42 unmissable things to do in Singapore this May

From Annie Leibovitz’s new show, to indie music gigs and Singaporean theater, here’s how you can spend the month.

FOOD

Curate, Resort World Sentosa’s newest restaurant, features pop-up menus by Michelin-starred chefs from around the world. Its debut showcase features three Michelin-starred chef Massimiliano Alajmo of Italian restaurant La Calandre, who is known for dishes that focus on seasonal ingredients and molecular techniques. Until May 6

FILM

Bringing together top films from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, the 2016 edition of the Singapore Chinese Film Festival encompasses 62 features, documentaries and shorts. Golden Horse Award-winning films Blind Massage, A Fool and Thanatos, Drunk are among the highlights. Until May 8

THEATER

Best known for her role in the 1973 James Bond film Live and Let Die, Jane Seymour stars in a production of the Noel Coward play The Vortex. Until May 14

FILM

The first edition of Food Cine.ma, created by the same people behind the immensely successful A Design Film Festival, features films like Tasteology, Miso Hungry and The Birth of Saké. Until May 14

PHOTOGRAPHY

Be still, heart: Annie Leibovitz’s new show Women: New Portraits is in Singapore for a (free!) show at Tanjong Pagar Railway Staiton. Until May 22

THEATER

Another year, another edition of Singapore Repertory Theatre’s beloved Shakespeare in the Park. This time, they’ll be doing Romeo and Juliet. Oh, and it’s the last one for the foreseeable future, so don’t miss it. Until May 22

THEATER

Jonathan Lim’s new show Getai – The Musical is part concert and part high energy theatrical production. Among the guest stars making appearances during the run are Sakura Teng and Zhuang Xue Zhong. Until May 29

PHOTOGRAPHY

Held at The Projector, Urban Fork is a collaboration between lensmen Phillipe Diversy and Bob Lee involving eight different 1960s Singapore buildings with the architect’s names superimposed into each photo. Through May

FESTIVAL

Voilah! French Festival is back with something for foodies and culture vultures alike. There’s the Voilah! Food Festival (until May 31), Superstars of Ballet (until May 1), a collaborative performance of productions like Giselle and Don Quixote and a performance by renowned classical guitarist Thibault Cauvin (May 13). Through May

ART

Oslo-based Singaporean artist Simon Ng’s Mysterious Skin is a series of abstract portraits combining bright colors with the contrast of the seemingly violent impasto technique. Until Jun 5

SHOPPING

Art market organizer Togetherly and multi-label store Workshop Element have teamed up for a 17,000 sq. ft retail pop-up at Wisma Atria. WE x Togetherly features fashion, home, beauty and food products. Through June

ART

Olympian sailor turned artist Charles Lim, whose work was at the Venice Biennale last year, bring his photographic show SEA STATE, exploring Singapore’s geopolitical and psychological relationship with the sea, to the CCA, Until July 10

DRINK

Proof & Company is selling a range of spirits and bartending books and tools from now till August 2016 at its Scotts Square pop-up, and shoppers can expect a selection of gins, rums, vodkas, bourbons, piscos and artisanal mezcals from craft distilleries around the world. Through August

CONCERT

Travel back to the 70s with The Three Degrees. You know them best for their 1974 hit “When Will I See You Again”. May 2

, 42 unmissable things to do in Singapore this May

PARTY

Singapore celebrates all things Mexican with an impressive line-up of Cinco de Mayo events. May 2-7

CONCERT

The one and only Olivia Newton-John is back in Singapore for a night of all your favorites. May 4

COMEDY

The “World’s Shortest Stand-Up Comedian” Imaan Hadchiti returns for an hour-long solo show at The Irish Times. May 4

MAGIC

After a successful run in January, Broadway hit The Illusionists is here for an encore. Expect a night of mind-blowing stunts and spell-binding tricks. May 6-15

MUSIC

Part of the We Love Jazz party series, this edition celebrates swinging bebop and straight ahead. Expect big sounds, visiting Japanese bands and burgers by Wolf Burgers at this outdoor party. May 7

PARTY

Eyes to the Front is back with its Light Pool Party in the CBD’s fancy Sofitel So, with great drink deals and DJs Titus, Rocky Suave and Oliver Osborne. May 7

CONCERT

The popular Getai concert series returns with Getai Soul but this time, the heritage-themed music festival is leaving the gritty-chic rooftop of People’s Park Complex for the leafy surrounds of Pearl Hilly City Park. A total of 16 local and regional musicians will be performing jazz, soul and funk tunes including Charlie Lim & The Mothership, The Steve Mcqueens, Dru Chen and Tim De Cotta & The Warriors, with artists from Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan. May 7-8

 


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PARTY
The world’s second-largest EDM cruise festival is back in November and advance tickets are now on sale. IT’S THE SHIP puts nearly 4,000 revelers on board a 15-deck Royal Caribbean International cruise liner, heading to Penang and back while you party to a roster of international EDM DJs. There are two-, three- and four-person cabin options, with prices working out to about $412 per person per night, inclusive of all food and use of ship facilities.
 
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FOOD

Give Mum a special treat at one of these decadent Mother’s Day brunchesMay 8

MUSIC

Icelandic indie rock band Of Monsters and Men bring their big drum sounds, orchestral vibes and anthemic choruses to The Coliseum.  May 10

FILM

Jason Soo’s controversial documentary 1987: Untracing the Conspiracy, about alleged Marxist detainees during Operation Spectrum was expected to be banned, got an unexpectedly lenient R21 rating for a one-time screening. Catch it at The Projector before it sells out. May 10 & 21

FILM

The European Union Film Festival is back for its 26th edition with a program of 30 films from 30 countries across Europe. Highlights include the Dutch epic Admiral, award-winning Ukrainian silent film The Tribe and Latvian documentary Ruch and NorieMay 10-22

MUSIC
If you felt like you were never cool enough in high school, make up for it at this show by Spanish indie rockers Hinds alongside Singaporean band Obedient Wives Club at a cozy, intimate, outdoor venue. May 11

THEATER

Siti Khalijah Zainal & Judee Tan star in Meenah and Cheenah, series of sketches that celebrate unlikely friendships and uniquely Singaporean quirks. May 11-22

FOOD

The Savour food festival’s first installment features over 30 dishes from Singapore restaurants, priced between $6-12. May 12-15

DRINK

Indulge in the drinking of some outdoor, daytime drinking of specialty Danish beers. Mikkeller Bar Singapore and its 20 taps just opened at the equally cool photography gallery DECK. 


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, 42 unmissable things to do in Singapore this May

FESTIVAL
Esplanade’s first-ever Super Japan festival kicks off on May 13. Highlights include a performance by J-pop sensation Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (May 13), a big-band extravaganza by Blue Note Tokyo All-Star Jazz Orchestra (May 15), Meguri: Teeming Sea, Tranquil Land (May 20-21) and many other food, art and performance events—both free and ticketed—over 10 days. May 13-22
 
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EXPLORATION
This year’s Pulau Ubin Day is actually going to last five weeks. Pesta Ubin will include walks, cycling and kayaking expeditions, exhibitions, talks, demonstrations and opportunities to experience kampong life. May 14-Jun 12

PARTY
Sunshine Nation’s Electro Ball 2016Shanghai Swing will have a 1920s theme, with electro-swing music, remixed Chinese melodies, dancers and photo booths at the Gatsby-chic The Black Swan. May 14

DRAG

The city’s only drag revue Riot! has a new home at Clarke Quay, and Becca and her girls will be back there this month with more blush-inducing humor, surreal costumes and foot-tapping lip syncing numbers. May 14

BOOKS

Spoken word poet Deborah Emmanuel spent six months without trial at a Singapore correctional facility (and six months at a halfway house) for drug offences when she was 19. Check out the launch of her memoir, Rebel RitesMay 15

PARTY

London’s Silent Disco is here for two nights, with its light-studded noise-cancelling headphones and three DJs spinning rock, disco and house while you sway in silence. The one at Kult Kafe (May 14) is sold out, but there’s an additional party at CATO. May 15

MUSIC

The French electronic band M83 is coming back to Singapore with old hits and a bunch of stuff from their latest studio album Junk. May 18

WELLNESS

If your class is all booked up at Tiong Bahru’s Yoga Movement, you now have a second option. Guillemard Road’s Yoga Inc has expanded to the same street and prices start from $35 for a single drop in. 

THEATER

Just over three decades after its debut, Emily of Emerald Hill gets a makeover as a musical. May 20-22

CONCERT

Winners of The X Factor 2011, the ladies of Little Mix come to town as part of their Get Weird Tour. May 23

FESTIVAL

Specializing in all things offbeat, wild and wacky in the world of the arts, Flipside 2016 features shows like Time For Fun, Don’t Explain and Metamorphosis. May 27-Jun 5

THEATER

A musical that needs no introduction, Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Les Miserables comes to the Esplanade for a limited season. May 31-Jul 17