I was a chef for almost 10 years and felt a close bond with the knives I used every day. Knives are like a chef’s hands. When I cut something, I cut it with passion. It’s an emotional thing. It’s a part of us. It’s got history in it.

 

With Japanese knives the charm is all in the craftsmanship. Every step of the process is traditional—they’re handmade with no machinery involved. Artisans make only seven knives per month, while some tailor-made knives can take years.

 

It’s for chefs who have been working for a while with 1-2 knives and know what kind of knives they like. Money is also a factor since the title “chef” here is pretty different from the West.

 

There’s very little in the way of kitchen knives as it’s something very new to Thai chefs. Also, we don’t have enough good materials in the country.

 

Japanese knives have got more soul and back-story. One family I met was a samurai sword maker before changing to make kitchen knives. Western knives are usually mass-produced with machinery. The Japanese knives are high-carbon and made with a real human touch. Therefore, it offers a much better quality but also needs a lot of care. Every blade is unique. 

The Nutcracker on Ice, United Kingdom. The ballet classic set on Christmas Eve is brought to the ice courtesy of The Imperial Ice Stars and their 20-strong cast of Olympic, World, European and National Championship skaters. Sep 13-15, 2:30pm, 6:30pm and 7:30pm. B700-3,000. 

 

Les Contes d’Hofmann (The Tales of Hoffman), Russia. This opera staged by Russia’s Golden Mask award-winning director Dmitry Bertman tells the story of a hopeless man and his struggles with love and loneliness. Sep 17, 7:30pm. B1,000-4,500.  

 

Symphony Concert: Helikon Symphony Orchestra, Russia. The 95 members of the orchestra of the Helikon-Opera Theatre conducted by Viadimir Ponkin, who’s led the likes of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Orchestra and the Stockholm Radio Orchestra. Sep 18, 7:30pm. B700-2,500.

 

II Barbiere Di Sigvilia (The Barber of Seville), Russia. The Helikon-Opera stage Gioachino Rossini’s classic opera buffa (comic opera). Sep 19, 7:30pm. B1,000-4,500.  

 

Chick Corea and The Vigil, USA. Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Chick Corea teams up with Tim Garland (saxophone), Charles Altura (guitar), Marcus Gilmore (drums), Carlitos Del Puerto (bass), and Luisito Quintero (percussion) to perform music from his extensive back catalog spanning avant-garde jazz and bebop to children’s songs. Sep 20, 7:30pm. B700-3,500.   

 

The Ten Tenors with Orchestra, Australia. The 10-strong musical ensemble from Down Under visit Bangkok for the first time to present their classical take on rock hits past and present. Sep 22, 7:30pm. B700-3,000. 

 

The Ramayana, India. New Delhi-based company Shri Ram Bharataya Kala Kalendra bring The Ramayana epic to life imbuing it with a contemporary significance. Sep 23, 7:30pm. B500-1,500.

 

Correr O Fado, Portugal. The Quorum company present this forceful ballet set to fado, a Portuguese traditional form of music with a tragic bent. Sep 25, 7:30pm. B600-1,800.  

 

Dutch Jazz Night, The Netherlands. Around for more than 65 years, the Dutch Swing College Band featuring Margriet Sjoerdsma visits Bangkok, performing with other famous acts including The Beets Brothers with Judith Nijland and Koh Saxman, and the Jazzikia Group featuring Saskia Laroo and Warren Byrd. Sep 26, 7:30pm. B600-2,000.  

 

The Orchestra of the Teatro Regio di Parma with Two Top Opera singers, Italy. After performing at festivals and theatres around the world, the Orchestra of the Teatro di Parma join here with accomplished singers, tenor Bruno Ribeiro and soprano Annamaria Dell’Oste, to perform operatic hits. Sep 27, 7:30pm. B700-2,500.

 

Inaki Urlezaga Dance Theatre, Argentina. Argentinian dancer and choreographer Inaki Urlezaga teams up with the Ballet Concierto in this tragedy about a love triangle. Sep 28, 7:30pm. B700-2,500.  

 

Michael Jackson Tribute Memory Concert. MJ tribute concert with choreography by Lorant Koncz featuring all the King of Pop’s big hits from “You Are Not Alone and “Thriller” back to his Jackson 5 days. Oct 1-2, 7:30pm. B700-2,500. 

 

Mike Stern Band featuring Anthony Jackson, Steve Smith and Bob Malach, USA. Six-time Grammy Award nominee Mike Stern, who’s played with the likes of Blood Sweat & Tears and the Miles Davis’ band teams up with Anthony Jackson (bass), Steve Smith (drums), and Bob Malach (saxophone) to brings his blend of R&B, rock, swing, funk and world music to Bangkok. Oct 4, 7:30pm. B700-3,000.

 

SEM MM and ONQOTO by Grupo Corpo, Brazil. Groupo Corpo (Body Group) takes Brazilian dance to the next level with its mix of the cerebral, cosmopolitan, primitive and existential. Oct 6, 7:30pm. B700-2,500. 

 

Giselle, Germany. The State Ballet of Karlsruhe stages this tragic tale of a young dancer and her unrequited love. Oct 9, 7:30pm. B700-3,000. 

 

Gala Performance, Germany. The State Ballet of Karlsruhe performs dances from many classical ballets such as The Dying Swan, Les Sylphides and Sleeping Beauty. Oct 11, 7:30pm. B700-3,000. 

 

Romeo and Juliet, Switzerland. The Geneva Ballet company stage their take on William Shakespeare’s most famous play about two star-crossed lovers. Oct 14, 7:30pm. B700