On the Ball: Wild Rice’s Annual Fundraising Gala Goes Virtual

14 August 2020 – WILD RICE, Singapore’s leading theatre company, today announced its plans to host the Rice Ball, its annual fundraising gala, online.

This is a significant departure for the company, whose Rice Ball has become one of the most highly anticipated events of Singapore’s social calendar.

For close to two decades, the Rice Ball has been staged in the Shangri-La Hotel’s Island Ballroom. However, the company will have to break with tradition this year in view of the government’s ongoing restrictions on holding large-scale gatherings.

Rising To The Virtual Occasion

Plans are currently in the works to present the Rice Ball as a live virtual event – one that will be streamed directly from The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre into the homes of guests at the Ball.

“COVID-19 has challenged us to completely re-imagine this year’s Rice Ball,” says Ivan Heng, Founding Artistic Director of WILD RICE.

“We have never livestreamed an event of this scale but our team is pushing the envelope to find meaningful and memorable ways to entertain and engage our supporters and guests.”

To that end, the company is working with some of Singapore’s most exciting artists – such as acclaimed film-maker and multimedia designer Brian Gothong Tan –  to make the Rice Ball’s digital transition as seamless as possible.

While creating this “milestone event” has been challenging, WILD RICE is also excited by the new possibilities of going virtual.

“The Ball will be as fabulous as always, but it will also be our most intimate event yet,” Heng explains. “All our guests will have front-row seats in the safety of their own homes – not just in Singapore, but all over the world.”

The evening’s live concert will be co-directed by veteran theatre-makers Glen Goei and Pam Oei. The line-up features some of Singapore theatre’s brightest stars – including Siti Khalijah Zainal, Benjamin Chow, Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai, Dwayne Lau, Audrey Luo, Andrew Marko and a special appearance by “Ivana and Glenda”. Oei will also host the event.

The Most Important Rice Ball Yet

Even as WILD RICE works tirelessly on putting together its first virtual fundraising gala, it has not lost sight of its reasons for doing so.

As a major employer of artists, production staff and technical personnel in Singapore, WILD RICE’s survival is critical to the industry.

However, the effects of the pandemic have been challenging for the company. Its performing arts complex in Funan remains closed to the public, and it has had to cancel all of its shows for the rest of the year.

“This is our most urgent fundraiser yet,” says Heng. “It’s not just the Rice Ball – it’s our Rice Bowl.”

Virtual private rooms for the Rice Ball – bringing together up to 10 guests signing in from anywhere in the world – are available for $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 and $25,000. Individuals may also reserve single seats for $1,000. (See Annex for details.)

As WILD RICE is a Singapore-registered charity, all donations will be eligible for 250% tax deduction.

ANNEX

MASKQUERADE!
The Virtual WILD RICE Ball
Saturday, 3 October 2020

The WILD RICE Ball, now in its 19th edition, has distinguished itself as one of Singapore’s most entertaining and creative fundraising events. This year’s virtual Rice Ball promises to be as fun-filled and WILD as ever – from our trademark all-star concert, through to the delivery of a gastronomic feast by Singapore’s finest chefs to your doorstep.

WILD RICE, like all other major theatre companies from around the world, looks to the generosity and support of benefactors, patrons and sponsors in order to do its work. All funds raised from the Ball will go directly towards securing the company’s future in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

YOUR DONATION WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

S$25,000
– Virtual Private Room for 10
– Curated Michelin-Star Dinner
– Customised Cocktails
– 10 Tickets to a 2021 WILD RICE Show of Your Choice
– A WILD Surprise During the Event

S$15,000
– Virtual Private Room for 10
– Curated Michelin-Star Dinner
– Customised Cocktails
– 10 Tickets to a 2021 WILD RICE Show of Your Choice

S$10,000
– Virtual Private Room for 10
– Curated 3-Course Dinner
– Customised Cocktails
– 4 Tickets to a 2021 WILD RICE Show of Your Choice

S$8,000 
– Virtual Private Room for 10
– Curated 3-Course Dinner

 S$1,000
– Single Seat
– Curated 3-Course Dinner

As WILD RICE is a Singapore-registered charity, all donations will be eligible for 250% tax deduction.

To confirm your reservation, please fill in this form or get in touch with us at riceball@wildrice.com.sg.

Guest will be entertained by some of Singapore’s brightest theatre stars…
including Ivana and Glenda!

Highlights From The 2019 Rice Ball, including our Making History Concert

Pam Oei, hostess with the mostest, with the Rice Ball Dancers!
From L-R: Hossan Leong, Ivan Heng, Dwayne Lau and Sugie Phua
From L-R: Dwayne Lau, Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai, Siti Khalijah Zainal,
Sunny Yang and Sugie Phua
From L-R: Pam Oei, Hossan Leong, Siti Khalijah Zainal and Dwayne Lau
A grand finale with our entire Making History company!
Our guest going WILD on the dance floor!

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