Sands for Singapore Charity Festival returns; free performances by Benjamin Kheng, Annette Lee

Local musicians Benjamin Kheng and Annette Lee will be among the many acts performing at the Sands for Singapore Charity Festival, held from Sep 8 to 10.

The festival will make its comeback at the Event Plaza, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. According to the organisers, the event aims to spotlight on meaningful causes in Singapore and celebrate the spirit of giving.

On Sep 8, audiences can expect free performances from music duo Jack & Rai, local musician Benjamin Kheng and DJ Jason Kai. Bubbleologist CJ Bubbles, Flowart Displays, Crystal Goh, DJ Jason Kai, Tabitha Nauser and local band 53A will perform on Sep 9. 

Finally, on Sep 10, DJ Jason Kai, CJ Bubbles, Edwin Ong from The Annoying Brothers, DJ Loki, Flowart Displays, Annette Lee, Shirlyn + The UnXpected and Nation One will take to the stage. 

Booths will also be set up by non-profit organisations and social enterprises at the Event Plaza as part of the Giving Marketplace. Visitors can shop for lifestyle products, as well as food and beverage.

One of the booths, set up by Art Outreach Singapore, will offer pay-as-you-wish crochet vessels handmade by Singaporean textile artist Kelly Limerick and a team of 87 volunteers. 

Preloved clothes will also be on sale at the booth by Image Mission, a charity that helps women gain confidence and secure employment.

Other non-profit organisations and social enterprises with booths include Care Corner Singapore’s Active Ageing Centres, Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped, SeedFuel, DON8URI, Basheer Graphic Books, Wild Boocha and The Nursery Singapore. 

Also a first at the Giving Marketplace is a pet adoption drive, run by the Cat Welfare Society. In addition, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will sell merchandise to raise funds for animals in Singapore.

All proceeds will be retained by the non-profit organisations and social enterprises, with funds going directly to beneficiaries.

Those looking for a quick bite can also purchase food and drinks from booths by Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, and Yardbird Southern Table & Bar.

All proceeds collected by Marina Bay Sands’ signature restaurants at the Giving Marketplace will be donated to Community Chest, which will benefit over 100 social service agencies.

Those interested can also sign up for family-friendly workshops. The workshops include terrarium building, ceramic coaster painting, abstract mini canvas painting, animal bookmarks with soft pastel nagomi art, air dried clay sculpting and Mid-Autumn themed shrink art and glass jar light making. 

Tickets for the workshops start from $20 and can be purchased from its Eventbrite page. From now till Sep 1, participants can enjoy an early bird discount of 10 per cent when they register with the promo code “SFSF22EARLYBIRD”.