If you’re nonchalant about the going-ons surrounding National Day, you’ve come to the right place, sort of, because there’s just so much to do, like catching the limited restaging of Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress, checking out the cool features at the new Terminal 4, affordable fine dining bites at Epicurean Market and the return of the Middle East Film Festival.
Monday, Aug 7
OPEN HOUSE
Check out Changi’s new Terminal 4 and all its swanky, cutting-edge technologies and art works before everyone else this month at their two-week open house. Aug 7-20
FOOD
While there’s an undying love for Goodwood’s durian fiesta among Singaporeans, we’re also excited about the durian offerings at Marriott Cafe. This year, they’re running a durian-centric version of their highly popular local high tea buffet where you can try a slice of their durian strudel, durian swiss rolls and more. Through Aug 9
ART
Now that The O.P.E.N. is over, check out the 90 different talks, workshops, plays and other boundary-pushing performances at this year’s Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA). Through Sep 9
EXHIBITION
Robots have invaded the ArtScience Museum and everyone’s invited to take a peek at what the future of cybernetics, artificial intelligence and genetic modification might look like at the HUMAN+: The Future of Our Species exhibition. Come with an open mind as you interact with life-like humanoids and find out how robots are already living among us. Through Oct 15
Tuesday, Aug 8
COMEDY
Catch everyone’s favorite drag queen comedian Kumar as he dishes out his usual antics, politically incorrect rants and Singapore issues-based jokes at SandBank. Aug 8
PARTY
Our favorite carpark rooftop bar located behind The Projector is celebrating National Day with some funky disco beats from DJs Ramesh, Kenneth Francis and Anand N. Aug 8
PARTY
Big time local DJ, music producer and director of 1880 Aldrin brings his prodigious long-standing “ONE” series to Kilo Lounge, banging out some genre-bending, all-encompassing deep and heavy beats which have received nods from industry legends like John Digweed and Trentemoller. Aug 8
PARTY
Capital goes hard this National Day eve, bringing in one of the fastest rising names in the trance music scene. Sneijder started out by building his own small studio in 2009, and quickly debuted his first track in Aug that same year, which was well-received by biggies John O’ Callaghan, Armin van Buuren and Tiesto. Aug 8
For more on where to party: 5+2 places in Singapore to get your party on this National Day
THEATER
After its original staging in 2002, followed by two more sold-out runs in 2003 and 2006, Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT) and Esplanade are bringing back Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress for a limited time this month. It tells the story of a legendary Empress Dowager of China, and her trials and tribulations she goes through only to become a victim of lies and rumors. Aug 8-20
FILM
Singapore’s annual open air cinema Films At The Fort returns to natural amphitheater Fort Canning Park with a total of 15 great films. This week’s screenings include films like like Get Out, Baywatch, Churchill and Hell or Highwater. Through Aug 20
THEATER
Ah Boys to Men might be the current reference when it comes to depictions of National Service, but for anyone old enough to remember the ’90s, nothing can compare to Army Daze. Thirty years on, playwright Michael Chiang is giving us a sequel. Through Aug 20
EXHIBITION
Kult Gallery’s launching a new series to showcase the urban art scene from other countries. Titled “From the Streets”, the first of its series will shine the spotlight on the Philippines, featuring the works of more than 20 artists. Through Aug 26
EXHIBITION
Asia’s largest mirror maze has landed in Singapore as a new permanent installation at Science Centre Singapore. The visually-appealing maze features 105 mirror cells, more than 17 interactive exhibits and experiments on light, a bunch of holograms and fake exits. Admission is free but you’ll still have to pay admission charges to the center itself.
Wednesday, Aug 9
PARTY/FOOD/DRINK
Get a front row seat to catch the National Day fireworks at Kinki. Start the day early with their three-hour bottomless brunch and then stay to see the skies light up. Aug 9
DRINK
If you’re allergic to huge crowds, find respite on Dempsey Hill and join the like-minded bunch in enjoying a nice ice cold beer or 10 at PS.Cafe’s Beers on the Lawn event to celebrate Singapore’s National Day. Aug 9
FOOD/DRINK/PARTY
Camp Kilo Charcoal Clubs’ Beats BBQ & Booze returns with a local twist for National Day. They’re teaming up with Artichoke Singapore to cook up a selection of locally-inspired dishes like Tulang TaterTots, Mamee Monster Snack Salad and more. Wash it down with special cocktails like Kaya Toast and Bubble Tea. Aug 9
Check our picks on restaurants that have re-imagined local dishes just for National Day here.
EXHIBITION
Enter the whimsical world of Yayoi Kusama at National Gallery Singapore, the first big-scale survey of her work in Southeast Asia. Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow curated by the Gallery’s Russell Storer and Adele Tan, will showcase more than 120 paintings, sculptures, videos and installations spanning over seven decades–some of which have never been shown before. Through Sep 3
FOOD
The popular Singapore Restaurant Month is now a full-fledged festival, thanks to the Restaurant Association of Singapore bringing together more than 200 chefs who will be preparing a locally-inspired dish at their respective eateries for the very first Singapore Restaurant Festival. Through Sep 30
Thursday, Aug 10
CONCERT
LANY has managed to find a sweet spot between splashing their music with 80s-style synths and new-wave electronica, and peppering it with feel-good riffs and lyrics, which probably explains their universal appeal and growing fanbase. Tickets for their show at *Scape The Ground Theatre are sold out, but we’re sure you can find some on the FB event page or on Carousel. Aug 10
PERFORMANCE
The signature big top circus tent of Cirque du Soleil will be erected once more in Singapore next month, this time, bringing their new production Kooza to our shores for the first time. This will mark the world famous Canadian troupe’s fifth foray here. Through Aug 20
EXHIBITION
Lego has teamed up with the Piece of Peace executive committee (made up of Parco Co. Ltd., Lego Japan and Bau Communications) to showcase the various UNESCO world heritage listed sites built using Lego blocks as part of ASEAN’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Singapore is the first Southeast Asian country to host this once-in-a-lifetime UNESCO world heritage art exhibition. Through Sep 3
Friday, Aug 11
POETRY
As part of this year’s IndigNation, catch an evening reading of love poetry in Malay, Tamil, Mandarin, Kristang and Thai by Singaporean and Malaysian writers and poets like Ng Yi-Sheng, Kokila Annamalai, Irfan Kasban and more. Aug 11
FILM
If you’ve yet to catch Garth Davis’ feature film debut Lion, which stars Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman, get a ticket for the screening Singapore Open Air Cinema Club. The film follows a young boy who’s taken many miles away from home after getting lost on a train. He was ultimately adopted by an Australian couple, but quickly goes on a journey 25 years later to find his lost family. Aug 11
FESTIVAL
Feast your eyes at the first Civic District Outdoor Festival and check out historical monuments like National Gallery Singapore, The Arts House, Asian Civilisations Museum and Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall as they turn into canvases and venues for a myriad of art installations, stage and music performances, art markets and food streets. Aug 11-12
MARKET
Not into minimalistic and hipster trends? Dig out vintage goods at Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market where more than 30 resident booths including batik craftspeople MoroBatik, vinyl collectors Karang Unique and eyewear brand Mystic Vintage will be displaying their goods. They’ll also have a table selling items at 52% off in celebration of the nation’s birthday. Aug 11-13
FOOD
Because going local is cool, this year’s Epicurean Market is, for the first time in five years, stepping away from its pure fine dining slant and featuring Singaporean favorites at a new Singapore Street Food experience booth that will be modelled after a two-story shophouse. Aug 11-13
MARKET
If you still haven’t gotten enough of fleas and ploughing through kitschy market offerings, dive in to the Red Hot Flea at Baghdad Street. Street apparel, jewellery, artworks and accessories are just some of the items that will be on offer. Aug 11-13
Mark your calendars with these markets happening in August.
FILM
Following last year’s successful first edition, the Middle East Film Festival is back with films that will delve deeper into the lives of people living in the troubled region. This Friday will see the screening of No Land’s Song, a film that tells the story of a young composer who seeks to organize a concert for solo female singers in a country that forbids women to sing as soloists in front of men in public. Through Aug 20
FOOD
After a great first run, local Szechuan cuisine pioneer Si Chuan Dou Hua is bringing back last year’s well-received vegetable-based menu. This time, expect dishes rarely seen in a Chinese restaurant, like the Portobello Mushroom with Truffle and Orzo Pasta served with Szechuan Chilli Sauce, served as part of a course menu ($78-$98) that is filled with meatless (not strictly vegetarian) creations. Through Sep 15
