Look no further, ‘cause we’ve got the scoop…
We get it. Life is such a rollercoaster ride that sometimes it’s near impossible to stay updated on things to do in the city. That’s where we come in: We’re here to bring you the latest buzz in the city, covering everything new and cool from food and shopping to entertainment and viral trends – all in easy-to-read, bite-sized doses, of course! So go ahead and bookmark this page for your weekly hit of what’s happening in Singapore.
And the Oscar goes to…
If you’ve been following the 2020 Oscars, you’ll know that Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite made history by snapping up countless awards and becoming the first non-English film to take home Best Picture. The South Korean director’s already a lovable meme, but if you haven’t yet seen his masterpiece, head to Cathay, Filmgarde, WE Cinemas or The Projector to catch it in its big-screen glory.
Other winners to watch in cinemas include Joker (Joaquin Phoenix for Best Actor) at Cathay or GV Funan; Marriage Story (Laura Dern for Best Supporting Actress) on Netflix; Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (Brad Pitt for Best Supporting Actor) at GV Funan; Jojo Rabbit (Best Adapted Screenplay) at GV, Cathay or WE Cinemas; Little Women (Best Costume Design) at GV; and 1917 (Best Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Visual Effects) at GV, Cathay or WE Cinemas.
Happy hour in the shower
A collab between Spa Esprit and Compendium, the limited edition Gin and Detox Plantation Shower Gel takes after-work drinks to your home with its invigorating body soap. Always dreamed of smelling like your fave G&T? Well, now you can bathe in the scent of torch ginger essential oil with juniper, lemon and clary sage.
Spa Esprit Gin and Detox Plantation Shower Gel, $88, available at all Spa Esprit outlets and Beauty Emporium
Down but not defeated
Yep, we’ve all been following the news about the coronavirus outbreak in Singapore. But really, as long as we practice proper hygiene and good social responsibility, there’s no reason why we can’t stay calm and beat Covid-19 (shoutout to the amazing medical staff at the forefront of the fight!).
However, in light of the health situation, multiple events in the city have been affected. Checkpoint Theatre’s The Nuclear Family production is pushed to March 2021; NUS Arts Festival 2020 is cancelled; Art at Curate dining series 17, light art festival i Light Singapore 2020, wine event Matter of Taste and concerts by K-pop acts Taeyeon and Got7 are postponed; boyband 98 Degrees will perform on 19 May instead of 20 Feb; and Sabrina Claudio has pulled out of Garden Beats 2020, although the festival will continue on as planned with extra safety measures.
There’s still a ray of sunshine amid the downpour though: Many kind-hearted souls have started their own initiatives to make DIY hand sanitiser and pass out masks to those in need, as well as buy coffee (Operation #BoosterShot) and craft care packages (Be Kind SG) in appreciation for healthcare workers. You can also donate new masks or sanitising items to those on the frontline; or, if you’re out of disinfectant and can’t find any in stores, just bring an opaque bottle to bubble tea brand Milksha to get a free 50ml pump, no strings attached.
Till death do us part
Ready for some laughs? Video-on-demand service Hooq has launched its first Singapore Original TV series, She’s a Terrorist and I Love Her, created by Terence Chia and Haresh Tilani from comedy brand Ministry of Funny. The show follows a man who gets himself into a fake marriage for fast cash but ends up discovering his new wife has other extremist goals in mind. Can he win her over and stop her nefarious plans with true love? The side-splitting production stars familiar homegrown names like Benjamin Kheng, Munah Bagharib and Noah Yap.
Hooq, available on Apple Store or Google Play
Wanna taco ‘bout it?
Happiness isn’t elusive, especially when you’ve got a good approach to mindfulness and wellbeing. To ease the stress off work emails and texts, Taco Bout Your Day wants to bring inspiring, personalised quotes and journal prompts straight to your phone on WhatsApp. Because notifications don’t have to always be about deadlines and meetings.
Here’s how the monthly wellness subscription works: You pick a theme that’s most relatable to your current life stage, add any extra notes you’d like the peeps behind the service to know, and start receiving your customised quote each morning. It’s sort of like a digital journey, with Sunday as the designated reflection day, but don’t worry, no secrets will be leaked here. Plus, the campaign’s end goal is to donate some of the proceeds to the Singapore Association for Mental Health.
Taco Bout Your Day Initiative, $14.90, available online
Glamping adventures on the roof
Looking for something a little different from your usual staycations? Try an overnighter at Naumi Hotel Singapore’s Cloud 9 Infinity Pool & Bar. Its latest collab with Wondrous Glamping is a luxe experience on the boutique hotel’s rooftop, complete with a sunset check-in time, a buffet breakfast for two and all the amenities you need to stay in style.
Naumi Hotel Singapore, from $280/night, 41 Seah Street, Singapore 188396
A scented dining experience
Michelin-starred Restaurant Jag is teaming up with fragrance house Maison 21G for a unique culinary journey to evoke memories and emotions through a line-up of scents and flavours inspired by the seasons and landscapes of France. The “six-expression” winter edition menu takes you through a forest visit, a fresh garden and the ocean, with limited tables for each seating.
Scent & Savour at Restaurant Jag, 25 – 29 Feb, $218/person, 76 Duxton Road, Singapore 089535
Tea-rrific brews for the mind and body
Health and wellness on your mind lately? Perhaps it’s time for a par-tea with Aussie brand T2 Tea and its new range of 100% organic blends. The Quiet Mind is a caffeine-free cup of herbs with chamomile, eucalyptus and apple; The Dreamer soothes you to sleep with rose, sunflower, calendula and cornflower petals; The Glowgetter adds that floral touch with nettle, rosehip and vanilla; and The Belly Blend keeps bloat at bay with its mix of fermented black tea with cacao nibs, chicory and marshmallow root.
T2 Tea’s Wellness range, available at $21 each at all T2 stores
Great World 2.0
Great World’s just gone through major refurbishment works for the first time in over 20 years, and it’s looking better than ever. Expect to see more than 70 new tenants in the shiny new shopping mall including Meidi-Ya Japanese supermarket, household brunch name PS.Cafe, tonkatsu joint Anzu, bakery and deli Plentyfull, homeware shop Hooga and Asian-inspired furniture store Lim’s Holland Village.
Plus, dessert brand House On The Moon and Goobne Chicken Korea’s oven-roasted chicken are both making their Singapore debut here. And if you’re stocking up your kitchen, you’ll be in good hands with offerings from Cold Storage, Ryan’s Grocery, and bulk foods retailers Scoop Wholefoods Australia and The Source Bulk Foods.
Great World, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994
Shack up with burger and fries
Good news for all burger fiends who don’t live anywhere near Changi Airport – the cult burger brand has finally opened its second shack in the Outram Park area. Those who’ve yet to swing by can expect additions to the menu like Chick’n Shack, an antibiotic-free chicken breast burger slow-cooked in buttermilk marinade and fried, as well as new frozen custard flavours Eye of the Tiger (vanilla custard with lychee, raspberry and shortbread) and Open Sesame (vanilla custard with black sesame paste, Plain Vanilla brownies and black sesame seeds).
Shake Shack, #01-01, 89 Neil Road, Singapore 088849
Cheers to mid-week madness
Raise a glass to hump day with a view at The Pelican, where ladies can take advantage of $8 happy hour drinks. Choose from the likes of sangria, prosecco, bellini or aperol spritz, and kick back at the alfresco area with waterfront views.
The Pelican’s Don’t Miss Wednesday, every Wednesday, 5pm – 7pm, #01-01, One Fullerton, 1 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049213
