Kiss My Culture

Top 10 Things to Do This Week (Sep 12-18)

Yayoi Kusama Exhibition “The Dots Within”
ION Art l Free
Sep 12-Oct 2, 10am-10pm

82 years old avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama is an obsessive artist, and has created masterpieces through this particular nature. Famed for her polka dot works, her hallucinations and severe obsessive thoughts have been her only source of inspiration.

Through her suffering, Yayoi expresses herself through her art form, creating a myriad of work on canvas, print and ceramic demonstrating her unquestionable ingenuity. “The Dots Within” showcases her works from the 70s up to the present, giving you an opportunity to journey and unravel the mind of a legendary living artist.

24th Singapore International Film Festival
Shaw Lido l Opening film: $30, Closing film: $20, 3D films: $14, All other films: $10
Sep 15-25, multiple timeslots

For 10 days, treat yourself to an emotive and visual spectacle in the 24th edition of Singapore’s most renowned and longest-running cinema event. Featuring films, documentaries, short films and animations -some of which will be debuting in Asia for the first time- this year’s festival will take it up a notch with a whopping 144 feature films; 57 more from last year.

With a huge selection of films, filmgoers will get a chance to explore more of the perceptive sights and sounds of the world and the depth of human qualities, justifying SIFF’s aim to ‘watch different’. The festival completes its draw with various workshops for budding filmmakers and paying tribute to Asian filmmaking in The Silver Screen Awards, held on Sep 23.

Avalon Grand Opening
Avalon l $43 from TicketBooth
Sep 16, 9pm

Located at the Crystal Pavilion over at Marina Bay Sands, the 17,000 square feet of Avalon finally opens its doors after a long wait. To kick start their gear heading towards their much-anticipated 4-day Singapore Grand Prix week offering, The Strokes’ guitarist Nick Valensi and singer-songwriter and visual artist Devendra Banhart will feature. Be the first to experience what the hype has been all about.

[Pick of the Week] Worldwide Festival Singapore ‘11
Zouk, Avalon and Tanjong Beach Club l Check event for entry charges
Sep 16-18, multiple timeslots

The much-anticipated music festival is back with a stellar roster of both local and international acts. Held over 3-days at three different locations, the WF Singapore 2011 will be pushing the boundaries with more forward thinking music of the cutting edge variety.

Opening at Velvet Underground on Sep 16, MC Earl Zinger will join festival founder Gilles Peterson on the decks to spread some worldwide love. Local “live” act Octover, featuring the vocal prowess of Vanessa Fernandez together with Jason Tan, will also debut. Over at Zouk, British tastemaker Ramadanmann will be showcasing everything from acid house to ragga and dubstep. Together with residents Jeremy Boon, djB, JNR, Hong and Ming, the opening days looks like it’s going to be a banger. Cover charge for the night is at $30 inclusive of two drinks.

Next up, Avalon on Sep 17. Barely a day after their grand opening, the newest club on the block plays host to eight of the most sought-after DJs, producers and artists in the world. Featuring the debut of UK dubstep DJ Mala, the sultry and soulful vocals of Brighton singer Alice Russell, and London’s genre-defying DJ and producer Sam Shepherd aka Floating Points all bringing the British soundscape to our shores. More from German trio Brandt Brauer Frick sharing their unique acoustic dance music, Japanese DJ Shuya Okino from Kyoto Jazz Massive, and New York’s disco, funk and soul DJs Kon & Amir. And don’t miss the brilliant “live” play of funkman Jeremy Ellis, whose beat machine wizardry have left many awe-struck. Local stalwart Tony Tay will also be present to drop some of his fine selections. Advance tickets go for $30 and $5 more for tickets at the door.

The white sandy beach of Sentosa is the destination of choice for the WF closing party on Sep 18 held at Tanjong Beach Club. The 12 hour party aims to bid farewell to a massive festival with a grand salute. Singapore representative Mr. Has will be dishing some of his originals and carefully crafted selections. An eargasm of sounds awaits from Belgian DJ Lefto as he drops everything from reggae to dubstep and hip hop to bossa nova. Journey on through the styles of nu-jazz and soul from the Frenchman Sly Da Wise as he takes you on a aural high. If you didn’t get enough of Brandt Braeur Frick from their set at Avalon or MC Earl Zinger from his duties at Zouk, you can head here for another round of dopeness. Free entry because you are awesome.

Alesana ‘LIVE’ in Singapore
*SCAPE Warehouse l Early-bird: $45 (Limited to first 100 tickets), Standard: $65, At-the-doors: $80
Sep 16, 7pm

North Carolina’s post-hardcore band Alesana will debut their scream-a-minute, guitar blaring and double-paddling drums at the warehouse that is *SCAPE. Garnering critically-acclaim after their 2010 album release The Emptiness, fans of the band might want to look forward to some new materials taken from their yet to be released (slated for Oct 18) fourth studio album A Place Where the Sun Is Silent at their gig. Japanese hardcore band Crossfaith -one of the most-sought after bands in Japan- will also be sharing the stage with Alesana.

T’ang Quartet Presents Death of the Harlequin
Esplanade Recital Studio l $24-35
Sep 17, 7.30pm & 9.30pm

The critically acclaimed classical group, the T’ang quartet delves deeper into the experiences of life and death with a unique interpretation through their music. Each of the members will be sharing their take on the difficult topic with plays from the first movement of Schubert’s 12th string quartet to Peltoniemi Hintrik’s “Funeral March”.

The Resistance Movement. Street Art Revisited
Taksu Singapore l Free
Sep 17-Oct 8, 6.30pm-10pm

Exploring the subject of death and its impact on our culture, The Resistance Movement aims to express its findings through works by four top local artists. Curated by Razi Razak’s Statement, the exhibition features works from talented street artists Mazlan Skope, Eman ClogTwo, Speak Cryptic and OneTwoDelta.

Moguai
Zouk l $25-30 includes two drinks
Sep 17, 10pm

The German DJ-producer is all up in the big league having been in the act for more than a decade dishing out his distinctive proggy numbers. A member of the rodent deadmau5’s mau5trap imprint, he has gone on to release his debut album We Ar Lyve and further prior releases through the likes of Steve Angello’s SIZE Records, Skint and his very own Punx label. The dancefloor over at Zouk is expected to be exceedingly chaotic judging from ravers’ reaction wherever he has played from Europe to America and Asia.

You Say Party We Say Rave Ft. Kurt, The LKF, Shawn Livewire & Zushan
Fash, Butter Factory l $23-28 includes two drinks
Sep 17, 10pm

The YSPWSR gang of merrymakers get together for a night of spellbinding aural mayhem. Kurt, The LKF, Shawn Livewire and Zushan are all known for their discerning taste through a spectrum of musical genres. All to establish the fact that they don’t throw just another party, but a rave meant to rape your eardrums and bear shameless dancing foetus in the wombs of your mind.

Special preview of “Avalon Boys” with guest Junior Vasquez
Avalon l $18 includes one drink
Sep 18, 10pm

“Juniorites”, that’s the term coined for the loyal fans of DJ Donald Paul Mattern aka Junior Vasquez. Having garnered much respect for his distinctive musical styles, personality and impact he had on New York’s nightlife scene since the early 80s, Junior is considered one of the most prominent DJs in the city. Helming the decks in legendary clubs like Sound Factory, Tunnel, ArenA, Pacha and The Roxy, the openly gay jock is not one without controversy having released the infamous “If Madonna Calls” in ’96 that caused an end to their professional relationship.

Junior will be accompanied with a debut by the Avalon Boys featuring local DJs Leonard T, Andrew Tang and Roy from Home Club in a night that sets itself to be a glamorous hotbed for the gay community in Singapore. This is a preview of things to come as the official launch of the Avalon Boys at Stardust Sunday will be on Oct 2 and every Sunday thereafter.