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Discovering Singapore this SG50

Singapore’s National Day is just a month away, and it’s without doubt the best time to be here. The celebration of Singapore’s 50th year of independence naturally means that a flurry of activities revelling and celebrating Singapore’s heritage is going on, culminating in the National Day Parade on 9 August. Check out the best of what’s happening from now until National Day, and take advantage of the great deals around!


Check Out Local Music

The Museum of Independent Music, Singapore (MOIMSG) just opened on 1 May this year, and boasts of being the first museum of its kind. A curated space that showcases everything from Singapore’s musical history to current indie artistes, visitors to MOIMSG will be able to listen to bands from bygone decades such as Shirley Nair & The Silver Strings, who have experienced a resurgence of popularity of late due to the short film You’re the Boy embedded above. Released as part of SG50, this film features the distinctive vocals of local musician Weish and is sure to tug at your heartstrings.

Discover these artistes and more by dropping by 1B Aliwal Street; the closest MRT Stations are Bugis (EW12) and Nicoll Highway (CC5). MOIMSG is open from 1 to 7 pm from Tuesdays to Sundays.

If you can’t make it to MOIMSG but want a taste of Singaporean music anyway, Sing, Love, an album consisting of songs in a mixture of English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil, will be released and available for download on http://imclive-group.com/sing-love.html to commemorate 2015. Reflecting Singapore’s multi-cultural heritage, all songs will be progressively released through June, so check back regularly for updates!

Of course there’s plenty of live music too. Singapore is a garden city, and the numerous parks are playing host to a series of free public concerts! The next in the NParks’ SG50 Concert Series in the Park is at the Botanic Gardens from 7 to 9 August, but there’ll be more later on in the year:

  • Bedok Reservoir Park (26 September 2015)
  • Jurong Central Park (31 October 2015)
  • Gardens by the Bay (19 December 2015)

 


Watch Singaporean Cinema

While international blockbusters and arthouse films have their place firmly entrenched in the Singapore cinema scene, there’s an active production of films that are near and dear to the local heart. These films are generally set against backdrops that are familiar to Singaporeans – schools, HDB flats, national service or the neighbourhood coffeeshop – and genres can run the gamut from comedy to drama to horror (sometimes all within the same film!). Boo Junfeng, Eric Khoo, K Rajagopal, Jack Neo, Tan Pin Pin, Royston Tan and Kelvin Tong are all award-winning Singaporean filmmakers, and this year, they have come together to shoot and compile an anthology of short films for SG50.

Titled 7 Letters, this anthology comprises of seven “love letters” from each director to Singapore. Promising tales of lost love, identity, inter-generational familial bonds and tensions and more, 7 Letters will be released on 24 July. Keep abreast of latest developments at www.facebook.com/7Letters.sg.

For other heartwarming stories that are accessible from anywhere and to anyone with just an internet connection, visit the Singapore50 YouTube channel.

 


Go On an SG Heart Map Tour

Singaporeans from all walks of life were invited to contribute places that were close to their hearts to the SG Heart Map. Stories of why these places were significant were also added – and now, the crowd-sourced SG Heart Map has been completed and tours are open. Take your pick from the South-East, South-West, North-East, North-West or Central tours and experience little known facts about the SG Heart Map places, sample local dishes and take photos at scenic spots. Tours will be conducted on 27 & 28 June (Saturday & Sunday), 4 & 5 July (Saturday & Sunday) and 7 & 10 August (Friday & Monday) only. Places are limited, so sign up at www.heartmap.sg as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

 


Visit Sentosa for Free

You weren’t going to skip Sentosa while in Singapore, were you? Well, you can get free entry from now until 31 December 2015 to the fun-filled island at any time if you walk over via the Sentosa Boardwalk. If you’d rather take a taxi or drive in, entry is also free after 5pm on weekdays.

There will also be free guided tours around Fort Siloso, free entry into attractions such as the Wings of Time light show and even free cable car rides. Sentosa’s not just an island of fun – it’s also a site of great historical significance, as you’ll find out if you go on the Fort Siloso tour.

If you’re celebrating your birthday, head down to Sentosa on weekdays after 5 pm to get great discounts. Attractions such as Madame Tussauds Singapore, Skyline Luge and Combat Skirmish LIVE are offering discounts and freebies. Feeling peckish? Plenty of F&B outlets are offering flat discounts off your total bill, 1-for-1 deals on alcoholic drinks and even complimentary Maine lobster.

Check out http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/sg50/ for details and validity periods on these deals!

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