Asian Civilisations Museum’s Crossing Cultures event to feature silent disco, silat workshop

Asian Civilisations Museum’s (ACM) latest event will feature a multitude of Asian dance performances, movement workshops and other activities from Mar 3 to 5. 

Crossing Cultures at ACM: In Motion offers a glimpse into ACM’s collection through performing arts, food traditions, wellness practices, and other facets of intangible cultural heritage.   

Some highlights of the performances include a traditional Balinese dance performance from Singapore’s only Balinese dance group which will happen at 5pm, 6.30pm and 8pm; a belly dance groove performance by Angeline Tay and the School of Belly Dance at 5.30pm and 7pm; as well as a performance from Starlight Alchemy incorporating LED lights and choreographed movements at 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

These outdoor performances will be held from Mar 3 to 5 and admission is free for all.

Visitors interested in traditional Tamil music can catch Singai Kaliyugan Urumi Melam’s public performance at 4pm on Mar 4, as they play traditional Tamil instruments such as urumi, thavil, jaalra and pambai.

There will also be drop-in experiences where visitors can create paper boombox for their mobile phones from 4pm to 8pm on Mar 3 to 5, and attend a free lecture at 3pm on Mar 4 at Ngee Ann Auditorium where they can learn the process of documenting the sound of Thaipusam.

Crossing Cultures also features a mobile massage, where visitors can receive a relaxing head and shoulder massage from visually handicapped masseuse from 4pm to 8pm on Mar 4 to 5.

In the evenings, there will be a salsa dance party from 8.30pm to 10.30pm on Mar 3 for dancers of all levels, and a silent disco from 8.30pm to 10.30pm on Mar 4.

Movement workshops will also be held as part of the event. These include a salsa beginner workshop for couples at 7.30pm on Mar 3, a silat workshop at 4pm on Mar 4, a wheel yoga workshop at 7pm on Mar 4, as well as an aromatherapy yoga at 7pm on Mar 5. 

Crossing Cultures is held in conjunction with Body & Spirit: The Human Body in Thought and Practice, a special exhibition that showcases 100 objects from the National Collection, private collectors and local communities to examine the rituals, healing practices, pilgrimages, and divine images of various faith communities.

Visitors can enjoy a $6 discount to enter the Body & Spirit special exhibition (usual price $12) from 4pm to 9pm on Mar 3 to 5, and redeem exclusive merchandise and massages while still available. The Body & Spirit special exhibition is free for visitors who participate in a workshop.

Visitors can view the specific dates and timings for the various programmes available and find out more about the exhibition on ACM’s website.