Bangkok Poetry Night/Bombyx Stories

Bombyx Stories

Who Are They?
Apart from having a gallery on its second floor (and the occasional hanging sculpture in front of the place), WTF Bar & Gallery and Opposite play host to two regular literary events. The Bangkok Poetry Night is open to everyone, but does have a theme that changes each time. It runs every month (or every six weeks) and is hosted by Colin Cheney. Recently, the team also launched Bombyx Stories with a raconteur/storytelling angle for those who just don’t dig poetry. Again, there’s a theme for each evening.
What’s next
The third edition of Bombyx Stories will be under the theme “Small acts of courage” on Nov 24, 8pm, at Opposite. The next Bangkok Poetry Night is Dec 7.
How to join
To apply, email your work to [email protected] or [email protected]. Your piece should come in under eight minutes when read. The deadline for Bombyx was Nov 7 but there’s always next time. There is no deadline for Bangkok Poetry—just shoot them an email. If you just want to attend, it’s free and open to all.
Keep posted at
www.bangkokpoetry.com and www.facebook.com/BombyxStories

18Monkeys Dance Theatre

18Monkeys DanceTheatre

Who Are They?
The 18 Monkeys Dance Theatre is one of Thailand’s leading contemporary dance troupes. It infuses Thai traditional dance (khon) with other physical movements. Choreographed by Jitti Chompee, their past works have contained strong, emotional scenes set against a backdrop of high-brow culture (Jean Genet, Thomas Mann). Not only do they regularly include video projection, but we’ve yet to see them perform in a traditional space. Previous shows were at Bed Supperclub, Warp 54 Studio and in an empty swimming pool at someone’s home.
What’s Next
Taking its inspiration from the battle scene in the Ramayana epic, Muet (Speechless) tells the tragic story of monkey Kasorntamala, a soldier of Phra Ram who is forced to fight his demonic best friend. This performance will be a part of the International Dance Festival 2012, taking place on Dec 1-2, 7-9 at Ptendercool’s warehouse gallery (Charoen Krung Soi 30) and Dec 10-11 at 137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai.
How to join
Tickets B1,200 from Thaiticketmajor.com
Keep posted at
www.18monkeysdancetheatre.com

B-Floor

Warp 54 Studio

Who Are They?
This local independent physical theater troupe broke into New York’s 2012 Underground Zero Festival last July, but we’ve had our eyes on talented artists Teerawat Mulvilai and Jarunan Phantachat (to name just a couple) for a while. They’ve definitely had a busy year, with intense political plays that touch on sensitive issues like Article 112 (Bang La Merd), Thailand’s deep South (The Other Land) or royal succession (King Lear). This being physical theater, you can expect unusual setups. For example, Bang La Merd took place in a tiny room, with spectators sat on a random assortment of chairs dispersed throughout. Among other things, the performer used video projection, involved the audience and stayed after the show to discuss the ideas in the performance. The last Sunday of every month, the group also has an acting workshop open to the public, which regularly features special guests.
What’s Next
The next workshop will be under the theme “Knowing the Metaphor of Your Life” lectured by Sarinrat Thomas on Nov 25 from 1-5pm (B500). And the next production takes its inspiration from the scientific theory of natural selection. Titled Survival Games, you can catch it Jan 10-21, 2013, at Pridi Bhanomyong Institute, Sukumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor).
How to join
Booking for the workshops and more information about the show tickets at 089-167-4039 or [email protected]
Catch them at
www.facebook.com/Bfloor.theatre.group and www.bfloortheatre.com

Bangkok Theatre Festival

The Return of Wanthong

Who Are They?
This outdoor stage festival hosted by the Bangkok Theatre Network at Santichaiprakarn Park and the small bars along Phra Artit Road features over 50 shows from independent stage groups in Bangkok like B-Floor Theatre, Anatta Theatre, Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Arts and famous acts like the Babymime.
What’s Next
The 10th edition was postponed from Nov 2011 to Feb-Mar 2012 because of the floods. The schedule for the 11th edition has not been announced yet. In the meantime, there is a restaging of Anatta’s contemporary Thai dance performance, The Return of Wanthong, directed by Silpatorn-award winner Pradit Prasartthong on Nov 17-18, 2pm and 7pm at Srinakarinwirot University (B400 from 087-701-0986 or 089-754-1505).
Keep posted at
www.facebook.com/BangkokTheatreNetwork.fanpage

The Reading Room

Who Are They?
A contemporary art library and activity space run by art aficionado Narawan “Kyo” Pathomvat with a collection of over 1,000 books from all over the world. This cute, tiny space in Silom Soi 19 sees regular talks by guest speakers, special screenings of controversial films from the Film Virus group and open debates, the “Night School” (every third Friday of the month).
What’s next
How to Start a Revolution, a film by Ruaridh Arrow, will be screened on Nov 9 at 7:30pm. Then on Nov 13, 7pm, there’s 50 Years 007, exploring the politics, culture and technology of James Bond, with collage artist and columnist for Bioscope Magazine Sethapong Povatong and editor of Filmax Magazine Alongkorn Klaisrikeaw.
How to join
The events are open to public. For more information and reservations, call 02-635-3674.
Keep Posted at
www.facebook.com/thereadingroombkk and www.readingroombkk.org

Jam

Who Are They?
Run by one of the guys behind arty lifestyle mag Bang! and a food writer/photographer who’s also a pretty dab hand in the kitchen, this small café-cum-bar makes for a hip urban refuge in an unlikely residential setting, around five minutes’ walk from BTS Surasak. On top of the laidback vibe, Jam’s name is ringing out in discerning circles thanks to its hosting of a growing list of arts and cultural events.
What’s next
The opening party for Brazilian artist Cecê Nobre’s exhibition Concrete Variables on Nov 10. The exhibition is comprised of aerosol portraits of his close friends—mostly graffiti artists and skateboarders— accompanied by a short film documenting the Bangkok street scene.
How to join
Keep an eye on Jam’s Facebook page (see below) and just rock up. Other regular or semi-regular events include Apple Jam Cinema (last Sunday of every month), a selection of culturally significant films from around the world. Curated by Susanne Walter and co-organized with support from the French Embassy, Goethe Institute, The Japan Foundation and the National Film and Sound Archive, Australia. They’re also talking about bringing back their Jam Garage Sale, a chilled-out market day where anyone can sell their loot, whether it’s clothes, music, bicycles or art. Then there’s the intriguingly titled Bacon ‘n Bass BBQ, which the owners promise will have plenty for vegetarians, too.
Keep Posted at
www.facebook.com/jamcafebkk or drop by 1 Charoen Rat Soi 1. Open Tue-Sun 12pm-11:45pm. BTS Surasak.

Art Online

Siamese Dust

www.facebook.com/siamesedust
This page gathers archival movie posters, advertisements and other old prints and shares them in all their retro glory.

77PPP

www.facebook.com/77PPP
77PPP, or 77 Provinces Postcard Project, shares and welcome you to share photos and postcards of Thailand in times past. An evocative, and often informative, trip down memory lane.

Freelance Illustrators

tinyurl.com/bvqkf9t
This group (not page) is open for any freelance or full-time illustrators, or just illustration fans, to join and post their own work for the discerning eyes of others.

Fuck You Designer

www.facebook.com/fuuckyoudesigner
An open space for designers to share and discuss arts projects in order to improve their skills or get fresh ideas and new inspirations.

Interview: Christian Develter