10 epic things to do this weekend, including Laneway Festival, Design Workshops and Light to Night Festival

Yaas it’s Friday! There’s nothing like kicking your heels off and snuggling into your fave comfy PJs after a long week. 

And then the weekend comes and you’re left with the old question of “What should I do today?”. Well since it is Art Week, there’s actually quite a few things you could do this weekend – the infamous Light to Night Festival is back and the endearing music from Harry Potter that we grew up listening to is being performed live as well!

So in true artsy fartsy spirit, here are 10 (rather artsy fartsy) events you go for on the weekends.

1. Light to Night Festival

Photos courtesy of the National Gallery Singapore

First up we have the Light to Night festival that is back for its second edition – now bigger and better than ever. The festival now spans across 5 zones besides the National Gallery. These include the Padang, the Arts House, the Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, the Empress Lawn, and the Asian Civilisations Museum.

This year, the theme Colour Sensations is explored through a variety of art forms like art installations, music, dance and literary performances as well. You could give your mind and senses a treat at the mirror maze, or have a relaxing picnic at the Padang – the possibilities are endless.

When: Jan 19 - Jan 28, 5pm - 12am on Fridays and Saturdays, 8pm - 10pm the rest of the week

Where: Suntec City Convention Centre

Price: Free admission

More info: https://www.lighttonight.sg/

2. World Snack Fair

World Snack Fair 2018 at Suntec Convention Centre from 19-21 Jan. pic.twitter.com/x5aepO4U6V

— Xavier Lur (@xavierlur) January 19, 2018

Attention all foodies! Brought to you by World Snack the brand that, well.. brings in snacks from all over the world.

The World Snack Fair presents over 100 snack brands from a multitude of countries.To make things easier for you, the hall has been divided according to countries and zones.

And yes, there’s Japanese and Korean snacks, and the colourless milk tea too!

When: Jan 19 - Jan 21

Where: Suntec City Convention Cenre

Price: Free admission

More info: https://www.worldsnack.sg/

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3. Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets

Photo: Sistic

Reminisce in the good old days when Harry Potter was everything. Performing the John Williams’ classical score from the second Harry Potter movie, The Chamber of Secrets, is the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra.

Relive the magic as the film is projected on a 40-foot screen, and the orchestra performs the scores live.

So what are you waiting for? This will be your last chance to experience the magnificent experience for the year.

When: Jan 20, 7pm

Where: Esplanade Theatre

Price: From $69/ pax, depending on your seating location

More info: https://www.esplanade.com/events/2018/harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets-in-concert

4. Dahlia Dreams & Garden Rhapsody @GBTB

With every festive season comes a refreshing change of scene – at Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome. To welcome the Lunar New Year, the conversatory is being transformed into the picturesque landscape of the Chinese imperial gardens.

You’ll be greeted by the auspicious Southern Lions and Chinese guardian dogs. Then you’ll find yourself immersed in a spectacle of camellias, bromeliads and of course, dahlias, in a courtyard garden setting.

P.S. The god of fortune will be dropping by for a few days in February!

When: Jan 19 - March 4, 9am - 9pm

Where: The Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay

Price: From $69/ pax, depending on your seating location

More info: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en.html 

5. M1 Singapore Fringe Festival

Displaced, a play following three female immigrants - from different points in history - as they flee to Canada. Photo: Sistic

For an eye-opening and insightful experience, you’ll want to make your way forn to M1’s Fringe Festival. In a nutshell, this event revolves around the question of what it means to be a woman.

At a time when feminism and empowerment makes international headlines almost every day, the festival puts on an array of programs featuring striking themes. For example – the beauty of ageing, traditional female gender stereotypes in society, and even refugees through the ages adapting to their new environment.

There’s an entire list of programmes, that you honestly would not want to miss out.

When: Jan 17 - Jan 28

Where: Various locations

Price: Various prices depending on programs

More info: http://www.singaporefringe.com/fringe2018/index.php 

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6. Longue Vue Design Workshops

Photo: Longue Vue Design/ Instagram

Jump in on the handicraft bandwagon and create your own beautiful jewellery with Longue Vue’s artist, Alice. What stands out about this brand are its organic textures and strikingly simple geometric shapes. 

Alice will teach you more about designing and creating these delicate pieces, so you too can make your own. You can choose between a few designs like gold-foiling, marbling and even stripes - then at the workshop you’ll have your hand at some materials, and get to bring home your own jewellery set.

The seats and classes are limited, so book them ASAP.

When: Various timings, check website for more info

Where: Paya Lebar/ Dakota area, more info released upon booking

Price: From $150/ pax, with materials and a manual booklet provided

More info: https://www.longuevuedesign.com/collections/workshops 

7. Art from the streets @ASM

Embark on a journey through a multitude of civilisations and time – in a contemporary way. Art from the Streets was curated by Street Art expert and writer Magda Danysz, and explores the movement’s beginnings and evolution. 

With art spanning from over 40 years ago, the exhibition is filled with not only large-scale murals and archival material, but there are also new works on display to illustrate the diversity of the movement. 

Expect pieces by iconic artists like Felipe Pantone and Eko Nugroho.

When: Jan 13 - June 3 , 10am to 7pm (last entrance at 6pm)

Where: Art Science Museum

Price: $17/ pax

More info: http://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/art-from-the-streets.html 

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8. The Luggage Market

Okay this isn’t that artsy fartsy but who doesn’t love a good bargain? After all, there’s no better way to start off the New Year than with a fresh wardrobe.

At The Luggage Market, you do just that! There’s over 45 booths selling both preloved and new goods right out of luggages. Prices begin from as low as two dollars, so you’ll want to make some time this weekend to practise your bargaining skills.

When: Jan 21 - Feb 11, 1pm - 7pm

Where: The Adelphi at City Hall

Price: Free admission

More info: https://booktheluggagemarket.com/

9. Paint a Pot Workshop

Photo: The Rain in Spain/ Instagram

Take a step back from the weekly hustle and bustle and take a breath of the fresh morning air while painting some terracotta pots. 

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got the artistic touch – the workshop will teach you the techniques to create fuss-free yet delicate designs for your pots (that you get to bring home!) The workshop will be conducted Mapes, the designer of The Rain in Spain pots, and Sofia, an expert on Annie Sloan paints. 

When: Jan 20, 10.30am-1pm

Where: Flower Girl Studio, 83 Joo Chiat Place, #01-02 Everitt Edge

Price: $90/ pax, with your own pot and materials provided

More info: Call 9622 9931 or head to https://theraininspain.net/workshops/paintapot/ 

10. St Jerome’s Laneway Festival

Time to pop on your tinted sunnies and spend the day with your gal pals in the most relaxing way possible – at the all-chill Laneway Festival.

If you’ve never been, the festival is all about unique music that tickles the taste buds of music fanatics. Think hip-hop artist Anderson Park, indie-rock band Wolf Alice and rock band Slowdive.

So grab that picnic mat and pack some food. Laneway’s waiting for you.

When: Jan 27, from 10am

Where: The Meadow at Gardens by The Bay

Price: From $150/ pax

More info: http://singapore.lanewayfestival.com/ 

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