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May 31 - june 6, 2013 yOuR InSPIRaTIOn TO a WeeKenD fIlleD WITh fun anD haPPIneSS DelIVeReD fRee TO yOuR hOMe

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02 • WEEKENDER • may 31 - june 6, 2013 YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITh FUN AND hAPPINESS

VENTS All events are correct at time of print.= FREEFor a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgpE

If you would like your event listed, please email the details and

pictures (where applicable) to [email protected]

2 weeks before your event date.

Listings must arrive in email Wednesday two weeks before

publication. Listings are free but, as space is limited, inclusion is not

guaranteed. Nevertheless, we try our best to include every listing possible.

W

frEEadmiSSioN

EXHIBITIONM

USTSEE

“Building PeoPle” PhotograPhy ComPetitionUntil 9 JuneThe CapitaLand-National Geographic Channel’s “Building People” Photography Competition is back for the fourth year. Submit an original, captioned photograph according to the double themes of “Best Building Moment” and “Best People Moment”. Prizes include an all-expenses paid trip for an overseas Nat Geo assignment under the mentorship of renowned photographer Michael Yamashita.Submit at www.capitalands.com/ngcphoto

dBS marina Bay Sailing ProgrammeUntil 30 Nov, Sat, various timesDBS collaborates with Singapore Sailing Federation to offer the experience of sailing to the public on the last Saturday of every month from April to November 2013, with seven sessions per Saturday. Four people are allowed on each boat, with a skipper to guide them. They will be able to see Marina Bay Sands, Singapore’s new financial downtown, Customs House, the Merlion

and Helix Bridge during the sailing experience. Visit www.dbs.com/community/dbsmarinabaysailing to register. Marina Bay Promenade, Pontoon

dena Foundation reSidenCy ProgrammeCloses 3 JunNAC is calling for applications from emerging visual artists and curators for an international residency programme at the Centre International d'Accueil et d'Echanges des Récollets Paris, organised by the Dena Foundation. The residency programme runs for three to four months, and participants may get to present an exhibition of their work in Paris and Singapore. Successful applicants will receive funding for their round-trip travel and associated programme costs. Visit www.nac.gov.sg/dena-foundation-residency every Child a giFt: exhiBition By SingaPore Children’S SoCietyUntil 6 Jun, library hoursSingapore Children’s Society is presenting a Heritage Corner Exhibit that features the Society's history, to commemorate its 60 years of commitment in bringing relief to children in need.National Library Building, Promenade, Level 9, 100 Victoria Street

every triCk only needS one truthUntil 15 Jun, 11am-7pm (Mon-Sat), closed Sun & public holidaysSingaporean contemporary oil painter and sculptor David Chan presents oil paintings and sculptures in this solo exhibition. With his uncanny ability to create layers and textures through his artwork, he implores the audience to ponder the shortcomings of human perception and how our volatile and evolving judging criteria ultimately mars and forms our ‘truths’. ART SEASONS Singapore, 1 Selegie Road, #02-021/24, PoMo

ikea 25-hour Cook-oFF14-15 Jun, 11amCreate and upload a 25-second video entry with your spouse, friend or anyone above 18 years old about why you deserve to win an Ikea kitchen. The top 24 most creative entries will take part in some culinary challenges over 25 hours in Ikea's kitchens, and stand to win $10,000 in cash and prizes. Pick up culinary tips from guest judges - blogger Dr Leslie Tay of ieatishootipost.sg and HungryGoWhere's co-

Commissioned by Night Safari, four prominent street artists will work on creative art pieces inspired by endangered animals. Together with the introduction of Asiatic black bears and a new Malayan tiger exhibit, this visual bonanza features art pieces, graffiti and illustrations highlighting the plights of the Asian elephant, Malayan tiger, Indian rhino species and more. The exhibition will be moved to another location after Jul 15.Night Safari, Singapore Zoo, 80 Mandai Lake Road

founder Wong Hoong An, or take part in the fringe activities.IKEA Alexandra, 317 Alexandra Road; IKEA Tampines, 60 Tampines North Drive 2

learning From treeS, From ChaoS to harmony1-29 Jun, 10am-6pmSingapore's award-winning artist Yeo Shih Yun translates her understanding of the complexity and elegance of Chinese brush painting in a collection of three series. In this latest exhibition, she presents new pieces that reflect the lessons she has learnt from previous series, where she sought to replicate nature's movements. Art Forum, 82 Cairnhill Road

luCiano ventrone: Sui generi/SUntil 9 Jun, 12-7pm (Tue-Sat), 12-6pm (Sun), closed Mon & public holidaysSui Generi/s, curated by Cesare Biasini Selvaggi, will feature more than 50 masterpieces by Roman artist Luciano Ventrone, a master of figurative art. Be awed by his extraordinary pictorial techniques, which show in his still-life works, portraits and landscapes. Gillman Barracks, Partners & Mucciaccia Gallery, Block 6, Lock Road, #02-10

meet Shen Shi'an, author oF the amaZing & amuSing adventureS oF Sam & Sara8 Jun, 3.30-4.30pmMeet the author of this comic strip collection of 100 misadventures of Sam and Sara, which are playful, quirky and contain counterintuitive and philosophical messages. There will be an introduction to the book and the making of it, a screening of book trailers, a 'live' drawing demonstration, a preview of book two, and a quiz with limited edition Sam & Sara mugs with a complete comic story to be won. Please produce your relevant receipt upon requesting for the author’s autograph.Ngee Ann City, Kinokuniya, 391 Orchard Road, #03-09

oPera in the Park15 Jun, 7pm Listen to your favourite opera

arT SEEN 1 Jun - 15 Jul, 7.30pm-12am, $17.50 (Student, after 9pm, until 31 Aug), $23 (Child), $35 (Adult)& HErd! Featuring lush sonic offerings

Pleasantry, Fauxe and Weish, the Syndicate Subsessions marks the first time the Subsessions stage hosts a collaborative set where Singapore’s current indie darlings, Pleasantry, shares the spotlight with emerging electronic producer, Fauxe, and Weish who'll be giving a one-woman live-looping performance. There will be live visuals by Syndicate resident visualist, Brandon Tay.Substation Theatre, 45 Armenian Street

Syndicate subsessions1 Jun, 8pm, $20

Organised by the National Arts Council and co-presented by local dance company Frontier Danceland, Sprouts is a dancing competition like no other - participants have to go through a six-month training process, workshop sessions and a mentorship programme with a

Sprouts

mentor of their choice. Prizes include cash, a

developmental grant and the opportunity to be featured on other dance platforms.

Visit www.SproutsSingapore.com. Email [email protected] with your applications by Jun 15.

Having earned recognition internationally, MICappella, Singapore’s very own vocal rock band blends rock, R&B, pop and dance music, all without

MICappella: Here We Go31 May, 7.30pm, 9.30pm, $25 instruments. The concert

features songs they performed during The Sing-Off, China's TV singing competition, as well as original compositions.Recital Studio, Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive

Following the launch of the Worlds Apart Fair in January 2013, rooms in Parkroyal will be transformed into a dreamscape of fine art that will intrigue art lovers and collectors.

This event features exquisitely curated artworks from over 100

Art Apart Fair 20135-7 Jul, 11am-9pm daily, $10

artists from around Asia and provocative art installations, which include curated themes such as Korean Wave, Asian Spirit and Butterfly Effect.

Visit www.artapartfair.com/ticket for tickets. Parkroyal on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering St

Asiatic Black Bear

Malayan Tiger The Art Seen & Herd! artists

The Night Safari’s Chawang the Elephant

may 31 - june 6, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 03YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITh FUN AND hAPPINESS

EVENTSAll events are correct at time of print.For a pdf copy of Weekender

visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp

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All events listed here are accurate at the the time of print, or are listed as stated by the organisers. Please check with the relevant organisers and contacts for more information and to book tickets.

An EvEning of opErAtic Music with i Musici9 Jun, 7.30pm, $35, $60, $80, $100, $125Italian Chamber Orchestra I Musici returns with a program of popular operatic music by Italian opera composers such as Verdi, Vivaldi, and a guest appearance of soprano Nancy Yuen. The programme includes G Rossini’s Overture from “The Barber of Seville”, and G Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro. One of the best baroque chamber orchestras worldwide, it is a conductor-less ensemble with excellent musicians such as Felix Ayo, Salvatore Accardo and Pina Carmirelli. It is the oldest active chamber group in the world diffusing eighteenth century Italian music, and their award-winning performances represent the finest traditions of Italian music, having sold more than 25 million copies in various editions of Vivaldi and the Four Seasons. Tickets from Sistic. SCO Concert Hall, 7 Shenton Way

BE concErt8 Jun, 7pm, $68Come for the inaugural BE concert, which will be launched by the Be Movement, a social enterprise founded locally to encourage people to have the courage to be. Blogger Mr Brown and his newly formed band is the opening act, followed by poet Marc Nair, Wee Tzi Yi and Dalena Lee from Mosaic Dance, and more. An auction will also be held, with part of the proceeds going to a non-profit organisation Healthy Mother Earth Foundation. Visit www.ticketmash.sg/bemovementSingapore Flyer, 30 Raffles Avenue, Megu Event Hall

BEErfEst AsiA13-16 Jun, 6pm-2am (14 & 15 Jun), 6pm-1am (13 Jun), 12pm-10pm (16 Jun), $15, $20, $28, $30, $40, $117, $130, $162, $180This annual regional premier beer festival is back with a diverse selection of over 300 beers from all over the world for beer and beverage enthusiasts. Unwind with live stage performances, a comedy club, beer auctions and tasting workshops. This year offers a new Craft Beer Experience section where festival-goers are taken through each step of the beer-making process by brewers themselves, taste unique home brews, and purchase a home kit to try brewing at home. Tickets from Sistic.Tent @Marina Promenade, F1 tracks behind the Singapore Flyer

Big chEf LittLE chEf: fAthEr’s DAy EDition15 Jun, 10am-1pm, $65 (1 parent & 1 child)Little Arts Academy’s signature culinary arts programme allows you and your child to enjoy a hands-on culinary experience as both of you learn to appreciate the different ingredients and come up with your own creations together. Call 6513 3013 or email [email protected], 1 Selegie Road, #05-01/02

chris tuckEr - thE rEturn tour 201325 Jun, 8pm, $98, $128, $148, $168Hailed as one of the funniest comedians in the industry, stand-up comedian and film star Chris Tucker has starred in Rush Hour 3 and Silver Linings Playbook, among other movies. Come enjoy an evening of pure comedy and side-splitting laughter with the manic, motor-mouth comedian as he makes his debut in Singapore. Only those aged 16 and above will be admitted. Tickets from Sistic.Kallang Theatre, 1 Stadium Walk

cuEvAs MEDEk EXErcisEs intEnsivE physiothErApy progrAMME for chiLDrEn1-11 Jul, by appointment onlyCuevas Medek Exercises is an intensive physiotherapy programme for children that aims to provoke the activation of the natural motor recovery potential of the brain through dynamic exercises. This treatment approach is used to develop motor skills in infants and children with motor delay, or have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Hypotonia, or Global Developmental Delay.1007 Lower Delta Road, #23-03, Teresaville

curry tALEs13-16 Jun, 3pm & 8pm (Sat), 8pm (Thu, Fri, Sun), $10 (Student), $16 (NSF & Senior citizen), $25Curry Tales uses video projection filmed in India, Malaysia and the UK, and close-up live feed cameras let the audience in on what's cooking away as Ace cook Rani Moorthy takes to the stage her culinary skills, encouraging audiences to help to peel, stir, taste, give recipe suggestions, and eat what she cooks. There will be a post-show dialogue with Moorthy after the 8pm shows. Tickets from Sistic.Esplanade Theatre Studio, 1 Esplanade Drive

DAncE inDiA showcAsE7-8 Jun, 8pm, $20 (Student, NSF, senior citizen), $35Presented by Apsaras Arts, this event showcases some of the finest talents in Indian classical dance. After its 2012 premiere, it returns to Esplanade with four performances by top artists in the field. Representing the next generation of brilliant young artists are renowned dancer and choreographer Leela Samson for Bharatanatyam; India’s foremost Odissi dancer Madhavi Mudgal; leading Kathak dancer Prashant Shah; and Mythili Prakash in Bharatanatyam. Each dancer will perform their individual choreographies over two nights. Visit www.apsarasarts.com/danceindiaapEsplanade, Theatre Studio, 1 Esplanade Drive

Dirty DAncing – thE cLAssic story on stAgEUntil 16 Jun, 8pm (Tue-Sun), $55, $95, $125, $150, $175The Singapore Premiere of this worldwide smash-hit musical, based on the hit movie, is here. Dirty Dancing is an adaptation of the 1987 movie written and co-produced by Eleanor Bergstein, and tells the story of two young, fiercely independent free spirits from different worlds who come together for their most triumphant summer ever. Marina Bay Sands, Grand Theatre, 10 Bayfront Ave

fAMiLy DuEt 31 May-1 Jun; 3pm (Sat), 8pm (both days), $10 (Student), $16 (NSF & senior citizen), $25In this family autobiography by spell#7 that audiences of all ages can relate to, three generations aged six to 66 merge conversation, media and dancing toys in scenes that examine the passage of time, the meaning of responsibility, and how people overlap. Theatre Studio, Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive

fAirpricE wALks with u29 Jun, 8am, $12, $15; $43, $55 (group of four)Sign up for a 4km walkathon from Marina Barrage to Gardens by the Bay for a good cause. FairPrice Foundation will pledge $100 in FairPrice vouchers for every registered participant, which will go to families who have qualified for assistance schemes. Register at www.whatsupatfairprice.com.sg/walkMarina Barrage, 260 Marina Way

hABitAt-BArcLAys BArE your soLE 1 Jun, 9am-12pm, $20 (Children & students), $35 (Adults), $95 (2 adults & 2 children)Join Habitat for Humanity and Barclays for its fifth edition of Singapore’s only barefoot charity walk of 2.5/5km to raise funds for Project Homework. It aims to help the elderly, sick and physically-challenged living alone in one-room flats in Singapore.Gardens by the Bay East, Rhu Cross, 18 Marina Gardens Drive

hossAn-Ah! cELEBrAting 20 LEong yEArs!1-4 Aug, $17 onwardsFeaturing musical montages in English and French, stand-up comedy, and even a master class in sitting down and playing piano, Hossan Leong celebrates his 20th anniversary in show business recollecting the influences and highlights of his life as a performer. Tickets from Sistic.Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Building, 100 Victoria Street

invEntivE kiDs “DiscovEr” workshops 2-28 Jun, various times, various pricesThis June holidays, enrol your kids in workshops organised to the themes of Cars, Flight, Water Crafts and Green Energy, where they work in teams to conceptualise

toy transportation models, build prototypes, test and fine-tune them until they meet the given challenges, using every day recyclable materials and small parts. Sign up at one.pa.gov.sgVarious community clubs, including Sengkang, Punggol 21, Geylang, Ulu Pandan, Taman Jurong, Teck Ghee and Anchorvale.

Light v DArk: stAr wArs & singAporE phiLAtELic MusEuMUntil 30 Jun, Mon (1pm-7pm); Tue-Sun (9.30am-7pm), $6 (adult), $4 (foreign child), Free (Singaporean & PR students, children & seniors)A Star Wars stamps and collectibles exhibition in collaboration between Star Wars memorabilia collectors and the Singapore Philatelic Museum. View an impressive array of Star Wars collectibles such as figurines, a fleet of model ships, costumes, and stamps. There will be interesting programmes such as making your own 3D Star Wars figurines. Meet the Stormtroopers live as they march in on May 18 and 19, and Jun 2 and 16, from 2pm to 4pm. Singapore Philatelic Museum, 23-B Coleman Street

Mizuno pAssion Mount fABEr run 201323 Jun, 7.30am, $42Whether you’re a seasoned or new runner, there will be a special moment in this 10km competitive race for you, whether it is the scenic route, the process or the finishing moment. Visit www.mizuno.com.sg to register.Open space between Bukit Merah View, Blk 121 & 123

MuMMy: sEcrEts of thE toMBUntil 4 Nov, 10am-10pm daily, $8 (Child), $13 (Senior citizen), $14This exhibition features more than 100 artefacts and six mummies from the collection of the British Museum, and has introduced interactive programmes and a 3D look to give the Egyptian Mummy a new lease of life. Without disturbing the cartonnage, cutting-edge CT scanning technology and computer visualisation techniques were utilised to produce 6,500 images of Nesperennub, a mummified temple priest, and the findings were converted into a 3D film about his life and death. Children can join a quest with age-appropriate bags with activities and tools to complete their mission. Inspired by the colourful amulets on display, the Amulets for the Afterlife workshop allows participants to create their own clay-baked and painted amulet to take home. ArtScience Museum, 10 Bayfront Ave

ronAn kEAting LivE in singAporE8 Jul, 8pm, $98, $128, $148, $168 Best known as former Boyzone lead singer, Irish superstar Ronan Keating will be performing in Singapore to promote his new album 'Fires'. His debut solo record, ‘Ronan’ sold over 750,000 copies and came up tops in the UK album charts followed by hits including ‘Life Is a Rollercoaster’, ‘Lovin’ Each Day’, ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes' and ‘Songs For My Mother’. Tickets from Sistic.The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green

singAporE DAncE thEAtrE's gALA pErforMAncE31 May & 1 Jun, 8pm, $30, $50, $70As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, Singapore Dance Theatre presents a gala performance featuring the best and most memorable pieces from its repertoire. The performances include Goh Choo San’s Beginnings, the first ballet ever performed by SDT; Serenade, the most performed ballet by George Balanchine, the father of neoclassical ballet; and a newly commissioned work featuring the full company of SDT dancers. The gala evening also features works by The Australian Ballet and the Queensland Ballet. Esplanade Theatre, 1 Esplanade Drive

shAkEspEArE’s gLoBE: thE tAMing of thE shrEw 2-13 Oct, 7.30pm (Mon, Wed-Sun), $98, $108, $138Performed on an intimate Elizabethan-style stage, the all-female cast, a troupe of travelling players breathe new life into Shakespeare’s most outrageous comedy about two wealthy sisters who must be married off.Fort Canning Park, Cox Terrace

stErEophonics LivE in singAporE25 Jun, 8pm, $88 (early bird), $98, $110 (at the door)Purveyors of classic British song writing Stereophonics are coming

to Singapore, with vocals by Kelly Jones, Richard Jones on bass, Adam Zindani on the guitar and Jamie Morrison on drums. Their recently released album - their eighth - Graffiti on the Train was ranked third on the UK album charts.Resorts World Sentosa, Hard Rock Hotel, The Coliseum, 8 Sentosa Gateway

stoMp18-23 Jun, 7.30pm (Tue-Fri); 2pm, 7.30pm (Sat); 1pm, 5pm (Sun), $65, $85, $105, $130, $150The Broadway, West End and international sensation STOMP is back, with new routines, new choreography and new music. Wordless, witty and fun, its universal language of rhythm, theatre, comedy and dance guarantees to entertain.Marina Bay Sands, The Sands Theatre, 10 Bayfront Ave

thE ADDAMs fAMiLy9-28 July, 2pm (Sat & Sun), 8pm (Tue-Sun), $65, $85, $95, $125, $135, $165, $175Created by the Jersey Boys authors, this macabre new musical comedy features a weird and wonderful family in which Wednesday Addams, the princess of darkness, falls in love with a young man from a respectable family, whom her parents have never met. She confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before – keep a secret from his wife. Everything will change for the whole family on the night they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents. Tickets from Sistic.Resorts World Sentosa, Festive Grand, 8 Sentosa Gateway

thE ADvEnturEs of ALvin sputnik: DEEp sEA EXpLorErUntil 1 Jun, 10am (27 & 31 May); 10am, 2.30pm (28-30 May); 11am, 4pm (Weekends); $25 (Weekday), $28 (Weekend)In this story created by master storyteller and puppeteer Tim Watts, join Alvin, a solitary explorer on an inspirational journey as he tries to reunite with the soul of his dearly departed wife while trying to save the world. This endearing show fuses black light theatre, mime, puppetry, music and animation, and has garnered ‘Outstanding solo show’ at the New York International Fringe Festival 2009. Tickets from Sistic.126 Cairnhill Arts Centre, ACT 3 Theatre, 126 Cairnhill Road

thE coMpLEtE works of wiLLiAM shAkEspEArE (ABriDgED)1-13 Oct, 7.45pm (Tue-Fri); 3pm, 7.45pm (Sat); 3pm, 7pm (Sun, 6 Oct), $68, $88, $108London's longest-running comedy takes the audience through an irreverent, fast-paced journey through the Bard’s plays. Join these madcap men as they perform all 37 of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies, in 97 minutes. Tickets from Sistic.DBS Arts Centre, DBS Theatre, 20 Merbau Rd

thE LorD of thE rings – thE fELLowship of thE ring6-8 Jun, 7.30pm, $58, $98, $128, $188 The Metropolitan Festival Orchestra is bringing back the renowned concert presentation of The Lord of the Rings, which is performed live onstage by 250 musicians. Come experience the awe of listening to the joint performance of Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, the International Festival Chorus, and The Young Voices of Vocal Associates. Tickets from Sistic. Visit www.metropolitan.sgThe Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green

thE phAntoM of thE opErA16 Jul – 11 Aug, Tue-Fri (8pm), Sat & Sun (2pm, 8pm), $55, $95, $125, $145, $165The world’s most successful and longest-running show on Broadway is returning to Singapore. With 130 cast, crew and orchestra members, breath-taking scenery and special effects and more than 230 costumes by international designer, the late Maria Björnson, the Phantom of the Opera contains some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most prominent and stirring music. The Phantom of the Opera tells the tale of an enigmatic, hideous phantom who lives under the Paris Opera House and is obsessed with a young singer. Tickets from Sistic.The MasterCard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands

thE pLAttErs & thE DriftErs22 & 23 Jun, 8pm, $88, $108, $138, $168, $188The Platters and the Drifters, two legendary groups from the rock 'n' roll era in the 1950s are performing together in one amazing show. Featuring Sonny Turner and Rick Sheppard from The Drifters, get ready to sing and dance to your favourite hits from both groups in the performance. The evergreen songs will have you singing and swaying as well.The Grand Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave

tiDDLEr AnD othEr tErrific tALEsUntil 2 Jun, 5pm (Wed-Fri); 11am, 2pm, 5pm (Sat & Sun), $38, $48, $58Under the sea, out on the farm and into the jungle, these terrific tales are woven together with live music, puppetry and a whole host of colourful characters. Featuring their best-loved titles - Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze, funky moves, toe tapping tunes and giggles are guaranteed. Get your tickets and join in the fun before it ends. Tickets from Sistic. Visit www.abaproductions.com DBS Arts Centre, 20 Merbau Rd

classics at Singapore Lyric Opera's annual event such as Rossini's Barber of Seville, Mozart's Marriage of Figaro and Bizet's Carmen. This year's theme is opera's influence on movies and advertisements. Singapore Botanic Gardens, Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, 1 Cluny Rd

piAno convErsAtions with JuLiAn LAwrEncE gArgiuLo: thE Art of BEing siLLy1 Jun, 6.30pmIn this piano recital, Julian Gargiulo transmits a unique concert experience by combining an informal style of presenting classical music with his rigorous Russian conservatory training. Singapore Botanic Gardens, Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, 1 Cluny Rd

singAporE 24-hour coMics DAy showcAsEUntil 18 Jun, 11am-9pmThis worldwide event celebrates the art of making comics –24 pages of comics in 24 hours. Comic enthusiasts in Singapore have been slogging it out in this creative challenge since 2010. Come view the delightful works of the local comic community and perhaps even be inspired to take part next time.Sengkang Public Library, 1 Sengkang Square, Compass Point, #04-26/27

switch gig: chou pi JiAng4 Jun, 8pm, minimum one drink appliesOperated by the Timbre Group, Singapore's first bilingual live music concept, Switch, provides a platform for up and coming bilingual musicians such as Tizzy Bac and Tay Kewei to showcase their performances in both languages, ranging from intimate duo sets to full-piece bands. Singapore's first Chinese rap-rock-hip-hop band Chou Pi Jiang will be back to play their unique brand of music. Timbre Group is also calling for home-grown musicians with original compositions to be part of a monthly series called Xin Chuang, a Mandarin version of the Singapore Originals series which Timbre has been hosting. Interested musicians can email the Group at [email protected] by Timbre, 3 Bras Basah Road, #01-01/02

singAporE fAvouritE fooD viLLAgE12 -21 July, 11am-11pmIn conjunction with the 20th anniversary of Singapore Food Festival, this ten-day festival celebrates Singapore’s unique food heritage and pays homage to local culinary heroes. Until Jun 2, food lovers can vote at sg.openrice.com/sff for their favourite local vendor in each of the 20 dish categories.

The vendor with the most votes in each category will get to showcase their fare at the Food Village, which features 20 other popular local hawkers and eateries and 40 different local favourite dishes including chilli crab, carrot cake, rojak, laksa, roti prata, popiah, biryani, oyster omelette, Hokkien prawn mee, beef noodles, ngor hiang and tau huay. Bayfront Avenue (Marina Bay), open field next to Bayfront MRT station

thE ciDEr sEssionsUntil Sep 2013, 7.30pm (Timbre @ Gillman); 8pm (The Arts House), minimum one drink appliesChill out to soothing acoustic sets with a pint of cider at The Cider Sessions, a series of monthly live gigs with set-ups ranging from a soloist to a four-piece band. Last month's sessions saw performances by Jack & Rai, Andy Yang, and Kevin Mathews.Timbre @ Gillman, 9A Lock Road, #01-05; Timbre @ The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, #01-04

to cLArifyLast week, we published an ad for Wendy's Frosty Giveaway. Please note, it should accurately read: SMS and get a chance to win one of 50 Wendy's Frosty Cones.

All were waiting with bated breath at the press conference last Wednesday, for the stars to speak. They were in town for

two main events.The three-hour Social Star Awards

show, co-hosted by Hollywood actors Jessica Alba and Jeremy Piven, honoured 12 international superstars. Award categories included Most Popular Actor, Music Group, Solo Artist and Film.

The Singapore Social Concerts, over two days, saw artistes such as Psy, Ceelo Green, Carly Rae Jepsen and Aerosmith perform at Gardens By The Bay. Others in attendance included actor George Takei and YouTube star Ryan Higa.

These events were organised by

Starcount – started by Paul Morrison and Drew Thomson – a leader board that ranks the world’s top celebrities based on their popularity and fan engagement via social media, across 11 networks such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

When Starcount started two and a half years ago, there was no awards show celebrating the influence stars had, via social media.

Skyblu, half of the band LMFAO, said, “LMFAO started out on Myspace. It’s no longer like, man I gotta tell my friend about this. It’s putting it online so all your friends and fans are in on the experience.”

Carly Rae Jepsen has also learnt to deal with haters on the Internet for her infectious hit Call Me Maybe by filtering out “what is good advice and what is just plain mean”.

Korean star PSY, who went viral with more than a billion views on YouTube, said he had “no idea about social media until Gangnam Style” and he is using it to help fellow Korean stars garner more attention, such as with the Brown Eyed Girls who had their number of hits on YouTube increase after PSY launched his latest video for the song Gentleman, featuring their dance steps.

Good news for Singaporeans: it was announced that the Social Concerts and Social Star Awards will continue to be held here for another four years.

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith said, “It’s such a great melting pot with all kinds of people… and women. Because of this we’ve met young talents like Hikakin (the YouTube beatboxing sensation).”

Hikakin then beatboxed the opening of Aerosmith’s Walk This Way. W

The Social Star Awards and Singapore Social Concerts were streamed live around the world via YouTube. Visit www.youtube.com/starcount for more.

Counting the

The inaugural Social STar awardS and Singapore Social concerTS kicked off wiTh STarcounT and Marina Bay SandS

By cheryl chia

stars

YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESSs 04 • WEEKENDER • MAy 31 - june 6, 2013

PECIaL FEatUrE For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp

MOVIE PREVIEW 1 MOVIE PREVIEW 2

After A spectacular crash-landing, Cypher Raige (played by Will Smith) is critically injured and his son Kitai (played by Jaden Smith) must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help. He will have to face uncharted terrain, evolved animal species that now rule the planet, and an unstoppable alien creature that escaped during the crash.

Father and son must learn to work together and trust one another if they want any chance of returning home.

ExtREME FutuREAfter Earth begins more than 1,000 years in the future – in fact, 1,000 years after humanity was forced to abandon the only home they had ever known.

“Earth just gave up on humans,” says Jaden Smith.

hostile planeta craSh-landing leaveS a Teenager and hiS faTher STranded on earTh, 1,000 yearS afTer caTaclySMic evenTS forced huManiTy’S eScape

Now You See Me is a classic police and thief movie but with sleights of hand and many twists.

The Four Horsemen is a group of talented professional magicians headed by the charismatic, arrogant, dapper and self-assured Atlas (played by Jesse Eisenberg of The Social Network) that enthrals audiences with its high-tech, high-profile magic shows.

They start by remotely robbing a Paris Bank while in Las Vegas, then exposing a white-collar crook and moving his money into their audience’s bank accounts.

Cat-and-MOusE GaMEThese daring heists befuddle the authorities, with FBI Special Agent Dylan Hobbs (played by Mark Ruffalo) bent on apprehending them before they pull off an even more audacious crime. However, he has no choice but to work with Alma (Melanie Laurent of Inglourious Basterds), an Interpol detective he is suspicious of.

He eventually turns to Thaddeus (played by Morgan Freeman of Oblivion and Olympus Has Fallen), a well-known magic debunker who says that the Paris bank trick was actually a well-planned illusion. Dylan and Alma start to wonder: Do the Horsemen have an outside point person?

They race to get ahead of the Horsemen as the world awaits their final spectacular trick.

MECHanICs BEHInd tHE MaGICThe alluring realm of magic and the glittery backdrop of the movie make for a visual spectacle with impossible illusions and exciting action that will leave the audience clinging to their seats. Also a tribute to magic, it reveals ancient secrets, updates classic illusions and invents new ones.

Several top-notch magicians provided counsel so that they could delve deeper into the mechanics of onstage sorcery, to provide an authentic framework.

They eschewed CGI and special

effects whenever possible, and the actors learnt and performed many of the tricks themselves.

David Kwong, the director of movie consulting company Misdirectors’ Guild which has advised the producers of several movies on magic said, “We don’t expose too many secrets, but you will learn to respect what The Four Horsemen are capable of.”

nOW YOu sEE ME [tBa]director: Louis Leterrier starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Mélanie Laurent, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Morgan Freeman Genre: Thriller, ActionRun time: 116 min Release: 6 Jun

Robin Hood magicians

an eliTe fBi Squad iS piT againST a Super TeaM of world-claSS MagicianS who are pulling off heiSTS againST corrupT BuSineSS leaderS

“Tsunamis, toxic air, toxic water, toxic food, extreme weather – it was like Earth said, ‘You have to get off of me,’ and that’s what humans did.”

a dIFFICult RElatIOnsHIPTheir new home, Nova Prime, would know no greater family than the Raiges. Kitai’s father, Cypher, became a legendary general in the United Ranger Corps, creating a legacy that Kitai is determined to emulate. But all is not going as planned.

“Kitai feels a lot of pressure to step into his father’s shoes,” says Jaden Smith.

“Also, Kitai blames himself for his sister’s death – she died years ago in an attack that Kitai thinks he should have done something to stop – and he thinks his dad blames him too,” he explains

FatHER-sOn dYnaMICIn an attempt to bridge the rift between father and son, says Will Smith, “Kitai’s mother suggests that Cypher take him on a trip – spend some time together, bonding. But our ship crash-lands in the most inhospitable place in the universe for human beings – which is Earth.”

Interestingly, and most disturbingly, everything on Earth has evolved to kill human beings. With his father trapped in the wrecked ship, Kitai will have to brave all these perilous elements.

“What I thought was really interesting about this film was that it’s huge in scope, but it comes down to a simple idea that every person in the audience can relate to: it’s a father and son story,” says Will Smith.

KaRatE KId tO FutuRE WaRRIORJaden Smith, just 14 years old, has already made his mark as a leading man. He first appeared on-screen opposite his father in The Pursuit of Happyness, receiving some acclaim. He then starred in the leading role opposite Jackie Chan in the worldwide hit The Karate Kid.

Jaden Smith says that his current character is one that anybody who’s been a teen can relate to.

“He feels he has something to prove, because of who his father is and because of things that have happened in the past. So when they crash on Earth, if he is going to survive, he has to put that aside. He has to grow up and become a warrior,” he says.

Says Will Smith, “It’s something we all have to do as parents – our children succeed or fail on their own, and all we can do as parents is watch.”

Will Smith conceived and wrote the original story for the film.

aFtER EaRtH [PG] director: M. Night Shyamalanstarring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Sophie Okonedo and Zoe KravitzGenre: Sci-Fi, Action, ThrillerRun time: 110minRelease: 6 Jun

After Earth:

Now You See Me:

It wAS A long wait for fans last Saturday but when Aerosmith finally strutted onto the stage, it was clear that they still are the rock stars that they were decades ago.

Setting off their explosive show with Love in the Elevator, they unleashed their inexhaustible energy and roused the crowd into a frenzy.

aGElEss ROCKThere was a good mix of the young (teenagers) and the much older (middle-aged). With cheers and screams all around, it was almost as if time had stood still for decades.

Their longevity is nothing short of astounding, considering that they first entered the rock arena way back in the early 1970s. Young and old alike, the adoring fans

lapped up every tune and every move of frontman Steven Tyler.

In his trademark flashy clothes and with his famous lips, what was most impressive was that whenever he raised his shirt, his lean, muscular stomach was apparent.

GOOd s***The crowd nearly went insane at the sound of classic rock tunes from the 1990s, such as Living on the Edge and Cryin’. This revealed their median age.

Tyler asked, “Which do you like better? The old s*** or the new s***?”

The crowd yelled, almost in unison, “The old s***!”

Tyler wryly replied, “I love you even more now!”

HOt stuFFThe ladies were hot for Tyler and he pandered to them. Who’s your

granddaddy now?Other songs that got a

strong response included Jaded, Janie’s Got a Gun, and Walk This Way.

dREaM OnWhen Aerosmith left the stage, it was too soon for most and there were the usual chants of “Encore!”

They were not kept waiting long as a white grand piano was rolled out almost immediately.

Tyler granted the ecstatic fans their wish to hear him screech and belt out the refrain of “Dream on… Dream on…”

As Aerosmith finally played their swansong and made their curtain call, the energy was still palpable as the crowd began to disperse, with the tunes, riffs and lyrics still in their heads.

Rock ‘n’ roll truly is the fountain of youth.

rockin’legendary Band aeroSMiTh rocked our ShoreS on The

laST nighT of The Singapore Social concerTS wiTh The

“deMon of ScreaMin’”, STeve Tyler, STill walkin’ hiS way

By leSTer J wan

Still walkin’ and

Jaden Smith is all grown up

Earth has become

a hostile environment

Morgan Freeman is always enigmatic

Expect action and thrills

Magic never fails to enthrall

While people thought Psy was at

Cannes, he was here in sunny Singapore

The crowd was entertained by Joe Perry’s electrifying tunes, as well as his many guitar changes

Steve Tyler moved and crooned as though he has not aged

Paul Morrison and Drew Thomson (centre) are the

founders of Starcount

Carly Rae Jepsen was beautiful in person

Father and son on-screen and off

Yves saint LaurentThe YSL Kouros Energising Eau De Toilette is a legendary fragrance that represents the triumphal

emblem of a living Greek god, whose masculinity is sculptural, solid and powerful.

Its core of Egyptian geranium is lifted up by a revitalising marine accord with a base of incense and Virginia cedar, that stirs up the scent of chypre and Indonesian patchouli. The Kouros Energising Eau De Toilette is available at the Yves Saint Laurent ION Boutique and fragrance counters from June and will retail at $99.00 for 100ml.

GoLdheartGoldheart’s Celestial diamonds are known for their luminosity and possess the world’s first 73-facet starburst cut. “Celestial Zenith is designed to hoist the diamond up to the highest point of its setting, putting it on a pedestal for the world to admire,” announced Mr Gary Goh, Brand Manager, Goldheart Jewellery Pte Ltd.

For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgp

YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS MAy 31 - june 6, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 05

FASHIOFASH SNIPS N

Shift Dress, Stripey

WatsonsPaper masks provide a quick pick-

me-up before bed. Try these new stem-cell masks from Watsons. Watsons has incorporated a Synergy technology combining plant stem cells and pure vitamins into their latest facial mask range to moisturise and nourish your skin.

The five different types of masks in this range include Quince Stem Cell & Vitamin C, Althaea Rosea Stem Cell & Vitamin H, Camellia Stem Cell & Vitamin F, Peach Stem Cell & Vitamin A and lastly, Rice Stem Cell & Vitamin B3.

These value-for-money facial masks help restore the youthful look and vitality to aging skin while keeping skin hydrated and refreshed. It retails at $17.90 for a box of five.

Here’s tHe long and tHe sHort of tHe beauty industry for tHis week

Emerging Singaporean label Weekend Sundries joins the fray in the local design and clothing scene, with

feminine sensibilities.

From idea to FruitionFounder Michelle Chan recently returned from London where she had been attending the London College of Fashion, where she studied pattern making and other courses to start up Weekend Sundries.

“I’ve always envisioned a lifestyle brand with a smart casual aesthetic, targeted at women who want fun in work wear that has

by CHeryl CHia

All the sundriesFOr yOurwArdrObeloCal ClotHier weekend sundries sHows you How to injeCt some fun into your Closet

effortless styling,” says Michelle.

interestinG aestheticsWeekend Sundries also took part in the Blueprint tradeshow – a convention where buyers and designers all over the world converge to discover or penetrate the Asian market – where Michelle showcased her upcoming Autumn/Winter 2013 collection, Midnight Garden.

She also showed a capsule collection as a sneak peek into her “botany” inspired Spring/Summer 2014 line.

“My aesthetic features neutral shades, clean monochromatic colours with pops of colour such as mustard yellow or coral,” she says while gesturing to her Spring/Summer 2013 collection, Play Flight, a simple line featuring bird prints and stripes. Michelle used a marker to dot her design of birds onto a piece of paper before having the pattern printed onto the clothes.

“Prints soften and add dimension into a collection,” she adds.

cLothinG to FeeL Good inWeekend Sundries has a following of women from the corporate world and the creative industries.

She says, “The response has been good thus far. Clothing is all about making someone feel good. It has to be palatable and approachable.”

Prices range from $79 to $269.Visit www.weekendsundries.com for more information.

You can also check out their stockists, Eclectism at the Paragon Shopping Mall, or Threadbare & Squirrel at 660 North Bridge Road. w

“ClotHing is all about

making someone feel good. it Has to

be palatable and approaCHable.”

Flappy Bib Dress, Smoky

Peter Pan Pleated Blouse, and Navy and Bloom Pleated Skirt with Illustrated Print of Flight of Swallows

Here are some stirrings in tHe fasHion world tHat you would need, want and love to know about

depressionDepression launches its Autumn/Winter 2013 collection. It is the local label’s take on body image obsession. Designers

Andrew Loh and Kenny Lim attempt to make the wearer appear smaller than usual, using a blend of bold black and white and stripes to trick your mind’s judgment of size and perspective.

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sLoGGiSloggi’s new 24/7 collection comes in three categories of Comfort, Invisibility, and Soft and Fun.

You’ll be feeling good the whole day. Retail price for bras and panties start from $64.90 and $19.90. Available at all Sloggi counters.

beAuTy IN brIeF

estee Lauder Estee Lauder launched the Nutritious

Collection in 2007 and it has been given an upgrade with the new Pomegranate Nectar Infusion to revitalise tired skin for a healthy radiant glow. The collection detoxifies toxins from the skin, neutralises free radicals and infuses skin with hydration to replenish vital moisture. It retails from $40 to $100.

m.a.cThe M.A.C False Lashes Waterproof mascara provides volume, curl,

length, definition, a velvety finish and a deep black colour for intense peepers. It is also waterproof and its innovative double lush brush delivers twice the level of pigment from root to tip, instantly glamorising and transforming your look. It retails for $34.

armani eau de nuitWith Eau de Nuit, the latest Giorgio Armani fragrance for men, the burst of freshness

and luminosity of Eau pour Homme blends with the rich, enveloping sensuality of spices, citrus fruits, cedar wood and irises.

Eau de Nuit opens a new era in the history of Armani perfumes: a complementary contrast of light and dark, dedicated to those men who seek elegance by day and by night. Available at all Giorgio Armani Fragrance counters, Eau de Nuit retails at $139 for 100ml.

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YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS

OOD06 • WEEKENDER • may 31 - june 6, 2013F

RECIPE

The final baTTle is on the horizon as the top eight luxury bartenders vying for the title of Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2013 – Singapore, have been announced. These top eight bartenders were shortlisted from 15 of Singapore’s top luxury bartenders, following the third challenge hosted by At-Sunrice Global Chef Academy.

ThE LaTEsT ChaLLEngEThe third challenge, themed Bar Chef, called for bartenders to draw inspiration from both the kitchen and the bar. This challenge explored the similarities between the disciplines, from ingredients and methodology to the service ritual and pairing.

Less than 30 minutes before the competition commenced, the judging panel upped the ante with the introduction of a compulsory ingredient – Cacao Nibs, a form of raw chocolate made after cocoa beans are processed and cracked.

To further put their skills and drinks knowledge to the test, the participants also drew lots to determine their base spirit.

EsTEEmEd JudgEsChef Janice Wong, Pastry Chef of the Year 2013 in the recent

Top 8 Bartenders inSingapore to slug it outThe exciTemenT is palpable as The Top eighT barTenders in singapore are seT To baTTle iT ouT in barTender of The Year 2013

Take your faTher out on Father’s Day for a delightful Spring meal at Buona Terra. The gourmet Spring Menu offers an array of mouth-watering and tantalising dishes, specially put together by Chef Denis Lucchi, lasting until mid-July.

Chef Denis - formerly from Garibaldi – has put together a seven-course meal filled with fresh ingredients, mostly imported from Italy. The Spring Menu ($128) starts off with an amuse-bouche – it was a parmesan crème brulee with croutons the day we were there – before going into the first starter of the Fiore di Zucca con Granchio Reale e Creama di Piselli, a King Crab stuffed zucchini flower with broad beans cream.

The second starter of the Lingua di Vitello Croccante con Insalata Primaverile made me a bit squeamish. It was crispy slow-cooked veal tongue on a bed of Spring salad. Of course, they don’t present the whole tongue to you; it

An Italian Spring at Buona TerraiTalian resTauranT buona Terra’s spring menu serves up hearTY seasonal delighTs

“We loved The beef sTeak cooked aT medium rare; The Tender and juicY sTrip loin needed no seasoning. iT Was so good on iTs oWn.”

bY cherYl chia

noW you can have hotel-standard bites right in your very own home.

These yummy Crispy Fried Curry Chicken Wings are easy to make. Chef Charlie Tham, Executive Chef of York Hotel, shares with us how.

These Crispy Fried Curry Chicken Wings are great when paired with sweet Thai chilli or on their own.

IngREdIEnTs a:•1kgofchickenwings

B:•50gofriceflour•200gofself-raisingflour•100gofMotorcarflour/ potato flour•2teaspoonsofcurrypowder•1teaspoonofsalt•1teaspoonofsugar•3/4teaspoonofwhitepepper•1teaspoonofcuminpowder

C:•3tablespoons of self-raising flour

Crispy Fried Curry Chicken Wingschef charlie Tham, execuTive chef of York hoTel, shares his recipe WiTh us

•150mlofwater•1teaspoonofcurrypowder

seasoning:•3/4teaspoonofsalt•3/4teaspoonofsugar•Apinchofwhitepepper

mEThod1. Marinate chicken wings with the seasoning for 15 minutes. Set them aside. 2. Put all the ingredients in B in a plastic bag, and shake until all the ingredients are mixed evenly.3. Mix ingredients in C until batter is formed. Coat the chicken wings with the batter and then transfer into the dry mixture (B). Coat the chicken wings thoroughly with the dry mixture.4. Deep-fry the chicken wings in hot oil until golden brown. Remove and drain.

They are now ready to be served. Enjoy your Crispy Fried Curry Chicken Wings!

With quaint paintings and photographs of Paris street scenes and stylish

chairs, one could easily think for a moment that he or she is in a street-side café in the lovely Parisian suburb of Montmartre.

Au Chocolat is, truthfully, much like a European getaway within a mall. In fact, Au Chocolat takes you further, to a whole new fantastical dimension. Just look up at the glorious hand-painted ceiling to find the portal to another, magical world – the land of Au Chocolat Ville.

The delightful characters of Danielle, OO (pronounced Oh-

Au ChOCOlAtau chocolaT is a made-in-singapore french-inspired dining esTablishmenT, having opened in mid-2012. noW, iT is seT To Win over more hearTs WiTh greaT neW dishesbY lesTer j Wan

New dishes delight At

looks almost like foie gras. If you like fatty and tender meat, perhaps the tongue might be the best cut from the veal for you.

The third dish is what

Chef Denis humorously calls the Italian ‘hae mee’. A Taglini con Gamberi Rossi e Passata di Porro – a homemade pasta with red prawns and leek cream. The heady scent of the prawns was paired with the pasta, so an Italian 'hae mee' it was.

The two main dishes comprised a Branzino di Orbetello in Saor – a crispy sea bass with fried polenta and sour-sweet onions – and the Tagliata di Manzo Wagyu Affumicato, Asparagi e Tartufo Nero – a tender smoked Wagyu beef strip loin with a side of asparagus and black truffles imported from Tuscany.

We loved the beef steak cooked at medium rare; the tender and juicy strip loin needed no seasoning. It was so good on its own.

Every set menu has to come with a dessert. The Insalata di Fragole con Panna Cotta alla Vaniglia, Pistacchi e Crema di Ricotta was a creamy panna cotta

topped with a strawberry salad and pistachio and ricotta cream. The ice-cream on top of the panna cotta was Moscato-flavoured. Two thumbs up for that one. The meal then ends with a serving of petit fours.

An in-house degustation menu is also available for $128. Buona Terra also has an extensive wine list to suit every budget.

Buona Terra is located at 29 Scotts Road, Singapore 228224. Open from 6.30pm to 10.30pm, Monday to Saturday. Tel: 6733 0209

World Gourmet Series Awards of Excellence, joined four past Diageo Reserve World Class winners from across Asia Pacific to form a respected panel of judges.

"Diageo World Class challenge continuously pushes the boundaries of cocktail experience year after year, drawing talents from all over the world to compete. As an invited judge, the experience was great seeing different techniques used for various applications,” says Chef Janice.

ThE ChaLLEngE WInnERByron Tan from W Hotel’s Woobar, emerged as challenge winner with his cocktail, ‘Walk the Coco’. Byron infused the Cacao Nibs with Johnnie Walker Gold Label, and garnished with caramelised Nashi pear that gave his cocktail a sweet edge.

“Many of the alumni see the competition as a springboard for their careers,” says Tan.

“It is hard to express the adrenaline rush that the competition creates and I am looking forward to the national finals next month,” he adds.

ThE ToP 8The Diageo Reserve World Class 2013 – Singapore Top 8 are: Aron Christian Manzanillo (Raffles Hotel, Raffles Courtyard); Adrian Batlle (Catalunya); Alvin Au Yong (The Library); Bannie Kang (Swissotel, City Space); Byron Tan (W Hotel, Woobar); Gan Kwok Yee (Jigger & Pony); Jeremy Chua (28 Hong Kong Street); Zachary de Git (Tippling Club).

They will come together for the finals on Jun 5 to compete to represent Singapore at the Diageo Reserve World Class global finals, aboard the luxury cruise liner Azamara Journey,fromJul4to9.

For more, follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GlobalWorldClassFinals.

The new Au Chocolat Mocha Ribs

Macarons from Au Chocolat's confiserie

My-garita by Aron Christian Manzanillo of Raffles Courtyard

One Inch Philosophy by Byron Tan of Woobar

Bannie Kang of Swissotel

Branzino di Orbetello in Saor

Fiore di Zucca con Granchio Reale e Creama di Piselli

Tagliata di Manzo Wagyu Affumicato,

Asparagi e Tartufo Nero


YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS may 31 - june 6, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 07

FOOD

Barpazza, located along Church Street, is a trendy and cosy restaurant bar created by Mont Calzone. It has an impressive selection of Italian pizza and pasta, Southeast Asian flavours and with a good mix of wines and beers so whether you are a local or expat, Barpazza’s innovative menus will definitely suit your palate. Our lovely and comfy outdoor environment is perfect for busy professionals to relax and unwind after a long day’s work.

BARPAZZA

WEEKENDER

TeRms & CondiTionsNot valid in conjunction with other promotions, discounts and vouchers. Offer not redeemable on eve of and public holidays, and festive promotional periods – Father’s Day. Valid until 30 June 2013.

FOODMANIA

eAT sHoP PLAY Enjoy 800 voucher discount deals from 25% off, 50% off, to 1-for-1 offers across Singapore. With 380 popular brands, 189 fine and casual dining restaurants, 116 spa and wellness retail stores and essential services, and 75 recreational activities and entertainment venues, your family will live more and spend less! EAT SHOP PLAY is the ultimate lifestyle guide which holds within its covers over $35,000 in savings. Truly a must-have for every individual who is serious about making the most of what Singapore has to offer!

Here’s a little taste of the amazing deals you can get with the EAT SHOP PLAY book set!

infOrmATiOn AccurATE AT TimE Of PrinT. ALL OffErS wHiLE STOckS LAST. wEEkEndEr iS nOT rESPOnSibLE fOr AnY LOSS Or dAmAgE THAT mAY bE incurrEd bY AnYOnE uSing THESE cOuPOnS Or infOrmATiOn. fOr infOrmATiOn On mArkETing, PLEASE cOnTAcT dAvid AT [email protected]

WEEKENDERREWARDS READERS WITH GREAT DINING VOUCHERS

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$55Quote our promotion code: esPWeekender at eatshopplay.com.sg to enjoy this special rate.

Exclusively for Weekender readers, grab your copy at a special price of $55.

Promotion code valid until 31 July 2013.

barpazza, 25 church Street, #01-02, capital Square 3, Tel: 6536 0572

Named after the palki – lavish sedans used as a mode of transport in ancient india – grand Palki takes you on a journey through North India with mouth-watering cuisine in majestic interiors fit for royalty. with its gold & saffron walls, crystal chandeliers & 14-carat gold cutlery, you'll enjoy a truly unique experience while savouring Northern Indian delights.

GRAnd PALKi

WEEKENDER

TeRms & CondiTions:not valid in conjunction with other promotions, discounts and vouchers. Offer not redeemable on eve of and public holidays, and festive promotional periods – Father’s Day. Valid until 30 June 2013.

grand Palki, 1 cuscaden road, #03-02, The regent, Tel: 6735 0203

HATCHED is an egg-inspired restaurant, specialising in the different cooking methods of eggs. From poached, scrambled to even baked, we have them all!

HATCHed @ HoLLAnd ViLLAGe

WEEKENDER

TeRms & CondiTions:Table bill must be $28 & above. maximum 2 redemptions per table per visit. valid from monday – friday, 6-10pm. not valid in conjunction with other promotions, discounts and vouchers. Offer not redeemable on eve of and public holidays, and festive promotional periods – Father’s Day. Valid until 30 June 2013.

Hatched @ Holland village, 267 Holland Avenue, Tel: 6463 0012

Located at dempsey Hill, La fondue offers a delightful array of Swiss-style dishes, including its signature fondue fare, in a beautiful setting resembling a Swiss cottage. With a wide-ranging menu including ten different varieties of Cheese Fondue or Chocolate Fondue treats served with ice cream, fruits marshmallows and cakes; there's something for everyone.

LA FondUe

WEEKENDER


La fondue, 25 dempsey road, dempsey Hill green, Tel: 6474 0204

mont calzone Pizza & Pasta, a modern casual dining restaurant along Pekin Street, serves italian cuisine, specialising in calzones. Enjoy hearty italian flavours from a wide selection of pizza, pasta, risotto and desserts at reasonable prices. Do not miss our delectable cream-based pasta varieties!

monT CALZone

WEEKENDER


mont calzone Pizza & Pasta, 38 Pekin Street, #01-01, far East Square, Tel: 6557 2304

WIth MINIMuM spEND OF $100

Peony Jade's distinctive classic Cantonese cuisine lets the natural flavours of the ingredients shine through without artificial flavouring.

Tomo iZAKAYA JAPAnese ResTAURAnT

WEEKENDER

TeRms & CondiTions:Vouchers can only be redeemed with a minimum spending of S$30. Maximum one voucher can be redeemed per table per bill. not valid in conjunction with other promotions, discounts and vouchers. Offer not redeemable on eve of and public holidays, and festive promotional periods – father’s day. redemption allowed at the outlets listed below, until 30 June 2013:

Tomo izakaya clarke Quay, 3A, river valley road, #01-04, clarke Quay, S179020, Tel: 6333 0100; Tomo izakaya Esplanade mall, 8 raffles Avenue, #01-09, Esplanade mall, S039802, Tel: 6333 0012

Tomo Izakaya at Clarke Quay was awarded the Best Interior Design Award by CNBC. Swing by on Fridays and Saturdays to enjoy an evening of jazz, sake and cocktails. Its second outlet at Esplanade Mall is a great spot for tasty Izakaya food.

PeonY JAde ResTAURAnT

WEEKENDER

TeRms & CondiTions: coupon must be presented upon arrival. Offers not valid with other promotions and discounts. Other Peony Jade terms and conditions apply.

Peony Jade: bukit chermin road, keppel club, Singapore 109918, Tel: 6276 9138; blk 3A, #02-02, clarke Quay, Singapore 129020, Tel: 6338 0305

COMPLIMENTARY SOUPWITH EVERY ORDER Of MAIN COURSE

If you’re IN the mood for a cheap buffet lunch and you work in the in the Western area, try this South American inspired buffet.

The Latin Quarter lunch-only buffet menu boasts nine to 12 items including dessert. At a mere $13.90 Nett, you have the license to stuff yourself.

Influenced by Native American, African, European and Asian cuisines, it features robust flavours through a combination of spices and ingredients such as maize, papas criollas (potatoes), beans and flour. The buffet items change weekly and rotate every two to three months.

The Mexican-inspired Fire Roasted Maize and Tortilla soup is a must-try. The heady broth kept us hankering for a second serving. The Spiced Ground Beef and Black Beans with chilli was great with the three kinds of rice available –

Latin PassionColombian, Chilean and mexiCan food all in one plaCe? Get them all in a buffet style

tomato rice, yellow rice and white rice.

Give us the Chilean Glazed Sweet Potatoes over French fries any day. The lunch buffet is available from Monday to Friday, 12pm to 3pm. A high tea menu will soon be introduced.

The Latin Quarter also serves up Pura Shares ($4.50) with flavours such

as soursop, mango, passion fruit and the lulo – a fruit native to the Andes Mountains in Columbia, Ecuador and Peru.

They also carry coffee from famed Colombian brand Juan Valdez, in a variety of blends. Try the Colombian lagers such as Aguila, Club Colombia and Redds ($9.50 a bottle, $32 for a jug) or a glass of Chilean vino.

The restaurant is also child-friendly, with children below 12 years old dining for free with every paying adult. The Latin Quarter, Science Hub, 87 Science Park Drive, #02-02, Singapore 118260, Tel: 6872 2029

Oh) the French bulldog pup and Yu Fa the pug will lead you on a gastronomic adventure.

A ComPLeTe exPeRienCe“Au Chocolat is a whole experience,” says Amelia Tan, Senior Marketing Executive of Au Chocolat.

“It's a great place for the whole

family, from the kids to gong gong and po po,” she says.

Au Chocolat also makes a great place to catch up with a friend or for a romantic date.

ALL-in-one dininGAu Chocolat is an all-in-one dining establishment complete with a bistro dining area, a

confiserie with a broad selection of in-house made chocolates and candy, a gelateria stocked with 24 flavours, and a new salad and sandwich bar for a quick meal.

No matter what you choose, what sets Au Chocolat apart is its attention to detail, especially in its food. Even for its new salad and sandwich bar, the dressings and the breads are all made in-house.

At the confiserie, all sorts of sweet treats tempt, from colourful flavoured meringues to artisanal chocolates and desserts made using Valrhona chocolate.

The new treasure, though, is in the expanded a la carte menu. Contrary to the impression, Au Chocolat has an extensive menu.

some oF THe BoUnTYWe started with the Au Chocolat Fudge Freeze ($12) – fairly thick and creamy chocolate fudge topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, with the in-house made chocolate sauce drizzled over. The ladies love this.

The Truffle Fries ($15) are drizzled with fragrant white truffle oil and seasoned with truffle sea salt. Their fragrance alone is enough to make your mouth water.

The Truffle Fries even come wrapped in the official newspaper, the Au Chocolat Times. If you wish to read the latest news and adventures in Au Chocolat Ville, simply request for a fresh sheet.

THe mAin ATTRACTionsThe new Shellfish Fiesta ($22) is amazing. There is a generous portion of flavourful crayfish, crab and more. Similarly, the Handmade Pacific Crab Cake ($32) is filled with chunks of

Pacific crab with mixed bell pepper, French esplette

pepper and special in-house seasoning, and deep fried until golden brown and served with caper lemon butter sauce.

“This is the joy of crab without having to peel the shell,” Ms Tan aptly describes.

The new Au Chocolat Mocha Ribs ($32) have a

rich, smoky mocha flavour. They are so tender, they almost

fall off the bone as you tuck in.Complete your adventure with

Au Chocolat’s Signature Tower Cake ($8 per slice) with six layers of goodness. This must-try dessert comprises moist chocolate cake filled with milk chocolate Chantilly and crunchy chocolate pearls, enrobed in dark chocolate ganache. It is served with warm Au Chocolat chocolate fudge sauce and a scoop of vanilla gelato. Not surprisingly, it is sold out by the end of every weekend.

Why not catch up over the recently launched Weekend Brunch, from 11am to 3pm? You will be delighted. W

Au Chocolat, Shoppes @Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Ave, #01-03, Singapore 018956, Tel: 6688 7227 (Bistro); 6688 7557 (Confiserie)

“the real treasure,

thouGh, is in its newly-

expanded a la Carte menu.”

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Peony Jade's distinctive classic Cantonese cuisine lets the natural flavours of the ingredients shine through without artificial flavourings.

The new Shellfish Fiesta

Au Chocolat Signature Tower Cake

The popular Truffle Fries

by Cheryl Chia

For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgpTRAVELATION

08 • WEEKENDER • may 31 - june 6, 2013

ParttWO

With its iconic street food culture, Taiwan is a popular destination for Singaporeans, who love to eat and shop.

Eat and ShOPMany love sampling the delectable street snacks at Shilin Night Market, and head to Yangmingshan for its breath-taking scenery to take pre-wedding photographs.

Other visitors prefer soaking in the vibrant, pulsing Ximending culture, which houses the historic

Experience beautiful TaiwanTaiwan is greaT for eaTing, shopping, sighT-seeing, and even wedding phoTography

For the uninitiated, it is useful to have a guide, and always stay on the designated paths.

BakO natiOnal ParkThe biggest use of a guide was that he knew the hotspots to see the Proboscis Monkeys. Catching a glimpse of these monkeys in their natural habitat is the key attraction of Bako.

Nicknamed the Dutchman Monkey for the locals observed a similarity between the two primates, the Proboscis Monkey is listed as an endangered species. There are only about 250 of them in the whole of Bako National Park now. We managed to see

Kuching: ‘Kuching’ means ‘caT’ in malay buT our inTrepid Travel blogger never Knew where The place was unTil he wenT There. This is parT Two of his experience

by darren ng

Red Pavilion Theatre and, of course, shop until they drop.

COuntrySidE hOmEStayGlobal Holidays has a 3-Day 2-Night Minsu Mini-Tour (from $528), where you can have fun planning and customising your itinerary to your needs without the constraints of a package. You’ll have a vehicle and Mandarin-speaking driver at your service for ten hours a day, up to 30 hours for the entire tour.

Instead of the usual hotels, you can experience local culture by staying in a beautiful countryside homestay for two nights – there are up to 35 Minsu locations to choose from, such as Taoyuan, Yilan and Taipei. The package covers return airfare and return airport transfer.

OthEr PaCkagES and SitESGlobal Holidays also offers other Super Value Taiwan Promo tours, such as the 3-Day Taipei Free & Easy (from $298), 4-Day Taipei Shopping & Hot Spring (from $348) and 5-Day Taipei/Shangri-La Leisure Farm/Jiau Shi Hot Spring (from $468).

If you venture up north, you can see the distinctive, oddly-shaped hoodoo stone formations at Yeliu Geopark, which is made of sedimentary rocks, or check out the Yilan Distillery for their alcohol.

There is also the Keelung Temple Night Market near the popular Dianji Temple, which sells the famous Dingbiancuo (a rice noodle soup made with ingredients such as mushrooms, bamboo shoots, shredded pork), butter crab, eel stew and Taiwanese tempura.

ECOlOgiCal attraCtiOnSYou can also stay in central Taiwan to check out the ecological attractions along the Penglai River Fish Protection Trail, which is the first river in Miaoli Country, or the Jiuzuwenhua Village Theme Park, or head East to tour the scenic area at Sun Moon Lake.

Many other attractions await you in the other regions in Taiwan. With so much to experience in Taiwan, hurry now to book your travel package with Global Holidays.

Visit www.globalholidays.com.sg or the branches at Chinatown Point (Tel: 6557 2211), Novena Square (Tel: 6822 2110), The Plaza (Tel: 6820 2211) or West Coast Plaza (Tel: 6777 2211) to find out more.

traFalgar, a global leader in guided holidays, and SMRT, Singapore’s rail transport provider, have partnered for this year’s Great Singapore Sale (GSS) Campaign, “Shop and Dine with SMRT!”

Shoppers stand a chance to win a Trafalgar holiday for four, of their choice, when they spend $10 or more at any shop in SMRT’s network during the GSS from May 16 to Jul 31.

During the same period, passengers can also enjoy fantastic holiday savings of 8.88 per cent off a second passenger when they book any of Trafalgar’s European or North American departures.

“I am excited to extend one of the biggest travel prizes to the Singapore public this GSS 2013, and what a better partner to do this than with SMRT as both companies are all about ‘People’ and ‘Travel’,” said Nicholas Lim, Trafalgar Asia’s Regional Director.

SMRT’s Managing Director for Commercial, Dawn Low, said, “At SMRT, our role goes beyond moving people to enhancing lifestyles as well.

rulES and rEgulatiOnSSpend a minimum of $10 to participate in the lucky draw. Every $10 and above entitles shoppers a chance. Shoppers can double their chances by paying with the Citibank-SMRT Platinum Visa credit card.

Only a single receipt can be used per application. A Forex or travellers cheque transaction, irrespective of the transaction amount, is limited to one lucky draw chance only.

hOW tO PartiCiPatEShoppers are to attach their receipt to a completed hard copy lucky draw form, and drop them into the lucky draw boxes at the stations or Xchanges. Shoppers can also submit an e-form online at www.shopanddineatsmrt.com.sg. Winners have to present the original receipt upon prize collection.

This campaign is now on until Jul 31. For more information, visit www.trafalgar.com/smrt or www.shopdineatsmrt.com.sg

Trafalgar and SMRT bring commuters to EuropeThis gss, Trafalgar and smrT parTner for greaTer rewards for commuTers

The Purrfect Getaway

quite a few of them.We then embarked on the

forest trek and it’s really quite an experience. The path was formed by countless roots compacted together and some parts required a little climbing. The stairs found on the trail were nothing more than flimsy wooden constructs.

After trekking 700m in about 1.5 hours, we finally reached one of the many beaches on Bako. From here, we had two choices – take the trek back to our starting point, or take the speedboat back (15 minutes) for an additional RM40 per boat. COaStal SightSAs part of the journey back, we were brought to see some amazing rock formations along the coastal area. The most

iconic formation would be the statuesque profile of a boulder that resembled a cobra rising out of the sea.

By the end of the Bako day trip, Siow Har and I got really burnt; so, remember to bring sunblock. Wear insect repellent too and have on comfortable shoes for trekking (but bring along slippers). Bring water to keep yourself constantly hydrated and be prepared to get sweat-soaked!

Oh, and beware of quick-handed monkeys near the canteen area.

Siow Har was eating a muffin in the canteen when a monkey climbed onto the table and snatched it from her at lightning speed! So, keep a watchful eye and secure all your valuables such as your jewellery and camera.

SaraWak Cultural VillagESitting at the foot of the majestic Mount Santubong, the Sarawak Cultural Village is a half-hour drive from the city centre (and you’ll pass by Damai Beach which is really close). There are

day tours but our kind Kuching friends, Justin and Elizabeth, drove us there. Their hospitality exemplifies what we’re about to experience at the Cultural Village… a sort of communal kampong spirit where people look out for one another.

We got to see a collection of the different dwellings that the native Borneo tribes live in. There are seven major racial groups – Bidayuh, Iban, Penan, Orang Ulu, Melanau, Malay, and Chinese. A stone sculpture representing the seven tribes unified on one land welcomes visitors at the entrance.

An outdoor museum of the different architectural styles unique to each tribe, the village

features life-sized replicas of these huts and longhouses complete with artefacts and furnishings. Foreigners were given a ‘passport’ to collect stamps from each tribe they visited.

There are two sessions of the cultural show daily, at 11.30am and 4.00pm. There’s one performance that’s notable – a guy picking up a block of wood with just his teeth!

You can buy traditional food made on the spot with charcoal stoves and test how good you are at blowing darts.

Probably the most bizarre exhibit here would be the smoked human heads. Most of the tribes were headhunters and warriors kept the decapitated heads of their enemies as a trophy.

While we were there, the village was making preparations to host the Rainforest World Music Festival in July.

There are some good photo opportunities in this half-day visit.

SaraWak muSEumThe oldest museum in Borneo, the Sarawak Museum is also reputed to hold one of the best collections in Southeast Asia. The first floor of the museum houses natural history (birds, fish, mammals, geological artefacts, etc) while the second level is home to ethnological relics of Borneo’s indigenous tribes.

A gallery across the museum houses modern folk art while a botanical garden and war memorial can also be found.

The museum is about a 20-minute stroll from the Kuching Waterfront and pretty prominent. Just ask for directions.

Some of the interesting things I saw included the skull of a man-eating crocodile, bones of whales, and a burial totem – where the indigenous people put their dead in jars and recess them into the cavity of a tall wooden column.

To be continued.

This is an excerpt from www.explorelah.blogspot.sg

“The proboscis monKey is lisTed as an endangered species. There are only abouT 250 of Them in The whole of baKo naTional parK now.”

Dangers lurk but you’ll be safe if you keep your

eyes open and stick close to the guide

Cat statues abound in tribute to the city’s namesake

The Sarawak Cultural Village’s cultural show is full of colour and dances

The endangered Probiscis Monkey

Some of the historic architecture in Sarawak is truly gorgeous

Sarawak is full of natural sights and beauty

Shop at Xchange and you’ll have a chance to go to Barcelona

The poignanT life of anne frankThe Anne Frank House

Museum encapsulates the memories and memorabilia of the moving story of this young girl and her family during Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. Her story was made famous by the book, The Diary of Anne Frank. It is so popular, there tends to be long queues to the museum but the experience is worth the wait.

STroopWafelSWho won’t love stroopwafels? For the uninitiated, stroopwafels are made from two thin layers of baked batter (waffles) with a syrupy filling. They are much lovelier than the common version of waffles we get here. Large ones can even be found sold by street vendors. Oh, happy day!

ToTal fooTballThe Netherlands is one of the kings of football

in Europe and the world. Known as “the best footballing nation never to have won the World Cup”, the Netherlands were the inventors of Total Football, an exciting brand of attacking football in which any outfield player can replace another’s position. Recently, they were runners up in the 2010 World Cup. Check out the football stadiums, matches and museums, including that of Ajax Amsterdam or FC Groeningen, for which our very own Fandi Ahmad played.

floWer poWerWhile the Netherlands is generally associated with

tulips, there is a much greater array of beautiful flowers than just tulips. Nonetheless, being their national pride, tulips are the most varied and multi-coloured. You can check out the Floating Flower Market along Amsterdam’s canal.

reD lighT DiSTriCTFor those who have not been to Amsterdam, it actually has more than one Red Light District. The most famous one is only a few minutes from Centraal Station. This may be quite an eye-opening sight for those from sedate Singapore. While it can get quite rowdy or crowded at certain times, there is a significant police presence so you can get assistance if you need to. The walking tours, where you will be escorted by a guide, may be the most informative and safest option.

a briDge noT farThe city of Arnhem was a historic theatre of World

War II, and was immortalised in print and film in the story A Bridge Too Far. It was the fateful scene of the largest airborne military operation, known as Operation Market Garden. The famous bridge that they tried in vain to take has been renamed John Frost Bridge, after the commander of the airborne forces, and there is an impressive Arnhem War Museum you can explore.

kloMp STorMDutch clogs, or klomps, are adorable with their

traditional designs and bright colours. These wooden shoes would make cool footwear for you, or make great cultural gifts.

arTiS royal Zoo 175Th anniverSaryArtis is not only a famous zoo, but also a playground, a back garden and

a park for families. The zoo can be experienced in many ways.

During its special anniversary year, it will be more colourful than ever before as thousands of flowers will bloom throughout the park.

felix MeriTiS 225Th anniverSaryOpened in 1788, this icon on the Keizersgracht soon became popular with

Amsterdam’s most affluent citizens who shared an interest in art and science. It became a true Temple of Enlightenment and was a home to literature, science and music well into the 19th Century.

Today, it is a meeting place for pan-European art, culture and science. From Apr 18, to mark its special anniversary, the building’s unique Observatory will once again be open to the public.

ConCerTgebouW 125Th anniverSaryThe world famous Concertgebouw, the concert hall on the Museumplein, is visited

by more than 700,000 music lovers each year. Throughout 2013, both online and in and around the building, you can relive its former glories via audio and video segments.



YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS may 31 - June 6, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 09

TRAVELATIO

With all these reasons and much more, why not check out this intriguing land of tulips, windmills, canals, clogs, bicycles, art and a myriad other fascinating aspects? This year, 2013, is truly the year to visit Amsterdam.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which celebrated its 80th anniversary of scheduled flights from the Netherlands to Singapore this month, is the official carrier for Amsterdam 2013. Those who are interested in seeing Amsterdam this year can book a direct flight on KLM to Amsterdam at very competitive rates. You could fly to Amsterdam on KLM from about $1097. W

Please check the KLM site at www.klm.sg for current scheduled flights and costs. For more on Amsterdam’s events in 2013, go to www.iamsterdam.com/en-GB/experience/Amsterdam-2013

AmsTERdAmto visit

iN 2013

REAsOns

Besides marking the 400th anniversary of Amsterdam’s canals, many iconic institutions will also

commemorate special jubilees. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate Amsterdam’s rich history, but also connect past, present and future in this festive 2013 for Amsterdam.

1klM, offiCial Carrier of aMSTerDaM 2013KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is the main sponsor and official carrier for Amsterdam 2013,

and is proud to be connected strongly to its hometown during this celebration year. KLM also recently celebrated its 80th anniversary of scheduled flights from the Netherlands to Singapore, on May 3.

KLM connects Singaporeans to Amsterdam via direct flights from Singapore Changi Airport to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

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400 yearS of aMSTerDaM CanalSThis year marks the 400th year since construction began on Amsterdam’s world-

renowned Canal Ring. To celebrate this anniversary, and the acceptance of the Canal Ring as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010, various activities will be organised on and around the canals such as exhibitions, the Canal Parade, the Canals Festival and the Prinsengracht Concert.

rijkSMuSeuM re-openingAs the museum is renovated, it is also being reinvented. The revamped museum is completely

in step with the 21st Century. In the future, the Rijksmuseum will continue to dazzle art and history lovers, develop educational programmes and play a role in society.

Art and history are not merely things of the past, and the Rijksmuseum is a modern museum – a museum where unique events take place, non-stop.

royal ConCerTgebouW orCheSTra 125Th anniverSaryThe renowned orchestra will celebrate its 125th

anniversary with a 48-concert world tour – taking place on six continents. Besides visiting 30 cities around the world in 2013, the orchestra is scheduled to perform at 70 ‘home’ concerts.

What’s more, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will perform for the first time at the popular Prinsengracht Concert on Aug 24.

6franS halS MuSeuM 125Th anniverSaryTo mark its centenary, a jubilee exhibition will present 50 key masterpieces by the

Dutch painter Frans Hals, surrounded by paintings by peers such as Rembrandt, Rubens and Titian.

During the centenary year, the museum will also present a new permanent multimedia exhibition.

7van gogh MuSeuM 40Th anniverSary & re-openingDue to renovation, the Van Gogh Museum Collection is on display

at the Hermitage Museum until Apr 25. After that, on May 2, the Van Gogh Museum will reopen its doors at its customary location on the Museumplein.

This year, in 2013, the Van Gogh Museum will celebrate its 40th anniversary.

8neTherlanDS-ruSSia year & herMiTage exhibiT ‘TSar peTer The greaT’Ever since the Golden Age, the Netherlands

and Russia have been important partners in trade. Moreover, Tsar Peter the Great was so inspired by Amsterdam’s canals that he began the construction of St Petersburg.

Later, in the 19th Century, one of the daughters of the Russian Tsar married a member of the Dutch royal family. In 2013, this special international relationship will be commemorated with a major exhibition dedicated to Tsar Peter the Great at Hermitage Amsterdam.

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Through 2013, AmsTerdAm will be holding mAny celebrATions. don’T miss The chAnce To visiT This idyllic ciTy And soAk in iTs beAuTy And culTure

reasons to7Netherlandsweekender counTs down The Top 7 inTeresTing Things in The neTherlAnds

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interesting

visit the

Started by Lee Chang Xi and Vanessa Keng, both 25, The Golden Concepts is the premier provider of products to aid and care for

elders, in Singapore. There seems to be no other local retailer that can match the range and quality of their products.

Chang Xi and Vanessa met in their first year of university. So how did two young ladies come up with such a timely and apt concept?

InsIght Into needs of the elderly“We came across the idea when we were on our student exchange programme in Denmark, and witnessed the high quality of life that seniors there enjoyed. When we came back, we started doing some market research and realised that there was a lack of products available for seniors,” Chang Xi explains.

When Chang Xi and Vanessa graduated, they began bringing in product samples from Europe and getting more information about the local market, in Singapore. They started their e-commerce website in 2011.

products wIth a dIfferenceThe Golden Concepts carries a wide range of

items from the following categories: home safety, bath safety, mobility, exercise, lifestyle and gifts. These products enable seniors to live independently and safely.

“We started researching on products available overseas, and began to select products based on functionality, design, quality and affordability,” says Vanessa.

Clearly, Chang Xi and Vanessa did not start the business simply to make money but out of compassion and care.

suItIng specIfIc needs“It is important not to classify all older persons under the same umbrella,”

Vanessa elaborates, revealing their deep understanding of their customers.

Some of The Golden Concepts’ bestselling products for the elderly include the EZ Adjust Bed Rail, Econorail, Switch Sticks,

Metro Walker and BRIK Senior Phone, a phone that has a keypad

with significantly larger buttons to be more user-friendly to older folk.This special BRIK Senior Phone also

comes with SOS as well as speed dial functions. Their designer walking sticks are

also a hit as they come in a variety of designs and lively colours.

The Golden Concepts also has special bed rails to give extra support to elderly persons for when they get out of bed. Their anti-slip bath adhesives easily make a wet floor less dangerous.

More than sellIng products Consultation with customers prior to purchase is also part of their service.

“We also make it convenient for people to make online purchases from our website and provide fast shipping so they can receive it within one to three working days,” says Vanessa.

The Golden Concepts has a showroom but viewing is by appointment only, so please do give them a call.

The Golden Concepts also contributes to the elderly by sponsoring elderly initiatives and charity drives.

grateful for love and supportStarting a business at such a young age is not easy. Thankfully, they have supportive parents and families.

Chang Xi says, “I’m extremely thankful for all the support and encouragement from my family, especially my parents, and my grandmother who recently turned 90, and who continues to inspire me every day with her zest for life and constant enthusiasm to learn new things like the ukulele and her new iPad.”

Why not support these young entrepreneurs with heart? Your family member will be safer and happier. W

For more helpful products, go to www.thegoldenconcepts.com or call 8657 1657. This is the first time The Golden Concepts is being given a full feature in the media.

Situated next to Biopolis, a stone’s throw away from Buona Vista MRT, the NTU Alumni Club offers a sanctuary for people to unwind and be rejuvenated while enjoying the view of the surrounding lush greenery.

plentIful facIlItIesThe NTU Alumni Club spans nine stories, with various amenities for both you and your child’s recreational needs. Work up a sweat at the gymnasium, or make use of the sauna, steam bath, spa, aerobics studio, a swimming pool and tennis courts for a workout, while your child has a splashing good time at the kiddy water adventure park.

There is also a Chinese restaurant and a Western restaurant to suit whichever preference you have. For the more sedentary, there are also reading and TV rooms, a mahjong room, jackpot and lounge, to while the afternoon away.

tIe-ups wIth fIve other clubsThe NTU Alumni Club has another smaller clubhouse at Killiney Road, and has made three affiliate arrangements with the Hollandse Club at Camden Park, Changi Golf Club at Netheravon Road and SouthLinks Country Club in

Batam, Indonesia, so that NTU Alumni Club members can enjoy even more facilities.

NTU Alumni Club members only pay member rates to dine at or participate in activities in the three above-mentioned clubs, and can book the Hollandse Club’s and SouthLinks’ hotel rooms at guest rates. This is truly great value-added service and amenities.

Golfing enthusiasts can play golf at Changi and SouthLinks at guest rates during weekdays, as well as pay special rates to golf at Orchid Country Club and Jurong Country Club.

networkIng opportunItIesWhat is an alumni club without networking opportunities? The NTU Alumni Club’s recent reciprocal tie-ups with the University Club of Western Australia, Perth (Australia), Graduate House, Melbourne (Australia), University Club of Montreal (Canada) and University Club of San Francisco (USA) allow for great networking opportunities.

other prIvIlegesBesides the serene picturesque environment, a full range of facilities, networking opportunities, access to five other clubs and special golfing rates, NTU Alumni Club members can also enjoy

complimentary car parking at One-North, and potential investment returns on their membership.

Furthermore, it caters to its members’ children’s educational and growing needs through Agape, the little Uni, and members’ spouses can enjoy membership privileges as well.

All university graduates and qualified teachers are eligible for the $888 promotional deal for club membership. Those who sign up by Jun 15 will receive a $150 Kickstart Fitness programme and a $50 F&B voucher.

YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS

OME10 • WEEKENDER • may 31 - june 6, 2013

For a pdf copy of Weekender visit: www.facebook.com/weekendersgpH

there’S no doubt that the dream of many a homeowner is to live in the lap of comfort, and to bask in luxury. Now, with the help of Executive Living, you can take a step in the direction of your dream living room.

Founded by Mr Alvin Ong after two decades in the furnishing industry, Executive Living offers iconic furniture designs that ooze elegance, and draw envious glances and lavish praise from visitors.

coMpetent, attentIve staffPassionate and highly-trained staff members are always on hand to educate you about the products and services you will receive, so that you can acquire your ideal sofa set, or any of their premium

Sofa so goodTo make every living room and home compleTe, There needs To be a comforTable and beauTiful sofa seT. execuTive living will help you find your ideal one

A prestigious yet affordable clubhouse for you from iTs humble beginnings aT bukiT Timah, The nTu alumni club now occupies a Tranquil and scenic siTe on The hillcresT of one-norTh park

yEars

The golden concepTs is unique in singapore, wiTh a broad range of qualiTy producTs To aid Those in Their golden years. now, The elderly can be safer and more independenT

by lesTer J wan

Helpful innovations for

quality products, at mid-range prices. You’ll know exactly what you are paying for.

Furthermore, Executive Living’s professional product consultants are well-versed in the different grades of leather and fillings, and take pride in going the extra mile to provide a personal touch. They also provide on-site measurements and customisation to make sure your new furniture will fit your home perfectly.

elegant desIgnsA curator of good sofa designs, each iconic Executive Living piece is vastly different from mass-market models. The mid-to-high end designs of their sofas can be compared to the works of the Renaissance masters.

Built for a discerning few, these pieces naturally attract a smaller and elite clientele, so they are able to spend more time catering to each client’s preference.

There are also no middlemen, as each piece of furniture is directly acquired from their factories, thus resulting in much better value.

hIgh-end MaterIalsExecutive Living’s sofas are produced from Brazilian cowhide processed into the finest leather in Tuscany, Italy, and the sofa fillings are made of Canadian goose down feather.

Coupled with sturdy recliner frames and motorised units from Leggett and Platt of the USA, these stylish sofa units are the epitome of comfort.

5 to 10 years warrantyTo give customers peace of mind, Executive Living provides a five-year warranty for all sofa parts. In the unlikely event that a sofa unit is delivered with a fault, Executive Living will provide you with a one-to-one exchange.

With such excellent products, attentive service, and comprehensive warranty coverage, you can own pieces of furniture which are impressive fusions of art and science, at reasonable prices.

Supported by four factories, the staff will do whatever it takes to turn the furniture you purchase into an inseparable, comfortable part of your life.

Visit the showroom at 246 Balestier Road, Tel: 6352 6865, or 5 Harper Road (next to Tai Seng MRT), Tel: 6280 6188.

For more information, please visit www.ntualumni.org.sg or call 6777 1101 or 9150 0905.

tHEgOldEn

The Metro Walker is sturdy yet can be easily closed

The EZ Adjust Bed Rail protects the elderly from falling


YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITH FUN AND HAPPINESS may 31 - june 6, 2013 • WEEKENDER • 11

BE HAPPIER

Set in the year 2023, in a familiar country called SingaCorp, Pursuant is an original musical that follows the adventures of young Ethan, a secondary school boy with an unstoppable capacity for dreaming.

The only problem is, dreaming is illegal and dreamers are arrested and sent for treatment.

Ethan’s wild dreams soon spiral into a nightmare when he is captured and sent to a high security concentration camp for torturous brainwashing. When he and his fellow dreamers are rescued by a band of vigilantes called Dream On, Ethan leads them all on a quest to find the mysterious Old Man who has been haunting his dreams.

Pursuant stars Windson Liong, Mabel Yeo, Crystal Cordial, Nora Samosir, Lim Yu Beng, Candice de Rozario and Dwayne Lau. It is directed by local theatre maven Jonathan Lim, who encourages youths to dream for a good future.

“Youths need to be free to dream. If they don’t, we won’t have visions for the future,” he says.

“Dreaming is not just good for our country, it is imperative. This musical reaches out to our youths, their parents, their teachers and reminds us all of the importance of growing up with dreams,” he adds.

Pursuant: an original musicalA musicAl where dreAming And frivolity is illegAl

MoSt recogniSed as Chan Mun Kit in the Channel 5 programme, Moulmein High, Windson Liong has since performed in London and in several local productions.

Windson is currently playing the lead character in Pursuant, where dreaming is strictly prohibited and regarded as an illness requiring treatment. We speak with him on his new ‘dreamy’ role.

Are you A dreAmer like your chArActer ethAn is in PursuAnt?Yes, I would say so. To quote a line from the show, “Dreaming is how my soul strives.” Dreaming is definitely a big part of who I am. Everything begins with a dream. It propels me to take action towards making them a reality.

hAve you AlwAys been interested in Acting since you were A child?I wasn’t really exposed to acting when I was a child, but I knew I’ve always been interested in singing

since I was young. My primary school classmates

made a class scrapbook to celebrate the end of the exams, and on the last page, we had to paste our baby pictures on it and write down what we wanted to be when we grew up.

I wasn’t very sure what I wanted to be back then, but I wrote “singer” anyway, because I really loved to sing, and that was the first thing that came to my mind!

who or whAt is it thAt insPires you?My father’s silent and selfless love is my constant source of inspiration. He has given me his whole life and everything that he could possibly give, so that I could have a shot to be anything at all in my life.

you’ve been in the business of Acting since 2001. hAve you hAd Any memorAble or funny moments on set?Hahaha! Too many to mention! Though, the funniest moment has got to be when I split my jeans from doing a split jump on stage during a finale number. My friends from that show are still making a joke out of it ‘til this day!

hAving Performed in london before, how does the theAtre scene there differ from here?The main difference is definitely the quantity and diversity of shows available. There is virtually no taboo that London’s theatre will not tackle. Ever since censorship on stage was abolished in 1968, you can put up anything and

are made of theseSwEEt dREAmS

we speAk with Actor windson liong About

his new role As A dreAmy young boy in

the singApore lyric operA production,

pursuAnt

everything you want. Of course, whether

or not audiences will be interested or happy to watch the show is a whole different story. In general, there is a lot more artistic freedom in London.

do you hAve A dreAm role thAt you would like to PlAy?Yes, I would love to play Jekyll and Hyde in the Broadway musical version of Jekyll and Hyde someday!

whAt is your ideA of A dreAm weekend? My dream weekend would be to spend the day swimming with dolphins and relaxing

the evening away on the beach, admiring the beauty of the setting sun with a glass of champagne in hand.

By night time, the moonshine will illuminate the beach with a soft gentle glow, and as I gaze up to the starry sky from my hammock, a shooting star will streak across the sky and I will fall asleep smiling, lulled by the gentle breeze and soothing symphony of waves flapping against the sand. w

Pursuant is in theatres from May 31 to Jun 8. Tickets from Sistic, $30-$40.

“the funniest moment hAs got to be when i split my jeAns from doing A split jump on stAge during A finAle number. ”

FAmILY & FRIENdS

HELLOwORLd

email your photos to

[email protected] .

Please make sure to include

your baby’s name and

surname, gender and date

of birth. We look forward

to receiving photos of your

loved one!

BaBIES - aren’t they the cutest things ever? That’s why Weekender dedicates a section to your adorable darlings in diapers. Send us your favourite photos of your newborn, so the rest of us can coo and ‘ahh’ over him / her too! What better way is there to celebrate your child than to share him / her with the rest of the world?

Chua Rong Jun Ethan

Born Dec 21, 2012

Clara ChewBorn Nov 30,

2012

Eva Sophia Ha

Born Sep 25, 2012

Gabriel James

OcampoBorn Jul 7,

2012

Giselle LimBorn Jan 3,

2013

Javier SinBorn apr 27,

2012

Jayden OngBorn Sep 23,

2012

Jonathan TanBorn Sep 21,

2012

Syrus LohBorn Sep 16,

2012

Fiora Teo En En

Born May 13, 2012

Erin Yip Xen Yi

Born Dec 18, 2012

The trio in detention camp, in Pursuant

The three main characters in Pursuant

The characters of Ethan and the Cardboard Box aunty

12 • WEEKENDER • may 31 - june 6, 2013 YOUR INSPIRATION TO A WEEKEND FILLED WITh FUN AND hAPPINESS

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Weekender #34

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