Take your pick as experimental bands take over Phra Kanong, female actresses seize Democrazy Theatre, city farmers gather in Suan Rot Fai, Pen-Ek hosts a special screening and musicians converge for a couple of gigs for a good cause.
This big fest not only marks the reopening of Stereo Bar (which moved from Ekkamai) but also confirms Pra Khanong is indeed a hot hipster neighborhood. The two-day festival, crammed with electronic, noise, ambient, IDM and experimental music plus visuals and workshops, is headlined by colorful duo Stylish Nonsense, So::On Dry Flower’s Koichi Shimizu and double-neck guitar soloist Thom AJ Madson, who will be joined by a horde of emerging local, regional and international acts.
THEATER
Fifteen top female performers are coming together in one play at Democrazy Theater Studio. The new documentary play In Ter’s View sees veteran actresses like Dujdao Vadhanapakorn Boonyai, Farida Jiraphan and Bird Neelacha recount their lives alternating with short skits and improv (read Bird’s interview,
here).
ROOFTOP PARTY
Destroy The Dancefloor with Youssef Yeah! (Mar 22, 9pm)
This genre-mashing party by the out-there Spoiled Rotten crew sees London-based DJ Youssef Yeah spin a mix of hip-hop, funk, and UK Garage, with support from DJs Boogie G, DJ Lows and Great Odyssey Records’ blues trio Yamin.
Bangkok Bar Infinity, Thonglor Soi 10 (top of the Opus Building). B250 entry (1 drink).
ART
Exiled to Nowhere: Burma’s Rohingya (through Mar 23)
Last chance to catch this fascinating exhibition on the plight of the Rohingya at an equally striking exhibition space. In a disused building, award-winning photojournalist Greg Constantine exhibits his documentary photography, which highlights the harassment and human rights violations suffered by the stateless Rohingya minority in Burma. 11am- 6:30pm. Location:
http://goo.gl/maps/ySMQq
CHARITY BBQ PARTY
Rebuild Bantayan BBQ (Mar 21)
An event to raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Haiyan on the island of Bantayan featuring performances by over 10 artists, including Jennifer Lackgren (The Voice), Charlie McSkallywag, Gabriel Lynch, Will C Corbin and Daniel Bates, along with food, drinks, BBQ and a big prize raffle. From 5-11pm.
The Accidental Butcher, 53 Soi Ekkamai 10 (Charoenmitr), Sukhumvit Soi 63, 02-713-2801. B100 entry.
GIG
The hip and homey bar
Jam offers a whole different vibe from its usual electronic DJs as it presents an unplugged session, featuring the folksy Make Like a Tree from Ukraine and homegrown group Tapestry.
CHARITY GIG
Support the kingdom’s farmers at this alternative rock charity concert with over 20 acts including veterans The Must, Audy and Proud.
FREE SCREENING + TALK
Cinema Diverse with Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Mar 22) at BACC
Why watch a film by yourself or with friends when you can sit with two top directors at this Cinema Diverse event at BACC. As part of the yearly free film screenings under the theme of Director’s Choice, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang (Last Life in the Universe, Headshot) has chosen Sri Lankan film Between Two Worlds (2009), directed by Vimukthi Jayasundara. The screening will be followed by a talk by Pen-ek and Vimukthi. Screening with English and Thai subtitles followed by a discussion in Thai with English translation.
FOODIE HAPPENING
The City Farm Festival (Mar 23)
Partake in a big communal pot-luck lunch by bringing your own crockery, glasses and homemade food to this urban farmers' gathering. The event will also feature musical performances and activities held at the spacious Buddhdasa Indapanno Archives in Suan Rot Fai. 9am-6pm. Free entry. More info at
www.thaicityfarm.com
Salaya Doc (Mar 22-30)
Calling all documentary lovers. The 4th Salaya International Documentary Film Festival, aka Salaya Doc, returns this year to screen documentary films at two venues: the Film Archive in Salaya (94, Moo 3, Phuttamonthon Sai 5 Rd.) from Mar 22-30 and at the BACC from Mar 25-28 and Mar 30. See highlights and trailers,
here.
