It’s going to be mostly about Star Wars this week, with lots of screenings, an after party, jedi running around and lots of new restaurants to check out. But there are French songstresses, French film screenings, tennis matches, trivia nights and DJ gigs happening, too. Here are some of the highlights.
Dec 14, Mon
DRINK
Kenny Hong, winner of the 2008 Bacardi Martini Grand Prix mixology competition will be the guest bartender at Fresh! Expect a flairing session full of cocktails.
MARKET
The folks at Loewen are organizing a Christmas market featuring artisanal crafts goods from tenants and vendors like chocolatier Anjali Chocolates, yoga and leisurewear brand SimonaJo and handmade bohemian jewelry by Jewel Rocks. You can check out the other markets here.
MUSIC
French singer La Grande Sophie is in town for a small gig at the National Library’s Drama Centre. Expect hits like “Ne m’oublie pas” and “Maria Yudina.”
NETWORKING
Learn about all the overlooked jobs in Singapore at Career: My Life In Singapore’s Critical but Underrated Industries. Head to the *SCAPE The Newsroom to check it out.
EAT
Lifestyle mavericks Spa Esprit Group has launched Lazy Susan a series of celebrity chef stints around town, starting with chef Hann Palcu-Chang from Toronto, who is currently at House at Dempsey. The former chef de partie at one Michelin-starred restaurants like Kiin Kiin and Kokkeriet in Denmark will be serving up breakfast and lunch items inspired by traditional Asian and Western influences.
EXPLORING
Organized by Captivate, known for their challenging and fun escape rooms, Labyrinth has you investigating why the bodies of executed criminals are disappearing. Find clues and solve puzzles with your friends to find your way out.
Dec 15, Tue
ART
The Gajah Gallery is also showcasing the work of Malaysian abstract painter Sabri Idrus in a solo mini-exhibition at their new location, the Tanjong Pagar Distripark. His work is all about abstraction (think Jackson Pollock) and explores the techniques of painting and print-making.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Check out Patrick Wack’s portraits of men from China at the Berlin-based Mo Industries pop-up gallery. Wack travelled from cities like Chong Qing to remote areas of Tibet to capture the country’s myriad faces.
FILM
The French film Vatel stars the eponymous chef, who has an illicit romance with the Ducess Anne de Montausier in 17th century France. There’s also some bits about creating a feast for King Louis XIV.
EAT
Dehesa, a 50-seater outfit by famous chef-owner Jean-Phillipe Patruno has opened, and it specializes in an unconventional menu of alternative cuts. Signatures include the crispy pig’s head, duck hearts with membrillo and sprouts and Iberico jowl with sauteed duck hearts.
HERITAGE
The Balestier: A Hundred Years exhibition shows what the area was like from the mid 19th century to the 1960s. There are 130 artifacts that show how people settled, what they did for fun, and some of the cultural developments that existed during the era.
Dec 16, Wed
Meta is now open, and helming its kitchen is South Korean head chef Sun Kim, who’s done stints at Tetsuya’s in Sydney and Waku Ghin here. The menu comprises gastronomic items with South Korean influences, like Wagyu tartare with egg jelly and Korean pear kimchi.
It’s Wednesday again, and Kyo is having its regular DJ, EJ Missy spin with guest Ulysses, who is known for exploring different genres like disco, jazz and deep house.
Salsa and bachata group Dancing with Friends Singapore is celebrating its third anniversary. There’s a pre-party at Cuba Libre, where you will have to wear your shortest shorts (yes, that’s right) to get in.
Visiting Research Fellow and British art historian Tony Godfrey (who used to work for Sotheby’s) will show us his illustrated weekly letters that he emails friends and curators at Tuesday in the Tropics on Wednesday.
PHOTOGRAPHY
One of our favorite local photographers Darren Soh is exhibiting his series of sometimes-spooky-always gorgeous nighttime landscapes, In the Still of the Night (While You Were Sleeping), in an outdoor setting.
FASHION
The Louis Vuitton Series 3 exhibition showcases Nicholas Ghesquière’s inspiration and motivation for his fourth ready-to-wear show at the high fashion house.
Dec 17, Thu
FILM
Say what you will about the recent prequels, the premier of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on is going to get many people in a lather. Go watch it at The Projector and join the after-party at The Great Escape. Can’t get enough of Star Wars? Here’s a list of things to do.
EAT
Remember that Sri Lankan dinner we told you about? Today’s a day, so you better have a reservation as it’s sold out. If you missed this one, you can still make reservations for Dec 23.
The first-ever Singapore Cafe Week has arrived, with the city’s most Instagrammable caffeine bandits putting out prix fixe menus. Register on their website to eat at places like Group Therapy Katong, Prive Cafe and Strangers Reunion, for brunch, dinner or tea.
GAMING
It’s SG Tipsy Trivia Night at Paulaner Brauhaus again. Get a group of intellectual friends and sign up here.
Dec 18, Fri
PARTY
This pre-Christmas party at Gallery & Co features Cats on Crack and Daryl C. Come for Rein-beers and eggnog.
SPORTS
International Premier Tennis League: Singapore Slammers, starts today. Catch tennis stars like Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios as they duke it out to be number one.
MUSIC
French DJ Francois K is launching his 12th mix compilation at Kyo. Have a listen to some of his house/techno tracks.
EAT
Portico Prime, the off-shoot of European, produce-driven restaurant Portico, is now open. The menu has a solid list of dishes comprising the pan-seared Pulau Ubin barramundi, locally-farmed chicken done two ways and Tochigi prefecture Wagyu A4 ribcap.
ART
The Wow! Merlion performance and exhibition showcases Singaporean’s hopes, dreams and anxieties through dance, art and music. The Odyssey Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director and choreographer Dr. Danny Tan collaborates with visual artist Mr. Chieu Shuey Fook in this one.
HERITAGE
Travelling from the British Museum, Treasures of the World exhibition is underway, with cool artifacts like an “unlucky” mummy that was rumored to have sunk the Titanic, gold jewelry from ancient Mesopotamian graves and two million other years of history. There’s a curator’s tour today, too.
