2009-07-19 17:18
Chuncheon Arts Fest to Be Held Next Month
By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The Chuncheon Arts Festival to be held next month is gearing up with interesting performances, and now more visitors can come and enjoy with ease, thanks to the new expressway that connects Seoul to Chuncheon in about an hour. The festival will kick off Aug. 5 and continue for four days under the theme ``Chuncheon, Embracing Artists,'' beckoning both children and adults with colorful programs and events. The eight-year-old festival invites a group of dance troupes and music bands, all which have agreed not to receive any payments. The event may not be attractive for those who are looking for mainstream singers and dancers, but it will be a great opportunity to discover up-and-coming artists, along with their distinctive styles and musicality. The opening ceremony will be performed by the Kang Sun-ah Quartet, a jazz band that offers original jazz along with tap dance. Aug. 6 will be a day of music, with five bands preparing to touch fans with their songs and tunes. Six-member band, the No.1 Korea Band, will greet fans with their tunes based on rock-and-roll, reggae, punk and even jazz. The Kanghur Dalim Band is an R&B group and will bring numbers from their album ``Waiting, Anticipation,'' while guitarist Kim Kwang-seok will offer his tunes after traveling around the world for inspiration. Voice for Man, a four-member choir group from the Chuncheon City Choir, will present their classical numbers, while Kingston Rudieska, a local group that covers Jamaican tunes with a hint of Korean, is planning to meet fans on the hot summer night. The following day will be a festival of dance. Ha Yong-bu, the holder the Milyang Baekjung Nori, Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 68, will bring his traditional moves to visitors at the event. Wowing fans at the Festival de l'Imaginaire and the Biennale Nationale de Danse en Val-de-Marne, Paris, earlier this year, Ha is famous for not only his exquisite movements in the traditional dance sphere, but also his experimental and creative ideas in fusing the ancient works to modern art forms like ballet, modern dance and even theater. Music and theater group Baramgot will present ``Chaeollim,'' a unique piece that combines a traditional shamanism ritual and Korean traditional tunes, while freelance dancer Park Hwa-gyeong will offer her contemporary work ``Ho, He, Ha, Helas'' and channel her emotions from living alone in Paris as a student through tranquil movements. Visitors will also have the chance to watch other talented dance troupes like the UBIN Dance, Hwang Hee-yeon and Dance Theater 4P offer their special works at the festival. Along with various performances, the Chuncheon Arts Festival will present interesting workshops and even a camp for children. Join dancer Park Hwa-gyeong and ``listen'' to your body with her dance workshop ``The Sounds of Your Body,'' or enjoy the melody of guitar strings with guitarist Kim Kwang-seok. Kim will offer his insights as an artist and also share interesting tales about his journey around the world in search of musical inspiration. There will also be a photo exhibition prepared by the participants, artists, festival staff and crew and even visitors at the festival venue as well. The DoBe Art Camp will take place at the festival venue from Aug. 6-8, and show children how the Chuncheon Arts Festival is organized ― from building stages, making props and stage settings and even making their own performance and stand on stage. The camp costs 125,000 won and interested parents should register before July 31. For more information, call (033) 251-0545. The Chuncheon Arts Festival will take place at the Chuncheon City Children's Hall, Gangwon Province from Aug. 5 to Aug. 8. For more information, visit www.ccaf.or.kr. sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr |
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