By The Way - Sleeping with the Merlion, Papaya Sisters and the LBD

There are lots of really fun cultural events taking place this month and beyond which caught our eyes. We picked out a few which qualify as must-go’s in our books!....

I’m all for local comedy theatre which has the undeniable ability to identify and connect with Singaporeans at our most fundamental, multiracial core, and appeals to our our inner (and fabulous) auntie. The “881 The Musical” by Toy Factory, which plays from 15 April - 1 May at the Esplanade Theatre, is a must go in our books. It takes audiences on an exhilarating journey through the lives of the Papaya Sisters who want to rule the ‘getai’ circuit with assistance from an intriguing celestial being. But their success is threatened by the entrance of the Angmoh Durian Sisters! Sung in Mandarin and unapologetically in Hokkien (with English subtitles), it promises great music, choreography and eye-popping costumes. The first time a local movie has been adapted for the stage, it features a strong cast that includes Joanna Dong, Judee Tan, Nat Ho, Sebastian Tan, Dennis and a creative team of Beatrice Chia-Richmond (In-theatre Director), Royston Tan (Creative Consultant), Elaine Chan (Musical Director and Conductor). Tix from $40.

www.sistic.com

Merlion Hotel

You know what they say about seeing an old familiar face from a different perspective?...So how about this? As part of the Singapore Biennale, Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi is turning the merlion into a luxury hotel suite as a one-of-a-kind installation piece! It will be open in the day for public viewing and in the evening for overnight stays. Crazy, huh? But that’s a new look at the merlion if ever there was one. Imagine waking up in the morning eye to eye with the merlion. Certainly beats buying a plastic merlion key chain!

The hotel is taking in reservations from now for one-night stays between 4 April and 5 May, for two adults at $150 nett. The hotel suite is fully furnished with a double-bed, bathroom, amenities, personalised room check-in, dedicated Merlion Hotel Butler as well as breakfast at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore! To spread the love and ensure no one hogs the fun, each person can only book a one night stay for two. Check in at 8.30pm and check out bright and early at 8.30am.

Merlion Hotel Reservations Tel: (+65) 6332 9870, between 10am – 5pm Mondays to Fridays. Reservations will only be confirmed on receipt of payment by the Singapore Art Museum.

LBD At The Museum

I didn’t know that the Little Black Dress has been around since the 1920s. Such an iconic wardrobe necessity, no wonder it’s become the stuff of museum exhibitions! If you want to see what fashionistas over the last century have been putting on for their cocktail parties, pop down to the National Museum in Singapore from 16 March – 13 June and see Beauty in Black, a showcase of 18 vintage LBDs from the 1950s to the 21st century. Designers include Balenciaga, Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld and Thierry Mugler, as well as local designers Benny Ong and Thomas Wee. Comprising acquisitions and donations, these dresses explore the colour black in today’s fashion! What to wear to the exhibition? Your own little black dress, of course!

The Balcony, Level 2

National Museum of Singapore

93 Stamford Road

- Ee Waun

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By The Way – Mr President, Handbag Set For You?

We all love prezzies, yes we do. We are all gracious people and appreciate it deeply when people buy us gifts – really we do. Whether breathtaking or ugly, thoughtful or ridiculous, in good taste or bad, we know it’s the thought that counts and we are so happy you went through the trouble. We know what to do with the ‘hits’ but honestly, gently, discreetly, what should we do with the ‘misses’? Eeek, and cringe.

After I poked about at the Singapore National Museum’s recently launched exhibition, Presidential Presents, I suspect the First Ladies, past and present, were often thrown in the same dilemma too.

From now until 9 January 2011, the exhibition displays 50 official gifts received by Singapore’s presidents from heads of states and dignitaries of various countries. They are particularly significant, the curator explains, as they are carefully chosen to symbolize the good relations between the countries and the heads of states, etc, etc…..

I hear – though admittedly unconfirmed – that the Istana was very keen to support this exhibition, and offered to loan the museum its entire collection of gifts. But I am told the museum politely decided to pick out only 50…..the nicest 50, of course.....(Sigh, First Ladies' dilemma you see.....)

All sparkly, and glittering and shiny, there were lots of gold things, bejeweled daggers and swords, silver tableware and boxes, punchbowls and tea sets (we can relate to that), beautiful Japanese porcelain and even what looked like a crystal kopitiam spittoon! What caught Madam’s eye? An amazingly intricate gold, diamond and emerald handbag set from Morocco’s King Mohammed VI to President Nathan, complete with lipstick and perfume holder, plus powder compact. (How strange!..) The 'most valuable artefact on display', this is a definite 'must-eyeball'! (Pictured at top but you can't see the diamonds in the pix - that's why you need to GO and see it.) I loved the chameleon-rich South African Ardmore kettle, the adorable pumpkin teapot from Vietnam (tiff image, so can't upload) and the giant seabass wooden salad bowl from Swaziland (below)!

If you’re in the vicinity, pop in. You'll probably take it all in within 15 minutes, but it's fun to see.....even if it’s just to see the blinged-out handbag set!

National Museum of Singapore

The Balcony, Level 2

Free admission

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