Oh snap, it’s August. While the rest of the world gears up in anticipation of National Day, spend your first weekend of August getting cultured at a host of exhibitions, book launches, film screenings and more.
Friday, Aug 3
Keepers’ Multiply: A Majestic Playground in 2017
ART
The second edition of Keepers Playground of Infinite Happiness, previously held at the former New Majestic Hotel 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. Aug 3-5
DRAG 
Ooh the competition is getting tight. With five remaining hopefuls and two rounds of Peaches’ inaugural amateur drag queen competition, Drag Wars, left, who will be that much closer to being crowned the reigning queen? Come by the semi-finals for the club’s very own version of Snatch Game. Read this to find out more about the competition. Aug 3
FOOD/PARTY
For some head-banging rock ‘n’ roll classics paired with sinful all-American burgers, pop by Overeasy Fullerton for their new Friday night party series Buns ‘N’ Roses.The setlist is primed with killer indie, alt, hard, psychedelic rock, and old-school bangers from the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Arctic Monkeys, and the series’ namesake, Guns N’ Roses. Aug 3
Find out where you can get your fill of durians here.
PARTY
Take to the Zouk dance floor with DJs Ghetto and Nash D for a raging mashup of genres including Electro, Hip-Hop and Pop; it’s Bulletproof. Aug 3
PERFORMANCE
Local music label Umami Records presents Umami Sounds, its first live music gig featuring the label’s new breaking artists and newest hits. Look forward to an intimate night of stripped down performances from four-piece funk, soul and R&B band Astronauts, rising rapper Nikhil Senan, and everyone’s favorite indie darling Linying. Aug 3
PARTY
Party series Artifacts at The Projector’s Intermission Bar was inspired by the adventurous music culture of outlets like Brilliant Corners and Spiritland in London. Come for seamless mixes from Ramesh and Funk B, with Singapore DJ Intriguant guest-spinning for the night. Aug 3
FOOD/THEATER
Local theater company Andsoforth is back with another immersive 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. Aug 3-5
EXHIBITION
The World’s Loneliest Bookstore explores what the last bookstore on earth would look like in a post-apocalyptic reality; somehow we aren’t surprised that it’ll be at Gillman Barracks. The exhibition presented by Books Actually and DISINI will showcase a selection of titles from local and international authors, plus set the backdrop for book launches, readings and installations throughout the duration of the event. Aug 3-19
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
Saturday, Aug 4
IndigNation Queer Film Festival 2018 – Malia: The Farewell Flower
FILM
Singapore’s annual pride season returns with the week-long IndigNation Queer Film Festival, a precursor to the month’s extravaganza of fabulous events. Catch Thai director Anucha Boonyawatana’s sophomore feature film Malila: The Farewell Flower, a poetic visual essay on a tragic gay romance between former lovers Shane and Pich; or check out what else to watch here. Through Aug 5
MARKET
Global co-working space WeWork is organizing its second Creators Market. In their swanky Robinson Road space, shop everything from clothes to accessories, to books, from the island’s best creators—By Invite Only, The Ordinary Co., Sojao, Hush Candle, Perk by Kate, Olive Ankara and Books Actually are just some of the featured merchants. Local musicians Aarika Lee & The Next Movement and Shak will be providing live music too. Aug 4
PARTY
The Council’s last rave at the Tuck Lee Factory left many of us craving for more. They’ve heard us, and will be throwing another massive warehouse party (exact location to be disclosed) featuring Korean techno and acid house sweetheart Damie, alongside residents Julien Brochard and Deen. Aug 4
PARTY 
Rock music, booze and beach games–that’s what you should expect at Bikini Bar’s third instalment of Beerkini Rocks 2018. Far from your average beach party, this quarterly affair marries music from some of Singapore’s rising rock and alternative bands with crazy drink promos and fun beach games. Crowd favorites Bushmen will be dishing out rock covers with a reggae spin during the day while hotshots Tabula will lay an energetic soundtrack into the night. The drinks situation looks promising too: Early birds can enjoy a supersized glass of Heineken beer at only $10 from 1-6pm while buckets of Bintang Beer are going for $40, Jaeger Shots at $8 each, Monster Bombs at $9 and Margarita On The Rocks at $10 throughout the party. Aug 4
BOOK
You might have seen the book under the “new” section of bookstores everywhere, but head down to BooksActually for the official launch of Rachel Heng’s debut novel Suicide Club, which has been regarded as a “most anticipated summer read”. Aug 4
PARTY/MARKET
Music lovers unite; jointly organized by Sideshow, Revision Music and Kult, Beat Bodega will showcase some of the best vinyl stores and music brands on the island—think Darker Than Wax, Singapura Dub Club, Analog Paralog and a Revision Music vinyl swap. You’ll even get to buy designs from Kult’s own stash of merchandise. Come between 4-8pm for an open music jam where all musicians, loop artistes and vocalists are welcome to jump in. Aug 4
PARTY
Eatmepoptart heads to the water in an exclusive daytime pool party at Sunset Bar, One Farrer Hotel. Grab your swimsuit, sunblock and margaritas as usual suspects weelikeme and KiDG break out a summer-appropriate selection of indie pop, indie disco, pop, rock and more; joined by newcomers Zhan and Hedger. Aug 4
CONVENTION
You don’t really have to leave Singapore to have a slice of Japan, especially with the onslaught of Japanese food enclaves, restaurants, and shopping places. But this one takes the cake: two halls at Suntec Convention Centre will be turned into a massive Japan Park, bringing the best of food, touristy things, tech, lifestyle, live performances and more from all 47 prefectures. Aug 4-5
MARKET
Scandi furniture Mobler is holding a one-weekend-only Vintage Pop-Up for all collectors and vintage fans. In collaboration with Dark Horse Vintage and The Retro Factory, the event will showcase eclectic vintage clothing, antique and vintage timepieces, and genuine Scandinavian vintage furniture and home accessories. Aug 4-5
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
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
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
Sunday, Aug 5
Panamericana
DRINK/PARTY
Sentosa grill and bar Panamericana now serves up live music to go with its gorgeous sunsets and cocktails, in the newly launched Sunday Sundowners DJ sessions. The series kicks off with DJ Daryl Epimaco. Aug 5
HEALTH
Grab your yoga mat and head down to the Botanic Gardens for an early morning stretch with Pop Up Yoga’s founder, Kathy Gabriel. Aug 5
POETRY
How does one be happy? Presented by Ethos Books, How To Be Happy (again) kicks off Esplanade’s Spoken Word Sunday series with an evening of rhyme, rhythm and words by local writers Jennifer Anne Champion and Samuel Caleb Wee. Maybe they’ll finally be able to answer life’s greatest question. Aug 5
FOOD
Good news: another Park Bench Deli collab! For this edition, it’s Manila restaurant Hey Handsome taking over for a cheekily named Lucky Plaza Sunday over at PBD. Chef Nico Santos will be whipping up some Filipino delights (think lots of lechon and fried chicken), with coffee from Yardstick and Cebu Lechon from Iskina Cebu Singapore. Aug 5
FILM
Get out! No but seriously, if you haven’t caught 2017’s socio-political thriller of the year (and arguably Daniel Kaluuya’s breakout movie), Get Out is screening at Blu Jaz Cafe. Bring your dense friends. Aug 5
MARKET
The Summerhouse is transforming into a buzzing marketplace yet again, this time to support local entrepreneurs and artists like Antea Social, Meliponini Honey, and Want Skincare, in the spirit of National Day. For a little extra dough, you can build your own terrarium too. Aug 5
DANCE
Last chance to catch the M1 Contact Contemporary Festival, which returns for its ninth run, presenting 16 shows of 28 dance works from 14 different nationalities across six performance platforms. Through Aug 5
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 Sep 23
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
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
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
