By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Groovy rhythms and strong beats are a universal language, breaking borders between race and nationality.
Making the most of the merit percussion music holds, the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation is bridging tradition and modernity to Korea's cultural scene.
The foundation organizes a cultural venue called ``The Korea Cultural House'' (KOUS) to host free Korean music performances for foreign tourists and Korean residents.
All those interested in traditional Korean music are welcome to attend KOUS's brilliant and original traditional music presentations with a contemporary twist.
The foundation offers various kinds of percussion performances every Wednesday for a period of three months titled ``The Voices of Percussion: Drum and Gong,'' performed by 12 different performing groups, all carefully selected by the foundation.
Jennifer Quark, an official of the foundation, said that the performances blend traditional artistry of percussions and modern dances to please audiences.
``Modern performances such as B-Boy dances will be mixed with Korean rhythms,'' she said. ``Korean non-verbal percussion performances such as `Nanta' and `Jump' gained popularity among foreigners abroad.''
Quark said that the performances are expected to satisfy foreign residents in Korea who are eager to see Korean traditional performances.
The show, which debuted Wednesday, will continue to run until Sept. 26 at KOUS Concert Hall, southern Seoul.
The performances this month include ``The Spirit of Goguryeo: Symbolism of Samjogo'' by the Percussion Group Gwangmyeong, ``Sympathy 21: A Fusion Concert'' by the Korean Traditional Percussion Institute, ``The Road of Rhythm'' by Tteunsoe Performing Arts Group, and ``Join the Merriment'' by Daehansaram.
August performances will present ``Taedong and the Joy of Rhythm'' by Taedong Yeonhuidan, ``Harmony: a Dance and Music Show'' by Percussion Group Indira, ``Pound the Drum, Open Up the Heavens'' by Jungang Percussion Group, and ``The Girls Drum and Pound'' by Women's Traditional Percussion Group Dongcheon.
In September, there are ``Laughter of One Thousand Years: The Sound of Freedom'' by Performing Arts Group Pungjang 21, ``Noreummachi 2007'' by Noreummachi, ``Gwanggaeto'' by Gwanggaeto Samulnori and ``Non-Verbal Performance GOOD!!!'' (exorcism performance) by Theater Group KOTTI (ritual and play).
The venue is located just outside Exit 4 of the Samseong subway station.
All seats are free. For reservations, visit www.kous.or.kr and call (02) 567-6978.