Singapore Zoo's Rainforest Lumina
Avoid the blistering heat from the sun and plan an after-dark outing to the zoo instead. There, night owls will be rewarded with the final season of SouthEast Asia's only Lumina showcase. Melding nature with technology, visitors will immerse in a symphony of lights, beautifully orchestrated music, and interactive play (at Luminous Pathway and Shimmering Islands) that contrast harmoniously with natural sights, sounds, and scents of the rainforest.
Rainforest Lumina happens till 13 Feb 2022 at the Singapore Zoo. Admission fees apply.
Decathlon Sports Fest 2021
With all indoor strenuous group exercises cancelled due to the rollback to Phase 2(HA), Decathlon Sports Fest is a timely virtual fitness carnival indeed. Partnering with Sport Singapore, this first-ever nationwide non-competitive event hosts 10 sporting challenges to compete as an individual or virtually with friends and family. Choose from 5.6km Virtual Run, HIIT or Yoga sessions. Fret not, all mentioned activities and sports are accessible during this unprecedented time.
Decathlon Sports Fest 2021 happens till 8 Aug online.
Design Orchard's Heritage Festival
Our cultural roots imbue us with our unique identity. Hence, Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFF) will celebrate Asia Culture and Heritage for an entire month at Design Orchard. Visitors can trawl through a curated selection of locally-based brands and a line-up of tradition-focused activities. In addition, marvel at its transformed display windows that reflect heritage themes tvia future creatives, designed by the students of Raffles Design Institute.
Design Orchard's Heritage Festival happens till 31 Aug at Design Orchard.
Retrospective: Abbas Kiarostami
Considered by many cinephiles and acclaimed directors (like Martin Scorsese) to be among the world's greatest living filmmakers, the late Abbas Kiarostami will present his first visual retrospective in Singapore through Asian Film Archive (AFA). The celebrated Iranian visionary works introduced the world to the vibrant Iranian cinema. Expect to view many rare films restored in 2k and 4k quality and renowned movies like the Palme d’Or-winning Taste of Cherry.
Retrospective: Abbas Kiarostami happens till 28 Aug at Oldham Theatre.
Trek the Sembawang Heritage Trail
Singapore's Northern terrain is more just Woodlands, Yishun, and Turf City. Count in Sembawang also. Now a developing estate, the area used to be home to an important naval base for the British Empire and was once populated by rubber plantations owned by prominent pioneers such as Lim Chong Pang. Know more about the area's history and native stories via this trail that leads explorers to monuments such as Beaulieu House and former Sembawang Shipyard.
The Sembawang Heritage Trail, which features 31 trail sites and nine heritage trail markers is now open.
Esplanade's Jazz in July
Let loose by basking in the freestyle beats and adlibs at Esplanade's Jazz in July. The popular annual music festival returns with genres from breezy Brazilian jazz to experimental free jazz and original compositions. Also, expect daily performances from over 40 Singapore-based bands and experience evocative tributes to jazz legends such Herbie Hancock, Betty Carter, Bill Evans and George Gershwin. Do remember to come dressed in your tapping shoes.
Jazz in July happens till 25 July at Esplanade theatres on the bay Singapore and online.
Dance: A tribute to Rudolf Nureyev
As one of Ballet's best-known performers, Rudolf Nureyev deeply influenced this dance genre. Hence, as part of Alliance Française’s French Excellence programme, the exhibition pays tribute to the legend via a series of talks, workshops and conferences to develop a deeper understanding of the evolution of ballet and its role in the cultural landscape of France.
On display for the very first time, the exhibition will showcase 14 striking costumes from Nureyev’s signature ballets—Swan Lake, La Bayadère, and more—from the private collection of Charles Jude, Nureyev’s protégé.
Dance: A tribute to Rudolf Nureyev happens till 15 September at Alliance Française de Singapour.
MO BAR's Japanese-inspired Afternoon Tea Menu
The award-winning MO Bar goes from concocting regionally curated cocktails to assembling delights for tea. Featuring six different courses of delectable treats inspired by Japanese confections such as Hojicha roll, kinako mochi and soy ginger glazed chicken, savour them while taking in the sights of Marina Promenade. Of course, there will be scones; in savoury nori truffle flavour.
MO Bar's afternoon high tea menu is now available at Mandarin Oriental Singapore.
Hyperrealities: Olafur Eliasson, Marina Abramović, Anish Kapoor
Explore alternate realities envisioned by renowned contemporary artists at ArtScience Museum's newest permanent gallery space VR Gallery. Using state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) headsets and controllers, this dedicated space welcomes works by Olafur Eliasson, Marina Abramović and Anish Kapoor for its debut exhibition Hyperrealities. The mixed reality technologies like AR used will certainly ensure a mind-blowing multi-sensory experience.
Hyperrealities: Olafur Eliasson, Marina Abramović, Anish Kapoor is now exhibiting at ArtScience Museum.
ROUTES: A Multi-Perspective Exploration of Traditional Dance in Singapore
Dance is more than just a visual treat. Our ancestors have been using it to convey a narrative through familiar body language. ROUTES exhibits the evolution of local Chinese, Malay, and Indian traditional dance practices, and presents a multi-perspective reflection of the medium. Featuring Singapore’s dance pioneers and practitioners including Santha Bhaskar, Som Said and many more, this showcase delves into the preservation of traditional dance and its future.
ROUTES: A Multi-Perspective Exploration of Traditional Dance in Singapore runs till 12 Sep at Stamford Arts Centre.
FagHag
Every outstanding individual has the backing of an encouraging counterpart. For the gays, it's definitely a faghag. Pam Oei is known as the quartermaster (Countdown Queen) for every PinkDot since its inception. But when did her affinity with gays started? This production is a retrospective of Oei's adventures with the community to being a genuine straight ally and faghag. Joining her is maestro Julian Wong on the piano as both belts out musical numbers with pride!
FAGHAG happens till 31 July at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre@Wild Rice. *Note: The remaining shows have been postponed till further notice.
Screening: By Design by CAKE
Back by popular demand, By Design conceived and directed by contemporary performance company CAKE, has now made its encore virtually. Graphic design artists Vanessa Ban and Amber Vittoria, and media artist Zach Lieberman crafts a performance-centred art experience where graphic design, media art and performance meet in this playful collaboration with live performers. Catch this now if you missed its stage debut at the Esplanade Theatre Studio in Apr 2021.
Screening: By Design by CAKE happens till 31 July via Esplanade Online.
#SGFASHIONNOW at ACM
New and current always intrigue the senses. ACM presents topical freshness with a debut exhibition showcasing contemporary Singapore fashion that explores creative practice in Singapore in the context of Asia’s cultural heritage. Partnering with LASALLE College of the Arts’ School of Fashion and the Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFF), visitors can marvel at designs by both established professionals and promising graduates in Singapore’s fashion ecosystem.
#SGFASHIONNOW happens till 19 Dec at Asian Civilisations Museum.
The Mother by Pangdemonium
There was The Father and The Son. Now, The Mother appears to complete the 'family' created by playwright Florian Zeller. Pangdemonium, which previously featured the former two acclaimed plays, finishes this trilogy that unfolds a disturbing portrayal of one woman’s descent into an emotional abyss. This psychological thriller examines mental illness while swinging between harsh reality and even harsher hallucination.
Note: The Mother has been postponed till October 2021 at Victoria Theatre.
Modern Women of the Republic: Fashion and Change in China and Singapore
Trends fade, but style is eternal. Hence, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall traces back the history and evolution of oriental fashion in Singapore and China since the 19th century. The heritage institution delved into the semiotics between clothing, women's status, roles and lifestyles that changed over the past century. Almost 100 artefacts and photographs of Chinese women's clothing and accessories goes on display, with some dating 100 years old.
Modern Women of the Republic: Fashion and Change in China and Singapore happen till 12 December. Admission is free for Singaporeans and PRs at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.
The Dragon Chamber
Chinese fare is often perceived as homely, but not at The Dragon Chamber. This speakeasy restaurant and bar updates familiar traditional tastes with a twist that's undeniably palatable. Conceptualised by Chef Wong Meng Ooi who tapped his 20 years of experience, feast on treats such as the addictive Firecracker Chicken and Maple Fritters and signature Wagyu Truffle Beef Hor Fun.
The Dragon Chamber is located at 2 Circular Road. Delivery is exclusively available via the Tabletop app and web.
Da Vinci, The Exhibition
Leonardo Da Vinci is more than just the painter of the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. He is also an inventor and a scientist. Singapore Science Centre amassed the largest collection of Da Vinci's discoveries in Southeast Asia with this special exhibition. Understand his genius vision across art, nature and science over 10 zones and through more than 50 life-size invention reproductions and 15 reconstructions of iconic fine art studies and paintings. Psst, the Vitruvian Man comes alive and glows here too.
Da Vinci, The Exhibition happens till 2 Jan 2022 at Singapore Science Centre.
SAM Mini Mobile Museum: Slander!
Craving for nostalgia? Go back in time and experience the heyday of Singapore’s film industry post-war. An extension of Jeremy Sharma’s research into Singapore’s 1950s and 1960s films and popular culture, Slander! is more than just entertainment. Selected movies from 1958 and 1963 are revisited and deconstructed on their cinematic image. Through Sharma’s lens, cultural moments like rapid urbanisation, drafting and political shaping are focused using his practice.
SAM Mini Mobile Museum: Slander! happens till 12 Sep at Jurong Regional Library.
Virtual Realms: Videogames Transformed
Anything is possible in cyberspace. Hence, attain superpowers and level up your knowledge at this multi-sensorial exhibition where videogames are reimagined as 21st-century art form. A collab between UK's arts and learning organisation the Barbican and famed videogame designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi (Tetris Effect) as co-curators, immerse yourself in large-scale commissions by leading videogame developers including Kojima Productions, Enhance, thatgamecompany, Tequila Works, Media Molecule, and David OReilly.
Virtual Realms: Videogames Transformed happens till 9 Jan 2022 at ArtScience Museum.
Gardens by The Bay's #StayhomewithGB
Exercise your green fingers at home with experts from Gardens by The Bay virtually through their #StayhomewithGB program. Besides bringing nature closer with past floral display highlights, the horticulture group also shares their exclusive curated library of e-books, articles, infographics, and multimedia content. Take this opportunity to expand your knowledge via hands-on gardening workshops, insider tips, and even consult with their plant specialists for free!
#StayhomewithGB happens online till 31 Dec.
Stamford Arts Centre Initiatives 2021: Chinese Opera Exhibition
Back by popular demand, marvel the artistry of Chinese opera at its new home at Stamford Arts Centre. Located at the Waterloo Arts Belt and Civic District, this interactive exhibition allows attendees to learn more about the elusive performing art and its history through a Virtual Reality (VR) 360-degree stage tour. You can also access 'backstage' and observe behind-the-scenes happenings during a performance.
Chinese Opera Roving Exhibition happens till 31 Aug at Stamford Arts Centre.
SOMMER's famed Beef Wellington is back
While this recent Heightened Alert measure has thrown a curveball at most businesses, it has also welcomed back a savoury favourite from Sommer too. Conceived during the 2020 Circuit Breaker, Head Chef Lewis Barker’s much raved-about Beef Wellington returns to the restaurant's takeaway set menu alongside exquisitely prepared treats such as Lobster Linguine with Shio Kombu and Passion Fruit cream and Mango-filled Choux Puff.
Sommer delivery is exclusively available via Tabletop app and web.
Gallery Children’s Biennale
#HBL (Home-based learning) can be both physically and mentally for your little tikes. So, not reward them (and yourself) with a multi-sensory art adventure at National Gallery's Children Biennale first 'phygital' edition. It begins with a microsite that consists of interactive online adventures, immersive storytelling sessions, and co-creation of art with international artists. Furthermore, visitors from anywhere in the world can access this.
Gallery Children’s Biennale happens until Dec 2022 at National Gallery Singapore and online.
Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists After 1965
1965 is a monumental year and a turning point for Singapore. Hence, National Gallery Singapore is featuring six celebrated, post-independence Singaporean artists who'll showcase their innovative craft and practices spanning decades with solo presentations. This exhibition also reflects how these pioneering artists pushed the envelope on Singapore's modern art and contributed to the development of Singapore’s contemporary art.
Something New Must Turn Up: Six Singaporean Artists After 1965 happens until 22 Aug at National Gallery Singapore.
Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto
Past and present intersect at this Asian Civilisations Museum double-bill exhibition in collaboration with Kobe Shimbun and Russel Wong. Featuring woodblock prints and photography that tells stories of traditional and contemporary Japan, famous period Japanese artists used the former to depict the lifestyles and trends of the Edo era while Wong lensed the traces of traditions that still exists in present-day Kyoto.
Life in Edo | Russel Wong in Kyoto happens until 17 October at The Asian Civilisations Museum.
Dale Chihuly: Glass in Bloom
There's a 'new' plant variety appearing at Gardens by The Bay—delicate and fragile, yet immortal. Bringing his garden exhibition to Asia (a first!), American artist Dale Chihuly will sow 25 large-scale installations, as well as more than 80 other sculptures and works from Seattle to the Singapore domes. Highlights include Ethereal White Persians (pictured above) at the Serene Garden and the majestic spherical Setting Sun, and Moon.
Dale Chihuly: Glass in Bloom happens until 1 August at Gardens by the Bay. Tickets are available via Sistic.
Human x Nature: Environmental Histories of Singapore
Before Singapore's current urban garden city identity, it was filled with lush vegetation and home to various wildlife. Thus, revisit the country's origins and trace the history of Singapore’s natural environment and how our present-day relationship with it matters. More than 150 books, maps, illustrations and manuscripts on Singapore’s biodiversity will surely reveal more about this legacy. All thanks to the National Library and National Archives of Singapore.
Human x Nature: Environmental Histories of Singapore happens until 26 September at the Level 10 Gallery, National Library Building. Admission is free.
Maison Marie
Both a bistro and specialty grocery store, the latest addition to the Bukit Timah estate keenly focuses on all things French. You can expect flights of decent oysters imported from France, a delectable Octopus Bolognese and Whole Mediterranean Seabream amongst an array of Western European dishes. Plus, a quiet dining spot to chill away from the city bustle.
Maison Marie is located at The Rail Mall, Singapore 678040.
Goodman Open House
This year's digital edition is free for all and even brings the lush greenery surrounding the physical space onto the virtual platform. Reactivated and redesigned, the community farm has become a source of inspiration for resident artists, expressed through a series of five digital videos. Discover various approaches to dance or explore the digital gallery featuring highlights of the artists' journey. Otherwise, gander the grounds which remain open to visitors.
Goodman Open House happens online until 31 December.
A Voyage of Love and Longing
Learn about the diverse natural history of the region through these 19th century drawings alongside Malay pantuns (rhyme quatrains), classical texts and love ballads. The rich Malay literature include excerpts from prominent writers and musicians ranging from Amir Hamzah and Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir, to Ella and Saloma. Further interact with the collection with a choose-your-own-adventure online game that mirrors the narrative of voyages.
A Voyage of Love and Longing happens 10 am – 7 pm at Goh Seng Choo Gallery, National Museum of Singapore.
Once Upon A Time on The Orient Express
Catch Paris' renowned luxury Orient Express, another first in Asia and a result of six years of planning. The travelling exhibition of objets d’art, archival documents, movie extracts and more that reference different stops on the train's past itineraries also avails gourmet car dining and a familiar escape room. Read more about the full experience here. Tickets can be purchased through the Orient Express online booking platform and Sistic.
Once Upon A Time on The Orient Express happens until 12 September at Gardens by the Bay's West Lawn.
