Bangkok--Nov 8--TQPR Thailand
World Famous Mangrove Steel Band to Play as Part of British Council "New Look New Welcome" Celebrations
The Mangrove Steel Band, one of the world's best, will be in Bangkok to help celebrate the British Council's "New Look New Welcome" celebrations, Nov. 8 - 10. The Band, long time performers at London's famed Notting Hill Carnival, will be performing from the back of truck as part of the British Council's "New Look, New Welcome" celebrations at its refurbished Siam Square location. The Mangrove Steel Band will also be playing at other locations in Bangkok as well as Chiang Mai during their British Council sponsored time in Thailand.
The band was formed in 1980 by people from London's Caribbean community, mostly Trinidadians, who wanted to keep their music and culture alive and to pass on the tradition of pan playing to the next generation. Over the years the talented band has had great success, winning many awards and steel band championships and they have grown steadily into one of the most prestigious steel bands in Europe. The band has appeared at major festivals - including the annual Notting Hill Carnival - in the UK. The venues have been varied, and from all around the world, as have their audiences, which have included HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Princess Anne.
The 10-member band will perform during the celebrations of the British Council's launch of its refurbished premises in Siam Square on Saturday, 9 November. To maintain the spirit of the Notting Hill Carnival, the band will start off by performing on a truck, which will wend its way around the inner arteries of Bangkok. Starting from the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel, the Band will travel, and play, down Sukhumvit Road, to Ploenchit, turning left onto Rajadamri, then right onto Rama IV at the Saladaeng intersection. They will then travel to the Samyan intersection and turn right onto Phayathai Road before making their way back up to Siam Square and the British Council.
The Mangrove Steel Band will also perform as part of the European Union Music and Street Theatre Festival, which starts at 1600h on Sunday, 10 November on Silom Road.
The group will perform at Riva's Restaurant and Bar at the Sheraton Grande Hotel on Friday, 8 November, for those who prefer to listen to their music in a more relaxed environment.
The Band's final performance in Thailand will be part of the British Council's New Look-New Welcome celebrations at the British Council offices in Chiang Mai on Tuesday, 12 November. The group will perform outdoors in the Council's spacious gardens.
Mangrove Steel Band in Thailand:
Friday, 8 Noverber, 02 at Riva's Restaurant and Bar, the Sheraton Grande Hotel, Bangkok at 2100hrs
Saturday, 9 November 2002 at the British Council, Siam Square, Bangkok at 1730hrs
Sunday, 10 November 2002 on Silom Road, Bangkok - late afternoon
Tuesday, 12 November 2002 at the British Council in Chiang Mai at 1830hrs
For more information about the Mangrove Steel Band's performances please contact Khun Mallika Iamla-or, Arts Officer, British Council Thailand Tel. 02 652 5480-9 ext. 108 Fax. 02 253 5312 E-mail:
[email protected]
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The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organization for educational opportunities and cultural relations. Established by Royal Charter as an independent organization, the British Council works closely with the British Government's Foreign & Commonwealth Office and with the British Embassy in each of the 109 countries in which the Council operates. In Thailand, the British Council works to build long-term partnerships and networks between Thailand and the UK by projecting creativity and creating opportunities to connect with the latest skills, ideas and experience.
For further information please contact:
Arunee Achakulwisut Surat Tantanawiwat /Ganitta Puengworn
British Council TQPR Thailand
Tel.: 02 252 6136/8 or 02 652 5480/9, ext. 109 Tel.: 02 260-5820
Fax: 02 253 5312 Fax: 02 260-5847/8
E-mail:
[email protected] E-mail:
[email protected] End.
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