Around Town 1

Steve Barakatt

Seoul Arts Center*

March 8

Canadian composer and pianist Steve Barakatt will hold a concert at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on March 8 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his first concert in Korea. He will perform his symphonic work, “Ad Vitam Aeternam,” and other hits such as “Rainbow Bridge,” “The Whistler’s Song” and “Day By Day.” Tickets cost 40,000 to 190,000 won. For more information, call (070) 8248-6085 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra

March 13

The Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, the oldest active radio orchestra in Germany founded in 1923, will perform at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on March 13. Led by polish conductor Marek Janowski, they will perform Weber’s “Oberon Overture,” Sibelius’ “Violin Concerto” and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2.” Tickets cost 50,000 to 240,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.vincero.co.kr.

ValentinaLisitsa

March 21

Ukrainian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa will hold a solo recital at the Seoul Arts Centerin in southern Seoul on March 21. / Courtesy of Opus

After performing at two other venues in Korea, Valentina Lisitsa, a Ukrainian-born pianist known for her social media prowess, will end her tour with a solo recital at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on March 21. The program comprises L.V. Beethoven’s “Sonata Op. 31, Listz’s “Sonata B Minor,” and Frederic Chopin’s “Chopin 24 Etudes,” for which she is well known. Ticket prices range from 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1544-5142 or visit www.opuscorp.org.

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Apr. 20-23

The world-famous Dutch symphony orchestra “Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra” will perform at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from Apr. 20 to 23. Led by renowned Hungarian conductor Ivan Fischer, they will perform all of Beethoven’s symphonies. Tickets cost 70,000 to 330,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.vincero.co.kr.

New Zurich Orchestra

April 25

The New Zurich Orchestra will hold a concert at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on April 25. Composed mainly of young, up-and-coming musicians, the Orchestra has toured extensively around the world, from Austria and the Czech Republic to Hong Kong and China. Led by distinguished conductor Martin Studer and featuring Swiss flutist Philipp Jundt, they will perform, among other pieces, P. Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5” and J. Rodrigo’s “Flute Concerto ‘Pastorale.’” Tickets range from 30,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (02) 166101605 or visit www.bravocomm.co.kr.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

Walkerhill Theater

Apr. 3-4

Noel Gallagher, a guitarist, co-lead vocalist and songwriter of the iconic Manchester-based British rock band Oasis, will hold a solo concert at the Walkerhill Theater of the Sheraton Grand Walkerhill in northern Seoul from April 3 to 4. He will perform songs from his upcoming album, “Chasing Yesterday” and classic hits by his former band Oasis, including “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” “Wonderwall” and “Live Forever.” Located near exit number 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. Tickets cost 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6925-1818 or visit www.livenation.com

The Script

Olympic Park*

April 4

The Script, a popular pop-rock band hailing from Ireland, will hold a concert at Olympic Park in southern Seoul on April 4. They will perform tracks including hit singles “Superheroes” and “No Good in Goodbye” from their latest album released in July 2014, “No Sound Without Silence.” Ticket prices range from 77,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6295-1818 or visit www.livenation.com.

‘Splendid Light: The Story of Bohemian Glass’

The National Museum of Korea

Feb. 10-Apr. 26

The National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition, “Splendid Light: The Story of Bohemian Glass” from Feb. 10 to April 26 to honor the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Czech Republic. More than 340 pieces showcasing the rich history and culture of Bohemia will be on display, ranging from ancient artifacts, such as royal crowns and religious garments dating back to the Medieval period, to contemporary glass and crystal ware made possible through modern technological advances. Admission is free. Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2077-9276 or visit www.museum.go.kr.

Zion. T and Crush

BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall

March 6-8

Hip-hop artists Zion. T and Crush will perform at BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall in Yongsan from March 6 to 8. / Courtesy of Amoeba Culture

Popular hip-hop artist and record producer Zion. T and hip-hop wunderkind Crush will hold a joint concert at BLUE SQUARE Samsung Card Hall in Yongsan from March 6 to 8. The two singers will perform their song “Just,” the title track from their collaboration album project, “Young.” Tickets cost 77,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 1544-1555 or visit www.amoebaculture.com.

2015 Revisiting Kim Kwang-seok

March 7

A coterie of prominent Korean singers will hold a tribute concert for Kim Kwang-seok, nationally beloved Korean folk rock singer who passed away in 1996, at Olympic Park in southern Seoul on March 7. In spite of his untimely passing at a young age, Kim Kwang-seok has remained a highly influential and popular figure in the Korean music industry. The diverse backgrounds of each performer, ranging from Park Hak-gi, Han Dong-joon, Yurisangja, and Dongmulwon, to younger names, including Kyuhyun of idol group Super Junior and Hong Dae-kwang and Kim Pil of Superstar K fame, attests to the power of Kim Kwang-seok’s music to transcend generational and gender barriers. The singers will revisit many of Kim’s hit songs, such as “Song of My Life,” “Love Has Gone” and “At Around Thirty.” Ticket prices range from 55,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1544-7543 or visit showplus.co.kr.

Christina Perri

Yes24 Muv Hall

March 10

American singer-songwriter Christina Perri will hold her first solo concert in Seoul at Yes24 Muv Hall on March 10, as part of her “The Head of Heart Tour.” She will sing songs from her second studio album, “Head Or Heart,” including “Be My Forever,” “I Don’t Wanna Break” and “Burning Gold.” Located near exit 9 of Hongik Univ. Station on subway line 2 and 9. Tickets cost 99,000 to 154,000 won. For more information, call (02) 371-8008 or visit www.cjenm.com.

‘Mehliana’

March 14

A New York-based electric duo featuring American jazz pianist Brad Mehldau and drummer Mark Guiliana will hold a concert at Olympic Park in southern Seoul on March 14. They will perform tracks from their first collaborative album released in 2014, “Taming the Dragon.” Tickets cost 61,600 to 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 563-0595 or visit www.privatecurve.com.

Judas Priest

AX-KOREA

March 16

Legendary Birmingham-based English heavy metal band Judas Priest will a hold concert in Seoul as part of its final world tour “Redeemer of Souls Tour 2015” in celebration of its 41st anniversary and the release of its 17th studio album at AX-KOREA in northern Seoul on March 16. Located near exit 2 of Gwangnaru Station on subway line 5. Tickets cost 121,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.allaccess.co.kr.

‘Heavy Metal Girls’

Ye-Green Theater

Feb. 13-March 1

A production of “Heavy Metal Girls” will be staged at Ye-Green Theater from Feb. 13 to March 1. / Courtesy of Ye-Green Theater

Making a triumphant return to the stage after a successful and acclaimed run two years ago, “Heavy Metal Girls” tells the humorous and heartwarming story of four ordinary, harried female office workers who become inadvertent casualties of the company’s wide-ranging budget and personnel cuts. To curry favor with their new supervisor, a diehard heavy metal fan, the four fearlessly form a heavy metal band among themselves as a last-ditch method to salvage their jobs. Located near exit 2 of HyehwaStation on subway line 4. Ticket prices range from 20,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 744-7090 or visit ye-green.com.

‘Dreamgirls’

Charlotte Theater

Feb. 26-March 15

A Korean rendition of Broadway hit musical “Dreamgirls” will be staged at the Charlotte Theater in southern Seoul from Feb. 25 to March 15. Inspired by legendary R&B stars including “The Supremes,” “Jackie Wilson” and “The Shirelles,” the story revolves around a female trio, “The Dreams,” and their road to stardom. Located near exit 3 of Jamsil Station on subway line 2. Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212 or visit www.charlottetheater.co.kr.

‘Once’

Through March 29

A Korean adaptation of a musical based on the 2006 box-office hit of the same title “Once” is being staged at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul through March 29. Some well-known musical numbers including “Falling Slowly,” “Leave,” “If You Want Me,” and “Gold” will be performed. Singer Yoon Do-hyun will star as the main character, Guy. Tickets cost 60,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 577-1987 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘Jekyll & Hyde’

Blue Square

Through Apr. 5

A Korean production of a musical thriller based on the novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson will be staged at Blue Square through Apr. 5, celebrating its 10th Anniversary on Korean stage. Renowned actor-turned-musical singer Jo Seung-woo will star as Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde. Composer Frank Wildhorn’s original musical scores will be played. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212 or visit www.odmusical.com.

‘Giselle’

March 26-29

The Korean National Ballet led by renowned ballerina and director Kang Sue-jin will perform “Giselle,” a romantic ballet inspired by Heinrich Heine’s prose passage and Victor Hugo’s poem “Fantomes,” at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from March 26 to 29. Composed of two acts, the story revolves around an innocent peasant girl Giselle who dies of a broken heart after discovering her lover betrayed and killed. Tickets cost 5,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181 or visit www.kballet.org.

New Creations by LDP

LG Arts Center*

April 4-5

Laboratory Dance Project (LDP) will stage a double-bill performance at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul from April 4 to 5. Founded in 2001, LDP is regarded a pioneer in Korean contemporary dance, rendering the genre more accessible to the general public. Many of the troupe’s dancers have also successfully crossed over to the lay world through lauded performances on popular television shows, such as “Dancing 9.” LDP’s performance will consist of two parts, each choreographed by two choreographers boasting distinct styles, but which nonetheless showcase the dancers’ incredible versatility and range: “12Mhz” by Kim Pansun and “Graying” by Shin Chang-ho. Ticket prices will go from 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.

‘Swan Lake’

June 24-28

The Korean National Ballet led byrenowned director Kang Sue-jin will stage Tchaikovsky’s classical ballet ‘Swan Lake’ at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from June 24 to 28. The story, spanning four acts, tells the story of a princess, Odette, who turns into a swan following a devil’s curse. Tickets cost 5,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181 or visit www.kballet.org.