You don’t have to be a bookworm to find something you’ll enjoy at the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) this year.
After all, with more than 300 exciting programmes spread across Oct 30 to Nov 8, including music and drama performances, drag acts and slumber parties, there’ll probably be something for everyone to enjoy.
Here are some activities to look forward to:
Local indie band In Each Hand A Cutlass will perform at the SWF Stage
For the local-music lover: Island of Dreams
When: 30 Oct, 8pm-10pm
Where: Victoria Theatre
This one-off double-bill gig features two of Singapore’s most adventurous rock bands: In Each Hand A Cutlass and I Am David Sparkle. They will each perform 45 minute sets based on the festival theme, Island of Dreams.
For the movie buff: Adaptation and Snowpiercer film screenings
When: 8 Nov, 2pm – 5pm
Where: The Arts House, US Embassy Screening Room
Watch books come to life on the big screen.
In the metafilm Adaptation, lovelorn screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, played by actor Nicholas Cage, struggles to adapt the novel The Orchid Thief. After the screening, there will be a dialogue with the writer of The Orchid Thief, Susan Orlean.
Science-fiction film Snowpiercer, based on French graphic novel “Le Transperceneige”, centres around a failed climate-change experiment has killed all life except for a lucky few. They now live on board a globe-trotting train called the Snowpiercer, where a class system has emerged. There will also be a post-show dialogue with the writer and illustrator of “Le Transperceneige”, Jean-Marc Rochette and Olivier Bocquet.
Local electronic duo .gif will drop the tunes at SWF’s first overnight party
For the daring party animal: What I Love About You is Your Attitude Problem
When: 6 – 7 Nov, 7pm – 7am
Where: The Arts House, various other venues
SWF’s first-ever overnight literary programme, What I Love about You is Your Attitude Problem features specially-commissioned works of Singapore drama, poetry, songwriting and prose, alongside musical performances and visual art exhibitions.
Provocative and edgy (there will also be a drag performance), the programme, which will take place from 7pm to 7am, illuminates the journey of the self and all its challenges and pleasures.
Artistic collaborators to look forward to include electronic duo .gif, drag queen Becca D’Bus, theatre actors Brendon Fernandez and Lim Yu Beng, Singapore poet Pooja Nansi, and youtuber Oon Shu An.
Supper and breakfast will be served.
For the crafty ones: Tote Bag Typesetting Workshop
When: 31 Oct, 10am – 1pm
Where: The Arts House, Living Room
Join owner of letterpress studio, Typsettingsg, Yao Yu, in experimenting with a proofing press and bring home your own personalised typographic tote bag.
Located under the SWF3 banner, this typesetting workshop is suitable as an activity for the whole family!
Hollie Fullbrook of New Zealand band Tiny Ruins will be coaching aspiring songwriters after her gig
For the indie-music fan: Hollie Fullbrook’s Story Songs
When: 1 Nov, 8pm – 9pm
Where: The Arts House, Chamber
Frontwoman of acclaimed New Zealand band Tiny Ruins, Hollie Fullbrook has been winning fans as illustrious as David Lynch and Kurt Wagner (of alternative country band Lambchop). Her latest album, “Brightly Painted One”, won Best Alternative Album at the New Zealand Music Awards last year.
Besides performing, Hollie will also conduct a workshop for aspiring songwriters, where she will share her songwriting processes. Participants can join Hollie in writing exercises involving wordplay and rhyming strategies.
By Pamela Chow
SWF will run from Oct 30 to Nov 8. For the latest updates, visit www.singaporewritersfestival.com.
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