Parc Paragon, Siam ParagonRama I11am-9pm, until tomorrow
Held under the "Lantern Festival" theme, the "Siam Delightful Chinese New Year" celebration features 999 coloured sculpted lanterns including large pieces in the shape of 12 Chinese zodiac animals, reproductions of teahouses and a lit-up plum blossom-decorated tunnel. In the evening will see Chinese cultural performances by a troupe of 100 performers from the city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang province of China. Music performances featuring guzheng (Chinese zither), erhu (Chinese violin) and xiao (Chinese flute) will be presented in the Hall of Fame, M floor. An exhibition of lantern-mounted photographs under the "All We Need Is Love" theme by up-and-coming collage artist Nakrob Moonmanas is being displayed at Siam Center.
Call 02-658-1000.
MUSIC & DANCE
TPO concert (Mahidol University's Prince Mahidol Hall, Salaya campus, today at 4pm) Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra presents the "Fanfares And Flourishes" concert featuring two atmospheric symphonic pieces, Taras Bulba and Sinfonietta, by Czech composer Leos Janacek and Paul Creston's Concerto For Alto Saxophone, Op 2. Tickets cost 400, 600, 800, 1,000 and 1,500 baht (half prices for students) from thaiticketmajor.com or call 02-849-6565/6 ext 6603/4 (6624 and 6626 on concert days). Visit thailandphil.com.
Music fest (Bitec Hall 106, Bang Na-Trat Road, today at 7pm) The "TNT Music Festival 2018" features world-class DJs and local artists of various genres including R&B, hip-hop, trap and EDM. The DJ line-up includes Lil Jon, Soda, Walshy Fire of Major Lazer, Clinton Sparks and Willy Monfret. Local acts will be hip-hop legends Taitanium and Bank Clash. Tickets cost 1,800, 2,200 and 3,500 baht (VIP) from thaiticketmajor.com.
FAIRS & SALES
Glamorous wedding (Grand Ballroom, Mandarin Hotel, Rama IV, today and tomorrow, 10am-7pm) The "Glamorous Green Wedding Fair 2018" features finest wedding services with special promotions, creative displays showcasing various wedding and banquet designs and a bridal fashion show featuring the latest wedding dress trends from MBF Wedding Studio (My Best Friend's Wedding Studio). Wedding expert, Pom Hair Mafia, will be giving information on wedding fashion. Any couples confirming their wedding at the fair will have a chance to win an exclusive honeymoon package to Phuket. Call 02-238-0230.
Penang highlights (Seacon Bangkae, Phetkasem Road, 11am-8pm, until tomorrow) The "Street Of Penang" fair features replicas of Penang's top five popular tourist destinations in the real atmosphere -- George Town World Heritage Inc, Blue Mansion, Street Arts, Camera Museum and Bricklin Cafe & Bar. This is also a chance to taste Penang's traditional dishes such as asam laksa, char koey teow, nasi lemak and nyonya laksa. Call 02-454-7777.
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
Grand and exciting (Quartier Parc of EmQuartier, Sukhumvit Road, 10am-9pm, until tomorrow) The "Emporium EmQuartier Chinese New Year Grand Celebration 2018" features a spectacular dragon dance and gravity-defying aerial acrobatic performances daily at 7pm, plus an atmospheric Chinatown market offering delicacies and Chinese favourites including Chinese peanut nuggets, grilled prawns, noodles and sticky rice dumplings at the EmQuartier Chinese Boulevard, ground floor. Call 02-259-8345 or 02-269-1000 ext 1021.
Chinese celebration (Terminal 21, Asok Road, 10am-10pm, until tomorrow) The "Chinese New Year 2018" fair features the atmosphere of Hong Kong's famous temple, Che Kung. This is an opportunity for local worshippers to spin a replica of the sacred fan-bladed wheel of fortune, the temple's signature feature, to earn good luck. Replicas of sacred Chinese gods known for their meritorious legends are also housed at Fashion Island for local worshippers to pray for blessings. Two acrobatic troupes from China will perform on Feb 10-11 and Feb 16-18. They will also take turns to perform at Fashion Island, The Promenade Ramindra and Terminal 21 Korat in Nakhon Ratchasima on those days. There is no admission fee. Call 02-108-0888 or visit terminal21.co.th.
Blessing shows (CentralWorld's Central Court, Ratchadamri Road, today at 2pm and tomorrow at 1.30pm) "The Blessing Show" features different cultural performances including martial arts and acrobatic shows from Hunan, a dramatic arts performance from Zhejiang, folk music from Shanxi and another dramatic arts show from Hubei, today starting at 2pm. Tomorrow will see a guzheng (Chinese zither) performance. There is no admission fee. Call 02-640-7000.
Acrobatic shows (Future Park, Phahon Yothin Road, today and tomorrow at 3pm) Future Park presents the "Unexpected Extreme Chinese Show" featuring six exciting acrobatic acts that combine Chinese art and culture with extreme sports. They will be performed by a local acrobatic troupe. The shows include "Jumper Extreme Dance", "Chinese Opera On Top", "Chinese Balancing Dance", Extreme Lion Sketch", "Unexpected Wheel Dance", and "Hip Drum Dance". There is no admission fee. Call 02-958-0011.
EXHIBITIONS
Japanese art (Siwamokhaphiman Hall, Bangkok National Museum, Na Phra That Road, 9am-4pm Wednesday-Sunday, until tomorrow) Held to mark the 130th anniversary of Thailand-Japan relations, the "The History Of Japanese Art: Life And Faith" exhibition features 130 pieces of antiquities and art objects that represent all periods of Japanese history from the Jomon to Edo periods. Items include archaeological materials, earthenware pottery, sculptures, paintings and fine arts that reflect the uniqueness of Japanese culture. Admission fee is 30 baht (200 baht for foreign visitors). Call 02-224-1402 and 02-224-1370.
Rohingya's ordeal (Sea Junction, 1st and 4th floor of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Pathumwan intersection, Tuesday-Sunday 10am-8pm, until tomorrow) The "Unmentionable: Rohingya Refugees In Cox's Bazaar" photo exhibition portrays the impact of the latest attacks against Rohingyas in Rakhine State, which started last August, through the lens of Bangladeshi photographer Mahmud Rachman. The images illustrate the camp conditions and the vulnerability of Rohingya refugees, with particular attention to women and girls and their specific, and too often neglected, needs and rights. Visit seajunction.org or call 097-002-4140.
Contemporary Russian art (Galleria, 2nd floor of River City Bangkok, Charoen Krung 24, 10am-8pm, until Feb 20) Organised by the Bureau of Creative Expeditions (Moscow) with the support by the Russian Embassy to mark the 120th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Russia and Thailand, the "Suvarnabhumi -- A Golden Land" exhibition features Russian artwork including 120 paintings by Russian artists led by Vladimir Anisimov from the Russian Academy of Fine Arts, icons, handicrafts, sculptures and memorial medals. Most of the exhibited artworks are available for sale. There is a free daily workshop on Russian lacquer box painting for those who purchase the box (limited boxes). Visit rivercitybangkok.com or call 02-237-0077 ext 700.
GET-TOGETHER
Festival to warm hearts (The Royal Plaza of Dusit Palace and Sanam Suapa, Sri Ayutthaya Road, 10.30am-9pm Sun-Thur and 10.30am-10pm Friday-Saturday, until March 11) Graciously organised by HM King Rama X to reflect the long-standing bond between the royal institution and the Thai people, the "Un Ai Rak Khlai Khwam Nao (Love And Warmth At Winter's End)" festival features many activities including exhibitions that honour the Chakri dynasty and its part monarchs, particularly King Rama V and King Rama IX. Thai food stalls and products, Thai-style lucky draws and games are available with proceeds going to support the underprivileged and needy in all regions. A number of cultural performances are staged daily. Visitors are invited to dress in traditional Thai period costume or Thai textiles of the bygone era. Visit tourismthailand.org or call 1672.
