10 Awesome Events And Addictive Eats To Start Off August Right [1-15 Aug]

Nothing gets us more excited than the start of a new month, and this August gets us especially excited!

With National Day just round the corner, there’s a whole slew of fresh activities and yummy new eats that remind us of why we love living in Singapore.

This month’s line-up includes outdoor movie screenings, the hottest Kpop stars on our shores, a coffee festival, and fresh food spots to pamper your tastebuds at. Whether you’re a movie buff, avid concert-goer or full-time foodie, here are some ways to keep having fun the first half of August!

Here’s a calendar of 10 of the newest events and eats to head to this month!

Play & Discover

1. Films At The Fort

If the combination of good films, food and wine sounds like heaven to you, read on.

Films At The Fort by Casillero del Diablo is this years fanciest open-air cinema event!

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Catch award-winning new releases, cult classics and documentaries on the big screen, under the stars.

A team from The Providore will be onsite to serve up a freshly prepared menu. There’s dinner, dessert and snacks to keep your tummy happy.

There’s also a bar selling wine, sparkling wine, beer and cider at prices that won’t break the bank.

So spread out your picnic mat, clink glasses, and lay back for a chill evening as the sun sets.

Films At The Fort
Address: Fort Canning Green (Fort Canning Park)
When: 3 – 20 Aug, 5pm till late
Website

2. KBS Music Bank World Tour

[caption id="attachment_28738" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Image Credit: Kpop Map[/caption]

Calling all diehard K-Pop fans!

Get ready to sing and dance your heart out at the highly anticipated KBS Music Bank World Tour.

Fans can expect a star-studded lineup, with some of K-pop’s biggest stars taking the stage.

The one-night-only concert’s power lineup includes SHINee, CNBlue, BTS, Red Velvet and Mamamoo.

KBS has been a huge driving force behind the Hallyu wave, from debuting rookies in the K-pop world to charting the leading K-pop hits.

So grab your tickets and be treated to a night of non-stop chart toppers!

KBS Music Bank World Tour
Address: Suntec Convention Centre Hall 601-604, 1 Raffles Boulevard, Suntec City, Singapore 039593
When: 4 Aug, 7pm – 10pm
Admission: $148 – 288/person
Ba dum tss!

This month’s Singapore Drum Fest is a festival unlike any other music festival you’ve ever experienced.

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Drum Fest brings the world’s best drummers and musicians to our shores for an unforgettable experience.

This year’s killer line-up is sure to attract fans from all over the world.

Those in the circle will know international drumming star Meytal Cohen and her bassist Anel Pedrero Orantes. There’s also Juan Carlito Mendoza, Jost Nickel, Federico Paulovich and Stanley Randolph.

Local talents Benjamin Lim, Anson Koh (Drum Off 2016 Open Category Champion) and his band will also be playing!

Drum Off contestants hail from 9 countries including Japan and USA, and are sure to put on an impressive show.

Singapore Drum Fest: Ultimate Drummers Weekend
Address: Max Atria, Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Singapore 486150
When: 5 – 6 Aug, 10am – 7pm

If you closely follow the Voice of China, now’s your chance to watch one of their most loved contestants IRL!

G.E.M. is coming to our shores with her brand new “Queen of Hearts” World Tour.

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Hong Kong’s new reigning Queen of Pop will be rocking it out at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The talented singer will be belting out original songs in Chinese and Cantonese, in conjunction with her latest album, “Heartbeat”.

The last time she was here was in 2015, with her sold out 73-show tour. This year, she promises a bigger, better and more breathtaking show, so make sure you get your tickets for it!

G.E.M. “Queen Of Hearts” World Tour
Address: Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk, 397691
When: 13 Aug
Contact no.: 3158 7888
Admission: $128 – S$248
There really isn’t a shortage of international stars on our shores this month.

Our favourite British indie pop act, Bastille, is taking centre stage here too!

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Watch lead singer Dan Smith, keyboard player Kyle Simmons, bassist Will Farquarson and drummer Chris ‘Woody’ Wood in the flesh.

You’re probably most familiar with the infectious track ‘Pompeii’ off their 2013 debut album ‘Bad Blood’.

In 2016, Bastille returned with catchy singles ‘Good Grief’ and ‘Send Them Off!’

These are songs that have become the alternative anthems of the last few years.

If you didn’t catch Bastille’s dazzling sold-out show at The Coliseum in 2015 and at the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix in 2016, make sure you don’t miss this one!

Bastille – Live in Singapore
Address: The Star Theatre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, #04-01, 138617
When: 14 Aug, 8pm
Contact no.: 6348 5555
Website

Eat

6. Epicurean Market

This isn’t your ordinary food and wine fair.

The Epicurean Market gives you three days of direct access to world-class food, wines and spirits, all for a fraction of the usual price!

[caption id="attachment_28739" align="aligncenter" width="4256"] Image Credit: Sample famous signature dishes by celebrity chefs, taste one-of-a-kind cocktails, and take home imported specialties.

There will also be an exciting lineup of masterclasses for you to upgrade your culinary and bartending skills with.

Participating restaurants include the award-winning Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda, and more!

Epicurean Market
Address: Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
When: 11 – 13 Aug
Contact no.: 6688 8826
Imagine having a single voucher you can use at over 50 restaurant brands. ​

Well, Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) lets you do just that at the best value festival ever!

[caption id="attachment_28742" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Image Credit: You can get $100 worth of vouchers for only $70, to be used across 50 restaurant brands island-wide.

This year’s focus is on the trendy salted egg yolk, homely pandan, and the all-time favourite, chilli crab sauce.

As a tie-in with the Singapore Food Festival, each eatery will also be highlighting a locally inspired dish.

Expect dishes such as chicken rice risotto (Joo Bar), chilli crab (Palm Beach Seafood) and chicken tikka pizza (Cali Café and Bar).

Singapore Restaurant Festival
Address: Various participating restaurants
When: 1 Jul – 30 Sep
Website

8. Singapore Coffee Festival

Calling all cafe hoppers and caffeine addicts!

The Singapore Coffee Festival 2017 is Singapore’s first ever coffee-centric festival.

[caption id="attachment_28734" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image Credit: This is showcase of Singapore’s speciality coffee, local kopi and cafe lifestyle.

Be spoiled for choice with over 100 exhibitors from the coffee and café industry.

The festival showcases local craftsmanship in specialty coffee, as well as Singapore’s unique and rich kopi heritage.

Besides being a one-stop shop for those interested in all things coffee, there will also be a wide range of brewed drinks, beans, gadgets and machines available for purchase.

Singapore Coffee Festival
Address: Marina Bay Cruise Centre, 61 Marina Coastal Drive, 018947
When: 3 – 6 Aug
Imagine going shopping and not having to pay for anything.

Well, that’s exactly what the Singapore Really Really Free Market lets you do!

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Singapore Really Really Free Market[/caption]

The market will showcase all sorts of goods–and services!

Things you can expect to see include second-hand stuff, basic yoga lessons, and even tarot card reading.

There are also sing-alongs and mutual shoulder massages to really foster that community spirit.

So come join in and feel a different, more caring and sharing side to the economy we’re used to!

Singapore Really Really Free Market
Address: Lorong Ah Soo, Blk 138
When: 13 Aug, 2pm
Facebook

10. Singapasar

Happy birthday, Singapore!

With National Day just round the corner, enter Singapasar, just one of the many nation-centric events that’ll pop up this month.

[caption id="attachment_28740" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Image Credit: Returning for its third year, Singapasar is a wildly popular design-centric pasar malam.

It brings together the best and the newest collections of Singapore, under one roof.

Expect to find locally designed and made products including furniture, food, apparel, bags, beverages, accessories and many more.

All of these items have their own story to tell about our Singaporean identity, history and culture.

This is where you want to shop and soak in some festive cheer this National Day!

Singapasar
Address: National Design Centre, 111 Middle Road, Singapore 188969
When: 4 – 6 Aug
Facebook

Sounds like an amazing month, doesn’t it?

We can’t wait to head out and get busy at all these exciting activities this August!

Also read Forget The Nasi Lemak Burger – Deliveroo Is Sending You REAL Nasi Lemak For Just $0.52

Everything For Free? Introducing SG’s Really Really Free Market!

Most people applaud those who have the bravery and heart to hoard as little as possible. That’s why there are books on minimalism, theories on only keeping things that matter, and documentary-slash-interventions on doing away with things you don’t need.

There’s also a certain joy and liberation you get from cleaning, not to mention, the extra space in the house, especially if you’re living in a small apartment.

At least that’s how my friends and I felt when we attended the 41st Singapore Really Really Free Market organised by local social enterprise Post-Museum. The event, which was hosted at art gallery DECK in central-Singapore, celebrates a more sustainable way of living, and sharing what we have.

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This went beyond material goods like clothes, toys, and books. You could also get a tarot card reading for free if you were interested. You could learn to hoola-hoop with strangers if you were feeling a little sporty. Or listen to someone tell a story. For a minute, people forgot about their wallets, the malls, and the tiresome art of negotiating. 

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My loot from the free market included a book featuring the twenty arrondissements of Paris (pictured below), which is a charming find for any francophile, a golden bikini top that will go superbly with a trip to Siloso Beach, and a button-down shirt that looks as good as new. What a score!

Maps

Best of all, everyone is welcomed. From young children who grabbed secondhand plush toys to couples picking out roller blades and books to the older folks picking out designer clothing. Just don’t forget sunscreen and an open mind.

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The next Singapore Really Really Free Market will take place on 19 June 2016. For more information, you can hit up their Facebook page!

*All photographs were taken by the author, unless otherwise stated.

Singapore Really Really Free Market
Next date:
19 June 2016
Facebook page

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