After an eventful January with exciting events around town, February has even more happenings in store. It’s never too late to get started on your new year’s resolutions, or pick up new skills and hobbies. As we usher in the Year of the Tiger, shake up the second month of the year with cool art exhibitions, amazing restaurants, fresh bike releases, and even one of the best durian desserts in town. Read on to find out what you should check out this February 2022.
Things To Do
Valentine’s Day Craft Workshops at SAFRA Mount Faber
Thinking of a fun date activity this Valentine’s Day? Surprise your special person to a fun-filled afternoon of making art and crafting at SAFRA Mount Faber’s Work Room. And don’t worry if you don’t have the skills of Pablo Picasso. An art instructor will be there to guide you – so you can learn a new skill, create an art piece and bond with your significant other.
12 & 13 February at SAFRA Mount Faber; $35 (SAFRA Members) & $40 (Guests); more info at safra.sg/whats-on/valentine’s-day-craft-workshops
Taekwondo at SAFRA Jurong
It’s never too late to start on your New Year’s resolutions. This February, consider mixing up your fitness routine with a martial art at SAFRA Jurong. For the uninitiated, taekwondo is one of the most popular martial art forms, combining combat techniques, self-defence, meditation and philosophy. Get working on your kicking techniques, take advantage of the combination of both anaerobic and aerobic workouts and pick up new combat and self-defence techniques while you’re at it.
Every Tuesday & Saturday at SAFRA Jurong; $10 (SAFRA Members); $12 (Guests); more info at safra.sg/whats-on/taekwondo
Total Defence 2022 at Singapore Discovery Centre
Total Defence Day falls on 15 February, so it’s a good time to head on to Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC) for a curated series of exhibits, a special showcase and programmes to look back at past incidents and challenges. Explore how Singaporeans overcame them through each of the six pillars of Total Defence: Military Defence, Civil Defence, Economic Defence, Social Defence, Digital Defence and Psychological Defence.
Don’t miss the spanking new defence-themed guided tour titled Through the Ages, fronted by ‘Friends of SDC’ volunteers and Singapore Story Guides. You’ll get to explore the Permanent Exhibits Gallery – Through the Lens of Time and Sandbox – and read more about key historical events that have shaped our defence strategy and how it has evolved over time.
Till 27 March; more info at www.sdc.com.sg/td22-psei
RE:BIRTH
A celebrity couple is taking over the Sands Theatre this March. Alongside preparing for the arrival of their third child, singer-songwriter Tay Kewei and Project Superstar 2014 winner Alfred Sim are coupling up for their highly anticipated first full-fledged concert together. Let them serenade you with inventive reimaginings of their hit songs and new songs. Get your tickets and be prepared to be dazzled by the crooners’ beautiful duets.
4 & 5 March 2022; more info at sistic.com.sg/events/rebirth0322
Miss Julie
This February, theatre lovers should check out Amy Ng’s adaptation of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie, a naturalistic play written in 1888. The adaptation transports audiences into a tumultuous era, where the disintegration of the British Empire is set against the rising consciousness of nationalism sweeping across Asia. It’s a provocative play co-produced by Singapore Repertory Theatre and Hong Kong Arts Festival.
From 25 January; more info at srt.com.sg/show/miss-julie
Nam June Paik: The Future Is Now
In case you haven’t heard, National Gallery Singapore is staging a major showcase of Nam June Paik (1932 – 2006) – its only Asian stop after kicking off at London’s Tate Modern in 2019.
Named the ‘Father of Video Art’, Paik was one of the early adopters of audio and visual images in his works. Within the National Gallery Singapore, you’ll find Paik’s five decades of visionary and playful practice through more than 180 works across all media. Marvel at his popular works such as Sistine Chapel, John Cage Robot II and Grandfather, Grandmother and Sister robots. This retrospective reveals Paik’s prescience and enduring inspiration by spotlighting his multidisciplinary and collaborative career which incorporated art, music, performance, and technology, in conversation with philosophies and traditions from Eastern and Western cultures.
Till 27 March; more info at nationalgallery.sg/see-do/programme-detail/430762566/nam-june-paik-the-future-is-now
Shopping
‘Little Black Book’ by Olga Iserlis
Bynd Artisan has collaborated with prominent society hostess and businesswoman Olga Iserlis for her new book, the Little Black Book. The book offers a generous helping of bite-sized inspirations, ideas and anecdotes drawn from her own experiences.
Flip through 208 pages and three sections – “Fashion & Style”, “Etiquette & Manners”, and “History & Tradition” – where readers are invited inside the elegant world of Olga Iserlis. Whether you need one for your own bookshelf or are gifting it to someone special, this new book is a great option.
$60; available at byndartisan.com and in-store, Kinokuniya, and Amazon USA.
Creative Intersections
Local writer Heather Teo creates a fictional narrative that brings together artist and brand collaborations at Funan. Based on a trip to the zoo and titled “The Thing to Do on Sundays”, each artist and brand collaboration will reflect this theme through their own short story or dialogue.
Take part in activities like picking up a pair of limited edition pumps from Dr Martens that can be customised by local artist Speak Cryptic, catching a special exhibition at premium art toy gallery BLAXK by ActionCity, and checking in on the NFT artworks at Love, Bonito and the newly opened Underground Pedestrian Link.
Till 13 February; more info at artweek.sg/events/creative-intersections-in-the-year-of-the-tiger
Brompton T Line
Looking for a brand new folding bike for your commute to work? Brompton Bicycle has just announced the launch of T Line, its lightest bike ever. Weighing just 7.45kg – 37% less than the original all-steel equivalent – it encompasses three years of research and development.
The bikes are made as light as possible for optimal city performance, with a carbon crankset for greater power transfer and a 60-gram derailleur for smooth shifting Pioneering Carbon Seat Post. Here’s a fun fact: It’s the first bike in the world with a steel-armoured carbon seat post – making it faster to fold and easier to carry.
The bikes are available in two specifications, T Line One and T Line Urban – both exclusively available via a ballot system on brompton.com.
More info at brompton.com
Dining
KM Bagel & Waffle
Located on the second floor of Tanjong Pagar Plaza is a cool new spot that functions as a cafe and bar – all wrapped up in aesthetically pleasing interiors. The establishment, co-owned by a chef who cooked for Team Great Britain’s athletes during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, serves up delicious bagels and waffles. Tuck into items on the menu like Octopus & Waffle and Lobster Scramble, served up on thick and mouthwatering waffles or bagels of your choice.
End your meal with a refreshing cocktail, concocted by the brilliant team behind the bar. Head mixologist Richard Li has helmed prestigious bars like Tanglin Club and National Gallery’s rooftop bar Smoke & Mirrors – so you know you’re in good hands.
7 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #02-101, Singapore 081007; more info at kmgroup.sg
99 Old Trees Durian
Durian lovers, listen up. 99 Old Trees Durian has moved into its beautiful new home at 1 Teo Hong Road, right outside Outram MRT Exit H. But beyond just everyone’s favourite fruit (arguably), you can order up the Stinky Bomb, a finger-licking golden choux puff with butter sugar crumbs filled with Mao Shan Wang flesh and light cream or the Stinky Roll, a fluffy Japanese sponge cake filled with Mao Shan Wang flesh and French custard cream.
1 Teo Hong Rd, Singapore 088321; more info at 99oldtrees.com
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