What’s on SGP: Best Things to See, Do, Eat, Drink on March 23-29, 2023

Ahh, another week is upon us, and you’re looking for cool things to get up to in Singapore! We’ve saved you the hassle with The Beat Singapore’s rundown of the best places to hit up and things to do right now—from blink-and-you'll-miss-it pop-up sights and new restaurant openings, to the hottest activities that you shouldn’t miss. 

To keep your finger on the pulse of the city, follow The Beat Singapore to see what’s best in store for the week ahead.  

1. NUS Baba House Weekday Heritage Tours - March 23-29

Have you ever been to the National University of Singapore (NUS) Baba House? This three-storey townhouse, which is part of the NUS Centre For the Arts, was built in 1895 and was the ancestral home of the Wee family of Peranakan Chinese descent. This heritage dwelling houses the Straits Chinese Collection, which comprises more than 2,000 antiques, from furniture, porcelain, and photographs to books, paintings, appliances, and more. If you wish to learn more about the beautiful history of this place, you can opt to go on an hour-long adventure with the NUS Baba House Weekday Heritage Tours this week until the next.

When: 10 AM-11 AM, March 23, 24, 28, and 29

Where: NUS Baba House, 157 Neil Road

How much: Free for citizens and permanent residents, students, NUS staff and alumni, and ICOM and Museum Roundtable members; S$12.38 for others via Eventbrite.

2. Fair For All: An All-Day Open House

Don't let Women's Month pass without participating in events to commemorate this special day. AWARE, Singapore's leading gender equality advocacy group, is holding an all-day block party this weekend for members of the collective and those who want to be engaged in gender equality work. "Fair For All" will feature mini workshops, a panel discussion on gender and climate activism, artisan booths, and a "free market" for you to trade preloved items. Don't hesitate to bring your friends with you to the event!

When: 10:30 AM-5:30 PM, March 25

Where: AWARE Centre, 5 Dover Crescent #01-22

How much: Free

3. Retro Carnival@Melba

This one-stop retro-themed event is the place to be if you're itching to get your hands on vintage clothes, records, antiques, and more. Café Melba has collaborated with Vintage Flea Market by The Retro Factory to bring you its first ever retro carnival. It's the perfect event for the family, with live entertainment, chow, and drinks to keep the grownups preoccupied, while activities at Camp Rockit and bouncy castles will keep your tots busy. Other activities you can expect are face painting, a barbecue and pop-up bar, a pizza-making session, and more.

When: 11 AM-9 PM, March 25

Where: Café Melba, 90 Goodman Road, Goodman Arts Centre, Block N #01-56

How much: Free

4. Singapore Cat Festival 2023

Cat lovers, you're in for a treat. This weekend, Singapore's only cat-exclusive event has pulled out all the stops to celebrate all things feline. Whether you're a cat mom or dad or just someone who's looking to get or adopt a pet cat, the festival will feature brands, other cat owners, and veterinarians ready to answer your cat care questions. There will also be workshops and adoption drives throughout the two-day event.

When: 11 AM-9 PM, March 25-26

Where: Great World, Level 1 Atrium & Office Lobby, 1 Kim Seng Promenade

How much: Free

5. '21st Century Girl' Screening

The Women Make Film Festival opened to the public last March 8 on International Women's Day and will screen films until April 2. One of the screenings you shouldn't miss is "21st Century Girl," an omnibus feature showcasing the work of 15 Japanese women directors below 30 years old. Each woman submitted an eight-minute film tackling themes like gender, sexuality, and love. "21st Century Girl" has limited screenings, so make sure you secure a ticket!

When: 8:30 PM, March 25,

Where: The Projector, 6001 Beach Road, Golden Mile Tower, #05-00

How much: S$15 for a standard ticket

6. Mini Japan Fair

Want to have a taste of Japan in the city-state? Don't miss out on Crane's Mini Japan Fair beginning this Friday. While nothing can beat the real thing, this event is the closest thing you'll get to experience Japanese culture without dropping serious money on plane tickets. Organised with Japanese goods importers Ottoson and Ichi, this fair will bring in an array of Japanese snacks and foods from the Nagasaki prefecture, specially flown in just for this event. You can also look forward to a delectable menu of Japanese-inspired drinks and desserts by Orange Mocha.

When: 11 AM-7 PM, March 24-April 2

Where: OCBC Bank Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Road, ##04-01

How much: Free

7. 'Eating Heritage Through Time' Lecture

Interested in food heritage? Don't miss out on this lecture by Dr. Kelvin E.Y. Low, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore's Department of Sociology and Anthropology. This morning lecture, which draws from Low's past and current research, will tackle how lived experiences and habits surrounding eating and cooking change through time.

When: 11 AM-12 NN, March 27

Where: Asian Civilisations Museum, Ngee Ann Auditorium at Basement, 1 Empress Place

How much: Free

8. ‘Revive Your Tired Soul with Sound & Reiki Session’

Bogged down by the stress of daily living? This sound and Reiki energy healing class by Crane may be up your alley. This session with two different practices can help improve your mental, emotional, and physical health through "therapeutic tones and frequencies" to help you relax, reduce your anxieties, and find your centre. As the space is limited, it's advised you book your tickets early. This class is perfect for practitioners of all levels; no meditation experience is required. You may get your tickets via Eventbrite.

When: 7:30 PM-8:45 PM, March 29

Where: Crane Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Road, 01-11

How much: S$80-S$84.86

9. ‘So March to Eat’ Dining Deal

Pan Pacific DISCOVERY members, here's a dining deal you can't pass up on. If you're a sucker for gastronomic experiences with friends, the Pan Pacific Hotels Group's "So March to Eat" offer allows one patron to dine for free when with three paying adults for the hotel groups' lunch and dinner buffets. Participating restaurants include PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay's Peppermint, Pan Pacific Singapore's Edge, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering's Lime, PARKROYAL on Beach Road's Ginger, and PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road's Spice Brasserie. Go here for more details.

When: Until March 31

Where: Multiple locations

How much: N/A

10. Lavender Bloom Afternoon Tea Set for Two

Celebrate womanhood with a special afternoon tea set at The Marmalade Pantry this March. This particular set was made specifically for International Women's Day, featuring purple-hued treats like blackcurrant macaron, purple mashed potato croquette, prawns with blueberry feta on purple potato chips, and so much more! It also comes with two pots of tea from Singaporean brand Monogram Tea for you to enjoy.

When: Until April

Where: Select The Marmalade Pantry outlets

How much: S$78 for two 

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