Author: Sng Ler Jun

Gentlemen, if you, like me, are sick and tired of your run-of-the-mill hairdo and have always yearned to unleash your inner dapper and debonair persona, this is for you. The Cathay will be hosting INK & CUT, a two-day barbershop and tattoo studio pop-up event this coming 24 & 25 June 2017. Spearheading this event is Singapore’s first modern traditional barbershop, The Hounds of The Baskervilles (HOTB), and popular local tattoo parlour Gimmelove Tattoo (GML). All you need to do is to spend a minimum of S$50 (in a maximum of two same-day receipts), and you can treat yourself to a complimentary styling/hair-cut or…

The advent of a mobile classified marketplace definitely made a huge impact on my life. I can’t possibly deny cheap, reliable and quality goods now, can I? Being an enthusiastic deal-seeker myself, I was more than thrilled when I heard that Carousell will be hosting Singapore’s largest marketplace event, Carouselland Magic Moments, this 24 & 25 June 2017 at Suntec City. With a venue that’s comparable to the size of an Olympic soccer field, the two-day event boasts 600 booths that sell an eclectic and unique variety of new and pre-loved merchandise. These include retro collectibles and games, lifestyle gadgets, and homemade gifts. Carouselland…

15 years after its initial run at Raffles Hotel’s Jubilee Hall, W!LD RICE’s successful production of the Tony Award-winning comedy, Boeing Boeing, is back by popular demand! The skilful and capable director Pam Oei, who was a cast member in both previous productions back in 2002 and 2005, will head this classic comedy, which will be showing at the Victoria Theatre from 23 June to 22 July 2017. Joining the production are a few of Singapore’s best and most hilarious actors, such as Rodney Oliveiro, Shane Mardjuki, Oon Shu An and Judee Tan. Boeing Boeing tells the story of a modern-day…

At some point in life, you’ll come to realise that by mysterious (and miraculous) reasons, whiffing your favourite scent seems to invoke some form of inner happiness and comfort. That moment of enlightenment is what got me interested in aromatherapy and, eventually, made me want to learn the craft of candle-making. Located in the heart of Chinatown in Havelock II Shopping Centre, Diadem Candles not only sells hand-poured and lightly-scented candles, but also conducts candle-making workshops in its small studio. Ena, our instructor who is also the lady boss behind this artisanal brand, was busy setting up the workspace when we arrived. Cheerful, amicable…

Among the numerous things to accomplish on my bucket list, I have always dreamt of taking a stroll along the sun-kissed beaches of Hawaii. But because time and money never seem to be on my side, I guess I will have to put that off for a while. Fortunately, a Hawaiian-themed beach club, Ola Beach Club, has reached our shores. The beach club not only features beachfront dining with some Hawaiian-inspired delicacies, it also hosts a myriad of exhilarating water sports for you to enjoy. It goes without saying (given my Hawaiian dreams) that I paid it a visit and was…

Muggle alert! Happening on 1 & 2 July 2017, Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone In Concert revisits the first adaptation of the HP franchise, and is the first of its kind in Singapore – you get to listen to live music played by a symphony orchestra throughout the whole film. Catch the film on high-definition on a 40-foot screen at the Esplanade Concert Hall as the live orchestra performs John William’s enthralling score to each and every scene of the movie. Relive the moment when Harry first met Ron and Hermione on the Hogwarts Express, and be prepared to be…

It’s been over a year since the final season of multi-award-winning TV drama, “Downton Abbey”, ended its run. However, fans can rejoice and revisit the nostalgic scenes soon in Singapore. NBC Universal International Studios will present The Downton Abbey: The Exhibition at Marina Bay Sands from 17 June 2017. The touring exhibition will be kicking off in Singapore before heading to the United States next year. With promises to be fully-immersive, visitors will be able to explore the aristocratic lives of the Crawleys as well as the lives of their servants. You’ll also able to journey through some of the series’ familiar sets, such…

Charming Korean-Taiwanese singer, Bii, will be performing his ‘With You’ concert in Singapore at The Star Theatre, The Star Performing Arts Centre on 17 June 2017. The 27-year-old heartthrob has been busy preparing for the release of his next album. The ‘With You’ concert is also a prelude to his first-ever massive concert that is going to be held at the Taipei Arena in Taiwan this December 2017. Bii debuted back in 2010 and is a virtuoso of sorts. Not only can he sing, he can also write songs and has acted in the popular Taiwanese drama, “Bromance”. Join the singer-songwriter…

While photo walks in Singapore are not unheard of, they are few and far between. Join one and you will soon come to realise that such trips pack many takeaways. Join Singaporean artist and author, Samantha Ann Francis, this 10 June 2017  for her third-ever photo walk — Photo Walk with Samantha Ann Francis. The author of “Shibuya is Calling” will bring participants to two of Singapore’s well-hidden rooftops and show you the best way to take pictures of our mesmerising city. The first is set against several high-rise buildings that feature a burst of colours, while the second is set within…

It doesn’t really matter if you are schooling or working – we all deserve a break. Since our much anticipated June holidays and summer break have finally arrived, what better way to celebrate than to change into your beach gear and have some fun under the sun? Returning for the sixth edition, Singapore’s Largest BayFest, DBS Marina Regatta 2017, will be taking place in the Central Business District this 1 – 4 June 2017. This year’s event boasts Southeast Asia’s largest ever urban beach pop-up, comparable to the size of one and a half Olympic pools, and also promises a myriad of interesting land…

Deal-seekers, heads up! Singapore’s longest running and most successful IT and consumer electronics exhibition, the PC Show 2017, returns for its 27th edition at a brand new venue this year.  From 1 to 4 June 2017, Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre will be filled with the best bargains from hundreds of well-known IT brands and electronic products. I’m talking Acer, Apple by Best Denki, ASUS, Challenger, Courts, Creative, Dell, Epson, Fujifilm, Fuji Xerox, Lenovo, Microsoft and so many more. I’ve always taken a liking to such fairs. You never know what you will find in a corner but more importantly, there’s something…

Unless you stay in Punggol or Sengkang, you’d most likely never set foot into OBAR Ponggol. Despite the ulu location, you should still make your way down to this modern bistro bar which boasts a nightly pool of local musicians and great food to boot. Most Singapore bands are pretty gender neutral, so an all-female group is quite a refreshing experience. Introducing homegrown band, MissChief. Playing every Saturday night from 9.30pm to 12.45am, MissChief is an all-female Singapore band that boasts a unique mix of dynamism, versatility and style. From left to right, the ladies of MissChief are Mabel Lim on keyboard,…

Despite being able-bodied and all, I have a horribly (and shamefully) low tolerance of alcohol. Two sips of a cocktail and I’d be as red as a tomato. That doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy my drink though. I do make it a point to savour my tipple all while steadily soaking in the pub’s low-lit ambience. But I digress. Singapore’s bar scene is young, flourishing and becoming increasingly discerning. Much of which is accredited to the pros behind the counter who constantly churn out ingenious (and deadly) cocktails for the deprived and desperate souls. I’ve collated a list of eight…

Somewhere among a row of shophouses on South Bridge Road, an obscured second-storey unit is churning out an uproarious ruckus, quite often surprising anyone who walks by below. The home-grown company that resides there is not in the business of disturbing the peace though (not intentionally anyway). On quite the contrary, The Improv Company is hoping to bring people together through improvised theatre. The Improv Company Short for improvised theatre, improv is a form of scriptless theatre where performers extemporise stories, characters and dialogues, often with the audience’s inputs. In other words, performers act without rehearsals and memorising lines. Sounds abstract? You bet! Founded…

Sneakerheads, rejoice! Tucked in a tiny corner, somewhere beside the Marks & Spencer Cafe on the first floor of Wheelock Place, sits a newly-launched booth that quite possibly holds the key to freshening up your old and dirty kicks. Enter Holystic, Singapore’s very first sneaker laundry shop that provides professional sneaker cleaning services for the masses. What spawned this great idea? “Holystic started out as an idea by a group of close friends. We were on the lookout for sneaker cleaning services for our dirty sneakers. We wanted someone we can trust to deposit and clean them, but there wasn’t anyone. That’s when…