Wan Qing CultureFest 2018

Images adapted from: Wan Qing CultureFest 2018

Life wasn’t always so hard – there was a time when we were younger and things were simpler. Wan Qing CultureFest 2018 brings you on a trip down memory lane and gives you a good chance to learn more about the Chinese culture in Singapore while you’re at it.

Taking place on 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th November, this local heritage festival will be held at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. Here are 6 highlights out of the many programmes that’ll be taking place. Most of these activities are free too! 

1.Channel your inner artist with art workshops and demonstrations

Image credit: Nicole Honeywill

If art jamming sounds like something right up your alley, you’ll be glad to know that there’ll be a session held right here at the festival. Participants also get to bring home their heritage-themed masterpiece after the event.

For fans of stylish typography, A Brush with Culture lets you pick up basic calligraphy skills via a live demonstration and try out simple writing exercises too. 

Image credit: Wan Qing CultureFest 2018

There’s even a special workshop just for the young ones – Be a Little Artist is a chance for children to learn some basic illustration techniques from the Lianhe Zaobao Correspondents’ Club. 

A Brush with Culture
Date: 10 November
Time: 12.00pm – 1.00pm
Admission: No registration required 

Art Jamming
Date: 10 & 11 November
Time: 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Admission: No registration required. Available on a first come, first served basis 

Be a Little Artist!
Date: 3 November
Time: 11.00am – 2.00pm
Admission: No registration required. Available on a first come, first served basis 

2. Catch free screenings of Singaporean classics 

No one can forget the iconic movie, I Not Stupid
Image credit: SINdie

Hollywood blockbusters are great, but our own little red dot has some iconic films of its own too. Bring along your popcorn and picnic mats, and catch outdoor screenings of some of local classics like I Not Stupid and A Long, Long Time Ago. Psst, sounds perfect for a date! 

Cinema Alfresco
Date: 3, 4, 10, 11 November
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm (3 Nov); 5.00pm – 7.00pm (4, 10, 11 Nov)
Admission: No registration required

3. Settle down for evening performances and comedy acts

Get ready for high-energy traditional performances!
Image credit: Wan Qing CultureFest 2018

After a long day of festivities, go ahead hop on one of the hammocks at the Evening Concerts. Look forward to cultural showcases like lion dance and traditional Chinese drums, and sing along to your favourite tunes at the live old-school music performances of classic hits from the 90s. 

Image credit: Wan Qing CultureFest 2018

And for a treat for the funny bone, sit in for the stand-up comedy acts that’ll be taking place. Enjoy hilarious anecdotes from the likes of homegrown comedians like Fakkah Fuzz, Rishi Budhrani, Marcus Chin and Jinx Yeo, who’ll be sharing their experiences of growing up in Singapore. 

Evening Concert:
Date: 3, 4, 10, 11 November
Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
No registration required

4. Pick up new dance moves and martial arts techniques

Image credit: Wan Qing CultureFest 2018

Catch a live performance by the NTU CAC Chinese Dance Club and get your groove on for yourself at the Shall We Dance? showcase. If you have more of a fighting spirit, Wushu 101 will give you a live martial arts demonstration where you’ll be able to get interactive and pick up some tips and tricks while you’re at it. 

Shall We Dance?
Date: 4 & 11 November
Time: 12.00pm – 1.00pm
Admission: No registration required 

Wushu 101
Date: 3 November
Time: 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Admission: No registration required

5. Bring home your own craftwork or get a temporary tattoo

Image credit: Wan Qing CultureFest 2018

This year’s CultureFest will be hosting a number of workshops where you can create your very own handiworks. Grab your friends and DIY a friendship bracelet with an old buddy, personalise your very own tote bag with paint and stencils before bringing it home, or even pick up a locally-inspired temporary tattoo at Get Inked! 

Tote Bag
Date: 4 & 10 November
Time: 2.00pm – 5.00pm (4 Nov); 1.00pm – 4.00pm (10 Nov)
Admission: No registration required. Available on a first come, first served basis

Friendship Bracelet Weaving
Date: 3 November
Time: 3.00pm – 6.00pm
Admission: No registration required. Available on a first come, first served basis

Get Inked! Temporary Tattoos
Date: 10 & 11 November
Time: 3.00pm – 6.00pm
Admission: No registration required. Available on a first come, first served basis

6. Discover the world of traditional and modern Chinese entertainment

Image credit: Wan Qing CultureFest 2018

In a time before Netflix or even television, live performances were the way to get a good entertainment fix. Catch live performances of both Teochew and Cantonese street opera during the fest, and you can pick up some of the operatic movements in this interactive showcase too. 

Visitors can also get a good laugh from Crosstalk & Comedy, where performers will be engaging in witty dialogue on stage that’ll have you in stitches by the end of it. 

Discovering Teochew Opera
Date: 4 November 
Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Admission: No registration required

Sights & Sounds of Cantonese Opera
Date: 11 November
Time: 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Admission: No registration required

Crosstalk & Comedy
Date: 10 November
Time: 1.00pm – 2.00pm
Admission: No registration required.

Learn more about Chinese heritage at Wan Qing CultureFest 2018

Image credit:  Wan Qing Yuan – Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall 

If you’re looking for an excuse to head out of the house this weekend, Wan Qing CultureFest 2018 is a great chance to experience some memories about days gone by and to discover things you never knew about Chinese heritage as well. 

And aside from the sneak peek of activities that we’ve provided, Wan Qing CultureFest will be holding more workshops, talks, trails and performances – so there’s bound to be something for everyone.

Find out more about Wan Qing CultureFest 2018 here!

Wan Qing CultureFest 2018
Dates: 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th November 2018
Time: 10AM – 9.30PM
Location: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Rd, Singapore 327874 
Admission: Free*
Website

*Selected activities are chargeable and require pre-registration

This post was brought to you by Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.