Singapore was known to be a rigid city. However, there were places in Singapore where the city’s anarchic spirit was widely exhibited. One of those places was in Aliwal Arts Night Crawl 2018: Basket! This annually held festival highlights the rich cultural heritage of Kampong Glam through its performances and activities.
I started my journey at the Kampung style street market, So Gelam Market. Despite the sun beating down on our skins, visitors and booth owners could be seen grinning from ear to ear as they interacted with each other. When SGMUSO Showcase started, a gentle acoustic filled the air. Some reacted to the beat while others continue in chatter, but it was a guaranteed that the music has touched them in some way.
Soon, I cruised to the core of the festival. At the front of Aliwal Arts Centre, various ethnic groups greeted me as they gathered out front to enjoy a game of Sepaktakraw. That sight transported me back in time, where I faintly remembered my multi-racial classmates enjoying the sport. It was moving to watch different racial group bonding over a sport regardless of its origin.
As I strolled through the solemn corridors of the Arts Centre, I gazed out the windows to witness the exchange of culture globalisation on the stage of Aliwal Carpark. Fantastic performances were displayed on the stage while interactive workshops were held concurrently in the Arts Centre. It was a shame that I could not enjoy the best of both worlds.
I took my pick and wandered off to the Malay Heritage Centre instead. Moonlight splashed down its watery white-glow on the performers of Tumpang Lalu. Their precise movements matched the beats while they presented the faith and cultural practice in the Malay community. The more I drowned myself in the performance, the more intrigued I was. By the end of the performance, goosebumps filled the entire proximity of my skin.
The clock strikes ten as the night grew darker. The time for the closing performance, TEROKA!, at Aliwal Carpark have arrived. The performers danced their heart out as beads of sweats trickled down their forehead. Knowing that this would be the last act of the day, we shouted encore over and over until they finally gave in. Despite all the adrenaline in the air, all good things have to come to an end. The end that kept us coming back for more.