新加坡

FILMSTHE DANCING BOYS OF AFGHANISTAN (PG13)Directed by Mike Healy, this Afghanistan documentary featuresjournalist Najibullah Quraishi who returns to his homeland to expose an ancient practice brought back by powerful warlords, former military commanders and wealthy businessmen.儲存 The illegal practice of bacha bazi (boy play) exploits street orphans and poor boys whose parents are paid to give their sons to new "masters". The men dress the boys in women's clothes and train them to sing and dance to entertain. These boys are also sexually abused, say experts. Presented by EmancipAsia.Where: The Arts House, Screening Room, 1 Old Parliament Lane MRT: Raffles Place When: Jan 24, 9pm Admission: Free Tel: 9758-8859 Info: E-mail sylvia.lee@emancipasia.orgWHISTLEBLOWERWritten and directed by first-time film-maker Larysa Kondracki, this 2010 award-winning thriller starring Academy Award-winner Rachel Weisz is inspired by real events. American cop Kathy (Weisz), working as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia, uncovers corruption, cover-up and intrigue in a world of private contractors and multinational diplomatic talk.Where: The Arts House, Screening Room, 1 Old Parliament Lane MRT: Raffles Place When: Jan 25, 7.30pm Admission: Free Tel: 9758-8859 Info: E-mail sylvia.lee@emancipasia.orgCONTESTSINTERNATIONAL LION DANCE COMPETITIONTwelve lion dance troupes from 10 countries compete in this two-day tournament and exhibition. The countries participating include Vietnam, Malaysia, China and Indonesia.Where: Open field at Banda Street MRT: Chinatown When: Tomorrow (Traditional Lion Dance Competition) & Sun (Soaring Lions Over Water Exhibition Match), 6 - 11pm Admission: $10 a day or $15 for both days Info: Call Kreta Ayer Community Club on 6222-3597 for inquiries or to book. You can also buy tickets at the Chinatown Visitor Centre @ Kreta Ayer SquareSTEINWAY YOUTH PIANO COMPETITIONThis competition in Singapore is for aspiring pianists aged 17 and younger. It is part of the Steinway Regional Finals Asia Pacific, which brings together the best of young piano talents across nine countries, including South Korea, Indonesia and Singapore. The overall champion will compete at the International Steinway Festival later this year in Hamburg, Germany.Info: Singaporeans & permanent residents must register for the competition by Mon. For details, go to .steinway-gallery.com.sg/steinway-youth-competitionSINGAPORE RED CROSS DESIGN CONTESTYoung people aged 16 to 25 can submit drawings, sketches and paintings for this contest to design the eighth Red Cross Life Force Team hero, Cobalt. It is part of the Singapore Red Cross' Release The Hero Within You campaign to encourage the young to become regular blood donors.Info: Submit entries to enquiry@redcross.org.sg with your full name & ageby Jan 31. Get details from .facebook.com/sgredcross under the Design The Superhero & Win! tabTOURSBRAS BASAH ART TOURThis bus tour takes participants to explore art shows at some of the important art venues in the area, including the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and the Singapore Art Museum.Where: Bras Basah precinct MRT: Bras Basah/ Bugis/City Hall When: Today- Sun, 2 & 4pm Admission: Free Info: .eventbrite.sg/o/art-outreach-singapore-3131053016ART-IN-TRANSIT CIRCLE LINE TOURArt aficionados can join this art education charity tour to visit key works located in four Circle Line MRT stations: Bayfront, Stadium, Esplanade and Promenade.Where: From Bayfront MRT to the other three MRT stations (meet at the 7-Eleven near Exit C of Bayfront MRT) MRT: Bayfront When: Tomorrow & Sun, 11am (English tour) & 2.30pm (Mandarin tour) Admission: Free, including the rides on the Circle Line Info: Go to .eventbrite.sg/o/art-outreach-singapore-3131053016KIDSKIDSFEST! 2014: THE GRUFFALOIn this adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's award-winning children's book, Mouse has to fend off predators with a tall tale about the terrifying Gruffalo. Find out what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he thought he had made up. By ABA Productions and Tall Stories (Britain). For children aged three to eight.Where: Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street MRT: Bras Basah/City Hall When: Wed- Jan 26, 5pm (weekdays), 3, 5 & 7.15pm (Sat), 10am & noon (Sun) Admission: $38 - $64 Info: Call 6348-5555 or go to .sistic.com.sg & .kidsfest.com.sgKIDSFEST! 2014: THE GRUFFALO'S CHILDTall Stories Theatre brings Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's award-winning story to life in this children's production. In this sequel to The Gruffalo, the Gruffalo's child ignores her father's warning and tiptoes out into the snow one wild and windy night to see for herself if the Big Bad Mouse really exists.For children aged three to eight.Where: Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street MRT: Bras Basah/City Hall When: Till Tue , 10am, noon & 5pm Admission: $38 - $65 Info: Call 6348-5555 or go to .sistic.com.sg & .kidsfest.com.sgKIDSFEST! 2014: WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARDFind out how a ladybird foils two crafty villains' plans to steal a farmer's prize cow. By ABA Productions and Kenny Wax (Britain). For children aged three to eight.Where: DBS Arts Centre, Merbau Road MRT: Clarke Quay When: Tue - Feb 1, 5pm (weekdays), 10am, noon & 3pm (Sat), 10am迷你倉& noon (Sun) Admission: $45 - $65 Info: Call 6348-5555 or go to .sistic.com.sg & .kidsfest.com.sgKIDSFEST! 2014: PRIVATE PEACEFULA young World War I soldier awaits the firing squad at dawn. At night, he looks back at his short but joyful life growing up in rural Devon, and the battles and injustices of war that brought him to the front line. Recommended for those aged 10 and older. By ABA Productions and Scamp Theatre (Britain).Where: DBS Arts Centre, Merbau Road MRT: Clarke Quay When: Wed, Jan 24 & Feb 1 & 2, 5pm, Jan 25 & Jan 31, 7.15pm, Jan 26, 3pm Admission: $45 - $65 Info: Call 6348-5555 or go to .sistic.com.sg & .kidsfest.com.sgKIDSFEST! 2014: WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNTJoin the adventurers on their quest to find a bear as they wade through swishy grass, splashy river and oozy, squelchy mud. By ABA Productions and KW & NB (Britain). For children aged three to eight.Where: Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street MRT: Bras Basah/City Hall When: Thu - Jan 26, 5pm (weekdays), 10am & noon (Sat), 3 & 5pm (Sun) Admission: $38 - $65 Info: Call 6348-5555 or go to .sistic.com.sg & .kidsfest.com.sgKIDSFEST! 2014: THE SNOW DRAGONThis children's production is about Billy, a young goat, who is told by his parents on New Year's Eve about the legendary Snow Dragon which will bring him more goodies during the night. But he bumps into some wolves in the woods. Will he escape and will the Snow Dragon bring him any presents? Presented by ABA Productions and Tall Stories (Britain). For children aged three to eight.Where: Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street MRT: City Hall/Bras Basah When: Jan 29 & 30, 5pm, Feb 1 & 2, 10am & noon Admission: $38 - $65 Info: There will be an autograph session at 5pm on Jan 29. Call 6348-5555 or go to .sistic.com.sg & .kidsfest.com.sgROMEO & JULIETThis famous love story will come to life through dance excerpts and narration. It features a moving score by Sergei Prokofiev and choreography by Singaporean Goh Choon San.Where: Esplanade Concert Hall MRT: Esplanade/City Hall When: Jan 26, 4pm Admission: $11 Info: Call 6348-5555 or go to .sistic.com.sg & .kidsfest.com.sgOTHERSLASALLE OPEN HOUSEEnjoy music and dance performances and movie screenings, view multi media exhibitions and a musical theatre showcase as well as attend workshops and talks at the Lasalle College of the Arts open house.Where: Lasalle College of the Arts, 1 McNally Street MRT: Bugis When: Today & tomorrow, 11am - 5pm Admission: Free Info: Call 6496-5229GONGFU BY WORLD RECORD HOLDERShaolin martial arts master and Guinness World Record-holder Wei Wei will demonstrate his various skills.Where: City Square Mall, Level 1 Atrium, Kitchener Road MRT: Farrer Park When: Tomorrow - Jan 26, 7pm (Mon - Fri), 2 & 7pm (Sat & Sun) Admission: Free Info: Call 6595-6595 or go to .citysquaremall.com.sgCALL FOR EMERGING WRITERSEmerging writers from around the world are invited to apply for the Singapore Creative Writing Residency 2014. The resident is expected to complete or make substantial progress with a written work in English, be it fiction or non-fiction in the form of prose, verse, stage play, radio play or screenplay. He or she also has to mentor six young writers from the National University of Singapore and present six programmes at The Arts House. It is organised by The Arts House and the NUS University Scholars Programme.Info: Submit a proposal & a representative body of work displaying accomplishment & commitment to a literary career by Jan 24. Go to .theartshouse.com.sg/Develop/Singapore CreativeWritingResidency.aspx or .usp.nus.edu.sg/aboutusp/creative_writing. For inquiries, e-mail programmes@toph.com.sg or uspbox2@nus.edu.sgLAST CALLDISCOVERY KIDS' ART CONTESTChildren aged six to 12 who are Singapore residents are invited to create an original picture portraying their favourite historical character, building or event in this contest. The 20 most popular entries will win four tickets to the Horrible Histories live show on Feb 8.Info: Submit the completed picture to .dkids.asia/sketchy-histories/index.php by today Cultural Medallion recipient Ong Kim Seng's Travel Journal In Oils exhibit at artcommune gallery is on till tomorrow. -- PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBINTRAVEL JOURNAL IN OILSOng Kim Seng: Travel Journal In Oils features 15 oil paintings of landscapes and 10 watercolour works by the Cultural Medallion recipient. It is a journal of scenes of the Singapore River, Old Chinatown, Kathmandu in Nepal, Portofino in Italy and more.Where: artcommune gallery, Bras Basah Complex, 02-43, Block 231 Bain Street MRT: Bras Basah/City Hall When: Till tomorrow, noon - 7pm daily Admission: Free Info: Call 6336-4240 or go to .artcommune.com.sgCOMPILED BY MAGDALENE LUM & CHRIS TANThe listings on this page are free. Write to Life!Happenings, Life!, The Straits Times, Podium Level 2, 1000 Toa Payoh North, Singapore 318994, e-mail stlife@sph.com.sg or fax 6319-8276 at least two weeks ahead. Include the name of the event, organiser, venue, date and time, ticket prices and nearest MRT station as well as your name, address and contact number. We reserve the right to edit or reject items. Go to the website .straitstimes.com (click on Lifestyle under Breaking News) for the What's On listings on Mon to Thu and Sat儲存倉