Best of the week

Published on October 19, 2007

 One of the most popular and respected speed metal quartets, Megadeth, will be in Bangkok for a show at 8pm on Tuesday at Bangkok Hallin Suan Lum Night Bazaar as part of their ambitious "United Abomination Tour of Duty 2007".

The band is led by former Metallica band member Dave Mustaine. The guitarist-vocalist originally set up his own band in 1983 playing mainly thrash and speed-metal. Megadeth distinguishes itself from Metallica by leaning less on progressive rock influences and adding an emphasis on instrumental skills, speeding the tempos, and making the instrumental attack harsher. Megadeth became one of the leading bands of the genre during the 1980s. By the early 1990s, they had toned their music down slightly, yet that simply increased their following - all of their 1990s albums debuted in the Top Ten.

Tickets are Bt700, Bt1,200 and Bt1,800, and are available from Thaiticketmajor.

For more information, call (02) 262 3456.

Royal photographs

Anuchit Secharunputong is displaying his latest collection of 81 black-and-white photographs in the "Our Beloved King" exhibition at the Queen's Gallery, which runs until November 18.

During the celebrations last year to mark the 60th anniversary of HM the King's  accession to the throne, Anuchai was among the photographers chosen to take portraits of the visiting monarchs. The experience inspired him to focus on Thailand's devotion to His Majesty. He travelled nationwide to capture the portraits of HM the King that hang in people's houses.

The gallery, on Rajdamnoen Avenue near Phan Fah Bridge, is open from 10am to 7pm daily except Wednesday.

For more information, call (02) 281 5360-1 or visit www.queengallery.org.

Disney magic

BEC-Tero Entertainment brings Mickey Mouse and illusionists Brad Ross and Alex Gonzalez to Bangkok for "Mickey's Magic Show" at Royal Paragon Hall in Siam Paragon.

Showtimes are at 3pm and 6pm daily until October 28, with 11am matinees on Saturdays and Sundays and on  Tuesday, Chulalongkorn Day. English-language shows are at 11am tomorrow,  6pm on Sunday, 3pm on Tuesday and 6pm on October 28.

Mickey and his friends will levitate Princess Jasmine, ride broomsticks and transform Cinderella's rags. Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Snow White, the Fairy Godmother and the Mad Hatter as well as characters from Toontown and Fantasia will join in the fun.

Tickets are Bt600, Bt900, Bt1,200 and Bt1,500, and are available from Thaiticketmajor.

For more information, call (02) 262 3456 or visit www.disneylive.com.

Film fest by the sea

Phuket town is hosting a seven-day film festival featuring more than 30 films from 15 countries. The first Phuket Film Festival kicks off tomorrow with "Dance Machine", a comedy by Spanish director Oscar Aibar.

The festival will also feature the premiere of the newly restored 1941 Thai film, "King of the White Elephant".

Other highlights include the Thailand premiere of the animated feature, "Surf's Up", as well as the Asian premiere of the acclaimed Australian drama, "Romulus, My Father", starring Eric Bana and Franka Potente. There's a package of Filipino films, including director Benji Garcia's "Batad".

The festival closes on October 27 with the Beatles' musical, "Across the Universe".

Tickets are Bt120. All screenings are at SF Cinema City in the new Jungceylon mall on Patong Beach.

For more details, call (02) 982 4525 or visit www.phuketfilmfestival.com.