It's hard to pinpoint the exact moment when our city's revelers fell out of love with the mainstream. In the past few years, alternative parties and events, held in rough-and-ready locations like unoccupied warehouses and reclaimed outdoor spaces, have been popping up with increasing frequency. But if you want in on the action, you have to know where to look. Lucky for you, we've picked out 10 of the city's coolest independent event organizers that you should be keeping tabs on. Follow them closely, and soon you'll be rubbing shoulders with other indie insiders.

Experimental Party Planners

SIDESHOW

Longstanding scenesters Sideshow—founded by percussionist Aidan Bamrah and DJ Tom Shellsuit—have a loyal following thanks to daytime party Sunday at the Training Shed in Labrador Park. They’ve also held parties at a hidden beach club in East Coast Park and across the border in JB.

Is there a gap in the party scene that you are trying to fill?
TS: Not really—we’re just doing the kind of events we like to go to. And a big part of the enjoyment of doing these events is meeting new friends and collaborators.

And what’s the hardest part of it all?
TS: Bookkeeping and second-guessing when you’re thinking of trying something new.

The next Sunday at the Training Shed is on Apr 20, 3pm. 

NO PARTY HERE

If you’re looking to catch cutting-edge dance music acts, keep tabs on this wacky pair—Audrey Choy and Louis Lam—who’ve brought in cult names like Boiler Room host Bradley Zero and madcap funksters Soul Clap for their hush-hush parties.

What inspired the No Party Here series?
AC: We believe the best parties, more often than not, happen spontaneously and we wanted to do just that. No serious planners here, not in it for the big bucks, and also, we like that if you read it too fast it looks like No Panty Here.

How is what you offer different?
LL: On music, we’re serious, but our affairs appear subnormal on all other levels. One of our previous parties had Djedjotronic of Boysnoize spinning against a backdrop of 70’s workout videos.

The next No Party Here (featuring Jacques Greene) is on May 2, 10pm at Kyo.

ALIGNED AGENCY

Founder Alyssa Kokilah and her team have brought underground pop-up techno-heavy festival Super 0 Season to improbable locations such as design studio The Mill and art enclave Gillman Barracks, with residents of famed Berlin club Berghain playing alongside our very own left-field DJs.

How did the idea of Super 0 Season came about?
We were inspired by lots of festivals and gigs overseas and wanted to put all our best experiences into creating something special and super fun. Cynthia Chua of Spa Esprit Group saw the potential, and then we were all off setting up Super 0 Season together.

Your goals and dreams for the agency?
We dream big! We hope to be like the Southeast Asian counterpart of Japanese events company Creativeman by putting together innovative events and experiences.

The next Aligned series, featuring Midland, Cosa Nostra and Darker than Wax, is on May 17, 10pm at Kyo. $20-$25, one drink included. 

Food Warriors

CLUBVIVRE

We love secret supper clubs (read more about them in our story “Spilling Secrets”) and Maria Kuvshinova’s Clubvivre pulls them off fantastically. Case in point: their most recent pop-up dinner, Nordic Lights, which featured molecular cuisine served in a subzero environment, complete with giant LED walls and ice sculptures.

Tell us about your proudest pop-up.
One of my personal favorites was a 1920s steak party we threw in a private gallery of antique collectors. Guests came dressed in ’20s fashion and were treated with a meaty four-course meal paired with craft beers. The entire atmosphere felt as if we went back in time.

The core of your business is private catering. Why did you choose to branch out into large-scale events?
Our creative team is bursting with ideas, so every now and then we throw a pop-up for the fun of it. We’ve got corporate clients asking us if they can “sign up” to be part of these ad-hoc events. It’s a win-win: having partnerships with several compatible brands makes it easier to share costs and scale, so we envision we’ll do more of such events in the future.

Follow Clubvivre’s social media pages to keep updated on the next pop-up.

BACCHANALIA BRUNCH SERIES

Bacchanalia owners Alex Chew and Raj Datwani need no introduction. They’ve turned the traditional notion of Champagne brunches (read: relaxed and lazy) around with their raucous boozy brunches, which have since seen a slew of copycats around town.

What’s so great about partying the day away at a boozy brunch?
RD: There is something magical about walking out of a party and seeing that the sun is still shining. Partying in the day is also a fantastic way of having all of the fun you could have on a night out, but without the dread of the nasty hangover the next morning!

If there’s one rule guests need to abide by when attending your crazy brunches, what would that be?
RD: Come with an open mind! Brunch is a place where you can let loose and enjoy yourself no matter what age you are. It’s all about the mindset.

The next Bacchanalia Brunch is on May 17, 1pm.  

Film Freaks

S.C.U.M CINEMA

There’s no shortage of alternative movie screenings here, but true film buffs can dig deeper into alt-cinematic history by following indie collective S.C.U.M (short for Society of Cult and Underground Movies) Cinema—comprising Monkey Fist, Mountain Monkey and Topo Sanchez—for their free, bi-monthly screenings.

What are your thoughts on the local film scene?
Judging from the full turnout of past film festivals, we are pretty sure the Singapore audience possesses the maturity and receptiveness for all kinds of new films. That’s one of the reasons why S.C.U.M Cinema exists—to fill the void in the local cinema experience for those thirsting for alternative films.

What are some of the problems you face?
The cost of getting the screening rights, acquiring DVDs and securing a venue is not exactly a walk in the park. So for every screening, we produce limited edition artwork that is available for purchase and all proceeds will be directed to support the next screening.

Blaxploitation classic Black Belt Jones is screening on Apr 11, 8.30pm at Screening Room. 

Music Champions

SOFAR SOUNDS

This global movement organizes secret gigs in people’s living rooms. Its Singaporean outpost—spearheaded by producer Sam Drury—has been slowly but surely turning the local soundscape on its head with its super intimate aural experiences.

Why did you decide to keep your pop-up gigs a secret?
Some of the principles are to maintain the cozy and intimate environment and also ensure that the people who come down for the gigs are really genuine and put in the effort. On top of that, holding it in someone’s house translates to limited space. We’re always over-booked, so it helps to keep the numbers appropriate for a session.

Have there been any surprises at the event?
Not announcing the lineup way ahead in advance is a surprise in itself. It’s an irony—a planned performance that’s completely unplanned at the same time. Artists then feel like they have plenty of scope for creativity.

Sign up at Sofar Sounds website for a chance to attend their secret gigs.

SUB-SONIC LIVE

Fred Perry’s music initiative, responsible for holding multi-sensorial concerts in abandoned warehouses and disused schools. Their Marketing/PR Manager Cheryl Ann Lee says they’re always on the lookout for something new.

Is there more demand for unconventional events?
Yes! We’ve now had parties at venues you never knew existed or thought it was possible to have a party at. It’s always refreshing to have alternate party options.

How do you pick your performers?
It starts off by going to shows, speaking to friends, social media and digital updates that catch onto our radar. Last year, we got Jeremy Lee onboard as Sub-Sonic Live’s Music Curator to oversee the gigs’ overall music direction and programming.

Follow Fred Perry Singapore’s social media pages to keep updated on the next Sub-Sonic Live. 

Shopaholics Anonymous

UNDERGROUND MARKET

Flea markets are dime a dozen in Singapore, and they can be hit-or-miss. But what if Singapore’s coolest fashion bloggers—including organizer Arissa Ho—got together and let you raid their closets? Problem solved! You’ll never need to second-guess the stylishness of your purchase again.

Tell us the story behind Underground Market.
[Bloggers] Venetia and Pia decided that they should get together to sell their pre-loved items. Dawn and I were roped in with Emma, Lenne and Linda Hao and the first flea happened in Pia’s basement. It’s been our venue ever since! The space is not huge compared to some other flea markets, but it is still spacious and homely. The best part is that it’s air-conditioned.

Why do you think flea markets are so popular right now?
Many people realize the impact that the clothing industry has on the environment, and it is a lot of wastage to deal with. We view it as a great opportunity to mingle with our blog readers as well.

The next Underground Market is slated to happen in July. 33A Chiltern Drive. Free. 

$LANGIN’ SATURDAYS

Kilo is so much more than a restaurant these days, what with its new party space on level 8 and regular DJ gigs. The clearest indication that they’re truly hip? The fact that Jasmine Tuan (of the now-closed boutique Blackmarket) and Bobby Kwok are collaborating with them for this curated flea market series.

Who are your vendors?
JT: Previous editions had Kult, Koom, Lulubare, Mandy T Skincare, Nilos Beachwear, MAH collection (scarfs), CindyKate / ContraBrand, theWYLDshop.com, WattleTree and Kelly Su. There was everything from sustainable shoes, jewelry, high-end swimwear and art pieces.

Do you think there’s enough appreciation and support for local artists and talents?
JT: Compared to 5 years ago, there’s definitely a significant growth in local brand awareness and support. Consumers must know that they are the investors of brands they want to see more of.

The next $langin’ Saturdays is expected to be held in late May at Kilo. 

If Bhutan the country is little known to the outside world—its snow-capped Himalayan peaks having shrouded it in mystery for centuries—its nascent contemporary art scene is all but invisible. Most visitors (and there are only around 100,000 a year) come to trek amongst those mountains and marvel at the ancient dzongs, the imposing fortresses that dot the countryside. They're drawn here too by the quirks of modern Bhutan: a monarchy that voluntarily ceded power in 2008 to usher in democracy; the much-vaunted notion of Gross National Happiness, which sets quality of life ahead of economic output; an—in no small way—by just how damn special the experience of being here feels (the US$200-250/day tourist tariff may not be universally popular but it's certainly kept the worst excesses of the modern travel industry at bay).

It's not that these visitors won't come across any art. Says Thimpu-based artist Rinchen Wangdi, "Art is deeply integrated into Bhutanese life. It's just that most artistic practice is associated with religion." Bhutan has a long and rich history of Tibetan or tantric Buddhism, and wherever you travel in the country you'll see astounding works of sculpture and painting; as well as multi-hued, intricately handwoven fabrics selling for upward of $1,000. There are no less than 13 official Bhutanese arts and crafts. But the focus is squarely on the traditional and, as Tashi Payden, a close friend of the artists and founder of Bhutan's RSPCA, points out, "we don't want to be seen just as a living museum."

With that in mind, artists like Rinchen are exploring contemporary Bhutanese issues (particularly environmental degradation) through their experimental mixed-media work. "Art is not about creating beautiful things," he says. "It's about the message." He readily admits the scene is still in its infancy. "We have a long way to go. Most of our buyers come from developed nations; we can't expect local people to buy this kind of work yet. So to sustain ourselves, we have to do commercial, educational work. We've had some government support, but to really keep art alive we need institutions. We need galleries, educators, magazines, art collectors. All of this is lacking at the moment."

A key figure in what progress there has been to date is Asha Kama, another artist combining traditional techniques with modern influences. Together with two friends he set up VAST (Voluntary Artists’ Studio, Thimphu; www.vast-bhutan.org), an NGO providing arts schooling and, more recently, an exhibition space. "There's no market to speak of for our kind of art," he says. "Traditional craftsmen are in good demand. But as a country we lack the love for and understanding of modern art. Abstract and self-expressive art just isn't appreciated." So, in the absence of formal art institutions, VAST was set up to offer would-be artists (including Rinchen, who was one of their first students) encouragement and direction. "Now, 16 years later, we have a lot of young artists working independently. Struggling but surviving," he says. Of his own work he explains that, having toyed with both modern disciplines ("everyone's a graphic designer now!") and traditional religiously-inspired techniques ("People keep this kind of work in their sacred places and I found I wasn't sufficiently committed spiritually"), he's working across the two. "I'm painting Buddha, but Buddha in my own way"—a fair summation of how this small group of like-minded artists are tackling the transition from old to new. 

So while the Bhutanese modern art scene is by no means big enough to base an entire trip around, as a counterpoint to your wanderings through the more traditional landscapes and tapestries of Thimpu (including the stunning Thimpu Dzong, which faces the Royal Palace across the river), some time spent exploring the handful of contemporary galleries makes a worthy add-on to any trip. The artists are refreshingly free of pretension and happy to sit and talk shop, and in both their conversation and their works you get a fascinating insight—and an often controversial at that—into how this long closed-off country is wrestling with modernization. Singaporean visual artist Erwin Lian, a.k.a. Cherngzhi, a part-time lecturer at Ngee Ann Poly, found it so inspiring he’s been back several times. “Actually, I had my fair share of doubt and cynicism when I first landed,” he says. “The Bhutanese tourism board markets it as the happiest place on earth. I thought: Perhaps they are trying to hide the ‘real’ Bhutan from an outsider. But I went exploring by myself—even sketching on the street at night—and it was so idyllic and peaceful. And while not everyone there is happy, they’re fulfilled. I’ve tried to capture the essence of just being there ever since.”

Works by all of the above artists will be on show at the Impressions of Happiness exhibition, which runs from April 12-17, 11am-7.30pm at Sculpture Square (155 Middle Rd.). Part of the proceeds from artworks sold will go to helping underprivileged young artists in Bhutan. There will also be a book launch (see below) and screenings of two Bhutanese films (April 12, 2-7pm). Find out more at www.drukasia.com/impressions. 

Exploring beyond Thimpu

Bhutan is unusual in that its only international airport serves the town of Paro, not the capital, an hour's drive away. Fortunately, Paro is much more than just a waypoint and you'd be remiss not to spend at least a few days there. Among the highlights is Paro Taktsang, or Tiger's Nest, a 17th-century monastery perched high on a cliff-face some 900 meters above ground—a solid four-hour return hike. 

Stay at Uma Paro, a gorgeous estate set amidst 38 acres of lush blue pine forest on a hill overlooking the town. It's a popular spot for executive retreats—and with an in-house COMO Shambhala spa, traditional wood-fire Bukhari stoves warming up the bar and restaurant and trails leading off in every direction up and down the mountainside it's easy to see why. Rooms start from US$450 ($570)/night.  

What does Bhutanese cuisine taste like? Find out at The Soup Spoon. Plus, read our interview with Dr. Karma Phuntsho, author of The History of Bhutan.

db Bistro Moderne

It's a little surprising that a French-American restaurant would offer a durian souffle with mangosteen sorbet ($15). But it's an impressive rendition. Tip: Some days, there's a special chocolate souffle available ($15). Try your luck and ask the staff if it's on offer for the day.

Laurent Bernard Chocolatier

Go for their chocolate souffle ($18), served with a shot of full cream milk and raspberry sorbet. Not in the mood for chocolate? There are other flavors available too: lemon, After Eight (chocolate mint!), cherry pistachio and Grand Marnier ($15 each).

Le Bistrot Du Sommelier

Not a common flavor, but this French eatery makes a mean coconut souffle ($24). Light, fluffy, and complete with bits of coconut strips.

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Osia

This is one unassuming contender, but chef de cuisine Douglas Tay puts out a very impressive macadamia souffle with praline, banana custard and sour cream ice cream ($34).

The White Rabbit

This one's for fans of vanilla and milk—their white chocolate souffle ($18) is made from Valrhona Opalys 33% White Chocolate. Good stuff.

Wooloomooloo Steakhouse

We're not sure what's up with steakhouses putting souffles on their menus, but Wooloomooloo also makes pretty solid treats that come in flavors like chocolate, raspberry, passionfruit and Grand Marnier ($24 each).

Outpost Bar & Bistro
The only gastropub in the vicinity, newcomer Outpost offers “elevated” bar bites, paired with a tightly-curated and surprisingly offbeat wine selection with decent house wines. Try the quirky red Le Pigeoulet ($13/glass). Their happy hour promo (6-9pm daily) isn’t too shabby either, with six different beers at $5/half pint. Acoustic live music keeps the atmosphere relaxed and almost rustic.

Club Gossip
Touted as the only Vietnamese disco in Singapore, Gossip caters to quite a niche crowd. Each night scantily-clad girls take to the stage to gyrate to “Viet-House” beats, complete with glow sticks and pulsating strobe lights. There’s also a private room upstairs to play pool and fish for stuffed toys from the claw machine.

Toxic
A neon green biohazard sign greets you, after which a spiralling descent leads down to a cavernous space with an industrial vibe. It’s all very Y2K hereremember when Euro-trance clubs with podiums and lofty VIP lounges were all the rage?  Expect a flashback to earlier party days, all set to an electro house soundtrack.

District One
Your best bet for a good night out at St James, this club churns out everyone’s favorite EDM remixes. With the DJ tucked away in a corner by the bar, the podium takes center stage for those who like to show off their dance moves. Even on a Wednesday night, the crowd goes all out.

On the Road
The Circular Road action just keeps on coming, doesn’t it? Following late night pedestrianization efforts and the big St. Patrick’s Day street party, the next festival we hear will hit the Boat Quay area is the debut of Singapore International Comedy Festival (Apr 23-26). Twenty-nine comedians from all over the world will perform at various venues all along Circular Road and Boat Quay over this four-night (and 131 show!) fest. Log on to www.comedyfest.com.sg for the line-up and ticketing info.

A to Zee
2014 has been pretty great for music fans so far. This month isn’t quite as crazy as the last, but Malaysian indie/pop/jazz starlet Zee Avi is going to be back in town. Also worth catching are Far East Movement at the H20 Festival and neo-traditional folkster Tim Eriksen, who’s in town for Esplanade’s A Tapestry of Sacred Music.

Bar Watch
Fans of The Library’s Stefan Ravalli, we feel your pain. The star barkeep is now off meditating in the Himalayas, so Nicholas Quattroville—who’s worked at London’s W Hotel and La Bodega Negra—is taking the helm with a new, pared-down cocktail list. Other hip new faces on the mixology scene are US imports Ricky Paiva at the Regent’s soon-to-open bar Manhattan—told you hotel bars were getting hip, didn’t we?—and Tyler Hudgens at New Orleans-style resto Life is Beautiful.

More than 100 resorts occupy their own island in the 1,190 island archipelago of the sparkling Indian Ocean—each offering the kind of picture postcard setting that impossible expectations are made of. The good news is that, if you pick the right resort, even your highest hopes will be blown out of the water: crystal clear waters, turquoise lagoons, villa-lined jetties jutting out to sea and luxury service on tap.

Some say the Paradise isles are, whisper it, a bit boring, but in fact there are now so many resorts putting on underwater, overwater and island-based activities and excursions that you couldn’t possibly fit them all into one trip. So we checked out* four special, but completely different, top-rate resorts, each of them offering their own take on that trademark Maldivian indulgence.

A stay here is never going to be cheap (though see below for details of cheap flight access), but for a once in a lifetime experience it’s pretty much the gold standard.

*Tough job

BEST FOR LIVING THE DREAM: Niyama

Stay: What can we say—Niyama is where to stay if you want to feel like a rockstar. The villas are stylish, sexy and fitted with contemporary furnishings, such as the light fittings influenced by the native coral. The resort feels like an ultra-exclusive village with sandy paths leading you between villas, pristine beaches, uber hip eating and drinking venues, state-of-the-art facilities and the serene Lime Spa. They’re eco-conscious too, with an on-site marine biologist there to give guests an insight into the underwater world, and the opportunity to plant your own coral. The downside is that the high price means you can’t stay as long as you’d like (forever?).

Eat: There are seven dining and drinking venues, but stand-outs are Edge, an overwater restaurant and bar accessed by boat, Subsix, the world’s first underwater club, and Tribal, an alfresco dining space, specializing in African and South American flavors; try the lobster ceviche and chargrilled ostrich.

Do: With a daily schedule of activities, such as yoga or DJ workshops, an extensive range of watersports and excursions, including trips on Maldivian Dhoni boats, as well as the gym, spa, game simulator center and marine biology lab, you’ll never feel like you’ve had enough time here.

Need to Know: Travel to the resort by Trans Maldivian Airways seaplane for US$600 ($759) return. Nightly rates range between US$850 ($1,074) in low season for a beach studio to US$14,900 ($18,829) in high season for a two-bedroom beach pavilion (we can dream).

Oluveli Island, PO Box 2002, Dhaalu Atoll, 96 0676-2676, www.niyama.com.

BEST FOR ROMANCE: The Residence Maldives

Stay: The resort is set one of the farthest flung islands from Male, so you’ll need to take a domestic flight to nearby Kooddoo Airport, from where you’ll be taken by speed boat to Falhumaafushi, The Residence’s own island. That might seem like a lot of effort, but it’s worth it when you discover the extraordinary abundance of sea creatures among the coral right by your own villa, or as you’re whisked away to a nearby sand-bank for candlelit castaway cocktails as the sun goes down, revealing the starlit sky. The resort itself exudes classic elegance with Maldivian style water and beach villas that incorporate contemporary luxe detailing. Honeymooners, this one’s for you.

Eat: The Dining Room serves up international cuisine in a contemporary setting, while overwater restaurant Falhumaa specialises in fresh seafood—we met the man who free dives for the lobster each day, so you know it’s fresh—and fine wine. You can sit in the pool while sipping on cocktails at the Beach Bar, which also serves up tapas.
Do: Guests can either spend their time lounging by the pool or at The Spa by Clarins, or by making the most of the natural surroundings with the watersports, diving and boat excursions on offer.

Need to Know: The resort is accessed by a domestic flight with Maldivian Airlines for US$400 ($505) return. Villa rates start at US$940 ($1,188) per night.

Falhumaafushi, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, 96 0682-0088, www.theresidence.com/maldives.

BEST COMBO OF LOCAL AND LUXE: The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

Stay: If you want a taste of true Maldivian life while still experiencing the total luxury that the archipelago is known for, this could be the one for you. The resort encourages guests to gain a more memorable experience of the islands by exploring what the local community has to offer, from visiting the farms and villages to Maldivian cooking classes. The resort is huge, with as many as 221 villas, but each guest still receives the attentive service of a boutique stay. You’re sure to leave here with some stories to tell.

Eat: There’s plenty to choose from with 11 eating and drinking venues scattered across the island, including poolside bites, an overwater eatery, beachfront grilled seafood and specialist spots for vintage wines and Champagne. Each night has a dining event, such as Champagne and lobster BBQs.

Do: This is another resort for those that don’t like to sit still—findiing time to relax is almost a challenge with a daily schedule packed with activities like sunset fishing and wine academy. The spa is huge—a maze of tranquil pathways through tropical flora, leading you to private villas that are each inspired by a different flower.

Need to Know: The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is reached by seaplane with Trans Maldivian Airlines for US$1,300 ($1,644) return. Rates range from US$520 ($657) for a beach villa to US$4,270 ($5,396) for the celebrity retreat, per night.

Noonu Atoll, 96 0656-0591, www.thesunsiyam.com/irufushi.

NEW! Atmosphere Kanifushi

Stay: This brand new resort prides itself on being one of the very few five-star all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives. The setting is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, with a huge beach that you almost always have to yourself. The island is pretty big compared to others so guests can borrow bicycles to cycle along the wide sandy avenues that are lined with soaring palms. Plus, it’s almost liberating to be able to eat and drink top rate cuisine and cocktails without having to pay a cent. The resort doesn’t have the boutique, personalized service that the others offer, but you do have a huge amount of privacy.

Eat: Most guests dine at The Spice, a spacious beach-front restaurant with a buffet and live cooking stations. For light bites and drinks head to The Liquid and The Sunset pool bars, or try out Just Veg, the Maldives’ first purely vegetarian restaurant and Teppanyaki Grill for Japanese cuisine.

Do: The all-inclusive package includes non-motorized watersports and snorkelling trips out to the incredibly pristine reef. You also get to join an additional excursion, such as a sunset boat trip or fishing. Treatments at the Akiri Spa by Mandara are an optional extra.

Need to Know: Travel to Kanifushi by seaplane for US$459 ($580) return. Villa rates range between US$900 ($1,137) and US$1,680 ($2,123) per night based on two sharing.

Kanifushi Island, Lhaviyani Atoll, 96 0662-0066, www.atmosphere-kanifushi.com.

Essentials

Getting There
In late January Tigerair became the first low-cost airline to launch direct flights to the Maldivian capital Male, making the archipelago more accessible than ever (at least you can save money on the journey!). Flights leave Singapore on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday each week, departing at 9.50am and arriving just after 11am. The return flight runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, departing Male at 12.15pm. Fares vary depending on the season but expect to pay around $400.

Once you’re there, most resorts will arrange transfer to and from Male. To travel between resorts you’ll typically need to go back through Male.

Visa and Currency
Free visa permits are issued on arrival. US dollars and credit cards are used at all resorts.

When to Go
Temperatures are usually 26-30°C, with the high season from January to March. Mid-May to November is monsoon season, so you can expect some rain.

Is it safe?
The last decade has seen a considerable amount of political unrest in the Maldives, though currently it appears more stable than it has for some time. Since you’re in and out of Male before you know it, it’s not something to get too worried about.