That's the Christmas spirit

A holiday celebrated the world over on December 25, Christmas in Thailand has usually much more to do with mini-skirted women in Santa hats than a joyous gathering of family and friends.

Singer, lyricist and committed Christian Boyd Kosiyabong is however determined to highlight the real meaning of the holiday, and he’s doing that with a seven-hour “BoydKo Family Christmas Together” event next Saturday at Impact Arena.

“It combines music with skits and games,” Boyd explains. “I haven’t organised a concert in a while – the Dee-Boyd Pop Fest in 2009 was the last – but every time I do, it revolves around the festive period at the end of the year.”

Boyd says he came up with the idea after watching a French production at the 15th Bangkok's International Festival of Dance and Music held earlier this year at Thailand Cultural Centre.

“One of the scenes jogged my memories of the festive seasons that mesmerised me as a child. When I was young, I helped my parents decorate our home and hang the baubles and tinselon the Christmas tree. I thought it would be fun to recreate those feelings and the magic of this very special holiday in the company of my fans, who are like my family.

“Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and we traditionally celebrate that momentous occasion with delicious food and by creating a happy atmosphere. My kids get excited at decorating the tree and we always have lots of fun as a family. I want to do that on Saturday too.”

It isn’t just his fans he’s aiming to please. A firm believer in Christmas cheer, he’s invited the artists from his label LoveIs to take part in the fun.

They’ve all accepted with pleasure and among those who’ll be showing off both their music and acting skills next weekend are Nop Pornchamni, Burin Boonvisut, Tanachai “Pod Moderndog” Ujjin, Trai “Boy” Bhumirat, Saksit “Tor” Vejsupaporn, Krisada “Noi” Sukosol Clapp, Apiwat “Stamp” Eauthavornsuk, Poptorn “Two” Soonthornyanakij, Rudklao Amratisha, Anchalee Chongkhadeekij, Palmy, Kamala Sukosol, Marisa Sukosol Nunphakdi, Nadia Suthikulpanich, Scrubb, Kunksanova, ETC and Suppawat “Champ” Peeranon.

The show is divided into two parts. The first part, which will feature songs and sketches set to music, is being held the arena while the second half takes the form of a funfair and is being organised outdoors.

“I’m trying to make it as close as possible to the sort of get-together we’d have at home complete with games and exchanges of gifts. It won’t be high-tech but simple and friendly,” he says.

“We’ll be playing outdoors too with games like ‘Sao Noi Tok Nam’ [Dunk Tank Girl] though because most of the artists taking part are male, it will be ‘Noom Noi Tok Nam’ [Dunk Tank Boy] instead. We’re turning the Impact auditorium into a giant living room with music and funny sketches.

“Our musical skits are really very simple and nothing like the kind of stuff Boy [Scenario boss Takonkiet Viravan] puts on. We’ll all be wearing costumes and we’ve also rearranged a lot of songs to go along with the sketches. The set list has the best part of 40 songs. The whole thing is very challenging but I hope it will be success,” he says.

And of course, the venue will be decorated with all the trappings of Christmas even down to a large tree.

“I really hope fans will come along and relax with us, laugh with us and sing with us too,” says Boyd.

 

Family fun

_ “BoydKo Family Christmas Together” takes place from 4 to 11pm next Saturday at Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani.

_ Tickets cost Bt1,000 to Bt3,000. For details, see www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

_ Present your ticket at the door to receive a free copy of the 11th edition of Magaholic, a monthly fashion-and-lifestyle magazine that’s packed with photos of Boyd and all the participating artists.