25th Estate: This Is Where We Live (4th Estate)

Never a Loner is an exhibition of original life size artwork with ink and brush on rice paper by moof. 4 Feb-4 Mar at Woods in the Books, 58 Club Street.

Someday, Samsara has been developed in the Writers’ Lab by dramaturg, Robin Loon and playwright, Bryan Tan.  It will be performed by Anjana Srinivasan. In Someday, Samsara, Sandy has been sent to hell but what greets her are the Ten Courts of HELL. As she travels deeper into hell, she comes face-to-face with the mythological Niu-tou (Bull) and Ma-mian (Stead) guardians of hell, her loves, her hates and her past. This monologue is a piercing yet humourous look at life, death and going to court. Love Gravy has been developed in the Writers’ Lab by the dramaturg, Robin Loon and playwright Peggy Ferroa.  It will be performed by Serene Chen. In Love Gravy, there are three generations: Two mothers, two daughters and one pot of braised pork. This monologue is a lighthearted and ingenuous look at the generation gap and the struggles for independence and continuity. The story revolves around a family recipe for braised pork: mothers and daughters doing their best to do right by each other and by themselves. 7 Feb, 3pm at Marine Parade Library (278 Marine Parade Road). Admission is free. Call 6737-7213 or email tworks@singnet.com.sg to register. Click here for more info.

ON BEING is a dialogue series by BooksActually featuring visionaries who discuss their lives, influences, and art. Moderated by Dr. Gwee Li Sui. SUCHEN CHRISTINE LIM is the inaugural recipient of the Singapore Literature Prize for her novel, Fistful of Colours (1992). Her fourth novel, A Bit of Earth (2000), and a collection of short stories, The Lies That Build A Marriage (2007), were short listed for the same prize. A co-authored play, The Amah: A Portrait in Black & White (1986) and a children’s book, The Valley of Golden Showers (1978) had also received prizes. Rice Bowl is her first novel. A Fullbright Fellow in the University of Iowa’s International Writers’ Program, Suchen has held several writing residencies overseas including International Writer-in-Residence, University of Iowa; University of Western Australia; Moniack Mhor Writer’s Centre, Scotland; and Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines. Born in Malaysia, Suchen lives in Singapore but divides her time between Singapore and writing residencies abroad. Currently working on a novel, two of her books for children will be published this year.  5 February, 7.30 pm at BooksActually, No. 86 Club Street.

If you have ever dreamed of wielding a heavyweight DSLR with extra large zoom lens among the best of photographers in a concert arena, this is where you start. Learn the basics of taking good quality pictures of live-playing acts in a session with experienced shutterbug Aloysius Lim. He will take participants through the do’s and don’ts of gig photography: from recommended camera equipment to technical tips and tricks for shooting concert performances. The session will also include a segment on live music etiquette and a critique of participants own photographs (limited to five works each). Some basic knowledge of camera-work will be useful for this workshop. 6 Mar, 2pm-4pm at The Esplanade Rehearsal Studio.

Being the first Singapore female singersongwriter to be invited to the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival, this will undoubtedly be Inch Chua's biggest platform to perform to date. However, the road to Austin, Texas is fraught with difficulties as she faces the uphill task of raising the funds to undertake the trip. The amount required for the trip is huge for a struggling performer. It is very heartwarming that her friends and peers in the Singapore independent rock scene have bandied around to help her cause. Bands performing genres as diverse as post-hardcore to indie rock will come together to perform a special acoustic show in support of Inch and her dream of performing at the SXSW Festival. Acts like A Vacant Affair, BQuartet, Caracal, Plainsunset and more will be taking a break from their usual boisterous rock'n'roll to showcase a gentler side of their music. 5 Feb at 15 Minutes Café, La Salle College of the Arts. Cover: By donation.

An entire week of short film screenings every night showcasing all Singaporean short films produced in 2009! The Singapore Short Film Awards will re-cap all that's happened in the Singapore short film scene in 2009! It'll be a screening for posterity's sake, nostalgia or just for the heck of experiencing a slice of yesteryear on film. There will be screenings, awards, winners and prizes! Who will walk away with the best film, best director, best actor, best cinematographer, best art direction, best technical, best editing and best script? 25-31 Jan, 7-10pm (Mon-Fri) 11am-10pm (Sat-Sun) at The Substation. Free Admission.

Come relive a part of Singapore’s local music history at the official +65 Indie Underground concert at the waterfront with TypeWriter, and also introducing two new bands with musicians featured on the critically acclaimed CD compilation of Singapore indie music from 80’s to the present: Interlude (Livonia/Liquid Stardust) and Shelves (Suchness/Livonia/Leeson). 5 Feb at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre. 7.30 - 8pm: Interlude, 8.45 - 9.30pm: Shelves and 10 - 10.45pm: TypeWriter. Free admission.