Five things to do this weekend (Jan 6-8)

Start the New Year off with the annual visual arts festival Singapore Art Week, or by trying out Singapore’s longest indoor waterslide.

Here are five things to do this weekend (Jan 6-8):

The 11th edition of Singapore Art Week (SAW) will take place from Jan 6 to 15. It features over 700 artists and curators, and over 130 programmes and exhibitions this year.

Headed by the National Arts Council, this year’s SAW will be held in five neighbourhoods across Singapore in museums, galleries, parks, community centres and in Peace Centre, one of Singapore’s oldest shopping malls.

Those who feel like testing their luck can take part in an interactive visual arts programme named Let’s Play Ball – Art That Fits in Your Palm!

Designed by studio Knuckles & Notch, the exhibit features 10 Gachapon capsule vending machines containing limited edition objects and collectibles created by 10 different artists.

Among the collectibles available are ceramic incense holders and timepieces as well as crocheted pieces and stuffed toys. There are a few variations of each item, and each has a  message that the artist hopes to convey.

A token to use the machines can be purchased at the front counter of Knuckles & Notch, with prices ranging from $50 to $70 for one play.

Those living in the East can now enjoy Singapore’s longest indoor waterslide, along with 10 new double-storey villas and urban hangout spaces at the HomeTeamNS clubhouse at Bedok Reservoir Park. 

First open on Wednesday (Jan 4), it features Singapore’s longest indoor waterslide at 114m at the Aqua Adventure centre located within the clubhouse.

Visitors can also experience Augmented-Reality (AR) bouldering walls and trampolines, a multi-level obstacle course and a net maze at the centre’s Action Motion digital active experience arena.

The clubhouse is located at 900 Bedok North Rd, Singapore 479994.

Reflect on contemporary topics and explore what it really means to be in the present at the Light to Night Festival 2023.

Also part of Singapore Art Week which runs from Jan 6 to 26, the festival by National Gallery Singapore features newly commissioned artworks by local and international artists following the theme of Here and Now.

Once you visit Padang Field, you will find immersive light and sound exhibits like Ephemeral, which displays colourful, larger-than-life bubbles that evoke a sense of childlike wonder and playfulness.

Another exhibit visitors may stumble upon is Hearing Padang, which consists of two curved structures with multiple holes allowing sound to travel from one end to another.

Both exhibitions will be open to the public until Jan 26.

Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit by collecting your own set of uniquely designed red packets from 39 participating museums, heritage institutions and galleries including Singapore Art Museum, National Library Singapore and the Singapore City Gallery.

These 39 designs are part of the National Heritage Board’s (NHB) Museum Roundtable Lunar New Year Hongbao Campaign, and themed after the Chinese zodiac animal for 2023 in front of the respective venues.

Alternatively, avid collectors can also purchase the Limited Edition Collector’s Album ($88), which will contain two full sets of all 39 Museum Roundtable red packet designs for the Year of the Rabbit as well as a special one in celebration of NHB’s 30th anniversary.

The Collector’s Album is limited to one purchase per individual. Interested buyers can collect or purchase their album at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall after pre-registering.

With Chinese New Year just around the corner, Starbucks is introducing new breakfast line-ups, desserts, goodies and seasonal beverages to cater to all taste buds.

If you’re looking to try out new festive treats, there’s four new types of Assorted Cookies from Starbucks, namely the Egg Almond, Black Sesame Egg, Walnut Crisp and Butter with Cashew flavours.

Starbucks’ Year of the Rabbit merchandise collection is also up for grabs, which features rabbit-themed tumblers, mugs, cups and accessories. 

The merchandise range from $26.90 for a mini Rabbit Bearista keychain to $62.90 for a 12oz Starbucks Checkered Glass Cup with Rabbit Infuser.