Take it slow this week as we tread the second last week of the month. It’s the final leg of this year’s Singapore Food Festival, so get on that before it ends this weekend. Otherwise, you might want to sign up for local theater company Andsoforth’s latest offering or head over to The Projector to relive the wonders of Moulin Rouge.
Monday, Jul 23
Singapore Garden Festival
FESTIVAL
We aren’t called the Garden City for nothing. Singapore’s obsession with manicured shrubs and tree-lined avenues is only the beginning when it comes to displaying our penchant for well-designed flora. If you fancy yourself a fan of horticulture, head to Gardens by the Bay for the return of the Singapore Garden Festival (SGF)—the premiere garden show showcasing creations from the world’s top garden and floral designers under one roof. Through Aug 3
EXHIBITION
The eighth edition of Singapore Art Museum’s annual family-friendly contemporary art exhibition explores the concept of time. Ten artists and art collectives from around the world have taken over SAM at 8Q for Imaginarium: Into the Space of Time, presenting immersive and interactive installations exploring the tales and theories that shape our memories and future. Through Aug 26
EXHIBITION
Dutch artist Theo Jansen is sending his prized Strandbeests to our shores. In fact entirely non-living, his world-renowned creatures made of PVC and wood are powered by wind, and spend their days moving gracefully across beaches (hence their name, which translates to “beach animal” in Dutch). Head to the ArtScience Museum for an exclusive look at this new species, where you can look at “fossils” of past beests, and even walk alongside 13 original Strandbeests. Through Sep 30
Tuesday, Jul 24
The Lion King
MUSICAL
We’re just as excited as you are about the return of The Lion King to our shore for its 20th anniversary It’s been more than two decades since the epic musical film about lions in Africa first came into our lives, and again in 2011 when the musical made its Southeast Asian debut. Immerse yourself in the magnificent world of Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Mufasa, Timon, Pumba and company when it returns for a two-month run. Through Aug 26
EXHIBITION
Peranakan Museum’s latest exhibition, Amek Gambar: Peranakans and Photography, delves into the Southeast Asian history of photography through the pictured lives of the Peranakan community in the region. Through Feb 3, 2019
Wednesday, Jul 25
Sasha Velour
DRAG
The last year was a fabulous one for local drag fans, with superstar alumni from RuPaul’s Drag Race gracing our shores with their sold-out shows. First it was Season 6’s Bianca Del Rio in November, then dynamic duo from Season 8 Naomi Smalls and Kim Chi (with a bonus appearance by Lady Bunny) in March. This July, another fierce queen is making her way over—and it’s none other than Season 9 winner and reigning Drag Race queen Sasha Velour herself. Jul 25
AWARDS/FOOD
The third edition of Michelin Guide Singapore will take place at Resorts World Sentosa’s East Ballroom. If you’d like to know the results firsthand, you’re welcomed to the award dinner for $595 a pop, where you can enjoy a six-course wine-pairing dinner. Jul 25
Find out where else you can get your fill of durians here.
DRINK
CK Kho, who was named Bartender of the Year at the Bar Awards 2017, will be in town for one night only at gin bar Cin Cin for a guest shift from 7-11pm, where he’ll be offering two signature cocktails—both gin based, of course—for your drinking pleasure. Jul 25
THEATER
Toy Factory Productions’ upcoming play is an adaptation of local novel Here and Beyond: 12 Stories. Edited by Cyril Wong, the book is an anthology of short stories written by 12 Singaporean writers (including the likes of Simon Tay, Alfian Sa’at and even S. Rajaratnam). It’s also the only local commissioned literature text for 2018/19 ‘O’ Level students. Through Jul 28
Thursday, Jul 26
Golden Village’s Hong Kong Film Festival – Happiness (2016)
FILM
Golden Village will be hosting its first ever Hong Kong Film Festival at their Tiong Bahru cinema, screening seven different films. Jul 26-Aug 1
DANCE
The M1 Contact Contemporary Festival returns for its ninth run, presenting 16 shows of 28 dance works from 14 different nationalities across six performance platforms. Through Aug 5
EXHIBITION
2018 has shaped up to be a fantastic year for Marvel. Besides the two epic movies releasing to staggering global success, they’re also presenting Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes at ArtScience Museum, which delves into the science and tech behind the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe. Through Sep 30
Friday, Jul 27
Ramen Revolution
FOOD
For anyone who enjoys noods, Singapore’s only ramen festival, Ramen Revolution, returns to Resorts World Sentosa for a second run. The organizers have promised to bring back all the same elements as last year’s: A wide variety of ramen dishes from various Japanese establishments here, two guest restaurants from Japan and other activities. Jul 27-29
FILM/PARTY
It’s going to be another super campy, fun and high-energy film experience at The Projector. This time, our favorite party peeps The Glory Hoes are serving up truth, beauty, freedom, but above all, love with the screening of Moulin Rouge, which stars Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. Relive the tragic romance of Satine and Christian, cry your eyes out or sing along to all the songs; everything is fairgame here. And yes, there’ll be absinthe cocktails and… other French things. As usual, stay on a raucous after party. Jul 27
FOOD
For the second year, Sentosa will be turning Siloso Beach into grilled nosh central over three weekends. Sentosa Grillfest, which will take stretch for a full kilometer from Sapphire Pavilion to Coastes, will offer a myriad of both local and international cuisines and drink options from 21 different establishments within and beyond Sentosa. Jul 27-29
FOOD/THEATER
Local theater company Andsoforth is back with another immersive theater and theatrical pop-up feast. The Secret Garden Supper Club is a collaboration with renowned London-based supper club The Literary Hour—and yup, will be based on the 1911 children’s classic of the same name. Instead of the multi-room setting all the magic will take place in a single room. Jul 27-29, Aug 3-5
FILM
As part of resident punk institution The Substation’s 2018 lineup, local producer Jeremy Chua has curated a block of films retaliating against the en bloc (get it?) fever that’s putting iconic landmarks at demolition risk. On the Block Film Festival will feature two Singapore premieres—Kleber Mendonca Filho’s award-winning Aquarius, and a free-and-easy, nine-hour screening of Wang Bing’s critique of industrialism in China West of the Tracks. Jul 27-29
ART
The second edition of Keepers Playground of Infinite Happiness, previously held at the former New Majestic Hotel when before it shuttered, will take place at the National Design Centre over two weekends. While last year’s shebang involved more than 60 local creatives and brands, this year’s will bring together over 100 Singapore and Singapore-based designers, craftsmen, artists, chefs, mixologists and inventors. Jul 27-29, Aug 3-5
EXHIBITION
Take a glimpse into the everyday life of migrant workers through an intimate lens at Blind Spots, an interactive photography exhibition at Objectifs by non-profit creative group Labour Arty that seeks to bring about greater awareness of what migrant communities in Singapore go through daily. Through Aug 5
COMEDY
The people behind comedy icon Kumar’s 50th birthday bash are back with a new event—and this one’s all about bang for your buck. Come July, Dream Academy’s Happy Ever Laughter is pitting 12 of the island’s best comedians against each other, for a showdown that’s bound to leave you with your sides delightfully split. Through Jul 29
FOOD
Singapore-themed culinary event Singapore Food Festival 2018 returns for its 25th edition. Expect the usual chef collabs, masterclasses, food trails and cocktail pairings, as well as the main festival highlight, Streat. Through Jul 29
EXHIBITION
Angkor: Exploring Cambodia’s Sacred City. Masterpieces of the Musee national des arts asiatiques-Guimet showcases more than 140 sculptures, watercolors, drawings, and historic memorabilia from the museum in France, for a detailed look into the magnificent history of Angkor. Through Jul 29
EXHIBITION
Prolific Singaporean photographer Leslie Kee is known for his fashion spreads and celebrity shoots, and he’s currently in Singapore to showcase portraits of 150 out and proud people from the LGBTQI community here for Out in Singapore, which he shot a while back (Jun 30-Jul 1); as part of the continuation of his Out in Japan photo series. Through Jul 29
TOUR
The Singapore Zoo will be transformed into a lush and luminous universe to mark the attraction’s 45th anniversary this year. Experience Rainforest Lumina for yourself, where a whole stretch of tropical rainforest will be lit with multimedia visual effects come nighttime. You can even spend your night there by a campfire, if you so wish. Jul 1 onwards
