Things to do in Kallang and Geylang
If you’re looking for even more things to do in Singapore, here’s something you can add to the list. Swing by the National Arts’ Council (NAC)’s Arts In Your Neighbourhood (AYN) from 12th – 29th November 2020. This time, they’ll be heading to Kallang and Geylang, with a bunch of fun-filled activities in tow.
Between dance performances and light projections, expect a whole range of programmes that will keep everyone entertained no matter the age. As a bonus, most of these activities will be streamed online via NAC’s Facebook page, so you can explore the neighbourhood from the comfort of your home.
Here are the highlights of this event:
1. Watch dance films and dikir barat performances online
Image credit: P7:1SMA
Being one of Singapore’s oldest Malay settlements, Geylang Serai holds a special place in the hearts of its residents. And here, you can witness its heritage in District 14: 7 Kali Bah, a series of dance films created by contemporary dance company P7:1SMA.
Prepare to be amazed by the choreography, which has been inspired by anecdotes, memories, and even objects like photos and artworks collected from the community in Kallang and Geylang.
Image credit: P7:1SMA
You can watch the previews of 7 short dance films on P7:1SMA’s website between 16th – 22nd November, but do be sure not to miss their finale dance performance, streaming on NAC’s Facebook page on 29th November.
Image credit: Kelana Purba
Any celebration of Malay heritage wouldn’t be complete without a dikir barat performance, and you can witness that from locally-renowned group Kelana Purba. Titled Jelajah Bersama Kelana, or Explore with Kelana, this performance will blow you away with its combination of vocals, poetry, and percussion – all of which are inspired by various aspects of the Geylang Serai neighbourhood.
District 14: 7 Kali Bah
Dates: 16th-22nd and 29th November 2020 (finale)
Time: All day and 7PM (finale)
View at: P7:1SMA’s website and Arts In Your Neighbourhood 2020
Jelajah Bersama Kelana
Dates: 14th, 21st & 28th November 2020
Time: 2PM
View at: National Arts Council Singapore
2. Go mural-hunting around the neighbourhood
Artists Ink&Clog at Joo Chiat Complex for Brilliant Corners
Image Credit: System Sovereign
Singapore’s beauty doesn’t just lie in its glittering skyscrapers or stunning architecture – it can be found within the artworks splashed across the country as well. And thanks to local artists in the scene, you’ll be able to find these murals painted all around the Geylang Serai-Joo Chiat area.
Created by arts collective System Sovereign, the Brilliant Corners movement features murals that share a common nature theme, where they were inspired by stories from the residents of Geylang and the glimpses of nature in the town. So put on those comfy walking shoes and take a walk around the area to find each and every one of them.
Brilliant Corners: The City Is Blooming
Address: Joo Chiat Complex, Geylang Park Connector Underpass and various locations along Tanjong Katong Road
Dates: 12th-29th November 2020
Find out more via brilliantcorners.club
3. Explore Kallang physically and virtually
Whether you’re a hardcore RPG gamer or a casual Maplestory player, completing a quest is something we’re all familiar with. Now, you can live out the excitement of such an adventure locally with Stories On Site: The Kallang River Quest.
You can visit landmarks like the former Kallang Gasworks
Expect to be taken on a virtual adventure that is equal parts educational and exciting. Each step of this adventure are chapters within the story, with clues hidden within each one – simply head over to the website and navigate through each chapter by solving the clues which determine the place you are taken to next, which include areas of interest like the Sports Hub and the Old Kallang Airport.
Some of the collectibles you can collect
Image credit: NAC
If virtual tours just don’t cut it, embark on a physical tour with Let’s Tour Kallang & Geylang. There will be numerous gachapon machines scattered around the neighbourhood, where you can collect adorable pins and keychains based on the landmarks in Kallang and Geylang.
Additionally, you’ll also find a paper origami within these gachapon balls that will feature possible places for you to explore – so let fate decide your route as you traverse around the area.
Stories On Site: The Kallang River Quest
Dates: 12th-29th November 2020
Time: 2PM
View at: Stories on Site by Tusitala Books
Let’s Tour Kallang & Geylang
Dates: 12th-29th November 2020
View at: Wisma Geylang Serai, Joo Chiat Complex, and Kallang CC
4. Catch the light projections at Old Airport Road
This light projection will be created by Syndicate, an audiovisual collective that was behind the light artworks during i Light Marina Bay 2017.
Kallang may already have its fair share of photo spots, but this November, you can add one more to the list with the Patterns Seeking light projection. Featuring artworks tagged to original soundscape compositions, you’ll be entranced by the ever-changing symmetrical lines and loops, some of which are inspired by conversations with the merchants on the second floor of Old Airport Road Hawker Centre.
That’s also where you can find this light projection in the evening – an easy place to stop by after grabbing your dinner.
Patterns Seeking by Syndicate
Address: Old Airport Road Hawker Centre
Dates: 12th-29th November 2020
Time: 8PM-9.30PM
5. Sit your kids down for online plays
Image credit: My SuperFuture Theatrical Productions
There’s only so many times a parent can play Baby Shark videos to keep the kids entertained, so for something new, try sitting them down to Invisible Invincible – a virtual play made for children between 3-6 years of age.
Friendship and creativity are the main themes of this play, where the main protagonists will traipse through a child’s imagination to seek friendship. With theatrics and live music in the mix, your kiddos will have a ball of time following along and exercising their own imaginations.
A Bitesize of Astronomy is produced by Bitesize Theatre Productions
Image credit: Bitesize Theatre Productions
Older kids can tune into A Bitesize of Astronomy, which follows three sisters travelling out into space to help a friend out. More than just a musical, this performance also highlights important values like teamwork and kindness – lessons that are good to instil in the kids from a young age.
Apart from these two productions, you can also catch From A to Z: The Adventures of Sol and Friends. The main characters were created by preschool kids and their parents, who will live out stories of Kallang and Geylang and depict various moments in the history of these neighbourhoods.
From A to Z: The Adventures of Sol and Friends
Date: 14th November 2020
Time: 2PM
View at: National Arts Council Singapore
Invisible Invincible
Date: 15th November 2020
Time: 11AM
View at: National Arts Council Singapore
A Bitesize of Astronomy
Date:: 29th November 2020
Time: 11AM
View at: National Arts Council Singapore
New things to do in Kallang and Geylang
Art isn’t just found in museums and painting classes – they can be found literally everywhere, embedded deep within our everyday lives. And now, you can see the beauty of the Kallang and Geylang neighbourhoods during NAC’s Art in Your Neighbourhood (AYN), happening from 12th – 29th November 2020.
The activities we’ve highlighted in this article aren’t the only ones in store. Apart from virtual games and children’s plays, you can also look forward to art walls and walking tours around these neighbourhoods – head over to the official AYN website to find the full list of activities.
Sharing is caring, and to share the fun with your family and friends, be sure to snap a pic and post it on Instagram with the hashtag #ArtsInYourNeighbourhood, and receive a limited edition AYN Kallang/Geylang-inspired tote bag. Alternatively, you can keep yourself updated on all the latest deets by liking or following NAC’s Facebook page and Instagram account.
Find things to do in November with Arts In Your Neighbourhood
This post was brought to you by the National Arts Council.
Cover image adapted from: P7:1SMA and TheSmartLocal