Bookworms rejoice; this March is set to be a month filled with literature and arts, as ground-up literary movement #BuySingLit returns for a bigger-than-ever third edition. A whole slew of events will be happening, including accompanying mini festival Textures, so be sure to plan ahead if you’re intent on checking them all out. Otherwise, there are also a couple of big brunch parties happening this month too, as well as concerts and flea markets not-to-be-missed.
PARTY
Everybody’s favourite bottle shop Temple Cellars has gotten a facelift, and they’re throwing a groovin New Order Party to celebrate. They now have taps (eight of them) for freshly drafted pints, a bigger wine selection, a dedicated spirits rack, more munchies and even a cosy sofa corner. It’s the perfect way (and excuse) to welcome the new month. Mar 1
FILM
Local filmmaker Shilpa Krishnan Shukla’s sweet family drama Tashi is back for another run at The Projector. Shot entirely in Singapore in just eight days, Tashi revolves around a family of four (an elderly mother, her two children, and the house helper) and a house guest who has to grapple with caregiving responsibilities. Come marvel at how Shukla shot and produced the entire film under a $20,000 budget, then clinched 11 awards at 13 film festivals in India. She’ll be present for a post-show dialogue too. Mar 2
MUSIC
Spend your Saturday evening surrounded by dreamy, soulful tunes at the first Open Stage of 2019. The free concert series by Marina Bay Sands is back with three top acts—Taiwanese songbird Ariel Tsai, local pop band Subsonic Eye, and YouTube prodigy Joie Tan—belting out their best throughout the night. Mar 2
FOOD
In need of good steak at reasonable prices? Pop-up steakhouse The Feather Blade is where you need to be. The London’s Flat Iron-inspired restaurant will be setting up shop at where Club Street stalwart Zui Hong Lou operates, dishing out quality cuts for just $21 every weekend for only two months; chow down while you can. Mar 2-Apr 29
THEATRE
Confront your existential crisis with local theatre company Toy Factory Productions’ The Transition Room, their first play of the year. For an hour and 15 minutes, get whizzed away on a journey of identity and existentialism as you follow protagonist Mike through a series of mysterious rooms—each one inhabited by a unique character. Through Mar 2
CONCERT
Derrick Hoh and Ling Kai headline an evening of Mando-Pop, held in conjunction with Families For Life Council, with a special pre-show music dedication segment by Cold Cut. Grab your picnic baskets and bring your friends and sing along to your favourite songs at NAC-ExxonMobil Concert in the Park. Mar 3
MARKET
If you’re a lover of vintage collectibles, this should already be on your radar. Vintage boutique and cafe Old Habits is organising a Mini Flea Market and swap meet for all kinds of vintage toys. Barter or buy vintage bootleg toys, tin toys, and various other figurines and collectibles from avid vintage collectors and like-minded members of the public alike. Mar 3
HEALTH
Go on a walk co-created with celebrity fitness trainer Jeanette Jenkins and Apple’s Jay Blahnik to discover how small changes can make a big impact on daily fitness. You’ll learn how to reach attainable goals, track your progress using an Apple Watch, and establish fun and healthy habits to stay motivated. Bring your own device. Mar 4
MUSIC
Hot on the heels of their recent album Politics of Living, Irish quartet Kodaline will be coming to town for yet another spectacular show. Fans are guaranteed to have a memorable night rocking out to iconic anthems like ‘The One’ and ‘Honest’, as well as newer tracks like ‘Brother’ and ‘Follow Your Fire’. Mar 5
DRINK
In celebration of the coming of Lent in Germany, Brotzeit is bringing to Singapore fresh Sion Kolsch beer, the light and crisp traditional brew best drank in true Cologne fashion—tapped into a 200ml cylindrical glass. Come Mar 2, Brotzeit’s Raffles City outlet will also be throwing a carnival, featuring live music, games and of course, plenty of German beer and grub. Through Mar 5
PARTY
Had lotsa fun at Nineteen80’s previous Street Fighter video game competition? The retro arcade bar is back with their next edition of Fight For Your Right, but this time, it’s bubble bursting time with Puzzle Bobble the game to beat. Winners get free bottles of booze! Mar 7
MUSIC
Get ready to dance the night away with Maroon 5 at their Red Pill Blues Tour in Singapore. Set to be their biggest show yet on our stomping grounds, expect to be swept away by the energy of frontman Adam Levine as he brings the band’s chart-topping discography to life. Mar 7
FOOD/DRINK
In celebration of International Women’s Day, four renowned female chefs and mixologists in the Singapore scene are taking over the kitchen and bar of Publico Ristorante, dishing out a eight-hands, four-course dinner menu complete with suitably Italian aperitivo and digestivo pairings. Mar 7-8
FESTIVAL
The nation’s biggest ground-up literary movement #BuySingLit returns, and with it the second edition of Textures, The Arts House’s own mini festival of arts. This year, themed ‘Love and Loss (and some things in between)’, Textures 2019 offers a bumper crop of more than 40 text-based programmes sure to impress. Mar 7-10
DRAG
Success looks good on Bianca Del Rio. Less than two years after her first show here back in 2017, the RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar is back for another comedy show—as part of her ‘It’s Jester Joke’ tour. She must really like us! Mar 8
ART/PARTY
Keong Saik’s equally happening sister street, Bukit Pasoh Road, will be turning into a lane filled with installations, activities and music at the inaugural Street of Clans, a block party of sorts with the many clan houses along the road opening up their usually closed doors to the public. Part of Singapore Design Week 2019. Mar 8-10
THEATRE
Co-presented by Centre 42 and Malaysia’s Five Arts Centre, Are You Game, Sau(dara)? is an original double bill of two works sure to pile on the nostalgia. Both plays were created as an artistic response to Malaysian playwright Leow Puay Tin’s seminal work Three Children on childhood and memory. Mar 8-10
MARKET
Whether you’re a vintage purveyor or a casual flea-goer, the Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market that runs every second weekend of the month is for you. You’ll be sure to find a horde of booths lining Katong Square, hawking all things vintage—haute couture, home decor, keepsakes, jewellery, vinyl records and more. Mar 8-10
BOOK/FESTIVAL
#BuySingLit 2019 is here, with this third edition bumped up to take place over two weekends. From kopi sessions with local authors to interactive storytelling, the line-up of more than 50 programmes is set to make SingLit more accessible than ever. Start stockpiling your GrabRewards points too—you’ll be able to use them to redeem local lit titles at partner bookstores as part of the festival. Mar 8-17
PARTY
It’s gonna be a pajama-wearing Slumber Party at Bar Rouge’s first themed revelry of the year. Come dressed in your best sleep attire for free entry before working the dance floor, and you just might win yourself a three-course dinner with Champagne for two at neighbour Skai restaurant. Mar 9
MUSIC/FESTIVAL
Sunshine Nation’s annual Garden Beats is back at Fort Canning Green, with this fifth edition of the sustainable music and picnic fest diversifying from its usual EDM line-up. English indie rock band The Kooks will be headlining, while other jazz and R&B outfits will aso be adding to the mix of top acts taking the stage. Mar 9
THEATRE
Pangdemonium is dialing back the fantasy for the first show of their 2019 season. Stripping things down to the foundation of pure dialogue and acting, they will present Late Company—a simple but searing look at cyberbullying and society today. Through Mar 10
THEATRE
If you love talented thespians, satirical songs, and confronting racial stereotypes, you’re in luck. After a sold-out premiere in 2016, Dream Academy’s hit show Meenah and Cheenah is back for a second run, starring beloved local actresses Siti Khalijah and Judee Tan in the respective former and latter roles. Through Mar 10
FESTIVAL
The annual Singapore Festival of Fun returns to Clarke Quay for its third edition, this time featuring a total of 108 shows—making it the biggest installment yet. There will be street acts, music performances and more, and of course the return of the Magners International Comedy Festival to look forward to. Mar 14-24
FOOD
There never needs to be a reason to gorge on durian, but Goodwood Park Hotel gives a mighty good one every year regardless. Come celebrate their annual Durian Fiesta, this time with six new exquisite D24 durian desserts, four perennial favourites, and a majestic appearance from the Mao Shan Wang in the form of a cheesecake. Mar 15-Jul 14
FESTIVAL
As part of observing International Women’s Day, global women’s network SheSays will be throwing their first ever festival in Singapore. Titled Create Your Own Balance, the event will bring together prominent women speakers across various industries for a panel session sure to get you inspired. Mar 16
DRINK/FESTIVAL
It’s St Paddy’s day once again, and this year, Guinness will be throwing a dedicated St Patrick’s Festival at 30 Maxwell Road in honor of the grand Irish tradition. Expect to drink lots of creamy, smooth stout, and if you got a ‘Pat’ in your name—calling all Patricks, Patricias and Patsys—you’ll get $5 off Guinness pints at participating bars all over Singapore for the whole month of March. Mar 16
ART
OH! Open House returns, but this time, there is no art walk, no tour, and no neighbourhood. In a departure from all previous editions, the arts collective now presents Passport, where six pop-up art experiences will be held at six different homes across Singapore, all presenting a work surrounding the themes of citizenship, identity, belonging and privilege. Mar 16-31
FOOD/DRINK
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore’s ultra decadent SuperBrunch is back, and in this special edition, they’re letting alll guests have a go at their newly launched, bespoke, ritzy version of Monopoly (yes, the board game). Enjoy dance performances, magic shows and more as you dine and down limitless servings of Champagne, and even bring home a Monopoly game set for every booking of four persons. Mar 17
ART/FESTIVAL
A brand new arts festival, The Future of Our Pasts Festival, hopes to bring Singapore’s micro-narratives to life, reimagining communities and places of the past and present. Nothing is off the table; the festival will explore various facets of Singapore history—from more well-worn icons like the Sungei Road Thieves Market, to lesser-known stories like the history of classical composition by Singaporean composers. Through Mar 17
FOOD
Up for a food coma? The Food & Beverage Fair 2019 returns for its 16th edition, with over 200 exhibitors offering delish eats. Choose wisely from the huge range of local, Asian and international offerings—including street snacks like baked truffle hotate from Japan, pineapple bakkwa, and the obligatory milk and fruit teas from Taiwan. Mar 21-24
PARTY
Get ready for another heady Eatmepoptart bash with DJs weelikeme, KiDG and Hedger taking on another night at Phuture, where thumping indie rock, electro, punk and more addictive tunes await you on the dancefloor. Mar 22
PARTY
Havana Social Club collaborates with Singapore’s very own Jive Talking in its very first Viva LAH! Tropicana at Hard Rock Cafe Singapore. Come dressed in your salsa dresses and Cuban loafers and spend the evening sipping on tropical cocktails for a night of scintillatingly sexy Latin grooves and rocking tunes from the 80’s and 90’s. Mar 22
DRINK
Sake Matsuri Singapore is back, just six months after their very first event, for a special spring edition of the craft sake festival. It’ll once again be a gathering of some of the best sake distributors here, offering more than 200 labels for tastings and purchase. Just don’t come in a kimono or yukata for this; it’s not that kind of matsuri. Mar 23
FOOD/MARKET
Sunday Social Market is returning to Camp Kilo Charcoal Club; and regulars, you know the drill—great nosh, delicious craft beers, local brands and some good ol’ house. Kick back with a hearty Camp Kilo roast before you browse artisanal bakers, interior decor, fashion accessories and local crafted goods available. Mar 24
CARNIVAL
The second coming of the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival is here, set to transform the Marina waterfront into a colossal fairground filled with rides, games, food, and of course, plenty of pretty lights. This time, entry is free, and with more rides to check out than before. Through Mar 24
THEATRE
Theatregoers rejoice, for The Esplanade’s inspiring incubatory programme is back. The Studios will be presenting Singaporean works—both old and new—that have been developing under keen mentorship for the last year, all unifying under the theme of ‘The Weight of a Stone in a Pocket’. Mar 28-Apr 27
PARTY
The first stop in the newly launched country-themed Wanderlust Party Series by Propeller rooftop bar will be Japan, where free-flow Japanese cuisine, sakes, Roku gin, highballs and Kirin beer await. Happening over two days, it’s essentially a nighttime brunch party, with the venue decked in appropriate Spring season decor and live food stations, and while DJ Stephen Day keeps the atmosphere upbeat till late. Mar 29-30
MARKET
Think 300 brands, two floors and over 6000 sqm of curated fashion-centric collections. Boutique Fairs Singapore brings Spring and Summer to the table with exquisite seasonal fashion, lifestyle and home decor finds, perfect for getting some proper shopping done. Mar 29-31
EXHIBITION
Trace the Polaroid camera’s fascinating history at the National Museum of Singapore’s latest exhibition, In an Instant: Polaroid at the Intersection of Art and Technology, featuring over 200 Polaroid artefacts and artworks from the original collection. Through Mar 31
EXHIBITION
What do national service, shamans and an apocalyptic Singapore have in common? They’re all tied to some form of mythic tradition—and are each explored in this year’s edition of Stories That Matter. Look out for the highlight of the programme—four feature-length documentaries from Brazil to Singapore that interrogate the role both traditional and contemporary myths play in our lives today. Through Apr 14
EXHIBITION
The ground-breaking Minimalism: Space. Light. Object exhibition spanning National Gallery Singapore and ArtScience Museum traces the origins and evolutions of the Minimalist art movement, in more than 150 works loaned from all over the world. Check out our quick picks here. Through Apr 14
EXHIBITION
Asian Civilisations Museum and London’s British Museum are coming together to present Raffles in Southeast Asia: Revisiting the Scholar and Statesman, to illuminate the different sides of founding father Sir Stamford Raffles himself. Peer into the historic Raffles Collection on loan from the British Museum, that comprises largely Javanese and Sumatran objects Raffles personally collected during his time in the region. Through Apr 28
EXHIBITION
One of Singapore’s smallest minority communities is finally having their moment in the spotlight at Chetti Melaka of the Straits: Rediscovering Peranakan Indian Communities. Come hear the lesser-known stories of the Chetti Melaka, also known as Peranakan Indians—descendants of early South Indian migrants who to Singapore in the 15th and 16th centuries, and married local Chinese or Malay women. Through May 5
