Pull out your fiercest colors this weekend and have a gay ol’ time as we (finally) head into the weekend. It marks the end of the past two weeks of PinkFest events, but also the monumental 10th year of peaceful protest/picnic Pink Dot. But whether you’re out and about donning your cutest pink outfit or standing in solidarity in your own way, there’s a whole bunch of things to do. Parties; oh my goodness, the parties… there’s going to be a whole spectrum of them this weekend, among the various live gigs, film screenings and markets. Take your pick, but make sure you’re on the right side of history while you’re at it.
Friday, Jul 20
Peaches’ Drag Wars – Remaining queens looking through their bag of items from Daiso at the end of Round 3. Photo credit: Peaches Singapore’s Facebook page
DRAG 
Three out, seven left; who’ll be the reigning queen in Peaches’ inaugural amateur drag queen competition, Drag Wars? The fourth round will see the remaining hopefuls squeeze their brains dry to fashion outfits out of items from Daiso. Read this to find out more about the competition. Jul 20
THEATER
The Insiders presented by W!LDIRICE is essentially an amalgamation of stories of coming out, love and chosen families from more than 20 queer women whom playwright Alfian Sa’at has spoken to. It explores what has changed 40 years after a series of articles called “The Outsiders”, which featured interviews with a number of queer women who spoke under the condition of anonymity, was published in New Nation. Jul 20
PERFORMANCE
British IDM producer-songwriter-DJ SG Lewis is bringing his emotive, lush soundscapes to Kilo Lounge for his Singapore debut. He cites club-ready hip-hop biggies Common and the Neptunes, as well as hushed pop sensibilities the likes of Bon Iver and James Blake, for his unique brand of evocative, moody tracks. Jul 20
PARTY
Is it house? Is it techno? Tech house? British producer Mark Fanciulli—yes brother of Nic Fanciulli—will be filling Kilo Lounge with his brand of music, which straddles the three genres. Jul 20
CONCERT
Many had their hands up in the air when they noticed Odesza was absent from Laneway Singapore this year, but their inclusion in the lineups for We The Fest and Good Vibes had many of us hopeful. Lo and behold, the young duo will be making their debut here as part of their “2018 A Moment Apart Tour”. Jul 20
FOOD
For the second year, Sentosa will be turning Siloso Beach into grilled nosh central over three weekends. Sentosa Grillfest, which will take stretch for a full kilometer from Sapphire Pavilion to Coastes, will offer a myriad of both local and international cuisines and drink options from 21 different establishments within and beyond Sentosa. Jul 20-22, 27-29
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. Jul 20-Aug 5
DANCE/FOOD
We love culinary affairs that come with a twist. A Samsui Love Story: A Food & Dance Affair, part of this year’s Singapore Food Festival, tells the tale of a samsui woman who meets a satay man (he’s actually an undercover spy) as tensions build in the lead up to WWII. Through Jul 20
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
Find out where else you can get your fill of durians here.
THEATER
W!LD RICE’s annual Singapore Theatre Festival (STF) returns this month with a line-up of eight original world premieres by our island’s own. Check out our picks here, or hear from Pam Oei herself on her sold-out, one-woman show Faghag. Through Jul 22
FOOD
Singapore-themed culinary event Singapore Food Festival (SFF) 2018 returns for its 25th edition. Expect the usual chef collabs, masterclasses, food trails and cocktail pairings. Through Jul 29
COMEDY
The people behind comedy icon Kumar’s 50th birthday bash are back with a new event—and this one’s all about bang for your buck. Come July, Dream Academy’s Happy Ever Laughter is pitting 12 of the island’s best comedians against each other, for a showdown that’s bound to leave you with your sides delightfully split. Through Jul 29
EXHIBITION
Prolific Singaporean photographer Leslie Kee is known for his fashion spreads and celebrity shoots, and he’s currently in Singapore to showcase portraits of 150 out and proud people from the LGBTQI community here for Out in Singapore, which he shot over the weekend of Jun 30-Jul 1; as part of the continuation of his Out in Japan photo series. Through Jul 29
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 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
Saturday, Jul 21
Photo credit: Kong Chek Yong / Pink Dot SG’s Facebook page
PICNIC
It’s that time of the year again. Whip out your finest pink top and head down to Hong Lim Park for Singapore’s annual LGBTQI picnic/rally, Pink Dot. There will be barricades again, and you’ll be required to show your pink/blue NRIC or passport. Check out the other two videos here and here. Jul 21
DRAG/PARTY
Two months ago, we saw the inaugural disco drag ball held at Hard Rock Cafe, and boy, what a spectacle that was. Campy and all-out fun party peeps behind Mismatch are back for the second edition at the same place, happening right after Pink Dot. The Love Ball will see Pangina Heals back as the inimitable host who’ll read the house down, as well participants who’ll werk it on the floor to get the 10s from the judges. Jul 21
PARTY
If you still have it in you after Pink Dot and the Love Ball, head over to Suntec where the now-defunct Play teams up with Hypertainment to throw a massive Pink Ball at one of the halls. Probably the largest post-Pink Dot LGBTQI party in town, there’ll be two dance areas and shows by 20 performers. Jul 21
More post-Pink Dot parties this way.
MARKET
East-siders can take a breezy jaunt over to White Sands shopping mall for the weekly flea organized by TGIF Bazaars. Pick up handmade candles, bath salts, clothes, accessories and more—and then head inside the mall for some air-con. Jul 21
WELLNESS
Kick off your weekend by getting in touch with nature again. Head to Botanic Gardens on Saturday morning for an outdoor yoga class with one of Urban Yogis’ guest teachers, Zita. Jul 21
MARKET
Expect nothing less than a flea market on steroids at the Mega Flea Market. Squeeze your way through the 200 stalls (mostly clothing); if you want to take a break from shopping, there’s street food, carnival games, and even a dedicated ‘Old School Snacks and Games Corner’ selling your favorite tidbits from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Jul 21-22
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. Jul 21-Aug 3
THEATER
Toy Factory Productions’ upcoming play is an adaptation of local novel Here and Beyond: 12 Stories. Edited by Cyril Wong, the book is an anthology of short stories written by 12 Singaporean writers (including the likes of Simon Tay, Alfian Sa’at and even S. Rajaratnam). It’s also the only local commissioned literature text for 2018/19 ‘O’ Level students. Through Jul 28
EXHIBITION/FESTIVAL
Angkor: Exploring Cambodia’s Sacred City. Masterpieces of the Musee national des arts asiatiques-Guimet showcases more than 140 sculptures, watercolors, drawings, and historic memorabilia from the museum in France, for a detailed look into the magnificent history of Angkor. Through Jul 29
DANCE
The M1 Contact Contemporary Festival returns for its ninth run, presenting 16 shows of 28 dance works from 14 different nationalities across six performance platforms. 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
Sunday, Jul 22
Pink Screen at The Projector – “BPM”
FILM
As part of PinkFest—the fringe activities segment leading up to Pink Dot—The Projector is organizing their own little LGBTQI film festival, screening four films over four weekends for Pink Screen. Through Jul 22
FILM
Enter the whimsical world of shy Parisian waitress in Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s 2001 Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amelie Poulain. In her struggles with isolation, she decides to help others by doing small things to change the lives of those around her. Jul 22
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
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
