The best things to do in Chiang Mai this weekend (June 18-21)

There’s a lot going on at Yoda’s CNX Gallery this weekend, one of our favourite live music spots in the city (no frills, just vibes). Thursday sees Chiang Mai’s extremely welcoming punk community give the stage to Hong Kong noise band David Boring for what promises to be a very raucous show. Support comes from local legends Echo Resort, Monkeys A Lot and Pasha Plohoy & Gangue who’ll be playing indie, post-punk and shoegaze, so a lovely heady mix all round.

18 June. B222. Yoda’s CNX Gallery. 8pm-late

The champs at Deaf Shop are throwing a fundraiser shebang on Friday, ‘Let’s Beat Breast Cancer’, for friend and regular Lexi who’s seeking urgent cancer treatment that costs a fair bob. So if you’ve been meaning to check out Deaf Shop, now’s a great time to go, especially if you’re feeling charitable. Expect the usual inimitable vinyl-only DJ sets as well as extra sparkle and magic with tarot readings, face and body painting, a raffle with great prizes and a second hand market to dig through.

19 June. Free Entry (Donations at the door). Deaf Shop. 6pm-late

Forget Duo Lingo! Promoters and celebrators of all things French, Alliance Française are screening a programme of gripping films this month. Friday sees thriller Le Mohican take to their big screen, a razor sharp tale of a Corsican shepherd taking on local mobsters as he refuses to sell his coastal land to criminals. Eeek.

19 June. B100. Alliance Francaise. 8pm-10.30pm

The first of this weekend’s Pride parties comes with Latino flair as mixologist in residence Benz Naphat will be slinging his signature tequila cocktails crafted with Teremana Tequila, from Blanco to Reposado and Añejo. DJs will be turning up the volume as the booze doth flow, plus there’s 15 percent off food and beverages for those of you who turn up in your best Pride attire.

19 June. Free entry. The Wang Bar, Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel. Call 053-253-666 to reserve a spot. 7pm-late

MuseArt Chiang Mai is on a roll this week, with lovingly curated Chamber Music concerts cropping up in some of the city’s finest venues. Saturday’s recital is hosted at heritage hotel 137 Pillars House, which is a treat in and of itself and a massive slice of Chiang Mai history. Accomplished trio Tasana Nagavajara (Viola), Jonas Dept (Piano) and Nutt Kasemsant (Clarinet) will be playing the hits by Bach, Mozart and Fauré. Ticket prices include a welcome glass of wine and canapés. And with only 100 seats available, this one’s very special. 

20 June. B1450. 137 Pillars House. Get tickets on ticketmelon. 5.30pm-10.30 pm

Celebrated with great aplomb across Scandinavia and the Baltic nations, Midsummer marks the longest day of the year, so if you’re from that part of the world or just Midsummer-curious, head to the Baltic Midsummer Festival at the beautifully retro Anusarn Sanpakoi. This year the organisers are exploring how Baltic and Northern Thai cultures express connection to land and place and the activities link Lanna and Scandi practices, from working with herbs and fresh flowers to make crowns and yadom, learning folk dance from both regions and getting nimble at bonfire rituals, with folk and tribal DJs setting the scene all night.

20 June. B100. Anusarn Sanpakoi, Wat Ket. Tickets here. 6pm-10pm

Folk around and find out on Saturday at Pong Noi’s Kindred Studio, the undeniably perfect setting for a cosy evening of live folk music. Get there early to bag your spot on the sofas as two singer-songwriters take the stage. Meg Norquoy and Austin Hughes are joint headlining, performing their respective original tracks at our favourite surrogate living room. If you’re a fan of poetry, lyricism and feeling things, this one’s for you. 

20 June. B200. Kindred Studio. 7pm-11pm

Pride party number two of the weekend is another banger, as MAI The Sky Bar welcomes the fierce drag queens and kings of BLOW Entertainment to the highest rooftop bar in the city for some raucous numbers. Meanwhile two brilliant mixologists go head to head, MAI The Sky Bar’s own Khun Dino and visiting Khun Santos from HONG’s Sky Bar are shaking up bold Pride-themed cocktails all night. Entrance is free, but it’s best to call 052 090 600 or email maiskybar@meliachiangmai.com to reserve a table.

20 June. Free. Rooftop at MAI The Sky Bar, Melia Chiang Mai. 6pm-11pm

As we say, it’s a packed weekend at Yoda’s and Saturday night promises to be an absolute riff fest. Emo shoegaze trio Dist-Sphere are opening the show with their distortion-heavy grooves, followed by angular post-punk grit from Dada Sun. Then fresh off the back of their Parts People EP release we’re expecting a banger A-set from local art-punks Terror Terror who’ve promised to finally introduce their mysterious sixth member to the public, before dreamy indie pop four piece Sunpurr close the night sometime in the wee hours.

20 June. B200. Yoda’s CNX Gallery. 8pm-late

MuseArt Chiang Mai’s second outing of the weekend, ‘Pairing’, is an intimate afternoon tea concert that brings together music, art and Mae Rim-zen at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. Violist Tasana Nagavajara will be performing Bach’s Suites for Violoncello Solo, paired with the artworks of Chatchawan Nilsakul, creating a dialogue between sound and vision. The ticket includes Four Seasons’ delectable afternoon tea, and is best booked in advance as seats are numbered.

21 June. B2400 via ticketmelon. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. 2.30pm-4.30pm

Hotel bars are not uncommon, but what is uncommon is when they have something extra worth visiting for. The Marriott’s Wang Bar is one of these spots, where the bar is less about the drinks (although they’re still very good) and more about the experience. Inside, you’ll find three zones that are all about the fun, packed with massive-size golf simulators, private karaoke rooms and e-gaming setups that are a blast – all starting at just B750 per hour. At the bar, golf-inspired drinks make up the menu, served in a plush yet authentic Lanna-heritage style setting. A great start to the long holidays, or a nice filler after the splashing is over next weekend. 

Now open. Free entry, B750 per hour of activity. Wang Bar, Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel. Open Wed-Sun, 2pm-midnight.