F1 weekend has arrived in Singapore. Obviously there are a whole bunch of race-related things to do, but if you’re anti Grand Prix, there are other alternatives: you can have brunch with migrant workers in Admiralty, check out the Singapore International Photography Festival, do a boozy brunch at Meatliquor and lots more.
Friday, Sep 16
View from Ce La Vi
FESTIVAL
It’s Singapore’s fourth PARK(ing) Day, where 78 park lots across the city will be turned into “parks” filled with fun activities like an art jam corner, a Gladiator arena with foam weapons and more. More info here. Sep 16
DRINK
Join the Grand Prix Singapore Pubcrawl this weekend for drinks at four bars and a club. Sep 16
PARTY
The Sunshine Nation people are rolling out an F1 weekend edition of their long-running Block Party on Circular Road. The action will be focused around Gong, O Comptoir and Marco Marco, and house DJs Julien Brochard, Brendan P and Zig Zach will be spinning from 7pm till about 2am. Sep 16
SPORT
Now in its ninth year, Formula 1 Singapore Airline Singapore Grand Prix is back with more roaring engines, big-name performers and uber-glam huge parties. Sep 16-18
PARTY
Bang Bang’s Race Weekend party will have American Sasha Grey, also known for her work in adult films, will be on turntable duty for the night. $45 cover charge. Sep 16
PARTY
Put your love for pool parties and F1 together at SO Sofitel Singapore’s Skyline Sessions, where you can lounge in the pool, sip on cocktails and dance night away after watching the races on their TVs and large projector. Sep 16
CONCERT
Then of course, there’s the F1 series of conerts. The Off-track segment includes Halsey and Imagine Dragons, Kylie Minogue, Queen + Adam Lambert, Bastille, KC and the Sunshine Band and Pentatonix. Tickets here. Sep 16-18
PARTY
For three days, Altimate’s hosting its annual Circuit Party in association with Johnnie Walker, a day-to-night Farmer’s Market at Stellar and the Williams Martini Racing Party at 1-Altitude. Sep 16-18
PARTY
A great place to have a bird’s eye view of the race is at New Asia, perched on the 71st floor of Swissotel The Stamford. They’ll be holding a string of F1 parties, featuring one of the best party MCs in the world, Big Ali on the first night, Dutch electronic dance music duo NEW_ID on the second night and New Asia’s resident DJ Doze on race day. Sep 16-18
PARTY
Sophie Ellis-Bextor is performing at the Podium Lounge, where F1 drivers, celebrities, supermodels and the occasional mortal conglomerate to have a good time. Sep 16-18
PARTY
At 200 meters up, and being quite a distance from the race track itself, you’ll get a good unobstructed view of the 5km circuit from Ce La Vi. They will also be providing all-day entertainment from noon till 6am as part of their Night Race Week. Through Sep 18
PARTY
Six-day party Sky Grand Prix concludes this weekend at Empire on the 45th floor of Singapore Land Tower, promising views of six turns of the race route. Tickets here. Through Sep 18
PARTY
Take a break from the F1 madness and head over to Kult Gallery, where more than 20 artists will turn the space into a record store reminiscent of the 1982 American coming-of-age film, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Remixed album art, deconstructed vinyl and installations inspired by David Bowie will add to the 80s vibe. Through Oct 31
Saturday, Sep 17
MEATliquor’s Green Chilli Burger
FOOD
If you’re just looking for a good meal away from the F1 madness, MEATliquor is throwing this month’s edition of EATs, BEATs and TREATs which involves a free-flow of burgers and booze while DJ JNR Tirso provides . Sep 17
PARTY
Zouk steps out of its Jiak Kim home to throw its first ever Bloc Party at the fountain area at Clarke Quay, with the much loved Flea & Easy market, food fare from their latest F&B outlet Red Tail Bar and more. Sep 17
DRAG
Riot!, Singapore’s cult drag revue, has officially made their home at Wala Wala. Featuring the most divalicious drag queens who use their powers for good and for evil, the night is full of belly laughs, copious drinking and furious blushing. Sep 17
BOOKS
Kinokuniya is doing a little launch for Southeast Asian anthologies Heat, Flesh and Trash. Singaporean co-editor and poet Ng Yi-Sheng will be there, along with some of the Singaporean authors featured in the anthologies, such as Victor Ocampo and Joelyn Alexandra. Sep 17
PARTY
Escape to Sentosa and lie under the sun at W Singapore’s Splash & Dash Pool Party, with Scottish DJ Marko Liv on turntable duty. Sep 17
THEATER
It’s the last day of shows at Singapore International Festival of Arts and your last chance to catch Wu Man concert Borderlands and choreographer Bill T. Jones’ site-specific show A Letter/Singapore.
PARTY
The Amber Lounge after-party promises to be a grand soiree, with over 20 live shows, featuring club dancers, saxophonists, Grammy-nominated R&B singer Kelis and various international DJs, including DJ Ono. Sep 17
PARTY
Keong Saik is getting another edition of the day-to-night Urban Ventures street festival. Things kick off at 4:30pm with a public Zumba lesson by Virgin Active, followed by parkour performances, workshops, pole dancing, street art, Caribbean food and a dance party from 9:30pm. Sep 17
THEATRE
Hot Chocolate Theatre presents a local interpretation of The Man Who by Peter Brook and Marie-Hélène Estienne, a stage performance that’s been lauded by the New York Times as “…one of the most magically effective explorations of the mind (also possibly the soul) ever to be attempted on the stage…”. Through Sep 18
FOOD
Dinner theater experience designer AndSoForth is back with their latest interactive dinner sessions The Spy, The Thug, His Wife and Her Lover happening at a secret location. Diners will attempt to break out of “prison”, gather information and escape without blowing their covers. Tickets are at $88 here. Through Sep 18
EXHIBITION
Photojournalist Wong Maye-E showcases some of her photographs taken in North Korea. Titled “North of the DMZ“, the exhibition will see images of impeccable state parades, citizens going about their daily lives and more. Through Oct 15
Sunday, Sep 18
Majulah Belanja
FOOD
The Geylang Adventures people, the same people behind initiatives like Back Alley Barbers, Migrant Mail and other social mixers between locals and migrant workers, are rolling a big annual cook-off called Majulah Belanja at an Admiralty dormitory. Cooking experience not required. More here. Sep 18
MARKET
Head over to Chijmes for an afternoon of making new friends and swapping clothes if you’re looking to get rid of stuff or buy new ones this weekend. Sep 18
BOOKS
The National Library is holding an exhibition of Singaporean comics from the turbulent days under British rule to modern times, with books, artifacts and original art by Benjamin Chee, Cheah Sinann, Troy Chin and others. Through Sep 30
ART
Redsea Gallery is exhibiting work by Surrealist artist Salvador Dali and his publisher, Pierre Argillet. Check out this rare collection of over 100 original etchings, watercolors, tapestries and porcelain plates. Through Oct 5
FESTIVAL
The Singapore International Photography Festival (SIPF) returns for its fifth year to celebrate this widely accessible form of art. Through Nov 13
WELLNESS
The Brunch Bandits people are teaming up with So Spa at Sentosa for an all-day wellness extravaganza involving morning yoga, healthy eating, Asian superfoods cooking workshops and kombucha. Sep 18.
