WHAT’ S ON: THIS WEEKEND AND BEYOND

MUSIC & DANCE TPO concert

Prince Mahidol Hall

Mahidol University, Salaya campus Dec 9 at 7pm and Dec 10 at 4pm

The “HM The King’s Birthday Celebration” concert features a wide selection of King Bhumibol’s most enduring works in symphonic arrangements by Lt Col Prateep Suphanrojn. The programme also includes works by Mozart and Strauss with Athipat Athisiriyuenyong as guest horn soloist. The orchestra will be led by Polish conductor Dariusz Mikulski.

Tickets cost 300 and 500 baht (100 baht for students). Visit www.thaiticketmajor. com or call 02-849-6565/6 ext 6603.

Butoh fest

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Pathumwan intersection

Dec 9-11 and Dec 16-18 at 7pm

Presented by the Japan Foundation, B-Floor Theatre and Butoh Co-Op Thailand, the “Evolution/Revolution

The 11th International Butoh Festival Thailand 2016” will feature four performances divided into two programmes. The Programme A on Dec 9-11 will include Untitled by Tony Broer (Indonesia), Sonata For An Uninhabited Body

by Rosana Barra (Brazil/Spain) and Oju Obá — The Eyes Of The Falling King, The Eyes Of The Rising King by Cale Miranda (Brazil). Set for Dec 16-18, the Programme B presents Quiet House, a special collaborative work by Thai artist Teerawat Mulvilai and two Japanese artists Takayuki Takita and Yuko Kawamoto. The foreign artists will take turn to conduct a workshop on Dec 10-11, 13 and 17-18. There will also be a Butoh symposium with Takashi Morishita (Japan) as speaker on Dec 18 at 4pm.

Tickets cost 600 baht (500 baht for students) for each programme and 1,000 baht for both programmes (800 baht for students). The fee is 1,000 baht per workshop (4,000 baht for all five workshops). There is no admission fee to the symposium. Visit www.bacc.or.th or call 094-494-5104.

Dance with DJs

Nong Nooch Pattaya Resort and Spa Chon Buri

Dec 10-11, 2pm-midnight

Organised by Retox Sessions, The “808 Festival 2016” will see the return of Hardwell, the world’s top DJ whose United We Are album earns him many prizes. The line-up of musical talents also includes Zedd and famous DJs — Carnage, Dillon Francis, Borgore, W&W, Valentino Khan, Marlo, G.T.A., Plus Dzeko & Torres and local DJs.

Tickets cost 2,855 baht. Visit www.808festival.com.

Divine Dvorak

Dusit Thani Hua Hin Hotel Phrachuap Khiri Khan Dec 16 at 6.30pm Pro Musica Ensemble veterans will team up with the Trûb-Brown Duo from Luxembourg for a sublime night of “Divine Dvorak” featuring his Dumky Piano Trio Op 90 and Piano Quintet In A Major Op 81. The quintet includes Isabelle Trüb on piano, Leo Phillips and Jirajet Jesadachet on violin, Tasana Nagavajara on viola and Niall Brown on violoncello.

Tickets cost 1,600 and 1,800 baht including post-concert dinner (500 baht for the show only. Email dthhfb@dusit.com or call 032-520-009 ext 2013.

Italian operas

Sala Sudasiri Sobha, Ladprao 41 Dec 18 at 4pm

Held as part of the Italian Festival in Thailand 2016 by the Embassy of Italy and the Gift of Life Foundation, “A Night At The Italian Opera” concert features famous Italian tenor David Sotgiu with piano accompaniment by maestro Nat Yontararak. The programme features solemn music of the great Italian operas as well as the world premiere of Sine Qua Non, an elegy for piano solo in dedication to King Bhumibol composed by Nat.

There is no admission fee but registration is required. Visit www.eventbrite.com or call 02-250-4970.

An evening with Russian pianist

Neilson Hays Library, Surawong Road Dec 18 at 6pm

Russian pianist Ivan Sharapov will return to perform pieces by Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Borodin, Chopin as well as Sansern Phra Barami arranged by Ivan, in honour of King Bhumibol.

Tickets cost 600 baht (500 baht for members). Seats are limited. Email neilson. library@gmail.com or call 02-233-1731.

THEATRE Aladdin

Creative Industries, M Theatre

New Phetchaburi Road

Dec 9 at 7.30pm, Dec 10 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and Dec 11 at 1.30pm and 6pm Presented by Bangkok Community Theatre, Aladdin is one of the most mystical children’s stories ever told with a magical lamp and bejewelled cave. It is directed by Ian Robinson who has successfully performed in and directed many pantomimes in Hong Kong and his native North Wales. The shows proceeds will benefit Operation Smile.

Tickets cost 950 baht including a drink and a mince pie (700 baht for children under 13). Visit www.bangkokcommunitytheatre.com/tickets.

Vagina monologues

Culture Collective Studio Chatrium Residence

Charoen Krung 70

Every Thur--Sun at 8pm, until Dec 18 Culture Collective Studio is staging The Vagina Monologues featuring a collection of short stories and poetry that uses provocatively addresses female genitalia as a means of female empowerment. Based on the episodic play of the same title by American playwright Eve Ensler, the production is directed by Loni Berry and Narakin Khamvilas.

Tickets cost 600 baht. Seats are limited. Visit culture-collective.com/productions/ the-vagina-monologues.

FAIRS & SALES Hunt for yummy dishes

Seacon Square, Srinakarin Road Dec 9-18, 11am-8pm

The “Hunt for Delicious Street Food” fair gathers 75 famous roadside food shops and street food vendors from across the country. The menus include fish balls by Khun Wan from Yaowarat; dim sum dumplings by Hia Sek; fermented pork sausages from Don Muang; fresh spring rolls by Luisuan Ratchada; crispy rice by Khao Krob Siam; Chinese doughnut by Patongko Wisawa; and broiled chicken in fish sauce by Thitiporn from Ying Charoen market. A similar food fair is also running at Seacon Bangkae on Phetkasem Road, featuring more than 70 legendary and popular restaurants.

Call 02-721-8888 (Seacon Square) and 02-454-7777 (Seacon Bangkae).

Bonjour fair

Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Ratchadaphisek Road

Dec 15-18, 10am-8pm

Organised by the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce, the “Bonjour French Fair Vive La Mediterranee” will feature more than 90 booths of French products from top brands and a special zone offering a selection of top-quality items imported from four other Mediterranean countries — Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal. The products include wines, gourmet food, cosmetics, fashion and accessories.

Visit www.facebook.com/ BonjourFrenchFair.

Blissful weekend

Sampran Riverside Hotel

Nakhon Pathom

Dec 16-18, 9am-5pm

Held under the theme “Follow His Majesty’s Teaching … Experience Sufficiency Agricultural Model”, the third “Bliss Festival” features an exhibition on King Bhumibol’s royally initiated projects, workshops on organic farming, sale of organic produce and products, delectable local dishes made from organic ingredients, and a presentation of Sampran Model and its campaigns.

Call 02-034-322-588—93.

EXHIBITIONS King’s musical legacy

Bluport Hua Hin Resort Mall Prachuap Khiri Khan Until Dec 12, 10am-10pm Held to honour King Rama IX’s genius in music, the “Our Father’s Song … Compositions By The King” exhibition displays many of his musical legacies including all of his 48 royal compositions in both Thai and English, his favourite saxophones, rarely-seen vinyl records of his songs, music notes of his selected songs and his royal songbook. The exhibition is held as part of the “Hundred Melodies By Our Father The King” fair which features a jazz performance by a jazz band daily in the afternoon. Many famous singers are set to perform his royal compositions this weekend.

Call 02-310-1904.

Commemorative coins

Emporium Gallery, M floor Emporium, Sukhumvit Road

Until Dec 14, 10am-9pm

The “Forever In Our hearts, Forever Our King Commemorative Coins in the Reign of King Rama IX” exhibition features about 30 commemorative coins decorated with precious stones by nine leading jewellery houses, and 170 rare coins collected by 60 Thai celebrities. There is a silent auction of three special coins with all proceeds going to Chaipattana Foundation.

Call 02-259-8345 or 02-269-1000 ext 1084.

For King Rama IV

FYI Center, second floor,

Rama IV

Until Dec 16, 10am-8pm

FYI Center is holding the “Project Our Beloved King” exhibition featuring 380 paintings created by 70 Thai artists living in New York and Thailand. They formerly posted their works on their personal social media channels for nine consecutive days from Oct 15-23. Now, all of the pieces will be compiled for showcase on the same premises with the aim to commemorate the benevolence and royal grace of King Bhumibol as Thailand’s supreme artist.

There is no admission fee. Call 02-6206200 ext 241—4.

Our beloved King

Lifestyle Hall, second floor

Siam Paragon, Rama I Road

Until Dec 18, 10am-9pm

Held in collaboration with the Queen Savang Vadhana Foundation, the “Our Beloved Great King” exhibition will portray King Rama IX’s noble demeanour and royal duties as well as his happy childhood inside the vast compound of Sra Pathum Palace, known as his first family home in Thailand. Holograms of the King’s toy cart from his childhood, numerous awards, national and overseas decorations will also be displayed. The exhibition will then move to be on show at the Queen Savang Vadhana Museum located at Sra Pathum Palace from Dec 19-March 31, 2017.

Call 02-610-8000.

Drawings of love

Megabangna, Bang Na-Trat Road Until Dec 31, 11am-8pm

Held to express gratitude to King Bhumibol, the “I Love The King” exhibition features 20 drawings in black ink and pencil by acclaimed illustrator ML Chiratorn Chirapravati. Limited edition T-shirts and postcards depicting the very same drawing are also available for purchase. There is a spectacular light and sound show under the “Tree Of The King” theme every weekend. It tells the stories of the King’s royal duties through the projection mapping technology that involves a 14-metre-high LED monitor.

There is no admission fee. Visit www. mega-bangna.com or call 02-105-1000.

Paintings from the hearts

The Crystal, Ekamai-Ram Intra Road Until Jan 9, 10am-9pm

The “9 Artists 70 Memories” exhibition will showcase 70 paintings of King Bhumibol Adulyadej created by nine famous artists and designers including Kietisak Weteewuttajarn, Songpraphan Yokyong, Tawat Chaiyut, Pakinee Rattana, Katephol Sirithong, Wiyada Mahapap, Witaya Saptanaudom, Montien Nguitrakul and Praipoj Chullawong. The paintings are of various techniques such as charcoal painting, putting together triangles, mouse pen painting and acrylic colours on vinyl.

Call 02-101-5719 and 02-101-5872.

GET-TOGETHER Superyacht show

Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket

Dec 15-18

Held with the aim to make Thailand the marine hub of Asia, the second edition of the “Thailand Yacht Show 2016” will feature a line-up of the region’s premier yachting, boating and luxury brands. Visitors will try out boats and yachts presented by Lee Marine, Boat Lagoon Yachting, Simpson Marine, Asia Marine, Multihull Solutions, Hong Seh, Leopard Catamarans and Burgess Yachts. Highlights include the return of Ocean Emerald with Michelin star on-board dining and facilities, the 46Steel superyacht Forwin, and the premiere of Galeon 460 Flybridge.

Visit www.thailandyachtshow.com.

LECTURE Phuket’s history

Siam Society, Asok Road

Dec 15 at 7.30pm

Siam Society is holding a lecture on “A History Of Phuket And The Surrounding Region” conducted by Colin Robert Mackay, author of a comprehensive book of the same title with the lecture. He will explain the ancient, colourful and violent, yet little known history of Phuket and its surrounding region of Southwestern Siam. His talk will summarise the island’s history from the earliest times and discuss the many different peoples who came to Phuket to raid, trade, settle or try to control the Island.

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

WORKSHOP Making gingerbread houses

Westin Grande Sukhumvit Sukhumvit Road

Dec 10 and 17, 10.30am-noon

Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel is holding a gingerbread house workshop designed for children aged six to 12. They will have hands-on baking experiences where pastry chefs will guide them through all the mixing and kneading until the delicious final products pop hot from the oven.

The fee is 1,990 baht per child including lunch with one adult per child. Seats are limited. Email fb.bangkok@westin.com or call 02-207-8000.

SPORTS Charity run

Chatuchak Park

Phahon Yothin Road

Jan 29 at 5.30am

Vibhavadi Hospital is holding the “Amazing Heart… Amazing Run By Vibhavadi Hospital” to raise funds for the Thai Heart Foundation under the royal patronage. It has a 12km mini marathon and a 3km fun run. There are also fundraising activities with famous stars and artists such as flag race and rope jumping. The first 30 winners will receive a complimentary heart check-up package and every runner who can make it to the finish line will receive a medal.

Applications should be made at the hospital by Dec 30. Visit www.vibhavadi. com/news1207.html or call 02-561-1111 ext 1.

SCHOLARSHIPS For wannabe artists

Ani Art Academy Thailand, a non-profit organisation, is offering scholarships to anyone who is interested to be an artist. Successful candidates will learn the drawing and painting programme that has been used and developed for more than 17 years. During the programme, the apprentices will do both practices and their own creative project. The scholarships are funded by Tim Reynolds Foundation and include tuition fee, material cost and also lunch for every student. Ani Art Academies are located in six different places around the world. In Thailand, it is on Koh Yao Noi, Phangnga, which opened in October 2015. The apprentices are from many places in Thailand and also the locals from Koh Yao Noi.

For more details, visit www.aniartacademies.org.