City buzz

MOVIE AND PICNIC UNDER THE STARS

CINEMA

Films at the Fort

GET a different kind of cinema-going experience - one complete with gourmet food and wine in an open-air setting - with the return of the fourth edition of Films at the Fort.

But the real highlight of this al fresco movie event, of course, is its tightly curated line-up of exclusive titles and works that might have slipped under the radar at the multiplex.

A total of 11 films will be showcased and one of the highlights is The Wolfpack, a surreal documentary about a family who home-schooled and raised seven children in their Lower East Side apartment in New York City. The kids never leave the house and occupy themselves by re-enacting scenes from their favourite movies.

The Wolfpack won the US Documentary Grand Jury Prize at last year's Sundance Film Festival.

Two titles that were given limited theatrical releases - the biographical The Man Who Knew Infinity, a Singapore-UK co-production starring Jeremy Irons and Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) as real-life mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, and French drama Mon Roi, directed by Maïwenn and starring Vincent Cassel - will also be screened.

Enjoy them with exquisite food like grass-fed beef burger (S$18.50), cheese platter to share (S$24.50), and home-made Valrhona chocolate brownies (S$4.50) that will be sold on-site.

Gourmet popcorn is also available in truffle and parmesan, and vanilla caramel flavours (S$5) to complete the cinema experience.

By Dylan Tan

CONCERT

Dick Lee Singapop! 60th Birthday Concert

AGE is but a number to veteran singer-songwriter, fashion designer and soon-to-be filmmaker Dick Lee.

He celebrates his 60th birthday a couple of days in advance with a solo concert that will kick off the inaugural Icon Series, a new platform set up by the Sing50 Fund to salute the best home-grown musicians.

The Fund originated from last year's Sing50 mega concert organised by The Business Times and The Straits Times to celebrate the country's golden jubilee and aims to preserve and celebrate the nation's music heritage by bringing it to schools and the wider community.

The concert will chronicle Lee's musical journey as he shares his trials and jubilation through songs and stories to inspire the next generation of young talents.

It is set to span four decades: from his teenage years when he took part in the Redifussion Talentime, the release of his debut album Life Story in 1974, his conquest of the foreign markets like Japan and Hong Kong with The Mad Chinaman, his foray into musicals like Beauty World, Nagraland, and Fried Rice Paradise; and the birth of his unique brand of Singa-pop.

Various special guests will appear in the show with Lee.

By Dylan Tan

THEATRE/CARNIVAL

House of Curiosities

THE Singapore Night Festival returns next week with top attraction House of Curiosities by acclaimed Singapore theatre company CAKE Theatrical Productions. The carnival-like event promises something for everyone - from funhouse mirrors and a create-your-own-clothes fashion show to a stage play about the adventures of mad Professor Chambers and his time machine.

Natalie Hennedige, the award-winning artistic director of CAKE, says: "House of Curiosities belongs to the steam-punk genre, which is all about the inventions and creativity inspired by the Industrial Revolution. The central story is that of Professor Chambers, a mad inventor who thinks he can animate any lifeless object using a mechanical heart."

If CAKE's track record is anything to go by, House of Curiosities will likely be a fun, whimsical and intelligent affair to please the adults as much as the kids.

By Helmi Yusof

DINING

Wagyu indulgence

If you love Wagyu, then you wouldn't want to miss two Wagyu dining promotions, coincidentally taking place at the two Pan Pacific hotels in Singapore.

Pan Pacific Singapore's Keyaki is bringing back its popular annual Wagyu promotion. On the menu this year is the lesser-known but fine-quality Iga beef, believed to be consumed by the infamous ninja warriors during wartime in the Iga region.

Iga city, located in Mie Prefecture, has long been known for producing high-quality cattle. A majority of the Iga Wagyu is produced for local consumption and not easily available outside Iga city. Keyaki is the first Japanese restaurant here to be serving this beef. Highlights on the menu include Wagyu Sashimi, Wagyu Teppanyaki, and Steamed Wagyu Beef on Rice. They are available both from the set and a la carte menus.

Over at Pan Pacific Orchard, diners can savour the rich flavour and tenderness of Omi Wagyu from Shiga prefecture. The beef is served in a shabu shabu style, in a milky broth. The Wagyu is available as part of 10 at Claymore's nightly buffet selection.

By Tay Suan Chiang

DINING

Indonesian cuisine showcase at Sheraton Towers Singapore

YOU may be familiar with classic Indonesian dishes like gado gado or beef rendang but prepare for something different when Sheraton Towers Singapore hosts guest chef John Sawarto to showcase a whole new contemporary style of Indonesian cuisine - made with high-quality ingredients and French cooking techniques.

Some highlights on the menu are his grilled Maine Lobster Gado Gado served with diced tropical fruits and vegetables, a Wagyu Beef Cheek Rendang where the meat is braised in spices and coconut cream for six hours, as well as the chef's own take on the Balinese crispy duck, except in the form of a crispy spiced duck confit.

Desserts are available as well, like a Chendol Panna Cotta with fresh mung-bean strands, Okinawa brown sugar and torched ginger sorbet.

By Rachel Loi