Photo: Gallery Children’s Biennale
Cover Photo: Gallery Children’s Biennale

From eco-conscious campaigns to musical theatre performances to Disney pop-ups, the month of November has a diverse line-up of events that will let you discover the city in the best way possible

With the Covid-19 restrictions in Singapore constantly fluctuating, we understand how everyone may be feeling a little lost these days. But you don't have to be down for long because this month, Singapore has an exciting line-up of events that will get you out of the house and explore the local cultural spaces around the city this festive season while abiding by restrictions.

Read more: Dior Launches Cafe Inspired By Cruise 2022 Collection at Fullerton Bay Hotel

With events that range from theatre performances to immersive exhibitions to showcases celebrating Deepavali and Indian arts, there is much to do around the city if you are looking for some inspiration as you adjust to the increased restrictions on social gatherings and dining out again.

The Necessary Stage is presenting a restaging of their original production at the Esplanade Recital Studio, while Ion Orchard launches its first eco-conscious campaign.

We round up some of the best happenings around the city.

1. The Necessary Stage’s ________ Can Change

Tatler Asia
Photo: The Necessary Stage
Above Photo: The Necessary Stage

What Pronounced as ‘blank can change’, The Necessary Stage production is a restaging of their original production which was last staged in 2010. Directed by Alvin Tan and scripted by Haresh Sharma, the unabashedly provocative work features three short plays—Indians Can Change, Homosexuals Can Change and Marxists Can Change. Brand new cast members like Karen Tan, Joshua Lim, Masturah Oli and Tan Guo Lian Sutton are introduced, and the production will be staged at Esplanade Recital Studio. Audience members can look forward to a refreshed look in the coming staging, with lighting design and set coordination by Liu Yong Huay Faith, multimedia design by Jevon Chandra, and costumes by Max Tan. 

When November 10 to 14

Find out more here

2. Ion Orchard’s Eco-Conscious Campaign

Tatler Asia
Photo: L'occitane
Above Photo: L’occitane

What A leader in encouraging sustainable retail, Ion Orchard has launched its first mall-wide eco-conscious campaign that brings shoppers and brands alike on a path towards a greener future. For a limited period of time, the mall is introducing a special eco rewards programme known as Green Points, where shoppers will be rewarded for their sustainable efforts. For the mall-wide eco-conscious campaign, Ion Orchard has joined forces with its variety of world-class brands across F&B, designer products, and apparel such as Monica Vinader and L'occitane to reward Ion+ Rewards members who purchase green collections and adopt green dining practices within the mall.

When October 1 to December 31

Find out more here

In case you missed it: Ion Orchard Rewards Shoppers With New Eco-Conscious Campaign: 5 Brands to Look Out For

3. Space Furniture

Tatler Asia
Photo: Space Furniture
Above Photo: Space Furniture

What Despite the current Covid-19 restrictions, many of us are still looking forward to sprucing up our homes for small Christmas gatherings or just to brighten our spaces in time for the festive season. If you are looking for gorgeous and luxurious pieces, Space Furniture  is currently having a 60 per cent sale on leading designer furniture brands such as Arflex, B&B Italia, Flos, Kartell, Maxalto, Poliform, Sp01 and more. If you are an Innerspace member, you will also save a further five per cent on already reduced items. You can choose to do your shopping in-store or online.

When October 25 to November 14

Find out more here

4. Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration in Singapore

Tatler Asia
Photo: Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration in Singapore
Above Photo: Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration in Singapore

What The Kingsmen Exhibits, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia, and the Singapore Tourism Board are bringing you the international debut of Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration in Singapore this month. This whimsically immersive exhibition will feature seven imaginatively-themed experiences, each paying homage to iconic moments such as Steamboat Willie and Fantasia. You can lounge on a giant Minnie Mouse Bow Sofa in Mickey and Minnie's Love room, travel through a mystical tunnel and be transported to Sorcerer Mickey's Magic room and celebrate all things Singapore in the Mickey Loves Singapore thematic room!

When November 19 onwards

Find out more here

5. Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts

Tatler Asia
Photo: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts
Above Photo: Kalaa Utsavam – Indian Festival of Arts

What This year, the Esplanade is hosting Kalaa Utsavam’s 20th year of championing the Indian arts. As the first Indian arts festival with a multi-genre focus in Southeast Asia, the festival has sought to be a catalyst for the Indian arts in Singapore, by developing and supporting the creations of homegrown artists. Continuing in this direction, this year’s edition features a breadth of newly produced Singapore works. Bringing together artistic teams from all over the world, the festival will feature renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar and acclaimed singer Shankar Mahadevan for the first time in a digital commission that will showcase international artists in Kalaa Utsavam, despite current travel restrictions.

When November 19 to 28

Find out more here

Don’t miss: Diwali 2021: 4 Things to Know About the Festival of Lights

6. Passages

Tatler Asia
Photo: Passages
Above Photo: Passages

What The School of the Arts Studio Theatre in Singapore is bringing you Passages—the company’s annual contemporary season staged in an intimate black box theatre. The performance will feature works by choreographers Janek Schergen, Nils Christe, Toru Shimazaki and Rachel Lum. Immerse yourself in their contemporary season staged in an intimate setting, where creativity and inspiration hold no boundaries. Be enthralled by the contemplative Meditation by Janek Schergen, the Mysterious Zer0 by Rachel Lum, the dynamic Unexpected B by Toru Shimazaki and the energetic Zin! by Nils Christe. Make sure to secure your tickets early as they're selling fast.

When November 5 to 7

Find out more here

7. Grains of Glory – The Best of Musicals

Tatler Asia
Photo: Grains of Glory
Above Photo: Grains of Glory

What Escape into the world of musicals once again in a first of its kind concert, Grains of Glory—The Best of Musicals by Base Entertainment Asia where live sand drawings, singing and instrumentals all come together. A display of Singapore’s finest opposite talents attracting on the Sands Theatre stage, watch international sand artist Lawrence Koh use his sand drawings to recreate scenes in the best of soundtracks from nine musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Anastasia as they are performed by Soprano Moira Loh’s enchanting singing and acclaimed violinist Seah Huan Yuh’s mastery play supported by a string quartet.

When November 19 to 20, 7.30pm

Find out more here

Read more: Bollywood’s First Broadway Musical Set to Premiere in 2022

8. Jasso Pinnacle Concert 2021: Le Grand Jazz – A Celebration of the Music of Michel Legrand and Beyond

Tatler Asia
Photo: JASSO Pinnacle Concert 2021
Above Photo: Jasso Pinnacle Concert 2021

What The Jazz Association (Singapore) is presenting Jasso Pinnacle Concert 2021: Le Grand Jazz - A Celebration of the Music of Michel Legrand and Beyond in conjunction with the 2021 Voilah France Singapore Festival. Taking place at Capitol Theatre and live-streamed to Sistic Live, the concert pays tribute to the late great composer, arranger, jazz pianist, and conductor Michel Legrand. Led by Music Director Jeremy Monteiro with Associate Music Director Weixiang Tan, French musicians, trumpeter Nicolas Folmer and saxophonist Sylvain Beuf, will perform virtually with the Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra onstage, alongside Singapore-based vocalists, Richard Jackson and Maya Raisha. 

When November 5, 8pm

Find out more here

9. Arts in Your Neighbourhood

Tatler Asia
Photo: Arts in Your Neighbourhood
Above Photo: Arts in Your Neighbourhood

What This month, the National Arts Council commemorates 30 years of arts and culture together with artists and residents, and celebrate the extraordinary spaces and stories of Bukit Merah, Jurong, Marine Parade, Serangoon and Tampines through a medley of physical and online arts programmes! The event brings enriching arts experiences to your doorstep, for you to enjoy the arts together with your family and friends from wherever you are. Featuring a total of 20 exciting programmes by a diverse group of artists, arts organisations and community partners, the showcase brings to life the colourful stories of these neighbourhoods through visual arts installations, art trails and virtual art experiences.

When November 11 to 28

Find out more here

Don't miss: Home Tour: A Chinese Art Collector’s Colourful Penthouse in Singapore

10. Dalam Southeast Asia’s The Tailors and the Mannequins: Chen Cheng Mei and You Khin exhibition

Tatler Asia
Photo: Dalam Southeast Asia
Above Photo: Dalam Southeast Asia

What The first-ever Project Space that features under-studied artists from the region and innovative curatorial approaches in the presentation of Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art, Dalam Southeast Asia is launching its debut show, The Tailors and the Mannequins: Chen Cheng Mei and You Khin. A majority of the artworks in Dalam Southeast Asia exhibitions will be drawn from the National Collection as well, including many never-before-seen recent acquisitions and donations. As the first exhibition to be held in this project space, the show focuses on artists Chen Cheng Mei and You Khin, both of whom are outliers in most accounts of art in Singapore, Cambodia, and Southeast Asia.

When October 29 to April 10

Find out more here

11. Cartier Tank Experience at Malmaison by The Hour Glass

Tatler Asia
Photo: Cartier Tank Experience at Malmaison by The Hour Glass
Above Photo: Cartier Tank Experience at Malmaison by The Hour Glass

What Cartier is partnering with The Hour Glass to pay tribute to the iconic Cartier Tank with an immersive pop-in at Malmaison by The Hour Glass, Singapore. For the very first time in Asia, the Cartier Tank Experience will feature a sophisticated strap bar, allowing one to customise his/her Tank Must creation. Inspired by the design of a combat vehicle viewed from above, the Cartier Tank watch follows one clear graphics principle: the brancards were the treads, the case was the turret. To discover the Tank watch design in its entirety, the Cartier Tank Experience aims to bring one on a cultural journey via multiple touchpoints.

When October 27 to December 5

Find out more here

In case you missed it: Timothée Chalamet Is Cartier’s New Friend Of The House

12. STPI Annual Friends Fundraiser 2021: Online Silent Auction

Tatler Asia
Above "Life is Elsewhere 24" by Yanyun Chen

What Collaborating closely with Singapore-based artists, STPI’s silent auction will feature close to 15 diverse artworks and experiences, generously donated by artists and galleries including Gajah Gallery (Singapore/Yogyakarta), Mizuma Gallery (New York/Singapore/Tokyo) and Yavuz Gallery (Singapore/Sydney). Jim Amberson and Lourdes Samson, both prominent collectors of Southeast Asian contemporary art, will also bring two intimate and unique auction experiences.

When November 1 to 30

Find out more here

13. Singapore Clay Festival ’21

Tatler Asia
Photo: Singapore Clay Festival ‘21
Above Photo: Singapore Clay Festival ’21

What This month, Singapore will host its first pottery festival. The multi-event community celebration will bring together more than 130 potters from 57 studios in a family-friendly and diverse programme that includes 4 exhibitions, 10 workshops for adults and children, and 65 market tables for visitors to admire and purchase a wide range of creative clay works. Organised by Goh Eck Kheng (Festival Director), Seah Tzi-Yan (Festival Curator), and Wendy Cheong (Festival Organiser), Singapore Clay Festival ’21 will take place at Enabling Village, Singapore’s inclusivity hotspot in Redhill. 

When November 19 to 29

Find out more here

Read more: Home Tour: A Minimalist House with Calming Clay Walls

14. Baybeats 2021

Tatler Asia
Photo: Baybeats 2021
Above Photo: Baybeats 2021

What This month, the Esplanade is hosting Baybeats 2021—a concert that honours the alternative and indie bands of our generation and region. The show will feature some of the most iconic Singapore bands who have performed in past editions. At a time when the previously vibrant underground music scene has suffered from the closure of many iconic venues, the Annexe Studio will be used for collaborative presentations with indie organisers, labels and presenters. As with past editions, Baybeats continues to cast a spotlight on younger bands making a name for themselves, through livestreamed performances.

When November 4 to 7

Find out more here

15. Celebrate Deepavali 2021: Learn the Art of Indian Traditional Flower Tying & Kolam Painting Workshop

Tatler Asia
Photo: Prashant Gupta / Unsplash
Above Photo: Prashant Gupta / Unsplash

What Celebrate Deepavali this season by learning some traditional customs surrounding the ancient holiday. Flower garlands play an integral role in Indian culture, often as a sign of blessing and honour or as religious offerings. Learn more about the use of different types of flowers in Indian customs through a fresh flower display and enjoy making your own string of flowers with the National Heritage Board. Take time to also learn about how to do Kolam painting, which means “beauty” in Tamil and also known as Rangoli. It is a floor drawing artwork made with coloured flour that adorns the entryways of homes during Deepavali or other celebratory festivals.

When November 6

Find out more here

Don't miss: Deepavali 2021: 5 Luxurious Indian Menus to Try in Singapore

16. Gallery Children’s Biennale

Tatler Asia
Photo: Gallery Children’s Biennale
Above Photo: Gallery Children’s Biennale

What The National Gallery Singapore is inviting children to embark on an inspiring multi-sensory experience as they explore the nine on-site installation that complement the digital artworks first presented on the Biennale’s microsite. Guided by the inquiry “Why Art Matters”, the artists seek to convey the importance of art during the unsettling times of the pandemic through their artworks, which explore themes of Home, Diversity, Environment and Time in an easy-to-understand manner for children. Visitors are invited to walk through a larger-than-life installation reminiscent of a city, catch life-sized backgrounds that transport them into an other-worldly space, journey the landscapes of Cambodia, unlock stories submitted by children from all over the world, and many more!

When November 6 onwards

Find out more here

17. The Waste Refinery exhibition

Tatler Asia
Photo: The Waste Refinery
Above Photo: The Waste Refinery

What Located at the National Design Centre and curated by award-winning creative agency Kinetic Singapore, this exhibition seeks to reframe waste as a starting point and an abundant resource, to be rebirthed into beautiful and useful objects. The show will see used tyres, metal mining residue, construction waste and plastic bottles take on a second life as useful products such as sustainable footwear, table tennis bats, children’s clothes, chairs, paint pigments and more. Featured exhibitors include British fash-tech studio Petit Pli, beloved local second-hand furniture store Hock Siong, homegrown homeware label LAAT and the students of WeiBensee Academy of Art Berlin.

When November 6 to January 16

Find out more here

 

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