24.7 C
Singapore
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Home Blog Page 228

LeVeL33

Perched up 33 levels high, the microbrewery’s unique views are this restaurant’s drawcard. With a new menu, executive chef Jimi Tegerdine has shaken up European grub a little bit.

The pork hock sitting on the Celeriac Taco ($18) is made with the in-house India Pale Ale and hay reduction, combined butternut slaw, a sweet chili sauce made with LeVeL33’s blond lager and crumbled bits of red Leicester cheese – don’t attempt to eat the crispy celeriac taco skins with cutlery.

Fans of beetroot will have a vegetarian treat with Beetroot ($19.50). Sitting with some crispy ice plant, goat curd and dill pesto is a medley of seven different beetroot creations, from pickled slices to sorbet – the latter I never thought would be nice until now.

The Pig & Snail ($26.50), a crumbed sous-vide Ibérico jowl and cheek, has a soft outside crunch, an almost French rillettes consistency inside, and escargot on top that could be mistaken for a garlic mushroom. Pair it with the 33.4 House Porter for a smooth, malty match.

LeVeL33
#33-01 Marina Bay Financial Centre
Tower 1, 8 Marina Blvd
Tel 6834 3133
level33.com.sg

Hopful Artists

Singapore’s latest microbreweries are brewing all sorts of suds under the radar of the bigger labels, Gerard Ward says.

The 1925 Microbrewery & Restaurant

369 Jalan Besar, 208997
6294 9215
the1925.com.sg

Jalan Besar is fast becoming the chic area for cafes and eateries, though it’s the microbrewery at the edge of Jalan Besar that’s got the perfect microbrewery atmosphere – with fermenter tanks out in the open, bare concrete walls, yellow hue from the handmade lightbulbs and a big bar.

The BLK 6.22 dark ale has a delicious caramel malt taste, and surprisingly easy to drink for a dark beer. Ordering the medley of fries – a wooden cutting board of seaweed-seasoned, paprika-seasoned and other spice-seasoned fries, with a curry sauce and a truffle aïoli sauce on the side – brought out some interesting flavours from the dark beer.

The General ginger beer is fiery, sweet, refreshing and light. The teriyaki chicken burger – minus the skin that we peeled off because the medley of fries is guilt enough – is delicious with the ginger ale, with a juicy breast, tomato slice, lettuce and homemade teriyaki sauce.

Not only do they brew their own beers, but they also import the likes of Deschutes, Modern Times and Brewdog beers on tap.

Blue Bali

House 1D Cluny Road, 259600
6733 0185
bluebali.sg

Who would’ve thought there’d be beer brewing right in the middle of the Singapore Botanic Gardens? The Balinese garden-slash-restaurant, which with its incense and collection of statues and furniture feels like Bali, brews its own beer for diners and those renting the space out for events. ‘We are actually a nano brewery,’ owner and managing director of Blue Bali Robin Greatbatch says.

With 100-litre fermenters on site, the restaurant brews its beers on site. Because the choice of craft beer in Singapore was very limited, when a brewmaster approached Robin, it seemed like the perfect reason to start brewing their own.

Since 2012, the nano brewery has created almost 30 different beers for clients and parties – with variations ranging from a honey, basil and ginger ale to a porter refined with Indonesian luwak coffee.

The four beers on the menu currently are all aimed to refresh. The Pink Mamba, a German wheat beer infused with red dragon fruit, is sweet, light, and most likely the choice for those who aren’t sure about which beer to start with.

The Bali Gold, a pumpkin golden ale, is the restaurant’s winner as a refreshing, smooth and not too carbonated beer.

The Doshi India Pale Ale, made with Zeus hops, is not too strong, going great with some of the golden-crusted vegetable samosas and tangy lemon sauce on the tapas menu.

The honey, basil and ginger-flavoured Bali Dreaming ale is also soft, slightly sweet and lightly carbonated.

The wine list is quite big as well, with plenty of New Zealand white wines to sip on while hiding from the sun.

The RawR Kitchen

31 Bukit Batok Crescent, #02-01 The Splendour, 658070
9026 0249
facebook.com/therawrkitchen
It’s in no way an obvious entrance to the Bukit Batok bistro – heading down a car ramp and up an elevator beside the Kotoshi Ryori restaurant – The RawR Kitchen is quite a find for beer lovers.

Home of the drinks that you’d find in the OnTap Fresh Brew Craft Beer outlets out in Chinatown Complex and Newton Circus, the eatery’s Western grub can be paired with, or has been made with, OnTap beers.

Serving 11 beers is no easy task for a microbrewery – including a pilsner, English bitter, stout, dunkel, sweet ciders, and a hoppy IPA. The seasonal beer, a sweet and alcoholic root beer, became so popular that it’s become a mainstay. ‘I think if we took it off the taps our customers would kill us,’ Kelvin Yeo, founder of The RawR Kitchen, laughs.

Having only been around for just over a year, OnTap Brewery’s wheat beer – a refreshing weizen with a citrus twist – won silver at this year’s Asia Beer Awards. Like any recipe however, it’s already evolved to more vanilla-centric notes.

The food menu, as with the drinks, is made with no preservatives, MSG or additives. The beer’s lack of stabilisers – the stuff that keeps bottled beer tasting the same over time – avoids that awful hangover one feels in the morning. The 2-hour beer buffet ($35 nett) on Friday night and during the weekend lets patrons sample as many of the 11 beers on tap – with reservations recommended during peak hours – so the lack of hangover and incredibly low price is tantalising.

The portable 2L keg is the neat addition. While not bottled, the beer can be taken home in 2L pre-gassed kegs. It’s not cheap, with the parts to build the takeaway beer pricey as heck at around $250, but Kelvin keeps the pricing reasonable. If you buy the canister part, he’ll knock $35 off the price. The kegs can then be reused.

Ding Dong

The inventive Southeast Asian restaurant gets a new location and some bright décor.

Shuffling not only its location, but its décor too, the oriental-themed restaurant that is inspired by modern takes on Southeast Asian dishes opens its doors in the busy Amoy Street.

The colours are what grab your attention once you enter the restaurant; adorning the walls are brightly coloured posters of classic films, product advertisements and more – varying from Bing Crosby’s Road to Singapore to old-school travel posters about Thailand.

The menu offers a bit of cold and a bit of hot, with the choice to ask the chef to ‘feed you’ – head chef Jet Lo will pick out a selection of dishes to share with friends.

The first to come was a Hokkaido scallop tartare ($19), filled with coconut, pickled ginger and sea grape – and shaped like a kueh pie tee cup from your local hawker – is made with the same crunchy biscuit roll as the love letters you find during Chinese New Year.

Grab a plate of the ayam masak merah ($22), a chicken breast with cucumber salad, homemade onion chips and an onion puree that I’d never had before, but wanted more of.

The overnight-cured chargrill New Zealand ocean trout ($24) is meaty, fresh, and zesty. The spiced quinoa brightened the usually bland starch, along with a slightly sweet green mango salad.

The Umami ($20), a Bloody Mary with a bloody good kick of Sichuan pepper, chilli and tamarind, spruced up a recipe that most tipplers associate with hangovers.

Slushing things up, the Ding Dong Daiquiri ($18) is a white rum-based slushy, with cherry eau de vie, raspberry, lychee and lime – all served in a plastic takeaway cup and bright pink straw.

A hard hitter, a cup of Monkeys Run ($20) goes into a banana, pimento and egg white drink with dark rum and angostura bitters to warm the chest.

Pouring dried ice-like sago on top of the Ding Dong mango foam sorbet ($15) and pomelo pieces is a visual treat, showing us that there’s a new twist to the ol’ mango dessert that we know of.

Ding Dong
115 Amoy Street, 069935
6557 0189
dingdong.com.sg

Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe

Raelene Tan finds a good chicken chop in a bike-themed cafe.

Photo Courtesy Lauren Tan

Far-flung and therefore good for a cycling outing, the unique café is located along the perimeter of Seletar Airport, by the control tower – a great place to gaze at parked private jets.

With al fresco and air conditioned areas for about 80 diners, Soek (speed) Seng (success) began in 1954 as a high end car restorer by current owner Poon Kng Joo’s father. Bicycles entered due to his personal interest and subsequently the Bicycle Café opened in November 2015. Affable ‘Uncle Joo’ is well-known in the art world and his creativity can be seen in the artwork on tabletops, walls and in the many bicycle parts that decorate the café, including a hanging light fitting derived from a wheel. As he said when we chatted one balmy evening, ‘The bicycle frame is my canvas.’

The compact menu features sirloin steak, tasty chicken chop ($8.50), popular fish and chips ($10.80), beef rendang ($8.20), filling Japanese katsu don ($6) and gyu don among other items, as well as cakes and ice-cream.

Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafe
80 Seletar Aerospace View, #01-01
MAJ Aviation Building
Tel 6659 6124
facebook.com/soekseng1954bicyclecafe

Help Available for Those Struggling with ADHD symptoms or Memory Challenges!

Do you or your child:

  • Seem not to listen to instructions
  • Is easily distracted
  • After two instructions already forgets the first one
  • Has difficulty starting with a task
  • Often asks “What do I have to do?”
  • Stops with a task that is halfway done
  • Usually the last one to finish a task
  • Find that memory is deteriorating

If you answer Yes to any of the questions, it is likely that you are having challenges in Working Memory.

There is now a new program that address these challenges, Cogmed Working Memory Training®. Cogmed Working Memory Training® is a computer-based intervention that is aimed at improving working memory. Working memory is the cognitive function responsible for keeping information in your mind, manipulating it, and using it in your thinking. This training is suitable for children and adults struggling with ADHD or ADHD-like symptoms, learning difficulties, cognitive deficiency, memory deterioration, stroke and brain injuries. The standard Cogmed training consists of 25 training sessions done online, each 30-45 minutes long, for five weeks with five sessions every week. Variations to that protocol are also available with different versions for toddlers, school-aged children and adults. Each session consists of a selection of various tasks that target the different aspects of working memory. The training is done online at home, in school, or at work. Cogmed uses a coach-driven model. The online reporting system allows you to track your or your child’s performance on Cogmed anytime you want. You can look at the Cogmed Progress Indicator (CPI) to see your or your child’s success in the areas of working memory, following instructions, and mathematics. Plus, your personal Cogmed coach will check in weekly to make sure you are on track.

In more than 50 published, peer-reviewed studies done on Cogmed indicated that the training improves Working Memory for 8 out of 10 people. Cogmed delivers substantial and lasting results that have real-life applications. Many users tell us this often translates into better interpersonal relationships at home and school, improved performance, and more self-awareness and confidence.

If you are interested in Cogmed, you can go online to www.thecounsellingplace.com and book an initial session with Dr Marthe van der Donk. Dr. Marthe van der Donk is a Psychologist from the Netherlands. She has a Doctorate degree in Developmental Psychology and specialises in children, adolescents, and adults who struggle with cognitive problems such as staying focused, planning and organizing or working memory failure. She is the only certified Cogmed coach in Singapore. In this initial session, she will conduct a short interview, do a quick assessment of their working memory and cognitive functioning, and give a demonstration of the program. We can then determine whether to proceed with the training.

Ms Ho Shee Wai
Director/Registered Psychologist
The Counselling Place
www.thecounsellingplace.com

Staring is Caring

There’s a whole lot more museums in town than you realise, Gerard Ward finds.

When it comes to museums in Singapore, it’s usually the biggest few that get talked about the most. While they are amazing examples of awe-inspiring architecture, it’s not necessarily the size of a museum that defines its greatness. We’ve collected a handful of museums around town that vary in size, but all demonstrate Singapore’s love for celebrating its past, and understanding its future.

The Big Ones

National Museum of Singapore

93 Stamford Road, 178897
6332 3659
nationalmuseum.sg
Singapore’s oldest museum has a lot of history behind it – it goes without saying. What better place to display a country’s rise to independence, this museum has exhibitions focusing on the key times of the Little Red Dot’s history – from the first 10 years since its independence in ‘We Built A Nation’ to the music, TV and theatre of self-expression in the 70s and 80s. The Stamford Road site wasn’t always its home; Bras Basah Road’s Singapore Library and Museum was the first iteration back in 1849. You’ll find the new, iconic building recently played a big part as a literal canvas for the Singapore Night Festival. There are free guided tours every day in English, Mandarin and Korean.
Admission: From $5-$10. Discounts for Singaporean citizens and PRs.

National Gallery Singapore

1 St. Andrew’s Road, 178957
6271 7000
nationalgallery.sg
Since it opened its doors again last November, the grandiose gallery has some stunning pieces of art to see. With the $532 million investment not only refurbishing the former Supreme Court Building to what it is today, but also helping house the largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian art in the world, there’s good reason to visit this time capsule of art. The two inaugural exhibitions, ‘Siapa Nama Kamu?’ and ‘Between Declarations and Dreams’ looking at Singaporean and Southeast Asian art respectively since the 19th Century. The same gallery has also brought in international contemporary art, and housed a Picasso once for ‘Reframing Modernism’.
Admission: From $15-$20. Free for Singaporean Citizens and PRs.

ArtScience Museum

10 Bayfront Avenue, 018956
6688 8888
marinabaysands.com/museum.html
From afar the building sitting beside the Marina Bay Sands resembles a massive hand with a big hole in the palm, but inside this museum is a celebration of art and science together. Whether it’s looking at how Dreamworks put together its blockbuster films, or how data is everywhere in the world, the museum aims to embrace the connection between the pursuit of knowledge, and the curiosity of the unknown. After hosting a multitude of travelling exhibitions, the museum’s first permanent exhibition, Future World, is a perfect example of how art and science can come together – with hands-on exhibits that are suited for young an old. There are plenty of short-term exhibitions running, with Dutch artist M.C. Escher’s love for mathematical precision on full display from 24 September.
Admission: From $10 to $30 (depending on the exhibition).

Asian Civilisations Museum

1 Empress Place, 179555
6332 7798
acm.org.sg
Looking at the significant changes of civilisations within Asia through religion, rule and heritage is a smorgasbord of fascinating tales. With incredible artefacts and collections spanning centuries – porcelain pieces as far back as the 800s in one exhibition – the museum by the Singapore River. The most recent exhibition – which ends this month – explores Christianity in Asia through various artworks across Asia.
Admission: From $10 to $15. Discounts for citizens and PRs.

Singapore Art Museum

71 Bras Basah Road, 189555
6589 9580
singaporeartmuseum.sg
Home to Singapore’s contemporary art exhibitions, events, workshops and talks. Neighbouring talent around Southeast Asia and beyond also get prominence in this 19th century mission school-turned-art museum. The most recent exhibitions have just finished up, but keep an eye out for the Singapore Biennale 2016 in October – a huge showcase of contemporary art from around Asia. Only 20 years old, Singapore’s first art museum is right in the centre of the surrounding visual and performing arts schools – like School of the Arts (SOTA) down the road, and LASALLE College of the Arts in Bugis.
Admission: From $5-$10. Discounts for Singaporean citizens and PRs. Free entry every Friday from 6-9pm.

Peranakan Museum

39 Armenian Street, 179941
6332 7591
peranakanmuseum.org.sg
Exploring the history of Peranakan – a word in Malay meaning ‘child of’ or ‘born of’– is to explore ethnic backgrounds of many. The museum looks at the culture behind the former Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca, and Penang – and the greater connection with other Southeast Asian communities – with a collection of textiles, furniture and jewellery. The museum’s current exhibition ‘Nyonya Needlework’ looks at the meticulously stitched wonders of silk, beads, gold and silver.
Admission: From $6-$10. Discounts forSingaporean citizens and PRs. 50{fad86f5e3336133246a213aa2a2588200b27e4ae08b3f6f25405093f2c4991ee} discount on Fridays from 7-9pm.

The Maritime Experiential Museum

8 Sentosa Gateway, 098269
6577 7515
rwsentosa.com
Marrying maritime history with interactive fun for kids, Sentosa’s interactive museum aims to do just that. With an educational look at Singapore’s past as a trading port, there’s life-sized replicas of Asian sailing vessels like the Jewel of Muscat, a 360-degree multimedia Typhoon Theatre, and plenty of archaeological finds.
Admission: From $15-$32. Discounts for Singaporean citizens and PRs.

The Smaller Ones


Image courtesy Greg Shand Architects.

Indian Heritage Centre

5 Campbell Lane, 209924
6291 1601
indianheritage.org.sg
The sheer complexity when it comes to the migrant history of Indians moving to Singapore means there’s a lot to learn. Luckily this beautifully constructed centre has managed to properly tell the story of the Indian community’s heritage.
Opening last year, the museum is broken into five sections, beginning from the early pre-colonial periods – where South Asians have long links through trade and religions – to the origins and movements from the 19th to 21st century. The gruelling journey to Singapore, then the acclimatising with local cultures, is chronicled in this passage through time. From the brightly coloured saris and gold necklaces of the 1900s to interactive games simulating Arab Street in the 1930s, you’ll be exposed to the many differences between North and South India and the influence Indians have made on Singapore.
Admission: From $2-$4. Free for Singaporeans and PRs.

Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

2 Conservatory Drive, 117377

6348 5555

lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg

This is where dinosaur bones live in Singapore – three 150-year-old diplodocids to be precise. Exploring the natural history of life – and in particular, the biodiversity of Southeast Asia – the two-floor museum has fifteen sections dedicated to the fauna of Earth. Look at the kinds of arthropods and amphibians that demonstrates Darwin’s theory of evolution. Nothing beats seeing the real thing, and fossils are cool to look at, no matter how old you are.
Admission: From $9-$21. Discounts for Singaporeans and PRs.

Singapore Philatelic Museum

23-B Coleman Street, 179807
6337 3888
spm.org.sg
A lot can be deducted from studying stamps. An absolutely necessary invention and the method of transporting everything from valuable information to your nanna’s knitted woollen socks, stamps tell stories about history, culture, technology. The museum’s Straits Settlements Collection has a full set of stamps from 1854 that were used back when Singapore was under the East India Company and under British Indian rule. Singapore’s philately is on proud display in the Room of Rarities, with stamps dating back to the 1800s.
Admission: From $4-$6. Free for Singaporean citizens and PRs.

Red Dot Design Museum

28 Maxwell Road, 069120
6327 8027
museum.red-dot.sg/maad/
Crushing the myth that Singapore isn’t creative, the iconic red building that was the former Singapore Traffic Police Headquarters is home to over 1,000 pieces of modern design. Art and design students should have a field trip here to look at trends in the industry. Check out one of the MAAD flea markets – on each month on a Friday night – where you’ll find unique creations from local artists and designers.
Admission: Free.

The Changi Museum

1000 Upper Changi Road North, 507707
6214 2451
changimuseum.sg
Dedicated to Singapore’s history during World War II, the museum highlights the significant events surrounding the Japanese Occupation. It’s not a large museum, but it doesn’t need to be – the poignant message about the horrors of war is there. With photographs, paintings and artefacts from former POWs – as well as a replica chapel – the museum is an insight to life during the occupation. The original museum was built back in 1988 next to Changi Prison, but was moved to a new site a kilometre away in 2001.
Admission: Free.

Mint Museum of Toys

26 Seah Street, 188382
6339 0660
emint.com
Ever tried to start your own toy collection? Many have, but with decades of toys to collect, the task is pretty daunting. Introducing what should really be called Nostalgia Tower, Mint (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) is five floors’ worth of glass units displaying toys in mint condition from the 19th and 20th Century – this isn’t a place for young kids to pick up and play. A tour guide is best to understand the significance of each collectable and trinket. Pop up to the top of the museum for Mr Punch Rooftop Bar for a view of the city – and a whole lot of enamel posters from yesteryear.
Admission: From $7.50-$15.

The Cat Museum

8 Purvis Street, 188587
6336 2133
thecatmuseum.com.sg
It’s a stretch to call this a ‘museum’ – it’s more of an adoption centre – but once you’ve reached the Kitten Zone, all is forgotten. On the first level, there are posters with a bit of history on cats, including paintings made by artists that are up for sale – with a couple of cats wandering around that you can pat. Above is a floor dedicated to adoptable cats and kittens, where visitors can hang out and see if one of them is a match. The top floor is home to the cross-eyed tabby mascot Harry.
Admission: $9. Children below 6 are free.

Melbourne Specialist International School Art Exhibition and Fundraiser

A Friday to remember: If you are a big fan of art and socialising. Plus you like to help out raising funds for something worthwhile, then the event for you is just around the corner.

On Friday 23rd September 2016 between 6pm and 9pm Melbourne Specialist International School are holding their annual art exhibition at ReDot Fine Art Gallery, Old Hill Street Police Station. Everybody is welcome to attend.

Melbourne Specialist International School (MSIS) partners with a truly unique school in Melbourne, Australia called Port Phillip Specialist School to collaboratively meet the needs of their students with special needs. Situated in the Loewen Cluster in the Dempsey area of Singapore, MSIS offers a unique and innovative model for teaching students with intellectual and multiple disabilities.

The evening will include an auction of artwork from artists within Singapore who have kindly donated their artwork, there are some fantastic raffle prizes up for grabs and guests will be entertained by dancing and piano performance by students. Not only that but there will be some delicious food and drink at this wonderful event.

Each year the MSIS school community comes together to showcase the student’s excellent artwork to raise funds for the school. The funds raised by the Parent Association will be used to improve the common areas at the school to support the children with various disabilities.

Giorgio Pillar from ReDot Fine Art Gallery is an advocate for Melbourne Specialist International School and kindly offered to host the first Art Exhibition at his private gallery. Giorgio is the founder of ReDot Fine Art Gallery which he opened in 2004. This gallery specializes in displaying a wide range of Aboriginal art.

The students have also created soft sculptures that are part of this exhibition which will also be sold during this event.

With regards to the artistic origins of these masterpieces, Giorgio and his team at ReDot Fine Art Gallery have educated the children on the background to the sculptures they have made.

Australian Aboriginal artists have used an art practice initiative that uses recycled woollen blankets dyed in the art centres with local plants, and even rusted metal found in and around the outback to make soft sculptures. The sculptures range from small standing figures or spirits, insects and reptiles, to slightly larger animals such as camels and birds. Embellished with brightly coloured hand embroidery and sometimes feathers or beads, they exude a unique quirkiness which is their trademark feature.

Using the artistic influences they learned about, the students started to work on their own individual project for this exhibition. Each sculpture represents the child’s personal horoscope zodiac, which they personally assembled. Their tenacity and skill are clearly visible in each finished sculpture.

View the invitation

Experiential Learning – actively connecting with the world around us

Experiential learning is a process which results in greater student engagement and, whilst most educational pedagogies allow for some exposure to experiential learning, approaches which fully integrate these experiences within academics deliver greater opportunities for student leadership, enriched learning and improved academic performance. GEMS World Academy (Singapore) embraces the notion of experiential learning to provide students with connections to a range of learning opportunities to create experiences which are relevant, interesting and absorbing.

All students in the school take part in the GEMS World Academy (Singapore) Experiential Learning Programme, with targeted programmes providing differentiation across all grade levels. In the Secondary Years (Grades 6 through to 10) students have recently visited locations in Australia and Northern Thailand in addition to engaging in experiential learning activities based here is Singapore.

Australia provided Grade 6 students with authentic opportunities to experience Aboriginal culture and visit Australia Zoo to learn about wildlife preservation and conservation. Students developed awareness of environmental challenges through the study of coastal dunes and engaged in tree planting to protect the Australian shoreline from erosion. Students in Grades 7 – 10 travelled to Thailand to support the local community through building fish farms, improving conditions in a local school and preparing fields for planting to support food production for the local community.

Singapore based activities engaged students with environmental considerations, encouraging students to develop a deeper connection with the local area, appreciate the pressures we place on the environment around us and develop solutions to some of the challenges we face as a nation.

Further to supporting academics, all experiences develop long-term connections between the students and the world around them, engaging them in participation to continue developing involvement and interaction with their surroundings, whether local, regional or global.

Additionally, experiential learning fosters the development of communication and social skills through team work, independence and challenge, with students at GEMS World Academy (Singapore) making significant developments in these areas as a result of the programmes they are involved in.

A key aspect of all experiential learning programmes is that of reflection which links experiences clearly back to areas of the curriculum adding value to learning opportunities, academic progress and personal development. This ensures that the activities enhance learning whilst also facilitating effective community participation for all of our students.

Author: Mark Gardner is the MYP and IGCSE Coordinator at GEMS World Academy (Singapore). He has worked in education for 20 years with roles in the Middle East and United Kingdom.

Top 5 Art Cafes

  

museo

Quayside Isle #01-22 , 31 Ocean Way
Tel: 6734 8066
mu-se-o.com (checked on 8 June 2018 and no longer answers)

With unlimited paint, the restaurant on the isle gives free reign on artists who visit. Take a print-out suggestion of what to paint, or conjure something up on your own.

cups n canvas

139 Selegie Road
Tel: 6884 6855
cupsncanvas.com

The café-slash-art studio combines making art and drinking coffee – with some pastas and desserts. Join a guided art painting class on the weekend to try your hand at making your own masterpiece.

arteastiq

Mandarin Gallery #04-14/15, 333A Orchard Road
Tel: 6235 8705
arteastiq.com

Two of the Victorian teahouse-designed cafes – Mandarin Gallery and Plaza Singapura – have art jams. One session includes a free canvas, a specialty tea and unlimited acrylic paint.

my art space

Istana Park, 31 Orchard Road
Tel: 6222 1662
myartspace.com.sg

Meet likeminded people in a calm environment. Kids and adults can come together for a couple hours – with no experience necessary – then grab a meal from the café’s Western menu.

artify studio

Textile Centre #09-03, 200 Jalan Sultan
Tel: 9011 1431
artifystudio.com

Bring in your own coffee and get to work making your own work of art. The studio’s ‘Art Jam with a Social Cause’ provides all the gear, and helps raise funds for charity.

Interview with singer Estelle

The British singer with a voice that has fit every genre is going to be in town for the Singapore Grand Prix, performing at the Podium Lounge weekend party. She gave us a quick moment in the weeks leading up to her performance to chat.

You were here in Singapore a couple of years ago. Did you get to see much when you were in town?
I’ve been to Singapore three times. I love the city; it’s almost like a tropical England in the best way.

Is there anything you’re looking forward to checking out when you’re back here?
The markets are always a good time for me.

What tends to be your favourite venue to perform – large and loud, or small and intimate?
I don’t mind the audience size, as long as they have fun.

People have said your career has been pretty intense since you took that leap to approach Kanye in person all that time ago about your music. What was going in your head at the time, and how did you convince yourself to go for it?
I’ve never been scared, and I had a career in the UK of my own doing prior to meeting Kanye – so when I met him with the knowledge that he worked with a then talented singer John Legend, it was a no-brainer.

When do you find the best times to write lyrics to songs? Are they a slow process most of the time, or better when it’s a bit more raw and at once?
Songs and lyrics come whenever. Depends on what I’m around and what I’m being motivated by. There’s no particular time.

Have there been any new styles of music that you’ve been tempted to try out?
All of my albums and song collections are pretty eclectic. There isn’t a sound I haven’t done at some point in my career already.

How is it to also be a voice actor for the Steven Universe cartoon? Do you record with any of the other actors at the same time?
Steven Universe is an awesome opportunity. Garnet is a character that was essentially created for me, and I relate to the idea of taking care of people. Sometimes we record together…sometimes separate.

Estelle is performing on Sunday 18 September at Podium Lounge as part of the Singapore Grand Prix.

1...227228229...259Page 228 of 259
© Copyright 2017-2024 - ANZA