Transcript
ISSUE 02 / APRIL 2015
THESMARTLOCAL YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE ON WHAT TO DO IN SINGAPORE
IT’S A MELTDOWN AN ICE CREAM GUIDE TO ESCAPE FROM SINGAPORE’S HEAT
TRAVEL 15 BEAUTIFUL INFINITY POOLS IN THE WORLD
PERSPECTIVE WHY COFFEE IS THE DATE BEVERAGE OF CHOICE
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THE TEAM
EDITORIAL PUBLISHER Beatrice Lee
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SALES & MARKETING Beatrice Lee
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SUB-EDITORS Katherine Arteche
[email protected] Teo Su Fern
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WEBSITE www.thesmartlocal.com
CONTRIBUTORS Katherine Arteche Nicholas Chen Alfreda Lee Amanda Lee Beatrice Lee Teo Su Fern Noelle Yong
FACEBOOK TheSmartLocal.com TWITTER @thesmartlocal INSTAGRAM @thesmartlocalsg
DESIGN
YOUTUBE
Katherine Arteche
[email protected]
TheSmartLocal
OFFICE PRINTER Dominie Press Pte Ltd
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TheSmartLocal is published monthly by Dominie Press Pte Ltd. Permit No.: MCI (P) 175/03/2015. The right to use the trade mark, name and logo of “TheSmartLocal” is copyright of The Smart Local Pte Ltd. Copyright © is held by the publisher. Reproduction in whole or part of this magazine is prohibited. Distributed by The Smart Local Pte Ltd. All submissions to TheSmartLocal magazine are subject to approval prior to publish. Listings pertaining to monthly events are free of charge but are subjected to editorial consideration and limited by space. To get listings featured in print, please send listings information two months in advance. All listings information is correct at the time of going to press, but is subject to change without warning. Further updates will be updated on our website. Alternatively, one may call the respective parties pertaining to the event for immediate updates.
foreword Dear Readers, With the much-anticipated Free Cone Day happening in April, this month’s issue presents a Free Cone Day survival guide on page 20 for some tips and tricks on preparing yourself for the ice-cream event of the year. Fret not if you aren’t going to make it for the event, this issue also contains the ultimate ice-cream guide to suit every palate. Make full use of your holidays by visiting one of the many infinity pools mentioned in our infinity pools guide, or feast yourself silly at the World Gourmet Summit. For the theatre buffs, W!LD RICE presents Public Enemy from 9-25 April. Whatever your fancy, be sure to check out our What’s New section for April for the latest scoop on restaurants, events and things to do in this very exciting month. Much love, Beatrice Lee Regional Editor
CONTENTS
THESMARTLOCAL 04
WHAT’S NEW
Things to Do & What to Eat this April
06 08 12
FOOD
World Gourmet Summit 2015
TRAVEL
15 Beautiful Infinity Pools in the World
GUIDE
Beat the Heat: 10 Places to Get Your Ice Cream Fix
12
15
22
15
THEATRE
Wild Rice! Presents Public Enemy: TSL Interviews Director Glen Goei
18
EVENTS
Pasarbella’s First Gourmet Hop
20 22
MISCELLANEOUS
Tips on Surviving Free Cone Day
PERSPECTIVE
Why Coffee is the Date Beverage of Choice
COVER PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHED BY KATHERINE ARTECHE
what’s NEW
Things to Do this Month
A P &R THINGS TO DO
New Events
GO ON A TREETOP WALK Explore every nook and cranny of the Treetop Walk with our guide available here at www.thesmartlocal. com/macritchie-treetop-walk. STUFF YOURSELF SILLY AT A PASAR MALAM Relive the good old childhood days munching on a Ramly Burger. Ongoing: Woodlands MRT, beside Causeway Point, 14 March - 9 April. Also, read why we’ll always love our night markets at www. thesmartlocal.com/pasar-malams. ESCAPE ON A SHORT R&R TRIP Rejuvenate at Moroccan-inspired boutique hotel, Absolute Sanctuary, in Koh Samui, Thailand. Find out more at www.absolutesanctuary.com. TRY NOOKIE YOGURT Nookie Yogurt @ PoMo is the newest addition to the fro-yo scene and its creative concoctions that are worth a try (or two) have been the talk of the town. Address: 1 Selegie Road #01-04 GO COSMIC BOWLING Be bowled over with this psychedelic twist on a classic sport. Address: Orchid Bowl @ The Chevrons, SAFRA Tampines and SAFRA Yishun GO ON YOUR OWN #INSTAWALK Missed our previous #Instawalk at Sungei Buloh? Embark on your own TheSmartLocal-inspired #Instawalk at Sungei Buloh with our article as a guide on www.thesmartlocal.com/instawalk-sungei-buloh. TRY THE ESCAPE HUNT EXPERIENCE This escape room game sets itself apart from others by dedicating itself to bringing the Sherlock theme to life. Read our review at www.thesmartlocal.com/ escape-hunt. Address: 100 Orchard Road, #02-43 Concorde Hotel & Shopping Mall 04 | THESMARTLOCAL
PUBLIC ENEMY Showing at the Victoria Theatre, the play boasts a stellar cast including veteran actors Ivan Heng and Lim Kay Siu. Read our interview with director Glen Goei on page 15. Dates: 9-25 April Tue-Sat 8pm; Sat & Sun 3pm. $45-$80 from Sistic. DEMI LOVATO: DEMI WORLD TOUR IN SINGAPORE 2015 Slated to perform at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre, expect powerful renditions of her mega hits like “Let it Go” and “Skyscraper.” Date: 28 April 7.30pm. $68-$228 from Sistic. KUMAR STANDS UP FOR SINGAPORE (R18) Celebrate Singapore’s journey from a fishing village to a cosmopolitan city with Kumar at the Esplanade. Dates: 22-26 April Wed-Sun 8pm; Sat & Sun 4pm. $46-$116 from Sistic. NORMAL A play about two students who struggle to navigate the tortuous Singaporean education system. Starring Oon Shu An, Noorlinah Mohamed and Zee Wong amongst others. Dates: 9-19 April Tue-Sat 8pm; Sat & Sun 3pm. $38 from Sistic. SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK Shakespeare’s final play, The Tempest, is brought alive under the stars at Fort Canning Park. Dates: 29 April-24 May 7.30pm. $40-$108 from Sistic. CHARLI XCX Known for her infectious ditty, the ‘Boom Clap’ singer will perform live at The Coliseum. Date: 22 April 8pm. $98 from Sistic.
what’s NEW
R I L &
New Cafés
WHAT TO EAT
New Restaurants
MONTANA BREW BAR
NUDE SEAFOOD NUDE serves seafood dishes that are not only healthy, but delicious. Address: #8 Marina Boulevard, Marina Bay Financial Tower 3, #01-02, Singapore 018982 Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11.30am-8pm VIOLET HERBS Modern European cuisine is made authentic with this restaurant’s judicious use of herbs. Address: 81 Tras Street, Singapore 079020 Opening Hours: Daily 11.30am-3pm, 6pm-10pm 9GOUBULI Must-tries include the highly raved about minced meat buns ($2.20 each) and the Teapot Soup of the Day ($12). Address: 2 Bayfront Avenue, #B2-02, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018792 Opening Hours: Daily 11am-11pm MURPHY’S The famous fish & chips joint from Hertfordshire, UK is now in Singapore. Address: 532 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, #01-2495, Singapore 560532 Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-10pm; Sat & Sun 9am-10pm XIN YUE MODERN CHINESE RESTAURANT Former Paradise Group Executive Chef Fung Chi Keung innovates traditional Chinese fare at his new restaurant. Address: 207 River Valley Road, #01-51/54 UE Square (River Wing), Singapore 238275 Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm10.30pm; Sat & Sun 11.30am-3.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm
This Sydney-inspired cafe is home to legendary truffle mac & cheese waffles. Address: 1 Selegie Road #01-04, Singapore 188306 Opening Hours: Daily 8am-9.30pm GUAC & GO Thanks to this salad bar-cafe hybrid, eating healthy has never been easier - or yummier. Address: 32 Maxwell Road, #01-08 Singapore 069115 Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 10am-7.30pm; Fri 10am9pm; Sat 11am-5pm COCOA COLONY This chocolate cafe serves handcrafted cocoa drinks and pastries that make for a wonderfully decadent afternoon. Address: 1 Scotts Road, Shaw Centre, #01-06, Singapore 228208 Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-10pm; Sun 9am-9pm PADDY HILLS Their Berry Ricotta Hotcake ($19) pleases aesthetically as much as it does gastronomically. Address: 38 South Buona Vista Road, Singapore 118164 Opening Hours: Daily 9.30am-10pm 25 GRAMS This bakery cafe has novel cupcake options like Milo Dinosaur ($3.90) and Apple Pie ($3.90). Address: 12 Kallang Avenue, #01-14 Aperia Mall, Singapore 339511 Opening Hours: Daily 11am-9.30pm BOUFE Spend weekend brunch at this boutique cafe. Address: 308 Tanglin Road, Phoenix Park, #01-01, Singapore 247974 Opening Hours: Tues-Sun 10am-10pm. Closed on Mondays.
THESMARTLOCAL
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food
feast on this
WORLD GOURMET SUMMIT 2015 WORDS NICHOLAS CHEN
The World Gourmet Summit (WGS) will be in Singapore from 6 April to 3 May 2015. More than just a fancy award ceremony, this year’s WGS features various cooking workshops, dinners and events hosted and presented by some of the best chefs in the world. With opportunities to meet and learn from internationally acclaimed chefs during exclusive cooking lessons, WGS is every gourmand’s dream come to life. If you’re lucky enough, you might even secure a reservation to try some of their best dishes right here in Singapore. Here are some of the coolest events at WGS this year.
06 | THESMARTLOCAL
food
SCOTTISH SEAFOOD DINNER FEATURING DALLAS CUDDY ($218) Feast on the best of Scottish seafood with Dalla Cuddy, Executive Chef of The Prime Society. The Scotts are known for their scrumptious langoustines (little lobsters) as well as delicious salmon. No Scottish dinner is complete without some whiskey so Highland Park will be presenting some of their best stuff that are specially paired with the menu items to round out your meal. When: 18 April, 7pm-11pm Venue: 10 Dempsey Road, The Prime Society, Singapore 247700 CULINARY MASTERCLASS AT MIELE FEATURING CHRISTOPHE MULLER ($288) Apprentice of culinary legend Paul Bocuse, and successor to the only restaurant that has held a three-star Michelin rating for 50 years, Christophe Muller comes to town to deliver the cooking class of a lifetime. Be guided by the chef of one of the most famous restaurants in the world as you sear, fry and flip your way to a delicious dinner with the man himself. When: 20 April, 10am-2pm Venue: 167 Penang Road, #B1-01, Winsland House II, Miele Gallery, Singapore 238462 THE MACALLAN MASTERS OF TASTE BY EL CELLER DE CAN ROCA ($688) Voted the “Best Restaurant in the World” in 2014, and a runner up this year, El Celler De Can Roca is bringing their three Michelin star prowess to Singapore along with some of the world’s finest single malts under The Macallan. This eight-course meal will be hosted in Bacchanalia, one of the strongest players in the restaurant scene. All this comes with a hefty price tag but considering what’s offered, this isn’t a bad deal! When: 21 April, 7pm-11pm Venue: 23A Coleman Street, Bacchanalia, Singapore 179806 HANDS-ON WORKSHOP FEATURING YOHHEI SASAKI ($98) Executive Chef of popular Italian restaurant, Forlino, will pass on some of the skills he learnt during his various stints at Michelin-starred restaurants in his master classes. So put your apron on and get cooking! When: 25 April, 10am-1pm Venue: 896 Dunearn Road, ToTT Store, Singapore 589472
WORLD GOURMET SUMMIT 2015 Varying times and venue. Dates: 15-25 April Website: www.worldgourmetsummit.com THESMARTLOCAL
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travel
15
beautiful
INFINITY POOLS ACROSS THE WORLD
SOURCE: CHARLES HAYNES, FLICKR
WORDS ALFREDA LEE
DEVIL’S POOL ZIMBABWE FROM: $1,458/NIGHT* Located at the very edge of Victoria Falls, Devil’s Pool is safe to swim during the dry season due to a natural rock that prevents you from being swept away to your death.
There’s something magical about infinity pools; the way it seems to go on for eternity and fade into the lush landscapes of nature or the glittering lights of the city. It feeds your imagination with thoughts of swimming far away into the horizon and into the unknown, making the experience unlike any other. Here’s a list of 15 beautiful infinity pools to update that bucket list of yours. We also scoured for hotels nearby on HotelsCombined.com and got you the best prices so you’ll know how serious we are. And so should you.
08 | THESMARTLOCAL
travel
AYANA RESORT AND SPA
WILDFLOWER HALL
SHIMLA, INDIA FROM: $485/NIGHT* This open-aired jacuzzi fades into the backdrop of the magnificent Himalayan mountain range. Providing exotic views of snow-powdered mountains and the calm cedar forest, this infinity whirlpool is connected to the heated indoor pool so you won’t have to freeze your pants off.
BALI, INDONESIA FROM: $323/NIGHT* Overlooking the majestic rocky coast of Jimbaran Bay is the infinity pool of Ayana Resort and Spa. Call it “ocean-ception” if you will - the saltwater pool will feel almost as good as a refreshing swim in the ocean as you get to overlook one yourself.
KEMPINSKI HOTEL
ISHTAR, JORDAN
MAN CHEUNG PO INFINITY ROCK POOL
UBUD HANGING GARDENS BALI, INDONESIA
FROM: $530/NIGHT* Nestled comfortably in the middle of lush tropical rainforests, Hanging Gardens Ubud Resort boasts an architecturally one-of-a-kind infinity pool designed to emulate the actual rice terraces symbolic of Balinese culture.
SOURCE: HOJUSARAM, FLICKR
SOURCE: CAMERON ADAMS, FLICKR
FROM: $230/NIGHT* The next time you’re in Hong Kong, don’t forget to take a hike in Lantau up to this beautiful infinity pool. The view of the waterfalls and the mountainous terrain of Lantau Island will make the exercise worth it. A great hotel for a good night’s sleep before your trek will be Novotel Hong Kong Citygate located in the nearby Tung Chung Town.
FROM: $443/NIGHT* Kempinski Hotel boasts various large infinity pools which fade into the backdrop of the alluring Dead Sea. The resort is situated on the edge of the iconic salt lake, the lowest point known on earth.
SOURCE: DAN LUNDBERG, FLICKR
HONG KONG
LAYANA RESORT AND SPA KO LANTA, THAILAND
FROM: $255/NIGHT* This pool provides spectacular views of the Andaman Sea and a breathtaking sunset splatters the sky with fiery colours of gold, red and orange.
THESMARTLOCAL
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travel
PAMUKKALE THERMAL POOLS
TURKEY SOURCE: SHANKAR S, FLICKR
FROM: $105/NIGHT* These terraced pools and tiers of flowing water overlook ancient Greek ruins and boasts shimmering beauty.
ST. LUCIA FROM: $1,444/NIGHT* St. Lucia is one of the most beautiful island countries in the Caribbean. The many infinity pools of Jade Mountain offer picturesque views of the Gros Piton and Petit Piton Mountains that resemble large jade gemstones floating above the Caribbean Sea.
SOURCE: SHAUN VERSEY, FLICKR
JADE MOUNTAIN RESORT
SOURCE: PEDRO PLASSEN LOPES, FLICKR
MARINA BAY S
KATIKIES HOTEL SANTORINI, GREECE FROM: $445/NIGHT* Oh, beautiful Santorini! The infinity pools at Katikies Hotel provide unparalleled views of the whitewashed villas, houses and churches perched comfortably on the cliffs, nearly meeting the warm embrace of the Aegean Sea. 10 | THESMARTLOCAL
FROM: $444/NIGHT* Our very own Sands Skypark Infinity Pool o is definitely something worth showing off, s
SINGITA FARU FARU LODGE
TANZANIA FROM: $1,574/NIGHT* Finally, an infinity pool overlooking an authentic African savannah! Located in the Grumeti Wildlife Reserve in Serengeti, Singita is dedicated to preserving the wildlife with low-impact tourism. You might even be able to witness the migration of the wildebeests as you soak!
travel
VELASSARU RESORT MALDIVES FROM: $682/NIGHT* The infinity pool blends right in with the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean. Plunge straight into the sea from the pool in snorkelling gear whenever you feel like taking a swim with the fishies!
HUVAFEN FUSHI RESORT
MALDIVES FROM: $1,308/NIGHT* The pool is lined with fibre optic lights where travellers are welcome to indulge in a romantic candle-lit dinner at the shallow end of the pool. There’s nothing more enchanting than dining with stars both beneath your feet and above your head!
SANDS SINGAPORE
overlooks our glitzy bustling concrete jungle. Our city skyline so we’re not holding back here.
THE CAMBRIAN
A DELBODE N, SWITZERLAND FROM: $322/NIGHT* What better way to wake up than with a warm, rejuvenating morning swim with panoramic views of the Swiss Alps?
Read our full article 15 Beautiful Infinity Pools You Will Travel Across the World Just to Swim in on www.thesmartlocal.com/best-infinity-pools.
*Prices obtained from HotelsCombined.com are retrieved from date of publishing. THESMARTLOCAL
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guide
we all scream for ice cream WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY THESMARTLOCAL TEAM
The past year has seen a spate of ice cream parlours popping up all over Singapore. With so many ice creameries at our disposal, the only reason we forego ice cream on a hot day out is because we simply can’t decide where to go and what to get. Well, we heard you. That’s why we’ve curated a list of 10 ice cream parlours to suit your every whim and fancy, no matter what they may be.
FOR THE BEST ICE CREAM AND WAFFLE COMBO WIMBLY LU Though dedicated to serving chocolate in all forms, including an unorthodox pairing of root beer and chocolate cake, Wimbly Lu’s Waffles with ice cream are also extremely popular among diners. Waffles done to perfection - crisp on the outside and fluffy inside- served within a homely setting, it is no wonder that this cafe has continued to attract people in droves. 15-2 Jalan Riang, Singapore 358987 Tues-Thu 12.30pm-10.30pm; Fri 12.30pm-11pm; Sat 9am-11pm; Sun 9am-10.30pm. Closed on Mondays. www.saltedcaramel.sg
12 | THE SMART LOCAL
guide
FOR THE SMOOTHEST ICE CREAM FATCAT ICE CREAM BAR This ice cream and sorbet parlour offers an impressive range of flavors ranging from your classic chocolates and vanillas to unique creations like Hay & Honey or the Harry Potter-inspired Butter Beer. The ice cream is freshly made in-house from scratch and most of the ingredients are sourced directly from farms and producers in the area, which lends their ice creams undeniable quality when it comes to flavor and texture. Blk 416 Bedok North Avenue 2 #01-25, Singapore 460416 Mon, Wed-Fri 1pm-11pm; Sat noon-11pm; Sun noon-10pm. Closed on Tuesdays. www.fatcat.sg
FOR A HEALTHIER OPTION SUGALIGHT Low carb, low cholesterol and low fat - is this really ice cream we’re talking about here? Sugalight’s ice cream is a healthier alternative that uses natural sweeteners so you shouldn’t expect a huge compromise on flavour. Now you can have your cake and eat it too. Worth trying are Rum & Raisin and Mao Shan Wang Durian. 462 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 678076 Mon-Thu 11.30am-10pm; Fri 11.30am-11pm; Sat 10.30am-11pm; Sun 10.30am-10pm www.sugalight.com
FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT SUNDAY FOLKS What sets Sunday Folks apart from other ice creameries is that they offer only soft serve ice cream. Here, instead of the usual rounded scoops, tall, slim columns of ice cream are heaped atop waffles. It’s an unconventional pairing, but once you’ve tried it, you’ll be wondering why no one thought of this sooner. 44 Jalan Merah Saga, Chip Bee Gardens #01-52, Singapore 278116 Tue-Fri 1pm-10pm; Sat & Sun noon-10pm. Closed on Mondays. www.sundayfolks.com THESMARTLOCAL
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guide
FOR A LOCAL TASTE ISLAND CREAMERY With flavours like Teh Tarik, Pineapple Tart and Horlicks, Island Creamery offers its patrons a taste of what is uniquely Singapore. With a selection that also features flavours from the good old days of our childhood like Pulut Hitam, every spoonful is nostalgia-inducing. 3 Lorong Liput #01-02 Holland Village Shopping Mall, Singapore 277725 Sun-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri,Sat & Eve and PH 11am-11pm www.islandcreamery.com
FOR THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY SALTED CARAMEL At Salted Caramel, it costs only $6.40 for a double scoop of ice cream. To further sweeten the deal, a $4 top-up will get you a good-sized waffle. As far as the waffle-ice-cream combination goes, get the most bang for your buck here at this Upper Thomson Road ice creamery. 264F Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574370 Sun-Thu noon-11pm; Fri, Sat & Eve of PH noon-2am www.saltedcaramel.sg
FOR THE ALCOHOLIC IN YOU MERELY ICE CREAM Call it “humble-brag.” This artisanal ice cream parlour produces ice-cream made only from natural ingredients, resulting in desserts that are more than just mere. Their alcohol-induced flavours include Rum & raisin, Bailey’s coffee, Tiramisu, Chocolate stout and Nutty Beer, comprising Barons and roasted pistachios. 91 Bencoolen Street, #01-13 Sunshine Plaza, Singapore 189652 Mon-Sat noon-11pm. Closed on Sundays. www.merely.com.sg
14 | THESMARTLOCAL
THEATRE
GLEN GOEI’S PUBLIC ENEMY WORDS AMANDA LEE
W!LD RICE celebrates its 15th anniversary and SG50 with a series of plays inspired by Singapore’s values of democracy, peace, progress, equality and justice. Kicking off their year-long imagiNATION season is Public Enemy, a new production of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play exploring the roles and responsibilities of the majority in a democracy. The protagonist of the play, Dr. Thomas Chee, becomes a public enemy when he discovers bacteria infesting the waters of a town on its way to becoming a world-class resort spa. Upholding the truth only turns his community against him and inspires us to question if one man can stand up to the majority. The play is directed by Glen Goei and boasts a stellar cast, starring Ivan Heng as the scientist, Dr. Chee, and Lim Kay Siu as the town mayor. I chat with Glen as he shares his views on Singapore’s Gross National Happiness (it’s a real thing), his passion as a director and the answer to life.
THESMARTLOCAL
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THEATRE
TSL: TELL US ABOUT PUBLIC ENEMY. Glen Goei: It’s a modern adaptation based on An Enemy of the People, a famous classic by Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen. It talks about the role of democracy. Is it about the rights of the majority or is it about the responsibility of the majority to be looking after the minority? Surely, in a democracy we should be thinking about the minority - about the people who don’t necessarily vote the way the majority votes because they feel that they’re not being respected or they’re not being served in a democracy. Democracy is about the greater good, and the greater good doesn’t mean the greater good of the majority, it means the greater good of the people. WHAT CHANGES FROM THE ORIGINAL PLAY CAN THE LOCAL AUDIENCE EXPECT? It’s exactly the same version which was done in London, except that I’m using a local cast with local names. In my production, I’m making it look like a psychological thriller - like Memento, or Inception. At first, when the play opens, it looks like a successful and happy community. But slowly, people betray the protagonist, up to the point that even his wife is not sure that she supports his politics. It’s not even about politics, it’s about the truth. So it’s both a psychological as well as a political thriller. WOULD YOU PERSONALLY STICK TO YOUR PRINCIPLES AND STAY TRUE TO THE TRUTH, BUT BE ALIENATED BY SOCIETY? As an artist, the truth is always the most important thing. Artists always question the issues, policies, problems of a society. We look around us, read newspapers, talk to people, read what’s online and what people are really talking about. It’s our duty to observe and listen, percolate ideas and things people are talking about and try to bring this on stage. We frame it in a way that is palatable and accessible for people to sit back and reflect on what is happening around us. Generations come and go, political parties come and go, governments come and go. If you look at the broad span of history, truth will always prevail over time. That’s what artists, journalists, writers, intellectuals and academics will always fight for. At the end of the day, that’s the only thing worth living for. 16 | THESMARTLOCAL
WHICH CHARACTER DO YOU RELATE TO THE MOST? I mostly identify with the main character, Dr. Thomas Chee. Although he’s a scientist, he’s the one who speaks the truth. People say that science and arts are diametrically opposed to each other, but I think scientists and artists are exactly the same people. They’re always searching for the truth. Scientists always find it in logic, things that they can see, things which are real to them. Artists approach it from a very different way, but actually we’re both searching for the same thing.
“DEMOCRACY IS ABOUT THE GREATER GOOD, AND THE GREATER GOOD DOESN’T MEAN THE GREATER GOOD OF THE MAJORITY, IT MEANS THE GREATER GOOD OF THE PEOPLE.” YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, IN AN INTERVIEW, THAT YOU PREFER BEING A DIRECTOR TO AN ACTOR. I’ve acted and directed all my life, since the age of 11. I suppose as I grew older, I became more of a “big-picture” person. I went to a lot of art galleries and museums when I was living in England. I watched a lot of plays and I realised at the end of the day that I’m a storyteller. I like telling stories and making people laugh and cry.
THEATRE
SO WHAT’S THE SORT OF SINGAPORE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE NEXT 50 YEARS? I want to see a more progressive Singapore where the minorities are looked after, whether it’s the poor, the minority races, the disabled, the LGBTcommunity, anyone who has been ostracised and sidelined in our community. These are my two words that I keep on using: compassion and empathy. Our Gross National Happiness (GNH), is very, very low. I would like to see us being more like the top 10 countries rather than the lowest 10 on the table.
WHAT’S NEXT AFTER PUBLIC ENEMY? I’m doing Dim Sum Dollies, History of Singapore Part 1. That will be in June, at the Esplanade. And then we do our big historical epic for the Singapore Arts Festival, a play by Alfian Sa’at and Marcia Vanderstraaten called Hotel. That charts 100 years of history as seen through the comings and goings in a hotel room. It’s a five-hour epic, so watch out for that in mid-August. And then we’ll be bringing the Importance of Being Earnest to Brisbane.
RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS WHICH CHARACTER IN A PLAY OR A FILM DO YOU THINK BEST REPRESENTS YOU? I can’t think of one, but if I could play a character in any play or movie, it would probably be the witch in Cinderella. I love playing evil characters because they have such amazing costumes and wigs and makeup. Evil characters are more camp and I’d much prefer playing a camp character than a good character. It’s more fun. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ICE-CREAM FLAVOUR? My favourite ice-cream flavour used to be chocolate, you know, boring. But I really like this Ben & Jerry’s flavour. It has macadamia nut, chocolate and vanilla ice-cream. They were doing it for years and I used to buy it but I don’t think it’s very popular. I can’t find it anymore. So it’s great! That means I don’t eat ice-cream anymore! It’s great for my weight. WHAT’S ONE BOOK THAT EVERYONE MUST READ?
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It’s about minorities, right? It’s about fighting for the weak and the oppressed. WHAT’S THE ANSWER TO LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING? Love. If you want to break down the word ‘love’, it could be broken down to ‘compassion’ and ‘empathy’. I’m not just talking about the love between a man and a woman or between two boys or two girls. I’m talking about love for humankind, for nature, humanity and the universe.
Read our full interview with Glen on www.thesmartlocal.com/glen-goei-interview.
W!LD RICE PRESENTS PUBLIC ENEMY When: 9-25 April Where: Victoria Theatre Price: $45-$80. Tickets on www.wildrice.com.sg. THESMARTLOCAL
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EVENTS
Food,
glorious food
PASARBELLA GOURMET HOP WORDS KATHERINE ARTECHE
It’s common knowledge that the world’s finest food markets are found in the cities of London, Melbourne and Seattle. Avid Singaporean travellers spend their weekends at these farmers’ markets, gushing over affordable fresh produce whilst feasting on piping hot homemade foods. For those stuck in Singapore, kill the jealousy. This April, in conjunction with the folks at Le Gluttony, PasarBella - Singapore’s first and largest farmers’ market-inspired concept - is hosting a Gourmet Hop! This two-day food festival is the perfect event for epicureans to eat, drink and be merry with an array of foods curated by local merchants. From Winchester Pies’ mac & cheese to paella by Le Patio, it’s practically an eat-all-you-can. The public event invites patrons to purchase Gourmet Passes that entitles them to redeem five gourmet food items from over 20 participating traders, on top of music performances featuring local band The Lost Box, and a screening of award-winning local film, “Perfect Girl.”
18 | THESMARTLOCAL
EVENTS
I speak to Jillian Yue, Director at Satire Singapore, the organizers behind Le Gluttony, about the exciting upcoming food festival, their love for all things local, and how she thinks eggs should be best prepared.
1 WHAT’S THE MISSION BEHIND THE CONCEPT?
5 WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT FOOD FESTIVALS?
ur mission is to help provide a platform O for local entrepreneurs and local artists to showcase their food, music, films and arts to the public.
We get to sample a variety of food from all over Singapore brought together at one venue! Ultimately, food has its way of bringing people together and I cannot think of anything better than sharing an array of awesome food with great company.
2 WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AT THE PASARBELLA GOURMET HOP?
6 ANY FUTURE PLANS FOR LE GLUTTONY?
With over 20 traders to choose from, it’s going to be a tough choice. But my personal favourite might be the paella from La Patio. Or else you could try the tuna burger/pasta from Oceans of Seafood.
To cultivate and instill an appreciation for the often overlooked local talent, specifically through music, film and food. We do hope to organize a new type of event that would specifically showcase the gifted individuals who are stirring up the visual and performing arts scene in Singapore now.
3 HOW WAS IT LIKE COLLABORATING WITH PASARBELLA? I t has been a great working experience and we are very encouraged and thankful for PasarBella’s support throughout the planning process. I do believe this has created great synergy between both parties since the event is all about gourmet food and supporting local culture. 4 ANY KEY EVENTS OR HIGHLIGHTS TO LOOK OUT FOR AT THE GOURMET HOP? Le Gluttony will be bringing in up to 15 food vendors, which will amount to about 30 food vendors in total for this event. Visitors can definitely expect a wide range of items to choose from! On top of that, there will be live performances, screening of local films, a flea market and carnival games located at the extension wing of PasarBella’s existing market.
7 WE ADMIRE YOUR SUPPORT FOR ALL THINGS LOCAL. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TEAM’S FAVOURITE: LOCAL FOOD? Carrot Cake (black) LOCAL BAND? The Lost Box LOCAL TV SHOW? Growing Up LOCAL SLANG WORD? Simi daiji? (What’s up?) 8 HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR EGGS? I have an unhealthy obsession with eggs, but if I have to choose ... scrambled with lots of cheese. 9 WHAT SONG COULD YOU LISTEN TO FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE? Sunset by the XX :)
PASARBELLA GOURMET HOP When: 4 & 5 April, 3-10pm Price: $45 (early bird) & $50 (door sale) Website: www.legluttony.com/pasarbellagourmethop
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10 TIPS 10
TO SURVIVING
FREE CONE DAY WORDS TEO SUFERN
Free Cone Day may be Ben & Jerry’s way of saying thank you to the community for their continued support, but one thing’s for sure: we’ll be the ones saying thank you after we get our hands on a cone - free of charge! This April, two Ben & Jerry outlets will be participating in Free Cone Day. Prepared to be greeted by a line of enthusiastic scoopers, and an extensive array of flavours (all 18 flavours will be available). Here are 10 tips to surviving Free Cone Day.
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1 WORK THOSE LEGS It’s not just Free Cone Day, it’s survival of the fittest. Yes, Ben & Jerry’s has Couch Potato ice cream, but trust me, you’re not going to get a glimpse of those glorious caramel swirls and potato chip clusters by being one. With only two participating outlets this year, be prepared for queues that stretch on further than the eye can see and only those with legs of steel prove themselves worthy of a free cone. Better start taking leg day seriously!
2 BLOCK UP Because the queues are so long, chances are that you’ll be queuing outside of the premises of Ben & Jerry’s and under the sweltering sun. So unless you want to be burnt to crisp, you’d best slather copious amount of sun block on.
3 DRESS FOR THE OCCASION Here’s another tip: dress right. Forget haute couture. When you have to stand for hours under the hot sun in the unairconditioned heat, you’ll fare best in shorts and flip flops. Sloppy? More like smart.
4 BRING A BUDDY This year, grab a friend along for Free Cone Day! Share the agony of waiting in line, and double the happiness when you finally get your hands on your cones - for freeeeee!
5 BRING A FAN So you’re decked out in your most cooling attire, and have already applied good amounts of sun block. Good. The final step to beating the heat is to … bring a hand-held fan! Watch the others sweat it out as you fan away blissfully.
6 BRING ENTERTAINMENT Time passes quicker when you’re having fun. Instead of just doing nothing, why not bring a book, a friend (see #4), or even your trusty phone to while away time? Whether you’re busy reading or Instagramming, what could have been a mind-numbing wait will go by in the blink of an eye.
7 KNOW YOUR FLAVOUR A reminder to the fickle-minded (you know who you are): indecisiveness must be quelled during Free Cone Day because this year, ALL of Ben & Jerry’s flavours will be available. So with such a large selection, it’s best to decide on which flavour you want before it’s your turn. Trust us - this is one line you won’t want to hold up!
8 KNOW THE MESSAGE Since 1979, Free Cone Day has been the Ben & Jerry’s way of giving back to the community and also as a means to thank patrons for their support. Understanding this heartwarming social message behind Free Cone Day means queuing is not simply about free ice cream, making it all the more worthwhile.
9 BE PREPARED TO RUN We know we said flip flops earlier on, but it’s a different story for students - you’re advised to ditch impractical footwear in favour of your trusty running shoes. This year, Free Cone Day falls on a weekday (Tuesday), so you have to be ready to sprint to the nearest Ben and Jerry’s outlet after school for your free cone before it’s too late because Free Cone Day ends at 8pm. Note: That being said, we do not condone skipping classes!
10 THERE’S ALWAYS CHUNK FEST! If you didn’t manage to get your free cone this April, don’t despair. You still have Ben and Jerry’s annual Chunk Fest in October to look forward to. Though there won’t be free ice cream this time round, there will be ice cream eating contests (that’s still free ice cream, right?) plus, an even more extensive line up of ice cream flavours for more chunky, swirly fun.
ben & jerry’s free cone day When: 14 April Time: noon-8pm Venues: 313 Orchard Road, Somerset 313, Level 1, Singapore 238895 & 8 Dempsey Road, #01-12, Singapore 247696 Website: www.benjerry.com.sg/scoop-shops/free-cone-day THESMARTLOCAL
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perspective
WHY COFFEE IS THE DATE BEVERAGE OF CHOICE WORDS NOELLE YONG
It hit me when I was asked for the eighth time if I wanted to go get a coffee. I don’t even like coffee. I’m partial to tea, green tea to be exact. Bubble tea, I like. Coffee? Unless you’re Keith Loh or John Ting, or some unpolished gem of a barista whose idea of a date include impressing me with latte art, spelling my name in perfect cursive, or creating a steamed milk caricature of my face. Getting asked out on a coffee date does not excite me one bit. I spent a semester in Sweden, a place where daily life is practically structured around coffee. Swedes dedicate a good portion of their day to having fika - a coffee break typically accompanied by a sweet bite or snack. In the student housing quarters I lived in, brewed coffee was there all the damn time. I’ve lost count of the number of times people have congregated in the living room for a coffee. If it is as they say, that caffeine keeps you awake, I couldn’t fathom why people deliberately chugged coffee at 11pm just to be social. Did they forget beer was an option? Hell, even hot chocolate made more sense to me.
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So why coffee? What kind of strange relationship-enhancing properties does it have? What kind of social situations demand coffee, and what experiences might be heightened when coffee is a part of it? Here’s my take.
COFFEE IS CHEAPER THAN DINNER Because coffee is cheaper, the asker is paying a lower insurance premium for the same potential mishap - a bad date. If the date goes well, dinner might be on the menu too. And if it doesn’t, don’t worry! That date at the café probably didn’t set you back too much. However, some people think that coffee dates should not exist any more, because it reflects badly on the asker. It shows that he/she is a total commitment-phobe because a coffee date might seem to be as unimportant and transient as a one-night stand.
GRABBING COFFEE IS A “CASUAL” THING Café joints are sprouting up everywhere and everyone goes to one at least once or twice a month. It is less pretentious than a fancy dinner establishment and puts less pressure on both parties to impress each other. Therefore, you’re less likely to be rejected. Think about social interaction nowadays. We text, we snapchat and we reduce our personalities to a few lines on Tinder. A 2-hour sit-down dinner? With proper conversations and dining etiquette and fretting over outfits? Too much effort! Nowadays we’re swiping left or right to faces of people we’ve never seen. We’re liking strangers’ pictures on Instagram. We don’t bother with formalities when meeting new people digitally is so much easier and less stressful. And it’s the same with formal dinners and casual coffee dates.
“COFFEE” ISN’T JUST LIQUID CAFFEINE Just like how you’re a reflection of the drinks you order at the bar, getting a casual midday coffee assumes you’re laidback, not desperate. Ideally this coffee date takes place before nightfall. It’s silly to do coffee runs or dates in the middle of the night because that might potentially disrupt your sleep routine. When you say yes to a coffee with someone, you assume it’s probably not going to be the last thing you do before bed.
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