Welcome to the first weekend of 2017, everyone! It’s looking like party central, with Kyo, Kilo, Refuge and Post Bar all doing dance-a-thons. For the more low-key among you, there’s a panel discussion with local Cultural Medallion award-winner Amanda Heng at her debut gallery exhibition, a yoga class, documentary screenings and more.
Friday, Jan 6
FILM
Asian Film Archive presents State of Motion, screenings of five risque films shot in Singapore. The selection includes Peter Bogdanovich’s Saint Jack, about an American pimp working here in the 1970s, the famous David-Bowie-in-Singapore film Ricochet and more. Jan 6-8
ART
Cultural Medallion award-winner Amanda Heng is having an artist panel discussion about her first-ever solo gallery exhibition, titled “We Are the World – These Are Our Stories” presented with STPI as part of Singapore Art Week. Jan 6
PARTY
Shigeki and Dodgy Yamamoto are helming the decks at Kyo for a special “Made in Japan” night. The night’s set includes some deep, underground house with bits of dub and tribal rhythms. Jan 6
[SPONSORED]
SHOPPING
New Year might be done, but Chinese New Year is just around the corner. While traditional wear might not be your cup of tea for the festive period, you’ll still need a couple of new outfits, preferably red ones for good fortune and joy. Local renowned retailer Love, Bonito has a whole slew of dresses, classy jacquard skirts, stylish rompers you can add to your wardrobe. UOB Cardholders will receive $20 off full-priced merchandise with a minimum spend of $100, as well as complimentary red packets. Valid till Jan 26. Terms and conditions apply. More here.
PARTY
If you were heartbroken when Refuge closed on Circular Road, turn that smile upside down. It’s back, this time at Chijmes, and having its Beat Camp night, with DJs Drem and Gravity dropping old school hiphop and R&B. Jan 6
FILM
Singaporean-Malaysian women’s empowerment initiative Reyna Project is screening Malaysian activist filmmaker Mahi Ramakrishnan’s Bodies for Sale, which depicts graphic footage of atrocities committed against stateless Rohingya by human traffickers. The filmmaker will be present for a Q&A. Jan 6
[SPONSORED]
FOOD
One of Singapore’s first authentic Sichuan cuisine restaurants, Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant is a great option for some affordable reunion meals, with set menus starting from $38 per person. The restaurant’s three outlets are serving Sichuan-inspired salmon and shredded chicken yu sheng with green peppercorn sauce, among other goodies. UOB Cardholders will enjoy 20% savings on the a la carte menu if you dine between Jan 28-30, as well as a 15% discount on takeaway items (Jan 9-Feb 11) if you want to continue the festivities at home. Terms and conditions apply. More here.
THEATER
M1 Singapore Fringe Festival is back for its 13th edition. There’s been some controversy in the lead-up, with two shows not getting ratings due to “excessive nudity”. But you can still catch Madge of Honor’s Foreign Bodies, Tan Liting’s Pretty Butch and other envelope-pushing shows. Through Jan 15
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 30
Saturday, Jan 7
Plastik Dreams presents ANNA
PARTY
The great minds behind Headquarters are presenting a new pop-up series called Plastik Dreams, which will make its debut away from their humble abode in Boat Quay, and in a basement unit of an office building for one night only, with Brazilian-born and Barcelona-based techno stalwart Anna helming the decks. Jan 7
CONCERT
Fans of loud music, Aliwal Arts Center presents bands under the local DIY hardcore label Dangerous Goods like The Caulfield Cult and False Plaintiff will be performing for Dangerous Fest 2017. Jan 7
PARTY
It’s Post Bar’s first Latino Night of the new year. Have a boozy night with their selection of drinks like mojitos, margaritas and El Optimista tequila shots and burn up the dance floor to salsa beats by their three-piece band. Jan 7
[SPONSORED]
SHOPPING
If you’re less about the changshan and qipaos, and more about trendy kicks, hipster backpacks and other wardrobe must-haves, look no further. Equally spiffy for all those house visits and reunion dinners are new outfits from fashion retailer ZALORA, with brands like Herschel, TOPSHOP, Aldo, Dr. Martens and more to choose from. Get an additional 19% of all items (minimum spend of $100) when you check out with any UOB Card and use the promo code “UOBCNY19”. Valid till Jan 31. Terms and conditions apply. More here.
FILM
Catch the local award-winning documentary 03-Flats, a collab between filmmaker Lei Yuan Bin and NUS architecture researcher Lilian Chee, which explores the lives of three women in different life stages, living in Singapore’s HDBs. Jan 7
CONCERT
Dreamy Singapore-based singer-songwriter Linus Hablot will be performing live for the very first time at the Esplanade Concourse. He started out doing Frank Ocean, Ray LaMontagne and Duke Ellington covers, and has now put together his debut EP Coming Down, which incidentally is also the first release by new Singaporean record label Middle Class Cigars. Jan 7
FILM
If you haven’t seen it already, go watch 1987: Untracing the Conspiracy, about the detainees of an alleged Marxist plot in Singapore in the 80s, at The Projector. The filmmaker, Jason Soo, and some of the ex-detainees will be doing a Q&A after the screening. Jan 7
CONCERT
Local electronic producer Intriguant had been teasing us with bits and pieces of his new album Recluse at festivals last year, but the album is finally good to go. He’ll be launching the record at Esplanade Annexe Studio with a live showcase, featuring a three-piece band and guest vocalists on the album like Charlie Lim and Timothy De Cotta. Jan 7
EXHIBITION
If you enjoy scrutinizing, appreciating or collecting beautifully painted images on canvases, Art Apart Fair is showcasing work by about 100 artists from Europe and Asia, as well as private collections by three collectors, at their new home in Pan Pacific Orchard. Jan 7-11
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
Sunday, Jan 8
Madge of Honor. Photo credit: Hans Wendland
ART
American burlesque performer Madge of Honor, who’s in town for M1 Singapore Fringe Festival’s Foreign Bodies, will be conducting an exclusive two-hour burlesque basics class at the newly reopened Kilo Lounge at Tanjong Pagar. The class is available at $60 per person. Jan 8
PARTY
Red Baron is throwing a soul street party at their Gillman Barracks outlet, with old school soul R&B, funk, pop and rock music performed by Joe & The Soul Express from 6pm onwards. Jan 8
[SPONSORED]
FOOD
Whether you’re heading out or ordering in for your big reunion dinner, Sheraton Towers Singapore and its restaurants are a good bet. The Dining Room is doing a pre-festive buffet spread of fresh seafood like tiger prawns, black mussels and scallops, alongside braised beef cheeks and roasted leg of lamb. At Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant, it’s all about the delectable takeaways. UOB Cardholders will get 15% off when you dine at The Dining Room for lunch between Jan 16-20 and 23-27, and a 15% discount on Li Bai’s festive takeaways (valid from Jan 11-Feb 11). Terms and conditions apply. More here.
HEALTH
Here’s one slightly masochistic way to spend your Sunday: a 100-minute zumba fitness party at *Scape’s Grand Theater. Tickets are going for $45 a pop at the door. Jan 8
FILM
The Projector is still not over David Bowie (neither are we). Catch Labyrinth, a late 80s adventure musical fantasy flick starring Bowie and Jennifer Connelly. The Analog Vault will also be on site with limited vinyl specials while Singapore visual artist and illustrator Kristal Melson will be selling some Bowie-inspired artwork. Jan 8
HEALTH
Gather yourself together and learn the basics of cleansing techniques, breathing exercises, postures and relaxation techniques at this two-hour yoga class. Bring your own mats. The class is open for registration on a first come first serve basis (limited slots). Jan 8
ART
This fifth edition of the Singapore Biennale, titled “Atlas of Mirrors” is showcasing 58 pieces and installations from 60 artists (10 of which are Singaporean) and three art collectives. Through Feb 26
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