• The event marks its finale concert before its expansion renovation
• Backed by popular demand, Let’s Jam will continue at Temasek Shophouse’s partner venues through pop-up programmes and concerts during the renovation period

SINGAPORE, 24 November 2023 – Temasek Shophouse, a much-loved social impact hub situated in the heart of Singapore, gears up for its “Lights Out Celebration” event, to be held on 2 December 2023, as it temporarily closes its doors for expansion renovations starting from 4 December 2023. The celebration event includes music performances from musicians from Temasek Shophouse’s Let’s Jam! inclusive music community, and a coffee appreciation workshop by local social enterprise Foreword Coffee Roasters, which set up one of its first few outlets in Temasek Shophouse back in 2019.

Lights Out Celebration: Tribute to partners and the community”

Known for its role as convener, collaborator and catalyst for Singapore’s social impact needs, Temasek Shophouse has engaged with more than 112,000 people, partnered with more than 120 partners and hosted over 300 events in the past four years since its launch in June 2019. Supporting a myriad of topics such as sustainability, mental wellness, and diversity and inclusion, some of these events include the Purple Symphony community concerts, Sustainability & Oceans: An Earthshot Week Event, and Hands-on Hearts-In Workshop by WeHiro. It has also served as a co-working space for organisations dedicated to making a difference such as ABC Impact, Foreword Coffee Roasters, Tri-Sector Associates, Happiness Initiative, and The Idea Co.

The “Lights Out Celebration” is a tribute to the partners and the community who have supported Temasek Shophouse’s journey as a social impact hub for changemakers, thought-leaders and various communities to drive positive change.

As part of the celebration event, the “Lights Out Concert” will showcase musicians from the Temasek Shophouse Let’s Jam Music Fellowship. Let’s Jam is a testament of the convening and catalysing spirit that Temasek Shophouse has been championing. An inclusive music community that started in September this year, Let’s Jam has been making waves in the local music scene; attracting musicians and audience from the youth group to the elderly. Many members in the audience are also patients with dementia or are wheelchair assisted. Together with veteran Singaporean composer, producer and performer, Clement Chow, the Let’s Jam sessions has been established as an inclusive space for musicians to come together and has fostered a unique fellowship that transcends differences and celebrates the universal language of music. In the short span of a few months, the community has blossomed from an initial gathering of less than 30 people into a regular gathering of more than 180 musicians and music-lovers from diverse musical backgrounds, ages, and abilities. Veteran musicians like Greg Anderson and Ernesto Valerio, often dubbed as the Dean Martin of Singapore, with over 51 years of experience in the music scene can be seen serenading the audience with nostalgic tunes from the 1950s. In another moment, the spotlight shifts to Zack and Elaine, creating on-the-spot lyrical magic and dynamic beatbox sets, showcasing the inclusive spirit of a community that embraces diverse musicians.

People from all walks of life gathering at Temasek Shophouse Let’s Jam Music Fellowship

“What sets Let's Jam apart is its ability to bridge diverse communities through music; breaking down barriers and fostering connections that extend far beyond the vibrant performances we enjoy,” said Clement Chow, Community Partner and Co-curator of Let’s Jam. “We are heartened to see musicians from different generations, backgrounds, and abilities find a place of belonging and endearment here at Temasek Shophouse Let’s Jam Music Fellowship.”

The other highlight of the “Lights Out Celebration” is the Beans & Bonds coffee appreciation workshop, organised by Foreword Coffee Roasters, one of Temasek Shophouse’s first partners since opening its doors in 2019. The social enterprise hires and equips persons with disabilities, special needs, and mental health conditions as their frontline crew and has grown tremendously since its early days at Temasek Shophouse.

Foreword Coffee Roasters at Temasek Shophouse

"We are grateful to be an early partner at Temasek Shophouse. The synergy between Foreword Coffee and Temasek Shophouse’s commitment to sustainability and inclusivity as well as the vibrant co-working ecosystem here, have been a catalyst for our growth,” said Lim Wei Jie, Co-founder of Foreword Coffee Roasters. “We look forward to creating meaningful connections and contributing to a space that goes beyond just bricks and mortar, but truly embodies the spirit of community and progress when Temasek Shophouse reopens again."

Expansion renovations of Temasek Shophouse until 2025

“We are very excited about the expansion of Temasek Shophouse and how this can better serve the needs of the community,” said Yvonne Tay, Head of Temasek Shophouse. “The Lights Out Celebration is a showcase of the collective efforts that have brought us to where we are today. It’s an opportunity to recognise the dedication of our residents, partners, and the entire community in driving positive impact in Singapore.”

Starting from 4 December 2023, Temasek Shophouse will be temporarily closed for its expansion renovation. The social impact hub is expanding its space to better cater to a growing community of changemakers motivated to find innovative solutions to the world’s increasingly complex social and environmental challenges. A total of 4 shophouses will be involved in the expansion, namely unit No. 16 (former Malayan Motors Showroom), No. 22 (former Midfilm House), No. 38 (Tropical Modernist Shophouse), and No. 28 (current Temasek Shophouse). There are also plans to rejuvenate and activate the surrounding outdoor spaces, including Handy Green and Stamford Canal, for the community.

Temasek Shophouse’s expansion project is targeted to be completed and reopen to the public in 2025. For renovation updates and reopening information, the public can follow Temasek Shophouse’s social channels on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for updates, or visit their website.

About Temasek Shophouse

Temasek Shophouse is a social impact hub and home of the Temasek Trust philanthropy and impact ecosystem, and like-minded co-working partners. Located in the heart of Singapore, Temasek Shophouse works closely with partners from the Public, Private, and People (3P) sectors to convene change-makers, foster collaborations, and catalyse solutions to positively impact Planet, People, Peace, and Progress.

The Temasek Shophouse extension, announced in August 2022, will better enable it to meet the needs of the growing community of change-makers based in Singapore. Visit the Temasek Shophouse website, and follow it on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, for its latest updates. 

For media queries, please contact:

Jessica Seet
Senior Manager, Temasek Shophouse Management
Temasek Trust
[email protected]

Samuel Yat
Client Executive
Saeloun Asia
[email protected]