|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
NANTA Comes to Myeong-dong
Korea's Banner Non-Verbal Performance Opens in Seoul's Shopping Heart
Just how popular is the Korean non-verbal performance NANTA? Well, it's just opened up its third exclusive theater, that's how! Check out the newly opened NANTA theater in Myeong-dong, the beating commercial heart of Seoul. NANTA --- also known in English as "Cookin'" --- uses the rhythms of Korean samulnori music and a wide range of kitchen utensils for a truly exhilarating theatrical performance. Almost completely devoid of dialogue, NANTA uses the international languages of music and dance to weave its tale. Since it opened 12 years ago, NANTA has become Korea's best known non-verbal performance, opening to rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and New York's off-Broadway. Performances at Myeong-dong are Monday to Sunday, 2pm, 5pm and 8pm. Tickets are 40,000 won to 60,000 won. For more information, check out www.nanta.co.kr or call (02) 739-8288. The NANTA theater is located just across from Myeongdong Arts Theater, and is a 5 minute walk from exit 5 or 6 of Eulji-ro Station, Line 2. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
- Good tours of the DMZ are conducted by the USO (795-3028) and TOURDMZ (755-0073). For more information on their tours, click here (USO) and here (TOURDMZ). - The Seoul City Bus Tour is a great way to explore the city of Seoul, especially if you're new to town. For more information, click here or call 777-6090. - The Royal Asiatic Society conducts entertaining and informative tours to some of Korea's most historic sites. Click here for more information, including schedule. - For self-starters, the Seoul City Tourism website has several walking tours and self-directed tours. You can also give them a ring at 2171-2461. - The Korea Tourism Organization website is another great place to get information. If you're on the road, just call 1330 for up-to-date tourist information.
|
|
 
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
   |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
See international pop legend Beyonce at Olympic Park on Oct 20---21 (8:30pm). She makes her return two years after breaking box office records with her 2007 concerts here. Rolling Stone magazine has proclaimed that now is the era of Beyonce, while Billboard magazine chose her as its Woman of the Year in 2009. Come to Seoul's Olympic Park on Oct. 20 or 21 to hear this legendary ten-time Grammy Award winner with global record sales of 75 million wowing Korean audiences once again, together with the mysterious lady known as Sasha Fierce. More Information: 1566-1369, 1544-6399. Admission: R: 176,000 won, S: 1320,000 won, A: 88,000 won. Getting There: Olympic Park Station, Line 5, Exit 3.
|
|
Jazz fans shouldn't miss the 6th Jarasum International Jazz Festival 2009 in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do on Oct 15---18. For four days, the idyllic island of Jarasum is to send the sound of jazz floating upstream and downstream from its river location as some of the world's leading jazz musicians gather once again in Korea. This year's lineup features international jazz heavyweights such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Yaron Herman, Chris Potter, Avishai Cohen, Enrico Rava, Richard Galliano, Maria Joao, Chico and the Gypsies and many more. The slogan of this year's festival is "Back to the Island": after being divided between Jarasum and the nearby town of Gapyeong in previous years, the 2009 festival will take place entirely on the island this time around. Sure to be an unforgettable autumnal experience for festivalgoers and performers alike. More Information: (031) 581-2813~4, www.jarasumjazz.com. Admission: Depends on program. Getting There: Jamsil Station, Lines 2 & 8. Transfer to bus No. 7000 and get off at Gapyeong.
|
|
Film buffs will want to check out the Luchino Visconti Retrospective at Seoul Art Cinema from Oct 17 to Nov 1. One of the greatest film directors Italy has ever produced, Luchino Visconti was the standard bearer for neo-realism, a new genre that originated in Italy. His 1942 film "Ossessione" is considered the earliest example of what is generally known as postwar neo-realism, and he stood out from fellow directors thanks to the way he incorporated elements of traditional Italian culture into his works. This October's screening of ten Visconti films is a rare chance to glimpse part of the history of 20th century art and appreciate the best of Italian cinema. More Information: (02) 741-9782, www.cinematheque.seoul.kr Admission: Adults: 6,000 won, Youths: 5,000 won, Seniors: 4,000 won. Getting There: Jongno 3-ga Station, Lines 1, 3 & 5, Exit 5. Walk straight for 5 minutes. The theater is located in Nagwon Arcade.
|
|
Following Leda Kim's wonderful Villa-Lobos piano recital last week at Sejong Centre for Performing Arts, the Brazilian Embassy in Seoul has the honour to announce the 2009 Brazilian Film Festival at Cinecode Art Sonje, to continue the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Brazil and the Republic of Korea. The Brazilian Film Festival will have its premiere on Oct 16 at 8:30pm with the film "My Name Ain't Johnny," by Mauro Lima, and it will run for 12 days, introducing seven recent Brazilian films to Korean audiences. It's a great opportunity for Seoulites to find out more about Brazilian life, culture and cinema. The films will be subtitled in both Korean and English, so the foreign community shall be able to enjoy the Festival as well. More Information: www.cinecode.co.kr or click here for program. Getting There: Exit 1, Anguk Station, Line 3. Walk past Constitutional Court and swing left at Shinhan Bank. Keep walking to you get to Art Sonje Center.
|
|
The 5th Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS) is taking place at the National Theater of Korea thru Oct 16. Since its establishment in 2005, this annual event has aimed to promote distribution and overseas expansion of Korea's performing arts. This year's theme is "From Creation to Distribution"---the aim being to think of creation and distribution together and create programs for works that will be made in the future, too. Events such as an exposition with display booths, a one-to-one "speed dating" session for theater and festival programmers, production companies and producers, and a round-table conference on the world's performing arts promise to make this a productive fixture on the performing arts calendar. More Information: (02) 742-8191, www.pams.or.kr. Getting There: Take shuttle bus at Dongguk Univ. Station, Line 3, Exit 2 or take yellow bus No. 2 at Exit 6.
|
|
The Embassy of Sweden in Seoul will host an exhibition titled " Swedish Footprint" at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center from Oct 21 to Nov 7. The exhibition will feature ceramics, textiles and paintings by nine artists from Sweden, a leading country in visual arts such as design and crafts, as well as pieces by four senior and young Korean artists who studied in Sweden. Marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and Sweden, this Embassy-coordinated exhibition will provide a special opportunity to appreciate the pure and applied arts of Sweden.
|
|
| These are just some of the diverse events taking place in and around Seoul. SEOUL Magazine's ever-expanding events section is colorfully designed and jam-packed with the latest information. For the complete round-up pick up a copy of SEOUL Magazine at any of the quality bookstores in the city and you'll never have to spend another month in the dark. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
All Aboard!
Rushing to catch KTX at Seoul Station. Photo by Robert Koehler.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
DMZ Bike Rally - Gyeonggi Tourism Organization is hosting a 15k bike rally through the DMZ on Oct 25. Applications are through Oct 14 --- see here for more information or to apply. SEOUL's Next Top Model - SEOUL, Seoul Selection's monthly travel and culture magazine, is looking for people who'd like to show off themselves in their favorite Seoul backdrops. You name the place and pose, and we'll do the photographing. If we like what we see, we'll put your photo in the magazine. If this sounds fun, send an email (with a photograph of yourself) to sense@seoulselection.com. Both foreigners and Korean nationals are welcome. 
Learn Korean Traditional Dance - Chumsae Dance School is offering lessons on Korean traditional dance. Morning (10:00---11:30, Tue Thu), afternoon (4:00---5:30, Mon Wed) and evening classes (7:30---9:00 Tue Thu) available. Classes are limited to 10 persons each. Tuition is 200,000 won a month. For more information, call (02- 762-7731).
Language Exchange Club - LEC, the multilingual language exchange club, has had great events every month like barbecues, Thanksgiving, Halloween, hiking, swimming, snowboarding and rafting. This month they will be going snowboarding and skiing --- contact discgolf@naver.com for more information. The nonprofit club, located in Myeong-dong, is for people who are interested in exchanging languages and culture as well as making good friends from all over the world. KFCC Films - The Korea Foundation Cultural Center runs regular screenings of both Korean and foreign films, with subtitles. In October, the KFCC will be screening African films. Click here for more information. Korean Language Classes - The Korea Foundation Cultural Center Offers free Korean language classes for foreigners residing in Korea. The classes, led by Korea Foundation volunteer teachers, are held at 7:00-9:00 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (two classes at 4:00 and 7:00 on Wednesdays). Anyone interested in learning Korean language and willing to participate in the language class is welcome to join. For more information, click here. Calling all photographers - SEOUL WEEKLY could use your help with our Everyday Koreans photo section. If you have a camera and enjoy snapping shots capturing everyday scenes in the Republic of Korea, send your photos in along with captions and a brief, one- line bio. Send Your Event Info - If you would like to advertise any upcoming events you are organizing, please send us the press release material to reporter@seoulselection.com by the preceding Friday in order to appear in the following Tuesday's issue. Advertise in SEOUL magazine - Advertisement space available in SEOUL magazine and weekly newsletter. For rates, click here. For more information, please contact at 734-9567 ( ad@seoulselection.com, selector@seoulselection.com). Freelance Contributors Wanted - SEOUL magazine needs writers who are fluent in both Korean and English. Writers should be able to interview Koreans and also have a strong interest in Korean culture. Send your resume and writing samples to reporter@seoulselection.com. We Buy & Sell Used Books - Seoul Selection buys and sells used books in English. Unlike our regular selection of publications that specialize in Korea-related topics, our Used Book Section carries books on all subjects. It's all part of our effort to make life easier for the English-speaking community. Seoul Selection Looking for Partners Abroad - Seoul Selection is looking for overseas partners who can sell English books on Korea, Korean language learning books, Korean movie DVDs and Korean music CDs. Since Seoul Selection has links to local publishers and DVD/CD production companies, we can provide the best prices possible. Please contact Hank Kim at selector@seoulselection.com for details.
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Publisher: Hank Kim /
Editor: Robert Koehler /
Designer: Jun Shinwook / Website Manager: Ray Hong
|
|
Seoul Selection reserves all intellectual property rights on information provided in this newsletter. Some event information has been provided by the Korea Foundation. The IPRs are protected by pertinent laws.
|
|
Seoul Selection Web Site: http://www.seoulselection.com e-mail: hank@seoulselection.com tel: 734-9567 fax: 734-9563 |
|
|
|
|
