Party Time
All geared up for some F1 fun? Here are some of the hottest parties to zoom to. By Samuel Ee
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WHEN it hurtles into town later this month, the inaugural 2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix won't only be about the night race and the fast cars. There's also the wining and dining and celeb spotting. Here's a guide to some of the hottest gigs. Some are private functions only, so you may have to weasel an invite if you don't already have one. But it should be worth the effort.
JUMPIN'
Catch VIP celebs at the Amber Lounge afterparty (above), or be Stylo at the Merc Centre (next)
Stylo Fashion Grand Prix Singapore
Friday, Sept 26
Notwithstanding the somewhat unstylish name, this event is organised by Mercedes-Benz - the engine partner of the McLaren F1 team - and is being billed as a 'glamorous party for the fashionistas'. Modelled after the successful Stylo KL Fashion Festival held earlier this year after the Malaysian GP, the local event will feature the softer side of F1. It takes place at the Mercedes-Benz Centre and guests include Malaysia's leading fashion designers, models, and stylists, as well as Singapore and regional celebrities. Backed by the Singapore Tourism Board, the event is expected to be graced by the likes of Michelle Yeoh and Jimmy Choo. Luxury labels and their reps will be there too.
Amber Lounge
Sat, Sept 27 & Sun,
Sept 28
Sonia Irvine, sister of former Ferrari F1 driver Eddie Irvine, wanted to create an event where the F1 community could come together to party after a race. The result is Amber Lounge, which was started in Monaco in 2003 and has since expanded to Barcelona, Shanghai and Valencia. Amber Lounge it attracts not only the beautiful people but also the F1 drivers and their team members. For Singapore, air-conditioned tentage will set up outside the Conrad hotel to cater for champagne parties and funky music by international DJs on two nights. But unlike in other cities where an Amber Fusion in-house restaurant also operates, the evening race here will mean that won't be possible. Party-goers have several options but the most interesting has to be the Jeroboam table. At 15,000 euros with unlimited free drinks including a Jeroboam of champagne, Amber Lounge says: 'These tables are simply the best tables in the house, placed around the dance floor; they are located in the heart of the action; next to the celebrities, sporting personalities, F1 sponsors and VIPs.'
SingTel
Wed, Sept 24
The title sponsor will hold its pre-race party at the White Rabbit restaurant. The only snag? It is for invited guests only.
Johnnie Walker at Amber Lounge Fri,
Sept 26
This is a private event to be held at the Amber Lounge location a day before. Johnnie Walker is the headline sponsor for Amber Lounge and invited guests may get to meet McLaren ace and current leader in the drivers' championship, Lewis Hamilton. He'll be joined by Johnnie Walkers responsible drinking ambassador, Mika Häkkinen, the former two-time F1 world champion. International and local celebs are expected too.
Club 21 Sat, Sept 27 & Sun,
Sept 28
Club 21 is hosting F1 private parties at the Old Supreme Court during the race weekend. Loyal customers and other VIP guests will nibble on White Rabbit food and Loof drinks. The venue will have a lounge-like ambience with DJs. Knowing who owns Club 21 and its connection to the promoter should be guarantee enough that this will be a hip party. Originally supposed to be one-night event after the race, it has grown by another night the day before because of 'overwhelming response'. It's not too late to become a 'loyal customer' - until Sept 15, anyone spending a minimum of $3,000 at Club 21 stores will be entitled to an entry pass, while stocks last.
President's Challenge F1 Charity Luncheon Fri,
Sept 26
This lunch on the Istana grounds is the only officially sanctioned F1 off-track event, so the presence of the drivers from the 10 teams is guaranteed. Add to that a guestlist that includes royalty, Hollywood celebs, international sports stars and Miss Universe 2008, and there's no doubt that this should be the most prestigious F1 event apart from the race itself. With the night race, lunch replaces the traditional black-tie gala charity ball at other GPs. There are 30 tables available at $30,000 and $50,000 each. A silent auction of a $250,000 Chopard Tourbillon watch, racing memorabilia to be donated by drivers, and 25,000 euro trip to a Porsche test track will also be held. Singapore GP's plan is to raise $1 million for the President's Challenge.
ING Brunch Sun
Sept 28
Financial services giant ING is the title sponsor of the Renault team and it will be hosting a lunch for 800 guests at the Raffles Hotel. Renault F1 driver Nelson Piquet will be there and if that's not entertaining enough, there will also be a lucky draw.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Dinner
Fri, Sept 26
The Blue Label is the most exclusive blend in the Johnnie Walker whisky portfolio and it will host an intimate dinner at the British High Commissioner's residence. Scottish chef Martin Wishart is flying in to prepare the meal using produce and ingredients that will be either be hand carried or couriered from Scotland
All geared up for some F1 fun? Here are some of the hottest parties to zoom to. By Samuel Ee
Email this article
Print article
Feedback
WHEN it hurtles into town later this month, the inaugural 2008 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix won't only be about the night race and the fast cars. There's also the wining and dining and celeb spotting. Here's a guide to some of the hottest gigs. Some are private functions only, so you may have to weasel an invite if you don't already have one. But it should be worth the effort.
JUMPIN'
Catch VIP celebs at the Amber Lounge afterparty (above), or be Stylo at the Merc Centre (next)
Stylo Fashion Grand Prix Singapore
Friday, Sept 26
Notwithstanding the somewhat unstylish name, this event is organised by Mercedes-Benz - the engine partner of the McLaren F1 team - and is being billed as a 'glamorous party for the fashionistas'. Modelled after the successful Stylo KL Fashion Festival held earlier this year after the Malaysian GP, the local event will feature the softer side of F1. It takes place at the Mercedes-Benz Centre and guests include Malaysia's leading fashion designers, models, and stylists, as well as Singapore and regional celebrities. Backed by the Singapore Tourism Board, the event is expected to be graced by the likes of Michelle Yeoh and Jimmy Choo. Luxury labels and their reps will be there too.
Amber Lounge
Sat, Sept 27 & Sun,
Sept 28
Sonia Irvine, sister of former Ferrari F1 driver Eddie Irvine, wanted to create an event where the F1 community could come together to party after a race. The result is Amber Lounge, which was started in Monaco in 2003 and has since expanded to Barcelona, Shanghai and Valencia. Amber Lounge it attracts not only the beautiful people but also the F1 drivers and their team members. For Singapore, air-conditioned tentage will set up outside the Conrad hotel to cater for champagne parties and funky music by international DJs on two nights. But unlike in other cities where an Amber Fusion in-house restaurant also operates, the evening race here will mean that won't be possible. Party-goers have several options but the most interesting has to be the Jeroboam table. At 15,000 euros with unlimited free drinks including a Jeroboam of champagne, Amber Lounge says: 'These tables are simply the best tables in the house, placed around the dance floor; they are located in the heart of the action; next to the celebrities, sporting personalities, F1 sponsors and VIPs.'
SingTel
Wed, Sept 24
The title sponsor will hold its pre-race party at the White Rabbit restaurant. The only snag? It is for invited guests only.
Johnnie Walker at Amber Lounge Fri,
Sept 26
This is a private event to be held at the Amber Lounge location a day before. Johnnie Walker is the headline sponsor for Amber Lounge and invited guests may get to meet McLaren ace and current leader in the drivers' championship, Lewis Hamilton. He'll be joined by Johnnie Walkers responsible drinking ambassador, Mika Häkkinen, the former two-time F1 world champion. International and local celebs are expected too.
Club 21 Sat, Sept 27 & Sun,
Sept 28
Club 21 is hosting F1 private parties at the Old Supreme Court during the race weekend. Loyal customers and other VIP guests will nibble on White Rabbit food and Loof drinks. The venue will have a lounge-like ambience with DJs. Knowing who owns Club 21 and its connection to the promoter should be guarantee enough that this will be a hip party. Originally supposed to be one-night event after the race, it has grown by another night the day before because of 'overwhelming response'. It's not too late to become a 'loyal customer' - until Sept 15, anyone spending a minimum of $3,000 at Club 21 stores will be entitled to an entry pass, while stocks last.
President's Challenge F1 Charity Luncheon Fri,
Sept 26
This lunch on the Istana grounds is the only officially sanctioned F1 off-track event, so the presence of the drivers from the 10 teams is guaranteed. Add to that a guestlist that includes royalty, Hollywood celebs, international sports stars and Miss Universe 2008, and there's no doubt that this should be the most prestigious F1 event apart from the race itself. With the night race, lunch replaces the traditional black-tie gala charity ball at other GPs. There are 30 tables available at $30,000 and $50,000 each. A silent auction of a $250,000 Chopard Tourbillon watch, racing memorabilia to be donated by drivers, and 25,000 euro trip to a Porsche test track will also be held. Singapore GP's plan is to raise $1 million for the President's Challenge.
ING Brunch Sun
Sept 28
Financial services giant ING is the title sponsor of the Renault team and it will be hosting a lunch for 800 guests at the Raffles Hotel. Renault F1 driver Nelson Piquet will be there and if that's not entertaining enough, there will also be a lucky draw.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Dinner
Fri, Sept 26
The Blue Label is the most exclusive blend in the Johnnie Walker whisky portfolio and it will host an intimate dinner at the British High Commissioner's residence. Scottish chef Martin Wishart is flying in to prepare the meal using produce and ingredients that will be either be hand carried or couriered from Scotland
