Chinese painter Shen Yu Dong's love of nature inspires his works featuring Chinese landscapes, scenery and animals. -- PHOTO: DYNASTIES ANTIQUE & ART GALLERY
Today's top pick
SONGS FROM THE HEART - OILS BY SHEN YU DONG
Chinese painter Shen Yu Dong's love of nature inspires his works featuring Chinese landscapes, scenery and animals.
Where: ARTrium at Mica Building, 140 Hill Street MRT: Clarke Quay/City Hall When: Till Sat , 11am - 7pm daily, 01-09 Dynasties Antique & Art Gallery, Mica Building, 140 Hill Street MRT: Clarke Quay/City Hall When: Sun - Jan 13, 11am - 7pm daily Admission: Free Tel: 6738-3268
Art
Anniversary
ELVIS PRESLEY'S 74TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY DINNER
Fans of rock icon Elvis Presley can celebrate his 74th birthday anniversary with an eight-course Chinese dinner, performances by Singapore's own Elvis Presley, Wilson David, and core singers from the Singapore First Elvis Fan Club and catch a screening of Presley's Aloha From Hawaii concert.
Where: Hotel Royal, Jade Room, 36 Newton Road MRT: Novena When: Thu , 5.30 - 11pm (5.30pm: screening of Elvis Presley's Aloha From Hawaii concert with dinner starting at 7pm) Admission: $40 Tel: 9686-3806 (Daniel Chan) Info: There will be lucky draws and quizzes E-mail dcelvis_meetup@yahoo.com.sg to book or visit www.elvis_meetup.com/169/about
THOMSON GOES ELVIS - ELVIS BIRTHDAY BASH
Another Elvis fan club here - the Singapore Elvis-Alternate Country Meetup Group - will also hold an Elvis birthday bash on Jan 10 at the Toa Payoh West Community Club featuring rare video footage of Elvis' early years in Tupelo and his rise to fame in Memphis, Tennessee as well as a performance by Mr Jega Theesan, winner of the 2007 Singapore's Own Elvis Contest here. Mr Hri Kumar, the MP for Bishan Toa Payoh GRC, is the guest-of-honour.
Where: Toa Payoh West Community Club, Lorong Two, Toa Payoh MRT: Toa Payoh When: Next Sat , 5 - 10.30pm Admission: $28, including an eight-course Chinese dinner with live music by Freddie Kang, ex-member of the Thunderbirds Tel: 9669-9951 Info: http://altcountry.meetup.com/27
Applications
THE ART INCUBATOR - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Budding artists can apply for three art residencies worth a total of $30,000. The Art Incubator programme is a two-month visual arts residency for Singaporeans under 35, which includes a living stipend of $4,000, art materials and production fees of up to $3,000, a mentor, and a platform to exhibit their completed work at a group how later.
Info: Visit www.theartincubator.org for information and to download an application form. Deadline for entries is Jan 15. The programme is supported by Creative Community Singapore, Objectifs: Centre for Photography and Filmmaking, Grey Projects and Philip Morris Singapore
Art
THE SPLENDOUR OF SHOUSHAN STONE CARVINGS
This exhibition features the Shoushan stone carvings by master artistes Lin Hengyun, Lin Wenju and Lin Dong from China. Lin Hengyun excels in carving bears and the underwater world while Lin Wenju specialises in par-relief carving and Lin Dong works in figurine stone carving.
Where: Loong Hua Arts & Crafts, 05 -27 Paragon shopping centre, Orchard Road MRT: Somerset/Orchard When: Sat - Jan 11, 11.30am - 7.30pm daily Admission: Free Tel: 6736-3339
ORIGINAL ART EXHIBITION BY TAN KAY NGUAN AND SHARE A BOWL OF RICE, AN INSTALLATION CHARITY ART EXHIBITION
Award-winning Singapore artist Tan Kay Nguan showcases his portraits of babies and children in his art exhibition and also raises money for low-income families by holding an installation art display.
Where: ARTrium, Mica Building, 140 Hill Street MRT: Clarke Quay/City Hall When: Till Sun, 11am - 7pm Admission: Free Tel: 6563-1884
HOLIDAY FIESTA
Check out artworks at Utterly Art Exhibition Space, which is offering good deals this festive season.
Sim Siu Yok, sister of Creative Technology boss Sim Wong Hoo, talks about her new book, which traces the hardships endured by their late mother, a farmer who single-handedly raised 12 children and died two years ago at the age of 92.
Where: National Library, Imagination Room, 5th level, Victoria Street MRT: City Hall/Bugis When: Sun, 11am Admission: Free Tel: 6336-6776 Info: Published by Young People's Performing Arts Ensemble here as part of its In Search Of The 25th Filial Piety - A Series of Chinese Cultural And Arts Events to promote Chinese culture to the young, the book is available at all major bookstores at $10 a copy
Charity
LAUNCH OF GOOD LIFE RECIPE BOOK WITH A HEART
Buy a copy of Good Life Recipe Book at any FairPrice outlet in Singapore to help raise more than $100,000 for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund for needy schoolchilden.
Where: All FairPrice supermarkets and hypermarkets in Singapore When: While stocks last Admission: Pay $12.80 for the book or $3.90 with purchases of $25 and above Tel: 1800-5522-722 (9am - 5pm on weekdays) Info: The book contains 16 innovative recipes by local celebrity chefs, including Violet Oon, Chan Kwok, Sam Leong, Angelo Sanelli and Chookiat Kantha who collaborated with Fairprice and Peter Knipp Holdings in this project for the needy.
COMMUNITY BLOOD DONATION DRIVE
Donate blood at this event organised by the Singapore Sindhi Association. It is part of the Singapore Red Cross' efforts to encourage Singaporeans to embrace humanitarian values.
Share your love with sick children. Buy a Destinee Joy & Luv charm from Lee Hwa Jewellery at Bugis Junction's Malay Street and five per cent of sale proceeds will go to the Children's Cancer Foundation.
Where: Bugis Junction, Malay Street, Level 1, in front of InterContinental Singapore MRT: Bugis When: Till Sun : 10am - 10pm Admission: Free Tel: 6557-6557 Info: Replicas of
the charms are displayed at a designer Tree of Joy & Luv there.
WILL THE BULL CHARGE IN THE
YEAR OF THE OX?
Get insights from Hong Kong's Feng Shui Grand Master Raymond Lo on the coming Chinese Year of the Ox. For each premium ticket sold for this session, Singapore Pools will donate $50 to the President's Challenge, which helps more than 40 charities, including the needy and the disabled.
Where: Singapore Conference Hall, Singapore Chinese Orchestra Concert Hall, 7 Shenton Way MRT: Tanjong Pagar When: Thu , 7.30 - 9.15pm Admission: $20 (standard ticket) & $68 (premium ticket) Tel: 6786-6688 Info The premium ticket includes a special pre-event dinner, a private group interaction session with Raymond Lo and a goodie bag. Visit www.singaporepools.com.sg
Chinese New Year
LUNAR RETAIL FAIR
View the new series of 2009 Year of the Ox Almanac Coins issued by the Monetary Authority of Macau and minted and marketed by The Singapore Mint at this Lunar Retail Fair at Suntec City Mall's Tropics Atrium.
Where: Suntec City Mall, Tropics Atrium MRT: City Hall When: Sat - Jan 11: 11am - 9pm daily Admission: Free Tel: 6825-2668 Info: The fair also includes The Largest Ox Family Contest which offers a prize of a Chinese New Year Set Meal for 10 persons worth more than $1,000 and an Ox-picious Lucky Draw which offers a prize worth more than $2,000 to the winner who buys $100 and more worth of coins at the fair.
TELL YOUR FORTUNE: AN OX-PICIOUS YEAR OR NOT?
Do you have the makings of a president? If you are born in the coming Chinese Zodiac Year of the Ox, you may find that you have similarities with famous personalities such as United States President elect Barack Obama, who is strong, spirited and highly motivated. Just visit the Fraser Centrepoint Malls and check your fortune through fortune-telling methods such as palm and handwriting reading, tarot card reading and fengshui reading.
Where: The Centrepoint, Orchard Road MRT: Somerset When: Sat & Sun ), 1, 4 & 7pm (Tarot Card Reading), Jan 10 & 11: 1, 4 & 7pm (Handwriting Reading), Where: Northpoint, Yishun MRT: Yishun When: Sat & Sun, 1, 4 & 7pm (Palm Reading), Jan 10 & 11, 1, 4 & 7pm (Personal Fengshui Reading) Where: Compass Point, Punggol MRT Sengkang When: Jan 17 & 18, 1, 4 & 7pm (Palm Reading), Jan 23 & 24, 1, 4 & 7pm (Personal Fengshui Reading) Where: Anchorpoint MRT: Queenstown When: Jan 10 & 11, 1, 4 & 7pm (Palm Reading), Jan 17 & 18, 1, 4 & 7pm (Tarot Card Reading), Admission: Free Tel: 6737-9000 (Centrepoint), 6754-2300 (Northpoint), 6881-2707 (Compass Point), 6475-2257 (Anchorpoint) Info: Shoppers who spend $50 at any of the malls can win a Chevrolet Spark car in a lucky draw while those spending $100 can redeem a limited edition Chinese New year traditional Japanese gift-wrapping cloth (furoshiki) to wrap Mandarin oranges. Spend $120 and get a limited edition Tiger Glass or spend at least $1,500 to receive a coveted Guess watch worth $195.
OX-PICIOUS LUCKY DRAW
Spend $50 at China Square Central and you might take home a top cash prize of $888 in the shopping centre's Ox-Picious Lucky Draw.
Where: China Square Central, 18 Cross Street, junction of China Street & Cross Street MRT: Chinatown/Raffles Place When: Till Jan 24, 10am - 10pm Admission: Free Tel: 6327-4810
Christmas
MY MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS
An exhibition of Christmas cards and stamps featuring the winning entries of the recent Design Christmas Card Competition organised by the Singapore Philatelic Museum for children aged seven to 12.
Where: Singapore Philatelic Museum, 23-B Coleman Street MRT: City Hall/Clarke Quay When: Till Sun , 1 - 7pm (Mon, 9am - 7pm (Tue - Sun) Admission: $5 (adults), $4 (children aged three to 12 and senior citizens aged 60 and above), free for senior citizens every Mon Tel: 6337-3888 Info: www.spm.org.sg
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (OPEN HOUSE)
This season get updated on history and culture. You get free entry to six galleries at the National Museum of Singapore to view the permanent and on-going exhibitions including as the VOOM Portraits by Robert Wilson and Doubleness: Photography by Chang Chien-Chi till Sunday.
Where: National Museum of Singapore, Stamford Road MRT: Dhoby Ghaut When: Till Sun , 10am - 6pm Admission: Free Tel: 6332-3659 Info: There will be guided tours of the Singapore Living Galleries on New Year's Day.
Classical
TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS
Mi Zhou, an award-winning graduate of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, will perform Dvorak's Cello Concerto at this concert under the baton of Chan Tze Law.
Where: Yong Siew Toh Conservatory Concert Hall, next to University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge MRT: Clementi/Buona Vista When: Sat , 7.30pm Admission: $12 & 18 Tel: 6348-5555
Club
NEW YEAR'S SPECIAL DUO: GRETA MATASSA & SUSAN PASCAL
Catch a performance by Greta Matassa, a talented prize-winning jazz singer from the United States. She is accompanied by American vibraphonist Susan Pascal in an extensive repertoire ranging from classic standards to contemporary jazz.
Wanted: a Singaporean family embodying strong family values to show Australians families a different approach to parenting in a new television series about parenting teenagers based on the BBC's series The World's Strictest Parents. The Seven Network, Australia's Number television network, and a leading Australian casting agency, A Cast Of Thousands, wants to place two headstrong Australian teenagers to spend eight days with the family to experience their rules and way of life for the series.
Info: The ideal family should have school-aged children living at home with at least one teenager aged 14 to 18 and a strong and clear command of English. It must also enforce strict standards of behaviour on themselves and their children and be willing to host the two teenagers in their homes and integrate them into their family and routine and they must be willing to be filmed as they go about their busy lives for a week in March and April. Those keen on the project can visit www.acastofthousands.com.au/singapore to read more about the show Info: They can e-mail a little about their family and why they would be ideal to nicole@acastofthousands.com.au Submit applications by Jan 31
WHAT WILL WE DEFEND?
What do you hold dear in your heart and would defend in times of crisis? Reveal your thoughts in a short video clip of under two minutes in this Online Video Contest. You stand to win the top prize of a MacBook laptop worth $1,588. Winning entries are selected by public voting. Organised by Singapore Press Holdings' RazorTV and Nexus, the central coordinating agency for National Education.
Info: Submit entries by Feb 15. You can use your latest mobile phone, digital camcorder or digital camera and shoot as many videos as you like. Edit it and add in cool effects and music and make sure that your final video file is in 3GP, AVI, MPEG or WMV format and less than 5MB. Visit http://www.whatwilludefend.sg/takepart to submit your video and then vote for the best of the rest that Singapore has submitted for the competition by Feb 28. Visit SPH Razor TV or browse through http://www.whatwilludefend.sg to find out more about Total Defence and what you can do to play you part
'TRANQUILLITY IN A BUSTLING CITY' PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
Fancy winning the grand prize of a two-night Villa Package worth $5,100 at The Sentosa Resort & Spa? For a chance to win, avid photographers can submit innovative pictures capturing Singapore as a resort getaway amidst a cosmopolitan city.
Info: Entry is free. Submit entries in both print and digital formats saved in a CD-rom by noon on Feb 28. You can submit up to five entries and send them by hand or mail together with completed entry forms. Visit www.thesentosa.com for more information. Winning entries will be announced and featured online on the resort's new website www.thesentosa.com from April 2.
Fair
LIANHE WANBAO WEDDING & TRAVEL FAIR '09
Win a free honeymoon trip to one of three luxurious resorts. Three lucky couples who book wedding packages at the three-day Lianhe Wanbao Wedding & Travel Fair stand to win two-night trips with return air-tickets for two to the AliLa Cha-Am Resort, (Thailand), the Anantara Resort in Si Kao (Thailand) or the Berjaya Langkawi in Langkawi (Malaysia). They can also also have their wedding photographs shot overseas in locations, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan at the fair. Jointly organised by Lianhe Wanbao, the Singapore Press Holdings' evening Chinese daily, and Wedding & Travel (W & T), Singapore's longest established wedding and travel magazine.
Where: Suntec Singapore, Level 3 MRT: City Hall When: Tomorrow - Mon , noon - 10pm Admission: Free Tel: 6842-7266 Info: Goodie bags worth more than $70 await couples at the fair which showcases the latest trends and fashion in weddings gowns by designer houses here and overseas. At 2pm on Sat at Level 3 of Suntec Singapore, catch the finals of the Singapore Couple 2009 contest organised by Lianhe Wanbao and Wedding & Travel (W & T). The winning pair will be unveiled by the judges - local actors Henry Thia and Yeo Yann Yann - who play a married couple in their new comedy Love Matters.
Gig
LIVING WITH...GYNETTE & MICHELLE
Malaysian cafe singer Gynette Quek, will perform old songs created by Tan How Choon, the artistic director of Ecnad, a dance school here, as well as new songs they created together, at this gig which includes piano music by Michelle Ang, a music teacher with Ecnad.
Where: The Arts House, Living Room, Old Parliament House, 1 Old Parliament Lane MRT: Raffles Place When: Mon , 8pm Admission: $12 Tel: 6332-6919
BEST OF WANG JIE (MANDARIN)
Artistes from Musicdreamer music lounge her will present the songs and music of mandarin pop singer Wang jie which will bring back memories of the popular Hong Kong TVB series in the late 80s and early 90s whene many of his songs were featured.
Where: Esplanade Recital Studio MRT: City Hall When: Mon , 10.30am & 3pm Admission: $13 with coffee & tea before each show Tel: 6348-5555
STARS - LIVE!
Keep a date with Stars, a critically acclaimed Canadian indie band whose music has been decribed as 'beautiful' and 'eloquent' with lush intrumentation and nuanced vocals. Last year, they released the album In Our Bedroom After The War.
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall MRT: City Hall When: Wed , 9pm Admission: $71 - $151 Tel: 6348-5555 Visit www.sistic.com.sg
Shopping
FANTAS-TEAK NEW YEAR BAZAAR!
Check out this bazaar where you can enjoy savings of as much as 70 per cent on designer furniture pieces from past collections. With every purchase, you stand to win a chance to shop for free with a sure-win red packet dip. Also enjoy a daily free 'Lok Lok' feast.
Where: Scanteak Sungei Kadut Showroom, 60 Sungei Kadut Drive MRT: Yew Tee When: Sat Sun , Jan 10 & 11, 10am - 7pm Admission: Free Tel: 6368-2802 Info: There is a free shuttle service every 20 minutes from Yew Tee MRT station. Visit www.scanteak.com.sg
M1 Singapore Fringe Fest
RAISED AS A PACK OF WOLVES
This visual narrative revolving around a family of youths who come together to support each other as they fend for themselves in the wild. By Genevieve Chua, a local artists who has represented Singapore at the Asean Youth exhibition in Laos.
Info: Visit this web exhibition at www.raisedasapackofwolves.com and www.genchua.com from now onwards
FROZEN ANGELS
What impact do developments in stem cell research and artificial intelligence have on human life and relationships? Playwright Haresh Sharma explores these issues in a thought-provoking play directed by Alvin Tan.
Where: National Museum of Singapore, Gallery Theatre, Stamford Road MRT: Dhoby Ghaut When: Wed - Jan 10, 8pm, Jan 10 & 11, 3pm Admission: $30 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: Visit www.singaporefringe.com or e-mail info@singaporefringe.com
MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS
Don't break down if someone breaks your heart. Be positive and get ideas on how to overcome broken love relationships through art creation at this special museum..
Where: Esplanade, Jendela MRT: City Hall When: Wed - Jan 18, 11am - 8.30pm daily Admission: Free Tel: 6828-8377 Info: www.brokenrelationships.com
WITHIN. WITHOUT
Explore the emotional and psychological aspects in a family unit and what it means to be an individual within a family through this contemporary dance by 2007 Young artist Award recipient Kuik Swee Boon.
Where: Esplanade Theatre Studio MRT: City Hall When: Wed - Thu , 8pm Admission: $20 & $30 Tel: 6348-5555
Show
MARSHALL OF SINGAPORE: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE & TIMES OF DAVID SAUL MARSHALL (1908 - 1995)
Learn more about Singapore's first Chief Minister, the brilliant, ebullient and charismatic David Marshall at this exhibition. A lawyer and one of the most important leaders of Singapore's Jewish community, he also won accolades as the nation's first ambassador to France.
Where: National Library Building, Promenade Level 10, Victoria Street MRT: City Hall/Bugis When: Till Jan 12, 10am - 9pm daily except public holidays Admission: Free Tel: 6332-3255
A LIFE NO LESS ORDINARY
The ordinary lives of people with HIV/Aids in the face of challenges and discrimination are captured in this first Aids photo exhibition launched by the Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Held in collaboration with the Deputy Picture Editor of The Straits Times Stephanie Yeow, and the Chief Photographer of Lianhe Zaobao Lee Tiah Khee.
Where: Central Lending Library, Level B1, National Library, Victoria Street MRT: Bugis/City Hall When: Till Jan 15, 10am - 9pm daily Admission: Free Tel: 6332-3255
Sports
SINGAPORE CHALLENGE SERIES
Basketball enthusiasts can look forward to fast, exciting hoop action as the Singapore Slingers compete against top professional team RP Harbour Centre (Philippines).
Learn how to stay ahead of these challenging times at three ST701 workshops at the Singapore Press Holdings New Centre. Designed for those in leadership position from supervisors and project leaders to heads of departments and senior management, these workshops are conducted by trainer Manoj Sharma, an organisation strategist.
Where: Singapore Press Holdings News Centre, 1000 Toa Payoh North MRT: Braddell When: Jan 20, 9am - 5pm (Knowing the Global leadership Game in Challenging Times - Transformational leadership Through the Storm) When: Jan 22, 9am - 5pm (Knowing Transformational leadership in Volatile Times - Leading Yourself, leading Your Teams and Leading Leaders) When: Feb 19, 9am - 5pm Knowing Transformational leadership Communication In A Disruptive Future- Transforming Your Leadership Communication Style) Admission: pay an early bird fee of $359 with GST (ST701 member) and $419 with GST (non-member) per workshop or a special bundle price of $588 (usual: $718) for ST701 member and $712 (usual: $838) for non-member for any two workshops or special bundle price of $861 (usual: $1,077) for ST701 member and $1,043 (usual $1,257) for non-member for all three workshops by Jan 15, after that pay $419 with GST (St701 member) and $489 with GST (non-member) per workshop Tel: 6319-55924 (office hours) Info: Visit jobs.st701.com or e-mail st701@sph.com.sg
Theatre
FATHER, SON AND OX VISIT THE MARKET & OTHER STORIES (PLAY TIME!)
Children can play with Tick, Tack and Tock as they share songs and stories using balloons and other fun props at this theatre for the young by Act 3 Theatrics. They can learn which animals have horns and which is the biggest -the sun, earth or moon? Recommended for children aged two to four.
Where: Esplanade recital Studio MRT: City Hall When: Till Sat , 11am, 4 7 4 pm Admission: $16 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: Visit www.esplanade.com
WILD WILD ROSE - THE MUSICAL
Adapted from Bizet's opera Carmen, this musical is about the 1960s when song and dance ruled the night. Stars Hong Kong stage actress Perry Chiu and local actor Thomas Ong in his theatre debut.
Where: Victoria Theatre Empress Place MRT: Raffles Place When: Till Sun , 3 & 8pm Admission: $41 - $81 Tel: 6348-5555
CINDERELLA
The international tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella featuring Tony Award winner Lea Salonga. Directed by Bobby Garcia of Disney's Beauty & The Beast fame.
Where: Esplanade Theatre MRT: City Hall When: Till Jan 22, 8pm, also 3pm on Sat & Sun Admission: $38 - $183 Tel: 6348-5555
Voting
MMSING TALENT CONTEST (VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE SINGER)
Vote for your favourite online singer in the MMSing Talent Contest and he or she might be richer by as much as $20,000. This online singing contest is organised by Stomp, Asia's No 1. social networking and citizen-journalism website.
Info: You can vote until March 31, Visit www.stomp.com.sg/mmsing3 and click on the relevant button to vote. The first prize for Category A for online singers aged more than 15 is $20,000 while the top winner in Category B for those aged under 15, will take home $3,000
Web
BRUSH UP YOUR ENGLISH
Fine-tune your language skills with English As It Is Broken!
Listings on this page are free. Write to Life!Events, Life!, The Straits Times, Podium Level 2, 1000 Toa Payoh North, Singapore 318994, e-mail stlife@sph.com.sg or fax 6319-8276 at least two weeks ahead. Include the name of the event, organiser, venue, date and time, ticket prices and nearest MRT station, as well as your name, address and contact number. Send pictures if you have any, We reserve the right to edit or reject items submitted
