Events
Dakini, witness a visually stunning circus performance with breathtaking costumes and exceptional skills that magically bring to life traditional Nepali storytelling. Rs 500 for children, Rs 1000 for adults, 10 to 11 November, 3 pm and 6 pm, Bulls Club, Nakkhu, tickets available at The Summit Hotel, Moksh, Café Soma, Electric Pagoda, 9818165730, info@circuskathmandu.com
Writing for film, filmmaker Murray Kerr will help you hone your raw ideas into a polished script ready for the big screen. Rs 2,500, 1 to 10 November, 11 am to 2 pm, 9813485716, (01)5523486, sara@sattya.org
Couch fest, watch short films selected from the likes of Sundance, CFC Worldwide Shorts, Seattle International Film Festival among others. 10 November, 6 pm, Sattya Media Arts, Jawalakhel,
www.couchfestfilms.com/films-2012-Kathmandu.html
Our Gurkhas, an exhibition photographer Zakaria Zainal's work who will also launch his book Our Gurkhas: Singapore through their Eyes. 2 to 5 November, 12 to 7 pm, Nepal Art Council, Kathmandu; 7 to 8 November, 10 am to 5 pm, Pokhara Sabah Griha, Pokhara; 10 to 11 October, 10 am to 5 pm, Yumaa Fine Art Gallery, Dharan. www.facebook.com/gurkhas.sg
Living pictures, watch Nepali and Finnish films every Wednesday evening. 31 October to 28 November, 9.30 pm, Moksh Restaurant, Jhamsikhel
The digital tribe, a group exhibition on the changing cultural, social, and individual values in the age of digital connectivity. 2 to 12 November, 5.30 pm, Siddartha Art Gallery, (01)4218048
The Mystery of Shakti Yogmaya, a talk by Barbara Nimri Aziz on the life of the mystic Yogmaya and her contribution to Nepal's history, politics, religion, and gender studies. 2 November, 5 pm, Yala Maya Kendra, Patan Dhoka, free entrance, (01)4472807, info@soscbaha.org
Ace creative showcase, exhibition and workshop that aims to introduce new-media art and computer entertainment, especially widespread in Japan, to the youth of Nepal. 2 to 3 November, 6 pm, UWTC Building, Tripureswor
Tres Flamencas, internationally renowned dancer Clara Ramon introduces the Spanish Flamenco for the first time in Nepal. Rs 1200, 8 to 9 November, 6 to 8 pm, Russian Cultural Centre, Kamal Pokhari, 9813930267
Dining
Dragon Chinese Restaurant, try the Kung Pao Pork if alone and the Mai Cao if with company. Lakeside, Pokhara
Magic Beans, coffee, cakes and sandwiches with a magical touch and taste. Sherpa Mall, Durbar Marg, (01)4230914
Yellow Chili, enjoy renowned Indian chef Sanjeev Kapoor's signature in Indian delicacies and variety of other mouthwatering delicacies. Thapathali
Shambaling Hotel, this newly opened hotel promises a fine dining experience. Boudha
Chopstix, savoury Asian food cooked in true Chinese fashion sure to charm and impress. Try the famous drums of heaven. Kumaripati, (01)5551118
Chongqing Fast Food, gear up for some mouth watering Chinese dishes like Sour and Spicy Pork, and Kung Pao Chicken. Thamel
Saigon Pho, spacious interior with authentic Vietnamese dishes. Lazimpat
Krishnarpan, a specialty Nepali restaurant at The Dwarika's Hotel serving 6 to 22 courses of authentic Nepali meal. The Dwarika's Hotel, Battisputali, (01)4479488
Peri Peri, home of legendary Portugese flamed grilled chicken, enjoy dishes served with the trademark Piri Piri sauce. Jhamsikhel, 9808563803
Thik Thak Restaurant, this restaurant boasts fresh fish from the lake which means the dishes are always fresh and delicious. Lakeside, Pokhara
Getaways
Charikot Panorama Resort, enjoy panoramic views and local culture in the historic town of Charikot. Special packages on offer. Charikot, Dolakha, (01)5529463, thapamaag@gmail.com
Everest Panorama Resort, a great view of the Himalayas from the top of the Mahabharat. Daman, (01)4412864, info@everestpanoramaresort.net
Dhulikhel Lodge Resort, located on a hilltop the resort offers a magnificent vista of valleys, foothills, and moutains to the north. Dhulikhel, (011) 490114/494, dhulikhellodgeresort.com
Root of the issue
As part of its monthly lecture series, the Culture Studies Group of Nepal brings you Wildlife, Forests and People in Nepal, a talk by Judy Oglethorpe on the environment and the inhabitants of the Gandaki basin. Oglethorpe is the chief of the Hariyo Ban Program which centres its activities from the Tarai arc in Chitwan to the Annapurnas. Before moving to Nepal, she directed the World Wildlife Fund US's climate change program. The talk on Nepali forests will range from estimating snow leopard population to restoring forests and helping people and nature adapt to climate change.
2 November, 9.30 am, Shanker Hotel, Lazimpat, csgnepal@yahoo.com
Rs 400 for non-members and Rs 100 for members, including tea or coffee
Look who's Bach
The French Embassy in Nepal and Vajra Hotel bring you Delights of Solitude, an evening of solo works of German composer JS Bach. World-renowned cellist Franck Bernede will be playing Suite G-Major BWV 1007, Partita A-Moll BWV 1013, and Suite D-Minor BWV 1008 on the violoncello.
Franck Bernede is a cellist and ethnomusicologist who has been trying to bridge the musical cultures of the East and the West. He has researched extensively in Nepal, specialising on the Gandharbas of central Nepal and also the traditional Newari music of Kathmandu. He holds a doctorate in social anthropology and ethnomusicology and is the founder and director of the Singhini Research Centre, a Nepali organisation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the music and dance of the Himalayan region.
Rs 750, 17 November, 6 pm, Vajra Hotel, Swayambhu, limited seating, booking advised, (01)4271545
All that jazz
If you couldn't make it to the Jazz for the Next Generation gig yesterday, don't worry because Surya Nepal Jazzmandu is looking to rock you right on its tenth birthday.
Artists from Switzerland to Norway and Thailand to France have flown in, settled down, roamed about and are raring to go. "I can't believe I will be playing salsa in Nepal," says Marlow Rosado of USA, "I am very proud of my roots and happy that they have reached so far and brought me here."
On Tuesday morning, shoppers at Ason Tol in the heart of old Kathmandu were pleasantly surprised to find drum sets and amplifiers in place of lettuce and cauliflowers as Cadenza Collective set up shop not to trade, but to amuse the curious crowd with a short performance along with a music video shoot of their song Hip Break.
On Friday night Manny's in Jawalakhel will feature Beat Kaestli who will perform traditional jazz mixed with R&B and Latin rhythms. Nearby in Moksh, Jhamsikhel, the Rootman Ensemble from Thailand will play their high-energy funk, jazz, soul, hip-hop, and R&B beats.
At the other end of the city at the House of Music in Thamel, Adil and Vasundhara from India are all prepared to charm audiences with their blend of jazz, funk, folk, and blues. And slightly further at Bhumi in Lazimpat, Suzy&2 from Norway will play an exciting fusion of eastern classical and jazz laid out on African rhythms.
Suzy&2 have been in Nepal for quite some time and are teaming up with three Nepali musicians for the festival. "We promise to take our listeners on a magical sonic travel around the world," they say.
So mark your calendars and joint the Jazzmandu team on a magic-carpet ride across the soundscapes of the world.
The Valley Jams are 7:30 to 9:30pm.
Jazzmandu calendar
Valley jams,
2 November, 7.30 to 9.30 pm, Rs 400
Different venues in Kathmandu will feature performances by various Jazzmandu artists.
Jazz bazaar,
3 November, 2.30 to 10 pm,
Gokarna Forest Resort, Rs 899
Far from the cacophony of Kathmandu, in the lush green forests of Gokarna, a marathon of jazz and traditional Nepali folk and classical music awaits you. Bus available from Hyatt Regency, Boudha from 1 to 4 pm and to Lazimpat at 10 pm, seats not guaranteed.
Afro-Latin jazz,
4 November, 7.30 to 9.30 pm,
Hotel Shangri-La, Rs 899
A night of Afro-Cuban sounds of the Caribbean with Tito Puente Jr and Marlow Rosado, accompanied by the Jazzmandu all-star band which will be followed by a jam with Jazzmandu musicians.
Jazzmandu master class,
6 November, 3.30 to 4.30 pm,
KJC, free entry
An opportunity for music students and jazz enthusiasts to interact with visiting musicians, share experiences, and get tips on techniques and instruments.
Jazz at Patan,
6 November, 6 to 8.30 pm,
Patan Museum, Rs 1,299
An evening of Nepali classical music fused with Jazz played in the historic courtyard.
Jazzmandu finale,
7 October, 5.30 to 10 pm,
Hotel Shangri-La, Rs 999
Bands will play their sets and later jam together, culminating in a high-energy, improvised treat to bid adieu to this year's musical festivities.
