CentralWorld, Ratchadamri RoadToday and tomorrow at noon
Presented by Spicy Disc, the "Melody Of Life 11: Future Factory" will feature more than 1,000 artists from 50 famous acts performing on two stages. The line-up includes Mild, Sqweez Animal, Singto Namchoke, Stamp, The Parkinson featuring Boy Trai, Scrubb, The Toys, Tattoo Colour, The Yers, Flure, Lipta, Polycat and The Richman Toy. There will also be a Cheeze Market offering handmade items and food trucks, the Experience Space to raise awareness on the environment and social issues, and a music contest.
There is no admission fee. Call 02-264-5091—5 or visit facebook.com/MelodyOfLife.Festival.
MUSIC & DANCE
Isan sound (Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Pathumwan intersection, today at 5pm) The "MAB #5: Music & Art Fest at BACC" is an opportunity to experience the unique Isan sound through contemporary interpretation of traditional Isan music by ToomTurn Molam Group, VKL & SweedGangz, Khun Narin's Electric Phin Band, Rasmee and DJ Maft Sai. There is no admission fee. Visit bacc.or.th.
Lanna art performance (Subsan Lanna Theatre, Lanna Wisdom School, Chiang Mai, today and tomorrow at 7pm) The programme 7 Years Later is a fusion of Lanna song, dance and painting by three Lanna artists from different disciplines -- dancer Ronnarong Khampha, singer Maneerat Rattanang and painter Neti Phikroh. They first collaborated to produce Before 30 in 2010 and reunited for this second work which comes with staging, lighting and videography. Tickets cost 300 and 500 baht (150 baht for students). Visit goo.gl/E3sJ2p or call 093-129-7299.
Piano concert by young talents (Sala Sudasiri Sobha concert hall, Lat Phrao 41, tomorrow at 4pm) The "Yamaha Charity Concert" will feature five young prize winners from the Yamaha Thailand Music Festival in a programme of classical piano music by Haydn, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt and Tchaikovsky. They include Weetiwat Siriwattanakorn, Chin-hung Lin, Tarisa Chanpong, Chaithawat Athiphophai and Ariya Laothitipong. Aged from nine-15, all have won international awards. Tickets cost 700 baht with proceeds going towards the Gift of Life Foundation. Visit salasudasirisobha.com or call 02-541-8662 or 080-407-8231.
THEATRE
As you like it (Conference room, 3rd floor of BNH Hospital, Convent Road, today and March 29-31 at 7.30pm) Bangkok Community Theatre is staging Shakespeare's As You Like It, which tells the story of a journey to the magical Forest of Arden. It is performed in a stripped-down up-close style to allow the audience unique access to the play. Along with wit and humour, the play includes songs, a wrestling match and romance galore. Tickets cost 500 baht and can be purchased from bangkokcommunitytheatre.com. Email info@bangkokcommunitytheatre.com.
FAIRS & SALES
Organic exploration (137 Pillars Suites & Residences, Sukhumvit 39, today and tomorrow at 11am) Held in Bangkok for the first time, the "Asian Organic Gourmet Festival" is packed with gastronomic activities including a dairy farmers' market, cooking demonstration sessions featuring culinary wizardry by Thai and international chefs, wellness activities, cocktail parties, a luxury auction, a lavish gala dinner by a celebrated chef from Argentina today at 7pm, and a grand finale brunch by all five participating chefs tomorrow at noon. Visit 137pillarsbangkok.com/en/events/asian-organic-gourmet-festival-2018 or call 02-079-7000.
Souvenirs from tourist attractions (Beacon 2 zone, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Road, today and tomorrow at 12.30pm) Organised by the Department of Tourism, the "Saneh Tiew, Saneh Thai" fair will feature a selection of tourist souvenirs created under the "Creative Economy" concept by 240 brands. They are the prototype products from 24 communities from eight northern provinces including Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao, Tak, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Uttaradit. Call 086-551-3403 or 083-367-7537.
Local fruits (Thanya Park, Srinakarin Road, 10am-7pm, until tomorrow) The "Thanya Park Fruitamin Festival" features a variety of fresh and chemical-free fruits right from the orchards, processed fruits and local products, at special prices. They include fragrant coconuts from Nakhon Pathom province, longans from Samut Sakhon, Mon Thong durians from Chanthaburi, mangoes from Samut Songkhram, and Japanese melons from Ayutthaya. Call 02-108-6000.
Northern charm (Seacon Bangkae, Phetkasem Road, 11am-8pm, until April 1) The "Poy Sang Long" fair is a chance to witness the famous ceremony of Mae Hong Son held to celebrate the hilltribe Tai Yai's novitiate ordination of samanera (novitiate monk) in Buddhism. The tradition has been passed down through generations. The fair also features Tai Yai architecture, demonstrations of rare local northern craftsmanship, traditional dance and music performances, and a variety of Tai Yai delicacies and northern dishes. Call 02-454-7777.
Sakura fest (Isetan, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Road, 11am-8pm, until April 11) Held to celebrate Isetan's 26th anniversary, the "Sakura Festival" features special prices on "Only At Isetan" items, special dishes created for this event by Japanese restaurants at the "Isetan Washoku Gallery" on the 5th floor, as well as sweet treats by Anri, Chez Recamier, Sunmoulin Royal and Sunmuan. Internationally recognised artist Tadaomi Shibuya will showcase his skills in a live painting session on April 7-8 on the 1st floor. Call 02-255-9898/9.
EXHIBITIONS
Politics in games (Design Center, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Phaya Thai Road, 10am-6pm Tuesday-Friday and 10am-4pm Saturday-Sunday, until April 12) Held in collaboration with Goethe Institute and Germany's Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe (ZKM), "Games And Politics" is an interactive exhibition comprising 18 different computer games, 16 of which are open for playing. The players will find themselves confronted with a wide range of political issues. The topics include precarious working conditions as in Sunset (2015); the aftermath of armed conflict as in This War Of Mine (2014); migration and refugees as in Papers, Please (2013) and Escape From Woomera (2004); and governmental surveillance as in Touchstone (2015). There is no admission fee. Visit goethe.de/thailand or call 02-108-8231/2.
Korean patchworks (Korean Cultural Center, between Sukhumvit 15 and 17, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, until May 11) Held in collaboration with the Ssamzisarang Korean Boudoir Craft Academy to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Korea, the "Jogakbo: The Handicraft Of Harmony" exhibition features almost 80 pieces of jogakbo or traditional patchwork used to create domestic wrapping cloths from scraps of leftover fabrics. Included in the collection are the creations inspired by the national flags of two countries. There is no admission fee. Visit facebook.com/koreanculturalcenterTH or call 02-651-0165--8.
Wonder of Ninja house (Westgate Hall, 4th floor of CentralPlaza Westgate, Nonthaburi, 10am-2pm and 2pm-7pm, until May 31) The "Ninja Maze … The Big Adventure" exhibition is the first chance to witness the famous Iga Ninja Village outside Japan. Divided into family and adult zones, the interactive exhibition features a typical ninja house full of escape routes, hidden doors and traps. Children will be taken on an exciting adventure while testing their ninja skills in eight rooms while 10 rooms are awaiting adults to explore the secrets of how the ninja are able to infiltrate and escaped undetected. Tickets cost 450 baht from thaiticketmajor.com or call 02-262-3838.
GET-TOGETHERS
Group meditation practice (Bangkok Shambhala Meditation Center, Yogatique Bangkok building, Sukhumvit 23, today and April 6, 2.30am-4pm) Beginners and continuing practitioners are invited to "Cafe Shambhala", a group meditation practice followed by a reading with group discussion and open conversation, plus refreshment and social time at the end. Readings and discussions are based on the book, Start Where You Are: A Guide To Compassionate Living, by Pema Chödrön. There is no admission fee to this drop-in class but donations are welcome. Visit shambhala.or.th.
Sweet dream for girls (Fashion Galleria, 1st floor of Megabangna, Bang Na-Trat Road, tomorrow and April 1 at 5pm, April 6-7 at 1pm and April 8 at 2pm) The "Dream Big Princess" event will present a Disney princess-themed fashion show today and a singing performance of classic Disney soundtracks on April 1. There will be a meet and greet session with favourite Disney princesses, five rounds a day on April 6-7, plus an exclusive high tea party on April 8. Visit mega-bangna.com.
