August in Singapore is packed to the brim with fun things to do, not to mention the countless number of National Day events taking place as well. But we’ve got so many other reasons for you to be excited about, from outdoor film screenings and concerts to theaterworks and a nifty zi char dinner paired with local craft beer.
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 1, 8, 15 & 29
PARTY
Experience one of hip hop’s original innovators doing his thing as one of ’70s hip hop pioneers Grandmaster Flash takes over Kilo Lounge. Aug 3
CONCERT
English alt-pop duo Oh Wonder has gained international recognition with their DIY debut album, Ultralife, produced in their own home studio. They’ll be making their way here to perform at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre this month as part of live music series The Gathering. Aug 3
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ART
This year’s Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA) has begun without the usual one-month break between precursor festival The O.P.E.N. This fourth edition, which will be the last for outgoing festival director Ong Keng Sen (see our interview with him here), shines the spotlight on both Singapore artists and ordinary Singaporeans who’ll bring us 90 different boundary-pushing talks, workshops, films, workshops, plays and other performances. Through Sep 9
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FILM
Singapore’s annual open air cinema Films At The Fort returns to natural amphitheater Fort Canning Park, screening a total of 15 great films like Hidden Figures, Get Out and Thelma & Louise. Aug 3-20
FESTIVAL
Kick off this year’s IndigNation 2017 and assemble at DYMK as we gear up for Singapore’s 13th annual Pride Season. Have a drink or 10 with old and new friends and find out what they have in store for the month. Aug 4
MARKET
The insanely popular design-centric night market, Singapasar, is back for its third edition; bringing together the best locally designed/made furniture, apparel, accessories, food and more. Aug 4-6
[SPONSORED]
PARTY
We were thrilled when we heard that French electronic music duo Justice announced that they’ll be in Singapore. They rose to fame during the second wave of what was known as the French Touch years ago, along with the likes of Daft Punk, Air and Etienne de Crecy. Who could forget the now legendary track “D.A.N.C.E.” from their debut album † (pronounced “Cross”)? Now armed with the third studio album Woman, get ready to let loose as they take on Zouk for a special one-night-only DJ set. Aug 15
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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 4-5, 11-12
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. Six titles have been announced, with more to be announced soon. Aug 4-20
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. Aug 4-20
PARTY
Herstory‘s celebrating Singapore’s birthday in a big way. They’re throwing a massive party over at Canvas, with resident performers, DJs Special K and Roy, playing into the wee hours of the morning. Aug 5
FOOD/DRINK
What’s better than eating zi char with a great company of friends on a Saturday night? When it comes with craft beer, of course. Bib gourmand recipient New Ubin Seafood has a solid six-course menu where each delicious local dish comes paired with a craft beer that’s born and brewed by local brewery Rye & Pint Brewing Co. You can’t get anymore local than that. Aug 5
TALK
Join in a series of talks over two days at IndigNation’s Natural Education: A Queer Conference, as panelists discuss a range of perspectives and ideas on topics like the laws behind formal same-sex unions, bisexuality and pansexuality in Singapore, and more. Aug 5-6
FILM
Singapore Film Society and MINDS are partnering up once again for the second edition of MINDS Film Festival, featuring films that will help to promote social inclusion and “advocate the advancement of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities’ (PWID) contributions to society”. Through Aug 5
MARKET
Camp Kilo Charcoal Club welcomes back the Sunday Social Market, a passion project by DJ Zig Zach and Jade Amar. Enjoy great music by Giuseppe G, Nic RiffRaff and Muto Masashi while sifting through artisanal baked goods, crafts, fashion accessories and more from the likes of b’trayed, Lilla Jane, Irvins Salted Egg and more. Aug 6
PARTY
Stop squeezing with the crowds at Marina Bay just to catch the NDP fireworks and head down to Tanjong Beach Club as they present their own fun and quirky way to celebrate National Day. Aug 6
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
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
PARTY
And with the National Day month, come the parties on the eve of the public holiday. Put your best foot (and hand) forward and take part in possibly the longest running party in Singapore’s nightlife history, as Zouk’s Mambo Jambo revels in classic anthems of yesteryears. 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
International DJ and producer Ben Nicky is all ready to fill Canvas with his heady brand of progressive and psy trance this National Day eve. Aug 8
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
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
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
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
PARTY
Headquarters by the Council is opening up their rooftop for a massive showcase of local beatmakers. Spanning across two rooms, The Council Openair will let you go for some light dancing up top with some disco and house tunes by Brendon P, DJ KFC and more. Then go hard at the dark recesses of the main room downstairs as the usual suspects like Julien Brochard and EJ Missy fill it with hard-hitting floor fillers. Aug 12
FOOD
Resorts World Sentosa will be turning its Malaysian Food Street into the epicenter of Southeast Asia’s diverse offerings of local grub for their inaugural Street Eats pop-up, featuring 11 stalls from countries in the region on top of the nine that are already at the enclave. Aug 12-20
CONCERT
If you missed Bastille’s performance last year and the year before, don’t worry because they’ll be making their third appearance at the Star Theatre this month, bringing with them tunes from their most recent album Wild World and more. Aug 14
CONCERT
Former Jonas Brothers vocalist Joe Jonas has gone a different direction ever since the split in 2013. Together with Jack Lawless, Cole Whittle and JinJoo Lee, he formed the American dance-rock band DNCE, who’ll be taking the stage at Suntec Convention Centre Hall 403 this month. Aug 15
CONCERT
Cigarettes After Sex fans in Singapore who missed their performance at last month’s Urbanscapes in Kuala Lumpur will get to see them when they come to Singapore to play at the Capitol Theatre in August. The dreamy, ambient pop group led by Greg Gonzalez was founded in El Paso, Texas in 2008 and went on to release their first EP in 2012. Aug 17
THEATER
Witness the melding of two distinct art forms as award-winning cartoonist Sonny Liew and theater veteran Edith Podesta collaborate to produce Becoming Graphic, where a two-dimensional graphic novel about ageing and mortality gets brought to life on stage as part of this year’s Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA). Aug 17-19
DRINK
This year’s Beerfest Asia is shaping up to be not just bigger, but better than last year’s edition, featuring over 100 new beers that will be making their debut in Singapore, as well as all-time favorites and other specialty brews. Aug 17-20
DRINK/WELLNESS
Uh oh, beer yoga has finally arrived on our shores. Sign up for a class where you’ll learn how to pair the pleasure of drinking beer while practicing the mindfulness of yoga. Bonus: great views of Singapore’s skyline. Aug 18
FESTIVAL
The annual Singapore Night Festival is back for its tenth edition. This year, they’re bringing back fan favorites from recent years to tie in with the theme “10 Magical Years”, with acts like Bloco Singapura and Grapple MAX Dojo. And yes, there’ll still be your usual dazzling projections on heritage buildings. Aug 18-26
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
CONCERT
Most people will remember Canadian outfit Sum 41 as one of the many rock bands that dominated the scene back in the 2000s with hits like “In Too Deep”, “The Hell Song” and “Over My Head (Better Off Dead)”. They were last here five years ago for their Screaming Bloody Murder tour, and now they’re returning to perform at Zepp@BigBox, armed with a brand new album, 13 Voices. Aug 24
CONCERT
They may have cancelled on us back in 2012 but the Foo Fighters have kept to their promise and will be commanding the National Stadium this month. It’ll be the second time the legendary rock outfit will be performing in Singapore after making their debut at the former WTC Harbour Pavilion in 1996. Aug 26
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
TALK
The third edition of the Human Library takes Singaporeans to the heartlands of Taman Jurong, this time with a catalog of human “books” that include a wildlife rescuer, a transgender man and a cancer survivor. Aug 27
FOOD
Japanese beef specialty restaurant Fat Cow is offering a special five-course set dinner designed to showcase some of Japan’s seasonal specials this summer. Feast on tantalizing somen, salmon and scallops, and of course, the star of menu, the prized Hida wagyu. Through Aug 31
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 has never been shown before. Through Sep 3
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
FOOD
The popular Singapore Restaurant Month is now a full-fledged festival. The Restaurant Association of Singapore has brought together more than 200 restaurants across a variety of cuisines that will prepare a locally-inspired dish at their respective eateries for the Singapore Restaurant Festival. Through Sep 30
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
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.
