Highlights

Dance

“2011 International Modern Dance Festival”: Organized by the Contemporary Dance Association of Korea, the 30th International Modern Dance Festival is held under the theme “Beauty Beyond Body.” 24 dance teams from seven different countries will showcase their works, including some which minors are not allowed to see. The dance festival runs through May 29 at Korea Performing Arts Center, Noel Small Theater and Marronnier Park TTL Open Stage, all in Daehangro, central Seoul. For more information, visit www.modafe.org. 

“To My Mother”: Quattrostation, the only dance troupe in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, will hold a performance at Tongyeong Community Center from May 28 to 29. Dancers from Korea, Germany and Taiwan will showcase differently interpreted dances inspired from German scriptwriter Bertolt Brecht’s poem “To my mother.” Tickets range from 5,000 won to 10,000 won. For more information, email quattrostation@gmail.com

“Varekai”: Canadian troupe Cirque du Soleil will perform “Varekai” through May 29 at the tent of the Big Top Theater in Jamsil Sports Complex, southern Seoul. The show is about a story of Icarus from Greek mythology. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 220,000 won. The 220,000-won “Tapis Rouge” ticket includes a VIP lounge service and souvenirs such as a program and CD. For more information, call (02) 541-6235 or visit www.varekai.co.kr.

“This is Modern 2”: Universal Ballet will present a wide range of modern ballet including legendary choreographer Jiri Kylian’s “Petite Mort” and “Sechs Tanze” and Korean choreographer Hue Young-soon’s “This is Your Life.” The show will run from June 9 to 12 at Universal Art Center in Neung-dong, eastern Seoul. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call 070-7124-1737 or visit www.uac.co.kr.

Theater

“Midsummer”: Written and directed by David Greig, the two-person play “Midsummer” is about Helena, a successful divorce lawyer, and Bob, a gang member, who accidently has a one night stand. The original version premiered at the Traverse Theater in Edinburgh in 2008 and was favorably reviewed by critics and theatergoers. Actress Ye Ji-won stars as Helena and veteran musical stars Suh Beom-seok and Lee Seok-jun share the role as Bob. “Midsummer” runs until June 12 at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. For more information, call 1588-5212 or visit www.od10years.com.

“Please Look After Mom”: The hit novel ”Please Look After Mom“ by Shin Kyung-sook is turned into a musical. Starring well-known actress Kim Seong-nyeo as the mother, the musical tells a heartbreaking story about a family searching for their lost mother. The musical runs through June 19 at Chungmu Art Hall in Sindang-dong, central Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2230-6601 or visit 

“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 which born 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 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.

Classical Music

“Ken Cowan Dancing Pipes”: Canadian pipe organist Ken Kowan is to perform famous classical pieces including those by Bach, Saint-Saens and Liszt on June 18 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Korean violinist Kim Nam-yoon will collaborate with Kowan to stage “Chaconne,” which is known for its sad melodies. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114~6.

“Seoul Philharmonic Chamber Music Series: Adrien Perruchon Recital”: The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra said it will hold its second chamber music series with percussionist Adrien Perruchon, pianist Lim Soo-yeon, trumpeter Alexander White and Cellist Lee Jung-ran. The programs will be Xenakis “Rebonds Part B,” Ohana “Etudes d’interpretation 11 & 12,” Mache “Phnix,” Lee Do-hun “Narziss Fantasie” and Perruchon “Cinq danses dogoriennes pour violoncello et timbales.” Perruchon is principal timpanist of the SPO. The concert will be May 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets range from 10,000 won to 30,000 won. Call (02) 3700-6300.

“Paik Kun-woo, and Liszt”: Maestro Paik Kun-woo is to hold a rare “Paik Kun-woo, and Liszt” piano recital to celebrate the 200th year of the composer’s birth, covering almost all of Liszt’s pieces in two concerts on June 19 and June 26 at Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall. The two programs are similar to Paik’s “all-Liszt” programs in Paris in 1982. The eight works of the June 19 program includes “La Vallee d’Obermann,” from the “Annees de Pelerinage,” “Consolation Nr. 3 in D Flat Major,” “2 Legendes,” “Mephisto Waltz No. 1.” On June 26, the program of Liszt’s late works will include “5 Hungarian folk songs,” “La Lugubre gondola II,” “Romance,” “Scherzo und Marsch,” “Sunt Lacrymae Rerum,” “Sursum Corda” and Sonata in B minor. “Paik Kun-woo, and Liszt” will be held at Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall at 8 p.m. on June 19 and 25. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 120,000 won. For details, call (02) 318-4304.

“Koo Bon-ju recital”: Violinist Koo Bon-ju will visit Suwon, Ansan and Seoul during her recital tour from May 24 to May 31, staging Beethoven, Suk and Shostakovich. Since her first recital in 1998, Koo has held concerts in and outside Korea. She is known for her unique and deep understanding and interpretation of Shostakovich. The program includes Beethoven Sonata for Violin and Piano in Eb Major, Suk Four Pieces for Violin and Piano and Shostakovich Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Major. Her concerts will take place at Ansan Arts Center on May 24, Gyeonggi Arts Center on May 26 and LG Arts Center

Pop Music

“Maroon 5 Hyundai Card Super Concert 14”: U.S. rock band Maroon 5 is coming to Korea again, three years after being blown away by more than 10,000 Korean fans singing along to their songs at their first Seoul concert in 2008. Led by Adam Levine on lead vocal and rhythm guitar, the five-member group will hold two concerts in Korea ― on May 25 at the Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium in Seoul and on May 26 at the KBS Hall in Busan. Their concerts are part of Hyundai Card Super Concert Series, through which the Korean financial firm brings renowned overseas artists to Korean fans to promote cultural exchanges. Tickets for Seoul and Busan concerts are priced from 77,000 won to 99,000 won. For details, visit privia.hyundaicard.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 will promote 2010 album “A Thousand Suns.” Tickets range from 99,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488.

“Ron Carter: Golden Striker Trio Live in Seoul”: Jazz bassist Ron Carter, pianist Mulgrew Miller and guitarist Russell Malone will hold a trio show at Yonsei University’s Concert Hall on June 21 at 8 p.m. The Golden Striker Trio, set up in 2003, released two albums. Without any drums, their jazz melodies through guitar, piano and bass were praised as masterful and the team received enthusiastic response from the audience at the 2007 Carnergie Hall concert. Ron Carter has participated in more than 3,500 recordings so far. The concert of the Golden Striker Trio will be its first in Korea. Tickets range from 88,000 won to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3143-5155. 

“2011 Jisan Valley Rock Festival”: The nation’s largest-scale festival takes place from July 29 to July 31 at the 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. The third-phase 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. A third line-up announcement will be made in the last week of May, organizer Mnet said. For more information, visit valleyrockfestival.mnet.com.

Festival

“2011 Ulsan Whale Festival”: Ulsan’s well-known whale festival will be held at the Taehwa River Grand Park and Jangsaeongpohang Marine Park from May 26-29, offering 40 programs in six themes. Ulsan has a long history of being a habitat for migratory whales off the east coast. Major events include local communities’ drama performances, a recreation of the traditional method of whaling, a singing competition and making whales out of clay. Another highlight is that visitors can express their opinions about whaling and mark with a sticker whether they support or oppose the practice. The festival also provides comprehensive information on whales and whaling through the Whale Theme Park, the whale picture exhibition as well as whale-related NGO exhibitions. For more information, call (052) 226-2994~5.

“Gangneung Danoje Festival”: The Gangneung festival was designated a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005. The festival this year will be held through June 9 in Gangneung in Gangwon Province. Events include rituals such as Yeongsinje, a deity-greeting ritual. Folk performances, the Korean traditional wrestling called ssireum, swing riding and tug-of-war competitions will be offered after the rituals. There will be also colorful programs including watching a traditional wedding ceremony, making surichui rice cake, washing hair in water infused with sweet flags (calamus), drinking alcohol offered for deities and fireworks. For detailed programs, visit www.danofestival.or.kr or call (033) 641-1593.

“Incheon Bupyeong Pungmul Festival”: The traditional music festival in Bupyeong, Incheon, will offer farmers’ music (pungmul) performances as well as performances by invited groups from other Asian countries. One of the noticeable events will be a massive game of tug-of-war with a 100-meter-long rope. Other events include a pungmul competition. The festival will run from May 25-29. For more information, call (032) 509-7515~7 or visit bpf.or.kr.

“Uijeongbu International Music Theater Festival”: Under the slogan “are U ready?,” the Uijeongbu International Music Theater Festival runs through May 28 at various venues including Uijeongbu Arts Center in Uigeongbu, Gyeonggi Province. The major theme this year is minority. From traditional music theater performance to pop concerts, the festival offers a diversity of theater and music performances coming from six countries including France, Israel and the United States. Anthony Brown’s art pieces will be exhibited for children and musical “Radio Star” will be also enjoyable. Call (031) 828-5892.

Exhibitions

“Abstract it!”: The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Deoksugung, central Seoul, is holding a special exhibition introducing 93 abstract artworks by 71 artists, both from Korea and overseas, including Kim Chang-ryeol, Park Seo-bo, Lee U-hwan, Marcel Duchamp, and Louise Bourgeoise. The selected works range from early 20th century Korean modern paintings to abstract works of the 1960-70s as well as contemporary art. The exhibition runs through May 22. For more information, call (02) 2188-6000 or visit www.moca.go.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 until June 5. Tickets range from 4,000 won to 7,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2014-6900 or visit www.leeum.org.

“Senile Lines”: Franois Morellet, known as the master of geometrical abstract art, is holding his 456th solo exhibition at Gallery Hyundai in Sagan-dong, central Seoul. He is one of the most spotlighted artists in France right now. The Louvre Museum in Paris commissioned Morellet to make a permanent installation work for the museum last year and Centre Georges Pompidou is holding his retrospective exhibition. The exhibition runs through June 19. For more information, call (02) 2287-3500 or visit www.galleryhyundai.co.kr. 

“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.