In case you haven’t noticed, summer is officially here. Yes, we’re in tropical Singapore, but it’s been even more scorching than usual. That said, don’t be a wuss and let the heat deter you from going outside. There are heaps of exciting events happening in the next few weeks, with everything from open air concerts and nature walks, to bikeathons and movie screenings, as well as beach parties and booze fests, so go check them out now.
1. Hit up them beach parties
One of summer’s greatest highlights is the beach, and more accurately, the skimpily-
clad bikini babes and buff bods on display. You’ll find those in abundance at Tanjong Beach Club’s debauched Full Steam Ahead – Summer Showdown bash on June 2, from 4pm, complete with a thinly veiled excuse to celebrate the full moon and spunky electro dance, house and trance mashups by The Steam Team.
Have a model fetish? Then Azzura’s weekly Models Beach Party might be right up your alley. Resident DJs Haan, Amara and Gaijin keep it pumping with R&B grooves from 6pm every Sunday.
Check out other Great Outdoor Bars in Singapore.
2. Check out Singapore’s only Farmers’ Market
If you’ve yet to make a trip down, we suggest you get on that pronto. A farmers’ market blooms on the first and third Saturday of every month at The Pantry in Loewen Gardens, offering up a range of fresh, organic produce, gourmet meats, cheese and wine, and even home baked goodies to indulge your epicurean tendencies. The next one rolls around on June 2 from 8:30am-2pm. Make a stop here for supplies to fill up your picnic basket with!
Don’t know what to get? Check out our list of Things to Buy for the the Perfect Picnic.
3. Take part in a shootout
Sharpen your photography skills and learn new techniques with Baobab Photography’s three-hour Marina Bay Sunset Shootout course. Meet like-minded photo enthusiasts, get guidance from an expert as you walk and snap shots of the Esplanade, Merlion and Marina Bay Sands. The course is held on June 14, 6pm and costs a cool 100 bucks. Don’t forget to bring your DSLR.
4. Run for a good cause
Do something good for yourself and the community with these two running events as money raised goes to charity. Stretch your legs out at Jurong Lake Run, featuring a scenic route of lush greenery with highlights such as Jurong Lake Park, as well as cultural landmarks including Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden on July 8 at 7:30am. Take it easy with a 3km run or push yourself with a more full-on 6km or 10km race. There are even cash prizes to be won.
If you’re after something a little more challenging (and want a little more time to prep), give Race against Cancer a go. There are competitive 10km or 15km runs, as well as a non-competitive 5km Fun Run. Race starts at 7am on July 22 at Angsana Green in East Coast Park.
5. Paddle in the Dragon Boat Festival
Don’t just be witness to the fervent rowing and loud drumming, be part of the excitement as you race down Bedok Reservoir towards the finish line. Plus, you’ll earn yourself some crazy guns in the training process. The races are from June 30 to July 1, visit the Singapore Dragon Boat Association website to register.
6. Experience Ballet Under The Stars
The annual outdoor ballet event by Singapore Dance Theatre, Ballet Under the Stars (or BUTS as it’s affectionately known to fans), is back again. It takes place at Fort Canning Park this year from July 20-22, showcasing classical and contemporary ballet performances including the world premiere of Organ Concerto by Nils Christe. Great date idea, if we ever saw one. Doors open at 5pm for picnic-goers (check out our perfect picnic kit), with performances starting at 7:30pm.
7. Rock out at Baybeats
Back for its 10th installment, Baybeats is a showcase of over 30 local and regional bands from Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong. This year’s line-up will see local talent like rock act Cashew Chemists and alternative folk band Pep Talk, joined by Korean ska band Copy Machine and Malaysia’s Love Me Butch. Baybeats takes place at several venues at the Esplanade from June 29 through July 1.
8. Celebrate classical music
Make a date with Tünde Krasznai, an internationally-acclaimed Hungarian pianist, who will be performing Chopin at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage in the Botanic Gardens on June 2, from 6:30pm. For more info, visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens website.
Just a week after is Opera in the Park, a result of the combined efforts of The Singapore Lyric Opera’s orchestra, opera chorus, youth choir and children’s choir. Enjoy some picnicking under the stars while taking in pieces like ‘The Barber of Seville’ by Rossini, as well as other pieces by greats including Mozart, Dvorak, and Puccini. The opera starts at 6pm on June 9, also at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage. For more info, visit the Singapore Opera website.
9. Camp out at St. Johns Island
Take an overnight trip to St. Johns Island, just off the southern coast of Singapore, on June 9-10. Organized by Nature Society Singapore and Singapore’s Adventurer’s Club, the excursion features an educational nature and tidal walk. We say, bring your friends, lots of beer and have a barbeque to make full use of this quick getaway from the city. Visit the Nature Society Singapore website for more info.
10. Dance the Zumba
For those who’ve yet to give Zumba a go, 180 FitStyle @ The Singapore Flyer – Sky Deck is the ideal excuse. Go ahead and try a new fitness routine as LifeSparks hosts a mass Zumba Fitness Dance Workout on June 22, from 6:30-9:30pm. It’s being held right underneath the Singapore Flyer, so you’ll get to watch the sunset as Australian Instructor Cassie Blazer leads you through the steps. Email Lifesparks for more info.
11. Do the Green Trail
Want to really immerse yourself in nature? Then be sure to check out NDP’s LovingSG Green Trail that launches come July. It’s like a treasure hunt with 10 checkpoints (you stand a chance to win some cool prizes if you finish it within two weeks). Check out the NDP website for more info.
12. Speed down the Paya Lebar Airbase
Before you’re tempted to dismiss the National Runway Cycling and Skating event as just another one of those crazy fitness things, take note that this annual event’s on June 17 is the only day of the year that the usually out-of-bounds Paya Lebar Airbase is opened and cleared just to make way for racing enthusiasts to compete in a 45km bicycle route or a 30km skating contest. Event starts at 8am.
13. Get boozed up at Beerfest
Whether you’re a serious brew guzzler or a light beer-drinker, the sheer
variety of offerings at this roaring four-day outdoor affair are sure to impress. They’ve added over 50 new tipples to the already illustrious list including local Jungle Beer’s American IPA and Schneider Weisse Aventinus Eisbock from Germany, bringing the grand total to a whopping 350 labels. Go with a group of friends and have a great time scarfing down beers, while tribute bands like Hell’s Belles and Blues Brothers provide the live entertainment. Prep starts now as the festival runs from June 7-10 at the Marina Promenade. Log on to the official Beerfest Asia website for more info.
14. Catch the opening of Gardens by the Bay
Certainly one of the most anticipated events of 2012. The inauguration of the Bay South Garden kicks off with a Jason Mraz concert on June 29, followed by a performance by Corrine May on June 30. The Supertree Light and Sound Show happens twice nightly from July 2. The festivities begin on June 29 and run through July 8 at Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive.
15. Watch a film screening
National Geographic fans take note. View some of the most amazing scenes of life beneath the waves through the Californian kelp forests, Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and Roca Partida Island off the coast of Mexico as WWF screens OCEANWORLD on June 9, 7:30pm at Dalbergia Green in East Coast Park. See the WWF website or details.
If your tastes veer towards more mainstream stuff like X-Men First Class and Transformers, then MovieMob’s a good option. The crew sets up secret fortnightly film screenings flashmob style with drive-in and non-drive-in nights, you even get to vote for what you’d like to see on their site and register to be notified a week in advance.
