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New Bahru has been a work in progress for two years. But as of August, the former Nan Chiau High School and Tai Wah Garment Factory-turned-lifestyle hub has finally filled out its creative roster, with more than 60 brands now occupying its School and Factory blocks.
To celebrate, it is throwing a creative marketplace on August 28 and a two-day Open House on August 29 and 30, turning the whole place into one giant weekend party with live music, outdoor parties, food pop-ups, exhibitions, workshops, heritage tours and limited-edition merch.
But New Bahru isn’t just celebrating what it is now. The Open House also looks back at what came before. Developed with The Urbanist, Assembly is a two-hour guided heritage tour exploring the site's previous lives as Nan Chiau High School and Tai Wah Garment Factory. The route digs into the stories behind its classrooms, school hall, science labs and canteen, while pointing out the brutalist details that survived the site's transformation.
The Lawn will be the main social hub, with GrooveTop kicking things off on August 29 with its Garden Party. Expect a day-to-night soundtrack of funk, soul, R&B, house and disco, with Aurora, AKA Sounds, KFC and Ya5th on the decks. On August 30, Sing Song Social Club and Wild Pearl take over with Field Notes, bringing in singer-DJ Haneri, a round of musical chairs, a DJ sing-along with KiDG and a neighbourhood run accompanied by a roving DJ trailer. Consider your weekend cardio sorted.
For those who prefer something slightly more zen, The Joy Reset, led by The Hummingbird Life’s Laura and New Bahru’s Head of Wellness Tracy Phillips, combines breathwork, choreography and free movement on August 29 before ending with a sound healing session at future resonance. Meanwhile, Part Thai and Ahimsa will be serving up food on the lawn, with Thai comfort dishes available throughout the weekend.
Over at the school hall from August 28 to 30 is In-Between, a three-day exhibition-marketplace organised by the Organisation of Illustrators Council, Peculiar Matter and Thirtytwocm. More than 50 artists, designers and makers will come together for a programme of performances, interactive works and craft showcases.
And New Bahru’s own creative heads are getting involved, too. Head of Design Pat Law’s Singapore Fools turns the site into a playful game of chance, borrowing the visual language of the national lottery and posing a more existential question: money or love? Find the tear-off posters scattered around New Bahru, pick your answer and take it to a temporary tattoo parlour to have your choice inked onto your skin for the day.
Meanwhile, Head of Art Toby Tan, aka tobyato, is also hosting a Stamp Buffet Party with Jon Chan, where visitors can customise clothing and personal items with his original stamp designs.
It goes without saying that the stores at New Bahru are in on the fun too. Morning will launch its Tea Capsule collection with a Tea Bar spanning traditional guided tastings and more playful iced teas and bubble tea-inspired creations. Ginlee will turn leftover T-shirt material into personalised bag tags, while Stacked Store invites visitors to customise homeware with character patches.
Studio Yono will also host ‘365 Days of Clutches’, a whimsical calendar made up of hand-knitted clutches, each representing a different birth date.
Over on the culinary end, Bar Bon Funk is bringing in overseas DJs for the weekend. New York-based Kush Jones takes over on August 29, followed by South Korean selector KIMGUNDI on August 30. Bar Somma is also teaming up with Hideaway for a special cocktail collaboration, while Chalk N Pencils will host painting and life-drawing sessions.
At the end of the celebrations, don’t forget to bring home some memorabilia. New Bahru is releasing limited-edition sticker packs, fabric fans, dad caps and tote bags for the occasion. Spend $100 in a single receipt at any New Bahru store during the weekend, show your receipt at the event concierge and you can have a go at the gachapon machine.
The full lineup of programmes can be found here.
New Bahru Open House takes place from August 29 to 30, with selected programmes beginning on August 28. Find it at 46 and 58 Kim Yam Road. Some programmes are free, while ticketed experiences require registration that can be made on their webpage here.
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