The sun is poking through the clouds and we’re kidding ourselves that rainy season is over, here in Time Out towers. So getting out to park meet ups, tasting sessions and of course the Chiang Mai special – live music happenings – feels right on time.
This weekend is bookended by two killer but very different shows. Friday sees local heroes Chiang Mai Blues raising the roof with an intimate show at Nimman’s happening live music spot Ostinato, while things get raucous on Sunday as Chiang Mai’s hardcore scene is out in full force for WE ARE PUNK VOL.22, seeing Japanese bands Bound and Asphalt top a heady line up at Yoda’s CNX Gallery.
On Saturday, artist Jay Cheng is opening her art show at Studio 88 in Saket with a very ceremonial launch event, before the exhibition runs for a month. Cosy doplace, upstairs at Gooodcery, are hosting a two day Namprik loving supperclub, part tasting session, part cooking class, for those who can’t get enough of the spicy stuff. Then Sunday sees Retro Recess launch a new series in their fun focused portfolio of events, Playground Exchange, which will no doubt be as joyful and welcoming as their play based meet ups for grown ups prove to be. Time to get out there and mingle, whatever scene you’re into.
If you missed their high voltage set at Pai Jazz & Blues Festival fear not, the city’s electric funksters are back in business with an intimate gig at one of Nimman’s best live music hot spots, Ostinato. It’s a free show and bound to be a roof raising night; their signature mix of sassy blues, funk and soul is always a good time. So head down there early, the band is on at 9.40pm (so specific) but musician-owner Khun Meem is opening his doors from 5pm.
Sept 11. Free. Ostinato, Nimman. 5pm-late
This Saturday afternoon sees a particularly special art opening of the aptly named ‘A Moving Ceremony: The Art of Becoming’, by artist Jay Cheng. The exhibition at Studio 88 is on for a month but the private view event this weekend promises to be quite literally ceremonial. Attend wearing white or black (and hats are encouraged) to explore the histories objects hold, through engaging with her practice that dissects reality, death and the continuation of consciousness beyond what we can see.
Sept 12. Free. Studio 88 at Sak Homestay, Doi Saket. 2pm-4pm
Our favourite cosy nook of a venue, doplace, is hosting Bamama Supper Club this weekend with a double header of gastronomic events focusing on namprik, the delectable Thai chili sauce that defines so many dishes. Lead by Chef Oum, Namprik Weekend kicks off on Saturday with a two hour tasting sesh that will rove through nine regional namprik and sato (B800,11am-1pm). Thin wine tasting but, ya know, dip. For the kitchen savvy amongst you Oum is also offering a cooking class on Sunday (B1200, 10am-1pm), teaching you spice lovers how to make three types of namprik – and this sesh includes the lunch too. RSVP is required to book, contact doplace via instagram or call 0910700356.
Sept 12-13. B800-B1200. doplace, upstairs at The Goodcery.
The purveyors of all things playful and wholesome in CNX, Retro Recess are back with a grown up spin on youth this Sunday hosting a new ‘game’, Playground Exchange. The thoughtful bunch are hosting a space to exchange goods, skills, time and support one another, gathering like kids in a playground to learn a new skill beyond traditional buying and selling. This edition focuses on exploring slow living through flower arranging, but come prepared with a skill, goods or resource you can offer and a clear request for something you’d like to receive. Expect their usual twist on a classic workshop, with discussion and skill-and-goods exchange in the mix.
Sept 13. Free. Chiang Mai Railway Station Park. 2pm-4pm
The posse behind Chiang Dao Punk Festival are back with another edition of their ever solid gigs in the city, WE ARE PUNK and they’ve landed an insane line up for this one. Japanese hardcore doesn’t come more ferocious than Asphalt, on tour from Hiroshima; and Bound, pummeling in from Shizuoka. They are supported by a powerhouse of local noise makers – we’ve got Myanmar’s Death Systems kicking out the jams, as well as CNX champs Self Sex, Maarays, Olexs and Phased Plasma Rifle. Entry includes a free beer, nice one lads. Bring your earplugs and get there early to embrace a full night of community focused chaos.
Sept 13. B400. Yoda’s CNX Gallery, Old City. 7pm-late
Sometimes the best way to clear your head is to grab some scissors, glue and a pile of scraps and make something completely unnecessary. Jugnu Studio’s Scrap-Booking session invites you to cut, glue, scribble and generally make a mess as you get stuck (quite literally) into the latest hobbymaxxing trend: journalling. Turn old papers, stickers and colourful odds and ends into pages of your own that can then be filled – by pen or pencil – with your dreams, stories, to-do lists, love letters or anything else you want to put onto paper and, maybe, not on the internet. If you bring your own materials it’s just B75, or pay B150 and they’ll provide everything from scissors and glue to scraps, stickers, markers, pens and coloured pencils.
Sept 12. B75-B150. Jugnu Studio. 3-5pm
Check out our Journalling episode of Hobbymaxxing in Bangkok here
Mime and object theatre duo TaLentShow return to Chiang Mai with another round of SAFARI, an all-ages adventure where everyday objects and a little imagination bring the natural world to life. Without relying on words, the pair take audiences across vast grasslands, beneath the sea to swim alongside whale sharks and into fields where tiny seeds burst into bloom. Heartfelt, playful and wonderfully weird, it’s an immersive afternoon of theatre that kids and grown-ups can enjoy together. We’ve seen it before, and couldn’t recommend it enough.
Sep 12, 13, 19, 20. B320. Dhepsiri Creative Space. 1.30pm, 4.30pm
It’ll come as no surprise to you night owls that the eastern flank of the Old City has slowly emerged as our town’s karaoke hotspot. We’re big fans of this friendly haunt just on the moat near Si Phum Corner. From tonight (and three weeks on the trot hereafter) the lovelies at Lecker Café & Bistro are hosting Karaoke Thursday, Chiang Mai’s longest running karaoke loving community, bringing people together for good songs and a turbo charged night out. Do you have to be any good at singing? Ideally not. Don’t show the rest of us up. Just choose your favourite singalongs from YouTube and wait your turn. Duets and trios, also encouraged.
Sept 3, 10 and 17. Free. Lecker Café & Bistro, Moon Muang Road. 8.30pm-11.30pm
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.
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