WHAT’S ON: THIS WEEKEND AND BEYOND

MUSIC & DANCE TPO concert

Prince Mahidol Hall

Mahidol University, Salaya campus Feb 16 at 7pm and Feb 17 at 4pm Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra presents the “Fanfares And Flourishes” concert featuring two atmospheric symphonic pieces, Taras Bulba and Sinfonietta, by Czech composer Leos Janacek and Paul Creston’s Concerto For Alto Saxophone, Op 2.

Tickets cost 400, 600, 800, 1,000 and 1,500 baht (half price for students) from thaiticketmajor.com or call 02-849-6565/6 ext 6603/4 (6624 and 6626 on concert days). Visit thailandphil.com.

Music fest

Bitec Hall 106

Bang Na-Trat Road

Feb 17 at 7pm

The “TNT Music Festival 2018” features world-class DJs and local artists of various genres including R&B, hip hop, trap and EDM. The DJ line-up includes Lil Jon, Soda, Walshy Fire of Major Lazer, Clinton Sparks and Willy Monfret. Local acts will be hip-hop legends Taitanium and Bank Clash.

Tickets cost 1,800, 2,200 and 3,500 baht from thaiticketmajor.com.

Fun music fest

Thai Wake Park

Pathum Thani

Feb 24-25, 2pm-2am

Hailed as Bangkok’s biggest open air House and Techno festival, the 4th annual “Kolour In The Park” will deliver a full immersive experience combining music, art, sport, interactive daytime activities and top class night-time party vibes. The artist line-up includes German duo Mat.Joe, Berlin-based Thai Techno icon Nakadia, Canadian multi-instrumentalist and producer Pomo, and songwriter/producer/instrumentalist/ vocalist Youngr.

Tickets cost 2,100 and 2,300 baht (1,800 for one-day pass).

Visit kolourinthepark.com.

Concert by young talents

Sudasiri Sobha, Lat Phrao 41

Feb 25 at 4pm

Sala Sudasiri Sobha is holding “The HeadacheHorse Plays Big 3M (Mozart Mendelssohn Mahler) X Special Guests” concert featuring the piano trio, HeadacheHorse, in a programme that includes works by three great composers — Mozart, Mendelssohn and Mahler. The group comprises rising professional musicians — Chot Buasuwan (piano), Samatchar Pourkarua (cello) and Kant Lormsomboon (violin). They will be accompanied by their fellow musicians — cellist Panyaphat Wongwechwiwat; violinists Chalat Limpisiri, Chitipat Darapong and Pittayah Pruksacholavit; and viola players Omporn Kowintha and Atjayut Sangkasem.

Tickets cost 700 baht with proceeds going towards the Gift of Life Foundation. Call 02-541-8662 or 080-407-8231.

Orchestral concert

Thailand Cultural Centre’s Main Hall Ratchadaphisek Road

Feb 28 at 8pm

Eminent British conducting guru Douglas Bostock will be conducting the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra with young Japanese sensation Airi Suzuki as guest soloist during the “Suzuki Plays Mendelssohn Violin Concerto” concert. The programme features Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture, Op 80; Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto No.1 In E Minor, Op 64; and Schumann’s Symphony No.2 In C Major, Op 61.

Tickets cost 300, 700, 900, 1,200 and 1,500 baht (half prices for students) from thaiticketmajor.com. Visit bangkoksymphony.org.

FAIRS & SALES Penang highlights

Seacon Bangkae, Phetkasem Road Until Feb 18, 11am-8pm

The “Street Of Penang” fair features replicas of Penang’s top five popular tourist destinations in the real atmosphere — George Town World Heritage Inc, Blue Mansion, Street Arts, Camera Museum and Bricklin Cafe & Bar. This is also a chance to taste Penang’s traditional dishes such as asam laksa, char koey teow, nasi lemak and nyonya laksa.

Call 02-454-7777.

Glamorous wedding

Grand Ballroom, Mandarin Hotel Rama IV

Feb 17-18, 10am-7pm

The “Glamorous Green Wedding Fair 2018” features finest wedding services with special promotions, creative displays showcasing various wedding and banquet designs and a bridal fashion show featuring the latest wedding dress trends from MBF Wedding Studio (My Best Friend’s Wedding Studio). Wedding expert, Pom Hair Mafia, will be giving information on wedding fashion. Any couples confirming their wedding at the fair will have a chance to win an exclusive honeymoon package to Phuket.

Call 02-238-0230.

Wedding open house

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Charoen Krung Road

Feb 24-25, 10am-7pm

The “Wedding Open House 2018” will meet the hotel’s dedicated professional wedding specialists who will be on hand to assist all prospective couples-to-be in planning their dream wedding. Exclusive wedding packages and special offers will be available.

Call 02-659-9000 ext 7421.

Diplomatic bazaar

Royal Paragon Hall, 5th floor

Siam Paragon, Rama I

Feb 24-25, 10am-8pm

Organised by the Thai Red Cross Society and spouses of diplomats in Thailand, the 51st “Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar” will feature special prices on high-quality products from 53 countries. Items include matryoshka dolls and Gzhel ceramics from Russia, crystal accessories and cocoa powder from Belgium, Swiss chocolate and cheese, Norwegian salmon, Moroccan argan oil, Mongolian cashmere shirts and scarves, Bhutanese natural products, Canadian frozen seafood and maple syrup, Portuguese egg tarts and Czech glassware and crystals. Raffle draws are available at 50 baht per ticket. Proceeds will go to support the Thai Red Cross Society.Admission fee is 50 baht.

Call 02-251-1218 or 02-256-4289.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION Grand and exciting

Quartier Parc of EmQuartier Sukhumvit Road

Until Feb 18, 10am-9pm

The “Emporium EmQuartier Chinese New Year Grand Celebration 2018” features a spectacular dragon dance and gravity-defying aerial acrobatic performances daily at 7pm, plus an atmospheric Chinatown market offering delicacies and Chinese favourites including peanut nuggets, grilled prawns, noodles and sticky rice dumplings at the EmQuartier Chinese Boulevard, ground floor.

Call 02-259-8345 or 02-269-1000 ext 1021.

Chinese celebration

Terminal 21, Asok Road

Until Feb 18, 10am-10pm

The “Chinese New Year 2018” fair features the atmosphere of Hong Kong’s famous temple, Che Kung. This is an opportunity for local worshippers to spin a replica of the sacred fan-bladed wheel of fortune, the temple’s signature feature, to earn good luck. Replicas of sacred Chinese gods known for their meritorious legends are also housed at Fashion Island for local worshippers to pray for blessings. Two acrobatic troupes from China will perform on Feb 10-11 and Feb 16-18. They will also take turns to perform at Fashion Island, The Promenade Ramindra and Terminal 21 Korat in Nakhon Ratchasima on those days.

There is no admission fee. Call 02-1080888 or visit terminal21.co.th.

Blessing shows

CentralWorld’s Central Court Ratchadamri Road

Feb 16 at 7pm, Feb 17 at 2pm and Feb 18 at 1.30pm

“The Blessing Show” features the popular “Flying Kites” dance, which is often performed during spring and the “Jumping Fish” show to present wishes of prosperity to the audiences by a performing troupe from Hebei of China today. Tomorrow will see different cultural performances including martial arts and acrobatic shows from Hunan, a dramatic arts performance from Zhejiang, folk music from Shanxi and another dramatic arts show from Hubei. The last day will see a guzheng (Chinese zither) performance.

There is no admission fee.

Call 02-640-7000.

Acrobatic shows

Future Park, Phahon Yothin Road Feb 16 at 6pm and Feb 17-18 at 3pm Future Park presents the “Unexpected Extreme Chinese Show” featuring six exciting acrobatic shows that combine Chinese art and culture with extreme sports performed by a local troupe. They include “Jumper Extreme Dance”, “Chinese Opera On Top”, “Chinese Balancing Dance”, Extreme Lion Sketch”, “Unexpected Wheel Dance”, and “Hip Drum Dance”.

There is no admission fee.

Call 02-958-0011

Lantern and lively shows

Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon Rama I

Until Feb 18, 11am-9pm

Held under the “Lantern Festival” concept, the “Siam Delightful Chinese New Year” celebration features 999 coloured sculpted lanterns including large pieces in the shape of 12 Chinese zodiac animals, reproductions of teahouses and a lit-up plum blossom-decorated tunnel. In the evening will see Chinese cultural performances by a troupe of 100 performers from the city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province of China. Music performances featuring guzheng (Chinese zither), erhu (Chinese violin) and xiao (Chinese flute) will be presented in the Hall of Fame, M floor. An exhibition of lantern-mounted photographs under the “All We Need Is Love” theme by up-and-coming collage artist Nakrob Moonmanas is being displayed at Siam Center.

Call 02-658-1000.

EXHIBITIONS Japanese art

Siwamokhaphiman Hall Bangkok National Museum

Na Phra That Road

Until Feb 18, 9am-4pm, Wed-Sun

Held to mark the 130th anniversary of Thailand-Japan relations, the “The History Of Japanese Art: Life And Faith” exhibition features 130 pieces of antiquities and art objects that represent all periods of Japanese history from the Jomon to Edo periods. Items include archaeological materials, earthenware pottery, sculptures, paintings and fine arts that reflect the uniqueness of Japanese culture.

Admission fee is 30 baht (200 baht for foreign visitors). Call 02-224-1402 and 02-224-1370.

Rohingya’s ordeal

Sea Junction, 1st and 4th floor Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Pathumwan intersection

Until Feb 18, Tue-Sun 10am-8pm

The “Unmentionable: Rohingya Refugees In Cox’s Bazaar” photo exhibition portrays the impact of the latest attacks against Rohingyas in Rakhine State, which started last August, through the lens of Bangladeshi photographer Mahmud Rachman. The images illustrate the camp conditions and the vulnerability of Rohingya refugees, with particular attention to women and girls and their specific, and too often neglected, needs and rights.

Visit seajunction.org or call 097-002-4140.

Contemporary Russian art

Galleria, 2nd floor of River City Bangkok Charoen Krung 24

Until Feb 20, 10am-8pm

Organised by the Bureau of Creative Expeditions (Moscow) with the support by the Russian Embassy to mark the 120th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Russia and Thailand, the “Suvarnabhumi — A Golden Land” exhibition features Russian artworks including 120 paintings by talented Russian artists led by Vladimir Anisimov from the Russian Academy of Fine Arts, icons, handicrafts, sculptures and memorial medals. Most of the exhibited artworks are available for sale. There is a free daily workshop on Russian lacquer box painting for those who purchase the box (limited boxes).

Visit rivercitybangkok.com or call 02-237-0077 ext 700.

GET-TOGETHERS Festival to warm hearts

The Royal Plaza of Dusit Palace and Sanam Suapa, Sri Ayutthaya Road Until March 11, 10.30am-9pm Sun-Thur and 10.30am-10pm Fri-Sat

Graciously organised by HM King Rama X to reflect the long-standing bond between the royal institution and the Thai people, the “Un Ai Rak Khlai Khwam Nao (Love And Warmth At Winter’s End)” festival features many activities including exhibitions that honour the Chakri dynasty and its part monarchs, particularly King Rama V and King Rama IX. Thai food stalls and products, Thai-style lucky draws and games are available with proceeds going to support the underprivileged and needy in all regions. A number of cultural performances are staged daily. Visitors are invited to dress in traditional Thai period costume or Thai textiles of the bygone era.

Visit tourismthailand.org or call 1672.

Yacht show

Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket

Feb 22-25

The “Thailand Yacht Show 2018” will feature more of the region’s premier yachting and luxury brands from stylish superyachts to the latest launches. Local and international visitors will have a chance to view and even try out boats and yachts presented by the country’s leading boat dealers and yacht brokers. The popular “Demonstration Platform” returns again, allowing more intrepid guests to test the latest yachting toys and accessories, and engage in diverse on-water activities.

Visit thailandyachtshow.com or email info@thailandyachtshow.com.

Astro fans

Ultra Arena Show of DCRama IX March 3 at 1pm and 7pm

The “2018 Astro Global Fan Meeting Thailand” is the only chance for local fans to get to know more about the rising K-pop boy band, Astro, which was founded two years ago and named by Billboard as one of the best new K-pop groups of 2016. The sextet comprises JinJin, MJ, Rocky, Eunwoo, Sanha and Moon Bin. They will perform hits from their six mini albums.

Tickets cost 3,000, 4,500 and 5,500 baht from thaiticketmajor.com or call 02-262-3838.

LECTURE Hmong songs of memory

Siam Society, Asok Road

Feb 22 at 7.30pm

Siam Society is holding a lecture on “Hmong Songs Of Memory: Traditional Secular And Sacred Hmong Music” conducted by Victoria Vorreiter. She will highlight the traditional music, ceremonies, and culture of the Hmong of Laos and Thailand through a dynamic presentation enhanced by photographs and recordings, which complements her book and film of the same name.

Donation fee is 200 baht (free for members and students). Call 02-661-6470—3.

WORKSHOPS Musical workshop

The Hop art and dance studio Silom Road

Feb 19-23, 10am-2pm

Musical Theatre for Kids presents The Little Mermaid mini-musical workshop for six-10 year-old children to sing, dance, act and design with professional artists. The first part of each day includes theatre warm-ups and exercises. Then, the children work with the show script (lines, blocking, choreography and song) and finally they work with art director Youngji and create the backdrop for the show. Concurrently, a mini-musical workshop on Matilda designed for children aged eight-13 years is also running at Purple Crayon, Sukhumvit 26.

The fee is 6,500 baht per week including art materials and costumes.

Visit musicaltheatreforkids.com.

SPORTS Rugby 10s

Bangkok Patana School Sukhumvit 105 (Soi Lasalle)

Feb 24-25, 7.30am-6pm

The “Bangkok International Rugby Tens 2018” will feature 100 teams of adult, children and female players from around the world including South Africa, Sri Lanka, France, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. Well-known players will also join the tournament which is categorised into men’s rugby, veteran men’s rugby, boys’ rugby, ladies’ touch, ladies’ contact and ancients’ contact. There will also be fun games, rides and after-parties.

There is no admission fee.

Visit bangkokrugby10s.net.