The Paradise Park is celebrating its official grand opening with spectacular performances from Europe, plus Thailand's first ever Mardi Gras parade of nature lovers on Aug 28-29 from noon-7pm. On both days, visitors to the new shopping plaza located in Eastern Bangkok on Srinakarin Road will witness the Thai premiere of three imported shows at the Royal Park Plaza on the 1st floor. The programme starts with two productions by Studio Festi from Italy. The "Aqua Spirits" boasts the lithe bodies of well-trained ballet dancers who will be dancing in a giant semicircle-shaped glass water tank elevated above from the ground. It will be followed by the "Light of Joy" which features four female performers dressed in high-class European costumes - each of which is 3.2 metres high and decorated with dazzling lights. The last show is "Earth Salute" by Cirque Gonfle from France, which sees six performers dressed in a giant white scorpion costume which is translucent and inflatable. It comes with light and sound effects and hundreds of multi-coloured fireworks at the end.Exclusively on Aug 28 from 5pm, there will be a 1.2-kilometre-long Mardi Gras parade comprising more than 1,000 environmentally conscious participants, including celebrities. The parade is divided into many parts, starting with "Natural Sounds", which comprises a group of cavalrymen, a brass band and flags; followed by "Father's Trees" featuring HM the King's remarks on environmental conservation and a display of artificial flowers painted by students from several schools in Prawet, Bang Na and Suan Luang districts. The march will end with the "Paradise Park Lights", which is packed with lighting techniques to make the parade stand out during the night time. This is also another chance to get up close with the performers of the "Life of Joy" in their LED light dresses. For more information, call 02-746- 0444 or visit http://www.paradisepark. co.th. Full review at: /entertainment/entertainscoop/193165/grand-nights-in-paradise