We hope you’re starting the year right and slowly easing into the rhythm of 2022. Work aside, it’s important to find time to unwind and relax—whether that means staying in or going out, meeting friends or catching up with family. If you find yourself wondering what to do this weekend, here are five Vogue-approved activities to treat yourself and your loved ones to this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Experience The Real Art of Drinking at Smoke & Mirrors
On Friday night: Elevate your happy hour with the perfect pairing of art and cocktails. Organised in collaboration with National Gallery Singapore as part of the line up for the Light to Night Festival, this one-of-a-kind Art X Cocktails tour gets you an unofficial behind-the-scenes with the muses behind Smoke & Mirrors’ new cocktail menu: The Real Art of Drinking. The menu comprises 10 drinks and each item draws inspiration from an artwork on display in the gallery. Opt for the Georgette Chen-inspired Bananas in a Glass, the bar’s take on the century-old Negroni, or consider the Cheong Soo Pieng homage: Flowers in the Afternoon, a whisky-based visual stunner—think an Asian take on a classic Modigliani, complete with flowers, batik sarong and pineapple fruit.
Smoke & Mirrors, National Gallery Singapore, 1 St. Andrew’s Road #06-01, Singapore 178957.
Art X Cocktails runs from now till 30 January. Book your tickets here.
Picnic amongst the clouds at Cé La Vi
On Saturday evening: Indulge in picnic-style dining alongside bottomless cocktails at the third edition of Cé La Vi’s Picnic in the Clouds. Held in partnership with Grey Goose Vodka, the three exclusive “Cloud Cocktails” created for this session are the Kurundu Blitz with Grey Goose Vodka, cinnamon, raspberry and pineapple; Summer in Greece with Bombay Sapphire gin, Blue Curaçao and crème de cacao white and One last thyme with Bacardi 8 Anos rum, Triple Sec, Angostura Bitters, passion fruit and orange. For a full picnic experience, we recommend you give the food selection a try. It has been crafted to resemble traditional picnic fare with an Asian twist, so take your pick of Asian-inspired dips, Charcuterie, wraps and quiches, before ending with a selection of sweet treats. Now that’s life!
Cé La Vi, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Singapore 018971.
Celebrate the coming of Spring with Joanna Dong
On Saturday night: Catch Joanna Dong in her first-ever Lunar New Year concert, You Must Believe in Spring. Sit back and enjoy classic jazz hits Joy Spring and You Must Believe in Spring, as well as the first ever live performance of Joanna’s Lunar New Year single Kuai Kuai Le Le. It wouldn’t be a Lunar New Year concert without the classic hits Gong Xi Gong Xi and He Xin Nian and Joanna promises a whimsical and warm take on these festive favourites. Apart from being a treat for the ears, You Must Believe in Spring also promises a visual spectacle with a vibrant set created in collaboration with award-winning botanical design studio This Humid House. With the concert specially conceptualised to revisit the spirit of the coming of spring, we can think of no better way to usher in the new year festivities.
Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956.
Book your tickets to You Must Believe in Spring here.
Discover heritage neighbourhoods in East Singapore with ArtWalk 2022
On Sunday morning: Singapore’s beloved celebration of the art and culture of a heritage neighbourhood is back for its eighth edition. Part of Singapore Art Week, and jointly organised by Lasalle College of the Arts and Singapore Tourism board, ArtWalk 2022, in keeping with its theme ‘Looking Back Going Forward’, extends its multisensory experience from Little India to one other cultural precinct in Singapore: the Katong-Joo Chiat area. Mixing in with the neighbourhood’s heady blend of hipster cafes, Peranakan culture and historic shophouses are two new murals, Jalan Jalan by Didier ‘Jaba’ Mathieu and The Phoenix by Boon ‘Baked’. Albeit two artists with different styles, the cultural influences in both murals are unmistakably Joo Chiat—think colours borrowed from Peranakan tiles on freely roaming cats in the former and the symbolism of the hero image in the latter. More from Monster Day Tours on the day itself during their guided walking tours. Straits Enclave and Eurasian Association join in the immersion with a sketching workshop and a Eurasian crafts workshop and tour, respectively. Look forward to a busy Sunday morning.
Artwalk runs from now till 22 January. Book your tickets here.
Rethink your relationship with brands at Brand Love
On Sunday afternoon: Re-examine your relationship with consumerism and things at Eduardo Enrique’s second solo show, Brand Love. Designed as a faux “Nike” retail and pop-up shop, the installation reimagines sporting goods from the brand as a series of provocative artifacts, all with the aim to urge visitors to re-evaluate their association with brands and material goods. Ironic, humorous and altogether witty, the exhibition is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Art Now, Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd #02-32, Singapore 188719
Brand Love runs from now till 14 February.
Past Events
Defend the Earth with Marvel’s Eternals
On Friday night: Reunite with Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie and the rest of the Eternals team on Disney+. When the Deviants—monstrous creatures and sworn-enemies of the Eternals—return, our crew of crusaders must reunite to defend humanity once more. Directed by Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao and filmed across Spain, England and the US, you can be sure that you are in for a cinematographic experience unlike any other. Whether you are new to our band of heroes or are waiting to rewatch your favourite bits, make Eternals your weekend watch with Disney+.
Eternals is available on Disney+.
Unwind with a stunning view at Hortus
On Saturday afternoon: Stop, smell and dine among the roses at Hortus, a garden cafe dining experience offered by one-Michelin-starred chef Michael Wilson at Gardens by the Bay. Delight in a meal amid the lush greens and blooms of the Flower Dome, or pay a visit when at nightfall for a romantic meal under the restaurant’s pergola. Our recommendation? The Afternoon Tea for an experience reminiscent of Netflix’s Bridgerton. Savour Confit Tomato Tarts, Smoked Salmon Cucumber Finger sandwiches, Coconut and Rose Lamingtons, Financiers with Fennel Pollen and other dainty delights to experience life amongst London’s high society.
Hortus, Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, #01-09 Flower Dome, Singapore 018953.
For inquiries: 6702 0158 / [email protected]
Rethink the idea of art with Crossroads
On Saturday night: Experience art in a whole new light with Crossroads. The first of its kind exhibition in Southeast Asia takes over major billboard displays at ION Orchard and Ten Square to prompt audiences to rethink their interactions with structures that shape our collective lived experiences. Witness animated films, computer-generated imagery and generative art from 6 diverse local multidisciplinary artists. From Phua Juan Yong’s cheeky take on old Shanghainese posters to Howie Kim’s whimsical Bongdirk on the Big Screen, we are sure that these works will make you stop in your tracks.
Catch Crossroads at ION Orchard or Ten Square. Find out more here.
Usher in the Year of the Tiger with Design Orchard
On Sunday afternoon: Celebrate new beginnings and get a head start on your festive shopping with Design Orchard’s Chinese New Year fair. Pick out your new year outfit from a curated selection of bright, elegant and modern fashion apparel from local designers that include Cheongsam Shoppe, Elly, Minor Miracles and more. With your festive clothing needs settled, it’s time to select some treats to serve your guests when they pay you a house visit. Choose between Kele’s pineapple treats, Aunty Hong’s handmade cookies, Kim Choo Kueh Chang’s Nyonya kuehs and Violet Oon’s Peranakan delicacies. With all your festive needs housed under one roof, there is no reason for new year shopping to be a stressful experience this year.
Design Orchard, 250 Orchard Road, Singapore 238905.
Embark on a culinary trek through Latin America at Kilo Singapore
On Sunday night: Savour dishes from Kilo Singapore’s wood-fired grill at Kilo Collective’s flagship restaurant. The menu here is heavily influenced by the flavours of Latin America and the team takes your Latin experience one notch further with an open format kitchen where you can witness the cooking in action. Start your meal with Kilo Ceviche, a generous serving of tuna, seabass and red prawns, before picking out your choice of protein to be cooked over the restaurant’s signature charcoal fired grill. For drinks, pair your meal with Kilo Negroni, Kilo Singapore’s twist on the classic drink that comes with additions of sweet Vermouth, Aperol, Fino Sherry and a torched orange peel for some additional flair.
Kilo Singapore, 97 Duxton Road, Singapore 089541.
For inquiries: 9625 0279
Explore flavours of the Pacific with MO Bar
On Friday night: Join MO Bar on the fourth edition of their nomadic journey around the Asia Pacific. Their latest line-up draws inspiration from the untouched flavours of countries around the Pacific Ocean—from the sweetness of South Korea’s Asian pear to the smoky notes of Singapore’s very own satay. Highlights include Holi, a dazzling display of gin, buttermilk and spices inspired by India’s festival of colours and Full Moon, a rice paper rum cocktail from South Korea with hints of wheatgrass. If your new year’s resolution is to cut back on the alcohol, MO Bar’s newest drink menu comes with a series of non-alcoholic concoctions for an inclusive and memorable drinking experience. Delight in Lakeside, a Kombucha-based beverage with hints of lemongrass and spices reminiscent of a trip to Sri Lanka, or treat yourself to Ube, a medley of purple yam and jackfruit from the Philippines.
MO Bar, Marina Square, 5 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039797.
For inquiries: +65 6885 3500
Indulge in buttery croissants at the new Tiong Bahru Bakery Maju
On Saturday morning: Looking for a new brunch spot to channel your inner Emily in Paris? Fans of homegrown brand Tiong Bahru Bakery will be pleased to learn that the Parisian-inspired boulangerie has opened up its latest branch in the eclectic enclave of Maju, surrounded by cool stores of all kind and a breezy neighbourhood worth making the trek to. Open from 7.30am daily, expect to tuck into the bakery’s trademark array of baked goods—from their perfectly fluffy freshly-made croissants and kouign-amann to savoury treats like a variety of quiche and French sandwiches. Wash it all down with an aromatic cuppa from the coffee bar by Common Man Coffee Roasters for a perfect start to the weekend.
Tiong Bahru Bakery, 8 Maju Ave, Singapore 556686.
For inquiries: +65 68774890
Create your own ceramic art at The Potters’ Guilt
On Saturday night: Pick up a new skill from the artists at The Potters’ Guilt’s in-house ceramics studio. If you are new to the wheel, start your journey in vessel creation with one of their beginner classes, before working your way up to the intermediate and advanced courses. Looking for something more hands-on? The Potters’ Guilt offers Handbuilding lessons for you to experiment and mould clay into tableware and other unique sculptural pieces. And if you’re not yet ready to commit to a full class but eager to try out the potter’s wheel, sign up for a short course and enjoy an afternoon of interactive fun—perfect as a date, a friend outing or a team-building activity.
The Potters’ Guilt, 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace #01-03, Singapore 168976.
Classes can be booked here.
Get up close and personal with Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall’s iconic clock tower
On Sunday morning: Explore the inner workings of Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall’s iconic clock tower on a tour unlike any other. Climb the 54-metre tall clock tower and examine the internal mechanisms of the tower’s 5 majestic bells. Keep your ears peeled for the melodic Westminster chime—the same tune played by London’s Big Ben—as it sounds out every 15 minutes. While you’re up there, don’t forget to soak in the surrounding views of Boat Quay and the Singapore River. If the past year of local tourism has you scratching your head for something new to discover, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall’s clock tower climb is sure to hit the spot.
Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, 11 Empress Pl #01-02, Singapore 179558.
Tickets for The Clock Tower Climb can be booked here.
Discover the future of food in Paco Underhill’s How We Eat: The Brave New World of Food and Drink
On Sunday night: Unwind and get ready for the new week with Paco Underhill’s latest release. The bestselling author behind Why We Buy and What Women Want uncovers our changing relationship with food—from the way it is grown and processed to how it is purchased and consumed. Discover how food intersects with political, environmental, economic and racial issues of today and the importance behind making our relationship with food a positive one. In a world where cities are increasingly populated with farmers’ markets and rooftop gardens, what does the future look like for mainstream merchants and farmers around the world?
Purchase ‘How We Eat: The Brave New World of Food and Drink’ here.
