Now that we are well into 2021, many exciting events and festivals are returning to provide us locals the experiences we have been missing. This March, head out to explore new plays, book fairs, exhibitions and even showcases; just remember to stay safe and responsible as you rediscover this little red dot.
ARTS/SHOW
Little is known about the maker community in Singapore, but all that is set to change thanks to The Maker’s Project by The Finger Players. Check out a play about an ageing puppeteer, then try your hand at the craft with their puppetry workshop. More about the festival here. Mar 4-14
LITERATURE
Returning for its seventh edition, the Singapore Art Book Fair will be a responsible, socially-distanced affair. Discover more than 50 local and international exhibitors showcasing a wide selection of artists’ books, monographs, contemporary art editions, and other printed ephemera. The SGABF 2021 will also feature an ‘Adopt-an-Exhibitor’ programme that allows local exhibitors to share their booths with an international exhibitor of their choice, or who has been matched with them, so get excited to explore international publications, even in the face of global travel restrictions. Mar 5-7
TALK
Learn the truth behind the missing voices of the comfort women during the Second World War at Battle for Singapore 2021: [Webinar] The Comfort Women of Singapore in History and Memory. With NTU history professor Kevin Blackburn leading the discussion, find out why Singapore comfort women have not come forward with their testimonies while comfort women in other societies in Asia have done so since the 1990s. Mar 6
SHOW
This Mar, see three local plays come together in The Singapore Trilogy, a unique, upcoming production by not-for-profit theatre troupe The Second Breakfast Company. Discussing nationhood and politics during the early years of Singapore’s independence, this new spin seamlessly integrates three stories from Are You There, Singapore? (1974), One Year Back Home (1980) and Changi (1997). Learn more about the show here. Mar 11-21
ARTS
Goodman Arts Centre is picking up where it left off in 2019 with the return of the Goodman Open House. Happening as a virtual event, the 2021 edition aims to provide audiences with opportunities to explore and experience art activities, in an intimate and safe manner. Connect with art and nature at the Goodman Community Farm Series; this offers community engagement including gardening, urban farming and hands-on workshops. Also discover the meaning of movement with local dance troupes and enter a digital gallery to get up close and personal with Goodman’s talented artists. From Mar 12
ARTS/POP-UP
Popular NAC initiative Arts in Your Neighbourhood is back. Now held at the far-flung eastside neighbourhood of Pasir Ris, get excited to explore a total of 10 arts programmes including visual arts installations, music performances and multi-disciplinary experiences co-created with a diverse group of artists, arts organisations and community partners. More Information here. Mar 11-28
POP-UP
From now till May, step into a world of chocolate at Changi Airport as the transportation hub has collaborated with leading global chocolatier The Hershey Company. At T3, visit the pop-up inspired by the iconic Hershey’s Chocolate World store in New York’s Times Square that even includes an Amazing Chocolate Machine dispensing newly-launched chocolate varieties. Personalise your own Hershey’s Giant Bar, then enjoy photo-ops at larger-than-life chocolate installations too. Mar 12-May 3
FOOD/DRINK
Beloved for their delectable pastries, dessert parlour Tarte by Cheryl Koh is now featuring Brandfit’s Jukhyang and MerryQueen strawberries in an exclusive afternoon tea menu. The Premium Korean Strawberries Afternoon Set for Two ($60 per person) offers mouth-watering savouries including the Egg Mimosa Croissant Sandwich and Mushroom Tartlet before showcasing saccharine strawberries in a variety of French pastries, tartlets and cakes. To wash those bite-sized treats down, choose a homemade dairy-free strawberry milk beverage, or some thirst-quenching strawberry lemonade. From Mar 15-Apr 25
EXHIBIT
If you absolutely adore popular Sanrio character Hello Kitty, then a trip to Gardens by the Bay’s Sakura season is warranted. Making her first appearance at our city’s urban nature park is the lovable cartoon in various picturesque settings including a hanami (flower viewing) picnic amidst spring blossoms, a nodate (an outdoor tea ceremony), and a Japanese-style landscaped garden. Quintessential Japanese elements like torii gates and red-crowned cranes will also be featured in the floral display. Through Mar 21
SHOW
It’s no expletive, but it might as well be. Having observed assumptions, stereotypes and implications associated with the word ‘fat’, actress Miriam Cheong will make her playwriting debut while starring in this candid piece which examines weight, health and a societal obsession with thinness. The play is making its world premiere in Mar at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre @ Wild Rice. Mar 24-28
SHOW
It’s been more than a decade since Model Citizens debuted at The Necessary Stage’s Black Box. Now, the theatre troupe will be bringing back its award-winning play just before it moves out of its home at Marine Parade Community Building. See what happens after a violent incident occurs at a Meet-the-People session; delving deep into a host of socio-cultural issues, the production continues to be a relevant and thought-provoking piece, 11 years on. Mar 24-Apr 4
SHOW
See the artistry of dance and the nature of theatrical performances come together in a brand new online play named Broken Turns. Staged via Zoom, the traditions of Spanish dance will be showcased in the format of a contemporary monodrama, spotlighting dancer and theatre performance Qotn Van Su Yun. Learn more about the digital performance here. Mar 26-28
EXHIBIT
Get into the CNY moo-d (pun intended) with Asia’s first drive-through art exhibition, Moo Moo Park. Organised by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) in partnership with The MeshMinds Foundation, the SCCC carpark is now an immersive, interactive exhibition space filled with captivating art and installations. Head down to embark on an audio-guided journey spotlighting the works of eight local artists. Through Mar 28
STAYCATION
Pamper the whole family with some Fun In The Sun at Swissotel Merchant Court. Lounge by the hotel’s iconic pool, soak in the relaxing outdoor jacuzzi or make a splash with waterslides. At $88 for up to four guests, this offer includes three hours of pool time, light refreshments and three soft drinks per person. Through Mar 31
STAYCATION
Specially curated for locals to experience the wonders of our island, City to Hilltop Adventure is an exciting one-night stay and tour hosted by Sofitel Singapore City Centre. The themed staycation includes an array of dining experiences at the grand five-star hotel and Mount Faber Peak, as well as a Singapore Cable Car Sky Pass Round Trip for two. This all culminates in an evening in Sofitel’s Luxury Room. Feel free to use your SingapoRediscovers voucher to redeem and enjoy this affair that perfectly marries staycations with attractions. Through Mar 2021
ARTS
Singapore’s national dance campaign Got to Move is back, and in its first-ever digital presentation, the National Arts Council initiative will continue to raise awareness and appreciation for dance through a range of accessible and participatory programmes. Take part in a series of interactive digital dance programmes while getting to know some of Singapore’s prolific and upcoming dancers. Through Mar 2021
EXHIBIT
Credit: El Masnou
So you’ve been to the much-lauded pop-up, The Bubble Tea Factory, which happened last year at *Scape to eat, drink and play with boba. Now, look forward to yet another exciting, immersive experience offered by the very same team and discover the all-new otter-themed attraction, Otah & Friends. Step into the home of Otah the Otter to find whimsical exhibits and installations, as well as the otter himself. While you’re at it, feel free to take plenty of pictures to update your Instagram feed. Through Apr 4
EXHIBITION
As the final destination on this travelling exhibition’s global tour, Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition will be giving local fans of the George Lucas media franchise a reason to geek out this end-January. Discover nearly 200 props, models, costumes and artwork from the original film franchise, then answer the simple yet profound question—what force shapes you? Through Jun 13
POP-UP
Explore the old-world charm and grandeur of the Orient Express as this travelling exhibit arrives in Singapore for the very first time to allow locals the chance to experience what it must have been like to hop on a journey from Europe to the East.
With two original train carriages, a 158-year-old locomotive and 300 heritage items such as uniforms, shields and more, seize the opportunity to check out this exclusive pop-up by pre-booking your tickets in advance. Through Jun 2021
STAYCATION
Get hooked with Parkroyal Collection Pickering’s new Bait and Breakfast staycation. This unique experience includes a one-night stay at the hotel’s Collection Signature Suite and a three-hour private fishing trip around the Southern Islands. Sail away onboard the luxurious Wellcraft 330 Coastal yacht, courtesy of Wanderlust Adventures, while learning the art of fishing from a professional guide. You’ll be provided with all the equipment, accessories and live bait for your fishing adventure. Limited to five guests per trip, you’ll also enjoy a stopover at Lazarus Island to bask in the sunshine.
That’s not all. The package includes full Collection Club benefits with daily champagne breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails at the Collection Club Lounge, as well as 20 per cent off at Lime Restaurant. Prices start from $1100++ to $1500++ per room per night. Available for booking from now to Jun 30, 2021. Terms and conditions apply. Through Jun 2021
EXHIBITION
While many of us would like to leave 2020 behind and look forward to brighter days, it’s important to remind ourselves how strong and resilient people have been during those dark months. Happening from Feb 27 to Aug 29 at the National Museum of Singapore is Picturing the Pandemic: A Visual Record of COVID-19 in Singapore, which offers an intimate look into life in Singapore in the new normal, and perhaps a way to share with future generations what it was like during the early phases of the pandemic. Through Aug 29
EXHIBITION
This 2021, seize the opportunity to head back into galleries and art spaces. The Singaporean and Southeast Asian art museum, National Gallery, has finally unveiled its latest exhibition, Georgette Chen: At Home in the World. Having opened late last year, the late local painter’s eponymous exhibition will undoubtedly feature some of her most prominent artworks as well as rare archival materials to showcase her life and times, in Singapore and globally. More information available here. Through Sep 26
ARTS/EXHIBITION
In the new and refreshed Goh Seng Choo Gallery at the National Museum of Singapore, visit A Voyage of Love and Longing which features a selection of the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings paired with Malay literature for the first time. Rediscover the rich cultural heritage of our local Malay community and neighbours through 19th century drawings alongside Malay pantuns (rhyme quatrains), classical texts, love ballads and more. Through Dec 31
MUSIC/FESTIVAL
Originally slated to take place across two weekends in April 2020, Hydeout music festival has instead introduced an ever-evolving music hub to keep fans satisfied thanks to a constant release of exciting content throughout 2021. Check out episodes with iconic DJs such as DJ Snake, Don Diablo and Martin Garrix, as well as major singer-songwriters like Rita Ora, Charli XCX and Tinashe. You’ll also want to mark your calendars for performances by some of the hottest rappers around, including Wiz Khalifa, G-Eazy and The Kid Laroi. Through 2021
