The best things to do in Singapore this week (Apr 16-22)
The biggest and best things to do in Singapore this week
Looking for things to do? Read on for our guide to the week's best events and recommended things to do. If you manage to tick off all on this list, head back to our home page for daily updates on the best restaurants, events and whatever else Singapore has to offer before our next hotlist is published on Monday.
Tulipmania
Tulipmania returns to Gardens by the Bay, this time featuring more than 90,000 tulips from over 40 varieties. The exhibition takes on a whimsical spin with the flowers set in a town filled with 'giants'. So walk among the massive creatures and admire the colourful and bright flora, including the Yellow Flight and Irene Parrot.
Dapunta Hyang: Transmission of Knowledge
What do you know about the Orang Laut (sea people) or Mak Yong (traditional Malay dance)? Artist Zai Kuning explores the almost forgotten history and culture of the Malays by reimagining the ancient maritime kingdom of Srivijaya – the result of Kuning’s two decades of research.
Jean-Pierre Roc Roussey: Realm of Imagination
Known for presenting sculptures and masterpieces by acclaimed modern artists such as Manolo Valdés and André Brasilier, the Opera Gallery at Orchard now presents the work of French extraordinaire Jean- Pierre Roc-Roussey. Feast your eyes on the French marvel's grand paintings that depict women and warriors, all inspired by Baroque art.
Singapore Heritage Festival
Ever wondered what lies beneath the distinctive façades of some of Singapore’s most vibrant cultural precincts? This year’s Singapore Heritage Festival allows you to do just that. The thoughtfully curated programme lineup includes various guided tours, film screenings, and multi-sensorial exhibitions that guarantee to inspire you with nostalgia. Choose to journey through the hidden areas of the Bukit Pasoh District or catch a film at a drive-in cinema strongly reminiscent of Jurong in the 70s.
Thick Beats for Good Girls
What does it mean to be a good girl? This brand-new production collaboration between Singaporean performance-poet Pooja Nansi and Australian playwright Jessica Bellamy questions – both of whom are performing – asks a ton of questions about the balancing act being a woman, an ethnic or religious minority and a hip-hop enthusiast. Presented by Checkpoint Theatre, this play is fresh, funny, thoughtful and promises an awesome soundtrack.
Angkor: Exploring Cambodia’s Sacred City. Masterpieces of the Musee national des arts asiatiques-Guimet
Travel back in time to the Khmer Empire to discover over 140 rare and beautiful Khmer masterpieces including sculptures, watercolours and drawings, as well as French archaeological etchings and photographs from the late 19th century. Expect a slew of Cambodian-themed activities paired alongside the exhibition, including performing arts showcase, talks and workshops. The exhibition is also part of the Voilah! French Festival Singapore 2018.
Voilah! French Festival Singapore
The annual French festival returns for its fourth edition, featuring the best of French culture, creativity and innovation. Events take place all over Singapore: there's going to be film screening events, art exhibitions, music performances and more. Keep up-to-date with the festival's entire programme on its website.
Flea Party
In line with their aim of cultivating passion and appreciation for the arts across all demographics, rest assured that NAFA's series of specially curated festival markets has something for everyone. Check out Flea Party – the biggest daily flea market in Orchard – to snag some good deals. Looking for some extra cash? Rent a booth so you can put your pre-loved clothes up for sale.
Esplanade's The Studios
What does it mean to live and die, and how do you make the days from now until then count? That’s what the 15th edition of the Esplanade’s The Studios, themed Between Living and Dying, aims to explore. Catch five works by independent Singaporean playwrights including A Good Death by Faith Ng, How Did the Cat Get So Fat? by Zizi Azah and Leda and The Rage by Edith Podesta.
The Ground: From the Land to the Sea
Sound artist Tarek Atoui presents his first solo show in Southeast Asia at the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art. The Ground debuts Atoui’s collection of recordings of underwater environments, human and industrial activities and the sounds of Singapore’s harbour.
Challenging Beauty: Insights into Italian Contemporary Art
Dive into the fascinating world of Italian contemporary art at The Parkview Museum's latest offering. Presenting artworks from the 60s to today, the exhibition showcases pieces from influential Italian artists – Aldo Mondino, Mario Schifano and Roberto Barni among others – and charts the development of artistic movements that sprouted on the scene.
National Geographic’s Ocean Wonders
Dive into the world of sharks and other wonderful marine creatures at the National Geographic’s first ever Ocean Record Breakers exhibition. Meet the sand tiger shark – the aquarium’s newest resident known for its rows of ragged teeth and vicious appearance – and learn how to capture stunning aquarium photos from the pros. Sign the little ones for a full-day workshop which features guided tours, exclusive documentary screenings and interactive activities in both the S.E.A Aquarium and the revamped Maritime Experiential Museum.
Art from the Streets
On display at Artscience Museum are more than 200 works from prominent streets artists from around the globe, including Banksy, Futura 2000 and Shepard Fairey. Featuring paintings, installations and video archives, the exhibition looks back at the history of graffiti and how its changed over the decades.
Madame Tussauds' Marvel 4D Experience
Avengers assemble! Be a part of the superhero squad at this immersive exhibition featuring life-sized wax figurines of Iron Man and Captain America, and a 4D experience of your favourites fighting villains on the streets of Singapore. Sounds like something we think every Marvel fan need to check out.
Symbols and Scripts: The Language of Craft
Discover more about the rich Indian heritage through this interactive exhibition. Presented by the Indian Heritage Centre, visitors get to learn more about the diverse Indian community in Singapore through various motifs, patterns and design. On display are textiles and crafts objects that have been preserved ‘till this day, which are typically still being used for modern festive celebrations and rituals.
Surviving the Japanese Occupation: War and its Legacies
To mark – not commemorate – the 75th anniversary of the fall of Singapore, there'll be an exhibition set in the Old Ford Factory, which was where the British surrendered to the Japanese forces on February 15, 1942. Spread across four zones, take in the diary entries, identity cards and war campaign documentary paintings on display, then reflect on the solemn beginnings of our nationhood.
Treasures of the Natural World
More than 200 rare artefacts from London's Natural History Museum are travelling across the seas to make its Southeast Asian debut at Singapore's Artscience Museum. Featuring a carefully curated selection, come see a display of artworks, gems and books from famed discoverers such as Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace. Go back to prehistoric times and marvel at specimens that have shaped today's science. You can even get up close with the Jadarite – a mineral found in Serbia that's said to resemble the likes of Superman's kryptonite (although sorry to burst your bubble but sadly, it doesn't glow in green).
Anime X Stamps
Anime addicts – there is a new anime-themed exhibition in town. To celebrate the 100 years of anime, the Singapore Philatelic Museum is introducing the Anime X Stamps exhibition. It features an impressive compilation of more than 700 stamps from 80 titles including some from Singapore and Japan. Snatch the chance to see limited edition collectibles, including rare original production sketches of Naruto. Spot your favourite anime characters from Pokémon, Studio Ghibili and Attack on Titan on unique stamps throughout the exhibition.
But mark these dates down: on November 19 and December 17, there'll be Animania Sunday. Hum along as local pianist Pianominion performs well-loved anime pieces, snap a photo with cosplayers (psst – a sailor moon character will be roaming around), play dress-up at the yukata booth or learn a new skill at the sushi-making demonstration. Ever wondered what you’ll look like in cartoon form? Find out at the live anime-style portraiture station.
Professor Crackitt's Light Fantastic: A Mirror Maze Experience
Can you help Professor Crackitt find his lost parrot, Wattnot? Take on the mission and make your way through the professor's laboratory, featuring a large mirror maze with plenty of twists and turns (so be careful not to bump into his things!). Learn more about the science behind lights, colours and reflection as you wander through the whimsical labyrinth and encounter the professor's crazy inventions. Take a peek into a giant kaleidoscope, create fun rainbow-coloured shadows and get the chance to 'shake hands' with your own reflection. Science can be pretty cool, huh?
typical sgporeans again. Lol.
what a bored. fun lively vibrant singa city ??
Nay. greener pastures is better than here. Gone with the wind Singa island.
Only koreans taiwanese china and other chinese continents visitors loved it here.
All in the stupid dumb love for all things chinese.
hahaha hahaha hahaha hahaha hahaha hahaha.