Ang Mo Kio, An Arty Farty Place? Yes, It's Possible — Check It Out For Yourself This Weekend
Plus, other things you never knew about Ang Mo Kio.
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Ang Mo Kio? Certainly not the arts. So what were the folks behind the bi-annual Arts in Your Neighbourhood Festival (AYN), which is into its final weekend this week, thinking when they made the North-East borough is the focus town of the ongoing fest?
A lot, it seems, going by the plethora of AYN events taking place in Ang Mo Kio until Mar 25 — mostly stuff you'd never imagine happening in the heartlands. There are seven activities in total — from art installations to musicals — taking place in Ang Mo Kio this weekend.
Our top 3 picks:
#1: LOPELAB's Nomadic Art Caravan
A pop-up carnival in an open-air car park? OMG, has AMK become cool? The car park shindig will feature performances, art installations and even old-skool games, and free samples of fave dishes. Did someone say free salted-egg yolk snacks?
Mar 25 to 25, 5 to 10pm. Open car park at Ang Mo Kio Central 2 (behind Ang Mo Kio Public Library).
#2: Got To Move Pop-Up: Piano Playground
Even if you've never ever attended a piano lesson in your life, you can still make sweet music here...with your feet. Tinker on larger-than-life piano play mats as you jump/hop/skip/twerk (hey, whatever floats your boat).
Mar 25, 11am to 2pm. Ang Mo Kio Central Stage.
#3: Tell Me An (Ang Mo Kio) Story
A photo installation right smack in the middle of a hawker centre? Nope, AMK hasn't undergone gentrification just yet. This photography exhibition is part of AYN's efforts to make known the stories in Ang Mo Kio. And we bet there are tons.
Until Mar 31. Blk 724 Ang Mo Kio Market and Food Centre
SOME OTHER STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ANG MO KIO
1973
The year development of present day AMK began, completed in 1980. Previously, Ang Mo Kio, which is Hokkien for “red-haired man’s bridge”, was mostly forest and rubber plantation.
1
No. of missing avenues in AMK. Why Ave 7, which ought to run parallel between Ave 5 and 9, is not on the map remains a mystery until this day. Some speculate that its exclusion stemmed from a town-planning mistake. Or could it be the stuff of a local thriller flick?
Sheng Siong
$20,000
How much Sheng Shiong founder Lim Hock Chee bought his first outlet in AMK for in 1985. The supermarket chain has since become the third largest in Singapore, employing over 2,000 people in 47 stores as of press time. And yes, the first store at AMK Ave 3 is still in operation.
1
No. of unlucky cats found half-swallowed by a python in Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 in January. According to residents, this is the fourth time felines have been eaten by snakes in recent years. Gulp.
Teacher’s Estate
No. of roads at Teacher’s Estate in AMK named after famous poets and philosophers. These include Li Po (Chinese poet) Ave and Iqbal (Muslim poet) Ave. Bet you never knew.
Arts In Your Neighbourhood (AYN) is ongoing till March 25. Visit http://artsforall.sg for more information.