WEEKLY GUIDE 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016
feature:
national holidays
What’s On FRIDAY 1ST JANUARY Aaron Gallegos Trio | Nightlife Aaron Gallegos Trio – blending diverse influences from FLAMENCO to BOSSA, JAZZ and WORLD MUSIC to perform classic and modern art songs. Each performance is unique and often features various guest artists. ? Gekko - 535 Merchant St, Kyauktada Tsp (same building with Lokanat Galleries) | P FROM 7:00 PM
Turkey To Go | Dining Take a break from your kitchen this Christmas and order one of Inya Lake Hotel’s delicious turkeys with trimmings. Guest are kindly requested to book 24 hours in advance. Reservation: 019662866, 01-9662857. ? Inya Lake Hotel - 37 Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp | P 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
New Year’s Day Brunch | Dining New Year’s Day Brunch with U.S Prime Rib and Lobster at Belmond Governor’s Residence Yangon at US$85 per person. Celebrate the New Year with their Gourmet Brunch at their Mandalay Restaurant, including unlimited wines from their exclusive collection of New Zealand Schubert Wines, Methode Champenoise, and Fresh Fruit Juices. Reservation at 01229860 Ext: 7932 or events.tgr@belmond.com. ? Belmond Governor’s Residence - 35 Taw Win Rd (Near American Center) | P 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM
FRIDAY 1ST - 3RD JANUARY "Classmate" Watercolour Exhibition | Art Gallery 65 presents its first exhibition for 2016 "CLASSMATE" Watercolour Exhibition opening on the 1st of January 2016. The Exhibit will feature 45 watercolour paintings of the most recent works of the three artists, Zarni, Aung and Kyaw Thu Win. The exhibit is on for 3 days only from 1st to 3rd January. ? Gallery 65 - 65 Yaw Min Gyi Rd (Behind Parkroyal Hotel) | P 10:00 PM - 6:00 PM
What’s On SATURDAY 2ND JANUARY Pool Party | Activities Pool Party, every first Saturday of the Month. Free flow on selected beverages and finger food. Live DJ, games and activities. US$25 per person. Reservation: 01230 5858 or h9045-re@accor.com. ? Novotel Yangon Max - 459 Pyay Rd, Kamaryut Tsp | P 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Beyond the Source Art Exhibition | Art Beyond the Source: Featuring Artists Po Po, Tun Win Aung, Wah Nu, Aung Ko and Nge Lay. These artists were chosen based on their upcoming participation in the Dhaka Art Summit, held February 5-8, 2016, of which TS1 is a sponsor. They were asked to contribute one work each to this temporary exhibition to help mark the end of a year and illustrate that they are only as strong as place from which they came, the source of their experiences. ? Goethe Villa - 8 Ko Min Ko Chin Rd, Bahan Tsp | P 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Yangon Hash House Harriers (YH3) Saturday Run | Activities The Yangon Hash House Harriers (YH3) meet every Saturday afternoon for a fun run and a few beers. The runs are non competitive and are planned in such a way that everyone finishes within a few minutes of each other, irrespective of sporting ability. Indeed a goodly percentage of those taking part make no attempt at running whatsoever but enjoy a good walk. The runs can take place anywhere in and around the environs of Yangon and, more often than not, take place “off road” so you should be prepared to encounter mud, water, livestock and perhaps the odd leech! You don’t need any special equipment – a pair of good running shoes, shorts and T-shirt will suffice. ? Yangon University - University Rd. between Inya and Pyay | P FROM 2:45 PM
Stand Up Paddle (SUP) | Sports Stand Up Paddle courses for every weekend will be opened from 3pm to 5pm at Yangon Sailing Club. Go and learn this new fun sport at the Yangon Sailing Club, organised by Myanmar Yachting Federation. Fees: YSC Member: 20,000 Ks (per session), Non-Member: 30,000 Ks (per session). Call 0931522705 for reservation. ? Yangon Yacht Club - Next to Sein Lan So Pyay Garden, Inya Rd, Kamaryut Tsp | P 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
SUNDAY 3RD JANUARY Rugby for Kids | Sport If you are between 6 and 12 years old, the Rugby School is waiting for you! Join them every Sunday from 9.30am to 11am at ISY School. Coaches speak English, Spanish, French, Dutch and German. ? ISY High School - 20 Shwe Taungyar, Bahan Township (close to Market Place) | P 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
MONDAY 4TH JANUARY Pub Quiz & Mexican Mondays | Activities We all know it’s Monday. How do you cure the beginning-of-the-week blues? Go down to 50th Street to test your brain power, eat some tasty food & enjoy some refreshing drink. ? 50th Street Bar - 9/13 50th St, Botahtaung Tsp (off Merchant Rd) | P 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
What’s On TUESDAY 5TH JANUARY The Walking Dead Tuesdays | Activities Season 6 of the The Walking Dead has begun. 50th Street will be showing each week’s episode of the hit TV show every Tuesday at 8pm. Go down to watch the zombie apocalypse continue to unfold on their big screen, alongside their late night happy hour. ? 50th Street Bar - 9/13 50th St, Botahtaung Tsp (off Merchant Rd) | P 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Zumba Dance | Activities Zumba is back to Yangon. Don’t let Yangon traffic stop you from having fun. Everybody is welcome! What you need to bring - A Small Towel. What else to bring - A Party Mood, Friends and Energy. ? Hotel Parami Yangon (Piano Bar) - No.2, Parami Rd, Mayangone Tsp | P 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
WEDNESDAY 6TH JANUARY Ladies Night | Nightlife Mr.Y will be playing hip hop and R&B at Yangon Yangon Bar from 8pm onwards. Now girls can have fun at the highest Rooftop Bar every Wednesday and it’s free entrance for Ladies. Contact: 01-255131. ? Yangon Yangon Rooftop Bar - Rooftop, Sakura Tower, 339 Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Tsp | P From 8:00 PM
Burgers & Bubbles | Dining Burgers & Bubbles at Port Autonomy Every Wednesday! Offering customers their signature burger + two glasses of sparkling wine for US$20. ? PORT AUTONOMY - 22 Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd (Next to Golden Hills Tower) | P FROM 11:00 AM
Ladies Night with Unplugged | Nightlife This is your night, Ladies! Everything's gonna be alright. Let's all celebrate ladies night with B2O Bar and Bistro. All ladies get one cocktails free. Draught Beer - 1000 Ks. For Reservation: 095158797 (Mr. Thein). Park your car at either Latha St. or MahaBandoola St. It is just a minute walk away. ? B2O Bar & Bistro - No.98, 20th St (Upper Block), Latha Tsp | P 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
THURSDAY 7TH JANUARY Enchantment Myanmar Cultural Show | Art & Stage The new season of ‘Enchantment: Myanmar Cultural Show’ is starting in a brand new venue from Sunday 4th October! Make your booking now and experience the same joy and delight that each and every one of their audience members enjoyed last season. US$16 per person and more info at: 02540 04224. ? Bar One Restaurant - (Ground Floor), Utopia Tower, Nat Mauk St, Bahan Tsp | P 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
DISCLAIMER Information as of 29th December 2015. The events’ time and date may change without notice. For more updated information please check http://myanmore.com/yangon/calendar
discover yangon LOCAL PEOPLE, LOCAL PRODUCTS Fresh Coconut Milk and Coconut Water Kyaw Sein has been running his shop for seventeen years. It is ramshackle and chaotic (live chickens included), but once the coconuts have been split, and the soft copra ground into coconut milk on Kyaw Sein's very basic machinery, the end product is worthwhile. Over two-hundred coconuts are used each day. The milk from the younger small nuts is more pure in colour and used for making Burmese jellies. The milk form the older and larger nuts is used for curries. Kyaw Sein employees two young men for the work.The price of the coconut milk is 500 Ks. Location: No. 61, 17th Street (btw. Mahabandoola Road and Merchant Road) Local People, Local Products is curated and written by Yangon Walking Tours and will soon be available on the recently launched iDiscover Yangon Travel App. [http://i-discoverasia.com/portfolio_category/yangon/]
national holidays
THINGYAN WATER FESTIVAL (MYANMAR NEW YEAR)
Credit to Hong Sar
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS Although there are many different religious holidays celebrated in Myanmar, the official National Holidays are focused around historical dates of importance and Buddhist celebrations – Myanmar people of all religions love a festival. Note some dates are fixed and others are dependant on the moon. Dates below refer to 2016.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
4TH JANUARY
On January 4 1948, Myanmar (then Burma) became entirely independent of its rulers (the British). Shan National Sao Shwe Taik became the new country’s first President and U Nu its first Prime Minister. While there is no lingering resentment towards the British, the Myanmar people are fiercely proud of their independence. Fairs and activities are held across the country to celebrate the date. The Independence Monument in Mahabandoola Garden, in downtown Yangon (southeast of Sule Pagoda), is erected on the exact spot where a statue of Queen Victoria once stood.
KAYIN NEW YEAR DAY
10TH JANUARY & 29TH DECEMBER
The Kayin New Year is an important time when the Kayin communities can join and celebrate their unique cultural identity within Myanmar with dance contests and songs while wearing their traditional costumes. Celebrations are focused on preservation of Kayin language, culture and literature, Kayin national unity, and development. For the celebrations, young and old Kayins wear their traditional costumes of woven tunics over red longyis and visit friends and relatives to enjoy the festival.
UNION DAY
12TH FEBRUARY
Union Day celebrates the anniversary of the signing of the Panglong Agreement, between the Burmese government under General Aung San and the people of Shan, Kachin and Chin on February 12, 1947.The agreement pronounced full independence in internal governance and was seen as key to the country gaining full independence from the British a year later.
PEASANTS’ DAY (FARMERS’ DAY)
2ND MARCH
Peasants’ Day celebrates Myanmar’s large population of farmers, which make up about 70 percent of the country’s population. The date also commemorates the military coup of 1962. During the holiday, leaders discuss reforms that would benefit the farming industry, and families visit parks or local pagodas.
FULL MOON OF TABAUNG
23RD MARCH
The Full Moon of Tabaung is a traditional merit-making day for Buddhists in Myanmar. It is celebrated during the last month before the Myanmar New Year. Shwedagon Pagoda hosts an enormous festival to celebrate this holiday. The festival begins with a ceremony making offerings to the 28 Buddhas, followed by a 10-day non-stop recital of the Buddhist scriptures.
ARMED FORCES’ DAY
27TH MARCH
Originally celebrated as Resistance Day, the celebration of Armed Forces’ Day coincides with the anniversary of the army’s resistance against Japanese occupation in 1945.Ceremonies are held on this day celebrating the nation’s army (the Tatmadaw), usually in the capital city Nay Pyi Taw.
THINGYAN WATER FESTIVAL (MYANMAR NEW YEAR)
11TH APRIL - 20TH APRIL
It’s that one time of the year where the (usually conservative) Myanmar people allow themselves to go a little wild. Celebrated similarly in neighbouring Buddhist countries, Thingyan (‘Songkran’ in Thailand and ‘Chaul Chnam Thmey’ in Cambodia) was traditionally, and still is in certain quarters, celebrated to cleanse one's spirit before the coming of the New Year. Today, it is a raucous, but incredibly fun celebration where people of all ages take to the streets to party and pour water all over each other. Floats (pandals) are built at the side of main roads and open-top vehicles pass through ready to be utterly soaked in water. If you happen to be visiting during this holiday, make sure you keep your valuables in waterproof containers as people will show absolutely no mercy in their dousing. Despite the relatively rowdy celebrations, many Buddhists take the opportunity to head to the monastery for a few days to find some much needed tranquillity and to give merit.
LABOUR DAY (MAY DAY)
1ST MAY
The almost worldwide holiday celebrating workers’ rights, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated splitting the day into three equal parts: eight-hours work, eight- hours recreation and eight-hours rest.
FULL MOON DAY OF KASONE
21ST MAY
Sometimes informally referred to as Buddha’s Birthday. It is on this day that the birth, enlightenment and death (attainment of Nirvana) of Gautama Buddha is celebrated. It is a holy day for Buddhists and is usually marked by processions through the streets.
FULL MOON DAY OF WASO
19TH JULY
Celebrating the Buddha’s first sermon of the Four Noble Truths, the Waso Full Moon Day marks the beginning of Buddhist lent (Wasso), which generally coincides with the height of Myanmar’s rainy season. It is normally a time of heightened religious activity around the country, and many of the most abiding monks do not leave the monastery grounds during this time. Commitments from lay Buddhists usually involve abstaining from meat, alcohol or smoking and it is also a time when Myanmar people are not allowed to move house.
MARTYRS’ DAY
19TH JULY
After Thingyan, Martyrs’ Day is probably Myanmar’s most important public holiday. It is observed to commemorate the assassination of the country’s father of independence, General Aung San (whose daughter is Aung San Suu Kyi) and eight others by a jealous political rival shortly before the country attained independence from the British in 1947. At 10.37am car horns on the streets of Myanmar go into a frenzy to commemorate the moment that gunmen barged into a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat in downtown Yangon and shot the group. Months later, politician U Saw was found guilty and hung outside Yangon’s Insein Prison. Be- sides Aung San, those shot were Ba Cho, Mahn Ba Khaing, Ba Win, Thakin Mya, Abdul Razak, Sao San Tun, Ohn Maung and Ko Htwe.
FULL MOON DAY OF THADINGYUT
16TH OCTOBER
Held on the full moon day of the Lunar month of Thadingyut, this festival (also known as the Festival of Lights) says goodbye to the Buddhist lent, and hopefully also the rainy season. The festival lasts for three days over the full moon period and is celebrated to welcome Buddha’s descent from heaven.During Thadingyut, food stalls and traditional shops are opened around the country and musical plays and free movies are shown.It is one of the most important days of the year for the Buddhist people and is a popular time for local people to visit Pagodas.
FULL MOON OF TAZAUNGMONE
14TH NOVEMBER
Held on the full moon day of Tazaungmone the holiday celebrates the end of Kahtein season, during which monks are offered new robes and alms. Despite the day being celebrated as a Buddhist festival, the festival has strong links to Hindu celebrations. It is yet another festival that fills the country’s pagodas, and much merit-mak- ing takes place. The famous Tazaungdaing (fire balloon) festival is held in Taunggyi at this time.
NATIONAL DAY
24TH NOVEMBER
National Day is celebrated to commemorate the beginning of student protests against British rulers, which included a strike in the country’s universities.
CHRISTMAS DAY
25TH DECEMBER
Despite being a predominantly Buddhist country, Christmas is celebrated as an official National Holiday. Note: Eid & Deepavali Day will be announced in a near date separately.
review
Downtown Fusion Food The Brunch Society BY AMANDA WIN
WHAT IT IS The Brunch Society is bringing the brunch tradition right smack into the midst of buzzing downtown Yangon. A variety of European meals is offered, all mixed with a fusion of Asian cuisine to cater for the preferred tastes of local Myanmar people. ATMOSPHERE The restaurant is spacious, and everything from the chocolate coloured walls to the softly lit lights hanging from the high ceiling, screams ‘fancy’. There are two expansive dining levels, enabling a hundred customers to be seated comfortably. A bar is available, carrying a mix of signature cocktails. The service is almost too fast, but the dishes are well prepared, ready satisfy your eyes, and your Instagram. RECOMMENDATION If you’re going for a traditional English meal then the Full Breakfast (10,000 Ks) is the way to go. The dish I enjoyed the most was the Smoked Salmon (12,000 Ks), fresh with lots of taste. If you’re willing to try something more unorthodox, then order the Burmese Fried Rice (6000 Ks), a fusion of the tradition with contemporary European style cooking. There’s also the Crunchy French Toast (10,000 Ks), which is a thick toasted crusted with cornflakes, fresh berries with a dash of honey on top, definitely the choice for all those sweet tooths out there. Pasta comes in a variety of styles, including an exotic Tom Yum River Prawn Fettuccine (17,000 Ks), where the Tom Yum is used as a base instead of your usual tomato sauce. A signature main dish on the menu is the Pan Grilled Sea Bass with Lychee Red Curry (12,000 Ks). This includes mashed potatoes, grilled lychees, and red curry. FINAL THOUGHTS The meals are pricey and it will cost you at the very least around 20,000 Ks to enjoy a satisfactory brunch here. It’s money well spent though, given the broad range and combination of dishes to choose from. The welcoming service and comfortable ambience adds to the value. 143 Sule Pagoda Road, Sule Plaza (just down from the Shangri-La Hotel Ph: 09960359701 | Opening Hours: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
review
A door Into ANother World Bijin Japanese Restaurant BY BOB PERCIVAL WHAT IT IS We arrive at the Bijin, and there it is! The Door, the famous low, inconspicuous and unlikely door, the door that you walk past many times before it finally grabs your attention. When you do enter you need to carefully stoop low, a customary rite that takes you into the floating world of Japanese cuisine and hospitality. The Bijin has occupied this wonderful space since November of last year. It’s a simple and sparse. A dozen stools placed along a wooden bench where you can eat, while viewing sashimi and sushi being prepared. There is also a private cubicle holding which can seat up to six people. Upstairs there is a bar, to relax after your meal. On a Monday night the place has only a few regular patrons, on the weekends it is full and you need to book a table. RECOMMENDATIONS The first signature dish chosen is Chicken Meatball (US$6). It is served in a beautiful small dish, with the softly boiled egg surrounding a ball of freshly minced chicken, baked and lightly grilled to dark brown on the surface. This is an expert dish to prepare as the egg has to be perfectly cooked and served at exactly the right temperature with the meat. They act as a perfect combination, complimenting each other both in taste and texture. Mirei recommends a hard to acquire Gorobachi sake. It is unusual in that it is cloudy white, proudly displaying its rice origins. It acts an excellent compliment to the softly boiled egg. The next dish is Eggplant with Miso Sauce (US$6). The sauce is thick and sweet, sprinkled lightly with small sesame seeds. The eggplant is cooked to a perfect tenderness, and it is very filling! This meal could easily be shared as a main dish. The last dish we order is Oden (US$3) , a specialty of the house, and the soul food of Japanese cuisine. It is meant for the cold of Japanese winter, to warm you body and soul. It can do the same here in Myanmar, and it does. FINAL THOUGHTS Bijin is a place where Japanese businessmen, and passionate lovers of Japanese cuisine can come to dine and relax. The service is impeccable, the food of the highest quality, and the sake and beer a perfect compliment to the food. Enjoy your escape into another world of eating. No.26(B) Yaw Min Gyi Street, Dagon Township Ph: 01 252 261 | Opening Hours: 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Gallery
FAB X'MAX 2015 @ J-ONE MUSIC BAR 26TH DEC 2015 PHOTOS BY PT@IMAGES
weekend highlight
THE Clubhouse New Opening Modeled as a reincarnation of The Pegu Club, a long lost Victorian Member's Club, The Clubhouse is the latest addition to Yangon's club scene. With its opening last Friday December 25th, it was a full house to experience this new club. Located in the former Members Club premises at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, it features a big open space with lounge furnitures and tables. A DJ booth is the center piece and the sounds system can only be described as massive. Ambience and interior bear resemblance to places like Sturehof in Stockholm, an in-crowd place where to be seen and watch the glamor people. The Clubhouse is designed by Bangkok based architects Mr Preecha and Mr Peeti Sastrawaha, and aims to become "the place in Yangon where the cool and connected, the bold and beautiful gather to play and mingle".
With people from Escape Gastro Bar involved, an already popular nightlife hotspot of Yangon, it is likely they will repeat the success and create yet one more top nightlife venue. As if that is not enough, there are ambitions to expand the Clubhouse concept and membership to other lifestyle areas. The Clubhouse also consists of a restaurant featuring traditional Myanmar cuisine with a French influenced twist and an exclusive lounge called Rachel. So there will be more to come. Opening hours: Wed-Sun: 9:00 pm - 3:00 am
CLUBHOUSE GRAND OPENING 25TH DEC 2015 PHOTOS BY PT@IMAGES
now showing
Start Showing from 1st January 2016 to 7th January 2016
STAR WARS : THE FORCE AWAKENS Mingalar Cinema (Dagon Center 2) | 09 732 54 091, 09 732 54 092 Nay Pyi Taw Cinema | 01 250 277, 01 251 288 Junction Square | 01 527 055
GHOST SHIP Nay Pyi Taw Cinema | 01 250 277, 01 251 288
DIWALE (INDIAN) Shae Saung Cinema (2) | 01 370 787, 09 730 01 704
POINT BREAK Nay Pyi Taw Cinema | 01 250 277, 01 251 288 Mingalar Sanpya Cineplex | 09 260 887 035, 09 260 887 036
MOJIN : LOST OF LEGEND Mingalar Sanpya Cineplex | 09 260 887 035, 09 260 887 036
CHIT LA SWAR THAW A MONE (MYANMAR MOVIE) Thwin Cinema | 01 246 962, 01 246 963 Mingalar Sanpya Cineplex | 09 260 887 035, 09 260 887 036 Shae Saung Cinema (1) | 01 252 113, 01 388 034 Junction Square | 01 527 055 Junction Mawtin | 01 225 244
YEE SER OO (FIRST LOVE) (MYANMAR MOVIE) Thamada Cinema | 01 246 962, 01 246 963 Thwin Cinema | 01 246 962, 01 246 963 Mingalar Sanpya Cineplex | 09 260 887 035, 09 260 887 036
Card Deals: new card coming soon EDO ZUSHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT 10% off total bill, Valid everyday, 1 group per card, advanced booking required. ? No.290-B, U Wisarya Road, 10 Ward Kamaryut Township, Yangon t 09 259 040 853 P Mon to Sat 11:00am to 23:00pm, P Sun 17:00pm to 21:00pm
DI VINO 10% off total bill for lunch and dinner Valid everyday, booking required, maximum 4 people per card (Not Valid for set menu ,Business lunch and promotions) ? 61 University Avenue Road, Bahab Tsp, Yangon t 01 525 935
See www.myanmore.com/yangon/card/ for more card deals
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