Exhibitions
“Pilgrim”: Hollywood actor Richard Gere is holding a photo exhibition in Seoul. The show is composed of 64 photographs taken by the actor, capturing Tibet, its people and community, as well as 24 photos by 24 artists including Annie Leibovitz, Jerry Uelsmann and Steve Meisel. Gere has established and is running The Gere Foundation to aid those suffering because of wars and natural disasters. The exhibition runs through July 24 at Seoul Arts Center’s V-Gallery in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. For more information call (02) 355-4486 or visit www.pilgrimkorea.co.kr.
“Waiting, Zansker” by Richard Gere (Richard Gere/ Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles)
“The American Art: Masterpieces of Everyday Life from the Whitney Museum of American Art”: To present an overall view of U.S. contemporary art of the early 20th century, the National Museum of Contemporary Art is exhibiting 87 artworks from the Whitney Museum of American Art’s major collections. It will feature diverse media, from paintings, photos to installations by 47 U.S. artists including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Man Ray, Jeff Koons, Jasper Jones, Edward Hopper and Richard Estes. The exhibition runs through Sept. 25 at MOCA’s Deoksugung museum in central Seoul. Admission is 12,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2188-6000 or visit www.moca.go.kr.
“Dream and Reality: Masterpieces from Musée d’Orsay”: Including Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpiece “La Nuit Etoilée, Arles,” the show introduces 134 artworks by great 19th century French artists such as Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Paul Cezanne and Paul Gauguin, from Musée d’Orsay in France. The exhibition runs through Sept. 25 at Seoul Arts Center’s Hangaram Art Museum in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 5,000 won to 12,000 won. For more information, call (02) 325-1077~8 or visit www.orsay2011.co.kr
“Korean Rhapsody: A Montage of History and Memory”: Korea’s restless modern history unfolds at Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art in Hannam-dong, southern Seoul, in the form of paintings, photographs, installations and media works. The exhibition displays 80 historical documents and artworks that reflect crucial moments in Korea’s painful but dynamic past. While staying within the theme, the exhibits are of very high quality, created by renowned local and foreign artists. The exhibition runs through Aug. 21. Tickets range from 4,000 won to 7,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2014-6900 or visit www.leeum.org.
“Dreams Come True: The Art of Disney’s Classic Fairy Tales”: Organized by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, the exhibition offers more than 600 drawings, original animations, concept artworks, figures, props and music notes from Walt Disney. The exhibition is divided into nine parts -- “Three Little Pigs,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “Mickey and the Beanstalk,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Princess and the Frog” and “Tangled.” It runs through Sept. 25 at Seoul Arts Center’s Hangaram Design Museum in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. For details, visit www.DCTexhibition.com.
Theater
“Rain”: Canadian troupe Cirque Eloize’s “Rain” is an experimental performance which finds itself somewhere between theater of the absurd, a Bossa Nova musical and a circus. It is composed of images and memories of the director, Daniel Finzi Pasca, who unfolds his childhood memories of playing in the rain through mini-dramas and acrobatics. The show has been staged over 4,000 times in 31 countries during the past six years since its premiere on Broadway. It runs through July 10 at LG Art Center in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.credia.co.kr.
A scene from “Rain” (CREDIA)
“Mozart!”: The musical “Mozart!” which tells the life of the legendary musician through musical genres including rock and jazz, is carrying on its second run at Seongnam Art Center Opera House in Yatab-dong, Gyeonggi Province. K-pop group JYJ member Kim Jun-su, veteran musical actor Im Tae-gyung and up-and-coming stars Park Eun-tae and Jeon Dong-seok share the lead role. Written by Michael Kunze with music by Sylvester Levay, the musical “Mozart!” premiered at Theater An Der Wien in Vienna, Austria in 1999. The musical will run through July 3. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 13,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6391-6333 or visit www.musicalmozart.co.kr.
“Spring Awakening”: “Spring Awakening,” which premiered on Broadway in 2006 and recorded a hit in 2009 in Korea, has started its second run. Based in 1891 Germany, the musical tells a story about teenagers who struggle to live a life in a world ruled by adults. It runs through Sept. 4 at Doosan Art Center in Yeonji-dong, central Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 744-4334 or visit www.springawakening.co.kr or www.doosanartcenter.com.
“Jekyll & Hyde”: Based on the novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson, the musical “Jekyll & Hyde” runs through August at Charlotte Theater in Jamsil-dong, southern Seoul. It is one of the most popular musicals in Seoul, and has produced many musical stars like Cho Seung-woo. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information call 1644-0078.
“Audition”: The musical portrays the friendship, love and hope of an unknown rock band. The whole show is like a live concert with the band playing all the music. The musical is steadily becoming more popular since its premiere in 2007 and a decision was made earlier this year to turn it into a movie. Moon Hee-jun, former leader of the popular 90’s K-pop group H.O.T., plays Jun-cheol, the band’s leader. The musical runs through July 24 at Art One Theater in Daehangno, central Seoul. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 762-0010 or visit www.e-eda.com.
Dance
“Baribari Chochom Didimsae 2011”: National Dance Company of Korea has been offering this performance series since 2001 to help the public better understand and appreciate Korean dance which is often considered difficult. It presents both traditional dances and new choreography inspired from the traditional dances. It will run from July 6 to 24 at The National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 2280-4115~6 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.
Dancers practice “Penguin,” one of the performances included in “Baribari Chochom Didimsae 2011” (NTOK)
“6th Physical Theater Festival In Seoul 2011”: The 6th Physical Theater Festival In Seoul 2011 presents powerful performances by 13 dance teams including Do Theatre from Germany, Toti Toronell from Spain and Y Movement Factory from South Korea. The festival runs through July 17 at Wonder Space in Hyehwa-dong, central Seoul. Admission is 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 754-7462 or visit www.physicaltheater.co.kr.
“Flying Lesson”: The nation’s three top ballerinas -- Kim Ji-young, Kim Se-yeon and Lim Hye-kyung -- will hold a contemporary ballet show from July 22-23 at Seoul Arts Center’s Towol Theater in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. Casey Herd, Jozef Varga and Rubi Pronk, three ballet dancers from the Dutch National Ballet, will join them as partners. The lineup includes “Minos,” “The Grey Room,” “Drink Me, Eat Me” and “Flying Lesson.” Tickets range from 10,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6900-3900 or visit www.ligarthall.com.
“Miso”: Translated as “beautiful smile,” the musical “Miso” offers a compact presentation of everything Korean culture first-timers could wish for. It blends ten different kinds of traditional dances, five traditional games and a wedding ritual into the main story line based on a well-known folktale, “The Tale of Chunhyang.” There are very few spoken lines throughout the whole performance, making it ideal for audiences of diverse nationalities. “Miso” is showing as an open run at Chongdong Theater in Jeong-dong, central Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 751-1500 or visit www.koreamiso.com.
Classical Music
“Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s Masterpiece Series III”: The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is to hold its third “Masterpiece Series” on July 7 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall with conductor James Judd and pianist Nicholas Angelich. The program includes Berlioz Le Corsaire Overture, Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No. 5 “Egyptian” and Brahms Symphony No. 4, the last symphonic work of the composer. Judd, Music Director Emeritus of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, had performed with the SPO in 2005, 2006 and 2008. He is considered one of the top Mahler conductors. American pianist Angelich has performed with major French orchestras under the conductors including Chung Myung-Whun. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3700-6300.
Conductor James Judd to perform with SPO on July 7 at SAC. (Credia)
“Great Mountains Music Festival & School”: The 8th Great Mountains Music Festival & School will take place from July 24 to Aug. 13 at the Alpensia resort in Gangwon Province, gathering renowned and rising artists for 55 programs and master classes. The focus this year will be showcasing the final works of great composers when they were grappling with age or illness. Under the theme “Illumination,” the highlights of the two-and-a-half week program will include Mozart’s Requiem, Schubert’s Quintet in C Major and Mendelssohn’s rarely heard String Quintet No. 2, all of which are late works of the composers. Cellist Chung Myung-wha and violinist Chung Kyung-wha are to be on stage on July 29 for Brahms’ Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8. Rising stars such as pianist Son Yeol-eum, violinist Shin Hyun-su, double bassist Sung Min-je and tenor Kang Yo-sep will also perform at the festival. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 50,000 won. Reservations can be made through www.gmmfs.com, www.clubbalcony.com, or www.interpark.com. For more information, call (02) 725-3394~5.
“Madame Butterfly”: For the first time in 21 years, the Korea Opera Group will present “Madame Butterfly,” one of the three best-known Puccini operas, through June 26 at the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, after it showcased the popular piece there in October 1990. Premiered at the Teatro alla Scala in 1904, the opera is a staple in the operatic repertoire of companies around the world. This time in Seoul, Italian director Maurizio di Mattia has produced a powerful interpretation. Japanese traditional costumes have been delivered from Japan to lend greater authenticity to the production. The show will feature an impressive cast, including Korean soprano Giulia Lee and Japanese soprano Ando Fumico in the role of Cio-Cio San, and tenor Alessandro Liberatore and Ha Suk-bae performing Pinkerton. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 270,000 won. For details, call (02) 587-1950~2.
Festival
“Gangjin Celadon Festival”: Gangjin Celadon Festival will be held from July 30 to Aug. 7 at the Goryeo Celadon Porcelain Kiln in Gangjin County in South Jeolla Province. From the 10th to the 14th century, Gangjin was a flourishing celadon production site. Today, 16 kilns remain active and during the Gangjin Celadon Cultural festival, you can see how celadon is baked and even make your own pottery. Near the venue, there are natural wild flower fields, which make for a great photo spot. Celadon experience programs include shaping celadon and coiling, standing spinning wheel experience. Other event programs include balsam nail polishing and clam digging. Admission is 7,000 won. For more information, call (061) 430-3191.
Poster of the Gangjin Celedon Festival (Gangjin County)
“Boryeong Mud Festival”: The Boryeong Mud Festival is one of the largest festivals in Korea, attracting a large number of international visitors. This year, it will take place from July 16 to July 24 at Daecheon Beach area in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. Immersed in both the mud and the festival’s great atmosphere, visitors can try mud wrestling, mud sliding and even swimming in the mud mega tub. In the evening, music and fireworks will spice up the party atmosphere the beach. Other programs include local specialties exhibition and sale and a yacht parade. For more information, visit www.mudfestival.or.kr or call (041) 930-3820.
“World Taekwondo Culture Expo”: The Taekwondo Culture Expo will be held from July 8-13 in Muju and Jeonju in North Jeolla Province. The programs not only include taekwondo competitions of movement, sparring and aerobics but taekwondo performances, cultural activities and sightseeing in Muju, Buan and Jeonju. The festival aims to give international taekwondo practitioners a chance to learn more about the culture of North Jeolla Province and Korea. Korean cultural experience programs include Korean dish making, Jeonju bibimbap tasting, traditional village visits, Korean folk games, rice cake making, “wish paper” flying and trying samulnori, or traditional percussion quartet. For more information, visit www.wtcexpo.net.
“K-pop Cover Dance Festival”: The Visit Korea Year Committee has kicked off the 2011 K-pop cover dance festival at www.coverdance.org. The committee will conduct an online preliminary competition until July 24. Applicants around the world can submit their K-pop cover dance video to the webpage. In countries where the registered videos get the most hits and “recommended” button clicks, the committee will run a second round competition by September. The finalists will be invited by the committee to visit Korea and compete on Oct. 3 in Gyeongju where the Korean Wave Dream Concert will be held on the same day. The final winners can join K-pop stars on stage at the Korean Wave Dream Concert. For more information, visit www.coverdance.org.
Pop Music
“b vocal Concert”: Spanish a cappella group b vocal, duplicating the sounds of drums, guitars and brass through their voices, are to hold a concert on Aug. 25 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall at 8 p.m. Mixing a unique a cappella repertoire with a sense of humor, the group topped the A Cappella Competition of Harmony Sweepstakes in New York in 2010. At the upcoming Seoul concert, the group will sing popular songs such as “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, “Staying Alive” by Bee Gees, “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley, as well as opera arias by Handel and Rossini. Tickets range from 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 597-9870.
A cappella group b vocal to perform on Aug. 25 at SAC. (SPA Entertainment)
“No Reply Concert: Golden Age”: No Reply will be “the first Hongdae scene band” to hold a solo concert at the large-scale, 3,500-seat Olympic Hall in Olympic Park in Seoul on July 16, according to concert organizer Mint Paper. Their 2009 debut album “Road” was praised for its refined sensibilities. They followed up with the EP album “Tune Your Mind” in late 2009 and the second studio album “Dream” in late 2010. The band has also been releasing digital singles, including popular song “Propose Day,” since 2008. The band’s composer and keyboardist Kwon Soon-gwan said the concert will be fun and dynamic with visual effects. Tickets range from 55,000 won to 77,000 won. For tickets, visit ticket.yes24.com or call 1544-6399. For details, visit www.mintpaper.com.
“Linkin Park Live in Seoul”: U.S. rock band Linkin Park, whose concerts in Korea completely sold out in 2003 and 2007, are to visit again to hold a live concert at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium on Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. Ticketing opened on May 19 at ticket.interpark.com. With record-breaking sales of its debut album “Hybrid Theory” in 2000, the band’s musical style has kept evolving over the past 10 years. The upcoming concert is to promote their 2010 album “A Thousand Suns.” Tickets range from 99,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488.
“2011 Jisan Valley Rock Festival”: The nation’s largest festival takes place from July 29 to July 31 at Jisan Forest Resort in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. The rock festival began in 2009 and reached 70,000 revelers in 2010. The lineup announced so far includes Suede, The Chemical Brothers, Arctic Monkeys, Incubus, Deli Spice, Jaurim and 10 cm. Korean singer Kim Wan-sun and male group DJ DOC have been also added to the fourth line-up. The online ticket purchase, which offers a 10 percent discount, is currently open at valleyrockfestival.mnet.com. One-day passes are 110,000 won and three-day passes 220,000 won, if purchased on-the-spot. Teenagers will get 20 percent discount for only one-day ticket. For more information, visit valleyrockfestival.mnet.com.