The Magnificent Taste of Thailand in Chicago
Photography and graphic design by Amie Peeyachat Hana
Mr. Arun Sampanthavivit, the world renounced chef in Chicago
Grand Opening at the Daley Plaza Center in downtown Chicago.
At the grand opening ceremony
Gene Lee- Deputy Chief of Staff from Office of Mayor City of Chicago
Chet Dherapattana - Consul General, Royal Thai Consulate in Chicago
Yowares Shinawatr - President of National Council of Woman in Thailand
Eileen Hubbell - Director of Protocol at Mayor's office of Special Events
Classical Thai Music performance
The Khon Ramakien Dance - Rama chasing Maries, the disguised golden deer.
Hanumarn, the monkey king, chasing Supanamatcha, the mermaid princess.
The great fun drum dance with the National majestic Thai flag side by side with the State flag at the background.
Rum Sri Nuan, one of the most elegant Thai dances, depicting graceful movements of Thai maidens,
Vigorous demonstration of Thai Martial Arts
"Getting to know you". Americans and Thai friends.
The state-of-the-art Prizker Pavillion, the world greatest outdoor stage at Millennium Park in Chicago.
It was my greatest priviledge to do photography coverage at back stage of the pavillion.
Our celebrity M.C. at the festival was the famous Carol Marin from Channel 5.
Silpakorn
From the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture in Thailand, Silpakron, Thailand's 50-member premier dance company performed in the Pritzker Pavillion in Chicago's Millennium Park. It was such a historical event. Thailand's finest had never performed in total before outside of their country. The Ministry of Culture of Thailand in collaboration with the city of Chicago granted this performance in appreciation of the Taste of Thailand Partnership for Life. Featured was Thailand's greatest dancers, including with the country's most respected and famous dancer who's considered the "national treasure". In addition, traditional Thai musicians accompanied the dancers on the stage. The costumes alone were theater to behold. When combined with the pageantry and artistry of the Thai dance, the ensemble was a spectacle never to be forgotten.
The Silpakorn dance troupe presented many important experts from Thai Classical Dance. Among them was " Nang Loy", the floating maiden - one of the most captivating episodes of Ramakien, followed by traditional Sukhothai dance, a demontration of Thai martial arts, including with Muay Thai or traditional Thai boxing, a fierce sword fighting, a graceful northern dance, an amazing Manora Southern Thai can, and the grand finale of the most spectacular Klong Sabud Chai, a classical drum dance, ect.
Presented in Chicago's most famous stage, the Pritzker Pavillion, with the majestic view of the City as its backdrop, the June summer evening promised to be one that inspired memories of Chicago and Thailand, never to be forgotten.
Dr. Supachai Chansuwan soloing the most exquisite Manora Dance.
Manora is a classical dance from Southern part of Thailand, featuring fluttering long-fingernail movements and great flexibility of Manora, a mythological half-bird, half -human creature.
The Grand Gala Dinner at the Merchandise Mart Plaza in downtown Chicago.
Public Auction at the Gala.
I had an honor to meet with Michele Obama at the Auction.
In the spirit of Taste of Thailand event, Chicago's auctioneer-extraordinaire, Leslie Hindmand, most graciously volunteered to conduct a live auction of unique treasures from Thailand and Chicago. Amont the most spectacular are the two paintings from the Thai artist Anuwat Sampanthavivat, whose paintings adorn the walls of Arun's Restaurant and Le Lan Restaurant in Chicago. Chicago's own Charlie Trotter offered a "Chef for the Day" package. Chicago's Golden Triangle also presented. Other highlights included airline tickets to Thailand, hotel and accomodations in Bangkok's newest luxuray hotel and spa pakages.
Opening Ceremony at the Merchandise Mart was graciously hosted by Marian Kinney.
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