5 Things to Do This Week in Singapore: 31 July to 6 August 2017

Usher in the month of August by revisiting one of the greatest architectural icons of Singapore, before embarking on a high-octane week, as Reza Hasni presents an explosion of colours in his latest series of illustrations, and Grandmaster Flash brings to our shores his furious beats. Then, let the best of Singapore’s musical talents play you into the weekend at Jazz by the Beach and the eighth edition of Sundown Festival.

Raffles Hotel Presents: A Last, Lingering Look at an Icon

Step into the gilded halls of Raffles Hotel, and delve deep into the rich history behind this colonial icon. In commemoration of its 130th anniversary, the hotel will be launching a new tour and exhibition just prior to its restoration, to preserve one last living memory of the building that we know and love. Expect nothing but old-school splendor, as you will be taken through marbled hallways and the most exquisite rooms, to relive the untold tales of Singapore’s past. From Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling to the British royal family, the exhibition will acquaint visitors with the hotel’s most famous guests, and allow you to walk in their distinguished footsteps.

Raffles Hotel Presents: A Last, Lingering Look at an Icon will be happening from 1 to 12 August 2017, from 2pm to 3pm daily, at Raffles Hotel, 1 Beach Rd, Singapore189673. Additional tours will be scheduled on Wednesdays and National Day. For more information and tickets, check out the event page here.

Mystic Island by Reza Hasni

Bold lines, bright colours, and pop graphics – inject some excitement into your week at Reza Hasni’s first ever solo show, Mystic Island. A meditation on the multitudinous myths of Singapore, this art series takes on superstitions recognizable to us all, but at the same time offers its own cheeky spin on the familiar in ink, paper, and ceramics. On opening night, you can contribute to the works on display by colouring in a mural, or dance the night away to a soundtrack specially-curated to match the art by Yadin and Catsoncrak. If you so wish, you can even buy a painting – or two – for your own keepsake, as all works on show are on sale.

Mystic Island by Reza Hasni will be opening on 3 August 2017 at 7pm, and happening all day till 12 August 2017 at UltraSuperNew, 13 Bussorah St Singapore 199434. For more details, check out the event page here.

Collective Minds and FOB Asia Present Grandmaster Flash

Get ready to get down in the middle of the week, as Joseph Saddler – better known as Grandmaster Flash – returns to Singapore for an exclusive, one-night-only set. As an early pioneer of hip-hop, Saddler developed some of the most innovative DJ techniques that are now still fundamental to the genre. And these days, after becoming the very first hip-hop act to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the prodigious turntablist continues to impress with his artistic abilities and electrifying live shows. A performance unto itself, this gig is surely not to be missed.

Collective Minds and FOB Asia Present Grandmaster Flash will be happening on 3 August 2017, 10pm, at Kilo Lounge (TP), 21 Tanjong Pagar Road #01-02/04 Singapore 088444. For more information and tickets, check out the event page here.

Jazz by the Beach

Wind down for the week with sun, sand, sea, and the soulful sounds of jazz music, as Coastes, Sentosa will be hosting Singapore’s only beachfront jazz event every Friday evening, throughout the month of August. Returning for its seventh year, Jazz by the Beach will feature some of the best local jazz musicians, including Mojo Syndicate, who will be playing this weekend, Some Kind of Groove, and Rob Collins & The Jukebox Quartet. So come take in the breath-taking beach views during golden hour, and enjoy the delectable cuisine at Coastes – all the whilst basking in the infectious rhythm of the blues.

Jazz by the Beach will be happening every Friday from 4 to 25 August 2017, 8pm, at Coastes, 50 Siloso Beach Walk, #01-06, Sentosa, Singapore 099000. For more details, check out the event page here.

Sundown Festival 2017

After having brought close to a hundred regional acts together onto the same stage, the eighth edition of Sundown Festival will feature an exclusively Singaporean line-up, to celebrate the various successes of our home-grown talents. Prepare, thus, to be charmed by music scene veterans, Jack & Rai, Derrick Hoh of Project Superstar fame, and famed singer-songwriter, Ling-Kai, amongst many other prominent local artists topping the festival bill. Don’t forget to bring along your sunscreen and picnic mats, for with a uniquely Singaporean twist, comes also a new home for the festival – the lush City Beach Resort at Labrador Park.

Sundown Festival 2017 will be happening on 5 August 2017, 4pm, at City Beach Resort, 8 Port Rd, Singapore 117540. For tickets and more details, check out the event page here.


Over-caffeinated, bookish, and just the right amount of manic, Rachel is most often found dashing between the library and her bed. When she isn’t reading or fretting over impending deadlines, she enjoys sketching, painting, and attempting to pet every cat that she comes across. Fuelled by chocolate and cakes, but never chocolate cakes.