AROUND TOWN 1

[Classical Concerts]

‘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.

Sumi Jo: La Prima Donna

Seoul Arts Center

Aug. 28

World-renowned soprano Sumi Jo will have a concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of her international debut at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on August 28.

Jo’s first appearance on the international scene took place in 1986 as the prima donna in the opera “Rigoletto” at the Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi. Ever since, she has actively extended her role in various opera productions. “La Prima Donna” concert will feature songs from well-known operas, including “Caro Nome” from “Rigletto,” Liszt’s “Liebestraume,” Balfe’s “I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls” and “Doll Song” from “The Tales of Hoffmann.” Pianist Jeff Cohen will accompany the performance.

Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 3461-0976.

[Big Tickets]

‘Notre Dame de Paris’

Gyeonggi Arts Center

Oct. 14-16

French musical “Notre-Dame de Paris” based on the well-known novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” will be performed at Gyeonggi Arts Center from Oct. 14 to 16, following its Seoul performance.

With its beautiful numbers including “Le Temps des Cathedrals,” “Belle” and “Vivre,” the musical Notre Dame de Paris has drawn a vast number of audiences all over the world. Following the premiere in 2008, this year’s Korean licensed performance will have Hong Kwang-ho, K-Will and Moon Jong-won playing Quasimodo and Yoon Gong-ju, Lina and Jeon Na-young playing Esmeralda.

Tickets cost 70,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 541-6236.

‘Wicked’

Until Aug. 28

“Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz” returns to the stage with a new cast in July, following its 2013 Korean premiere.

Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel “Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” it tells the story of two witches ― Elphaba and Glinda. Elphaba is a green-skinned witch who is often alienated and Glinda is a popular blonde witch. Veteran actress Cha Ji-yeon is sharing the role of Elphaba with actress Park Hye-na, while Jeong Sun-ah will share the role of Glinda with Ivy. With its spectacular fantasy storyline, “Wicked” shows life-changing friendships while growing up.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit www.wickedthemusical.co.kr or call 1577-3363.

[Pop & Jazz]

Someday Festival 2016

Nanji Hangang Park

Sept. 3 to 4

This year’s Someday Festival will be held at Seoul Nanji Hangang Park for two days, Sept. 3 to 4.

Launched last year, Someday Festival is a two-day outdoor event that features a variety of musical genres. The festival this year will feature: Vibe, Jeong-yeop, Kiha & The Faces, Akdong Musician, Busker Busker, Yoonha, J Rabbit, Kim Bum-soo, Jang Bum-joon, 10cm, Beenzino, Zico, Crush and Dean.

A one-day ticket costs 88,000 won and a two-day ticket costs 119,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3780-0611.

Sechs Kies

Olympic Park

Sept. 10-11

Sechs Kies, one of Korea’s first-generation idol groups, will hold a two concerts at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena on Sept. 10 and 11.

The concert titled “Yellow Note” is the group’s first concert in 16 years, following its split in 2000. Its members returned to the K-pop industry earlier this year, building a new career. Their numerous hit songs will be performed at the concerts, including “Couple,” “Reckless Love,” “School Song,” and “The Way This Guy Lives.”

Tickets cost 99,000 to 143,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.auction.co.kr or call 1566-1369.

[Plays & Musicals]

Bare the Musical

Doosan Art Center

Until Sept. 4

“Bare the Musical” is staged at Doosan Art Center through Sept. 4. / Courtesy of Marketing Company Achime

“Bare the Musical” will be staged again at the Doosan Art Center following its 2015 Korean premiere.

The musical is about two teen boys, Peter and Jason, who are secretly in love with each other while attending a conservative Catholic high school. Jung Won-young, Song Seung-won and Park Kang-hyun share the role of Peter, and Kim Seung-dae, Sung Doo-seop and Seo Kyung-soo play Jason. Choi Seo-yeon and Min Kyung-ah also star as Ivy.

Tickets cost 66,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 556-5910.

Peste

LG Arts Center

Until Sept. 30

The musical “Peste” will premiere on July 20 at the LG Arts Center.

“Peste” is based on French author Albert Camus’ novel “The Plague” and combined with Seo Tae-ji’s legendary songs. With musical numbers from Seo, “Peste” will display tragedy among the main roles _ Rieux, Rambert, Tarrou, Cottard, and Grand. The story takes place during a bubonic plague, and explores basic human nature in disastrous situations. Kim Da-hyun, Sohn Ho-young, and Park Eun-suk will play Rieux, and Kim Do-hyun and Yoon Hyung-ryul will play Rambert.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-3363.

Hamlet the Play

Chungmu Art Center

Until Oct. 16

One of the most famous tragedies of all time, William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is staged at Chungmu Art Center through Oct. 16. Courtesy of the Best Play

One of the most famous dramas of all time, William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” will be staged at Chungmu Art Center from Aug. 2 to Oct. 16.

It will follow the plot of the original work: Prince Hamlet learns that his father has died and his mother has remarried his uncle Claudius who is now the king. The ghost of Hamlet’s father appears and tells his son that he was murdered by Claudius, so Hamlet vows vengeance. Hamlet the Play is planned to include a few additional characters, in order to make the tragic story of Hamlet more dreadful. Kim Kang-woo, Kim Dong-won will play the title role of Hamlet, and Lee Kahp-sun and Kim Dae-ryung will play Claudius.

Tickets cost 30,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 766-6007.

True West

Yegreen Theater

Sam Shepard’s play about brotherhood is being performed at Yegreen Theater until Aug. 28.

“True West” was first performed in San Francisco, where Shepard was a resident playwright. It had its world premiere there in 1980, and first came to Korea in 2011. Since its Korean premiere, the play has accumulated a solid fandom. Austin, a Hollywood screenwriter and Lee, a drifter, are brothers. In their home, Lee threatens to obliterate everything around him, facing off against Austin. While their mother goes on a trip to Alaska, they seek freedom from each other. Bae Sung-woo, Oh Man-suk, Kim Jong-gu and Seo Hyun-woo play Austin, while Jung Moon-sung, Lee Dong-ha, Lee Hyun-wook and Kim Seon-ho play Lee.

Tickets cost 45,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 764-8760.

Treasure Island

A musical based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel of “Treasure Island” is staged at Jayu Theater of Seoul Arts Center.

This musical play centers on the life of Jim Hawkins, depicting his boyhood adventures on a quest for buried treasure. Hawkins’ story expands as he decides to step on a mysterious island in search of treasure. He encounters a number of people there, including the infamous Long John Silver, a cunning pirate.

“Treasure Island” is directed by Lee Dae-woong and stars Bae Bo-ram, Kim Sang-bo, Yu Seung-rak, Han In-su, Kim Do-wan, Kim Jin-gon, Jeong Hyun-chul, Kim Ho-jun and Hwang Uie-jeong.

Tickets cost 10,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr call (02) 580-1300.

[Dance]

Archive Platform

ARKO Performing Arts Center

Aug. 26 to 28

Korean National Contemporary Dance Company holds a dance contest at Arko Performing Arts Center on Aug. 26-28. / Courtesy of KNCDC

The Korean National Contemporary Dance Company holds an archive contest exhibition that features historic events. On the extended line of the accumulated past, the company seeks out new creations through a perspective that views and reconstructs modern problems anew. The contest will be open to domestic choreographers, regardless of genre, for newly created works that utilize archives. The final selections after evaluation will be staged as productions.

Tickets cost 20,000 to 30,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02)3472-1420.

[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.