Singapore has come far as a nation in terms of minority representation, but there’s still a long ways to go. This weekend, other than all the parties, markets and festive things you can be doing, be sure to make time for Other Tongues, Singapore’s first minority voices literary festival taking place over two days from Friday to Saturday at various locations around town. Prep yourself and read our interview with the festival director before you head down.
Friday, Dec 7
Pooja Nansi. Photo credit: Yeo Tze Hern
MARKET
Original works only at the next Market of Artists And Designers (MAAD). Happening from 5pm till midnight, come meet some of the island’s most dexterous crafters, artists and designers as they hawk their handmade creations—ranging from ceramics to literature, fine art and accessories. There’ll also be an ongoing exhibition and beer for the thirsty. Dec 7
DRINK
One of Vietnam’s best craft beer labels, Heart of Darkness, is taking over the taps of popular Haji Lane haunt Good Luck Beerhouse once again. There’ll be IPAs, porters, pilsners and stouts on draft, while more bottles of IPAs and pale ales will be available by the bottle. While you’re there, hop across the street and check out newly opened Good Luck Provisions opened by the same guys behind the bar. Dec 7
THEATRE
If your words were the only thing a little girl could hang on to in this maddening world, what would you say to her? Find out in Charlie, a one-on-one interactive performance piece by artist Victoria Chen, where you, the audience, is the only one who will know the outcome of your words. Through Dec 7
FESTIVAL
Singapore’s first minority voices literary festival, Other Tongues, is finally happening, and it hopes to do great things by centering on what minority communities here have to say. At the two-day affair, take your pick of 10 programmes featuring 46 artists, who range from young emerging names to established voices like Cultural Medallion winner Haresh Sharma and playwright Alfian Sa’at. Before you head over, check out what we got Festival Director Pooja Nansi to divulge. Dec 7-8
FESTIVAL
It’s gonna be big, it’s gonne be crazy, but most importantly, it’s gonna be a ton of fun as the largest adult playground in Singapore opens its doors over the whole weekend. GTFO! Festival 2018 is the world’s biggest inflatable obstacle course for adults; kinda like Ninja Warrior but soft and bouncy. Strictly for those aged 18 and above only. Dec 7-9
PARTY
Ever wanted to skate under the moonlit sky while grooving to tunes based on themed nights like movies, Kpop and electro? The first floor Outdoor Plaza outside VivoCity is turning into a giant skating rink this festive season for Viesta, where you get to skate to the music till you drop. Dec 7-25
THEATRE
A box-office hit in South Korea, Mandarin production Musical TARU features life-sized dinosaur skeletons, an impressive museum set and a catchy soundtrack that will have you singing along. You’ll find many familiar faces among the cast that is set to bring you on a big adventure promising plenty of laughs, tears and drama. Dec 7-Jan 13, 2019
Saturday, Dec 8
Gin Lane 2017
MARKETS
Winestone and The Expat Fairs are coming together for a sustainable shopping extravaganza, spotlighting small businesses, artisans and social enterprises who prioritise sustainable living. Stock up on environmentally responsible gifts for Christmas—from fair-trade organic produce and chocolates (Luvcacao) to artisanal, slow fashion pieces (The Maker Journal), to toxin-free, hand-poured soy wax candles (Diadem Candles) and even eco-friendly cleaning products (ETL No.9). Afterwards, grab a drink at Winestone, which is granting a 25% meal voucher for every dine-in visitor on the day. Dec 8
PARTY
After over seven years of service from its Kallang locale, Kilo Kitchen is now ready to emerge at another place, and where better than at Duxton Road close to its sister establishment. Be among the first to dine at the new place this Saturday, where all guests get free entry to the party at Kilo Lounge after. Dec 8
DRINK/PARTY
Asia’s premier gin festival, the East Imperial Gin Jubilee, will be making its triumphant return to Singapore. For nine days, bartenders from participating bars will be concocting their best versions of G&Ts, where you then get to vote via social media which one is most deserving to be crowned the best. We’re most looking forward to the real highlight of the annual festival, Gin Lane, where gin brands and bars will banding together for a pop-up street party along one of Singapore’s alleyways. Through Dec 8
HEALTH
Marquee running event the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2018 is back. Kicking-off from the F1 Pit Building, the runs will take you through the city, including Orchard Road, where you’ll be able to gaze at the Christmas lights as you go about your route. Dec 8-9
SHOPPING
If you haven’t checked out the super cool habitat by honestbee yet, this festive season is the time to do so. Besides plenty of hampers, treats and Yuletide eats on sale, they’re throwing a Lobsters, Oysters, Wines & Spirits Festival where affordable fresh seafood meets wine and spirits masterclasses. Trust us, you won’t leave empty-handed. Dec 8-26
FOOD
Everyone’s fav hangout spot Read Bridge will be the site for the inaugural Great Clarke Quay Feastival, a pop-up dining event where some of Clarke Quay’s best restaurants will be offering their signatures in a vibrant street food format. Over the four days, 15 outlets will set up shop on the bridge from 6pm-11pm offering dishes ranging from $10-$32. Through Dec 9
FILM
The island’s undisputed film event of the year, the Singapore International Film Festival, returns with another 100 or so critically acclaimed films—including Singapore’s own A Land Imagined by local filmmaker Yeo Siew Hua, which won the top prize at Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival 2018. Through Dec 9
Sunday, Dec 9
A $ingapore Carol
THEATRE
Hard to believe it’s been 15 years since Wild Rice first blessed us with Christmas pantomimes. This year, the theater company is taking a step back from Chinese folk stories, and putting a local spin on a hallmark Christmas tale instead with A $ingapore Carol, a reinvented take on A Christmas Carol, complete with laughs, love, and some obvious cha-ching. Through Dec 15
FESTIVAL
The definitive way to get into the festive mood is a trip to Christmas Wonderland, now back for its fifth edition bigger and better. The European-style festival once again features giant luminaire structures, giant Christmas trees, Yuletide performances, markets, rides and more. Be sure to get lost in the 22-metre high luminarie mirror maze, making its debut appearance here. Through Dec 26
FESTIVAL
The massive Christmas Village at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza is back for the second time, and this year, they’re running it for longer. Over 42 days, there’ll be plenty to do, eat and drink thanks to a collab with Timbre. The homegrown F&B and music group will be in charge of the Food Village, where food kiosks by the likes of New Ubin Seafood and Two Wings will be set up. There’ll also be a Craft Beer Bar and performances from Timbre’s musicians too, naturally. Take a ride on the beautiful duplex carousel before you head home. Through Dec 26
MARKET
Bugis Junction’s very own TommorowLand Christmas Market is landing along the mall’s level 1 event spaces, bringing with them over 20 food and drink stalls, retail booths and carnival game booths. Feel free to snap away at the pretty lights and decor. Through Dec 30
EXHIBITION
Get some sand beneath your feet while putting some art on your Insta feeds at Island Lights 2018, where massive neon light art installations are taking over sandy Palawan Beach till the end of the year. While you’re there, get snacks from the food kiosks and throw some shapes as live bands bring the tunes. Through Dec 31
FESTIVAL
While indulging in some festive shopping is no cardinal sin, why not do so more consciously at this plastic-free, sustainability-focused event that seeks to enrich your life at the same time. Held for the whole month, Loop is the first event of its kind here, where makers, crafters and growers alike gather to celebrate the pursuit of sustainability. Through Dec 31
EXHIBITION
This Christmas, the S.E.A. Aquarium is getting a glow-up, literally, as it gets transformed into a luminescent underwater world filled with glowing animals, stunning light art installations, and a first-of-its kind underwater LED dive appearance. Check out five different zones and interact with the displays while going oooh and ahhh as illuminated sea creatures swim by. Through Jan 6
THEATRE/FOOD
Remember how the toys all came to life in the story of The Nutcracker? Now you too can play a part in the magical Christmastime tale, as immersive theatre company Andsoforth brings the classic story to life in their latest theatrical feast, Marie and The Nutcracker. Journey through four rooms in a secret location with The Nutcracker himself, defeat the Mouse King, and reap your sweet rewards in the Kingdom of Sweets at the end. Through Jan 6
EXHIBITION
If you’ve always dreamt of walking the beautiful palace grounds of Chateau de Versailles in France, your time is now. New exhibition Virtually Versailles at ION Orchard showcases the exquisite beauty of the royal residence, in a mix of immersive graphics and stunning technicolour. Did we mention it’s free? Through Jan 6
EXHIBITION
Diner/bar/community space Telok Ayer Arts Club’s next showcase, tell me how they kiss you, tell me how you kiss, is gonna be a raunchy one. Spanning multiple mediums, the eight-week exhibition features three local artists who will be presenting ceramic sculptures, paper drawings and photography accompanied by artist-led events and live music. Go for a sex toy workshop, listen in on an artist talk, or just chill with a themed cocktail (like the cheeky A Whole Lot of Head, a creamy, frothy take on the classic Ramos Gin Fizz) in hand. Through Jan 12
EXHIBITION
Local artist John Toh is showcasing watercolour pieces of iconic Singapore landmarks old and new, such as Temple Street, Keong Saik and the Supertrees, in a new solo exhibition titled Cityscapes, Ancient and Present. Held at Pan Pacific Singapore‘s public art space. Through Jan 28
EXHIBITION
Celebrating our hawker culture and protecting the men and women toiling behind each stall has never been more pertinent. Pledge your support to induct this beloved part of our everyday life into the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage at the travelling Our SG Hawker Culture Exhibition popping up at various hawker centres and community venues around Singapore. Through Jan 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
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
EXHIBITION
Trace the Polaroid camera’s fascinating history at the National Museum of Singapore’s latest exhibition, In an Instant: Polaroid at the Intersection of Art and Technology, featuring over 200 Polaroid artefacts and artworks from the original collection. Through Mar 31
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
