"Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Ben Hur armchair for Roche Bobois (left) and Ora-ïto’s Ora-Gami chair with footrest for Steiner"
FRENCH FINESSE
Furniture and homeware designed by some of France’s most iconic tastemakers have landed at the National Design Centre. This travelling exhibition, called “No Taste For Bad Taste”, showcases 40 works by design bigwigs such as Philippe Starck, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec and matali crasset. Representing the best of French design in the last decade, the carefully curated selection includes egg cups and a bicycle. The Singapore leg of the exhibition also displays new works by French furniture brands Gautier and Pierre Frey as well as those by award-winning local industrial designer Nathan Yong. The ongoing exhibition will end its run on 16 November; admission is free. Visit designsingapore.org
Borghese Sofa by Noé Duchaufour Lawrance
"British-Nigerian poet, Theresa Lola"
"Multidisciplinary artist, Norah Lea"
THE WRITE STUFF
Held from 1 to 10 November at Civic District, the annual Singapore Writers Festival is back for its 22 nd edition this year. Themed “A Language of Our Own”, it examines language and its role in making sense of the world today. The line-up features Singaporean and overseas writers, and covers a range of topics, from feminism to the use of language in a multilingual society. There’s also the inaugural Epic Spoken Word Night (9 November at The Arts House’s Play Den), where six poets and spoken word artists will each do a performance reading. Visit sistic.com.sg
"Local film-maker Anthony Chen’s Wet Season will open this year’s SGIFF"
NOW SCREENING
The 30 th Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) will run from 21 November to 1 December with a dynamic line-up of films and programmes. Film buffs can expect more than 100 films from 40 countries. There’s also post-screening dialogues, masterclasses, panel discussions and talks to look forward to. Visit sgiff.com
"The works of late FilipinoAmerican artist Alfonso Ossorio will also be on display"
ALL ABOUT ART
The Singapore Biennale returns for its sixth edition from 22 November 2019 to 22 March 2020. Titled “Every Step in the Right Direction”, it presents new commissions and site‑specific works by over 70 artists from Singapore and Southeast Asia. The biennale, helmed for the first time by an external artistic director, Patrick Flores (an art historian and curator from the Philippines), invites artists and audiences to reflect on the potential of art to rework the world. The exhibitions will be spread across different sites, including the National Gallery Singapore, Gillman Barracks and areas in the Bras Basah and Bugis precincts. Visit singaporeartmuseum.sg
Scene Shang’s first sofa, Yan, finds a comfy home at the brand’s new store at Raffles Singapore
HOME-GROWN LUXE
Local furniture and design label Scene Shang has opened its second store at the recently refurbished Raffles Singapore. Its new home in the 132-year-old national monument highlights a house at the convergence of heritage and modernity; guests will feel like they’ve stepped into a 1920s Shanghai apartment in all its Art Deco glory. Besides artwork, home fragrances and award-winning designs such as the Jia Ju Rocking Stool, the new store, which offers an exclusive monogram service, houses the Yan Sofa exclusively. The brand’s first sofa design made in Singapore, it has leather covers and fine down feather cushion inserts for the ultimate lounging experience.
Aurora (above) and Mumford & Sons (left) are among the big names headlining the 2019 Neon Lights Festival
WEEKEND PARTY
If you’re after great music and performances, mark your calendars for Neon Lights Festival 2019, held on 23 and 24 November at Fort Canning Park. The outdoor music and arts festival is back again with a stellar line-up of music’s biggest and most eminent names, including headlining acts Halsey, electro-pop artist Aurora, electronic-soul act Honne, Australian soul singer Nick Murphy and Grammy Award-winning band Mumford & Sons. Complementing the main festivities on the music stages are Neon Nooks, a showcase of diverse performances, live art, installations and roving acts, and a silent disco zone. Also look out for local percussion group Bloco Singapura and South African visual artist Francois Knoetze, who will make appearances across both days. Visit sistic.com.sg
"Lea Salonga makes a return to our shores as Mrs Lovett"
CUT ABOVE THE REST
Tony- and Olivier Award-winning actress Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon) returns to Singapore to star in the musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Celebrating its 40 th anniversary this year, the Stephen Sondheim musical is based on the infamous tale of barber Sweeney Todd, who returns from exile to seek revenge on a corrupt judge, while going on a killing spree. Salonga plays his accomplice Mrs Lovett, a baker who is inspired by Todd’s thirst Mrs Lovett for blood and incorporates the grisly remains of his victims into her popular meat pies. The musical will run from 28 November to 8 December at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands. Visit sistic.com.sg
"Have a ball at the feel-good musical, A Spoonful of Sherman"
SONGBOOK OF YOUR CHILDHOOD
If you know the lyrics to “Spoonful of Sugar”, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “I Wanna Be Like You”, we recommend you catch the musical revue, A Spoonful of Sherman, presented by Sing’Theatre. Making its Asian premiere in Singapore from 20 to 30 November at SOTA Drama Theatre, it features songs written by Oscar-winning songwriting brothers Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, who have produced music for dozens of films, including beloved Disney classics such as Mary Poppins and The Aristocats. Get ready to be dazzled by the talented cast, which includes Aaron Khaled, George Chan, Hossan Leong, Mina Ellen Kaye and Vanessa Kee, and hum along to the tunes at this feel-good musical for all ages. Visit sistic.com.sg
BY ALLYSON KLASS
