Silver Arts 2017 offers diverse line-up of programmes to meet the preferences of seniors

The sixth edition of Singapore’s only festival dedicated to the well-being of seniors through the arts is back spanning four weekends from 1 to 24 September. Organised by the National Arts Council (NAC), Silver Arts 2017 will involve more than 80 artists and art groups presenting 38 programmes across 20 venues, targeting 42,000 attendees.

Venues include the NLB Plaza, Victoria Theatre, the newly-opened Our Tampines Hub, SOTA and three public libraries across the island. Only six of the 38 programmes are ticketed – prices range from $3 for films, to $12 for concerts and theatre productions.

This year’s programme line-up and themes have been curated by NAC to include quality shows and activities that will resonate with today’s seniors. Feedback from last year’s festival showed that music and films as well as programmes in dialect were highly appreciated. Content which touched on intergenerational bonding also connect well with both seniors and the younger generation.

Seniors can look forward to a line-up of dialect programmes which include a performance of Hokkien songs by renowned street opera artist, Mdm Oon Ah Chiam, in a concert, Songs of Guidance directed by her son, Goh Boon Teck, Chief Artistic Director of Toy Factory Productions Ltd; and well-known Chinese theatre group, Nine Years Theatre reprising theatre doyen, Kuo Pao Kun’s two most well-known monologues, No Parking on Odd Days in Cantonese, and The Coffin is Too Big For The Hole in Teochew.

Hosted by celebrity radio personality, Brian Richmond, music lovers will rock to the sounds of the swinging ‘60s at Rocking Good Times. Featuring the most popular bands from the 1960s, Pest Infested will present their visceral rhythm and blues, alongside rock and roll tunes from the hit-making Trailers and heartfelt blues by The Straydogs.

Cultural Medallion recipient, Nadiputra is the director and playwright for Syair Biola (Songs from the Violin), an entertaining theatre production with witty dialogue performed by a mix of established and young actors in Malay, English and Mandarin. They will be accompanied by a live music ensemble that will perform nostalgic tunes from P. Ramlee, Matt Monro, Harry Belafonte and Teresa Teng.

Award-winning commercial film director, Yee Chang Kang and freelance director, Sufyan Sam’an will present two films commissioned specially for Silver Arts 2017. Each of the films deal either with friendships across time, memories or inter-generational bonding. These new commissions are among the Silver Films line-up of five short films and four feature films from Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, curated by The Filmic Eye.

Ms Chua Ai Liang, Senior Director, Engagement & Participation, National Arts Council said: “We’re delighted that Silver Arts continues to bring together both veteran and younger artists, as well as art groups and volunteers. The programming this year reminds us that the arts inspire us, speak to our cultural heritage and can build ties across different communities. By offering shows of different languages and dialects across cultures. Silver Arts offers opportunities for Singaporeans to enjoy the arts together, fostering greater inter-generational understanding and a more caring community.”

Over a hundred seniors from across Singapore also came together to participate in the four Community Arts Projects (CAP). The CAPs offered senior participants creative opportunities to learn a new skill or experience something new. Guided by professional artists, seniors learnt to play the harp; created Virtual Reality narratives based on their experiences and memories; drew  self-portraits through lines, images and shapes; and made art together with pre-schoolers through our local food culture. They will perform or showcase their works through exhibitions during Silver Arts at the NLB Plaza from 7 to 24 September.

In addition, Singaporeans young and old, can learn crafts and new skills, enjoy music performances and attend workshops in the slew of activities as part of the Arts on the Move line-up held at various locations, including three public libraries and Our Tampines Hub. These programmes are all free of charge and will take place from 2 to 24 September.

Refer to the Silver Arts website, silverarts.nac.gov.sg for more details.

Tickets for highlight shows – Songs of Guidance, Syair Biola, Rocking Good Times and Double Bill:  No Parking on Odd Days, and The Coffin is Too Big For The Hole, go on sale from 4 August 2017, Open Homes from 7 August 2017, and are available through APACTix. Tickets for Silver Films will go on sale from 17 August 2017 on Golden Village.