Len Yai Performance Arts 

Enjoy 9 days of performance shows featuring Thai and international artists 

at Chiang Mai Design Week 2023

In addition to the design and creative showcases at Chiang Mai Design Week 2023, another highlight of this festival is Len Yai Performance Arts—a series of 9 performances in 8 areas of Chang Moi Neighborhood and Ratchawong Road. Curated and produced by Chaiwat Lochotinant and Apichai Tianvilairat, this vibrant project brings together more than 40 performance artists, actors, and creators from Thailand and around the world to share their stories through movement and music. From a building’s balcony and the rooftop of an old building to the ground around the temple’s pagoda, explore what each of the 9 shows has to offer and where you can find them.

Opening Ceremony Show 

December 2, 5:30 pm 

Location: TCDC Chiang Mai

Kick off CMDW 2023 with a special performance at the Opening Ceremony. The curator and producer have brought together designers, artists, and creators to grace the stage with a mesmerizing combination of light and music. Join us for this captivating start to Chiang Mai Design Week 2023!

‘JERNG’ Site-Specific Performance and Sound Art

December 3, 3:00 pm 

Location: Sukkho Smithy, Chang Moi Rd. 

Discover ‘JERNG,’ a site-specific performance and sound art event showcasing the traditional Lanna sword and weapon dance. Curator Virinsiree Chomchoei from Some Space Gallery collaborates with Jerng Artist Suteera Fankaew, Visual Artist Wave Pongruengkiat, and Sound Designer Non Intranant to bring Jerng to life through digital art and sound, manifesting a contemporary expression of Lanna heritage.

‘STHIRA SUKHAM ASANAM’ Spiritual Dance

December 4, 7:00 pm

Location: Thana-Arkarn Building, Ratchawong Rd. 

Performed by yoga and meditation trainers and enthusiasts, directed by Suranart Kasitipradit, and sound designed by Crystal Bowl Sound Meditation. Experience the transformation of spiritual art, such as yoga and meditation, into a captivating performance at Thana-Arkarn Building, Ratchawong Rd. Witness the synergy of movement, mindfulness, and sound in this unique and transformative show.

‘BETWEEN’ Shadow Play and Music Improvisation

December 5, 7:00 pm

Location: The Library’s Stairs at TCDC Chiang Mai  

Shadow Play by Monthatip Suksopha, Silpathorn Award artist and the founder of Wandering Moon Theater. The show features music improvisation by the Chiang Mai-based band ‘Earsbleed’ and marks the first performance staged on the library’s staircase at TCDC Chiang Mai.

‘CRUSH ON’ Contemporary Dance and Lanna Ethnic Sound

December 6, 6:00 pm

Location: Mantana Building (rooftop), Chang Moi Rd.

Crush On is a contemporary dance that plays with the pin-pia or Lanna ethnic lyre. This show is a wonderful combination of masters from different practices: Katsura Kan, a Japanese master of Bhuto, and Lipikorn Makaew and Wisantat Rattanamongkolkasem, who are masters of the pin-pia. The show will take place on the rooftop at Mantana Building, Chang Moi Rd.

‘LOCOMOTIVE’ Site-Specific Contemporary Dance

December 7, 7:00 pm

Location: Kui Huad (basketry shop), Chang Moi Rd.

Experience the unique setting of ‘LOCOMOTIVE,’ a site-specific contemporary dance performance, taking place at Kui Huad, a classic basketry shop in the Chang Moi neighborhood. The Physical Theater will infuse the show with a contemporary vibe, creating an immersive and distinctive theatrical experience.

‘INTROVERT’ Group Monodrama

December 8, 7:00 pm

Location: JPJ Café, Ratchawong Rd.

The monodrama group consists of 9 performers who are multinational actors, models, lecturers, visual artists, and designers. The show will narrate the unique ways of life of the performers through their monodrama performance on the balcony of JPJ Café, Ratchawong Rd.

International Butho Dance

December 9, 7:00 pm

Location: Mantana Building, Chang Moi Rd.

The Chiang Mai International Butoh Dance will be organized in parallel with CMDW 2023 at the Mantana Building. Led by Katsura Kan, the Butoh master from Japan, this festival brings together Butoh dancers from around the world to perform in Chiang Mai before embarking on an international roadshow.

‘CHOOSE LIFE’ Group Monodrama 

December 10, 7:00 pm

Location: Wat Chomphu Temple (around the golden pagoda)

“Choose Life” is a group monodrama created by female performers and artists in northern Thailand. The monodrama will depict how these individual women choose and design their ideal lives. The show takes place on the ground around the golden pagoda of Wat Chompu Temple.