Ramakien a Rak Opera is having its world premiere as part of the Lincoln Center Festival Fri July 28 and Sat 29 at 8pm and Sun July 30 at 7pm at LaGuardia Concert Hall, 65th St and Amsterdam Avenue.  More info: http://www.lincolncenter.org or http://www.ramakienopera.com.

Fong Naam and Thai electronica group and fellow Ramakien participants Photo Sticker Machine are also performing at Tonic, 107 Norfolk St. Sunday night July 23 starting at 8pm.

From the Lincoln Center website:

The Ramakien is the Thai national epic, based on the Ramayana, the 2000-year-old Indian tale of Hindu gods that is the most important literary and oral text of South Asia. The epic was adapted for the predominantly Buddhist country by a Thai king more than 200 years ago. A central motif in Thai cultural life, the picaresque tale follows the adventures of Rama, a divine prince, his struggle against the forces of evil, and his love for his cherished bride. The work is rich with Thai sentiment and portrays characteristics, customs, and beliefs of the Thai way of life.

Ramakien: A Rak Opera is based on the “Floating Princess” episode of the Ramakien – but this will be a very non-traditional retelling of the tale.  Ramakien will be a vibrant, fiery, and often raucous production.  The hippest artists in Bangkok–filmmakers, visual artists, rock and pop stars, underground electronica DJs, and other assorted Thai scenesters–converge in New York for the premiere.

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