Showing 1 - 10 of 36
Music with a message
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 17/03/2020
» After releasing the viral anti-junta single Prathet Ku Mee (What My Country's Got) two years ago, rap group Rap Against Dictatorship has not ceased to confront the government through their music, including well-known songs like 250 So Plo (250 Bootlickers), Before Darkness and To Whom It May Concern.
Farewell to a maestro
Life, John Clewley, Published on 10/04/2024
» The world of molam has been in mourning since news emerged that Thailand's greatest phin player Thongsai Thap Thanon passed away on March 20 at his home in Warin Chamrap district, Ubon Ratchathani, at the age of 77. The phin is a two- or three-stringed Isan Lao lute that is part of the trinity of molam instruments, along with the iconic khaen (free reed bamboo mouth organ) and the sor (fiddle).
Finding beauty in the everyday
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 04/07/2023
» The 12th White Elephant Art Award focuses on realistic and figurative art which refers to art that depicts everyday objects, figures or subjects in a realistic or true-to-life way. After The White Elephant Art Award announced a theme of "Cherish The World", two artists -- Jarun Pan-onta and Surapun Kwansaensuk -- drew inspiration from nature to create paintings. As a result, Jarun won the White Elephant Prize while Surapun won a special prize called the Khunying Wanna Sirivadhanabhakdi Award, created for the first time.
Shifting surfaces
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 16/04/2020
» Different surfaces of objects have different impacts on different people. At an art exhibition titled "#Surface" by Bangkok University Gallery, eight artists and designers interpret "surface" in their own way and use a variety of media and materials to convey their ideas.
Mathayom production of West Side Story
Life, Published on 18/03/2019
» A high-school production of West Side Story, one of the greatest musicals of all time, will be staged at the auditorium of the College of Music, Mahidol University, Salaya campus, from Friday until Sunday March 22-24 at 7pm.
Country comes to the city
Life, John Clewley, Published on 31/01/2023
» The All-Thidsa Molam Band was in Bangkok this past weekend to perform at the Thailand International Jazz Conference. World Beat caught up with band last Friday when they played two sets at Isan Spicy BBQ, a rooftop bar at the Jim Thompson Art Center.
New media theatre
Guru, Nianne-Lynn Hendricks, Published on 18/10/2019
» The first bilingual podcast on the Bangkok performing arts scene, Bangkok Offstage Podcast is hosted by two Thai theatre critics: Amitha Amranand and Kaewta Ketbungkan. The podcast deals with discussions, reviews and interviews of local and foreign artists who perform on the Bangkok stage. Amitha is a writer, translator and language and writing teacher. She has been a theatre critic for the Bangkok Post since 2006 and teaches journalistic writing at Chulalongkorn University. She is on the artistic committee of the Bangkok International Performing Arts Meeting. Kaewta Ketbungkan is a writer, translator and content creator with strong knowledge in Thai cinema, theatre and culture from her nine-year experience in broadcast journalism. She has been an active member of the International Association of Theatre Critics — Thailand Center since 2016. Currently, she is developing her website www.annkaewta.com. Guru discuss the need for such a podcast and Thailand's theatre scene with Amitha and Kaewta.
Your other set of footprints
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 26/08/2019
» A survivor from the 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting massacre in Florida, American pro-gun activist Kyle Kashuv made headlines earlier this year after Harvard University rescinded its admission over his use of racial slurs. After Kashuv wrote the comments on Google Docs for a class study guide and in Skype messages, they were captured and shared to the media by students who knew him. Although the 18-year-old posted an apology about his past behaviour, he still lost a spot at Harvard.
Bangkok reimagined
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 23/09/2022
» You may already have heard of Bangkok being compared to Blade Runner made real, given our neon signs, skyscrapers, dingy alleys, huge billboards, elevated motorways and busy roads. Flaws and all, Bangkok has inspired many artists to reimagine it in their own way, shining a different light on our beloved capital city. Its unique aesthetic has captured the imagination of many artists and filmmakers, and Guru has compiled a few noteworthy reimaginations of Bangkok for your entertainment.
Fiery violin lights thousand and one nights
Life, Published on 13/07/2018
» Taiwanese violinist Yu-Chien Tseng joined the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO) and chief conductor Alfonso Scarano in a fiery reading of Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No.2. The fire almost became real when one of the strings of Tseng's bow snapped. Such was the intensity of the TPO's concert last Saturday at Prince Mahidol Hall, Mahidol University. Who better to judge than the conductor? The notoriously demanding Scarano looked pleased with the superb musicianship on display. At times, his signature frown melted into a warm beam. Devotees of the orchestra know what a rare sight that is. Maestro Scarano then led the TPO through a passionate and evocative performance of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, where the violin of the equally accomplished TPO's concertmaster Omiros Yavroumis again became the protagonist in a luscious portrayal of the eponymous Arabian Nights storyteller.