September is looking like a month full of cool parties, the season’s hottest sporting event and a couple of indie festivals. Here’s what to do this month in Singapore.
FILM
Cerebral retro film series Malaya Black and White screens The Year of the Horse, a film by Peter Bogdanovich. It’s the shadow film to the then-controversial Saint Jack that was filmed in 1978. Sep 3
FESTIVAL
Substation celebrates its anniversary with Septfest, which has film screenings, art exhibitions and performances by the likes of TAJ and Typewriter. Sep 3-19
MUSICAL
One of Singapore’s most iconic music figures Dick Lee brings back The Adventures of the Mad Chinaman UPSIZED, which recounts his musical journey from his childhood in the ’60s to the debut of his alter-ego, The Mad Chinaman, in 1989. Sep 3
PARTY
LGBT festival IndigNation kicks off four weeks of readings, parties and other events with an outdoor party at Gillman Barracks’ Red Baron. Sep 5
FILM
Catch trendy design-inspired films at A Design Film Festival. If you can still score tickets, that is. There are films spanning fashion and photography to conceptual art. Sep 5-13
FAIRS
A hostel rooftop is transformed into Sunset Pasar, a flea market peddling vintage and new goodies with beers and live music sessions. Sep 5
COMEDY
Well-known Irish stand-up comedian Dylan Moran brings his sardonic brand of observational humor to town. This time, he’ll be drawing on material from his latest touring show Off the Hook. Sep 5
OUTINGS
Siloso Beach gets transformed into a water-filled festival with tall slides, foam pools, cold beers and DJs at Sentosa Fun Festival. Sep 6-13
MUSIC
Head to the Botanic Gardens for PianoBotanica where a group of Brazilian musicians playing cool Brazilian tunes. Sep 6
THEATER
Shakespeare’s Hamlet stops for a show in Globe to Globe Hamlet. This production is directed by Dominic Dromgoole with music by Bill Barclay. Sep 8-12
FILM
The fourth run of Middle East Movie Nights (Sep 9) shows A Separation, a breathtaking, Cannes-lauded film about a young Iranian family on the brink of getting a divorce.
If you like local films, head to the Asian Film Symposium, back after a six-year hiatus with cutting-edge short film screenings curated by the region’s respected film programmers. Sep 10-13
PARTY
The F1 season means weekends full of parties. There’s a special race-themed pub crawl where you can head to three different bars before ending the night at a club. Sep 11
WELLNESS
Do some sun salutations by the beach at Soulscape. There are yoga and meditation classes, a sunset yoga session and music by various bands and DJs. Sep 12
LITERARY
The American Writers Festival brings Pulitzer Prize-winning authors like novelist and short story writer Adam Johnson, poet laureate Tina Chang and playwright and screenwriter Rajiv Joseph. Plus, all of these readings are free to attend. Sep 14-18
OUTINGS
Parking lots are turned into temporary public spaces at Parking Day. In previous editions, some lots were transformed into a mini beach, teh tarik stand or garden space. Books & Beer is also hosting a session in conjunction with Parking Day. Sep 18
ART
Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali‘s unmistakable works are on show at Opera Gallery. There are famous cubist paintings alongside surrealist images at this show. Sep 18-Oct 18
EAT
Bacchanalia’s got The Reunion: A Foreign Exchange dinner at their new digs in Hongkong Street. This time, they’ll be prepping Asian fusion dishes with produce from the restaurant’s garden. Sep 18
SPORTS
The F1 night race is back again. One of the most glamorous sports to attend in Singapore, expect more fast cars, glam parties and star-studded concerts by Maroon 5, Pharrell Williams and Bon Jovi. Sep 18-20
PARTIES
A part of the F1 festivities, Boudoir Noire is a burlesque show and party where you’ll get to see performers from NYC’s The Box, a variety theater troup and Singapore’s first burlesque dancer Sukki Singapora. Or head to Amber Lounge for the ultimate VIP bottle popping experience with celebs, or Podium Lounge for a party with DJ Kristian Nairn. For the full list of F1 parties, head here. Sep 18-20
EAT
Tanjong Beach Club’s The Beach Spread has a huge feast of freshly-grilled seafood, meat and freshly shucked oysters with free flow Champagne. Plus, they’ve also DJs playing chillout tunes, too. Sep 19
MUSICAL
If you love the Bee Gees, then Saturday Night Fever is a no-brainer with its disco tunes, bell-bottomed pants and groovy dance numbers. Sep 25-27
FESTIVAL
Marina Barrage hosts the first-ever edition of Earthfest, a sustainability festival with booths by ethical and sustainable brands, musical performances and great, healthy food. Sep 26
CONCERT
Huge British rock band Muse is back in town to perform tracks from their latest album, Drones and other big hits. Sep 26
WELLNESS
Get fit at these two fun classes, including a HIIT and a glow-in-the-dark workout rave at Active Nation Day by Lorna Jane. Plus you can stock up on fashionable workout gear and organic skincare lines. Sep 27
