In a world where we’re constantly scrolling, multitasking and moving from one thing to the next, taking the time to truly see has become something of a luxury. This October, Esplanade’s da:ns focus – Connect Asia Now (CAN) returns with a timely reminder that contemporary performance can do more than entertain, and encourage us to pause, pay attention and reconnect with ourselves and those around us.
Running from 15 to 18 October 2026, this year’s edition centres on the idea of moving beyond simply “looking” to genuinely “seeing.” Through three immersive contemporary works by acclaimed artists from Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia, the festival explores themes of listening, memory, identity and human connection. Complemented by artist talks, masterclasses and an international presenters’ programme, CAN continues to position Singapore as a meeting point for contemporary Asian performance.
Sounding Light by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
16 & 17 October | Esplanade Theatre
One of Asia’s most celebrated dance companies returns to Singapore with Sounding Light, an evocative work by Artistic Director Cheng Tsung-lung that transforms the stage into a living landscape inspired by nature. Created during the pandemic, the performance draws on the sounds of forests: birdsong, rustling leaves and flowing water, to explore humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Rather than relying on a traditional musical score, the dancers generate much of the sound live through breath, voice, clapping and movement, blurring the line between musician and performer. The result is a meditative theatrical experience that invites audiences to slow down, listen deeply and appreciate the beauty found in life’s quietest moments.
Read our review of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s 13 Tongues in 2023
Still Lives: Singapore by Daniel Kok & Luke George featuring RUDRA
17 October | Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade
Part installation, part performance and part living sculpture, Still Lives: Singapore offers one of the festival’s most visually arresting experiences. International collaborators Daniel Kok and Luke George use intricate rope structures to suspend members and instruments of pioneering Singaporean Vedic metal band RUDRA, creating a striking meditation on memory, cultural identity and the stories that exist beyond the mainstream. As audiences move freely through the performance space, they are invited to contemplate the intersections of art, music and history while reflecting on the voices that have shaped Singapore’s evolving cultural landscape.
Read our review of Daniel Kok and Luke George’s Still Lives: Marina Bay from SIFA 2023‘
BATU by Ayu Permata Sari & Hasyimah Harith
16–18 October | Esplanade Theatre Studio
Developed from Esplanade’s Contemporary Performing Arts Research Residency, BATU marks the first commissioned work to emerge from the programme. The collaboration between Indonesian choreographer Ayu Permata Sari and Singaporean artist Hasyimah Harith examines womanhood, heritage and the domestic sphere through movement, voice and ritual. Taking its name from the traditional Malay grinding stone, the performance transforms an everyday kitchen object into a powerful symbol of ancestry, memory and resilience. Blending sensuality with spirituality, BATU creates an intimate, multisensory encounter that invites audiences to reflect on the traditions, relationships and histories carried within families across generations.
Beyond the performances, dance enthusiasts can immerse themselves further through two exclusive masterclasses for beginners and intermediate learners, led by senior dancers from Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan. Participants will explore the company’s distinctive movement philosophy, combining Tai Chi Dao Yin, breathing techniques, vocal work and excerpts from Sounding Light. Suitable for dancers with prior training, the sessions offer a rare opportunity to experience firsthand the methods behind one of Asia’s most influential contemporary dance companies.
As da:ns focus – Connect Asia Now returns this October, the festival once again demonstrates how contemporary dance can transcend movement alone. Whether through the meditative rhythms of nature, the physical poetry of rope and sculpture, or deeply personal stories rooted in heritage, each work offers audiences the chance to slow down and engage more thoughtfully with the world around them. In a culture that so often rewards speed, CAN reminds us that some of the most meaningful experiences begin when we simply stop—and truly see.
da:ns focus – Connect Asia Now runs from 15th to 18th October 2026 at the Esplanade. More information and tickets available here
