If you hate crowds, you might want to avoid the entire City Hall and Marina Bay areas because it’s about to get hot, sweaty and crazy packed. There’s a whole bunch of race-related things to do, but if you’re anti-Grand Prix, there are alternatives: you can have a night of jazz at Lepark, watch Tarantino’s cult film Reservoir Dogs on the big screen at The Projector, catch the internationally acclaimed West Side Story, and lots more.
Friday, Sep 15
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. Through Sep 17
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
PARTY
Moldovan producer Andrew Rayel has come a long way since his breakthrough trance hit “Aether” back in ’11. His earlier works, like “550 Senta” and “Aeon of Revenge”, were very similar to that of Armin van Buuren’s sound at the time—he was signed under AVB’s label anyway. But he’s since moved on to expand his versatility as a producer and moving into the Big Room and EDM sphere, which has landed him gigs at huge music festivals. Catch him at Zouk this weekend. Sep 15
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 the likes of Coolio, Macy Gray and more. Sep 15-17
We’ve got the lowdown on where all the parties this F1 weekend here.
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
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
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. Through Sep 16
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
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
Whether you’re headed to the races or staying away from the action, here are the best places to eat and drink.
PARTY
The world’s highest alfresco bar is throwing a 10-day long jubilee in recognition of the F1 race’s 10th year in Singapore with ‘The Circuit – The Ultimate Party in the Sky’. A whole lineup of parties will be taking place, including a race weekend shindig on Sep 15 with Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve and DJs Leonard Tan and Jack T. 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
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? Through Sep 24
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
Saturday, Sep 16
DRINK
Not keen on spending the weekend at the F1 race (or being anywhere near the vicinity)? Head over to Kult Kafe for Beerlicious to enjoy some great local and international craft beers and ciders. Sep 16-17
SPORT
You can nurse a post-F1 hangover, or you can throw on a lunghi and run up to 8km. Organized by the folks over at Lunghi Runners, the run is all about gathering different races to unite as one running family—while donning Lunghi, or lungi, the colorful Indian sarong worn around the waist—through the Marina Bay area, timed strategically to end at sunset. Sep 16
FILM
As controversial as it is to say, Quentin Tarantino is one of the best directors of our time; often using non-linear storylines, over-the-top violence that’s ironically done very tastefully and making pop culture references in his films. If you’ve always wanted to enjoy his films on the big screen, catch his classic cult film Reservoir Dogs at The Projector (fun fact: this year marks the film’s 25th anniversary). Sep 16
MARKET
For a specially curated music merch shopping experience, head to Tribe x Music Market at Kilo Lounge, where you can swap your pre-loved vinyl with fellow music-lovers and collectors in the presence of quality tunes. Select stalls will also be on hand to sell physical releases from Singaporean music labels, collectives and record enthusiasts and stores. Sep 16
PARTY
Each of the two nights at Boudoir Blanc held at The Clifford Pier will feature a fantastical theme where theatrical cabaret, plenty of booze (from the likes of Taittinger and Peroni), visual light projections and DJ sets from tropical house producer Klingande that will keep you partying till the wee hours of the morning. Sep 16-17
PARTY
Touted as the original F1 ultra lounge party, Amber Lounge makes a triumphant return at Temasek Reflections (at Millenia Walk) for this decade-old edition of the Singapore night race with live performances and a fashion show, the only one in the world where F1 drivers take to the catwalk. It’s one of the best places to drown in Champagne as you rub shoulders with socialites, models and F1 drivers who will be heading down to party post-race. Sep 16-17
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)
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.
Sunday, Sep 17
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. Through Sep 24
FOOD/PARTY
Sunday pop-up party series Ice Cream Sundays is back, with a space disco-themed bonanza at DECK Gallery. The outdoor event will feature food and drinks, a market, and a line-up of DJs including special guest DJs MyHero and Daryl C, to bring tracks worthy of an out-of-this-world disco. Sep 17
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
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
