If you’re being superzealous and squeezing in an early V-Day dinner, fine. The rest of you can have a real weekend with all these fun kitchen takeovers, club nights, markets and art exhibitions happening in Singapore.
Friday, Feb 10
THEATER
UK-based theater company Lunchbox Theatrical Productions is staging Chicago, based on nefarious events in Prohibition-era US. Go on a journey with nightclub singer Roxie Hart as she sings her way to become the star she always wanted, meeting characters like double murderess Velma Kelly and charming lawyer Billy Flynn, along the way. Through Feb 19
HEALTH
Yoga practitioner (also musician and DJ) Amanda Ling will be leading a 60-minute yin yoga class, followed by a listening session of deep sound waves from Tibetan singing bowls during savasana, and ending the two-hour session with a moment of stillness and silence. Feb 10.
WORKSHOP
You can now turn your favorite artwork into distinct scents at this workshop part of Singapore Biennale. Pieces like Black Forest 2016 by Han Sai Por, Locus Amoenus by Ryan Villamael and The Hunters Enter the Woods by Patricia Perez Eustaquio will be among your choices. Feb 10
[SPONSORED]
FOOD
Start the weekend right at Mandarin Orchard’s Japanese-inspired Triple Three, where there’s an extensive spread of fresh sashimi and sushi, a variety of seafood on ice, a premium roast meat selection, desserts and live cooking stations for dinner (from $108). Also, try their signature lobster mentaiyaki, which is only available on the buffet line every Friday and Saturday. UOB cardholders get 50% off their dinner bill for the second diner and a one-for-one deal for their Sunday lunch buffet. Terms and conditions apply. More here.
TALK
The famous Valentine’s Day Edition of the Speakeasy poetry series is here again. Join a slew of writers and poetry lovers like Sing Lit Prize winner Cyril Wong and Epigram Fiction Prize finalist Balli Kaur Jaswal at Artistry as they share their favorite poems on love, heartbreak, steamy nights and more, with verses from anything from Rihanna and Snoop Dogg to Rimbaud and Shakespeare; everything is fair game. Feb 10
MARKET
Load up on artisanal items and crafts like well-designed terrarium plants in transparent containers, handwoven bags, classy wooden kitchenware and more from labels like Fayy Terrarium & Gifts, Aiorimono and Wooderful at the Makers’ Parade at School of the Arts (SOTA). Feb 10-11
MARKET
LalooLalang is adopting (surprise, surprise) an old-school theme for their upcoming market, inspired by Singapore during the 1960s-1980s. Although details are still vague for now, expect over 40 stalls selling nostalgic snacks you enjoyed as a kid, vintage fashion items and many other food and beverage vendors. Feb 10-12
[SPONSORED]
SHOPPING
It’s V-Day next week, so time to get some solo pampering in ahead of your big date. Head on over to Swedish cosmetic concept store Make Up Store at Paragon or 313@Somserset and stock up on the latest products from their Pearl collection, like the trio of microfine high-pigment eyeshadow enriched with vitamin E ($37), the alluring peach-hued Lipstick Veil ($24) and more. Pay with any UOB card and get free eyebrow trimming service with min. S$120 spend. Flash your UOB card for the Spring 2017 showcase for an express makeover and 10% off all products (20% off with more than S$200 spend). Terms and conditions apply. More here.
CONCERT
One of the greatest American rock bands of all time, Journey returns to Singapore after four years. Be prepared to be swept away by lead vocalist Arnel Pineda, as he and bandmates Neal Schon, Ross Valory, Steve Smith, and Jonathan Cain perform crowd favorites like “Faithfully”, “Open Arms” and history’s biggest-selling digital catalog song, “Don’t Stop Believin’”. Feb 10
COMEDY
Catch everyone’s other favorite drag queen comedian Kumar as he dishes out his usual antics, politically incorrect rants and Singapore issues-based jokes at SandBank. Feb 10
PARTY
Join the rest of the world who thinks Valentine’s Day is just a commercialized sham and get your reggae on at this special Latin Valentine Boycott party and masterclass. The soiree begins at 7pm with DJ Ashish and DJ Roger spinning reggaeton, salsa and bachata tunes throughout the bachata masterclass and party. Feb 10
PARTY
If you haven’t found a reason to check out this cool laundry-themed bar that projects a typical Chinese-owned self-service laundry shop, well here’s one: Phat Cat Laundry throwing their own full moon party, with cool drink promos where selected bottles are going for $160 (come with three mixers), and an extended happy hour. Feb 10
PARTY
Another night club has just opened its doors at Clarke Quay. Fleek is a new hip hop venue branding a world class sound system that will be dishing out great current and ol’ school hip hop and R&B tracks. Hitting them up this weekend is local music collective Bounce Squad, DJ Raw and hip-hop emcee T-Fresh. Feb 10
MARKET
Stay away from the usual flowers and chocolates and head down to this Valentine’s Gift Market, with more than 20 vendors selling giftable items like t-shirts decked out in black and white letterings by husband-and-wife duo Raisa and Hafiz; halal Korean cosmetic products from The Min List and a range of makeup products by Theliprouge. Feb 10-12
ART
This fifth edition of the Singapore Biennale, titled “Atlas of Mirrors”, is in its last couple weeks, showcasing 58 pieces and installations from 60 artists (10 of which are Singaporean) and three art collectives. Now you can rent a bike for free to cycle across the seven different venues. Through Feb 26
Saturday, Feb 11
BOOK
Local zine book interest group The Wildflower Collective are showcasing more than 100 self-published and self-printed zines from all over Southeast Asia that contain materials that might be too controversial or niche for the mainstream media. Feb 11
HEALTH
Kick it up a notch and do both yoga and Crossfit in this one session led by instructors from Trium Fitness and CrossFit Fire City. Best part is that the session is free of charge and is suitable for all levels. Feb 11
WORKSHOP
Forget overly-priced items as Valentine’s Day gifts for your significant other and show off your nimble fingers by sewing a leather pencil case or card holder, and learn other intricate things like punching a sewing hole, debossing your other half’s initials and more at this leather crafting workshop. Feb 11
[SPONSORED]
FOOD
With seven different F&B concepts all housed under one roof, Goodwood Park Hotel is a great place to spend an entire day hopping among various places to eat and drink. From wolfing down Sichuan and Cantonese delights at Min Jiang to exchanging stories over L’Espresso’s English Afternoon Tea set, you’re set for a full-day tete-a-tete. UOB cardholders get 15% off all a la carte menus. Terms and conditions apply. More here.
WORKSHOP
If you’re thinking of making a nice home-cooked meal for Valentine’s Day, but only know how to boil eggs, register for this masterclass as chef Chung Deming (from The Quarters) teaches how to make dishes like “la la” clams doused in chili crab sauce, curry chicken made from scratch and more. Feb 11
FILM
Take a break from the mainstream and head over to National Museum of Singapore for a back-to-back screening of local film Eating Air, a vibrant story about gangsterism, drugs and loansharks, with an overarching plot of boy-gangster-meets-girl; and John Schlesinger’s 1963 film about the British New Wave movement, Billy Liar. Feb 11
CONCERT
Get ready for a raucous night at Aliwal Arts Street as American progressive metal band Periphery brings the house down with their brand of soaring melodies and guitar shredding. Feb 11
Sunday Feb 12
FOOD
Hong Kong’s it restaurant, yakitori joint Yardbird is coming to Singapore, grilling up a storm at Meatsmith for a one-night only collab, which comes with a street party of course. Gorge on signatures like katsu sander, Korean Fried Cauliflower and their meatballs with tare-cured egg yolk. Feb 12
CONCERT
This will be Yellowcard‘s swansong after being in the scene for almost two decades. While they will be promoting their last self-titled album, you can expect a night filled with nostalgia and teen angst as they (hopefully) perform classic hits like “Ocean Avenue” and “Only One”. Feb 12
FESTIVAL
The sustainability-focused EarthFest is having its second edition at Marina Barrage, with a farmer’s market, “planet-friendly foods”, film screenings, talks and low-emission carnival games. Feb 12
[SPONSORED]
SHOPPING
If you’re the sickly-sweet kind of couple with matching accessories, look no further than Casio. They’ve been creating trendy digital watches that go with any ensemble since the ’90s. For Valentine’s Day, get your hands on these limited edition, red-banded digital-analog hybrid watches from Casio’s biggest sub-brands G-Shock and Baby-G, which come in combo gift boxes ($388), at any Casio G-Factory outlet. UOB cardmembers will receive a $100 G-Factory voucher (valid till Feb 14). Terms and conditions apply. More here.
MARKET
Also part of EarthFest, the Really Really Free Market is back for its 47th edition. You know the drill; come with stuff you don’t want to give to people in need. Apart from the usual books, CDs and goods, there will be people cutting hair, doing tarot card reading and writing poetry. You can also give back at this market, too. Feb 12
HEALTH
Instead of indulging in decadent meals and overpriced gifts, spend it doing yoga with your partner at this Hatha yoga class held by interest group OUTnamaste at the Duxton outlet of yoga apparel store Lululemon Athletica. Feb 12
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