Great Performances at 1,000 Won
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
What can you buy with 1,000 won? It might be hard to buy even a drink at a convenience store with that amount.
But in the heart of the city, Gwanghwamun, just 1,000 won can go a long way.
2007 Jazz Summit-Jazz and The City
The KT Art Hall, which opened in April with a performing hall and a cozy cafe, offers a jazz performance every night at the price of 1,000 won.
Office workers in the hustle and bustle district are lured to visit the venue in the midst of the major offices of companies.
Under the title of ``2007 Jazz Summit,'' the art hall is attracting a growing number of visitors into the jazz frenzy.
The art hall offers various kinds of jazz combining acid jazz, jam performance and lounge.
``I rarely see popular performances such as musicals, operas and even concerts because of the high prices. But this kind of cheap concert in the hall is a really good alternative for me,'' a 29-year-old office worker, identified as Jun, said.
A growing number of those sharing the sentiments of Jun are turning their eyes from the big-ticket performances to performances at reasonable prices.
``The quality of jazz was also quite good. The concert was really worth enjoying at the unbelievably low price,'' she said.
According to the art hall, the line-up for next month will feature Latin, standard and fusion jazz shows.
On Nov. 15 and 22, percussion master Ryu Bok-sung and his band Latin Jazz All Stars will perform some dynamic Latin jazz.
L.I.V.E., a four-member a cappella group, will also present its talent in a harmonic performance on Nov. 11.
Also, Swedish bassist Magnus Rosen, a former member of Hammerfall, who excels in a variety of genres such as classic, rock and jazz, will perform on Nov. 3. His performance at the hall is part of the world charity tour.
2007 Space Blue, a jazz band, will give a concert on Nov. 16. The group consists of Jo Jung-hee (vocal), Park So-young (piano), Kim Jae-hoon (bass), Ahn Sang-myun (guitar), and Lee Ji-yong (drum).
They gained their reputation in Gangnam, Samcheong-dong, and at a club theater near Hongik University, influenced by such outstanding artists as Kenny Garrett, Branford Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jeff Tain Watts.
On average, over 20 different kinds of professional and amateur jazz and fusion musicians play original compositions, offering audiences the opportunity to experience a number of different jazz genres.
The hall is located in the KT building at Gwanghwamun, Exit 2 on subway line 5. For more information, www.ktarthall.com.
``Happy Concert with 1,000 won''
The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts launched its ``Happy Concert with 1,000 won'' program early this year, which offers various performances once a month for only 1,000 won.
From ballet to opera, the center selects high quality performances from a variety of genres.
Previous performances include traditional and contemporary dance, classic music concerts, and Korean traditional singing and dancing.
People have the chance to enjoy the prestigious performances such as the big-ticket musicals and operas.
In September, the musical, ``Chicago'' was put on stage as the eighth performance for 1,000 won. The ninth performance, ``Night of Opera and Aria,'' an opera gala show, with renowned operatic scores was held on Oct. 14.
The program is becoming increasing popular. Last month, the number of theater-goers for this program surpassed 20,000 among some 140,000 applicants for the eight performances.
For tickets, make a reservation in advance on the website. The program is held on the last Monday of each month.
Applications can be made on the Website from the 5th and 7th of every month. If you are selected on the 9th, you can buy tickets from the 9th to 12th. Visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.