The December calendar is packed with music acts from around the globe, international buffet nights, Christmas dinners, Salsa dancing and just about everything in between, all of which culminate with the famous FCC New Years Eve party, the capital's most raucous midnight celebration.
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December's highlights include:
- Multimedia Exhibition by Melon Rouge
- Ratatat, electronic music duo from Brooklyn
- I Heart Hiroshima, indie-pop trio from Brisbane
- Actuacion De La Cuarentuna, 20-piece traditional Spanish band from Spain
- Phil & Ritche, jazz duo from Paris
- New Years Eve parties
Rock Star Portraits
December 1-31, The FCC Angkor & The FCC Phnom Penh
Dutch physician and photographer Rob Overtoom dusts of the rock 'n' roll photographs he took during the 1970s and 80s. In those days, Overtoom spent life on the road with Oor Magazine music journalist Fer Abrahams. Together, they scouted talent across Europe and America. His exhibition, on display at both the FCC Angkor and The FCC Phnom Penh during December, features pictures of the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Pretenders, David Bowie, Blondie, John Hiatt, Willy de Ville, Nena and Men at Work to name a few.
Wa Gallery
December, The FCC Angkor
The Wa Gallery Concept Store is dedicated to contemporary art from cutting-edge designers. Artists include Nicolette Maltat, who gives wooden buddhas a contemporary twist by polishing and painting them with watercolours, and French photographer Claude Estebe, who uses plastic Budhhas and Barbie dolls to create surreal images.
Melon Rouge Exhibition
Dec 1-6, The Mansion
The Phnom Penh-based photo agency Melon Rouge will host a photo and multi-media exhibition. The exhibit includes work from each of the agency's 20 photographers based throughout Asia, including India, Thailand, China, Korea and Cambodia.
Additionally, Nicolas Havette, the show's artistic director, will display a special multi-media slideshow with the theme "100 years of photography" nightly at 8 p.m. Havette's selection is different every night and provides a broad look at the last century of photography from around the world.
Ratatat
Dec 4, The FCC Phnom Penh
Brooklyn electronic music duo Ratatat have recorded with hip-hop all-star Kid Cudie and toured with a host of acclaimed international acts, including:
- Daft Punk
- Bjork
- The Killers
- Franz Ferdinand
- CSS
- Mogwai
- Super Furry Animals
- Clinic
- Interpol
- Mouse on Mars
Known for their ambient, electronic instrumentals and elaborate audio-visual stage shows, Ratatat brings their eclectic blend of cutting-edge electronica to the FCC for one show only Dec. 4.
I Heart Hiroshima
Dec 5, The FCC Phnom Penh
I Heart Hiroshima represents one of the hottest acts to emerge from the blistering music scene in Brisbane, Australia. Driven by the unpretentious vocals of Susie Patten, who also plays drums, the bass-less I Heart Hiroshima blends infectious lyrics and jangly guitars to create refreshingly authentic indie-pop with a do-it-yourself musical vibe. They play The FCC Phnom Penh Dec. 5.
Buffet Night: Italian
Dec 5, The FCC Angkor
The FCC Angkor travels the culinary world in December. The month begins with a hearty Italian buffet in the first of five global cuisine nights. Other nights will showcase Chinese, Khmer, Spanish and Japanese cuisines. From 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cost is $15. For reservations, phone Vanthan at 063 760 280, 015 555 560 or email at vanthan@fcccambodia.com.
Actuación De La Cuarentuna
Dec 8-9, The FCC Phnom Penh
The incredible 20-piece Spanish ensemble Actuación De La Cuarentuna, in conjunction with the Spanish Embassy, will present a special Christmas concert for lovers of authentic Spanish music. Direct from Spain, the band comprises 20 men with their guitars and accordions. In sultry baritone serenades, the band relives the golden ages of traditional Spanish music.
Buffet Night: Chinese
Dec 6, The FCC Angkor
Explore the diversity of Chinese cuisine with the FCC Angkor's dim sum buffet. From 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $15. For reservations phone Vanthan, 063 760 280, 015 555 560 or email at vanthan@fcccambodia.com.
Salsa Night with DJ Jimmy
Dec 10, Pacharan Tapas & Bodega
With his iPod and a library of Latin jazz, DJ Jimmy Campbell brings the spirits of 1950s Havana to Pacharan, Tapas & Bodega, where eager couples have been turning the restaurant's dining room into a dance floor. Salsa dancing typically starts about 8:30 p.m., and the more experienced dancers are always happy to dip and twirl with new followers of the craze.
Premiere League, Dec 12-13
The FCC Phnom Penh
Catch the latest Premiere League action on The FCC's large-screen projector. Drink specials and friendly team rivalries make supporting the hometown lads fun and easy.
Saturday Dec 12:
- Stoke City v Wigan Athletic (19:45 pm)
- Birmingham City v West Ham United (22:00 pm)
- Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City (22:00 pm)
- Burnley v Fulham (22:00 pm)
- Chelsea v Everton (22:00 pm)
- Hull City v Blackburn Rovers (22:00 pm)
- Sunderland v Portsmouth (22:00 pm)
- Tottenham Hotspurv Wolverhampton Wanderers (22:00 pm)
- Manchester United v Aston Villa 17:30 (24:30 pm)
Sunday Dec 13
- Liverpool v Arsenal 16:00 (23:00)
Buffet Night: Khmer
Dec 15, The FCC Angkor
Discover the delights of authentic Khmer cuisine. From 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $15. For reservations phone Vanthan at 063 760 280, 015 555 560 or email at vanthan@fcccambodia.com.
Phil & Ritchie
Dec 19, The FCC Phnom Penh
Now a regular favorite of the Phnom Penh music scene, Phil & Ritchie's rhythm-and-blues set includes material from artists such as Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. And they cover pop/rock artists such as Prince, U2 and Peter Gabriel. "That is the power of the duet," says Phil Javelle. "[Ritchie] takes care of the rhythm, and I take care of the harmonies. With that we can go anywhere." And they do.
Buffet Night: Spanish
Dec 22, The FCC Angkor
Tuesday buffet night continues with imported Spanish meats, wines and traditional dishes. From 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $15. For reservations phone Vanthan at 063 760 280, 015 555 560 or email at vanthan@fcccambodia.com.
Christmas Dinner
Dec 24-25, The FCC Phnom Penh
Christmas dinner with The FCC: turkey, dressing, eggnog and more.
Phil & Ritchie Christmas
Dec 25, The FCC Phnom Penh
Phil & Ritchie will play a special night of holiday-influenced music. "We know an incredible amount of Christmas songs," Javelle says. Christmas dinner will also be served, with more upbeat tunes and dancing scheduled for afterward.
Buffet Night: Japanese
Dec 29, The FCC Angkor
Japanese concludes the Tuesday night buffet series. From 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Just $15. For reservations phone Vanthan at 063 760 280, 015 555 560 or email at vanthan@fcccambodia.com.
New Years Eve Champagne Party with DJ Illest
Dec 31, The FCC Phnom Penh
The biggest party of the year with the country's best DJ. The FCC and DJ Illest team up for this year's famous FCC New Years Eve party, an annual ritual with a reputation as Phnom Penh's wildest place to be when the midnight hour chimes. The drink of the night is champagne. The theme is bubbly. And the night promises to sparkle.
New Years Eve Fashion Show and Gala
Dec 31, The FCC Angkor
Dinner and fashion show, with DJs and dancing afterward.