Yearly Theme 2025 (Photography | Travel | Creative | Heritage) – “Create”

At the beginning of the year 2025, I wrote about my Yearly Theme 2025 (Photography | Travel | Creative | Heritage), I chose “Create”.

I wanted to create more stories with my interactions with other creative from other genres and industries. In 2025, through the different genres of wonderful programmes, exhibitions, and performances at SCCC, I have found myself getting deeper into some sectors of my Chinese history, heritage, culture, society and language, that I haven’t really go in-depth.

One of them was learning more about Chinese opera (and I still have a long way to go), fulfilling my local Nanyang kopi pilgrimage that I wanted to do years back (some would know what I am referring to!), watching contemporary Chinese dance and cultural performances that made me realised that there are so much more talent that deserves more coverage and recognition.

Although my stories and coverage of the various SCCC events that I attended in 2025 were more of visual storytelling, I hope that through my humble stories and photos, I have helped to create more awareness and publicity, especially for those organisations and programmes that need more publicity and awareness of the wonderful stuff they are doing for the history, heritage, culture and language sectors in Singapore. 

TGH Photography SCCC Events 2025 Wrapped 

Inspired by my Spotify “Your 2025 Wrapped), presenting my TGH Photography SCCC Events 2025 Wrapped, let’s go back in time for a recap of SCCC events that I attended/covered in 2025.

Recap of SCCC Events 2025

Festivals

1. SCCC CNYFF 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photography/celebrate-chinese-new-year-2025-the-singapo%e4%ba%ba-way-in-cbd 
2. SCCC Cultural Extravaganza 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/arts/sccc-cultural-extravaganza-2025-returns-from-9-may-to-7-june 
3. Chinese Opera Festival 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/sccc-and-nac-collaborate-to-debut-chinese-opera-festival-2025 
4. SCCC Mid-Autumn Festival Family Fun (MAFF) 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/events/celebrate-mid-autumn-family-fun-2025-at-sccc-and-sco-on-4-5-october 
5. REMIX: SINGAPO人 Youth Takeover 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/remix-singapo%e4%ba%ba-youth-takeover-at-sccc-expect-the-unexpected 
6. SCCC Winter Solstice SG60 Community Celebration Event 2025 – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/sccc-winter-solstice-sg60-community-celebration-event-2025 

Exhibitions and Talks

1. The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi & Jiak Roti! – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/come-lim-kopi-and-jiak-roti-at-the-nanyang-breakfast-club 
2. City SingaPOP – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/see-how-city-singapop-in-a-very-colourful-artistic-different-light 
3. Healing Heritage: A Journey Through the Evolution of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Singapore – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/sccc-presents-healing-heritage-story-of-tcm-in-singapore 
4. Brewing Nostalgia: Kopitiams in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand Special Exhibition – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/a-special-exhibition-on-traditional-kopitiams-of-singapore-malaysia-and-thailand 
5. Tradition in Motion: Singapore’s Lion Dance Heritage Exhibition – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/heritage/special-exhibition-at-sccc-tradition-in-motion-singapores-lion-dance-heritage 
6. Chingay in Singapore and Malaysia Seminar
7. SG, You’ve Got Mail!
8. Built on Memory: Tracing Singapore’s CBD Through Time

Arts 

1. Intersections – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/arts/intersections-by-dance-ensemble-singapore-at-sccc-cultural-extravaganza-2025 
2. World Mental Health Day 2025: Currents of Care by Very Small Exhibition – https://blog.photojournalist-tgh.tv/photojournalism/world-mental-health-day-2025 
3. Drum Feng EP1 – Xiangqi: The Battle of the Drums  

My Key Memorable Highlights from my SCCC 2025 Visual Storytelling Journeys 

Personally for me, this list of SCCC events below that I attended in 2025 were my key memorable highlights for me in my SCCC 2025 visual storytelling journeys.

Exhibitions and Talks

• The Nanyang Breakfast Club: Let’s Lim Kopi & Jiak Roti!
• Brewing Nostalgia: Kopitiams in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand Special Exhibition

The above two exhibitions fulfilled my local Nanyang kopi pilgrimage journey that I started around a decade back, wanting to know and explore more about local Nanyang kopi history, heritage and culture.

Celebrating Our Arts

• Intersections
• Drum Feng EP1 – Xiangqi: The Battle of the Drums

I wasn’t much into performing arts, whether they are traditional or contemporary. In 2025, I was introduced to more performing arts, from traditional to contemporary. There were two arts performances, Intersections and Drum Feng EP1 – Xiangqi: The Battle of the Drums, leaving deep impressions inside me.

From learning, understanding and appreciating traditional and contemporary arts performances, there’s also a inner connection with my creative and visual storytelling that opens up new perspectives and approaches inside me.

Celebrating Our Festivals 

• CNYFF 2025
• MAFF 2025
• SCCC Winter Solstice SG60 Community Celebration Event 2025

Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival are two major cultural events inside SCCC lineup, attracting visitors and participation. The SCCC Winter Solstice SG60 Community Celebration Event in 2025 was unique and fun, hope they can keep it going and make it an annual Winter Solstice event at SCCC!  

Sneak Preview of SCCC Events 2026

SCCC in Year 2025 organised a diverse and exciting lineup of different programmes, exhibitions, talks, festivals, and performances, setting a high standard and benchmark to follow up in the coming year 2026. 

For Year 2026, SCCC has an extensive, an even more diverse and exciting lineup, here’s a sneak preview of SCCC events 2026! I would not go into too much details on the listing below, stay curious, stay tuned, follow SCCC on their social media channels for more updates and information on the SCCC events 2026 lineup closer to the event dates!

Exhibitions and Talks

• Singapore TV: From Local to Global Special Exhibition (July 2026 to January 2027)
• Heroic Moves Travelling Exhibition (April to October 2026)
• Common Ground Artspace Exhibition (April 2026 to April 2027)
• Chinatowns of the World International Conference (17 and 18 October 2026)

Festivals – Celebrating Our Arts

• Children’s Festival 2026 (Title TBC) (19 to 21 June)
• Cultural Extravaganza 2026 (7 May to 7 June)
• REMIX 2026 (July)

Programmes – Celebrating Our Festivals

• Zhongyuan Festival (17 to 23 August)
• CNY Family FUN 2026 (30 January to 1 February)
• Mid-Autumn Family FUN 2026 (19 to 20 September)

Programmes – Celebrating Our Music

• Sing浪 Concert (31 October)
• TGIF Music Station (April to March 2027)
• SG:SW | Write The Songs Finale Concert (October)
• Happy Sing-Along (April to March 2027)
• Tuesday Report Documentary on Xinyao/Local Chinese Songs (March)

My TGH Photography SCCC Events 2025 Wrapped

The sleeping dragon of SCCC has now awakened, under the leadership, direction and creative vision of Mr Alvin Tan, who took over as the CEO of SCCC in June 2024. SCCC has risen tall and proud, setting an exemplary example, showcasing the foundation, stage and direction of preserving history, heritage, traditions, striking a balance in modern times together with internet and social media. They are creating new directions for the future with its good mix of balancing tradition and modern exhibitions, programmes, performances, relating to Chinese history, heritage, culture, society and language all under one roof. 

What lies ahead for my TGH Photography x SCCC visual storytelling in 2026? Photos from my collection from attending those events at SCCC are gradually uploaded into this Flickr collection “Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre”. 

I hope to tell much deeper and more heartwarming stories from my interactions and connections, at the events, exhibitions, talks, and maybe special theme projects if the opportunity arises. 

Thank you Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre for an amazing, fun and great visual storytelling journey in 2025, inside my TGH Photography SCCC Events 2025 Wrapped!

The post My SCCC Events 2025 Wrapped and Sneak Preview of SCCC Events 2026 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Photography

Photography Competitions/Contests

There are still a few photography competitions/contests in October 2025 leading up to the end of 2025. Here are the ones that I am working on in October 2025 till December 2025 

Concrete in Life 2526

A global photography competition that I found out last year or so, I would be joining and participating in Concrete in Life 2526. While I am not really an architectural photographer, I regularly take cityscapes and travel photography, where concrete plays an important role in the building of a country and society, from roads, bridges, to the homes in the cities that we live in. 

Sony World Photography Awards 2025

A worldwide photography contest that I have been regularly participating in over the years. I am in the process of curating and selecting my photographs for submission to Sony World Photography Awards 2025 in December 2025 before the closing date. If you are keen to participate in Sony World Photography Awards 2025, do check them out!

Exhibitions 

1st National Photography Art Exhibition (NPAE) 2025 in October 2025

The 1st National Photography Art Exhibition (NPAE) 2025 will be held from 9th to 12th October 2025 at The Art Space SG, from 11am to 6pm. I have a photograph selected for display at NPAE 2025, I would like to thank the panel for selecting my photograph to be part of 1st National Photography Art Exhibition celebrating SG60.

• The Art Space SG
• 66 Kallang Pudding Road #01-01 Hor Kew Business Centre, Singapore 349324

Visual Storytelling / Content Creation

Working on my SG60 Visual Storytelling Personal Project 

I am currently working on my SG60 visual storytelling personal project, consolidation of my photos shot in 2025 as part of SG60, curation of photographs shot over the decades for consideration that would be selected for SG60 my personal project.

Still a work in progress, more updates to come soon when the time is right. Do keep a lookout for updates along the way!

Ready for Migratory Bird Photography Season Q3 2025 to Q1 2026

Migratory bird photography season has started early in September 2025, I would be picking up the pace, planning various visits to nature reserves, parks, park connector networks/rivers and coastlines in the coming months. 

I would also keep a lookout for other wildlife in Singapore too during my photo walks, looking forward to adding more birding and wildlife photography to my Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore collection on Flickr.

Heritage, Culture, Arts, Performing Arts and Creative Sectors

Year 2025 till date to Q3 2025 has been a pretty fruitful and enriching year covering, documenting and photographing, especially in the areas of culture, arts and performing arts. I am working on curating and uploading my photos into my Flickr photography collections and writing my visual stories here on my TGH Photography and Travel website. 

The performing arts sector that I have attended for this year 2025 till date, a good mix of contemporary performing arts and traditions, feeling the deep connections to open up my creativity and understanding of arts and culture.

Of Other Thoughts and Views

Love of F1/Motorsports Photography

Canon Singapore recently organised a seminar, The Art of the Race by Darren Heath, it was a great turnout, and the audience enjoyed an insightful and learning session on F1/motorsports photography from Darren Heath. I had the opportunity to get a special session chatting with Darren over lunch, asking him about F1/motorsports photography, from a motorsports photography enthusiast (me) to a F1/motorsports photography legend (Darren Heath). Keep a lookout for my upcoming articles on the The Art of the Race seminar and the chat/sharing session with Darren Heath. 

After chatting with Darren, and learning about his art and craft of F1/motorsports photography, it kind of rekindle my love and passion for F1/motorsports photography that I had years back. Also, it’s also time to stop just chasing to photograph the sports car in action, and forgetting about the fans, passion and behind the scenes of motorsports that their stories need to be make more known to the world of motorsports enthusiasts.

Words from a fellow visual storyteller 

AikBeng’s Chia (affectionately a.k.a ABC) recently did a video interview on CNA Insider, titled: Photographing Weird, Quirky & Strange Singapore: There’s Always A Story Behind” | Dear Singapore, it was refreshing and sending reminders to myself on some of those challenges, and stuff we hear on our creative works and journeys, the inevitable comparisons, public and private scrutiny that comes with putting up our photography works on social media and internet space. 

AikBeng’s photography style and approach is exceptional, he tells visual stories through his eyes, heart, mind and soul that even some of us visual storytellers might not be be to visualise. AikBeng is an inspiration, I have huge respect and admiration for his unique, bold and direct style of visual storytelling that is not conventional.

Some of AikBeng’s quotes inside this CNA Insider video, “There is beauty in imperfection”, “Don’t judge people”, “We Shouldn’t Compare”

Those quotes hit me deep, time to stop chasing perfection, and be mindful of the comparisons and judgements that we faced on social media and what we might face from fellow photographers in real life. 

And to let our own visual storytelling and creativity do the rest. 

The post Photography / Visual Storytelling / Content Creation Themes and Plans for October 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Photography

Photography Competitions/Contests

There are still a few ongoing photography competitions/contests in September 2025. Here are the ones that I am working on in September 2025.

Experience More with Capture SG60 by RSP & HONOR

HONOR recently launched a foldable smartphone, HONOR Magic V5, and this is Singapore’s SG60 birthday year, HONOR is celebrating this milestone by inviting the public to photograph Singapore’s city architectural journey, from iconic landmarks to everyday spaces. 

This photography competition is jointly organised by HONOR and RSP Architects Planners & Engineers. If you are keen to know more and participate ,visit  https://rsp.design/capturesg60/ and find out more information and details.

Alan Photo Competition – Catch the Moment

Alan Photo Singapore announced a photo completion titled, “Catch the Moment”, inviting photographers to show a side of Singapore that most people never notice. That sounds like a pretty nice theme to participate in, showcasing many different sights and views of Singapore that most people never notice.

The competition period is from 1 – 30 September 2025, if you are keen to participate or find out more information, you can check out Alan Photo social media pages. I am going to enter and see how it goes for me.

Exhibitions 

NUSPS Montage 2025 Seminar – Not a winner | A Photograph on Display

The NUSPS Montage 2025 Seminar took place on 23rd August 2025, I attended the Montage 2025 seminar, listening to talks by professionals, photo exhibition and prize presentation.

The winning entries for NUSPS Montage 2025 were on display at Montage 2025 Seminar, together with the other top entries for this photo competition. Although I didn’t win any prizes at Montage 2025 photo competition, I did have a photograph printed on display at NUSPS Montage 2025 Seminar. 

Overall, a small consolation and recognition, this was also a good experience for me participating in Montage 2025 photo competition, a great NUSPS Montage 2025 seminar lineup of speakers, and last but not least, catching up with friends from Canon Singapore and photographer friends from various photography groups in Singapore, friends from the former Canon EOS World community, KOMMUNITY, and SG Storm Trackers.  

More personal insights and thoughts from NUSPS Montage 2025 photo competition and Montage 2025 seminar can be found in my article.

1st National Photography Art Exhibition (NPAE) 2025 in October 2025

I am still waiting for more information and details on the 1st National Photography Art Exhibition (NPAE) 2025 that is taking place in October 2025. Keep a lookout for their event!

Visual Storytelling / Content Creation

Working towards my SG60 Visual Storytelling Personal Project 

I am working towards and closer to my SG60 visual storytelling personal project, writing down more ideas and inspirations. There are two ideas/plans in my mind as follows below:

1) Notebook A5 size

My first idea/plan to get an existing notebook A5 size, curating my 60 photographs to mark SG60 celebrations, this would more handicraft and hands on making a zine style photo book. Not likely to be in mass production, more of on a request/order basis for friends and supporters, whether based in Singapore or overseas.

2) Photography Zine with design and layout 

The second would be designed with layout for printing and sale on ad-hoc basis or in bulk printing, along the A5 notebook size. This would allow me to have a discussion with publishers or photography printing houses, and also place my photography zine in their library.

Ready for Migratory Bird Photography Season Q3 2025 to Q1 2026

The early migratory birds have started arriving in Singapore, some are earlier than expected. I am ready for migratory bird photography season starting in September 2025 leading up to Q1 2026. Making plans to visit various nature reserves and parks for migratory bird photography, as well as nature, landscape, creating travel articles and my own nature and outdoors therapy with my photography. 

Looking forward to add more birding and wildlife photography to my Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore collection on Flickr.

Heritage, Culture, Arts, Performing Arts and Creative Sectors

A fruitful month of August 2025 in the heritage, culture, arts and performing arts sector. At this moment, they are more of a personal visual storytelling and documentation. I do hope there would be some of renumeration/commissioned work would materialise down the road with some of those heritage, culture, arts and performing arts sector.

Discussions on doing more, collaborating with other like-minded heritage, culture and arts advocates in other fields are still ongoing. When it starts to gain more traction, I would share more details. Meanwhile, keep a lookout for more visual stories of my heritage, culture, arts and performing arts sector.

The State of the Heritage, Culture, Arts, Performing Arts and Creative Sectors in Singapore

In August 2025, The Projector suddenly announced its closure, sending shock waves, disappointments, a wake up call and a reality check for arts, culture, creatives, filmmakers, photographers, media production and those working in related industries. 

From the costs of running a business in Singapore (let alone a business in the arts, creatives, cultural industry), changing media landscape, the types of entertainment and media we are consuming in today’s climate. Too many “things” that distract us, from toys to online streaming, what is our state of the arts, creative and culture sectors in Singapore?

Are we doing enough, or do we have to lose it before we start to appreciate, is it too late and too little? While I am not most immersed into independent films, their influence and impacts on the arts, culture and creatives have an impact on developing my creative aspects in my visual storytelling and writing.

Personally, it can be difficult to prioritise which areas of arts, creative and culture sectors that we want to be interested in and be a part of. Once we put our time and money into a few of them, others might get neglected, and when another bites the dust, we also feel the disappointment that we haven’t done enough to spend some time and our monetary support there.

There are also arts, culture and creative sectors that are getting the support and attendance. It’s such a mixed bag on two ends of the spectrum, some have it better, how many are struggling? How many more of those “another one bites the dust” before we wake up and support our local arts, creative, and culture sectors in Singapore better, with our time and wallet?

Of Many Thoughts and Views

Experiencing two different sides of the stories in the heritage, culture, arts, performing arts and creative sectors, I have many thoughts and views, I might write it down more personal and in-depth.

Reflecting deeply, where and how I could adapt, the delicate balance between revenue from photography work to personal visual storytelling and documentation? Where and how I can help and support each other in the heritage, culture, arts, performing arts and creative sectors in Singapore? 

Many thoughts and views to ponder deeply, planning, changing and strategising ahead.

The post Photography / Visual Storytelling / Content Creation Themes and Plans for September 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Chinese Opera Festival 2025

Chinese Opera Festival 2025 will take over five weekends from 21st June to 26th July 2025, featuring five local Chinese opera troupes, each performing on a select Saturday in a different dialect. 

These are the following active Chinese opera troupes, dedicated to keeping Singapore’s local Chinese landscape alive.

Chinese Opera Studio (Teochew) – The Mistake of Justice Bao

Date: 21st June

Time: 7pm

https://www.facebook.com/chineseoperastudiogroup/ 

Chinese Opera Ensemble (Hainanese) – The Peacocks Flying Southeast

Date: 5th July 

Time: 7pm

https://www.facebook.com/coe0217/ 

OperaWorks (Singapore) (Cantonese) – The Betrothal Sword of Love

Date: 12th July

Time: 7pm

• https://operaworkssingapore.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/OperaWorks.Singapore/ 
• https://www.instagram.com/operaworks.singapore/ 
• https://www.youtube.com/c/OperaWorksSingapore 

Tian Yun Beijing Opera Society (Peking) – Mei Yu Pei

Date: 19th July

Time: 7pm

• https://www.tianyun.sg/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/tianyunsg 
• https://www.instagram.com/tianyun_sg/ 

Tang Renaissance (Yue) – Marshal Lim Bo Seng

Date: 26th July

Time: 7pm

• https://www.tangrenaissance.org/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/tangrenaissance 
• https://www.instagram.com/tangrenaissance 
• https://www.youtube.com/@tangrenaissance440 

A significant collaboration between SCCC and NAC that brings quality performances to more audiences from all walks of life to celebrate the diversity and rich cultural heritage of Chinese opera in Singapore. Chinese Opera Festival 2025 is a gathering of five distinct opera traditions on a single stage, presents an exciting opportunity for more people to watch their performances, experience Chinese Opera, and to appreciate the importance of rich cultural heritage and to preserve it. 

At the same time, Chinese Opera Festival also helps to promote and provide vital support for local Chinese opera groups to develop their capabilities, embark on artistic growth, and cultivate a paying audience. There will be bilingual sub-titles provided for all performances, ensuring accessibility for all audiences. 

According to Mr Alvin Tan, Chief Executive of SCCC, “Through the festival, we hope to support local Chinese opera groups by providing a safe creative space for them to showcase their works and capabilities without having to worry about venue rental, funding, ticket sales, marketing etc. In doing so, we hope to safeguard and showcase a traditional artform which is rich in Chinese history and culture; attract new and hopefully younger audiences; and contribute to its long-term sustainability.” 

Low Eng Teong, Chief Executive Officer of NAC, said, “The traditional arts are a vital part of Singapore’s arts landscape as they reflect, shape and strengthen our cultural identity. NAC is proud to partner with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre on the inaugural Chinese Opera Festival. Through this initiative, audiences from all walks of life can come together to discover, connect with the arts and experience the richness and heritage of Chinese Opera in Singapore.” 

Chinese Opera Festival 2025 Fringe Activities 

There are a series of carefully curated Chinese Opera Festival 2025 fringe activities that will accompany the performances at SCCC, in line with the goal of expanding arts touch points for audience participation and engagement. 

These include interactive Chinese opera movement workshops designed for participants of all ages, and insightful practitioner talks featuring respected artists. Participants can expect to hear from experienced Chinese opera artists including Cultural Medallion recipient Joanna Wong and Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award and Young Artist Award recipient Cai Bixia.

The Art in Every Gesture: Discovering Movement in Chinese Opera

• Dates: 5th & 19th July
• Time: 4pm to 5pm
• Venue: SCCC Recital Studio, Level 6

Behind the Painted Faces: Voices of Chinese Opera Today

• Dates: 21st June (Su Zhang Kai) | 12th July (Cai Bixia) | 26th July (Joanna Wong)
• Time: 4pm to 5pm
• Venue: SCCC Recital Studio, Level 6

Chinese Opera Roving Exhibition

• Dates: 4th June to 26th July
• Time: 9am to 10m
• Venue: SCCC, Level 7 Foyer

Troupe leader of OperaWorks (Singapore), Ms Winsome Chan, said: “It is our honour to collaborate with SCCC and NAC, and to participate in this year’s Chinese Opera Festival. We hope that our audience would enjoy our performance of Cantonese opera The Betrothal Sword of Love, and we also hope to reach out to and attract new audiences to the festival.” 

Vice-President and Artistic Director of Tian Yun Beijing Opera Society, Ms Lim Mei Lian, added: “Being the inaugural Chinese Opera Festival in Singapore, we hope that the initiative does not stop here but will continue to stay true to its objectives and forge ahead with perseverance.” 

Personal Thoughts and Views from a documentary visual storyteller  

At the media preview, we got to know more about Chinese Opera Festival 2025 objectives from Mr Alvin Tan, CEO SCCC opening remarks. We also got to view snippets of the Chinese opera troupes performing at the upcoming Chinese Opera Festival 2025. 

This was an enriching cultural heritage experience for me, a sector that I didn’t manage to cover as much over my years of documenting and photographing history, heritage, culture and conservation sectors in Singapore. 

Through this inaugural Chinese Opera Festival 2025, I hope that I can do more, learn, experience, and appreciate this rich Chinese cultural heritage, and where I can play my small part for this sector, as a documentary visual storyteller in history, heritage, culture and conservation sectors.

Chinese Opera Festival 2025 Information (Ticketing Prices and Promotions)

Chinese Opera Festival 2025

• Dates: 21st June to 26th July 2025
• Venue: SCCC Auditorium, Level 9
• Standard Ticket Price: $30 (available on SISTIC)

Chinese Opera Festival 2025 tickers are available on SISTIC at $30 with a special five-show bundle at $120. Early bird discount of 30% off tickets at $21 are available from 4th till 10th June 2025.

To register for onsite fringe activities, please visit SISTIC. 

For more information on Chinese Opera Festival 2025, please visit Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) website: https://singaporeccc.org.sg/ 

The post SCCC and NAC Collaborate to Debut Chinese Opera Festival 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

• Part 1: Impressions
• Part 2: Amalgamate 
• Part 3: Awakenings 

Let me bring you into “Intersections”, this immersive, intriguing and uniquely experiential amalgamated performing arts adventure, through my visual storytelling and photographs.

Part 1: Impressions

Walking through the entrance, entering into the multi-purpose hall at SCCC, there was a short introduction by the ushers/chaperones. 

What were my initial impressions? 

This nine photo collage is the stage where “Intersections” come together in a ever shifting nine-grid formation, also known as “九宫格”, where audience can get themselves immersed with and interact with the different multi-sensory arts genres on offer, crossing boundaries that you might never think it’s possible with those different performing arts genres.

My initial impressions were, heh this “九宫格”, it’s really unique and different, a very interesting approach to present and amalgamate different performing arts genres together! 

Nine-Grid Arts Formation

1) Music: Rhythmic Flow

2) Wayang Kulit: Dancing Puppets

3) Drama: The vicissitudes of Singapore River

4) Peranakan Fashion: Splendid Elegance 

5) Installation Art: Whispers from the Woods | Dance: Awakenings

6) Opera: Dreams in Harmony

7) Calligraphy: Dancing Figure

8) Photography: Shadow and Dance

9) Multimedia: The Everchanging Land Beneath 

Part 2: Amalgamate

That’s where the artists inside the “九宫格” make their way behind, and the audience proceed to sit down, waiting for the second part of the performance to begin. Next up, the various artists amalgamate together through brilliant choreography and artistic storytelling, each having its own chapter and arts/drama/creative journey to tell the world. 

The flow of artists performances might seem chaotic at first, yet it’s also structured and planned. Everyone of us would be probably be intrigued and engrossed in different artists at work and performing. Personally for me, I was intrigued by Calligraphy: Dancing Figure (maybe because that’s the only art category that I passed in school), Photography: Shadow and Dance, as a photographer and visual storyteller myself, I am like the photographer capturing moments of a dance performance. Multimedia: The Everchanging Land Beneath, the moving and ever-changing multi-media lighting artwork with invoking dance performances, give me the light and direction to chase after them, hoping to capture a priceless moment in modern multi-media world. 

Part 3: Awakenings 

A massive grand finale dance performance, in a sea of red, inviting you to be immersed with them together in heart and soul, awakening to tell yourself and others that we need to be conscious, we also need to let go, so that we make important changes in our life, and we can rise again as we face the ongoing challenges around us and the world today. 

Personal Thoughts and Views

At the end of the this wonderful and engaging performance “Intersections”, I did have a number of feelings, thoughts, emotions and views. Hearing the heartfelt stories, sharing from Artistic Director Cao Shiji from Dance Ensemble Singapore, hearing warmest congratulations across the board by the audience, everyone of us knew deep in our hearts, we had witnessed and experienced something really special and unique.

“Intersections” by Dance Ensemble Singapore – Engaging, immersive, uniquely contemporary yet strong and grounded in their own traditional roots of each of their respective performing arts discipline. 

Showcasing cross promotion, cooperation, alliance and partnership with different arts and culture. It’s like a big family of practicing artists of various genres with immense love and passion for the arts, coming together under one roof, for a common purpose, to bring performing arts onto another level.

To some people who might be more critical and picky, they might feel too many different artistic genres combing together, too messy or “rojak” in our local lingo. Personally for me, I find this approach refreshing, an eye-opener, that somehow connects the audiences hearts, minds and souls, together in this amalgamated artistic approach. 

A key and unique aspect of “Intersections” is inviting the audience to interact, immerse and engage, something missing in many arts and cultural performances (in my personal humble opinion). 

As a photographer, visual storyteller myself, this is inspiring, how I can work further and better, with artists, creatives from other artistic genres.

One of the best performing arts that I ever attended and experienced till date, “Intersections” is a multi-sensory arts and performances installations exploring the connections between dance and other arts forms such as Music, Wayang Kulit, Drama, Peranakan Fashion, Performing Arts Installations, Opera, Calligraphy, Photography and Multimedia art, putting their deepest love and passion for their arts and craft into this amazing performance. 

I had an amazing artistic journey and experiences, and I am pretty sure the rest of the audience that day shared the same sentiments too (and also the audiences watching your performances on 16, 17 and 18 May 2025).

Thank you Dance Ensemble Singapore for this mind-blowing artistic performance, “Intersections”, the meanings and stories behind each special parts.

• Impressions: How we (the audience) view/feel and engage various performing arts genres coming together that seem not likely or possible in the first place. 
• Amalgamate: How you all bring them all together for a common goal to share and showcase performing arts 
• Awakenings: How we can let go of ourselves (especially for those non-arts practitioners) to view, feel, enjoy and learn about traditional and contemporary performing arts in today’s modern technology driven society.

More photographs on Intersections by Dance Ensemble Singapore at Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Cultural Extravaganza can be viewed here in this Flickr photo album. 

Thank you very much, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre and Dance Ensemble Singapore, for the invitation to the full-dress rehearsal of “Intersections”.

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TGIF Music Station

TGIF Music Station was launched in 2018, they are a free monthly programme that takes place on a Friday night, seeking to showcase both emerging and established local talents in the Mandopop scene. Through TGIF Music Station, SCCC hopes to promote and raise greater public awareness, and appreciation of local talents in Singapore, liven up the Downtown/Central Business District and instil pride in Singapore arts and culture.

Since its launch, SCCC has organised a total of 152 sessions, featuring a total of 496 local artistes. These sessions attracted a total of 53,615 participants and 6 million online views during live streams on SCCC’s social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok as of August 2024.

TGIF Music Station 2024

For this upcoming October 2024 TGIF Music Station, SCCC will be featuring a total of 10 local buskers. They range from the young talents such as Lyla Ng (age 11) to senior groups such as Silver Hype comprising Gillian Goh (age 69) and Davidson Teo (age 65), as well as popular buskers who have released singles and EPs as WHYLUCAS and Jeff Ng.

According to Gillian Goh of Silver Hype: “We are grateful to SCCC for the opportunity to perform to a new audience. Through busking on the streets, we hope to set a positive example of how age should not stop you from doing what you love and to inspire more youths to pursue their dreams, especially in music. If we can do it, you can do it!”

Lyla Ng, added: “I’m excited to perform on TGIF Music Station on 18 October as this is my first time performing at SCCC and I will also be sharing the stage with many of my fellow buskers! Learning and performing Mandarin songs in public has not only allowed me to better appreciate Chinese culture and language but has also improved my academic results! I hope to meet more friends and fans at TGIF Music Station!”

SCCC Chief Executive Officer Alvin Tan said: “Through SCCC’s TGIF Music Station (Buskers Edition), we hope to support our local busking community by providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and interact with their fans, and help them reach a wider audience both physically and digitally. Moving forward, SCCC will organise a buskers edition every October and continue to feature at least one busker for every upcoming TGIF Music Station to provide more sustained support for the busking community.”

Information on SCCC TGIF Music Station

• Date: 18th October 2024
• Time: 8pm
• Venue: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) Concourse

TGIF Music Station: SCCC x YES 933 is presented by SCCC, produced by Cross Ratio Entertainment, supported by YES 933 (Official Radio Station), 8world Entertainment and Lifestyle (Online Media Partner) and KKBOX (Music Streaming Partner).

For more information, please visit Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) website and social media

• Website: www.singaporeccc.org.sg
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/singaporechineseculturalcentre
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/singaporechinese
• WeChat ID: sccc_sg

* Information and pictures courtesy of Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre *

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On 17th April 2024, the first day of CQ Streetfest at CQ @ Clarke Quay, I managed to catch two of the world-renowned street performing artists in action, Pancho Libre from Mexico and Richard Garaghty from Italy. They were talented, amazing and got the crowd at CQ @ Clarke Quay to participate and be a part of their performance too! Some of the children watching CQ Streetfest had great fun, just look at their enthusiasm and energy, with eyes wide opened, fascinated and excited as they watched the artists performed. When Pancho and Richard invited to be a part of their performances, you can see the children enjoying themselves a lot!

Here are some photos of Pancho Libre and Richard Garaghty in action at CQ Streetfest at CQ @ Clarke Quay.

Pancho Libre (Mexico)

Richard Garaghty (Italy)

I hope to catch the rest of the CQ Streetfest performing artists in action over the weekend, they are 

• Japan’s artist Akira, who is going to showcase a triple act of painting, dancing and DJing
• UK artists Rob Roy Collins stunning the crowd with his daring escapology feats, escaping from cuffs and chains
• Australia’s Satya Bella making hula hoop history with one of the most difficult moves ever performed – the hula-hooping and cyr-wheeling both at the same time
• Singapore’s delene Chua-Adams, from Adedance Hoop and Silk Aerialists with their graceful manoeuvres defying gravity, displaying remarkable agility and strength. 

45 amazing and mesmerising performances over 5 days from 17 to 21 April 2024, come on down to CQ @ Clarke Quay this coming weekend, enjoy and immerse yourself into the electrifying performances and family-friendly entertainment by world-renowned street performing artists all over the world. 

CQ Streetfest 2024 at CQ @ Clarke Quay

• Dates: 17 to 21 April 2024
• Time: Wednesday & Thursday 6:30pm – 10:30pm | Friday 6pm – 10:30pm | Saturday & Sunday: 12:30pm – 10:30pm
• Location: Fountain Spring, CQ @ Clarke Quay

For more information on CQ Streetfest at Clarke Quay, festival schedule and featured artists, please visit https://www.capitaland.com/sg/malls/clarkequay/en/CQ-StreetFest2024.html 

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The story behind Katong Dreaming

Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour is created by August Lum, Marc Nair, Nicodemus Tan, and Valerie Lim. Produced by Jamie Lee for Betel Box Tours, and supported by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and National Arts Council (NAC) Performing Arts Pilot Grant. Both STB and NAC seek to encourage the development and trial of innovative performing arts tours by tour operators. 

Let’s go on a Katong Dreaming Musical Tour!

Most locals and international visitors that know/heard of Katong, they would remember Katong and Joo Chiat districts for its colourful houses, sleepy streets, and of course, our favourite Singapore topic – food. However, it’s more than just that, how much do you know about the rich Peranakan history, culture and traditions that built up Katong and Joo Chiat districts?

When you embark on this 2-in-1 performing arts tour and travel adventure – Katong Dreaming Musical Tour, not only will you hear the stories of Katong and Joo Chiat districts as you walk through those two districts, admiring the architecture, colours and design of those old houses, you will also get to hear original songs, poems, and this movement set to an original score. 

Without further ado, follow me below and let’s go on a Katong Dreaming Musical Tour!

First and foremost, it begins with Bak Chang

First and foremost, it begins with Bak Chang. When you sign up for Katong Dream: A Musical Tour, the start point is at Kim Choo Kueh Chang at 111 East Coast Road. If this is your first time visiting Kim Choo Kueh Chang, I strongly encourage you to check them out. 

Once you finished your registration, collect your headset, listen to the administrative instructions, you are more than ready to embark on your unique 2-in-1 performing arts tour and travel adventure. 

This is where you start your Katong Dreaming Musical Tour, it begins with Bak Chang. Somehow, you might be very relaxed, happily chatting with people or dreaming about Katong, that you won’t know the musical tour has started! 

Do you know what is a Bak Chang, its history and origin? Listen to this “Bak Chang Beginnings”, written by Marc Nair, when you join the musical tour.   

Next up, It also begins with the Sea

After knowing your Bak Chang, it’s time to move out and explore Katong and Joo Chiat. Next up, it also begins with the Sea. Just a short walk away from Kim Choo Kueh Chang, walking through traffic light cross junction, experiencing your first back lane experiences, you would reach this road lined up with a very unique architecture and design, they are elevated terrace houses. 

The elevated terrace houses are what remain of how close Katong was to the sea. This might be your first time watching an outdoor performing arts tour. With your headphones on, listen and enjoy this outdoors arts performance play, “It Begins with the Sea”, written by Mark Nicodemus Tan, music by August Lum.

Do you remember cinematic Roxy Baby?

The older locals in Katong and Joo Chiat would remember the Roxy Cinema that once stood where Roxy Square is. An iconic and popular location with Katong and Joo Chiat residents, its history and heritage is not forgotten, written down in “Roxy Baby” by Marc Nair, with music by August Lum. 

Looking through Pintu Pagar

The iconic row of colourful heritage Peranakan terrace houses at Joo Chiat, along Koon Seng Road, have been popular with both international visitors and locals alike.   

The design and architecture of the have a feature known as “Pintu Pagar”, a half-height outer door that acts as a “fence” for the main front door when it is left open during the day, providing both privacy and security while providing ventilation.

When you watch the musical play segment unfolds in front of you at the Peranakan terrace houses, there would be curiosity building up inside you when looking through Pintu Pagar, what goes behind those Peranakan terrace houses?  

“Pintu Pagar”, written by Marc Nair and Mark Nicodemus Tan, with music by August Lim.  

See and experience the untold Back Lane stories

The back lanes of Katong and Joo Chiat districts are not exactly on most peoples’s mind and thoughts to visit. The back lanes may not be the most glamorous, yet they tell you many different stories, culture and living, as well as history and heritage. 

See and experience the untold Back Lane stories for yourself, it’s more than just street photography or architecture photography. 

“The Back Lane”, written by Marc Nair

We love our Coffeeshop Talk

We love our coffee, both Arabica and Robusta coffee. We love our Coffeeshop Talk, whether at a kopitiam drinking local Nanyang kopi, or at a cafe, enjoying our coffee time. Some kopitiam are more than just eating and drinking places, they are a cultural hub of people, gatherings and exchanging stories.  

“Coffeeshop Talk”, written by Marc Nair.

Do check out this video of Sin Hin, traditional coffee shop: https://vimeo.com/674832451 

What is Under the Banyan Tree?

The Banyan Tree, to most people, is probably just another tree species from the diverse flora and fauna on Earth. Not many people I reckon would know about Banyan Tree and its connections to the spiritual side of things.

What is under the Banyan Tree at the Joo Chiat Place Parking Lot? They are home to a few deity worship, place inside nicely built wooden box houses, visited and maintained nicely by believers around the district.

What is Under the Banyan Tree could be a mystery to some, it could also be a place of worship, only if you choose to see, know and learn about them, for both locals and international visitors alike.    

“Under the Banyan Tree”, written by Marc Nair and Mark Nicodemus Tan, with music by August Lum. 

Time for a Kopi O

As we are nearing the end of the Katong Dreaming Music Play journey, is it time for a Kopi O? You have now reached your end point: Betel Box Hostel. As you sit down, rest and relax from your earlier musical tour walk in Katong / Joo Chiat district, would you like to have a cup of Kopi-O to relax, unwind and chill?

“Kopi O”, written by Nicodemus Tan, music by August Lum.

Grand Finale is Here There 

The grand finale to wrap up your musical play journey, “Here There” is a twin cinema poem first developed by Singaporean poet Yeow Kai Chai in 2010. It’s generally read in three ways, vertically down each column, horizontally across the entire length of the poem. Read in all three ways, watch and listen to the Grand Finale musical performance. 

“Here There”, written by Marc Nair, with music by August Lum. 

A Huge Round of Applause for Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour

As the Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour drew to a close at Betel Box, the performers and organisers received a huge round of applause from all of us that walked, immersed, listened, watched and become a part of this musical play walking journey. 

We stayed back for a short while, chatting and congratulating the performers and organisers behind this musical tour. It’s not your usual musical play whereby you can mingle with the performers and organisers/crew straight after a musical play performance. 

Katong Dreaming is Not your typical musical play

For me a visual storyteller that has been documenting and covering history, heritage, culture and arts, somehow I am not that into musical plays or theatre performances. When I embarked on Katong Dreaming musical tour, I was brought into another world, that is not utopian, like a Time Machine ride from the past when our forefathers first stepped foot into Singapore, into the modern Singapore cosmopolitan city of today.

Katong Dreaming brings you on a rich history, heritage, cultural and travelling tour of Katong district in Singapore through an immersive and powerful musical play through a walk around the Katong district. Through this musical play, you can have a deeper and wider understanding about Peranakan history, heritage and culture.

A Uniquely Singapore travel experience for both locals and international visitors alike. I would like to encourage you to book this unique, enriching and immersive Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour in Singapore.

I could have shot some videos as snippets of this amazing, mesmerising and immersive Katong Dreaming Musical Tour. However, I decided that I would like you to fully experience them yourself when you sign up for this musical tour. 

I would like to invite you, whether you are a local or an international visitor, to join this uniquely created and produced in Singapore musical tour, and be a part of Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour!

Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour

If you like to know more about Katong Dreaming: A Musical Tour, please visit https://katongdreaming.peatix.com/, you can book your tickets from there too!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katongdreaming/ 

Hashtag:#katongdreaming 

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How did this name “Proposals for Novel Ways of Being” come about?

Go back a few months back in time, do you remember the initial name of the global pandemic that is now universally known/classified as COVID-19? Proposals for Novel Ways of Being bears reference to the earlier name of the virus “2019 Novel Coronavirus”, a sombre yet hopeful reminder that this COVID-19 is not the world’s first global pandemic or the first crisis the world has encountered, nor will be it be the last. This would be a reminder for the human race, the society, to seek, adapt and adopt new ways of being.

National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum have come together to launch a new local initiative of unprecedented scale and scope, a project that see museums joining forces with 10 other local art institutions and independent art spaces and collectives to present a series of exhibitions and programmes, in both physical and online environments, featuring the works of over 170 local artists and cultural workers. Presenting “Proposals for Novel Ways of Being”, a united response by the visual arts community to the changes brought by the global pandemic COVID-19, a wide range of art experiences exploring new ways of living in a world forced to change by this pandemic and imagining new possibilities for the future.

Elaborating on the compelling reasons behind the development of the Proposals for Novel Ways of Being initiative, Dr Eugene Tan, Director, National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum says, “As we grapple with the “new normal”, we consider how art can respond to the global pandemic and propose new possibilities for our changed world, as well as how it can inspire hope in these times. As national art institutions, we ask ourselves how we can show solidarity with the local network of independent art spaces, institutions and collectives to engage and support members of the art community, and how we can highlight the role that art can play in times of crises such as the current pandemic.”

The Programme Partners of Proposals for Novel Ways of Being include seven institutions: ADM Gallery, NTU School of Art, Design and Media; LASALLE’s Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore; National Gallery Singapore; National Museum of Singapore; NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore (NTU CCA Singapore); Singapore Art Museum; STPI, and five independent art spaces and collectives: Coda Culture; Grey Projects; INTER-MISSION; soft/WALL/studs; and The Substation.

To support the wider network of art professionals and practitioners, Programme Partners have invited independent guest curators to each propose projects that involve up to 15 artists based in Singapore. The projects presented can include new commissions or existing works, and may take the form of physical or digital exhibitions, and include programmes such as talks, performances and community engagement events.

Audiences can look forward to

• Coda Culture’s exhibition, which brings together artists who produce works using found objects;
• National Gallery Singapore’s range of works by a diverse group of emerging contemporary artists, which embody poetic contemplation;
• National Museum of Singapore’s series of digital works created in collaboration with artists and creatives, which respond to the pandemic;
• NTU CCA Singapore’s showcase of experimental works by artists who engage with sound, bodily movements and performances;
• Singapore Art Museum’s presentation of contemporary artworks that reflect on the passage of time and various acts of care-taking; and
• soft/WALL/studs’ suite of interconnected activities and projects that navigate the themes of (dis)repair, maintenance, and cultivation by artists and curators, presented on digital platforms and at their physical site.

For more information on Proposals for Novel Ways of Being, please visit novelwaysofbring.sg and keep a lookout for the various exhibitions and programmes taking place soon between August 2020 and February 202.

As a fellow creative in the photography circle, I am able to relate the situation that other arts and creative industry folks are going through. Let’s give them the support and encouragement during this difficult time arising from the global pandemic situation.

We are all in this together as a nation. The journey ahead is still going to be more turbulent and choppy. Let’s all be #SGUnited together facing this global crisis and overcome it!

* Information and picture courtesy of National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum and Ogilvy Singapore *

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The Covid-19 situation till date has caused massive disruptions to Singapore, our daily personal and working life has changed due to the circuit breaker restrictions implementation, resulting in almost all of us working from home (WFH), home based learning (HBL) for the schooling children, #StayHomeforSG as we #SGUnited #SGTogether to fight this Covid-19 outbreak.

Since we can’t visit the museums or visit art galleries, attend community events, the arts, creatives, museums, heritage networks are coming to them online with #SGCultureAnywhere. This is where I play a small part in #SGCultureAnywhere x #ArtsInYourNeighbourhood through my photographs that I took during my arts adventure exploration in the Bukit Panjang neighbourhood.

During Arts in Your Neighbourhood 2020, I went on the Bukit Panjang route, starting from Blk 139 Petir Road (Void Deck), followed by Blk 133A Cashew Road (Ramps), Blk 257 Bangkit Road before reaching the playground/open space outside Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council.

Atomick @ 139 Petir Road

TraseOne @ 133A Cashew Road & 139 Petir Road

SYCO @ 257 Bangkit Road

PAG-AHON + MENINGKA @ playground/open space outside Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council

Podspace @ playground/open space outside Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council

My way of exploring arts came from my style of photojournalism over the years, attending the various Singapore Biennale editions since attending my first in 2008 (check out my 2011 , 2013 editions), that took place helped me to walk around the arts sites, exploring and discovering the artworks of various artists.

There were other programmes on schedule (Bound, Back of the Bus, Rolling On, A Collection of Things and Podscape) that I was keen to attend but I didn’t manage to attend due to schedule constraints and cancellations arising from Covid-19 situation at that point in time.

Arts coming to your local heartland neighbourhoods is a great initiative that not only brings interesting and exciting dance, literary arts, music, theatre and visual arts programmes into the heartlands, they would get people to visit other heartland neighbourhoods too.

I hope the circuit breaker is lifted when the time comes, life can slowly get back to normal here in Singapore, a vaccine for the Covid-19 can be out soon and we can start regaining our life, trade and travel with the world community as well. It’s not just the economy that can get back to work, the arts and creatives industries (and my photography business) can get back up and running again.

Time to continue to Pay It Forward and Pass It On with more #SGCultureAnywhere stories!

A TGH Photography x Canon EOS RP Explorer Series Production.

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