What’s happening in Singapore
The best things to do this week
Expect plenty of interactive light installations scattered across the arts and heritage district of Bras Basah and Bugis at this year’s Singapore Night Festival. This year’s theme zooms in on ASEAN, featuring commissions and collaborations with local and regional artists. As always, feast your eyes on a kaleidoscope of kinetic visuals projected onto the facades of buildings in the vicinity as you soak in the atmosphere.
What better way to discover a new pool of talent than at the city’s annual alternative music festival? Baybeats returns to the Esplanade with brand new faces and sounds from Singapore and around the region like indie-rock outfit Stopgap, metal band Rudra, and rapper Aklo.
Oenophiles, here's your chance to sample pours from award-winning Margaret River estates such as Vasse Felix, Cape Mentelle, and Xanadu – all without leaving Singapore. On August 22, Grand Hyatt plays host to numerous Margaret River winemakers, including chef Evan Hayter of Arimia Winery and Restaurant, who are providing the evening's gourmet delights. There's also be a photo exhibition of Margaret River by Russell Ord, and entertainment by Josh 'Koomal' Whiteland, a Wadandi custodian whose ancestry dates back 50,000 years.
House music maven MOTi has created a name for himself in the dance music scene with his diverse array of sounds, and he's topped the Beatport chart with Virus featuring Martin Garrix and Boom featuring Major Lazer, Ty Dolla $ign, Kranium and Wizkid. Don't miss his one-night-only showing at Zouk's main room, where he's sure to keep you up on your feet all night long.
Big Brother is watching you. Performed by Singapore Repertory Theatre's The Young Company as part of its graduation show, George Orwell’s critically acclaimed dystopian fiction 1984 follows Winston Smith who is physically and mentally under the watchful eye of Big Brother. The novel may have been written during the late 40s but the theme of control over information, history and technology is more relevant now than ever before.
62 years after Richard Hamilton listed the characteristics of the pop art movement – popular, transient, expendable, et cetera – Mizuma is showcasing a group exhibition curated by Hermanto Soerjanto, featuring Indonesian artists Agan Harahap, Heri Dono, indieguerillas, and Uji 'Hahan' Handoko Eko Saputro. These artists pay homage to the movement by challenging the traditions of fine art and incorporating mundane imageries from pop culture that reflect on current issues into their works.
Brilliantly put together by students from SOTA since 2013, Tones is an annual music showcase brings music lovers together to embrace Singapore's music culture. It spotlights emerging local musicians and their talents to garner a greater appreciation for local bands and artists. Expect a mix of originals and covers by Maia and the Boy$$$, Shye, Tell Lie Vision, and more.
D'Julz's career spans over two decades, beginning in Paris, where he's been running the now-famous Bass Culture night at Rex Club since 1997. His ability to transcend genres and trends has earned him residencies across the globe, including a long-standing stint at Circoloco in Ibiza. Be sure to catch his showcase at CÉ LA VI on Sunday.
Cé La Vi's ninth anniversary celebrations are amped up with London-based Italian DJ Markhese, whose mixes regularly chart on Beatport. Having performed at clubs the world over, he has also enjoyed residencies at the famed Ministry of Sound in London and Space Beijing. Don't miss his showcase in Singapore, and get ready to let loose with his trend-setting, melodic Future House sound.
It's been nine years since Cé La Vi started entertaining guests atop Marina Bay Sands, and since then, they've ascended the ranks to become one of Asia's top party destinations. Celebrate its achievements with resident DJs on this night by rocking it out to progressive house and dance remixes.
The latest features
You've probably seen a million shots (and Boomerangs) of Jewel's Rain Vortex or the Marina Bay Sands. But if you think you’ve seen it all, a wave of urban photographers are here to prove you wrong. Their perfectly curated Instagram feeds portray Singapore through different eyes – and lenses. At times, you can’t even recognise where the photos are taken. Don’t mistake them for influencers, though. Armed with DSLRs, tripods, and a serious case of national pride, these local photographers take on the streets of Singapore for the 'gram. RECOMMENDED: We chat with comedian Joe Wong ahead of his show and interview with Singapore's rising stars
The sun is in Leo, Mercury is no longer in retrograde and we're in peak mooncake season. The forecast: a flurry of sweet treats in a multitude of unconventional flavours packed in a pretty box. The variety can be overwhelming – remember the days where we just needed to choose between salted egg or plain? – so save yourself the trouble and zoom in on these eight options. RECOMMENDED: The ultimate guide to Chinatown and the best free Mid-Autumn events in Singapore
Forget about battling the crowds at the mainstream shopping malls. There are plenty of cool indie stores in Singapore for unique gifts for either yourself or someone special. Else, check out these pop-up stores and flea markets to pick up some fresh threads, quirky trinkets, preloved clothes, handmade crafts, vinyl and more by local and international sellers. Shopping will never be the same again – who needs to go to the mall anyway! RECOMMENDED: 50 best shops in Singapore and the best eco-friendly products in Singapore
To most of us, a mother is the woman who gives birth to us, feeds us, and cares for us throughout the years. But to a small yet growing group of sourdough bakers in Singapore, a mother is a totally different nag. They have to feed it, take care of it, and in return – if they’re lucky – they are treated to beautiful baby buns that they share with their customers. Also known as sourdough starters, or levains in French, mothers are fermented doughs made from flour, water and wild yeast and Lactobacillus bacteria from the air. You have to top them off with fresh flour and water regularly so that sugar can be converted to acids, enzymes and carbon dioxide, which affect the flavour, tang, elasticity and porosity of the bread. But even with daily parenting, things can go wrong. Nick Chua from Nick Vina Artisan Bakery Chef Nick Chua from Nick Vina Artisan Bakery tucked away in Icon Village at Tanjong Pagar is as experienced a baker as they come. He started making sourdough over 20 years ago in a bakery in Hannover, Germany and brought its 82-year-old mother dough back with him to Singapore. “It’s tedious to maintain a sourdough mother, especially in Singapore where humidity and temperature are concerned,” he shares. “Lactic acid bacteria are like babies and have to be treated with care. You might find a good recipe, but it might not apply in Singapore. It takes a lot of experience to understand your dough.” The way a sourdough tastes and behaves depends tremendously on the
Change is inevitable. And the retail industry is no exception. In a city where mall culture is king, adapting and improvising the way people shop is crucial for brick and motar stores to survive. From more efficient and intuitive supply-chain procedures to the use of big data and technology to provide personalised services, these shops have adopted digitisation and experiential shopping in a big way not just to survive, but to thrive. With crowds filling up new malls like Funan and Jewel Changi Airport, it looks like we might just overcome the mall-pocalypse. RECOMMENDED: The best shopping malls in Singapore and where to shop for eco-friendly products and brands in Singapore
When Sandhya Suresh was four, her parents enrolled her in ballet lessons. A year later, she started Indian classical dance training at the Temple of Fine Arts International. She continued to dance, completing her degree in LASALLE College of the Arts, where she attained a BA(Hons) in Dance from Goldsmiths, University of London. She performed on stages all around the world, from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to local festivals like Kalaa Utsavam. But when she turned 21, her smooth-sailing dance career took a turn. She fell critically ill and was told that she might never be able to dance again. “It was then that I decided that if I got out alive, dance was what I wanted to do,” she shares. Eight years after the scare, Sandhya is not just a dancer. She’s also a teacher and company manager at CHOWK, an established dance company founded in 2007 by Raka Maitra, a fellow Odissi performer. The centre offers classes and produces contemporary and classical dance works that have been commissioned by theatres and festivals in Singapore. But don’t pigeonhole her as just an Indian dancer. “I am Indian; and I am a dancer-choreographer. They are two separate things. I guess people feel the need to define you, put you somewhere. Although I train in Odissi regularly, I feel like it doesn’t eliminate the dance education I’ve gone through for over 20 years of my life. I also teach basic western contemporary techniques and do projects as an independent dance artist.” Ahead of Sandhya’s perfo
Getting western food from a food court or hawker centre often ends in disappointment – watery pasta, generic black pepper sauce and gunky baked beans from a can. If you're lucky, you might find a stall that does a mean chicken chop, but more often than not, it's usually frozen food tossed in the deep fryer. Enter father-and-son team Keith and Desmond Koh who run Lad & Dad in Maxwell Road Food Centre. The ‘lad’ equation of the duo, Keith, is familiar with pub grub from its country of origin – the United Kingdom. The fresh graduate has no intention of donning a suit and tie to join the corporate ranks – much to his father’s dismay – instead, Keith slogs it out to pursue his dream of making Lad & Dad a success. He even skipped his graduation (and grad trip) and used the savings to start his first venture. But the story didn’t begin there. Keith’s first foray into British cuisine was working part-time in a hotel restaurant and bar in the UK. In his free time, he took up short culinary courses, where his classmates would be British housewives and grandmothers. He then started bouncing ideas off people in his class who shared their own tips on cooking British dishes. As he compiled his favourites, he began shaping the menu for Lad & Dad. “All our recipes are made from scratch. We don't want the food to be bland since Singaporeans like bolder flavours so we included steps and ingredients to increase the umami of our dishes,” Keith says. Some of Lad & Dad’s most popular dishes inc
“Put a needle on a circular plastic disc, a motor turns it around a platter, and that same energy gets pushed from the speakers – can’t get that from a bunch of 1s and 0s on your USB sticks,” points Nick Bong who DJs as Bongomann, on the allure of vinyl. Lossy compression of audio for portable devices results in diminished sound quality. Vinyl uses lossless data compression. Nothing is lost when pressing a record, allowing the listener to appreciate the album as the producer intended. Gently dropping the needle onto the groove of a record and hearing that initial crackle before the mahogany-rich sound takes over is an ethereal experience music lovers swear by. It escorts listeners through a rapturous sonic journey in a unique, multi-dimensional way. Buying records is a lost art rarely practised in this age of digital streaming. I started my own journey with an old Revolver by The Beatles. My hunger for more got me digging through crates of records, paving way for a goldmine of hand-me-downs. The vinyl format was popular from the 50s until the 90s when compact discs and cassette tapes took over. Then came the game-changers: digital downloads. When the vinyl revival exploded in the late Noughties on the heels of the global vintage trend, vinyl sales rose and more stores opened. The global celebration of vinyl resulted in the birth of the annual Record Store Day (RSD) on April 18 in 2008. “By celebrating the rich history of music through re-issues of key titles, RSD helps t
Not to humblebrag but Singapore's got it all. Good food that's easy to find, great museums for some quality art fix, getting around the island is easy breezy and to top it off – some pretty amazing architecture that will catch your eye. If there's one thing Singapore is known for, it's the skyline. Marvel at some of the cool buildings you can find in (and out!) of town. Start snappin' them pictures. RECOMMENDED: The oldest restaurants in Singapore and the harshest TripAdvisor reviews of Singapore
It's birthday time and you want a cake that's not over the top, and perhaps some cream horns as well. Keep it simple and old school at these bakeries and cake shops that have been in Singapore longer than you. Old is gold, after all – bring on the buttercream roses and walnut cakes. RECOMMENDED: Best cafés in Singapore for dessert and best cake shops in Singapore
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The best of Singapore
Neighbourhood guides
Once a prominent red-light district, you’d think it would take loads to eradicate the impression of Keong Saik Road being littered with brothels in the 1960s. Well, you’re right – and it has. Now, this bustling neighborhood has somehow seamlessly fused the traditional with modern to offer some of the most unique (and delicious) places to visit whether you’re a tourist or a local lifestyle enthusiast. From gourmet restaurants to trendy bars and even bespoke tailors, you’ll be filled with an endless array of activities as you traverse along the streets of shophouses. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Singapore and the best bars to try out in Singapore
Busy, noisy, filled with people, that’s the general consensus of the Chinatowns of the world. Singapore’s is no different, but ours (perhaps we’re biased) has a charming air about it that appeals to both tourists and locals. A good mix of hawker fare and swish eateries, history and architecture, here are a few good reasons to head down to Chinatown. RECOMMENDED: 101 best things to do in Singapore and guide to getting around Singapore
Joo Chiat and Katong have gained popularity over the years for their blend of Instagram-worthy Peranakan shophouses, delectable cuisine, and indie retail stores. Named after philanthropist, Chew Joo Chiat, this charming corner in the east of Singapore was once a small village of seaside retreats for the wealthy. It's since been revamped into a residential suburb surrounded by shops and eateries. Declared as Singapore’s first Heritage Town in 2011, this East Coast enclave still holds timeless treasures and insight into the rich Peranakan cultural heritage of the 1950s. Today, most of Joo Chiat’s multi-ethnic influences are most evident in its architecture, dining options, and activities. RECOMMENDED Creative spaces in Katong and Joo Chiat and the best restaurants and cafés in Katong
Singapore's glamorous shopping belt dazzles with luxury stores, local boutiques and plenty to eat, see and do.
It’s a given that Little India is colourful, vibrant and a hive of activity – but it’s also changing and gentrifying. There’s never a dull moment on this stretch, here are some of our favourite spots. RECOMMENDED: Where to eat in Little India
What was once Singapore’s sleaze central has smartened up big time thanks to classy new developments like Andaz. While the area is evolving into a mini CBD, it hasn’t gone all business-like just yet. With its mix old-and-new, here are some of our new (and old) favourite haunts. Still can't get enough of what this colourful neighbourhood has to offer? Check out the best cafes in Bugis or go on a bar crawl guide in Bugis when it gets dark out.
Singapore's infamous redlight district is the place to go your craving for the king of fruits and good food at any hour of the night.
Take a one-way (MRT) trip to the far east – you’ll find more than chalets and droves of army boys. Hit up Pasir Ris and Changi for a walk through nature as you explore the mangroves or chug down refreshing brews by the seaside. We round up where to hang out and what to do while you're in these two quaint neighbourhoods.
More than just the neighbourhood with Singapore's first IKEA, Queenstown is also home to plenty of cheap and good eats, outlet malls for a good bargain and more.
Get acquainted: Tampines – named for the large number of ‘tampinis’, or ironwood, trees that used to be in the neighbourhood – is the largest residential area in Singapore. The colourful HDB blocks and smart design of the district earned Tampines the United Nations World Habitat Award for Excellence in Housing Design in 1992. Make a deal: Just outside the MRT exit, bargains abound in 513 Tampines Central 1. Get cheap clothes at CK Discount, then wander around the building clockwise until you hear the carnival soundtrack and come to stall No 152 – Three Stars Buy 1 Free 1. Just like the name says, when you buy one of the household goods on sale, you get one free. Along the way, keep your eyes open for discount underwear and a jewellery pawn shop. Eat: On the third floor of the Tampines Mall (4 Tampines Central 5, and ground zero for mainstream shopping in this area), peek in the window of Din Tai Fung and watch dim sum masters rolling out dough and turning it into divine dumplings… okay, enough watching. Time to grab a seat and eat! For what could possibly be Singapore’s best dining bargain (a major claim), head to block 823A on Tampines Street 81 and find stall No 820 in the Food Park for a plate of $1.30 chicken rice. Get fit: After all that chicken rice (at those prices, you know you’ll get seconds), you’ll need a workout. The Tampines Sports Hall (495 Tampines Ave 5 S) offers 19 badminton and table tennis courts where you can play with your birdies and balls. If that doesn
