Residents in Tampines recently experienced a vibrant celebration of Singapore’s multicultural identity as they enjoyed Bharatanatyam, Chinese opera, Malay dance performances and Eurasian folk songs on a single stage right in their neighbourhood.
Held at Our Tampines Hub on July 4, the festival was part of the third annual edition of ArtsEverywhere@CDC – a nationwide initiative jointly organised by the five Community Development Councils (CDCs), the People’s Association and the National Arts Council.
Communities Connecting Through the Arts
Graced by Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo as the Guest of Honour alongside CDC Mayors, the event highlighted the initiative’s core mission of making high-quality arts accessible to all.
“Two years on, ArtsEverywhere@CDC has organised over 500 performances – from larger-scale arts groups to street performers – reaching more than 154,000 residents across Singapore,” Mr Neo said.
He emphasised that the arts go beyond simply raising awareness, and help Singaporeans foster mutual appreciation and create shared experiences that celebrate and strengthen our multicultural heritage.
Looking ahead, the programme will expand its reach to new locations, including Ang Mo Kio Central Stage, Kovan Hub and Parc Point at Tengah, with the goals of deepening cross-cultural programming, reaching wider audiences and providing more opportunities for local artists.
“With the arts experiences right in our heartlands and communities, residents get to access arts and get opportunities to connect, learn from one another, and take pride in the rich tapestry of cultures that make Singapore home,” said Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Mayor of South East District Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash.
Reviving the Past with ‘Aneka Ragam Rakyat’
The main highlight of the afternoon was Aneka Ragam Rakyat Reimagined, a contemporary tribute to the popular community cultural concerts of the 1960s.
The showcase presented an integrated display of unique cultural performances, featuring Bharatanatyam by Apsaras Dance Company, Malay dance by Era Dance Theatre, Chinese opera by Re Xin Opera Association and Eurasian folk songs by The Music Men.
Led by Cultural Medallion recipients Aravinth Kumarasamy and Osman Abdul Hamid, the artistes shared the same stage to showcase multiculturalism in action, beautifully blending dance and music from across Singapore’s diverse communities.
Mr Aravinth, who is also the artistic director of Apsaras Dance Company, shared that the performance aimed to recreate the 1960s atmosphere and remind audiences how cultural differences have always been a collective strength.
Breaking away from the confines of traditional theatre, the open-air format prioritised audience engagement. “Rather than just sitting and watching, we taught the audience cultural dance moves and involved them,” he said, adding that such interactive initiatives create an appreciation for art among the people and will encourage them to visit art venues.
Fringe Activities that Captivated Audiences
Away from the main stage, families enjoyed an array of engaging fringe activities. The artist collective PLAY! led an interactive workshop where visitors designed and built colourful miniature shophouse models. Attendees also posed for photos in traditional ethnic performance costumes and grooved to the lively, nostalgic 1960s tunes of the roving New Stream Brass Band.
For attendees like Mdm Sonali Medakkar from the South West District, the community-centred events are a resounding success. “I was drawn in by a modern, refreshing take on traditional Indian dance that was engaging and easy to understand. It was a great experience, and today, I gladly encourage other residents to attend and enjoy these cultural events,” she said.
