2011 Singapore F1 Grand Prix fringe events : Shaggy, Shakira, Linkin Park, Charice, Rick Astley, Boy George, The Podium Lounge, Amber Lounge & more!

F1 fever heats up the Lion City with a race card primed with premium events exclusive to the world's only Formula One night race. JASSMIN PETER rounds up the top-notch international entertainment, music performances and glamorous dance parties - in and around the race circuit - you simply cannot miss September 23
to 25.

CELEBRITY ACTS
Get ready for an explosive session with twice Grammy award-winning rock band Linkin Park as they perform hits from their latest album A Thousand Suns. Don't forget to collect your wristband - limited to 2,000 fans per day and on a first-come-first-served basis. Padang main stage
(Sept 25)
     Heat up your night with another Grammy winner, multi-platinum artiste and sexy deep-throated Mr Boombastic, Shaggy, as he performs his latest and greatest Reggae hits and dances his infectious moves. Esplanade Outdoor Theatre (Sept 24) & Village stage (Sept 25).
     Retro fans can take a walk down memory lane and sing along with Rick Astley as this legendary showman belts out all too familiar tunes like Together Forever and Lights Out. Esplanade Outdoor Theatre (Sept 24) & Village Stage (Sept 25).
     Be enchanted by the flamboyant personality and soulful voice of Boy George as he performs international chart-toppers such as Karma Chameleon and Do You Really Want To Hurt Me. Village Stage (Sept 24).
     Shake your booty to sultry Colombian starlet Shakira's catchy tunes as she gyrates to English and Spanish songs from her new album and smash hits such as Hips Don't Lie and Waka Waka. Padang main stage (Sept 24).
     And joining the headliners is Glee starlet and Filipina YouTube sensation Charice who shot to fame appearing on Oprah and, thanks to her 10-decibel voice, went on to perform with singing luminaries Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. Padang stage (Sept 23) & Village stage (Sept 24).

MUSICALS
Hindi music fans get ready to shake your booty in a mass Jai Ho dance with the cast of Bollywood Express a colourful musical featuring cult favourites like Chaiyya Chaiyya. This 45-minute song and dance affair is conceptualised by the celebrated producers of Merchants of Bollywood, a sold-out production in London and Singapore last year. Esplanade Outdoor Theatre (Sept 23), Village stage (Sept 24) & Paddock Club Lifestyle Stage (Sept 25).
     Cult New York show Forbidden Broadway will have you in stitches as this satirical revue turns out hilarious spoofs of contemporary Broadway shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, Les Misérables, Wicked and Hairspray. Village stage (Sept 23&24).

PARADES
As you wander through the various public access zones, keep an eye out for the knife-juggling, fire-eating and nail walking gypsy dancers of the Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band. And follow crowd gatherers Transe Express as they are lifted high above the crowd to form a giant
children's mobile.
     Give into temptation and feast your eyes on the stunning, flamboyant girls of Samba Brasil - back by popular demand for the fourth year. And for more high octane performances, look out for the Pan-African performers Fritti who will delight you with their energetic dance moves, acrobatic feats, infectious rhythms and stilt-walking stunts.

VISUAL ARTS
Get down and dirty with kinetic artist Brian Olsen as he puts on an energetic showcase of art in motion by splashing paint onto blank canvas to create life-sized portraits of famous personalities. Zone 1 (Sept 23 & 24) & Marina Stage (Sept 25).
     Underwater-themed extravaganza Ocean Symphony is a grand installation on the floating platform (Bay Stage) featuring acrobatic ballerinas twirling midair in bird cages, leaping out of a giant water bowl and suspended gracefully as sea creatures on life-sized hooks and coral branches. Zone 3 (Sept 23 & 24).

EXCLUSIVE AFTER-RACE PARTIES
Back after a very successful debut last year, Amber Lounge brings two of Singapore's passions together on one catwalk - fashion and Formula 1. On September 24 watch sexy models - including some F3 drivers - sashay down the catwalk dressed in Singapore designer Frederick Lee's stunning couture collection. And once the show ends, the dancing begins with DJs' Lora and Micky spinning the discs. Your hot ticket to Sunday night's Grand Prix features DJ JackE and free-flow Champagne.
     Founded by Sonia Irvine, sister of Ferrari F1 star Eddie Irvine, Amber Lounge has carved a reputation for enticing celebrity glamour and offering red carpet treatment and air-tight security. Last year Amber Lounge Singapore hosted celebrities Sir Richard Branson, Harry Potter star Rupert Grint and F1 drivers including winner, Fernando Alonso. Amber Lounge, (Sept 24-25). Tickets: From EUR 500-7250. Tel: 8368 1984, www.amber-lounge.com
     The choice party for race drivers, celebrities, Asian royalty, models and musicians, this year's international DJ line-up at The Podium Lounge hails from Istanbul, Amsterdam, Florida, Mauritius, Borocay and London. They're set to spin funky Balearic, groovy deep house and dance tracks.
     A silent, live auction will be held to raise money for the Children's Cancer Foundation (Singapore). Bid for highly coveted items including a Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso autographed bottle of G.H.Mumm Champagne, a Red Bull F1 Racing Suit signed by Sebastien Vettel, F1 racing helmets, gloves, shoes and F1 photos signed by legends including Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. The night will also feature a Silvian Imberg haute couture swimwear show, luxury timepieces by Yafriro, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage S and Virage Showcase plus a preview of Vertu's latest Carbon Fiber Handsets. The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia (Sept 23-25, 10pm). Tickets: From $118-$3988. Tel: 9459 5211, www.apesnap.com/event/podiumlounge

TheFinder & THE PODIUM LOUNGE OFFER
Win a double pass to The Podium Lounge on Friday, September 23!

SMS TO WIN!
10 double passes to give away! Value: $ 296 each
The Podium Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
To stand a chance to win, send this SMS to 71133
TF65<space>NRIC<space>NAME<space>EMAIL
Example: TF65 S0000000 Jane Tan JTan@email.com
CLOSING DATE: Sept 19 2011.

Posted Sept 2011