Thai Festival, Battersea Park, London
Sunday 25th July 2010
11am - 8pm
Adults £4, Children under 1.2m Free
Web: http://www.thaifestival.org.uk/
Organised by the Thai-UK Trust, the Battersea Park Thai Festival returns this year for a fun filled day of Thai culture. Expect food, drink, dancing, music and more. Latest information below...
Stage Schedule:
11.00 The day commences with Thai monks chanting blessing and procession
11.30 Parade with drums and dancers starts from Albert Gate
13.00 - 13.15 Opening Speech
13.15 - 13.45 Thai Dance - Northern Theme. The Ancient Kingdom of Lanna
13.45 - 14.15 Games/Quiz
14.15 - 14.45 Thai Dance - Central Theme. The Land of a Million Flourished Rice Fields
14.45 - 15.00 Sword Fighting Demonstrations
15.00 - 15.15 Games/Quiz
15.15 - 15.30 Thai Dance - Puppets. Each puppet play requires the sychonised efforts of three
puppeteers who jointly control and manipulate the one puppet creating highly
animated, life-like movements
15.30 - 16.00 Thai Dance - South Theme. The Nora Story & The Pearl of Andaman Sea
16.00 - 16.10 Thai Boxing Demonstrations
16.10 - 16.40 Thai Dance - Isan (North-Eastern) Theme. The Myth of Mekong River
16.40 - 17.00 Gratopmai (Bamboo Dance) with audiences
17.00 - 17.45 Games/Quiz
17.45 - 18.20 Serng Spa Dance by young children and followed by Thailand's Got Talent
18.20 - 19.30 High Light of Four Phark (Four Regions) of Siam
19.30 - 20.00 Organiser makes a closing speech
20.00 Close
Performances by Thai Dance Academy
Opening Ceremony
Join the celebratory Royal procession with a warm reception of ‘Lanna’ style dances follow by umbrella dance that showcasing skillful movements and beautiful arts from ‘Bo-Sang’ village.
North - The Ancient Kingdom of Lanna
Let the sound of a ‘Victory Drum’ guide you to the history of Lanna Kingdom, celebrating its glory with the world famous ‘long fingernails’ dance and a jubilant ‘Fon-Tung’ flag. Followed by the lantern procession with Lanna lantern dance depicting the flower of the North whilst a soloist performs a dance called ‘Fon Cherng’ by balancing a number of swords on his body parts. Not to be missed!
Central Plains - The land of a million flourished rice fields
Central Plains brings you to the life of the farmers working harmoniously in the rice fields. Observe the ‘Bang Rajan’ villagers mastering their fighting skills with girls swooning flirtatiously to the handsome boys with the lively beat of drums to celebrate the joyous day.
South - The Nora story & the Pearl of Andaman Sea
Listen to the legend of the ‘Nora’ story featuring the ritualistic ‘chatri’ dance and watch the daily lives of ‘cha-va’ people working in the mine. Join the villagers at the street market and watch the fierce ‘cock-fighting’ event.
Isan - The Myth of Mekong River
Welcome to the epitome of Mekong River adventure with a spectacular display of Bung-Fai festival and the ‘Naga Rocket’ competition. Enjoy the carnival with Isan folk music, from silk-making to the ‘Kan-Kan’ display finishing with the special highlight of an upbeat bamboo dance.
Finale - The Four Regions of Siam
Embark on a historical journey to the heart of Siam traditions with ‘Klong Sa Bud Chai’, or Victory Drum, followed by a Lanna procession. Moving south to witness the lives of Cha-Va people, and enjoy Isan folklore and local music. Observe the agricultural activities and sword fighting from the Central Plains.
Thai Puppets
The puppet play requires the sychonised efforts of three puppeteers who jointly control and manipulate the one puppet creating highly animated, life-like movements. The performance is based on the classical Thai masked drama also known as ‘Khon’ and the story depicts the ‘battle scene’ in Ramayana epic.
