Meet Rebel Scums and BucketHeads At Star Wars May The 4th Events In Singapore (2024)

May The 4th, also known as STAR WARS DAY, is an annual grassroots driven celebration for STAR WARS fans all over the world. Right here on Red Dot Island, the festivities will be held in a few key spots this year. So, get ready to meet rebel scums and bucketheads at these three locations!


SCIENCE CENTRE SINGAPORE (4 - 5 May 2024)

This year, it's not just about the light side or the dark side. It's all about the Westside!

The primary May The 4th SG event will be part of Singapore Centre Singapore's Sci-Fi Fiesta. Fans can interact and take photos with the local STAR WARS costumed groups, which include the 501st Legion SG, Rebel Legion SG, Kranak Clan - Mandalorian Mercs and The Galactic Academy Hosnian Prime Campus Singapore. That means, you will get to meet a gamut of Star Wars characters like Jawas, stormtroopers, Jedis, Mandalorians and more! The costumed groups' efforts will also be a charity drive, with donations usually benefitting the KKH Health Fund run by KKH Women's and Children's Hospital. This fun opportunity will be held at the Annexe Foyer, and admission is free.

ADDED on 2 May 2024: The May the 4th SG team has released a list of fun activities that you can enjoy this weekend. Take a look at their Facebook post below:



Other Sci-Fi Fiesta activities like building your own space vehicle, are also available for you to take part in. However, these would involve an entrance fee to Singapore Centre Singapore.

GARDENS BY THE BAY (4 - 5 May 2024)

Popular local lightsaber performance group, Fightsaber Singapore, will be putting up their exciting theatrical routines at Gardens By The Bay's Supertree Grove this weekend! Fightsaber Singapore is the only Lucasfilm sanctioned lightsaber performance organisation in Southeast Asia.

You can watch their thrilling performances on 4 May 2024 (Sat) at 8:20 PM, and on 5 May 2024 (Sun) at 7.30PM and 8.20PM.

Red Dot Diva thinks it will be worthwhile to make a family outing to Gardens By The Bay for May the 4th. Here's why.

On the same day, there will be a preview of Gardens By The Bay's new Northern lights spectacle called Borealis at 7:30 PM to 8:15 PM. The light and sound outdoor installation at Supertree Grove is designed by Switzerland-based artist Dan Acher.

Then, when you have choped your place at Supertree Grove, you get to watch Fightsaber's performance. After which, you can treat yourself to the Garden Rhapsody: STAR WARS Edition, lighting up the super trees in glorious fashion at 8:45 PM (Repeats on 5 May 2024, Sunday at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM). If they are using the same sequence as before, Red Dot Diva recalled that the light show experience gives all kinds of feels for any STAR WARS fan, as you sit/ stand there imagining you are right in the forests of Endor. Totally recommended!

WISMA ATRIA (1 to 19 May 2024)

LEGO is having a special STAR WARS DAY pop up event at Wisma Atria mall from 1 to 19 May 2024. The event is also held to celebrate LEGO's Star Wars 25th Anniversary.

To be honest, the kind of STAR WARS characters you would most probably get to see at the much smaller LEGO minifigure versions, but the pop-up event has a few fun things in store too! For one thing, Bothan spies have whispered that there will be LEGO product launches and announcements on May the 4th (Sat).

Besides the product launches, there are statue builds of Stormtroopers and Darth Vader and a LEGO diorama built by Titan Creations. Outside of Wisma Atria, there is a prop of the Emperor Palpatine's throne where you can channel your dark side and take selfies.



Other interesting things happening at the pop-up are:
- transforming yourself to your own LEGO minifigure version at the Create Your Own Poster boot
- joining contests, like guessing the number of LEGO lightsabers at the event space
- snagging freebies, by taking a photo of yourself on the Emperor's throne
- meet and greet with a roving LEGO Darth Vader on 1 May – 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM, and 18 and 19 May – 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM


May The 4th is all about celebrating being a STAR WARS fan. If you are not able to make it for these public events, please do not feel to sad about it. Red Dot Diva encourages that you can unleash your creativity, and organise your own May the 4th party with your friends and family! It is really about having fun and making memories as a STAR WARS fan.

May the Force Be With You.


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Check out Red Dot Diva's fun video filmed while enjoying some of this year's activities for May The 4th, as well as Free Comic Book Day at local comic book store GnB Comics

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Singapore Comic Con 2023 (SGCC) - Tickets Are Available Right Now!

It is time again to gather your geek squad and get ready to strut into this year's Singapore Comic Convention (SGCC). The pop-culture event will return to Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre on 9 and 10 December 2023.

SGCC will be taking up 5 halls of the convention centre on two floors, Level 1 and B2. As in past years, the event is part of the Singapore Media Festival and supported by The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board.

Red Dot Diva wishes that organiser Generation Experience is able to announce at least one or two main guests at the same time tickets are available. Many of the geeks she knows are holding back on getting tickets right now, but it seems that they banking on generic traffic to be flowing in rather than hardcore geeks. Well, whatever works for them.

Last year's SGCC comic book guests were interesting. So, it would not be farfetched to assume that Generation Experience already has a list of fantastic guests in store for this year's show. We would just need to wait for the guests announcements on SGCC's social media channels.

Other than that, SGCC has started posting teasers on the exhibitor booths who will be on the showfloor. These include the insanely popular Aussie animated pre-school series BLUEY, local toy store Simply Toys, LEGO/ The Brick Shop and Art-2 Gallery.




TICKETING INFORMATION

Tickets are available right now from the Klook website. (Note: The prices exclude $2 Klook booking fee per ticket.)

For a 10% discount on tickets (capped at SGD 7.00), go sign up for a FRANK by OCBC Card before grabbing your tickets. More details on the codes to use are on the Klook website.

Early birds, which are those who purchase tickets before 31 August 2023, are automatically entered into the SGCC 2023 lucky draw. Prizes include a LEGO The Mandalorian N-1 Starfighter set, a Sabermach Xentinel V2 lightsaber and Pop! Star Wars: Star Wars Celebration 5pk SWC 22 iEX.



Regardless of who might be the guests for SGCC, there will be lots to do, like panels, cosplay competition, orchestral performances, and more. Even if you are not attending SGCC because of the guests, the event is a great time to reconnect with the local geeks and those who will be visiting from neighbouring countries. Red Dot Diva recalls that during last year's SGCC, the reunions with the Filipino artists like Harvey Tolibao, and Boey the creator of the When I Was A Kid book series, were such a joyous occasion for her and the friends of the Glam Bloggers Alliance. It is also an enriching adventure discovering artists and creatives at Artist Alley. In fact, the Artist Alley is Red Dot Diva's hangout venue during SGCC.

The geeks are what makes SGCC more fun than you expect. Red Dot Diva's cannot wait to make new memories with you all again!



SINGAPORE COMIC CON (SGCC) 2023
Where: Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre
Date: 9 & 10 December 2023 (Sat and Sun)
Admission: SGD 35.00 per person per day. SGD 65.00 per person for 2-day tickets.
*Kids under 12 enter FREE! (Each paying adult can be accompanied by a maximum of 2 children under 12)

The Inaugural Singapore Toy Convention (SG ToyCon) Launches 17 - 19 December 2021 At The Visual Arts Centre

Calling all toy collectors and lovers! Just in time for the festive season and your shopping needs, the very first Singapore Toy Convention (SG ToyCon) will be held from 17 to 19 December 2021 at The Visual Arts Centre. The event is jointly organized by local toy retailers Masterpiece Collectibles and Toyz Network, with an aim to bring the toy and model collecting communities together.

From 3 PM on 17 December (Fri), the event is free to attend. Visitors can expect 11 exhibitors at SG ToyCon, who will be launching new releases and a wide ange of collectibles that will appeal to different age groups. Each of the retailers specialize in their own area of collectibles ranging from diecast toy cars, models and miniature figurines. Local comic book creator Sean Lam, in collaboration with The Yurei, will also be bringing his latest horror graphic novel GUENGSI to the convention.

Check out the list of SG ToyCon retailers below:

EnBlock - Singapore's First Lego Convention to Launch on 19-21 April 2019

Something special for LEGO builders and collectors of Red Dot Island is happening in April. The EnBlock Brick Convention, is set to launch on Easter weekend April 19 to 21, at Funan Showsuite @ Hill Street.

Organized by the LEGO gallery and retail shop My Little Brick Shop, EnBlock is touted as the island's first Lego convention. Various builds by LEGO artists will be on display for fans to ogle at. Red Dot Diva is not much of a LEGO builder, but she is constantly amazed at how creative LEGO artists can be, especially the intricately-designed dioramas.

To gain entry into the brick convention, you would have to purchase a ticket.

Regular ticket for 1-day entry
SGD 4 (early bird price), SGD 6 
Access to the convention, bazaar, 1 lucky draw, and all activities and contests on a first-come, first-served basis
Link: https://shopee.sg/mylittlebrickshop/1930516210

All Access VIP 3-day pass
SGD 18
Access to the convention, bazaar, 3 lucky draws (1 on each day), and all activities and contests on a first-come, first-served basis
Link: https://shopee.sg/mylittlebrickshop/1930613049

Purchase a pass before 8 March, and you will also each receive a unique collectible for FREE - a personalized LEGO Peranakan Microfigure that is worth SGD 7.98.

Returning Guests for STGCC 2018 and Lego Area for the Harry Potter & Voltron Fans!

The Singapore Toy, Games and Comic Convention (STGCC) must be rather lucrative for comic book artists. Their booths are usually swarmed with fans from Red Dot Island as well as those who check in from countries around the region, where it is difficult to meet well-known comic creators face to face.

Coming back to this year's convention are last year's guests Frank Cho, Arthur Adams and Joyce Chin, as well as Agnes Garbowska! Fans who missed meeting them in previous shows, can have another chance to get their comics signed or request for commissions and sketches.

It was in 2015 when fan favourite Agnes Garbowska was a guest at the convetion. Her whimsical, uber-cute drawings were a hit, especially with the younger folks, and the lines at her booth were mostly 20 people deep most of the time! Her style of art shines in titles like "DC Super Hero Girls" (DC Comics), "My Little Pony" (IDW Publishing) and "Grumpy Cat" (Dynamite).

When we last met Frank Cho, he had just kicked off a new fantasy series called "Skybourne" with BOOM! Studios. The 5-issue comic series wrapped up in February this year. He is currently working on several other creator-owned projects, including "Guns & Dinos" with Image Comics and "War Witch" with novelist Tom Sniegoski for Big Wow Publications.

Veteran comic book artist Arthur Adams will be meeting fans again, bringing with him his knowledge of the industry and art that spans across various publishing houses, like Marvel, DC Comics, Image and Dark Horse. He also founded a creator-owned comics imprint called Legend together with Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, John Byrne. The imprint was published through Dark Horse Comics before it ceased in 1998. His creator-owned "Monkeyman and O'Brien" from the Legend days still exists in various crossovers.

Joyce Chin is like a senpai to aspiring women artists who want to enter into the field of comic book art. She has been drawing for comics since 1995 and has worked for several titles like DC Comics, Marvel, Top Cow and Dynamite, like Vampirella, Red Sonja, Spider-man, Witchblade and Wynonna Earp, which is based on the supernatural Western horror TV series.

LEGO Ninjago Lands at Plaza Singapura from 28 August to 10 September 2017

Do you love ninjas? Especially Ninjas in LEGO form? Oh, and what about dragons? Yes... That too?
Then, you must already be a fan of the Ninjago line from LEGO!

The  LEGO Ninjago Movie is set to open at theatres in September, and the marketing vehicle is out in full force.

Red Dot Diva's friend, Jas the "adult kid", was at the  LEGO Ninjago Challenge Event at Plaza Singapura yesterday. Here's her report on how much fun she had while she was there.

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Similar to the activity booths that were launched at ION when The LEGO Batman Movie opened in cinemas, the LEGO Ninjago Movie has set up a challenge event held at Plaza Singapura.

There is a pop up store by Bricks World selling various Lego sets across the different brands, but of course LEGO Ninjago sets take up the most prominent display.

The LEGO #NINJAGOCHALLENGE Event Play Area consists of 4 stations, the Briefing Station 1, where a staff will explain to you what the entire event is about. (Note that the staff might dissuade adults if there is a line of little kids already waiting in line. Try to gather your own “team” of 3 adult players to take part in the same time slot!)

May the 4th 2017: Celebrate 40 Years of Star Wars at the Fan Zone, Gardens by the Bay!

It's the 40th year of Star Wars, and there is a grand official festival taking place at Gardens by the Bay, but in Red Dot Diva's opinion, nothing beats celebrating Star Wars with the fan community.

Last year's May the 4th celebration at Kallang Wave was a fantastic, heartwarming weekend affair, with Star Wars fans of all ages coming together. Many of whom were decked out in costumes of their favourite characters.

Thanks to a bunch of hardworking, dedicated Star Wars fans - including members of 501st Legion SG, Rebel Legion, Fightsaber and Suhaimi's Gulliver's Chronicles - there is a chance to interact again with the local community again this year! The totally fan-led event called the Star Wars Fanzone will take place at the Supertree Grove, Gardens by the Bay from May the 4th to 6th, 2017, which is the same venue as the official one organized by Disney and Esprimo.

So, what can one expect at the Star Wars Fanzone?

LOTS!!

Diva's Movie Review: "The Lego Batman Movie" Is Funny and Simply Bat-astic!

Total geekgasm is how Red Dot Diva would describe "The Lego Batman Movie", which premiered in local theatres on Thursday, 9 February 2017.

There's LEGO of course, kapow! action, tons of comic book references, several pop-culture nods, and Batman. Lots and lots of Batman! In fact, "The Lego Batman Movie" is more Batman than the Batman movies of recent years, and most of all, it's the funniest!

With Will Arnett providing Lego Batman with his imitable deep raspy voice, the animated bricked Dark Knight is even more larger than life, his over-the-top heroic gestures and constant declaration that he only works alone, is just but an excuse to avoid feeling abandoned again. Even his arch nemesis The Joker (voiced wonderfully by Zach Galifianakis) knows that all too well.

Join the Batmania at the LEGO Batman Movie Activity Area & Fan Event at ION Orchard!

This is the Batman Movie you have all been waiting for!

The awesomely successful "The Lego Movie" was the film that introduced us to the egoistical but hilarious "I'm Batman-I Only Dress In Black"-LEGO Batman (Will Arnett). Since his superhero personality is too Huge to remain in just one movie, the Bat is BACK. This time, he will be calling all the shots (or he thinks he will be) in "The LEGO Batman Movie", by going up against The Joker (Zach Galifianakis) in order to save Gotham City.

Not quite used to working with a team, Batman also faces challenges battling the band of villains together with orphan Dick Grayson aka Robin (Michael Cera), Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl (Rosario Dawson) and the ever loyal and classy butler, Alfred (Ralph Fiennes).

Directed by Chris McKay, and produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Roy Lee, "The LEGO Batman Movie" premieres in Red Dot Island theatres on 9 February 2017!

For the last couple of months, Team Batman ,i.e. LEGO Batman himself, Robin and Batgirl, has been meeting their fans at shopping malls and cinemas around the island. Being hardcore fans of #TeamRichGuys, Red Dot Diva and geek-girl pal Jas managed to catch the trio at Cathay Cineleisure the week before Chinese New Year!

It's "Poe to the Rescue" in LEGO "Star Wars: The Resistance Rises" Animated Series!

Coming up in this post are minutes of mini bricked cuteness!

And Red Dot Diva is pretty sure you won't be able to resist it.

Noooooooooooooooo!

Following soon after the news and teaser trailer of the upcoming video game for LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a precious mini movie called "Poe to the Rescue" has just been released online by Disney XD. It is the first from LEGO "Star Wars: The Resistance Rises", a series consisting of short animated films which serves as a prequel to Episode VIII. (BTW, did you catch the production teaser trailer for the Episode VIII movie?! Ahhhhh! Just those few glimpses has gotten Red Dot Diva super-excited about the sequel!)

Fans in the USA were lucky enough to catch LEGO "Star Wars: The Resistance Rises" which premiered on February 15th. But now, everyone else is able to enjoy this 6:46 minutes of awesome Poe-ness.

Click the link below to watch "Poe to the Rescue"!

Gamestart Asia 2015: Where Diva Explored The World of Gaming

Gamestart Asia 2015 kicked-off with a bang yesterday at Suntec Convention Centre.

There was a grand official ribbon-cutting ceremony by special guests and an industry/ business conference.

The gaming convention occupied 2 halls this year, which offered far more space for fans to wander and try out the gamut of titles available.

Red Dot Diva (together with Ed from Toys-etc and Andre the Red Dot Dude) was at the Media Preview yesterday and from the looks of it, this year's convention had definite buzz to it.

Get A Dose of Nostalgia At The Little Red Brick LUG SG50 LEGO Show

A long list of free activities began this week in celebration of Red Dot Island's 50th birthday.

Many attractions and sites are either offering free access (like the various museums) or discounted ticket prices (the zoos/ Gardens by the Bay), which would most probably mean snake-long queues and equally long waiting times. So, here's an alternative SG50-related event that is both free and would not need lining up in order to have some family fun!

Red Dot Diva highly recommends a trip to the National Library Singapore (Victoria Street) atrium for the Little Red Brick LUG's LEGO Exhibition, called "Past Forward: Hearts and Crafts".

These lovely structures - over 40 of them - were build by a group of passionate brick builders from the local community. From the displays, it was evident to Red Dot Diva that a lot of heart and soul was lovingly put into the pieces - many of which evoke much Nostalgia Feels.

Get Inspired with LEGO's "The Shapes of Imagination" Exhibited at Suntec

Talk about toys which help to stimulate creativity and innovation, and internationally popular construction sets company LEGO® comes to mind.

To spur builders to think and conceive ideas differently, the first LEGO® Certified Store in Red Dot Island will be displaying a one-of-a-kind multi-dimensional scultpure called "The Shapes of Imagination" - just for this weekend only!

Artistic Tributes To A Founding Father Lee Kuan Yew (1923 - 2015) - Red Dot Island Style

Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Red Dot Island's first prime minister and architect of her astounding progress into modernity and first world status, passed away peacefully at 91 in the early morning of 23 March.

Not unusually, Red Dot Diva saw the sad news on Twitter during one of her nightly REM breaks. He has been ill for some time and the citizens knew the inevitable was coming. Still, the almost united sense of loss was deep. And real. (Even the detractors who hated him so much were more vitriolic than usual, which to Red Dot Diva, was a balance to those who began heralding the stern but powerful politician like a saint.)

Alas, since this is not a blog on politics, nor is Red Dot Diva able to write wonderful heartfelt posts like ex-Straits Time editor Bertha Henson, she will refrain from making a case as to whether Mr LKY was a man to be admired or despised. To her, there is a need for profound respect during times like these. Red Dot Diva is after all but a humble minion, her meagre life's achievements (were there even any?) hardly accounting to anything much, and a physical embodiment of the sometimes unpopular policies arising from LKY's legacy.

The Art of the Brick Exhibition – Where LEGO Is More Than Mere Child’s Play

Recently, Red Dot Diva received a text message from a friend one rainy afternoon, “Have you been to 'The Art of the Brick'? Is it worth going?”

A loud and emphatic “YES!!!” was her reply.

Like most children, Red Dot Diva owned a box or two of LEGO blocks when she was an ankle-biter. And she probably did build a decent thingamajig or two, but Red Dot Diva has always been more a thinker and writer than an architect or builder.

Since then, she’s always been intrigued by people and even children, who are able to construct their own creations or recognizable pop-culture models, like the Death Star or a Batmobile.

So, when famous artist Nathan Sawaya’s talked-about “The Art of the Brick” exhibition opened at the Art and Science Museum late last year, Red Dot Diva and her Evil Twin (also a LEGO-collector herself), couldn’t resist going to the show.

NY-based Sawaya has acquired quite an ardent following with his various art pieces built from LEGO bricks. This was the first time that the exhibition was being displayed in South-East Asia. And what a totally mind-blowing amazing show of LEGO art that was!

Nathan Sawaya’s vision and passion for the LEGO bricks were evident in all his showpieces – in fact, masterpieces would be a more suitable term for them. Many were made in astounding 3D and several were almost life-sized.