Affordable morning matinee concerts to reach out to ordinary people

The right animal can be fun and educational in a childcare center but the wrong animal can make kids sick, a U.S. health official warned. Dr. Neil Vora, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, said examples of risky pets include reptiles such as turtles, lizards and snakes, as well as amphibians such as frogs and salamanders -- all commonly carry salmonella.“Children younger than age 5 are at particularly high risk for serious illness with salmonella,” Vor

Various spring-themed events are being held to lure consumers who wish to enjoy outdoor activities as a warm breeze welcomes the new season.Several hotels in Seoul have opened strawberry dessert buffets where visitors can savor the many tastes of strawberries. More than 30 dishes are available, including tarts, meringues, macaroons and mille-feuille. The prices range from 35,000 won to 50,000 won. Also, spring-themed cooking classes are popping up. The food blogger who owns “Atelier Bom,” a baki

The Trick Eye Museum makes artwork come to life

No matter how much money -- or how little money -- people have, they feel happier after they give to others than buy for themselves, Canadian researchers say.Lead author Lara Aknin of Simon Fraser University in Vancouver said feeling good about spending money on someone else rather than for personal benefit may be a universal response among people in both impoverished countries and rich nations. Aknin and colleagues found a positive relationship between personal well-being and spending on others

Imagine a music concert in the 18th century, before the time of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky or Mahler. The melody lines, chords and concert venue atmosphere were different ― it was only after the 19th century that ordinary people began to enjoy performances at large concert halls. Before that, classical music was for high society. Above all, musical instruments were a little different. Two Baroque music specialists are visiting Korea with their interpretations of Baroque music and instruments.  The f

WASHINGTON (AP) ― For the next month, the Kennedy Center will glow each night with blue light and shimmers of green, depicting the northern lights and signaling what has taken over its theaters and galleries inside.The cultural center has become an international museum and showplace for Northern European cultures with “Nordic Cool,’’ a festival that runs through March 17. It features music, theater and dance, as well as exhibitions, film, literature and cuisine.Light designer Jesper Kongshaug of

Music performances will add to the celebratory mood of the presidential inauguration ceremony on Monday. Singers, musicians and comedians will perform before thousands of people invited to the inauguration ceremony in the morning. K-pop sensation Psy and boy group JYJ will be among the entertainers who will help fire up the festive mood.  Soprano Sumi Jo will also take the center stage, singing the national anthem with baritone Choi Hyun-soo during the event at which Park Geun-hye will be sworn

Lee Doo-shik, the country’s most respected abstract painter and a professor at Hongik University, passed away Saturday morning of a heart attack. He was 66. Lee, who was to retire from his teaching post at the end of February, was last seen in public on Friday when he attended an exhibition dedicated to him at the Hongki Museum of Art. He told the press, “I hate to leave the professorship but at the same time I am excited to try new things from scratch. I think the fact that collectors liked my

Seoul has been the center of Koreans’ lives since the establishment of the Joseon Kingdom (1391-1910). And the 18,627-meter Seoul City Wall has guarded the cosmopolitan area for more than 600 years through countless periods of hardship.  Built for stabilizationThe founder of Joseon, King Taejo (1392-1398), had to stabilize the kingdom, which was still reeling from the fall of the previous state, Goryeo (918-1392), based in Gaeseng, now in North Korea. Based on Feng Shui principles, the wall set

Itaewon antique furniture street exhibits a variety of antique items from all over the world

Pop music“10cm: Fine Thank You and You?”: The acoustic indie duo 10cm will be putting on a solo concert promoting their recently released second album, “Fine Thank You and You?” The duo debuted in 2010 with the title track “Good Night” and made a name for themselves thanks to their unique acoustic sounds. 10cm won “This Year’s Discovery Award” at the 2010 Mnet Asian Music Awards and the “Best Pop Single Award” at the Korean Music Awards a year later. The “Fine Thank You and You?” performance wil