Around Town 1
Classical Concert
‘La Traviata'
Sejong Center for Performing Arts
Nov. 8 to 13
"La Traviata" directed by Henning Brockhaus and conducted by Sebastiano De Filippi will be performed at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts from Nov. 8 to 13.
"La Traviata" is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, and is known as one of opera's greatest romances. The November performances will feature baritone Carlo Guelfi as Giorgio Germont, tenor Luciano Ganci as Alfredo Germont and soprano Gladys Rossi as Violetta Valery.
Tickets cost 30,000 to 280,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 587-1950.
‘2016 University Orchestra Festival’
Seoul Arts Center
Nov. 21 to 27, 2016
Seoul Arts Center holds the 2016 University Orchestra Festival, featuring student orchestras from six different universities including Seoul National University, Kookmin University and Korea National University of Arts. Under the slogan of “Youth, stands confidently on stage,” the students will present youthful, lively performances. Renowned professors from each university such as conductor Chung Chi-Yong and Lim Hun-jeong will collaborate with the orchestras, adding more sophistication and expertise to the performances.
Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300
‘SAC 11am Concert'
Seoul Arts Center*
Until Dec. 8
On every second Thursday of each month, an "11am Concert" will be performed at the Seoul Arts Center. Chong Park will host the shows with commentary, and coffee will be provided for free. With distinct soloists for each concert, the Korean Symphony Orchestra will perform at all of the concerts.
Tickets cost 20,000 to 25,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300.
Big Tickets
‘AIDA’
Charlotte Theater
Nov. 3 to March 11, 2017
The legendary musical “AIDA” returns this year with a new cast. It will be staged at Charlotte Theater from Nov. 3 to March 11, 2017.
The performance starts as a statue of Amneris, a female pharaoh, comes to life and transports the audience back to ancient Egypt, in a period of war between Egypt and its neighboring country Nubia, where in the midst of the power struggle there blooms a story of love. Yoon Gong-joo and Jang Eun-ah play the title role of Aida, who agonizes between her homeland and the public. Ivy and Lee Jung-hwa play Amneris, and Kim Woo-hyung and Min Woo-hyuk play Radames, who falls in love with the slave Aida.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 577-1987.
Pop & Jazz
BTS
Gocheok Sky Dome
Nov. 12 to 13
Bangtan Boys (BTS) will have concerts on Nov. 12 and 13 at Gocheok Sky Dome, Seoul.
The popular K-pop boy group was formed by Big Hit Entertainment in 2013 and debuted that year with their first album "2 Cool 4 Skool." Since then, they have emerged as one of the most popular Korean boy bands in Southeast Asia, China and Japan. The members of BTS are Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Rap Monster, Jimin, V and Jungkook.
Their songs are heavily influenced by hip-hop and R&B, and have shown a wide range musical styles and images. Through their numerous releases, BTS have tackled school bullying, pursuit of happiness and rejecting society's ideals in their lyrics.
All tickets are priced at 55,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 446-2690.
Plays & Musicals
‘Phantom'
Blue Square
Nov. 26 to Feb. 26, 2017
"Phantom," a musical adaptation of Gaston Leroux's novel "Phantom of the Opera," will be performed at Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall from Nov. 26 to Feb. 26.
"Phantom" is about Erik, a mysterious man living in the dark cellar of a Paris opera house. One day he hears someone singing and is enchanted by her heavenly voice. Discovering that the voice was of Christine Daee, he decides to make her the new diva of the Opera Theatre and begins to give her secret lessons every night. With the help of Erik, Christine has her debut, but it is ruined by Carlotta. Erik seeks revenge on her.
Park Hyo-shin, Park Eun-tae and Jeon Dong-suk star as Erik, the Phantom. Kim So-hyun, Kim Soon-young and Lee Ji-hye share the role of Christine Daee, and Jeong Young-ju and Shin Young-sook will alternate for Carlotta.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-6478.
‘Kinky Boots’
Until Nov. 13
The Broadway musical "Kinky Boots" returns to Seoul after its Korean premiere in 2014. It will be held at Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall Sept. 2 to Nov. 13.
Based on the book by Harvey Fierstein and with music and lyrics by Tony, Emmy and Grammy-winner Cyndi Lauper, the musical tells the true story of Charlie Price who goes to oddly extreme ends to save his father's shoe factory. This year's local rendition of "Kinky Boots" features Lee Ji-hoon and Kim Ho-young as Charlie, Jung Sung-hwa and Kang Hong-suk as Lola, Kim Ji-woo as Lauren, Ko Chang-suk and Shim Jae-hyun as Don. Shin Ui-jung, Lee Woo-seung, Kwon Yong-kook, Song Yoo-taekand Jang Ye-won also star.
Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555.
‘Two Rooms'
Lee Blessing's play "Two Rooms" will be performed at Seoul Arts Center's Jayu Theater until Nov. 13.
The play is a love story of a separated couple. The two titular rooms are a windowless cubicle in Beirut where an American hostage is being held by Arab terrorists and a room in his home in the United States, which his wife has stripped of furniture.
Tickets cost 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (070) 4141-7708.
‘Pericles'
Nov. 10 to Dec. 4
Shakespeare's "Pericles" will be staged at Seoul Arts Center from Nov. 10 to Dec. 4.
Set in the ancient kingdom of Antioch, the Jacobean play tells the riveting tale of King Antiochus and his daughter secretly engaging in an incestuous relationship following her mother's death. Antiochus has kept suitors from marrying his daughter by requiring that they answer a riddle correctly or face death. Pericles, Prince of Tyre, solves the riddle but discovers that its answer reveals the incestuous relationship between father and daughter. While Pericles decides not to reveal the truth, Antiochus gives him 50 days before his death sentence.
The play features a veteran stage actor and former culture minister Yoo In-chon as the play's narrator John Gower and the elder Pericles. The role of young Pericles is filled by Nam Yoon-ho and daughter Marina by Chun Sung-min.
Tickets cost 30,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300.
“Blackbird”
Vivaldi Park Hall
Until Nov. 20
A Korean adaptation of David Harrower’s play “Blackbird” is staged at Vivaldi Park Hall until Nov. 20.
The play is about the reunion of young woman Una and middle-aged Ray, 15 years after he sexually abused her when she was only 12 until he was arrested and imprisoned. Upon his release, he manages to establish a reasonably successful new life under another name, but Una recognizes him in a photograph and tracks him down. When the two meet at the workplace, they engage in a long and difficult confrontation. Cho Jae-hyun stars as Ray and Ok Ja-yeon and Chae Soo-bin alternate in the role of Una.
Tickets cost 30,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 766-6506.
Dance
‘The Nutcracker’
Dec. 17 to 25
Since 2000, the Korean National Ballet has performed “The Nutcracker” every winter, and the show soon became a steady seller. “The Nutcracker” captivates not only children but also adults with the diverse and spectacular choreography by Grigorovich and the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky. Splendid stage art and the highly advanced dancing technique of the Korean National Ballet invite audiences to the world of enchantment and fairy tale during the Christmas season.
Tickets cost 5,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300.
Clubs
Club Octagon
Nonhyeon
Near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The club offers a stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. It is near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847.
Club Globe Lounge
Itaewon
Club Globe Lounge is famous among women looking for a place to throw birthday parties or enjoy a light dinner. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., it serves as a bar, changing into a club after 10 p.m. Every Thursday, Club Globe Lounge has a Happy Hour buffet for guests. Club Globe Lounge is located near the Hamilton Hotel by exit 2 of Itaewon Station, subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 792-1127.
Club Evans
Hongik University
Club Evans is a live jazz club that has served as a platform for emerging jazz artists for a decade. It operates jazz recording studios and a jazz academy as well, producing albums for many local jazz artists. Club Evans provides jazz concerts and leads music sessions every Monday and Tuesday. Club Evans is located near exit 1 of Sangsu Station, subway line 6. It opens at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit clubevans.com or call (02) 337-8361.
Once in a Blue Moon
Apgujeong
Once in a Blue Moon is one of the best-known and well-established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong Intersection and Galleria Department Store in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, visit onceinabluemoon.co.kr or call (02) 549-5490.
Club Answer
Cheongdam
Club Answer, chosen as one of the five hottest clubs in Seoul by CNN, provides a spacious interior and brilliant lighting system with entertaining DJs on stage nightly. Club Answer is in the classy area of Cheongdam, a district known to lead the party culture of Seoul. It is located near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 514-4311.
Club Double Eight
Sinsa
Opened in 2010, Club Double Eight takes clubbing to its heights. Located in Gangnam, it provides diverse hotel promotions and features weekend lineups with exuberant DJs. It is located near exit 1 of Sinsa Station on Line 3. For more information, call (02) 543-8803.