2021 is flying by faster than we know, and we’re now welcoming April with arms wide open. There’s so much to do, too – starting with a Good Friday public holiday and Easter Sunday brunches at cafes and restaurants in town. This month is looking very promising!
And yes, it may be April – but we’re not kidding about these ultra-exciting happenings around town. From Singapore’s answer to the Songkran Water Festival to healthy dining options and Uniqlo’s latest collection to wear on your next date with the girl of your dreams, these are the best new happenings this month.
Things To Do
Otah & Friends
Everyone’s favourite otter is visiting a new side of Singapore! After a successful run at Gardens by the Bay, Otah & Friends is heading to SAFRA Punggol so you have even more time to discover Otah’s colourful world!
For 45 minutes, let loose and explore every nook and cranny of Otah’s whimsical house. Otah has even planned out a whole series of otter-ly fun activities to do together. Complete the activity book to receive an Otah & Friends sticker. So, plan a play date with the adorable otter this April!
Tickets cost $12 for SAFRA members and $15 for the public, available for sale from Monday, 5 April. Get your tickets at mySAFRA portal, mSAFRA app or at Concierge Counter, Level 3, SAFRA Punggol.
12 April – 4 July
SAFRA Punggol; www.safra.sg/whats-on/otah-and-friends
Textures 2021
Bookworms, this one’s for you. Annual literary festival Textures is back for its fourth edition and for the first time, it takes on the form of a mobile truck installation and travelling library. Called ‘Bottled City’, the installation will begin at The Arts House before travelling to SAFRA Jurong (from 30 March to 4 April), SAFRA Yishun (6 April to 11 April) and SAFRA Toa Payoh (13 April to 18 April).
Visitors are invited to nurture their love for Singapore Literature by looking at the books, miniatures, paper cut sculptures, terrariums and more as they learn more about the scenes and landscapes that are part of the Sing Lit scene.
Free Admission
SAFRA Jurong (30 March to 4 April), SAFRA Yishun (6 April to 11 April) and SAFRA Toa Payoh (13 April to 18 April); www.safra.sg/whats-on/textures-2021
Paw-verbs on the Lawn
Love cats? The adorable kucings are brought to life on the lawn of the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) in a special collaboration with Japanese artist Juno of mofu_sand. You’ll find 30 cat standees on display at the lawn of MHC, interspersed with a collection of 10 common Malay proverbs that spotlight how the cat is used metaphorically to convey different aspects of human behaviour and emotions. Get your cameras ready and snap photos of the shy, elusive, intimidating, authoritative, restless, quick and even quarrelsome felines.
There are also related programmes and activities, including a performative storytelling session titled ‘The Lure of the Feline’ by theatre actor, director and playwright Gene Sha Rudyn. And there’s also a chance to win exclusive mofu_sand cat illustration button badges – prowl MHC’s grounds and galleries to ‘Find the Paw-Verb!’, which will be released weekly on MHC’s Instagram page from 16 March.
Till 30 May
85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501; www.malayheritage.gov.sg
Songkran Water Festival 2021
You may not be able to experience the exhilarating Songkran Water Festival in Thailand this year, but that doesn’t mean you should get FOMO. You can still have some fun at Wild Wild Wet this April. The water park has a month-long, all-new festival experience where it will be refreshingly transformed into a Thai-themed attraction. So come, water-guns ablazing and join an epic water gun battle daily from 3pm to 5pm at Wild Wild Wet!
1 to 30 April
1 Pasir Ris Close, Singapore 519599; www.wildwildwet.com
Cats of The World Purrzaar
More exciting news for feline lovers! The popular Cats of The World Purrzaar (COTW) is back on 10 and 11 April, this time in partnership with Cat Welfare Society (CWS). Its latest edition at UltraSuperNew Gallery features an Instagram Cats exhibition, a fun Purrzaar market of talented makers and artists, cat-themed workshops and a cats adoption drive. Entry is free by registration here.
10 to 11 April
107 Rowell Rd, Singapore 208031; www.facebook.com/Catsoftheworldphotoexhibition
Travel/Staycations
Opus Foodie Steak-cation – Stay, Steak & Free Flow Wine
Merge your love for staycations and food with the Opus Foodie Steak-cation at Hilton Singapore. Indulge in a weekend of steak and free flow wine priced from $265++ per night from now till 31 July. Guests will enjoy an overnight stay for up to two adults, daily Hilton breakfast and Opus premium sharing steak dinner experience for two (inclusive of 2-hour free flow wine). Don’t miss the signature sharing steaks such as the 1kg U.S. Black Angus bone-in rib eye, the Grilled Premium Seafood Platter and the 1.2kg whiskey-aged Rangers Valley Wagyu Tomahawk. Click here to book.
Till 31 July, from $265++ a night
581 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238883; www.hilton.com
Tropical Staycations at RWS
Can’t travel to escape the hustle and bustle of Singapore? No problem. Transport yourself to the stunning shores of Hawaii with RWS’s idyllic Island Escapes staycation packages. Book an all-inclusive premium staycation at either Equarius Hotel or Hotel Michael from just $278++ a night. Wake up and enjoy a relaxing breakfast before exploring attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore or the S.E.A. Aquarium. Then, spend the evening by indulging in a four-course dinner at Fratelli, which boasts an Italian spin on Hawaiian dishes.
And here’s a special promotion for even more savings: book your staycation package on the RWS website with Mastercard and enjoy $50 off.
From $278++ a night; www.rwsentosa.com/en/hotels
Shopping
Uniqlo’s +J Spring/Summer 2021 Collection
Amp up your wardrobe and look suave with new pieces from Uniqlo’s +J Spring/Summer 2021 collection, which is back in stores and online. In legendary German designer Jil Sander’s third collaboration with the brand, highlights in the men’s lineup include an oversized hooded long coat with a pale grey texture displaying carefully sculpted 3D-volume, and a classic polo defined by a crisp fit. There are also authentic selvedge denim jeans for both men and women – in a cool, straight silhouette. Outfit for your next date? Sorted.
Full collection available at the Orchard Central Global Flagship and ION Orchard stores, and online at Uniqlo.com. Selected items are available at all Uniqlo stores islandwide.
The Adventurer Roll Up By Aesop & Ræburn
Australian skincare brand Aesop has partnered with sustainable fashion studio Raeburn for a joint venture that builds on both brands’ shared principles – namely practicality, functionality and purpose. The result is a portable pouch for on-the-go hand care, available in three variants: the Adventurer Roll Up, Ræmade Adventurer Roll up and an Open Source Roll Up pattern. We love the pouch, handcrafted from pre-consumer recycled cotton, designed to contain essentials needed to navigate the urban jungle. Or you know, it might even come in handy when you’re exploring Coney Island.
Available at all Aesop signature stores, department store counters, selected stockists and Aesop Online.
Dining
Easter Weekend At The English House By Marco Pierre White
This Easter, The English House by Marco Pierre White introduces its Easter Sunday Menu. On Good Friday (2 April), order up a massive rack of lamb carved at the restaurant’s antique serving trolley. On 2 and 3 April, weekend breakfast is served from 9am to 10.45am. Come hungry on Easter Sunday (4 April), where you can find specials including homemade scotch eggs, stuffed leg of lamb and chocolate Valrhona tart. It’s bound to be a food-fuelled weekend!
28 Mohamed Sultan Rd, Singapore 238972; www.theenglishhouse.com
Nusantara
Authentic Nusantara (the Indonesian archipelago) cuisine is made healthier at this new restaurant in town. Located at Frasers Tower, Nusantara is the latest lunch spot for those working in the CBD. The extensive menu consists of traditional favourites as well as rice bowls that have been given a vegan twist – think Vegan Lontong Bowl ($7.90) with rice cake served with sayur lodeh, spiced coconut serunding, sambal bajak and keropok; or the Vegan Nasi Sambal Goreng Bowl ($7.90) made of blue pea rice with sambal goreng, vegetables served with sambal bajak and keropok. Just feeling peckish? The eatery also has beloved snacks like mashed banana fritters ($2), kole kole ($2) and roti boyan ($2.50).
182 Cecil Street #02-16/17, Frasers Tower, Singapore 069547; www.nusantara.sg
Persea
Hear ye, hear ye, there’s a new watering hole in town! And it offers keto-friendly food options, too. Located on the hip Ann Siang Road, Persea’s food menu is designed to change every few months. Its debut, however, features bright Mediterranean flavours with unique combinations of nuts, spices and oils. Order up the puffed pork skins ($6) dusted with chilli lime salt or have some cauli-hummus ($10) dip dressed with tahini and za’atar for starters, followed by the mouth-watering barramundi ($28) or shish taouk ($24). Bartender Noah Lim spearheads the cocktail menu, with innovative drinks like Pa’low’ma ($16) and Chrysantonic ($16) – perfect for after-work drinks.
23 Ann Siang Rd, Singapore 069703; www.persea.sg
