Could this be? Is this week actually way more chill than the rest of May? Well, it sure looks like it. Biggies like Singapore Cocktail Festival, Singapore International Festival of the Arts, Perino Sunset Cinema have all ended. But nevertheless, we’re still excited for all the vices we can look forward to this week. If you’ve got tickets to catch Iron & Wine at their Singapore debut on Monday, good on you. There’s also the return of Margaret Cho, who’s back with a fresh routine on Tuesday. Otherwise, fast forward to the weekends and groove to the deep and melodic sounds of Frankey and Sandrino at Tuff Club (which, by the way, is at the same place as Cantonese establishment, Myo Retobar).
Monday, May 14
Iron & Wine
CONCERT
American singer-songwriter Sam Beam a.k.a. Iron & Wine has been well loved ever since he came on the scene back in 2002. After more than a decade, he’s finally dropping by for his debut performance with a full band in Capitol Theatre. Tickets are sold out, but check the Facebook event page for resellers. May 14
MARKET
If you’re in the area, pop by Tanjong Pagar Centre to pick up hand-sewn pouches, accessories and other trinkets from local handicraft entrepreneur Ohhgranny at the Andes Festival Market. Through May 17
EXHIBITION
Chinese New Year may be long over, but this new exhibition looks at the Chinese zodiac through the eyes of European artists. The internationally renowned Mazel Galerie from Brussels has commissioned The Great Race, a new exhibition that takes source material from the traditional Chinese zodiac. Through Jun 30
Tuesday, May 15
Margaret Cho. Photo credit: Alnert Sanchez
COMEDY
After leaving us in stitches back in 2016 and keeping her promise of not censoring herself, comedian Margaret Cho returns to the Kallang Theatre with her swanky new routine, “Fresh Off The Bloat”. May 15
COMEDY
Catch everyone’s favorite drag queen comedian Kumar as he dishes out his usual antics, politically incorrect rants and Singapore issues-based jokes at Canvas. May 15
CONVENTION
If you’ve ever wondered what the start-up scene in Singapore is like, or wanted to learn a thing or two about starting your own business, head over to Tech in Asia Singapore’s flagship conference. This seventh edition will see industry experts speaking at six content stages (Blockchain Stage, Main Stage, Developer & Product Stage, Revenue Stage, Startup 101 Stage and Marketing Stage). May 15-16
EXHIBITION
Singapore-based Taiwanese indie pop art illustrator and designer Billy Ma will be showcasing pieces from his Sexy Sin City series at casual French dining eatery Merci Marcel, as part of the restaurant’s first ever art exhibition. Each piece presents an otherwise provocative history of familiar Singapore neighborhoods juxtaposed against seemingly unassuming and less charming modern structures. Through Jun 15
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, May 16
Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall
DRINK
Ah Sam Cold Drink Stall is teaming up with Singapore’s craft beer brand Brewlander & Co. to pay tribute to the growing craft beer scene here. They’ve created four special cocktails using four of Brewlander’s beers to highlight the hops and and flavors of each beer, complemented with different spirits and local ingredients like gula melaka, ginger, lemongrass and Kaffir leaves. May 16
MARKET
Collectors will be pleased to know that antique store Emperor’s Attic (formerly known as FairPrice Antique) is holding one of their regular bazaars this month. Enjoy wine and nibbles while you peruse quality Chinese antique, vintage and new furniture, ceramics, porcelain, stone statues, art and more. The store sources from a small number of suppliers in Northern China, so you know it’s only the good stuff. May 16
FILM
Learn about the story of Pakistani female activist and youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai in the 2015 documentary, He Named Me Malala, at Workcentral Singapore. The film anecdotes the journey of her surviving a gunshot from a Taliban gunman who was a member of the organization that violently opposed girls’ education in Pakistan, who then became even more outspoken and eloquent in her quest. May 16
DRINK
Oenophiles and connoisseurs of fine spirits, it’s time to stock up again at 1855 The Bottle Shop’s fifth Wine & Whisky Week—even if you’re still not down to the last drop with your last batch. There will be more than 500 other labels on offer throughout the 12-day event, with over 100 of them available for tasting before you buy. May 16-27
THEATER
The beloved annual Shakespeare in the Park by the Singapore Repertory Theatre was put on hold last year, but it returns this month thanks to a crowdfunding campaign. They’ll be staging Julius Caesar in its well-loved setting of Fort Canning Park. Through May 27
EXHIBITION
Human Version is an introspective exhibition filled with photographic and videographic works designed to explore the nascent relationship between humans and robots. Held at Alliance Francaise de Singapour’s La Galerie, the all-encompassing exhibition will give you a rare insight into research labs often kept away from the public eye. Through Jun 2
Thursday, May 17
Shigeto. Photo credit: Kristin Adamczyk
PERFORMANCE
The brilliant Michigan-born electronic musician Shigeto will be making his Singapore debut at Kilo Lounge, dishing out his special blend of jazz, funk, hip-hop and folk. May 17
PARTY
DJs weelikeme and KiDG are changing things up for this edition’s Electric Feel at Tuff Club. They’re diving into the ’80s, a time when music by Kylie Minogue, Prince, New Order, Janet Jackson and so many others ruled the airwaves. May 17
WELLNESS
Learn to take care of your body and join in the twilight edition of Urban Yogis’ Pop-Up Yoga series on the MBS Boardwalk. May 17
FILM
The long-running European Union Film Festival (EUFF) is back for its 28th run, returning once again to their newfound home from last year, National Gallery Singapore. The festival presents more than 20 gripping, provocative and hilarious films from across the Europe. Check out our picks here. Through May 20
MUSICAL
Watch Elle Woods teach her friends to bend and snap in Legally Blonde—The Musical at the Mastercard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands. This multiple Tony award-nominated musical, which first premiered on Broadway in 2007, remains just as fab under the creative team that brought us Big League’s My Fair Lady—director Jeffery Moss and Tony-nominated choreographer Bob Richard. Through May 20
THEATER
UK-based theater company Secret Theatre Project has arrived in Singapore, bringing to locals their unique style of interactive theater. The experience essentially takes audience members on a high-budget theatrical production that can include anything from deciding a central character’s fate to journeying through a full-blown haunted house adventure. Through Jun 10
FOOD
Goodwood Park Hotel’s annual durian festival returns with all-time favorites like durian puffs, crepes, strudels, ice cream and more. Through Jul 22
Friday, May 18
Photo credit: Frankey & Sandrino’s Facebook page
PARTY
Starting out as solo artists, German producers Frankey and Sandrino only got together in 2010 out of their pure love of house music. They recorded their first self-titled EP that year, and the rest was history. They’ll be serving up a real deep and melodic set over at Tuff Club. May 18
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. May 18
PARTY
Keeping his promise of bringing quality acts to Singapore and an unwavering good time, nightlife stalwart Zig Zach delivers once again by presenting American DJ, producer and radio host of the long-running Beats in Space show Tim Sweeney to our shores under the recently reignited party night, Ritual. May 18
EXHIBITION
Kult’s newest exhibition Word will interpret written text in visual forms through artworks. Specifically, the artists involved were invited to interpret traditional scripts such as Arabic, Braille and Urdu. May 18-Jun 20
EXHIBITION
You’d think a traveling exhibition from the London Natural History Museum would be hard to top, but ArtScience Museum’s current shtick traces 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 features the works of the world’s top street artists, such as Banksy, Shepard Fairey and more. Through Jun 3
MARKET
The Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) turns 80 this year. And to celebrate, they’re throwing an eight-week arts festival to showcase the school’s diverse talents. As part of the festival, a series of festival markets will take place each weekend, featuring craft-makers and jewellers, local fashion labels, original artworks and vintage collectibles. You can even be part of the excitement and book a booth here. Through Jun 3
