It’s time for the first full work week of the year to commence, but not without a whole lot of things to keep you entertained all week (like the reappearance of the Sir Stamford Raffles statue along with four friends). Legendary Guns N’ Roses guitarist and rock icon Slash will be in town, there’s a Street Fighter II tournament going on, a Middle East film festival, plus a food festival/music party to round things off come Friday.
MUSIC
Legendary Guns N’ Roses guitarist and rock icon Slash will be back in Singapore for his own headline show to start the year on a bangin’ note. Backed by Myles Kennedy and The Conspiraitors, expect classics and tracks from their third album Living The Dream at the one-night-only concert taking over The Coliseum. Jan 8
EXHIBITION
The iconic Sir Stamford Raffles statue “disappearing” along the Singapore River was just the start of the Bicentennial shenanigans. Now, four more statues have been erected alongside the British statesman—figures of Sang Nila Utama, Tan Tock Seng, Munshi Abdullah and Naraina Pillai. Catch them together before they get seperated. Through Jan 8
PARTY
Fancy yourself a Street Fighter II expert? Come Fight For Your Right to be crowned the ultimate champion at retro arcade bar Nineteen80 as they host the second edition of the video game tournament (sign up here). Then party on after with or without the bragging rights of being crowned the winner – there’s nothing a few drinks and good dance music won’t smooth over. Jan 10
COMEDY
Travelling dating disasters comedy show Story Party Tour is coming to Singapore, and you’ll definitely wanna be there for this. Laugh at real-life stories of Tinder date fails, heart-break tales, and more, all delivered by comedic pros at Kilo Lounge. Jan 10-12
FILM
Get your tissues ready, the Middle East Film Festival is back with more tear-jerking and emotionally gratifying screenings. Expect seven films in the lineup this year, with six of them making their Singapore premieres at the festival. Jan 10-16
SHOPPING
Support local while getting your retail fix sorted at the second edition of the Keepers Red Letter Sale, where you’ll find up to 90 percent discounts on wares from over 50 local designers all gathered at the National Design Centre. There’ll be accessories, books, clothing, footwear and more, while a few food and beverage stalls will keep you fuelled. Jan 11-13
FOOD/MUSIC
Like Artbox but with just the food stalls, the second weekend of January sees the start of the inagural Eatbox taking over the Open Plaza space at Downtown East. Expect over 50 local and regional vendors offering their yummy treats, as well as an impressive lineup of DJ performances by Eatmepoptart as part of parallel event Bacon Beats. Jan 11-13, 18-20
EXHIBITION
Brace yourself for a disturbing visual experience at contemporary video artist Toh Hun Ping’s first solo show Dance of a Humble Atheist. In it Toh marries his self-invented techniques of bleaching, scratching and recycling filmstrips, with more than 600 handmade ceramic pieces—for a painstakingly made, frame-by-frame stop-motion masterpiece. Part of Singapore Art Week 2019. Jan 11-Feb 17
EXHIBITION
At Hatch Art Project’s ongoing Deciphering clothes: The Troublemaker’s Wardrobe exhibtion, 12 emerging Asian artists showcase their wardrobes through a mix of mediums—featuring a plethora of garments and objects you wouldn’t typically find in your hetero, cisgender closet. Be prepared to feel uncomfortable as your peruse their wares. Through Jan 12
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
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. Through Jan 13
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
Lend your support for local passions made possible at architect-turned-art teacher Tay Zhiyong’s debut solo art show Brush Diary. Featured in this debut are familiar scenes from Tay’s daily business of living—like the Fullerton Waterboat House, Marina Bay Financial Centre; even a bridge at Tampines River. Part of Singapore Art Week 2019. Through Jan 29
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
CARNIVAL
The second coming of the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival is here, set to transform the Marina waterfront into a colossal fairground filled with rides, games, food, and of course, plenty of pretty lights. This time, entry is free, and with more rides to check out than before. Through Mar 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
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
