By Esther Au Yong

THE Bras Basah/Bugis area has always been known as an artsy district.

Among its long-time residents are the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and the LaSalle College of the Arts which, together, nurture many talented artists.

Naturally, the district is infused with a sense of joie de vivre, even after twilight.

Far from just being a bystander, the vibrancy of the Bras Basah/Bugis area compels you to be a participant.

Though you'll find everything from painting to ballet classes in the area, newly introduced classes include the Brazilian Forro dance, Zumba Fitness - the latest workout craze from the United States - and even lessons on how to perform magic tricks.

Here's our shortlist of five independent providers of arts and lifestyle options, who offer classes after working hours.

YMCA

Where: One Orchard Road (tel: 6586-2255). Open from 9am to 10pm on weekdays.

What: A warrior's dance - that is how one might view fencing, one of the most poetic sports in modern times.

If you want to pick up the art of swordsmanship, join the Adult Introductory Epee course ($160) on Wednesday nights.

Sparring nights, where enthusiasts gather to pit their skills against each other, are also held on Wednesdays.

Also available at the YMCA is a course on Forro ($150), a Brazilian dance with roots in Salsa. It is danced to tunes made by an accordion, a bass drum and a triangle.

For something a little more Western, try Zumba Fitness (classes start from $62 monthly).

Yoga Space

Where: 28A/B Liang Seah Street (tel: 6338-9642). Check www.yogaspace.com.sg for class schedules.

What: Go Ohm at this yoga studio, launched last August. It offers basic to advanced-level Hatha yoga and meditation classes (classes start at $22 for a trial session).

Classes are cosy, with five to seven students per class, and teachers seek to help students relieve stress, increase fitness and attain balance through yoga.

On their location in the Bugis area, managing teacher Don Peers said: "The area around Bugis comprises an eclectic mix of both students and professionals, foreigners and locals.

This unique crowd is a reflection of the diversity of our teaching team."

Objectifs

Where: 56A Arab Street (tel: 6293-9782). Open from 11am to 10pm (Mon - Thur), 11am - 7pm (Fri), 12pm - 6pm (Sat).

What: Have dreams of becoming a professional photographer? You'll be in good company at this centre for photography and filmmaking.

Past students have gone on to shoot for Time magazine, Tiger Airways and the Lien Foundation, and a few of them have returned to Objectifs to teach.

Also on its teaching roster are famous photographers and directors like Geoff Ang and the late Yasmin Ahmad.

The school's most popular courses include the Basic and Intermediate Photography courses ($325 and $360 respectively), and the Digital Filmmaking course ($750).

Other interesting courses include Documentary Photography ($100) and Basic Comedy Scriptwriting ($300).

Objectifs, which moved from nearby Liang Seah Street last year, also hosts the Lomographic Embassy of Singapore.

It promotes photography using the popular Lomo mechanical camera, which typically produces arty, muted pictures.

Secret Skills

Where: 1 Selegie Road, #02-15 PoMo (Former Paradiz Center) (tel: 6337-3977). Open from 1pm to 10pm daily.

What: Fancy yourself a budding David Copperfield or Criss Angel? Learn the tricks of magic at this three-month-old school, co-owned by 27-year-old Derick Ho.

But besides magic, what draws the crowds is a course called the Art of Seduction Magic.

In it, Mr Ho teaches 10 magic tricks which he said can help men woo women.

Paired with glib lines, these are magic tricks using simple items like playing cards and rubber bands.

The course doesn't guarantee wild success but, I think, at the very least, it'll help you get her number.

Both courses cost $180 and you're entitled to as many classes as you need in order to master the tricks.

Replugged Music

Where: 249B Victoria Street, Bugis Village (tel: 6337-0250). Open from 3pm to 10pm (Mon - Fri), 12pm to 8pm (Sat and Sun).

What: Let your musical talent flow at this music school which provides for a range of interests and abilities.

One of their most interesting new courses is the Pop Ukulele Course ($299; current promotion includes one free ukulele worth $50). The ukulele is a small guitar with four strings. It is lightweight and easy to master.

Both Mandarin and English pop songs are featured in the course and you can even suggest tunes at Replugged's blog (repluggedmusic. blogspot.com).

Another popular course is the Pop Vocal course ($128 - $208). Instructors for the course include local songbirds Bevlyn Khoo and Juliet Pang.

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