Feeling down? The world’s first Happiness Film Festival has arrived to make it all better. So ditch the latest super hero blockbuster and head over to your favourite indie cinemas instead for some feel-good, sometimes tear-jerking moments of emotional release. You’ll appreciate yourself for doing it.
DRINK
Founder Jim Meehan of New York’s world-famous cocktail bar Please Don’t Tell is coming to town for a guest shift at MO Bar, so you can be sure half the bartending scene will be down for this one-day soiree with the man himself. He’ll be serving up drinks made using East Imperial’s new Grapefruit Soda, as well as some resident bar signatures. Mar 18
FESTIVAL
Travel themed Japan Rail Cafe is throwing a festival in celebration of the coming of spring. At The Sakura Lounge, happening right outside the cafe in a large open-air space, vendors the likes of Kirin Beer, Yamanashi Wine, Rakki Bowl and many more will be offering drinks and eats, all while various local and Japanese bands seranade you throughout the various evenings. Mar 20-23
FILM
The world’s first Happiness Film Festival is happening right here in Singapore, because we all know ’tis the place that needs it most. Happening at The Projector, *Scape and Aliwal Arts Centre, the inaugural edition of the festival will feature just six films—each one covering different aspects of happiness. Mar 20-24
DRINK
Brewlander’s John Wei has collaborated with the resident brewers of Little Creatures Brewing to launch an exclusive collab beer: The Brewmance is a modern twist on a German Kolsch, a pale ale Wei describes as also very lager-like. They’ve only got a limited, small-batch release for the launch, as with most things craft; so don’t sit on it. Mar 21
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
MUSIC
Two powerhouse bands, Havana Social Club and Singapore’s own Jive Talkin’, will be banding together for a very special one-night only Viva Lah Tropicana, where latino and rock will collide in melodious bliss at Hard Rock Cafe Singapore. Mar 22
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
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. Through Mar 24
EXHIBITION
Tampines gets to be the focal point for the latest edition of Arts in Your Neighbourhood, and this 12th edition of the programme is paying homage to the booming New Town’s roots. Over 50 activities have been planned to take place at 16 locations islandwide, spanning the genres of dance, literary arts, music, theatre and visual arts. Through 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
FILM
Your annual dose of French culture is back again. Alliance Francaise’s staple event Francophonie Festival is ever-ready to celebrate the diversity of the French language and intercultural dialogue on our sunny island. See some of our picks here. Through Mar 30
FESTIVAL
It’s cherry blossom season, and the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay is blooming with beautiful pink petals for Sakura Matsuri 2019. Throughout the month, the different weekends will offer different fringe activities too (like carnival games, anime concerts and more), so you got reasons to go back more than once. Through Mar 31
TALK
Leading ladies in their field—the likes of Rita Ora, Pooja Nansi and Inch Chua—are making an appearance at the month-long Made by Women series happening at Apple Orchard Road. All sessions are free to attend, with registration required. Through Mar 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
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. Through Mar 31
FESTIVAL
The Singapore Heritage Festival is back for its sixth year running for a special Bicentennial edition (like most arts festivals this year) that seeks to uncover hidden stories in unexpected spaces—from bus stops to Bedok—and spotlight selected neighbourhoods in Singapore. See our pick of events here. Through Apr 7
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
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 a limited time; chow down while you can. Through Apr 29
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
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. Through Jul 14
