SEE | Splash of colour | Affordable Art Fair
From Nov 10 to 12, the F1 Pit Building will transform into an art lover’s paradise as the Affordable Art Fair Singapore returns for its 14th year with a commercial presentation of 81 galleries from 20 different countries.
This year’s fair showcases galleries ranging from the contemporary flair of Alessandro Berni (US) and Beautifully Made (Singapore) to the avant-garde masterpieces of Smart Ship Gallery (Japan) and Cospace (China). A special nod goes to local luminaries like Artredot, Art Forum, Wasuka Art, Serenity Gallery, Maya Gallery, and Straits Gallery.
Whether you’re an art aficionado or just starting your collection, Affordable Art Fair is your one-stop destination to explore, engage, and elevate your senses with art of all mediums. From contemporary oil paintings to life-sized sculptures, there is artwork for every space and budget. Prices are transparent and prominently displayed, with all artworks priced under $15,000 — 75% of artworks priced below $7,500, and a delightful selection under $1,000 — ensuring there is something for every pocket.
A packed programme of activities for all ages offers opportunities to attend artist talks, participate in workshops and embark on guided tours. For the younger attendees, the Children’s Art Studio promises interactive fun, as well as the ever-popular #SPOTLIGHT section which showcases new artists from the region.
See also: The story of America: Award-winning Broadway musical Hamilton comes to town
Literary minds unite | Singapore Writers Festival
Unexpected combinations and unlikely connections abound as the Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) returns for its 26th edition from Nov 17 to 26. Organised by Arts House Limited and commissioned by the National Arts Council, SWF 2023 embraces the unpredictable in an eclectic array of close to 200 in-person programmes featuring about 250 local and international presenters with its festival theme “Plot Twist”.
Headliners and international speakers include powerhouse academic legendary scholar, literary theorist and feminist critic Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, and Vietnamese-American professor and multi-award-winning novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen, who is also part of this year’s spotlight on Asian-American authors.
See also: Weekout (Dec 11): Janice Wong, Butcher’s Block, Cat Bite Club, 39+ Art Space
From conversations on hip hop, punk rock and combat sports, to food-themed programmes and DIY-rap sessions that highlight the possibilities of the written and spoken word, get ready for a literary journey of twists and turns. Festival Passes can be purchased on www.singaporewritersfestival.com.
DRINK | Musical notes | Potato Head Singapore
A great place to unwind along Keong Saik’s gourmand enclave, Studio 1939 at Potato Head recently revamped its beverage menu to offer more introductory libations for cocktail novices. Called Palette of Sounds — inspired by music, art and locality — the menu, which looks like a 7-inch vinyl record cover, consists of 10 original creations using an array of carefully selected local ingredients to create unique sensory experiences.
Developed under the leadership of Mauritian bar manager Kavish Hurrydoss, the drinks list offers something for every personality and occasion, from the smooth jazz-infused notes of the Ottis Rock ($26) with bourbon, coffee, green apple, chocolate and a zing of jalapeno, to the vibrant, abstract expressions of a fruity and refreshing Rhythm and Vase ($23), a low-ABV mix of vermouth, watermelon, yuzu, citrus, Perrier and Aer.
Other highlights include the Imagine Dragon ($23), a highball-style cocktail built around the striking red hues of dragon fruit combined with gin, peach, pineapple, calamansi and lemongrass. Inspired by Indian flavours, the Sun Won’t Set ($26) features a harmonious blend of chaat masala, mango citrus, mace and curry leaf mixed with mezcal and tequila for a spice-forward tipple. Voice of the Moon ($21) also exemplifies the menu’s pillar of locality, celebrating Samai Kampot pepper from Cambodia with a fruity and savoury mix of rum, starfruit, coconut, lime and salt. Feeling adventurous? Opt for Trust Your Bartender ($28) and the team will come up with their perfect drink from base spirit and flavours to the presentation and style of drink.
To accompany your cocktail, the bar offers a delectable list of healthy nosh like plant-based chicken crostinis, squid salad with ponzu sauce, and juicy lamb kofta skewers.
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Cocktail playground | White Shades
If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, White Shades is a four-storey progressive cocktail playground on Boon Tat Street designed to encourage tipplers to explore spirits in different forms.
Helmed by JiaWei Bai, the co-founder of Stay Gold Flamingo (#32 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023), White Shades is deliberately eclectic, marrying different concepts at every floor, to offer a multi-sensory experience, where colours, flavours and music unite.
Each floor is designed to exude a different ambience, from a vibrant ice-cream parlour with boozy gelato cold-brewed tea and coffee, to a sophisticated cocktail bar, and laid-back rooftop destination serving draft cocktails and beer. There’s also a floor dedicated for events — a blank canvas adorned with ambient ceiling lights that can be customised to suit any branding or occasion.
On the second level called Cocktail, guests will find themselves in a dandy-looking bar enveloped in dark gradient tones and man-made stone. The vibe switches to a more elegant and luxurious mood, with soulful R&B tunes giving mellow acoustics from the cushioned walls. The inaugural “unRAW” cocktail menu boasts an ever-evolving line-up of boundary-pushing cocktails. Try progressive drinks like Savi Galloping — inspired by the Hermès scarves that decorate the space — made with Codigo Blanco tequila, paprika, lime, fire water and smoked chips. Another unique one is Bomber J, named after the bomber jacket uniform the team wears. This balanced cocktail features Suntory World Whisky AO, toasted rice syrup and Hinkoi bitters.
Accompanying the cocktails is a menu of bold, contemporary fusion dishes artfully composed by chef Hosni, previously from Employees Only. Menu highlights include Beef Tartare topped with a runny quail yolk and fiery sambal matah; Tagliatelle tossed with spiced bebek ragu and winged bean; and beef cheek Rendang Grilled Cheese with brie and red cheddar. For reservations, call 8575 8578.
EAT | Spanish culinary delights | ICEX Spain Trade & Investment
ICEX Spain Trade & Investment rolls out its annual Eat Spain, Drink Spain campaign to celebrating the bounty of Spanish gastronomy in Singapore.
Now on till Nov 15, gourmands will enjoy a plethora of mouth-watering activations from tastings and wine pairing dinners for professionals, retail promotions, and curated menus from over 16 participating bars and restaurants who have been bestowed with the Restaurants from Spain Certificate. They include the likes of Kulto, Restaurant Gaig, Next Door Spanish Café, Lumbre, Asador, UNA, Moxie Restaurant, Tinto, Terre Wine Bar, Esquina, Ahara, Tapas Club, Tapas 24, Barrio, and more.
This initiative aims to promote Spanish culinary delights, offering a delightful experience to professionals and consumers alike. With a successful track record in markets such as Germany and the United Kingdom, this program serves as a grand showcase for the excellence, prestige, and diversity of Spain's high-quality pantry.
For more info, visit https://www.foodswinesfromspain.com/en/certified-restaurants-from-spain
