Not sure about you, but July really felt like an eternity. Alas, here we are, on the final weekend of the month, and boy is it filled with a million things to do. Of course, as always, we’ve scoured through the web, our emails and the very trusty Events tab on Facebook to help you plan what’s well worth your time. There will be fun film screenings, deep underground parties and theater productions to fill your time with this weekend.
Friday, Jul 27
Headquarters. Photo credit: The Council’s Facebook page
PARTY
The next edition of Headquarters’ Foreign Affairs series, which spotlights some of the best DJs from Singapore, the region (and now, beyond), will see Chinese-Canadian electronic musician MIIIA, who’s been pushing the envelope of Shanghai’s underground music scene for about ten years, in the infamous cage. Jul 27
BOOK
While the Truelove.is campaign has brought about highly divisive opinions, a book titled Whatever Commandment There May Be will be launched at BooksActually. The book challenges the belief that homosexuality goes against Christian values and teachings, addresses myths about the LGTBQI community, and calls for churches to perhaps realign their responses. What a timely launch. Jul 27
FILM/PARTY
It’s going to be another super campy, fun and high-energy film experience at The Projector. This time, our favorite party peeps The Glory Hoes are serving up truth, beauty, freedom, but above all, love, with the screening of Moulin Rouge, which stars Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. Relive the tragic romance of Satine and Christian, cry your eyes out or sing along to all the songs; everything is fairgame here. And yes, there’ll be absinthe cocktails and… other French things. As usual, stay on for a raucous afterparty. Jul 27
Find out where you can get your fill of durians here.
FOOD
For anyone who enjoys noods, Singapore’s only ramen festival, Ramen Revolution, returns to Resorts World Sentosa for a second run. The organizers have promised to bring back all the same elements as last year’s: A wide variety of ramen dishes from various Japanese establishments here, two guest restaurants from Japan and other activities. Jul 27-29
FILM
As part of resident punk institution The Substation’s 2018 lineup, local producer Jeremy Chua has curated a block of films retaliating against the en bloc (get it?) fever that’s putting iconic landmarks at demolition risk. On the Block Film Festival will feature two Singapore premieres—Kleber Mendonca Filho’s award-winning Aquarius, and a free-and-easy, nine-hour screening of Wang Bing’s critique of industrialism in China, West of the Tracks. Jul 27-29
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 27-29
FOOD/THEATER
Local theater company Andsoforth is back with another immersive theater and 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. Jul 27-29, Aug 3-5
ART
The second edition of Keepers Playground of Infinite Happiness, previously held at the former New Majestic Hotel when 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. Jul 27-29, Aug 3-5
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 a while back (Jun 30-Jul 1); as part of the continuation of his Out in Japan photo series. Through Jul 29
FILM
Golden Village will be hosting its first ever Hong Kong Film Festival at their Tiong Bahru cinema, screening seven different films. Through Aug 1
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
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
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 28
Eatmepoptart X Hopheads present: The Kids Are Alright. Photo credit: EATMEPOPTART’s Facebook page
PARTY
To the basement people, to the basement! Calling lovers of indie-flavored everything: Your favorite dynamic duo Adrian Wee & KiDG are back for their iconic Poptart night, this time down under at Hopheads. There’s going to be all sorts of musical candies, spanning from the rockin’ ’80s and pop-filled ’90s to boyband crazed noughties. Jul 28
FILM
Be our guest and relive the magical fairytale of Belle, Beast, Gaston and friends in this outdoor screening of Beauty and The Beast up on Dempsey Hill. Jul 28
PARTY
Hark back to the good ol’ days where trance was blared through clubs all over the world, as legendary English trance producer Solarstone lands in Singapore to take over Zouk’s eponymous trance night, Transfix. Jul 28
ART
It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice hobbyist or a pro, because the 16th Canon PhotoMarathon is open to all walks of life. Exchange tips with other participants and take on the challenge to shoot some epic photos, according to a series of themes which will be announced on the day itself. Jul 28
PARTY
Another month, another Sub City night for bassheads. Singapore’s only party dedicated to drum & bass and jungle music is up on the second floor of Piedra Negra, where Jaydah and Twinhed will headline the night and smash the room with bass-heavy beats, alongside residents Kane MC, OMJ and Senja. Jul 28
PARTY
Misshapes will be taking over The Projector’s cinema foyer instead of everyone’s usual favorite gritty rooftop carpark for one night of screaming, jumping, dancing, and boozing to punk, goth, new wave, indie, grunge, alternative, 80s synthpop, 90s Britpop music and more. Jul 28
FOOD
The 50 Cents Festival at Chinatown is back, under this year’s Singapore Food Festival banner. Get your hands on delish snacks and full-on meals like Kerabu Bee Hoon, fish moilee, banana balls and more for 50 cents. Just be prepared to squeeze your way through Smith Street as yes, it’s going to be insanely crowded, judging by last year’s turnout. Jul 28-29
THEATER
Toy Factory Productions’ next 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
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
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 29
Battle Royale SG
GAME
If you’ve been dying for a Battle Royale-esque adventure, immersive games and experiences studio Void Deck Games has delivered. Their new experience, Battle Royale SG, draws inspiration from the Japanese film of the same name, melded with a quirky, tongue-in-cheek localized twist that harks back on the harrowing days of ‘O’ Levels. Jul 29
FOOD
The last day of SFF will see the second Park Bench Deli collab for the festival, where they team up with popular halal Indonesian restaurant Rumah Makan Minang to create a tantalizing beef rendang burger, a grilled cheese sandwich with curry and their version of a dream nasi padang platter. Jul 29
WELLNESS
Kick off your weekend by getting in touch with nature again. Head to Botanic Gardens on Sunday morning for an outdoor yoga class with Pop-up Yoga founder, Kathy. Jul 29
FILM
So whose story is more tragic, Fantine or Eponine? Debate the hell out of the all-time classic with your friends after catching the live film version of Les Miserables, based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo and the highly successful Broadway stage show of the same name. Jul 29
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
