Sounds of the city

Published on July 31, 2007

The political pundits may be predicting gloom and doom with the upcoming referendum on the constitution, but music fans have plenty to blow their blues away with a concert schedule for August featuring plenty of solid local acts as well as visits from international stars.

Harmony in the making

Thai khlui master Thanis Sriklindee gets the ball rolling on Thursday with a concert that promises to soothe away economic angst.

"The Moment of Harmony", being staged in Thailand Cultural Centre's small hall at 7pm, will see the veteran flautist performing tunes from His Majesty the King's repertoire and contemporary Thai numbers with support from guitarist Lam Morrison, ranad master Khun-In and saxophonist Koh Mr Saxman. Thanis' other guests are Jennifer Kim and Eed Fly.

Tickets cost Bt1,000 and Bt800 and are available at Thaiticket-major.com.

Rocking with the king

It's 30 years since Elvis Presley passed away and his contribution to rock 'n' roll is being remembered this month all over the world. Thailand is no exception and on Friday, Thai Elvis impersonators are gathering at Asia Hotel's Ratchathewee Grand Ballroom from 7pm to midnight.

Among those taking to the stage are Nakorn Weeraprawat and his son "Pro" Papontee, Loh Duravanich, Lek Wongsawang, Jirasak Pinsuwan, Jaruek Viriyakij, Ongarj Jeerapan, Arthur Hussen, Vasu Sangsingkaew, Manuel Toyyeebee, Lek Presley, Suda Chuenban, Satawat "Camp" Tungarat, and Natthasak "Guide" Voravittayanont to name a few. Rudy Zuza, an Elvis impersonator from Macau, will also be putting in an appearance.

Tickets are Bt2,500 for VIP seats, Bt1,500 and Bt950. Call (02) 215 0808 for reservations.

Rock goes retro

Moon Star Studio on Lat Phrao Soi 80 will be vibrating on Saturday afternoon as former underground rockers Retrospect wow their fans with "The First Concert" at 3pm.

Nap, Not, Bom and Birth will be playing their hit "Ploy Chan" plus other tracks off "Unleashed", their first album on Genie Records, and will be joined by a surprise guest.

Tickets cost Bt500 and include a Retrospect tee worth Bt199.

Play that funky music

Also on Saturday, the five lads from Etc play their full-scale concert, "Me & My Girls", at Scala Theatre in Siam Square Soi 1. Since tickets for the 7pm show sold out within a week, the pop quintet have added a 2pm matinee.

Etc will be joined by Koh Mr Saxman, Jennifer Kim, Look Pad Chollanaj, TuiTui Puthachat and Jakajan Akamsiri.

Tickets for the afternoon show are Bt2,000, Bt1,500, Bt1,200 and Bt800 from Thaiticketmajor.

Jazz from Down Under

The "Judprakai" concert series continues on Sunday with Mark Isaacs Resurgence Band, an Australian contemporary jazz quintet playing original music. The concert takes place at Thailand Cultural Centre's small hall at 5pm.

Isaacs is an Australian-based pianist-composer who's earned international acclaim in both jazz and classical music. He'll be leading a jazz workshop from 1 to 3pm. Admission for the workshop is free but seats should be reserved at judprakai@gmail.com.

Tickets for the concert cost Bt500 from Thaiticketmajor.

Songs from the screen

Thirty-six songs from the movies will come back to life at the charity concert, "84 Years of Thai Soundtracks", being staged at Thailand Cultural Centre's small hall on August 11 at 1pm and 7pm.

Veteran actors and crooners, joined by dancers, will evoke the motion pictures of yesteryear.

The concerts also feature screenings of 1970's "Inthee Thong", the movie in which actor Mitr Chaibancha fell to his death from a helicopter while shooting the last scene, and "Look Sao Kamnan" in during which actress Jarunee Sukhasawad was involved in a car accident.

Tickets are Bt1,500, Bt1,000 and Bt800 from Thaiticketmajor.

Class reunion

Two former Academy Fantasia contestants - Patcha Anekayuwat and Pitsanu Nimsakul - take to the stage of Thailand Cultural Centre on August 12.

Patcha's up first at 2pm with "My Miracle My Soul" and she'll be accompanied by AF classmates Priew, Look Taln, Jeen, and Petch.

At 7pm, it's Pitsanu's turn for "Boyster Floor". He'll be promoting his new album "Boyster" in the company of AF alumni Off AF2 and Boy AF3 and a special guest.

Tickets for both the concerts are Bt1,500, Bt1,200 and Bt800 from Thaiticketmajor.

Down Ebola way

Rock outfit Ebola will be at Studio 125 from 6pm on August 18 in a Seed 97.5 FM concert to promote their fifth studio album "The Way".

The band, who won the Best Producer prize at the Seed Awards 2005, will be playing their latest cuts, including "Withee Thang", the first single from "The Way".

Free tickets are available from the radio station.

Grammy greats

Popular songwriter Nitipong Hornak celebrates his silver anniversary in showbiz with two concerts, titled "25 Years of Nitipong Hornak", at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani on August 25 and 26 at 7pm each featuring a different line-up of artists.

Nitipong has penned some 300 songs under a variety of pseudonyms, among them See Tarasod, Opas Pandee and Patanapibul Jakrawadi, and 60 of them have been selected for the two shows.

The August 25 concert features Nanthida Buasai, Billy Ogan, Mai Charoenpura, Marsha Wattana-panich, Sakda Inca, Saowalak Leelabutr, Neng YNot7, Nicole Theriault, Kob Taxi, and Rose Sirinthip.

Among those taking part on August 26 are Thitima Sutasoon-thorn, Surasee Itthikul, Amphol and Micro, Tum Somprasong, Nuvo, Christina Aguilar, Jay Jetrin, Nat Myria and Sunita Leetikul.

Tickets are Bt5,000, Bt2,500, Bt2,000, Bt1,500, Bt800 and Bt500 and are available at Thaiticketmajor.

Gwen's 'Sweet Escape'

Gwen Stefani jets into Bangkok on her "Sweet Escape" world tour, with a concert at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, on August 19 at 8pm.

Tickets are Bt4,500, Bt3,500, Bt2,500, Bt1,500, Bt1,000 and Bt600 and are selling fast at Thaiticketmajor.

Charming crooner

Engelbert Humperdinck returns to the Kingdom as part of his 40th Anniversary Tour and will be charming his legions of Thai fans at the Bangkok Convention Centre, Hotel Sofitel Central Plaza on August 22 at 8pm.

Tickets are Bt4,000, Bt3,000, Bt2,000, and Bt1,000 from Thaiticketmajor.

Classical cuts

Last but not least, classical guitarist Nutavut Ratanakarn gives a recital at Bangkok Guitar Society on August 26 at 6pm.

The 26-year-old has won several awards including the Thailand Yamaha Competition in 1998 and 1999 and the Thailand Internation-al Guitar Competition in 2003.

He has given many concerts and recitals over the globe and made two full-length recordings, "The Art of Spain" and a DVD "Live concert in Korea".

Tickets are Bt200. Call (081) 640 4006.

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation