Category: Night & Day

THU 25 | Chhim Sothy’s latest exhibition showcases a collection of18 all new paintings. In a trend that seems to be pervading that local art circuit (and we ain’t complaining) the theme of Consuming Passion is centred on environmental issues. Shying away from his more traditional style, Sothy embraces abstract expressionism, using both colour and conceptual formations to symbolise liberty and optimism for the planet and its resources. Those who are familiar with the artist’s detail-oriented brushstrokes will be treated to Sothy’s bold new look in this latest collection. And damn, does it work for him.

WHO: Chhim Sothy
WHAT: Painting exhibition
WHERE: The Plantation, #28 St.184
WHEN: 6pm, June 25
WHY: It’s Sothy like you’ve never seen him before.

FRI 26 | Alley Cat continues their weekly installment of Friday night live gigs. This week Pavel Ramirez will be belting out tunes and flogging guitar. They’re onto something well worth supporting, and if that isn’t reason enough, there’s free chili for all who rock up when the music starts and $1 tequila shots all night long. I think that’s called a trifecta.

WHO: Pavel Ramirez
WHAT: Live music
WHERE: Alley Cat Café, #42 St. 19z
WHEN: 7pm, June 26
WHY: Live music, good food and cheap tequila. It’s a no-fail recipe for fun.

FRI 26 | Who doesn’t love a good ol’ Irish jig? If there’s one band that’ll keep you on your toes (in more ways than one) it’s Kheltica. You probably know of them already, as they’re the city’s longest running Celtic music band, and probably one of the longest running bands around in general. They channel the ephemerality of local musicians into a constantly revolving line-up, which in turn provides a continuous reinjection of new energy into their sound. They’re dubbed “the supergroup that refuses to die” for good reason, and we’re all the better for it. Come check out the latest manifestation of Kheltica, now including a female vocalist and an oboe to boot.

WHO: Kheltica
WHAT: Celtic Music
WHERE: The Alley Bar, #82 St. 244
WHEN: 8pm, June 26
WHY: There’s a high chance you won’t yet have caught them in this incarnation.

FRI 26 | Phnom Penh’s only ambient trance outfit, Electric Universe, are launching their first record and they’re not doing it quietly. The inventively titled Cambodian Spice Project: Live in Chili album features recordings of previous Meta House sessions mastered by Professor Kinski (Dub Addiction). Tim King, James Speck and DJ Nicomatic are renowned for their completely improvisational sound using live electric guitar, phrase synthesiser and random guest musicians. The unlikely combo could potentially go drastically awry in anyone else’s hands, but these guys seem to have the magic recipe, producing a tight collection of aural aesthetics.

WHO: Cambodian Spice Project
WHAT: CD Launch
WHERE: Meta House, #37 Sothearos Blvd.
WHEN: 8pm, June 26
WHY: It’s just like Cambodian Space Project, except the total opposite.

FRI 26 | If you love Dub Addiction, you’re going to go nuts over Papa Dub. DA’s bassist and vocalist Sebastien Adnot joins forces with percussionist KCM Nayabinghi to form his latest project. Papa Dub, taken from Adnot’s DA stage name, goes back to basics with a focus on minimalist reggae in an intimate environment. Their upcoming show this Friday promises to be a full sensory experience, with live visual projections accompanying original tunes, in what’s described to be a night of “sound, smell and sight.” We’re as intrigued as you are. Get along to find out exactly what it’s all about. In the meantime, you can read more about Papa Dub on page 6.

WHO: Papa Dub
WHAT: Live dub & visual projections
WHERE: Sharky Bar, #126 St. 130
WHEN: 9pm, June 26
WHY: Sight and sound always makes for a good show. Smell is kinda weird, but just roll with it.

SAT 27 | Formed in 2013, Moi Tiet is back with a fresh set of faces. Singer-songwriter Scott Bywater exercises his extensive musical talents on vocals, harmonica and guitar alongside Andre Swart (Grass Snake Union, Kheltica) on bass, Chuck Villar (Musikero) and Leonard Reyes (Vibratone) on guitar and Jedil Robelo (Bacano) on drums. Each player brings their own flavour to the table, while forming a tight, original sound as a whole. Expect a dynamic range of tunes, from straight up rock ‘n’ roll, to funky blues and soul, to atmospheric and folk.

WHO: Moi Tiet
WHAT: Live blues/funk/rock
WHERE: Sharky Bar, #126 St. 130
WHEN: 9pm, June 27
WHY: They’re covering pretty much every genre that exists. There’s bound to be something in there for you.

TUE 30 | Some of you may remember reading an excerpt we ran a few weeks back from Ryun Patterson and Rick Valenzuela’s latest book. Vanishing Act is a glimpse in the world of Cambodia’s magic, featuring interviews with traditional soothsayers and spirit mediums around the Kingdom. On Tuesday, Meta House will host an exhibition of portraits and stories from the book. You can also check out a demo of the e-book in action on iPads which will be circulating the room on the night, alongside limited hardcopies available for sale. Stick around until 8pm for a Q&A with the lads, who no doubt have a few interesting tales up their sleeves.

WHO: Ryun Patterson & Rick Valenzuela
WHAT: Photo and story exhibition
WHRE: Meta House, #37 Sothearos Blvd.
WHEN: 7pm, June 30
WHY: These soothsayers do some freaky cool shit. It’s well worth a look.

THU 18 | Phare Ponleu Selpak compares its upcoming group exhibition to a family album. Unlike poring through embarrassing photos with aging relatives, however, this exhibition is full of bright artworks that reflect the ongoing, exciting achievements of the PPS family to date. This family album is intended to be uplifting and cathartic, celebrating paintings and other art forms by the team. PPS also consider this exhibition as a “teaser” for some exciting plans set to take place in September. Stay tuned.

WHO: Phare Ponleu Selpak artists
WHAT: Group art exhibition
WHERE: Romeet Gallery, #34E1 St. 178
WHEN: 6pm, June 18
WHY: All the love of a family album, minus the cringe factor.

FRI 19 | Four photographers. Three photo series. Three takes on life in the Boeung Kak area. The precinct’s iconic lake was filled in 2010 to become what is now a vast sandpit in which children play and motocross. The lake-filling also catalysed the mass evacuation of thousands of residents from their homes. The three photo series focus on the activities and daily life of the remaining families after the transformation of the lake: on the railway, in the sand dunes and on the walls of the neighbourhood in its street art manifestation. Read more about the stories behind the exhibition on page 6.

WHO: Julie Bardeche, Vincent de Wilde, Elinor Fry & De Sheng Lim
WHAT: Photo exhibition
WHERE: Bophana Centre, #64 St. 200
WHEN: 6:30pm, June 19
WHY: A look beyond the colourful walls of Boeung Kak.

FRI 19 | For all us non-Americans, Juneteenth – aka Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day or Emancipation Day – is a holiday in the States that celebrates the abolition of slavery in Texas and throughout the South since 1865. In more recent news, last month blues legend B.B. King died, and we’re all pretty bummed about it. Since we wanted in on the Juneteenth fun, and we all loved the King of Blues, The Advisor crew meshed two celebrations together to commemorate freedom, blues and partying. Bring your pretty faces to The Room for a night of non-stop blues, drinking and socialising with the best of ‘em.

WHO: Blues lovers
WHAT: Juneteenth Celebration & B.B. King Memorial
WHERE: The Room, #10, St. 246
WHEN: 7pm, June 19
WHY: Because we don’t already have enough holidays to celebrate.