From The Straits Times    |

Image: Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committe

Party away

1. HIT THE DANCE FLOOR

Party people, take note. Zouk has your schedule planned, beginning tonight.

Kicking things off is Dutch DJ Dash Berlin, who will serve up electronic dance music tonight.

Tomorrow, home-grown talent Myrne, who scored a contract with American superstar producer Diplo’s label, will be helming the decks at Velvet Underground’s new series, Audible Visions.

Take a breather on Sunday before returning to the dance floor on Monday, when resident DJs Ghetto and Matthew will be in the house.

Where: 17 Jiak Kim Street

When: Till Monday, except for Sunday

Admission: For tonight’s event, $40 for advance ticket and $45 for event-day ticket; $28 for women and $33 for men tomorrow and on Monday (includes two drinks)

Info: zoukclub.com

2. CELEBRATE BOB MARLEY’S BIRTHDAY

Party tonight by celebrating the late reggae legend Bob Marley’s birthday at hip-hop and R&B club Refuge. Resident DJs Nez and Submerge will be joined by DJ Rumshot and singer Masia One from Singapura Dub Club.

There will also be an artist market on the rooftop selling reggae vinyls and handmade crafts, alongside Jamaican jerk chicken.

Where: Refuge, 79 Circular Road

When: Tonight, 10pm till late

Admission: RSVP for free entry before midnight at rsvpd.co/e/192770. Otherwise, pay $15 at the door (includes one drink)

Info: www.facebook.com/refugesg/

3. PAY TRIBUTE TO DAVID BOWIE

Gallery-cafe Artistry is hosting a tribute to the late rock icon David Bowie as part of ConTribute, a regular series where Singapore- based singers play covers.

Shepherd’s pie ($10 a portion) will be served as it is believed to have been Bowie’s favourite food.

Where: Artistry, 17 Jalan Pinang

When: Tomorrow, 8pm till midnight

Admission: Free

Info: www.facebook.com/artistryspace/

4. GO TO THE SORRYNOTSORRY POOL PARTY

For this poolside party, organisers DJ management agency Eyes To The Front and hip-hop nightlife brand Please Don’t Tell have come up with a diverse music playlist ranging from house and trance to reggae and hip-hop.

Five DJs of varying styles will be spinning the decks, including nightclub Kyo’s resident DJ Haan and DJ JNR from the Matteblacc crew.

Where: Hi-So rooftop bar, Sofitel So Singapore, 35 Robinson Road

When: Tomorrow, 2 to 11pm

Admission: $10 (with a free drink before 4pm)

Info: www.facebook.com/events/1179779712037373/

Soak up the festive atmosphere

5. CATCH FIREWORKS AT RIVER HONGBAO

This year’s River Hongbao will be a flashier affair, with fireworks at 9pm on all nine nights, accompanied by lasers, flames and music.

The carnival atmosphere will be heightened by a variety of performances, a photo exhibition looking back at past editions of the festival and more than 30 amusement rides including one with animatronic walking dinosaurs.

Where: The Float @ Marina Bay

When: Tomorrow to Feb 14

Admission: Free

Info: www.riverhongbao.sg

6. COUNT DOWN TO CHINESE NEW YEAR

Usher in the Year of the Monkey in the heart of Chinatown on Sunday evening.

A countdown party will be hosted by Mediacorp artists such as Kym Ng and Pornsak Prajakwit, featuring Chinese dance performances, skits and interactive games with the audience. The celebrations will culminate in a dazzling display of fireworks.

Where: New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street

When: Sunday, 10pm to midnight

Admission: Free

Info: chinatownfestivals.sg

7. SHOP AT FESTIVE STREET BAZAAR AND CARNIVAL

Do some last-minute Chinese New Year shopping and take in the festive vibe at the festive street bazaar and carnival in Chinatown.

There are 440 stalls selling a wide range of traditional and modern items, from festive cookies and preserved fruits to potted plants and clothing.

Prices are often slashed the closer it gets to the last day of the year, so if you can bear the crowds and are looking for bargains, go on Sunday.

Make a pit stop at the Kreta Ayer Square nearby, where nightly shows, ranging from cultural dance performances to magic and ventriloquy acts, will be staged.

Where: The street bazaar is along Pagoda, Smith, Sago, Temple and Trengganu streets, while the carnival takes place at the open space in front of People’s Park Complex. The nightly stage shows are at Kreta Ayer Square.

When: Till Sunday, the bazaar runs from 6 to 10.30pm daily except for Chinese New Year’s Eve when it will be extended till 1am. The carnival runs from 11am to 10.30pm daily. Stage shows are from 8 to 10.30pm daily.

Admission: Free

Info: chinatownfestivals.sg

Family fun

8. MONKEY AROUND AT WILDLIFE PARKS

Head to the Singapore Zoo to catch monkeys in action, including breeds such as the endangered golden-headed lion tamarins and Javan langurs.

In keeping with the festive mood, they will be given treats such as oranges and nuts.

Residents at the other three wildlife parks – Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and River Safari – will be celebrating too. Be entertained by giant pandas as they enjoy treats from larger-than-life hongbao at the River Safari or look out for a yellow-naped Amazon parrot that will be wishing lucky visitors “gong xi fa cai” at the bird park. Where: All four wildlife parks

When: Tomorrow till Tuesday

Admission: Starts from $18 for a child (aged three to 12) and $28 an adult. Package deals available. Book tickets online as a high volume of visitors is expected.

Info: wildcny.sg

9. VISIT THE MUSEUMS

Some National Heritage Board museums will be offering visitors free admission on Monday and Tuesday, along with Chinese New Year-themed exhibitions.

At the Singapore Philatelic Museum, learn about monkeys through stamps. At the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, check out a Chinese zodiac exhibition. And, customise your own spring couplets at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Where: Singapore Philatelic Museum, 23B Coleman Street

When: 10am to 7pm daily except for Sunday (10am to 6pm)

Admission: Free for Singapore citizens and permanent residents; other visitors pay $6 (adult) and $4 (child aged three to 12) on weekend, free admission on Monday and Tuesday

Info: www.spm.org.sg

Where: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Road

When: 10am to 5pm daily, closed on Sunday

Admission: Free for Singapore citizens and permanent residents. Other visitors pay $4 (adult) and $2 (child aged six to 12 and senior citizen aged 60 and above) on Saturday, free admission on Monday and Tuesday

Info: sysnmh.org.sg

Where: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place

When: Special Chinese New Year edition of Saturdays@ACM tomorrow, 1 to 5pm

Admission: Free

Info: acm.org.sg

10. WATCH AN UNDERWATER DRAGON DANCE

Bored of lion dances? Head to the S.E.A Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa and marvel at an underwater dragon dance, which is performed daily by divers.

Go on the Trail Of Fortune afterwards, a themed zone where visitors can uncover fun facts about festive customs and symbols.

Round up the day by popping over to Universal Studios Singapore, which is decked out in the celebratory colours of spring. You can take photographs with characters such as the Minions and Elmo dressed in festive outfits.

Where: S.E.A Aquarium and Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway

When: Till Feb 22, 10am to 7pm daily; USS is open till 9pm from Feb 6 to 13

Admission: S.E.A Aquarium, $28 (Singapore resident), $32 (adult), $22 (child aged four to 12 and senior citizens aged 60 and above); Universal Studios Singapore, $74 (adult), $54 (child), $36 (senior citizen)

Info: www.rwsentosa.com

11. SPRINGTIME LOVING AT SENTOSA

Sentosa is celebrating two special events this month – Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day.

At the Merlion Plaza, there is a lantern display to resemble a family of monkeys. Further down is the Union Of Love light display and Prosperity Bridge framed by arches of lantern and cherry blossoms.

From tomorrow till Tuesday, visitors can try traditional activities such as calligraphy, paper-cutting and lantern-making.

Where: Various locations on Sentosa

When: Till Feb 14

Admission: Standard entrance fees apply to certain locations

Info: www.sentosa.com.sg/en/febspringtime

12. THINK WITH YOUR HANDS AT SCIENCE CENTRE

Get your hands dirty at The Tinkering Studio, a new space at the Science Centre Singapore that is dedicated to learning through creative experimentation. It features hands-on exhibits and activities.

For example, the Marble Machine allows visitors to take control of how marbles move across a wall of pegs.

The Wind Table demonstrates how to make objects fly using kinetic wind energy.

Where: Hall E, Science Centre Singapore, 15 Science Centre Road

When: 10am to 6pm daily

Admission: Singaporeans and permanent residents – $6 (adult), $4 (child aged three to 12 and senior citizen aged 60 and above). Other visitors – $12 (adult and senior citizen), $8 (child)

Info: www.science.edu.sg/exhibitions/Pages/Tinkering Studio.aspx

13. JOURNEY TO THE WEST

Inspired by the Chinese classical tale Journey To The West, Gardens by the Bay has created its newest floral display, Dahlia Dreams.

Walk through a beautiful landscape of about 200 cultivars of dahlias, begonias and other flowers against the backdrop of a 7m-tall mountain, bringing to mind the flowers and fruit mountain where the Monkey King was said to be born in the novel.  

Capture a festive wefie with one of six monkey- shaped topiaries made of airplants and the dried leaves of the breadfruit tree, or a family of driftwood monkey sculptures.

Where: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive

When: Till Feb 28, 9am to 9pm daily

Admission: Singaporeans, permanent residents and those living in Singapore, $12 (adult), $8 (senior citizen/child aged between three and 12), free for children aged below three; standard (includes entry to Cloud Forest), $28 (adult/senior citizen) and $15 (child)

Info: www.gardensbythebay.com.sg

14. COME TOGETHER AT THE ESPLANADE

As part of the Esplanade’s free programming this month, two bands or artists of different genres will perform together and explore new melodies. Up-and-coming composer Bennett Bay, who is gaining exposure for his instrumental compositions, will team up with sultry- voiced singer- songwriter Linying; while father and daughter Mel and Gabrielle Ferdinands (both above) will share the stage and perform songs by groups such as The Carpenters and The Beatles.

On Monday and Tuesday, musicians from home-grown Intune Music School will sing original compositions, mostly in Mandarin, and cover popular songs by Singapore artists such as Stefanie Sun and Tanya Chua.

Where: Esplanade Concourse and Outdoor Theatre, 1 Esplanade Drive

When: Till Feb 29, various times in the evening

Admission: Free

Info: www.esplanade.com/free

For Super Bowl fans

Die-hard American football fans will be waking up early on Monday, not to prepare for a busy day of Chinese New Year visiting, but to catch the biggest American sporting event – the Super Bowl 50.

At least five restaurants and bars will be screening the event live.

F&B establishments such as Brewerkz, Dallas Restaurant & Bar and Smokey’s BBQ American Smokehouse & Grill will open their doors early, offering breakfast items and beer at special prices.

The match between Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers kicks off at 7.30am Singapore time.

15. BREWERKZ

What: Two packages are available. The non-alcoholic one at $50++ includes a brunch item, and free-flow chips, sodas, drip-brewed coffee and tea. The $55++ package comes with these and a pint of Brewerkz handcrafted beer.

Happy hour starts early and beers will be served throughout the game till 3pm. Prices start from $6++.

Where: Brewerkz Riverside Point, Riverside Point, 301 Merchant Road

When: 6am

Info: Limited seating, so book a seat at buytickets.at/menupteltd1/41125. Go to www.brewerkz.com

16. CHILI’S SINGAPORE

What: The breakfast buffet ($30++) includes breakfast tacos, applewood smoked bacon and buttermilk pancakes. Wash them down with a one-for-one happy- hour promotion for drinks including a pint of beer ($14.50); Bloody Mary or Bloody Caesar ($9.90) cocktails; or a glass of margarita ($16.50). The promotion will run from 6.30am till halftime.

Where: 02-23 Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road

When: 6.30am

Info: Call 6733-3317 or make reservations at chilis.sg/reservations. Go to www.facebook.com/ChilisSingapore

17. DALLAS RESTAURANT & BAR

What: Super Bowl fans who rally together at least nine others will get either a free San Miguel or Stella Artois beer tower, or a platter of chicken wings. Chomp on breakfast items such as bacon and egg rolls, or additional items including nachos and quesadillas.

Where: 31 Boat Quay and 03-302 Suntec-City Sky Garden, 3 Temasek Boulevard

When: Doors open at 6.30am, breakfast service starts at 7am

Info: For bookings, call 9665-2705 (Boat Quay) or 9673-2012 (Suntec Sky Garden), or e-mail sales@dallas.sg. Go to www.facebook.com/dallas.sg

18. DAN RYAN’S CHICAGO GRILL

What: The breakfast menu ($26++) consists of either mushroom and cheese omelette or scrambled eggs with a choice of bacon, ham or sausage. Both will be served with potatoes, toast and pancakes, with orange juice and tea or coffee.

The Carlsberg Green Label and mini Bloody Mary will be on offer at $6++. The a la carte drinks menu will be available too.

Where: B1-01 Tanglin Place, 91 Tanglin Road

When: 6am

Info: Call 6738-2800 to make reservations or go to www.facebook.com/danryans.sg

19. SMOKEY’S BBQ AMERICAN SMOKEHOUSE & GRILL

What: The breakfast buffet ($30) consists of Belgian waffles, egg/spinach/potato hash, homemade pork sausage patties and a a pint of housepour beer, Bloody Mary or Mimosa cocktail.

Starters from the restaurant’s menu will be available too. If you are not eating, you can still reserve a seat for $15.

Where: 32 South Buona Vista and 73 Joo Chiat Place

When: 7am till end of game

Info: Call 6872-6857 (South Buona Vista) or 6345-6914 (Joo Chiat) or e-mail contactus@smokeysbbq. com.sg to reserve a seat. Go to www.facebook.com/SmokeysBBQ.SG

 

A version of this story was originally published in The Straits Times on February 5, 2016. For more stories like this, head to www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle.