SG Magazine, Sep 18 by SG Magazine

w w w. s g n o w. s g | 2 0 1 5 M PA S W e b s i t e o f t h e Ye a r

Your FREE independent guide to the next two weeks

Hold on till Sep 24

Free Inside: 22 great ways to enjoy F1 weekend

SG MAGAZINE | ISSUE #686 | SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 since 1995

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

what’s on what’s new what matters

Photographer Erwin Tan has spent much of the previous three weeks photographing election rallies and the people on its fringes. Turn to PHOTOGRAPHY , page 7,for an interview OUTINGS

WELLNESS

INTERVIEW

TRAVEL

10 Things to Do Under $50

Heartland Bike Loops

Do Singaporean Artists Have it Easy?

The Hip Side of Siem Reap

IF YOU CAN'T BE THERE.

BE HERE.

Your Home of Rugby in Singapore... Watch The Live Coverage Here! MATCH DAY SPECIAL PIE & PINT COMBO $30* | BUCKET DEALS ALSO AVAILABLE** *Subject to 10% service charge & relevant taxes | **Applies to selected beverages only

#McGsHomeofRugby #weknowrugby Clarke Quay, Block A, Singapore 179020 (Tan Tye Gate, Opposite Novotel Hotel)

www.mcgettigans.com

page 3

Say Om Lah! 11 cityscape

Should You Live in Alexandra? 10 Pieces of Wisdom Only Singaporean Yogis Know 4 film

6 events

Perspectives Film Festival

Parking Day

1. If you perform a tree pose somewhere in the forest, but didn’t take an Instagram to post, did it still make a sound? 2. When it comes to studio classes, there’s no such thing as a walk-in.

7 photography

10 outings

Capturing the Elections

10 Things Under $50

3. A state of air-conditioning must be aspired to in all parts of life—except yoga, where the only thing better than a heated studio is the scorching beach.

15 wellness

18 dining

Biking Around Singapore

Are You a Café Connoisseur?

20 travel

23 interview

Sweet Siem Reap

Singapore’s Artist Ambassador

Editorial Managing Editor Mrigaa Sethi editor@asia-city.com.sg

Advertising Director, Business Development Intan Agustina advertising@asia-city.com.sg Senior Manager, Media & Marketing Shernan Plameras

Features Editor Chelsia Tan Dining Editor Letitia Tandean

Executive, Media & Marketing Lee Wee Keong

Design Associate Art Director Carmen Louise Ho Senior Designer Fishy Toh Designer Celeste Chooi

Marketing Marketing Manager Silver Adrienna Ng marketing@asia-city.com.sg

Content Sales & Custom Media Content Director Clara Lim customcontent@asia-city.com.sg

Where to find us! 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

6. Like its cafes and book stores, the yoga studios of Tiong Bahru are just inherently cooler.

8. The Warrior II sequence is best done outdoors, too… preferably on the rooftop of People’s Park Complex with a line up of local DJs. Finance finance@asia-city.com.sg Group Directors Chief Executive Officer Gretchen Worth gworth@asia‑city.co.th

9. Vanity is shallow. So the ideal yoga outfit is one that can also be worn to your Tinder date. 10. And to lunch with the girls after class.

Group Digital Director Greg Duncan gduncan@asia‑city.com.sg On the cover Photograph by Erwin Tan

Marketing & Admin Assistant Geraldine Tan

Who are we?

Published every two weeks (with daily updates at sgnow.sg), SG (previously I-S) delivers honest, independent and irreverent coverage of the Singapore lifestyle scene. We’ve been recommending what to do and where to go here for 20 years—and we’ve never been more excited about the city than we are right now.

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Awesome events, cool new places, the very best of the next two weeks

High-end, hawker and everything inbetween: news on the drink and dining scene

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SG Magazine is published 24 times a year by Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd., 211 Henderson Road, #07‑02, Singapore 159552. Tel: 65‑6323‑2512 • Fax: 65‑6323‑2779. Copyright ©2015 Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. The titles “SG Magazine”, “I-S Magazine” and their associated logos or devices, and the content of SG Magazine and I-S Magazine are the property of Asia City Publishing Pte Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. SG 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 SG 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) 174/12/2014

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5. Until you can achieve enlightenment and levitate on your own, there is always aerial yoga.

7. The Warrior I sequence is best done outdoors… preferably in front of the gawking suits of Raffles Place.

Who's in charge? Publisher & General Manager Ric Stockfis countrymanager@asia-city.com.sg

4. In all parts of your life, you must live and breathe yoga. And when your studio is around the corner from a French bakery, you must eat yoga, too.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

up front

Singapore’s latest news, numbers and dramas at a glance

HOT OR NOT

Our biweekly study of the city’s burgeoning (and dying) trends

OB INDEX Charting the ups and downs of Singapore's openness, tolerance and freedom of expression AUG

Hot: F1 Parties

31 Singapore has lifted a two-decade ban on HIV-positive visitors, who are now allowed to stay for up to three months. According to a spokesperson from The Health Ministry, a short-term visit “poses very low additional risk of HIV transmission to the local population.” It’s a step in the right direction, but obviously not much consolation to those wish to stay in Singapore long-term. Roy Chan, the president of local organization Action for Aids said, “We need a supportive environment that does not discriminate [against] a person because he or she is HIV infected. The repeal of the short-term entry ban is one such example of what we need to do.”

Not: Election Parties

For revellers still hungover from the series of election-themed parties in the week leading up to Polling Day, there’s still the seventh edition of the 2015 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix. This weekend, party-goers will see race car drivers, celebs and the hoi polloi schmoozing at swanky clubs.

NUMEROLOGY

NEWS FROM SGNOW.SG

Perspectives Film Festival is back with cerebral international films

Hot: Inclusiveness

The amount Uber driver Sherwin Eu offered for signatures from Bukit Panjang residents in support of his independent electoral candidacy.

3.6 meters

Not: Xenophobia

Yosomono

68 year-old Singaporean Rimy Lau was lauded in a viral Facebook post for encouraging three construction workers to keep their seats when the trio wanted to make way for Singaporean commuters in an off-peak train. This, and efforts by locals like Cai Yinzhou of BackAlley Barbers, who offers free haircuts to migrant workers and Adrianna Tan, of social enterprise Culture Kitchen, leave us feeling heartened.

Hot: Rooftop Events

$50

Not: Haze

The rooftops around Singapore has been seeing quite a bit of action in recent months—from a music series by Lepark, film screenings, yoga festivals and flea markets to collaborative urban garden projects by Edible Garden City, Spa Esprit and The Tippling Club, it seems like the only way to go is up. Here’s hoping the persisting hazy conditions here won’t put a dampener on this burgeoning trend.

Turtles Can Fly

Back for its eighth edition come Oct 15-18 with a theme on transition, the edgy lineup of films includes Xavier Dolan’s Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize winner, Mommy, a film about a widowed mother having difficulty raising her troubled child, as well as Turtles Can Fly, a gritty film about the Kurdish war set in a refugee camp on the IraqiTurkish border. It was also the first film to be released after Saddam Hussein’s ousting. The film fest also has fringe activities including a postscreening dialogue and animation masterclass after Martin Rosen’s film, Watership Down. All screenings will happen in National Museum of Singapore’s Gallery Theatre, with tickets going for $12 and festival passes going for $48 from Sistic. More info on Website of the Year MPAS 2015 www.perspectives filmfestival.com

The estimated length of a king cobra caught in a fight with a python on the National Technological Campus on Aug 27—the video of the battle went viral and was even featured on international news channels.

15,000 Number of #GE2015 tweets recorded on Twitter during Nomination Day.

$40 Million The total donations in a charity fund by The President’s Challenge to recruit and develop senior volunteers. Sources: The Straits Times, Today Online, The New Paper

S I N G A P O R E ’ S H OTT E ST L I F E ST Y L E N E W S

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BE GOOD

Play Footie for Charity Gather your buddies for a football friendly on Oct 3, 12-10pm at Ubersports East Coast Park in support of JMC Escuela Foundation, a non-profit organization which helps send underprivileged Filipino children to school. All proceeds from the event will go to the cause and there’s beer, wine and burgers too. Tickets are from $10 for spectators to $350 to register a team of 5-7 players for a match. Sign up at www.kick4acause.peatix.com.

You can now pick up SG Magazine at these cool venues

Maison Ikkoku

Spruce

Lepark

20 Kandahar Street level 2, www.maisonikkoku.co

Phoenix Park & Upper Bukit Timah Fire Station, www.spruce.com.sg

1 Park Road, Level 6, People’s Park Complex, www.lepark.co

Or see every venue (200 of them!) at sgnow.sg/distribution 4

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

now

The essential guide to what’s on in Singapore Send your events news to art@asia-city.com.sg, nightlife@asia-city.com.sg, stage@asia-city.com.sg

THROUGH

Oct 5

TUE

CONCERT Muse

Sep 26

Following their previous successful gigs here, the popular English rock band returns to perform tracks from their latest album Drones as well as earlier favorites. Expect more jarring guitar riffs and amazing vocals from singer Matthew Bellamy. Sep 26. Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk, 63442660. $108-228 from Sportshubtix.

ART Figuratively Speaking Featuring over 40 portraits and figures of humans, this exhibition ropes in 11 artists from Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia to show the countries’ different cultures, heritage and identities. Through Oct 5. Maya Gallery, #01-21 Oxley Bizhub 2, 62 Ubi Rd. 1, 6291-1760. Free. www.mayagallery.com.sg.

SAT

FOOD & DRINK The Beach Spread

Sep 19

Tuck into a gourmet spread of freshly grilled seafood, meats and freshly shucked oysters while sipping on free-flow champagne at this chill beach bar. There’s also a list of DJs playing from day to night. Sep 19, 11:30am. Tanjong Beach Club, 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, 6270-1355, www. tanjongbeachclub.com.

FRI

SPORTS Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix Sep This year’s exciting edition will not only feature thrills from the racetracks, but also 18

Sep 18

international acts like Maroon 5, Bon Jovi and Pharrell Williams performing at the Padang. Sep 18-20. Marina Bay Street Circuit, Marina Bay, Marina Bay Promenade, 6738-6738. $258-1,288. www.singaporegp.sg. See our free guide with this issue or download the pdf at is.gd/sgf1guide

OUTINGS Park(ing) Day

What happens when we turn a section of the city’s car parking lots into pop-up teh tarik stalls, an urban beach or even an urban garden? This edition takes place in the stretch of Duxton Road. Sep 18. Duxton Rd., www.ura.gov.sg. Free.

SAT

NIGHTLIFE Saaappp! Vol. 1 An Indoor Carpark Party

SUN

Sep 19

Sep 26

Cool rooftop bar and restaurant Lepark collaborates with Good Times and Getai Group for this indie party with local DJs like Darren Dubwise, Jayday, Tim De Cotta and Weish. There are also artists like SKL0 and Amanda who are setting up visual installations, too. Sep 19. Lepark, 6/F People’s Park Complex, 1 Park Rd., 9658-9938, www.lepark.co. Free.

OUTINGS EarthFest

Marina Barrage is hosting this inaugural sustainability festival, with booths by dozens of ethical and sustainable brands, musical performances by local acts, carnival games and, of course, healthy food. Sep 26. Marina Barrage, 8 Marina Gardens Dr., 6514-5959, earthfestsingapore.com. Free.

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

now PHOTOGRAPHY Erwin Tan and the General Elections

Books & Beer

Erwin Tan Dr. Sun Yat Sen and His Family

HAPPENINGS

sports Garfield Run If you were ever a fan of Garfield, this might be the time to relive childhood memories. Race through Sentosa with the different cartoon characters at this fun run. Sep 19, 4pm. Sentosa, 1800-736-8672, www.garfieldrun.com. $52-150. Light Up Your Life Run This non-competitive charity run has various categories, including the individual 5km run, 10km run and 2km dog walk. Fringe activities include a mini carnival with various stalls. Funds raised go towards Assisi Hospice and Save Our Street Dogs. Oct 3, 5pm. East Coast Park, East Coast Parkway, 6440-0046, www.lightupyourliferun.com. $35-200.

fairs Singapore Really Really Free Market 38 This temporary market, held in conjunction with EarthFest, has lots of pre-loved items like books, CDs, toys and fresh homemade food. You can also share skills like tarot card reading and hair cutting, if you’d like. Plus, everything is free. Sep 26, 11am. Marina Barrage, 8 Marina Gardens Dr., www. facebook.com/srrfm. Free.

exhibitions Dr. Sun Yat Sen and His Family This exhibition focuses on Dr. Sun’s loved ones and their personal sacrifices and contributions made in support of his cause. Featuring lesser-

Singapore Really Really Free Market 38 documented members like his elder brother, Sun Mei, who eventually fell into bankruptcy to fund Dr. Sun’s revolutionary activities. There are over 170 objects ranging from photographs and documents to personal belongings on show. Through Oct 18. Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Rd., 6256-7377, sysnmh.org.sg. Free.

classes & workshops Improv 101 Arnaud Pierre teaches participants the many techniques of improvization and encourages you to explore as many characters as possible. Gain a deeper understanding of playwriting and storytelling techniques, as well as directing skills. Sep 20, 10am. Haque Centre of Acting & Creativity, #0201, 22 Dickson Rd., 9420-6960, www.workshop. methodactingasia.com. $149-199.

literary Books & Beer In conjuction with Park(ing) Day, this edition has more craft beers on tap and by the bottle while you browse and trade in your books. Sep 18, 12pm. Lots 42-43 Duxton Rd. Free. Contradiction XI: Sexual History A part of LGBT festival IndigNation, this evening of LGBT writing has a historical twist. Young writers and actors perform extracts of text by and about queer Singaporeans, ranging from 1850s police reports to present day slam poetry pieces. Sep 26, 7:30pm. 72-13, 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Rd., indignationsg. wordpress.com. Free.

Photographer Erwin Tan spent the three weeks before the elections taking black and white photographs of rallies and the general atmosphere around town. One of his pictures, of an uncle at the edge of a rally, is on our cover. Here he tells us more about this project and about this image in particular. Tell us a bit about your work shooting the general elections. I’ve always been interested in socio-political issues since University days, so the elections have always been something that interests me. But things are definitely getting more interesting and “entertaining” since the last watershed election. I want to contribute with a small voice using my photography for this one. Any interesting observations on your walkabouts? There is a cultural difference between the different parties. Certain parties, the supporters tend to shy away when you point the camera towards them, while for other parties the supporters tend to scream louder when you do the same thing. One uncle did tell me candidly, “Hey, don’t post my photo on newspaper, ok? My boss ask me to do OT and I say no!”

relaxed, chilling on his motorbike and reading his newspaper. For a split second he brought me back to a time when I was young. You see quite a few of such carriage motorbikes around. You spoke to the uncle afterwards. What did you guys discuss? I started by asking him if there are any interesting news on the elections, in Mandarin. He replied, “Aiyoh, whoever comes into power, life will still go on.” I figured he wasn’t politically inclined so I went on asking about his life. Why did you choose to shoot in black and white? Many reasons. I like the classic feel. I find colors often distract from the message. Black and white brings out the soul of the image better: it makes a shouting image louder, it makes a calm image more serene. I can go on and on. The first set from this series is in Tanjong Pagar. Any reason you started here? I grew up in this area. And second, I have huge respect for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I wanted to pay a small tribute by capturing the first election without him, and in the GRC that he helmed until his passing.

Tell us a bit about the picture on the cover. I love old vintage stuff—the bike, not the uncle—I find more soul in them. The uncle looked

See Erwin Tan’s election photography at www.facebook.com/shadesingapore or at a joint exhibition at the Queenstown Community Centre from Oct 5-Dec 27. MRIGAA SETHI

w w w. s g n o w. s g | 2 0 1 5 M PA S W e b s i t e o f t h e Ye a r

Your FREE independent guide to the next two weeks

Hold on till Sep 24

Free Inside: 22 great ways to enjoy F1 weekend

SG MAGAZINE | ISSUE #686 | SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 since 1995

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

what’s on what’s new what matters

SG Magazine covers celebrate local artists, photographers and illustrators and their remarkable depictions of Singapore.

Sick Of It All

MUSIC Sick Of It All New York City-based hardcore punk band comes to Singapore to play their three decade-long repertoire of songs. They’ll be supported by bands like King Ly Chee, Straight Forward, The Bois and Iman’s League. Sep 25, 6pm. Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal St., 64359131, www.aliwalartscentre.sg. $55-65 from Peatix.

Singapore International Festival of Music The first classical music festival showcases young musicians and features six concerts commemorating the world’s great wars. Expect chamber orchestras, string quartets and instrumental solos at the performances. Sep 26-Oct 10. Chamber & Gallery, The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Ln., 6332-6900, www.theartshouse.sg. $18-120.

Cover Up They look so good, we’ve even started hanging them on our walls.

Photographer Erwin Tan has spent much of the previous three weeks photographing election rallies and the people on its fringes. Turn to PHOTOGRAPHY , page 7,for an interview OUTINGS

WELLNESS

INTERVIEW

TRAVEL

10 Things to Do Under $50

Heartland Bike Loops

Do Singaporean Artists Have it Easy?

The Hip Side of Siem Reap

To suggest someone we should feature or to partner with us on this initiative, email editor@asia-city.com.sg

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

now

I Am Just Doing Aesthetics

Young Talent Programme Winners’ Solo Exhibition

Singapore Pinacotheque De Paris Race

Pablo Picasso & Salvador Deli

ART Singapore Pinacotheque De Paris Race The French museum offers special guided tours of exhibitions showcasing masterpieces by Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet during the Grand Prix season. F1 ticket holders also receive an additional 10% discount. Sep 18-19. Singapore Pinacotheque de Paris, Fort Canning Centre, 5 Cox Terrace, 6883-1588, www. pinacotheque.com.sg. $6.50-28. Asserting/Transforming - The Art of Rene Robles The Fliipino artist who is widely known for his arresting compositions of commonplace objects with heightened emotional intensity and spartan colors. This exhibition displays a variety of his signature works. Through Sep 22, 12:30pm. Momentous Arts, #03-27, 1557 Keppel Rd., 9641 3235, www.momentousarts.com. Free.

Young Talent Programme Winners’ Solo Exhibitions The Affordable Art Fair collaborates with ION Art for this young artists exhibition, with names like Ezekiel Wong Kel Win, Khin Thethtar Latt and Zhang Fuming. There are also workshops on woodblock printing and creating GIFs, as well as tours by the artists. Through Sep 22, 10pm. ION Art Gallery, 4/F ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6238-8228, www.ionorchard.com. Free. Artefact Over 10 designers from NTU School of Art, Design & Media show their product design works that span fashion, lighting, home decor, jewelry and sustainable design. Get up close and personal with the designers, who will be on-site on selected dates. Through Sep 27, 9am. National Design Centre, 111 Middle Rd., www.designsingapore.org. Free.

NIGHTLIFE

Saturday Night Fever

Enter The Void Deck 9 The ninth edition of this party has a ‘90s hip hop theme with performances by Ralph the Architek, Axel Brizzy, JH and more, as well as Jean Reiki on the decks. Sep 19, 7pm. Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal St., 6435-0131, seishuttlerecords.com. $13-15.

Sleeping Beauty on Ice

Road To Ultra Singapore The highly anticipated EDM event has a huge lineup of DJs including Swedish EDM heavyweight Alesso, dubstep darling Skrillex and Nicky Romero. Expect world-class visuals and tons of EDM happy ravers. Sep 19. Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8868, ultrasingapore.com. $168-198.

STAGE

dance Sleeping Beauty on Ice Set to the music of Tchaikovsky, the classic fairytale is told through ice-skating and lots of high speed lifts, throws, aerial gymnastics and fire effects. Sep 24-26, 1:30pm & 7:30pm; Sep 27, 6:30pm. Grand Theater, B1/F The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 66888868, www.marinabaysands.com. $75-155 from Sistic.

F*ck Yo Couch Series featuring Bodhi Kilo Lounge’s music series continues with British guest DJ Bodhi, who spins his signature take on house music that blends modern bass with dusty house and retro dancefloor tunes. Sep

I Am Just Doing Aesthetics Indonesian-born artist Wisnu Auri shows his latest painting collection in his first exhibition here. He explores the theme of the “power of disturbing taste” through street art vandalized Baroque-style paintings that reflect on nostalgia and the present, as well as the beautiful and the ugly. Through Oct 18. Element Art Space, #02-13 Raffles Hotel, Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd., 6883-2001, www.elementartspace. com. Free. Pablo Picasso & Salvador Dali The big-name gallery features pieces from two biggies: Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Expect to see Picasso’s signature cubist paintings alongside Dali’s surrealist landscapes. Sep 18-Oct 18. Opera Gallery, #04-15 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6735-2618, www.operagallery. com. Free.

19, 10pm. Kilo Lounge, #08-01 66 Kampong Bugis, 9830-6252, www. kilokitchen.com. $20. Pool Position Sofitel So’s rooftop pool bar hosts a pool party with three DJs, including Victoria, Stephen Day and J. Goh, taking turns to spin on the decks. There are also special drink deals for the day. Sep 19, 2pm. Hi-So, 6/F Sofitel So, 35 Robinson Rd., www.facebook.com/ SofitelSoSingapore. $20. Grand Prix Season Singapore Pub Crawl Whether you’re with friends or alone, it’s going to be a raucous time visiting three different bars, drinking lots of shooters and ending the journey partying it up at a club. Each venue has at least one free drink this. Sep 19-20, 7:30pm. Fat pigeon statue, UOB Plaza, 80 Raffles Place, www. singaporepubcrawl.com.sg. $25. Smack My Beach Up: Race Special Slip into your best beach outfits and party to tunes by some of the best local DJs in town. Just in case you’re looking for a less crowded scene than

Artefact

Asserting/Transforming The Art of Rene Robles

Marina Bay, this special party has mojitos and alternative-rock, indie and electro tunes. Sep 20. Tanjong Beach Club, 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, 6270-1355, www.tanjongbeachclub. com. Free. Eyes To The Front feat. Dan Buri Bangkok’s hot young DJ Dan Buri plays heavy-hitting electronic dance music at this club night. The 18-year-old has played alongside big name DJs like Booka Shade, Dubfire and D. Ramirez. Sep 26, 10:30pm. Kyo, #B1-02 Keck Seng Tower, 133 Cecil St., 8299-8735, www.clubkyo.com. $20-25. Night Race Weekend at Ce La Vi The rooftop bar, restaurant and clublounge all have something going on this F1 season. There’s an afternoon barbecue with Afro-Latin music near the pool; free-flow oysters, sushi and Champagne at the Sky High Sunday brunch and nightly parties with celeb DJs like Samantha Ronson and Cassidy. Sep 18-20, 12pm. CE LA VI, 57/F SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands, Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Ave., 6688-7688, www.celavi. com. $28-328.

SoukOut In conjunction with Gillman Barracks’ third anniversary, this bar transforms into a souk with Arabic street food and tunes by the boys of Darker than Wax. Sep 25, 8pm. Red Baron, Blk. 45 Malan Rd., 6334-6734, www. redbaronsg.com. Canvas & Soko present DJ EZ The underground club brings in London legend DJ EZ, who is best known for playing on pirate radio. He’ll be mixing UK garage sounds with the support of Benny Campbell, Ming and William J. Sep 25, 6pm. Canvas, #B1-01/06 The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Rd., 91693815, www.canvasvenue.sg. $28-38. Koi x Mezamashii presents Kampong Boogie It’s a night of funk, groove, hip hop, boogie and street disco at Haji Lane with DJs like Ulysses, DeeJay XG, Rascal Art and Da Isser taking turns to bring soulful tunes on the decks. Sep 26, 4pm. Koi Bangers + Izakaya, 9 Haji Ln., 9790-7535. Free.

musicals Saturday Night Fever The movie-turned-hit-musical featuring the iconic Bee Gees soundtrack is packed with slick dance moves and dazzling choreography. A must for fans of ‘70s anthems such as “Stayin’ Alive”, “How Deep is Your Love” and the famed title track. Sep 25-26, 8pm; Sep 27, 1pm, 6pm. Sands Theater, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 66888868, www.marinabaysands.com. $95-175 from Sistic.

Night Race Weekend at Ce La Vi

GUIDE TO F1 8

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

Grand Prix Singapore Pub Crawl

Amber Lounge

22 Reasons Why This F1 Weekend Will be Awesome Download the free eBook at is.gd/sgf1guide and start the race.

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31/8/15

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

now CITY LIVING 10 things to do under $50 in Singapore

The Best of Candlenut : Past & Present

Dude, Where’s My Food?

FOOD & DRINK

Kusu Island

The Reunion: A Foreign Exchange Two Fat Duck alumni, chef Ivan Brehm and Swedish chef Kim Ohman, are returning to prepare a delicious and gastronomic menu. This time, they’re tackling Asian fusion dishes with a spotlight on Bacchanalia’s own organic garden from Cameron Highlands. Sep 18, 7pm. Bacchanalia, 23A Coleman St., 6509-1453. L’Entrecote

The Rink

LESS THAN $50 Unleash your inner painter Tea cafe and arts studio Arteastiq (#04-14/15 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd., 6235-8705, www.arteastiq.com) has daily three-hour painting sessions that go for $48. With that you get a free canvas, unlimited supply of acrylic paint, paintbrushes and sponges, as well as a drink. Stuff your face at a buffet Japanese buffet Shin Minori (#03-15/16 UE Square, 81 Clemenceau Ave., 6733-2272, www. shinminori.com.sg) is basically an institution in the Singapore dining scene and their buffets start at $34 for lunch and go up to $39 for dinner. Perfect for loading up on sashimi and sushi. Eat a fancy steak dinner Good steak doesn’t have to cost a bomb if you head to French bistro L’Entrecote (36 Duxton Hill, 6690-7561, lentrecote.sg). They serve beautifully cooked slices of meat for $32.90 with unlimited fries and an addictive peppery sauce. Try a new water sport Over at East Coast, you can paddle board ($30/ hour), kayak ($25/hour) or windsurf ($45/hour) at Mana Mana Beach Club (1212 East Coast Parkway, 6339-8878, www.manamana.com) before settling in for some fries and an ice cold beer. LESS THAN $30 Explore the surrounding islands You don’t have to charter your own yacht to get to the Southern Islands. Singapore Island Cruise (#01-04 Marina South Pier, 31 Marina Coastal Dr., 6534-9339, www.islandcruise.com.sg) has ferry services between Singapore and Kusu, St. John and Sister’s Islands for $18 round trip. Just pack your own picnic basket.

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

Onsite Climbing

St. John Island

See Singapore from above Who cares if it’s a little touristy? Head to ION Orchard’s lesser-known (and free) 56th floor ION Sky (56/F ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, 6238-8228, www.ionorchard.com) for views of Orchard Road and beyond. If not, head to Marina Bay Sands’ SkyPark (57/F Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., 6688-8888, www.marinabaysands.com) for $23, where you can see views of the CBD.

Pit Stop at Bitters & Love This stalwart cocktail bar, which recently moved into new digs, get in on the race fever wtih four exclusive cocktails. There’s Singapura Love, a version of the Singapore Sling, as well as other concoctionsl like Pitstop Lollipop and Strawberry Shakedown. Through Sep 19, 6pm. Bitters & Love, 118 Telok Ayer St., 6438-1836. The Best of Candlenut : Past & Present One of Singapore’s most prominent Peranakan restaurants, run by chefowner Malcom Lee, is whipping

The Reunion: A Foreign Exchange up a special menu of their best dishes like satay, itek tim and ayam buah keluak. Through Sep 20. Candlenut, #01-03 Dorsett Residences, 331 New Bridge Rd., 8121-4107. www.candlenut.com.sg. Dude, Where’s My Food? Articoke’s famous annual food event continues to cater delicious funky food with good music and good times. Expect the best from chef Bjorn Shen to whip up all the favorites dude food. Proper salad can be made as well, ladies. Through Sep 20, 6:30pm. Artichoke Café + Bar, Sculpture Square, 161 Middle Rd.,

6336-6949. www.facebook.com/ artichokesg. Peel Out The swanky hotel bar is hosting a special F1 themed cocktail night. They’ve made special dishes and desserts, as well as a small list of F1-related cocktails for the occasion. There are dishes like smoked duck breast with arugula puree and desserts like bitter chcoolate with raspberry coulis to try. Through Sep 21. Manhattan, 2/F The Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Rd., 6725-3377.

PLAN AHEAD 4 events to get booking for in the coming months

Catch some comedy The Comedy Club (www.thecomedyclub.asia) hosts regular stand-up comedy shows with tickets usually going for $20. Or head to their regular Wednesday night Talk Cock sessions ($10) at Blu Jaz. Just make sure to look for the latest updates on their website.

Kafka on the Shore

LESS THAN $15 Escape the heat on skates Relive your childhood by donning a pair of skates and heading to The Rink (#03-11 JCube, 2 Jurong East Central 1, 6684-2374, www.therink.sg) in JCube. A two-hour skate session goes as low as $14 and skate rentals are only $3.50. The place also has regular disco on ice nights on Friday and Saturdays, too. Or climb some walls Check out the biggest rock climbing arena, Onsight Climbing (100 Guillemard Rd., 63488272, www.onsight.com.sg). You can strap on and climb walls for as low as $11, provided you’re a member. There are also different types of walls for bouldering and abseiling. Go museum-hopping And of course, there are five museums in Singapore where Singaporeans and PRs get free entry, including the Asian Civilisations Museum, National Museum, Peranakan Museum, Reflections at Bukit Chandu and Our Museum at Taman Jurong. Letitia Tandean

Universal Studios Singapore Halloween Horror Nights

Neon Lights

Universal Studios Singapore Halloween Horror Nights 5 The theme park transforms into a ghoulish wonderland at this Halloween extravaganza. It seems like this edition is set to be the scariest one yet, with four locally-inspired haunted houses, like a haunted MRT station located underneath a burial site, to explore and three scare zones, as well as selected rides that will be open for the night. Oct 2-3; 9-11; 16-18; 23-25; 29-31, 7:30pm. Universal Studios Singapore, 8 Sentosa Gateway, 65778888, www.halloweenhorrornights.com.sg. $50-68. Kafka on the Shore Harumi Murakami’s cult classic gets the stage treatment with an all-Japanese cast including Rie Miyazawa, Naohito Fujiki and Nino Furuhata. The plot centers on the intertwining stories of 15-year-old Kafka, who runs way from home, and the elderly Nakata, a finder of last cats. Oct 30-31, 8pm; Nov 1, 2pm. Esplanade Theatre, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377, www.esplanade.com. $48-118 from Sistic. A Clockwork Orange Directed by Alexandra Spencer-Jones, this gritty all-male retelling of Anthony Burgess’ literary classic (and Kubrick’s adapted film masterpiece) has earned it an M18 rating in Singapore. Set in the Manchester underworld, expect lots of shirtless men and “a playtime of orgiastic ultraviolence and sexuality”. Nov 4-7, 8pm; Nov 8, 7pm. Esplanade Theatre, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Dr., 6828-8377, www.esplanade.com. $58-128 from Sistic. Neon Lights This new music and arts festival brings in popular indie acts and under-the-radar artists, some of whom have never played in Singapore. Expect big names like Damien Rice and Chic, as well as indie electronica duo Flight Facilities and French bossa nova band Nouvelle Vague here. Nov 28-29. Fort Canning Green, 1 Cox Terrace, www. neonlights.sg. $189 for two-day early bird passes.

city scape

The Carvery

NEIGHBORHOOD

Comeback Kid

A recent makeover has transformed Alexandra from a sleepy mature precinct to the next hip estate, complete with eclectic dining options and even a fancy new hotel. By Chelsia Tan Park Hotel Alexandra

Kent Ridge Park

t’s lean when it comes to fun cocktail bars and the MRT stations are only on the periphery, but there’s so much great stuff happening in Alexandra, from fancy new HDB projects and gorgeous old green spaces to new restaurants, hipster kopitiams and, of course, Ikea. Here’s our assessment on whether you should consider a move there.

HDB

Skyville@Dawson

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Community HHHHH Drumming up excitement for the area is Park Hotel Alexandra (323 Alexandra Rd., 6828-8888, www. parkhotelgroup.com), a new fancy staycation option with an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the town and a sleek swim-up bar. It’s flanked by older shopping haunts like 10 Queensway Shopping Centre (1 Queensway), the famous go-to for sporting gear, 11 Anchorpoint Shopping Centre (370 Alexandra Rd., 6475-2257), which is popular among families for reliable eateries like cafe The Connoisseur Concerto (#0107/08) and of course, the iconic 12 Ikea Alexandra (317 Alexandra Road, 6786-6868, www.ikea.com/sg/en/). Located on the fringes of the precinct is 13 Mediapolis (Media Circle), an up-and-coming 1.5-hectare cluster of creative studios, facilities and offices, media schools, retail and entertainment outlets and residential units which will all be ready by 2020.

2 ST

It’s not exactly awash with options for those without cars. But the nearest MRT is Queenstown, located along Commonwealth and there are several bus services that run through other parts of the island. For those who drive, a new 220m road, Jalan Bukit Merah Lane 4, has recently been introduced to improve traffic flow. It connects Bukit Merah Lane 2 and 3 to Jalan Bukit Merah, and provides an alternative route to Alexandra Village.

Alexandra is a treat for those whose waistlines are the least of their priorities. There are newly-opened options such as 7 The Carvery (7/F Park Hotel Alexandra, 323 Alexandra Rd.), a meat-only place by Executive Chef Robert Chan which serves customizable cuts of premium beef, lamb, pork and chicken, with accompaniments like gourmet salts, sauces and housemade butters infused with anchovy and truffle. Head next door to Alexandra Central for comforting bites from 8 The Bakehouse by Carpenter & Cook (#01-14 321 Alexandra Rd., 6250-0040). The cafe has its own wood-fired oven for made-to-order 10-inch pizzas that come with toppings such as crabmeat with pink sauce and other mains include sandwiches and pastas. Local favorites can be found at 9 Alexandra Village Food Centre (120 Bukit Merah Ln. 1), which is a six-min walk away. Queues throng popular stalls like Lau Phua Chay Autentic Roasted Delicacies (#01-20), for its roasted duck rice and Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice (#01-15). Next door, Keng Eng Kee Seafood (124 Bukit Merah Ln. 1, 6272-1038,

Transportation HHHHH

E I CH I N RD

Dining HHHHH

Gillman Barracks

There are two major parks just off Alexandra Road. 3 Hort Park (33 Hyderabad Rd.), is where you can retreat to swanky French restaurant Vineyard for a hearty meal after walking its themed gardens, or take a hike right up to the neighboring 4 Kent Ridge Park (Vigilante Dr.) for a more intense workout. Just across the road from Hort Park is 5 Gillman Barracks (9 Lock Rd.), an arts enclave with popular eateries like seafood specialist The Naked Finn (39 Malan Rd., 6694-0807, www. nakedfinn.com) and local produce-centric restaurant 6 Portico (#01-10 991B Alexandra Rd., 9127-6316, www.portico.sg).

Leaving much to be desired is the lack of decent watering holes within the estate. To get your fix, trek to Vineyard (#02-02 Hort Park, 33 Hyderabad Rd., 6479-7977, www. vineyardhortpark.com.sg) for cocktail specials like Vineyard Spring Harvest (peach schnapps, vodka and cranberry juice). At Alexandra Central (321 Alexandra Rd.), there are craft beers from a wide variety of names such as Paulaner, Stouterik and Westmalle Trappist from Southend Beers and Ciders (#01-20, 321 Alexandra Rd., www. facebook.com/southendbeersandciders)—but it’s a tight and narrow squeeze if you want to have a drink there.

WA Y

Environment HHHHH

Bars HHHHH

ENS

Breathing new life to Queenstown is the redevelopment of Dawson Estate, one of Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods. It’s still undergoing metamorphosis with two Build-to-Order (BTO) HDB projects designed by award-winning architects Woha and SCDA Architects— 1 SkyTerrace@Dawson (in between Dawson Road and Margaret Drive), which was completed in May and the upcoming 2 Skyville@Dawson. Prices for these apartments start from $112,000 and both will feature a “Housing-in-the-Park” concept with sky terraces and gardens. Ranging from 40-47 stories each, residents also get a panoramic view of the cityscape from these stylish skyscrapers. And while some of the newer HDB housing projects are known to be compact in size, both SkyTerrace and SkyVille are spacious. Skyville also has columns and beam-free interiors.

www.kek.com.sg) is famous for serving up signatures such as salted egg crab, hor fun and cuttle fish kang kong. But if you want variety, pop next door to Salut Coffee Shop (119 Bukit Merah Ln.). It has gourmet burgers from Jack Ripper, French classics from Immanuel French Kitchen and indulgent German cuisine from Stew Kuche.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

Au Naturel 5 ways to live the slow life in Northern Thailand, from hiking to river rafting to exploring ancient ruins.

Sukhothai

Phu Chi Fah, Chiang Rai

Chiang Khan, Loei

1. Take selfies among sakuras in Chiang Mai The northern capital of Chiang Mai is famous for its design scene and cafe culture, but it’s also got another very special claim to fame: cherry blossom season. Yes, Thailand’s higher altitudes have sakura, too, and flower lovers are known to follow the phaya suakrong (Thai cherry blossom) trail from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son and Nan provinces over a couple weeks. In Chiang Mai, catch them at the top of Doi Inthanon and the research center at Baan Khun Chang Kian, a short drive from the famous Doi Suthep. As in Japan, it’s a matter of being at the right place at the right time, but they tend to bloom in mid-January, when northern Thailand is nice and chilly. WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Go further off the beaten path and visit one of Chiang Mai’s few sheep farms. Ranch-themed attraction Small Farm, about 60km outside of downtown Chiang Mai, has a whole flock of wooly friends for you to play and take pictures with. GETTING THERE: Fly to Chiang Mai with AirAsia, which has a convenient Fly-Thru in Bangkok. All-in fares start at $109.

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

Touriam Authority of Thailand

ou know all about the gastronomic charms and nightlife of Bangkok, and the gorgeous beaches and party scene of the southern islands. But north is where you should head to experience the natural beauty, unexpected delights and cool weather of Thailand. Here are some things your probably didn’t know you could do there.

2. Sample organic coffee in Chiang Rai

Coffee lovers sipping single-origin stuff from Indonesia, Ethiopia and Honduras might not know that there’s more to Thai coffee than the streetside stuff in plastic bags. Bangkok’s best roasters have in recent years discovered the good stuff growing up in the hilly plantations of Chiang Rai. The most famous is Doi Chang, in the Golden Triangle area, supported by the Royal Projects Foundation, and staffed by people from the local Akha hilltribe. Sign up for a coffee tour involving some easy hikes, lush views and great coffee, of course. WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Chiang Rai is also famous for its elephant rehabilitation camps. The most famous ones are at Anantara and Four Seasons resorts—but you don’t have to be a guest of the hotels to spend a day playing with and bathing the elephants. GETTING THERE: Fly to Chiang Rai with AirAsia, which does a convenient FlyThru in Bangkok. All-in fares start at $109.

Pang Ung, Mae Hong Son

PERK ALERT The Fly-Thru at Bangkok’s Don Mueang No lines. There’s no immigration check at transit. Free hands. No baggage to collect until your final destination. Shops galore. Duty free, cosmetics and more. Plus: Thai crafts and Thai food. Life’s essentials. Also known as free Wifi.

Elephant rehabilitation camp in Chiang Rai

Touriam Authority of Thailand

ADVERTORIAL

gaeng hang lay, and spicy and delicious curried noodles, khao soi. GETTING THERE: Fly to Bangkok with AirAsia, and take a connecting flight to the city of Phitsanulok. AirAsia’s City Transfer package, which you can add on to the same booking, will take you to Sukhothai Historical Park by van transfer.

5. Drift down the Mekong in Loei

Located in Loei, Thailand’s least populated province, Chiang Khan is a rustic, charming town comprising little more than a few guest houses, a walking street and some delicious restaurants beside the Mekong River. In fact, most guest houses can help you arrange a half-day rafting tour of the river or the scenic Huai Krathing Reservoir, where you can stop for a meal on a floating restaurant.

Pai

CHIANG MAI PAI

SUKHOTHAI

CHIANG RAI

LOEI PHITSANULOK

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: One of Thailand’s major national parks, Phu Kradueng, just outside the city of Chiang Khan, is popular among hikers. The main trail involves a nine km uphill hike. Spend a night or two at the cute campground at the top, and take some shorter walks to the nearby sunset and sunrise lookouts.

Nareerat Klinhom

BANGKOK

GETTING THERE: Fly to Bangkok with AirAsia, before taking a connecting flight to Loei. When you book, add on a City Transfer package that includes a van ride to Chiang Khan. Direct Flight Connecting Flight Van Transfer

Chiang Mai

SINGAPORE

AirAsia also flies direct to Krabi and Phuket everyday

PRE AND EASY 4 great add-ons when you pre-book with AirAsia MORE MEAL CHOICES. When you pre-book your meal online, not only do you get 20% off, you also get more options, including several mouth watering Thai classics (see Whet Your Appetite, below). CHECK IN BAGGAGE. It’s a no-brainer. You save up to 54% when you pre-book your baggage online! What’s more, you have the option to pack anything from 20k-40kg. PRIORITY BOARDING WITH HOT SEATS. When you pick a seat, you get a head start with priority boarding! Not only that, having hot seats also means extra legroom for additional comfort. PREMIUM FLEX. Travel like a boss. Check in at the dedicated Premium Flex counter and enjoy flexibility to change your flight details two hours before departure and up to two times without extra charges. What’s more, get complimentary 20kg baggage allowance, get a delicious in-flight meal, choose where you want to sit at no cost and be the first to board.

Whet Your Appetite Let’s face it: Thai food is half the thrill of visiting Thailand. And on AirAsia (www.airasia.com), you get a sneak peek at all the classics before you even touch the ground. All flights to Thailand offer a range of iconic Thai dishes, such as green curry, mango sticky rice and, everyone’s favorite, basil chicken. Meals start at $5 when you pre-book online.

3. Live the slow life in Mae Hong Son Delightfully lush and secluded, the northern province of Mae Hong Son offers stunning natural vistas that are hard to imagine exist in Asia. Pang Ung, for example, in the northern part of the province, is known as the Switzerland of Thailand, with its dramatic rock mountains and enormous, foggy lake. Take some time to visit Yunnan Traditional Village (also known as Baan Santichon), near the town of Pai. The residents speak both Thai and Chinese, and you can have traditional Yunnanese dishes at the restaurants and stalls there. WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Speaking of Pai, do save a couple of nights to soak in this small town’s healthy-living vibe. Among the souvenir shops, vintage shopping and restaurants, there’s a growing slow life scene, with dozens of yoga schools, meditation classes and health food cafes. Rent a bicycle and go exploring!

Chicken green curry

GETTING THERE: Fly to Chiang Mai with AirAsia, with a convenient Fly-Thru in Bangkok. In the same booking, you can add on a City Transfer package that will get you to the city of Pai by van transfer.

4. Admire ancient ruins in Sukhothai

Bangkok is the seat of the monarchy, but there have been other historical kingdoms in Thailand’s past, too. The capital of the 13th century Sukhothai kingdom is located in the city with the same name—now a UNESCO World Heritage historical park. History buffs and shutterbugs can easily spend an entire day roaming the temple and palace ruins here. (Just remember to stay hydrated!)

Sukhothai Historical Park

City Slicking with AirAsia AirAsia’s City Transfer packages mean you can get to more off-the-beaten-path destinations in Thailand. The packages include not only your connecting flight, but a convenient transfer by bus or van, all in one affordable price. Sukhothai, Pai and Chiang Khan aside, you can also use the City Transfer service to get to cities like Mukdahan and Salasin in the northeast and the gorgeous beaches of Khao Lak in the south, among other places.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: You’ll need some major refueling after a day of touring the temples. Don’t forget to try some classic northern Thai dishes, which are quite different from what you find in Bangkok. Have the Burmese-influenced pork curry, BROUGHT TO YOU BY AIRASIA (www.airasia.com) The World’s Best Low-Cost Airline by World Airline Awards 7 Years Running

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

island

The latest openings and hottest trends in Singapore

HOME Light Up If you were dazzled by the Lumio light installation at the courtyard of the National Design Centre during the Singapore Night Festival, these sculptural lamps are now available for purchase at Kapok. Designed by multi award-winning designer and architect Max Gunawan, they resemble a book which opens to reveal a pleated interior that is finely-constructed with a water-resistant Tyvek material. The portable lights are illuminated with LED bulbs and are so compact, you can even bring them around or set them up anywhere. $385 from #01-05 National Design Centre, 111 Middle Rd., 6339-7987, www.ka-pok.com.

NEW STORE Porcelain Perfect

Luxury tableware brand Villeroy & Boch, famous for its decorative bone china products, opens its first flagship store in Singapore, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no fuddy-duddy outfit. While there are some obligatory tableware sets with fancy floral motifs and expensive crystals on sale, the store also carries modern designs with illustrations of cityscapes and subtle sculptural elements. The boutique assistants are friendly and prices are conspicuously on display, which makes for easy browsing with fewer surprises. From $73.95 for a mug to $15,888 for a Giant Old Luxembourg coffee pot. L1-74/76 Capitol Piazza, 15 Stamford Rd., 6384-7309, www.villeroy-boch.com.

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

LIFESTYLE Culture Vulture

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re cautiously excited about The Analog Vault which seems on-track to be a great option for the culturestarved, selling vinyl records, books and magazines curated by partners Vinylicious Records, books specialist The Arkhivist and magazine retailer Magpie Magazines. There are new, pre-loved and rare records with genres ranging from rock, jazz, classical and world to hard-to-find book titles covering culture, art, lifestyle, music, design and travel. Prices range from $25 to $800 for vinyl records and $75 for coffee table books. #02-13 Esplanade Mall, 1 Esplanade Dr., 9022-4497.

TECH To Market, To Market

Joining the local social shopping bandwagon is Shopee, an online marketplace with useful functions for budding entrepreneurs. The free mobile app, which is available on both Apple and Android devices, lets you put your stuff up for sale in less than 30 seconds via a simple three-step process. It also provides inventory management, secure transactions that ensure sellers get payment only after buyers receive their purchases, live chat features and logistics planning such as arranging for goods pick-up, real-time delivery tracking, shipment booking and fee computation. To download, visit www.shopee.sg

CITY LIVING

National Parks Board

island

Punngol Park Lake National Parks Board

Saddle Up The LTA plans to connect the central region to existing cycling path connectors around the island. In the meantime, you should explore the connectors themselves. By Chelsia Tan

National Parks Board

Zhenghua Park

Woodlands Waterfront

Eastern Coastal Loop National Parks Board

Punggol Waterway Park

ycling in Singapore has always been a thing among the brave few, but with new routes through places like Punggol and Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park scheduled for completion, it may become a viable commuting option. In the next few years, the LTA has promised more intra-town bike paths and networks connecting some neighborhoods to the CBD.

In the meantime, you can explore these four existing park connectors—North Eastern Riverine Loop, Northern Explorer Loop, Eastern Coastal Loop and Western Adventure Loop. FOR THE SCENIC ROUTE...

Northern Eastern Riverine Loop

This 26 km biking trail links you through Serangoon Park Connector to Punggol with plenty of nature and relaxing waterfronts. Beginning from Punggol Park, you’ll be riding through breezy reservoirs and coastlines along Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, Lorong Halus Wetland, Punggol Waterway Park and Sengkang Riverside Park before ending your journey at the Buangkok Park Connector. Not a fan of the sun? The night scene at Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, which has fiber optic features that light up after dark, is pretty awesome, too. There are also great dining options nearby such as cafe-bistro Whisk & Paddle (10 Tebing Ln., 6242-4617, www.whiskandpaddle.com.sg) and seafood restaurant Ponggol Seafood (3 Punggol Point Rd., 6448-8511, www.ponggolseafood.com.sg). Early birds who are in the area before dawn can catch the sunrise at the Sunrise Bridge in Punggol Waterway Park. The route: Punggol Park, Sungei Serangoon Park Connector, Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, Lorong Halus Wetland, Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk, Punggol Promenade Punggol Point Walk, Punggol Park Connector, Sengkang Riverside Park and Buangkok Park Connector. FOR FOOD STOPS ALONG THE WAY...

Eastern Coastal Loop

One of the easiest connectors to navigate, this 17.5km trail takes you from Pasir Ris Town Park to East Coast Park. You can rent bicycles from the PCN Pitstop starting point at Pasir Ris Town Park before passing through open grasslands, freshwater wetlands and lush trees along Tampines Eco Green and Bedok Reservoir Park. It’s also a good spot to stop for lunch or dinner—Bedok Food Centre

is around the corner and popular bistro Wawawa (901 Bedok Reservoir Rd., 6285-8038, www.wawawa.com.sg) overlooks the reservoir. The loop ends at East Coast Park where more dining options can be found at Parkland Green (920 East Coast Parkway), a relatively new cluster of bars and restaurants such as Western cafe Sandbank (#0128-32 Parkland Green, 6247-7988, www.sandbank.com.sg) and microbrewery Full Pint Brewery (#01-20-24, Parkland Green, 6342-0244, www.fullpintmicrobrewery.com.sg). If you still have time to spare, head back up to Changi Beach Park through the Coastal Park Connector, where you can choose to take a bumboat to Pulau Ubin or have dinner at Changi Village. The route: Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, Mandai Park Connector, Ulu Sembawang Park Connector, Woodlands (SLE) Park Connector, Admiralty Park and Woodlands Waterfront. FOR A SHORT BUT SERENE RIDE...

Northern Explorer Loop

You’ll be off to a quiet start at Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, which will lead you away from the busy Yishun heartlands past Upper Seletar Reservoir and into the dense and gravelly paths of Ulu Sembawang Park Connector via the Mandai Park Connector. The 11km loop takes you to Admiralty Park, where nature lovers can attempt to spot wildlife at Sungei Cina’s fresh water swamps, mangroves and grasslands before making a final stop to admire the sea view at one of Singapore’s longest coastal jetties in Woodlands Waterfront.

Ulu Sembawang Park Connector

FOR CHALLENGING TRAILS…

Western Adventure Loop

Ease into this 12km route at Choa Chu Kang Park before riding along the canal at Pang Sua Park Connector, where the eagle-eyed may spot a variety of birds like the Pacific Swallow and the White-Bellied Sea Eagle—there are even two butterfly gardens to explore if you have time to spare. Arriving at Zhenghua Park via the Bukit Panjang Park Connector, you’ll be getting a full workout on the area’s uneven terrain before passing through Dairy Farm Nature Park where a pit stop at the Singapore Quarry is a must. There, you can take lots of photos of the wetland’s striking cliffs, which overlook a tranquil lake. Finally, at Bukit Batok Nature Park, you can check out the park’s orchids, Quarry Pool and World War II Memorial Site. The journey: Choa Chu Kang Park, Pang Sua Park Connector, Bukit Panjang Park Connector, Zhenghua Park Connector, Dairy Farm Nature Park and Bukit Batok Nature Park.

The route: Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, Mandai Park Connector, Ulu Sembawang Park Connector, Woodlands (SLE) Park Connector, Admiralty Park and Woodlands Waterfront.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 2015 SG MAGAZINE

eats

The inside scoop on Singapore’s drink and dining scene

DESSERTS Crepe Diem Co-working space The Working Capitol isn’t all about super cool small plates restaurants. Now, there’s something for those with a sweet tooth. The Daily Roundup (#01-02 The Working Capitol, 1 Keong Saik Rd.,www.thedailyroundup.com.sg) is the newest cafe to join the space and it specializes in French Brittany-style sweet crepes and savory galettes. The light wood, marble and pastel-colored space is not only super Instagram-worthy, it also dishes out simple and satisfying treats like the Nutella-inspired hazelnut crepe ($10) and Iberico chorizo with comte cheese galette ($14). Best of all, they’ve paired it with fresh and light pre-bottled spritzer and Aperol (from $14) cocktails.

CHARCUTERIE Cool Quarters

Kampong Glam is shaping up to be the hot new restaurant hood with the opening of boutique hotel Vagabond and its cured meats restaurant Fifth Quarter (39 Syed Alwi Rd., www.5thquarter.com.sg). Chef Drew Nocente, formerly of W Singapore’s Skirt, takes the helm to blend modern Australian flavors with traditional Italian cured meats. Expect in-house specialties like rum-cured pork belly, salt & pepper tripe and charcuterie like salami, salsiccia and lardo on the menu. But it’s not all about cold cuts. There are hot plates of barramundi with sunchoke and Josper-grilled meats at this opulent jewel-colored space.

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

EUROPEAN Flying Solo

Chef Stephan Zoisl has finally struck it out on his own with Chef’s Table (61 Tras St., 6224-4188, www.chefstable. sg), a kitchen and bar serving modern European food. The intimate space is like stepping into his private kitchen, with a large 12-seater communal table near the buzzing open kitchen. It works on degustation-style menus of three-, four-, six- and eight-course dinners ($68-150) based on the freshest seasonal produce. One dish, in particular, stands out: Doughnut Pte Ltd ($18), donuts fried in duck fat with duck confit, poached egg, apple cider-infused jus and braised shallots—but be warned, there are only eight portions a night.

AMERICAN Poe Approved

The folks behind H.O.D or House of Dandy have branched out into the restaurant scene with their new Chijmes addition. Located in a dim and cavernous space of the heritage building’s basement, Raven (#B1-01/02 Chijmes, 30 Victoria St., 8798-2724, raven.sg) is a self-proclaimed New Americas restaurant serving Northern and Southern American food with an Asian twist. As per the trend, it’s got small plates like steamed little neck clams ($16) in bacon dashi and fried chorizo croquettes ($13) with jalapeno vinaigrette. If you’re looking for bigger plates, the sleek restaurant also has items like herb-crusted rack of lamb ($37) and a burger ($22) with chipotle, avocado and chorizo cream.

Photo credit: Singapore GP Pte Ltd

YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO NAVIGATING GRAND PRIX SEASON SINGAPORE

Star-studded parties Unmissable performances things to do in every precinct Download the guide from is.gd/gpssguide

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

eats QUIZ

Caffeine Connoisseur Are you a genuine cafe expert? Or a snap-happy scenester? Take our quiz and find out. By Letitia Tandean

ure you went to Cafe Fest and know this week’s caffeine-slinging Instagram-magnet du jour. But how well would you hold up in a test? Find out here and seal your bonafide bragging rights.

1. Brunch lovers go ga-ga over this famous cafe. Which is it?

2. What cafe serves this all-day breakfast plate? (Hint: it’s near a cocktail bar.)

A Carpenter & Cook

A Ronin

B Common Man Coffee Roasters

B Sarnies C The Lokal

C 40 Hands

Answer:

3. Name this Tiong Bahru cafe.

Answer:

4. What cafe serves this delicious platter and used to be a hardware store?

A Flock Café

A Dutch Colony

B 40 Hands

Coffee Co.

C Poteato

B Sin Lee Foods C Chye Seng Huat

Hardware

Answer:

RESULTS 0-2 correct You are a Caffe Frauduccino Sorry, your Singapore cafe knowledge is abysmal. Chances are you get your caffeine fix at Starbucks or at the kopitiam downstairs from your office. Or maybe you’re a tea drinker. You’re really missing out on what exploring Singapore’s hipster cafes can do you for your Instagram cred.

Answer:

3-5 correct 5. Which cafe is this? Hint: it has a coffee bean for a logo. A Coffee Bean and

Tea Leaf B Toby’s Estate

6. You’ll find both great coffee and cocktails here. Which cafe is this? A Sarnies B Paddy Hills C Maison Ikkoku

C Carpenter & Cook

Answer:

7. Which cafe boasts a very expensive Slayer machine?

8. Which famed coffee joint has outlets in both the East and West? A Wheeler’s Yard

B Drury Lane

B Department of

Caffeine C Dutch Colony

Coffee

Answer:

You’ve been to all the token cool cafes around in Singapore, although some of the excellent and smaller ones seem to have slipped under your radar. (Perhaps they don’t have the Instagram appeal or over-the-top brunches to hold your attention?) Keep exploring, and you’ll find some rarer gems that aren’t already mobbed on the weekends.

Answer:

A Jimmy Monkey C The New Black

You are Caffeine Competent

6-8 correct Crema de la Crema Do you have “professional coffee drinker” listed on your LinkedIn page? Because you should. You know all the important temples of caffeine in town and can probably rank their coffee in ten seconds flat. Best of all, you are just in it for a genuine love of coffee and less for the hipster appeal. Or you’re really good at faking it.

Answer:

Answers (flip to see): 1b; 2a; 3a; 4c; 5b; 6c; 7a; 8c

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

eats OPEN BAR Fresh!

NEWS FROM SGNOW.SG

Brunch Bandits is headed to Kranji with a farm luau themed dinner

Brunch Bandits

Hot on the heels of their Louisiana-themed supperclub in Portsdown, the Brunch Bandits are back for their ninth pop-up dinner. This time, they’re taking over Kranji Countryside for a giant Luau dinner (junglefever.peatix.com) over the Sep 24 public holiday. They’re turning the relatively unsexy Kranji Countryside carpark into a giant tropical party with Mediterranean and Caribbean influences, complete with a steel drum barbecue. The communal-style dinner includes a huge feast of dishes like jerk chicken, 48-hour leg of lamb, big Kahuna prawns, sweet potato poke, eggplant yogurt, homemade pickles and even campfire-style smore rolls. Plus, you’ll get to sip on watermelon agua fresca, but the organizers encourage diners to bring your own bottles. The dinner is taking place outdoors (and in the middle of farm land) so be sure to dress comfortably. Plus, there Website of the Year MPAS 2015 are only 34 seats this time, so be sure to snap up your place quickly. Tickets go for $75 per person from Peatix. S I N G A P O R E ’ S H OTT E ST L I F E ST Y L E N E W S

Out in October

The buzz: Veteran bartender Shawn Kishore opens a ‘90s-inspired bar, with popular locally-inspired drinks from the era and throwback hip hop and R&B songs in Kampong Glam’s The Sultan hotel. The decor: The cavernous space is made cozy with loud pop art grafitti on the vaulted walls and a sexy (and big) alfresco rooftop space. Its interiors are a mix of ‘60s retro wood-and-fabric chairs with high- and low-top tables. The predominantly white space benefits from the large and colorful mural. The drinks: Tongue-in-cheek names aside, the drinks are refreshing, but on the sweet side. There are cocktails like Peach Fit ($22) with peach liqueur, Peychaud bitters, vanilla syrup and

bubbles; the fresh South American Swing ($22) with cachaca, port wine, agave, lime juice and Angostura bitters and the reincarnation of the Singapore Sling, the Xin Jia Po Sling ($22) with smoked gin, sloe gin, Cointreau and hibiscusjackfruit shrub. The food: A small list of bar snacks like calamari rings ($15), chicken wings in Cajun spice ($15) and sweet potato fries ($10). Why you’ll be back: The barbacks aren’t shy to karaoke to throwback hits like The Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls. It’s a laidback place with reliable drinks and a super fun environment overlooking this beautiful and historic neighborhood.

#02-01 The Sultan, 101 Jalan Sultan, 8828-7084, www.facebook.com/ohsofreshsg. Open Mon-Sat 6pm-2am. LETITIA TANDEAN

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

escapes

Holidays, hotels and insider travel news

CAMBODIA

After Angkor

Explore the hip, historic and gastronomic sides of Siem Reap. By Monruedee Jansuttipan Cuisine Wat Damnak

Sister Srey Cafe

Temple Hopping

Of course, you can’t miss Angkor Wat. The best time to visit this giant temple is in the cooler hours of the early morning. Make it early enough and you’ll still have time to visit Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom, home to the 200 smiling faces of Lokesvara. If you don’t mind jostling with other tourists, then Phanom Bakheng is the most popular temple for viewing the sunset—but it gets hard to find a good spot. Since the UNESCO site opens at 5am, we recommend waiting until the next day to hike to the top at dawn. Another lesser-known temple is Phimeanakas, which was the area’s first royal palace and the only temple built from sandstone in the form of a pyramid. Also make the time to visit Banteay Srei, the pink temple, and Ta Phrom. The latter was used as a set for 2001’s Tomb Raider and is best seen in the late afternoon, when golden light shines through the trees and onto the red stone.

Local Flavors

Khmer cuisine is undergoing a fine-dining renaissance. For the hottest table in town, book in at Cuisine Wat Damnak (between Psa Dey Hoy market and Angkor High School, Wat Damnak village, www.cuisinewatdamnak.com), which placed 50th in San Pellegrino’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and uses foraged Cambodian ingredients. For a modern take on traditional Cambodian food, head to Viroth (Street 24. www.viroth-hotel.com) with its fusion Khmer cuisine. If you’re looking for something classic, Sugar Palm (Taphul Rd. www.thesugarpalm.com) cooks Khmer cuisine based on precivil war recipes of the owner’s grandmother.

Coffee Culture

Siem Reap is finally catching up with international coffee trends. The much-hyped cafe now is Sister Srey Cafe (200 Pokambor St., Riverside, www.sistersreycafe.com), which serves an all-day breakfast and lunch menu. Try their smashed avocado on toast with slow-roasted tomatoes and beef burger. The coffee beans are 100-percent organic crops from the northern highlands of Laos and Dalat in Vietnam. On the second floor of the old building, you’ll find a shop dedicated to handmade Cambodian clothing, accessories and bags for $1.50-56. Also check out Little Red Fox Espresso (593 Hap Guan St., www.thelittleredfoxespresso. com). The Australian owners, David and Adam, select their beans from Chiang Mai, Laos and Cambodia’s main coffee growing region in Rattanakiri Province. Above the cafe, Adam, runs a barbershop. Haven’t got your caffeine fix? Drop by The Hive (631 Phsar Kandal Street, www.fb.com/

SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

thehive.siemreap), where you’ll find good coffee, healthy food, detox juices and chic interiors. For something sweet, we like the newly relocated Gelato Lab (Alley West, www.fb.com/ gelatolabsiemreap), both for its coffee, bakery and ice cream (try the pistachio and chocolate-hazelnut coffee flavors), as well as old-favorite La Boulangerie Cafe (Street 7, Old Market area) for its French-style pastries.

Ta Phrom

Street Shopping

In addition to the Night Market and Old Market, Siem Reap recently added a new arts and culture shopping area called Kandal Village. Founded about a year ago, this area is populated with local designers. Interesting names to look out for include Sirivan (10 Hup Guan St.), a fashion, accessories and homeware label created by a Paris-trained local, and Trunkh. (642 Hup Guan St. www.trunkh.com), an established local lifestyle brand offering artful homeware, furniture and fashion inspired by Khmer life. Also check out Louise Loubatieres (7 Hup Guan St., louiseloubatieres.com), which sells boldly colored textiles and homeware. Trunkh.

Nights Out

The nightlife mecca Pub Street has new additions like Beer Battle House (366 Group 6, Svay Dangkhum Commune), where you’ll find beers on tap and live music. Not far from Pub Street, Miss Wong (The Lane., www.misswong.net) is a 1920s Shanghai-inspired cocktail bar. Visit Asana (Street 7, www. asana-cambodia.com) if you want to try and make Khmer cocktails. A $20 class takes you through the basics of Khmer spirits, local herbs and Sombai, the local infused liquor.

Essentials WHERE TO STAY Viroth Hotel, Street 23, Krong Siem Reap, www. viroth-hotel.com. Rooms from $122.

(www.jetstar.com/sg/en) flies direct to Siem Reap for $90. For full service options, SilkAir (www.silkair.com) flies there for $359.

Park Hyatt, Sivutha Boulevard, Siem Reap, siemreap.park.hyatt.com. Rooms from $263.

VISA Visa fees are about US$37. More information at www. evisa.gov.kh. Singaporeans are exempt.

GETTING THERE AirAsia (www.airasia.com) gets you there for $249, via a transit in Bangkok. Jetstar

Angkor

EXCHANGE RATE $1=2922 riels Miss Wong

escapes Send your travel news and promotions to travel@asia-city.com.sg

ESCAPE ROUTES with Letitia Tandean

Outrigger Konotta Maldives

Fahrenheit

Pyongyang, North Korea

MALDIVES

MYANMAR

THAILAND

NORTH KOREA

Luxe Retreats

Temperature Rising

Bangkok by Bike

Beyond the Wall

The Maldives is no stranger to swanky resorts and the luxe island life, with what seems to be a new hotel opening every few months. Outrigger Konotta Maldives (Konotta Island, +960 684-7770, www. outriggermaldivs.com) is a brand-new allvilla resort compound in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll where every room comes with a plunge or lap pool. Comprising 29 beach pool villas, 21 ocean pool villas, two lagoon villas and a super high-end Presidential villa, the property doesn’t skimp on luxury with (yet another) central infinity pool, a teppanyaki bar and poolside dining. There are special introductory rates starting at $590 for a beach pool villa until Oct 31.

Next time you visit Yangon, make time to drop by Fahrenheit (No 38 Bo Gyoke Rd., +95 97 8063-5844, www.facebook. com/FahrenheitYGN), a hip and industrialstyle bar specializing in Mexican-Burmese fusion fare. Here, you’ll find East-meetsWest dishes like pad Thai chimichanga and garlic ginger curry chicken tacos, as well as Myanmar empanadas (traditional Burmese curried pork stuffed in Mexican empanadas). When it comes to drinking, there are potent cocktails such as the Ginger Fahrenheit and the Campari Shady (Campari with beer), in addition to brew options on top. Most importantly, the venue hosts giant LGBT parties every last week of the month, making it a pioneer among the city’s nightlife venues.

Explore your favorite

Malaysian-born taxi app Grab Taxi (www.grabtaxi.com) has just launched its motorcycle taxi option, Grab Bike in Bangkok. The on-demand motorcycle service for people and parcels has already launched in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Jakarta (although this service is already popular there through Gojek), and claims to provide insurance up to B2,000 ($79) with all drivers’ backgrounds thoroughly checked. If you’ve downloaded GrabTaxi, this add-on will appear after updating the app and the process is pretty much the same as the taxi service, allowing you to select pick-up and drop-off locations. Prices start from THB35 ($1.40) per ride when you’re in Bangkok. As locals will tell you, it’s the insider way of getting around town.

Neighborhoods

Trekking company World Expeditions (www.worldexpeditions.com) has expanded its tours to lesser-visited countries, which includes North Korean Explorer, a 10-day trek through the reclusive country. Don’t expect it to be luxurious—accommodation is in basic hotels and travel in private vehicles. In Pyongyang you’ll get to check out major sights like the Tomb of King Kongmin, Central City Square and the International Friendship Exhibition. But it’s not all propaganda as you’ll get a glimpse of daily North Korean life at port town Wonsan and share a barbecue with the locals. The trip, which costs $3,690, is full-board with transfers between Beijing, Pyongyang and various North Korean towns.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 SG MAGAZINE

astrology

Start your day with the latest lifestyle news, direct to your inbox.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): I hope it’s not too late or too early to give you a slew of birthday presents. You deserve to be inundated with treats, dispensations and appreciations. Here’s your first perk: You are hereby granted a license to break a taboo that is no longer useful or necessary. Second blessing: You are authorized to instigate a wildly constructive departure from tradition. Third boost: I predict that in the next six weeks, you will simultaneously claim new freedom and summon more discipline. Fourth delight: During the next three months, you will discover and uncork a new thrill. Fifth goody: Between now and your birthday in 2016, you will develop a more relaxed relationship with perfectionism.

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SG MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

BEST BARS

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22): A “wheady mile” is an obsolete English term I want to revive for use in this horoscope. It refers to what may happen at the end of a long journey, when that last stretch you’ve got to traverse seems to take forever. You’re so close to home; you’re imagining the comfort and rest that will soon be yours. But as you cross the “wheady mile,” you must navigate your way through one further plot twist or two. There’s a delay or complication that demands more effort just when you want to be finished with the story. Be strong, Libra. Keep the faith. The wheady mile will not, in fact, take forever. (Thanks to Mark Forsyth and his book Horologicon.)

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): It’s never fun to be in a sticky predicament that seems to have no smart resolution. But the coming days could turn out to be an unexpectedly good time to be in such a predicament. Why? Because I expect that your exasperation will precipitate an emotional cleansing, releasing ingenious intuitions that had been buried under repressed anger and sadness. You may then find a key that enables you to reclaim at least some of your lost power. The predicament that once felt sour and intractable will mutate, providing you with an opportunity to deepen your connection with a valuable resource.

SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21): Trying improbable and unprecedented combinations is your specialty right now. You’re willing and able to gamble with blends and juxtapositions that no one else would think of, let alone propose. Bonus: Extra courage is available for you to call on as you proceed. In light of this gift, I suggest you brainstorm about all the unifications that might be possible for you to pull off. What conflicts would you love to defuse? What inequality or lopsidedness do you want to fix? Is there a misunderstanding you can heal or a disjunction you can harmonize?

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): “More and more I have come to admire resilience,” writes Jane Hirshfield in her poem “Optimism.” “Not the simple resistance of a pillow,” she adds, “whose foam returns over and over to the same shape, but the sinuous tenacity of a tree: finding the light newly blocked on one side, it turns in another.” You have not often had great access to this capacity in the past, Aries. Your specialty has been the fast and fiery style of adjustment. But for the foreseeable future, I’m betting you will be able to summon a supple staying power—a dogged, determined, incremental kind of resilience.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Is feeling good really as fun as everyone seems to think? Is it really so wonderful to be in a groove, in love with life and in touch with your deeper self? No! Definitely not! And I suspect that as you enter more fully into these altered states, your life will provide evidence of the inconveniences they bring. For example, some people might nag you for extra attention and others may be jealous of your success. You could be pressured to take on more responsibilities. And you may be haunted by the worry that sooner or later, this grace period will pass. I’M JUST KIDDING, SAGITTARIUS! In truth, the minor problems precipitated by your blessings won’t cause any more anguish than a mosquito biting your butt while you’re in the throes of ecstatic love-making. CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): In this horoscope, we will use the Socratic method to stimulate your excitement about projects that fate will favor in the next nine months. Here’s how it works: I ask the questions and you brainstorm the answers. 1. Is there any part of your life where you are an amateur but would like to be a professional? 2. Are you hesitant to leave a comfort zone even though remaining there tends to inhibit your imagination? 3. Is your ability to fulfill your ambitions limited by any lack of training or deficiency in your education? 4. Is there any way that you are holding on to blissful ignorance at the expense of future possibilities? 5. What new license, credential, diploma or certification would be most useful to you? AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): The story of my life features more than a few fiascos. For example, I got fired from my first job after two days. One of my girlfriends dumped me without any explanation and never spoke to me again. My record label fired me and my band after we made just one album. Years later, these indignities still carry a sting. But I confess that I am also grateful for them. They keep me humble. They serve as antidotes if I’m ever tempted to deride other people for their failures. They have helped me develop an abundance of compassion. I mention this personal tale in the hope that you, too, might find redemption and healing in your own memories of frustration. The time is right to capitalize on old losses.

Singapore

nightlife guide

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): “The fragrance from your mango groves makes me wild with joy.” That’s one of the lyrics in the national anthem of Bangladesh. Here’s another: “Forever your skies... set my heart in tune as if it were a flute.” Elsewhere, addressing Bangladesh as if it were a goddess, the song proclaims, “Words from your lips are like nectar to my ears.” I suspect you may be awash with comparable feelings in the coming weeks, Taurus—not toward your country, but rather for the creatures and experiences that rouse your delight and exultation. They are likely to provide even more of the sweet mojo than they usually do. It will be an excellent time to improvise your own hymns of praise. GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20): There have been times in the past when your potential helpers disappeared just when you wanted more help than usual. In the coming weeks, I believe you will get redress for those sad interludes of yesteryear. A wealth of assistance and guidance will be available. Even people who have previously been less than reliable may offer a tweak or intervention that gives you a boost. Here’s a tip for how to ensure that you take full advantage of the possibilities: Ask clearly and gracefully for exactly what you need. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Why grab the brain-scrambling moonshine when you may eventually be offered a heart-galvanizing tonic? Why gorge on hors d’oeuvres when a four-course feast will be available sooner than you imagine? According to my analysis of the astrological omens, my fellow Crab, the future will bring unexpected opportunities that are better and brighter than the current choices. This is one of those rare times when procrastination may be in your interest. LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): As I hike up San Pedro Ridge, I’m mystified by the madrone trees. The leaves on the short, thin saplings are as big and bold as the leaves on the older, thicker, taller trees. I see this curiosity as an apt metaphor for your current situation, Leo. In one sense, you are in the early stages of a new cycle of growth. In another sense, you are strong and ripe and full-fledged. For you, this is a winning combination: a robust balance of innocence and wisdom, of fresh aspiration and seasoned readiness.

2016

Out in November

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last word

Joel Tan Just 28 years old, local playwright Joel Tan has a lot of feathers in his cap: several of his plays have been produced by major theater companies; his first book is just out and he’s part of a contingent of artists travelling around the world with Singapore: Inside Out (www. singaporeinsideout.com). But what does it mean to be a state-supported artist? Here he tells Mrigaa Sethi about all that, his scepticism about Singaporean nostalgia and his weird relationship with Pasir Ris. I’ve lived in Pasir Ris since I can remember, ever since I was eight. It’s at least 20 minutes away from anywhere I need to be—which I realize is not that long an amount of time to travel, but it feels terrible. There are only two reasons people travel to Pasir Ris— one is to go to the chalets and the other is to go to the army because it is where the army boys take the bus to the ferry to Pulau Tekong. Pasir Ris is a nice neighborhood actually. I live five minutes away from the beach, and just down the road is a mangrove swamp, underneath a pedestrian bridge. That’s quite magical. We just launched my first collection of plays, and I was very ambivalent about it. Only in Singapore can you have playwrights such as myself, only 28 years old, doing it professionally for three to four years, and getting a full volume of plays. Another funny thing about my career so far is that all the plays I’ve written have almost always gone into production. I have friends from other countries in the UK and the US, and it’s just impossible to find a theater that’s willing to stage you. It says less about me than it does the ecosystem. I don’t think I’m phenomenally talented. I just happened to luck out. Once you get sucked into the cycle of production, you become a playwriting machine, in a way. I get commissions from other theater companies now, and lately I feel like I’ve been writing things for other people more than for myself. There’s a kind of industry complex that is quite limiting.

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID

When you’re a jobbing playwright, you get sucked into questions like: who’s going to produce me, I want to get this stage, who should I approach, what’s next. I don’t think those are healthy questions for any writer. I rather be dwelling on other questions. Where am I now? Where have I come from? What do I want to say? I’ve been thinking of doing post-grad studies in dramatic writing, because a program like that allows me to ask those kinds of questions. Those programs don’t really exist here.

A lot of artists in their 40s and 50s are nostalgic about the old Zouk, which used to be our equivalent of Studio 54. I wonder what that says about the way we make art today. It’s very professional, it’s very state-endorsed, it’s very neat, it’s very packaged. There’s a much smaller sense of a fringe or outlier complex than there was in the past. Even the process of filling out a form to ask for a grant pigeonholes your work. What genre is this? What kind of work will it be? Who is your target audience?

My generation is sick with nostalgia. My theory is that we grew up seeing how our parents’ Finding ways to work outside memories and childhoods were mainstream theaters is important, systematically erased and trivialized. My generation is because they’re expensive—you’re A lot of our generation has seen talking close to half your budget. that happen to our parents, and the sick with nostalgia. There’s something that arts practitioners sadness that lingers around that. have been petitioning the state to look Maybe part of it is a fear that this into for a long time. could happen to us, too. We need to start looking for spaces outside of In a place like this, things change very fast, and that’s mainstream theaters to do work: community centers, scary. Nostalgia is a way to hang on. libraries, restaurants, cafes. Nostalgia is also a thing we’ve inherited from abroad. It’s something I have to start investigating, because If you look at how merchandise is packaged—there’s a it means more freedom—even though you still have to kind of vintage throwback we’ve inherited from apply for an MDA license. You’re never completely free. global culture. [Someone was joking] that for the longest time in order I’m very allergic to nostalgia actually. There’s a tacky, to be published in Singapore you needed to be either Lee slick, commercial cheapness to it, where you can Kuan Yew or you needed to write a cookbook. But that package old things and sell them as trinkets or novelties. seems to have changed. Where’s your critical relationship with the past? The You want to increase the readership of your work past was not this rose-tinted hinterland of wonderful beyond the shores of your hometown. But the problem things. There are many things that you cherry-pick from is: what does it mean to make works about Singapore? the past, but don’t discuss. Who should be reading these works? Who is the primary audience?

by Kathy Macleod

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 SG MAGAZINE