
Can you believe that we’re already halfway through the year? It seems like just yesterday that we were all busy making new year’s resolutions—that we have yet to uphold, again.
But fret not—there’s still time to make good on them. But first, take a look at all the ways you can mark the mid-way point of the year. June always promises to be entertaining and exciting, and this year is no different. Not only is there a public holiday (P.S. Hari Raya Puasa falls on June 5), it’s also the month-long school holiday, and there are a whole roster of events to fill your social calendar with. From music festivals (hello, Ultra Music Fest!) to the Children’s Biennale and an exhibition featuring Rihana’s iconic 2015 Met Gala outfit, here are the events you can look forward to in June:
World Cucumber Day 2019 is back! What better way to celebrate the humble green fruit than with some gin? Simply exchange a bona fide cucumber (all species accepted as currency) for a refreshing Hendrick’s & Tonic at any of the 42 partner bars. We kid you not.
‘Cucumber Hour’ will run from 7 to 10pm on Friday, 14 June. Redemptions are limited to 60 per bar, one per customer. For more information, visit their website.
DJ Gregor Salto is set to fire up Bar Rouge’s dance floor on Saturday, 15 June 2019. The Grammy-nominated artist is known for his fiery hot mixes of tropical and soulful Latin grooves, grounded in house and electro. His distinctive sound is so highly sought-after; he often produces chart toppers with high profile entertainers like singers Rihanna, J-Lo, Rita Ora, Nicky Romero, Axwell, and Bob Sinclar. In fact, his song with Pitbull “Echa Pa’lla” was nominated for a Grammy Award and won an ASCAP Award.
Date: Saturday, 15 June 2019, Time: 10pm to 4am, Door price: $25 with 1 standard house pour drink, after 10.30pm
Chinese couturier and worldwide sensation, Guo Pei, will be in Singapore for an exclusive talk hosted by TaFF Singapore. To be held at the TENCEL™ Studio at The Cocoon Space, the talk will see the designer share more about herself and her designs, how she navigates the European world of haute couture, and the future of traditional couture in light of rapid technological advancements.
Tickets are $16.37. Get them here.
Remember the glamorous, OTT yellow dress that Rihanna wore to the 2015 Met Gala that later spawned a flurry of memes? Guo Pei will also be showcasing her 29 embroidered couture creations as part of Asian Civilisations Museum’s Season of Chinese Art. Not only can you learn more about Chinese artistic traditions and how Guo Pei uses culture and traditions to imbue life to her works, this is probably the closest we can get to encountering Riri in real life.
Admission is $12 for Singaporeans and PRs, and $20 for foreigners.Visit their website for more information.
After a successful exhibition in Hong Kong, Shanghai Tang’s Imperial Tailoring Exhibition is now in Singapore, exclusively at their flagship store in Takashimaya Shopping Centre. The exhibition comprise 14 bespoke pieces by the brand created for their clients over the years, one of which was worn by Nicole Kidman. The exhibition highlights the brands heritage and is an ode to their master tailors and dress makers. It’s a must-visit for anyone who appreciates immaculate craftsmanship.
Admission is free. For more information, visit their website.
Did you know: 25 per cent of Singapore’s land come from our land reclamation efforts? In partnership with local artist Charles Lim Yi Yong, the Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden at the National Gallery Singapore will be showcasing an installation that features the plants found in the reclaimed areas, such as Changi, Tuas and the Southern Islands. Not only will you get to learn more about the biodiversity that Singapore has to offer, the exhibit also aims to look at the history and narrative of land reclamation efforts.
Admission is free. For more information, visit their website.
From creating different sounds with a ping pong ball on wind chimes to crossing a 16-metre bridge that looks down into an endless rock formation, these are just two of the 11 interactive installations created by 13 local and Southeast Asian artists at the National Gallery as part of their 2019 Gallery Children’s Biennale. Aimed at triggering a child’s imagination with fun, inspirational and educational artworks, the Biennale is a place for the young and the young at heart to discover the world round them. There will also be screening of films in collaboration with Singapore International Children’s Film Festival, alongside other exciting tours and artist-led workshops.
Admission is free for Singaporeans and PRs. For more information, visit their website.
No time to go Japan for the June holidays? You can still relish in its culture at Resorts World Sentosa’s first-ever Summer Matsuri. You can expect over 38 different Japanese foods, ranging from award-winning donburis (rice bowls) to delicious grilled seafood from Hokkaido and lipsmacking desserts. There will also be cultural performances such as the Tokyo Koenji Awa-Odori Dance and Akita Kanto performances that you can enjoy while enjoying a cup of sake or two. We hear there will be two premium Japanese sake labels that will be featured exclusively at the event — Ginrei Gassan Kuro Label Daiginjyo Sake GSS 133 and Ginrei Gassan Ao Label Daiginjyo Sake GSS 132 — so keep your eyes peeled for them.
Admission is free. For more information, visit their website.
Fans of xinyao and classic Chinese hits will love this jazzy production conducted by music director Jeremy Monteiro, and associate music director Weixiang Tan. Guest vocalists include singer Joanna Dong, who was a finalist in the Sing! China competition, US-based Melissa Tham and Jasmine Chen, one of the singers from Crazy Rich Asians. You will be treated to a night of songs from recent Chinese hits to classic favourites from singers such as Teresa Teng, Tracy Huang Ying Ying and Fong Fei Fei.
Tickets are $38 and onward via Sistic.
If electronic music festivals are your thing, then the Ultra Music Festival is an event you can’t miss. Skrillex, Martin Garrix and Axwell are amongst the many international DJ names that are set to perform. In short, break out your best festival looks and get set for two days of sick electronic music beats and revelry. Also, you might want to get your tickets ASAP as they’re selling fast.
Tickets are $158 and onward via their website.
Fans of South Korean girl group Apink would find her familiar. After all, Eun Ji is the group’s main vocalist and has released three mini albums since her solo debut. Set to perform her latest album, Hyehwa, we’re hoping that Eun Ji will be performing some of her best songs including Being There, The Spring and Hopefully Sky. Bonus? 500 lucky VIP ticket holders ($248) will have a chance to attend the pre-concert sound check before the show.
Tickets are $118 and onward via Apactix.
Miaja Art Collections will be presenting ‘Nucleus’, a solo exhibition by Turkish Artist Gulten Imamoglu. The exhibition will feature twelve of his art pieces which explores the essence of life. There’s an ethereal eeriness to the paintings that really piques ones interest. The artist’s use of colour is spectacular and we highly recommend checking the exhibition out.
Admission is free. For more information, visit their website.
With over 30 albums under her belt, Cantopop superstar Karen Mok is coming back in Singapore with a concert to celebrate her 25th anniversary. Who would have thought the bombshell songstress was in the industry for that long? The two-time Golden Melody Awards Best Female Singer is also the creative director of her concert, where fans can look forward to both her classic favourites and newest hits. We hear that there will also be a special musical highlight at the concert that combines western and oriental musical styles such as tango, opera and Chinese folk music.
Tickets are $108 and onward via Apactix.
Need somewhere to let your kids run wild, have fun and expend their energy? Bring them to the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay this upcoming Children’s Festival where the area will be transformed into a carnival based on the upcoming Toy Story 4 movie. Inspired by characters such as Woody and Buzz Lightyear, there are various exciting activities, including Bo Peep’s Adventure, an obstacle course, and carnival game booths. Finally, finish the day with a special Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 4 inspired-edition of the Garden Rhapsody, a light and music show also inspired by the movie.
Admission is free. For more information, visit their website.
An icon in the Japanese heavy metal and rock music scene, fans of the band will be heartened to hear that the group has reunited and is ready to entertain with their signature sound that has since set the ground for subsequent heavy metal rock bands. The band’s return to Singapore will feature tunes from its latest album Rise to Glory. The event is free-standing.
Tickets cost $88 and onward via Sistic.
Get ready for a night filled with exhilarating dance and energetic music performances with Inala, a production that is a unique combination of South African and Western cultures. Twenty five dancers, singers and musicians will be performing choreography created by multiple award-winning Mark Baldwin OBE and current and former members of the Royal Ballet and Rambert, with music by The Soweto Gospel Choir.
Tickets are $55 and onward via Sistic.
Here’s another place to let your children (and yourself) develop their interest in the arts — the Goodman Open House is back with The Play-full Edition. You can expect over 20 workshops from learning how to make rubber stamps to how perfumes are made to making your own wind-chime. Plus there are a whole host of performances for you to enjoy too, including dance, drama and music.
Admission is free. For ticketed activities, register on their website.
Admirers of the Japanese culture have to mark this Sake Festival in their calendar. Over 450 labels of Japanese sake — from small, niche names to well-known modern breweries — will be available for tasting at the event. To complement the drinks, there will also be food and snacks cooked on the spot by well-known Japanese restaurants in Singapore. And bring your credit cards too because the event will be cashless. Last admissions will be at 4.30pm.
Tickets are $40 each via Sistic.
BREW is an original music initiative by Singaporean electronic music label, Darker Than Wax and independent specialty coffee boutique, Papa Palheta. The music event is usually held within the compound of Chye Seng Huat Hardware, but this year, its organisers are supersizing it into a block party along Jalan Besar street. They’ve also extended their hours from 3pm to 10pm. The event will also feature special guest DJ, UNOs.
Admission is free. For more information, visit their Facebook event page here.
Grew up getting entertained by the wrestling matches of WWE? Then you’ll want to catch them live when they come to Singapore on June 27 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Combining sports and entertainment, WWE stars such as Seth Rollins, Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman are slated to perform live. Get set for a night of adrenaline-pumping revelry and drama.
Tickets are $48 and ringside tickets cost $498 each via Apactix.
Singapore Art Book Fair (SGABF) is an independent multi-day festival specialising in
contemporary art books & zines. This event is free and open to the public and will feature art
books, art catalogues, monographs, zines, and printed ephemera. Returning for its sixth edition, SGABF2019 will see over 80 local and international exhibitors showcasing their selections of printed matter, published works and new launches.
Opening Hours:
28 June – 12pm till late
29 June – 12 – 8pm
30 June – 12 – 8pm
The annual Pink Dot event is back. Celebrating the freedom to love, the non-profit event, which is now into its 11th year, supports the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community in Singapore. Besides the pinnacle event in the evening where everyone lights up pink glow sticks for an amazing photo op, the event will also have music and dance performances in the afternoon. Else, you could bring your family and have a picnic on the park grounds. With everyone dressed in all-things pink there, it’ll be a fun way to bond.
Admission is free. For more information, visit their website.
- TAGS:
- Apactix
- Asian Civilisations Museum
- Charles Lim Yi Yong
- Children’s Festival 2019
- Cucumber Hour
- Cutting-Edge Couture: The Future Of An Art Form With Guo Pei
- Gallery Children’s Biennale 2019
- Gardens by the Bay
- Goodman Arts Centre
- Goodman Open House 2019
- Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture
- Hong Lim Park
- INALA - A Zulu Ballet
- Jazz It Up! A Jazzy Celebration of Chinese Songs