The best things to do in Singapore this week (Apr 29-May 5)

Frida Kahlo, the world-renowned Mexican painter, needs no introduction. Regarded as one of the most influential female artists of the 20th century, she is celebrated for her self-portraits that delve into themes of identity and the human body.

There will be three different segments with nine spaces filled with 360-degree projections, interactive installations, photographs, and films. You’ll be able to trace her artistic journey, starting from her early years as a young girl. The show will also touch on her medical journey – one that isn’t widely discussed about. There’ll also be virtual reality experiences for you to truly step into her shoes and see the world from her point of view.

Stay tuned for the exact dates, and join the waitlist for ticket sales here.

Gear up for this year's HSBC SVNS, a highly anticipated rugby sevens tournament that's hosted in cities all around the world. This May 3 to 5, all eyes are on Singapore as our National Stadium transforms into an all-in-one sports and lifestyle festival. It's more than a sporty day out at this three-day festival, but rather, a memorable experience for all. 

On top of world-class rugby, there will also be live music and an all-day beach club. You'll also want to tuck into tasty street food at the deli-style food market and amp yourself up with high-energy live DJ sets. Tickets start from $45 for one-day admission, with two-day and weekend passes also available.

Purchase your tickets here.

Enjoy the satisfaction of whipping up your own cakes at BELLS Baking Club, a sleek baking studio at Suntec City. Other than one-on-one sessions with professional chefs and masterclasses by culinary experts, the studio also offers free-and-easy ‘Bake-With-Tablet’ sessions, where you choose your preferred confection from their catalogue and follow step-by-step recipe instructions on a smart tablet – with pro chefs on standby should you need assistance along the way. Time Out readers can use the code ‘OPENING50’ from now till June 30, 2024 to get a $50 discount on baking sessions for selected cakes.

Experience the magic of the Northern Lights at Gardens by the Bay's Supertree Grove. From May 4 onwards, a spellbinding outdoor installation called Borealis will light up the Supertrees in a display reminiscent of the polar lights you'd normally have to travel to Iceland, Sweden, or other far-flung regions to witness. It's the work of Switzerland-based artist Dan Acher, who has ingeniously layered light beams and cloud particles to create a mesmerising dance of light and colour. Coupled with an atmospheric score by French composer Guillaume Desbois, Borealis promises to be an out-of-this-world experience. Admission is free – find out more here.

Reward yourself for getting through the week with the flavour-packed Meat and Foie Gras Fest buffet at Ellenborough Market Café, available for a limited period of time from May 1 to June 30, 2024. The restaurant at Paradox Singapore Merchant Court will be serving up a meaty feast, along with decadent foie gras-infused items including mushroom velouté, crispy beancurd with minced beef sauce, and even crème brûlée. That aside, tuck into dishes from a range of cuisines such as Peranakan and more, along with seafood on ice and chicken shawarma hot off a live carving station. Enjoy this spread from Fridays to Sundays, from 6.30pm to 10pm – priced at $98 for adults and $42 for children. Find out more here.

Those who love tulips will be pleased to know that Gardens by the Bay’s Tulipmania will be returning to the Flower Dome this year. In honour of its 10th edition, the floral display pays homage to its inaugural showcase in 2013. The tulips will once again be planted in rows of singular colour, much like the iconic tulip farms in the Netherlands. Adding to the charm, the display will feature a blend of traditional Dutch landscapes with modern elements, including windmills and watermills, alongside innovative features highlighting urban farming and clean energy initiatives.

Find out more about Tulipmania here.

Singapore maybe be tiny, but we pack lots in terms of culture and history. To get brilliant insight into that, join the many workshops, tours, trails, and exhibitions lined up for Singapore HeritageFest. This year's theme focuses on 'reliving the stories that connect us', bringing you into the untold stories of our city's oldest buildings and landmarks. Get your steps in on walking tours of iconic landmarks in Singapore's downtown district or 'abandoned' buildings like 37 Emerald Hill. You can also hop on a bus tour through cultural neighbourhoods, or explore the Peranakan shophouses and traditional businesses in Joo Chiat. There's more, including access to restricted areas of the former Supreme Court, exploration tours of historical venues, and exhibitions dedicated to our national monuments and conserved buildings. Check out the full list of programmes here.

Jazzing jazz up is the first edition of What The Jazz festival, a fusion of two artistic realms – jazz and dance – bringing to us a vibrant 5-day celebration with captivating performances by international guest musicians, immersive music and dance workshops, enlightening masterclasses, and an electrifying swing dance party. Among the stellar lineup for this inaugural event are renowned musicians such as Lucy Wijnands from the USA, Sinclair Ang, and Amanda Lee from Singapore. Additionally, participants can partake in a dance and music workshop hosted by Jazz Inc, explore masterclasses at the Jazz Loft, and much more.

Sign up for the various programmes here.

LIV Golf Singapore tees off this weekend with three days of world-class golf action, live performances from global stars, and family-friendly fun. For golf fans, the main action will happen at the Sentosa Golf Club, where 48 of the world's best players (such as Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, and Phil Mickelson) will duke it out in the individual and team formats. Complementing the action on the green are the festivities at the Fan Village, which offers a mix of balloon sculpting, face painting, roving performances by contortionists, mime artists, magicians, and more. 

What's more, you can dance your heart out to Grammy Award-winning and Billboard chart-topping artists The Chainsmokers  on April 29 before partying to a set by renowned Brazilian DJ Alok on May 5. Get your tickets for LIV Golf Singapore here.  

Erm duh, count us in! American rock band All Time Low will perform in Singapore at Fort Canning Park on May 5, 2024. This is part of their All Time Low Forever tour. Originating from Maryland, the band burst onto the music scene in 2003, quickly establishing themselves as pop-punk and alternative rock stalwarts. The quartet – Alex Gaskarth, Jack Barakat, Zack Merrick, and Rian Dawson – has garnered widespread recognition, earning accolades such as MTV Awards, Kerrang! Awards, and a dedicated fanbase worldwide. 

With a string of chart-topping albums, including mega hits like Dear Maria, Count Me In and Weightless, All Time Low has not only shaped the modern pop-punk landscape but also amassed a collection of achievements and awards that underscore their enduring impact on the music industry. 

Get acquainted with French arts and culture right here in Asia at the vOilah! France Singapore Festival. This year’s edition undertakes the theme ‘Celebrating Passions’, and is supported by more than 50 local and international partners. Highlights include the readapted Molière play, Tartuffe: The Imposter, staged by Wild Rice, and a tribute to 1940s French musical icon Edith Piaf, aptly titled Piaf!. Fans of The Little Prince by French author Antoine de Saint Exupéry are sure to enjoy Saint Exupéry: A Legacy, an exhibition which retraces his journey with original artefacts, screenings, readings, and conferences.

Escape with a luxe beach cinema experience at Hendrick’s Sunset Cinema. From April 25 to May 12, the open-air cinema pop-up at Tanjong Beach, Sentosa, will screen award-winning films. Once the gates open at 5.30pm, guests can walk in early to enjoy cocktails with a sunset view and soak in the atmosphere, as the resident DJ spins their magic. As the night unfolds, settle into your deck chairs to catch the movie screening at 7.45pm. Each ticket priced at $44.80 comes with a cocktail upon entry – book your seats here before they sell out.

Celebrate Lau Pa Sat’s 130th anniversary and admire the new 10-metre mural by local mural artist and painter Yip Yew Chong. The striking mural is located at the external wall of Lau Pa Sat, and you’ll notice a seamless transition between the hawker’s founding days as the famous Telok Ayer Market that opened in 1824, to what it is today as one of the busiest lunchtime destinations in the area. Don’t miss this chance to view Yip Yew Chong’s masterpiece, possibly his last in a long time. While you’re there, swing by Lau Pa Sat’s retail store, Food Folks, to get your hands on illustrator Ah Guo’s new merchandise depicting the beloved hawker centre’s rich history.

You’ve heard the songs, you’ve seen a recording of the show on Disney+, and now the famous Broadway musical, Hamilton, is finally coming to Singapore. The musical is inspired by the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and examines themes of ambition, human relationships, and political power. Hamilton made its Broadway debut in 2015, and was awarded with 11 accolades, including the prestigious Best Musical award at the 70th Annual Tony Awards.

It’s time to zoom in and tickle your mind at Japanese artist Tatsuya Tanaka’s first ever exhibition in Singapore, small Muji exhibition – Enjoying Everyday Items, held at Muji’s flagship store in Plaza Singapura. For those that aren’t familiar with the artist, Tanaka-san is best known for his playful miniature works where he toys with everyday objects to create tiny elaborate everyday life scenes. 

In the artist’s works, an everyday vegetable such as broccoli can be creatively reimagined to become a tree, and an orange becomes a miniature sun. Keep this concept in mind as you check out his works where he'll ingeniously use Muji items to breathe life into familiar scenes, providing a unique take on the brand's classics. It’s honestly hard not to let out a chuckle when encountering his works. There will be 19 miniature works displayed in total, where some of the creations will take inspiration from Singapore’s landmarks. 

Celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of Europe at the annual European Film Festival. This year’s edition features 24 films from 24 countries, offering a variety of perspectives and insights into histories that are representative of Europe’s shared cultural heritage. Opening the festival is Here, directed by Belgian filmmaker Bas Devos, a film about the deep human desire for connection in a world of transience and movement. Other highlights include 125 Years Memory from Turkey, which won Best Art Direction at the 39th Japan Academy Film Prize, and Norway’s Dancing Queen, a coming-of-age film delving into themes of romance and girlhood.

Check out the full list of films and purchase tickets here. 

In the outdoor area of ION Orchard, a fresh gardenscape has emerged, not with typical flowers and plants, but with illuminated floral inflatables crafted by Australian artist Amanda Parer. Titled ‘Lost’, this showcase features botanicals that are either extinct or endangered species from around the world. Come up close to the expansive inflatables and immerse yourself in the surreal ambience while reflecting on humanity’s impact on the natural world.

The popular chain coffee shop’s latest outlet at Gardens by the Bay boasts an Enchanted Forest theme, with a refreshing sprig of colour from floral decor. Mirroring the landscape that it’s surrounded by, the coffee house is decorated with leafy tropical plants and moss along with preserved flowers in vibrant hues of the rainbow – all expertly put together by Gardens by the Bay’s horticulturists. This particular Starbucks also features a 100 square-metre pet-friendly alfresco area, so you can have a drink after a walk in the park with your furry pal.

From April 12 to May 31, 2024, A Trail to Chase will feature 29 multidisciplinary functional art – think everyday furnitures with a twist – created by renowned artists like Fernando Mastrangelo, Charlotte Kingsnorth, and Vincent Pocsik. Visitors are invited to go on an introspective journey to uncover narratives and contemplate the interconnectedness of our world through extraordinary creations. As you traverse the gallery space, explore the beauty of shifted perspectives, where nature's allure meets modern innovation, while tracing the invisible routes of art's journey, uncovering stories of cultural heritage and art.

KK Market is back with the Seoulful Spring Market, where you can shop across a variety of Korean brands in fashion, beauty, and art. With the market featuring over 25 brands, you can expect to see unique creations from independent creators such as intricately designed jewellery by Mzuu and dainty tableware by Ela Dining. No market would be complete without food, so be sure to come hungry to enjoy a wide array of Korean food like kimbap, tteokkbokki, and rice cakes.

Find out more about Seoulful Spring Market here.

The Asian Civilizations Museum and the Peranakan Museum have joined hands to present Fukusa: Japanese Gift Covers from the Chris Hall Collection, an exhibition that features fukusa, which are beautifully embroidered luxurious Japanese silk gift covers. You can also find kimonos and other related textiles from renowned collector Chris Hall, who holds one of the most valuable collections of Asian textiles in the world. Uncovered varied ways of life that completely differ from ours, a variety of auspicious symbolic motifs such as lobsters and cranes, and how the politics of dress influenced fukusa design in the late Edo period. Don’t forget to stop by the interactive station where you’ll be able to virtually design your very own fukusa.

Discover the artistry of Leo Hee Tong, a renowned Singaporean painter, through NAFA’s upcoming exhibition Memories of Time: Leo Hee Tong 时光印迹： 梁其栋. Featuring around 50 paintings spanning his early and recent career, the showcase will take place at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Galleries from April 16 to 28, 2024. 

Explore Leo's life, memories, and imagination through his artwork, offering a glimpse into his journey as an artist. This exhibition marks Leo's sixth solo show in the last decade and holds significance as his first at his alma mater. Leo's artistic roots trace back to his time at NAFA, where he studied under the mentorship of Cheong Soo Pieng, a pioneer artist. Later, Leo expanded his artistic horizons at Ashiya Art College in Japan, where he encountered diverse artistic influences.

Explore the creations of Yanyun Chen, Hong Zhu An, and Prabhavathi Meppayil, produced during their artists’ residency as they venture beyond their typical practices to experiment with various print and paper mediums. At STPI’s Creative Workshop, these artists engaged with unfamiliar materials, techniques, and collaborators. The exhibition showcases the outcomes of their projects, highlighting the artistic breakthroughs that occur during the enriching period of an STPI residency.

If you’ve seen the widely-discussed artwork featuring a banana taped to a wall that sold for over a hundred thousand dollars, then you would know that there are no boundaries in modern art. This inevitably leads us to the pressing question: What exactly is art? With this question in mind, take a trip to the National Gallery’s latest show, Figuring A Scene.

The exhibition is divided into six segments: ‘Shadow’, 'Fruit’, ‘Fire’, ‘Air’, ‘Wax’ and ‘City’. These different points of focus hope to further aid our understanding of the displayed works beyond its historical or societal contexts. 

For example, in the segment ‘Fruit’, the show examines the diverse portrayals of the King of Fruits, Durian, throughout several mediums of art – from sculptures to paintings and photographs. With each medium offering its own unique point of view, visitors can reflect on its status during colonial times and uncover how this fruit has evolved into an iconic symbol of Singapore's national identity.

For more information, visit their website here.
Download the e-catalogue here.

Step into the Himalayas at Cloud Forest’s latest floral display, Azaleas of Shangri-la. Inspired by the utopia, Shangri-La, from the fantasy novel Lost Horizon, the floral display features over 15 varieties of azaleas in pink, red, yellow, orange, and cream, accompanied by stunning replicas of Himalayan architecture and artefacts. Additionally, explore a collection of traditional medicinal herbs and indigenous flora native to the Himalayas, including cordyceps, saffron, and rhododendrons, for a truly enchanting experience.

Find out more about Azaleas of Shangri-La here.

Explore a curated selection of 30 paintings by artist Cheong Soo Pieng, completed from the 1950s to the 1980s. Visitors can venture through the space segmented into three sections that will answer the following questions: “What makes a painting?”, “When is a painting complete?”, and “What is painting?”.

This exhibition is a special one as it is the first in Southeast Asia to utilise material analysis such as x-ray scans and infrared photography to unveil fresh insights into Cheong’s artistic processes. Visitors will be able to dive into Cheong Soo Pieng’s art journey and learn more about the ins and outs of his practice such as materials used, art approaches, and untold stories and ideas.

Film fanatics, don’t miss out on ArtScience Museum’s upcoming exhibition Goddess: Brave. Bold. Beautiful. Curated by ACMI (Australia’s National Museum of Screen Culture), Goddess will uncover 120 years of moving image history featuring stories, costumes, sketches, interactive experiences, as well as the pillars behind these wonderful masterpieces. Indulge in a special collection of over 150 costumes, artefacts, and objects, curated to depict captivating visual stories of women in film. Dive into never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, archival materials, projections, and authentic costumes to reveal the untold stories of these stars.

In celebration of beloved anime series Naruto’s 20th anniversary, Naruto: The Gallery will be making its global debut at Universal Studios Singapore. Expect to see a miniature recreation of Konohagakure, as well as exclusive video works of iconic scenes from Naruto. Official merchandise will be sold alongside the exhibition, and you can try dishes like Naruto’s favourite Ichiraku ramen at the special pop-up Naruto: The Gallery Café located at KT’s Grill.

Looking back on your secondary school days as an adult can be jarring, with questions like “Why did I do that?”, and “Why were we put through such stressful times?” popping up in your head. Checkpoint Theatre’s upcoming production, Secondary: The Musical, is an exploration of secondary school life through the eyes of Lillin, a young teacher, and three of her students, Ming, Omar and Reyansh.

Directed by Huzir Sulaiman, Secondary delves into the nitty gritty of Singapore’s education system and societal values, as well as the ups and downs of being a teenager struggling to juggle various challenges presented both at home and in school. With a score written and composed by weish, Secondary promises to be an uplifting and emotional experience like no other.

Every day, we stroll through familiar streets without grasping the profound history they conceal. Join Oh! Open House for a curated art walk through the Kampong Gelam neighbourhood. Get your steps in as you uncover the history of this lively district. 

The guided tour will not only lead you through historical landmarks but also introduce you to local businesses, hidden gems, and 11 distinct art installations exclusive to the area. Beyond delving into the past, you'll gain insights into the present-day communities and individuals shaping the character of this vibrant neighbourhood.

Book your slot here.