What a ridiculously exciting month March is looking set to be—a couple of huge festivals are returning this month, bringing with them all the shebang from last year combined with a few new tricks, the Gatsby-esque bar in that Gotham City building is finally opening, there’s another edition of the Human Library, music greats like The Temper Trap and Coldplay are finally here… and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
NEW BAR
Atlas, the fancy Gatsby-esque bar housed in the ground floor lobby of that Gotham City building in Bugis, is probably one of the grandest openings of the year. Complementing the razzle-dazzle of the space is the centerpiece three-storey high tower which holds one of the world’s most diverse and comprehensive collection of gin. Mar 1
HEALTH
This yoga and wine event is the closest thing you can get to drinking and exercising at the same time. This one-hour moon salutation sequence class will be led by Kathy Gabriels from Urban Yogis, with a wine-tasting session hosted by Shalom Chin, who’s been in the industry for 13 years. Mar 2
For more yoga-related events, check out our round-up for this month here.
CONCERT
After four years, Explosions In The Sky is back in Singapore to promote their latest album, The Wilderness, at The Coliseum. But before they hit the stage, psychedelic rock band, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (their last performance was at Laneway 2014) will be opening the show. Mar 3
FESTIVAL
Sustainable light installation fest i Light Marina Bay is back to light up the waterfront and our Instagram feeds for the fifth year in a row with massive, dazzling displays by design studios from around the region and the world. And that’s not all, the festival is also known for its festival village, market, food options and other fun activities. Mar 3-5, 9-12
FESTIVAL
Returning for its fourth edition is the annual Singapore Design Week (SDW). This year, there’s over 120 headlining and fringe activities, including anchor events like the new-format SingaPlural and the International Furniture Fair. Mar 3-12
PARTY
Purveyors of all things street culture, head over Milian to bask in the melting pot of sneakers, music and fashion at Superfly: The Prequel. There’ll be a street market with prominent exhibitors like Sole Superior, Jason Markk, and many more, as well as music performances by local rapper THELIONCITYBOY, AOS Collective and others. Mar 4
MARKET
Have a nice afternoon at the eighth edition of Open Farm Community’s Social Market and check out the vendors and farmers selling a plethora of festive nuggets like coconut shakes from Soi Coco, organic homemade granola from SPGranola and more. Mar 4-5
EXHIBITION
Marvel’s AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N. exhibition is on display at the Science Centre. Pretend you’re a recruit at The Avengers headquarters and go on a behind-the-scenes journey into the lives of Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Black Widow and Ant-Man. Through Mar 5
TALK
The second edition of the Human Library returns to The Red Box, this time with a catalog of human “books” that include former sex workers, a funeral home director, a stay-home dad and more. Mar 5
EXHIBITION
Prolific Burmese artist Htein Lin dives into his past as a political prisoner who was put behind bars for his pro-democracy beliefs at his exhibition, Recovering the Past. Through Mar 5
CONCERT
French surf-rock and pop band La Femme will be in town to showcase their unique sound which is highly influenced from ‘80s synth wave and nuvo-surf, and ‘60s pop and glam rock. Touted as “the future of French rock”, the band consists of five guys and fronted by one girl (lead vocalist). Mar 7
THEATER
Making its premiere in Singapore thanks to the Singapore Repertory Theatre, Constellations, sold out on Broadway and in the West End, focuses on Marianne and Roland, a brilliant physicist and a beekeeper as they try to fall in love (and out) with each other despite the difference in social statuses. Mar 8-25
Find out more about other local theater productions here.
CONCERT
The Temper Trap is probably one of Australia’s best indie music exports. They’re certainly no strangers to Singapore, having performed here a couple of times since their debut here at the 2011 edition of Laneway. Now they’re back with a third studio album in tow for a headlining show as part of the Southeast Asia leg of their tour. Mar 10
PARTY
The Peranakan Museum is closing off the street they’re on for their second annual Armenian Street Party. Details are still in the works at the moment, but if last year’s colorful spectacle is anything to by, you can expect a celebration of the Peranakan culture, with a program line-up of drama productions, musical performances, dance sequences, literary events, drinks and Peranakan food fare. Mar 10-11
For more exciting street parties happening this month, click here.
PARTY
Longtime feminist non-profit AWARE is throwing a community block party in honor of International Women’s Day. Instead of crazy booze and all-day DJs, there’s a pre-loved clothing swap, cupcakes and brownies to eat and handmade jewelry for sale. Mar 11
MARKET
Running concurrently with Singapore Design Week, the always-anticipated Boutiques is back, with a big Spring/Summer throwdown. There will be over 150 labels, covering womenswear, menswear, homeware and furniture. And we are told that an impressive 80 percent of them have socially responsible production practices. Mar 10-11
FILM
Good old Alliance Francaise is at it again to bring you a huge celebration of all things French over the course of 13 days. Some of the highlights of the Francophonie Festival include a film screening of very French films like “It’s Only the End of the World”, a live gig by French surf-rock and pop band La Femme, and a bunch of talks and exhibitions. Mar 11-23
THEATER
Pangdemonium is restaging The Pillowman since the last successful run in 2007, directed by Tracie Pang once again. The story follows a writer who is arrested by two detectives and questioned for the stories he has written which bear a strong resemblance to the murder cases happening around town. Through Mar 12
FESTIVAL
Nothing beats a good laugh, so have yourself four days worth at the fourth edition of Magners Singapore International Comedy Festival, which will take place at Clarke Quay. This year’s line-up include 16 comedians including Aiden Killians, Martin Mor, Matthew Giffen and more. Mar 16-19
DRINK
After two successful editions of Singapore Cocktail Week, the organizers have decided to turn it into a full-fledge festival. Highlights include the usual cocktail bar tours, exciting parties, workshops and masterclasses to participate in. What’s new this year is a massive festival village housed in a the former police station on Beach Road housing cocktail rooms, a food street and a live music stage. Mar 16-21
FESTIVAL
Singapore’s all-day electro picnic, Garden Beats Festival is now in its third edition with a solid line-up like house producers Tube & Berger, futuristic electro trio Autograf and Ghanaian musician Ava Sante, alongside beautiful social art installations and other fringe activities at the other zones. Mar 18
PARTY
Join in the sea of green at Circular Road for the street festival celebrating St Patrick’s Day, featuring Irish pub Molly Malone who’ll be serving food a traditional Irish potato pancake with sausages and bacon half pints of Guinness; and a couple of live performances from the likes of Gan Anim, Gerry Cox, Rock Rosettes, and others. Mar 18-19
EXHIBITION
More than 30 local and international artists and designers will be showcasing their work of objects made from dismantled existing toys at Kult’s new show, Choking Hazard: An Exhibition about Toys, which explores the controversial issues that’s linked to the world of toys like mass production, consumerism and gender. Through Mar 18
HEALTH
Asia’s largest night run, the OSIM Sundown Marathon is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month with a route that begins at the F1 Pit Building and a five-day, artsy night festival at the F1 Pit building leading up to the race, with lots of sports vendors, live music, exercise classes and more. Mar 21-25
CONCERT
Scottish musical duo Honeyblood will unleash their brand of lo-fi and garage rock come Mar 27. Now with two albums under their belt, Stina Marie Claire Tweeddale and Cat Myers promise a raucous night of anger, humor and melancholy, all in one concert. Mar 27
CONCERT
If you love being in the know about obscure bands, here’s one out of the Japanese port city of Kobe. The fin. (yes, the period is part of the band’s name) will be performing their style of synth-fuelled chillwave and dream-pop tunes at Millian this month. They’re currently signed to British indie music label Lost In The Manor and have have at numerous major and iconic Japanese festivals. Mar 30
CONCERT
Coldplay definitely caused a kerfuffle on the internet when tickets went on sale in Singapore. Due to an overwhelming response and with scalpers selling tickets at exorbitant prices, Coldplay announced a second date. All 100,000 tickets are all sold out, but you can still try your luck on Carousell or on the Facebook page. Mar 31-Apr 1
For more live gigs happening in Singapore, click here.
FESTIVAL
Only in its fourth year, SingJazz already has earned a reputation of placing a heady mix of international and local artists on its bill. The fourth edition sees sets by Grammy Award-winning Corinne Rae Bailey, Esperanza Spalding, Gilles Peterson and many more. What’s new this year is “The Late Show”, where the party goes on indoors till the wee hours of the morning. Mar 31-Apr 2
EXHIBITION
Calling all Harry Potter fans—if you’re in withdrawal after reading Cursed Child and Fantastic Beats, time to ooh and aah over some Harry Potter stamps, prop replicas, toys and other memorabilia from private collectors all around the world at the Singapore Philatelic Museum. Through Jun 25
