Silent Film Theatre In Chiang Mai? Plus, Chamber Music and Poetry Reading Over Coffee & NYC Pizza?

[WonderousWand]

I am NOT getting bored with life in Chiang Mai....Far From It!

There is plenty to do here, even if you do not do much, and only do one thing.

You could just do, say, carpentry or language study, the same thing each day, and still never get bored because, thankfully, the food is great, the people are friendly and love to talk, and just walking around outside there is much interaction available to anyone willing to get involved.

However, I do not like to travel, and I prefer to stay in the same general location, within a 10 Kilometer radius, 98 percent of the time.

Which is why it would really be nice if there might be, say, once per month, some place I could go to watch a few less common copies of silent films, sort of like they do in NYC.

Remember how much Woody Allen enjoyed his theater visits?

He also loves Jazz.

But I would like to go to a silent film showing about once per month. Any more than that would get tedious, and i do not have the time, anyway.

And another thing, as I get older, I notice that poetry has taken on a new meaning for me. Sure, I used to despise good poetry, but I cannot get enough of it now.

I always loved Chamber Music, particularly Baroque period, and I NEVER get a chance to go hear any live chamber music being played around here.

Then, there is the pizza. I don't eat pizza, and have not had cheese in many years, simply because I got out of the habit of eating it. Yet this need not be... I really like well made pizza like they have in the East Village or maybe down near where the World Trade Buildings used to be.

But the thing is:

All these things are not much fun when you have to do them yourself.

What fun is watching a silent film at home?

And, you cannot have a poetry reading by yourself.

And, what good is Chamber Music in one's own chamber?

Chiang Mai is growing by leaps and bounds.

There is much new blood coming in. And I wonder if there already might be some of these things, and more, already in Chiang Mai, and I might not even know it because I did not take the time to ask, thinking that the answers might all be depressingly negative.

I know people go to church every Sunday. Or to temple every week.

So what is the difference if a few wanted to go to poetry readings?

There is some really great and moving poetry available on the internet.

All one needs is a large room to start up something like this, hopefully with a small garden.

Once a month sounds about right.

Unless there was pizza, and then maybe once every 3 weeks, or something.

Any information about this?

Edited June 14, 2016 by WonderousWand

[PBR STREETGANG]

Oy vey! Alas, there has yet to be a Nitehawk Theater created here as in Brooklyn.

Shalom

[NancyL]

So, what's stopping you? Got an interest? Organize something.

http://www.chiangmaiexpatsclub.com/activities

http://www.meetup.com/find/?allMeetups=true&radius=50&userFreeform=Chiang+Mai%2C+&mcId=c1038512&change=yes&sort=default

[WonderousWand]

So, what's stopping you? Got an interest? Organize something.

http://www.chiangmaiexpatsclub.com/activities

http://www.meetup.com/find/?allMeetups=true&radius=50&userFreeform=Chiang+Mai%2C+&mcId=c1038512&change=yes&sort=default

Good links.

[WonderousWand]

Just to be clear, I did not mean Charlie Chaplin......but I was thinking of silent films which are more obscure, as well as thought provoking.

Something like.... Au Bonheur des Dames The 1930 production.

Unfortunately, this one cannot be found on YouTube, except for a very short clip.

I have a copy I found somewhere on the internet after much searching.

I know that there must be many who are interested in group viewing of the less popular, but still important, films in various languages.

I had wondered if there might be something at one of the local universities, since this might be a topic for fine arts students.

It sometimes surprises people from the west just how knowledgeable are film buffs in Asia regarding esoteric niche jazz and film.

It seems to me that this is a good way to maintain some meaningful connection with the culture expats leave behind, not that this would be my primary purpose in pursuing it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0020656/

[Freakin Musashi]

There's a symphony orchestra in Chiang Mai; they don't seem too bad.

https://youtu.be/A_K6PwWocKk

Edited June 14, 2016 by Freakin Musashi

[WonderousWand]

There's a symphony orchestra in Chiang Mai; they don't seem too bad.

https://youtu.be/A_K6PwWocKk

They are good.

Much of it is orchestrated from Payap University, I believe.

They have some talented people there.

Beethoven's 5th is not my idea of chamber music, but they could play Baroque if they put their minds to it.

All you need is a violin, a cello, and a piano, and then you have a band.

[WonderousWand]

I am not sure where one would find a suitable wood burning pizza oven, however, the ingredients could be sent from Manhattan:

According to Wikipedia:

New York–style pizza is traditionally hand-tossed,^[3] consisting in its basic form of a light layer of tomato sauce^[2] and genuine mozzarella cheese; additional toppings are placed atop the cheese.^[3] Pies are large, typically around 18 inches (45 cm) in diameter, and commonly cut into 8 slices. These large wide slices^[4] are often eaten as a fast food or "street snack" while folded in half, as their flexibility sometimes makes them unwieldy to eat flat. Eating it folded also allows its oil and any toppings to collect more manageably.

New York–style pizza gets its distinguishing crust from the high-gluten bread flour with which it is made. Minerals present in New York City water are also credited with giving the dough in metro area pies their characteristic flavor.^[4][5] Some out-of-state pizza makers even transport the water cross-country for the sake of authenticity.^[6][7]

Typical condiments include oregano, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and dried red chili pepper flakes.

New York–style pizza is most prevalent in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, but can be found throughout the Northeastern region.^[3] Outside this area, many pizzas described as "New York style,"^[1] including those of major pizza chains such as Pizza Hut, generally do not fall within the variations commonly accepted as genuine in its native area.

If anyone were to try to duplicate NYC pizza in Chiang Mai, they would probably need to start here:

http://www.varasanos.com/PizzaRecipe.htm

[flare]

There is no real NY pizza outside of NY (not that I've found, anyway)- I've tried so many places that claim to serve it in other non-bordering states/countries, and- while it's ranged from not-too-far-off to not even close (i.e. what's on offer in CM- no New Yorker would give it a good rating). I actually believe it has to do with the water (as referenced in the post above), as ingredients and ovens are pretty much the same- there's something about New York that makes it work. I've always found that people who claim they've had the real thing outside of NY or the bordering states aren't natives.

Of course, I can't say there aren't places outside of NY that haven't nailed it, but I'm willing to give any place making the claim a shot, and have always been disappointed (not to say I haven't had great pizza as I enjoy other styles as well, but it never tastes like home).

Growing up in Brooklyn spoiled me for pizza (and bagels, and deli, and cheesecake, and....)

Edited June 15, 2016 by flare

[WonderousWand]

It might be the air and the sounds one hears in the air that makes NYC pizza taste better.

[WonderousWand]

https://youtu.be/pf82BTwksX4

Just like NYC Pizza, you can only get the real thing if the consumers demand it.

I believe that NYC pizza could be had in Chiang Mai IF that was what people wanted.

The above link to the Chaing Mai symphony is an example.

Why are they playing the 5th instead of something more interesting?

It is no wonder Beethoven when deaf.

https://youtu.be/pf82BTwksX4