Silver Arts 2018
Image credit: Mapping Our Lives , Ding Yi Music Company, Asia Musical Productions, Handmade Tales
Hanging out with ah ma, atuk or thatha usually means massaging their foot in the living room or bringing ‘em for a quick bite at the coffee shop. After all, despite the wealth of happenings here, it’s hard to find one that’s age-appropriate and caters to their interest.
Thankfully, Silver Arts is here to change all that with its selection of senior citizen-friendly activities. From now till 30th September 2018, you can enjoy the likes of music performances, concerts, theatre shows, workshops and exhibitions that’ll resonate well with your grandparents.
Here are some of the things you can expect at this festival.
1. Listen to a symphony of Mandarin tunes by the Ding Yi Music Company
Image credit: Ding Yi Music Company
Make a date for any of Ding Yi Music Company’s Silver Arts performances, and you’ll be whisked away to your childhood days of watching Channel 8 with ah gong.
For their first show, Golden Melodies, the Chinese chamber music ensemble will be performing theme songs of past local TV favs like “Little Nyonya” and “Tofu Street”. And if you head for their second show, Relieving Rediffusion, your grandparents will totally appreciate receiving a healthy dose of Rediffusion-era tunes from singers like Fong Fei Fei and Teresa Teng.
Golden Melodies
Date: Sat, 8th Sep 2018
Address: Community Plaza, Kampung Admiralty, Singapore 730676
Time: 5PM – 6PM
Free admission
Website
Reliving Rediffusion with Ding Yi
Date: Fri, 14th Sep 2018
Address: Far East Organisation Auditorium, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Singapore 018906
Time: 7:30PM – 8:30PM
Price: $12 (General admission) | $8 (Senior citizens, aged 60 and above)
Website
2. Watch heartwarming local films like Love in a Convenience Store, Seniman Bujang Lapok and Ramen Teh
Image credit: Tempo
If you’d like to take your grandparents out on a movie date but are limited by the usual Hollywood fare, watch any of the Silver Arts films for the chance to finally share a popcorn bucket with them.
These movies have been specially curated such that they’re all heavily linked to family, so prepare the tissues once the credits roll ‘cause you’ll totally appreciate each other more.
Easties would wanna head to Our Tampines Hub on Friday, 14th September 2018 for the free showing of Seniman Bujang Lapok – the classic P.Ramlee film chronicling the misadventures of 3 friends trying to break into the film industry.
And if you live close to a Golden Village cinema*, you can watch a collection of five short films including Love in a Convenience Store and New Bike, and Eric Khoo’s Ramen Teh at low prices – $6 for adults and $3 for senior citizens.
*For the full list of showtimes, click here.
Seniman Bujang Lapok screening
Date: Fri, 14th Sep 2018
Address: Festive Plaza, Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 528523
Time: 7PM – 9:30PM
Free admission
Silver Films Golden Village screenings
Date: 6th – 30th Sep 2018
Address: Multiple locations
Price: $6 (General admission) | $3 (Senior citizens, aged 55 and above, available only at GV ticketing counters)
Website
3. Go on a AR/VR tour of old Singapore and see artworks by senior citizens at the Silver Arts Exhibition
Pillow Dreams at the National Library Board
Image credit: Arts For All
Behind every artwork is a cascade of emotions put into it. As such, to catch an inner glimpse of the thoughts and feelings of senior citizens, head to the Silver Arts Exhibition and appreciate artworks created by them!
The free event will be held at 3 locations, Kampung Admiralty, Asia Square and the National Library Building, with each place having their own set of unique pieces.
For instance, Kampung Admiralty and Asia Square’s exhibition will have an installation made of 100 mirrors that explores happiness through the eyes of both youths and seniors.
And if you’ve wanted to experience what Singapore was like in the old days, head to the Plaza at National Library Building for magic mARkers – an augmented and virtual reality artwork featuring the works of seniors who’ve used technology to bring to life their fondest memories and favourite spaces.
Kampung Admiralty
Date: 6th – 12th Sep 2018
Address: Community Plaza, Kampung Admiralty, Singapore 730676
Website
Asia Square
Date: 13th – 30th Sep 2018
Address: The Cube, Asia Square, 8 Marina View, Singapore 018960
Website
National Library Board
Date: 15th – 30th Sep 2018
Address: The Plaza, National Library Board, Singapore 188064
Website
4. Witness an entertaining musical set in the 70’s
Though the Hungry Ghost Festival is usually a sombre event, you and ah ma can put a fun spin to it by watching Singing Market the Musical*.
Set in the 70s, the musical centres around a group of market vendors who are forced to perform at the annual Ghost Festival dinner at the eleventh hour. With its upbeat songs and colourful costumes, it’s something that can be enjoyed by anyone.
*Performed in Mandarin, with English surtitles.
Date: Fri & Sat, 21st & 22nd Sep 2018
Address: Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Board, Singapore 188064
Time: 2:30PM – 3:30PM
Price: $12 (General admission) | $8 (Senior citizens, aged 60 and above)
Website
5. Create DIY works like dreamcatchers and placemats
If your grandparents have approached you for tips on making their bedroom like yours aka more Pinterest-esque, jio them for Handmade Tales. You’ll learn how to make a decorative dream catcher, weave a personalised placemat and create a heart-shaped card at this free craft workshop.
And if you head here with your grandparents on any of the days below, be sure to collect the voucher that’ll entitle you to 2 free drinks*!
*While stocks last.
Date: 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th Sep 2018
Address: The Plaza, National Library Board, Singapore 188064
Time: 1PM – 4PM
Website
6. Sing along to classic Malay films with Konsert Gurindam Jiwa
Those who’ve been to a Malay wedding or watched a classic Malay film will probably be familiar with the song Gurindam Jiwa and other works by acclaimed composer, Wandly Yazid.
If you’re up for an hour of soothing music from classic Malay films, spring for Konsert Gurindam Jiwa. The concert will feature Wandly Yazid songs, performed by a 70–strong angklung orchestra and acts by singers like R Ismail and Julie Sudiro.
Date: Sat, 8th Sep 2018
Address: Concert Hall, School of The Arts, Singapore 227968
Time: 2:30PM – 3:30PM | 7:30PM – 8:30PM
Price: $12 (General admission) | $8 (Senior citizens, aged 60 and above)
Website
Bond with your grandparents at Silver Arts 2018
Whether it’s helping you with your first shower or showering you with unconditional love, we can all agree that our grandparents are the best and we should start spending a lil’ more time with time with them. Luckily, it’s never too late to begin.
From now till 30th September 2018, bond with your grandparents by bringing them to any Silver Arts activity around Singapore! We’re talking the likes of grandma-approved musicals, workshops, and concerts. You’ll end up knowing more about your loved ones and a memory that’ll last forever.
To put an even bigger smile on Ah Ma’s face, you can win a limited-edition Silver Arts thermos flask by buying tickets to any Silver Arts shows* here.
*Silver Films tickets not included.
Find out more about Silver Arts 2018 here!
This post was brought to you by the National Arts Council.