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

6th National Youth Film Awards winners announced, “Sunday” and “Lady E’s Wedding Revenge Plan” big winners

Live action films with female leads emerged as the top favourites at the 6th National Youth Film Awards (NYFA) ceremony. Organised by *SCAPE, the annual awards took place over Facebook live on Saturday and announced a total of 26 winners. “Sunday” depicts a young woman with a full body rash, driven to violence during a forbidden encounter with her sister’s boyfriend. Directed by returning NYFA … Continue reading 6th National Youth Film Awards winners announced, “Sunday” and “Lady E’s Wedding Revenge Plan” big winners

★★★☆☆: 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)

By The Book: 2020 Singapore Literature Prize Awards Ceremony goes virtual this August, with 52 shortlisted works

A total of 52 works have been shortlisted for the biennial Singapore Literature Prize (SLP), Singapore’s top literary award. For the first time in the history of the SLP, the awards ceremony will be held online via the Singapore Book Council’s Facebook and YouTube pages on 27th August 2020 at 8pm. The 52 works are shortlisted across 12 categories, across the three genres of Poetry, … Continue reading By The Book: 2020 Singapore Literature Prize Awards Ceremony goes virtual this August, with 52 shortlisted works

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