2009.12.23 TICKET
MUSICSEOUL ARTS CENTER, Concert Hall
Wednesday: “2009 SAC White Christmas.” This annual Christmas concert was first presented in 2001 and has since been a venue for a diversity of musical styles such as jazz, pop, classical and, of course, Christmas carols.
This ninth White Christmas run will feature the Chamber Music Society of the Kumho Art Hall. Under the direction of conductor Kim Dae-jin, the chamber group will perform a variety of music including selections by Bach, Milhaud, Poulenc, and Mozart followed by a medley of popular Christmas carols.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 ($25) to 80,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 580-1300, www.sac.or.kr
DONGBONG-GU HALL
Thursday: “Jo Yun-beom’s Power Classic Christmas.” Quartet X, led by Jo Yun-beom, is an all-string quartet consisting of two violinists, one cellist and one violist. The group has become popular through their creative fusion of classical and modern mainstream music. Expect to hear spirited seasonal compositions by Tchaikovsky and other renowned classical composers.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets range from 10,000 won to 20,000 won.
Ssangmun Station, Line No. 4, exit 1
(02) 901-5160~1, www.dobongsiseol.or.kr
SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, Chamber Hall
Thursday: “Christmas Dream.” Celebrate “the most wonderful time of the year” at the Sejong Center with internationally renowned Korean harpist Kwak Jung, who is also known for being the first electric harpist in Asia.
Her annual Christmas concert will include compositions made for the holidays. She will be joined by flutist Lee So-young and harp quintet Harpyday Ensemble.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets cost 33,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1
1544-1887, www.sejongpac.or.kr
SANGSANGMADANG
Thursday and Friday: “Crying Nut Christmas Show.” With the holidays just around the corner, Crying Nut, one of Korea’s best-selling underground punk acts, have prepared another special performance for fans both old and new. Their Christmas Show line-up also includes fellow underground musical talents Bullabang Star Sausage Club and Telepathy.
Rocking away since 1993, the raucous punk band are known for always writing, composing and producing their own music. Their 1998 debut album sold over 100,000 copies, setting a new record for independent Korean rock albums, and the group went on to release three more albums. The band members had to take time off to fulfill their mandatory military service, but then released a fifth record, titled “The Cow Of OK Pasture,” in 2006.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
Tickets range from 30,000 to 50,000 won.
Hongik University Station, line No. 2, exit 5
(02) 330-6262~3, www.sangsangmadang.com
SEOMYU CENTER, Event Hall
Thursday and Friday: “Real Live: Mucho Christmas.” From electronic to acid jazz to house, Clazziquai have come long way since their underground days.
The group, which is known for giving one of the best live shows in town, has geared up for the holidays and will perform three shows in two days.
Clazziquai is known for the songs “Be My Love” and “She Is,” both of which were featured on the Korean television drama “My Lovely Sam Soon,” with the former becoming the show’s theme song.
The group has won multiple awards, including three for Best Indie Music Video from cable TV network MNet; an award for Best Indie Band from KMTV; and an award for Best Korean Musicians from Asia MTV.
They have collaborated with Japanese artists such as Fantastic Plastic Machine and M-Flo. Their fourth album Mucho Punk was released earlier this year, alongside the release of the single Love Again.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Thursday and 6 p.m. on Friday.
Tickets cost 66,000 won.
Samseong Station, line No. 2, exit 4
(02) 528-3355, www.culturem.com
SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, Chamber Hall
Friday: “Jazz Christmas with Ronn Branton.” American jazz pianist and long-time resident of Korea Ronn Branton returns to Seoul for his 8th annual Christmas concert.
This jazz extravaganza will also feature Martin Zenker on bass, Lee Jong-heon on drums, and, new this year, Klae on saxophone. Branton and Klae have been collaborating for the past 20 years, and have developed an electric rapport onstage.
Branton will start this year’s concert with a jazz variation on “Jingle Bells,” followed by special jazz renditions of other Christmas songs like “White Christmas,” “Silent Night,” and “Linus and Lucy” (which many may recognize from the American television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas”).
Branton’s style is known for its sophisticated melodies and poetic lyrics and his performances have been hailed for their energy and pizazz.
Branton majored in jazz at DePaul University in Chicago and later worked as a professor at his alma mater. He then moved to Washington, D.C., where he became a leading figure in the city’s jazz scene.
He first came to Korea in 1998 with his wife, who is Korean. Since then, he has taken an interest in the domestic jazz scene and seeks to make the genre more accessible to Koreans. He has worked with numerous Korean musicians since 2001, including soprano Kim Won-jung and singer Kim Gwang-seok, and he is known for combining American jazz with Korean songs.
Branton even composed music for the non-verbal show “Tokebi Storm.”
The concert starts at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line no. 5, exit 1
(02) 1544-1887, www.sejongpac.or.kr
THEATER
SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, M Theater
Thursday to Jan. 21: “The Winter’s Tale.” This production by the Seoul Metropolitan Theater is part the company’s new Shakespeare’s Masterpiece Series for Children.
The production is based on the Shakespeare classic, which takes place in the two kingdoms of Bohemia and Sicilia, and revolves around love and jealousy, farewells and encounters, forgiveness and reconciliation.
The performance starts at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.
*On Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 20, performances are at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. On Jan. 1 there is one performance at 2 p.m.
Tickets range from 20,000 to 30,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line no. 5, exit 1
(02) 1544-1887, www.sejongpac.or.kr
ROOFERS
Thursday: “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Celebrate the spirit of the season with another round of festive Christmas readings and mingle with the expat community during the holidays.
This show, directed by Michael Flanigan, was so popular when it was presented last year that the group decided to come back for an encore this year.
The show consists of dramatic readings of such Christmas classics as excerpts from Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Dr. Seuss’ delightful “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and David Sedaris’ uproarious and irreverent “The SantaLand Diaries.”
There will also be readings from the Bible, Dylan Thomas and Danny Elfman, along with a host of Christmas favorites, old and new. Of course, the night would not be complete without “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement C. Moore.
As part of the giving spirit of Christmas, proceeds from the show will be used to bring presents, snacks, stories and Christmas cheer to the Bethlehem Children’s Center on Christmas Day.
Bethlehem Children’s Center was established in 2003 to provide a safe environment from domestic violence for children of international marriages and migrant workers in Korea. Funded through public donations and volunteers, the center currently provides care and counseling services, along with a stable home, to 33 children under the age of 10.
The Seoul Players is a small nonprofit, English-speaking community theater company in Seoul. They offer the expatriate and Korean communities the opportunity to participate in English-language theatrical arts.
The performance starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets cost 10,000 won, or bring a wrapped gift suitable for a child aged 5-10.
Itaewon Station, line No. 6, exit 3
For more information, contact blackcomedyseoul@yahoo.com or visit http://www.seoulplayers.com.
SEOUL ARTS CENTER, Opera Theater
Dec. 29 to Dec. 31: “2009 Opera Gala.” Some of Korea’s best opera singers, including Lee Ji-eun, Lee Sang-eun, and Jeong Su-yeon will appear during this three-day festival.
The performance starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 to 100,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 580-1300, www.sac.or.kr
SPORTS
Korean Basketball League
Wednesday
KT&G Kites vs. Mobis Phoebus
Anyang Stadium, 7 p.m.
LG Sakers vs. Dongbu Promy
Changwon Indoor Stadium, 7 p.m.
Thursday
ET Land Elephants vs. KT Sonic Boom
Munrae, 7 p.m.
SK Knights vs. Samsung Thunders
Jamsil Students’ Stadium, 7 p.m.
Friday
KCC Egis vs. Daegu Orions
Jeonju Stadium, 3 p.m.
Mobis Phoebus vs. Dongbu Promy
Ulsan Dongchun, 3 p.m.
Saturday
KT&G Kites vs. SK Knights
Anyang Stadium, 3 p.m.
KT Sonic Boom vs. Samsung Thunders
Munrae, 3 p.m.
ET Land Elephants vs. LG Sakers
Incheon Samsan World Stadium, 5 p.m.
Sunday
Daegu Orions vs. Samsung Thunders
Daegu Indoor Gymnasium, 3 p.m.
Mobis Phoebus vs. SK Knights
Ulsan Dongchun, 3 p.m.
Dongbu Promy vs. KCC Egis
Wonju Chiak Stadium, 5 p.m.
Tuesday
KT&G Kites vs. ET Land Elephants
Anyang Stadium, 7 p.m.
Mobis Phoebus vs. Daegu Orions
Ulsan Dongchun, 7 p.m.
www.kbl.or.kr
FESTIVALS
SEOUL ARTS CENTER, Hangaram Design Museum
Wednesday: “2009 Bologna Illustrators of Children’s Books.” The Italian city of Bologna has hosted this festival every year since 1964. In recent years, the festival has expanded and is now held simultaneously in numerous cities around the world including Tokyo and Seoul.
For aspiring authors and illustrators of children’s books, this festival is the biggest and most anticipated event of the year. It offers a venue for them to show their work while also giving audiences an opportunity to see illustrations from different cultures around the world.
This year’s festival will feature 403 works of art by 81 artists from 20 different countries, including renowned artist Roberto Innocenti.
The festival starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m.
Tickets range from 7,000 won to 10,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 580-1301, www.sac.or.kr
COEX, Hall A
Thursday to Monday: “Seoul Doll Fair 2009.” This Christmas, COEX will host the biggest doll exhibition of the year, featuring thousands of professionally crafted works for doll-lovers and casual visitors alike.
The art of doll making and collecting has gathered considerable momentum over the years and has become one of the world’s most popular hobbies.
In addition to the Barbie and Bryce dolls, the event will showcase antique, rare and unconventional doll collections.
Included in the coming display are ball-jointed dolls, fashion dolls, cloth dolls, vintage dolls, country dolls, porcelain lace dolls, bisque dolls, traditional Korean dak (mulberry paper) dolls, traditional Korean porcelain dolls, military figures, teddy bears and doll houses.
The event starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m.
Tickets range from 4,000 to 10,000 won.
Samsung Station, line No. 2, exit 5 and 6
(02)724-0942, www.dollfair.co.kr
SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, Main Exhibition Hall 1
Wednesday to Tuesday: “2009 Korea Sports Art Festival.” The 2009 Korea Sports Art Festival is the first event in Korea to explore works of art dealing with sports.
Paintings, photographs, installations, illustrations and animations will be used to illuminate the artistry of athletics. Fifteen works from each medium will be on display.
Expect to see renditions of sports icons ranging from Kim Yu-na and Park Ji-sung to David Beckham and Michael Phelps.
Also on display will be 11 official game balls from Korea’s World Cup.
The festival starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m.
This event is free.
Gwanghwamun Station, line no. 5, exit 1
(02) 1544-1887, www.sejongpac.or.kr
Event information is culled from the Korea Tourism Organization and other online sources.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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