October JUNE 14 25 - JUNE - november 27, 2013 7
Whipped cream
#63 2 9 | I n s i d e s in g a p o r e | www.is-magazine.com
Fifty More Things to Eat
before you die
page 3 Find Page 3 online at is.gd/page3
Out of the Box 6
Cover Story
Real-life escape games are suddenly all the rage, with the likes of Freeing SG, Lockdown and Real Escape popping up all over Singapore. We spoke to the Executive Escaper behind the phenomenon to find out more.
The 50 best things we’ve eaten this year
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Travel
style
DJ workshops around Asia
Brioni’s new store
I-S So what’s the deal? ExEsc Basically you pay us money and we lock you in a room. I-S We pay you? ExEsc Yes. Then you have to find your way out. I-S Sounds weird. Why would we go in? ExEsc For the challenge of getting out. There are clues and everything.
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I-S It’d be cheaper just not to go in though, right? ExEsc Yes, but where’s the fun in that?
Get your kicks
I-S In what we could spend the money on instead. ExEsc Ummm… but these games are very popular here now.
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NIGHTLIFE
TECH
art
Canon G16
Singapore Biennale
Hot Halloween parties
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literature
Last Word
Singapore Writers Festival Fringe
Sundaram Tagore
Who's in charge?
Where to find us! Marketing Manager Silver Adrienna Ng Marketing Executive Lia Roslan Marketing Intern Chow Zhiting
Country Manager Andrew Hiransomboon countrymanager@asia-city.com.sg Editorial Director Ric Stockfis editor@asia-city.com.sg
Advertising Director Bernadine Reddy salesdirector@asia-city.com.sg
Associate Editor Terry Ong Staff Writer - Dining Editor Chin Hui Wen Staff Writer - Style Editor Crystal Lee
Media Executives Carmen Low, Denise Lim, Stephanie Zheng
Custom Content Editor Clara Lim Custom Content Writer Samantha David Editorial Assistant Khairul Amri
ACMG Digital Digital Product Manager Nancy Ide
Art Director Intan Agustina Senior Designer Beverly Chong Designers Carmen Louise Ho, Fishy Toh Multimedia Designer Photographer Mossy Chew Wenzhi Contributing Photographer François Hervy Design Intern Celeste Chooi
Group Directors Chief Executive Officer Gretchen Worth gworth@asia‑city.co.th Group Digital Director Greg Duncan gduncan@asia‑city.com.sg
The Asia City Media Group Bangkok Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd 22/F, Silom Center 2 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 02‑624‑9696 Fax: 02‑237‑5656 bkmagazine@asia‑city.co.th Shanghai shonline@asia‑city.com.cn Kuala Lumpur Pacific Tourism Communications Sdn Bhd Lot 2.44‑2.45, 2nd Floor, Wisma Cosway, Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: 60‑3‑2144‑4886 Fax: 60‑3‑2141‑1911
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WINNER
Editor of the Year
I-S It’s not because we only feel comfortable in a small and restricted environment governed by arbitrary rules? ExEsc That’s not in our marketing materials, no. I-S Maybe because too many of us spent our formative years playing video games and no longer find the real world stimulating enough? ExEsc Err.. Look, it’s just a game. I-S Do we get food inside? ExEsc Afraid not. You’ll only be inside for 45 minutes.
I‑S Magazine is published 24 times a year by Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd., 211 Henderson Road, #14‑03, Singapore 159552. Tel: 65‑6323‑2512 Fax: 65‑6323‑2779. Copyright ©2013 Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. The title “I‑S Magazine,” its associated logos or devices, and the content of I‑S Magazine are the property of Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. I‑S Magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. Contact the Publisher for ad rates and specifications. All advertising in I‑S Magazine must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by KHL Printing Co. Pte. Ltd., 57 Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968. ISSN 0218‑8872 MCI (P) 136/12/2012
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I-S Not so hard to get out then? It took Stallone nearly the whole of that movie Escape Plan. Yawn. ExEsc It’s not a movie, though. It’s… I don’t think you’ve got it… It’s a 5D interactive puzzle concept. I-S So who can we take inside with us? ExEsc Most people take their friends or colleagues. Or a date. I-S Could we bring Wentworth Miller from Prison Break? ExEsc I’m really not sure you’ve grasped the concept…. I-S He recently came out. ExEsc And? That’s not a problem. Just to be clear: these rooms are only like Singapore in some respects. I-S And what happens if we don’t get out in time? ExEsc Well, you’ll be in for a very nasty surprise. I-S And what might that be? ExEsc You might be attacked by an undead pirate army or possessed by a swarm of evil ghosts. I-S And do we get our money back? ExEsc Erm… no. That’s not the…
Cover by François Hervy & Fishy Toh
I-S You’re right. Very nasty indeed.
Finance Manager Sally Kang Accountant Mark Anthony Habel Admin Executive Goh Ting Yu
Get
I-S Why do you think that is? ExEsc Well, Singaporeans love a challenge.
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@is_magazine FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013 I-S MAGAZINE 3
UP FRONT Giveaways
The Gear Is On Us
We
SG
This week you will mainly love your city for its...
This week we’re giving away the latest wireless Jabra STONE3 headset (worth S$198). To enter, go to is-magazine.com/ giveaways, register and tell us why you deserve to win.
The Bookie
Preservation Efforts Singapore’s forward progress can seem relentless but there are some signs we’re beginning to care a little more about our history, too. The latest buildings earmarked for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) are the Queenstown Public Library, Alexandra Hospital and the former Commonwealth Avenue Wet Market after a ground research study conducted by community group My Community. Elsewhere, Bukit Brown Cemetery was added to the World Monuments Watch— though its inclusion is more indicative of its threatened status than anything else.
Be Good Hearty Times Barack Obama
Monsoon season
Canceled Asian trip
Frequent Asian visits
Administrative shutdowns Greying hair Craves the occasional drag
Flooding and mayhem Grey and wet Makes commuting a drag
The odds: Monsoon season 10:1 Only one of them can really make it rain.
4 I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, October 25, 2013
If you’re looking for an opportunity to be good and have fun at the same time, head down to the Charity Carnival Fun from d’Heart organized by Food from the Heart from November 16-17 for a day of performances, games and food in a lively bazaar setting. Carnival coupons at $10 per sheet or $100 a booklet are available in exchange for the different offerings at the event. Find out more at www. foodheart.org or call Ms Ling at 6259-7176.
OB Index Charting the ups and downs of Singapore's openness, tolerance and freedom of expression. October
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Bad news for equality this week, as the appeal raised by Tan Eng Hong against Section 377A (penalising sex between men) was dismissed by the High Court. However, the Court of Appeal subsequently ruled that Tan’s appeal could be consolidated with that of Kenneth Lim and Gary Chee, which observers say increases the chance of the challenge succeeding.
Quote of the Week
“True love… seriously?” – Prologue of an official Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority press release on illegal marriages of convenience.
CALENDAR Essential Events October 25 - November 7 SEE This
CALENDAR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 Hop between five galleries at Soiree @ The Raffles Arcade and look out for a special screening of Future/Perfect, a short film starring Milla Jovovich which premiered at the Venice Biennale. 6:30pm. Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd.
Bi Curious The Singapore Biennale (see Scenestealer, page 19) returns with an opening party where guests can get a sneak peek of all the artworks, followed by an after-party at Butter Factory’s Art Bar. Oct 25, 7pm. Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Rd., 6332-3222. Invite-only.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27 Stock up for Christmas (or just stuff your face right away— no judgment) at Privé’s Gourmet Market. 11am8pm. Marina at Keppel Bay, 2 Keppel Bay Vista, 6303-8448.
DON’T Miss
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30 Soulful blues guitarist and singer John McNamara plays Sultan Jazz Club. 8:30pm. 2/F, The Sultan, 101 Jalan Sultan, 6723-7117.
Horror High Dress up as your favorite kooky character at The Rocky Horror 1-Altitude Party and stand a chance to win fab prizes. Oct 26, 9pm. Stellar at 1-Altitude, 62/F One Raffles Place, OUB Centre, 1 Raffles Place, 6438-0110, www.1-altitude.com. $33-120.
Opening of Chinese artist Nan Qi’s solo show Authority Sex Money, where
Win! To stand a chance to win dinner on the night plus plenty of drinks and entry to the party, email us at promo@asia-city.com.sg 8689HHL PindBalluchi I-S Magazine Ad_170x254mm_FC_R5_P.pdf
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are Flowers”, featuring free-flow drinks, cool video projections by Pamm Hong and a fashion installation by Linda Hao. 3pm. Bochinche, 2/F, 22 Martin Rd., 66945590. Invite-only.
he reinvents traditional Chinese ink painting. 6pm. Art Plural Gallery, 38 Armenian St., 6636-8360, www.artpluralgallery. com. Invite-only. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Circular Road—once regarded as the sort of seedy backside of Boat Quay—starts going car-free from 6pm-1am this Friday and Saturday. Expect to do lots of bar hopping during this three-month trial.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 It’s the big day. Catch Mew, Explosions in the Sky and Best Coast at indie fest Camp Symmetry. See Music, page 18.
Men’s health awareness campaign Movember kicks off with the usual shave in to get participants’ faces ready to sprout a ‘stache. At the end of the month, there’ll be a gala party to shave off the month’s growth. Keep an eye on www. movember.sg for details. Media preview of Melissa Shoes’ Spring Summer 2014 collection “We
Singapore Writers Festival (through Nov 10) gets into full swing. Meet icons like filmmaker Catherine Breillat (See Scenestealer, page 20) and fervent atheist A.C. Grayling, and join in the pub quiz edition of Books & Beer. Various venues, www. singaporewritersfestival.com.
Read our story about this initiative at is.gd/sgriver
3:42 PM
FRIDAY, October 25, 2013 I-S MAGAZINE 5
COVER STORY
50 F I R S T R A T E
eats The most unmissable dishes of 2013. By Chin Hui Wen
A
lways controversial, and likely to spark heated— but delicious—debate, this year’s diverse mix of 50 things to eat before you die represents (what we think) the best the Singapore dining scene has to offer right now. There’s offal, old school classics and edgy envelope-pushing fusion cuisine. Working our way through the list (it’s presented here in no particular order by the way) has been a tasty though sometimes mind-boggling and messy experience— but one we’d highly recommend—so get cracking.
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1. Beef tripe stew Soft honeycomb tripe blends effortlessly with their fresh tomato sauce, made deliciously creamy with a good grating of Parmesan cheese. $18. Burlamacco, 77 Amoy St., 62201763, www.burlamacco.com.sg.
2. Smoked quail eggs Probably the most flavor we’ve had packed in such a small package, these addictive little eggs boast bright runny yolks and well-rounded smokiness. $6. Burnt Ends, 20 Teck Lim Rd., 6224-3933, www.facebook.com/ BurntEndsSG.
3. Long Life Noodles
The Mob Last year’s list sparked lots of controversy and debate. And we love to get a conversation going. Here are our favorite angry comments from the 2012 edition. “Looks like this list is for white people. NO KWAY CHUP? Come on.” “How about TULUNG?! Bone sucking should be the national dish!” “This list is too ang moh, even for an ang moh.” So if we missed something glaring out or you think we have no idea what we’re doing (see ‘How we did it’ on page 7, first)—let us know by joining in the conversation at www. facebook.com/ismagazine.
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A fragrant dish that’s well-charred with incredible wok hei (breath of the wok) and great crunch from shredded radicchio and carrot. The optional side of rare ribeye ($8 supplement)—perfectly marbled, and nice and rare—is an iron-rich treat. Order it. $18. Chopsuey Cafe, #01-23 10 Dempsey Rd., 9224-6611, www.chopsueycafe.com.
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5. Rice pudding Creamy, perfumed with vanilla and punctuated with bits of sweet grape, this pudding is a great take on the usually stodgy dessert.
7. Fried Sushi Rice with Pickled Cucumber and Fried Sakura Ebi
$12. Ola Cocina Del Mar, #01-06 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, 12 Marina Blvd., 6604-7050, www. osvaldo.sg/ola/.
A gloriously complex version of fried rice—it’s both innovative and comforting—providing layers of flavor from tangy pickled cukes and salty ebi.
6. Potato Puree
$16. Ding Dong, 23 Ann Siang Rd., 6557-0189, www.dingdong.com.sg.
It’s not new but bears saying again, this mash—equal parts butter and potato—is the best in town. Free with any main dish. Joël Robuchon Restaurant, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, 6577-7888, www.joel-robuchon.net.
4. CW Blue Cheese Of The Market Grill’s justifiably famous burgers, this rich mineral-y beef patty topped with funky blue cheese, sweet caramelized onions and smoky bacon is our fave.
8. Mazesoba This satisfying bowlful of firm-tothe-bite egg noodles is an awesome vegetarian meal, featuring spring onions, bamboo shoots, leeks and a soft cooked egg dressed with brilliantly sweet, sour and salty shoyu sauce. If you must, there’s some great cha siu to gild the lily. But the dish really doesn’t need it. $14 or $16 (with cha siu). Uma Uma Ramen, #01-41/42/43 Forum the Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd., 6235-0855, www.umaumaramen.com.
$24. The Market Grill, 208 Telok Ayer St., 6221-3323, www.themarketgrill.com.sg. Mazesoba
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Top Tables 2014 Which is the best restaurant in Singapore? Find out when our Top Tables guide is unveiled in December. Pre-order your copy by emailing food@asia-city.com.sg
10. Banana Bread Cafes all over the city are peddling their own take on homey banana bread. But the big hulking slice from Revolution Coffee has our vote for its moist squidgy texture and dark caramel flavor. $4.50. Revolution Coffee, #01-03A, 21 Media Circle, 6777-2110, www.facebook.com/ RevolutionCoffeeSG.
11. Fregola with seafood 6
9. Mousse Chocolat The dark chocolate dessert is velvety and bittersweet—a stunning rendition of the classic. $12. L’Entrecote, #B1-128/129 Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Blvd., 66907569, www.lentrecote.sg.
Toasty grains and thick tomato-y seafood sauce make this warming pasta dish uncommonly satisfying—we’d go back for this dish on a cold rainy day. Sopra Cucina, #01-02 Pan Pacific Orchard, 10 Claymore Rd., 6737-3253, www.sopracucina.com.
12. Veal sweetbreads, onion salad & preserved lemon Thymus glands may not sound the most appealing. But here, they’re
done just right: crusty on the outside and creamy within, with some sharp fresh salad to cut the richness. $27. Bochinche, #02-01 22 Martin Rd., 6235-4990, www.bochinche.com.sg.
13. Baked bone marrow There’s something primal and gratifying about digging fatty marrow from a bone and this rendition is especially good, accentuated with spicy chilli and umami kombu. $18. The Black Swan, 19 Cecil St., 8181-3305, www.theblackswan.com.sg.
14. Croque monsieur Thick slices of brioche filled with a double whammy of creamy nutmeg bechamel and savory ham—this is one of our favorite lunches in the city. $16. Café & Bar Gavroche, 69 Tras St., 6225-4869, www.cafegavroche.com.
How We Did It This is a list of the best things we ate in the last year, across a range of courses and cuisines. But the results are not scientific. There’s no hawker food, nothing that already made it into previous years’ lists and no limited edition plates (you can no longer order) or dishes—however amazing—from restaurants that are now closed. It may look like we’re biased: We’ve featured multiple places by the Spa Esprit Group for example, but that’s simply they keep opening hot new spots—not because of any advertising dollars (what dollars?). And whether or not you agree with our picks, the selection is undeniably a delicious snapshot of what it’s like to eat at restaurants in Singapore right now. If you’re a restaurant owner or just a passionate foodie and think we missed a dish to die for from your menu, get in touch at food@asia-city.com.sg— we’re already starting work on the next list!
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FRIDAY, octoBER 25, 2013 I-S MAGAZINE 7
COVER STORY I-S ASKS:
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten this year?
Su Vien Tan, legal executive “The profiteroles at Cafe & Bar Gavroche (69 Tras St., 6225-4869, www. cafegavroche.com) —they’re the perfect combination of chocolate and cream.”
Yap Seng Gim, bank executive “I’ve been on a hunt for the best prata, and found it at Simpang Bedok at Syed Restaurant (326 Bedok Rd., 6242 5412). It’s got the right degree of crispiness and softness, and they have a butter chicken curry dish that goes with it perfectly.”
Li Min Tan (right), founder of clothing brand Cloud & Victory “The buah keluak fried rice at Immigrants (467 Joo Chiat Rd., 8511-7322, www.immigrants-gastrobar. com). It’s very homey and comforting, and the flavors are presented in a different— yet not unfamiliar—way.
15. Turkish Common Man Breakfast Poached eggs—with golden runny yolks (from organic New Zealand eggs)—accompany savory feta pastries balanced with a drizzle of honey. There’s also some amazingly smooth hummus alongside. It’s exotic, yet comforting—a top notch morning meal. $25. Common Man Coffee Roasters, #01-00 22 Martin Rd., 68364695, www.commonmancoffeeroasters.com.
19. French toast with rum sabayon
23. Thousand layered pigs' ears
More like indulgent bread pudding than a breakfast dish, this dessert—crafted from buttery brioche that’s made inhouse—boasts a custardy interior and a brown brûléed top can’t be beat. The quenelle of vanilla icecream served alongside, creates a fantastic hot-cold contrast too.
Forget all squeamishness. This terrine of chewy pig’s ears, suspended in aspic, is not only gorgeous but also a great chilled starter that really gets the appetite going.
$15. Fordham & Grand, 43 Craig Rd., 6221-3088, www.fng.com.sg.
16. Foie gras with yuzu Their impressive foie gras is marinated with saikyo miso and then pan-seared, so it has a lovely caramelized crust but is still rare within. The accompaniment of raw koh-shin daikon and fresh wasabi cut through the richness.
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$16.50. IKYU, 5 Yong Siak St., 6223-9003, www.ikyu.com.sg.
17. Singapore-style ramen Sous vide cha-siu and firm springy noodles tossed in a wanton mee-like dressing, this recipe showcases the best of Japanese and local hawker techniques. It’s easyon-the-pocket to boot. From $5. A Noodle Story, #01-39 Amoy Street Food Centre, 7 Maxwell Rd., 9027-6289, www.anoodlestory.com.
18. Bak kwa mac & cheese Featuring creamy nutmeg sauce and sweet bak kwa set against saline cheese sauce and mild penne pasta, this baked ramekin is a case of fusion done right. $20. Pidgin Kitchen, #01-04 7 Dempsey Rd., 6475-0080, www.pidgin.sg.
20.Vodka lime coconut pie This sweet-sour lime coconut pie, spiked with vodka jelly, is surprisingly sophisticated and light enough to ensure we always have room for seconds. $7.50. Windowsill Pies, 78 Horne Rd., 9004-7827, www.windowsillpies.sg.
21. Beet risotto A stunningly beautiful plate featuring vibrant pink rice dotted with nubs of fresh goat cheese, this tasty risotto makes you want to eat your vegetables. $23. Open Door Policy, 19 Yong Siak St., 6221-9307, www.odpsingapore.com.
8 I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, october 25, 2013
An eye-opening combination of the Peranakan black nut with dark chocolate and chilli specks (which crackle in the mouth like pop rocks), this salty-sweet dessert’s the stuff of dreams. $14. Candlenut, #01-03 Dorsett Residences, 331 New Bridge Rd., 6444-6163, www. candlenut.com.sg. Tagliatelle Bolognaise
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22. Buah keluak ice-cream Chua Chin Chin, founder of creative studio and publicity company Arm Collective “I love Joe & Dough’s (#02-05 Income at Raffles, 16 Collyer Quay, 64382115, www.joeanddough. com) grilled vegetables sandwich. It’s crusty, with a great combination of sundried tomato pesto with vegetarian cheese.”
$9. Imperial Treasure Shanghai Cuisine, #04-22 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6836-6909, www.imperialtreasure.com.
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24. Cookies and cream cheese cake espuma Get all the flavor of cheesecake without any of the cloying richness: Here, fluffy cream cheese foam is layered with crunchy crumbs for a more-ish treat. $8. A for Arbite, #01-01 28 Aliwal St., 8321-2252, www.arbite.com.sg.
25. Roast pork collar This off-cut of free-range pork is braised with stock, port and herbs until fork tender, then roasted and blanketed with mustardy cream sauce. It’s a communal dish, meant for sharing, but is so good you won’t want to. From $34. Cocotte, 1/F Wanderlust, 2 Dickson Rd., 6298-1188, www.restaurantcocotte.com.
26. Corned beef hash The down-home diner classic gets a Peranakan spin, and is
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spiked with a healthy dose of chilli. It really is spicy, but if you’re anything like us, the sinus-clearing heat only makes it better. $17. Violet Oon’s Kitchen, 881 Bukit Timah Rd., 6468-5430, www.violetoonskitchen.com.
27. Chocolate cake An archetypal chocolate cake: rich but not too dense and only mildly sweet. From $4. Matt’s the Chocolate Shop, 44 Amoy St., 6557-2274, www.matts.com.sg.
CQ Life After 5 IS Magazine 14 October - FA HIGH RES PDF.pdf
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9/25/13
4:13 PM
Think you bake the best cupcakes in town? Prove it. Read more at is.gd/cupcakesSG
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32. Apple Pie
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A recipe passed down from chef Stephane Istel’s mum, this homey pie features some scrumptious caramelized apples, well-scored so that the edges crisp up in the oven. $12. #01-00 Amara Hotel, 165 Tanjong Pagar Rd., 6444-9672, www. bar-roque.com.sg.
28. Tagliatelle bolognaise Hand cut beef makes its way into the bolognaise recipe here, so the meat has great texture. The intense cooked-down meat sauce is tossed with some toothsome house-made pasta for a dish that’d make an Italian mama proud. $26. Da Laura, 47 Neil Rd., 62248251, www.da-laura.com.
29. Crodos Croissant dough gets deep fried (a la the cronuts from Dominque Ansel Bakery in NYC). Then, you’ve got two options: creamfilled or chocolate glazed— that’s all you need to know. $4. Da Paolo Gastronomia, #B1-03/04 Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, 6333-6351, www.dapaolo.com.sg.
30. Suckling pig There are few sights more hunger inducing than this crisp-skinned suckling pig cooking on the rotisserie at Shelter in the Woods. It smells great, but the sweet juicy meat is even better than you’d imagine.
33. Grouper with home-made vegetable noodles A nourishing meal of handmade noodles in flavors like carrot, red cabbage, egg white and spinach are topped with freshas-can-be sliced fish. Who says health food can’t taste good? $11.80. Cuisine Master Hotpot, 68 Boat Quay, 6438-9979.
34. Tomato chorizo salad
$24. Moosehead, 110 Telok Ayer St., 6636-8055, www.facebook.com/ MooseheadKitchenBar.
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Originally a special for the La Tomatina festival, this dish is so good it’s become part of the standard menu. There’s both fresh and cooked chorizo, plus sweet tomatoes perked up with sherry vinegar—it’s more than the sum of its parts.
CMY
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My Little Spanish Place, 619 Bukit Timah Rd., 6463-2810, www. mylittlespanishplace. com.sg.
35. Orange croissant
Orange Croissant
A fish dish with bold punchy flavors, this perfectly-cooked sea bass fillet is set atop a bed of silky eggplant and then anointed with some umami anchovy butter to bolster the taste of the sea. Faultlessly executed.
M
CM
$35. Shelter in the Woods, 22 Greenwood Ave., 64666225, www.shelterinthewoods.com.
31. Grilled sea bass with anchovy butter and eggplant caviar
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A single orangette (candied orange peel) is folded elegantly into Tiong Bahru Bakery’s exemplary croissant. Enough said.
$3.20. Tiong Bahru Bakery, #01-70 56 Eng Hoon St., 6220-3430, www. tiongbahrubakery.com.
36. Kamatama udon Dressed simply with a raw egg and soy, the chewy udon at this noodle specialist really shines. $5.80. Tamoya, #01-32 Liang Court, 177 River Valley Rd., 6337-0301, tamoya.com.sg.
» FRIDAY, october 25, 2013 I-S MAGAZINE 9
COVER STORY 43. Mexican Street Corn
47. Soft-shell crab with yellow curry
Rolled in mayo, chilli and cheese, this is what all corn on the cob wishes it could be.
Sweet egg curry finds its way into every nook and cranny of the crustacean in this addictive dish. It’s greasy in the best possible way and you’ll want plenty of rice to soak up the sauce.
$8. Lucha Loco, 15 Duxton Hill, 6226-3938, www.luchaloco.com.
44. Monet Light Champagne cake is topped with puckery redcurrants and sweet citrus marmalade for an uncommonly well-balanced confection that really grows on you. From $9.80. Audacious Cakery, #01-61 Blk 2 Everton Park, 62233047, www.facebook.com/AudaciousCakery. 50
48. Mango Curry This unique sweet-savory curry inspires fanatical fervor among those who taste it. Many a diner has inveigled their way into the restaurant’s kitchen, just to learn the recipe.
49. Encornet This clean tasting plate of Brittany squid, smooth black rice crémeux and briny mussel vinaigrette offers a great mix of textures. It is fine dining fare at its best: complex and precise, but not overly played with.
Tender, well-charred grilled octopus is the perfect match for a heaping mound of briny squid ink risotto that is lavished with savory salted egg sauce. $25. Morsels, 35 Mayo St., 63966302, www.facebook.com/morselsinsingapore.
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$30. OCF, #02-02 The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6333-9312, www.ocf-singapore.com.
38. Pork belly roll
Topped with capers, olives and Chinese salted fish, this pie might sound pretty “out-there” but is actually a well-thought out spin on a classic Sicilian combination, with Chinese salted fish replacing the usual anchovies. Genius. $14. TWO FACE Pizza & Taproom, #01-48 56 Eng Hoon St., 6536-0024, www.facebook.com/ twofacepizza.
10 I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, october 25, 2013
Kicky Cimarrón tequila, throat warming chipotle syrup, and a cloud of Negra Modelo beer foam is topped with a playful shower of pop rocks. There’s much to be said for fun, not-too-serious drinks. $18. Lucha Loco, 15 Duxton Hill, 6226-3938, www.luchaloco.com.
Delamotte Champagne Fine creamy bubbles and a well balance applepear flavor make this our favorite sparkler.
This liquorice-y medium body red is filled with rich dark berry flavors. It’s addictive.
39. Specialty peking duck
40. Kiam He Pizza
Mexican Moonwalk
Marquis de Saint-Estephe
$6. Izy, 27 Club St., 6220-3327, www.izy.com.sg.
$88. TungLok XiHe, #01-23 The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Rd., 6466-3363, www.tunglok-xihe.com.
Mexican Moonwalk
From $16. &MADE, #0104/05/06 Pacific Plaza, 9 Scotts Rd., 6690-7566, www.andmade.sg.
A deceptively simple but mind blowing snack of thin sliced meat wrapped around a generous slice of fresh young ginger (to cut the fat). Bar food at its best.
The mahogany-colored duck is stellar on its own. But unusual condiments like blueberry sauce and lemon pop-rocks make the old classic fresh and exciting.
Five primo drinks to wash down all that awesome grub.
$18.90. Nara Thai Cuisine, #B3-21 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6634-5787, www.narathai.com.sg.
$22. Tandoor, #B1/F Holiday Inn Park View, 11 Cavenagh Rd., 67300153, www.tandoor.com.sg.
37. Squid ink risotto and salted egg sauce
High Five
From $11/half glass. Napoleon Food & Wine Bar, 206 Telok Ayer St., 62219282, www.napoleon.sg.
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41. Shiromi truffle
45. Cheese trolley
Mild deep-water white-fish sashimi is fanned out in a perfect circle, then made aromatic with generous shavings of black truffle.
No one does an old school cheese trolley quite like French stalwart Saint Pierre. We love their ample selection of cheese, featuring everything from mild Tomme de Savoie to pungent Epoisses.
$58. Tamashii Robataya, #02-01 12 North Canal Rd., 6222-0316, www.tamashii.com.sg.
42. Nigiri sushi Just the way sushi should be: yielding rice and silky fish, expertly hand moulded by chef Kenjiro Hashida. From $80 for lunch and from $250 for dinner. Hashida Sushi, #02-37 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd., 6733-2114, www. hashida.com.sg.
From $15. Saint Pierre, #01-15 Quayside Isle, 31 Ocean Way (Sentosa Cove), 6438-0887, www. saintpierre.com.sg.
46. Mille crepes Prissy as it is, NYC import Lady M’s specialty cake—featuring 20 layers of lacy crepes sandwiching lush cream—is undeniably luscious. From $7. Lady M, #02-103 Marina Square Shopping Mall, 6 Raffles Blvd., www.facebook.com/ladymsingapore.
Etienne Dupont Cidre Bouché Brut de Normandie 2011 43
50. Carnitas burrito Usually just a cheap filler, the flavorful rice here (reminiscent of chicken rice) makes this Eastmeets-West burrito absolutely killer. (Especially after bar hopping on Club Street.) Of course, the gorgeously marbled and crispyedged pork doesn’t hurt either. $16. Pistola, 93 Club St., 64382185, www.facebook.com/pistolasingapore. n
Not a cider for beginners, this unfiltered, unpasteurized specimen from Normandy is musty, earthy and tastes of leather. But we love it. Its funky barnyard aromas mean that it can stand up to even pungent cheeses. $20. Tippletown, 11 Club St., 6557-2554, www. tippletown.com.
Steenbrugge Double Brown Craft Belgian brew Steenbrugge Double Brown stands out for its dark cinnamon-y flavor and rounded caramel notes. $14. A for Arbite, #01-01 28 Aliwal St., 8321-2252, www.arbite.com.sg.
TRAVEL
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ESCAPE ROUTES
with Chin Hui Wen
Angsana Laguna Phuket
THAIL AND
X Marks the Spot To mark the start of Phuket’s high season, XANA Beach Club—at the Angsana Laguna Phuket (10 Moo 4 Srisoonthorn Rd., Phuket, +66 7632-4101)—will host a Carnival Launch Party on December 14, featuring five international DJ acts from the UK, Singapore and Ibiza. There’ll also be Brazilian dancers and a Rio themed catwalk show right on Bangtao beach. For the event, the hotel will offer 30% off its room rates—from B6,410 (S$255)—with no minimum stay. Read more at www.angsana.com/en/phuket.
November 2, and folks welcome goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) into their homes by drawing rangoli—or colorful designs—at their doors. While in town for the event, a charming accommodation option is EIGHT The Residence (26 Chandraleka Mawatha, Off Kota Rd., Colombo 8, Colombo, +65 81893934), a cozy five-roomer outfitted with antiques and a 12-meter pool. Get the details at www.facebook. com/eighttheresidence.
hot property
Bali Bungalow
Looking to get off the beaten WORLDWIDE track? Check out the gorgeous Villa Surya Abadi (Jalan Bila, Kuta, Bali) via Airbnb (www. Speaking of resort DJs, you can airbnb.com.sg). The wood and learn to spin tracks at DJ bamboo bungalow has Dispensary’s luxury DJ an outdoor pool and an retreats—from US$700 open-air restaurant, ($874) for a threeplus all rooms look out day itinerary—taught onto serene rice fields. expert tutors at luxe It’s a 10-minute bike getaways worldwide. ride from the beach but The next workshop runs is just the ticket if you from December 6-13 at Villa Surya want to get away from the Six Senses Zighy Bay (PO Abadi crowds. Rooms start at $44. Box 212, Dibba-Musandam, Oman, +96 8 2673-5555, www.sixsenses.com), but you can also book private villa sessions—at FLIGHTS a time of your choosing—from April 2014. Read more at www. If you’re already planning your djdispensary.com. next summer getaway, take note. Singapore Airlines will SRI L ANK A fly to Athens from June-October 2014. Flights will operate twice a Deepavali is a big deal here but why week, on Mondays and Thursdays. not check out how they celebrate Athens boasts top attractions like the Hindu festival in other parts the Acropolis and the National of the world? The event goes Archaeological Museum. Book your down in Colombo, Sri Lanka on flight at www.singaporeair.com.
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Readers get 50% off at an exclusive range of Mr & Mrs Smith boutique hotels. To find out more about this fantastic offer, visit www.is-magazine.com/travel/smith
FRIDAY, October 25, 2013 I-S MAGAZINE 11
island
FASHION + FITNESS + TECH + HOME | Get More Out of Singapore
home Table Manners
French Flair Multi-label boutique Front Row just brought in Études, a French menswear label and publishing house founded by artists Aurélien Arbet & Jérémie Egry in 2012. Their third collection for fall, kept dark in black and blue, melds streetwear and formal suiting (think office wear with a touch of defiant eccentricity) with contrasting brushstroke prints on shirts, loose tapered pants and fitted bomber jackets. $190 upwards from #02-08/09 Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd., 6224-5501, www.frontrowstudio.sg.
Danish furniture label BoConcept’s new Cupertino desk ($1,345) is the nicest minimalist-cool workstation we’ve seen in a while. Just 1.4m wide width, which is great for tight spaces, it features various compartments to hide cables and keep away clutter. If you can’t do without music while on the job, complete your workspace with a set of Bluetooth enabled speakers ($495), specially designed to fit the table and fill the room with rich stereo sound from #04-01/02/03 Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., 6736-0777, www.boconcept.com/zh-sg.
tech Up to Speed Canon’s latest creation, the G16, pulls away from the pack in the frenetic compact camera race with less shutter lag and quicker auto-focus handling. This time round, it also offers a built-in Wi-Fi system and boasts of being the first to offer focus peaking— making sharing a breeze and manual focusing less of a pain. $699 at Best Denki, #04-12B Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd., 6336-8218, www.canon.com.sg.
OPEN STORE
style
Brioni
The buzz: Italian suitmaker Brioni— James Bond’s tailor from GoldenEye to Casino Royale—opens its first standalone boutique at Marina Bay Sands. The vibe: Classy, of course. Polished wooden counters, bronzed brass wall panels, marbled flooring and exclusive Poltrona Frau plush seats complete the snazzy, clean-lined space. There are two distinct sections, each dedicated to the brand’s formal and casual
collection, and a VIP room for made-tomeasure service ($9,000 upwards for a suit). The goods: You can walk in here naked, figuratively speaking, and make a grand exit perfectly suited à la Daniel Craig in Brioni’s shirt, pants, blazer, shoes, tie, belt, pocket square and briefcase. In store now is the first Autumn Winter 2013/2014 collection by new creative director Brendan Mullane (formerly of
Givenchy), who continues to stay true to the brand’s sharp and timelessly stylish aesthetic. Prices are steep (shirts are in the $900 range) but looking like Bond was never going to be cheap. Why you’ll be back: Thanks to Mad Men and Suits, power dressing is now the sartorial standard. And if you’re looking to invest in an immaculately tailored suit, Brioni makes one of the finest.
#B1-76 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7528, www.uomogroup.com. Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri and Sat 10am-midnight. Crystal Lee
12 I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, October 25, 2013
island
Top Shops guide The 100 best shops in Singapore— out November! To advertise, email sales@asia-city.com.sg. Bookings close end October.
fashion + fitness + tech + home
Back on Track
FITNESS
With more running events in the local calendar than ever before, here are four new shoes that outshine their predecessors. By Crystal Lee
Merrell Trail Glove 2, $149
New Balance 1400v2, $165
Nike Free Flyknit, $259
Puma Mobium Elite Glow, $189
The original Merrell Trail Glove was a great a minimalist trail shoe—it features a lightweight, breathable upper, 0mm heel drop, and a Vibram outsole—but it didn’t look very exciting. So Merrell gave number two a dramatic aesthetic facelift fusing a subtle neon colorway to make it cooler than ever. It’s available at Royal Sporting House.
If speed is what you need, New Balance’s update of the cult-favorite 1400 should do the job—after all, Olympians like Jenny Simpson have worn them. The new model retains its predecessor’s responsive REVlite midsole for a fast, efficient stride, but improves on the weight as well as the upper with less seams and a breathable mesh.
Pull them on like socks, and you’re ready to hit the pavement. These ultra lightweight kicks feature one-piece uppers that conform to your feet like second skin (as with the Nike Flyknit Lunar 1+) and the super-flexible sole of Nike Free+ 5.0 to provide support and cushioning.
An upgrade of the award-winning Mobium Elite, designed to adapt to your natural movement by expanding and contracting according to the way you run. Its new glowin-the-dark reflective features also ensure visibility at night (and that you look pretty darn cool).
Essentials New Balance #01-39/42 Velocity@Novena, 238 Thomson Rd., 6352-1826, www.newbalance.com.sg | Nike #01-01 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6238-7660, www.nike.com.sg | Puma #02-152/154 Marina Square, 6 Raffles Blvd., 6338-7705, www.puma.com | Royal Sporting House #01-159/161 Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Blvd., 6332-1495, www.facebook.com/ RoyalSportingHouseSingapore
Available December 2013
Singapore's
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I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, October 25, 2013
island
fashion + fitness + tech + home
STYLE NOTES
With Crystal Lee
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Kilo Faschion Asia
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Gaining Weight Milan’s multi-label retail concept Kilo Fascion, which prices luxury goods according to weight, has finally made its way here. Opening for just four months till January next year, the pop-up boutique stocks brand new past season collections from over 30 designer labels including Alexander Wang, Carven, Fred Perry, Valentino as well as new-toSingapore names like Karl Lagerfeld. Items are priced from $0.04 to $6 per gram, and new arrivals can be expected monthly at #01-62/64/66 Suntec City Mall, 3 Temasek Blvd., 6238-1391, www.kilofascionasia.com.
Pretty Please New local label Whole9Yards (www.whole9yards.com) debuted its first collection ($96 upwards) online and it’s a beautiful tribute to the fashion of the ‘50s with its romantic, vintage-inspired look pared down for a modern feel. The hourglass silhouette is kept fresh with geometric prints and classic cuts (shirts and tailored vests) while girly frills are kept at minimum on skirts’ hem. Colors aren’t wild, too—if it’s not black, white, grey or blue, it’s pastels— which should do well in the office.
are the new arrivals at multi-label store Kapok Tools. For the jetsetter, there’s luggage label Crash Baggage ($295 upwards) with its signature battered form so you don’t have Seventy Eight Percent to worry about more damage (it’s like wearing jeans with holes in), and bag specialist Seventy Eight Percent, which makes functional, thoughtful accessories designed to age to perfection ($155 upwards) from 4/F TANGS Orchard, 310 Orchard Rd., 6737-5500, www.ka-pok.com.
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Spanish Fly
Stradivarius at ION Orchard is back in business after closing for a revamp. The new space is now brighter and airier than before, with an earthy color scheme, warm lighting and a touch of old-world charm. Stradivarius Coinciding with the reopening is the Spanish label’s new Fall/Winter range, dominated with grungy eighties threads, preppy college styles and sportychic pieces ($9.90 upwards) from #B2-14 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Tools of the Trade 6634-1201, www.stradivarius.es. Understated doesn’t always have to clee@asia-city.com.sg be plain or boring, and proof of that
BUY SPY Charlie Brown’s having a bit of a moment right now, what with the genius Morrissey mashup blog This Charming Charlie, and now the limited edition Peanuts Moleskine 2014 Diary. It’s just one of 29 new styles from the cult stationers (all of which would make great Christmas gifts), and goes for $36 from stores like Kinokuniya (#03-09/10/15 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6737-5021, www.kinokuniya. com.sg) as well as www.moleskineasia.com.
Presenting a selection of dining delights Dine with your American Express® Card and enjoy tantalising dining offers.
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80 Middle Road, Bugis Junction, #01-88/89 Tel: 6338 9963
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For more dining privileges, visit amexnetwork.com.sg Terms & Conditions: For the most updated list of dining partners, please visit amexnetwork.com.sg. American Express Selects privileges are valid until 31 December 2013, unless otherwise stated. Privileges are available when payment is made with an American Express Card issued directly by American Express International, Inc. Singapore, American Express Corporate Cards and American Express Cards issued by other banks or network partners. These privileges cannot be exchanged for cash or used in conjunction with other promotional programmes, offers, discount cards, special packages or vouchers. Privileges are not applicable on eve of Public Holidays and Public Holidays, unless otherwise stated. Merchants are solely responsible for the fulfilment of all privileges. American Express International, Inc. and the business establishments reserve the right to change the terms and conditions at any time without prior notice. For full terms and conditions, please visit amexnetwork.com.sg. Information herein is correct at the time of print. American Express International, Inc., Incorporated with limited liability in the state of Delaware, USA with a place of business at 10 Marina Boulevard #15-00, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 2, Singapore 018983.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013 I‑S MAGAZINE
15
DINING NEW AND NOTED With Chin Hui Wen
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Mall, 6 Raffles Blvd., 68222097, www.facebook.com/ nuvosingapore).
Middle Ground
Supply & Demand
Wine Down It’s almost holiday season, and time to stock up on party provisions. You’ve got to have wine, and we’re looking to pick up some choice bottles at the Singapore Wine Fiesta (Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, www.winefiesta.com.sg)— on Oct 31-Nov 3—back this year featuring over 200 wines from over 60 winemakers.
Little Italy This city has no shortage of Italian
16 I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013
Table 24
restaurants. So to differentiate themselves from the rest, new Italian eateries are specializing in niche cuisines. For starters, there’s new Club Street restaurant Truffle Gourmet (49 Club St., 6222-5996, www.trufflegourmet.sg), with an all-truffle menu including grilled truffled polenta ($14) and bruschetta with cream and truffle ($12). Also, there’s Peruvian-Italian joint Supply & Demand (see page 20), plus, Japanese-Italian spot NUVO (#02-100 Marina Square Shopping
Good ole suburban dining enclave Greenwood has just welcomed Levant (8 Greenwood Ave., 8169-3376), a Middle Eastern restaurant serving up Arabic, Lebanese, and Persian food including grilled lamb kebabs ($29) and chicken briyani ($32).
Home Sweet Home Chef Tan Yong Hua—who has 20 years of cooking experience—helms new Restaurant HOME (392 Upper Bukit Timah Rd., The Rail Mall, 6465-1698, www. restauranthome.com.sg) offering specialties like Peking duck barbecued with lychee wood (from $38) and braised duo vermicelli with pork knuckle ($20).
Hot Table New to Chinatown is Table 24 (24 Temple St., 62259925, www.table24.sg) a sustainability-conscious New American restaurant—there’s no bluefin tuna or foie gras on the menu—featuring recipes like shrimp and grits ($12) and octopus salad ($9) in a quirky, colorful space.
Mr Potato Head Up on Mount Faber, casual new eatery Spuds & Aprons (109 Mount Faber, 6377-9688, www.mountfaber.com.sg) serves up indulgent snacks like Wicked Potato Fries ($8)— doused with hot gravy and six types of cheese—as well as heartier mains—like tobiko crusted cod fillet ($28) and grilled char siew lamb rack ($38)—with roasted, fried or mashed potatoes.
Special varieties of loose leaf Gryphon tea (from $12)—usually only available at restaurants—like peach nectar, osmanthus oolong and melon & mangosteen are now available at A for Arbite (#01-01, 28 Aliwal St., 83212252, www.arbite.com.sg). The teas come in a lovely gold tin and supply’s very limited. But if they run out, request more by calling or emailing aliwalreservations@arbite. com.sg.
Join us!
We are currently accepting applications for the following staff positions:
窶「 JUNIOR WRITER Editorial Interns (unpaid)
To apply, send your resume and a cover letter with salary requirements to editor@asia-city.com.sg.
FRIDAY, October 25, 2013 I窶全 MAGAZINE
17
Need to know Theater & Arts
The Substation > 6337-7535
The Arts House > 6332-6919
Ticketbooth > 6296-2929
Esplanade Box Office > 6828-8377
Cinema Ticketing Hotlines
www.esplanade.com
Fort Canning Park > 6332-1302
chart the weeks ahead
www.substation.org
www.theartshouse.com.sg
www.nparks.gov.sg
www.ticketbooth.com.sg
Cathay > 6337-8181 www.cathay.com.sg
Eng Wah > 6836-9074
Gatecrash > 6100-2005
www.ewcinemas.com.sg
www.gatecrash.com.sg
National Museum of Singapore > 6332-5642
Filmgarde > 6344-5997 www.filmgarde.com.sg
www.nationalmuseum.sg
Golden Village > 1900-912-1234
Singapore Art Museum > 6332-3222
Shaw > 6738-0555
www.singart.com
www.gv.com.sg www.shaw.sg
Sistic > 6348-5555 www.sistic.com.sg
DON'T Miss
DO This
Four Play Dig into food from four globally-renowned restaurants at pop-up 4 X FOUR.
No Scrubs
Nov 4-23. See Food & Drink, page 20
UK bass and underground dubstep pioneer Loefah, who's worked with heavyweights like Skream and Boddika, holds court at this night of seriously heavy tracks. Oct 25, 9pm. The Vault, 237 South Bridge Rd., 6222-5001. RSVP at www.nopartyhere.com/letmein.
SEE This
Away with Words This year’s Singapore Writers Festival is one of its most exciting yet, with numerous talks and workshops with luminaries such as A.C. Grayling and Stephen Leather. Nov 1-10. See Stuff, page 21.
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MUSIC
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concerts & gigs Tommy Emmanuel At this one-night only concert, the Australian Grammy nominee Tommy Emmanuel showcases his complex fingerstyle guitar-playing technique, honed over his 50-year career. Oct 26, 7:30pm. Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Dr.. Call 64557178 for more info. $28-78 from Sistic.
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OneRepublic Native Tour Since rising to fame with hit single “Apologize” from their debut album Dreaming Out Loud, OneRepublic's continued to charm fans with “Stop and Stare” and “Secrets”. Oct 29, 8pm. The Coliseum, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, 6577-8888. $108-148 from Sistic.
18 I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, october 25, 2013
Kind of Blu Jam This blues jam session invites budding pianists to play with drummer Eddie Layman and bassist Christy Smith. Oct 30, 9:30pm. Blu Jaz Café, 11 Bali Lane, 6292-3800. Free, first drink applies.
50th anniversary of his passing. Oct 27, 8pm. Living Room, The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6332-6900. $20 from www.bytes.sg.
I-S PICK>
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Matchbox Twenty North Tour Live in Singapore The band makes a landmark debut performance in Singapore to promote titles from their North album. Nov 10, 8pm. Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk. Call 6348-5555 for more info. $68-108 from Sistic.
music festivals
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3rd Singapore Lieder Festival - The Songs of Francis Poulenc The Sing Song Club embarks on an ambitious 170-song journey to celebrate the music of French composer Francis Poulenc, in commemoration of the
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Camp Symmetry If you’re into indie music then you can’t miss out on this array of exciting acts, from the likes of Texan post-rock band Explosions in the Sky and Californian surf band Best Coast. Nov 2, 12pm. Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr., 6420-6841. $125-350 from www.campsymmetry.com.
STage comedy
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Broadway Beng! Benging you Back to Basics He’s back! Don’t miss Sebastian Tan hamming it up again as everybody’s favorite Hokkien-speaking and singing homeboy from Redhill. Through Oct 27. Drama Centre Theatre, National Library, 3/F National Library, 100 Victoria St., 6837-8400. $15-77 from Sistic.
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Rob Schneider Live in Singapore The Emmy-nominated actor and Saturday Night Live veteran returns to Singapore for another night of side-splitting one-liners. Oct 26, 8pm. The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, 6636-0055. $98-148 from Sistic.
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I-S PICK> Talk Cock Comedy Singapore comedy guru Jonathan Atherton and other brilliant performers in yet another no-holds-barred open mic comedy performance. Oct 30, 8:30pm. Blu Jaz Café, 11 Bali Lane, 6292-3800. $10.
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Michael McIntyre Live in Singapore One of the UK's most popular comedy performers (he sold out the 13,500 seater O2 Arena in London for 10 nights straight!) brings his everyday observational sense of humor here for a one-night-only showcase. Nov 12, 8pm. The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, 6636-0055. $108-168 from Sistic.
Stage » art Email event news to stage@asia-city.com.sg and art@asia-city.com.sg
dance
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Creations 2013 - In Between by Maya Dance & The Substation Local dance choreographers work alongside experienced foreign peers to create new dance pieces with the theme “In Between”. Oct 31, 8pm. The Substation Theatre, 45 Armenian St., 6337-7535. $25 from The Substation.
STATE OF THE ART Singapore Biennale
including man-made frogs and even square-shaped apples.
2
The Peranakan Museum, 39 Armenian St., 6332-2982, www.peranakanmuseum.sg.
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Passages The fourth instalment of this contemporary dance showcase will feature new works by renowned choreographers like Christina Chan and Kinsun Chan. Nov 1, 3, 3pm; Nov 2, 7:30pm. Gallery Theatre, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Rd., 6338-0611. $25 from Sistic.
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musicals
The Phantom Unmasked Accompanied by a 15 piece symphony orchestra and Broadway star Shoshana Bean, this musical features Phantom of the Opera star Brad Little singing familiar songs from Les Miserable, Jekyll and Hyde and other Broadway classics. Nov 1-2, 8pm. MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands, B1/F The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868. $95-175 from Sistic.
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The Merchants of Bollywood Returning after a sold-out season back in 2010, this theatrical dance spectacular about the workings of Bollywood cinema is back. Nov 5-10, 7:30pm. MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands, B1/F The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave. Call 6688-1029 for more info. $45-165 from Sistic.
I-S PICK>
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Starlight Express The energetic musical tale of love, rivalry and hope by Andrew Lloyd Webber makes its debut in Singapore. Expect lots of 3D effects and daredevil stunts. Nov 13-24, 7:30pm. MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands, B1/F The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868. $65-195.
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theater
Atomic Jaya Huzir Sulaiman's satirical 1998 play returns to the stage with Karen Tan and Claire Wong taking on all 16 roles in the production. Through Nov 1. SOTA Drama Theatre, School of the Arts Singapore, 1 Zubir Said Dr., 65948411. $40-65 from Sistic.
top 5
Specula
After a two-year hiatus, the Singapore Biennale is back with a vengeance. Not only are the venues better (mostly centered around the Bras Basah vicinity for easier accessibility), the curation itself is tighter than ever, with more installationbased and interactive works. Here are five of our faves.
1
A Guide to the Flora and Fauna of the World by Zhao Renhui Local artist Zhao Renhui’s fascination with zoology is well-evidenced in this installation of a miscellany of photographs and objects
art
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last chance
POP! in the City III Check out prints, unique canvases, mixed medias and sculptures from pop art legend Burton Morris in this by-populardemand follow-up to his 2012 exhibition here. Through Oct 31. ION Art Gallery, 4/F ION, 2 Orchard Turn. Call 6735-0959 for more info. Free.
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I-S PICK> 50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic Photography lovers will not want to miss this rare opportunity to catch iconic works from revered travel-photographers like Sam Abell and Joanna Pinneo. Through Oct 31. ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868 for more info. $13-15.
Crystal Palace: The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nuclear Nations by Ken and Julie Yonetani As a response to the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station incident in Japan, the husband and wife duo created a majestic work comprising 31 chandeliers fitted with uranium glasses which illuminate a haunting green tinge.
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National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Rd., 6332-5642, www.nationalmuseum.sg.
Road to Nirvana by Po Po This site-specific work covers 1,000 sq. m. of Fort Canning Park, comprising plastic strings, brass bells and iron bars wrapped around various trees, creating a catacomb-like imagery that is at once dreamy and creepy. Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Rd., 6332-3222, www.singaporeartmuseum.sg.
its pop-up exhibition this year. The showcase will include 19 masterpieces by European masters such as Botticelli, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Monet, Modigliani and Picasso. Through Dec 31. Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris, Fort Canning Centre, Cox Terrace. $12-15 from Sistic.
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A Changed World: Singapore Art 1950s–1970s 120 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures from the National Museum's private collection which depicts the rapid
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Sorry for the Inconvenience by Manny Montelibano A biting political commentary, this. The young Filipino artist through Sorry for the Inconvenience his subversive multi-channel work features a myriad range of public figures like Mao Zedong interspersed with everyday figures like local priests making public apologies—investigating the context of why these apologies were made.
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Singapore Art Museum.
Specula by Nguyen Oanh Phi Phi This installation made from Vietnamese lacquer on epoxy and fibreglass composite covers a whole room. The majesty of the piece is achieved through its spacious layout with cleverly placed mirrors which force visitors to examine themselves as they walk through it. Singapore Art Museum. All exhibitions at The Singapore Biennale are on Oct 26-Feb 16, 2014. Various venues, www.singaporebiennale.org. Free. TERRY ONG
changes that took place in Singapore after World War II. Oct 25-Mar 16 2014. National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Rd., 6332-5642. $5-10.
1 2014, 10am. Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Rd., 63323222. $5-10.
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opening
I-S PICK> Not Against Interpretation: Untitled The exhibition features untitled works drawn from the National Heritage Board’s collection of drawings, paintings, prints and sculptures by notable local contemporary artists Cheo Chai Hiang, Chua Ek Kay, Tang Da Wu, Tang Mun Kit and Zai Kuning, among many others. Through Apr
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I-S PICK> Spot Art Featuring more than 200 works of art from over 70 artists, this exhibition aims to reflect current trends in the Asian art market, so expect some great finds here. Oct 25-Nov 4. ARTrium @ MICA, G/F MICA Building, 140 Hill St., 6270-2988, www.spotart. sg. Free.
SCENE & HEARD with Terry Ong
are only available by invite when you sign up at the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fredperrysg.
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continuing
Art Beat
Dried Tear Impressionistic paintings by Lita Cabellut who draws influences from Japanese geishas and nostalgic images of bearded men from past centuries. Through Nov 3. Opera Gallery, #03-05 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6735-2618. Free.
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Devotion & Desire: Cross Cultural Art in Asia See the fruits of artistic and cultural exchange across borders at this show of over 150 works of Asian, European and Middle Eastern origin. Through Dec 8. Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, 6332-7798.
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The Art of Collecting Before the successful private museum Pinacothèque de Paris officially opens its first international outpost in Singapore in 2015, look out for
Frames
Strike a Pose The much delayed Vogue Club (45/F Singapore Land Tower, 50 Raffles Place, 6536-6923, www.vogueclub. com.sg) will finally open next month (although the exact date is yet to be confirmed). The 11,000 sq. ft. club will be housed in a two-storey cylindrical glass structure, and boast 360° panoramic views of the city from 200 meters above ground. Far out.
Sonic Youth Just announced, this. The good guys from Amnesty and Fred Perry are holding a Sub-Sonic 2013 live music gig under the flyover near Thomson on Nov 1, 8pm. There will be three performance areas at the event featuring homegrown acts like Anechois, Sub:Shaman & Horns and These Brittle Bones. Tickets
Sick of stuffy art galleries? Head over to pop-up art show Frames by famed Tokyo-based product designer Shigeki Fujishiro, who presents a series of sculptures influenced by Marcel Duchamp at a temporary space at Gillman Barracks. The works, made from cypress wood, appear to levitate from the ground out of nowhere and are certainly one of the most interesting works we’ve seen this year. On through Nov 15 at the ad-hoc space Gallery 38, #01-06 Malan Rd., Gillman Barracks, www. theufactory.com.
At the Fringe More good news for arts enthusiasts. The M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2014 (www. singaporefringe.com) , which takes place Jan 18-19, will boast affordable tickets from just $19, down from this year’s $30. It will also feature 15 new works, including commissioned pieces by Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Sunairi and Portuguese theater company Mundo Perfeito. terry@asia-city.com.sg
FRIDAY, October 25, 2013 I-S MAGAZINE 19
food and drink » sports » film
Email event news to food@asia-city.com.sg and film@asia-city.com.sg
food & drink
town for a good cause. $5 from each serving sold will go to the NUHkids Fund. Through Oct 31. Bar Stories, 57A Haji Lane, 6298-0838. $10-75.
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SCENESTEALER Singapore Writers Festival Fringe explicit films Fat Girl and Romance will be in town for an unflinching discussion on her themes and influences. Not to be missed.
Chefs With Altitude 2013 This finedining extravaganza will feature food by award-winning French chef Xavier Beaudiment from Le Pré and Swiss chef Julien Schillaci from Restaurant A L’etage Parc Des Eaux Vives. Nov 11-17. City Space, 70/F Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore, Equinox Complex, 2 Stamford Rd., 6837-3322. $25-358.
I-S PICK
Nov 2, 6pm. Screening Room. Admission by festival pass. $15 from Sistic.
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Catherine Breillat
Asian Masters 2013 A month-long festival of food-centric events that run the gamut from workshops to tastings to gala dinners. Nov 1-30. Various venues Call 6319-1888 for more info. $25-1,000. www.asianmasters.com.sg.
Singapore Wine Fiesta 2013 Singapore’s largest outdoor wine fair returns, this time with over 200 wines from all over the world and over 60 winemakers and experts in attendance. Oct 31, 6pm; Nov 1, 4pm; Nov 2, 12pm; Nov 3, 12pm. Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, 1800-8888-333. $45 from Sistic.
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I-S PICK>4 X FOUR This pop-up restaurant will offer food from four acclaimed restaurants: The Hand and Flowers (London), Can Fabes (Barcelona), Mozaic (Bali) and Bo Innovation (Hong Kong), plus art installations by talented local artists. Nov 4-23. Marina Bay Waterfront, Marina Blvd., 6736-1458, www.4xfour. sg. $88.
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Sweet Charity Month Dig into signature desserts (think orange bread and butter pudding and brownie sundaes) at 13 restaurants around
Lots of cool talks, exhibitions and screenings will be taking place at this year’s edition (organized by The Arts House in conjunction with the Singapore Writers Festival), centered on the themes dreams, folklore and fairytales. We pick three not-to-bemissed events Meet the Author: Catherine Breillat The notorious French filmmaker, who is most well known for pushing the boundaries of sex and femininity through her extreme and
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Race the Dead Get chased by flesh-eating “zombies” on the loose at this 5km run that’s set up just like a scene from a horror movie. There’ll even be an postrace after-party for the survivors of the apocalypse. Oct 26-27, 10am. Tanjong Beach, Tanjong Beach Walk, 8127-7426, www. racethedead.sg.
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Brooks Run Happy 2013 You've never run like this before: 9km all out and right into a nightlife party with Zouk's resident DJs spinning tunes at the finishing line. Nov 16, 7pm. Marina Barrage, 8 Marina Gardens Dr.. Call 6570-5939 for more info. $40-55. www.runhappy.com.sg.
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The Bull Charge 2013 Race around the CBD for a good cause as the Bull Charge ups the ante for its 10th edition this year, aiming for 10,000 runners to raise $3million. Nov 22, 4:30pm. The Float @ Marina Bay, Marina Bay Floating Platform, 20 Raffles Ave.. Call 6340-4204 for more info. www.sgx.com/bullcharge.
others
professional club teams from the world over, including the French national development squad and defending champ Daveta from Fiji. Nov 1-3, 9am. The Padang, Connaught Dr.. Call 63389271 for more info. $15-60 from Ticketbooth.
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4th Asian Gymnaestrada 2013 The Asian Gymnaestrada is an international non-competitive event that allows people from all walks of life to try their hand at gymnastics. Nov 1-5. Toa Payoh Sports Hall, 297A Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, 6259-2916.
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Nocturnal Wanderer Nobel Prize-winning author Gao Xingjiang narrates from his book of the same name about a wanderer who encounters surreal characters through a series of daydreams and love stories. Nov 2-3, 8pm. Play Den. Nov 8-9, 8pm. Chamber. $10 from Sistic.
To never miss an issue 1
Nov 2-6, various times. Screening Room. Free. Check the website for full lineup.
All events are held at The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6332-6900. For the full festival lineup, log onto www.theartshouse.com.sg. Terry ong
I-S DISTRIBUTION
3 WAYS
Singapore Writers Festival Fringe Films Alongside Catherine Breillat’s fairtytale-themed Bluebeard and The Sleeping Beauty (both shown for the first time here), other gems previewing include local filmmaker Tzang Merwyn Tong’s A Wicked Tale and Jean Cocteau’s classic Beauty and the Beast.
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Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby 7s The longest-running 7s tournament in the region boasts a line-up of
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Eurocopter 14th Ambassadors Cup Watch a fleet of over 40 yachts from the local marinas compete at this prestigious sailing race, which gathers Singapore's foreign ambassadors and diplomatic representatives. Nov 2, 12pm. Changi Sailing Club, 32 Netheravan Rd., 6545-2876. Free.
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Park Regis Melbourne Cup Expect a live broadcast of the Park Regis Melbourne Cup, followed by a motorbike and horse race, and a must-see polo match played by the Club members. Nov 5. Singapore Polo Club, 80 Mount Pleasant Rd., 6854-3999.
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I-S PICK> Leggo Flowboarding Day Together with Leggo Flowboarding Day, Wave House Sentosa celebrates its birthday with food, drinks, music and, yes, plenty of flowriding fun. Nov 9, 4pm. Wave House Sentosa, 36 Siloso Beach Walk, 6377-3113. Free.
film
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Modern Day Slavery Film Forum: Anonymously Yours Catch the documentary that captures widespread abuse of women and children in Myanmar as part of EmancipAsia's mission to raise awareness about the issue. Oct 25, 7:30pm. Screening Room, The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6332-6903. Free.
stuff » nightlife Email event news to stuff@asia-city.com.sg and nightlife@asia-city.com.sg
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NIGHTLIFE
STUFF
Frame X Frame: Menstrual Man Singapore director Amit Virmani presents his documentary film of Muruganantham, an Indian school dropout who produces a low-cost sanitary pad that transforms the lives of rural women across India. Oct 26, 3pm; Oct 27, 4:30pm. Screening Room, The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6332-6903. $10.
etc
French Movies 2013: Le Nom Des Gens (The Names of Love) This semi-biographical film, starring Sara Forestier, details the life of a young woman who uses sex as a weapon to influence right-wing individuals and conservative Muslims. Oct 29, 8pm. Alliance Francaise Theatre, 1 Sarkies Rd., 6737-8422. $7 from Sistic.
Business Rocks! At this casual business event, you get to share your success, failures, rants, raves and anything interesting and relevant. Oct 29, 7:30pm. Blu Jaz Café, 11 Bali Lane, 6292-3800. $25 two drinks included.
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I-S PICK> Watch Local @ Objectifs A mini festival of local film screenings including We Not Naughty (Nov 6), Dance Dance Dragon (Nov 7), My Dog Dou Dou (Nov 8) and That Girl in Pinafore (Nov 9). Email info@objectifs.com.sg to register. Nov 6-9, 8pm. Objectifs, 56A Arab St., 6293-9782. Free with registration. www.objectifs.com.sg.
I-S PICK
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German Film Festival 2013 Head down if you want to be spoilt for choice in this 10-day film festival where you can choose from over 40 Bavarian films such as Ludwig II, Hannah Arendt and The Adventures of Huck Finn. Nov 7-17. Various venues . Free-$11 from www.goethe.de/singaporefilmfestival.
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World Cinema Series: Kalpana One of the most lauded films in Indian cinema, this autobiographical film by Uday Shankar centers around a dancer who yearns to set up his dance company. Nov 12, 7:30pm. Gallery Theatre, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Rd., 6332-3659. $8 from Sistic.
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dj gigs
SPORE Art Salon Mingle with creatives in this evening session of film, poetry, music and drawing—bring your own paper and pencils. Oct 29, 7:30pm. Blu Jaz Café, 11 Bali Lane, 6292-3800. $10.
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I-S PICK> Singapore Writers Festival 2013 This multi-lingual literary festival features talks, readings and fringe programs with local and international authors ranging from crime author Stephen Leather to philosopher A.C. Grayling. Nov 1-10. Bras Basah Bugis Precinct . $15 from www.bytes.sg.
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I-S PICK> Para//el x Warung present Alex Niggemann, Renato Ratier and Adrian Wee Zouk teams up with Brazilian party venue Warung Beach Club for this power-packed gig featuring Berlin-based house and techno stalwart Alex Niggemann and resident Renato Ratier for one of their hottest editions ever. Oct 25, 10pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $25-32.
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sales & fairs
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I-S PICK> Treats of the Trade Casual eatery Mad Nest plays host to a slew of local online retailers in this retail-exhibition, which aims to provide a physical space for homegrown businesses like accessories label Banwagon and record label Riot Records. Through Nov 19. Mad Nest, 378/380 East Coast Rd., 6348-6861. Free.
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The Tabitha Silk Foundation Fair Looking for a Christmas gift? Check out the beauty and vibrant colors of handmade Cambodian silk on handbags, scarves and accessories. Nov 20-21, 22, 10am. Free. www. tabithasingapore.com.
I-S PICK
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Sideshow x Timbre Music presents: On the One The cool folks from Sideshow and Timbre have joined forces for this live music gig, which sees bands playing danceworthy funk, soul, afro and Latin sounds. Oct 26, 7pm. Barber Shop by Timbre, #01-03 The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, 6336-3386. Free.
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Unity Bass The second floor of Piedra Negra transforms into a dancefloor with DJs spinning reggae and world music. Oct 26, 9pm. Piedra Negra, 241 Beach Rd., 6291-1297. $10 Includes one drink.
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I-S PICK> Super 0 Season: The Return Another series of pop-up parties, this time with a lineup of underground DJs and producers including Berlin's Tama Sumo and Ryan Elliott (Nov 9), the UK’s South London Ordnance (Nov 16), Detroit's Daniel
The food: There might be some. Or could be just drinks—hard to say when we haven’t seen a menu. The music: Perhaps you’ll be able to hear some deep house beats from Gem Bar and Lounge downstairs. But we imagine that they’d play something more sedate. The crowd: VIPs who somehow snagged themselves one of their elusive invites.
The décor: We haven’t been and don’t know. The drinks: We haven’t tried them and can’t tell.
River Boat Pub Crawl Meet at the Fat Pigeon statue every Tuesday
Halloween PARTIES
Halloween Horror Nights
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A Coqilicious Halloween Attend this spooky party and you’ll get a welcome shot of Patron XO Café, plus, a special Halloween cocktail Coqilicious (if you’re there before 9pm). Oct 26, 8pm. Coq & Balls, 6 Kim Tian Rd., 6276-6609.
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Bacchanalia Brunch Series: Halloween Edition DJs Julian and Stephen Day will play rocking beats at this three-course brunch party. Come dressed in your spooky Halloween best. Oct 26, 1pm. Bacchanalia, 23A Coleman St. Call 6509-1453 for more info. $50.
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and merrymaking with DJs KFC, Tyler Made and Domo on the decks. Oct 26, 2pm. The White Rabbit, 39C Harding Rd., 6473-9965. Free.
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I-S PICK> The Silver Scream: Zouk Halloween 2013 Forget about the popcorn. You’ll be too busy screaming once you step inside Jiak Kim Murder Movie Village for a fun halloween experience. Oct 26, 9pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $28-35 two drinks included.
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Halloween: Harajuku French Butoh performer Syv Bruzeau makes a special guest appearance at Kyo's Halloween party. Oct 26-31, 10pm. Kyo, #B1-02 Keck Seng Tower, 133 Cecil St., 8299-8735. $20-25 one drink included.
Clarke Quay presents: The Twilight Zone Halloween Party Get ready for some paranormal fun with 98.7FM DJs and hosts for the night Rozz and Vernon A, Sentosa Spooktacular Sentosa local band Raw Energy as well teams up with the Thai film studio as Mediacorp radio stars Glenn behind horror blockbusters Ong and Jean Danker as Shutter and Pee Mak for they take you through this Halloween adventure, a witch hunt, wicked complete with five horror music and some weird trails, each recreating destinations around scares from a different the neighborhood. Oct movie. Oct 25-26, Oct 26, 10pm. Clarke Quay 31-Nov 2, 7pm. Fort Siloso, Central Square, 3 River Siloso Point, 33 Allanbrooke Valley Rd., 6337-3292. Sentosa Rd. (Sentosa Island). Call Free. www.clarkequay. Spooktacular 1800-736-8672 for more com.sg/halloween. info. $41-67. I-S PICK> The Rocky Horror The Great TGIW: Superheroes 1-Altitude Party Come dressed as Halloween Special The Great your favorite characters from cult film TGIW is back for a power-packed The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Superheroes edition. Put on your stand a chance to be crowned best capes and wings and partake in dressed at this rocking Halloween superhuman feats of dancing this weekend party. Oct 26, 9pm. Stellar eve of Halloween, and stand a at 1-Altitude, 62/F One Raffles Place, chance to win a stay at Parkroyal on OUB Centre, 1 Raffles Place, 6438Pickering. Ladies enter free. Oct 30, 0410, www.1-altitude.com. $33-120. 10pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 67382988. $25 two drinks included. Octopus Garden Get acquainted with monsters from the deep at this Universal Studios Singapore Halloween beach festival with DJs Halloween Horror Nights and artists like Wobology, the LFK and 3 Universal Studios Singapore Kilowatt Soundsystem, plus weird promises to scare you out of your and wonderful fire jugglers, slack line skin as it puts on a Halloween walkers and yoga acrobats. Oct 26, show to remember. Oct 11-12, 5pm. Azzura, 46 Siloso Beach Walk, 18-19, 25-26, Oct 31-Nov 3, 7pm. 6270-8003. Free. Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Planet Halloween The White 6577-8888. $50-198 from www. Rabbit plays host to intergalactic halloweenhorrornights.com.sg. beings, promising a night of mischief
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Open Bar The Manor
The buzz: This whisky specialist is Scotch label The Balvenie’s first bar in Asia. The super secret venue is invite-only and so exclusive we haven’t been able to finagle ourselves a peek.
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nightlife events
for Singapore's first ever River Boat Pub Crawl, where participants get ferried via river taxi to four mystery bars and end up at a club. Call 9640-5611 or email info@ singaporepubcrawl.com to sign up. Oct 29, 7pm. United Overseas Bank (UOB), 80 Raffles Place. Call 9640-5611 for more info. $30. www.singapore-river.com.
B. x Midnight Shift Yet another night where a mystery international guest DJ will bring you a set of deep house tunes signature to Midnight Shift. Oct 26, Kyo, #B1-02 Keck Seng Tower, 133 Cecil St., 8299-8735. $2025 one drink included.
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Anime Festival Asia 2013 A three-day festival of Japanese anime and pop culture, complete with performances by J-pop stars and a parade of cosplayers. Nov 8-10, 10am. Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Blvd.. Call 6471-4011 for more info. www.animefestival.asia.
Bell (Nov 23) and a big Kompakt finale party (Nov 30). Nov 9, 16, 23, 30, 10pm. Annex @ The Mill, 5 Jalan Kilang. $25-35. www.supero.sg.
Why you’ll be back: If you’re a fan of hush-hush speakeasy style joints, this is the ultimate. You just need to figure out how to get in first. 8 Ann Siang Hill, 6423-9562. Open TBA. chin hui wen I-S Online: As we went to press an invite finally came in the mail. Check out what we found out at www.is-magazine.com.
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FRIDAY, october 25, 2013 I-S MAGAZINE 21
LAST WORD freewill astrology
Week of October 25 © 2013 Rob Brezsny
SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21): Two years ago a British man named Sean Murphy decided he had suffered enough from the painful wart on his middle finger. So he drank a few beers to steel his nerves and tried to blast the offending blemish off with a gun. The operation was a success in the sense that he got rid of the wart. It was less than a total victory, though, because he also annihilated most of his finger. May I suggest that you not follow Murphy’s lead, Scorpio? Now is a good time to part ways with a hurtful burden, but I’m sure you can do it without causing a lot of collateral damage.. SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Grace has been trickling into your life lately, but I suspect that it may soon start to flood. A spate of interesting coincidences seems imminent. There’s a good chance that an abundance of tricky luck will provide you with the leverage and audacity you need to pull off minor miracles. How much slack is available to you? Probably as much as you want. So ask for it! Given all these blessings, you are in an excellent position to expunge any cynical attitudes or jaded theories you may have been harboring. For now at least, it’s realistic to be optimistic. CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): Capricorn innovator Jeff Bezos built Amazon.com from the ground up. He now owns The Washington Post, one of America’s leading newspapers. It’s safe to say he might have something to teach us about translating big dreams into practical realities. “We are stubborn on vision,” he says about his team. “We are flexible in details.” In other words, he knows exactly what he wants to create, but is willing to change his mind and be adaptable as he carries out the specific work that fulfills his goals. That’s excellent advice for you, Capricorn, as you enter the next phase of implementing your master plan. AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): Here’s the horoscope I would like to be able to write for you by the first week of December: “Congratulations, Aquarius! Your quest for freedom has begun to bear tangible results. You have escaped a habit that had subtly undermined you for a long time. You are less enslaved to the limiting expectations that people push on you. Even your monkey mind has eased up on its chatter and your inner critic has at least partially stopped berating you. And the result of all this good work? You are as close as you have ever come to living your own life—as opposed to the life that other people think you should live.” PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): “It’s an unbearable thought that roses were not invented by me,” wrote Russian poet Vladimir Mayakovsky. You’re not as egotistical as Mayakovsky, Pisces, so I doubt you’ve ever had a similar “unbearable thought.” And it is due in part to your lack of rampaging egotism that I predict you will invent something almost as good as roses in the coming weeks. It may also be almost as good as salt and amber and mist and moss; almost as good as kisses and dusk and honey and singing. Your ability to conjure up longlasting beauty will be at a peak. Your creative powers will synergize with your aptitude for love to bring a new marvel into the world. ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): Sometimes you quit games too early, Aries. You run away and dive into a new amusement before you have gotten all the benefits you can out of the old amusement. But I don’t think that will be your problem in the coming days. You seem more committed than usual to the ongoing process. You’re not going to bolt. That’s a good thing. This process is worth your devotion. But I also believe that right now you may need to say no to a small part of it. You’ve got to be clear that there’s something about it you don’t like and want to change. If you fail to deal with this doubt now, you might suddenly quit and run away somewhere down the line. Be proactive now and you won’t be rash later. TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): “Jugaad” is a Hindi-Urdu word that can be translated as “frugal innovation.” People in India and Pakistan use it a lot. It’s the art of coming up with a creative workaround to a problem
22 I-S MAGAZINE FRIDAY, october 25, 2013
despite having to deal with logistical and financial barriers. Masters of “jugaad” call on ingenuity and improvisation to make up for sparse resources. I see this as your specialty right now, Taurus. Although you may not have abundant access to VIPs and filthy riches, you’ve nevertheless got the resourcefulness necessary to come up with novel solutions. What you produce may even turn out better than if you’d had more assets to draw on. GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20): In accordance with your current astrological omens, I authorize you to be like a bird in the coming week— specifically, like a bird as described by the zoologist Norman J. Berrill: “To be a bird is to be more intensely alive than any other living creature. Birds have hotter blood, brighter colors, stronger emotions. They live in a world that is always present, mostly full of joy.” Take total advantage of the soaring grace period ahead of you, Gemini. Sing, chirp, hop around, swoop, glide, love the wind, see great vistas, travel everywhere, be attracted to hundreds of beautiful things and do everything. CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22): “The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired,” wrote Nikos Kazantzakis in his book Report to Greco. I’m hoping that when you read that statement, Cancerian, you will feel a jolt of melancholy. I’m hoping you will get a vision of an exciting experience that you have always wanted but have not yet managed to bring into your life. Maybe this provocation will goad you into finally conjuring up the more intense desire you would need to actually make your dream come true. LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): “It is truly strange how long it takes to get to know oneself,” wrote the prominent 20th-century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. “I am now 62 years old, yet just one moment ago I realized that I love lightly toasted bread and loath bread when it is heavily toasted. For over 60 years, and quite unconsciously, I have been experiencing inner joy or total despair at my relationship with grilled bread.” Your assignment, Leo, is to engage in an intense phase of self-discovery like Wittgenstein’s. It’s time for you to become fully conscious of all the small likes and dislikes that together shape your identity. VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): “I’d rather be in the mountains thinking of God than in church thinking about the mountains,” said the naturalist John Muir. Let that serve as your inspiration, Virgo. These days, you need to be at the heart of the hot action, not floating in a cloud of abstract thoughts. The dream has to be fully embodied and vividly unfolding all around you, not exiled to wistful fantasies that flit through your mind’s eye when you’re lonely or tired or trying too hard. The only version of God that’s meaningful to you right now is the one that feeds your lust for life in the here and now. LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22): The advice I’m about to dispense may have never before been given to Libras in the history of horoscopes. It might also be at odds with the elegance and decorum you like to express. Nevertheless, I am convinced that it is the proper counsel. I believe it will help you make the most out of the highly original impulses that are erupting and flowing through you right now. It will inspire you to generate a mess of fertile chaos that will lead to invigorating long-term innovations. Ready? The message comes from Do the Work, a book by Steven Pressfield: “Stay primitive. The creative act is primitive. Its principles are of birth and genesis.”
Sundaram Tagore
WHAT’S NEW AT Online
The prolific Indian art gallerist, who is based in New York, Hong Kong and Singapore, talks to Terry Ong about art-making and the state of the modern world. I’ve been busy travelling recently, starting from England to Finland, Estonia, Naples, Greece and Hong Kong before coming back here. What hit me was that the world has shrunk so tremendously that we can occupy multiple spaces at any one time.
dialog between artists who are dealing with those issues today. Singapore was not a player in the art world. When you’re in Europe, the first thing that comes to mind is Paris, and for Asia probably Tokyo. Today, everyone wants to be seen as an arts capital.
We’ve advanced Someone once asked so significantly me if art should be in terms of an investment. I said science and bio“no”. She was baffled. Space dictates technology, but I do not like to behaviour when it comes to promote that idea human interaction because art has and politics, it been a necessity seems like we’ve form of commodity for frozen in time. So there expression and the creative is this sense of dislocation process since the caveman. Artworks that I find dynamic yet problematic. created then are still right there in front of us. There was no economy The Internet and cellphones or trade then, yet they continued to have changed everything. On the produce, grow and move forward. plus side, it has given us physical Art, after all, comes directly from freedom and more opportunities, inner feelings and the interior. but it has also created dissolution among the media, especially Hollywood films sell like crazy for print and magazines. because they’re made for 16-yearolds. Arthouse films like those by How do you create context? Truffaut, Tarkovsky, Rossellini, Godard Everyone in the industry is telling and Wong Kar Wai still have a very me about the same problem; small following. My point is that and now we have emails, things that sell are not great art. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, the list goes on and on. I started making films around 2002. I enrolled at the We don’t pay attention to New York Film Academy nature or causes that are more for adults who are not enduring as everyone is seeking advanced in the art of instant gratification. We need filmmaking, but who really to change our values system wanted to learn the craft. and seek a return to beauty. Life is about the moment when you wake up and you’re able to feel the heat of the sun and you know you’re in it.
The tough part about filmmaking is that it requires a lot of money. The cumulative amount is a serious commitment.
The world now is totally eclectic and fragmented.
Making film is like giving birth. That child is like a style and I would want to
With art and the gallery, I wanted to create an inter-cultural
have a signature style. My first film was called Poets of Color, a non-fiction tale about an Indian artist living in Soho featuring the likes of Mark Rothko and artists in the scene. I am currently working on Louis Kahn: City of the Tiger about the American architect and why architecture matters. Space certainly dictates behaviour. The thing about being in New York is that you’re constantly engaged. It may be dense but everyone walks there. No one walks in LA. Singapore is like being in the Botanic Gardens. Unfortunately, the whole world is beginning to look like New York. I read just about everything; recent reads include Dave Eggers’ best-selling A Hologram for the King. Books that interest me are usually about history, culture, philosophy or globalization, which also explains why I do things in a certain way. We keep on making the same mistakes over and over again as that is the essential part of the human race. But we’re extremely adaptable too. Human beings are very resilient by nature.
www.is-magazine.com
Take the Cake
Sharryl Ng of Audacious Cakery talks about going from home baker to pastry professional. is.gd/audaciousinterview
Party Animals
We talk to No Party Here: the nightlife collective bringing in Loefah. is.gd/nopartyhere
Dance Off
We do not inherit wisdom and experience— we gain it.
Christina Chan, choreographer for Passages Contemporary Season, on the bigger picture. is.gd/christinachaninterview
I-S Magazine is distributed every 2nd and 4th Friday. Look for the next issue of I-S on Nov 8. FRIDAY, october 25, 2013 I-S MAGAZINE 23
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