25 December 2025
Khmer Art Night
BAMBU STAGE
FRIEND MUSIC SCHOOL
8:30 PM @ The Gong
Look forward to an evening steeped in Cambodian artistic tradition. Experience the magic of a shadow theatre show performed by BAMBU STAGE’s puppeteers, and let the traditional sounds of the FRIEND MUSIC SCHOOL enchant you. Embark on a journey to the heart of the country.
Show ends at 10:10 PM
BAMBU STAGE
Mr. Jon and Mr. Nick founded Bambu Stage in 2016 with a team of 12 passionate puppeteers. It takes eight months to fully train a troupe, preparing them to bring stories to life on stage. The show tells heartfelt stories of Cambodian rural life — capturing the essence of daily life in the countryside. It quickly became a favorite across all ages, evoking nostalgia and childhood memories for many. Like many others, Bambu Stage was deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, the troupe was kept together on minimal wages until December 2020, when operations had to pause. After a three-year closure, Jon and Malar returned with renewed energy and vision — breathing new life into the puppet troupe and restoring the vibrancy of the venue.
FRIEND MUSIC SCHOOL
Salapleng Mith Dontrey (Friend Music School) has started since 2018 and at present day with nine locations across Cambodia to provide physical and online music classes to the students who come from different backgrounds with the passion of music, both traditional and pop instruments. Believing that «Friendship and Solidarity» can be built up through music, SMD has continued teaching the students how to learn together and work well together. So far, SMD’s students have developed themselves from the learners to music teachers and musicians. Nowadays there are four bands have been established, Classical Wedding Ensemble, Mohori Ensemble, Pop Band, and Middle Age Wedding Ensemble. All the ensembles and band keep weekly practice to strengthen the solidarity spirit among the members and to improve their skills to be professional.