Now that it’s officially October, trust that it’s socially acceptable to attend all the new events around the island, pumpkin spice latte in hand. There’s the limited season of Kinky Boots to catch, spin-off events from Archifest, parties, exhibitions, and crowd favorite Urban Ventures—the last one of the year.
Friday, Oct 5
MUSICAL
Kick up your heels ladies and gents; Tony-Award winning Kinky Boots is finally here in town. Come get swept away in the story of underachieving Charlie Price as he meets flamboyant drag performer Lola, in an extravagant musical display of glittery sky-high stilettos, set to the music and lyrics of multi-award winning singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper. Oct 5-14
PARTY
The next Kampong Boogie takes place in an abandoned shophouse along Jalan Besar’s notorious red light district in Little India; fun! Get down and dirty to a mix of funk, soul, groove, tropical, world, afrobeat, hip-hop, house, disco by the Ice Cream Sundays DJs and other selectors. Location will be revealed on the day of the party, but look out for a candle on the ground in the Desker road alleyway. Oct 5
PARTY
As part of Archifest 2018, one-night-only party Artifacts will bring together a seamless mix of diverse music selectors at Intermission Bar (underground EDM label Darker Than Wax is behind the programming), with $5 beer specials all night long. Oct 5
PARTY
The modern sounds of the French dance music scene are coming to Kilo Lounge, with House artist Darius, Paris-based producer Kartell (whose signature sound is a mix of House, R’n’B, Hip-Hop and Future Beat), and minimalist sound mixer Dune taking over. Oct 5
DRINK
Head down to 112 Katong for wine masterclasses, $3000 worth of prizes, and lots of alcohol, at the inaugural Booze Fest by the Epicure team. Oct 5-7
EXHIBITION
New York pop artist The Sucklord rose to fame for his cheeky bootleg toys—unlicensed action figures and toys made subversive and spanning themes of politics, porn and memes. For the first time, he’s holding a solo show in Singapore at Kult Gallery (the genius himself will be present on opening night), so stop by for a hit of sleazy, hilarious art. Oct 5-Nov 10
EXHIBITION
Powerful ladies step up to the plate in Objectifs’ Women in Photography photo exhibition. This year, in line with prolific collective movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp, the exhibition will throw pertinent issues of politics, sexuality and cultural oppression into the spotlight via poignant visuals from international female photographers. Oct 5-Nov 18
THEATER
The tale of Peter Pan gets an 1880s Singapore remix, in Pangdemonium’s adaptation of Peter and the Starcatcher. Come watch the all-star cast bring to life the prequel in song and dance, and decide for yourself if Southeast Asia makes a worthy Neverland. Through Oct 20
Saturday, Oct 6
HEALTH
Now that it’s breast cancer awareness month, the annual Pink Ribbon Walk is back. Lend your support via two categories, a 3.5km walk or a 5km run—no matter which one you go for, remember to dress to the theme of pink. Plus, good news for dog owners; your furkids are also welcomed to run together with you. Oct 6
PARTY/MARKET
Urban Ventures‘ wildly successful block party/street market is coming back to Temple Street. It’s their last blowout of the year, which guarantees an impressive line-up of mouthwatering nosh, drinks vendors, artisanal goodies and crafts alongside the usual outdoor yoga experience and live gigs, featuring Subsonic Eye, Fauxe, Cravism and more. Oct 6
DRAG
What happens when drag queens get to have a revue exactly the way they want it? A RIOT!, that’s what. The slightly filthy, definitely trashy, and highly entertaining show is back, with the likes of Mona Kee Kee, Sherri, Mika Vogue and more on the line-up, and your host, Becca D’Bus. Oct 6
PARTY
The party continues with Yum Yum Disco Dong’s all-new Riot afterparty series KITCHEN SYNC, which will drop throwback tunes and queer anthems galore throughout the night; nothing is too campy or tacky. There will even be a fabulous amateur group lipsync with prizes to be won, Drag Race style. Oct 6
HEALTH
Here comes inaugural run—the HooGa + Run 2018 aims to instill happiness and pass on positive vibes, via a 5km fun run and 10km competitive run. The run kicks off and takes place at Punggol Waterway Park, with programs afterwards that include a lucky draw contest with fabulous prizes such as tickets to Korean pop idol Hwang Chi Yeul’s concert. Oct 6
DRINK
Celebrate in true Bavarian style at The Spot as it celebrates Oktoberfest 2018 with plenty of meat offerings like the Pressed Crispy Pork Knuckle and Chorizo Pork Sausage, alongside pints of Paulaner Munich Dunkel, Asahi Super Dry and Hitachino Red Rice Ale. Through Oct 6
EXHIBITION
The world’s best photojournalists are now on display at the National Museum of Singapore, as the World Press Photo Exhibition 2018 makes a stop here on its worldwide tour. Showcasing photos from the 61st annual World Press Photo contest, the winning entries were chosen from a whopping 73,000 photographs by more than 4,500 photographers globally, keen to tell stories that matter. Oct 6-28
EXHIBITION
After conservation comes an interrogation of the heritage icons we hold close to our heart. The Substation’s next installment in their programme is an interactive, adventure course-type show inspired by the notorious interview process all Singapore Girl wannabes have to go through—where you too can reach for the overhead cabin stars and become a national icon. Oct 6-Nov 4
FILM
In partnership with the Singapore Film Society, the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) Film Festival is screening six films from around the world to raise awareness for persons with intellectual disability (PWIDs). An added highlight, two original shorts commissioned by MINDS and produced by Royston Tan’s Chuan Pictures will have their premiere, and be screened before the start of the six films. Through Oct 7
FILM
Can you feel the love tonight? Golden Village’s annual Love & Pride Film Festival is back in its 10th edition with a line-up of international films celebrating acceptance and the human universality of love. Be sure to catch The Miseducation of Cameron Post, which won the grand jury prize at this year’s Sundance. Through Oct 12
Sunday, Oct 7
MARKET/PARTY
It’s another Tribe music market by Revision Music, this time in collaboration with Ice Cream Sundays, where you’ll be able to cop preloved vinyl, merch, local labels and even eats from brands like Public School KL, Straits Records, Analog Paralog, and Popbar SG. Oct 7
MARKET
In a bid to encourage Singaporeans to enjoy healthier diets and go local with their grocery purchases, Farmers Market @ Central Singapore gathers a selection of fresh organic products from farm to stall. Expect locally-produced organic honey, vegetables, granola and dips, among other things. Oct 7
EXHIBITION
Singapore’s first Nobel Peace Prize photographer Sim Chi Yin is exhibiting exclusive photos and videos from her series Fallout, in an exhibition hauntingly entitled Most people were silent. The series documents life and landscapes in the nuclear age. Through Oct 10
FOOD
Meat lovers, your time has come. The Carvery’s notorious Great Meat Feast is back and it’s positively drool-worthy. Unlike last year (where spread included other meats like pork), this year’s feast will mainly feature premium beef. Through Oct 21
EXHIBITION
The dreamy pastel-hued shots of our city come to life in an exclusive exhibition by Nguan of his latest photobook, Singapore (2017), as part of the annual Singapore International Photography Festival. Get up close and personal with the homegrown photographer himself (who rarely takes interviews) at a book signing on opening day. Through Oct 28
TOUR
Dust off your scaredy-pants, because the eighth edition of Halloween Horror Nights is here and ready to terrify. Come face to face with Demogorgons, Pontianaks, and other chilling Asian ghosts, as Universal Studios Singapore is once again transformed into the creepiest place in the region. Through Oct 31
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
EXHIBITION
From Cold Storage to Tiger Balm, come chart the evolution of print advertising in Singapore from the 1830s to 1960s at Selling Dreams: Early Advertising in Singapore. Aside from just print advertisements, the exhibition at the National Library also includes interactive multimedia stations for you to experience life as a consumer in early Singapore. Through Feb 24, 2019
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
