Things to do in March
Image adapted from: AYN & Jarrad Seng (bottom left)
The quiet ‘hood of Bukit Panjang might not be the first place Singaporeans would think of when looking for things to do. But the township has its fair share of unique perks that make it deserving of a spotlight.
Well, look no further than the month of March to explore this part of town, because Arts in Your Neighbourhood will be transforming lesser-known spaces with artistic interpretations inspired by Bukit Panjang. Happening from 12th – 29th March 2020, look out for a slew of events, installations and performances that’ll breathe new life into the neighbourhood.
1. Go on a street art trail with next-level AR murals
Image credit: Arts in your Neighbourhood
Those who aren’t familiar with Bukit Panjang may only know it as the stop that’s at the end of the Downtown line. But there’s so much more to the neighbourhood, like its relatively hilly landscape, wetlands, and unique mix of old and new residential areas.
These traits are reflected in The Outer Space*, a street art trail curated by local artist ZERO. The trail comprises 4 art installations that were inspired by the neighbourhood and its history. Look out for mechanical installations that pay tribute to Bukit Panjang’s hills and old granite quarries, as well as stencils and augmented reality (AR) murals.
The Outer Space*
Venue: Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council (Playground/Open Space outside) | 133A Cashew Road (Ramps) | 139 Petir Road (Void Deck) | 257 Bangkit Road
Date: 12th – 29th Mar
Admission: Free
2. Board a bus with dance performances
Image credit: Tim Whittaker
For most of us, bus rides are an essential part of everyday life and we think nothing more of them. Now imagine your usual bus commute but with dancers hanging from the handrails and entertaining you with comedic scenarios. That’s what this art performance has in store for you.
Image credit: Jarrad Seng
You’ll board a bus and be wow-ed by dancers performing routines specifically designed for the interior of a bus. As the New Zealand-based group has been performing all over the world since 2008, this will be the first time ever Singaporeans will get to watch this performance in the flesh, and this time joined by local performers as well.
Back of the Bus
Meeting point: Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre, 2 Bukit Panjang Ring Road, Singapore 679947
Date & time: 14th, 15th, 21st & 22nd Mar 9.30AM &11.30AM | 19th & 20th Mar 5PM & 7PM
Admission: $5
Update (23rd March 2020): Back of the Bus event has since been cancelled.
3. Find the roving audio recording booth with neighbourhood stories
Image credits: Arts in Your Neighbourhood
If you’ve lived at Bukit Panjang for as long as you can remember, you’re bound to have stories to tell. Now you can reminisce and cement your memories in a pop-up recording booth, where your experiences will be shared with the local community through AYN’s Podscape series.
These recordings will be compiled to form podcast episodes that include interviews, sounds and music that reflect the neighbourhood. Have a listen to these episodes via an installation at the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council’s open space area, or at the artist’s website.
Podscape
Venue: Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council (Playground/Open Space outside), 256 Bangkit Rd, Singapore 670256
Installation: 13th – 29th Mar
Pop-up recording booth: 14th, 21st Mar 9AM-12PM
Admission: Free
4. Check out a floral literary installation in a library
Image credit: Arts in Your Neighbourhood
Gardens by the Bay and Botanic Gardens are usually our top choices for some immersion in nature. Floral Trails: Reading the Garden City brings a fresh option for us to appreciate some beautiful flowers and foliage right in the heart of Bukit Panjang, while enjoying literary texts inspired by nature.
The twist is that it’s installed indoors in the Bukit Panjang Public Library so you can snap photos worthy of the ‘gram in the comfort of an air-conditioned space. You can curl up with your favourite book while you enjoy some nature therapy.
Floral Trails: Reading the Garden City
Venue: Bukit Panjang Library, 1 Jelebu Road, #04-04 & 16/17, Bukit Panjang Plaza, Singapore 677743
Time: 11AM – 9PM
Date: 12th – 29th Mar
Admission: Free
Update (26th March): The Floral Trails exhibit has since been cancelled.
5. See the stash of a karung guni man over the years
Image credit: Arts in Your Neighbourhood
We can all fondly remember the nostalgic horn sounds of our neighbourhood karung guni we heard while growing up. They typically collect old newspapers, unwanted electronics, and scrap material but rarely do we ever stop to think what kind of weird items they must’ve stumbled upon on their collection runs. If you’ve ever been curious, now’s your chance to find out.
Join this karung guni, Uncle Teong, in an interactive theatre performance as he looks back and presents some of the noteworthy objects he collected over the years.
A Collection of Things
Venue: Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council (Playground/Open Space outside), 256 Bangkit Rd, Singapore 670256
Date & time: 21st Mar 10AM & 11.30AM | 22nd Mar, 10AM & 11.30AM
Admission: Free
Art events in March 2020
Having traversed areas like Tampines and Punggol in the past, Arts in Your Neighbourhood (AYN) is no stranger to sprucing up the hidden nooks and crannies of Singapore’s local ‘hoods with art of all forms. From 12th – 29th March 2020 head on over to Bukit Panjang for these unique installations and performances that aren’t what you’ll see on a regular day.
Additionally, you stand a chance to win a limited edition AYN Bukit Panjang tote bag when you snap and share photos and videos of any AYN programmes on your social media with the hashtag #ArtsinYourNeighbourhood. While you’re at it, check out this list of promos to claim.
Your art trail doesn’t just have to be limited to the West as there are tons of new art events that’ll be cropping up all over Singapore this month!
Find things to do in March with Arts In Your Neighbourhood
This post was brought to you by the National Arts Council.