This weekend marks the (unofficial) start to the outdoor festival season. Lush have thrown down the gauntlet, defying any potentially inclement weather, to host a big outdoor bash, with other good options on offer too. Bring it on, we say.

MUSIC FESTIVAL

 As the festival season opener, Lush - Bangkok's Music Festival seems like a worthy contender. On tonight (Nov 9), the event is ambitious in all aspects, with over 40 acts on the line-up including headliners Apartment Khunpa, T-Bone and Montonn spread out over seven party areas. The venue is Talad Rodfai (Train Night Market, Kamphaeng Phet Road, west of MRT Kamphaeng Phet), which has been surprisingly underutilised until now and should be a perfect backdrop for such a shindig. Tickets are B500 pre-sale, B700 on the door; with VIP options at B800, B1,000. All tix include two drinks before 10pm, and one after. Lush will donate 30 per cent of the profits to the Thailand Association of the Blind, which might be some coin since they invited over 27,000 people on the FB event alone. If the moon shines, this could be the beginning of something big.

PARTY

Also lining up this evening (Nov 9) is Dudesweet, with its Motor Show, Models Night & Hi-So Party. The date is actually the 10th anniversary of the shindig proper, but Note says to wait for the official birthday bash, coming probably early next year. Indie and Dudesweet faithfuls will resist the pull of Lush to make for a dedicated little crowd. It's on at Sonic (90 Sukhumvit Soi 63, between Ekamai Soi 10 and Big C), which has become Bangkok's best indie venue, closely followed by Cosmic. Entry is B250 with a drink. "Come. Feel our engines. Please," says Dudesweet. Sure, why not?

ART EXHIBITION

The visual arts offering of the week comes on Sat (Nov 10) in the form of Beyond Burma, a welcome cross-section of creativity from our neighbours to the west. The exhibition features five Myanmar artists - Phyoe Kyi, Nyein Chan Su, Phyu Mon, San Minn and Kaung Su - working in different mediums, in a grand showcase of the contemporary creative canon of the burgeoning society regaining its freedom. The opening starts at 5pm. It's on at Thavibu Gallery (308 Silom Galleria, 919/1 Silom Road, 02-266-5454, www.thavibu.com), which continues to play an important role in pushing regional artists. Entry is free. Art is up until Dec 8.

To close out the weekend on a civilised note, try Sunday in the Secret Garden. It's the launch of a decent concept in which punters can gather for a good time rather than a long time on a Sun (Nov 11) afternoon and mingle over a glass of something to take the edge off the hangover. The venue is key for such a soiree, and The Eugenia (267 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-259-9011, www.theeugenia.com)  seems perfect to fit the bill with its old-world charm. Woody will play live sax over the DJ beats. Party starts at 2pm and should go into the evening with a peak at sunset. Entry is a bulky B400 with a house cocktail, with B100 beers and B200 wines inside.