TODAY'S top pick

16TH SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL PIANO FESTIVAL 2009
The stars of this year's festival are Vladimir Feltsman, Nikolai Demidenko, Pascal Roge and Yevgeny Sudbin. Each will present a recital built around one or more pieces by Chopin, covering a wide spectrum of masterworks from Bach to Prokofiev.

Where: Victoria Concert Hall, Empress Place MRT: Raffles Place When: Thu - Sun, 8pm (Thu: Vladimir Feltsman, Fri: Nikolai Demidenko, Sat: Pascal Roge and Sun: Yevgeny Sudbin) Admission: $21 -$48 Tel: 6348-5555

Art

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS (CIRCLE PAINTINGS)
Join a circle of friends to create large-scale paintings designed around the circle theme. Selected community organisations will also participate in this interactive event facilitated by United States-based Vietnamese artist Hiep Nguyen.

Where: Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard MRT: City Hall When: Till Fri, 9am - 5.30pm Admission: $10 (adult), $5 (students and seniors per hour) Info: Register at circleoffriendssg@live.com

TO THREAD
This collaborative work by artist and lecturer Khiew Huey Chian and Lasalle students involves running thread from one end of the building to another. The work explores notions of change and adaptability, links and disconnections occurring in the space.

Where: Lasalle College of the Arts, 1 McNallyStreet, Between Block C & D MRT: Bugis/Little India When: Till Sun, 10am - 11pm Admission: Free Info: www.lasalle.edu.sg

MONO BY KIKO ESCORA
Tune out the chaotic world and cherish the simple joy of being alone. This exhibition by award-winning Filipino artist Kiko Escora celebrates loneliness.

Where: Utterly Art Exhibition Space, 229A South Bridge Road, diagonally opposite the Sri Mariamman Temple, Pagoda Street Exit MRT: Chinatown When: Till Sun, noon - 8pm (Mon - Sat), noon - 5.30pm (Sun) Tel: 6226-2605 Info: E-mail utterlyart@pacific.net.sg

SINGAPORE ART SHOW 2009 (CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS)
The National Arts Council and Singapore Art Museum invite visual arts submissions from Singapore and Singapore-based artists for the Singapore Art Show 2009. The best submission will receive the Singapore Art Exhibition prize comprising a $50,000 grant to be used for professional development through residences, further studies or training, and for the creation and/or presentation of new projects and works. The theme of this year's art exhibition is Art Buffet Singapore!.

Tel: 6332-3222 Info: Download application forms from singart.com and send completed forms to Singapore Art Exhibition Submission c/o Miss Stella Lim, Singapore Art Museum, 71 Bras Basah Raod, Singapore 189555 with relevant images and documents by June 30

JALAINI ABU HASSAN: BISIK MENJERIT
Malaysian artist Jalaini Abu Hassan, affectionately known as Jai, offers an honest and acerbic take on the clownish spectacle of Malaysian politics in this exhibition.

Where: Valentine Willie Fine Art Space, Tanjong Pagar Distripark 02-04, access by passenger lift 6, 39 Keppel Road MRT: HarbourFront When: Till July 5, 11am - 7pm (Tue -Sat), 11am - 3pm (Sun), closed on Mon & public holidays Admission: Free Tel: 8133-1760 Info: vwfa.singapore@gmail.com

KENA LOE! A SOLO EXHIBITION BY YOGI SETYAWAN
The 15 humorous paintings of Indonesian artist Yogi Setyawan will remind you of the simple joys of life.

Where: National Library, Level 8, Promenade, 100 Victoria Street MRT: City Hall/Bugis When: Till July 15, 10am - 9pm daily, except public holidays Admission: Free Tel: 9099-3965 Info: E-mail krisstel@galerieeve.com

THE ENERGY WITHIN
Indonesian artist Diah Yulianti is inspired by her native Kalimantan. Her paintings in flamboyant reds and earth tones depict the connections between an individual and her environment.

Where: Galerie Waterton, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 02-01, access by passenger lift 5, 39 Keppel Road MRT: HarbourFront When: Till July 19, 1 - 7pm (Thu & Fri), 10am - 7pm (Sat & Sun), by appointment on other days Admission: Free Tel: 9783-2144

Audition

SINGAPORE'S GOT TALENTS?
Susan Boyle wannabes can join this talent audition for those gifted in singing, dancing, acting, tumbling and more. Successful applicants can get a partial to full scholarship for training plus performance opportunities. Held by Ecnad, a contemporary dance company.

Where: Ecnad, Telok Ayer Performing Arts Centre, 04-07, 182 Cecil Street MRT: Raffles Place/Tanjong Pagar When: Thu, 7.30pm Admission: Free Tel: 6226-6404 Info: E-mail education@ecnad.org or visit www.ecnad.ecnad.org

Contest

BOTAK JONES 'MASSIVE BURGER EATING CONTEST'
Gobble down a 220g Botak Massive Sunrise Burger in the fastest time at this Massive Burger Eating Contest and you might win a three-day stay at Bintan Lagoon. The contest is being held at all the 11 Botak Jones outlets here.

Where: Botak Jones, Bukit Batok, Block 233, Bukit Batok Avenue 5 When: Thu, 7.30pm Where: Botak Jones, Block 412, Bedok North Avenue 2 MRT: Bedok When: Fri, 7.30pm & other Botak Jones outlets at various dates Admission: $10 entry fee Tel: 6288-2949 Info: The final will be held at the Toa Payoh outlet on July 15 at 7.30pm. Visit www.botakjones.com

SINGAPORE BLOG AWARDS 2009 (OMY CONTEST)
Bloggers and voters taking part in this Singapore Blog Awards stand to win more than $20,000 worth of prizes, including mobile phones, shopping vouchers, hotel accommodation packages overseas, food products and more. Winners of the 10 blog categories will each win a trophy and $1,355 worth of prizes while five with the most votes will receive a HTC Diamond phone worth $1,098.

Info: Visit http://sgblogawards.omy.sg by July 31 to vote for the top winners in the 10 categories of the Singapore Blog Awards 2009 organised by omy - www.omy.sg - a bilingual news and interactive web portal by Singapore Press Holdings to win prizes. The categories include the Most Insightful Blog, Best LOL (Laugh-Out-Aloud) Blog, Best Youth Blog, Best Lifestyle Blog, Best Modelling Blog and Best Food Blog. There are two fringe awards - the Best Local Celebrity Blog and the Best Overseas Celebrity Blog

Dance

GARDEN AFFAIR 013: BIRD CALL
This dance which explores the co-existence between humans and birds in the dense urban environment is choreographed by Elysa Wendi and scripted by playwright Ng Yi Sheng.

Where: Garden Studio, Cairnhill Arts Centre, 126 Cairnhill Road, 01-07/09 MRT: Newton When: Thu & Fri, 8.30pm Admission: Free Tel: 6238-6469 Info: tafcl@singnet.com.sg

Encore!

ERASED (VISUAL ARTS)
French photographer Bertrand Meunier has created a montage of his black-and-white photographs snapped in China in the mid-2000s. Part of Month of Photography Asia.

Where: Alliance Francaise, SG Private Banking Gallery, 1 Sarkies Road MRT: Newton When: Till July 18, 11am - 7pm (Mon - Fri), 11am - 5pm (Sat), closed on Sun Admission: Free Info: www.alliancefrancaise.org.sg and www.phish-comms.com

CHANGING ASIA (VISUAL ARTS)
A showcase of 26 works by eight French and Chinese photographers documenting the changing social and geographic landscape of China and India. Part of Month of Photography Asia.

Where: Alliance Francaise, SG Private Banking Gallery, 1 Sarkies Road MRT: Newton When: Till July 18, 11am - 7pm (Mon - Fri), 11am - 5pm (Sat), closed on Sun Admission: Free Info: www.alliancefrancaise.org.sg and www.phish-comms.com

DON'T MOVE! (VISUAL ARTS)
Award-winning French photographer Francoise Huguier captures images of HDB dwellings. Part of Month of Photography Asia.

Where: Lasalle College of the Arts, Brother Joseph McNally Gallery, Institute of Contemporary Art, 1 McNally Street MRT: Bugis When: Till July 19, noon - 7pm (Tue - Sun), closed on Mon Admission: Free Info: www.lasalle.edu.sg and www.phish-comms.com

VAN GOGH - BRUSH WITH GENIUS, AN IMAX MOVIE (FRANCE)
Relive Vincent Van Gogh's life journey through his letters and see the places that inspired him and the paintings at this IMAX movie, which gives you a close encounter with the artist and his masterpieces.

Where: Omni-Theatre, 21 Jurong Town Hall Road MRT: Chinese Garden/Jurong East When: Till Oct 9, 1, 3, 5 & 8pm Admission: $10 (adult), $7 (senior citizens aged 55 and above), $5 (child aged three to 12) Tel: 6425-2500 Info: www.omnitheatre.com.sg

DA VINCI: THE GENIUS (ITALY)
This world acclaimed exhibition from Italy brings to life Leonardo Da Vinci's genius, featuring studies of his most famous Renaissance works, anatomical sketches as well as 3D animations of The Last Supper, Vitruvian Man and Mona Lisa.

Where: Science Centre, The Annexe 15 Science Centre Road MRT: Jurong East When: Till Aug 16, 10am - 6pm (Tue - Sun), closed on Mon except school holidays and public holidays Admission: $15 (adult), $10 (child aged three to 16) Tel: 6425-2500 Info: www.davincithegenius.com

Film

TILL THE END Of TIME (PG)/THE SINGING THIEF (PG) (OUTDOOR SCREENINGS)
Celebrate the romance and magic of cinema at these outdoor screening at the National Museum of Singapore. On Friday, catch Till The End of Time, a Hong Kong movie by Chun Kim, a romantic music box office hit starring Jenny Hui and Peter Chen Hou. On Saturday, watch The Singing Thief by Chang Cheh, about a cat thief-turned-cabaret singer played by Taiwanese actor Jimmy Lin Chong. Under the Banyan Tree Open-Air Cinema programme.

Where: Stamford Garden, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road MRT: Dhoby Ghaut When: Fri, 8pm & Sat, 8pm Admission: Free Tel: 6332-3659 Info: www.nationalmuseum.sg

Gig

EURASIANA, A MUSICAL TRIBUTE
Singapore's top Eurasian musicians, such as pianist Jeremy Monteiro, his singer sister Claressa, and rockers Vernon Cornelius and John Molina, perform at this concert. They are accompanied by the Singapore Pop Orchestra conducted by Iskandar Ismail under the artistic direction of Dick Lee. The hosts are hosts include Brian Richmond, Eunice Olsen and Andrea De Cruz. Organised by the People's Association and the Eurasian Association.

Where: Esplanade Concert Hall MRT: City Hall When: Fri & Sat, 7.30pm Admission: $21 - $53 Tel: 6348-5555

Holidays

KIDS IN CHARGE: GREEN GREEN GREEN
Children can have fun emulating much loved and acclaimed talkshow hosts, such as Oprah Winfrey, David Letterman, Jay Leno and Ellen Degeneneres at this workshop produced by kids for kids.

Where: Woodlands Regional Library, Auditorium, 900 South Woodlands Drive, Woodlands Civic Centre, #01-03 MRT: Woodlands When: Sat 2 - 3pm Admission: Free Tel: 6332-3255

SCHOOL'S OUT! PROMOTION
Children need only pay $1 for every year of their age when they dine at Parkroyal On Beach Road's Plaza Brasserie during the school holidays this month.

Where: Parkroyal on Beach Road, Plaza Brasserie, Beach Road MRT: Bugis When: Till June 30, noon - 2.30pm (lunch from Mon - Fri), noon - 3pm (lunch on Sat & Sun), 6 - 10pm (dinner) Admission: $32 (lunch), $38 - $39.80 (dinner) Tel: 6505-5710 Info: There is a Hainanese food fare till Sun .

THE AMAZING SINGAPOREAN FAMILY RACE 09
Hop into your car and join this Amazing Singapore Family Race to find clues and answer questions as a family and you might win the top prize of a stay at Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali worth $4,500 plus $500 cash.

Where: Leisure Park Kallang MRT: Kallang When: Sat, 7am - 1.30pm Admission: $50 per car ($10 will be donated to the Children's Cancer Foundation) Tel: 6235-2591

Info: Submit your namem identity card number, contact number and number of participants and e-mail address together with your crossed cheque to Kids World Media Pte Ltd, 30 East Coast Road 03 -14, Singapore 428751. Visit www.parentsworld.com.sg or e-mail asfr2009@wheelsforfun.com.sg

Magic

THE IMPOSSIBLE RECORD
Singapore illusionists JC Sum and 'Magic Babe' Ning will attempt to perform a world-record breaking 15 grand illusions in five minutes. It's the closing celebrations of the Singapore River Festival.

Where: Central Promenade by the Singapore River MRT: Clarke Quay When: Sat, 9.30pm Admission: Free Info: The event will be submitted to the Guinness World Records. www.jcsum.com/record.html

'MAGICAL WONDER WITH BIRDS' BY PRISCILLA KHONG
Catch jaw-dropping stunts at this one-night only performance by local celebrity illusionist Priscilla Khong which includes her famous Umbrella Routine and Disappearing Act.

Where: Jurong Bird Park, Pools Amphitheatre, 2 Jurong Hill Road MRT: Boon Lay/Jurong East When: Sat, 7.30 - 8.10pm Admission: $24 (adult) and $12 (child) for the Magic Bundle comprising magic show and park entry), $12 (adult) & $6 (child) for magic show alone Info: Visit http://www.birdpark.com.sg/whatsup/MagicalWonderWithBirds.html for information and to book online

Museum

RE: CLAIMING HERITAGE: SHOPHOUSES & HISTORIC DISTRICTS in KUCHING & KUALA TERENGGANU
Experience the rich cultural heritage of shophouses and historics districts in Kuching and Kuala Terengganu at this exhibition. A joint programme between the National University of Singapore and the University of Malaya.

Where: NUS Museum, University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Crescent MRT: Clementi When: Till Sun, 10am - 7.30pm (Tue - Sat), 10am - 6pm 9Sun), closed on Mon & public holidays Tel: 6516-8817 Info: museum@nus.edu.sg

STEVE McCURRY: THE UNGUARDED MOMENT (AN EXHIBITION OF THE MONTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY ASIA 2009
View never before seen photographs at this first solo exhibition by Steve McCurry, winner of the prestigious Robert Cappa Gold Medal for 'Best Photographic Reporting from Abroad' Award and the photographer of the iconic 'Afghan Girl' portrait. Presented by Epson.

Where: Asian Civilisations Museum, Shaw Foundation Foyer, 1 Empress Place MRT: Raffles Place When: Till July 19, 1 - 7pm (Mon), 9am - 7pm (Tue - Thu), 9am - 9pm 9Fri), 9am - 7pm (Sat & Sun) Admission: Free www.epson.com.sg/stevemccurry and www.monpasia.com.sg

Show

YOUNG PARENTS FIESTA 2009
Take your children to this Young Parents Fiesta for a snapshot with entry coupons from the July issue and take part in the Young Parents Cover Child and Cover Baby contests and your child might be featured in the December issue. Buy the July issue of Young Parents and get a free goodie bag. Fabulous gifts also await those who subscribe to the magazine.

Where: Marina Square Atrium MRT: City Hall When: Fri - Sun, 11am to 9pm daily Info: www.youngparents.com.sg. At the kids' activity areas, discover Play-Doh, a range of construction toys for kids aged 18 months to four years - or play Pictureka and try their hand at the giant-sized Connect 4. Your children can also meet and shake hands with Blue, the energetic puppy from the Nickelodeon series Blue's Clues. Catch stage games and more.

Singapore River Fest

MILESTONES/MILESTONES DOUBLE BILL CONCERT
Catch the Milestones music event at the River Promenade fronting Timbre @ The Arts House which pays tribute to four eras of Singapore music from the 1970s to the present and features musicians from Singapore's music heyday of the 1970s till the present. You can also shop at a Milestones Market offering vintage and nouvelle vintage merchandise by the riverside. Organised by Timbre Music.

Where: River Promenade in front of Timbre @ The Arts House, Old Parliament House, 1 Old Parliament Lane MRT: Raffles Place When: Till Fri, from 6pm onwards (Milestones) Admission: Free Where: River Promenade in front of Timbre @ The Arts House When: Sat (Milestones Double Bill Concert) Admission: $42, including one free drink Tel: 6332-6919

Info: www.theartshouse.com.sg. The artistes lined up include Peter Diaz, October Cherrie and the 1970s Tribute Band on Tuesday (music from the 1970s), Robert Fernando, Gypsy and Tokyo Square (music from the 1980s) on Wednesday, Concave Scream, Force Vomit, watchmen featuring Kevin Mathews (music from the 1990s) on Thu and Blues Train, West Grand Boulevard and Goodfellas (current music) next Fri. There will be a Milestones Double Bill with international artistes such as Lorraine Ayensu Trio from Britain and renowned Cuban pianist Nachito Herrera on Sat followed by a jam by Jack and Rai and their favourite musicians.

Sports

FITNESS@WORK
Join this free after work exercise programme organised by the Health Promotion Board at various locations around town.

Where: National Library Building, Level 1, The Plaza, Victoria Street MRT: City Hall/Bugis When: Every Thu, 6.30 - 7.30pm Where: Toa Payoh Central Amphitheatre MRT: Toa Payoh When: Every Tue Where: UOB Plaza, Singapore River Promenade MRT: Raffles Place When: Wed & every Wed each week, 6.30 - 7.30pm Admission: Free Tel: 6435-3012 Info: Visit www.hpb.gov.sg

Talk

KOREAN GINSENG SEMINAR
Learn more about the properties of Korean Ginseng and view various Korean Ginseng products at this first Korean Ginseng Seminar here. It is followed by a cooking demonstration and a food tasting session. Organised by the Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corporation.

Where: Pan Pacific Singapore, Ocean 6 Room, Second Floor (seminar), Pacific 3 Room, First floor (dinner), 7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square MRT: City Hall When: Thu, 2 - 4pm (seminar), 5.30 - 8pm (dinner) Admission: Free Info: The dinner menu features Korean ginseng chicken soup and fresh Insam salad. E-mail rachel@flamecomms.com to book a seat as there are limited places

LASIK - THE MYTHS AND THE FACTS (PUBLIC FORUM)
If you plan to go for lasik treatment, check out this free public forum at the Singapore National Eye Centre.

Where: Singapore National Eye Centre, Auditorium, Level 4, 11 Third Hospital Avenue, next to Blocks 6 & 7 Singapore General Hospital MRT: Outram When: Thu, 7 - 8pm Admission: Free with light refreshments provided Tel: 6322-8822 (RSVP) Info: register online at www.singlasik.com.sg

Theatre

MANY FACES OF CHINESE OPERA
This Chinese Opera Institute opera production features a piece titled Mystery In The Dark, which fuses stories such as Cross Road Inn, Wu Song At The Inn and Resentment Of A Lady Ghost in an amusing way, plus an item with acrobatic movements adapted from two classics, The Hu Village and Lifting The Chariots. The guest-of-honour: Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, the Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Where: Victoria Theatre, Empress Place MRT: Raffles Place When: Thu, 8 - 9.30pm Admission: $11 - $52 Tel: 6222-6551 (inquiries) Info: www.gatecrash.com.sg (tickets)

SHORT & SWEET SINGAPORE 2009
Expect bite-sized theatre with attitude. Catch 40 10-minute plays in English and Mandarin about everything from wedding disasters to botched burglaries by some of the best playwrights, directors and actors in town at the return of this Short & Sweet Singapore festival.

Where: Lasalle College of the Arts, Flexible Performance Space, Bencoolen Street MRT: Bugis, When: Till July 12, 8pm (English Top 30) Where: The Arts House, Play Den, Old Parliament House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, MRT: Raffles Place When: July 1 - 5 (Mandarin 10) Admission: $28, Tel: 6332-6919 Info: tickets@toph.com.sg

Where: Esplanade Theatre Studio MRT: City Hall When: July 16 - 18, 8pm (Gala Finals) Admission: $38 Tel: 6348-5555 Info: Buy one ticket for each week of the English Top 30 and get a discount of $5. Visit www.sistic.com.sg

DON'T FORGET TO REMEMBER ME
A thought-provoking play by The Necessary Stage which portrays the trials and tribulations of people suffering from dementia. Written by Haresh Sharma, directed by Alvin Tan and commissioned by the Health Promotion Board. The cast includes Karen Tan, Timothy Nga and Rodney Oliveiro.

Where: Various venues When: Till Sept 26, 7 - 8pm Admission: Free Tel: 9726-1281 Info: E-mail hpb_mhe@hbp.gov.sg to register. Visit www.healthymind.sg

Web

THE LATEST USER-GENERATED VIDEOS
Watch the latest user-generated videos from the Stomp community. Browse extensive categories such as traveller's tales, just for laffs, everything under the sun and much more.

Info: Visit www.diy.stomp.com.sg

Compiled by Magdalene Lum

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