I NEED TO BELIEVE

The abstract works of Singapore-based Korean artist Sunny Chyun are created to provide you with an escape from the contemporary condition of emotional uncertainty and vulnerability brought on by globalisation and post-colonialism. This is her first solo exhibition here.

Where: Alliance Francaise, SG Private Banking Gallery, 1 Sarkies Road MRT: Newton When: Today) - Sept 23: 11am - 7pm (Mon - Fri), 11am - 5pm (Sat), closed on Sun Admission: Free Tel: 6737-8422 Info: Visit www.alliancefrancaise.org.sg

Art

SINGAPORE BIENNALE 2008

Singapore's premier international contemporary visual arts event which is on from tomorrow till Nov 16, will showcase established and emerging artists whose works engender wonder about the world we live in. They include artists from Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.

Where: City Hall, facing The Padang and South Beach Development, 20 Beach Road & Marina Bay, covering sites such as the Central Promontory Site along Marina Boulevard, Esplanade Bridge, One Raffles Quay & The Singapore Flyer, MRT: City Hall & Raffles Place When: Tomorrow - Nov 16: 11am - 8pm (Tue - Sun) closed on Mon, Admission: $10 for entry to City Hall & South Beach Development per day, free for other exhibitions except for The Singapore Flyer, Tel: 6837-9278 (Biennale Secretariat) Info: Kicking off the discussion on the place of contemorary art in the global context is Showcase Singapore, a premium boutique art fair at City Hall, Level 1, tomorrow & Fri featuring the top 25 galleries from around the globe. E-mail info@ singaporebiennale.org, visit www.singaporebiennale.org for more information & www.singaporebiennale.org/tickets.html for Singapore Flyer ticketing promotion

JIMMY ONG: ANCESTORS ON THE BEACH

United States-based Singapore artist Jimmy Ong showcases 15 variations of figures which convey his attitude towards 'families' and his hope that differences based on religion, race, gender or sexual orientation can be celebrated and respected.

Where: Valentine Willy Fine Art, Tanjong Pagar Distripark 02-04, HT Contemporary Space, 39 Keppel Road (enter by Passenger Lift #06) MRT: HarbourFront When: Till Sun : 11am - 7pm (Tue - Sat), 11am - 3pm (Sun), closed on Mon & public holidays Admission: Free Tel: 8133-1760

ELOK BERKELOK (LOVELY CURVES): WAYAN SUKLU (SOLO EXHIBITION OF I WAYAN SUJANA (SUKLU)

Balinese artist Wayan Suklu takes you on a contemplative journey through beauty and existentialism.

Where: The Aryaseni Art Gallery Workloft @ Chip Bee, 43 Jalan Merah Saga 02-62, Holland Village MRT: Buona Vista When: Till Sept 21: 11am - 7pm (Tue - Sat), 1 - 6pm (Sun), closed on Mon Admission: Free Tel: 6472-0317 Info: Visit www.aryaseni.com

A TRIBUTE TO THE GARDENS BY ONG KIM SENG & STUDENTS

Visit Villa Halia, a restaurant at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and buy any of 77 paintings by Ong Kim Seng, Singapore's top watercolorist and Cultural Medallion recipient, and his students which capture magical glimpses of the gardens.

Where: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Villa Halia, Ginger Garden MRT Orchard When: Till Sept 30: noon - 11pm (Mon - Fri), 9am - 11pm (Sat & Sun) Admission: Free Tel: 6476-6711 Info: you can catch a talk by Ong Kim Seng and artist's live class on Sat & Sun from 4pm at Villa Halia. You can also visit www.halia.com.sg for information

INDONESIAN TRIPLE BILL

Feast your eyes on evocative expressions of Indonesian art mainly inspired by Yogyakarta, the leading centre of Indonesian art. This triple bill art exhibition comprises Out Of Magelang which features the art museum collection of Dr Oei Hong Djien, an Indonesian art collector; I Am Black Goat, an art exhibition by Indonesian artist Entang Wiharso; and Wayang Zaman, Shadows Of The Contemporary by fellow artist Nasirun, which features installations and large-scale paintings.

Where: Singapore Management University (SMU) Gallery, Level 1 School of Economics and School of Social Sciences, 90 Stamford Road & SMU Concourse, Basement, Li Ka Shing Library, 70 Stamford Road MRT: City Hall/Dhoby Ghaut When: Till Oct 30: 10am - 8pm (SMU Gallery), 9am - 9pm (Concourse) Admission: Free Tel: 6828-0206 Info: Out Of Magelang is on till Oct 5, I Am Black Goat and Wayang Zaman, Shadows Of The Contemporary are on till Oct 30. Visit www.smu.edu.sg or e-mail jillianang@smu.edu.sg for more information. The triple bill is a parallel event of the coming Singapore Biennale 2008.

Charity

CHARITY KETUPAT 2008

Donate at least $2 for a charity ketupat during the Charity Ketupat campaign and these ketupats will be cooked and donated to the needy and less privileged. The theme of this charity campaign is Ramadan Beat.

Where: Malay Heritage Centre, main office, 85 Sultan Gate MRT Bugis When: Till Sept 28: 9am - 6.30pm daily Admission: Free Tel: 6391-0450 Info: there will also be other activities, such as cultural performances, Khat Calligraphy Exhibition and a Ramadan flea market offering henna painting services and eyebrow threading Visit www.malayheritage.org.sg

KHAT (ISLAMIC) CALLIGRAPY EXHIBITION

Buy any of 29 Khat or Islamic calligraphy works at the Khat Calligraphy Exhibition at the Malay Heritage Museum and part of the money will go to the Malay Heritage Centre which preserves Malay heritage, art and culture. They are created by three local artists - Mr S. Mohdir, the late Haji Sulaiman Haji Suhaimi and the late Mohammad Din Mohammad. You can also witness demonstration of Khat calligraphy by Mr Ustaz Syed Agil and painting demonstrations by Mr S. Mohdir at the Malay Heritage Centre. By the Malay Heritage Centre.

Where: Malay Heritage Museum, Malay Heritage Centre, Level 2, 85 Sultan Gate, MRT: Bugis When: Till Oct 7: 10am - 6pm (Tue - Sun), 1 - 6pm (Mon) Admission: Free Tel: 6391-0450 Info: Visit www.malayheritage.org.sg for dates and timings of the Khat calligraphy demonstrations

FIGHT WORLD HUNGER

When you dine in or buy takeaway food at any KFC Restaurant or Pizza Hut restaurant here, you can donate $2 to the United Nations World Food Programme which will go to help fight world hunger and support victims of disasters.

Where: All KFC Restaurants outlets and Pizza Hut Restaurants outlets here When: Till Sept 28: 11am - 10pm, (KFC outlets), till Oct 7: 11am - 10pm (Pizza Hut outlets) Admission: Free, Tel: 6290-7591 Info: Visit www.kfc.com.sg or www.pizzahut.com.sg, you can also donate online by visiting www.fromhungertohope.com. Donors will each receive two appreciation gifts - a limited edition World Hunger Relief 2008 wristband and KFC or Pizza Hut meal coupons

Class

DIORSHOW ICONIC, A COUTURE EXPERIENCE (THE STRAITS TIMES URBAN/DIOR WORKSHOP)

A regal experience awaits 40 Urban readers at a lavish Urban/Dior Royal Tea Party. They can glam up their look with the sensational Diorshow Iconic mascara and Fall's glamorous new hues at a makeup demonstration.

Where: Giraffe Restaurant and Bar, Istana Park, Orchard Road MRT: Dhoby Ghaut When: Sept 20: 2 - 4pm Admission: Pay $60 which comes with $40 worth of Dior beauty products, Dior Gift worth $40, Miss Dior Cherie fragrance miniature and refreshments, Write a cheque for the amount made payable to LVMH Fragrances & Cosmetics (S) Pte Ltd (write Urban Dior on the back) and mail it together with the completed registration coupon by Mon to LVML Fragrances & Cosmetics (S) Pte Ltd, Great World City West Tower, 14-09, 1 Kim Seng Promenade Singapore 237994 (fill up the registration coupon found in The Straits Times Urban supplement on Aug 29) Tel: 6731-6135 (Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm) Info: Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis

Classical

GIOVANNI PASINI VIOLA MASTERCLASS

Catch Giovanni Pasini, the principal violist of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, work with students from the Viola department at this viola masterclass at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.

Conservatory Concert Hall, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, next to the University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge MRT: Clementi/Buona Vista When: Today : 3pm Admission: Free Tel: 6516-1167 Info No entry to children under six Tel:

BIRDS OF PARADISE

Enjoys works such as Respighi's The Birds, based on lesser-known 17th century keyboard music which evokes birds as diverse as the hen and nightingale, and Messiaen's Oiseaux exotiques inspired by his fasination with birdsong at this Singapore Symphony Orchestra concert. Conducted by Lim Yau, it features Huang Mengla (violin) and Shane Thio (piano).

Where: Esplanade Concert Hall MRT: City Hall When: Fri : 7.30pm Admission: $12 - $63 Tel: 6348-5555

Contest

MY FUN CLASS OUTING (COOL PIX!)

Snap humorous or crazy snapshots of your class outing for a good laugh. Then share them with The Sunday Times Young Classified (YC) readers and selected entries will be published in the Young Classified on Sept 27. This contest is meant for those aged 12 to 18.

When: submit the photos by Sept 20: Tel: 6319-5924 Info: You have to say briefly in not more than 25 words where you went for the outing, and provide personal particlars, such as name, age, school, class, address, contact number and identity card number, and send them to the my.st701 website.

Info: Visit http://my.st701.com/shops/yc/photogallery.html to register online

Education

CATS CLASSIFIED LEARNING FOR SUCCESS EDUCATION EXHIBITION 2008

Make the right education and career choice. Head for this Education Exhibition where you can get information on local and overseas certificate diploma, degree and postgraduate courses and select from more than 400 programmes. Sign up for a course at the exhibition and you might win a HP TouchSmart desktop computer worth $2,499.

Where: Suntec Singapore Concourse, Level 3 MRT: City Hall When: Sat ): 10am - 8pm, Admission: Free Tel: 6319-5917 Info: You can find out more from various educational institutions as well as top universities.

Food

EAT & WIN AT CATS CLASSIFIED FOOD FEST

Spend at least $20 at any participating restaurant in the Cats Classified Food Fest 2008 and you might win a Cherry QQ Hatch or a Cherry T11 SUV, worth $55,000 minus COE, road tax and insurance, in the grand prize draw on Nov 15.

Tel: 6319-5924 Info: The names of the participating restaurants will be featured in Lianhe Zaobao (Tue), The New Paper (Wed), Lianhe Wanbao (Thu) and Shin Min Daily News (Sat) till Nov 8. There will be four fortnightly draws.

Gig

BEYOND CAMPUS: COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW (COULEURS DE L'ARC-EN-CIEL)

Enjoy famous works such as Rossini's The Barber Of Seville, extract from the soundtrack to Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning Schindler's List and familiar themes from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals at this concert by the NUS Symphony Orchestra.

Where: National Library Plaza Victoria Street MRT: City Hall/Bugis When: Today : 7pm Admission: Free Tel: 6516-2492

Mid-Autumn Festival

FESTIVE DRUMS

Feel the beat of Chinese festival drums as ZingO Drum Group, an established Chinese percussion ensemble, demonstrates their powerful drumming accompanied with wushu moves.

Where: The Esplanade, Stage@powerhouse, MRT: City Hall When: Today - Fri (: 7.45 - 8.15pm & 8.45 - 9.15pm,Sat (Sept 13) & Sun (Sept 14): 7 - 7.30pm, 8.30 - 9pm, 9.45 - 10.15pm (Sat only) Admission: Free Tel: 6828-8377

CHILDRENS' TEOCHEW OPERA SONGS

Young children from the Teochew Drama Association will sing excerpts of Teochew opera in a delightful performance.

Where: The Esplanade, Waterfront Canopy MRT: City Hall When: Today & tomorrow : 8.15 - 8.45pm, 9.15 - 9.45pm Admission: Free Tel: 6828-8377

MELODIES OF THE RUAN

Unwind to the warm, mellow sounds of the ruan, a traditional Chinese plucked instrument similar to the guitar, and enjoy traditional pieces, such as The Herder's Short Fluet at this performance by the Silken Strings.

Where: The Esplanade Concourse MRT: City Hall When: Today : 7.15 - 7.45pm, 8.15 - 8.45, 9.15 - 9.45pm Admission: Free Tel: 6838-8377

ENCHANTMENT OF HUQIN

Enjoy spirited sounds of traditional Chinese bowed string musical instruments at this melodic performance by Echoes of the Valley and the Nanyang Polytechnic Huqin Ensemble.

Where: The Esplanade, Concourse MRT: City Hall When: Tomorrow : 7.15 - 7.45pm, 8.15 - 8.45pm, 9.15 - 9.45pm Admission: Free Tel: 6828-8377-

MID AUTUMN TUNES

Bask in the moonlight with your family and friends and enjoy familiar Chinese and popular hit songs by local artists Felinda Wong, TCR Group, Peter Tan, Nathaniel Tan & Hui Ling.

The Esplanade Outdoor Theatre MRT: City Hall When: Today & tomorrow : 7.30 - 8.15pm, 9.45 - 10.30pm, Fri : 7.30 - 8.15pm, 8.45 - 9.30pm, 10 - 10.45pm, Admission: Free Tel: 6828-8377

ROVING STILT WALKERS AND BIG-HEADED DOLLS

Lion dance troupe Wenyang Sports Assoication (Singapore) will entertain passers-by as they rove along The Esplanade's Waterfont with their stilt walkers and big-headed dolls.

Where: The Esplanade, Waterfront, MRT: City Hall When: Today - Sat : 7.30 - 8pm, 8.45 - 9.15pm (Big-Headed Dolls), Today - Sat : 9.30 - 10pm (Stilt-walkers) Admission: Free Tel: 6828-8377

SINGAPORE'S LARGEST EVER LANTERN DANCE

Take part in Singapore's largest lantern dance and you can help VivoCity break the record for forming the the longest lantern procession in town. The first 1,500 shoppers to register will receive a free lantern and a goodie bag. There will also be prizes for participants.

Where: VivoCity Amphitheatre, Level 3 MRT: HarbourFront When: Sat Admission: Free Tel: 6377-6860 Info: Shoppers can register at Customer Service Counter on Level 1 & 2 till Sat to participate in the lantern dance and longest lantern procession here, You can also shop for mooncakes at the Tangs Mid-Autumn Fair at the mall's central court, level 1 till Sun

THE FEAST OF HAN XIZAI

A Tang Dynasty painting - The Feast Of Han Xizai - is brought to life at this elegant theatre production featuring ancient liyuan opera and nanyin music concert. The work tells the story of talented official Han Xizai, who rejected political corruption, and it documents the music, art, dance and fashion of the privileged in the Tang era. By The Han Tang Yuefu Ensemble of Taiwan.

Where: Esplanade Theatre MRT: City Hall When: Sat : 8pm Admission: $38 - $58 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: the sets and costumes are designed by Tim Yip Kam Ting, an Oscar award-winning art director of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).

CENTRAL CELEBRATES MID-AUTUMN

View gigantic floating lanterns on the Singapore River near Central nightly. Spend $50 at any Central outlets and you could be among three people to be teleported across the Singapore River in 2.5 seconds by Singapore professional magician duo - J.C. Sum and 'Magic Babe' Ning on Sept 24 at 7.30pm. Or you could get a VIP seat for the event.

Where: Central, River Promenade entrancem 6 Eu Tong Sen Street MRT: Clarke Quay When: Till Sun : 11am - 10pm daily Admission: Free Tel: 6532-9922 Info: Spend $80 at Central during the festival, you will receive a free mooncake from Huang Ting or a lantern, while stocks last. Visit www.thecentral.com.sg

LANTERN FANTASY 2008 - F8 HELLO KITTY GO RACES

Light up your family's life. Take them to the Lantern Fantasy extravaganza celebrating the Mid Autumn Festival at Chinese Garden where they can bask in the warm glow of more than 2,000 lanterns including 280 Hello Kitty and Friends' lanterns. You can catch the popular Sanrio characters taking part in various races, the highlight being a sailing race featuring 15 colourful lantern sailboats in the garden's Stoneboat Lake.

Where: Chinese Garden, 1, Chinese Garden Road, Jurong MRT: Chinese Garden When: Till Sept 28: 6 - 11pm daily, Admission: $12 (adult) & $8 (child aged three to 12) from Mon - Thu & $15 (adult) & $10 (child aged three to 12) from Fri - Sun Tel: 6475-2944 Info: other highlights include a show by a troupe from China, lion dances and food stalls. Visit www.2008lanternfestival.com.sg for details

Show

EYE E CITY - A VISUAL ACCOUNT OF THE LAST 24 HOURS of 2007

What was the last 24 hours of 2007 like on this island? Check out this photo exhibition showcasing photo images of the island and people which serves as a reminder of the need to preserve Singapore's national heritage. It's being held at three venues - the Singapore Management University, the Woodlands Regional Library and Bras Basah complex.

Where: Singapore Management University (SMU), Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Atrium, Level 1, Stamford Road MRT: City Hall/Dhoby Ghaut When: Till Oct 18: 10am - 9pm, Woodlands Regional Library, Woodlands MRT: Woodlands When: Nov 24 - Dec 18: 10am - 9pm, Bras Basah Complex Foyer, North Bridge Road MRT: City Hall/Bugis When: Dec 20 - Jan 1: 10am - 9pm daily Admission: Free Tel: 9017-0418

Theatre

LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST

Catch this re-telling of Shakespeare's tale about the King of Navarre who invites three male companions to study together for three years without succumbing to the lure of women. By The Little Company of the Singapore Repertory Theatre.

Where: DBS Arts Centre, 20 Merbau Road, Robertson Quay MRT: Clarke Quay: When: Today - Sun : 8pm, also 3pm on Sat & Sun Admission: $28 Tel: 6348-5555

STONE DECOCTING (TEOCHEW OPERA)

Love overcomes everything and leads to harmony. That's the message of this Teochew opera which highlights the relationship between a woman and her daughter-in-law. By the Kityang Huay Kwan Teochew Opera group here.

Where: Victoria Theatre, Empress Place, MRT: Raffles Place When: Last day: 7.45pm Admission: $10 - $100 Tel: 9109-5277 Info: Visit www.davidandfamily.com/show/088-20080909jieyang.htm

THE RAINBOW FISH

This musical for the young and young-at-heart about a proud and pretty Rainbow Fish is told in a magical mix of black light, music and fishy mayhem. Based on Marcus Pfister's award-winning storybook, the script and lyrics are by Brian Seaward, the artistic director of I Theatre.

Where: Alliance Francaise, 1 Sarkies Road MRT: Newton When: Till Sun : varying times Admission: $20 (adult or child) Tel: 6348-5555

Web

CHAT WITH STAR BLOGGERS

Want to know our star bloggers better? Chat with them from 9 to 10pm.

Info: Visit www.stomp.com.sg/starblog

Compiled by Magdalene Lum

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