We are that bit closer to the end of the year, and most festivals have run their course. Catch the Singapore Writers Festival and Singapore River Festival as they draw to an end, but no worries; in the following weekends leading up to Christmas, there are still loads of cool things to do—like catching a local play, fair-hopping or feasting.
Friday, Nov 9
Singapore Writers Festival via Facebook
FESTIVAL
The Singapore Writers Festival is back, and this year, the different nuances of the Chinese character 界 (jiè), or ‘world’, will be explored. One of Asia’s premier literary events, the festival will host more than 390 authors, speakers and artists from around the world, all of whom will be showcasing what this year’s theme means to them. Through Nov 11
DRINK
Beer dude Brian Spencer from The Beer Travelist is for the first time launching his own collab beers (Haze Me Up Before You Sago and 50 Grams of Fire) in partnership with local brewery Rye & Pint, as well as with Boxing Cat Brewery from Shanghai. Get a taste of both small batch brews at Mikkeller Bar Singapore, The Good Beer Company and Smith Street Taps, as they take over the taps of each venue each night until this Friday. Through Nov 9
TALK
How do stories shape our identities? As part of the Singapore Writers Festival, In The Twine: A Tapestry of Stories explores how colourful histories have influenced two performance poets in their roles as Singaporean Eurasians, granddaughters, and women. This interdisciplinary performance weaves together two art forms—original poetry and actual weaving—inspired by the stories told across generations, and how they make us who we are today. Tickets go at $10, happening at The Arts House. Nov 9
MUSIC/FESTIVAL
After a one-year hiatus in 2017, Singapore’s very own indie music fest, Neon Lights, is set for its third edition, to be held back at the usual Fort Gate venue. This time, it’ll be expanded to a three-day event, from two before. The multi-stage outdoor festival will see headliners like Interpol make their Southeast Asian debut in Singapore; Malaysian songstress Yuna making her grand return to the festival; as well as Cigarettes After Sex coming back again after their sell-out gig at the Capitol Theatre last year. Nov 9-11
THEATRE
Catch 31 plays within an hour and we get to decide the order? Sign us up. Fat Kids Are Harder to Kidnap is back for its tenth showing, and this time, Trump and Kim are fair game for the cast. Nov 9-11
The Reunification of The Two Koreas, originally a French piece, now gets its English language world premiere right here in Singapore. More of matters of the heart than about Korean politics, the French script that has been translated into English comprises a patchwork of multiple short scenes exploring human relationships. One woman wants a divorce; another has no memory of her husband and their children; and even more unrelated, a prostitute haggles her services with a client. Through Nov 11
EXHIBITION
Powerful ladies step up to the plate in Objectifs’ Women in Photography photo exhibition. This year, in line with prolific collective movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp, the exhibition will throw pertinent issues of politics, sexuality and cultural oppression into the spotlight via poignant visuals from international female photographers. Through Nov 18
The French Film Festival by the Embassy of France in Singapore and Alliance Française de Singapour is back for an amazing 2018 edition. With a diverse line-up of close to 30 celebrated masterpieces spanning genres of drama, comedy, children’s films and even horror, you’re bound to be laughing, crying and screaming from the edge of your seats. Through Nov 18
FOOD/DRINK
It’s dining enclave Dine at Stevens‘ first year anniversary and all 11 establishments are coming together for a month-long celebration. Throughout the month of November, get to enjoy signature eats and drinks from each restaurant or bar for just $11. Through Nov 30
Saturday, Nov 10
The Great Moscow Circus has come to town (their first time in over a decade), and you won’t want to miss catching some of the world’s most dangerous acts and high-energy performances from the stands of the big top erected at the Bayfront. Through Nov 23
TALK
This question has been on everyone’s mind since the imploding of the digital age: Are we becoming slaves to the Internet? Have we unknowingly become puppets, our strings pulled by machinations of invisible powers? As part of the Singapore’s Writers Festival, Own Your Brain, a thought-provoking lecture invites German media studies professor Miriam Meckel to discuss how, if we can, to remain intrinsically human in the age of machines. Tickets go at $20, happening at The Arts House. Nov 10
PARTY
The party is on at Game Night as W Singapore hotel’s WOOBAR gets transformed into retro arcade filled with games like Air Hockey, Bishi-Bashi, Daytona and Time Crisis. Entry is free, but you can register for a free drink. If you’re like us, get the unlimited beer, wine, prosecco and house spirits package for just $60. Nov 10
FOOD
Get a taste of cuisine prepared by two-Michelin-starred chef Nicholas Sale of Ritz Paris as he joins Capella Singapore’s Chef David Senia for a one-night-only four-hands collab at The Knolls. The two maestros will be offering a six-course dinner filled with modern French cuisine, with the option of a wine pairing for those so inclined. Nov 10
FESTIVAL
Make a trip down to the annual Bras Basah.Bugis Arts Sprawl, an eclectic lineup of arts and heritage offerings where for two days, the already bustling arts district will gather together even more local creatives for a celebration of the arts. Through Nov 10
FOOD
Have an insatiable love for Indian food? Take your feasting up a notch at The Song of India, Singapore’s only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant, with their exclusive seasonal four-course tasting menu. With a focus on returning to roots and countryside homecooking, the multi-regional menu features dishes prepared using clay pots and outdoor wood-fire burning stoves. Through Nov 10
EXHIBITION
New York pop artist The Sucklord rose to fame for his cheeky bootleg toys—unlicensed action figures and toys made subversive and spanning themes of politics, porn and memes. For the first time, he’s holding a solo show in Singapore at Kult Gallery, so stop by for a hit of sleazy, hilarious art. Through Nov 10
Sunday, Nov 11
Photo credit: Michael Chiang Playthings Ltd
THEATRE
Veteran playwright Michael Chiang’s ground-breaking production on transsexuals finding love Private Parts returns, 26 years after its 1992 premiere, for a star-studded reboot at the National Library. Read more about the 21st Century restaging and his all-new theater company here. Through Nov 18
TOUR/BOOK
Join The Write Walk, a special trail curated by Ethos Books for SWF with author Josephine Chia, and discover how time away from the writing desk helps the creative process. She will take you on her favourite stroll along the Kallang River, an area where she grew up in, and where most of her memoirs, Goodbye My Kampong and Growing Up in Kampong Potong Pasir, were conceptualised. Nov 11
MARKET
A street market that has set itself apart from the others with friendly kampung vibes, So Gelam Market is a monthly weekend pop-up in the heritage enclave of Kampong Glam. During the event, Baghdad Street will be closed to cars, and as usual, transformed into a vibrant avenue of tented stores and batik buntings. This November’s edition sees a festival-of-lights theme, in time for Deepavali. Through Nov 11
DRINK/SHOPPING
Taste before you buy from a selection of over 500 labels of wines, whiskies, sakes and other spirits, at the sixth edition of 1855 The Bottle Shop’s Wine & Whisky Week. It’s also the perfect opportunity to refill the drink stash with exclusive and premium bottlings. Through Nov 11
FESTIVAL
Check out this edition of the Singapore River Festival, which has returned to the quays with the largest outdoor bazaar. Held in Singapore River across Clarke Quay, enjoy an exciting lineup of outdoor circus performances, movie screenings, gameshows, and lots of prime eats. Through Nov 11
SHOPPING
The Gifting Edition 2018 boutique fair outdoes itself every year, with a lineup that gets longer each time. This year’s vendors have doubled, so be prepared to double your Christmas shopping too. A bursting lineup of 250 independent labels over 5000 square meters of retail space including brands like Whole9yards, Indi Bindie, Ashepa Lifestyle and the eco-friendly Salient Label await. Aptly enough, this year’s theme is all about gifting, so you bet you’ll be able to find something here. Through Nov 11
FOOD
You don’t know what you’ve been missing out on if you’ve never had a taste of fine Hokkaido cuisine. In an unprecedented move, three-Michelin-starred chef Masaki Miyakawa and his elite kitchen team from Niseko’s Sushi Shin will be in Singapore at Nami for a two-week pop-up, presenting crafted sushi set menus that are bound to be mind blowing. Through Nov 18
ART
In line with how arts and culture shouldn’t be just pensive museum visits, this year’s Arts In Your Neighbourhood by the National Arts Council returns for the 11th time with an expansive suite of over 70 curated activities in 18 locations nationwide. Time for the heartlands to shine. Through Nov 25
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 titeld Cityscapes, Ancient and Present. Held at Pan Pacific Singapore’s public art space. Through Jan 28, 2019
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
