[Sponsored] The annual nationwide dance movement organized by the National Arts Council, Got to Move (GTM), is set to take Singapore by storm, Oct 7-23, with dozens of performances, festivals, workshops and dance battles taking place across the island. From weekend markets with a dose of dance to doing the Charleston at the Singapore Art Museum, there is plenty to check out.

Best part? They’re all free—and if you go to two or more events, you stand to win dance tickets and dance class passes, shopping vouchers and other prizes. Here are five other reasons to go.

Weekend markets and picnics with a dose of dance

Tap Culture by Tap Dance Singapore
 

At GTM @ Tanjong Goodman (Oct 22), expect a dance open house, where the city’s contemporary and traditional dance companies—the likes of Frontier Danceland, Apsaras Arts, SRIWANA, amongst others—will open their doors for you to take part in beginner dance classes in Kathak, Bharatnatyam, contact improvisation and more. Need more convincing? It’s happening the same weekend as the Tanjong Goodman Weekend Market, so there will also be food, local craft and other fun activities. The action happens from 10am to 6:30pm.

And that’s not the only chill venue getting a big dose of dance next month. Kult Kafe, already big on Sundays on the Hill and a regular salsa series, will be hosting Tap Culture on Oct 16, 2-10pm. There will be tap dance workshops, food and drinks on leafy Mount Emily. No tap shoes required! Just want to relax? Worry not; live jazz musicians will keep you entertained throughout the day.

The city's coolest venues are involved

Dance Dance Evolution by Swing By
 

GTM will be popping up in all our favorite venues and cultural institutions during the month of October. At Singapore Art Museum, lovers of all things vintage and retro can expect two hours of vibrant, old school dances like the Charleston and the Lindy Hop at Dance Dance Evolution (Oct 14, 7-9pm), complete with dance lessons and a live band accompanying your dance—all in the beautiful Glass Hall.

What we’re really looking forward to is GTM’s takeover of the Civic District on Oct 15! GTM @ Civic District promises a line-up of immersive and interactive dance activities. First up, Padang Tari (field of dance in Malay) hosted on Empress Lawn and Asian Civilisations Museum Green, will feature contemporary and experimental performances, an open-air dance party, as well as hands-on dance workshops.

And if you don’t mind moving your feet, follow Tracing the City, a site-specific performance with a group of 20 dancers as you move across three venues to interact with various buildings and spaces. For an even more immersive experience, join The MP3 Experiment 2016, where you download a 30-minute track onto your phone and follow the instructions given en masse—it’s sure to be an exhilarating sight!

Gear up for a slew of dance-fitness classes

GTM @ Kallang Wave Mall by Kulture Studios
 

From ballet to Bollywood dance, turning dance routines into cardiovascular exercise has been a thing for some time now. Look no further than Got to Move’s bevy of diverse dance class offerings, such as KpopX Fitness classes happening at community clubs across the city (Oct 8-10, 12-13, 18, 20-23)—expect to burn up to 500 calories per session.

For something fun (and pretty intense), head to GTM @ Kallang Wave Mall on Oct 8 from noon till 5pm. Look out for a dance fashion show, a mass dance, and most excitingly, a Bounce Party, where you get to jump on a trampoline to music while an instructor leads you in some fun choreography.

And of course, gorgeous photography

Photos by dance photographers from A Slice in Time, Robin Chee, Tan Ngiap Heng, Matthew Johnson and Bernie Ng (left to right)
 

Capturing a graceful dance move is no easy feat, but the results can be breath-taking. A Slice in Time, an exhibition showcasing over 100 works by established dance photographers Tan Ngiap Heng, Matthew Johnson, Robin Chee and Bernie Ng will be on show through Oct 7-23 at Stamford Arts Centre.

Want to learn more from the experts? Tan and Johnson will share technical tips in a four-hour workshop on Oct 9, starting at 1pm at Stamford Arts Centre. Just bring your DSLR—set to manual mode of course. All four photographers will also take part in a dance photography panel discussion on Oct 8 at 2pm, followed by an introduction to emerging dance photographers at 4pm. 

As well as captivating dance battles

K-POP Dance Off: Random Play Edition by KPOP Danceoff Crew
 

What’s a dance festival without a good old-fashioned, heart-pumping dance battle or two? Check out Urban16, the Urban Dance Convention at Suntec City Mall West Atrium (Oct 22-23), where dance battles take centerstage alongside demos and performances!

A few days prior, on Oct 16, there’s also the all-day Bragging Rights Battle at the EV Dance Studio on Waterloo Street. If  you’re part of a dance crew, or if you want to show everyone your moves, register quickly as there is only space for 80 participants.

Got to Move is a nationwide dance movement taking place at venues across the city from Oct 7-23. There are dozens of programs for all sorts of interests, ages and skill levels, and all of them are free. Keep track of them by following Got to Move on Facebook here. 

Got to Move 2016 is organized by the National Arts Council, Singapore.

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