Music Is: An Interview with Kahchun Wong, Conductor of Beeth∞ven 360°

This July, on International Friendship Day, the world will see the premiere of a massive musical project unlike any ever done before. In celebration of renowned composer Beethoven’s 250th anniversary, watch as Beeth∞ven 360° takes to your screens on 30th July.  As its name implies, Beeth∞ven 360° takes the form of a 360° video that unites an international lineup of over a thousand musicians coming together … Continue reading Music Is: An Interview with Kahchun Wong, Conductor of Beeth∞ven 360°

Music Is: Kahchun Wong leads ‘Beeth∞ven 360°’ in the composer’s 250th anniversary year this July

On International Friendship Day (30th July), Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday anniversary will be premiered on The Straits Times Facebook and Youtube channels. This revolutionary virtual performance of music from his 9th Symphony is literally pieced together with digital submissions from world-class instrumentalists and singers of institutions including the Chicago Symphony, Dresden Boys Choir, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Japan Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, China National … Continue reading Music Is: Kahchun Wong leads ‘Beeth∞ven 360°’ in the composer’s 250th anniversary year this July

★★★☆☆ Book Review: Reality Bitchslap by Arif Rahman

Bros’ travelogue gets the graphic memoir treatment. Written and illustrated by Malaysian artist Arif Rafhan, Reality Bitchslap is a graphic memoir that encapsulates the quintessential bro road trip, as Arif and his best mates set off on a journey around Southeast Asia to celebrate their last days of bachelorhood. Taking readers from Hat Yai to Phnom Penh, ‘beautiful’ Ho Chi Minh City to ‘fascinating’ Jogja, it’s … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: Reality Bitchslap by Arif Rahman

★★★☆☆ Book Review: Taiping Tales of Terror by Julya Oui

The ghosts and legends of Southeast Asia come to life when a group of boys share campfire tales.  While we may not have grown up in an environment where campfire ghost stories were the norm, Malaysian author Julya Oui certainly takes us right to that setting with her short story collection Taiping Tales of Terror.  Rather ironically, ‘Taiping’ literally translates to ‘peaceful’, while the stories contained … Continue reading ★★★☆☆ Book Review: Taiping Tales of Terror by Julya Oui

Music Is: Where the River Always Flows V by TENG Ensemble (Preview)

This August, the Fullerton Heritage and The TENG Ensemble (TENG) are set to present the first-ever digital edition of their annual concert, Where the River Always Flows V. Named after the Singapore River, one of Singapore’s lifelines during its formative years, Where the River Always Flows has been presented at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore as part of the Singapore Heritage Festival since 2016. This year, … Continue reading Music Is: Where the River Always Flows V by TENG Ensemble (Preview)

★★★☆☆: The Lost Prince dir. Michel Hazanavicius (Singapore French Summer Festival 2020)

Sweet story about growing up melds film, fantasy and drama to open the Singapore French Summer Festival .  Growing up is a pain, not just for an adolescent child, but for her parents as well. That’s something single father Djibi (Omar Sy, of The Intouchables fame) discovers for himself when his precious daughter Sofia (Keyla Fala, age 8, and Sarah Gaye, age 11) gets ready to enter … Continue reading ★★★☆☆: The Lost Prince dir. Michel Hazanavicius (Singapore French Summer Festival 2020)

Music Is: inch releases brand new single ‘Flags’ feat. ShiGGa Shay

Over the past few months, the world has had to come to terms with the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the general social unrest that has spread around the world like wildfire (in the case of Australia, even too literally, unfortunately). The question is – how do we respond as humans? What do we do when the world seems like it is failing … Continue reading Music Is: inch releases brand new single ‘Flags’ feat. ShiGGa Shay

M1 Patch! 2020: HERE COMES KAYA AND ROTI! “Where Are Our Friends?” (Review)

Keeping the kids entertained online with stories, songs and a seemingly endless well of energy from the performers. It’s hard to keep the kids entertained these days, with few options available besides the usual slew of videos on YouTube. How then do you keep things fresh and young audiences engaged while staying safe at home? Enter HERE COMES KAYA AND ROTI! “Where Are Our Friends?”, where … Continue reading M1 Patch! 2020: HERE COMES KAYA AND ROTI! “Where Are Our Friends?” (Review)

Review: A Grand Design (An audio experience) by Checkpoint Theatre

A timely lesson on conservation that takes us from the dorms of NUS to the end of the world. Cheyenne Alexandria Phillips is a 27 year old part time poet, and educator in wildlife conservation. So what exactly is it that makes her worth listening to in A Grand Design, Checkpoint Theatre’s newest audio release? As it turns out, some big concerns about the very … Continue reading Review: A Grand Design (An audio experience) by Checkpoint Theatre

Music Is: Jam with Discover by Circles.Life this July + An Interview with LEW and Joie Tan

This Sunday, join local indie singer-songwriters LEW and Joie Tan as they perform an intimate virtual concert, live from the studio via Zoom. Organised by Discover by Circles.Life, the duo will be performing their hit duets ‘Red Flags’ and ‘Baby Steps’ as well as other original songs by both artists. Apart from their music collaborations, LEW and Joie are also extremely good friends behind the … Continue reading Music Is: Jam with Discover by Circles.Life this July + An Interview with LEW and Joie Tan