Calendar – October 2012

BANGKOK’S 14th INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF DANCE & MUSIC
After a dazzling array of diverse programs from countries as varied as India, Poland, Brazil, Netherlands, not to mention the ever-popular Russian opera and symphony, and an arresting version of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” from Italy, the “International Festival of Dance & Music” has five unique events lined up for October. Top of the charts is Germany’s best-known Staatsballet group from Berlin, enacting the ever-popular “Swan Lake” on Oct. 2 and 3. The grand production celebrates the 150th anniversary of cultural relations between Germany and Thailand. The unique BBC Planet Earth Live is the next program (Oct. 5), which sets the spectacular ‘Planet Earth’ TV series against the grand music of an 80- piece symphonic orchestra, conducted by the famous Richard Harvey. For the first time, a world-famous illusionist partakes in the festival. It’s Peter Marvey from Switzerland, famous for his ‘flying trick’ above the audience’s heads, a must-see show on Oct 9 and 10.

The festival wraps up with two world-famous dance groups. The first is the Limon Dance Company from New York, who has performed at every major venue in the world, including the White House, and are sure to knock out Bangkok’s audiences (Oct. 12). Last but not the least, are 12 top Tango-Dancers from Argentine, who have performed all around the world, and are sure to have the audiences on their feet here, like they have done every year. (Oct. 14). For bookings: www.bangkokfestivals.com; www.thaiticketmajor.com; Tel: 02 226-23191 (LJS)

Cinema Diverse 20th
The new film series at the Bangkok Art & Culture Center (BACC), which features award-winning films, in the presence of their director and cast, will screen a new and much-acclaimed film from Philippines this month. “Nino,” the debut-feature of New York-based Filipino director Loy Arcenas, the movie centers on the intrigues, turmoils, and inner secrets of an aristocratic Filipino family, who have suddenly fallen upon bad times. Celia, the opera-singing elder sister tries her best to hold forth, even dressing up her grandchild as “Nino,” the child-Christ, in the hope that it will bring a miracle and improve their condition. The film has a grand cast, and won the top prize at the New Currents section of the Busan Film Festival, as well as the Best Supporting Actress at the Asian Film Awards of the Hong Kong Film Festival. It has been to nearly 20 festivals around the world. Arcenas will attend the screening, together with lead-actress Fides Asensio, one of the best-known opera singers of the country. They will do a Q & A with the audience, after the film screening. The screening is ‘free.’ The Embassy of the Republic of Philippines will serve Filipino food and St Miguel beer, before the film screening. The newly formed ‘Society of Filipinas in Thailand, a dynamic group of Filipina women professionals who plan to involve themselves in cultural and charitable events, are sponsoring the BACC event organized by Films Forum. They are launching themselves this month, with the film-event, at a charitable ‘Halloween Night’ on Oct. 27 at the Sofitel Sukhumvit Hotel. For film event, visit: www.bacc.or.th; Tel: 02-214-6630/8, ext 519. For charity event, contact: 081 927-1049 (LJS)
Where: Bangkok Art & Culture Center, Rajathevee Road in front of MBK Center (BTS: National Stadium)
Contact: Lekha J. Shankar at 085 811-0080

Faulty Towers, the Dining Experience 24th-29th
The Best of British Comedy Comes to Anantara Bangkok Riverside this month. Offering interactive dinner theatre entertainment of side splitting British humor, Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa presents “Faulty Towers the Dining Experience” for six uproariously funny nights. Internationally acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, this madcap dinner show is a loosely scripted, pitch perfect tribute to the original British sitcom, Fawlty Towers. First broadcast in 1975, Fawlty Towers is a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay on the “English Riviera.” The plots centre around tense, rude and put upon manager Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), his wife Sybil (Prunella Scales), a comparatively normal chambermaid Polly (Connie Booth), and the hapless Spanish waiter Manuel (Andrew Sachs). Each episode reveals their attempts to run the hotel amidst farcical situations and an array of demanding and eccentric guests. To celebrate the show’s 15th anniversary, Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa is delighted to present this highly acclaimed slapstick dinner event from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the stylish Brio Restaurant. Tickets are at Bt3,700++ per person, and Bt3,500 including tax for group bookings of six people and more. Special packages with accommodation are also available.
Where: Brio Restaurant, Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa (Free boat shuttle service from Saphan Taksin Pier)
Contact: 02-476-0022, ext. 1416
e-mail: riversidedining@anantara.com
www.bangkokriverdining.com (LJS)