Photography Art Centre presents a chance to meet fellow photography enthusiasts – no matter if your preferred implement is the DSLR, a compact camera or the ubiquitous smartphone.