In no time, we have found ourselves approaching the end of yet another month. This weekend, take some time out to catch the last shows of CHEF at Resorts World Sentosa before you can never do so again, or catch the first few shows of The Great Wall Musical that had just opened this week. If musicals aren’t your thing, then maybe browse through some artwork and vibe to the music from local female artists at ATTAGIRL!‘s 4th Anniversary, or chill at Botanic Gardens with some classical music from The Straits’ Times Concert in the Gardens.
If you’re wondering where the food is, don’t worry – Sunset Social Market has got you covered. Munch on a multitude of snacks and foods from various hawkers, grocers, and bakers, or pick up a skill or two at one of their workshops. Finally, shed off the extra calories gained by Hiking From Marsiling to Bukit Timah Reserve in a trek organised by SGTrek. We’ve got your entire weekend mapped out for you.
1. The Great Wall: One Woman’s Journey
Produced from a script written by local playwright Jean Tay, The Great Wall: One Woman’s Journey is a musical based on one of China’s Four Greatest Folktales: the tale of Meng Jiang Nu, whose tears brought down the Great Wall.
You may be familiar with Jean Tay’s other works such as Everything But The Brain and Boom – considering they are literature texts in Singapore – but this is Jean Tay’s first play not set in a local context, the story chosen due to its unique strong female protagonist rare in traditional Chinese folklore. Starring a diverse cast comprising of Dutch-Korean actress Na-Young Jeon, George Chan, and Singaporean artist Nathan Hartono, this play about love and courage is set to blow you away with a moving story and powerful vocals.
Date: 14 – 30 July 2017
Venue: Drama Centre Theatre
#03-01 National Library Building
100 Victoria St
Singapore 188064
Time:
Tue–Fri: 8PM
Sat: 3PM, 8PM
Sun: 3PM
Admission: $58–88. Book tickets here.
2. CHEF: Bibimbap vs Chilli Crab
If you’ve been to South Korea, this poster may remind you vigorously of another food musical popular in Seoul, NANTA. Indeed, CHEF is a similar non-verbal food musical created by the same people who produced NANTA, except this time, it has been adapted to fit into the Singaporean context with a familiar local dish – chilli crab. CHEF tells the story of the Red and Green master chefs locked in a riotous competition, pitted against each other to become the top chef. As the very first collaboration between Korea and Singapore, CHEF is the first Korean production to have casted two Singaporeans in their show: young actresses Hayley and Jayley Woo, who share the role of Cutie Chef.
For those who have never been to a NANTA show, here’s what to expect: extremely well-choreographed cook-dancing, amazing beatboxing, hilarious sound effects, copious audience participation, well-toned bodies, and never-ending laughter. Peppered with a little Singlish to give it more of a local flavour, CHEF is an experience you won’t be able to get from watching its more popular counterpart over in Korea.
Date: 10 June – 22 July 2017
Venue: Resorts World Theatre
8 Sentosa Gateway
Resorts World Sentosa
Singapore 098269
Time:
Thur–Fri: 8PM
Sat: 2PM, 8PM
Sun: 2PM
Admission: $38–118. Book tickets here.
3. ATTAGIRL! 4th Anniversary
This three-girl DJ collective comprising of Amanda Keisha Ang (A/K/A), Syaheedah Iskandar (Jaydah) and Serene Ong (DuriO) may well be one of the few local artists who actually celebrate their anniversaries – but they don’t do it for self-glorification. Each year, ATTAGIRL! organises a massive party to commemorate not just another year as a collective, but the achievements of female artists in the local music scene.
With a female-centric line-up featuring the likes of Inch Chua, AngelK, E-Lane, as well as a massive roster of visual artists on a charity art sale for UN Women, this is a momentous occasion for females to come together in solidarity and in celebration, honouring the empowerment of their gender in today’s society. But if you’re simply down for a good time with good music, good art, and a good cause, then what are you waiting for?
Date: 22 July 2017
Venue: Blu Jaz Cafe
11 Bali Ln
Singapore 189848
Time: 8.30PM–3AM
Admission: Free entry before 9PM, $20 after 9PM. More information here.
4. The Straits’ Times Concert in the Gardens
People pay a significant amount of money to see the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) perform in a theatre. But what if you can listen to them at no cost at all? This Saturday, grab your picnic mats and head down to Botanic Gardens for an evening of classical music. You don’t even have to be able to tell the difference between Beethoven and Mozart, because the SSO will be performing a series of well-loved classic that you’d most likely find familiar, but don’t necessarily know the titles of.
For the more well-studied listener, here’s your chance to listen to your jam in a more relaxed setting close to nature. Just remember to come armed with insect repellant!
Date: 22 July 2017
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens
1 Cluny Road
Singapore 259569
Time: 6PM–7PM
Admission: Free. More information here.
5. Sunset Social Market
No weekend in Singapore is complete without an event dedicated to food. This weekend, we have Open Farm Community’s (OFC) Sunset Social Market, the very first evening edition of OFC’s series of social markets that don’t just sell you food, but host little workshops and activities as well.
In this foodie-friendly edition, OFC will be bringing together some of the island’s best artisinal bakers, gourmet grocers, and modern-day hawkers. From the line-up, you can already be expecting Chefy Cookhouse’s salted egg cookies, Bao Maker’s Asian-inspired buns, Rojak-line’s unique vegan rojak, and The Raclette Movement’s raclette cheese sandwiches.
Besides stuffing your face with food, you may also attend a Cocktail Masterclass to learn to whip up the tastiest drinks, or even pick up some skills to fashion your very own makeshift flower-crown for the next hippie music festival.
Date: 22–23 July 2017
Venue: Open Farm Community
130E Minden Road
Singapore 248819
Time: 3PM–8PM
Admission: Free. More information here.
6. Hike from Marsiling to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
This one’s for the more adventurous ones in the crowd. If you’re new and interested in getting into hiking, SGTrek has the perfect opportunity for you. Look forward to a hike that will be happening this Saturday from Marsiling MRT, all the way to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, covering a whopping 12km in the process. Having organised several hikes all over Asia, you can rest assured that the guides from SGTrek will keep you safe and see you through until the very end of the trek – no man left behind.
For the slightly more experienced hikers, this may also serve as good training for other hikes in the future. Besides, how are you able to call yourself a hiker if you haven’t trekked in your very own country?
Date: 22 July 2017
Venue: Marsiling MRT Station Bus Stop
Time: 8.30AM–12.30PM
Admission: Free. More information here.
