Tonight, Tuesday 30 at 7 pm, Meta House presents the launch of Vanishing Act, a book by Ryun Patterson and Rick Valenzuela that delves into the life and work of Cambodia’s mystic healers and fortune tellers. An accompanying exhibition includes portraits and anecdotes from the people they met in producing the book. The evening will include an artist talk with the authors.
More info
Even more info

At JavaArts gallery on Wednesday 1, the closing event of No Boundaries, an artist-run exchange project between Cambodian and Indonesian artists currently on show at Java Café and The Asia Foundation Community Art Gallery (#59, Street 242). Site-specific performance by Diyano Purwadi and Tiarma Sirait. From 7 pm.
More info

This weekend, Friday 3 and Saturday 4, the Phare Ponleu Selpak open days features a visual art exhibition and performances from senior students in circus, music, theatre, dance and animation. The event will open with a selection of special circus, music, dance and animation pieces performed under the big top at the PPS campus, a concert commencing at 9 am on Friday 3. Activities continue through both Friday and Saturday, 8 am to 6.30 pm.
More info 

On Sunday 5 at Meta House, The Piano Shop Concert Series continues with a cross cultural music/poetry performance, featuring poetry by Pal Vannarirak, E Soedergan and Eva Tina Byggamaester, and music by Ulf Aehlsund, De Fallas Villa Lobos and Norodom Sihanouk, performed by Anders Delin (guitar), Him Savy (flutes), Karl Jan Rahm and Pal Vannarirak (poetry). $10/$3. For reservations contact 077 787 038 or 016 985 828.  From 8 pm.
More info

Cambodia Sings!, in partnership with Music Arts School, has established a community choir, meeting every Sunday from 3 – 4.30 pm.   More info

Next week, on Wednesday 8, there is a special performance of Hamlet by Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre at RUPP Auditorium. Students free, adult price $5 – tickets go on sale from Wednesday 1.

In brief: new and returning…

Tuesday 30 at 7 pm, Meta House presents the launch of Vanishing Act, a book and exhibition by Ryun Patterson and Rick Valenzuela that delves into the life and work of Cambodia’s mystic healers and fortune tellers.
More info
Even more info

Wednesday 1 at 7 pm at JavaArts gallery, the closing event of No Boundaries, an artist-run exchange project between Cambodian and Indonesian artists currently on show at Java Café and The Asia Foundation Community Art Gallery (#59, Street 242).
More info

Friday 3 and Saturday 4, from 8 am to 6.30 pm, open days at the Phare Ponleu Selpak circus school with many activities. Special concert commencing at 9 am on Friday 3.
More info 

Sunday 5, 8 pm at Meta House, The Piano Shop Concert Series continues with a cross cultural music/poetry performance. $10/$3. For reservations contact 077 787 038 or 016 985 828.
More info

Ongoing….

At Meta House, an exhibition by American artist Renee Cirlincione Smith, Lovely Skies.
More info

The Plantation presents a new exhibition by well-known Cambodian painter Chhim Sothy, Consuming Passion, inspired by the on-going environmental degradation seen all around us.
More info

The Asia Foundation Community Art Gallery (#59, Street 242) hosts No Boundaries, featuring the work of ten artists, five Cambodian (Kong Vollak, Chhin Taingchhea, Prom Vichet, Pen Robit, Nov Cheanick) and five Indonesian (Antonius Kho, Diyano Purwadi, Ipong Purnama Sidhi, Lenny Ratnasari Weichert, Tiarma Sirait), a co-display with Java Café. Until September 22.
More info

Romeet Gallery presents Phare Celebration; last but not least, a group exhibition of work by several Phare Ponleu Selpak artists, designed in the form of a family album. Until August 14.
More info

At Bophana Center, a photographic exhibition, Three Lives of Boeung Kak, explores the transformation of the Lakeside district of Phnom Penh over the past five years through the lenses of four amateur photographers. Until July 19.
More info

The French Institute presents an exhibition featuring illustrators from L’Ecole des loisirs, the French children’s book publisher celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. Until July 31
More info
Even more info

At Sammaki Gallery in Battambang, Meet the neighbours, featuring photographs from Ben Valentine and drawings, paintings and sculptures by local children.
More info

Lotus Gallery in Battambang (#53, St 2.5) presents Women by Women featuring artworks by Chhan Dina, Bernadette Vincent and Anna Sudra.
More info

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra hosts Wonders of 1929, a collection of vintage photographs of Cambodia, the work of Georges Portal, a French actor and director.
More info
Even more info

McDermott Gallery Old Market Siem Reap hosts the Southern Spirits, a new exhibition by Kampot based artist Vincent Broustet.
More info

New Leaf Book Cafe in Siem Reap, has a continuous exhibition for Small Art School, featuring the work of young aspiring Cambodian artists.
More info

Elegy: Reflections on Angkor by John McDermott. The award-winning American photographer maintains his strong presence on the Siem Reap art scene with his mesmerizing monochromatic fine art images of Angkor taken between 1995-2009. Now exhibiting in three McDermott Galleries located in the Old Market Area, FCC Angkor Complex and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.
More Info

Plae Pakaa, a program of 3 rotating performances of Cambodian traditional arts at the National Museum of Phnom Penh. Friday is a dance show, Saturday opera, and Sunday large shadow puppets. A Cambodian Living Arts production. Every Friday and Saturday, 7 pm (May to September); Monday to Saturday, 7 pm (October to April).
More info

Phare Ponleu Selpak, the famous Cambodian circus school offers nightly performances in both Siem Reap and Battambang, on a rolling cycle of different works.
In Siem Reap: at 7.30 pm under the big top in Siem Reap, behind the Angkor National Museum, in front of Angkor Century Hotel.
More info
In Battambang: visual arts exhibition from 6.15 pm then circus show at 7 pm.
More info

DanceWorldCambodia offers classes in adult ballet and yoga.  For more info contact dance@danceworldcambodia.com

On Thursday 18 from 6 pm to 9 pm, Romeet Gallery presents Phare Celebration; last but not least, a group exhibition of work by several Phare Ponleu Selpak artists, designed in the form of a family album. The past and the present are mingled: “Time, through the eyes of art, becomes a masterpiece.”
More info

Opening at Bophana Center on Friday 19, at 6 pm, is a photographic exhibition, Three Lives of Boeung Kak, exploring the transformation of the Lakeside district of Phnom Penh over the past five years through the lenses of four amateur photographers. Runs to July 9.
More info

On Saturday 20 at 2 pm, Bophana Center’s Cine Club is screening The prince Preah Thinavong, a 1966 Khmer film, presented by 1960s era filmmaker and producer Ly Lou Sreang.
More info

Also on Saturday 20, from 7 pm, Java Café’s monthly Slam, Jam, Thank You Ma’am returns after its dramatic first outing in May. This is an open mic for high school age (or younger!) poets, musicians and other performers. A keyboard and guitars will be available for use.
More info

On Sunday 21 at 8 pm at Meta House, The Piano Shop Concert Series 2015, a joint project with ARTplus Foundation, continues with The Bachs: a musical dynasty, featuring works by J.S. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, J.C. Bach and Friedemann Bach performed by Giovanni de Cecco, Chan Vitharo, Him Savy, and Anton Isselhardt. $10/$3. For reservation and additional information contact 077 787 038 or 016 985 828.
More info

Cambodian Living Arts has the opportunity to send three emerging Khmer artists to take residency for four weeks at the Vermont Studio Center. These artists will also participate in a nine day immersive program in New York City hosted by CLA in partnership with Triangle Arts Association in Brooklyn. The residency dates are August 30 – October 4, 2015. Deadline for applications is Thursday 18. Residency Project Coordinator Anida Yoeu Ali will be in the CLA offices 2 pm to 5 pm Wednesday 17 to assist individual applicants on their applications or to answer any questions. For further information contact residency@cambodianlivingarts.org or 089 751 896.

My Friends Cafe & Bakery on St 294, just around the corner from Meta House, is seeking artists who would like to have their work displayed.  Contact Sam Putaroth on 012 86 35 32.

In brief: new and returning…

Thursday 18 at Romeet Gallery presents Phare Celebration; last but not least, a group exhibition of work by several Phare Ponleu Selpak artists, designed in the form of a family album.
More info

Friday 19 at 6 pm at Bophana Center, a photographic exhibition, Three Lives of Boeung Kak, explores the transformation of the Lakeside district of Phnom Penh over the past five years through the lenses of four amateur photographers.
More info

Saturday 20 at 2 pm, Bophana Center’s Cine Club is screening The prince Preah Thinavong, a 1966 Khmer film, presented by 1960s era filmmaker and producer Ly Lou Sreang.
More info

Saturday 20, from 7 pm, Java Café’s monthly Slam, Jam, Thank You Ma’am returns, an open mic for high school age (or younger!) poets, musicians and other performers.
More info

Sunday 21 at 8 pm at Meta House, The Piano Shop Concert Series 2015, a joint project with ARTplus Foundation, continues with The Bachs: a musical dynasty, performed by Giovanni de Cecco, Chan Vitharo, Him Savy, and Anton Isselhardt.
More info

Ongoing….

The French Institute presents an exhibition featuring illustrators from L’Ecole des loisirs, the French children’s book publisher celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year.
More info
Even more info

Bophana Center presents Ratanakiri, an exhibition of photographs by Cédric Delannoy.   More info
Even more info

Meta House hosts a retrospective of work by textile and print artist Marine Ky, Optical Screens and The Earth, curated by Dana Langlois.  Runs until 28^th June.
More info

At Sammaki Gallery in Battambang, Meet the neighbours, featuring photographs from Ben Valentine and drawings, paintings and sculptures by local children.
More info

At Java Café, Human Nature, paintings by Oeur Sokuntevy, exploring “the ambiguity between humanity and the natural world through fantastical scenarios.”
More info

At The Plantation: Water is Life by renowned Khmer photojournalist Remissa Mak.
More info

Lotus Gallery in Battambang (#53, St 2.5) presents Women by Women featuring artworks by Chhan Dina, Bernadette Vincent and Anna Sudra.
More info

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra hosts Wonders of 1929, a collection of vintage photographs of Cambodia, the work of Georges Portal, a French actor and director.
More info
Even more info

McDermott Gallery Old Market Siem Reap hosts the Southern Spirits, a new exhibition by Kampot based artist Vincent Broustet.
More info

New Leaf Book Cafe in Siem Reap, has a continuous exhibition for Small Art School, featuring the work of young aspiring Cambodian artists.
More info

Elegy: Reflections on Angkor by John McDermott. The award-winning American photographer maintains his strong presence on the Siem Reap art scene with his mesmerizing monochromatic fine art images of Angkor taken between 1995-2009. Now exhibiting in three McDermott Galleries located in the Old Market Area, FCC Angkor Complex and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.
More Info

Plae Pakaa, a program of 3 rotating performances of Cambodian traditional arts at theNational Museum of Phnom Penh. A Cambodian Living Arts production. Every Friday and Saturday, 7 pm (May to September); Monday to Saturday, 7 pm (October to April).
More info

Phare Ponleu Selpak, the famous Cambodian circus school offers nightly performances in both Siem Reap and Battambang, on a rolling cycle of different works.
In Siem Reap: at 7.30 pm under the big top in Siem Reap, behind the Angkor National Museum, in front of Angkor Century Hotel.
More info
In Battambang: visual arts exhibition from 6.15 pm then circus show at 7 pm.
More info

DanceWorldCambodia offers classes in adult ballet and yoga.  For more info contact dance@danceworldcambodia.com

Greetings,

Tonight, Tuesday 9 at 6.30 pm. the French Institute presents an evening with children’s author and illustrator Michel Van Zeveren, launching an exhibition featuring illustrators from L’Ecole des loisirs, the French children’s book publisher celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. The exhibition is in three parts: L’Ecole des loisirs around the world, Making a book, and Our favourite heroes. The exhibition is in the hall of the language centre; the talk will be held in the cinema.
More info
Even more info

On Friday 12 from 6 pm to 8 pm, Sa Sa Art Projects at the White Building, Sothearos Blvd, presents an Open Studio evening with artists in residence Eng Rithchandaneth and Mok Sombo. In contrasting work, through sculpture Daneth explores the social and political implications of hand gestures, while Sombo uses performance and video to consider the nature of politics and power.
More info

This weekend, Friday 12 through to Sunday 14, Cambodian Living Arts launches the new season of Plae Pakaa at the National Museum, 7 pm to 8 pm. On Friday, Cambodian opera, The Story of Mak Therng; on Saturday, folk and classical dance, Dancers of Bassac, and on Sunday large shadow puppetry, The War of Indrajit: an episode from the Reamker. This programme will continue through to August.  Tickets ($15) are available online via www.cambodianlivingarts.org or at the Plae Pakaa ticket office at the National Museum, Phnom Penh.
More info

This weekend at the Department of Performing Arts (see number 14 on this map), the Francophone Theatre Company of Phnom Penh presents Huit Femmes, a French comedy thriller by Robert Thomas. Friday 12 and Saturday 13 at 7 pm, then Sunday 14 at 4 pm.   Tickets $7 at Gasolina, Kwest and Carnets d’Asie, or $8 on the door.
More info

The Music and Art School of Siem Reap has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the purchase of musical instruments and associated materials. Read about the campaign here, and learn more about the school here.

Dance World Cambodia will hold its fourth annual summer program from June 22 – July 10 in Phnom Penh and July 13 – 18 in Siem Reap for ages 3 to 16, covering everything from classical ballet and contemporary to jazz and modern dance. Read all about it.

Tuesday 9 at 6.30 pm. the French Institute presents an evening with children’s author and illustrator Michel Van Zeveren, launching an exhibition featuring illustrators from L’Ecole des loisirs, the French children’s book publisher celebrating it’s 50^th anniversary this year.
More info
Even more info

Friday 12 from 6 pm to 8 pm, Sa Sa Art Projects at the White Building, Sothearos Blvd, presents an Open Studio evening with artists in residence Eng Rithchandaneth and Mok Sombo.
More info

Friday 12 through to Sunday 14, Cambodian Living Arts launches the new season of Plae Pakaa at the National Museum, 7 pm to 8 pm. Tickets ($15) are available online via www.cambodianlivingarts.org or at the Plae Pakaa ticket office.
More info

Friday 12 and Saturday 13 at 7 pm, Sunday 14 at 4 pm at the Department of Performing Arts (see number 14 on this map), Huit Femmes, Francophone Theatre Company of Phnom Penh presents a French comedy thriller by Robert Thomas.   Tickets $7 at Gasolina, Kwest and Carnets d’Asie, or $8 on the door.
More info

Bophana Center presents Ratanakiri, an exhibition of photographs by Cédric Delannoy.
More info
Even more info

Meta House, hosts a retrospective of work by textile and print artist Marine Ky, Optical Screens and The Earth, curated by Dana Langlois.  Runs until 28^th June.
More info

At Sammaki Gallery in Battambang, Meet the neighbours, featuring photographs from Ben Valentine and drawings, paintings and sculptures by local children.
More info

At Java Café, Human Nature, paintings by Oeur Sokuntevy, exploring “the ambiguity between humanity and the natural world through fantastical scenarios.”
More info

At The Plantation: Water is Life by renowned Khmer photojournalist Remissa Mak.
More info

Lotus Gallery in Battambang (#53, St 2.5) presents Women by Women featuring artworks by Chhan Dina, Bernadette Vincent and Anna Sudra.
More info

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra hosts Wonders of 1929, a collection of vintage photographs of Cambodia, the work of Georges Portal, a French actor and director.
More info
Even more info

McDermott Gallery Old Market Siem Reap hosts the Southern Spirits, a new exhibition by Kampot based artist Vincent Broustet.
More info

New Leaf Book Cafe in Siem Reap, has a continuous exhibition for Small Art School, featuring the work of young aspiring Cambodian artists.
More info

Elegy: Reflections on Angkor by John McDermott. The award-winning American photographer maintains his strong presence on the Siem Reap art scene with his mesmerizing monochromatic fine art images of Angkor taken between 1995-2009. Now exhibiting in three McDermott Galleries located in the Old Market Area, FCC Angkor Complex and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.
More Info

Plae Pakaa, a program of 3 rotating performances of Cambodian traditional arts at theNational Museum of Phnom Penh. A Cambodian Living Arts production. Every Friday and Saturday, 7 pm (May to September); Monday to Saturday, 7 pm (October to April).
More info

Phare Ponleu Selpak, the famous Cambodian circus school offers nightly performances in both Siem Reap and Battambang, on a rolling cycle of different works.
In Siem Reap: at 7.30 pm under the big top in Siem Reap, behind the Angkor National Museum, in front of Angkor Century Hotel.
More info
In Battambang: visual arts exhibition from 6.15 pm then circus show at 7 pm.
More info

DanceWorldCambodia offers classes in adult ballet and yoga.  For more info contact dance@danceworldcambodia.com

Greetings,

On Wednesday 3 at 6.30 pm, Bophana Center presents Ratanakiri, an exhibition of photographs by Cédric Delannoy, who spent three years in the province working on the Annâdya project, a European Union funded effort to improve food security for ethnic minorities in far north eastern Cambodia.   Cédric will introduce a documentary on the project at 6.30 pm, with cocktail reception to follow.
More info
Even more info

Coming up on Wednesdays in June, commencing Wednesday 3 at 6.15 pm, Phnom Penh Community College presents a series of workshops entitled Fundamentals of Drawing under direction of France Damon. Bookings essential.
More info

At Meta House on Thursday 4 at 6pm, the opening of a retrospective of work by textile and print artist Marine Ky, Optical Screens and The Earth, curated by Dana Langlois. Runs until 28^th June. As part of the exhibition, on Saturday 6 at 4 pm Marine will hold an artists’ talk, Crafting the Sublime to discuss craft, beauty and transforming the everyday into art.
More info

Down in Kampot on Saturday 6 at 8 pm, Ecran Moviehouse presents An Evening With Scott Bywater, a special show combining songs, spoken word poetry and visuals. The show will contain material from the WASH collaboration as well as newer work. Scott is also performing a more straightforward rock’n’roll show full of original compositions at Madi’s House, Kampot, on Friday 5.
More info

Greetings,

Opening tonight Tuesday 26 at MetaHouse at 6 pm, a poster exhibition Creativity In The Cities that depicts creative spaces in east and south east Asia and Europe. “The core objective is to increase awareness that culture and creativity can be considered as key assets of urban development and that creative spaces may serve as a visual spatial symbol to connect art with city space and citizens. […] Nowadays, the value of creative spaces lies not only in economic possibilities, but in their intrinsic value as vehicles for the preservation of (industrial) cultural heritage and promotion of the arts.” From 8 pm a panel of local arts figures will discuss the developments and inspirations for the arts in Phnom Penh.
More info
Even more info

Also tonight Tuesday 26, the annual student concert awards ceremony for Dance World Cambodia is being held at 6.45 pm at ICAN British School on Sothearos Blvd. Tickets on sale at Java Café and, if any are left over, on the door.
More info

On Wednesday 27 at 7 pm, Meta House hosts Art School Night, in which art students and teachers a wide range of artistic pursuits will deliver short talks, performances, presentations and Q&A.
More info

From 6.30 pm on Thursday 28 at the French Institute, images of World War One from French cartoonist Jacques Tardi’s book Putain de guerre, examining “connections between time and storytelling, between memory and oblivion, truth and subjectivity.” Also included will be works produced in 2014 by students of the Lycée français René Descartes who designed two boards, as part of the project Cambodians and World War One.
More info

Also on Thursday 28, at Meta House at 8 pm, the launch of Transitioning Cambodia, a book of photographs “to showcase the social, environmental and political progress and setbacks of modern-day Cambodia.” Images by Nicolas Axelrod with words by journalist Denise Hruby.
More info

On Saturday 30, the fourth anniversary of Sammaki Gallery in Battambang (#87 St 2.5) will be celebrated with the opening of a new exhibition, Meet the neighbours, featuring photographs from Ben Valentine and drawings, paintings and sculptures by local children. There will also be live performances from Yom Young and Keo Sasstra. Fun starts at 5 pm.
More info

Coming up on Wednesdays in June, Phnom Penh Community College presents workshops entitled Fundamentals of Drawing under direction of France Damon.
More info

Tuesday 26, 6 pm at MetaHouse, a poster exhibition Creativity In The Cities that depicts creative spaces in east and south east Asia and Europe. From 8 pm a panel of local arts figures will discuss the developments and inspirations for the arts in Phnom Penh.
More info
Even more info

Tuesday 26, 6.45 pm at ICAN British School on Sothearos Blvd, the annual student concert awards ceremony for Dance World Cambodia.
More info

Wednesday 27, 7 pm, Meta House hosts Art School Night, in which art students and teachers a wide range of artistic pursuits will deliver short talks, performances, presentations and Q&A.
More info

Thursday 28, 6.30 pm at the French Institute, images of World War One from French cartoonist Jacques Tardi’s book Putain de guerre, including works produced in 2014 by students of the Lycée français René Descartes.
More info

Thursday 28, 8 pm at Meta House, the launch of Transitioning Cambodia, a book of photographs “to showcase the social, environmental and political progress and setbacks of modern-day Cambodia.” Images by Nicolas Axelrod with words by journalist Denise Hruby.
More info

Saturday 30, 5 pm at Sammaki Gallery in Battambang, fourth birthday celebrations and the opening of a new exhibition, Meet the neighbours, featuring photographs from Ben Valentine and drawings, paintings and sculptures by local children.
More info

It’s a quiet week ahead in the Cambodian arts.

Commencing on Sunday 17, Meta House presents their annual LGBTI film festival, this year titled I am what I am, as part of the Cambodian Pride celebration. The seven day film programme showcases documentaries, shorts and feature films from Cambodia and abroad.
More info

Coming up next week at Java Café: the monthly Open Stage poetry event on Wednesday and a special youth open mic night – Slam, Jam, Thank you Ma’am – a chance for younger performers of music, poetry or theatre to test themselves in front of an audience.

And just released, ahead of an official launch party at Opera Café next Thursday, is Fog on the Loire, the fourth volume of poetry from good friend of Kumnooh Scott Bywater, featuring poems written in Cambodia and France over the last 18 months.

For a more rock’n’roll musical flavour of Phnom Penh, make sure you follow weekly gig guide LengPleng.com as well.

Fabian Hipp

Kumnooh
fabianhipp@kumnooh.com

If you are a venue or artist and would like to receive a weekly reminder to provide Kumnooh with an upcoming event or activity, please contact fabianhipp@kumnooh.comand ask to be added to the venue/artists list. We are only as good as the information we receive.