The best things to do in Singapore this week (Nov 20-26)

Celebrate the written word at the 26th edition of Singapore Writers Festival (SWF). This year’s theme Plot Twist focuses on merging genres and themes that don’t quite belong together, as well as spotlighting Asian-American authors. The festival will entail 200 in-person programmes, featuring 250 local and international presenters guaranteed to drop your jaws. Genres that span from Hip Hop, combat sports, among several others.

There will also be a special programme, 50 Years of Bars, Flows and Beats, happening in conjunction with hip hop’s 50th anniversary. Look forward to performances and conversations by music critics, rappers, musicians, and cultural historians from the industry.

Step into the magical world of Disney at Immersive Disney Animation, which will have a host of galleries, interactive floors, activity stations, and a jaw-dropping 360-degree experience that will transport you into the heart of your favourite movies. Before this main event, you'll get to view rarely-seen artefacts from Walt Disney Animation Studios history. These include early character sketches and time lapses of character creations. The gallery is where the magic happens: watch iconic scenes from Frozen, Big Hero 3, The Little Mermaid, Lion King play out across gigantic screens and experience nostalgic songs in full surround sound. 

The first Nintendo pop-up store in Southeast Asia is opening at Jewel Changi Airport, bringing a solid line of toys, apparel, and lifestyle goods that you'd previously only be able to get from Nintendo Tokyo, Nintendo Kyoto, and Nintendo Shop stores. Pick up Mario-themed tableware, Legend of Zelda apparel, Pikmin vases and stationery, and original Nintendo merchandise too. Spend $80 or more to get limited-edition post cards, or get a Nintendo account if you want one of 18 adorable Nintendo sticker designs. 

Sentosa's first ever music festival is here. Running from November 10 to January 3, it brings a series of music-centric events to venues across the island. Highlights include Jazz by the Cove, six jazz-themed nights that'll see performers like Jazz-Blues Brothers, Jeremy Monteiro and Alberto Marsico take the stage. There will also be a hyped DJ spin-off at the Sand Bar on Siloso Beach, where aspiring DJs will put on a show for industry experts like Ollie 'des, Mad Jester, Cherish, and Andrew Chow. Heading into the new year, look out for ZoukOut, The Sentosa Countdown Party, and an artistic showcase of 550 drones dancing in the night sky. 

Fancy a movie with a side of wildlife? Movies in the Wild kicks off on Singles’ Day (November 11) at River Wonders’ Amazon Flooded Forest. This unique cinematic event will be screening romantic, comedy and action flicks – with the world’s largest freshwater aquarium as a backdrop. Catch movies like 500 Days of Summer, 50 First Dates, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle as manatees, giant river otters, and more freshwater species swim gracefully by. Every ticket is inclusive of admission to the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, or River Wonders too, so you can have a full-day date with friends or that special someone.

If you found yourself enthralled by the whimsical paintings of the Twinkle Day exhibition at ARTTRIO gallery, you’re sure to love their next showcase, titled ‘From Beyond The Sea’. Helmed by rising millennial Japanese artist, Ryoko Kaneta, this maiden solo exhibition of hers in Singapore features paintings in her signature imaginative manga-like style – all with an additional sea-themed element.

Inspired by Japan’s magical sea legends and beautiful water bodies, the works in the exhibition bring a sense of dreaminess, mysteriousness, and tranquillity all at once. With flowing long tresses that blend into rolling waves and mountains, Ryoko’s wide-eyed, doll-like characters take centre stage while seamlessly being part of the colourful landscapes portrayed. Look closer and you’ll notice iconic Japanese motifs like the traditional kimono, shrines, and seifuku (school uniform) weaved in too.

‘From Beyond The Sea’ by Ryoko Kaneta will be running in Singapore from October 21 to November 30 2023 with free entry. Find out more here.

Explore renowned South Korean artist Lee Bul’s world of print at her solo exhibition, showcased at STPI. Having accumulated more than four decades of artistic experience, Lee Bul is a widely recognised artist whose past works encompass various mediums, including performance, sculpture, and installation art.

When asked to imagine what walking on stilts would be like, the first emotion that comes to mind will most probably be the fear of falling. The determination to overcome this fear is illustrated in 12 different paintings by artist Wong Shih Yaw, each delving into a different subject. Showing at Confluence Art Space, this new body of work is a sequel to the artist’s first series, Stilts.

If you're seeking an escape from the mundane, we highly recommend checking out New Eden: Science Fiction Mythologies Transformed. Curated by ArtScience Museum, this exhibition explores how female artists and collectives from various parts of Asia are creating art within the science-fiction genre. Visitors can anticipate a diverse range of artworks encompassing various mediums, including artefacts, films, and more.

Discover notions from Western science fiction theories like parallel universes and outer space ventures, to the rich tapestry of Asian mythology and philosophies. These include ideas such as hybridity of two or more beings, mysticism, and transcending the physical constraints of humanity.

This exhibition also underscores the significance of Asian female artists and their contributions to the science fiction genre. Moreover, it acts as a platform for highlighting alternative perspectives, envisioning what a more inclusive future in the arts would look like.

Featured artists include: Morehshin Allahyari, Patty Chang, Chok Si Xuan, Club Ate, Lee Bul, Liu Xiao Fang, Xin Liu, The House of Natural Fiber, Saya Woolfalk, among several others.

Tickets can be purchased here.

This might be one of the biggest experiential exhibitions ever to commemorate the life journey of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. 

Spread across a whopping 17,000 square feet within a three-story building, this exhibition takes you on a captivating journey through Mr. Lee Kuan Yew's life. It unfolds his story in 20 distinct rooms, each revealing a chapter of his remarkable life. Prepare to immerse yourself in reimagined memories, painting vivid tales of his life's incredible journeys through interactive installations, multimedia exhibits and hands-on activities.

Mastering the intricate artform of papercutting is no easy accomplishment, but Indonesian artist Mujahidin Nurrahman emerges as a conqueror of this unique craft. His creations don't just tickle your artistic fancy; they play a game of tug-of-war with your emotions, balancing on the tightrope between threat and aesthetic bliss.

In Mujahidin's world, the artistic process isn't just about doodling; it's a symphony of repeated, complex patterns and shapes. Each piece is a unique composition and the coolest part? Zoom in, and you'll unveil the secrets hidden within Mujahidin's creations, with a surprising twist: the iconic AK-47 machine gun, adding a provocative layer of symbolism to his artistic narrative. 

Oh my, oh my god, because popular K-pop girl group New Jeans is coming to Singapore for their LINE FRIENDS pop-up store at Orchard Central. Opening from September 15 to November 23, the pop-up will be a vibrant, pink-themed fest featuring adorable merchandise like NewJeans 'Bunini' and The Powerpuff Girls versions of the girl group members. At the pop-up, shop the cute, bunny-like character 'Bunini', a mash-up between IPX's 'Minini' series (the same creative folks behind BTS's BT21) and NewJeans TOKKI ('bunny' in Korean) mascot. The pop-up store will sell these NewJeans x The Powerpuff Girls characters on a range of merchandise, including stickers, caps, shirts, photocards, and accessories. 

From June 1 to December 20, The Clan Hotel presents an exclusive Culture and Cuisine package for all to wind down with while diving into the rich culture of Singapore. This enticing offer encompasses a two-night luxury stay in the five-star hotel's premier Master Series room, with breakfast at QĪN Restaurant & Bar, an exquisite 6-course Teochew dining experience at Zui Yu Xuan, and a hands-on porcelain plate workshop. 

Hammocks were made for snoozing, until now that is. Every alternate Saturday, buy clothes off hammocks at The Hammock Market. Scour through someone else’s wardrobe at the hammock section or shop curated pieces from established stores at the booths. Looking for something more than apparels? There is also an area set aside for local artisans to showcase their crafts. Think candles, pottery, handmade jewellery and many more. Vendors alternate every week so there’s always something new to look forward to. And if you think snagging something at half the price or less isn’t exciting enough, you’ll be delighted to know that free tote bags (worth $19.99) are also up for grabs with every purchase – while stocks last for the day. 

No stranger to the global art scene, Mumbai-based artist Shilpa Gupta has encouraged many to see the world from the POV of the oppressed via large-scale sculptural installations since the 1990s. This week, she’s unveiling a gargantuan inflatable at the Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden atop National Gallery Singapore. Named Untitled, the thought-provoking sculpture invites all to interact with it. With malleable material, two interlocked figures, and a multiplicity of meanings, it offers a visually striking and conceptually rich experience – a juxtaposition to the visual density of a bustling metropolis. A non-traditional way to view art? We're sold.

It's never too early to expose your little ones to art. Unlock their creativity with a multi-sensorial art adventure at National Gallery Singapore as it turns into a colossal warren of imagination. Themed Let’s Make a Better Place, the fourth edition of the Gallery Children’s Biennale decks the National Gallery Singapore with 11 art installations by artists around the world. Each installation spotlights one of four core values which include care, collaborate, imagine, and respect. These artistic concepts also highlight the relevant issues of today – in an easy-to-digest manner for kids, no less. Your young heroes can look forward to immersive experiences that go beyond imaginative play, inspiring them to take an active role in bettering the world.

You don’t want to miss the largest exhibition by a Singaporean public museum yet, dedicated to ink master Liu Kuo-sung’s 70 year old artistic career spanning from the 1950s to the 2020s. Painter Liu spent his career discovering and advocating the modernisation of traditional Chinese ink painting through his art practice and writings. Showcasing 60 selected works that trace his journey and evolution as an artist, the exhibition highlights his innovations in modern Chinese ink painting and how he went beyond the brush to explore the physicality of ink and paper.

After 17 editions of da:ns festivals, the dance celebration is ready to take things to the next level. Introducing da:ns focus. Spread across five weekends throughout the year, each part focuses on a particular theme or genre, and is jam-packed with exciting programmes, experiences and activities to get everyone involved – no matter if you’re a seasoned dancer or dipping your (pointe) toes into the scene for the first time. Mark your calendars for April 14 to 16 as it opens with the first set: EveryBody. The weekender focuses on work powered by inclusivity and diversity, so expect dance projects that empower all body types and abilities. Accessibility features for selected programmes such as Relaxed Environment, Sign Language Interpretation and wheelchair access are also offered.

Calling all art history junkies, this one’s for you. With over 300 works housed in the Supreme Court building, Between Declarations and Dreams looks back on the artistic impulses of Southeast Asian art, dating back all the way to the early mid-19th century. The curatorial narrative explores four main themes in chronological order – Authority and Anxiety, Imagining Country and Self, Manifesting the Nation and Re:Defining Art.