The Aliwal Urban Art Festival 2019 kicks off this Saturday, January 19.

At every edition of the Aliwal Urban Art Festival, you’re as much a part of it as everyone else.

Here’s a guide to the event that celebrates all there is in the burgeoning youth culture in Singapore.

The Aliwal Urban Art Festival is back for its sixth year, and if it doesn’t get you excited, we don’t know what will. Judging from previous editions, the festival has always been a joyous and wholesome affair. The best part is you get to be a part of it, with lots of hands-on activities and  programmes you can sign up for. All you have to do is register your interest on the Aliwal Art Centre’s website. But first, let’s have a look at five things you should look out for at the event this Saturday, January 19.

1) Dance

For all ages: expect strong numbers from the hip-hop dance community with programmes lined up even for kids.

The hip-hop dance community will be turning up in droves to  the festival. Watch the best street dancers battling it out in the Radikal Forze Jam 2019 Singapore qualifiers, or even a kids’ dance audition as the young ‘uns vie for a spot on the Recognize Studios Kids crew. Don’t forget to check out the special showcase curated by Darren Toh, which will feature the likes of KO-08, AC, Raw Massive, Foreign Bodies, Strictly Dance Zone, Skimy, Kairos, Sakura Boyz Club and Team Distinct.

2) Music

Listen a minute: alternative rock band, Sun Eater, will be part of the lineup of performing acts.

To not be a fan of any kind of music takes a lot. But if R&B, math rock, folk-pop and hip-hop sounds a lot like your Spotify playlist, then check this – the festival will have a host of live performing acts. From independent bands such as Sun Eater to funk and R&B group Astronauts, you’ll surely be rocking and grooving all night.

3) Urban art

At the forefront of urban art: resident art collective, RSCLS, will lead the urban art activities this Saturday.

As residents of the Aliwal Arts Centre, artist collective RSCLS has featured prominently in past editions of the festival. Expect to see them again this year as the collective takes the lead on the urban art activities. These include live graffiti painting in Aliwal Street and an Art in The Streets pop-up exhibition featuring works from 26 different street artists at the Sultan Gate Art Village. The festival will also feature a new exhibition – A Sign of Times – by Kult Studio & Gallery, showcasing street signs that have been reworked by 30 to 40 creatives from the Singapore urban creative community.

4) Workshops

The more you learn: a host of workshops will be available at the festival including silversmithing

Think dance, music and urban art is all there is for you to check out? Think again. Several workshops will be available for you at the Aliwal Urban Art Festival 2019. Who knows? You may find yourself having a knack for something new. From silver pendant making at the silversmithing workshop to flying drones and skateboarding, you’ll probably learn something worth showing off.

5) Lifestyle

A wholesome experience: don’t just leave with your hearts full, but your hands too.

You’ll probably need all the energy you can get as to last you through the entire festival. Don’t fret. There will be plenty of food vendors at the event. You can also check out the selection of items for sale, from clothes to handcrafted products by Singapore’s independent artists. It would be nice to bring home something from a full day experience at the Aliwal Urban Art Festival 2019 right?

Now that you’ve gone through the run down. Check out the event details below.

Aliwal Urban Art Festival 2019

Date: This Saturday, January 19
Time: 4pm till late
Venue: Aliwal Arts Centre

Are you roping your friends in to check out the Aliwal Urban Art Festival 2019? Tag them in the comments below.

Read more: Hot Shots: Moments from the Aliwal Urban Art Festival 2018