5 Of A Kind Street Art Festival 2023: Celebrating Singapore's Vibrant Sub-Cultures At Downtown East
Singapore, Aug 29 2023 - Popular street art festival 5 Of A Kind Street Art Festival (5OAK) 2023 is set to paint the town with a vibrant tapestry of urban subcultures as it kicks off its anticipated second edition at D’Marquee @ Downtown East this year, across three exhilarating days from Sep 29 to Oct 1!
5OAK returns bigger and better, expanding beyond five street dance styles to a dynamic convergence of five disciplines – dance, music, street art, fashion, and food, all under one roof - in celebration of various arts and culture communities in Singapore. The event sets out to recognise Singapore’s talents across a multitude of artistic disciplines and provide aspiring youths with an avenue to exhibit their craft; connect and promote cross collaboration among these communities; as well as expose and inspire the public to develop an interest in these intriguing sub-cultures.
Founded by Sherman Lim, Events Producer and Dance Veteran, and held in collaboration with Artistate Dance Academy, 5OAK is first launced in 2022 as a nationwide street dance event. The festival’s first edition spanned across 2 days and saw over 600 event attendees, comprising of a majority of locals and with attendees from the Asia Pacific region, bringing together street dance practitioners and enthusiasts from across street dance communities.
With the festival bringing together both local and global influences this Sep, attendees can expect electrifying dance competitions, immersive workshops, live music performances, intriguing murals and art exhibitions, as well as a diverse array of apparel and food stalls.
$50 (Music Pass) | $70** (Dance Pass) | $95**(All-access Pass)
*Prices subject to booking fee. All festival passes include FREE admission into the Urban Arts Exhibition, Fashion Market and Food Festival.
**Inclusive of FREE entry to one battle category; top-up of $10 required for additional categories – register here.
Tickets are now on sale on Eventbrite. The first 500 attendees will receive a complimentary goodie bag consisting of attractive goodies!
This event is supported by Downtown East - managed by NTUC Club - and National Arts Council, with CANON as the Official Imaging Partner, Carousell as the Official Footwear Sponsor, Tiger as the Official Beer Partner, M.O.W Foodwagon as the Official Food & Beverage Partner, MediaCorp Indiego as the Community Partner, SIMBA as the Official Telco Partner and Cypher Global as the Urban Arts Sponsor.
Prepare to be swept off your feet! With a line-up that showcases the finest home-grown and international talents, get ready for a series of dance contests, battles and workshops that spans across genres, styles, and cultures.
Whether you're a seasoned dancer or someone who loves the rhythm, the fierce street dance competitions that will span over two days will have one on their feet and cheering for more.
From the sophisticated footwork of breakdancers to the smooth grooves of hip-hop crews, every performance is sure to be a captivating display of skill, passion, and creativity. At D’Marquee and Begonia Terrace, catch the impressive preliminary rounds and Top 16 dance-offs on Sep 30, and be sure not to miss the heart-pumping finals on Oct 1.
Feel the zeal as dancers bring their A-game to the stage, presenting their individuality and unique flair while pushing their boundaries as they vie for the Champion title of respective dance categories. Look out for the exciting judges showcase where the esteemed guest judges such as Acky, Niako, Brother Bin, Chihiro and Canarus, take the floor and deliver truly special performances highlighting their signature moves and style, which pay tribute to their very own journey and love for dance.
Brace yourself as street dance exhibition battles heat up the scene on Sep 30 at D’Marquee. Watch in awe as Singapore’s top street dance practitioners and international heavyweights engage in intense face-offs, redefining the limits of physical expression through breathtaking performances. Riveting live music by talented home-grown musicians will further set the mood for these thrilling battles.
Taking the spotlight is the repertoire of masterclass workshops by global dance professionals, across the various dance styles. The workshops that will be held at Open Plaza 1 are open to the Public and Dance Competitions Festival Pass Holders for participation.
Over the three festival days, icons from the industry whose names have become synonymous with dance excellence, including* Acky from Japan, Brother Bin from Korea, Niako from France and more, will share their expertise, techniques, and secrets to help one elevate their dance game. These workshops are your golden ticket to getting up close and personal with the dance world's best and brightest, and learn the intricacies of dance styles directly from the artists who have mastered them.
*Read their inspiring stories next page!
Each workshop is designed to give participants an immersive experience in a specific dance form. Participants will learn the fundamental techniques, navigate the unique expressions of each style, and put their learning into practice as they explore their own artistic voice, guided by renowned instructors who are passionate about helping each dancer shine.
As you learn alongside fellow dance enthusiasts, you’ll also forge connections, share experiences, and create memories that extend beyond the festival itself. Prices start from just $35 per workshop with limited slots up for grabs here, and snag discounted bundle prices to join multiple workshops with all your favourite dance legends!
The event's pulsating energy will be further amplified by eclectic live music performances that resonate with the urban beat and cater to every musical palate.
From 7pm on both Day 2 and Day 3 of the event, the local music scene take center stage and the air will be filled with enchanting tunes and beats of home-grown singers, rap artists and musicians, echoing the diverse and dynamic spirit of the nation, and setting the night ablaze.
Get ready to cheer for gifted Singapore music artistes to the likes of ABANGSAPAU, Cravism and more, who champion self-expression and the power of music to transcend barriers and bring people together.
Street art aficionados can feast their eyes on the stunning array of live art paintings by homegrown street artists such as Boon Baked, Demster, Phatnoez and Defaze at 50AK’s urban art exhibition, each one telling an inimitable story and inviting all to explore the intricate details and hidden meanings that lie within, sparking conversations and prompting contemplation.
5OAK takes its art exhibition to the next level with enthralling live art works demonstrations such within this installation, where one can soak in a living canvas of colour and emotion, as they witness the birth of art pieces that unfold into alluring visual stories.
5OAK also extends an open invitation to all attendees to dive into the world of artistry through public art try-outs and hands-on art workshops happening from Sep 30 to Oct 1. This is your opportunity to leave your mark on the canvas of the festival, and unleash your inner artist under the guidance of the experts! Public try-outs and hands-on workshops are available throughout the Festival, participants can drop by the Open Plaza 1 and find out more.
Elevate your style game at the 5OAK marketplace dedicated to independent brands. Discover street fashion pieces, footwear and more, with artisanal creations from homegrown brands like Carousell Certified Sneakers and Pelynnoobakes! Open to all Festival Pass Holders and the Public.
For the foodies, satisfy your taste buds with an array of mouthwatering culinary offerings from various food and beverage vendors, by M.O.W Foodwagon! Relish diverse flavors that mirror the cultural diversity of Singapore from vendors such as ChixOutz, Loco Loco, Brostern, Mr Bean Singapore, and more.
Stay tuned to 5OAK’s Instagram page for the festival map and full programme line-up.
Acky is a veteran Popping dancer in Japan who has been invited to numerous worldwide dance events and is widely recognised as one of the best Popping dancers in the world. Notably, he appeared in Season Four of the well-known Street Dance of China competition show.
Brother Bin is a South Korean dancer who specialises in locking, and has first started dancing competitively since the tender age of nine. Boasting a 15-year-long dance career, he is an internationally-recognised Locking dancer, and had won or achieved the runner-up title in numerous renowned dance battles such as BBIC Korea, LINE UP and Back to the Style (Italy). He is also an actor who had appeared in various Korean TV programmes.
Niako is a French Hiphop veteran dancer who is widely recognised as one of the most popular HipHop dancers and dance teachers worldwide. He is the World Champion of Juste Debout 2008, the largest hip hop freestyle dance competition in the world; and went back as a judge in 2012. Niako had also judged numerous other dance battles worldwide, with some events held in recent years such as Summer Dance Forever in Amsterdam, and United World Sessions in Poland.
Boon Baked is a graffiti and visual artist from Singapore who started exploring with spray paint in 2012. His first wall was painted during the Meeting of Styles graffiti festival in Kuala Lumpur in 2016. Since then, he has been emblazoning walls around Southeast Asia with a distinctive lettering style and compositions. Drawing inspiration from his imagination, his illustrations and paintings feature funky characters and his cartoon alter ego, Matakuyu Man.
Demster is a graphic designer and urban artist, who is a member of RSCLS, an urban art collective in Singapore; a representative of TAC (Titan Aerosol Crew), a local graffiti crew; and concurrently runs DIVISION HQ., an independent art and design studio that specialises in brand identity designs and murals. His art navigates the emotional, physical and spiritual plane to make sense of one’s being in a perturbed existence and is a collective showcase of his various experiences and skill sets. In his 11 years of experience, his professional design work has expanded to include commissions for events, exhibitions and club establishments, and workshops he conducts to share his craft.
ABANGSAPAU is a Malay-Sikh artist best known for donning a sarung. He first discovered his love for music-making at age 19. After putting out his breakout single BUAT APE?, he began his journey as an independent artist - performing at over 20 shows within the span of 6 months in 2019. Known for his electrifying presence on stage, ABANGSAPAU has since gone on to perform at renowned stages both locally & regionally.
Cravism is a Singapore-born beat maker and producer renowned for his groovy beats and lush, laid-back sounds. He performed the opening act for Slum Village in Falmouth, UK in 2019, and have been garnering attention from music blogs and publications.