Jazz, Pop, Drum Festivals This Weekend
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Still haven't decided what to do during the three-day weekend holiday (Oct. 3-5)? How about checking out the jazz, pop and drum festivals happening around Korea this weekend?
Jazz at Jarasum
The 5th Jarasum International Jazz Festival kicks off Thursday in Jara island and Gapyeong city, Gyeonggi Province.
Korea's premier international jazz festival is bigger than ever, with not just a main jazz stage but 10 additional venues such as jazz clubs, a gymnasium and Gapyeong Culture Center in downtown Gapyeong. The festival runs for four days through Oct.5.
This year's line-up includes jazz stars such as guitarist John Scofield, electric bassist Victor Bailey, saxophonist Joe Lovano, drummer Jojo Mayer, Nnenna Freelon, the John Abercrombie Quartet and Omar Sosa Afreecanos Quartet.
Other artists who will perform at the festival include Dave Samuels, Paquito D'Riviera, Andy Narell, Sadao Watanabe, Nils Petter Molvaer, Lars Danielson, Hah Youn-sun, Kenji Omae and Jean-Michel Pilc.
Last year, the festival featured collaborations between Korean and foreign jazz musicians. This year, jazz singer Na Yun-sun will perform with guitarist Louis Winsberg and bassist Jean-Philippe Viret. Another group of Korean musicians will collaborate with Bjorkestra, a contemporary band that plays Bjork's music.
For adults, a one-day pass is 25,000 won; two-day pass 40,000 won; and three-day pass 50,000 won. All tickets include a 5,000-won voucher and a program book. For under-19s, a one-day pass is 10,000 won; two-day pass is 18,000 won; and three-day pass 25,000 won.
Tickets are available on www.ticketlink.co.kr, ticket.auction.co.kr and ticket.interpark.com. Visit www.jarasumjazz.com (Korean and English).
Drum Festival
Experience the beats and rhythms of drummers from all over the world at the Seoul International Drum Festival, Oct. 3 to 5 at a special stage in Seoul Forest.
The drum festival starts 7 p.m. Oct. 3 with an opening ceremony and gala performances by Korean groups Salmulnori Jinsoi and Jamstick, and Brazilian percussionist Dudu Tucci.
Throughout the three-day festival, performances will start at 7 p.m. Korean performers include Choi Sori, Giparang, Gongmyoung and Hanbit Percussion Ensemble, while foreign performers include Japan's Tiger Burning Bright, Indonesia's Sambasunda, Ecuador's Chani Latino and Taiwan's Yugufun.
Admission is free. Seoul Forest is a 15-minute walk from Ttukseom Station Line 2 Exit 8. Visit drumfestival.org (English and Korean).
Pop Music Festival
Asian pop stars will delight their screaming fans at the 5th Asia Song Festival at the World Cup Stadium, Sangam, Seoul, Oct. 3 and 4.
A free concert featuring ``Best New Asian Artists'' will be held Oct. 3 at the Peace Plaza, near the World Cup Stadium. Performers include Korean boybands SHINee, 2PM and U-Kiss, Japanese girl group Berryz Kobo, Yoga from Taiwan, Peck from Thailand, BX from Mongolia, Rynn Lim from Malaysia and Jocie Guo Mei Mei from Singapore.
On Oct. 4, the Asia Song Festival will feature performances by Korean stars TVXQ, Shin Seung-hun and Girls Generation; Taiwanese group Fahrenheit, Japanese singers Anna Tsuchiya and w-inds; Hong Kong star Karen Mok and Rivermaya from the Philippines.
Tickets are available for free download on www.asf.or.kr. The Seoul World Cup Stadium is located near World Cup Stadium Station Subway Line 6.
