The coronavirus-induced self-quarantine has not only made us all WFH (much to the delight of our pets), but to spend our weekends staying home as well. Even the introverts are starting to realise how social they are at this point. Fret not, we're here to help prevent you from going stir crazy indoors. And no, we're not going to tell you to pick up a language because let's face it—it's highly unlikely you'll come out of this mastering Spanish.
Travel
In the safest way possible: online. If a gallery of empty tourist destinations isn't enough, do a world tour of live webcams viewing popular spots from Venice's St Mark's Square to heritage sites like Jerusalem's Western Wall. You can even pretend you're swimming in the Maldives.
Alternatively, crack the code to win a staycation.
Visit
Get a 360 of The Met. Do virtual art tours of museums like Musée d’Orsay, Paris, The British Museum, and MoMA in NYC. And maybe best viewed at night, peek into the Paris Catacombs. See the famous penguins of Edinburgh Zoo, or the wildlife of &BEYOND Ngala Private Game Reserve and Djuma Private Game Reserve.
Binge
Don't just catch up on all the amazing films you missed out on. Read all of the 10-word movie and tv reviews by Features Editor Wayne Cheong and see whether you agree with him. Don't just online shop. See all the major drops and things you could've bought with the same amount of money. Don't keep replaying the same old songs. Add some new ones to your social distancing playlist. And with all the depressing things going on this year, see all the favourite memes of 2020 thus far.
Or indulge in the ultimate Esquire Singapore binge—a three month free digital subscription.
Listen
You'd think with all this time on our hands, we'd start to read. But if that somehow escapes you, you can always listen to your books. Better yet, listen to our podcast, The Bite. Or best yet, listen to Sir Patrick Stewart recite Shakespeare #ASonnetADay on twitter.
Watch
Learn to cook with three-Michelin starred chef Massimo Bottura's Kitchen Quarantine virtual cooking classes. Get fit with online fitness classes from one of the world's top 10 fitness retreats. Join Bottega Veneta's virtual community #BottegaResidency.
Do
Take care of yourself and take care of our society in this time of crisis. We will get through this.
PAST EVENTS:
#futuretogether
Probably the most festive area in Singapore is further illuminated by Japanese art collective teamLab (you know them for Future World at ArtScience Museum, or your Instagram feed). Now that same magic goes outdoors in honour of the bicentennial year with larger than life installations and interactive indoor artworks.
#futuretogether happens until 22 March, from 7 pm at Gardens by the Bay.
The Nyetimber Secret Garden
Calling all sparkling wine lovers; Singapore's leading private members club will transform the terrace into a whimsical secret garden with a dedicated Nyetimber bar and special pairing menu of small plates by Head Chef Colin Buchan. Plus, catch a series of special events happening throughout the activation.
The Nyetimber Secret Garden happens until 31 March at 1880.
#BuySingLit
A literally electrifying performance, Book Bazaars and much more. Head over to our round up of #BuySingLit 2020: Read Our World for more information.
#BuySingLit 2020 happens 6 – 8 and 13 – 15 March, at Pasir Panjang Power Station and other locations.
Above & Beyond
The bad news is online tickets are already sold out. The good news is this is your second chance to catch the English trance trio if you missed them last year with door entry available (based on club capacity).
Above & Beyond happens 6 March, from 10 pm at MARQUEE.
Garden Beats
Break out your inner hippie because Singapore's first carbon-neutral music festival is back. FOALS, Blond:ish and more will be gracing the garden and sunshine stage, with visual arts and interactive activities taking over the space, so get ready to party green.
Garden Beats happens 29 February, from 1 pm at Fort Canning Park.
Potato Head X Singapura Dub Club
Every first Sunday of the month, Singapore's fabulous burger place joins forces with Singapura Dub Club and Suka Suka to throw a reggae party on its rooftop. With DJ ALX from Portugal and DJ Rushmo from South Africa amongst the lineup, expect Caribbean flavour throughout the night.
Potato Head X Singapura Dub Club happens 1 March, from 5 pm at Potato Head Singapore.
Tropic Like It's Hot Brunch + Pool Party
Elevate your brunch game at the rooftop of The Outpost Hotel with an indulgent bottomless liquid brunch party, all-you-can-eat small plates and more. Pair the booze with tropical deephouse until sundown against the unblocked view of the Singapore Straits.
Tropic Like It's Hot Brunch + Pool Party happens 1 March, 12 – 10 pm at 1-V:U.
Backyard Barbeque and Beats
The fifth edition and the first one for the year returns. Tuck into the legendary Siri House Mac and Cheese, Grilled Tiger Prawns and Wagyu Tri Tip all fresh off the grill. That on top of free-flow wine, breezy beats and the beautiful backyard space of Dempsey Hill.
Backyard Barbeque and Beats happens 1 March, 11 am – 6 pm at SIRI House, Dempsey Hill.
Meatsmith Telok Ayer Turns 5
Who doesn't love a birthday party that involves meat? To thank everyone for the support, Meatsmith is throwing one hell of party featuring a behemoth 'Sideways Burger' filled with classic dishes exclusively available on that day only, and other crowd favourites.
Meatsmith Telok Ayer Turns 5 happens 29 February, 2 – 10:30 pm at Meatsmith Telok Ayer.
Silent Disco Asia
Teaming up with CÉ LA VI, this tourist attraction that's rarely opened for public events gives you a 360 degree birds-eye view to party in a conscientious way.
Silent Disco Asia happens 22 February, 10 pm – 2 am at Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck.
Streetscape of Singapore
See the country from an off-kilter perspective with Singaporean artist Zhu Hong's interpretation of the city's many nooks and corners. And where better than in the heritage building of The Fullerton Hotel?
Streetscape of Singapore happens until 28 February at East Garden Gallery, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore.
The Rishi and Sharul Show 2
If laughter is the best medicine, could it also be an antidote for marriage? This rare stand-up comedian couple are back after a 5 year hiatus since their last sold-out show to take a jab at love and long-term relationships this Valentine's Day.
The Rishi and Sharul Show 2 happens 14 February, 8:30 pm at Capitol Theatre.
Anti-Valentines Day
The couples don't get to have all the fun. In the fifth edition of anti-v day part, expect cheeky games, a wall of wildest fantasies, a wheel of naughty and the iconic bash-your-ex piñata. Best dressed stands a chance to win up to SGD300 dining vouchers and adult toys from The Hedonist Store.
Anti-Valentines Day happens 14 February, from 9pm at Lucha Loco, 15 Duxton Hill.
Pre-Heaven
Leading contemporary local painter Ruben Pang commemorates a decade of professional practice with his solo showcase. Magnetic sequences of Jungian archetypes, forgotten or imaginary deities, both coming into being and falling apart, Pang's paintings and sculptures are expressively visceral.
Pre-Heaven happens until 16 February at Chan + Hori Contemporary, 6 Lock Road #02-09, Gillman Barracks.
Steve Aoki
The Billboard-charting DJ and Dim Mak Records founder is back to close the first month of this new year. We won't need to list out the Grammy nominated artist has collaborated with, or the amazing space inside this carnival-esque club because all online tickets are already sold out. You can still try your luck with door tickets available.
Steve Aoki happens 31 Jan, from 10 pm at Marquee.
Chingay Parade
Almost into its fifth decade, the dynamic showcase presents 'Colours of Harmony' this year. Opening with the electrifying 200 m long firecrackers, see 6,000 volunteer performers in this celebration of multiculturalism alongside stunning pyrotechnics, traditional art, and light display.
Chingay Parade happens 31 January – 1 February from 7 pm at F1 pit building.
River Hong Bao
The largest Lunar New Year event is back choreographed fireworks, interactive ig-worthy installations and plenty of entertaining performances. Don't miss out on the intricate handmade lanterns, fringe activities and a Chingay cross-over.
River Hong Bao happens until 1 February, 2 – 11 pm at The Float @ Marina Bay.
Istana Open House
Once home to Singapore's British governors and now office of the current President, The Istana is a site of national significance. Its grounds will be open on the second day of Chinese New Year.
Istana Open House happens on 26 January, 8:30 am – 6 pm at The Istana.
Singapore Art Week
The yearly visual art celebration has a lot going on this year, from the famous Art After Dark to the launch of the new Cuturi Gallery. Immerse in traditional art like a discourse in Chinese ink painting or experience it in the engaging Aliwal Urban Art Festival. View the full programme here.
Singapore Art Week happens until 19 January across various locations.
Light To Night Festival
The fourth edition continues to shine literal light across five celebrated historical and cultural landmarks. Following the theme 'Invisible Cities' from Italo Calvino's novel, the event features interactive installations like Optical Maze and large-scale live-action escape game experience True Lies: Secrets of the Gallery among the full day to night programme.
Light To Night Festival happens until 19 January, 10 – 12 am at Civic District.
CATS
This needs no introduction. Before catching the film (or not), Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical is back the same month for a strictly limited season and well, a cast of less traumatising cat-looking people.
CATS happens until 5 January at Sands Theatre.
