Sunday, August 16, 2020

Bangkok Moves out of Lock-Down.

THE BANGKOK lock-down was officially over early last month and to celebrate and raise money for local skateboarder Shawn Ward’s critical illness fund the Bangkok Island team held a skate jam  musical extravaganza aboard their sand barge party boat. Local bands Plague Pits and Stay Awake headlined the show. The weather was kind, the crowd was in good spirits, the slop chest was drunk dry in piratical style.  
  
   

Half-way through Stay Awake’s set a member of the audience climbed up to the ceiling rafters and monkey-swung across the ceiling. Had he slipped carnage would have followed. Claret everywhere as we sailed back to the Port of Thieves. 

Twenty feet lower on the ship's dancefloor the crowd were oblivious to the potential disaster waiting to happen.

Oh, well, we thought as he swung across the ship, worse things happen at sea. 

We survived. On the river all was well. Somehow the party swinger made it back down to what passed as terra firma on the Bangkok Island, proving that even during co-vid19 not all heroes wear masks. It was that kind of night – danger, excitement, temptation. 

Watch out for more events on the Bangkok Island and for a chance to rock the boat. Let's hope they fully stock the bar next time. 

Brownstone were also back in action with their Comeback Concert. Again Stay Awake were on the bill alongside Born from Pain, Of Victims and Pray, while Venn, Jennifer Lackgren, and Fiffi rocked the acoustic stage. Good to hear music back in the city, and see the old venues reopening. 

Artwise the Andy Warhol show opened on the 12th August and runs until November at the River City. So if soup cans and Marilyn are your bag head on over. Oh, and graffiti art, break beat legend and global personality Goldie opened his Aurum gallery in Chareon Krung showcasing contemporary, urban, and street art from around the world. The boys at This Strange Life Podcast caught up with Goldie for a chat about Thailand, art, and the exact location of a Mintaur's Johnson.  

For things literary a Charles Bukowski centenary celebration was scheduled for the 16th August at Fatty’s Bar and Diner, but they cancelled last minute due to a lack of water mains pressure. I'm pretty sure the decadent LA novelist and poet who lived on the brink of chaos would have let the show continue as long as the beer was flowing. The show is rescheduled for this Friday 21st August.    

Photo credit: Minsida Kantanarkit

The Beat Goes On. 
JD. BKK. 17.8.20

.