The Mall Group is hosting 'The Mall's 17th Jae Festival'. Pitting seven Chinese Jae dishes against seven Thai Jae dishes, find unique and delicious Jae dishes at every branch of The Mall, The Emporium, The Emquartier and Paragon Department Stores in the Event Hall and Food Hall from Sep 29-Oct 9. The festival is held as a merit-making event to honour H.M. Queen Sirikit's 84th Birthday Anniversary. Representing H.M. Queen Sirikit, HRH Princess Soamsavali will preside at The Mall Bangkapi over the opening ceremony of the 17th The Mall Jae festival on Tuesday Oct 4 at 2pm. |
Music lovers who party with a purpose By Kelly Harvey Exclusive Interview, by Lekha Shankar The lead-dancer of the famed Geneva Ballet Company’s production of the mythical love-drama ‘Tristan and Isolde’ at the International Festival of Dance & Music, is Thai-born SARAWANEE TANATANIT. An outstanding ballet dancer who has won scholarships, competitions, awards in Thailand, Canada,Europe, US, the petite dancer worked with the famed American Ballet Company in New York for eight years, before moving to the Geneva Ballet Company where she’s now completed eight years. She has played the lead in many of their classic dramas-including Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, and now, Tristan and Isolde. Soon after moving to Canada, at the age of thirteen, Sarawanee was awarded the Royal Academy of Dancing Solo Seal, which was the start of her phenomenal dance career. In 2003, she won the prestigious ‘Critic Choice’ award of the American ‘Point’ Magazine. In 2008 she was named one of Dance Magazine’s ‘Top 25 to Watch’. In 2015, a documentary on Sarawanee Tanatanit’s life, was aired on the popular ‘Thai DNA’ program. What’s interesting to note, is that the dancer kept in touch with her Thai roots, performing the Rama Kien at the Lincoln Center Festival in New York, and also partaking in thePatravadi Festival at Bangkok. The much-awarded ballet dancer declared that it was her proudest moment to play the lead in a top ballet-drama, in her homeland, which was she was so excited by this performance of Tristan and Isolde, at the Thailand Cultural Centre, on Saturday 24 September. Excerpts from an email interview: Did you have your early dance-training in Bangkok? I wanted to take dance classes like every other kid, and joined the Kanjana Ballet School and the Vararom Dance Centre Did you then train in gymnastics? Yes, I moved to rhythmic gymnastics and under the training of my coach ‘BB’, I was soon in the National team of Thailand. I partook in the SE Asian Games at Chiangmai, where I won a Gold medal. I was also the winner of the Thailand Junior Rhythmic Gymnastic Championship.After that , I was awarded a scholarship from the Sports Authoity of Thailand to go to Vancouver in Canada and have further training in rhythmic gymnastics . Was it in Canada that you started your dance training? Yes, I joined the Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver.After that, I partook in many competitions in Europe, won awards, and then got an apprentice scholarship to the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in New York City. The following year, I joined the main company and worked for seven years as a professional ballet dancer in that amazing company. You lived in many countries- how different were the experiences? Every country is different, in terms of people, culture, environment, work-philosophy, language and lifestyle. And I had to adapt myself all the time. It was not easy, but I worked hard in every country. How special is Switzerland, after living in so many countries? My dance career is very secure in Switzerland. We are all well taken care off, in terms of health and fitness. Another thing I love about the Geneva Ballet Company, is that we tour a lot! I also love the Swiss countryside and the Swiss lifestyle-it’s a wonderful place to live in.
Is it easy for Asians to make it big, in the West, like you have done?
It’s not easy, but there are many Asian artists out there, doing well, including Thais. Speaking for myself, I think I had a really good training and working attitude, since I trained for rhythmic gymnastics. Luckily, I was exposed to performing arts since I was young, and was given a lot of support from my family I am proud to be here today as an artist expressing my own thoughts and able to use my passion, to communicate with people. However, I still believe that there’s a lot more for me to learn. What do you miss most about Bangkok/Thailand, when you live abroad? My family, and my Thai food. What are your future plans? This will be my last season with the Geneva Ballet, because I want to have the flexibility to work both in Europe and Thailand. I want to continue working in Europe, which is so rich in the performing arts. But I also want to do projects in Thailand, and develop the dance-scene here. ‘TRISTAN AND ISOLDE’ where SARAWANEE TANATANIT plays the lead, will be performed at the Thailand Cultural Centre (Main Hall), on Thursday 24 September, at 7-30 pm. For more information, visit: www.bangkokfestivals.com www.thaiticketmaster.com
Freebird
THE name of this urban oasis on Sukhumvit Soi 47 was inspired by the caretaker of the garden-like property, who for 27 years made it a sanctuary for local bird species. The natural setting affords a relaxed and peaceful ambience, while inside guests are treated to modern Australian cuisine in a dining area enhanced by innovative lighting, stunning art pieces and colourful mosaic tiles. Chef Dallas Cuddy and sommelier and wine director Marcus Boyle combine talents to deliver a gourmet drinking and dining experience with dishes such as Organic sea urchin with flaxseed cracker, parmesan and sea grapes; and Roast duck breast with chanterelle mushrooms, pickled baby turnip and sorrel. Open Mon-Sun from 5.30pm till late. Weekend brunch service will start at the end of September (11am-4pm) Sukhumvit 47. 02 662 4936. freebirdbkk.com Enjoy a holiday with a difference by attending one of these cultural events THAILAND may be most famous for its beautiful beaches and lush National Parks, but if you’ve had your fill of taking trips based simply on sand and sea and leafy retreats, and fancy a vacation with a bit more cultural nourishment, it’s time to check out one of the nation’s annual festivals or sporting events. From Buddhist Lent Candle Processions and the Phi Ta Khon ‘Ghost’ Festival, to the Yasothon Bung Bang Fai Rocket Festival and Thai Dove Cooing Contests, Thailand’s cultural calendar is packed full of intriguing happenings. From North to South, East to West, and even right here in Bangkok, there’s always something amazing going on. And visitors are always welcome. Tapping into the rich history of each location, and presenting a wide range of local delicacies and crafts during each event, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has played a key role in promoting many of these festivals, details of which can be found on its website (tourismthailand.org). Simply navigate to the site, scroll down the homepage, and you’ll find a month-by-month round-up of the most fascinating festivals, plus full details on how to attend them. Listed here are just some of the highlights rounding out the rest of 2016. Riverside mall famous for its antiques returns with a bigger range of shops and restaurants
Enjoy up to 90 percent discount on out of season stock at this bargain hunter’s wonderland on Silom Road
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