WHAT’S ON: THIS WEEKEND AND BEYOND

MUSIC & DANCE TPO concert

Prince Mahidol Hall

Mahidol University, Salaya campus Nov 23 at 7pm and Nov 24 at 4pm German’s lauded pianist Rolf-Dieter Arens will be back to perform with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of young maestro Johannes Klumpp during the “Alpine Adventure” concert. The programme features Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto, Wiwat Suthiyam’s Dhumketu and Richard Strauss’s An Alpine Symphony.

Tickets cost 400, 600, 800, 1,000 and 1,500 baht (half prices for students) from thaiticketmajor.com (call 02-262-3456) and PMH Box Office (call 02-849-6565/6 ext 6603/4 or 6624).

Piano recital

Tongsuang’s Studio Sukhumvit 3 (Soi Nana Neua)

Nov 24 at 6 pm

The Bangkok Chopin Society, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and Dr Tongsuang Israngkun, presents the “2018 Talented Youth Concert” featuring a group of young pianists who have won piano competitions nationally and internationally. They are Warit Techakanam, Yanichadapha Pornvisethkul, Pannita Mamanee and Ariya Laothitipong.

There is no admission fee but donations are welcome to benefit Bangkok Chopin Society’s music events for youths. Call 089-039-6021.

Solo dance

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, 4th floor, Pathumwan intersection

Nov 24 at 6pm

Held as part of the “International Dance Festival”, the “Solo Dance Competition” will feature a total of 60 talented dancers from around the world who will be competing in contemporary dance, ballet, musical theatre and hip-hop to vie for scholarships from leading dance institutes in Europe and Asia. Two winners will compete in “Danza Si”, the biggest dance competition in Italy next October. This is also a chance to see a solo dance performed by Ludovica Ballarin, winner of last month’s Danza Si competition.

Tickets cost 700, 1,500 and 1,800 baht from ticketmelon.com.

Two-in-one concert

Moonstar Studio 8, Lat Phrao 80 Nov 24 at 7pm

The Very Company presents a two-inone concert by two outstanding new wave artists — Boy Pablo, a 19-year-old Norwegian indie pop-rock artist and Phum Viphurit, a YouTube neo-soul sensation. Boy Pablo has brought the new dimension of indie scene across Europe with hits like Everytime, Losing You and Dance, Baby!, while Phum is a newly popular Thai artists in neo-soul music with mega hits on YouTube such as Lover Boy, Long Gone and Sweet Hurricane.

Tickets cost 1,800 baht from ticketmelon. com.

Dance of the future

M Theatre, New Phetchaburi Road Nov 25, 5pm-7pm

Studio Zoom presents its ninth annual performance, “Infinity & Beyond”, featuring an avant-garde creation that combines fashion and dance aspects with futuristic moves. The two-hour production comprises 30 shows with highlights consisting of a contemporary piece by Patrice Leroy, street jazz on high heels by Thatcha Kosolprapha, an urban choreography by Emily Greenwell and Kenichi Kasamatsu, and a duo hip-hop finale show by Hataboyz. Participating guest performers are Mix Em Up, Urban Squad, URstyle, The Next Dolls and Triple T.

Tickets cost 700, 800 and 900 baht from Studio Zoom on Sukhumvit 39. Visit zoomstudio.asia or call 02-260-0728 and 081-868-2336.

Bandoneon from Argentina

Yamaha Music Hall, 4th floor

Siam Motors Building, Rama I

Nov 28 at 7.30pm

“The Grand Tango Music Of Astor Piazzolla” concert will feature the fabulous sounds of bandoneon, a kind of concertina originating from Argentina and Uruguay. The programme will be entirely devoted to the famous Argentinian tango composer Piazzolla and performed by Daniel Ruggiero, a bandoneonist and composer from Buenos Aires. He will be joined by Thailand’s eminent virtuoso violinist Tasana Nagavajara, with Panyaphat Wongwechwiwat on violoncello.

Tickets cost 600 baht (100 baht for students). For reservations, email promusica. bkk@gmail.com or visit promusicabkk.com.

Triple bill

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, 4th floor, Pathumwan intersection

Nov 29 at 7.30pm

A triple bill performance from three countries will be staged as part of the “International Dance Festival 2018”. The Two Doors is an award-winning contemporary dance production by Park Nahoon, one of South Korea’s best choreographers; Amidst is a contemporary solo dance piece by Thai professional dancer Vararom Tavivoradilok; and Cloudburst will be performed by celebrated dancer Fauzi Amirudin from Malaysia.

Tickets cost 700, 1,500 and 1,800 baht from ticketmelon.com. Visit facebook. com/Internationaldancefestival or call 085-100-3050.

Double bill and triple bill

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, 4th floor, Pathumwan intersection

Dec 1 at 3pm and 7.30pm

The “International Dance Festival 2018” presents a double bill performance from two countries at 3pm. Thailand-based Taiwanese dancer/choreographer Hsin-Yu Kao will perform Solo directed and choreographed by himself, while dancers from Tranze, a contemporary dance group from Mexico will take to the stage to interpret the intangible complexities of the mind in Medium. Starting at 7.30pm is a triple bill performance by the popular T.H.E Dance Company from Singapore. It features Perhaps Someone, Pure and Present, which are choreographed by Dimo Kirilov Milev, Kuik Swee Boon and Kim Jae Duk, respectively.

Tickets cost 700, 1,500 and 1,800 baht from ticketmelon.com.

Khao Lak fest

Khaolak Mountain View, Phang Nga Dec 1-2, 5pm to 2am

Held to promote tourism in Khao Lak on Phang Nga, the “Khao Lak Music Festival 2018” will gather more than 100 regional and leading artists from around the country to perform. The line-up includes Tik Shiro, Smile Buffalo, Stone Metal Fire, AB Normal, Dose, Taxi and Lam Morrison, Blackhead, Bee Therapat, Retrospect and Sweet Mullet. There will also be a celebrity fair and Otop booths, a caravan of modified automobiles, a big bike show, a bakery eating contest, a bartender contest and more.

Tickets cost 800 baht per day (1,500 baht per two days) from Counter Service at all branches of 7-Eleven. Visit khaolakmusicfestival.com.

THEATRE Panto for festive season

Creative Industries

M Theatre, Phetchaburi Road

Nov 30-Dec 1 and Dec 7-8 at 7.30pm, plus a 2.30pm show on Sat;

Dec 2 at 1.30pm and 6pm; and Dec 9 at 1.30pm

After the success of Cinderella and Aladdin, the Bangkok Community Theatre is bringing back another British pantomime (a chaotic and anarchic mix of fun, song, dance, bad jokes and corny acting) for the whole family. Directed by Ian Robinson, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs will bring on stage the usual panto chaos, audience participation, music, ghosts, fairies and cross dressing, including the traditional panto dame. It will be performed in English. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Operation Smile.

Tickets cost 900 baht (650 baht for children for matinee shows). Visit bangkokcommunitytheatre.com.

FAIRS & SALES Bike expo

Impact Exhibition Hall 3-4

Muang Thong Thani

Until Nov 25, 11am-9pm

The “12th International Bangkok Bike” features more than 300 booths offering a complete range of bikes from top-flight worldwide bicycle brands, as well as frames, parts and accessories, apparels and gadgets. There are also an exhibition of electric bicycles (E-bike) and bikes for kids, indoor fun races on many categories of bikes, a balanced bike race for kids, and a display of bicycles belonging to HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun and HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha.

Visit internationalbangkokbike.com or call 02-203-4241—4.

For a beautiful future

Atrium 3, CentralWorld Ratchadamri Road

Until Dec 6, 10am-10am

Held with the aim to ensure the longevity of the beautiful planet, the “Sretsis Reimagined Pop-Up” features a range of lifestyle products responsibly produced with archive fabrics exclusively created throughout 16 years of the brand’s inception. Discover back-to-school essentials, home furnishings and children’s playhouse with prices ranging from 200 to 4,500 baht. Part of the proceeds will be donated to non-profit organisations supporting adolescents in need.

Visit sretsis.com.

Favourite charity fair

Lumpini Park, Rama IV

Nov 23-Dec 1, 10.30am-10pm

Held to celebrate the Thai Red Cross Society’s 125th anniversary, the “Thai Red Cross Fair 2018” is packed with many activities that take visitors back in time to explore the charm of the fair that has been held annually for 90 years. Shoppers will enjoy big discounts from 200 shops, enjoy stage performances and concerts, and have a chance to win big prizes from raffle drawings. They are also encouraged to bring their own shopping totes.

Visit redcrossfundraising.org or call 02-256-4440, 02-255-9911 and 02-2511218 ext 124.

Ploenchit fair

British Embassy, Witthayu Road

Nov 24, 10am-8pm

The annual fund-raising blockbuster “Ploenchit Fair” will return with activities for the whole family. There will be fun games and many attractions for children, with Father Christmas set to make his usual visit as well as Ploenchit Clown Eckie. Some 40 shopping outlets and a variety of different products will be available while the grand raffle has some 30 top prizes including flights to London with accommodations and weekends away from many five-star hotel resorts. First class food, exciting cocktails, various beer and wines will be served.

Tickets cost 500 baht. Visit bctfn.org or ploenchitfair.org.

Hope fair

Rembrandt Hotel, Sukhumvit 18 Nov 29, 11am-8pm

The Hope Fair is back for the annual Christmas edition featuring a fun day of shopping, dining and chatting with 110 entrepreneurs, artisans and designers for the liking of gift hunters, curious networkers, and shopping lovers. Exclusive products will be available such as gourmet and healthy food, fashion and cosmetics, baby and kids wellness, art, craft and home decor. Proceeds will be donated to the HDF Mercy Centre.

There is no admission fee. Email contact@hopefairbangkok.com.

FILMS Refugee film fest

Paragon Cineplex, Siam Paragon Nov 23-25 from noon

UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, presents the eighth “Refugee Film Festival featuring award-winning internationally renowned films that reveal the diverse experiences and identities of refugees across the world. The line-up includes

Mr Gay Syria, 4.1 Miles, Sonita, The Unforgotten, Every Face Has A Name, The Invisible City: Kakuma and 69 Minutes Of 86 Days. All films come with English and Thai subtitles.

There is no admission fee. Visit goo.gl/ forms/gU3Ab7xaXCahcjls2.

GET-TOGETHERS River festival

Nine piers on Chao Phraya River Until Nov 24, 5pm-10pm

Held to celebrate the Loy Krathong Festival, the fourth edition of the “River Festival” features many cultural performances and interesting activities under the “Blissful Cultural Nights” theme at nine piers located on the longest curve of the majestic Chao Phraya River — Tha Maharaj Pier, Tha Tien Pier (Wat Pho), Wat Arun Pier, Wat Kalaya Pier, Wat Prayoon Pier, Yodpiman River Walk Pier, Lhong 1919 Pier, Iconsiam Pier, Sathorn Pier and Asiatique Pier. This is the only opportunity to make merit at night, float a lantern, sample local delicacies, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the river at night and witness contemporary art works.

There are a free shuttle boat service at all nine piers. Visit riverfestivalthailand.com.

Make something week

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Pathumwan intersection

Nov 23-25, 10am-9pm

Held to promote awareness on waste reduction, green lifestyle, overconsumption and the throwaway culture, the “Make SMTHNG Week 2018” is packed with DIY workshops showing how to turn used materials into something new. Visitors will learn to turn recycled fabric and paper into coasters and Macramé plant hangers, make face masks and face body scrub from rice and cooling herbs, produce packaging-free solid shampoo, create natural wax food wraps, turn used cloth banners into a bag, and breathe a new life into their old clothes. There will a talk on “Shopless Society: Buy Less, Reuse and DIY” on Nov 24 at 5pm.

Visit greenpeace.or.th.

Dance education expo

Helix Garden, 5th floor EmQuartier, SukhumvitRoad

Nov 24-25, 10am-6pm

Held for the first time by Friends of the Arts Foundation, the “International Dance Education Expo” is a big gathering of local and international dance schools, universities and dance companies. They will present dance workshops on hip-hop, musical theatre, swing, street, Latin/Ballroom and khon masked dance; as well as free performances, forum discussions and film screenings. Freelance artists will also be on hand to give advice on the road to become professional.

Tickets cost 350 baht (free for anyone who pre-registers), with the workshop fee at 600 baht per session (1,500 baht per package per day). Call 085-100-3050.