Final
Fantasy. Visual Courtesy of c2002-2007 SQUARE ENIX CO
LTD.
The Singapore Arts Festival 2009
announced details of its 2009 programme and ticket specials for
patrons. The Festival organised by the National Arts Council will
be showcasing 26 core productions and over 400 free outreach
performances, exhibitions and special events that promise to
enthrall, engage and uplift the spirits.
The programme features 7 new
commissions, which include 2 world premieres and 1 Asian premiere
co-commissioned with international partners, and 5 other Asian
premieres. The Festival will see a broad and inclusive programme
ranging from premier classics to contemporary creations, while it
continues its strategic role as a global connector in the
international festival circuit, a champion of Singapore arts and
artists, and a national platform for the people to engage in the
arts.
Said Ms Goh Ching Lee, Senior
Director for Performing Arts and Director for Singapore Arts
Festival, National Arts Council, “As the premier national
performing arts platform, we seek to reflect and respond to
international trends as well as to add value to the needs of our
artists and audiences in developing Singapore arts scene with a
progamme that is relevant to our times. This year’s Festival brings
a broad range of works that we are confident will resonate strongly
with our artist communities, audiences and stakeholders. Pervading
the programme is a sense of dare and playfulness that is laced with
poetry and elegance, offering our audiences different entry points
of appreciation and participation. They bear the Festival’s
signature strengths of bringing new perspectives to cross-cultural
and cross-disciplinary work that continues to secure the Festival's
reputation for artistic innovation.”
The Festival will commence a week
earlier this year, on 15 May 2009, to integrate partially with the
school term to enable the delivery of special education programmes
to primary, secondary and tertiary students. Besides cultivating
young audiences through an inspiring and educational arts
experience, the Festival also aims to facilitate the exposure of
students in our arts colleges to international professional
work.
To build stronger links with
schools, arts communities and the public, the Festival has launched
a new FEST CONNECT initiative. The Festival began engaging the
schools in early February, by providing recommendations of
programmes suitable for different age groups, and information on
discounts and special activities for the schools.
The Festival reaches out to the
public at an exciting array of venues. It will open at the new
Marina Barrage with a magnificent large-scale show, and end with a
spectacular Closing Celebrations at Yishun Central 1. The
month-long Festival also features a broad range of Festival
Outreach events for the young and old, ranging from the Asian
Showcase and Arts On The Move to Family Funfest, a 3-day festival
for the family. The Festival will be working with the Esplanade,
PUB, Singapore Street Festival, Community Development Councils, and
other partners to bring the arts to the wider community.
In order to maintain the Festival
accessibility in view of the current economic climate,ticket prices
have been reduced by 20%, starting at $16 for some shows. A range
of early bird discounts are also available to offer patrons savings
off regular ticket prices if they purchase tickets to multiple
shows, including exclusive discounts of up to an unprecedented 30%
for ArtsFest Club members for a limited period from 4 to 8 March
2009. ArtsFest Club membership is free and all are welcome to
register and take advantage of its attractive offers.
During the Early Bird Sales from 9
March to 12 April 2009, patrons can save up to 25% off ticket
prices for purchases to 4 shows or more. General Sales begins on 13
April 2009. As an added sweetener, 1,000 specially designed
Singapore Arts Festival 2009 ez-link cards will be available for
patrons to redeem at Raffles City Shopping Centre with valid SISTIC
receipts from 9 March 2009.
In a new tie-up with the
Festival’s strategic partner, the Edinburgh International Festival,
both new and existing ArtsFest Club members also stand a chance to
win an all-expenses paid trip to Edinburgh. To enjoy member
benefits immediately, the Festival encourages patrons to sign up
with the ArtsFest Club from 4 March 2009.
Ticket sales starts on 4 March
2009.
More information on Festival shows
can be found in www.singaporeartsfest.com.
Anna Karenina- Finnish National
Ballet (Finland)
Sutra. Photo by Hugo
Glendinning
Magic Flute (South
Africa)
www.singaporeartsfest.com /
www.singaporesights.com