Gentarasa 2008: Metamorphosis
Singapore
24 May, 12 pm (Students matinee) & 8 pm (Gala)
Esplanade Theatre

$20 (Students matinee), $38/$48 (Gala)

Available from all community centres, clubs and PA headquarters.

Tel: 63405100 or www.mesra.org.sg for more information

The life cycle of the butterfly is the inspiration for this performative ode to Malay culture, an ambitious interplay of traditional music, dance and theatre. Directed by Fathurrahman Said and Mohammed Ali Abdullah, this fusion of different performing genres, supported by a 70-piece orchestra of gamelan, angklung, dikir voices and Western instruments, will chart the evolution of the Malay performing arts over the past 20 years.

Organised by People’s Association Malay Activity Co-ordinating Council (MESRA)

Cantonese Opera Showcase
Wuchuan City Cantonese Opera Troupe
广东省吴川市粤剧团 (China)

13 – 20 Jun, 7.30 pm
Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre
$ 15, $ 20, $ 30, $ 40 and $ 50
Available only at Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre box office from 31 May daily from 12 pm till 8 pm, Tel: 62223972

Set up in 1953 in Wuchuan which is dubbed the hometown of Cantonese opera of the Southern School, this opera group has stood the test of time against the “ravages” of modernization of Cantonese opera to adapt to changing times and taste of the audience.  Apart from tight and well-scripted plots, also characteristic of its repertoire are its exacting martial performances where precision and accuracy of its stunts are the hallmark. Risky acts with descriptions such as “bursting the lotus” (爆莲花), “dual mirrors” (双照镜) and “jumping (successive) chairs” (跳椅) from one level to another that demand rigorous training and exacting acrobatic acts honed from young will be featured during the group’s maiden appearance in this year’s showcase. 

Organised by Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre Foundation

Maha Mela
31 May, 6 pm to 7 am
Little India, open field opposite Serangoon Plaza
(near Farrer Park MRT station)
Free

This extravaganza will be an all-night dusk-to-dawn special, celebrating the Indian cultural heritage in Singapore with everything from colourful Indian folk dance and Kathakali to fusion Indian music, as well as enactments of an Indian epic story through Chinese opera and Malay puppet theatre!

At the centre of the programme is a full-length dance drama of an Indian epic taken from the Bhagavatham. Artists from different genres including Sri Warisan Som Said Performing Arts and the Chinese Opera Institute will also present a multicultural reinterpretation of this tale. Expect to see Wayang Kulit and Silat next to Chinese Opera warrior dance as well as the Dandia folk dances, all in one continuous flow, throughout the night into the early hours of the morning. Dawn will begin with light early morning music by the Gitanjali group and they will play to a mass Yoga session for everyone. Be sure to bring your own mats!

Co-organised with Bhaskar's Arts Academy (Singapore)

Mayang Sari Group (Indonesia)
6 June, 6.40 pm
Raffles City (Outdoor)
7-8 June, 1pm & 6pm
HDB Hub (Toa Payoh)
Free

In the city of Bengkulu, on the west coast of Sumatra, this rural tribe swings with their drums and sticks and awkae their pulsating rustic sounds. Drumming out Dol Buai (representation of Bengkulu music) and Enggano music, their high energy performance takes you to the last great wilderness.

Supported by Housing and Development Board