Virtual gigs are great, but let’s face it: we’ve missed watching actual concerts. Now here’s not one, not two, but six (safe distanced) concerts happening in January and February. The ALI!VE concert series at Capitol Theatre features a slew of homegrown musicians, with a different genre of music taking centrestage each night. Of course, safe distancing measures are in place, so there’s a maximum capacity of 250 people per show. 

·       Jan 21: Vol 1, featuring Art Fazil, Hyrul Anuar, Rahila Rashun, Jive Talkin’. Tix at $58.

·       Jan 22: Vol 2, featuring Jeremy Monteiro & Friends. Tix at $88.

·       Jan 23: Vol 3, featuring Joi Chua. Tix at $118.

·       Jan 30: Vol 6, featuring Fariz Jabba, MHC, THELIONCITYBOY. Tix at $58.

·       Feb 5: Vol 4, featuring Sherman Zhuo, Tien Chong, Relyne Ban, Wilson Huang, Cherelle Tan, Marcus Lee. Tix at $58.

·       Feb 6: Vol 5, featuring Jimmy Ye. Sold out.

What: AL!VE VOL 1, 2, 3, and 6
When: Jan 21-23, 30 & Feb 5-6.
Where: Capitol Theatre, 17 Stamford Rd.
Tickets: Prices start at $58. Available at Sistic. More info at https://www.facebook.com/IMCLiveGlobal/.

The Supertree Grove light and music show, aka Garden Rhapsody, returns in full force on Jan 8. The 15-minute show returns to its original timeslots of 7.45pm and 8.45pm every evening, and admission is free. The show was on hiatus from April to September last year due to circuit breaker measures, with a pared down version with soft lighting and background music taking place since September. With the full version returning Jan 8, musical soundtracks and light choreography will change often, with 10 shows planned for 2021. Safe distancing ambassadors will be on standby to ensure that visitors are keeping a good distance from each other, are wearing masks at all times and aren't congregating in large groups.

What: Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay
When: From Jan 8. Free admission.
Where: Supretree Grove, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens.
Tickets: Free admission. More info at www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/whatson.

Over 100 programmes — both digital and physical — will be happening at the ninth edition of Singapore Art Week from Jan 22 to 30, staying true to this year’s central theme, ‘Art Takes Over’.  This year’s extravaganza will feature the largest number of commissioned works to date, including over 40 projects by Singapore-based artists and curators.

Among this year’s highlights are the festivities at Bras Basah Complex, where 10 art galleries come together to present a diverse collection of Chinese ink art by way of guided tours, art demos and talks. Light to Night Festival (above, and main pic) also returns to the Civic District, illuminating spaces such as the Asian Civilisations Museum, The Arts House, Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.

What: Singapore Art Week
When: Jan 22-31
Where: Online and various locations.   
Tickets: Admission is free. More info at http://www.artweek.sg/.

Otah & Friends is an immersive pop-up experience that takes you into the fantasy world of a clan of cartoon otters who live in candy-hued homes and bake cookies in their spare time. Happening until Feb 26, 2021 at Gardens by the Bay’s Bayfront Plaza (a stone’s throw away from the Orient Express pop-up, by the way), Otah & Friends is a 45-minute jaunt that takes you through the whimsically delightful 2,500 sqft home of Otah the otter.

Read more about it here.

What: Otah & Friends
When: Dec 15, 2020 to Feb 26, 2021, 9am-9pm daily.
Where: Gardens by the Bay, Bayfront Plaza, 18 Marina Gardens Drive.
Tickets: From $12. More info at www.otahandfriends.com/.

Once Upon a Time on the Orient Express, a pop-up exhibition featuring two original Orient Express train carriages and other heritage items, is now at Gardens by the Bay. The 2,000sqm attraction runs from Dec 12 to Jun 13, 2021. Singapore is the first place in the world outside of France to showcase the Orient Express. While travel is off the cards right now, you can now pretend you’re in another place and space when you hop aboard the exhibition. The exhibition features two original train carriages (which are official National Treasures of France, mind you) hundreds of heritage items from its heyday, and even a café and Michelin-starred restaurant and lounge.

Read more about it here.

What: Once Upon a Time on the Orient Express
When: Dec 12, 2020 to June 13, 2021. Open Mon, Tue, Fri, Sun 10am-9pm; Wed, Thurs 10am-7pm; Sat 10am-10pm.
Where: Gardens by the Bay, West Lawn (next to Bayfront Plaza).
Tickets: From $25 (free for children below three years old). More info at www.orientexpressexhibition.com.

Put your sleuthing skills to good use now in Murder at Mandai Camp: The Case Reopens, an upcoming virtual horror mystery gameplay experience. Think of it as a play combined with an escape room experience, except that it all happens online. The story centres around an unsolved case of the murder of an NS recruit at Mandai Camp. The case has been reopened by a CID officer (played by Benjamin Kheng), and viewers have 90 minutes to help him solve the mystery. Anyone who cracks the case will also stand a chance to win $1,000 — yes, in real life.

More details here.

What: Murder at Mandai Camp: The Case Reopens
When: Until Jan 16, 8pm to 4am.
Where: Wherever you are— it’s a digital event.
Tickets: $20. Available at Sistic. More info at https://www.thefuturestage.com/launch.

Photos: Gardens by the Bay, IMC Live Global, Singapore Art Week, Alvin Teo/8Days.sg, Lionel Lai/8Days.sg.