DREAMS (WORLD PREMIERE)
Award-winning cellist Ophelie Gaillard teams up with a French chamber orchestra under the baton of York-based Craig Leon at this concert.

Where: Esplanade Concert Hall MRT: City Hall When: Wed, 8pm Admission: $53 - $103 Tel: 6348-5555

Art

QUIET LUCIDITY: LIU XIAO & HIS OIL PAINTINGS
Chinese artist Liu Xiao's paintings of landscapes are inspired of his travels through China, Russia, Singapore and Malaysia. Where: Heng Artland CoPte Ltd, Paragon 05-28, 290 Orchard Road MRT: Somerset/Orchard When: Till May 17, 11.30 - 8pm daily Tel: 6738-4380

Book

CAREER GUIDE 2009
A book packed with information, including salary benchmarks, job profiles and tips from experts. A collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Singapore Press Holdings.

Info: Available at major bookstores and newsstands at $6.80 a copy Tel: 6319-5917

A SYMPHONY OF TASTE
Singapore Symphony Orchestra has launched a coffee-table book, A Symphony Of Taste, which comes with two CDs, eight Asian and Western menus, and 32 new recipes inspired by the orchestra's concerts.

Where: Books Kinokuniya, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Orchard Road MRT: Somerset/Orchard When: From Ongoing Info: The book costs $125 minus GST. You can also buy it from www.sso.org.sg

Charity

ASSISI HOSPICE CHARITY FUN DAY
Tuck into food, take Harley rides, play wacky games and shop for handicrafts and other items at more than 180 stalls at the Assisi Hospice Charity Fun Day and proceeds will go to palliative and hospice services.

Where: ST Joseph's Institution International (SJII), 490 Thomson Road MRT: Novena When: Sat, 10am - 5pm Admission: Free (buy coupons for food, drinks and shopping at $10 a booklet from Assisi Hospice or at SJII that day) Tel: 6347-6467

Info: There wil be free line dancing and a Bossaball 5 versus 5 Challenge. E-mail ronita_paul@assisihospice.org.sg

Classical

NORTH INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC
Enjoy two evenings of North Indian classical music showcasing the distinctive sounds of the sitar.

Where: The Esplanade, Concourse MRT: City Hall When: Wed & Thu, 7.15 - 7.45pm & 8.15 - 8.45pm Admission: Free Tel: 6828-8377

AIRS D'OPERA
Enjoy a repertoire of famous arias and songs from operas such as Carmen, Othello and other well known works at this performance by the Singapore Lyric Opera at the exhibition gallery of the National Museum of Singapore. Held in conjunction with the Christian Lacroix The Costumier exhibition at the museum.

Where: Singapore National Museum, Exhibition Gallery 1, Basement, Stamford Road MRT: Dhoby Ghaut When: Thu - Sat, 8pm

Admission: $25.60 - $32 which includes the museum entry fee of $8 (adults) & $4 (children aged seven to 12 & senior citizens aged 60 and older) to the Christian Lacroix The Costumier exhibition only Tel: 6332-3659

SOUNDS OF ECSTASY
Be lifted to ecstatic heights through the rousing energy of qawwali, a form of Islamic Sufi devotional music with roots in 8th century Persia, at this concert by the Rizwan Muazzam Quawwali Group of Pakistan. Part of Esplanade's A Tapestry of Sacred Music three-day programme.

Where: Esplanade Recital Studio MRT: City Hall When: Fri, 9pm Admission: $38 Tel: 6348-5555

MUSIC OF THE DESERT
The nine-member ensemble Tartit from the nomadic Tuareg people of Northern Mali, West Africa, will bring you a slice of nomadic desert life with their ancient desert music and recent compositions with vocals and instruments, such as the traditional tinde (drums) and the centuries-old Imzad (violin). Part of Esplanade's A Tapestry of Sacred Music programme.

Where: Esplanade Recital Studio MRT: City Hall When: Sat, 9pm Admission: $38 Tel: 6348-5555

FAUST
Enjoy a performance of Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust based on Goethe's Faust, by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the Singapore Symphony Chorus, Singapore Bible College Chorale, Hallelujah Chorus and the Singapore Symphony Children's Choir under the baton of Lim Yau.

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

GIVE US THIS DAY: THE PHILHARMONIC WINDS IN CONCERT
Led by American maestro John Boyd, the 60-member The Philharmonic Winds orchestra will perform American composer David Maslanka's Give Us This Day, the music being inspired by a Vietnamese Buddhist monk's book, For A Future To Be Possible. It features Yeh Shu-Han on the trumpet.

Where: Esplanade Concert Hall MRT: City Hall When: Sun, 7.30pm Admission: $16 - $53 Tel: 6348-5555

Info: Other works featured include Concert for Trumpet by Alfred Reed and Cathedrals, an award-winning piece by Kathryn Salfelder. Visit www.philharmonicwinds.sg for details

Contest

CLUB MED'S PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
What does happiness mean to you? Just capture your interpretation of 'happiness' through your lens and you might win a five-day dream stay at any of eight Club Med's Asia Pacific resorts plus a paid assignment contract worth US$10,000.

Info: Photography enthusiasts aged 18 and above in the Asia Pacific can submit their entries by May 8 to the contest minisite - http://en.eyeka.asia/partner/clubmed-photo-contest.

Later, 10 finalists will be picked for the second round of the contest to be held at Club Med Bali Resort in Nusa Dua. Visit www.clubmed.com.sg for details

THE GREAT SINGAPORE SHOPPING CHALLENGE 2009
Win $10,000 worth of shopping vouchers at this contest.

Where: Orchard Road pedestrian walkway in front of Wisma Atria MRT: Orchard When: May 30, 3pm Admission: Free Charge to your Mastercard anywhere here till May 10

Info: Submit your entries online at greatsingaporesale.com.sg or via SMS to 77877 by May 10, 11.59pm. Follow this format: GSSC09NameNRICLast 4 digits of the mastercard used. Visit greatsingaporesale.com.sg or e-mail gssc09@sph.com.sg

SPH 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS CONTEST
A total of $25,000 worth of Paragon vouchers are to be won in this contest celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH). Each person can win up to $2,000 worth of such vouchers. Just answer the question - In Which Year Was SPH Formed? in the contest form.

Info: Send the completed contest form published in The Straits Times Life! last Wed and attach three of the new SPH logos found in The Straits Times or Lianhe Zaobao from now till May 17 and mail them to Locked Bag 002, Macpherson Road Post Office, Singapore 913486 or drop them at Paragon shopping centre, Customer service Counter, Level 1, Orchard by May 17 Road.

You can win up to $2,000 worth of vouchers by dropping your entry form at Paragon.

SPH-NAC GOLDEN POINT AWARD 2009
Write a short story or poem to win $4,000 cash and a $6,000 enrichment grant. Held in conjunction with the Singapore Writers Festival (Oct 24 - Nov 1).Singapore Press Holdings and SPH Foundation are sponsors of the festival.

Info: www.singaporewritersfestival.com, www.nac.gov.sg or www.theartshouse.com.sg

Dance

JOURNEY OF CLEOPATRA
Be mesmerised by Middle Eastern dances, ranging from belly dance to ethnic, fusion and folkloric styles by local dancers such as Susanna Lawren, Chang Hsiao Min, Dr Serene, Rhea and Angelina Tay.

Where: Victoria Theatre, Empress Place MRT: Raffles Place When: Thu, 8pm Admission: $31 - $71 Tel: 6348-5555

Encore!

CHRISTIAN LACROIX: THE COSTUMIER
An exhibition of 80 costumes and 60 sketches by Parisian designer Christian Lacroix.

Where: National Museum of Singapore, Exhibition Gallery 1 and The Canyon, Basement 1, 93 Stamford Road MRT: Dhoby Ghaut When: Till June 7, 10am - 6pm daily Admission: $8 (adults) & $4 (children aged seven to 12 & senior citizens aged 60 & above) Tel: 6332-3659

Food

BEERFEST ASIA 2009
Sample more than 100 unusual brews from all over the world at this beer festival. Prices start from as low as $3. Also enjoy music performances by foreign and local acts such as Vertical Horizon and the Beerfest All-Stars Blues Band featuring Ublues and Rai. Hosted by Singapore Flyer.

Where: F1 tracks facing Marina Barrage, behind the Singapore Flyer MRT: City Hall When: Wed, 6pm - 1am, Thu, 6pm - 1am, Fri, 3pm - 1am, May 2, 3pm - 1am, May 3, 3 - 11pm Admission: $20 to $80 for various types of passes Tel: 6332-6919 Info: www.beerfestasia.com and www.bytes.sg

BEER FLIGHTS
The newly-launched Beer Flight by the Singapore Flyer comes with free beer, snacks in the capsule, an extra bonus flight - two rotations - and the company of an inflight host. Just buy a regular ticket to enjoy all these perks. Held in conjunction with Beerfest Asia 2009 hosted by Singapore Flyer.

Where: The Singapore Flyer MRT: City Hall When: Wed - Sun, 8 - 10pm Admission: $29.50 (adult) including all the perks. Pay $5 for each subsequent beer. Tel: 6333-3311

Museum

KANGXI EMPEROR EXHIBITION
View 80 rare treasures from the Palace Museum in Beijing, showcased for the first time in South-east Asia. The artefacts range from imperial robes to furnishings.

Where: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Museum Empress Place MRT: Raffles Place When: Till June 14, 1 - 7pm (Mon), 9am - 7pm (Tue - Sun), till 9pm on Fri Admission: $8 (adults), $4 (students aged seven & above & senior citizens aged 60 & above). Free for senior citizens on Mon Tel: 6332-3284

Party

STAR WORLD AMERICAN IDOL 8 SCREENING PARTY
Fancy winning a four-day trip for yourself and a friend to Los Angeles, including return air-tickets and accomodations worth a total of $7,000, to catch the finale of the American Idol reality singing contest on May 20 & 21? Just fill up a raffle coupon at any HMV store to get invited to Star World's American Idol Screening Party at Chijmes on Wednesday to catch the screening of the reality music competition and you might win the trip in a lucky draw.

Where: Hog's Breath Cafe, Chijmes, Victoria Street MRT: City Hall When: Wed, 7 - 9.30pm (American Idol 8 Screening Party) Admission: Fill up a raffle coupon at any HMV store and say why you deserve an invitation Tel: 6220-0369 Info: E-mail starworld@sg.startv.com

Secretaries Week

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS PROMOTION
Show your appreciation for your secretaries with a treat at The Best of Asia buffet at Plaza Brasseries at Parkroyal On Beach Road. Secretaries will receive a door gift (Si Chuan Dou Hou dining vouchers or St Gregory treatment vouchers).

Where: Plaza Brasseries, Parkroyal On Beach Road, Beach Road MRT: Bugis When: Till Thu, noon - 2.30pm (lunch), 6 - 10pm (dinner) Admission: $33.80 (lunch), $38 (dinner: Mon - Thu), $39.80 (Fri - Sun) Tel: 6505-5710

Talk

THE FATE OF NEUTRALISM IN CAMBODIA AND LAOS
Find out why neutralism failed in these two countries and how it might succeed. By Professor Bruce Lockhart, a visiting American associate professor with the History Department of the National University of Singapore

Where: National Library Building, Possibility Room, Level 5, Victoria Street MRT: City Hall/Bugis When: Wed , 7 - 9pm Admission: Free (registration is requirement) Info: The talk is organised by the Asia Research Institute, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore and The History Channel. Visit www.historyasia.com/coldwar to register

DAY OF IMMUNOLOGY (TALKS)
Learn more about infectious diseases and allergy at a series of talks on the theme of Immunologists and the Public - Linking Science and Health. Held by the Singapore Immunolgy Network (SigN) in conjunction with the worldwide Day Of Immunology on April 29.

Where: Biopolis, Discovery Theatrette, Matrix 4, 30 Biopolis Street MRT: Buna Vista When: Wed, 6.30 - 8.30pm Admission: Free Tel: 6407-0394 Info: E-mail info@immunol.a-star.edu.sg or visit www.sign.a-star.edu.sg

Theatre

ROMEO & JULIET
Don't forget to catch this love story by Shakespeare presented by TNT Theatre Britain at Raffles Hotel's Jubilee Hall this week.

Where: Jubilee Hall, Raffles Hotel, North bridge Road MRT: City Hall When: Thu - Sat, 8pm Admission: $32 & 71 Tel: 6100-2005/6337-7800 Info: www.gatecrash.com.sg

POOP
Veteran actress Neo Swee Lin takes on the role of a grandmother who takes her granddaughter (Jean Ng) on a mind trip to the underworld and purgatory. Written and directed by Chong Tze Chien, it is presented by The Finger Players.

Where: Esplanade Theatre Studio MRT: City Hall When, Thu - Sun, 8pm, also 3pm on Sat & Sun Admission: $31 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: This play is not suitable for children aged 12 and below

CATS
Don't miss this musical, starring Delia Hannah, which has won seven Tony Awards and two Olivier Awards. Produced by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and David Atkins Enterprises in association with The Really Useful Group.

Where: Esplanade Theatre MRT: City Hall When: Till Sun , 8pm (Tue - Sat), also 2pm on Sat, 2 & 7pm (Sun) Admission: $43 - $173 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: www.lunchbox-productions.com

IF THERE'RE SEASONS...
Written by award-winning Hong Kong playwright Raymond To, this Chinese musical based on Liang Wern Fook's songs is about love beyond death and friendships that go the distance. Directed by Kuo Jian Hong, this production by The Theatre Practice stars Chew Sin Huey, George Chan and Joanna Dong. In Mandarin with English surtitles.

Where: Drama Centre Theatre, National Library Building, Victoria Street MRT: Bugis/City Hall When: Till May 10, 2.30 & 8pm Admission: $21 - $78 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: Contains mature content. Visit www.ttp.org.sg

Web

THE REAL SINGAPORE
Want to know the real Singapore? Go to Singapore Seen for local content that affects you.

Info: Visit singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/index.jsp

World Gourmet Summit

MY MEMORIES OF AUSTRIAN FOOD
Diners can look forward to an Austrian-inspired seven-course degustation dinner menu, including a signature dish of ciabatta-wrapped Japanese egg parma ham, spinach and mushroom truffle ragout by Chef Armin Leitgeb who revisits his childhood in Austria to create the menu.

Where: Le Amis, Shaw Centre 02-14/16, 1 Scotts Road MRT: Orchard When: Wed, 7 - 11pm Admission: $180 (no wine pairing), $275 (with Austrian wine pairing) Tel: 6733-2225

THE ROYAL CUISINES OF THE PALACES OF INDIA
Enjoy an eight-course dinner featuring signature dishes from the royal kitchens of seven renowned palaces of India of the past as interpreted by Chef Milind Sovani.

Where: The Song of India, an Indian restaurant at Scotts Road MRT: Orchard/Newton When: Fri , 6pm Admission: $98 Tel: 6836-0055

Compiled by Magdalene Lum

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