24 events you don't want to miss in Bangkok this July
Featuring Bangkok Biennial, LGBT+ Film Festival, PhotoBangkok, Anderson .Paak, Sensation Festival, a ton more parties and a ton more art events.
5 years ago
Steve McCurry
ART: Beyond The Air We Breathe: Addressing Climate Change
A collaboration between Lucie Foundation and The Royal Photographic Society of Thailand (RSPT), this exhibition gathers striking nature and environmental images by 80 renowned international photographers. Among those to feature are world-famous photojournalist Steve McCurry and his iconic "Camels and Oil Fire" photo; photographer, polar explorer and activist Sebastian Copeland; esteemed documentary photographer Colin Finlay; and James Nachtwey, known for his stark portrayals of genocide, disease and starvation. Thailand's Nat Sumanatemeya will also contribute his stunning underwater photographs.
Through Sep 2. 9/F, BACC, 939 Rama 1 Rd. Free.
ART: Bangkok Biennial 2018
Bangkok Biennial (the first of three art biennials scheduled for 2018) officially kicks off on Jul 1. The biennial includes 69 venues, or "pavilions," include many of Bangkok's established underground art spaces (WTF, Speedy Grandma, Jam, Artist + Run), as well as counterparts in Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and other provinces, and even several abroad.
Jul 1-Sep 30. Various venues around Bangkok.
MARKET: Charoenkrung 28 Block Party
Head to Charoenkrung Soi 28 for a block party with drinks from Tropic City, burgers from Little Market, JUA’s yakitori and sake, and 80/20's barbecue and pad Thai from chef Prin Polsuk's Samrub for Thai project., along with tunes throughout from DJ Maarten Goetheer. From 4pm onwards, free entry.
Jul 1, 4pm onwards. Charoenkrung 28 Rd., 061-558-7689
ART: #DontTellMeHowToDress - Social Power Exhibition Against Sexual Assault
Model, actress, presenter and activist Cindy Sirinya Bishop is turning her hashtag campaign #DontTellMeHowToDress into an exhibition, teaming up with the Thai Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation, UN Women and renowned fashion photographer Nat Prakobsantisuk to showcase clothes worn by victims of sexual assault at Songkran, with additional portraits of 15 Thai celebrities along with their quotes on sexual violence.
Jul 3-15. 4/F, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, 939 Rama 1 Rd.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
FILM: LGBT+ Film Festival
In honor of LGBT+ Pride Month, Sala Daeng's best-loved indie cinema celebrates "diversity, creativity and strength" with screenings of eight films, including The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert; Tom of Finland; BPM (Beats Per Minute); Hard Paint and more. The event will also feature talks from two LGBT Thai directors, Anucha Boonyawattana (Malila: The Farewell Flower) and Tanwarin Sukkhapisit (It Gets Better, Insects in the Backyard), and an art exhibition based around the issues of marriage equality and equal opportunity.
Jul 3-8. The Bangkok Screening Room, 2/F, Woof Pack Bdg., Sala Daeng Soi 1, 090-906-3888. BTS Sala Daeng/MRT Silom
ART: The Secret Not Secret (Colourful Colouryo 3)
Artist Yotaka Jullobol illustrates the truth behind sexual and secret lives of women through painting and sculptures, using her own unique "‘Colouryo" style. Opening party on Jul 12, from 6:30pm.
Jul 3-31. 333 Gallery, 3/F, River City Shopping Center, 081-845-1371. Free.
Thai New Wave Exhibition, curated by Mary Pansanga and Alizz Vichchou (BACC, Jul 5-Sep 9)
ART: PhotoBangkok 2018
This triennial, non-profit international photography festival provides a platform for photographers to exhibit their works at venues all over Bangkok. Established in 2015 by Piyatat Hemmatat and Manit Sriwanichpoom, the festival spans exhibitions, educational programs, workshops, talks and screenings at the BACC and galleries like the River City Bangkok, Goethe Foundation, Atta Gallery, Subhachok the Art Centre, Tentacles, The Jam Factory and many more.
Jul 5-Sep 9. BACC and 24 gallery partners around Bangkok
ART: Kaleidoscope | Through My Lens
A photography exhibition celebrating diversity amongst the LGBTQ community in Thailand, captured by 25 local photographers.
Jul 3-22. Woof Pack Space, 1/3-9 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 089-826-2299. Free.
NIGHTLIFE: Levels 6-Year Anniversary: Carnival City
In celebration of their 6th year anniversary, the Soi 11 nightclub invites you to their carnival-themed party with live entertainment, performances and fun games, ranging from your traditional carnival games to interactive VR games. Free-flow beverages 10-11pm.
Jul 4, 10pm. Levels, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 082-3083-246.
Simon Patterson
NIGHTLIFE: Genesis - The Nebula Eye
Journey through space-aged sounds of trance from world class DJs Sneijder, Simon Patterson, BLiSS, Mark Sherry, Heatbeat, Bryan Kearney and Jase Thirlwall. Visit genesisth.com for more info.
Jul 7, 4pm. CenterPoint Entertainment,11 Sukhumvit Soi 105, Lasalle Rd., 02-361-9229. B2,000 on Eventpop.
NIGHTLIFE: Beat and Beyond #3: Kindness (DJ set)
The English DJ and singer who's collaborated with Devonte Hynes, Kelela and Robyn, and co-produced with Solange, brings his mix of hip-hop, r&b, chillwave and dancehall to town.
Jul 7, 9pm. Beam, 72 Courtyard, 72 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor). B650 on Ticketmelon.
ART: Samadhi by Patrik Budenz
Berlin-based photographer Patrik Budenz fuses absolute realism and transcendence in his black and white portraits of monks, taken in the forest temples of Northern Thailand. With opening party on Jul 7, 6-9pm,
Jul 8-Aug 31. Gallerie Oasis, 4 Sukhumvit Soi 43, 02-258-7376. Free.
Yaoyorozu by Hideyuki KatsumataART: Hua Hin Contemporary International Contemporary Arts Residency
The International Contemporary Arts Residency brings together 12 well-known international artists to reside in Hua Hin, with the goal to create artworks inspired by their stay. This one month residency of course ends with a showcase of all produced artworks in an exhibition at Bangkok.
Jul 11-19. River City Bangkok, 23 Trok Rongnamkeang, Yotha Rd., 02-237-0077. Free.
NIGHTLIFE: Firebeatz at Insanity
Dutch electro DJ duo Firebeatz (aka Tim Benjamin Smulders and Jurre van Doeselaar) visits Bangkok with their live set.
Jul 11, 10pm. Insanity, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 082-731-8885. B300/B400 includes 1 drink.
THEATER: Madama Butterfly
Opera Siam and Siam Sinfonietta Orchestra presents Madama Butterfly, an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Nancy Yuen, Asia’s reigning opera singer, will take the lead role.
Jul 11 & 12, 8pm. Thailand Cultural Centre, Main Hall, 14 Thiam Ruam Mit Rd., 02-247-0013. Tickets are B500-5,000 on ThaiTicketMajor.
COMEDY: Zenjiro at RAW Comedy
Japanese comedian and actor Yoshimoto Zenjiro, winner of the Stand-up Bangkok International Comedy Competition in 2015, delivers English-language zingers in this savvy stand-up show.
Jul 13, 9pm. Live Lounge Bkk, Sukhumvit Soi 13, 02-168-7335. B300 on Ticketmelon/B400 at the door.
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Transfigured Night
The Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra performs Schoenberg’s masterpiece Transfigured Night, along with Leos Janacek’s From the House of the Dead and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, joined by Taiwanese piano soloist Ting-Chia Hsu
Jul 13, 7pm & Jul 14, 4pm. Prince Mahidol Hall, Mahidol University, 999 Phuttamonthon 4 Rd., Salaya, 084-965-65
NIGHTLIFE: DJCJ from Los Angeles
From EDM to hip-hop and everywhere in between, Los Angeles-based DJCJ flies out for a rocking party in Bangkok.
Jul 19, 10pm. Sugar, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 061-391-3111. B200/300 includes 1 drink.
NIGHTLIFE: What So Not
The Australian Coachella-headlining DJ (and former duo with Flume) takes over the turntable to perform hit tracks like “Gemini,” “Jaguar” and “High You Are.”
Jul 19, 9pm. Beam, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-392-7750. Tickets TBA.
LIVE MUSIC: Celine Dion
The Canadian pop singer will belt out weepy classics such as “All By Myself,” “Because You Loved Me” and the Titanic refrain “My Heart Will Go On.”
Jul 23. Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, 99 Popular Rd., 02-833-4445. From B2,000 on Thaiticketmajor.
LIVE MUSIC: Anderson .Paak
The California-hailing rapper Anderson .Paak and his full band The Free Nationals will take Bangkok’s stage on Jul 23. Already gaining massive success from his 2014 contemporary-funk album Venice, .Paak is also known for his collaboration with the Canadian music producer Kaytranada on "Glowed Up" and his work with Ab-Soul and James Blake for "Bloody Waters" from the Black Panther soundtrack.
Jul 23, 8:30pm. Voice Space, BBD Building, 197 Viphavadi Rangsit Rd., 02-650-6000. B1,800 on Ticketmelon.
LIVE MUSIC: Honne
Having made a name for themselves through hit singles like "Someone that Loves You" and "It Ain’t Wrong Loving You,” British electric-pop duo Honne return to play two sold-out shows in Bangkok
Jul 25 & 26, 6pm. GMM Live House, 8/F, CentralWorld, 999/1 Rama 1 Rd. Sold-out.
MARKET: BrickLive
Over 4,000 square meters of Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre will be transformed into a Lego wonderland filled with more than 3 million of the iconic plastic bricks, making it the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Kids and kids at heart can get their hands on rare Lego collections, dive into Brick Pit zones filled with green, red and Duplo bricks, or create their own car to race against others.
Jul 26-29. Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, 60 Ratchadaphisek Rd. B350-500 at Thaiticketmajor
FESTIVAL: Sensation 2018
Earning its reputation as one of Thailand’s most extravagant electronic dance music events, this EDM music festival makes a comeback with this year’s “RISE” theme that will bring a sea of party-goers dressed all in white, along with international headliners like Dash Berlin, Mr. White, Sam Feldt and more.
Jul 29. BITEC Bangna, 88 Bang Na-Trat Rd., 02-749-3939. Tickets are B3,500/B5,500 on Ticketmelon.
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