Weekend guide (3-5 February): Huayi - Chinese Festival of Arts, Spring Surprise
Still recovering from the long weekend? Well, the Chinese New Year (CNY) festivities have only just got started with Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts and Gardens by the Bay’s Spring Surprise the highlights of this coming weekend, along with a shophouse hip-hop party and a flea market.
1. Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts
Some of the highlights from this year’s Huayi include a Chinese adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a concert by Taiwanese singer Yoga Lin, and the newest addition to Huayi this year; Huayi Livehouse, which features Singaporean Alfred Sim and a four piece band that will have you grooving to Mandarin pop hits and Cantonese classics.
When: 3 – 12 Feb
Where: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Price: $15 – $158
2. Spring Surprise
Another event that continues the festivities of the CNY is Surprise Spring 2017, happening at the Gardens by the Bay. For a period of two weeks, the whole park area is playing host to several activities that will definitely awe visitors. One spectacle to marvel at is the biggest-ever LED Phoenix which would be making its first appearance in Singapore.
Families can join in for some bonding sessions as they create their very own prosperity eggs or learn Chinese Calligraphy at the various booths at the Flower Dome. Performances by various musicians and artists and even a stunt show by an aerial contortionist are just some of the activities to watch out for.
When: Now – 12 Feb
Where: Gardens by the Bay
Price: Free (admission charges to Flower Dome applies)
3. LEGO Batman Escape Room @ ION Orchard
The latest addition to the LEGO franchise, the LEGO Batman Escape Room at ION Orchard promises to entertain the little ones with features such as crime busting scenes of Batman. Kids can participate in role-playing and problem solving games games to stir up their imagination. Also, photo opportunities with Batman, Batgirl and Robin are amongst the highlights at the event.
When: Now – 18 February
Where: Basement 4, ION Station, ION Orchard
Price: Free
4. Zoo-rassic Park
The Zoo-rassic Park event at the Singapore Zoo and River Safari, which features life-sized dinosaur structures along with discovery trails for visitors to learn more about these extinct creatures, is moving into its last two months before it closes to the public.
Over 20 such structures are on display, and if that’s not enough, there are two trails; Same Same But Different and Extinction Escapees at the Singapore Zoo and River Safari respectively.
The Same Same But Different trial allows visitors to discover similarities between the animals at the Zoo today and dinosaurs, while the Extinction Escapees trial features animals that are more ancient than dinosaurs and are still present at the River Safari today. Kids can also keep a lookout for dinosaurs roaming the park on weekends.
When: Now – 31 March
Where: Singapore Zoo and River Safari
Price: Adults – $33 for Singapore Zoo & $30 for River Safari
Children – $22 for Singapore Zoo & $20 for River Safari
5. Landscapes: New vision through multiple windows
Held at the Japan Creative Centre (JCC) at the Japanese Embassy in Singapore, Landscapes: New vision through multiple windows is an exhibition that a aims to explore the relationship between humans and technologies.
The exhibition is part of the Japan Media Arts Festival, which honours diverse ranges of artistic work from around the world. 12 selected artworks will be on display at the JCC. Visitors can also opt to participate in talks with artists Ebihara Shoko, Sarah Choo King and Takamine Tadasu on Saturday (4 Feb). On Sunday (5 Feb), free screenings of several popular Japanese animation films would be held at Shaw Lido.
When: 3 – 18 February
Where: Japan Creative Centre (Japanese Embassy) & Shaw Lido
Price: Free
6. Rewind Shophouse Party
This Shophouse Party features hip-hop and R&B tunes from the 90s, sure to get you grooving till dawn. The unique venue, the hip music and the company coupled with good food and drinks serve as the perfect blend for a good time. For a discounted ticket to the party, click “going” on the event’s Facebook page and be entitled to half-priced tickets at the door.
When: 4 February
Where: Blu Jaz Level 2
Price: $10
7. Flea Party
Perfect for the thrifty spender, this flea market is running through the entire month of February. Featuring pocket-friendly selections, you might just find the perfect wardrobe makeover that you’ve been craving for.
When: Now – 28 February
Where: Lucky Plaza, #06-48B (Beside Jollibee)
Price: Free