Family & Life Magazine Issue 8 | Page 6

EVENTS WH? T’S HAPPENING THE O.P.E.N Despite its sci-fi sounding name, The O.P.E.N. (Open. Participate. Enrich. Negotiate) is anything but! Rather it’s a place to explore fascinating questions about humanity and the world at large and is a prelude to the popular Singapore Arts Festival, which was recently rebranded as the Singapore International Festival of Arts. Everyone is invited to participate in The O.P.E.N. through the public performances, film screenings, exhibitions, brunch talks and beginner’s guides. Throughout this initiative, the public will be introduced to the Festival’s five themes – legacies of violence, iconic legacies, digital legacies, personal legacies and legacies of science. As theatre director Ong Keng Sen explains, “The O.P.E.N. is ultimately concerned with creating a sustainable ecosystem of the arts in Singapore.” So, bring your children and discover the country’s arts scene in a totally different light. Too often, the arts in Singapore is seen as distant and disconnected. It’s time for that to change! When: 26 June to 1 2 July 2014 Where: 72-13, Mohamed Sultan Road Price: From S$0 to S$45 For more information about The O.P.E.N., do visit theopen.sifa.sg. There are also a variety of early bird discounts for enthusiastic arts aficionados, so get your tickets quick! THE MYSTERIOUS NIGHT AT THE MANGROVES The Mandarin language and Mother Nature tastefully join forces this upcoming June holidays in The Mysterious Night At The Mangroves, one of the programmes in Chengzhu Mandarin Centre’s range of activities. Discover the secrets of the night with a trip to the mangrove swamps of Pasir Ris, which promises to inspire your child’s creativity and imagination, and empower your child’s communication in Mandarin. The Mysterious Night At The Mangroves is designed for children in Primary One to Three and includes stories, drama activities, speech exercises, word games, prop-making exercises and more! THE SINGAPORE MEMORY PROJECT Remember the Keretapi Tanah Melayu or KTM station at Tanjong Pagar, when the trains would trundle in and unload trainloads of passengers onto the platform? How about the “lava pits” at your primary school’s fitness corner, jumping from bench to bench to avoid the make-believe crocodiles that threatened to devour you if you dropped to the ground? Reminisce about the times that have passed and share with your children about your own childhood at The Singapore Memory Project. The exhibition space is modelled after a living room so that you can feel at home while accessing a collection of publications and videos produced by the Project and its partners. You can even contribute your own stories and memories about Singapore to The Singapore Memory Project! Expect an immersive experience that includes a Media Wall, The Partners’ Showcase and more. The exhibition will be refreshed every month with new content and a monthly series of family bonding activities are being planned as we speak. When: Ongoing Where: Jurong Regional Library Price: Free For more information on The Singapore Memory Project, do visit www.singaporememory.sg. 6 Family & Life • May 2014 BALLET UNDER THE STARS Immerse yourself in the perfect family evening at the Singapore Dance Theatre’s 19th edition of the annual Ballet Under the Stars at Fort Canning Green! Enjoy two weekends of exquisite choreography by award-winning international choreographers George Balanchine, Edwaard Liang, Edmund Stripe, Natalie Weir and more on two weekends – 18 to 20 July and 25 to 27 July. Discover the reason why Ballet Under the Stars has been running for more than a decade and counting! Perhaps one of Singapore’s favourite annual outdoor dance event, Ballet Under the Stars is the perfect opportunity for you and your family to unwind with a sumptuous picnic spread and enjoy an evening of dance. We’ll be there with a basket of sandwiches and wine! Orange juice for the children though. When: 18 to 20 July and 25 to 27 July Where: Fort Canning Green Price: S$25 for one weekend Children below four years of age can enjoy free admission and early bird sales are until 23 May. Purchase tickets for two weekends to enjoy even more savings We think it’s a fantastic way for children to find out more about nature in our sprawling urban jungle while deepening their knowledge of one of the most important languages of our time. It’s time to crack out the rain boots and torch lights! When: June School Holidays Where: Chengzhu Mandarin Centre, #03-01 Rochester Mall, 35 Rochester Drive Price: S$495 (exclusive of GST) Discounts are available for groups of four children and more, and DBS & POSB credit cardholders can also enjoy an additional 10 percent discount. For more information on the full range of holiday programmes, call 6737 5348, email enquiries@ chengzhu.net or visit www.chengzhu.net.