For some, it’s the biggest weekend they’ve been looking forward to the whole year. And for others, it’s a big disruption in their daily lives because of road closures and a sudden influx of tourists. Yes, this week is the lead-up to the annual F1 night race. And with it, comes a slew of after-parties. But if you’re too keen on taking in the celebratory, octane-fuelled atmosphere, there are still a couple of other exhibitions, comedy shows and gigs that are worth checking out.
Monday, Sep 11
FESTIVAL
The award-winning mega music event, Music Matters, returns to Singapore for its seventh edition. Happening over two days and five nights, the festival will host the All That Matters industry conference alongside the live performance segment, which will see more than 40 bands from 14 countries take the stages of, in and around Chijmes. Through Sep 13
EXHIBITION
Robots have invaded the ArtScience Museum and everyone’s invited to take a peek at what the future of cybernetics, artificial intelligence and genetic modification might look like at the HUMAN+: The Future of Our Species exhibition. Come with an open mind as you interact with life-like humanoids and find out how robots are already living among us. Through Oct 15
EXHIBITION
Asia’s largest mirror maze has landed in Singapore as a new permanent installation at Science Centre Singapore. The visually-appealing maze features 105 mirror cells, more than 17 interactive exhibits and experiments on light, a bunch of holograms and fake exits. Admission is free but you’ll still have to pay admission charges to the center itself.
Tuesday, Sep 12
COMEDY
After a series of successful shows like “Renew My Visa”, top Berlin Comedian Captain Khalid is making a stop at Blu Jaz Cafe on his tour to live-film his new special called “I Think I Am Single“. Sep 12
FILM
Ahead of co-working space The Hive’s inaugural Shorties film festival in Nov, which places the spotlight on the local filmmaking scene, they’ll be screening a series of films that they love in the coming weeks. For this first week, catch the award-winning American coming-of-age film Boyhood, which took writer and director Richard Linklater 12 years to film. Sep 12
FOOD
One of 10 bespoke brunches organized as part of the 1-Group’s License To Brunch, Bee’s Knees at The Garage presents The Perfect Pit Stop, a smartly curated menu of F1-inspired dishes. Look forward to race-themed, all-day brunch favorites like Traffic Light Pancakes and Monochrome Linguine. Through Sep 17
Wednesday, Sep 13
STYLE
Watch Singapore’s iconic heritage site Lau Pa Sat transform into a fashion runway as part of a Heineken F1 line-up. The Heineken F1 fashion show will feature local models Sheila Sim, Hanli Hoefer and Jason Godfrey strut looks from homegrown design talents, a live mannequin performance and a VIP entrance by former racer David Coulthard. Sep 13
PARTY
French multi-instrumentalist FKJ (real name Vincent Fenton) takes over Kilo Lounge for a sensual set of dance and electronic grooves with DJ Jeck Hyde. Sep 13
MUSICAL
Touted as “Broadway’s greatest dance musical”, the international award-winning West Side Story comes to the MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands for a limited season. The musical is highly inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, but set in the ’50s against the backdrop of a rivalry between two gangs in an Upper West Side neighborhood in New York. Sep 13-24
FOOD
The popular Singapore Restaurant Month is now a full-fledged festival, thanks to the Restaurant Association of Singapore bringing together more than 200 chefs who will be preparing a locally-inspired dish at their respective eateries for the very first Singapore Restaurant Festival. Through Sep 30
EXHIBITION
The Substation asks all the tough questions with Discipline The City, a three-act exhibition exploring the politics of space, control and access in Singapore, through a series of experiential installations from local and international artists. Be prepared to leave disillusioned and wondering: who really owns the city? Through Sep 24 (Act 1)
Thursday, Sep 14
PARTY
Boat Quay is about to get a tad groovier this Thursday as Amsterdam’s deep house partners-in-crime Detroit Swindle take to the rooftop of 79 Circular Road. Presented by the guys behind Headquarters, the duo will dish out upbeat, disco-spangled and house tunes as the sun sets. Sep 14
CONCERT
Seems like Cherry Discotheque is onto something; just last month they brought in Chinese-born, Brooklyn-raised rapper Bohan Phoenix, who makes a living spitting words in both English and his mother tongue. Making their debut this month is Higher Brothers, a four-man rap outfit from Chengdu hailed as “the greatest hope for Chinese hip hop”. Their cheeky approach to issues of provincial China has captured the attention of Jay Park, Keith Ape and yes, Bohan Phoenix. Sep 14
EXHIBITION
Objectifs presents yet another joint exhibition, this time by Exactly Foundation resident artists Tom White and Kelvin Lim. White examines notions of cultural policy and the ‘kampung spirit’ in the Waterloo Centre community in his exhibit Rhetorical Territories, while Lim explores caregiving for the elderly in a photo show titled Who Cares? Sep 14-24
Whether you’re headed to the races or staying away from the epicenter, here are the best places to eat and drink.
EAT/DRINK
Chijmes, situated close to the Gate 3 F1 circuit entrance, is offering a whole bunch of deals for race-goers, such as one-for-one main courses at Coriander Leaf, 10 percent discount on alcoholic drinks at Spicy Fingers, 50 percent off whisky flights at The Single Cask, and more. There will also be live screenings of the race and onstage music on some dates. Through Sep 17
DRINK
After trying out the F1 simulator at The Fullerton Hotel’s Post Bar, enjoy a Grand Prix-inspired afternoon tea at The Courtyard, then head across the road for race-themed cocktails and snacks at Lantern, located on the rooftop of The Fullerton Bay Hotel, where views of Marina Bay and the race track awaits.
ART
Looks like it’s Silver Seniors September, as Silver Arts, Singapore’s only festival dedicated to the well-being of seniors, returns for its sixth edition with a line-up of performances involving more than 80 veteran artists, senior talents and art groups. Through Sep 24
Friday, Sep 15
PARTY
Lepark extends its Rooftop Hangs Series with a night of jazz on the roof. Melt away into the night with spontaneous jazz melodies by four-piece jazz band Sound of Life, city lights and special deals from the bar all night long. Sep 15
DRINK
Start your F1 partying early with the Grand Prix Singapore Pub Crawl, which takes revellers through five popular Boat Quay watering holes, and comes complete with Night Race-themed games and prizes at all participating bars. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the F1 Night Race, look forward to 10 complimentary shots and extended happy hours too. Sep 15-16
CONCERT
For the tenth edition of the F1 Singapore Grand Prix, the organizers are pulling out all the stops with not one, but five international acts bringing full-length concerts to this year’s entertainment lineup. Headlining acts include pop darling Ariana Grande and EDM duo The Chainsmokers, both making their first appearances in Singapore, plus pop-rock band OneRepublic, 80s synth pop sensation Duran Duran, English singer-songwriter Seal and Scottish EDM DJ-producer Calvin Harris. Soulful female multi-instrumentalist Lianne La Havas and British spoken word performer and rapper George the Poet will be taking the stage as well. Sep 15-17
PARTY
With the annual F1 night race comes the many ultra lounge parties. Those in the F1 after-party scene will know that Podium Lounge is where you should head to for a night of champagne-fuelled partying. On the celebrity roster this year are Pixie Geldof, Coolio and Macy Gray. Sep 15-17
We’ve got the lowdown on where all the parties are here this F1 weekend.
FESTIVAL
It’s going to be a showcase of art, sun, and sea as Southeast Asia’s biggest sand festival comes to Sentosa’s Siloso Beach. The three-week Sentosa Sandsation 2017 will be showcasing more than 30 expertly carved and out-of-this-world sand sculptures spread across 2,400 sqm of “exhibition space” on the beach. Singapore residents can enter the island for free on Sep 4-10. Through Sep 17
PARTY
Head up to Singapore’s iconic rooftop location on MBS, where you can catch the race in its full glory from a lofty vantage point. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to rub shoulders with Williams Martini racing driver, Felipe Massa, who’ll be present at Ce La Vi that night. Through Sep 18
FOOD
After a great first run, local Szechuan cuisine pioneer Si Chuan Dou Hua is bringing back last year’s well-received vegetable-based menu. This time, expect dishes rarely seen in a Chinese restaurant, like the Portobello Mushroom with Truffle and Orzo Pasta served with Szechuan Chilli Sauce, served as part of a course menu ($78-$98) that is filled with meatless (not strictly vegetarian) creations. Through Sep 15
