Your Guide To Maskquerade!: The Virtual Rice Ball 2020

The annual fundraiser of theatre company Wild Rice will be streamed live from The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre into the homes of guests

From Grecian goddesses and Chinese celestial beings to Maleficent and the residents of Avatar land Pandora—the guests of the Rice Ball are a varied (and sporting!) bunch. So it is no wonder that the annual fundraiser of theatre company Wild Rice is one of the most anticipated galas every year.

What will the fashion plates among the theatre and society set turn up in when the ball’s 19th edition goes online (understandably) on October 3? One thing’s for sure, even with social distancing, the organisers have ensured that they keep to the event’s long-standing tradition of bringing together fabulous friends for a night of gourmet food and satire-filled concert extravaganza that’s guaranteed to bring on the laughs—all in the name of Singapore theatre.

Above The Rice Ball 2019

And with the pandemic, Singapore’s performing arts industry needs all the support it can get, to bring the curtains up in the theatres and concert halls—making this fundraiser even more poignant. So if you have your invitations to Maskquerade!: The Virtual Rice Ball 2020, here’s your guide on how to have the best night at what Wild Rice founding artistic director Ivan Heng describes as “our most urgent fundraiser yet”.

1. Put your best face (mask) forward

Bring on the bling, go full frontal or glow up (pro tip: make sure you have that ring light) … the limit is your imagination. The only rule: make it drama! What’s a ball without playing dress up? Individual and table prizes await the Best Dressed guests.

Above The Rice Ball 2018

2. Set the mood for an exquisite meal … and the entertainment to come

With the three-course culinary creations delivered right to your doorstep (and already plated to boot!) from the kitchens of some of Singapore’s most exciting chefs from such restaurants as Michelin-starred Odette and Braci, as well as The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, 3 Embers and Opio Kitchen & Bar, why not bring to the table (pun intended) the dinner setting? Linen tablecloths, flowers, candles … the works!

Above The Rice Ball 2018

3. Pop the champagne, air kiss and mingle

Once “doors” open at 6pm, we suggest you do the same with your home bar to enjoy pre-prandial drinks as you catch up with friends and family at your “table”—the private virtual room that has been allocated to you. But if you want to “mingle” with the rest of the guests, who might come from all over the world, The Lounge is open to all.

Above Ivana and Glenda

4. Meet Singapore theatre’s brightest stars … and dance the night away

With the home bar open—and tummies satiated—it’s time to enjoy the highlight of the evening. As per the tradition of every Rice Ball, a concert extravaganza awaits. This year’s festivities is co-directed by Wild Rice’s co-artistic director Glen Goei and theatre actress-director Pam Oei—who is also the host for the evening—and will be beamed live from The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre. Theatre stars, including Siti Khalijah Zainal, Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai and Andrew Marko, will bring on the laughs. Don’t miss the special appearance by “Ivana and Glenda”, while DJ Keith Colaco will spin the tunes to get you on the “dance floor”.

Above The Rice Ball 2019

5. Be a Wild Rice Angel

“It’s not just the Rice Ball—it’s our rice bowl,” says Heng. Your support will help ensure the survival and recovery of Wild Rice, a Singapore-registered charity, along with the hundreds of theatre artists it works with. Find out how else you can offer your support here. And we can’t wait for the Wild Rice @ Funan performing arts centre to reopen to the public and for its theatres to stage thought-provoking Singapore stories.

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wild rice charity galas fundraisers performing arts theatre