City buzz
BT writers' picks of what to see, do or talk about
TOO HOT TO HANDLE?
DINING
Chilli Pomelo Crab Challenge
THINK you can handle the heat? Then you may want to take part in Blue Lotus Chinese Eating House's Chilli Pomelo Crab Challenge. The dish comes in various levels of spiciness but for the challenge, the spice level has been set to 10. The chilli crab is usually served at spice level one.
Participants must finish 600g of crab, buns and gravy in under five minutes to win. The participant's name and timing will then be placed on the Blue Lotus Chilli Pomelo Crab Wall of Fame and the top five fastest contestants will be invited back to compete for the crown of the Blue Lotus Chilli Pomelo Crab Conqueror in September.
All participants will receive a Blue Lotus Certificate of Completion and the top three winners will win dining vouchers worth S$100 to S$500.
Those who are too chicken to take on the challenge can have the crab for S$48 at their own spice level.
Those who are able to complete the level 10 challenge in under five minutes will get their crab free.
By Tay Suan Chiang
VISUAL ART
Interaction Series by Lakshmi Mohanbabu
AN architect and fashion designer by training, Lakshmi Mohanbabu created the Interaction Series of artworks (including the one at right) which comprise paintings inspired by the concept of the mandala, which she then pairs with their sculptural versions.
In Indian religions, the mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol representing the universe. In its complex or simplified forms, it is regarded as a microcosm of the whole universe.
Mohanbabu's interpretation of the mandala "encompasses the world that extends both beyond and within our body and mind ... and represents an integrated view of the world, transcending all religions and continents," she says.
"The ascending spiral grows upward while simultaneously returning again and again to the same point, reminding us that we are a part of its intricate design," she explains.
By Helmi Yusof
YELLOW RIBBON PROJECT
Art exhibition and community run
IF you believe in second chances, check out the Yellow Ribbon Community Art Exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum's Level 3 gallery. The exhibition was launched on Aug 18 and will run until Sept 4. The exhibition was introduced in 2007 for inmates to express their hopes, dreams and aspirations through contemporary artworks. This year's exhibition, themed From Night to Light, will feature 81 artworks in various mediums (such as Walking Towards the Light, right top, and Flight of Liberty, right below) by inmates and ex-offenders.
The Yellow Ribbon Project will also hold its Yellow Ribbon Prison Run on Sept 4 in the Changi area. Runners will have the rare chance to pass through historical sites including Changi Prison, Singapore's newly gazetted 72nd national monument. There will be a competitive run, a fun run, and a carnival which will be open to public. The carnival will be open to the public from 8.30am at the Changi Prison Complex. More information can be found at yellowribbonprisonrun.sg. Proceeds will go to the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which supports rehabilitation and reintegration programmes of ex-offenders, their families and their children.
By Cheah Ui-Hoon
DINING
New menu at Gallery & Co
THERE'S a new menu at the National Gallery Singapore's retail and F&B space Gallery & Co, showcasing the flavours of contemporary Singapore and designed by local chef Anthony Yeoh, who heads the rustic French restaurant Cocotte.
This multicultural all-day-dining menu uses locally-sourced ingredients wherever possible, and some signature dishes include otak otak tacos (S$17, below) made with in-house otak, corn salsa, chopped herbs, with chilli aioli in a tortilla; chicken dumpling soup (S$17) with quinoa, fregola, and chicken with sauerkraut dumplings; as well as crab and shrimp fritters (S$15) made with fresh vegetables, crab meat, prawns, and fried in a batter containing coriander, cumin, chilli and turmeric.
Gallery & Co is a project by the collective & Co, made up of Unlisted Collection's Loh Lik Peng, Foreign Policy Design's Yah-Leng Yu and Arthur Chin, and Luxasia's Alwyn Chong, and it consists of a bookstore, cafe, cafeteria, bar, and retail store.
By Rachel Loi
FILM
Shin Godzilla
THE Japanese reclaim their favorite giant mutant lizard and show Hollywood how to make a monster flick with Shin Godzilla.
Released domestically in late July, it has been smashing box offices back home and is on track to become the most successful film in the franchise. Shin Godzilla's haul can only get bigger with its impending international release. The film makes its way to Singapore cinemas next week.
Made by Toho - the original studio behind the franchise - this reboot is the first Japanese Godzilla film in 12 years and the 29th in the series which began in 1954.
Anime fanboys will be pleased to know Shin Godzilla also reunites directors Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, who previously worked together on the popular Neon Genesis Evangelion series.
By Dylan Tan
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