GIGS

Kodo & Hibikiya: Opening Taiko Concert

Two taiko groups meet on stage and showcase the signature pieces of Kodo. Adding to the high-energy performance are the sounds of other traditional instruments such as the shinobue (Japanese flute) and shamisen (Japanese string instrument).

WHERE: Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: Esplanade/ City Hall WHEN: Today, 7.15pm ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6828-8377 INFO: www.esplanade.com

Harmony - A Choral Performance By Anglican High School Choir And The Japanese Secondary School

Enjoy an evening of Japanese choral works performed by a special festival choir comprising singers from Anglican High School Choir and Japanese Secondary School.

WHERE: Esplanade Concourse, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: Esplanade/ City Hall WHEN: Today, 7.30 & 8.30pm ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6828-8377 INFO: www.esplanade.com

Music Concert At Dusk - Chopin By The Lake

A performance by Polish piano virtuoso Przemyslaw Witek.

WHERE: Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road MRT: Orchard/ Botanic Gardens WHEN: Tomorrow, 6.30 - 7.30pm ADMISSION: Free INFO: www.nparks.gov.sg

Roar Music: Singapore X Taiwan Music Bands' Collaboration

Watch a collaboration between female singer-songwriters Ling Kai from Singapore and Chocolate Tiger from Taiwan.

WHERE: Hood Bar and Cafe, Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street, 05-07 MRT: Bugis WHEN: Sun, 8pm ADMISSION: $30, $35 (at door) INFO: Tickets from roarmusic3.peatix.com. Complimentary glass of beer or non-alcoholic drink/fruit juice for ticket holders

SCO Lunchtime Concert - Musical Bento Box

With Singapore Chinese Orchestra resident conductor Quek Ling Kiong leading, the orchestra presents two lunchtime concerts featuring tunes such as Colourful Jiangnan, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, The Winds Of Marina Bay and Give Me A Rose. The audience can enjoy free premium pu-er tea from Tian Fu Tea Room.

WHERE: UOB Atrium, 80 Raffles Place, UOB Plaza 1 MRT: Raffles Place WHEN: May 19 & 20, noon ADMISSION: Free INFO: www.sco.com.sg

Little Mix - The Get Weird Tour 2016

Little Mix, the all-girl band who won The X Factor in 2011, will be performing songs from its two platinum albums, DNA and Salute.

WHERE: The Star Theatre, 1 Vista Exchange Green, The Star Performing Arts Centre, 04-01 MRT: Buona Vista WHEN: May 23, 8pm ADMISSION: $82 - $112 TEL: 6348-5555 INFO: www.sistic.com.sg

Sungha Jung Live In Singapore 2016

South Korean guitar maestro Sungha Jung will return to Singapore for his sixth headlining show, supported by Singapore's Neil Chan.

WHERE: Kallang Theatre, 1 Stadium Walk MRT: Stadium WHEN: May 28, 7.30pm ADMISSION: $50 - $100 TEL: 6348-5555 INFO: www.sistic.com.sg

CHARITY

Giving Hope - Art & Collectibles For A Cause

An auction and exhibition of the works of 34 Asian artists, photographers and designers as well as a collection of vintage items and other collectibles. The proceeds will go to 2,000 underprivileged children and youth in Asia.

WHERE: Ion Art Gallery, 2 Orchard Turn, Ion Orchard, Level 4 MRT: Orchard WHEN: Till May 24, 10am - 10pm ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6238-8228 INFO: www.ionorchard.com & www.artnhope.com

Porcelain Painting Workshops For Charity

Learn basic painting techniques on porcelain plates from the artists of Poetic Strokes. Forty per cent of proceeds from the sale of workshop tickets will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

WHERE: The Fullerton Heritage Gallery, 1 Fullerton Road, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore MRT: Raffles Place WHEN: Every Sat & Sun, till May 29, 2.30 - 5.30pm ADMISSION: $78 nett (adults), $38 nett (children aged between six & 11) INFO: Workshop tickets are inclusive of a slice of cake and coffee/tea/juice at The Courtyard. Tickets from fullertonporcelainworkshop. peatix.com. Go to www.thefullerton heritage.com/whatsnew

SPORTS

Pledge Your Heart Walk

At this 3.5km walk, participants are encouraged to wear red to honour women and their health. WHERE: Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade MRT: Bayfront WHEN: June 25, 7 - 11am ADMISSION: $15 (participants aged 13 & above); $25 (two adults); $20 (mother & one child aged four - 12); $12 (corporate rate, with a minimum of 20 people) TEL: 9655-6597 INFO: E-mail info@pledgeyour heartwalk.sg & register at www.pledgeyourheartwalk.sg by June 4

Singtel-Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer 2016

The annual Singtel-Singapore Cancer Society Race Against Cancer is back for the eighth year. The race will feature two competitive categories - the 10km and 15km Competitive Runs and a 5km Fun Run. The event aims to raise awareness of cancer and the services Singapore Cancer Society provides. The society hopes to raise $1.1 million from the race for its programmes and services.

WHERE: Angsana Green, East Coast Park MRT: Paya Lebar/Eunos WHEN: July 3, 7 - 10am ADMISSION: Loyalty rate for 2013, 2014, 2015 race participants: $38 (5km), $45 (10km), $48 (15km); normal rate: $47 (5km), $54 (10km), $59 (15km); student rate for those aged seven to 23: $29 (5km), $32 (10km), $33 (15km) INFO: Register at www.raceagainstcancer.org.sg by May 30

TALKS

Xu Beihong In Nanyang

Beijing scholar Hua Tianxue and local cultural historian Han Shanyuan shed light on Xu Beihong's artistic practice and works in the exhibition Siapa Nama Kamu. This lecture is conducted in Mandarin and translated simultaneously into English.

WHERE: Auditorium, 1 St Andrew's Road, National Gallery Singapore MRT: City Hall WHEN: Sun, 3 - 5pm ADMISSION: Free with registration TEL: 6690-9400 INFO: To register, e-mail talks@nationalgallery.sg with your name & contact number. Go to www.nationalgallery.sg

Himiko: Japanese Myth And Folklore In Modern Popular Culture

Professor Deborah Shamoon will explain the legend of shaman queen Himiko and how she and other powerful female figures from Japan's mythic past continue to appear in modern popular culture. WHERE: library@esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: Esplanade/ City Hall WHEN: Sun, 2pm ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6828-8377 INFO: www.esplanade.com

Singapore Botanic Gardens: Why World Heritage?

Dr Nigel Taylor, director of Singapore Botanic Gardens, will talk about the gardens' history and the qualities that endeared them to Unesco's World Heritage committee and its experts.

WHERE: Ngee Ann Auditorium, 1 Empress Place, Asian Civilisations Museum MRT: Raffles Place WHEN: Mon, 11am - noon ADMISSION: Free INFO: E-mail mml@fom.sg. Go to www.fom.sg

A Comparative Study Of Promotion Mechanisms For Regional Officials In Russia And China

Dr Michael Rochlitz , assistant professor at the faculty of politics, Higher School of Economics in Moscow, shows how the need to run political machines negatively affects economic performance in Russian regions.

WHERE: East Asian Institute Conference Room, 469A Bukit Timah Road, NUS Bukit Timah Campus, Tower Block, 06-01 MRT: Botanic Gardens WHEN: Mon, 3.30 - 5pm ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6516-3715/6779-1037 INFO: www.eai.nus.edu.sg

Mediation Symposium

Learn about the positive impact of mediation. There will be a panel discussion and demonstrations.

WHERE: The Joyden Hall, 201 Victoria Street, Bugis+, 07-01 MRT: Bugis WHEN: May 20, 9am - 6pm ADMISSION: $107 (full day), $74.90 (half day) INFO: Register at www.lawsociety.org.sg/conference/Symposium2016

CLASSES

Craft Workshop: Origami Bookmark

Learn to make shiori ningyo (cute paper doll bookmarks) using washi paper. Part of Super Japan - Japanese Festival of Arts.

WHERE: Meeting Point at Esplanade Concourse Theatre, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: Esplanade/City Hall WHEN: Tomorrow, 3 & 5pm ADMISSION: Free TEL: 6828-8377 INFO: On a first-come, first-served basis. Go to www.esplanade.com

Legacy: First Steps In Creating Your Memoir

Learn to write a memoir. For those aged 40 and above who are fluent in English.

WHERE: Singapore Training & Development Association, 16 Arumugam Road, Lion Building D, 06-01 MRT: Paya Lebar/MacPherson WHEN: Tomorrow, 2 - 5pm ADMISSION: $70 TEL: 6848-8297/ 6848-8295 INFO: Register at www.alap.bookcouncil.sg

Speaking Drums

Akira Kawasaki from Japanese post-rock band Mouse on the Keys demonstrates and analyses drum patterns and how they work in songs. He will also share his approach to music composition. This workshop is in English and is recommended for musicians. Part of Super Japan - Japanese Festival of Arts.

WHERE: Esplanade Bay Room, 1 Esplanade Drive MRT: Esplanade/ City Hall WHEN: May 21, 3pm ADMISSION: $16 TEL: 6348-5555 INFO: www.sistic.com.sg

Introduction To Modern Art History: "Bridging The Centuries" From Manet To Picasso

The lecture series is a comprehensive course designed to provide non-art specialists with a general overview of Modern Art History.

WHERE: Visual Arts Centre, 10 Penang Road, Dhoby Ghaut Green, 01-02 MRT: Dhoby Ghaut WHEN: From May 24, 7 - 9pm ADMISSION: Early-bird rate till Mon: $360 (10 sessions); standard rate: $450 (10 sessions), $150 (five films series) TEL: 6255-0711/6733-2155 INFO: Register at www.corcovadoarts.com

Polishing And Refining: The Role Of The Editor In Creating Great Books For Young Readers

The editor's role in publishing will be examined through discussion and practical exercises in this masterclass with Sarah Odedina. Part of Asian Festival of Children's Content.

WHERE: Seminar Room 3.1, School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University, 90 Stamford Road, Level 3 MRT: Dhoby Ghaut/Bras Basah WHEN: May 28, 10am - 6pm ADMISSION: $206.25 TEL: 6848-8290 INFO: Register at www.afcc.com.sg