From 17 – 26 Nov 2023, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts presents on-the-pulse explorations of culture and identity by some of India and Singapore’s best-known names in the performing arts, alongside exciting musicians and bands who have emerged in the last decade. Southeast Asia’s first Indian arts festival with a multi-genre focus will celebrate these talents as well as the power of stories and folklore in both traditional and contemporary contexts.
Singapore’s largest alternative music festival is back this year, bigger and better (and still free for all to enjoy)! Held from 6 – 8 Oct 2023, the 22nd edition of Baybeats is one not to be missed by music lovers as Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay presents an exciting line-up of homegrown and international acts, supported by new partnerships. Committed to celebrating and supporting the Singapore music community, Esplanade is privileged to be in partnership this year with two esteemed East Asian festivals, Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards and Festival (GMA) and Ear Up Music Festival from Hong Kong, helping to raise awareness of Singapore’s talents overseas and profile the festival internationally. Baybeats festival village returns this year too, offering festival goers a space to relax and recharge.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay presents CAN – Connect Asia Now, a weekend dedicated to contemporary works by Asian dancemakers, from 13 – 15 Oct 2023. CAN will take place annually as part of da:ns focus, our year-round dance season comprising five themed weekends. One of the most acclaimed Asian contemporary dance companies in the world, TAO Dance Theater (China), makes a long-awaited return to Singapore with the Southeast Asian premiere of their latest works, 13 & 14. For the inaugural CAN, Esplanade is commissioning new works by two Southeast Asian female choreographers, Kornkarn Rungsawang (Thailand) and Melati Suryodarmo (Indonesia).
The Studios turns 20 this year and it will be expanding to include an additional performance venue, artists from a wider geography and companion programmes that enable deepened engagement with the artistic work and the issues raised. Our overarching theme for the next three years is Land. For 2023, we turn our lens inwards and examine our relationship with land under the specific theme of Landings. How much do we know about the land on which we reside? What does it mean to us, and to what extent do we understand what we are trying to protect or preserve, particularly in Singapore where urban re-development is analogous to progress? What is the cost of this progress and what do we give up or have we given up, in order to move ahead? Taking place from 28 Jul to 3 Sep 2023, the six productions and the companion programmes are a starting point to examine some of these complex questions.
DBS and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay announced a strategic partnership, anchored by a common vision to help uplift the community and pave the way towards a more inclusive and socially-conscious Singapore. As part of the new partnership, DBS will donate SGD 3.5 million towards Esplanade, in support of the full range of free programmes that will be presented at its Outdoor Theatre every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and on public holidays. As such, the Outdoor Theatre, which has a seated and standing capacity of about 1,000 people, will be recognised as the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade for the next five years.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay welcomes everyone to the 14th edition of A Tapestry of Sacred Music—a festival where we bring together practitioners of different faith communities in a sharing of their cultural expressions. Taking place from 28 Apr – 1 May 2023, this is a one-of-a-kind event in the region and presents rare access to music that is often cloistered within places of worship. And yet, because these musical practices are inspired by the concept of a higher power and refined over generations of devotional practice, they are also some of humankind’s most intriguing and moving expressions.
Flipside rambunctiously takes over Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay for 10 days of circus, comedy, physical theatre and puppetry. From 26 May to 4 Jun 2023, the festival presents a bumper crop of international artists from seven countries, performing alongside artists from Singapore. Puppetry takes centre stage with two theatre productions—Chimpanzee (USA) and Famous Puppet Death Scenes (Canada)—that debunk the idea that this art form is ‘just for kids’. Puppets appear outdoors along the Esplanade Waterfront too in the form of roving Seagulls (Australia). Flipside also celebrates the wonderfully imaginative world of circus, clowning, physical comedy and street arts performed by acrobats in Circus Park (Taiwan); street artists in My Dream (South Korea), Circus Olympics (South Korea) and Bakeke (France), as well as Kulu Orr who plays a quirky character in Control Freak (Israel). Flipside continues to be a key platform for Singapore’s circus and aerial arts community as we launch Circus Open Stage this year to feature ground circus practitioners performing short routines.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay welcomes everyone to Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts 2023 from 18 – 21 May 2023. One of the oldest art forms, storytelling preserves and shares memories, culture and tradition. Stories better connect us with the world we are in and are often lessons or a source of inspiration. In our 22nd edition of Pesta Raya, we celebrate and explore stories that keep the rich culture of the Nusantara alive.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay brings audiences to the next level of appreciation for dance with da:ns focus—five weekends of dance programmes throughout the year, each focusing on a particular theme or genre. We kickstart the series with EveryBody (14 – 16 Apr 2023), focusing on works created with inclusivity and diversity in mind, followed by Body Language (5 – 7 May 2023) which shines the spotlight on the interplay between contemporary dance and text. We profile distinct voices and creative impulses from the region during CAN – Connect Asia Now (13 – 15 Oct 2023), and celebrate and explore Singapore’s vibrant and active street dance scene at FL/OW – The FULL OUT Weekend (1 – 3 Dec 2023) Lastly, Ballet by the Bay (Mar 2024) will enthral ballet lovers with world-class productions of classics and neo-classical works.
Since 2003, Esplanade's The Studios has established a reputation for presenting thought-provoking works and giving space for theatre-makers to explore different issues in a variety of forms. As The Studios season moves into its next decade of growth and with the recent opening of the new Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade, we wanted to explore new ideas. One of these possibilities is TRIP, a programme within The Studios that supports early-career directors by giving them opportunities, resources and a platform. Through connecting them with an experienced creative and technical team, and providing them with a professional venue, we create a safe and supportive environment for these directors. In consultation with our Resource Panel of experienced theatre professionals (Aidli ‘Alin’ Mosbit, Edith Podesta, Sean Tobin), we selected Sim Yan Ying “YY” and Renee Yeong as our directors for the inaugural edition for TRIP. In April 2023, YY will be directing No Particular Order by Joel Tan and Renee will be directing I am trying to say something true by Michelle Tan.
Taking place from 9 – 19 Mar 2023 over the school holidays, March On 2023—Esplanade’s annual arts festival for young audiences and their families—will feature three commissioned works that take on the theme of identity and how children navigate their environment. How do children see themselves and the community that supports them? How do they develop the strength to face challenges and difficulties? What is a safe space or environment to a child, and how is the community a part of it? These are some of the questions we hope to explore during the festival.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay invites everyone to explore ways to discover new worlds, make memories and have a good laugh for a moment’s relief from the stresses of life at Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts from 27 Jan – 5 Feb 2023. It has been close to three years since we last presented overseas artists physically at the festival and we warmly welcome them back. Huayi kicks off with ART, Godot Theatre Company of Taiwan’s humorous and thought-provoking adaptation of Yasmina Reza’s celebrated play. Travel with the famed Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan to the bustling Bangka district of its artistic director Cheng Tsung-lung’s Taipei childhood in 13 Tongues. Completing the eclectic music line-up are An Evening with Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Taiwanese indie darlings ANPU (formerly known as Deserts Chang), Accusefive and Elephant Gym.
百兔齐聚，一蹦一跳迎华艺🐇
由滨海艺术中心呈献的第21届华艺节将从2023年1月27日至2月5日，再次以一系列轻松而又不失冒险精神的精彩节目，带来顶尖华人艺术家的创意作品。距离上次呈现海外艺术家的现场演出已有三年之久了，非常开心能够再次欢迎他们的到来。为华艺节拉开序幕的是台湾果陀剧场改编自雅丝米娜• 雷札（Yasmina Reza）最广为人知的幽默喜剧《ART》。另外，跟随台湾著名舞团云门舞集，在《十三声》中穿越到艺术总监郑宗龙儿时在台北的那些年，感受艋舺的繁华热闹。强大的节目阵容还包括香港中乐团的《春颂》，台湾独立音乐人安溥（原艺名张悬）、告五人和大象体操带来的真诚演绎。
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is proud to present the 10th edition of Voices – A Festival of Song, a celebration of vocal music to be held from 1 – 4 Dec 2022. The theme for the 10th edition is homecoming, which is a befitting one, as we welcome back old friends and regulars of the festival. Highlights include a new Christmas concert by The King’s Singers from UK, an A Cappella Gala featuring MICapella, 1023 and Acapellago from the Philippines, as well as performances by Rio SilaenVoices of Indonesia, L’arietta Productions, Sing’Theatre, Singapore Lyric Opera, Sugar Bees, LimTayPeng and the DJs from 96.3 Hao FM, and more. Voices 2022 features a diverse range of forms and styles of singing, from choral, opera and a cappella to pop, musical theatre and xinyao, and more. Over four days, almost every corner of Esplanade will come alive with the sound of the human voice.
Baybeats brings the best of alternative music from Singapore and beyond to everyone. From 28 – 30 Oct 2022, we welcome back regional acts and overseas collaborations at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, as well as the strong online community to experience the raw energy of Baybeats. We are also happy to announce the return of the festival’s beloved Powerhouse stage—renamed Powerhouse2 at the new Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade. For the first time, we will be collaborating with Taiwanese music festival LUCfest at the Esplanade Annexe Studio. The 21st edition of Baybeats is filled with the long-awaited return of many of our favourite things. We can’t wait to have everyone back on our grounds, moshing, rocking out and simply having a good time.
Making sure that the arts is accessible to and embraced by diverse communities in Singapore, is always at the heart of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s work. This October, as the centre celebrates its 20th anniversary, it will roll out a series of new accessibility features to welcome patrons of all ages and abilities.
Over the past two decades, Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts has been a champion for the Indian arts and this year from 18 – 27 Nov 2022, the festival builds on the relationships developed over the years with artists and arts groups, while also introducing new and exciting artists and art forms that audiences can look forward to. We are thrilled to welcome the return of international artists such as sitarist Anoushka Shankar, and newly co-produced works by Apsaras Arts, Bhaskar’s Arts Academy and playwright A Yagnya. Exciting and upcoming musicians, such as Punjabi outfit Band Walle, Tamil group D.N.S.V and a night of soul and R&B with singer-songwriter Shak’thiya will also feature at the festival.
Humans are creatures of habit. We fear changes that disturb our sense of self and our sense of belonging to a home or community. Yet we constantly crave the new. New tastes, sights, and experiences that excite and inspire us. These two contradictory impulses also underlie In New Light – A Season of Commissions as Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay marks its 20-year journey as an arts centre for everyone. Presented from 12 Oct to 31 Dec 2022, In New Light’s commissions celebrate 20 years of artistry and collaborations that have made Esplanade a home for the arts, and the arts an integral part of Singapore’s cultural identity and diverse communities. In New Light also presents new works and a new venue. In a world still experiencing the aftershocks of the pandemic and existential crises on ecological, technological and other fronts, these commissions hope to provide new lenses through which we can better question, heal, and ultimately, create our future.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s 18th edition of Moonfest – A Mid-Autumn Celebration marks the occasion with a wide array of free performances of traditional Chinese arts and ticketed workshops for everyone to enjoy with their families and friends. In keeping with the festival’s objective to preserve traditions, Moonfest will present for the very first time, puppetry performances by Sin Hoe Ping, San Chun Long and Sin Ee Lye Heng performed in Henghua, Hainanese and Teochew respectively. There will also be xiqu performances featuring Cantonese Opera excerpts by the Chinese Theatre Circle and a getai concert infused with folk songs, Hokkien and Huangmei Opera. For those who enjoy a play on words, catch a witty crosstalk performance by the Young People’s Performing Arts Ensemble as well as storytelling in radio-play style by father-daughter duo Patrick and Jo Kwek. To push the boundaries of traditional arts, Teochew Opera artist Tan Wei Tian will be collaborating with electronic music producer evanturetime, and young nanyin artists from Siong Leng will team up with guitarist Sebastian Ho to breathe new life to traditional classics. This year, in addition to our parent-child and adult workshops, there will also be a grandparent-child workshop.
第十八届艺满中秋将在中秋节呈献一系列的免费华族传统艺术节目! 🌕🏮
滨海艺术中心第十八届艺满中秋将在中秋节这温馨的节日呈献一系列的免费华族传统艺术节目以及多项售票的学习坊，让大家与亲朋好友一同赏艺术、品中秋。艺满中秋一贯致力于延续传统，今年也不忘初心，首次推出新和平、三春隆和新怡梨兴的偶戏。他们将分别以兴化、海南和潮语演出，希望他们的这份热忱让你深受启迪。 同时，别错过敦煌剧坊带来经典的粤剧选段，以及串联民间好歌、福建戏和黄梅戏的歌台演唱会。为持续推动传统艺术的发展，潮剧新星陈纬恬将与电子音乐制作人evanturetime搭档，而湘灵音乐社的南音新秀们则与吉他手何维杰合作，为传统经典作品注入新鲜活力。另外，除了有适合大人以及亲子互动的学习坊之外，我们还增设了祖孙学习坊，让公公婆婆陪着孙子们一起同乐。希望大家在轻松温馨的环境下，不仅能学习和体验华族传统艺术，还能增进与家人的感情。
This year, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s da:ns festival invites us to immerse ourselves in where dance takes us from 13 – 23 Oct 2022. This is also pertinent as after this edition, we will be transforming the festival into an exciting season of dance programmes spread out through the year, each with specific themes that allow for richer appreciation of this artform. After a hiatus of international dance productions touring to Singapore, this year's festival features diverse works which have tenaciously survived through the pandemic. In Tree of Codes, audiences will be transported into a world of visual and musical overdrive from three visionaries—multi-award-winning choreographer Wayne McGregor, Mercury Prize-winning producer Jamie xx and renowned visual artist, Olafur Eliasson. The Esplanade commission and co-production, No. 60 by Pichet Klunchun Dance Company, arrives in Singapore after its tour in Europe. To celebrate the opening of Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade, we have commissioned The Human Expression (T.H.E) Dance Company’s newest work, Infinitely Closer. Also featured is Singapore Ballet with Evening Voices, a spirited triple-bill set against the beautiful Marina Bay skyline. Our work-in-progress platform for Asian dancemakers, Forward Shift, will feature new creations by two emerging Asian dancemakers, Hwa Wei-An and Liu I-Ling.
Possibly the longest-running annual jazz event in Singapore, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s Jazz in July celebrates its 15th edition through varied expressions of this music. Throughout the month of July, Esplanade will be bringing to audiences diverse offerings by the Singaporean jazz community, from breezy ballads to edgy free improvisation. These include Louis Soliano, Chok Kerong, Andrew Lim & Tan Weixiang, Aya Sekine, Mario Serio, Joshua Wan, Anson Fung Guitar Trio, Thomson Big Band, and many more. At the same time, the festival welcomes artists from the region and further abroad, such as Aaron Burnett (USA), Lucy Yeghiazaryan (Armenia/USA), Joyce Moreno (Brazil), Loop Doctors (Hungary), Kelapa Muda (Indonesia), Hachul Song Quartet (South Korea), Sunny Rattana Wongsansern & Julian Cary (Thailand), and Hope Yeh Trio (Taiwan). Aside from sharing their unique styles of jazz music, they will also be forging friendships and connections through the various jams and interactions with their counterparts in Singapore. Head down to Esplanade for an exciting 31 days of jazz performances and workshops in July, where there is a flavour of jazz for everyone, regardless of their tastes and inclinations.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay presents a line-up of live concerts as part of Mosaic Music Series from July 2022. Singapore artists and bands Forests, Coming Up Roses and brb. kick things off, followed by Linying and Sobs in September and October respectively. These young musicians represent the rich talent and diversity in Singapore’s alternative music scene, and many have journeyed with us through the different stages of their development and growth. After a two-year hiatus, we’re also excited to welcome international artists back at Mosaic. Indie-pop icon, boy pablo (Norway) in November, preceded by K-indie quartet, Say Sue Me, ambient experimental music artist, Meitei from Japan, and Bangkok-based singer-songwriter, Phum Viphurit in October, with many more to be announced in the coming months.
Over the last 19 years, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s The Studios has been a space for inspiration, innovation and imagination. This is the final year of The Studios in the format we are familiar with. The opening of Esplanade’s new Singtel Waterfront Theatre later this year has given this platform the opportunity and space to evolve from 2023 onwards, and we look forward to sharing more about a new iteration of The Studios in time. In this final season of this iteration, our commissioned productions and supporting programmes illustrate how theatre can be construed as an act of collective care as we come together and share a couple of hours, or even a moment of epiphany. We hope that these programmes help you perceive refreshing new ways of living and relating after the circumstances of our recent past.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay welcomes everyone back to experience the 21st edition of Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts at the centre, from 26 – 29 May 2022. It is also Esplanade’s 20th anniversary this year and even as we look forward to the future, we take a moment to shine a focus on icons who have shaped our arts and entertainment scene. At the same time, we put a spotlight on the next generation of artists who are making their mark on the scene. In An Evening of Dikir – Teraju Tiga, the Esplanade Concert Hall will come alive in one epic night of dikir barat. Our digital screenings will entertain audiences beyond our shores and those in Singapore who want to experience Pesta Raya from home.
Flipside returns to Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay from 3 – 12 Jun 2022 after two interrupted years. With more borders re-opening, families reuniting and a re-awakening of social, sporting and cultural life, the festival looks more like its pre-COVID self. For the first time in two years as well, we are excited to welcome international artists back to the festival in person. Join us at Flipside with its fun, quirky mix of experiences: from intimate, interactive performances and workshops, to spectacular outdoor events.
As we try to chart an equilibrium between caution and normalcy, it is natural to seek out anchoring influences in our lives. For many, this comes in the form of a belief in something greater than our worldly concerns or a deeper truth beyond our material existence. Some of the most primal expressions of such beliefs are manifested through the stirring power of the voice, and drums that elevate the spirit. They soar, swell, and even physically move us—bringing a visceral experience that cannot be adequately conveyed in words. Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s A Tapestry of Sacred Music returns from 25 – 27 Mar 2022 and brings a rich diversity of musical offerings, with focus on two fundamental manifestations of sacred music: the voice and the drum. This year, we are grateful to be able to welcome overseas artists back to perform live, together with practitioners from our local communities.
We are excited to announce the return of March On, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s annual children-centric festival for people below 12 and their families, from 9 – 13 Mar 2022. At the heart of this year’s festival is the question: How does a child’s environment impact their learning and growth? Explore the answers at the festival’s participatory arts experiences and multi-disciplinary programmes for families and schools.
As part of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s 20th anniversary celebrations, the centre presents PopLore – A Year of Singapore Popular Music, a year-long exploration of Singapore’s epic, storied and vibrant popular music from the 1960s to the present and beyond. With a focus on the many popular music forms in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil, PopLore presents a series of live concerts from January to December 2022, featuring a roster of luminaries in the Singapore music scene such as Dick Lee, Jeremy Monteiro, Marcus Chin and Najip Ali, as well as younger artists including Charlie Lim, Fauzie Laily, Izzathy Halil, Nathan Hartono, Olivia Ong, Shabir and The Freshman. To enrich the experience for audiences and to raise awareness of the history and future possibilities of Singapore’s popular music, the series will also feature podcasts, videos and an exhibition at Esplanade on the various cultural forces, behind-the-scenes players and live music venues which shaped the scene. Produced in consultation with music industry veteran Lim Sek and emerging from the seismic disruption to the scene that is COVID-19, PopLore celebrates the power of music across generations, language and geography, and seeks to spur conversations and reflection on the way forward.
As Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay commemorates the 20th edition of Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, we bring to you new, original works by Singapore artists (five commissions and two co-productions) that delve into what really matters in our lives in times like this. In the original play, Between You and Me by Nine Years Theatre, a long-buried family secret is unveiled when a celebrated actress and a mother of three daughters come under the spotlight once again after winning a prestigious film award. Ding Yi Music Company brings you 5lements, a music concert inspired by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Chinese philosophy. Go on a musical journey that shines a light on mental issues and the importance of feeling connected in Get in Touch – A Theatrical Music Concert featuring pipa artist Gildon Choo and ruan musician Leah Lo, amongst others. Experience the bittersweet stories of women from different eras fighting against traditional female stereotypes told through the language of dance in If It’s Now by Singapore Chinese Dance Theatre.
随着华艺节迎来了20周岁生日，滨海艺术中心将为大家带来新加坡艺术家们的全新原创作品（五部委约作品和一部联合制作），这些作品深入探讨了在这样的时代背景下，究竟什么才是我们生活中真正重要的东西。九年剧场原创剧目《你我之间》讲述一位知名女