Music Is: Universal Music Philippines announces launch of Island Records Philippines

Universal Music Philippines (UMP), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, announced the launch of Island Records Philippines, a new domestic label division dedicated to helping the best musical talent from the Philippines to achieve local success, whilst reaching new audiences worldwide. The launch marks the beginning of a new chapter in the illustrious history of Island Records, which was founded … Continue reading Music Is: Universal Music Philippines announces launch of Island Records Philippines

7 in 10 Singaporeans engaged in physical and digital arts events in the latest Population Survey on the Arts

The key findings from the biennial Population Survey on the Arts of Singaporeans’ perception of the arts in 2019 were released today by the National Arts Council (NAC). Compared with the last survey in 2017, the 2019 results showed positive trends across all key indicators for appreciation and consumption of the arts. In 2019, 7 in 10 Singaporeans attended arts events (69%), and 3 out … Continue reading 7 in 10 Singaporeans engaged in physical and digital arts events in the latest Population Survey on the Arts

Museum Musings: Asian Civilisations Museum celebrates the Majulah Spirit with lineup of online activities

In celebration of Singapore’s 55th birthday, the Asian Civilisations Museum is offering up a myriad of online programmes accessible online. Rediscover our rich cross-cultural art and heritage through these masterpieces from ACM’s collection, traversing galleries with self-guided tours, instructions for DIY crafts, and interactive stories. Highlights include National Day classics with the Lorong Boys, live pre-registered portrait illustration, a National Day-themed self-guided trail, educational online … Continue reading Museum Musings: Asian Civilisations Museum celebrates the Majulah Spirit with lineup of online activities

Hotels & Holidays: Club Med reveals that 100% of Singaporeans rank cleanliness at resorts as the highest importance for ‘post-Covid-19 holidays’

Club Med, the pioneer of premium all-inclusive holidays with resorts in Asia and all around the world, recently revealed results for their travel sentiments survey done by over 2,000 individuals. Understanding the public’s general sense of wanderlust during Circuit Breaker, Club Med undertook a survey that sheds meaningful insights to on-ground sentiments regarding post-Covid-19 holiday plans. Over 75 per cent of respondents were individuals with … Continue reading Hotels & Holidays: Club Med reveals that 100% of Singaporeans rank cleanliness at resorts as the highest importance for ‘post-Covid-19 holidays’

Film Fanatic: The French Ambassador and Christopher Shaw speak on the 2020 Singapore French Summer Festival

Have made its debut last week, the 2020 Singapore French Summer Festival is finally here as the first ever totally digital French film festival in Singapore! Presenting a gamut of films, including 8 brand new, never-before-seen films in Singapore, the festival is hosted completely online with Shaw Theatres’ brand new online streaming service – the KinoLounge, ensuring that all presentations are safe and to be … Continue reading Film Fanatic: The French Ambassador and Christopher Shaw speak on the 2020 Singapore French Summer Festival

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)