Colour Your Life: European Jazz

Malene Mortensen returns to Thailand in September

The sultry-voiced Malene Mortensen returns to Thailand after a stunning performance at the Hua Hin Jazz Festival last year for three events.

She will perform two concerts with the Kasper Villaume Trio in the second instalment of the "Colour Your Life: European Jazz" series in Bangkok and Koh Samui as well as hold a jazz workshop on September 1.

Making a name for herself at 19 when she won the Danish Eurovision contest, the Scandinavian vocalist went on to master a style of rich jazzy melodies and a fine tuned ear for innovation. She was awarded the Django D'or Prize for Best Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 2005. The Kasper Villaume trio, which won the Danish Grammy Award for Best CD in 2005 bring with them a classy, internationally renowned style bound to balance brilliantly with Malene's honeyed voice.

Tickets range from Bt3,000 (includes a special edition European jazz CD) to Bt1,000 (special student discount tickets for Bt300) and are available from Thaiticketmajor.

For more information on the concerts and workshop, packages in Samui, call (02) 340 1575.

Phoom Jai Thai Concert

August 17, 7pm and August 18, 2pm, Thailand Cultural Centre

A charity concert organised by Bank Thai, "Phoom Jai Thai" ("Proud of Being Thai") featuring 14 singers backed by Bangkok Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Rear Admiral Veeraphan Woklang. 

The line up of artists is Charin Nunthanakorn, Orawee Sajjanon, Charat Feung-arom, Wiyada Komarakul na Nakorn, Saranya Songsurmsawat, Nicole Theriault, Ood Kireeboon, Sumet Ongart, Rawiwan Jinda, Thongchai Prasongsanti and Thanom Samtone.

The show will feature around 30 traditional and contemporary songs such as "Keag Cheun Jao", "Ratree Pradubdao", Thung Ruang Thong", Nok Kamin", "Man Saithong", Phi Chai Thi San Dee", "Namta Fah", "Ruk Khun Kao Laew" and "Tumboon Duay Aarai".

Tickets are Bt300, Bt1,000, Bt1,200 and Bt1,500, available at Thaiticketmajor.

For more information, call (02) 262 3456.

Luk Khun Luang

August 17 to 26, Muang Thai Ratchadalai, The Esplanade 

Actress Phao-on Chandrasiri makes her directorial debut with a revival of the comic stage play, "Luk Khun Luang".

Penned by writer and former prime minister MR Kukrit Pramoj in 1960, the play tells the story of Phakamas (Jintara Sukkhapat) who lives with her three children, Phichai (Puri Hiranyapruek), Apsorn (Pimada Boriraksupakorn) and Sreethorn (Nattapong Chatpong). Phakamas, who's never been married, has never told the children that they all have different fathers. With her daughter Apsorn about to wed a son of Phoonsab (Warapan Ngui-trakul), the very conservative owner of a fish-sauce factory, Phakamas needs to find a husband in order to protect her perfect-family image. But the selection process doesn't go smoothly. Veteran comedian Supawat Pattamasut co-stars as the hilarious Dr Porn, a family friend.

Performances will be at 7.30pm from Wednesday to Sunday with 2pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are Bt500, Bt800, Bt1,200, Bt1,500 and Bt1,800, available at Thaiticketmajor.

For more information, call (02) 262 3465.