WHAT’S ON: THIS WEEKEND AND BEYOND

MUSIC & DANCE Comic operetta

Music Auditorium, College of Music, Mahidol University, Salaya campus Jan 24-25 at 7pm, plus 1.30pm show on Jan 25

The Classical Voice Department at the College of Music, Mahidol University, is staging The Merry Widow, a comic operetta by Hungarian composer Franz Lehar, which tells the story of a beautiful and rich young widow and her countrymen’s attempt to keep her money in the principality by finding her the right husband. Directed by Napisi Reyes, the production will take the audience back to the time of Art Nouveau around 1905. It has both Thai and English surtitles.

Tickets cost 300, 500, 800 and 1,000 baht (150 baht for students) from ticketmelon.com/msmu/themerrywidow or call 097-323-5719.

RBSO concert

Main Hall of Thailand Cultural Centre Ratchadaphisek Road

Jan 31 at 8pm

The Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Michel Tilkin will perform German music during the “Inspirational Landscapes” concert, with virtuoso concert violinist Boris Belkin as guest soloist. The programme will feature Beethoven’s Die Wut über den Verlorenen Groschen (Rage Over A Lost Penny), Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy and Schumann’s Symphony No.3 in E-flat Major Op 97.

Tickets cost 300, 700, 900, 1,200 and 1,500 baht (half prices for students) from thaiticketmajor.com (call 02-2623456). Visit rbsothailand.com.

Int’l jazz conference

College of Music, Mahidol University Salaya campus

Jan 31-Feb 2 at 9am

The 12th “Thailand International Jazz Conference” will bring a myriad of world-renowned jazz artists to give workshops and perform in front of local audiences. Held under the theme “Jazz For All”, the three-day event is packed with music performances by artists from the US, Europe and Asia, many of whom will also conduct workshops. The line-up includes Jorge Pardo Trio, Loop Doctors, Cherryl J Hayes, Javon Jackson Quartet, Rajiv Jayaweera Quintet and Ozmosys. Among the Thai jazz artists to join the event will be The Parkinson and more than 50 big bands from across the country.

The fee is 3,000 baht for three-day pass (2,400 baht for students and 1,800 baht each for a group of 10) from ticketmelon.com/mahidolmusic/ tijc2020. Visit tijc.net or call 02-8002525 ext 3117 and 02-846-6565 ext 6604—9.

Rock never dies

Show DC Arena, Rama IX Feb 1, noon-midnight

An impressive line-up of leading rockers and bands will join hands to pump up our adrenalin with selected rock numbers during the “Pong Fest”. The line-up includes Sek LoSo, Rockestra, Smile Buffalo, Rock Amphan, Suea Thanapol, Blackhead, Eed Fly, Kob Taxi, Lam Morrison, Silly Fools, Dax Rock Rider as well as legendary Stone Metal Fire (or Hin Lek Fai in Thai).

Tickets cost 1,500, 3,000 (VIP) and 5,000 baht (VVIP) from thaiticketmajor.com.

String orchestra

Siam Society, Asok Road

Feb 4 at 7pm

The Faculty of Music, Silpakorn University, presents “Coming Of Age”, a concert to mark the 20th anniversary of Silpakorn University String Orchestra. Directed by Tasana Nagavajara, the band will perform Haydn’s

Violin Concerto In G Major, Vivaldi’s

Concerto For Two cellos in G Minor, Santa Lucia, Autumn Leaves, Minor Blues, Stolen Moment, Georgia On My Mind and more.

Tickets cost 600 baht (500 baht for members and 100 baht for students). Call 02-661-6470—3.

EXHIBITIONS Light art festival

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Pathumwan intersection

Until Feb 2, 10am-9pm Tuesday-Sunday

Held with the support of the Office of the Energy Regulatory Commission, the “Jaras Light Fest Exhibition” features light sculptures and installations, all generated by solar energy, by four invited artists and eight open-call artists. This outdoor light-art festival allows viewers to experience alternative energy first-hand and learn more about clean and renewable energy, especially solar power. Participating artists include Krit Ngamsom, Nopchai Ungkavatanapong, Pongsatat Uaiklang and Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch.

Visit bacc.or.th or call 02-214-6630—8.

Thainess and the digital age

Kathmandu Photo Gallery

Pan Road, near the Indian temple of Silom Road

Until Feb 22, 11am-6pm Tue-Sat “Uthaipia” is a photographic exhibition by pioneering Thai street photographer Chatchai Boonyaprapatsara, who has observed the phenomenon of “Thainess” in the digital age in over 10 years’ accumulated work. On display are colourful photos of polar opposites — the old Thainess and the new, Western influence that clash together loudly and vividly, producing an awkward chemical reaction, like mixing oil and water.

Call 02-234-6700.

Cute girl

Sky Lobby, 23 floor Centara Grand at CentralWorld

“Again” features acrylic on canvas paintings by Pakinee Rattana, aka Kingtun, who tells a story about her life with a sense of humour and sometimes in a sarcastic and innocent way using her trademark big-headed girl as the subject matter. The exhibition is aimed to make viewers feel happy and receive positive energy. Part of the proceeds from sale of the works will be donated to the Art for Cancer by Ireal Foundation.

There is no admission fee. Call 02-100-1234 ext 6753—6.

Nouveau art in Bangkok

Museum of Digital Art

2nd floor of River City Bangkok Charoen Krung 24

Until April 16, 10am-8pm “Something Nouveau, Klimt, Mucha, Beardsley” is a new multimedia exhibition where the works of Klimt, Mucha and Beardsley spring to life with light and music, celebrating the golden period of art, design and architecture known as Art Nouveau. The exhibition consists of three “novels”, devoted to the art of these reputable masters of the style. Over 500 stunning images are projected onto large screens at different angles in a huge multimedia room so visitors can take a closer look at every last detail.

Tickets cost 350 baht for adults (250 baht for children and students up to bachelor’s degree). Visit zipeventapp. com/e/Something-Nouveau.

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS Chinese NY festival

Central Embassy, Phloenchit Road Until Jan 26, 10am-9pm

Set in a Chinese playground with a retro ambience, the “Central Embassy Chinese New Year Festival 2020” sees a colourful display of lanterns and a shadow play reflecting Chinese art and culture. There are many activities including Chinese toymaking workshops, the “Dragon Market” offering Chinese New Year-themed souvenirs and food, and authentic taste of Chinese cuisine at Eathai. There will be the “Golden Dragon God” show, a lion pole dance, the show-up of nine auspicious lions and Chinese dance on Jan 25, plus many Chinese cultural shows from Jan 23-26.

Visit centralembassy.com.

Infinite prosperity

Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon, Rama I Until Jan 26, 10.30am-8pm

The “Siam Paragon Chinese New Year 2020: The Infinite Prosperity” features two exciting acrobatic shows from China — “Spinning Tops Dance” by the Dalian Acrobatic Troupe and “Hand-to-Hand” by the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe. They are performed daily at 6pm, followed by a parade of 99 auspicious lions which are accompanied by a golden-faced dragon, the only one in Thailand, by the Look

Chai Mongkol Golden Dragon Parade Troupe. Many well-known fortune tellers from Siri Wattana Cheshire Foundation are also there to read your future using different methods between 10.30am and 7.30pm, with the fee at 400 baht per session.

Call 02-610-8000.

Celebratory week

EmQuartier, Sukhumvit Road Until Jan 26, 11am-9pm

The “Emporium EmQuartier Chinese New Year 2020” features a 11m-tall statue of Dragon Emperor decorated with shiny gold scales and spectacular performances of modern Chinese acrobatics at the Quartier Park, M floor; a replicated ancient Chinese market offering street food selections and lucky merchandise at the Quartier Avenue; and auspicious meals from leading dining establishments at Helix Sky Dining on the 6th-9th floor.

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

Chinese zodiac art

Fashion Hall, 1st floor

Siam Paragon, Rama I

Until Jan 27, 11am-9pm

Held for the first time in Bangkok, the “Han Meilin’s Zodiac Art Exhibition” displays a collection of 200 Chinese brush paintings of Chinese zodiac and brass sculptures by China’s celebrated painting master Han Meilin. His paintings often depict moments that are most ordinary, innocent, relatable and natural in daily life but, somehow, mirror the ideal life people are longing for. Yet, they deliver the message — all beings are equal and all things on earth have a soul — which goes well with the ancient Chinese wisdom of “Man And Nature In One”. His additional works can be viewed at China Cultural Center on Thiam Ruam Mit Road until Feb 9.

Visit siamparagon.co.th or call 02-610-8000.

Dancing animals from heaven

Future Park and Zpell

Phahon Yothin Road

Until Feb 2, 11am-8pm

The “Future Park & Zpell Chinese New Year 2020” features a dance show of four sacred animals from heaven — dragon, lion, kirin and swan — on Jan 24-26 at 2pm and 5pm. Visitors are invited to witness the exquisiteness of traditional Chinese costume from the Qing dynasty in an exhibition. Numerous Chinese dance performances are also staged, including a Chinese modern ballet inspired by the angels depicted on the murals at the cave temples of Dunhuang in China.

Call 02-958-0011.

Happy Chinese NY

The Port Arena

Jungceylon Patong, Phuket

Jan 25 at 7pm

The “Jungceylon Happy Chinese New Year 2020” features a decoration of auspicious items such as peonies, oranges, ancient coins, fish and lanterns. Visitors will enjoy many exciting shows including a fire-breathing and water-spouting golden dragon, a dragon dance, a lion dance, an acrobatic show on bamboo stalks and a dragon and water show. There also will be a cooking demonstration on how to make auspicious and traditional desserts and a Chinese opera mask painting workshop.

There is no admission fee. Call 076-600-111.

Grand celebration

Yaowarat Road

Jan 25-26, noon-midnight

As the most anticipated Chinese New Year celebration event in Chinatown for both Thais of Chinese descent and foreign tourists, the 20th “Yaowarat Chinese New Year Celebration” will feature an exhibition on art and cultural relations between Thailand and China, and a wide range of outstanding goods and foods from famous shops. There will also be booths of fun activities from both public and private sectors, a lion dance straight from China and special performances by famous artists.

Call 096-593-6654.

GET-TOGETHERS Lighting fest

Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani Until April 5, 5pm-11pm

Held for the first time to mark Impact’s 20th anniversary, the “Impact Lighting Fest” features light decorations using millions of LED lights. They are presented in fancy forms including a meteor shower, a light tunnel, a star arch, a fairy-tale chariot, and a floral garden. Fun rides are also decorated with colourful lighting. Many activities take turns adding more vibes to the event, including a green market, a playground of extreme rides, and camping and outdoor sports. A variety of street foods are available.

Tickets cost 70 baht on weekdays and 100 baht on weekends (50 baht for children), including a free round on the carousel. Visit facebook. com/ Impact Lighting Fest or call 02-833-5122.

Beach party

M Beach Club

Mai Khao Beach, Phuket

Jan 26 at 1pm

Phuket’s biggest “Australia Day Party” will feature truly Aussie menu prepared by the international chefs of the Mai Khao Resorts including imported meats, seafood, kangaroo pies and many favourites from the shores of Straya. There will be live music by an Aussie band and DJ as well as games including beach cricket, thong tossing in the dunny and pavlova eating contests, with lots of prizes.

Tickets cost 999 baht including all-you-can-eat food (1,499 baht including beverage packages). Call 076-336-111.

Flower and garden

Park of Nai Lert, Soi Somkid, Phloenchit Road

Jan 30-Feb 2, 9am-9pm

Held under “The World” concept, the highly-anticipated “Nai Lert Flower & Garden Art Fair 2020” will feature the biggest flower carpet in Southeast Asia, a display of flower installations by 24 exhibitors, an exhibition of floral headdresses inspired by female characters in Thai literature, a Chinese lantern extravaganza, and a floral sculpture competition. The event will also present an art market gathering handmade luxury items of clothing, accessories, textiles, and home decorations from 50 shops. More than 20 food trucks will be there to serve their famous menus alongside the tasty dishes from Ma Maison and Lady L Garden Bistro. Visitors are also invited to join craft workshops on doll painting, flower arrangement, paper cutting and more.

Tickets cost 150 baht (80 baht for children). Visit nailertflowershow.com, email contact@nailertgroup.com or call 02-253-0123.

Japan expo

CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Road Jan 31-Feb 2, 10am-9pm

The “Japan Expo Thailand 2020” will bring everything Japanese to 17 zones covering entertainment by a myriad of Japanese artists, animation, art and culture, fashion, cuisine, tourism, education, technology and business. Expect to meet the nine-member boy band Snow Man on Feb 1 and six members of AKB48 on Feb 2. Also set to perform will be idol groups from Thailand including SBFive x Super Boy, Daisy Daisy and Honey Toast. Travel packages and JR Pass will have special prices and a variety of savoury dishes and desserts by famous Japanese restaurants will be available.

There is no admission fee. Visit japanexpothailand.com.

Festival of ideas

Museum Siam, Sanam Chai Road Feb 1-2, noon-11pm

Held under the theme “Bangkok: A Future For Everyone”, the 3rd “BangkokEdge Ideas Festival” will be packed with more than 50 different activities including talks, workshops, demonstrations, kids’ corner, open air films, an exhibition, craft booths, diverse food stalls, Social Edge NGOs Zone, a wealth of books and concerts. Visitors will discuss international trends and challenges with Thai and international thinkers and writers, learn about climate change at “To What Degree?” exhibition, and watch Mekong 2030, which comprises five short films. Hugo and Phum Viphurit will take to the stage on Feb 1 at 8pm while luk thung singers Leew Ajariya and Hi Apaporn Nakhonsawan will perform on Feb 2, also at 8pm. All activities are free of charge but admission to the ground of Chakrabongse Villas located nearby is 300 baht and 500 baht including a guided tour inside Chakrabongse House.

Visit bangkokedge.com.