Six SG Culture Pass events to check out, from book-binding to dance

Challenge yourself with these arts offerings, whether it is an edgy theatre show or a workshop where you become the artist and maker rather than just a consumer. Choose from these six events, divided according to price points for easy reference.

About $100

Coastal Walk, Food And Stories By Singapore's Indigenous Community by The Black Sampan

Shawn Hoo recommends: Take this rare opportunity to tour the last remaining space where the Orang Pulau community in Singapore can dock their sampans and engage in indigenous maritime crafts.

Chat with former islanders on topics from traditional fishing techniques to their advocacy for cultural preservation.

Where: West Coast Park When: Sept 12 and 27, 10am and 3.30pm Admission: $98 Info: str.sg/xGyU

Book-binding workshop

Ong Sor Fern recommends: The idea of handmade books conjures up romantic visions of ancient artisans making paper and illuminating pages by lamplight.

In this modern era, the handmade book has become a fetishised art object. Demystify the process at this workshop, which will teach several book-binding techniques.

Participants will receive a book-binding kit they can use and take home with them.

Where: Objectifs - Centre for Photography & Film, 155 Middle Road When: Oct 18, 2 to 5pm Admission: $80 Info: str.sg/mtH5

About $50

12.ance Festival 2025 by Sigma Contemporary Dance

Clement Yong recommends: This annual contemporary dance festival by dance collective Sigma Contemporary Dance includes workshops, classes, performances and what it calls interdisciplinary jams.

It proposes: To better understand contemporary dance, simply put yourself through it. It also doubles as an introduction to the collective's new space at Tanjong Pagar Distripark.

There is a special package for SG Culture Pass holders.

Where: 04-01E Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 37 Keppel Road When: Nov 29 to Dec 21, various timings Admission: $40 Info: str.sg/rNxi

Amara, presented by The Esplanade in collaboration with Apsaras Dance Company

Clement Yong recommends: Ancient figures and epic scenes of Banteay Srei, a pink-hued Angkorian temple in Cambodia, come to life in this dance epic. It is put on by Apsaras Dance Company, which known for its intercultural fare.

The temple is nicknamed "citadel of women", possibly due to the many enchanting female deities adorning its walls and life-sized sculptures of sacred women within its compound.

Amara was initially created as a digital CGI dance film during the pandemic in 2020, and has since been re-imagined as a live performance, travelling to Paris in France, Chennai and Mumbai in India, and Colombo and Jaffna in Sri Lanka. This is its premiere in Singapore.

Where: Esplanade Theatre Studio, 1 Esplanade Drive When: Sept 20, 8pm Admission: $35 Info: str.sg/9yrS

About $25

SG Insecure by The Necessary Stage

Shawn Hoo recommends: Cultural Medallion recipient Haresh Sharma directs a trio of provocative works dealing with hot-button topics such as migrant workers, the Fajar Trial and Singapore's surveillance systems.

Written by A Yagnya, Sindhura Kalidas and Deonn Yang - with additional texts from Sharma - the works serve up biting satire and incisive social commentary as is typical of The Necessary Stage's work. Ratings have not been confirmed.

Where: Practice Space, 54 Waterloo Street When: Oct 29 to Nov 8, various timings Admission: From $30.40 Info: str.sg/nqNi

How (Not) To Write An Eco Poem: A Poetry Workshop

Ong Sor Fern recommends: Write your own SingLit. Or at least try to in this workshop conducted by writer Chrystal Ho.

Read ecopoetry by writers including Mary Oliver and Ross Gay, and figure out how these writers craft their works. Then learn how these techniques may or may not work in the Singapore context. Put pen to paper and you might surprise yourself at the end of the session. Watch out, Rupi Kaur.

Where: Sing Lit Station, 22 Dickson Road When: Sept 27, 2pm Admission: $20 Info: str.sg/4UyPb