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Kumnooh: Cambodia arts for week commencing 18 March 2025

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Greetings:

Event listings:

It’s a big week in Cambodian Golden Era revival in Phnom Penh with a visit from California-based band Dengue Fever coinciding with the seventh anniversary of the passing of Kak Channthy of the Cambodian Space Project and Channthy Cha Cha. 

Tonight, Tuesday 18, 7.30 pm at Meta House there will be a screening of Sleepwalking through the Mekong, a film about Dengue Fever’s first tour of Cambodia in 2005, with a Q&A with band members to follow.  Then on Thursday 20 at FT Gallery hosts a pop-up exhibition, Shadow Boxing, with works by band members Zac Holtzman and Senon Williams, from 5 pm.  All of this ahead of their concert at Chew & Bash on Friday with Japan Guitar Shop. 
More info for Tuesday More info for Thursday More info for Friday

Thursday 20 at Sra’Art sees the opening of Channthy Fever, an exhibition of photographs of Kak Channthy dating from the period 2014 to 2018.  “Channthy’s unique fusion of traditional Cambodian sounds with Western rock influences made her a trailblazer in the music world, captivating global audiences and leaving an everlasting mark on the Cambodian music scene. Through this exhibition, we celebrate her contribution to music and culture, while also supporting her son, Makara, with 100% proceeds from photo sales going directly to his future opportunities.”  The event will include a live music performance featuring Cove Aaronoff, Summer Lee Carlson and Smack the Unicorn.   From 6 pm, until April 3. 
More info

On Friday 21 at Tacos Kokopelli a similar event of art inspired by Kak Channthy, featuring photography, music, and paintings by David Roberts.  “A musical journey that took them from a first gig at the Alley Cat Cafe, now Tacos Kokopelli, on to tour Asia, Europe, America, and Australia in between bouts of touring the Kingdom, and collaborating with artists near and far.”  From 7 pm, until April 3. 
More info

Wednesday 19, Comedy in Cambodia presents Stand-Up Unscripted at Speak Easy Theater/The Box Office.  From 7.30 pm. 
More info

French poet and slameur, Arthur Ribo, is in Cambodia for a series of shows – Thursday 20 at the French Institute in Phnom Penh, Friday 21 at Alliance francaise in Siem Reap and Tuesday 25 in at Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang.   Note: French language events. 
More info

All day on Friday 21 Java Café Tuol Tom Pong is celebrating World Poetry Day with a Pay With A Poem offer for coffee in exchange for an original piece – “Coffee and poetry have one thing in common: they slow you down just enough to notice the world.” 
More info

On the afternoon of Saturday 22, Craft is similarly celebrating World Poetry Day – with a range of readings and poetry performances.  The festivities open at 3.30 pm with the launch of Scott Bywater’s later work, The man I never met, and will continue into the evening with such readers as Fatima Shehata, Frisco Tony, Marianna Hensley, Kenzie David, Initial G and Kosal Khiev.  Followed from 6 pm by music from Hugo St Leger and Electric Muxu Orchestra. 
More info

Opening on Saturday 22 and running through to the following Saturday 29 is the Cambodian International Film Festival at cinema venues around Phnom Penh.  Find the full programme here. 

Saturday 22 from 5 pm, No Frame Party offer a workshop on painting old vinyl records at The Deck.  Later in the month, on March 29, they will present an workshop at Ministry of Cat – the topic of course is cat painting.  From 3 pm. 

On March 29, Lo-Key Theater present Lo-Stakes #11, Everyone Loves a Love Story, a night of three one act plays:  Someone New, Overrated Sex and A Marriage Proposal.  At Speak Easy Theater/The Box Office, two shows only – 6 pm and 8 pm.  $10 entry. 
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Phsar Art is collaborating with the Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair 2025, to be held in early May, to showcase Cambodian artists on an international stage.  “This special exhibition will feature up to 10 selected artists as part of a larger ASEAN showcase, celebrating the diverse and dynamic illustration scene in Cambodia.  We’re looking for Cambodian illustrators, artists, and designers aged 35 and under […] two selected artists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Kuala Lumpur, including flights, accommodation, a per diem, and an exclusive artistic tour.   Deadline to apply: 31 March 2025. No fee or production cost is required from artists.  Apply now — https://shorturl.at/izpJ7
More info

Creative Generation has taken over the black box theater at Java Café Tuol Tom Pong, and are offering free access for artists, students and creative professionals – make your proposals for free use of this space through February, March and April.  The space is appropriate for group or solo productions, rehearsals, filming, lectures, workshops and experimentation of all kinds.  More details here.

Ongoing….

Exhibitions:  

The Gallerist
Rolling exhibitions of mostly Cambodian artists.  Currently on display is work by Theam Lim. 
More info

Kep ArtBar (Kep)
An exhibition of new and retrospective works by Mary Volm.  Until 30 March.

Meta House
Dream Bound, by Sheery D’Ancona – performance, installation and fine art exhibition.  “An immersive art exhibition where natural form and materials meet the realm of dreams and fantasy. Experience the creative journey of a diverse, multi-medium artist and dancer whose passion for art transforms visions.”  Media:  Kiripost
More info

MiMü
Mini-Museum of Contemporary Art at Meta House features research, knowledge sharing, workshops, and visual presentations through various media, showcasing videos, prints, installations, and fine arts through interactive events and live performances.
More info

National Museum of Cambodia
Golden Earth, an exhibition by Leang Seckon.  Media:  Le Petit Journal
More info

Plantation
Shades and Reflection, an exhibition by Chhim Sothy.  Until 31 March.  
More info

Raffles Le Royal
In collaboration with The Gallerist: Together, an exhibition by artist Nou Sary.  “Nou Sary’s artwork captures the beauty of Cambodia with vivid greens, blues, yellows, and terracotta hues, reflecting the lush forests, rice fields, water, and earth. His unique bird’s eye perspective challenges you to see the world through a new lens, sparking creativity and fresh interpretations.”  
More Info

Romchiek 5 Art Space
Battambang contemporary art studio.  Rolling exhibitions.  

Silapak Trotchaek Pneik / YK Art House
Postcards from Home, an exhibition curated by Andrea Fam and initiated by Yean Reaksmey.  Until March 31. 
More info

Space Four Zero
Prints, paintings, vintage posters, pop art, CDs and vinyl.  Open daily. 
More info

Sra’Art
Opening Thursday 20 is Channthy Fever, an exhibition of photographs of Kak Channthy dating from the period 2014 to 2018.  “Channthy’s unique fusion of traditional Cambodian sounds with Western rock influences made her a trailblazer in the music world, captivating global audiences and leaving an everlasting mark on the Cambodian music scene. Through this exhibition, we celebrate her contribution to music and culture, while also supporting her son, Makara, with 100% proceeds from photo sales going directly to his future opportunities.”  Until April 3. 
More info

Tribe Cambodia (Siem Reap)
Reopened in their new location, 655 Hup Guan Street.   Media:  Kiripost
More info

Regular events, classes, sessions:

Life Drawing Phnom Penh – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm, at Station 350.

More Flamingos present art workshops on Tuesday evenings from 6.30 pm at WILD. 
More info

Thursdays to Sundays at K’Atelier – art classes for all levels of experience. 
More info

Traditional shadow art performance by Sovanna Phum Arts, every Friday from 5 pm at The Box Office/Speakeasy Theatre.

N o w h e r e Art Studio
A range of arts and crafts workshops mostly on weekends. 

A weekly class in life drawing for kids with Anastasia at Pteah Chas Community.
More info

Khmer Architecture Tours conducts Sunday architecture tours in Phnom Penh to promote the understanding of modern architecture in Cambodia, focusing on buildings erected after independence in 1953, described as ‘New Khmer Architecture’, while setting these in the historical context of Phnom Penh.  Here is the schedule for January – June 2025. 



Kumnooh was established in May 2013 as a sister publication to LengPleng.com, the online music magazine for Cambodia, to provide basically a gig guide for the wider arts, covering art galleries, literature, dance, cinema, photography and now comedy. 

Perhaps you would consider becoming a Friend of Kumnooh, where we ask venues, artists and/or individuals to show their support by making a small monetary contribution (12 months for $75, six months for $40 or three months for $25) to keep the lights on and to increase our coverage with articles and mini-profiles.  In return you receive a boost in promotion, including a non-Facebook web page on our site for direct contact with the dedicated arts audience.  Queries by return email – fabianhipp@kumnooh.com.

For a more rock’n’roll view of Phnom Penh and the wider Cambodian music scene, please check out our sister publication lengpleng.com, the long running live music gig guide.

Send a ‘subscribe’ email to fabianhipp@kumnooh.com to receive Kumnooh in your inbox every Tuesday lunchtime.

Are we missing something?  Let us know at fabianhipp@kumnooh.com.
See you about…

Fabian Hipp
Kumnooh
fabianhipp@kumnooh.com

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Here’s a show for you – The Box Office relocates

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Taking steps forward as a venue in live music, theatre and comedy, is The Box Office.  A recent relocation from Street 244 across Wat Botum Park to Street 258 has allowed a re-visioning and expansion of the premises formerly occupied by Voodoo Boulevard.  I sat down with owner Paul Glew to discuss, among other things, business, beer, tourists, streets and the road ahead. 

“I’m excited about this year in many ways,” says Paul.  “We’re hoping to be a bit more vocal about what we’re doing.  We are now committed to music every Friday on the outside stage, undercover.  We’ll often have something on separately in the theatre, and we can run two events at once.  A few weeks ago we had Shining Hearts outside, quite loud, a full house, and we had a movie going on inside.  We’ve never had that luxury before.  At the old place we’d pipe the sound outside to where people were sitting and listening, but the room itself might be empty, which is frustrating for a performer.” 

So we can expect more regular live music shows at The Box Office?  “We’re trying out monthly residencies – Adam Marsland on Fridays in January, in February it’ll be Loopy Reggae for three weeks – this is the third year we’ve had them.  We’ve got The Lazy Drunks coming up.  For interested bands, the outside stage is fully equipped, including a drum kit.  11 pm is the neighbourhood cut-off for live music, but we’ll commit to a 10 o’clock curfew to maintain good relations.  So if you’re looking for gigs, we’re always looking for newer acts, particularly smaller bands. 

Aside from the outside space, the separate interior stage is suitable for concerts, theatre, comedy, even private film screenings.    “If an act wants to put on a private gig , we can put you in the inside room, with all the equipment, and you can put your own gig on, sell your own tickets.  We have options now to separate people out now, much better than we could at the old place.

“I love that inside room.  It’s so multi-functional.  We’re taking bookings nearly every other day now for private movie screenings – this afternoon we’ve got ten kids for a birthday party.  Last night we had a Wicked sing-along.  It was brilliant, there were some good singers.  It made it a very different experience. 

How is stand-up comedy adapting to the new location?  “Since October we’ve been having big international travelling comedians coming through, and they’ve all been telling their colleagues about it:  go to Asia, do Thailand, sure, but Cambodia have taken it up a level in production values.  The lights, the overheads, the projection.  So that’s getting us attention, and international comedians are approaching us directly, and not just the northern winter, we’ve got queries extending through May, June, July.   

“Our booking system has changed the game for us in a lot of ways, especially for theatre and comedy.  We now know in advance on the night how many seats we’re putting out, if we’re going to be turning people away, or if we really need to boost on a Wednesday afternoon to get more tickets sold.  We know we’re not going to sell all the tickets online, so we allow for walk-ins, figure out what space we need.” 

“We can also offer the same service for other venues – we already do that, selling tickets for comedy gigs in Siem Reap.  We’re hoping to expand that during this year: if you want to do a ticketed gig, whatever the location, The Box Office  can sell the tickets for you.” 

The regular schedule at The Box Office includes traditional shadow art performances by Sovanna Phum Arts on Fridays at 5 pm and the Stand-Up Unscripted improvised comedy nights on Wednesdays; from time to time there are Lo-Key Theatre Company productions including Lo-Stakes Showcase – check it all out at The Box Office website.

“The move has been genuinely positive,” says Paul.  “We’re meeting customers that we never knew existed, they come in and say we’ve been ordering from you all the time on Nham24, but we never visited because there was nowhere to sit.

“It’s not about just putting on a gig, it’s about giving people a performance.  You put the production values in there.  It’s something special.  You’ve decided to be here, here’s a show for you.”