May-ke The Best Of May
Spring is in full swing! Not that it makes much of a difference, with May shaping up to be one of the hottest months on record. But if a month-long haze didn’t stop us from having fun, what’s a little heat wave?
With the mid-year approaching, there’s no better time to reward yourself for surviving the first quarter of the year. May-ke this month memorable by splurging on a play or by trying out something new.
Here are 20 new and fun things to do that you can may-ke merry with this coming May!
– EVENTS –
1. Istana Open House
Right smack in the middle of town next to Plaza Singapura lies SIngapore’s very own royal residence – The Istana (‘palace’ in Malay).
This Labour day, you’ll have the opportunity to take a glimpse into what lies behind the cast-iron gates of the official residence of our President. Apart from taking in the spectacular scenery of the idyllic Istana Gardens, you can also go on an educational tour through selected function rooms or enjoy performances on its manicured lawns.
You can even do this!
Guests are also allowed to take pictures with the Presidential guards and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the President himself!
Take a look at our guide to the Istana Open House here!
Date & Time: 1 May 2016, 8.30am to 6pm
Venue: Orchard Road, Singapore 238823
Admissions: Free admission for Singaporeans and PRs, additional fees apply.
2. Super Japan
Forget Hallyu, the J-wave is making a comeback! The Land of The Rising Sun rarely disappoints. Prepare yourself for mind-blowing pop performances, mouth-watering gastronomical delights and everything Japanese-ish in this eclectic 10-day cultural festival.
Although there are no sumo wrestlers here, the lineup of first-rate performances, hands-on workshops and epic Japanese storytelling means dull moments are few and far between. This is the closest you will get to otaku heaven, meaning grilled squid, experimental music and black-and-white animes of the yesteryear are just some of the things you can look forward to at the Super Japan festival.
Date & Time: 13 – 22 May 2016,
Venue: 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Admissions: Standard Tickets $118, S$88; Box D & E $88
3. Bubble Glow 5K
There’re two types of people: those who exercise, and those who really want to. To my fellow PE ponners, the Bubble Glow 5K may be the end to your hate-hate affair with running. This walk-a-jog is a huge glowing UV bubble bash against the backdrop of Gardens By The Bay, just with a couple of clicks thrown in!
Cross the finish line and you will be rewarded with a stellar music carnival amidst a sea of psychedelic foam. And if that isn’t motivation enough for you to finish the race,think of all the likes that you’ll get when you post your #FeelTheGlow selfie on Instagram .
Date & Time: 21 May 2016, 6pm
Venue: Gardens By The Bay, Bay East Gardens
Admissions: $45 for kids, $65 for adults
Find out more here!
4. Sentosa FunFest 2016
Come May, Sentosa’s Mega Beach Festival returns, bigger and better than ever. Unleash your inner child with their gigantic play area, decked out with larger-than-life inflatables, huge water slides, a Bungee Run and bubbling Foam Pools.
Now you cannot say TSL bojio!
Date & Time: 28 May 2016 to 5 June 2016, 10am to 7pm
Venue: Palawan Green, Sentosa
Admissions: $28
Find out more here!
5. Les Misérables
After a two-decade long wait, Singaporeans will finally get to hear the people sing the song of angry men again!
Not all musicals are created equal. And this Broadway classic coming to the Esplanade from 31 May till 17 July is one of those musicals that you have to catch at least once in your life. Even if you’re no musical junkie, you’ll probably find yourself humming along to super catchy I Dreamed A Dream and Bring Him Home months after watching the musical.
Lucky for you Les Mis-ophiles, this much-loved blockbuster musical is here to stay for nine weeks.
Date & Time: 31 May 2016 to 17 July 2016
Venue: Esplanade Box Office, 1 Esplanade Drive Singapore 038981
Admissions: $228, $198, $168, $128, $98, $58
Find out more here!
6. Silent Disco Launch Party
You could be a house music junkie, hardcore rock fanatic or disco dancer, and you’d still fit right in at this silent rave! Housed in the bohemian Kult Kafe atop Emily Hill, this underground party will change the way you club forever.
Clubbing sans the loud, thumping beats may look a little strange to passers-by; but you’ll never need to bear the judgemental gaze of other party-goers while you mosh wildly to Nirvana, or twerk off-beat to the Biebs.
Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it – this may be the greatest party of your life.
Date & Time: 14 & 15 May 2016, 8pm to 2am
Venue: kult kafé, 11 Upper Wilkie Road Singapore 228120
Admissions: $20 (+ one free drink)
Find out more here!
7. Savour GOURMET 2016
I’m no food connoisseur, but indulging in good food every now and again never fails to put me in a good mood. Imagine sampling your way through a smorgasbord of gourmet eats – for just $6 and $12 – while sipping on your favourite cocktail and grooving along to live music.
This food festival’s a feast for the eyes and the stomach. Hello, blissful food coma.
Date: 12 to 15 May 2016
Venue: Bayfront Avenue
Admissions: Free | $30 nett for Savour Experience Pack
Find out more here!
8. Getai Soul 2016
Think Getai (歌台, or song stage), and images of boisterous, colourful stage performances and flashy entertainers belting out MandoPop tunes would probably come to mind.
The Getai’s Group third pop-up concert, Getai Soul, is a whole different ball game, mashing together soul music and the Getai spirit for a performance that’s sure to draw gig-goers in droves. Soul music, soul food and soul art galore await you – trust me, you’ll never want to leave.
Date: 7 & 8 May 2016
Venue: Pearl’s Hill City Park
Admissions: $48/$58 for 1 Day Pass; $78/$88 for 2 Day Pass
Find out more here!
9. PANGDEMONIUM’s Falling
Put aside your TVB and K-dramas, because nothing beats a play that tugs at the heartstrings . Starring Adrian Pang, Neo Swee Lin and Tan Kheng Hua, Falling is a poignant family drama that’s sure to pack an emotional wallop.
You’ll enter the world of Tami and Bill, ordinary parents who are forced to question the meaning of unconditional love and why some marriages necessarily come with an expiry date. Sorry, tissues not included.
Date & Time: 13 May 2016 to 5 June 2016, 3pm & 8pm
Venue: KC Arts Centre Home of SRT, 20 Merbau Rd Singapore 239035
Admissions: $40/$50 for matinee; $45/$55 for evening
Find out more here!
10. Keong Saik Carnival
Keong Saik Road has earned its rep as one of the trendiest hoods, with a slew of hot tables and quaint shophouses that simply ooze old-world charm. Really, I couldn’t dream up a more perfect location for a street market cum culture event than this hip indie enclave.
It’s street fashion meets art, culture meets award-winning food. Plus you’ll also get to rock to some of the best local and regional acts and acclaimed DJs spinning from noon till night.
This is the quintessential hipster event of the year.
Date & Time: 28 May 2016, 12nn to 10.30pm
Venue: Keong Saik Road
Admissions: Free
– THINGS TO DO –
11. Explore Hidden Gems in SG You Never Knew Existed
By now, I’d thought there’d be no more hidden gems left to unearth. Turns out I’m mistaken, and sorely so.
For those still convinced that there’s no corner of Singapore left untrodden, I don’t blame ya. We’ve saved you the trouble of conducting a google search by piecing together a long list of little known gems in Singapore that you didn’t know about. From dilapidated abandoned schools that look straight out of a horror flick to a skate park local fashion labels want all to themselves, you can check out our guide to some of the most underrated places in Singapore here.
12. Stuff Yourself Silly With SG’s Best Street Eats
The way to any Singaporean’s heart is through his stomach. Thankfully, our tiny island is bursting with crave-worthy nosh, sure to tantalise your tastebuds. What better way to get a lil’ patriotic than trading your cafe-hopping expedition for a SIngaporean street food crawl, chowing down everything from skewered marinated meat dipped in peanut sauce to delish deep-fried dough fritter pastries.
Take advantage of the good May weather to eat your way through some of our finest local street food; here’s our list of must-try street fare that you’d want in your belly to help you out!
13. Visit Singapore’s Land Of Smiles
The Golden Mile stretch is an ethnic enclave oft overlooked, dwarfed by Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam. For those with a penchant for all things Siamese, you’ll find everything you could ever hope for within this stepped-terrace megastructure – authentic Thai food, exotic Thai snacks and even raunchy Thai discos.
It’s Bangkok on a shoestring budget, minus the sweltering sub-40 degree weather. Piqued your curiosity? Check out our guide before you go!
14. Brunch With Friends In A Colonial House
Old is gold – though they’ve dwindled in numbers, colonial houses are as grand and majestic as they were in their heyday. Scattered around in some of the most inaccessible spots imaginable, the surviving colonial houses admittedly require some stamina to get to, but once the scent of fresh bread wafts into your nostrils you’ll forget the pain in a jiffy.
Hit up our guide for the best surviving colonial houses, coupled with a healthy dose of nostalgia. If only Leo’s Jay Gatsby would saunter down the stairwell to join me for brunch too.
15. Drone Up And Take Some Epic IG Pics
“Everything has already been photographed, just not by everyone yet.” Search the geotag for any location, and you’ll find it’s been captured in every angle possible. Well, until drones.
Who knew Singapore could look so beautiful from up top? Have an eye in the sky for a fresh perspective, and some winning IG pictures to boot – we’ve sussed out some of the most mind-blowing drone pictures here!
16. SkillsFuture
.Contrary to what you might think, SkillsFuture isn’t all work and no play.
Aimed at providing resources for lifelong learning, you’ve access not only to education and career-related courses, but also learn invaluable skills encompassing everything from basic bread making to analysing animal behaviour and welfare. You’ll be surprised what a new skill can do for your CV (or your Tinder profile).
17. Embrace Nature In Singapore’s Largest Freshwater Marshland
There’s no shortage of green spaces in our Garden City; and amid our very own countryside, a new natural landscape has sprouted up. You’ll find yourself dwarfed by verdancy in the largest freshwater marshland, doubling up as a hotspot for migratory birds.
As always, we’ve done the dirty work for you. Check out our guide to Kranji Marshes here!
18. Watch A Wet Market Come Alive After Dark
Farm-to-table meals are all the rage now, so why not take it up a notch with some sea-to-table chili crabs and BBQ stingray too? Tucked away in the North of Singapore, Senoko Fishery Port buzzes with activity as the city sleeps, with a dizzying array of seafood piled high in distinctive pink plastic baskets.
Brace yourself for the sights and sounds of a wet market at its best. Although no amount of deodorant can save you from smelling just like the port after your excursion, the rock-bottom prices of the h fresh seafood will appease all of your complaints.
19. Plan An Alternative Date With Bae
For those still racking your brains to find a #relationshipgoals-worthy date night, fret not ‘cos we’ve just the thing – nay, eleven things – for an unconventional couple day out.
20. Ferry To A Beautiful Island Paradise For The First Time
Many a long weekend was spent at Bangkok, Malaysia, or a staycation somewhere in the city. You may only know Bintan for its resorts and school camps, but your mini-travel bucket list wouldn’t be complete without this undiscovered gem.
To indulge your wanderlust, we give you the lowdown about the best places off the beaten track that even Google Maps can’t tell you about. You’ll never see Bintan the same way again!
May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favour
My forecast for the month of May: sun, fun and merry times all month long! There’s a lil’ something for everyone this month, and perhaps the clear weather is a blessing in disguise after all.
Make the most of everything this sun-drenched island has to offer, even if it means exiting your comfort zone and setting foot in a theatre, or giving your grey matter a little stimulation.