Looking for new places to explore or an eatery for a gathering with friends and family? Come admire art exhibitions (free admission), participate in art-related workshops, eat at a gorgeous café bistro with a green wall, enjoy a variety of food at a Halal buffet restaurant or explore Singapore’s history at a WWII heritage site. There are always new things to do and to try out in our parks.

Visual Arts Centre

Visual Arts Centre is a new arts recreational outlet that heralds the spirit of inclusive arts, with the aim of bringing visual arts to the masses. Nestled in the heart of the city, this charming art gallery offers free public exhibitions throughout the year. You can also participate in art classes of different genres, ranging from oil, to creative acrylic painting, as well as in drawing and sketching. The Centre held a soft launch earlier in 2016, featuring an exhibition titled "Nanyang Link with Huang-He Spirit". This was a collaboration between 15 established artists from Singapore, Malaysia and China. Expect more of such exhibitions by local and international artists!

Address	10 Penang Road, #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green, Singapore 238469
Operating hours	11 am – 8 pm (Monday to Sunday; closed on Public Holidays, except by appointment)
Contact	6255 0711 / 6733 2155
Email	visualartscentre.sg@gmail.com
Website	http://visualartscentre.sg/

The Providore

  The Providore café at Raffles Place is an ideal choice for the downtown crowd. It has office-friendly takeaway meals, dine-in lunches and light after-work bites. With its special selection of craft beers and wine on tap, it is also a great spot for a drink with indoor and outdoor seating.

Address	7 Raffles Place, Singapore 048625
Operating hours	8 am to 10:30 pm, last orders at 10 pm (Monday to Saturday) 9 am to 6 pm (Sunday and public holiday)
Contact	6533 1352
Email	hello@theprovidore.com
Website	http://www.theprovidore.com/

Re-opening: Sakura Restaurant

Looking for an affordable international buffet with a good selection of food and set in a lush green environment? Be spoilt for choice with up to 100 different varieties of Halal Japanese, Western, Oriental and local dishes available daily at Sakura International Buffet Restaurant located at Clementi Woods Park. For a fusion Japanese-Western wine-and-dine experience, head over to The Oaks’ Grill and Chill on the second floor of the same building. This is a brand new dining concept by the owners of Sakura, offering more diverse dining options to you.

	Sakura Restaurant:	The Oaks’ Grill and Chill:
Address	93A Clementi Road, Clementi Wood Park, Singapore 129781	93A Clementi Road, #02-01, Clementi Wood Park, Singapore 129781
Operating hours	12 pm to 3 pm, 6 pm to 10 pm (Monday to Thursday) 12 pm to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm (Friday) 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm (Saturday and Sunday, eve of public holiday, public holiday)	5 pm to 10 pm (Daily)
Contact	6474 8197	6778 0414
Email	feedback@sukigroup.com.sg
Website	https://www.facebook.com/sakurainternationalbuffet	https://www.facebook.com/theoaksgrillnchill/

Re-opening: Battlebox Heritage Site at Fort Canning Park

The Battlebox is a former WWII underground command centre located on Fort Canning Hill. On 15 February 1942, Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival made the fateful decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese inside this bunker. Today, Singapore History Consultants offers guided tours through the Battlebox, unveiling the true causes of the defeat surrounding the "worst disaster and largest capitulation in British military history". Find out how the Battelbox played a key role in WWII! Tour timings: 9.45 am, 11 am, 1.30 pm, 2.45 pm and 4 pm (Tuesday to Sunday); 1.30 pm, 2.45 pm and 4 pm (Monday)

Address	2 Cox Terrace, Fort Canning Park, Singapore 179622
Operating hours	Battlebox: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm (Tuesday to Sunday); 1 pm – 5.30 pm (Monday) Battlebox Visitor Centre: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm (daily)
Admission charges	$18 for Adult, $9 for Child (7 – 12 years). Children aged 6 and below and accompanied by an adult receive complimentary entry. Admission is inclusive of a guided tour.
Contact	6338 6133
Email	enquiry@battlebox.com.sg
Website	www.battlebox.com.sg

 

Mark your calendars for Pesta Ubin!

Pesta Ubin is a month-long Ubin Open House featuring community-led activities, celebrating the beauty of Ubin. Pesta, pronounced ‘Pays-ta’, is Malay for festival or party and is used to describe festivities that bring a community together, such as a wedding; or a cultural celebration. Photo credit: Ria Tan Featuring more than 30 activities starting from 14 May to 12 June 2016, Pesta Ubin has something for everyone. More details can be found at http://pestaubin2016.blogspot.sg/.