‘Singapura, oh Singapura, sunny island, set in the sea’ – so goes the familiar riff of an old homegrown ditty.  

As an island, Singapore has always relied on strong relationships within to ground and hold us together. An island must also forge connections over the seas, establishing friendships and exchanges that keep us attuned to the pulse of a fast-changing world. 

In celebration of SG60, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s 60 Connections – At Home and Afar shines the spotlight on artistic relationships and the notable productions and programmes spawned through the work of the national performing arts centre.  

In this year-long season, 60 live and digital works bring Singapore stories as well as international collaborations to life. 

See all that is familiar and strange in our homeland reflected back at you through art, including rich histories and complex identities woven into the fabric of our lives. These Singapore stories are for everyone. Esplanade is committed to creating and presenting wide-ranging works for audiences of all ages that cut across languages and art forms.  

Highlights include Teater Ekamatra’s Yusof, based on the dramatic life story of Singapore’s first President, former journalist Yusof Ishak; AGAM Theatre’s Mission Malligapoo, about a multilingual band of misfits trying to change the course of history during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore; and contemporary visual art doyen Tang Da Wu’s solo exhibition The Seminar – Don’t Teach Art, which continues his questioning of the institutional frameworks that surround and contain art. 

The international collaborations, many of which involve Singapore artists, reflect our role in connecting artists and audiences at home to their counterparts overseas. We seed new works and presentations with partners, as part of a process that helps deepen ties with cultures and cities in the region and beyond.  

Don’t miss Singapore’s largest free alternative music festival Baybeats, which returns bigger and bolder with an additional outdoor stage and panel discussions featuring music changemakers from around the world. As part of ongoing exchanges with overseas music festivals, Esplanade's Jazz in July and South Korea’s Jarasum Jazz Festival will have a reciprocal feature of Korean and Singaporean bands in their respective festival line-ups. Alemay Fernandez, Andrew Lim Trio and the Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra with Jeremy Monteiro will perform at South Korea’s premier jazz festival in October. Three Korean bands, Jaejin Ahn Quartet, Jaehun Kang Trio and Forestet (Yechan Kim Quartet), will perform in Jazz in July.  

On the dance front, Softmachine: The Return, by Choy Ka Fai, weaves together a decade of experiments in dance-making by five noted Asian dance makers. Another highlight is U>N>I>T>E>D, an exploration of ancient and contemporary technologies and rituals by one of Australia’s most recognised dance companies Chunky Move and Balinese experimental techno group Gabber Modus Operandi, co-commissioned by Esplanade. 

In addition to the live programmes, we present Replay – Screenings from the Esplanade Archives, which also features both Singapore stories and international collaborations. With over 30 recordings of performances, free to watch on Esplanade Offstage, it marks the first extensive release curated from the arts centre’s rich archives, supplemented by recordings from the archives of longstanding artistic collaborators. Three of the productions, Mari Kita Main Wayang, Everything for You (Nine Years Theatre) and Forbidden City (Singapore Repertory Theatre) will also have exclusive in-person watch party screenings at Esplanade for Esplanade&Me members. 

Whether experienced in person or online, the works and relationships featured in 60 Connections are sparks that inspire, provoke and bring us closer.  

Creating shared memories, they ponder and vividly express the here-and-now, illuminating the way forward. 

Our heartfelt thanks go to our 60 Connections Principal Sponsor Sea Limited, Supporting Sponsors Albizia Capital and On Cheong Jewellery, as well as Supporters How’s Catering, Matthew Teng and Saw Wei Jie.  

Clarissa Oon 
Head, Digital & Content Marketing 
The Esplanade Co Ltd