Celebrate Chinese New Year at the annual Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, happening at Esplanade. With over 15 performances spanning across the various art forms, patrons can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the various aspects of Chinese culture. As this year’s festival coincides with Chinese New Year, the festival encourages you to enjoy the arts with your loved ones, and the various performances serve as a reminder of the importance of family when facing personal struggles.
Enjoy a variety of theatre performances such as Zuni Icosahedron’s 13•67, Boomablish Cantonese Opera Troupe’s The Sassy Princess, and Nine Years Theatre’s Everything For You. These plays range from crime-thrillers and traditional Chinese opera to family drama. If we had to choose one play to watch, it would be The Finger Players’ Transplant, which is written, directed, and designed by theatre veteran Oliver Chong. Inspired by the anthology Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, the play examines human nature and how inner darkness can lead to dire consequences. The production is also a collaboration with RUDRA, a Vedic metal band located in Singapore, who composed the play’s music.
Alongside the plays, Huayi also features performances that encourage introspection, such as Microcosm – A Sonic Tea Ceremony. This 75-minute music performance is a collaboration between Shaman Tearoom and Yoong How Thong, and strives to create a space for audiences to take a break from the pressures of the everyday. In a similar vein, Taiwanese choreographer Chou Shu-yi’s Dance a Dance from My Body is an exploration of why we choose to dance, as well as an examination of Asian Chinese identity through time. Those who enjoy Chou’s works will be pleased to know that he will also be holding a dance masterclass as part of the festival.
Huayi festival will also be hosting a myriad of free live performances throughout the ten days, with wushu performances by Martial House, Chinese opera classics by Singapore Chinese Opera and Drama Society, and fusion music performances by Taiwanese band A_Root. Most of these performances will take place at Esplanade’s DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre, so drop by the space in the evening for some post-dinner entertainment.
You can find out more about Huayi festival and its performances here.
