Welcome to the second weekend of the second half of 2017. That was a mouthful, but very apt, seeing how exciting the next three days are going to be. Filled with a bunch of tummy-filling activities, artsy events and Sunday parties, this weekend looks to be one that is reserved for the “work hard, play hard” types.
Friday, Jul 7
FESTIVAL
Chang Sensory Trails returns for another celebration of Thai cuisine and culture, bringing with it Thai music, art, food and of course, beer. Here’s what you should look out for. Jul 7-8
FILM
Following the success of last month’s screening of Icelandic films, The Projector is bringing them back this month, starting with legendary eclectic artist Bjork’s concert film recorded at the Alexandra Palace in London in 2013, Bjork: Biophilia Live. Jul 7
FOOD
$2 tacos, anyone? Australian laid-back cafe down on Arab Street, The Hangar, is hosting Taco Fridays once again with four new choices to try: smokey short rib, crackling pork, beer battered barramundi and crunch cauliflower. Jul 7
WELLNESS
Delve deeper into yoga and understand its history and science at Hom Yoga’s two-part Universal Yoga Workshop and class series. Jul 7-8
FOOD
Basilico is upping the ante for its 9th birthday celebration with a special guest chef—2016 San Pellegrino Young Chef Finalist and Beijing’s famed Mio Restaurant Chef de Cuisine Aniello Turco—taking over its kitchen for four nights to present the Ristoranti d’Italia-recognized restaurant signatures such as the Slow-cooked Beef with Broccoli, Earl Grey Tea and Ash Oil Powder as well as the Accartocciate Spinach with Candied Ginger and Alaskan King Crab, as part of a five-course dinner menu ($88-$140). Through Jul 8
EXHIBITION
Asia’s largest gems, jewelry and luxury timepieces show returns to Marina Bay Sands this weekend. Highlights include a special showcase of rare jewelry pieces, a 20ct oval internally flawless diamond ring and a lavish bracelet encrusted with 21 pieces of diamonds valued at $330,000. Through Jul 9
EXHIBITION
The latest exhibition at DECK sees two independent photography projects—Nicholas Koh and Jiahui Tan’s Some Other Way and Koh Kim Chay and Eugene Ong’s Singapore’s Vanished Public Housing Estates—that explore the significance of memory in a country that’s ever-changing. Through Jul 22
THEATER
For an adrenaline-pumping, high-energy evening, look no further than the highly-entertaining, non-verbal South Korean comedy theatrical performance, CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab, making its debut at the Resorts World Theatre. Category 1 ($98) and VIP ($118) weekend ticket holders will even get a special edition chilli crab tart as part of their ticket price. Through Jul 22
FOOD
Four Seasons Hotel Doha’s Chef Adnan Al Masri will be making his way to Four Seasons Hotel Singapore’s One-Ninety Restaurant to hold his very own Middle Eastern Food Festival featuring home-styled cuisine like Chicken Mosakhan and Lamb Shakriah, traditional claypot eats like Kibbeh Belseneh, charcoal grilled Beef Steak, Shish Taowk, Fish Kebab and more. Through Jul 28
FOOD
If you love your oysters and just can’t seem to get enough of it, then head to Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro’s fifth World Oyster Festival, where you can find their seasonal selection of more than 20 types of cult oyster brought in from around the world. And if you can’t make up your mind on which to try first, get the Tasting Platter for $99, which includes their chef’s 16 personal picks of the day. Through Jul 31
ART
This year’s Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA) and The O.P.E.N. will run without a month’s break in-between for the first time, bringing 90 different talks, workshops, plays, films and other performances that continue to push the boundaries. New this year are Open Homes by Jeffrey Tan—a unique theater experience where residents of 30 HDB public housing estates, private condos and landed residences will invite audiences into their homes to share stories—and O.P.E.N. Kitchens, where you can cook with the host, Noorlinah Mohamed, as she shares stories of each dish being prepared. Through Sep 9
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
Saturday, Jul 8
FESTIVAL
Spa Esprit Group’s popular French bakery chain Tiong Bahru Bakery is holding a two-day picnic party at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Weird Wonderful World will provide buckets (yes buckets, not baskets) filled with goodies from the group’s eateries, like sandwiches from the Bakery and fish sliders from Open Farm Community, to fill your tummies before you head on and partake in the many fringe activities happening. Jul 8-9
ART
The Goodman Arts Centre is opening up its doors once again for the brightest and boldest edition of Tanjong Goodman. You’ll get to meet Goodman’s resident artists in over 50 programs, check out the well-loved Tanjong Goodman Weekend Market, take part in craft workshops and more. Jul 8
PARTY
Kapok’s boasting a fresh new look and they’re inviting everyone to check it out at their Garden Party this month. Enjoy some sweet and savoury treats from The Garden Slug, drinks by Tanuki Raw and learn to create terrariums, among other things. Jul 8
POETRY
Local and Bangladeshi poets, writers and singers like Pooja Nansi and Ng Yi-Sheng are coming together for an evening of poetry reading, songs, spoken word and love to raise awareness for the voices of migrant workers in Singapore who need to be heard. Jul 8
FOOD
Before heading down to National Gallery for Yayoi Kusama’s exhibit, first feast on an afternoon tea set inspired by the artist’s works available just a stone’s throw away at The Courtyard, where you will get to taste (and Instagram, of course) five specially-made sweets that correspond with her artworks, such as a lychee mousse flecked with dots mirroring her Gleaming Lights of the Souls constellation. Through Jul 10
FILM
If you’re overwhelmed by the huge variety of programs that the Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA) has to offer, start with the big film component of SIFA’s precursor festival, The O.P.E.N., with films like The Other Side of Hope, a story of the unlikely friendship between a Syrian refugee and a restaurateur who lives in Helsinki; On The Beach At Night Alone, which tells the tale of a young actress who contemplates her affair with a married film director, and many more. Through Jul 15
FOOD
Goodwood Park Hotel’s annual durian festival returns, unfrazzled by the suspension and food poisoning cases last year, with all-time favorites like durian puffs and crepes and new creations like a designer cakes shaped after the fruit itself. Through Jul 31
FOOD
The annual claypot menu at Kopi Tiam, Swissotel The Stamford, is back for a season, filled with tried-and-true dishes such as Claypot Chicken Rice ($22), Claypot Fish Head ($35) and Claypot Bitter Gourd Pork Ribs ($24) that are served sizzling and in generous sharing portions. If in a smaller group, the tender Claypot Frog Legs ($26) and satisfying Claypot Seafood Crispy Noodles ($24) are solid choices too. Through Jul 31
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.
Sunday, Jul 9
PARTY
Inject your life with a dose of deep house as London-based producer and DJ, Jimpster, takes over Headquarters by the Council for a night of groovy beats that will keep you dancin’ till the sun comes up. Jul 9
MARKET
Zouk’s Flea & Easy flea market is back. In collaboration with Sunset Pasar, expect an eclectic selection of pre-loved threads and goods, alongside collections from emerging brands and designers. While you’re shopping, fill yourself up with localized grub from Red Tail Bar and check out the line-up of live open mic performances and DJ sets. Jul 9
PARTY
Take in all that Sideshow’s Sunday at the Shed has to offer as the bi-monthly party returns to Labrador Park this month with the usual good vibes and gritty, unapologetic fun. This month, we’ll see back-to-back DJ sets from the likes of Dave Code and Fresh S, Revision Music’s RAH and Senja, and Sideshow OGs Stew and Shellsuit. Jul 9
THEATER
You can count on W!LD RICE to deliver on high production value and thoroughly localized performances, and that is exactly what you’ll get with Boeing Boeing, the theater company’s fourth rendition of the 57-year-old French farce about a swinging bachelor (Rodney Oliveiro) juggling between three air stewardess girlfriends, now updated to 2017’s world of connected smartphones and social media. Through Jul 22
FOOD
As if Royal Plaza on Scott’s halal buffet restaurant Carousel doesn’t have enough of a spread, it is now introducing food inspired by Taiwan’s night markets to its lineup. The usual suspects like oyster mee sua, crispy chicken thigh with spices and sweet lap cheong are all there to be enjoyed as part of their high tea meals (weekdays $42; weekends $48) happening from 3:30pm-5:30pm daily. Through Jul 31
FOOD
Ah Hoi’s Kitchen at Hotel Jen Tanglin is throwing a Festival of Crabs where you can feast on not one, not two, but 10 different styles of meaty Sri Lankan crabs. There’s no way to eat all of them (at one go at least), so be smart and get your claws on the Salted Egg and Crispy Yam Crab, Glass Noodles and Chinese Wine Crab or Claypot Crab Beehoon. Through Jul 31
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
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
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
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
