Last Updated on 2018-08-27 , 9:48 am
SMU is known for many things. A good university and students who are great at interviews and presentations who generally get job offers even before they’ve graduated.
But one thing that you probably didn’t know is that they’re as artsy as LASALLE or NAFA in Singapore.
Which brings me to the next point.
The SMU Arts Festival.
For the past four years, SMU has been putting up an arts showcase every year for Singaporeans right in the middle of town.
And 2018 isn’t any different.
Singapore Management University (SMU) Arts Festival 2018
This year, SMU is putting up a showcase of creative expression through the arts, ranging from music, dance, theatre, literary and visual arts.
With 17 events taking place from 7-16 September 2018, SMU challenged their participating artists to create works that express either one of the 3 key interpretations of the theme, “Edge”:
- Where is your edge?
- What will push you off the edge?
- Who is left behind on the edge?
So, what can you expect from this highly anticipated event?
Dance
Mankind 2.0
If you’ve ever wondered how the clash of ideas might affect the future, this performance is for you.
Set in the distant future, the whole of mankind divides into two different factions: one embracing technology wholeheartedly while the other wants to preserve the course of nature.
But of course, still no utopia. Yet.
- When: 8 Sep 2018, 8 – 8.45 pm
- Where: Amphitheatre @ SMU Campus Green
- Free
Anwesha & Pancha: Earth
Ever wanted to know how a dance will express the journey of domestic sexual abuse victims and mentally-ill patients towards hope and strength?
Be prepared for a breathtaking storytelling experience and get to understand how the company’s dancers created the entire performance in a post-show dialogue.
- When: 16 Sep 2018, 8 – 9.15 pm
- Where: SMU Arts & Culture Centre
- Free with Registration
Funky Town Vol. 1
Calling out to all partygoers: this is where you need to be for an exciting time. Learn how to pop and lock from experts in masterclasses and enjoy electrifying dance performances choreographed by well-known dancers in Singapore.
- When: 8 & 9 Sep 2018, 11 am – 9.15 pm
- Where: SMU Hall B1.2 & B1.3 @ School of Law
- Tickets: All access pass – $150, Individual events from $15
Music
Audere
Ever been to a concert where the band plays music you’d rather do with without? Well, not at this one.
At Audere with the SMU Symphonia, they’re giving the audience the power to decide what you want to hear.
With live voting on the scene, the SMU Symphonia will play based on what you decide. Sounds cool, no?
- When: 8 Sep 2018, 6.30 – 7.45 pm
- Where: SMU Arts & Culture Centre
- Free with Registration
Do You A Cappella 2018: For Granted
SMU VOIX presents For Granted, an original romantic comedy in a musical form. And not just any musical but a cappella.
No tracks, no music: just the human voice to sweeten your world.
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll definitely get goosebumps.
- When: 15 Sep 2018, 7 – 9.15 pm
- Where: Gateway Theatre
- Tickets: $23
Silent Disco: Fetish
If you’re unfamiliar with the word, Rave, it’s a party. The club strobing dance floor with all the boomz-boomz-boomz you’ve ever wanted.
Except for this time, the dance floor is silent.
Every person who joins this event will be provided with a pair of earphones to wear and the DJs will send the music directly to your ears.
A dual-lane playlist of songs will be streamed together to symbolise a relationship failing.
I’m not sure about you but I’m pretty excited to see what songs can be so different, yet come together in a different sort of harmony.
- When: 14 Sep 2018, 8 – 10pm
- Where: SMU Hall B1.2 @ School of Law
- Tickets: Free with Registration
Theatre
Misaligned
Focusing on the interaction between the general society and mentally-ill individuals, Misaligned dives into the different faces of mental illnesses in a line-up of musical pieces, monologues, skits and poetry.
Breathtakingly beautiful and retrospective, you’ll find yourself coming away with a different outlook on life, as mental illnesses can now be seen in tangible forms.
- When: 15 Sep 2018, 3 – 4.30 pm / 8 – 9.30 pm
- Where: SMU Arts & Culture Centre
- Tickets: $15
Variety
Voice Personality Hunt 2018: Unleashed
Make your way down to witness the crowning of SMU’s next voice personality and watch the final six contestants compete for the number one spot.
Be ready for live shows, witty improvisations and charismatic individuals as the six finalists attempt to captivate you live on stage.
Featuring special performances by JAM, Kinaesthesia, SMU Wushu and TK Jiang, you’re in for a ball of a time.
And if you’re lucky, you might just win in the lucky draw as well.
- When: 14 Sep 2018, 7 – 9.30 pm
- Where: SMU T-Junction
- Free
Visual Showcase
SAFELIGHT
Here, no judgement is needed, nor do you have to make any decisions. Instead, just open up your hearts and minds to understand.
The exhibition seeks to communicate the inner voice of individuals with mental health conditions to the public.
Every photo is an accumulation of both conscious thoughts and unconscious emotions.
- When: 7-16 Sep 2018
- Where: SMU Li Ka Shing Library (Near The SMU Shop)
- Free
Edge of Bhinekka
Indonesia has one of the largest income gaps in the world and this photography exhibition seeks to highlight the inequality.
Catch the comparison between the smiling faces of Papuan children and the scenic skyscrapers of Jakarta.
In addition, this exhibition will show the beautiful memories, rough struggles, differences and similarities in the country’s people, be it a migrant aboard or a citizen at home.
- When: 7-16 Sep 2018
- Where: SMU Concourse (Near B3 Cafe)
- Free
And these are just the tips of the iceberg.
We’ve picked out the 10 most interesting events that have piqued our interest, but there are more waiting for you to discover.
You can find more details here.
So don’t say we bojio, okay? After all, if you’re the typical Singaporean who always complains about Singapore being super boring, this is where you need to be.
Ticketing Agent: Peatix You can get your tickets here.
Period:
7 September 2018 to 16 September 2018
This article was first published on goodyfeed.com and written in collaboration with SMU.
