On Display: Faces of Cambodia
February, FCC Phnom Penh
A freelance journalist and TV producer from Munich, Germany, Reinhard Weber's "Faces of Cambodia" conveys the friendliness that he experienced while traveling around the Kingdom on a four-week trip last August. Weber's journey started with a rented motorbike and a visit Kampong Cham, where he stumbled across the 80th birthday party of local villager. The experience left Weber fascinated with Cambodia, he says, especially given the socio-economic circumstances of the people he met and the country's conflict-ridden past. "They do not have much, but they make the best of it," he says. "Their past could make them sad, but they are happy. The many small stories with local people made my trip through Cambodia a truly unique experience."
Live: Kheltica
Sat Feb 9, FCC Phnom Penh
"Celtic music means fun, lively, diversified music," says Kheltica's founder, Jean-Claude Dhuez. "But it's principally means sharing good time together." That sentence captures the spirit of Kheltica, who came together in 2009 for a St. Patrick's Day gig and, fueled by the show's surprising success, kept on playing. Kheltica's eclectic mix of songs and dances from Brittany blended with traditional Irish and Scottish folk music is rivaled only by that of the band's make-up: a singer and a mandolin player from Scotland; a British piper; French drummer; Russian guitarist; South African bass player; Malaysian violinist, and French flautist. "We had a Khmer violinist," says Jean-Claude Dhuez, said flautist, "but since he got married, he's disappeared!"Show starts at 8:30 p.m. No cover.
Live: Q'Vans
Sat Feb 16, FCC Phnom Penh
The long-term relationship between cold warriors Vietnam and Cuba continues to funnel a steady stream of Cuban musical talent to the shores of Cambodia's eastern neighbor. Q'Vans follows the tradition in step with fellow travelers Warapo, but the recent arrivals, making their Cambodian debut on Sat Feb 16, push hard to break free from "Cuban band" expectations. In additional to sexy salsa and Latin fusion, Q'Vans plays blues, jazz and soul, too. Doors at 8:30 p.m. No cover.
Dance: Salsa Night
Sat Feb 23, FCC Phnom Penh
With his iPod and a library of Latin jazz, DJ Jimmy Campbell brings the spirits of 1950s Havana to The FCC Phnom Penh, where salsa partners will turn The FCC's upstairs dining room into a dance floor. Dancing starts 8:30 p.m. and goes until late. The more experienced dancers are always happy to dip and twirl with new followers of the craze. Bring your boogie shoes. No Cover.