HOW TO DO ALL THINGS TECH

Angkor Hub, a “co-working space and social innovation resource,” held a tech workshop last Saturday afternoon on subjects including search engine optimisation, developing a social media strategy for small businesses, better automating your digital life, and running your WordPress site.

Owner Jeff Laflamme persuaded Siem Reap-based experts to help impart their knowledge, including Marieke Hensel, a marketing professional with her own agency in Los Angeles who is working with Friends International, and Grégory Marie from Pogo Marketing Agency.

Journo Nick y Sullivan reports that Laflamme also hopes to introduce subjects that are not necessarily all tech-related but are relevant to Siem Reap’s businesses, such as how to optimise a “customer’s user experience.”

Additionally, he wants to attract members of the region’s ‘digital nomads’ who may possess expertise on everything from business start-ups to travel writing.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION DECONSTRUCTS

Under Construction Bar and restaurant looks like it’s now really under construction and it will be closed for the rest of this month. But in fact it’s under renovation and on November 1 it will magically re-open but under a different name and guise, reconstructing itself as Room 543 which it describes as a “Funky Bar serving cool drinks and snacks every day from 5pm-late - live music, djs and gaming area with pool and ping pong table.”

WHAT A LOAD OF CROC

Cambodian BBQ in Pub Street is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month with special deals from now until October 31.The long-running restaurant is highlighting one of its “unique specialty items” – crocodile. The restaurant will host free croc meat tastings and also a “bonus basket” of croc meat with any BBQ meal ordered. Croc Cocktails will also be available using what the restaurant describes as its “own secret recipe.” Presumably, the secret recipe does not include croc body parts or croc fluids.

LIVING ARTS PERFORMANCES

Cambodia Living Arts is launching the Plae Pakaa program of performances in Siem Reap. The season will feature two rotating performances from local troupes, Sounds of Angkor and the Wat Bo troupe of Large Shadow Puppetry.

The shows will take place at Wat Richebo pagoda every Monday to Saturday from November 17.

Sounds of Angkor will present the history of Cambodian music and ceremonies from the 5th century to the 20th, bringing to life the lost instruments of Cambodia.

This has been possible due to the research of artistic advisor, Patrick Kersalé, who recreated instruments that formerly could only be seen on the temple walls. The troupe will perform every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7pm-8pm during the season.

The Wat Bo troupe of Large Shadow Puppetry will perform Sor Neakabas (‘The Arrow of the Dragon’), an excerpt from the Reamker, the Cambodian version of Indian epic Ramayana.

The troupe, lit by a coconut fire behind a large fabric screen, will be accompanied by a Pin Peat orchestra and will perform every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7pm-8pm.

The shows were developed by the troupes during workshops supported by the European Union.

IL FORNO FUNDRAISER

Il Forno is hosting its annual charity dinner in aid of the Angkor Hospital for Children on Tuesday, November 4, with a four-course meal and a free flow of wine donated by Celliers d’Asie, followed by an auction.

Tickets for the evening are $35, and all proceeds will go to the hospital.

The hope is to raise $7000 to cover the cost of two new Mobile Infant Warmers which are used to regulate the body temperature of prematurely born babies who often do not have the necessary body fat to keep themselves warm.

The hospital only has one of these devices, which can compromise the level of care the hospital can provide those in need.