Join Explore Singapore in this specially organised tour of the Baba House at 157 Neil Road.

The Baba House is a restored Straits Chinese residential townhouse in the Blair Plain Conservation Area. Unlike conventional museums, it is a living heritage home offering visitors the experience of visiting a Peranakan family home.

This tour will not only cover the architecture and furnishings of the house but will include explanations of some Peranakan food. Refreshments will be served after the tour and participants will be able to sample some typical Peranakan snacks.

Have you ever watched a Chinese opera performance and been mesmerised by the painted faces of the performers, their array of dazzling costumes and accessories, as well as the musical instruments, but at the same time be amazed by the minimal stage props?

If you would like to gain an understanding into all this, join us for a visit to a fascinating shop selling all kinds of Chinese opera paraphernalia. The owner will tell us about the introduction of Chinese opera to Singapore by the early migrants and explain the different types of opera, the main roles in opera stories, meanings and symbolism of the costumes and accessories as well as the movements, gestures and painted faces of the performers. He will also enlighten us on the instruments of the orchestra, the materials they are made of, and demonstrate how they are played.

In order to appreciate this programme better, participants are encouraged to watch some Chinese opera performances either on the internet or live at one of the many Chinese temple celebrations during the Hungry Ghost month (11 August – 8 September), before attending the programme.