The first weekend of April is setting the tone just right, with the right amount of dizzying parties and introspective things happening in tandem to keep us balanced individuals. Have a well-deserved break guys.
Friday, Apr 5
ART
The historic Stamford Arts Centre has reopened and there’s no better time to check out the revamped space than during their opening celebrations this weekend. See how the creative multidisciplinary space has now put in good use of digital technology to bring traditional arts to life. Apr 5-7
SHOPPING
Have fun playing arcade games while shopping for new kicks at the Reebok Classic Aztrek Pop-Up. Get both classic and limited collab Reeboks and get them customized if you wish, then literally get rewarded for every purchase with a free token you can use at Tetris, Mario Kart, Street Fighters and more game machines. Through Apr 7
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 and spotlight selected neighbourhoods in Singapore. See our pick of events here. Through Apr 7
Saturday, Apr 6
PARTY
This one is for all you ’90s kids. Sing your heart out as pop anthems from the likes of Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and TLC ring loud throughout the night at Cherry, and as momentous scenes from movies like Pulp Fiction and Titanic adds to the whole throwback experience. Koligraffi on deck duty. Apr 6
PARTY
The much-anticipated Marquee Singapore is opening next week, but if you can’t contain your excitement any longer, head down to Lavo first for a very special Saturday Soiree, where roving performances and great music will satiate the party animal in you for just another week. Apr 6
TALK
The founders of two local magazines—The Ideology and Akar—will be sharing a panel to discuss about what they stand for. Come ready to chat about topics ranging from identity to sustainability, and to even heavier subjects like the standing of collectivism in today’s hyper-individualistic society. Apr 6
PARTY
International singer-songwriter and rapper Iyaz will be making his Singapore debut at trendy Clarke Quay joint Get Juiced, throwing a live showcase of music bound to get any partygoer going. Come early, as opening act Jade Rasif will set you vibing hard from the get-go. Apr 6
EXHIBITION
Not your average gallery showcase, Rewild Our Planet is a social augmented reality experience held at ArtScience Museum that uses technology to bring to life planet Earth’s many beautiful landscapes. Go on a journey that’s out of this world, and arrive (hopefully) with a greater inward appreciation for our bountiful world. Apr 6-Jun 2
EXHIBITION
Food packaging—beautifully crafted plastic wraps, carton boxes, tin cans and more that inform, entice and make you wanna fork out dough you don’t have. But is that all there is to it? Journey through the history of modern day food packaging in Singapore at the National Museum’s Packaging Matters exhibit, and you just might find a renewed appreciation for all them compelling coverings. Apr 6-Sep 15
Sunday, Apr 7
FOOD/DRINK
Next up on Meatsmith Little India’s Guest Chef Series is none other than MasterChef Philippines judge JP Anglo, descending upon Singapore for one evening of Filipino-meets-Indian cuisine. Get a course menu featuring items like Gunpowder Sisigs and Tamarind Lechon Manok, plus a possible four-cocktail pairing by Edu Zamora, one of two Southeast Asian finalists at the Bacardi Legacy Competition 2019. Apr 7
FOOD/DRINK
Natural wine bar and kitchen Le Bon Funk is turning a year old, and special guest chef Jonathan Tam of Michelin-starred Restaurant Relae in Copenhagen will be coming down to celebrate with them, offering up an exclusive menu of yummy grub best paired with a glass of red, white or orange. Apr 7
MUSIC
Soak in laid-back Sunday vibes while learning a thing or two about guitars from masters Martin Miller and Tom Quayle, who’ll be holding a one-day-only masterclass and performance at Star Vista‘s outdoor plaza space at 6.30pm. After you’re tuned in, be sure to check out nearby Swee Lee Social Club for more music inspo. 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
THEATRE
The Singapore Repertory Theatre is dissecting the uncomfortable topic of partners cheating on each other to excavate fresh gags, in a translated staging of French playwright Florian Zeller’s The Truth. Not all farce, the play will set out to balance the laughs with important themes like fragile masculinity, unhappiness in one’s life, infidelity and deceit. Held at KC Arts Centre. Through Apr 20
THEATRE
Theatregoers rejoice, for The Esplanade’s inspiring developmental programme is back. The Studios will be presenting Singaporean works—both old and new—that have been developing under keen mentorship for the last year, all unifying under the theme of ‘The Weight of a Stone in a Pocket’. Through Apr 27
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
EXHIBITION
As part of ION Orchard’s 10th anniversary celebrations, the mall is setting up Orchard Road’s first-ever mermaid tank installation—complete with live mermaid. Every weekend, feel free to stop by the glittering mirror-paneled facade for selfies and meet-and-greets with the mermaid. 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
The annual World Gourmet Summit returns, this time, spotlighting the evergreen theme of sustainability for its 23rd running. Keep a lookout for masterchef dining experiences, special celebratory menus at participating restaurants, and the produce-forward Gastro-Market taking over the Chijmes Lawn once again. Through May 12
EXHIBITION
Held poignantly at CBD gallery Hatch Art Project, I Would Prefer Not To Do Anything is a look at deep-rooted fatigue in today’s society. See artist Iqi Qoror’s surrealist works curated to give an intimate look into our universal state of burnout, worsened by an overwhelming culture or need to constantly project positivity. Through May 16
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
