Dancing on a sweet 16

The first five months of this year saw several cancellations of concerts and performances by international artists so it comes as good news that all the stars booked for Bangkok’s 16th International Festival of Dance and Music will be answering present for this year’s event.

“We’re proud that after our time of trouble, they have full confidence in us. I’m sure that this international showcase of dance and music will also help rebuild the country’s image,” says International Cultural Promotions’ boss Egasith Chotpakditrakul.

Last year’s festival suffered a slight drop in attendance due in part, Egasith acknowledges, to the overall line-up of programmes not being as strong as in previous years. 

“Of course, we always present works of high quality but some of them may not hit the right notes with our audience.

“This year, then, we have a much wider variety of programmes. We’ll present some kinds of shows we’ve never brought here before. For example, we have acrobats from China National Acrobatic Troupe’s Cirque Eclipse from September 19 to 21, the spectacular Indian dance and music show ‘Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical’ on October 11 and 12 as well as a special concert presenting two up-and-coming tenors.” 

To those culture vultures who might be surprised to see acrobats and Bollywood singers on the same bill as Zubin Mehta, the Stuttgart Ballet and Ballet Preljokaj, Egasith says, “We really need to correct this prejudice of the festival being a high-brow event. Of course, we’re not going to present a pop-rock or country music concert. Our aim is to offer as much variety as possible in our programme.

“And we’re proving this by bringing ‘The Arrival’, also known as ‘the world’s greatest Abba show’ [September 30 and October 1]. It sold out all 35 of its shows in New York and I’m confident it will do the same here. 

“Maestro Zubin Mehta is also returning. He really loves Thailand. Singapore also approached him on this trip to Japan and he checked with us whether we’d like to host him again. We leapt at the chance.”

Last year, the festival presented three jazz evenings, featuring among others Chick Corea and Mike Stern. For this year, Sittikun Boon-itt, Egasith’s assistant, says, “It’s a very niche market and we’d like to change to other kinds of music that appeal to a broader group of audiences. For example, The Jive Aces will make all members of the audience happy – their swing grooves are not as hardcore.”

Egasith adds, “We’ve been presenting jazz concerts as part of many editions of the festival and the turn-out of audiences has consistently been at the medium level. Last year, we invested more and brought in truly world-class artists and the result didn’t change much. In terms of marketing, jazz concerts and contemporary dance performances are always tough for us, quite the opposite to classical ballets and operas.”

Apart from updating the festival’s Facebook page at least twice daily thus ensuring better connectivity with the target audiences, Sittikun has also been on a road show to many schools and universities to present student group discount packages that should build a larger audience base for the festival. “It’s also important for [performing arts] teachers to get to watch these performances as well,” he says.

Festival regulars will also be pleased to learn that the seating at Thailand Cultural Centre has been recently renovated and the number of seats decreased by some 20 per cent, thus allowing for more leg room and better sightlines.

Tickets are already selling well, Sittikun adds, with seats for Zubin Mehta’s concert in the greatest demand, followed by the operas and Ballet Preljokaj’s “Blanche Neige”.

 

The 16th Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance and Music is made possible though the support of Bangkok Bank, the Crown Property Bureau, BMW, B Grimm Group, Bangkok Hospital, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Indorama Ventures, Nation Group, Beiersdorf, PTT Group, Singha Corporation, Thai Airways, Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Culture Ministry.

 Picks of the performances

 HERE’S THE SHOWS I’ve already marked my calendar:

 

“DON GIOVANNI”, SEPTEMBER 13

The curtain raiser is also the world premiere of a co-production by Teatro Lirico Italiana, which the Italian embassy describes as “the most important private opera company in the country”, and Macedonia Opera.

 

“BLANCHE NEIGE”, SEPTEMBER 24

This long overdue Bangkok debut by Ballet Preljokaj is guaranteed to please with their contemporary interpretation of “Snow White”, brought here with the support from the French embassy. Jean Paul Gaultier designs the costume. An absolute must-see. Check out www.Preljocaj.com.

 

THE JIVE ACES, SEPTEMBER 26

After all we’ve been through here in Bangkok, this is our supposedly “happy” time. So let’s have more fun with this popular UK outfit who have performed at Glastonbury and Montreux, and see if their music can lift us, and our spirits, from our seats. Hear their sample tracks at www.JiveAces.com.

 

MARIO FRANGOULIS AND GEORGE PERRIS, OCTOBER 4

Two of the world’s most highly acclaimed tenors perform classical vocal and classical-crossover music. This promises to be an evening of musical bliss. Listen to them now at www.MarioFrangoulis.com and www.GeorgePerris.com.

 

“BLACK DIAMOND”, OCTOBER 9

The newest work – the world premiere was this May at Royal Danish Theatre– from Tim Rushton, the revered British choreographer who’s been the artistic director of the Danish Dance Theatre since 2001. Thanks to the Danish embassy, this contemporary abstract ballet will thrill those bored with classical narrative performances and who want to exercise their interpretation skills. Visit www.DanishDance.com.

 

ZUBIN MEHTA AND ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, OCTOBER 20

Our memory of their unforgettable concert in front of the Grand Palace is still fresh and classical music lovers are always up for more. This programme includes “Vivaldi’s Concerto for four violins and orchestra”, “Mozart’s Symphony No 36” and “Mahler’s Symphony No 5”.

 

“O MISTERIO”, OCTOBER 22

The singer behind the phenomenal success of “Madredeus” invites us to listen to her latest album. The Portuguese embassy says that she and her musicians retired to the Convent of Arrabida in the mountains for an entire month to record all 17 tracks. Check out www.TeresaSalgueiro.pt/en.

“ONEGIN”, OCTOBER 25-26

Last year’s Karlsruhe Ballet entertained some and disappointed others. To end all critical debates, the German embassy brings in the Stuttgart Ballet, last seen here more than a decade ago. John Cranko’s choreography is a timeless masterpiece from 1960s and a fitting closing act for this year’s festival. Visit www.Stuttgart-Ballet.de.

 

PAWIT MAHASARINAND

SPECIAL TO THE NATION

 

 

BOOKING NOW OPEN

Bangkok’s 16th International Festival of Dance and Music runs from September 13 to October 26 at the Thailand Cultural Centre.

Get tickets at ThaiTicketMajor. 

For more details, check www.BangkokFestivals.com or Facebook.com/BangkoksInternationalFestivalOfDanceMusic.