Thailand Cultural Centre Japan's Euodia Ensemble return to Thailand on October 31 for a free concert celebrating 120-years of Thai-Japanese diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of organiser Asia Kendy.

The concert by the Tokyo-based musicians, featuring pianist Sawako Yanase, violinists Izumi Ninagawa and Miho Kudo, cellist Tomoko Inoue and clarinetists Mobuharu Murakami and Hiroshi Yanase, starts at 6.

For tickets, call Linda at (02) 331 7301-9 extension 47 or visit www.AsiaKendy.com

All strung up

Thammasat University, Tha Prachan

Classical guitar fans are in for a treat this week with the Thailand International Guitar Festival, which runs from Thursday till Sunday at the university's small auditorium.

Activities include live performances, seminars and workshops given by the world's best classical guitarists among them Frenchman Gabriel Bianco, Spaniard Ruben Abel Pazos and Thais stars Nutavut Ratanakarn and Pongpat Pongpradit.

Tickets range from Bt200 to Bt1,500. Visit www.ThailandGuitarFestival.com

Amazing anime

Art Space, Japan Foundation

Takahiro Hayakawa introduces his new style of anime in "Asian Animism and Animation", which runs through October 22. The gallery is open from 9 to 5, Monday to Saturday. Call (02) 260 8560-4.

Doll Mania 2008

Central Plaza Rama III

See cool dolls designed by Thai clothes brands Tube Gallery and Theater, make your very own teddy bear and admire the trendy threads for dolls designed by university students at "The Biggest Bear" and " Colours of Winter", which run from Thursday through October 19 as part of this fun-filled festival. For more information, call 02-264-5555 extension 4112.

Meet up with Meg

Best-selling chick-lit author, Meg Cabot, the brains behind the "Princess Diaries" series jets into Bangkok and will be meeting and greeting fans tomorrow from 5.30 at Asia Books Siam Paragon Branch.

To join the event, you need to pre-register, so pop into your nearest Asia Books store today.

Bangkok by design

The City of Angels already has its fashion weeks, book fairs, film festivals and celebrity food events. Now, it's the turn of artists and designers to celebrate with their very own international event - the Bangkok Design Festival, which runs from next Tuesday through October 26 at various venues. The 13day "Everybody's Everyday Life" event brings exhibitions, workshops and markets to the city centre and runs alongside the larger Bangkok International Gift and Bangkok International Houseware (BIG+BIH) fairs in Muang Thong Thani.

Politics, art and glamour

Disorn Duangdow, Kata Sangkae and Kornkrit Jianpinidnan of Bangkok collective, As Yet Unnamed, showcase their words at Misiem's (formerly known as About Cafe/About Studio) until October 19.

Kata's installation art projects the country's current political chaos while Disorn's paintings examine the situation faced by artists in contemporary society. Photographer Kornkrit showcases hand-printed images that capture the props and trappings of the glamour industry in a new light.

The art space is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 to noon and 4 to 10pm. Call (02) 623 1742 or visit www.AsYet.org.

Checkmate!

Get your brains working at a chess tournament for youngsters aged between five and 18 organised by Iwica Chess Academy on October 19. You can also sign up your kids for a training seminar being held from October 20 to 24. The tournament is being held at the Assumption Alumni on Rama IV Road, near the Prakhanong intersection, Bangkok. For more information and registration, call (081) 699 2038 or (02) 630 2802.

Do It

Make like a DJ

On October 16, Jack Daniels is sponsoring a free class in basic mix techniques and mix and scratch combinations taught by DJs Boyd Bangkok Noise and Joe Pioneer at QSC on Ekamai between sois 19 and 21. For more information, call (02) 719 9060.

Art of happiness

Sign your little ones up for art camp with the Art Laemkom Group this school break. Children aged from five to 12 will learn concentration and interpersonal skills as well as fundamental drawing, sketching and colouring. For information, visit www.artlaemkom.com.

City walk

Till the end of October, The Mall Ngarmwongwan is offering free gifts for shoppers. Purchase anything at Bt300 any day and you get a shopping tote. Make your purchase on a weekend and you get a photo portrait! Call (02) 310 1846.

A computer lives on

The Mirror Foundation gladly takes in used and malfunctioning computers to fix up for underprivileged students across the country. Since last year, it's distributed 300 of them. Call (083) 603 5622 or go to www.Com4Child.org.

See It

BollyWEST Nite

On Friday, groove with Indian DJs Varin and Sukhin as they to spin their latest hits and remixes from 9 till 2 in the Conrad Bangkok's 87 Plus nightspot.

Tickets cost Bt400 including 1 drink. Private booths are also available.

Behind the pearly gates

Photographer Kamthorn Wattanasuk has discovered among Bangkok's wats a new "school" of temple art that's being called saksit alloy - "holy alloy" - after the ornate, flashy aluminiumalloy temple gates. His shots of the artisans' creations appear in "Holy Alloy: Pearly Gates" at the Kathmandu Photo Gallery through November 30.The gallery, at 87 Pan Road off Silom Road near the Indian temple, is open daily except Monday from 11 to 7. Call (02) 234 6700 or visit www.KathmanduBKK.com

Birthday bounty

Boots celebrates its 11th anniversary in Thailand with special treats for health-conscious shoppers. The trusted beauty and health retailer is offering a "Special Birthday" promotion, giving away Oriental Flora bath and body products with every Bt1,000 purchase. Spend Bt2,000 and you receive a manicure kit, eye pad and relaxation massage set. The goodies are available at all Boots outlets until November 2.

BU presents 'The Castle'

The Bangkok University mass communication faculty's 21st production, "The Castle", is being staged at Centerpoint Playhouse on the eighth floor of CentralWorld from November 28 to 30. It's an intriguing love story about male and female souls trapped in an old fortress. Part of the ticket revenues go to the Prostheses Foundation of Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother. Tickets cost Bt250 to Bt350 at TrueMoney. Call (02) 900 9999, extension 4, or visit www.LakornNitadeBU.com www.LakornNitadeBU.com.