Festival highlights Singaporean food

A food festival celebrating Singapore's 50th Anniversary of Independence will be held at the Oven D'Or Restaurant at the Sheraton Hanoi from July 8 to August 2.

The event will showcase Singapore's famous cuisine and its unique food culture through a wide selection of the country's popular dishes such as chili crab, pepper lobster, char kway teow, nyonya laksa, chicken rice, Singaporean style che: ice kachang, chendol and bo bo cha cha.

Guests will have the chance to win weekly lucky draws and a grand prize with a two-night stay at Westin Singapore and a return trip to Singapore on Singapore Airlines.

The Singapore Embassy in Viet Nam will contribute 30 per cent of the proceeds on the opening night to Hagar International Viet Nam to support women and children who have undergone human trafficking, sexual exploitation and domestic violence.

Tickets cost VND1,100,000++/person, and include a buffet dinner, lobsters and draught Tiger beer.

Official pay tribute to musician Phan Huynh Dieu, Phan Nhan

Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Le Thanh Hai yesterday led delegation of Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Fatherland Front Committee to burn incenses and lay wreaths to great musician Phan Huynh Dieu and Phan Nhan at the Ho Chi Minh City Funeral House, 25 Le Quy Don, District 3.

Mr. Le Thanh Hai deeply condoled with families of two grand musical composers of Vietnam. In the funeral memorial book of composer Phan Huynh Dieu, Secretary Le Thanh Hai wrote: “We deeply grieve for composer Phan Huynh Dieu, one of Vietnam's best musicians. Through songs, the talent musician sent messages of love of revolution, life and people to young generation”

In the funeral memorial book of musician Phan Nhan, Secretary Le Thanh Hai wrote “Say goodbye to composer Phan Nhan, who had outstanding contributions for Vietnam’s music. Most of his songs contributed to praise country, people and resistance wars in Vietnam.

On the same day, hundreds of individuals and organizations burnt incenses and laid wreaths to express their respect to the grand musicians.

West African Waves to appear at CAMA ATK

A night dedicated to West African music will be held at CAMA ATK bar on Saturday, July 4, from 8pm onwards.

Entitled "West African Waves", the night promises to submerge guests in the vast horizon of different sounds and styles to emerge from the region over the last half century.

From traditional percussive rhythms from Cameroon and the first forays into a syncretic, funky sounds attempted by Highlife in the 60s in Ghana and Benin, all the way over to Nigerian Afrobeat and its modern house-infused edits emerging globally – DJ Dan Lo will be picking them out of his collection with the specific aim of making the room dance.

Entrance VND50,000.

Mother Goddess artwork goes on show

Heritage Space will present an exhibition showcasing works by artist Vu Thanh Nghi, whose work has been infuenced by the Mother Goddess religion and its ethereality.

Entitled Len Dong (Mediumship), the exhibition will feature 25 of his paintings.

The Mother Goddess religion plays an important role in the spiritual lives of Vietnamese people. Worshipping the Mother Goddesses addresses concerns about daily life, and desires for good health and good fortune.

Born in 1972 in Hai Phong, Nghi graduated from the Viet Nam University of Arts in 1998. He had his debut solo exhibition The Journey of Soul in 2008.

The Len Dong will open from July 9 to 23. Heritage Space is located at Dolphin Plaza, 28 Tran Binh Street in My Dinh District.

Canadian experimental pop band on tour

Braids, a three-piece experimental pop band from Montreal, will perform at Cargo Bar on July 16.

The show is part of the band's Asian tour to market its third album Deep in the Iris, released in April.

The band, which includes musicians and vocalists Raphaelle Standell-Preston, Austin Tufts and Taylor Smith, was formed in 2006. Their debut album Native Speaker was released in 2011 and shortlisted for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize, a music award given annually to the best full-length Canadian album.

The event will begin on 8pm at 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in District 4. Tickets cost VND250,000 in advance and are available from www.ticketbox.vn and Asian Kitchen, 185/22 Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1. They are priced at VND300,000 at the door.

Night market at Saigon Outcast

Outdoor bar Saigon Outcast in collaboration with Saigon Urban Flea Market will organise a night flea market at the venue on July 12.

The event will include more than 40 stalls featuring secondhand, vintage and retro clothing, collectibles and antiques. A selection of jewellry, art, and crafts by local artisans and designers will be for sale. The night market will be open from 3pm to 9pm at 188/1 Nguyen Van Huong Street in District 2. Admission is VND20,000.

Cargo Bar to host music concert for students

The monthly music concert for students called After School returns to Cargo Bar on July 7. The show will feature resident DJs and artists like Kejax, Haylie Hoang, Crown Bandits, NOF & Romelouse.

The show takes place from 10pm to midnight at 7 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in District 4. The surcharge is VND100,000 and 20,000 for students.

Magic night features best illusionists

The Elite, one of the HCM City's most famous groups of mentalists, illusionists and magicians, will host a magic show at Saigon Ranger tomorrow.

The group, previously called BnP Magic, has been together for four years. They will perform mind-reading tricks, among others. The event begins at 9pm at 5/7 Nguyen Sieu Street in District 1.