Welcome to Guru 's Gate Crasher, your ultimate guide to finding something fresh to do in this big city.
ART EXHIBITION
New show What will you leave behind? by Nino Sarabutra celebrates life through its inevitable intertwinement with death, represented by thousands of tiny skulls. It's on at Ardel's Third Place Gallery (Thong Lor Soi 10) until Mar 3. She spoke to us about it:
WHAT IS THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE SKULLS?
The skulls are there to make you realise you are alive! They were made by friends, family and strangers. As they made them they thought and talked about their life. What they told me was: "Don't wait!" You never know what is going to happen, when death will find you. If you think you have a capability or talent, show it now. If you plan to be a good person, do it today. Get on with life!
ARE YOU FORCING YOUR AUDIENCE TO FACE THEIR INEVITABLE FATE?
There is no such thing as fate: life is what you make it. But there is an end to life and thinking about this exposes what your life really is. Just because life is short does not mean it is not wonderful. What you are now is more important than how you die.
Most people forget they are mortal, that today only happens once. They behave like they just want to get through the day, rather than fill it with all they can. There are lots of ways to remind you that this is not true, such as skulls. Do they work for you? What are you going to do that will make this day valuable?
WHAT WILL NINO LEAVE BEHIND (APART FROM THOUSANDS OF MINI SKULLS)?
I hope I will have planted some questions in peoples' minds. Lots of people are scared to answer [the question posited by the show] - that is more interesting than anything. Why do they get out of bed in the morning? Is it just from habit? What will you leave behind? Tell me at www.ninosarabutra.com and you will end up in the show.
SINGAPORE LANEWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL
The biggest and best event for the region happens on Saturday (Jan 26), but you're going to have to travel for this one. The Singapore instalment of St. Jerome's Laneway Festival is probably the best spread of indie bands on one stage (well, two) that you could find in Southeast Asia at the moment.
Originating out of St. Jeromes Bar in one of Melbourne's many street-art-splashed laneways, the Laneway Festival quickly spread out across Australia and indeed now into Asia (third year now) because of its simple and direct priority to showcase decent music as well as its ability to recognise real talent before the rest of the world does.
Past performers include the likes of The XX, Cut Copy, The Avalanches - basically most of the who's who in the indie scene of the last six years, many of them before they were winning awards and headlining events. Last year's line-up brought Feist, M83 and The Horrors to our attention. This year's line-up is another showcase of talent, topped by Perth rockers Tame Impala who have blossomed their 60s psychedelic rock sound into something more enduring of late, and Gotye who is somebody that you will probably know from saying he's somebody you used to know. There's usually something for all live music fans on the diverse line-up. This year should be no exception, with even the endearing Kings of Convenience starting off proceedings for the day with their dorky musical musings.
It's normally very professionally run - no glitches, sound or security issues. But it's not the cheapest weekend away for a Bangkokonian. Still, it's much better value than the boutique Fuji Rock Festival in Japan and the best dose of indie music you're going to get in one hit all year in the region. Pack your bags and play lunch. Check Couchsurfer. See you there, so we can all convince them to include Bangkok on the tour schedule for next year.G
Venue is The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. Tickets are S$145, S$160 on the door and S$350 VIP. Music runs 12:40pm to 12:50am, alternating between two stages. Many flight options to Singapore. For more info, visit singapore.lanewayfestival.com.au.
