In conjunction with the upcoming Singapore River Festival 2009 in June, The Arts House and ECNAD will be presenting CampFire, a dance festival celebrating the vibrancy of dance and life on 19 and 20 June 2009 at The Arts House (map included below). Free admission for all the following events:

CampFire Dance (an Opening highlight of Singapore River Festival)
19 June | 7.15pm – 7.45pm
Come sunset on 19 June, be treated to ECNAD’s signature outdoor dance performance CampFire Dance presented for the Singapore River Festival Opening at ACM Green. Featuring choreography by Co-Artistic Directors Tan Chin Huat with segments and original music by Tan How Choon, this spectacular visual feast created especially for the event comprises of dance vignettes that are light-hearted and breath-taking by turns. Colourful and whimsical characters decked out in sumptuous costumes will surprise and entertain audiences, leading up to the climactic Fire Dance – a magnificent display of strength and agility sure to whet your dance appetite!

Snap the Dancers Competition
20 June | 1pm – 3pm
::: Snap the Dancers Exhibition | 27 June – 5 July :::
Budding and professional photographers can look forward to an afternoon of fun and fast shutter action on 20 June as they move from one historic room to another capturing dancers in motion in the Snap the Dancers photography competition. The best pictures stand to win attractive prizes and will be exhibited at The Arts House Gallery from 27 June to 5 July.

Dance Noisily Workshop
20 June | 2pm – 3.30pm
Aspiring dancers can also get down on the fun in the playful Dance Noisily workshop conducted by ECNAD Artistic Director Tan How Choon. With no prior dance background required, this movement and sound exploration workshop for teens and adults puts the body in touch with the sounds it can make.

All Can Dance Marathon
20 June | 7pm – 11.30pm
On the second night, the festival culminates with the All Can Dance marathon featuring four hours of non-stop dancing onstage and off it in the last half-hour long finale party. Everyone is invited to perform their own choreographed dance of any style or genre for the delight of dance enthusiasts and the picnicking public.

As part of the Singapore River Festival 2009’s celebration, Singapore River Cruises & Leisure presents ‘A River Romance‘, a water & land extravaganza comprising a bumboat parade and dance musical at the historic Singapore River and its riverbanks at UOB Promenade. It is open to the public for free.

Event Information

“A River Romance” is a spectacular water and land celebration of Singapore River’s historic trading port and the people who lived and worked along this epic waterway.

Set in the 1900’s when Singapore River was a major free trading port and the centre of commerce, “A River Romance” pays tribute to the People of the River who turned Singapore River from an idyllic fishing village to a thriving main artery of trade, making the river the birthplace of Singapore’s economy.

Bumboat Parade
19 to 27 June 2009 (7.30 pm to 8.30pm)
Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay
Catch vibrant scenes of river life from the past, recreated on Singapore’s last remaining traditional bumboats, floating down the waterway from Boat Quay, Clarke Quay to Robertson Quay. This colourful bumboat parade will bring back glowing nostalgic memories of kampung boys, traders, coolies, samsui women, rickshaw pullers, street hawkers and vanishing trades all on water.

Dance Musical
19 to 21 and 26 to 27 June 2009 (8.30 pm to 9.30pm)
UOB Promenade
Discover the romance of the Singapore River, as the dance musical brings you a beautiful love story between a Nonya maiden and a coolie, set amidst the hustle and bustle of Singapore River’s flourishing trading port in its heyday. Offering a glimpse into the interwoven lives of the people at the river, the show promises love, intrigue and humour. Combining movement, music and acrobatic stunts, “A River Romance” is a grand visual spectacle not to be missed.

Presented by Singapore River Cruises & Leisure, “A River Romance” Bumboat Parade and Dance Musical is conceptualised and produced by Splash Entertainment. The dance musical is directed by Jeremiah Choy and showcases award-winning home-grown creative and artistic talents.

Complimentary Singapore River Festival Party Boat

To add convenience to revelers along the Singapore River during the Singapore River Festival 2009, Singapore River Cruises & Leisure will sponsor a Singapore River Festival Party Boat, offering complimentary hourly river taxi transfers from 7pm to 9.30pm at Raffles’ Landing Site, Boat Quay Jetty and Liang Court Jetty.

The Singapore River Festival Party Boat is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating capacity per boat is 45 passengers. Once all the seats are taken up, public can choose to wait for the next boat or purchase river taxi tickets at $3. All passengers are to disembark once they reach the jetty.

Singapore River Festival Party Boat Schedule
Raffles Landing Site / Boat Quay Jetty: 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
Liang Court Jetty: 7.30pm, 8.30pm, 9.30pm

* Time schedule is subject to change.

Head down to the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) to party with one of China’s greatest emperors on 19 & 26 June 2009 (Fridays)! In conjunction with Singapore River Festival 2009, the museum will keep its doors open till the wee hours. Catch the blockbuster exhibition The Kangxi Emperor: Treasures from the Forbidden City – galleries stay open till 12 midnight and admission is free from 5pm onwards.

At the ACM, visitors can also take in the rich history of the iconic River. Not to be missed is the Singapore River Gallery, which tells the moving story of immigrants who lived and worked on the Singapore River.

Then, adjourn to the ACM Green for Jazz by The River: an Evening of Cuban Jazz (part of the Original Bacardi Mojito Fiesta), for a showcase of exciting Cuban jazz music presented by Bacardi. Revellers can treat themselves to refreshing mojitos as they take in spectacular views of the ACM and the Singapore River by night.

For one night only on 19 June, visual effects company, Glorious (Singapore) Pte Ltd will transform the museum with digital large-scale projections. Watch as they transform our stately facade into a thrilling canvas of lights and moving imagery!

For a Friday night like no other – head to the Asian Civilisations Museum!

Late Night Fridays @ ACM – Event Information

19 & 26 June 2009 (Fridays)
Free admission to galleries from 5pm to 12am

Indoors (ACM)
- Experience the ACM at night! Galleries stay open till 12 midnight
- Free admission to ACM from 5pm to 12midnight
- Discover the origins of the iconic River at ACM’s Singapore River Gallery
- Free ice-cream for visitors to The Kangxi Emperor , while stocks last (ACM Porch)

Outdoors (ACM Green)
- Jazz by The River: an Evening of Cuban Jazz (part of the Original Bacardi Mojito
Fiesta)
- Museum facade light show sponsored by Glorious (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Exhibition Information

The Kangxi Emperor: Treasures from the Forbidden City
13 March - 28 June 2009
Special Exhibitions Gallery, Asian Civilisations Museum

Hailed as one of China’s greatest emperors, the Kangxi Emperor, XuanYe, succeeded his father, Emperor Shunzhi, at the tender age of eight. During his reign (1662 – 1722), the Manchus consolidated rule over China and the Chinese empire expanded.

The Kangxi Emperor’s many achievements can be attributed to his passion and competence in his various roles. He was an astute ruler, skilled warrior, keen scholar and patron of the arts. His intellect, political acumen, diverse talents and civic virtues won him the admiration and support of his subjects.

This exhibition showcases treasures from the Palace Museum, Beijing and offers visitors a rare glimpse into the Forbidden City - right here in Singapore.