Up in Arms
How time flies. It seems like only yesterday when art enclave Gillman Barracks opened with a slew of impressive art exhibitions, DJ gigs and free flow drinks. And it really was just last week when we held our very own ArtWalk there with over 100 friends and family joining us for a fun-filled evening loaded with great art (our favorites were Keiichi Tanaami’s Birth and Death Bridge and Ai Weiwei’s Baby Formula). And it seems like even more is happening at the Barracks in September. To celebrate their first anniversary from Sep 6-28, the galleries will be open late on Friday nights (6-9pm) for the first time, there’ll be new exhibitions opening (on Sep 6 and 13) and numerous artist talks (like Sam Leach at Future Perfect) and guided tours, as well as special performances (Strangeweather Movement Group at FOST) throughout the month to keep things interesting. “We welcome all to join us in the September celebrations where we have lined up a month of exciting activities, and visitors can access and enjoy the best contemporary art in a single location,” says Dr. Eugene Tan, Programme Director (Lifestyle Programme Office) from the Singapore Economic Development Board, which is organizing the whole shebang. More details can be found at The Gilman Barracks website.
Home Brewed
We’ve seen it happen in eateries and cafés (looking at you, Chye Seng Huat Hardware), and now it seems the bar scene has finally caught up on the whole retro-local nostalgia thing. Newcomers to watch include The Tuckshop, which is outfitted in gray school desks and chairs and serves beer—from local brewery Archipelago, of course—with ice, kopitiam-style. Then there’s the brand new Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall which goes the whole hog in replicating that hawker center concept, only with cocktails rather than Tiger. Plus, unfussy watering hole Sauce has just relaunched with new drinks featuring flavors like calamansi and pandan—it all sounds a bit like spiked Yeo’s packet drinks, but they actually do work.
Beer Bug
Beer fans and partygoers will have one more reason to cheer in October with the Singapore premiere of Oktoberfest Asia from Oct 16-19. This four-day pop-up is set to rival all the Oktoberfest parties around town, featuring themed “bars”, plenty of German cuisine, live music, stand-up comedy shows and even a secret party thrown in for good measure. All this taking place at Keppel Island Plaza, Marina at Keppel Bay, 2 Keppel Bay Vista so that you can enjoy the scenic view while you down those beers. $75-85 from Sistic. Log onto www.oktoberfestasia.com for more details. Even better, Clarke Quay’s own Oktoberfest celebration takes place from Oct 11-12—so you don’t have to choose between them!
