Audience: Family

CROSSINGS – A Play Dark And Bold Enough For A Different Kind Of Valentine’s Day

Happy and in love, Danielle and Chris are just about to tie the knot. But within their picture-perfect relationship lie a train-wreck of betrayal and abuse.

As the champagne gets warm and the cake waits to be cut, the couple is forced to deal with the choices they made in the past, the emotional entanglements of the present and the uncertainty of the future.

Boy, if this isn’t the perfect play to catch this Valentine’s Day.

Bold, dark and funny, Crossings will be the first public performance staged by the new young & W!LD cohort this year.

Consisting of two plays The Mother, The Son and the Holy Ghost and Arbitrio, Crossings follows characters who have arrived at critical crossroads in their lives. They will be making choices that will impact their lives forever.

A brainchild by the eight members of young & W!LD, the final scripts of both plays in Crossings were put together by programme director Rodney Oliveriro. A theatre performer, he has been involved in more than fifty productions.

“Just like these troubled characters, we all have to live with the decisions we make and their consequences,” explains Oliveriro.

In anticipation of Crossings, we had a quick chat with the casts of both plays, to find out more about the inventive and thought-provoking plays.

We spoke to Jasmine Blundell, Sharmaine Goh and Krish Natarajan.

CAST INTRODUCTION

Jasmine Blundell as Vix in The Mother, The Son and the Holy Ghost

An actor, musician, teacher and instant noodle-eater, Jasmine graduated from East 15 Acting School, specialising in World Performance – an eclectic blend of conventional and unconventional theatre traditions.

Sharmaine Goh as Danielle in Arbitrio

Currently pursuing her course in Arts and Theatre Management in Republic Polytechnic, Sharmaine is a raging cat lady who likes to, in her spare time, color and of course, pet cats.

Krish Natarajan as Chris in Arbitrio

Presently in LASALLE, Krish has always been into everything art and theatre. From Drama Club in his primary school to enrolling in SOTA when he was 12 years old, Krish practically is the theatre bug.

1. Hey guys, let’s take this from the top – what got you into theatre?

Jasmine: I can’t say I was bitten by the theatre bug. Rather, I was devoured by it. It started from a morbid theatre piece back in junior college. Our group had created a rather solemn, hyper-realistic piece about a suicide pact.  The emotional and physical toil really broke through during that performance and the feeling was indescribable. The unexpected pursuit of theatre began shortly after as I decided to take it more seriously.

Sharmaine: I’ve always loved performing! As a child I would always sing, dance and act in front of my family (and I still do). But I think it’s the connections that an actor makes with an audience that keeps my passion alive. I just love how theatre has its own unique way of challenging, comforting and entertaining people.

Krish: I’ve always been into theatre. My father was a source of influence, he brought me to shows. But I think I knew it was what I wanted to do after playing Hamlet in SOTA. I did a terrible job and I made a promise to myself to one day do Hamlet well and kill it.

2. Could you tell us more about the premise of your respective plays and character?

Jasmine: The Mother, The Son and the Holy Ghost is a… realistically surrreal one. The situations and problems presented are surreal, but the way we’ve presented it is in a rather ‘realistic’ way. It’s about a trio of characters who all have their own agendas. It’s also a tribute to people who try their best to ‘fix’ situations but end up making it worse. The play is an oxymoron – real, fast but slow. Vix is self-absorbed, rude, trigger-happy, slightly deluded and vocal in many ways.

Sharmaine: Arbitrio revolves around the choices that we make in life, especially when we reach a crossroad. Danielle has to choose between a lover and her husband. We see how much or little influence external factors have on her decision making process. Danielle is quite a ‘cookie cutter’ type of woman. There is an innocence to her and the situations in the play she ends up in will push her out of her comfort zone.

Krish: Chris is a traditional, good-hearted man. He is a bit of a tech nerd although he doesn’t exactly love his job. And Chris has a bit of a temper and can be rather impulsive.

3. What are the main challenges in bringing your characters to life?

Jasmine: Vix is quite young in the play – something I struggle to experiment with because I am an old soul.  Perhaps the most common thing we have is that we’re both fast-talking, naive girls who want to believe in the good in people. She fights for social justice (or rather her own brand of social justice). Unlike her, I’m naturally not good at confrontations. So tapping into almost what seems like an alter-ego is exciting but scary.

Sharmaine: One of my biggest challenges is to get rid of my personal habits when acting, as well as to be more sensitive and attentive to my co-actors when rehearsing.

4. Sharmaine and Krish, we understand you’ve previously worked with each other in When S#!t Hits The Fam. Who do you think has a tougher time portraying the character?

Sharmaine: It’s always a challenge portraying a character. I can’t compare and say whose is tougher but we definitely have our own sets of challenges.

Krish: I think that’s a very difficult question because both our characters have their respective challenges. They both go through things that Sharmaine and I have not exactly experienced personally, so it’s certainly challenging to truthfully portray their plights. And of course the characters aren’t quite different from who we are as people! But if I had to answer the question I would say me cause Sharm is great.

5. What sort of audience is going to love the play and what do you think is going to surprise them the most?

Jasmine: Let’s see. Audiences who love a good laugh, maybe a little cry from time to time, the old, the milennials – basically anyone who loves a good, side-splitting, emotion-worthy, unlikely-friendship story. There’s something in it for everyone, and I’m very sure you’ll leave feeling just a tinge-bit more sorrowful.

Sharmaine: We experimented a lot with this piece, so there definitely will be a lot of unexpected scenarios in this play. I can’t say much or it would’t be a surprise anymore, but there will be many.

Can’t wait to catch Crossings now that you’ve heard from the cast themselves? Or if you’re struggling for ideas for this Valentine’s Day, this may be the ticket to your solution. Pun intended.

CROSSINGS
Devised by the young & W!LD Company, written by Rodney Oliveiro
Venue: Centre 42, Black Box, 42 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187951
Show Dates: 15 – 19 February 2017, 8pm on all days, 3pm on Saturday & Sunday
Ticket Price: $30; $25 for students, NSFs and senior citizens
Get your tickets All images are courtesy of W!ld Rice unless otherwise stated.

Also, read 12 Valentine’s Day Date Experiences That Don’t Involve Dinners And Movies

These Homes In Singapore Are Indisputably The Gems Of Singapore Property

There is a saying that home is the person or place you want to return to over and over again.

In a land-scarce city like Singapore, home comes in a the form of a HDB flat, condominium or for some, landed property or perhaps even a bungalow.

However, did you know that Singapore is also home to some of the most breathtakingly-huge and rare houses?

Here are three of these stately residences that are indisputably the gems of Singapore property.

1. The Screen House – K2LD Architects

Situated just beside the zigzag house in Singapore is this unique contemporary residence, also known as The Screen House.

The striking features of the house are the use of various geometrical elements: a linear block and a curvilinear pavilion that is elevated above the prevailing shared gardens.

The use of parallel lines and smooth textures around the house creates the illusion of wide and comfortable spaces.

Additionally, the use of timber screens along the linear block allows the rooms to breathe while providing the necessary privacy for the homeowners.

The architectural element that clearly stands out is the curved pavilion located midway between the house.

Likewise, the use of wooden panels reflects the strategy of blending in with nature as it overlooks that trees and garden in the property.

Given the structure and location of the curved pavilion, the swimming pool takes a unique shape, maximising the available space.

Given that most of the living quarters and swimming pool are somewhat reclined deep within the landscape of the house, it has been dubbed as achieving the act of “disappearance”, by providing privacy to both the homeowners and their neighbours.

2. JKC2 House – ONG&ONG Pte Ltd

Luxury is clearly evident in every part of this house, which also known as JKC2 House by ONG&ONG Pte Ltd. Despite its rather lacklustre name, the luxurious residence in Bukit Timah comprises of three structures that border a spacious courtyard.

Given the humid weather of Singapore’s climate, the upper pods open up to the pools below to create a feeling of vastness. Furthermore, the house’s unique structure demanded painstaking attention to every detail.

Every single piece of tile, glass and aluminium padding has to follow a certain template and was all custom-made. Additionally, the curvilinear staircase was laser-cut from thick pieces of steel, welded together and hand-polished.

This unique house clearly reflects the seamless integration of defined geometries and fluid lines and curves.

Final thoughts

These houses are undeniably the gems of Singapore property. Each of these stately residences is clearly the pinnacle of living. Imagine extravagant living spaces coupled with expansive open spaces and natural surrounding greenery.

(Header image credit: 9 Legit & Totally Gorgeous Airbnb Places In Singapore That Are Worth Every Cent

Forget Hotel Staycays, R&R At These 9 Local Airbnb Spots Instead – And They Are #HouseGoals

Planning a staycation or just like looking at beautifully designed houses? Whether you are looking for a mad pretty apartment to stay in, a place for a family vacation, or even a luxurious space for a company retreat, this is the article to read. Here at Discover SG, we’ve compiled a super list of 9 amazing local Airbnb places to rent in Singapore!

1. Huge Loft at Bukit Batok

This loft at Bukit Batok is not your conventional Airbnb. It was previously an office space that was revamped into a rental home.

Don’t expect your usual overnight rental though, this place charges by hour blocks.

Fully equipped with all forms of entertainment, you can always be sure that your guests will never be bored.

This loft has a foosball table, pool table, large screen projector, dartboard, PS 4, Xbox Kinect, DJ console, KTV set and even a functional bar counter.

Loud noises and music are actually permitted here, which is definitely great for parties and events. There is even a bedroom on the second floor. The only downside of this place is that it may be a little hard to find, so do make sure to get clear directions from the host!

Book at: Loft at Bukit Batok
Location: 10 minute bus ride from Bukit Batok MRT
Price: $450 for 5 hours, $650 for 8 hours (Weekdays)/ $850 for 8 hours, $1100 for 12 hours (Weekends)
Cleaning Fee: $80
Minimum Stay: 5 hours

2. Decadent Pool Villa in Tiong Bahru

Thought private pool villas can only be found in Bali? Think again.

This beautiful villa is located at Tiong Bahru and comes complete with its own private pool as well as sunbathing deck.

With high ceilings and minimal furnishing, this place is clean, airy and spacious.

At a little over $300 a night, this villa is really a steal for a large family.

Book at: Decadent Pool Villa
Location: Within walking distance of Outram Park MRT and Tiong Bahru MRT
Price: $316 per night
Minimum Stay: 2 nights

3. Three-bedroom FERRETTI 630 YACHT

Fancy living it up in the middle of the sea and enjoying the waves?

With a deck that gives you a bird’s eye view of the sea, you will see that Singapore’s scenery is actually quite awesome.

As it goes, yacht rentals are expensive but worth every penny. Imagine the stories you can tell from hosting a yacht party!

This yacht has 3 bedrooms and can house up to 16 people, which makes it perfect for a short family holiday or a party with friends.

If you are up for an adventure in the sea and do not want to settle for a cruise, this yacht might just be what you need.

Book at: Ferretti 630 Yacht
Price: $1299 per night
Cleaning Fee: $200
Minimum Stay: 1 night

4. Apartment Near Orchard Road

This modern double storey house is like a huge luxury hotel.

However, it comes at only a fraction of the price of a luxury hotel, and has a lot more space to boot.

Besides the awesome location behind Paragon Shopping Centre, this Airbnb’s furnishing and decor will leave jaws hanging.

With plenty of good reviews from previous inhabitants, you can be assured of quality service and an awesome stay.

Book at: Orchard Road Apartment
Location: 2 minute walk to Orchard Road
Price: $899 per night
Cleaning Fee: $200
Minimum Stay: 3 nights

5. Singapore Hobby Studio

An ideal place for parties and events, this place does not even come equipped with your usual bedrooms or even a bed.

There are, however, many coaches and bean bags for you to rest on.

This office-like space has almost all forms of entertainment. It has a pool table, a Playstation loaded with games and also many different board and card games. There are multiple TV screens and even a wide screen projector.

Just a short walk away from the Alexandra IKEA building, you do not have to worry about being hungry as there are plenty of food options around the area.

Image credit: AirbnbIf a fun night of games and activities is what you want, this could just be the place for you.

Book at: Singapore Hobby Studio
Location: 5-7 minute walk from Alexandra IKEA
Price: $800 per night
Minimum Stay: 1 night

6. Designer Apartment near Orchard

This apartment has a live-in helper to maintain its cleanliness. She sleeps in a room separate from the main home to afford residents their privacy.

Daily breakfast is cooked by the helper, which may be convenient for you if you are staying with a big family.

Do note that this apartment is an extremely popular place that is often fully booked, so do try to book this place way in advance!

Book at: Orchard Designer Apartment
Location: 5 minute walk to Farrer Road MRT
Price: $601 per night
Minimum Stay: 3 nights

7. CBD Penthouse with Private Pool

Here’s another house with a private pool! This time though, the pool is a lot bigger and it is also open air.

Located on the second floor of the penthouse, the pool is surrounded by many lounging chairs for suntanning purposes. It also boasts breathtaking views from its balcony.

The interior of the house is very well received by guests, with many lauding its cleanliness as well as furnishing that were well maintained.

Book at: CBD Penthouse
Location: Near Chinatown MRT (5 minute walk)
Price: $589 per night
Cleaning Fee: $80
Minimum Stay: 2 nights

8. Central Business District (CBD) Skyline Loft

This skyline loft is located in the Central Business District (CBD) area overlooks a gorgeous view of the cityscape.

With full length windows, the highlight of this loft is definitely the scenic views you can admire from anywhere in the home.

The master bedroom is also designed such that you are able to enjoy the view from the bed.

The downside of this place is that it requires a minimum stay of 7 nights. That being said, it didn’t deter us from featuring this pretty home that costs less than $300 a night!

Book at: CBD Skyline Loft
Location: Near Tanjong Pagar MRT (3 minute walk)
Price: $250 per night
Cleaning Fee: $80
Minimum Stay: 7 nights

9. Modern Asian Designer Terrace in Central Singapore

This is not your regular and affordable Airbnb, because it’s stunningly gorgeous.

If you’re organising an event or are ready to splurge some company cash on a team retreat, this will be the perfect house.

There is a private elevated infinity pool on the second floor, 3 bedrooms, and tons of mad pretty furnishing.

For slightly more than a thousand bucks a night, you get a huge and well equipped house with an enormous collection of books to feed your hungry soul. Best of all, these books are free of charge! Sounds like a built-in home library?

Each bedroom looks like it was ripped right out from a resort, with balconies that offer beautiful views as well.

Book at: Modern Designer Terrace
Location: Serangoon (within walking distance of Lorong Chuan MRT)
Price: $1249 per night
Cleaning Fee: $180
Minimum Stay: 2 nights

This list contains just some of the beautiful homes that owners rent out in Singapore. Depending on your budget and reason for stay in a local Airbnb, we guarantee that there are many more of such gems in Singapore just waiting to be discovered.

Sometimes, to satisfy that #wanderlust, you don’t even have to leave shore. Just look around you, and you will find that there are many homes you can stay in that will make you feel like you’re on a holiday.

Disclaimer: All prices and surcharge fees are correct at time of publication.

Also, read You Wouldn’t Believe That These Opulent Homes Exist In Singapore

10 Fantastic And Cannot Miss Activities To Kick Off Your February [1-15 Feb]

It is February already?! So, it seems like we’ve dived into the second month of the year. If you’re getting post Chinese New Year holiday blues, don’t fret! There’s still a ton of things to do in Singapore this month, and we’ve covered some of the most unmissable ones for you.

Whether you’re a cultural guru looking for your next immersive experience, an art fanatic hunting down new (and free) exhibitions, a cafe hopper, or self-confessed compulsive shopper–there’s definitely something for you.

February is also the month of love, so why not grab that special someone and try something new together! There’ll surely be lots of great memories to make.

Here’s a calendar of 10 fantastic and cannot miss activities to keep you occupied this February 1st to 15th!

Play & Discover

1. Chingay Parade

To continue ringing in the Lunar New Year, Singapore’s favourite annual Chingay Parade is back.

Themed ‘Singapore’s Soundwaves Chingay, We Care Singapore’, this year’s parade promises two nights of vibrant floats, dancing dragons, prancing lions, stilt walkers, wushu masters and performers of varying ages, races, religions, and groups.

This year’s edition, the 45th, includes especial highlights: from fresh pyrotechnics and fireworks displays, to classic sing-alongs to Singaporean “Xinyao” music. The brilliant noise and gaiety even stretches from the main parade site all the way to the heartlands.

This national event is also the largest street performance and float parade in Asia–certainly something not to be missed!

Catch a glimpse of this treasured event where age, race, language and creed hold no barriers.

Chingay Parade
Where: F1 Pit Building, next to Singapore Flyer
Date: 10-11 February 2017
Time: 8pm, pre-parade @ 7pm
Tickets: $50-60 (Cat 1), $40-50 (Cat 2), $28.50 (Cat 3)
Tel: 6348 5555
Email: [email protected]
Website

2. Thaipusam Festival

On the full moon day of the Tamil month, Hindus will celebrate the Thaipusam thanksgiving festival.

In Singapore, thousands of devotees fulfil their vows through a 4km walk between two temples.

Come immerse yourself in this exciting and culturally-rich atmosphere–that sees devotees have their flesh pinched, pulled and pierced, all whilst carrying the weight of 30kg kavadi structures–and learn more about the Hindu culture.

The large, colourful annual procession that anchors this religious festival is sure to tantalise. But it’s the devotees’ faithful strength, perseverance and dedication to perform the exceptional that will wow you.

Thaipusam Festival
Venue: Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple
Address: 397 Serangoon Road Singapore 218123
Date: 9 February 2017
Time: 6.30am-noon, 6-9pm
Tel: 6728 5711
This one’s for the Studio Ghibli fans! A collection of original production celluloids from director Hayao Miyazaki has been released and is now on display at Polar Bear Gallery.

My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke and Laputa: Castle in the Sky… Come and see how the most breathtaking scenes from your favourite Studio Ghibli films are painstakingly drawn by hand, and melded together frame by frame.

[caption id="attachment_22046" align="aligncenter" width="990"] Image credit: Studio Ghibli[/caption]

Today, Studio Ghibli remains the most successful ex-hollywood animation production studio in the world. Why not come discover the magic behind it all? The Polar Bear Gallery also contributes 10% of their annual income to protect the environment through related groups.

Studio Ghibli Production Cel
Venue: Polar Bear Gallery
Address: 69A Haji Lane Singapore 189262
When: Friday-Saturday 12pm to 8pm; Sunday 12pm to 6pm
Price: Free
The Chinese New Year festivities never quite end do they?

Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts is an annual cultural festival at the Esplanade Theatres. It is introduced for the new year, with a vibrant mix of both local and international artists.

[caption id="attachment_22055" align="aligncenter" width="1140"] Image credit: Esplanade[/caption]

Traditional, contemporary, mainstream and cutting edge Chinese artists congregate in this festival to showcase their works.

Performances to look out for include the Chinese version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, the cool street dancers of Cloud Gate 2, and Singapore’s very own Offending the Audience play.

A bright array of theatre, dance, music, workshops, and talks will give you a taste of the most dynamic forms of Chinese artistic expression. Be prepared to be inspired and touched through this diverse showcase of programmes (some are free!).

Huayi Festival of the Arts
Venue: The Esplanade
Address: 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Tel: 6828 8377

Eat

5. The Summerhouse

Want a taste of the idyllic English countryside without having to travel?

The Summerhouse is a newly opened restaurant, cafe, garden, and bar tucked away amongst the conserved colonial bungalows at Seletar Aerospace.

The chill vibe of this food sanctuary will give you quiet time with your loved ones.

[caption id="attachment_22053" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Image credit: Singapore Brides[/caption]

This unique farm to table destination sees the freshest food sourced from a farming collective of Singaporean and Malaysian growers, as well as a Singapore kelong, and garnish harvested from the inhouse edible garden.

While you’re there, you must try the buckwheat porridge with bacon bits, Parmesan crisp, Chinese spinach and pumpkin and sunflower seeds ($16), and the raspberry pickled beetroot with ricotta cheese ($18).

Specially for this Valentine’s day, there’s even a ‘Wildseed Tea Party’ happening from 10 to 12 & 14 February.

The Summerhouse
Where: The Oval @ Seletar Aerospace Park
Address: 3 Park Lane, Singapore 798387
Open:
The Summerhouse Dining Room
Wednesday-Saturday 6pm to 10pm
Sunday 6pm to 9pm

Wildseed Cafe & Poppy Flora Studio
Tuesday-Friday 10am to 7pm
Saturday-Sunday 9am to 7pm

Wildseed Bar
Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday 4pm to 10pm
Friday-Saturday 4pm to 11pm
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Tel: 6262 1063
Facebook

6. The Garage

Just a stone’s throw away from Botanic Gardens MRT Station is The Garage, a two-storey colonial house now home to two dining concepts: Bee’s Knees and Botanico.

By day, Bee’s Knees serves hearty pizza, pasta, sandwiches, desserts, and coffee on the first floor.

Once night falls, Botanico, on the second floor, dishes out delicious, beautifully plated dishes in a gorgeous setting.

For tea break, you should try the Banoffee Tart ($7) made from banana, cream and toffee. And for dinner, the juicy and crisp Chargrilled Iberico Pork Belly ($26) steals the show for many customers.

Whether you’re stopping by for a bite from your stroll along Botanic Gardens’ walking trail, or paying a special visit, The Garage is surely the place to dine. After all, it is surrounded by lush greenery, and flora and fauna.

The Garage
Where: 50 Cluny Park Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 257488
Open:
Bee’s Knees
Tuesday-Sunday 10am to 6pm

Botanico
Wednesday-Sunday 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 6264 7978 / 9831 1106
Email: [email protected]
For some good old comfort food, slip into One Night Only, the newest cheekily named joint that serves timeless and classic American diner food.

Its blue brick walls, diner booths, warm mood lighting, and cosy and personable service is sure to teleport you to an out-of-this-country experience.

[caption id="attachment_22051" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Image credit: Daniel Food Diary[/caption]

While you’re there, the Buttermilk Fried Chicken ($19.50) is a sure bet, though the Maple Bacon Pancakes ($16.50), Brioche French Toast, Nashville Hot Chicken ($21), and Grilled Maine Lobster are signatures too.

Choose from a selection of sides including fries, baked beans, and creamed corn to complete a hearty American meal right here in Singapore.

One Night Only
Address: 397 River Valley Road, Singapore 248292
Tel: +65 6235 1248
Open: 12pm to 10pm (Tues – Fri), 9am – 10pm (Sat, Sun, PH), Closed Mon

8. Platform 1094

Potterheads rejoice! A new Harry Potter-themed cafe named Platform 1094 has magically sprouted up just 10 minutes away from Boon Keng MRT.

With wizard themed starters, main dishes, desserts and cocktails, it’ll certainly be a spell-binding dining experience like no other.

[caption id="attachment_22048" align="aligncenter" width="625"] Image credit: Lonely Planet[/caption]

Signature dishes include the tender Pesto Mayo Pork Ribs ($22), Suhnitzel Sous-vide Duck Breast ($19), the mystical Bloodberry ($18) for desert. And of course, you have the try the Goblet of Fire ($15), an enchanting mixture that actually comes aflame.

Platform 1904, together with its homey food, wood panelled and brick interior, warm lighting, and themed decorations, is sure to grant you a truly immersive, magical, and Instagram-friendly experience.

Platform 1094
Address: 1094 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328192
Open: Tuesday-Friday 11am to 10pm; Saturday-Sunday 10am-11pm; closed on Monday
Tel: 6204 6003
Facebook

Shop

9. Market Of Artists And Designers (MAAD)

One Friday night of each month, the Red Dot Design Museum Singapore hosts a creative platform, the Market of Artists And Designers (MAAD).

MAAD is the largest recurring creative marketplace (a step up from your usual flea market) in Singapore.

Promoting design and originality, MAAD serves as a space for budding and veteran artists alike to showcase their works. Expect a vibrant mish mash of creatives and live music from home grown bands. You can also get your portrait drawn at #PortraitsAfterDark.

Join in for a night of pop-ups, inspiring design, originality, creativity, and late night shopping!

Market Of Artists And Designers (MAAD)
Venue: Red Dot Design Museum Singapore
Address: 28 Maxwell Road, Ground Floor, Red Dot Traffic Building, 069120
Date: 10 February 2017
Time: 5pm to 12am
is returning to SOTA again this February!

Indulge your inner shopaholic here as there are plenty of artisanal goodness you can’t find in mainstream shops.

[caption id="attachment_22049" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Image credit: Makers’ Market[/caption]

Expect hand woven bags and pouches, special Valentine’s Day terrariums, hand crafted jewellery, personalised gifts, and even active gear! The one thing in common? They’re all super artsy–sure to impress even the most aesthetically-inclined.

SOTA Maker’s Parade
Venue: SOTA, School of the Arts, Level 1
Address: 1 Zubir Said Drive, 227968
Date & Time: 10 February 3pm to 9pm; 11 February 2017 12pm to 9pm
Email: [email protected]
Facebook

Just looking at this line-up of exciting events, newest food havens, and shopping districts is enough to have us all raring to start the new month! After all, it’s the new spring season even here in Singapore’s perpetual summer, and that means going out and trying new things.

Whether you have someone special to spend this Valentine’s Day with, or just want to hang out with your loved ones, checking out these activities and food places together will surely make it a month to remember.

Keep the good vibes from January going by cruising through these easy breezy activities. Have fun!

Also, read Seletar Aerospace Is Where The Hipsters Are Now Hanging Out At

Discover SG Ambassador Highlights #6 – Pizza Party, An Acai Date, Food Tastings & More!

With the first month of 2017 coming to an end, Discover SG has been bustling with activity more than ever! Here, we bring you our monthly round-up of what our Discover SG ambassadors have been up to. This month’s highlights were full of new yummy eats.

1. Alt. Pizza

Craving your next pizza fix but sick of the standard flavours? Look no further.

Alt. Pizza is a contemporary pizza bar serving an all-star selection of pizzas at honest prices. Their famous “Design-It-Yourself” option allows for over 650,000 unique pizza combinations for the perfect pizza.

Alt. Pizza very kindly hosted Discover SG Ambassadors to a pizza party. Our ambassadors Clare, Kimberley, Jia Min, Shivon and Jie Ying headed to Robertson Quay. They got to try delectable sides, craft beers, and had a go at designing (and eating) their own pizza creations!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPM50qUA92P/

They were impressed from the get go with the mouth-watering Nutella dip donut balls as starter. Still, the Signature Truffle Shuffle pizza stole the night as everyone’s all-round favourite dish.

Alt. pizza uses only the freshest ingredients: dough made daily from French and Italian sourced flour, and an elite sauce pressed from vine-ripened tomatoes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPKf-ylAnjp/

Each pizza is built to order from scratch and fire-baked in less than 90 seconds to lock in natural flavours. Top it all off with Alt.’s wide range of award-winning artisan craft beers and you’ll be happily stuffed to your toes!

To get a $15 voucher for your first purchase, download the new Alt. Pizza Mobile App. Robertson Quayside, 01-05, 60 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238252
Open: Sunday 11am to 10pm, Tuesday-Thursday 5pm to 10pm, Friday 5pm to 11pm, Saturday 11am to 11pm
Phone: 6733 0490

Suntec City, 01-602 Suntec City Tower 4, Next To Taxi Stand, Singapore 038983
Open: Sunday-Thursday 11am to 10pm, Friday & Saturday: 11am to 11pm
Phone: 6836 9207
Michelin-starred Mak’s Noodle launched a “The Bigger The Better” new menu for Chinese New Year. It’s only available in Singapore! In case you missed it, here it is.

[caption id="attachment_22000" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Image credit: Mak’s Noodle[/caption]

Feeling hungry yet? The five new dishes contain specially handpicked ingredients. Think succulent shiitake mushrooms and juicy king prawns. 

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Our Discover SG Ambassador Jia Min loved the Abalone and Dumpling Tossed Noodle. Paired with Wonton Soup, she was left wanting for more.

No surprise there, seeing as Mak’s noodle holds the title for “Best Wonton Noodle in Hong Kong”.

While you’re there, be sure to stop by Hong Kong based Honolulu Café.

Renowned for its baked goods, it has recently launched its new Bean Curd Tarts. The silky smooth bean curd is made in-house from scratch, and encased in a buttery melt-in-mouth shortcrust pastry.

Mak’s Noodle
Open: 11am to 10pm

Centre Point, 176 Orchard Road, Centre Point, #01-63/64, Singapore 238843
Tel: 62355778
Email: [email protected]

Westgate, 3 Gateway Dr, #02-06 , Singapore 608532 Tel: 6250 3858
Email: [email protected]

Vivocity, 1 Harbourfront Walk #B2-27 & 27A Singapore 098585
Tel: 6358 2582
Email: [email protected]
Facebook

Honolulu Café
The Centrepoint #01-33F/G
Open: 11am to 10pm daily
Facebook
Instagram (Singapore)

3. Fratini La Trattoria Food Tasting

Always having trouble deciding what to order?

Fratini La Trattoria solves that problem for you. This No-Menu Concept Italian restaurant means you get to wait in anticipation while your meal is personally curated by the chef.

With decades of experience in Italian cuisine under their belts, the Chefs will bring your tastebuds through different generations of classic Italian flavours.

Whether you’re a meat, seafood, or vegetable lover, you’ll surely be pleasantly surprised by the scrumptious meal. For a sweet ending, be sure to save space for the Chef’s speciality – dessert.

Our Discover SG Ambassador Jia Min sampled a whole course of 7-10 different dishes – from savoury antipasti to wholesome pastas to exquisite desserts. In the end, she decided she loved the lamb rack best.

Frattini La Trattoria is reviewed as the number #2 restaurant on trip advisor amongst more than 8,500 restaurants in Singapore. We wouldn’t hesitate to try it out if we were you!

Frattini La Trattoria
10 Greenwood Avenue Hillcrest Park Singapore 289201
Open: 12pm to 2.30pm, 6pm to 11pm daily
Email : [email protected]
Phone: 6468 2868

4. An Acai Affair

We’re so proud that two of our ambassadors Anna and Isabel have opened their very own acai shop!

You have to drop by An Acai Affair to try Singapore’s first and only Tropical Coconut Bowl with Acai. You can even customise your bowl to your liking.

If you haven’t heard of acai by now, you must have been living under a rock.

A superfood from Brazil, acai has tons of health benefits. It’s reputed to be high in antioxidants and containing anti-aging and weight loss properties.

Our Discover SG Ambassadors Shivon, Kimberley, Clare, Noreen, and Dacia were invited to an exclusive media session.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPe5cwIl3vy/?taken-by=itsnoreenrachz

Besides the Tropical Coconut Bowl, you can also enjoy Acai Chia Parfait (with chia pudding), Acai Nut Bowl, and Acai or fruit smoothies.

If you walk all the way in, you’ll discover that An Acai Affair has a secret outdoor garden area, complete with mats, pillows and the lot. Perfect for chill nights and hearty conversations!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPZyBGUjg2G/?taken-by=shivonchua

Drop by to grab a healthy snack and meet the lovely people behind An Acai Affair!

An Acai Affair
101 East Coast Road, Singapore 428796
Open: Sunday-Thursday 12pm to 10pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm to 11.30pm
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If you’re looking to increase your brand’s awareness and you want to introduce products or services both old and new to more Singaporeans, drop us an email at [email protected], we would love to work with you!

We’re also on the lookout for more ambassadors who are on the mission to discover the fun and exciting things in Singapore. If you love eating, shopping, and discovering new places in Singapore, just drop us an email at [email protected].

Also, read Ambassador Highlights #5 – Yogurtland, Archery & Parkour!

True Heroes – 4 Invisible Jobs Singaporeans Take For Granted

Most of us Singaporeans are always on the go -we spend long hours at work and school before squeezing in a few hours to spend time with loved ones. Most of us are so wrapped up in our own busy lives that we tend to forget about those who make our lives so much easier.

Here are 4 jobs that are vital to Singapore (and to us Singaporeans), but aren’t getting the appreciation that they deserve!

1. Bus Captains

Let’s be honest, we often take bus captains for granted. Think about it: when was the last time you thanked your friendly bus uncle? We might even assume that their job is easy, being that they just need to drive on the same routes day in and out.

Well, it isn’t at all.

Bus captains work long hours – they’re on the clock weekdays, weekends, public holidays rain or shine. Most importantly, they’re in charge of keeping thousands of commuters safe.

Bus captains are even faced with potentially violent situations, such as the three SBS Transit bus captains who were assaulted on New Year’s Eve. While these accidents are far and few in between, they do still occur to local bus captains who are just trying to make a living.

So what are we doing to ensure that our bus captains are getting more recognition?

The National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) has been busy meeting the 4 public bus operators to ensure bus captains get better pay, career progression and benefits.
NTWU was deeply involved in helping bus captains transit to Tower Transit, a newcomer in the Singapore public bus industry:

NTWU negotiated with Go-Ahead to keep their compensation package competitive:

The union also got SBS Transit to increase its gross monthly pay by more than 15%, with sign on bonus of $3,000 for Singaporeans and PRs:

And convinced SMRT to match the employment packages offered by the other public transport operators.

longer than what civil servants get. SBS Transit has also adopted a Progressive Wage Model where , like an extra 95 hours a month! The security sector has the they face, security officers still remain a set for the security industry. Firms also had to ensure that their security officers completed the required NTUC[/caption]

The PWM has been set to not and retaining existing security officers.

TL;DR: The Progressive Wage Model helps security officers get proper training, a career path and higher pay. But the industry still suffers from , long working hours and were given to construction workers. This does not include across industries, and this includes construction. In Singapore, wages for foreign workers are determined by market demand and supply for labour.

In Singapore, the Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC) ensures that workers across several industries are working in safe environments. WSHC carries out training and safety awareness campaigns for workers and employers, as well as conduct regular workplace safety inspections.

video source: Yahoo

Organizations like , to

Singapore is known around the globe as a clean and green city. Our streets and public buildings are squeaky clean, and it’s hard to find a filthy mall or street full of trash in Singapore.

While we pride ourselves on being one of the cleanest countries in the world, the truth is that all the recognition should be going to the cleaners who work tirelessly to ensure Singapore is clean 24/7.

But how much do cleaners earn?

In June 2015, the median monthly basic wages of full-time resident cleaners was $1,100.

Recently, the Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners (TCC) gave three recommendations to improve cleaners’ wages.

The TCC recommended that from 2017 to 2022, wage adjustments and increases, as well as annual bonuses should be enjoyed by those employed in the cleaning industry.

Cleaners can expect a total boost of $200 to their wages from 2017 to 2020. Since annual bonuses currently aren’t mandatory for cleaners, it’s a relief to know that from 2020, cleaners can expect to see a 3% increase in their wages every year till 2022, as well as an annual bonus (equivalent of 2 weeks of wages).

TCC’s recommendations are TL;DR: Cleaners will see an increase in their wages from 2017 to 2022, but what happens after 2022? Will their wages still be held ransom to cheap-sourcing?

Also Read: 4 Jobs That Aren’t As ‘Bulletproof’ As You Once Thought

6 Obvious Ways To Impress Your Future In-Laws This Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is just around the corner and you know what that means – home visits, lots of red packets and even more food! If you’re seeing someone, CNY will also probably be the time that you visit your significant other’s parents. Don’t get the jitters because we’ve got 6 great ways to impress the future in-laws this Lunar New Year.

1) Wear Red To Impress

Okay, this one is easy.

Red, red, and MORE red right? Duh.

It’s a sure win colour. You’ll definitely be well-received if you look like a red ang pao walking through their doors bringing good luck to their family.

2) Bring A Gift

Bring a pair of Mandarin Oranges. That will be obviously expected of you.

If you want to make a super impression, bring awesome gifts or food, like…

a Golden Pineapple Cake

or

a huge Huat Tart

(both from Goodwood Park Hotel)

or a Yu Sheng, so you can Lou Hei together!

We bet they’ll love you after this.

3) Offer To Help

There’s always so much to do and so little help during Chinese New Year.

If your partner’s family is hosting a huge gathering, offer to take out the trash, serve food to relatives, and look useful all the time.

You’ll get compliments in no time!

If you’re invited for an exclusive meeting (just your partner’s immediate family), volunteer to help in other ways – scoop the rice, wash the dishes, and be gentlemanly. You’ll ace the meeting, we promise.

4) Know The Taboos And Superstitions And Avoid Them

We know – there are just SO many Chinese taboos to avoid!

No washing your hair because you’re washing away your good luck, no sweeping the floor because you’re sweeping away your family’s good luck, and the list goes on…

These superstitions are amusing but let’s not take any chances with the future in-laws.

The most applicable taboo this Chinese New Year will probably revolve around meal times.

Well, we all know not to stick our chopsticks in rice because it resembles offerings. But did you know that while eating fish, you should not break any of the fish bones?

There are so many taboos and superstitions, it’s best to check with your other half, so you know what matters to their family.

5) Get Ready To Talk & Interact

We’ll let you in on a secret.

Everyone’s favourite topic is themselves.

So, get rid of all those awkward moments with his/her relatives by asking them about themselves! They’ll be talking non-stop like a machine gun. Just nod your head in approval and listen, in case they ask for your opinion.

6) Lastly, Be Yourself

So cliche but so true!

You shouldn’t claim to be knowledgable about American or Chinese politics just because your partner’s father is.

He’ll see through your lies and lack of knowledge in no time. Better to keep quiet and nod your head than speak and show you’re a fool.

Let your own personality and interest shine through instead.

Wrapping up!

Chinese New Year can be a great opportunity to meet the future in-laws because everyone’s cheerful and happy.

While certain traditions should be adhered to and certain actions should be avoided, do not let them intimidate you. Grab a pair of oranges and put on a smile while you take your relationship to the next level and meet the parents.

If your boyfriend or girlfriend is meeting your parents, don’t forget to share this with them.

Also, read Torikin: Where You Can Indulge In A Uni Hotpot Brimming With Seafood

McDonald’s Puts The Fun Back Into CNY With New Golden Prosperity Burger, Cute Red Packets & Orange Bags!

Reunion dinners are great: You get to spend time with the family, eat great food, and there’s enough leftovers for a whole week. Unfortunately, with the outrageous prices of ingredients, and the long tedious hours of preparations, cooking, and cleaning, hosting a successful reunion dinner can be just so exhausting.

Scouting for places to have the reunion dinner will make you want to pull your hair out. Well, we’ve got a good suggestion. This place will tick all your boxes. Delectable meaningful food, check. Awesome CNY freebies, check. Aircon and great service, you’ve got it.

The place is none other than…McDonald’s! This year, the McDonald’s menu AND the freebies are so awesome, you’ll be tempted to just suggest this preposterous but oh-so-possible idea of having your family’s reunion dinner there!

The Golden Prosperity Burger

Typically, McDonald’s Prosperity Burger offers a perfect harmony of juicy beef, signature black pepper sauce and slivered onions, all in one sesame seed bun.

This year, McDonald’s new Golden Prosperity Burger comes with a bonus golden, crunchy hashbrown. Time for some extra crunching as you bite into this deliciously juicy burger!

Irresistible Sides

To complete your meal, order Prosperity Twister Fries and some sweet BBQ Drumlets.

For dessert, something special has been planned. A Gula Melaka McFlurry^® with Rainbow Bites!

Enjoy the velvety vanilla soft serve swirled with yummy Gula Melaka and crunchy rainbow bites. Yes – it’s truly love at first bite.

Ang Pao Packets & Orange Bags

Still not convinced? With every purchase of a Golden Prosperity extra value meal participating McDonald’s restaurants or via McDelivery, you’ll receive a set of 6 Ang Pao Packets! *Designs may vary.

For $5, you’ll get a super adorable orange bag. These limited edition designs are adorable and useful for the coming week of visitations.

Rather than prepare Bok Choy, Fa Gao, chicken and fish because they symbolise prosperity, why not simply have your reunion dinner with McDonald’s Golden Prosperity Meal? If you’re not keen to head on out, just call McDelivery!

So bring your whole family down to the nearest McDonald’s restaurant, or order with McDelivery to eat in the comforts of your own home. Either way, you can enjoy delicious food at great prices, all while avoiding the time-consuming effort of preparing the Reunion Dinner.

Now you can put your full attention on what really matters this CNY: Spending time with your family.

McDonald’s Chinese New Year 2017
Must-try: Golden Prosperity Burger, BBQ Drumlets, Gula Melaka McFlurry with Rainbow Bites
Must-have: Orange bags and red packets
Date: From 12 January, while stocks last

Information on Orange Bags & Ang Pao Packets

The Prosperity orange bags come in two designs – French Fries and McCafe Frappe. They’re available for purchase at $5 each with any order made via McDelivery and over the McCafe counters. Limited to one orange bag per transaction.

The red packets are available in four designs; French Fries, Big Mac, Sundae, McCafe Frappe. You’ll get a free pack of six with every purchase of a Golden Prosperity Burger Extra Value Meal at all participating McDonald’s restaurants and via McDelivery. Red packet Sundae design is only available at restaurants, while the McCafe Frappe design is only available via McDelivery. However depending on stock availability, designs may be vary. Restaurants not participating are branches at KK Hospital, Parklane Shopping Mall, Lucky Chinatown Point, and Tampines Interchange Kiosk.

Also, read 10 Activities To Do During Chinese New Year That Doesn’t Involve Empty Malls

Torikin: Where You Can Indulge In A Uni Hotpot Brimming With Seafood

If you’re a fan of Torikin‘s collagen infused chicken hotpot then you’ll be glad to know that another luxury hotpot has already made it’s way to Torikin’s doors (and our hearts). Make way for the Uni Hotpot!

The taste of Fukuoka in a dish

To commemorate their second anniversary and also, to welcome the Lunar New Year, Torikin has introduced yet another Fukuoka specialty to our sunny shores: Uni Hotpot.

One of the first in Singapore, the Uni Hotpot ($86.90 per pax) not only tastes great but is also chock full of healthy goodness.

Sea urchin is extremely rich in protein, vitamins and dietary fibre.

Shipped all the way from Japan, you can expect great quality and quantity of Uni in your hotpot. Uni lovers, we bet you’re grinning now!

Hooked on seafood

You’ll get more bang for your buck because although Uni is the star of the show, there’ll be premium seafood like salmon, tuna, prawns and scallops served as well.

The broth is a mix of all good things from the sea: the rich essence of Uni, sweet bonito stock and an abundance of seafood to create a wonderful symphony of flavours.

Be sure to dip the ingredients shabu-shabu style for the full experience. Oishi!

Side Dishes

Not sure what to do with the leftover broth? Don’t let it go to waste! Pour some into a bowl of rice and enjoy a comforting bowl of porridge.

Now, who said porridge is boring?

Feeling like having more than just seafood?

Torikin also serves sides like Oita Chicken Tempura ($14.80), Hakata-styled Gyoza ($16.90), and of course their famous Mitzutaki ($36.90 per pax).

Torikin

Touting themselves as a casual dining space that serves up authentic Japanese food with a local twist, it’s obvious why Torikin is popular with locals and expats alike.

Our ambassador, Victoria, visited Torikin and tried the Uni Hotpot. Here’s her experience!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOEa_pSBx8Y/?taken-by=victoinette

We can totally see the Uni Hotpot selling out so do us a favour and have it as soon as you can (only limited portions are available per day).

With Chinese New Year coming up, treat your friends and family to something a little different this year. With it’s orange and red coloured food and ingredients like fish and prawn, it’s easy to see why the Uni Hotpot is the perfect choice for a night of feasting during this time of year.

We know you’ll definitely not regret it!

Torikin
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 6pm -11pm; Saturday to Sunday 12pm-3pm, 6pm-11pm
Address: 557 Bukit Timah Road, #01-14/16, Singapore 269694
Tel: 64655908
Facebook here

Also, read This Chinese New Year, Let’s Not Forget About The Less Fortunate

Top 8 ‘Spoil Market’ Ang Pao Designs Worth Queuing Up For This Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year is all about the amazing festive foods and the family get-togethers you love to hate but it’s also about ANG PAOS! While we can all agree it’s what inside that matters the most, ang pao designs have definitely upped their game in the recent years. We went on a little scavenger hunt to track down this year’s cutest looking ang pao designs!

1. DBS

DBS went all out for their own 2017 ang pao design. Featuring flowers and fans, the cute kids on the ang pao are just the cherry on top of a really sweet treat. Probably one of the few ang pao designs that fills the entire space, DBS has upped the standard for their ang paos.

2. Yellow Octopus 

Local marketing company Yellow Octopus has come up with a more modern and contemporary design for their 2017 ang paos. Mainly featuring yellow, red and splashes of blue this ang pao is perfect if you’re looking for a more sleek ang pao packets to hand out this year.

3. Peel Fresh 

Who knew Peel Fresh churned out their own ang paos? We sure didn’t! Featuring a golden etched ball and a Chinese character that makes up the word ‘Spring’ the simple ang pao design reminds us of a pineapple (or is that just us?)!

4. Popeyes

Popeye’s played up this year’s Rooster year by featuring them on their very own ang pao packets. We must admit they’re insanely cute and check out what they did to the ‘Prosperity’ character. Cute and innovate, WIN!

5. POSB

Family friendly, cute, colourful and featuring POSB’s official mascot, POSB’s ang pao design this year is cute enough to give both kids and umm..much older (single) kids. You can goodbye to multiple ang pao designs because all you really need is THIS ONE.

6. Standard Charterd

Standard Chartered has kept it all traditional this festive season. With gold etched flowers on a simple red background and the Chinese New Year greeting “prosperity will bloom for you in full richness”, do your parents a favour and get this traditional ang pao for them (you might even get a bigger ang pao than expected)!

6. UNIQLO

UNIQLO has kept to its roots this festive season by coming up with a simple Ang Pao design. Featuring a scattering of gold boxes and the Chinese character for ‘Prosperity’, this Ang Pao is a minimalist’s dream!

7. UOB

Featuring geometric shapes, this year’s UOB ang pao design has several roosters adorning the ang baos. The perfect balance of traditional and modern, this year’s UOB ang bao is simple yet colourful enough to grab our attention.

8. McDonald’s

McDonald’s has churned out a series of ang paos featuring their Big Mac, French Fries and Strawberry Sundae. Colourful and very different from your usual red themed ang paos, McDonald’s 2017 ang pao design is already making us crave for their eats!

This festive season uou can finally throw away your boring old red packets and get queuing for these cute and pretty unique ang paos! Which one is YOUR favourite? Let us know in the comments!

(feature image: Kenny Louie)

Also Read: 10 Activities To Do During Chinese New Year That Doesn’t Involve Empty Malls