Into The Looking Glass: A Local Exhibition You Must Not Miss!

If you haven’t heard, the Singapore Biennale is in town right now, as part of Singapore Art Week 2017!

From now till 26 February, grab your friends and family and attend this eye-opening arts exhibition. We visited Project Dreamcatchers 2016: Into The Looking Glass and it was a rewarding experience.

Project Dreamcatchers 2016: Into The Looking Glass

Project Dreamcatchers is an initiative to help youths with chronic illnesses express their aspirations through art. Despite the many odds these youths face, they soldier on and reveal their struggles through the art they produce.

This year, the exhibition at the Singapore Biennale is called ‘Into The Looking Glass’. Aptly named, this exhibition invites visitors to see the world through the artists’ eyes. ‘Into The Looking Glass’ certainly caught our eyes with its display of vulnerability and invitations to connect with its viewers.

Here are four reasons why you should drop by!

Support Local Artists

These budding local artists are partnered with mentors who guide and help them through the production of their art pieces.

Mentors include local artists Samantha Lo, Ho Wai Kit, Noor Iskandar and Tan Jia Hui, who worked closely with the youths to bring their messages to life through art.

Sparked by the initial question of what they wish to tell the public, these artworks are personal messages from the youths.

A Stunning Array of Unique Artwork

The artists and youths used mixed mediums and materials ranging from mirrors to plants. They were chosen carefully to best represent the artist’s journey and message, and to elicit the desired response from the viewer.

While touching the artwork is not permitted, viewers can interact with the artworks in different ways, like seeing themselves in the reflections of Rayna’s art piece.

From this, we can better experience and appreciate the depiction of the artists’ personal journey through life.

Touching Stories

Accompanying each art piece is a personal message by the artist about the inspiration behind their artwork.

Titled ‘Imperfect’, this plywood art piece was painted over with acrylic paint, and the words were scratched out using pigment ink.

Her words of truth, as of those of the other artists, come from a yearning to be heard, recognised and understood.

End Discrimination

Art is an expression of oneself, and a means throughout history of breaking down barriers. When we take the step to understand and look from the perspectives of these youths, we’re helping to end the discrimination they face.

In this art piece, items essential to the artist are put together and held up. When light is projected on these items, a silhouette of a human heart is formed.

Syringes and tablets may not be our essential items, but Toh’s art piece reminds us that we’re all the same inside.

With ‘Into The Looking Glass’, visitors stand to appreciate and support the fight against the discrimination of our youths. Listen to their stories through their art and acknowledge the difficulties they face, and their creativity and presence.

In our ever-increasing world of connectivity, it is exhibitions like Into The Looking Glass that will truly connect us with others on a deeper level.

Disconnect from the bombardment of stories and listen to individual ones by our local youths and artists.

A List Singapore – Your Guide To The Arts And Culture Scene In Singapore

If this exhibition has ignited a desire in you to attend more of such arts and culture happenings in Singapore, why not follow A List Singapore?

As Singapore’s first full-fledged arts and culture guide, you can find comprehensive event listings from music to dance, visual arts to theatre, and literary to family activities. Besides event listings, you can also be updated to the arts and culture scene with their plethora of thought-provoking articles.

Be in the know as they feature up-and-coming promising artists and the shakers and makers of the art industry.

For the latest arts & cultural events happening in Singapore, follow them on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you love the smell of a fresh magazine, keep a look out on their social media channels for when their January hard copy issue will be distributed at SMRT Stations island-wide!

Take the step to explore the rich and rewarding art and culture scene in Singapore; you never know what you might learn and experience along the way!

Also, read 10 Places To Fly Your Drone For Amazing, Never Seen Before Photos Of Singapore!

Huat Ah! 8 Restaurants To Book For Your CNY Reunion Dinner 2017!

That’s right, it’s that time of the year. Christmas and New Year have barely passed and here you are, planning for another big family gathering – CNY reunion dinner. Tables at the ever-popular restaurants are definitely filling up and you are starting to feel the heat. Why does Chinese New Year have to be so darn close to Christmas!?

Well have no fear, because obviously, we are here to save you from the festive stress (as much as we can). Whether you’re looking to book a restaurant or are in search of one that’s different from the usual go-to restaurants, listed below are eight restaurants to host your CNY reunion dinner at!

1. Tiffany Café & Restaurant

Situated at Furama City Centre is Source: Singsaver[/caption]

At $59.80++ for lunch and $69.80++ for dinner, embark on a gastronomical journey and indulge in festive dishes such as Braised Eight Treasures Chicken in Claypot and Torched Pacific Wrasse with Ebiko Wasabi Hollandaise & Chili Thread.

Enjoy a slate of discounts that include 20% off the first reunion seating (5.30pm – 7.30pm) and 30% off the second reunion dinner seating (8pm – 10.30pm). What’s more, there is a one-for-one credit card promotion running from 16^th January – 11^th February 2017! (excluding dinner on 27^th January). How awesome is this?

Tiffany Café & Restaurant
Address: Furama City Centre, 60 Eu Tong Sen Street, S059804
Tel: 6531 5366
Email: [email protected]

2. Mitzo

Located at Grand Park Orchard is Source: Mitzo[/caption]

Besides the popular Pearls of Prosperity Kanpachi Kigfish Yu Sheng, pamper your family with the Prawn/Lobster Grouper Fortune Pot, Lobster Fried Rice with Pork Liver & Preserved Sausage and Fish Maw Soup with Pumpkin, Bamboo Pith & Chicken. The CNY reunion dinner menu will be available from 14^th January to 11^th February 2017.

Do also take the opportunity to sample Mitzo’s artisanal cocktails such as the Spring Blossom, a smoky and sweet mescal cocktail.

Mitzo
Address: Level 4 Grand Park Orchard, 270 Orchard Rd S 238857
Tel: 6603 8855
Email: [email protected]

 3. Ban Heng

With five outlets in Singapore, Source: Ban Heng[/caption]

This year, Ban Heng Group offers a mouth watering Reunion Dinner Set menu that features dishes such as the Salmon Yu Sheng, Suckling Pig, Herbal Chicken and Wok-Fried Spare Ribs. Indulge in this reunion feast at a price ranging from $498 to $998 for a family of ten!

CNY reunion dinner on 27 January is available with two seatings from 5.30pm to 10pm.

Ban Heng
For locations and contact information for a specific outlet, click 4. Yan

Fans of Cantonese cuisine would have heard of this one. Located at the iconic National Gallery Singapore, Signature Shun De Style Yu Sheng with Yellowtail Fish & Golden Flakes
Source: Yan[/caption]

At prices from $118++ to $268++ per individual, indulge in dishes such as the Signature Yellowtail Fish Yusheng with Golden Flakes, the new Doubled-boiled Chicken Soup with Black Garlic Sea Whelk and the return of the popular Danggui Roast Duck and succulent Baked Half Lobster with Supreme Stock.

Prices may seem a little steep but for Yan, we’d say it’s worth the splurge. Yan’s CNY menus are available for lunch and dinner, from 9^th January to 11^th February 2017. Two reservation slots for dinner at 5.30pm and 8.15pm are available on Chinese New Year Eve.

Yan
Address: National Gallery, 1 St Andrew’s Road #05-02, S178957
Tel: 6382 5585
Email: [email protected]

5. Moi Lum

A traditional Chinese restaurant that is almost a decade old, Source: Openrice.com[/caption]

In light of Chinese New Year, Moi Lum has provided three (not very) different menus to cater to the size of your company. At ($80+/pax, $388+/6pax, $568+/10pax), indulge in dishes such as the Prosperity Abalone, Sautéed Broccoli with Scallops & Prawns, Braised Shark’s Fin Soup with Crab Meat and of course, the Majestic Roast Chicken.

Available from 18^th January to 27^th January 2017, the menu is available for both lunch and dinner. Lunch will be held from 11.30am – 3.30pm, whilst dinner will consist of two seatings; 6pm – 7.50pm and 8pm – 10pm.

Moi Lum
Address: 38 Maxwell Road S069116
Tel: 6226 2283
Email: [email protected]

6. Xi Yan Shaw Singapore

Hailing from Hong Kong is the much-acclaimed Roasted Herbal Chicken
Source: Xi Yan Shaw Singapore[/caption]

For really affordable rates, you’ll get to enjoy dishes such as its signature Prosperity Yu Sheng, Roasted Lychee Duck, Stewed Pork Belly in Sour Plum & Black Vinegar Sauce and Fried Pork Trotter Chestnut Bee Hoon.

Needless to say, Xi Yan Shaw Singapore enjoys overwhelming popularity during Chinese New Year so we’d start making our reservation now if we were you. Do note that Xi Yan Shaw Singapore will be closed on 28^th and 29^th January 2017. 

Xi Yan Shaw Singapore
Address: Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road #03-12/13, S228208
Tel: 6733 3476
Email: [email protected]

7. Golden Peony

Award-winning Chinese restaurant  Roast London Duck
Source: Golden Peony[/caption]

At $1198++ for a table of ten, enjoy an eight-course meal with dishes such as the Signature Roast London Duck, Fortune Glutinous Rice with Assorted Chin ese Sausages and Fried Nian Gao with Sweet Potato and Yam.

Looking to accommodate a smaller company? Golden Peony offers another option where you get to enjoy dishes including the Fortune Salmong Yu Sheng, Braised Pork Kunckle served with Seasonal Vegetables and Steam Nian Gao with Coconut Flakes at $100++ per person.

The CNY menu will be available for both lunch and dinner, from 10^th January to 11^th February 2017.

Golden Peony
Address: Conrad Centennial Hotel Level 3, 2 Temasek Boulevard, S038983
Tel: 6432 7482
Email: [email protected]

8. Jade

If you’re looking for an elegant, minimalistic restaurant that serves great food, Jade at The Fullerton is your answer.

At $68+ per person, you’ll get to enjoy a 5-course menu consisting of a medley of gourmet plates. Start off with the Eight Happiness Gold Rush Yusheng, served on a platter with the cutest rooster accompanied by raw salmon slices, house-made champagne jelly and drizzles of olive oil and pineapple dressing.

After which, tuck into the Poached Cockscomb-shaped Chicken Dumplings, Stewed Chicken and Crab Meat Duo with Red Wine and Chinese Wine in Claypot, where the Chef Leong Chee Yeng showcases his Cantonese rendition of the Surf and Turf.

Jade
Address: The Fullerton Hotel, 1 Fullerton Square S049178
Tel: 68778188

So there you have it, crisis averted. Of course, with just three weeks left to go, we highly recommend you to get started on those reservations because whilst we can help, we cannot ensure a table for you.

Also, read The Prosperity Burger IS FINALLY BACK!

Five Reasons Why You Should Try Parkour At Least Once In Your Life

From scaling walls to jumping from rooftop to rooftop, the action movie junkie in us has always admired the stunts performed by the spies/secret agents. But as someone who feels a sense of achievement from just walking on the balancing beam at the fitness corner downstairs without falling, we sort of put our dreams of joining the spy-hood behind. That was until we were given the chance to attend a Parkour class.

Our ambassadors, Chelsea and Cheryl, attended the class too. Here’s a video of their experience:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BN4Ih55DygN/?taken-by=cherzinga

A French invented sport that focuses on overcoming obstacles in urban environments through running, jumping or climbing, Parkour is definitely not for the non-nimble. It’s sort of like a mandatory sport for spies in training.

As we stood in the company of Tan Chi Ying, one of the pioneers of Singapore Parkour scene and founder of The Free Runner Lodge, an indoor Parkour facility, resembles a playground without stairs (who needs them when you can swing/climb/flip your way around, right?). Established in 2010, A2 Movements is Singapore’s first Parkour academy.

[caption id="attachment_20166" align="alignnone" width="1000"] The Free Runner Lodge – An indoor Parkour facility by A2 Movments[/caption]

After a couple of stretches, we stood face-to-face with a wooden block that was half our height.

Our mission was to place both our hands on the block’s surface before swinging our legs over and bringing our whole body over the obstacle. Sounds pretty doable, right? Wrong.

After multiple bruises the size of eggs on our legs, we’ve got to say, it definitely is not as easy as action movie stars make it out to be. It’s been a long introduction, so here are five reasons why Parkour will keep us coming back for more (bruises).

1. It’s A Great Workout

Never, ever underestimate the power of Parkour to work your muscles.

After an embarrassing half hour trying Parkour and using muscles we didn’t know existed, we were exhausted.

[caption id="attachment_20168" align="alignnone" width="1616"] Students in training[/caption]

So if you’re starved for time or are just looking to try a new workout, try Parkour.

2. It Pushes You Out Of Your Comfort Zone

As the Parkour session progressed, we found ourselves pushing our boundaries and achieving something we never thought was possible.

[caption id="attachment_20199" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Parkour puts your body to the test[/caption]

Most of us are right-handers, and we’re never good at using the left hand for anything. After some practice (and persuasion), not only did we manage to use our left hands to support our body weight, we were surprisingly comfortable with it.

3. It’s Really, Really Fun

It’s one thing to watch your favorite actors (or stuntmen) perform the stunts, and another to actually sort of perform them. Not only is it enjoyable, but the sense of achievement upon completion is also really high. Imagine doing this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R51FaRPCio0

Of course, tons of practice is needed, but how fun did that look? Super.

4. It’s a Solo Sport

Much like hitting the gym, Parkour focuses on you and you only. When we first stepped into class, we were surrounded by existing students who were too busy practicing their mid-air flips to notice our building nervousness. Die, sure kenna judge.

[caption id="attachment_20200" align="aligncenter" width="960"] No one’s judging here[/caption]

But as the session progressed, it hit us that firstly, everyone is here to learn. Secondly, everyone else is too busy perfecting their own moves to bother about you.

5. It Keeps One Unbelievably Young

Despite Chi Ying’s jaw-dropping consecutive midair somersaults, what really made our jaws drop was his age.

[caption id="attachment_20169" align="alignnone" width="1367"] How many of us can soar through the air like this after we hit the big three O?[/caption]

When asked for his secret to looking almost ten years younger than his actual age, Parkour was the answer. For those who are wondering, Chi Ying is 30 years old.

It may require a lot of practice, but Parkour has got to be one of the most satisfying sports around.

For those who are interested, the good news is that A2 Movements holds classes every day of the week and has various time slots for you to choose from! If you’re undecided about a long-time commitment ($200 for unlimited sessions a month), fear not – A2 Movements offers a one off-session ($25). As for the ladies, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a time slot reserved just for you.

Personal trainings aside, A2 Movements also conducts workshops and events, so if you’re looking for a unique corporate bonding experience, free to check Now, here’s your chance to win a Parkour session for two!

Head on down to our Facebook page for the details. This giveaway ends on 28 December, and the lucky winner will be notified through Facebook.

A2 Movements
Address: CT Hub #05-91, 114 Lavender Street S338729
Tel: 91849744 (Chi Ying)
Email: [email protected]
Website: Countdown At 12 – Usher In The New Year With 12 Hours Of Free Flowing Drinks!

Baby Photographers: These Amazing Pictures Of Little Ones Will Melt Your Heart

As The Avons sang, “We’re Only Young Once”, children will only be tiny munchkins for that precious instant in their lives. Who wouldn’t want to capture their lovely, tiny human at the pinnacle of their childhood charm? Before all your tiny darlings start shooting up like Jack’s magical beanstalk, book one of these outstanding baby photographers to freeze all those precious moments and expressions.

Photography Style: Versatile and Ingenious

1. Bambini Photography

If your baby is crying like a burst dam, it may make perfect sense to call off your photoshoot. Or even better, why not let Bambini Photography turn that moment into a breezy au naturel photo opportunity?

Also, they are such dedicated baby photographers that they’ll even bring their props and backdrops to your home for a photoshoot if that’s what will make baby and you feel more comfortable.

Bambini Photography
P.S. I Love You Photography[/caption]

Whether it’s recreating a nautical scene on a beach, or depicting your baby as a hen, game on.

P.S. I Love You Photography
The Studio Loft[/caption]

Helmed by an all-women team, this boutique photography studio specialises in dreamy, whimsical shots with playful use of costumes and props.

Photography Style: Surreal and Edgy

4. Jen Pan Photography

This baby photographer’s shots will speak to your inner wild child, as her shots are snazzy and mystical all at once.

[caption id="attachment_19651" align="aligncenter" width="918"]

Photography Style: Simple and Classic

5. Bamboo Shoots Photography

[caption id="attachment_19583" align="aligncenter" width="686"]

Cici from Bamboo Shoots Photography believes in delivering simple, sincere and elegant shots. What better way to do this than capturing her subjects under natural light?

Besides her artful integration of nature into the photography process, she is adept at capturing her subjects’ emotions. No wonder she’s on the 2016 Best list of Singapore Tatler!

Bamboo Shoots Photography
Photography Style: Humorous and Candid

7. The Family Man

Photography Style: Sophisticated and thought-provoking

8. Sealey Brandt Photography

With the blood of photography running through her veins, Tatler’s listed Sealey Brandt has photographed over 1,000 families across the globe. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to experience the magic of what her and her camera can do.

[caption id="attachment_19585" align="aligncenter" width="1440"]

Hai Di Lao Soup Base: Where To Buy, How Much It Costs & Packaging Issues

The winter season is nigh upon us. While there are no snowflakes falling from the sky or visible breaths of smoke when we talk; it’s still holiday season! It’s time for reunions with friends and family; and there’s no better place to meet up and catch up then home sweet home. Looking to prepare steamboat at home? We’ve done the research, so you will know where to buy Hai Di Lao soup base for your year end reunions!

Hai Di Lao needs no introduction. With 4 outlets in Singapore, the Sichuan originated hot pot cuisine still easily commands at least a 2-hour wait thanks to the plethora of fresh ingredients, excellent service, and mouthwatering soup base.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Image Credits: With the Hai Di Lao soup base, you can easily recreate Hai Di Lao in the comfort of your own home this coming holiday season.

[caption id="attachment_19210" align="aligncenter" width="671"] Image credits: Hai Di Lao soup base packaging

To all you eagle-eyed shoppers, you may have noticed that the Hai Di Lao soup base comes in 2 different packagings.

[caption id="attachment_19238" align="alignnone" width="263"]

Fret not, the only difference lies in the packaging. Beneath the wrapper, both soup bases taste equally awesome without any difference in quality or ingredients.

The first packaging is designed for soup bases that are to be sold in China. The second packaging is meant for soup bases destined for importation into Singapore.

In order to meet AVA regulations, the product name has to be printed in English, and the packaging design was also changed to differentiate the sale destination of the products.

Also, read Riverside Grilled Fish – For Lovers Of Tongue-Numbing And Spicy Ma La Goodness!

Where to buy Hai Di Lao soup base

1. Buy Hai Di Lao soup base at supermarkets

According to gazillion forum posts and blogs, it is possible to buy them at 2 local supermarkets: Giant and Sheng Shiong.

There are a total of 62 Giant outlets and

The Hai Di Lao soup bases are neatly arranged on the shelf, together with other Chinese sauces and pastes.

Here are the prices and what is available:
Mushroom flavour: $4.00
Tomato flavour: $4.60
Mala Xiang Guo flavour: $4.60
Shrimp flavour: $4.90
Mala flavour: $5.40.

Sheng Siong Supermarket

FYI: To beat a steamboat craving in the unearthly hours of the night, just know that Sheng Siong Supermarket is open 24 hours.

Here are the prices and what is available:
Mushroom flavour: $4.00
Tomato flavour: $4.50
Mala Xiang Guo flavour: $4.50
Clear soup: $4.90

Also, read Top 5 Steamboat & Hotpot Places That Rival Hai Di Lao

2. Buy Hai Di Lao soup base online

Thinking of buying the Hai Di Lao soup base online?

Why not? 1.

2.