“If music be the food of love, play on.” If that Shakespeare quote from Twelfth Night rings true in your life, then you’ll probably be running all over the place this weekend. From trance giants Cosmic Gate’s set at Zouk and electronic music producer DJ Tennis’ return to Kilo Lounge to Lauv’s live performance at Make the Future Singapore festival and the throwback concert by three big-ish ’90s bands at The Star Theatre, you’ve got a lot going for you. Otherwise, it’s film screenings, a full tray of arts events and more for the rest of you.
Friday, Mar 9
Her Love Boils Bathwater, screening at Japanese Film Festival
FILM
The Japanese Film Festival is back for its 21st edition, with 16 films of genres ranging from action to romance, comedies and even anime at the National Museum of Singapore. Check out our picks here. Through Mar 18
CONCERT
Missed American singer-songwriter Lauv in his Singapore debut opening for Ed Sheeran last Nov? Well, the pop star is back for another live performance this March—and this time, free-of-charge. As part of the Make the Future Singapore festival happening Mar 8-11, Lauv will headline a new segment on Mar 9 called Make the Future Singapore Lates, the festival’s first after-hours event. Mar 9
TOUR
It’s one thing to take a walk through hell at Haw Par Villa during the day, and a whole other experience if you go at night. The twilight tour of Haw Par Villa is back—check out the infamous 10 Courts of Hell, King of Ghosts, the upcoming Hell’s Museum and the Aw family memorials. Mar 9
[SPONSORED]
#BuySingLit
FESTIVAL
The Arts House will be home to all things literary this weekend. The inaugural Textures – A Weekend with Words, co-commissioned by The Arts House and #BuySingLit, is a three-day festival that celebrates Singapore’s literary community of writers, publishers, booksellers and editors. Indulge in the beauty and power of words through more than 30 programs where you can take home local literature at the #BuySingLit Bazaar, attend a book launch or two, and walk down memory lane at the Room of Lost Books and Wandering Writers. Mar 9-11
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HEALTH
Calling all Star Wars fans who’re looking for a way to stay in shape—sign up for a SaberFit Fitness Class at Safra Toa Payoh, where you can reap the benefits of a full-on, high energy workout while living out your lightsaber-wielding and -fighting dreams. Mar 9
MARKET
A new month calls for a new Katong Square market, which, with its vinyl records and vintage goods, touts itself as Singapore’s only true blue vintage flea market. Resident booths include familiar names like The Retro Factory, Memory Lane and The Great Vinyl Exchange; but be sure to hit up the “casual booths” for preloved bargains. Mar 9-11
BOOK
Book nerds and lovers of all things literary, check out all the book fairs and other literary activities lined up for the #BuySingLit weekend, an event organized by the NAC with more than 50 programs featuring literary non-profits, publishers and booksellers. More details here. Mar 9-11
[SPONSORED]
FESTIVAL
While you’re checking out i Light Marina Bay this weekend, stop by the food-and-music festival village GastroBeats over at The Promontory, where you can refuel at more than 20 food vendors, groove to the sounds of local musicians like Cadence, Jack and Rai and Subsonic Eye, or shop at the Terra Village on Sunday and take home a trinket or two, all lovingly made by a sustainable community of crafters, designers and upcyclers. Mar 9-Apr 1
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EXHIBITION
Lui Hock Seng, an 80-year-old self-taught photographer, will be showcasing more than 30 black and white photographs of Singapore from the ’50s to the 70s’ at Objectifs. It’ll be the first time he’ll be presenting his work; about 60 years after picking up the hobby. Through Mar 11
FESTIVAL/COMEDY
Magners International Comedy Festival is back for its fifth edition in Clarke Quay, and this time, our very own Fakkah Fuzz and Samuel See will be joining an international mix of comedians the likes of US stand-up Doug Stanhope and Jim Brewsky from Hong Kong for a side-splitting weekend. Through Mar 11
THEATER
Pangdemonium’s next play, a staging of French playwright Florian Zeller’s The Father, is a gripping look at dementia from the sufferer’s POV. It will explore the deteriorating mind of 70-year-old Andre, who begins to feel as if something sinister is happening in his home. Expect family drama, suspense, and a puzzling narrative, as Andre starts to bend under the weight of dementia. Through Mar 18
MUSICAL
The iconic original West End and Broadway production of Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice is making its Asian premiere at The Mastercard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands. Even if you’re not a fan, you’ll definitely recognize classics like “Don’t Cry For me Argentina” , and “On This Night of a Thousand Stars”. Through Mar 18
EXHIBITION
If you fancy yourself a cinema enthusiast, the Singapore Art Museum’s latest exhibition Cinerama: Art and the Moving Image in Southeast Asia is a must-go. In a series of immersive, multi-medium installations, the exhibition brings together the works of 10 artists and art collectives from across the region. Here are five you should check out. Through Mar 25
FESTIVAL
Celebrate all things French at at Alliance Francaise’s Francophonie Festival. This year, they’ve teamed up with the French, Belgium, Canadian and Swiss embassies to bring you the best of Francophone culture through four conferences, nine premiere films, two workshops, an exhibition and a concert. Through Mar 28
Saturday, Mar 10
Cosmic Gate at Zouk
PARTY
German trance DJ-producer duo Cosmic Gate is no stranger to Singapore. As one of the most consistent trance acts since their formation in 1999, they’re back at Zouk to drop some of the best uplifting and mesmerizing tracks of the past, present and future. Mar 10
CONCERT
Irish boyband Westlife, who was signed by Simon Cowell, did pretty well all over the world, but finally called it quits in 2012. Ex-frontman Shane Filan took the opportunity to launch his solo career right after. Now armed with three albums, he’s making a date with Singapore once again; and this time it isn’t a private showcase. Mar 10
PARTY
Electronic music producer DJ Tennis is returning to Kilo Lounge with a special four-hour DJ set. He started out tour-managing punk bands and organizing left-field music gigs in Italy for two decades, before shifting his focus and establishing himself as a DJ-producer eight years ago. Mar 10
CONCERT
Nostalgia continues to trickle into 2018 as three big-ish ‘90s bands make their way here. We’ve already seen the likes of The Moffatts, Gun N’ Roses, Sum 41, Dashboard Confessional, Air and even Britney Spears perform here in 2017. Now, English pop trio 911, boy band 5ive (formed by the same team that managed Spice Girls) and pop outfit S Club will be coming to perform hits that made their careers (and the soundtrack of your youth) at The Star Theatre. Mar 10
FESTIVAL
Celebrate the annual St Patty’s Day in advance else as Guinness throws a roaring Guinness St. Patrick’s Festival 2018 on Club Street a week earlier than usual, followed by a three-day revelry along Circular Road on the actual festive weekend. This year, they’re making sure your friends don’t bail on you by making you sign the St. Pat’s Pledge and offering a 1-for-1 Guinness e-voucher as bait. Mar 10, 16-18
TOUR
OH! Open House is no stranger to immersive art experiences. Since 2009, the company has garnered a name for itself—for its art walks and tours that go deep into unexplored neighborhoods, and illuminate the heritage of the place from inside people’s homes. This year, however, OH! takes to Emerald Hill, for a provocative discussion of Singapore’s relationship with colonialism. Through Mar 25
EXHIBITION
On the 75th anniversary of the fall of Singapore, the National Museum of Singapore remembers 1942, with their first large-scale, blockbuster war exhibition featuring more than 130 artefacts from 10 overseas museums and institutions. It’s the biggest collection of war stories to date, but go because the exhibition explores events and portrayals of World War II beyond just your textbook syllabus. Through Mar 25
CARNIVAL
Get your adrenaline pumping at Singapore’s largest carnival. The massive Prudential Marina Bay Carnival will span across 25,000 sqm (or the size of three and a half football fields) at The Promontory and Bayfront, and boasts more than 40 rides and games—most of which are from the UK, Germany and Italy. Through Apr 1
THEATER
Hot on the heels of The Imaginarium of Disco David, local nomadic theater group And So Forth is back with a new pop-up feast planned. Adventures in Grimmsneyland will focus on the darker sides of fairy tales—as evidenced by the reference to the Brothers Grimm, whose folk tales were anything but pleasant—and take audience members through various worlds. Through Apr 21
EXHIBITION
You’d think a traveling exhibition from the London Natural History Museum would be hard to top, but ArtScience Museum’s upcoming shtick will trace 40 years of street art, from its controversial beginnings as expressions of counterculture, to its current standing as a major pillar of contemporary art. Art from the Streets will feature the works of the world’s top street artists, such as Magda Danysz, Banksy, Shepard Fairey and more. Through Jun 3
Sunday, Mar 11
Rosita’s Deluxe x Yardbird at Park Bench Deli
FOOD
Food collabs don’t get any better than this. Lovers of burgers and modern yakitori dishes, this one’s for you. Check out the one-day-only Rosita’s Deluxe x Yardbird collab taking place over at Park Bench Deli. We highly suggest you get there early to avoid disappointment. Mar 11
PARTY
Anyone up for a daytime beach disco party? If that’s your jam, head down to Tanjong Beach Club as UK DJ-producer, remixer, and record label boss Dicky Trisco brings his magic to one of the hottest beach spots in town. Mar 11
MARKET
Sunday Social returns to Camp Kilo Charcoal Club to marry local brands, talented crafters, good food and better music. At the market, vendors include artisanal bakers and crafters, interior decor and fashion accessories. Cash only. Mar 11
MARKET
Party people Ice Cream Sundays is hosting an extra artsy affair at Gillman Barracks. Go for the food and market stalls—which include a pop-up bar of house pours and draft beers, bites from Sidecar Sausages, and gelato popsicles from Popbar SG—but stay for the art and the slick sets. A line-up of house, disco, funk and soul will keep you dancing from 2pm till 10pm. Mar 11
COMEDY
Kumar is turning 50 next year, but he’s far from a mid-life crisis. In fact, he’s teaming up with Dream Academy Productions to celebrate his 50th birthday with Kumar50, a jubilee drag show at Capitol Theatre where he’ll look back on five decades of growth as fodder for the entertainment. Through Mar 11
EXHIBITION
In a stunning collab between National Gallery Singapore and the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, Claude Monet and his contemporaries grace our sunny island with over 60 Impressionist masterpieces in Colours of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musee d’Orsay, featuring works like the dreamy Le Bassin aux nympheas, harmonie rose. Through Mar 11
FESTIVAL
The annual Singapore Design Week (SDW) organized by the DesignSingapore Council, returns in its fifth edition with a new plan to involve the public in their most frequented public spaces. This year’s initiative sourced ideas in an open call to the public—a first for SDW—placing more emphasis on “district activations” and interactive design trails. Through Mar 18
EXHIBITION
Curated by acclaimed art historian Lorand Hegyi, The Artist’s Voice, brings together the works of 34 contemporary artists from around the world, to reflect on socio-political issues and the human conditioning through mediums ranging from sculpture and video. Through Mar 18
ART
We’ve already seen a insiders’ look at Jurong, but the upcoming bi-annual Arts in Your Neighbourhood (AYN) returns this March and will spotlight the northside heartland of Ang Mo Kio. AYN celebrates its 10th anniversary in this neighborhood with nearly 50 activities, a third of which will draw inspiration from this district’s rich history. Through Mar 25
EXHIBITION
Singapore’s most esteemed disabled artists exhibit oriental works in a series of three parts at Hail, Chinese Culture!, organized by local charity organization Very Special Arts Singapore and Pan Pacific Singapore. Through Mar 30
EXHIBITION
A cursed gem, a dodo and a giant stuffed sloth walk into a museum; the punchline is that they’re here to stay till the end of April. Treasures of the Natural World , the traveling exhibition from the Natural History Museum in London, makes its first and only stop in Southeast Asia at the ArtScience Museum, bringing over 200 of the London museum’s star artefacts Through Apr 29
