Dance of East, West to Tempt Fans
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Enjoy the excitement and beauty of dance with two impressive yet different events later this month: National Dance Company's ``Korean Fantasy III Millennium Road'' and the International Modern Dance Festival (MODAFE) of the Contemporary Dance Association of Korea.
``Millennium Road'' is the third repertoire of Korean Fantasy, an international project by the National Dance Company acclaimed around the world for its breathtaking traditional dances.
``The title `Millennium Road' represents the past 1,000 years of Korean dance. We strived to create a performance any Korean would be proud enough to recommend to anyone,'' Bae Jung-hae, the art director of the performance and a renowned traditional dancer, said at a press conference last week.
The performance is presented in two different acts: ``The Lord's Records'' and ``The Commoners' Records.'' The first act will show the exquisite beauty and nobility of the royal court while the second displays the humorous life and dance moves of commoners.
Bae Jung-hae and Gook Soo-ho, top traditional dancers and choreographers have arranged the four segments of ``The Lord's Records,'' `The Castle,' `Lady,' `Rank' and `Shine.' Each segment will offer a distinctive style, but still be aligned to create harmony. Guests will also get to see colorful costumes of the royal families from the extravagant dresses to accessories.
The second act ``The Commoners' Record'' depicts the everyday lives of commoners during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). To express the freedom of the commoners, the choreography is more flamboyant and free, compared to the rather standardized moves of the first act. Divided into four separate segments, `Veins,' `Play,' `Color' and `Sky,' ``The Commoners' Records'' will offer movements that represent hope, passion and excitement.
The ``Korean Fantasy III Millennium Road'' will be on stage May 17-21 at the National Theater of Korea. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, visit www.ntok.go.kr (Korean and English) or call (02) 2280-4115 (Korean).
If you want a more contemporary performance, visit the 27th International Modern Dance Festival (MODAFE). Launched in 1982, MODAFE continuously strives to become one of the nation's representative contemporary dance festivals with more than 400 local and foreign troupes participating.
Under the theme ``Destruction of Movement, Liberation of Expression,'' MODAFE will offer visitors the revolution of movement through various performances by dancers from all over the world.
According to Ban Joo-eun, the co-chairwoman of MODAFE, the theme was part of an effort to follow the recent change of the modern dance trend.
``There are many discussions regarding the body itself, rather than movements. We believe we can use dance as a communication tool with the audience and further interact with them,'' she said at a press conference Friday.
MODAFE will offer 16 performances, including those done by foreign dance troupes like the Companie Linga of Switzerland and famed choreographers like Benoit Lachambre from Canada. Fans will get to experience the abstract beauty of contemporary dance to the utmost at the event.
The festival has also prepared special activities, workshops and lectures for visitors. Korean film director Jang Jin, who directed ``The Big Scene (2005),'' will give a lecture about the vision and future of contemporary dance. Many dancers and choreographers will participate and share their insights about dance with fans.
MODAFE will be held May 27-June 7 at the Arko Arts Theater. For more information visit www.modafe.org or call (02) 765-5352 (Korean).