SINGAPORE — This weekend (Sept 18 to Sept 20), everyone will get to hear a thunderous roar at the heart of Singapore’s city district. And we are not just talking about the race cars zooming around the circuit for this year’s edition of the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix.

Each year, the entertainment portion is fuelled by appearances from some of the world’s biggest entertainers and this year it is no different, with headliners Pharrell, Bon Jovi, Maroon 5 and more taking centre stage, along with a slate of other performers that includes local artistes such as Dawn Ho, Micheala Therese, Daphne Khoo, The Sam Willows, ShiLi & Adi, Vox and Take Two, among others; as well as the now-familiar after-parties at the Podium Lounge and the Amber Lounge.

But that does not mean the rest of the island is short on entertainment options. Here is a quick guide for some of the coolest action you can find over the F1 Weekend that is not at the circuit.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM’S NEW PERMANENT GALLERIES OPENING CARNIVAL

The new permanent galleries at the National Museum will officially open this weekend, and are “refreshed with updated stories and content on Singapore’s post-independence history”. Explore the various galleries with guided tours or take part in the fun-filled activities that have been planned, from dressing up in vintage costumes, taking part in workshops, sitting in on story-telling or poetry-reading sessions or simply enjoying some local treats such as keuh tutu or potong ice cream.

Sept 19 and 20, 10am to 6pm. Admission is free.

THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF BORDER CROSSERS

First performed for the opening of Singapour en France — le Festival at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris this year, renowned theatre director Ong Keng Sen now brings the show back to home soil. The Incredible Adventures of Border Crossers combines design, photography, video and sound, and features real-life border crossers from Europe, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region, as they share their everyday stories. Performed in various languages including English, Spanish, Cambodian, Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Japanese, Hindi and more (with English surtitles).

It is rated Advisory 16 (Some Mature Content) and will run until Sept 19, 6.30pm at the National Museum of Singapore’s Exhibition Gallery 1 and 2. Tickets from SISTIC.

SAAAPPP!!! VOL 1

Popular hangout and bistro Lepark, together with Good Times and Getai Group, have put up this indoor party featuring music performances by DJs such as Darren Dubwise, RAH and Jaydah, among others, along with musicians Tim De Cotta, weish and Helmi. There will also be art displays from the likes of SKLO, RSCLS, EMPYREAL and SSYSTM, as well as a flea market. Good music, good food and good art — you cannot ask for anything more.

Sept 19, 3pm onwards at Level 6 People’s Park Complex.

CHESTNUTS 50: THE UNBELYEEVABLE JUBILEE EDITION

With a bumper crop of events happening on home soil, this Chestnuts show promises to parody everything (well, almost everything) Singaporean. “No Hollywood movies, no Hunger Games or Avengers and all that, no big touring musicals, everything is about Singapore and things to do with SG50,” said Chestnuts creator Jonathan Lim. There’s an Amos Yee “musical”; a sketch mashing up pastor Lawrence Khong’s magic show Vision and the trial of fellow pastor Kong Hee; a “face-off” between Dick Lee’s two National Day Parade songs (Home and Our Singapore); some South-east Asian Games-related moments; nudge-winks at the Pink Dot and Wear White movements; and even some General Election-related moments courtesy of a “game” played by a mix of different guests coming in at different nights. What is there not to like?

Chestnuts runs until Sept 27 at 8pm (with 3pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays), at the Drama Centre Theatre. Tickets from SISTIC.

PRESIDENT’S YOUNG TALENTS 2015

Presented by the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), the President’s Young Talents is an ongoing art exhibition featuring the works of five of Singapore’s hottest artists of the day – Ang Song Ming, Bani Haykal, Ezzam Rahman, Loo Zihan and Ong Kian Peng. Started in 2001 by the SAM, this is Singapore’s only mentoring and commissioning exhibition that recognises and supports promising young artists whose practices chart new dimensions in contemporary art. “The diverse concepts and mediums presented in the President’s Young Talents exhibition reflect the depth and rigour of contemporary art by our young Singaporean artists,” said Dr Susie Lingham, the SAM’s director.

Currently on at the SAM, usual opening hours and ticketing apply.

SKY GRANDE PRIX

Located at the 45th storey of Singapore Land Tower, this takes the party idea to new heights — in a very literal sense. You can get a bird’s eye view of the race circuit, as well as entertainment that includes music from a line-up of 50 DJs headlined by Dragon-i HK’s Remy Kersten, a fashion show, as well as a Dastardly Brunch, “a pop-up themed brunch concept” courtesy of Vanilla Luxury & Massive Collective.

Until Sept 20, 5pm onwards. Tickets from S$108 from http://skygrandeprix.sg/tickets.

YOUR THRILLING PIT STOP@THE MUSEUM

Singapore Pinacotheque de Paris has prepared this specially curated programme for the Singapore Grand Prix. You can get to see a vintage car display (including a 1965 Triumph Spitfire); as well as museum tours, and a treasure hunt of sorts, where you’re tasked to find six chequered flags within the vicinity. Snap a picture of all flags (including the bonus flag with red racing gloves) and be one of the first 20 visitors to hashtag #exploreSPdPF1 on Instagram to stand a chance to win an exclusive goodie bag. Museum-goers can also enjoy 25 per cent off on museum tickets and join the highlight tours conducted at noon, 3pm and 7pm.

Sept 18 to 20 at Singapore Pinacotheque de Paris. Open from 10am to 9pm. Tickets from S$7.50 to S$28, depending on the exhibition.

BOUDOIR NOIRE PRESENTS THE BOX

This is probably the most titilating show of the lot. Boudoir Noire will feature The Box, “a specific brand of nightlife entertainment” that is “bold, edgy and seductively glamorous” said show organisers. This includes a headlining performance by Sukki Singapora, the world’s first professional burlesque artiste from Singapore, who promises a “sensual show”. Incidentally, she has performed on various stages around the world, including a stint a this year’s British Grand Prix.

All guests will enjoy free flow drinks (champagne, vodka and other premium spirits) and specialty mixes served up by award-winning drinks collective, Proof & Company, the team behind Singapore’s own 28 HongKong Street (which was hailed the World’s 10th Best Bar in 2013 and 2014). Sept 19 and 20, 10pm, Capitol Theatre. Tickets at S$856, and the event is restricted to those aged 18 and older. For more details and ticketing inquiries, visit http://www.boudoirnoire.com.

WISMA’S SUPERCAR SEASON

Until Sept 20, Wisma Atria plays host to Supercar Season, a weekend pop-up lounge at the indoor event space on level 1, complete with a live three-piece jazz band, a cocktail bar and a mixologist. Supporting partner and British supercar marque Aston Martin will also garage its Vanquish Coupe and two V12 Vantage S cars in a specially-built showcase that will bring “a racy vibe to the mall”, organisers said in a statement. Winning entries from TAG Heuer’s Art Helmet Design Competition will also be on display.

The lounge is open from Friday to Sunday (6pm to 10pm) and shoppers who spend S$150 (S$100 if you’re tourists) or more will enjoy a complimentary cocktail or mocktail. You can choose your favourite tipple from a trio of cocktails concocted from premium spirits Snow Leopard Vodka, No.3 London Dry Gin or Glenrothes Speyside Single Malt Scotch. For other promotions going on, visit http://www.wismaonline.com.