The Little Car Company x Tamiya Wild One MAX can hit a top speed of 30 mph and a max range of 25 miles on a full charge.
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If you want your own Penny Pelican to help haul your cargo, CW&T will make one for you with a lead time of at about 4 to 6 weeks.
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Franck Muller is issuing only 500 examples of the $12,000 Vanguard Encrypto Free The Money, Free The World limited edition watch.
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On 26 April, Singapore and Hong Kong announced that their Air Travel Bubble (ATB) would be launched on 26 May 2021, sparking an outpouring of joy from citizens starved for travel and exploration. Despite the stricter restrictions put in place, many are raring to finally venture out beyond their borders, explore new places and enjoy great local food. In that regard, Hong Kong has much to offer. One of the world’s most diverse restaurant capitals, Hong Kong’s many establishments offer a wide variety of food ranging from classic dishes to ground-breaking culinary innovations. As you begin planning your ATB itinerary, here are 10 restaurants in Hong Kong that every foodie should check out.
Man Wah
Located on the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, this is one of Hong Kong’s greatest fine-dining restaurants, and a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the (literal) high life. Man Wah attained its Michelin star with its contemporary interpretation of classic Cantonese dishes, packed with flavour and unpretentious refinement. Favourites here include the sautéed lobster, which is cooked in superior fish broth, creating a dish bursting with umami.
Sushi Zo
Given the how well-informed Hong Kongers are about sushi, it only makes sense that we include a restaurant serving the Japanese delicacy on this list. Sushi Zo is an omakase restaurant hidden in a discreet corner of Tai Kwan. The Michelin-starred restaurant hosts just two sittings of 12 guests every evening, serving up an 18-dish meal using the freshest ingredients air flown from Japan every day. Chef Fumio Azumi expertly prepares and presents each dish when it is at its prime, building his 18-item symphony.
The Chairman
The Chairman was named Asia’s best restaurant in 2021 by Asia’s 50 Best, and also attained its first Michelin Star just this year. Foodies have been flocking to the Cantonese restaurant since it first opened more than 10 years ago for their delectable dishes, crafted the best seasonal ingredients that nature has to offer. Many swear by the steamed whole flower crab, seasoned in aged Shaoxing wine and chicken oil for rich aroma and flavour.
Caprice
Within the Four Seasons Hong Kong sits a magnificent restaurant, adorned with crystal chandeliers and serving the best haute French cuisine in the city. Executive chef Guillaume Galliot masterfully cooks up a mouth-watering array of contemporary French creations using some of the greatest Asian ingredients available. Favourites here include the Hokkaido uni with mango and pan-seared scampi, Alaskan king crab laksa, and their renowned artisanal cheese board.
Guo Fu Lou
A favourite amongst many Hong Kong celebrities, Guo Fu Lou recently moved into its new premises at The Murray, serving up a menu of Cantonese fare created by chef Fook Lam Moon. Some of the most loved dishes in this one Michelin star establishment are the steamed lobster with egg white and Jasmine tea-smoked chicken.
Arbor
Helmed by chef Eric Räty, the forest-themed restaurant delivers unique Nordic-Japanese creations inspired by the changing seasons. Ingredients of the highest quality are sourced from all across the globe and turned into such dishes as the roasted Brittany pigeon, covered in special Okinawan sugar, and their signature brioche served with mentaiko and kombu infused butter.
Tate Dining Room
Famous for its experimental interpretation of Chinese cuisine, the restaurant, located in Sheung Wan, boasts has an inviting ambience that attracts food lovers from all walks of life. Chef Vicky Tate’s “Odes” highlight a single ingredient which is used in all dishes across their tasting menu. Their current Ode to Earth pays homage to Zen-inspired vegetarianism and uses ingredients such as white asparagus, spring bamboo shoots and greens from local farms.
Chaat
Unbeknownst to many, Hong Kong has a fairly large Indian population numbering around 38000 people. It is thus little surprise that Indian cuisine is gaining popularity in Hong Kong. Run by chef Manav Tuli, Chaat takes classic Indian street food and takes it to another level. Notable dishes include their classic lamb biryani and pork vindaloo which are nicely finished off with their warmly spiced golden chai masala.
Henry
This one is for our readers who love meat. Chef Nathan Green drew from his experiences growing up in the English countryside and American traditions to create a veritable smorgasbord of meat dishes. Featuring woodfire oven, charcoal grills, and even an in-house butcher, you just know that the dishes here will “meat” your expectations. Apart from a wide selection of steaks, Henry also serves an impressive cornbread soufflé with ice cream, bacon bits, and bourbon caramel for a delectable salty-sweet finish.
Hansik Goo
This Korean restaurant is run by the culinary genius behind Seoul’s two-Michlin-starred Mingles, chef Mingoo Kang. Its name is a play on words referring to a family that shares meals together as well as the chef’s name. The menu revolves around novel takes on Korean classics made using ingredients sourced directly from Korea. Their eight-course menu features favourites such as bugak inspired by temple cuisine, samgye risotto, and barbecued meats.
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Strategic placement of LED lighting gives the Cabin of Hope a surreal glow among the lush forest behind it as well as on the water.
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The Chocolate Planets would make a fine present for the Astronomy geeks you know and a great treat for kids who have a budding interest in the study of our solar system.
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The BLUETTI EP500 Pro is the ultimate off-grid and backup power station with its 3000W continuous power load capacity. It supports solar charging, Photo Voltaic input, and connects to your home circuit for 24/7 UPS backup protection.
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Historically, a home with many different rooms was a sign of wealth and affluence. One need only compare the medieval castles built for noblemen and the small cottages which the lower castes called home. These large, imposing dwellings were separated into multiple rooms with specific purposes such as dining hall, kitchen, and servant’s quarters. In comparison, a commoner’s home was smaller and had rooms serving shared functions, such as both kitchen and dining area. Post-WWII however, the trend for home design seems to have been reversed with open floor plans and multifunctional rooms being the more desirable option. In the following paragraphs we will examine the global shift in favour of open concept homes and its place in modern society.
First off, it would be useful to define what we mean by open concept or open floor plan. Essentially this refers to a floor plan which combines two or more rooms which would have been permanently divided by a wall or door.
As we mentioned before, homes with multiple single-function rooms, connected by hallways, used to be the norm for the upper echelons of society. Kitchens, in these traditional designs, were almost always tucked away in the back of a house. This can be attributed to the fact that it considered a service area rather one of socialisation. Till the 1950s, entertainment was considered a formal affair which called for the separation of guests from the hustle and bustle of such utilitarian spaces.
Fast forward to the present however, and several factors led to the rise in popularity of open floor plans. Firstly, society shifted towards a more casual attitude when entertaining guests. This went hand in hand with the more flexible layout of an open concept home which allowed greater space for guests to roam, improving the traffic flow. Many of these plans also centred around an open kitchen which would typically share space with the dining room, making it infinitely easier for culinarily-inclined hosts to interact with guests.
Secondly, the post-war years were marked by an increase in the number of families with young children. This created an increased demand for architectural designs which made it easier for parents or hired help to keep an eye on the children as they went about their day. Traditional designs with multiple, separate rooms made this difficult hence the rise of open floor plans where children could be more easily watched from any part of the home. The open spaces also offered the flexibility reconfigure their homes as the children grew and the family’s needs changed.
Larger families also meant rising population densities, further pushing out traditional home designs. The more practical open floor plans that encouraged multifunctional areas became the norm as space was at a premium. Efficiency became the driving force behind how we lived our rapidly urbanised lives, encouraging greater adoption of open concepts and their reconfigurable, multifunctional spaces.
One additional benefit of an open floor plan which greatly appealed to modern society was the amount of natural light that homes would receive. With fewer walls, light would be able to reach more areas of the home, especially when the open floor plan is combined with floor-to-ceiling windows which are gaining popularity with luxury homeowners. These design choices actually raise an interesting juxtaposition between the contemporary and historical homes of society’s upper echelons. Castles were designed in ye olden days as impenetetrable fortresses of stone and iron, with few windows and entrances to prevented unauthorised entry. This resulting interior spaces were thus largely cold and gloomy, devoid of warm natural lighting. Modern luxury homes on the other hand, tend towards open designs, utilising large floor-to-ceiling windows that maximise the amount of natural light shining upon its multifunctional living spaces. With the abundance of windows, it almost seems that modern homeowners want to invite passing glances into their homes, a stark contrast against medieval castles.
As working and studying from home became the new normal during the pandemic, home design professionals have noted a re-emerging trend towards formality in the home, with separate rooms making a comeback as the new environment necessitated designated spaces for privacy. It thus led some to proclaim the open floor plan a dying fad.
Architects, interior designers and real estate agents disagree however, stating that this is merely an evolution of the design. Though there is a greater demand for more privacy at home (one of the traditional cons of an open concept), the needs, outlined before, which contributed to its popularity still remain.
In particular, it remains the best method to maximise the use of space, which appeals to homeowners in both urban and suburban areas. Additionally, the home remains a place for family gatherings and social interactions which are arguably more important to strengthen familial bonds during these trying times.
Open floor plans have thus evolved to provide even greater flexibility which via the adoption of different home features such as extra rooms designated for work or study, multifunctional furniture, pocket doors, and sound-absorbing wall coverings. The possibilities are seemingly endless, limited only by the homeowner’s ingenuity and imagination.
While open floor plans may have some cons, such as less wall space for décor, less privacy, and increased tendency to look cluttered, the benefits far outweigh this as there is no better solution to combine multifunctionality with luxuriously contemporary aesthetics. With space at a premium all over the world, the transparency of open concept homes is likely to remain a popular design choice for many years to come.
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In celebration of International Jazz Day, we had the honour of interviewing Mrs Sandra Chang, the Board Director of the Jazz Association (Singapore) (JASS). As an avid jazz listener, Mrs Chang wants to bring her love for the music to a wider audience, hence, she aims to transform the city-state into a leading destination for jazz through her participation in JASS.
Ahead, we find out more about JASS and its pivotal role in elevating the jazz experience in Singapore… also, Mrs Chang shares about her favourite places to chill and indulge in the music.
Jazz Association (Singapore), also known as JASS, was founded in September 2016 with the aim of promoting the participation, engagement, and excellence of jazz in Singapore. In March 2017, we were accorded charity status in Singapore. Subsequently, JASS was approved as an Institution of a Public Character (IPC) from 23 November 2018 to 22 May 2021.
Our vision is to be a centre of excellence for jazz in Singapore, to bring the joy of jazz to people from all walks of life and across diverse communities, and to make Singapore a leading city of jazz.
Our mission is to play a strong part in lifting the Singapore jazz scene to new heights by:
We are celebrating our 5th anniversary this year. During the course of close to five years, the two orchestras, Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra (JASSO) and Jazz Association Singapore Youth Orchestra (JASSYO!), have gone around the world to perform at various prestigious international jazz festivals such as the EFG London Jazz Festival, the Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference in Reno, the JZ Shanghai Festival, the Thailand International Jazz Conference, the Borneo Jazz Festival, as well as the Singapore International Jazz Festival (or Sing Jazz) held in Singapore.
JASS also launched the Lion City Youth Jazz Festival among many other significant key events locally, such as Jazz It Up! A Jazzy Celebration of Chinese Songs (in collaboration with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC)) and the JASSO Pinnacle Concert, as part of our efforts to bring jazz to the wider communities and cultivate new audiences in Singapore. In response to the pandemic, we also quickly responded by rolling out numerous free online JASS@Home performances to bring respite to all locally and globally.
As JASS is a charity reliant on kind donations to sustain our work, we held the our inaugural fundraising jazz gala “Ella 100, Jazz Forever” in 2017 and followed up with “Some Enchanted Evening” in 2019. Most recently, we held the first-ever virtual jazz gala dinner in Singapore “Let There Be Love” which harnessed extended-reality technology to bring together a seamless performance featuring jazz diva Laura Fygi based in Amsterdam and our JASS Music Director Jeremy Monteiro and the JASSO Ensemble based in Singapore. It was wonderful being able to experience the support and love from our partners, supporters and donors alike, despite such uncertain times.
I am honoured to be working alongside a strong, committed and diverse Board comprising Dr Edmund Lam as Chairman, Mrs Susan Peh as Vice-Chairman, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi as Treasurer as well as Professor Jeremy Monteiro (who is also the JASS Executive Director & Music Director), Ms Karen Li-Mei Chan and Ms Sally Liew as my fellow Directors. JASS is also honoured to have Professor Tommy Koh as Patron and Mr Albert Chiu as Honorary Chairman.
Collectively, their strong leadership has guided JASS from its infancy to where it is today, and steadied us through the pandemic. Each of our board members brings to the table an array of unique perspectives stemming from their own diverse backgrounds, enabling JASS to stay ahead of the current arts scene and chart new territories with confidence.
As a jazz lover in Singapore, I am heartened that I can indulge my passion for jazz and be a part of this meaningful work that JASS does in its efforts to elevate Singapore jazz.
Preparations for the “Let There Be Love” gala started way back in 2019 as originally the plan was to hold a “live” gala in July 2020. Of course, with all things, it was disrupted by the pandemic but we were very grateful to the kind donors and supporters who expressed understanding and stayed the course with us as we turned our efforts to transform the event into a “virtual” gala. Over S$650,000 was raised through our first virtual gala dinner which is also Singapore’s first virtual jazz gala. In view of the very challenging climate, we are deeply grateful to our partners, supporters and donors for their unwavering support.
While there have been many lessons, I think the greatest is what our Guest-of-Honour Minister Edwin Tong said in his speech during the gala, which I believe resonated the most with us: “Life is a lot like jazz…it’s best when you improvise (George Gershwin).” When the pandemic hit, we really had to dig deep and lean on the spirit of jazz which is improvisation and creativity to keep our mission going.
While the experience of watching a virtual performance is not the same as that of watching a live performance, the virtual setting pushed us to think of creative ideas to make the whole gala experience an engaging one still. I would like to say that I felt we managed to deliver an amazing set of performances with the help of extended reality (XR). I remember being blown away by the performances, and being able to have the digital presence of international jazz diva Laura Fygi with us that evening was simply delightful.
JASS will remain steadfast in our work aligned to our vision and mission. We will continue to develop jazz education, excellence and outreach in Singapore, as well as strengthen cultural ties between Singapore and the rest of the world. We intend to expand the jazz arts community, advance education through scholarships, bring jazz to the wider communities, cultivate new audiences in Singapore through outreach activities, and support eligible local jazz musicians impacted by crises.
In the coming three to five years, we also hope to develop more programmes and performances that further utilise the platform of jazz to better reach out to the various segments of our community. For example, we will continue our efforts in youth development through the Lion City Youth Jazz Festival and scholarships, and inclusivity collaborations with Very Special Arts Singapore. We also wish to broaden the work we have done over the past years; for instance, in addition to “Jazz It Up! A Jazzy Celebration of Chinese Songs,” we are planning to widen the Jazz It Up! series by including Malay and Indian classics and giving them a jazzy treatment, through which we showcase Singapore’s musical heritage as a unique multi-cultural and multi-racial tapestry.
While it is difficult for us to provide an exact number, local jazz stalwart and Cultural Medallion recipient Professor Jeremy Monteiro (who serves as JASS Executive Director and Music Director), had shared an estimation with me that prior to COVID-19, there were about 10-20 large ticketed jazz concerts each year, and about 50 smaller ticketed or free shows a year at venues such as Esplanade Concourse, open-air stages or places like the Botanic Gardens.
Personally, I find the local jazz scene to be thriving as there had been many club gigs happening in jazz clubs, such as Maduro before the pandemic. Due to the pandemic, many performances and gigs have been affected as live performances were brought to a halt, but the measures are easing up gradually as we monitor the situation, and I have every confidence in our local jazz scene and in our musicians’ ability to adapt to the new norm.
I am heartened that jazz is a now a Music Elective programme in our secondary schools. In fact, during the JASS’ Lion City Youth Jazz Festival 2019’s finale concert, Guest-of-Honour Mr Ong Ye Kung, then-Education Minister, announced that the O-level music syllabus had been revised to include jazz to much applause from the audience.
There is also a degree programme at LASALLE College of the Arts, through which many of our past and current JASS Music Scholarship recipients are honing their art and building up critical knowledge and skills to be jazz musicians. The hobbyist of any age can also look for music centres and teachers who have the London College of Music graded jazz series, similar to the other classical graded programme offered by the Royal School of Music or Trinity College. Based on exchange of information with JASS Music Director Jeremy Monteiro, I understand that currently the London College of Music programme is the only one that has a Grade 1 to Grade 8 programme in jazz along with the Associate, Licentiate and Fellowship levels. And of course, there are good teachers in the local scene teaching jazz privately or in music schools such as Mei Sheum (private) and Jordan Wei (Raffles Music School) and several others. What I have shared is not exhaustive and it is also our hope and ambition as JASS that the local jazz scene will continue to thrive and deepen.
Pertaining more specifically to JASS, we also conduct several Jazz Appreciation Talks and Jazz Technical Workshops annually. For instance, the Jazz Improvisation for Classical Musicians workshop for the public to attend and learn more about jazz has been very popular. I attended one of the Jazz Appreciation Talks where I really enjoyed exploring and understanding the evolution of jazz from the early 1900s through to the present day under the guidance of JASS Executive Director & Music Director, Professor Jeremy Monteiro, and his musician friends, who provided delightful improvisations and performances of the genre’s milestones alongside a discussion on the different sub-genres of jazz, making it an interactive and engaging session.
One of our pillars is local youth-musician development and that is one of our main intentions behind the development of the Lion City Youth Jazz Festival (LCYJF), which was launched in 2017. Held annually, it is a week-long bandstand learning programme inclusive of rehearsals and workshops involving international jazz mentors, and it culminates in a ticketed finale concert featuring both these esteemed jazz mentors and our youth orchestra, JASSYO!. Mentors over the years have included Benny Golson, Randy Brecker, Lewis Nash, Carmen Bradford, Kenny Washington, Antonio Hart and more.
My favourite (Pre-Covid) places are,
MADURO – the location is ideal … small and intimate, you feel you are in a private room with the musicians.
& “COOL CATS”… it reminds me of jazz clubs in Europe and the USA. A very “chillout” atmosphere with jazz music.
Jazz has always been part of the chosen music repertoire whenever I am onboard a yacht in Europe, Asia or other parts of the world. But to date, I have not staged any jazz events on a yacht or by a marina. I must say, it is a WONDERFUL idea and collaboration to seriously contemplate as yachts, marinas and jazz go together hand in glove…. Nothing quite beats watching a beautiful sunset onboard, in a relaxed mode, with “Cool Jazz” playing in the background.
The one shining person in my life who has influenced me in my love for jazz is my late, older brother by 11 years. He introduced an “intoxicating” culture of jazz into our home. From a very young age, I was listening to Miles Davies, Dizzy Gillespie, The Russian Jazz Quartet, Dave Brubeck, Oscar Peterson and many such illustrious artistes and Jazz Greats. From then on, I honed my own love of jazz to the present day, attending concerts and jazz festivals around the globe. Jazz is now an essential part of my DNA.
The post In Conversation: Sandra Chang on Promoting Jazz in Singapore appeared first on LUXUO.
Although it's just an artistic rendering, we can only hope the PlayStation 5G ANESTHÉTIQUE édition inspires Sony to actually build one.
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Leave no surface uncleaned as the Dyson Omni-Glide features an articulating cleaner head that fits into spaces regular vacuum cleaners cannot.
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RM Sotheby's will be placing this remarkably exclusive 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG coupe electric drive for auction with an asking price of approximately $1,269,476.
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Play the games you missed out on in the past or introduce loved ones to the titles that made you childhood or even adulthood awesome with the Evercade VS.
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Anthony Vaccarello’s runway shows for Saint Laurent have always been known to be grand, spectacular and luring. And this knack for staging an epic show is widely known throughout the fashion world. For the French Maison’s latest Fall/Winter 21 collection, Vaccarello shakes up the bourgeoisie codes with glitzy ’60s-inspired looks in colours running the gamut of purple and pink, to red and brown. “It’s the shapes of the ’60s with the colours of the ’80s,” said Vaccarello in a statement.
The range was revealed through a cinematic film dubbed “Where The Silver Wind Blows,” with epic backdrops including majestic waterfalls, floating icebergs and precipitous cliffs. Vaccarello is not a stranger to this new medium of showcasing his collection for the Maison; ever since the pandemic has forced many other brands to rethink their marketing strategy, fashion films have become the beacon of hope for brands to stay connected with their fans. And for many, this opportunity to vicariously travel provides much-needed relief from the mundaneness of everyday life. This latest film is also a form of escapism for us living in Singapore, the drafty weather and the misty conditions surrounding the immaculately dressed models are a stark contrast to the sweltering heat here. We can’t wait to have a taste of winter again… decked in Saint Laurent no less.
Vaccarello has brought us on a trip to the desert where models strut along sand dunes, or have them parkouring in cities such as Paris, New York and Beijing for his Spring 21 menswear collection—we are always treated with a blockbuster presentation. Opening the show, a model in a silver bodysuit drapes a tweed jacket off the shoulders while adorning statement accessories including waterfall-shaped earrings, strasse bracelets and chokers with a four-leaf clover motif. The maximalist bijoux calls to mind the ‘80s while the way Vaccarello cuts his silhouettes is taken from the ‘60s where hemlines were short and fur-trimmed.
On speaking of the thought process behind the collection, Vaccarello said, “Serious matters push you to take other things less seriously, finding the balance while staying on the edge is a sophisticated aptitude.” However, one can’t help but wonder if the collection is subtly mocking the grandiosity of the landscapes with its skimpy dresses, inviting us to question what is the true definition of luxury. “I like to play with those limits,” said Vaccarello. “It’s very French to walk that line between the ‘good’ and the ‘bad.’”
Watch the full Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 21 show below:
All images courtesy of Saint Laurent.
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