Thaipusam
During this Hindu festival, devotees walk 5km from one temple to another with their offerings to the gods in the form of “kavadis” (ornate structures carried on the shoulders with various religious decorations and piercings) and milk pots. Photo by Anhgemus Dinh
Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts
Timed to coincide with Chinese New Year, this is an annual showcase of traditional and contemporary Chinese arts, randing from music to theater to dance. Highlights include What Is Sex?, a Gatsby-esque take on Dream of the Red Chamber, and Nu Shu: The Secret Songs of Women, a symphony accompanied by 13 short films inspired […]
Squires & Scoundrels
A beer-centric bar and burger joint with a cheeky mugshot line-up feature wall in Duxton.
10 free events over the festive period
You've spent all your money on gifts and booze. Here's where to take your sorry self for some free fun.
New Year’s Eve @ Southbridge
The newest “it” rooftop bar has an equally pretty New Year’s party. Start the year right with lots of oysters, Champagne, fine spirits and cocktails five stories above the bustling Boat Quay. There are also party packages, too: for groups of up to four people, tables go for $400 with two bottles of Bauget-Jouette Champagne […]
50 Shades of Play
This alternative New Year’s Eve party sees a fabulous drag queen show featuring Becca D’Bus, Fanservia Le’Ronx Mona Kee, Noristar Narcisso and Layona Davenport with music from DJ ZackC. In true New Year’s fashion, there’s also a countdown show starting at 11:40pm.
Where the Heart Is
Singaporean artist Asha Bee Abraham explores the concept of home at this exhibition, working through her sense of disconnection from her homeland after having lived in Melbourne for 30 years.
New Year’s Eve House Party @ Potato Head Folk
This intimate New Year’s Eve party is undoubtedly where the cool kids will flock to. Pick a spot between Three Buns and Studio 1939 and sip on cocktails with music by DJ Rough. Reservations recommended. Walk-in tickets go for $50 with a cocktail, while $200 gets you two seats and a bottle of Champagne.
Mosaic
Youth theater group Take Off Productions’ entry for this year’s M1 Fringe festival follows a group of 20somethings as they return to one of those mosaic playgrounds ubiquitous in the ’80s. The ensuing drama is a romantic look at Generation Y growing pains.
Outer Limits with DJ Sid Presley
Punk rock promoter-turned-DJ Sid Presley (aka David Greenfield) helms the deck with his rare collection of Southeast Asian vinyls full of pop music from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The voracious collector also has all kinds of ’50s and ’60s music up his sleeve, including British Invasion beat, surf, instrumentals, groovy mod pop and R&B.