Mapletree launches coronavirus virtual shows

The series seeks to support artists, salute frontliners and entertain Singaporeans at home

Helmi Yusof

Published Wed, May 13, 2020 · 09:50 PM

Singapore

IN AN EFFORT to support artists in need, salute frontliners in the Covid-19 battle and provide entertainment to Singaporeans during the circuit breaker, Mapletree launched a new digital series featuring local singers, songwriters, actors and dancers in a variety of 12- to 15-minute clips on its YouTube channel.

Mapletree Arts in the City on Air kicked off last week with popular duo Shili & Adi belting radio hits such as Ed Sheeran's Perfect and Michael Jackson's Heal The World, inviting audiences at home to sing along.

It continues this week with actress-singer-comedian Jo Tan parodying classic songs, turning the Beatle's Let It Be to Let It Be Bubble Tea and Abba's Dancing Queen to Tanxin Queen. There will be a new video uploaded every Thursday and Saturday.

Since the start of Covid-19, tens of thousands of artists, entertainers and other creatives - nearly half of whom work on freelance bases - have lost their sources of income. A website called ILostMyGig.sg inviting creatives to chalk up their losses during the coronavirus crisis has recorded over S$30 million worth of cancelled performances, production work and other gigs. The actual figure, however, may be far higher than the one tallied by the site.

Edmund Cheng, Mapletree's chairman, said, "As a strong supporter of the arts, and as part of our corporate social responsibility efforts, it is important for us to continue providing an avenue for Singapore artists to hone their craft, in this battle against the pandemic. At the same time, by bringing it online, we hope Mapletree Arts in the City on Air can bring cheer to everyone at home, and especially to our frontline workers."

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Mapletree invites artists and performers to pitch ideas for the series by emailing rachel.tan@mapletree.com.sg or grace.sung@mapletree.com.sg before May 22, 2020. The proposed act must observe social distancing rules.