Around town 1
The operas of Verdi will be performed by conductor Riccardo Muti, a Verdi specialist, on April 7 at Lotte Concert Hall. / Courtesy of Gyeonggi Arts Center
Classical Concerts
‘Music from PyeongChang'
Seongnam Arts Center
March 30
Cellist Chung Myung-Wha, pianist Son Yeol Eum and violinist Shin Zia will have a trio concert at the Seongnam Arts Center on March 30.
The three female artists represent Korea's classical music scene, with their outstanding artistry and international concert careers. At the same time, Chung Myung-Wha and Son Yeol Eum represent PyeongChang Music Festival, one of Korea's most renowned international classical music festivals, since they are the artistic director and vice artistic director of the festival. Through this concert, the three artists intend to wish for the success of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Tickets cost 10,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, visit snart.or.kr or call (031) 783-8000.
‘Muti Verdi Concert in Seoul’
Lotte Concert Hall
April 7
Opera songs by Verdi will be performed by conductor Riccardo Muti and Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra at Lotte Concert hall on April 7.
Muti is considered one of the world’s finest conductors of the operas of Verdi. He will present his opera selections by Verdi, including pieces from “Nabucco” and “Macbeth.” In collaboration with Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra and soprano Vittoria Yeo, he will invite audiences to the beautiful world of Italian opera.
Tickets cost 40,000 to 220,000 won. For more information, visit lotteconcerthall.com or call (031) 230-3440.
Big Tickets
‘Coldplay _ A Head Full of Dreams Tour'
Jamsil Sports Complex
April 15 to 16
For the first time in Korea, British rock band Coldplay will have concerts at Jamsil Sports Complex on April 15 and 16.
Coldplay was formed in 1998 with four members, vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion. Since then, the band has created a large number of hit songs such as "Yellow," "Viva la Vida" and "Paradise," and sold over 80 million albums worldwide. These concerts are part of their "A Head Full of Dreams Tour," which celebrates the release of their seventh studio album of the same name.
Tickets cost 44,000 to 154,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 332-3277.
Pop & Jazz
2017 Rush Hour Concert _ The Barberettes & Hata Shuji'
LG Arts Center
April 4
South Korean female trio The Barberettes and Japanese guitarist Hata Shuji will appear for the 2017 Rush Hour Concert held by LG Arts Center on April 4.
The Barberettes are a retro group composed of three members, An Shinae, Lee Kyeong-seon and Park So-hee. They are famous for their excellent reinterpretation of the sounds of the 1950s and 60s. Hata Shuji is a veteran guitarist who has actively performed in both Korea and Japan numerous times. They will present a wonderful collaboration as well as solo performances.
Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 2005-0114.
Plays & Musicals
‘Shooting at the Moon, Yoon Dong-joo'
Seoul Arts Center
March 21 to April 2
Commemorating the 100th birthday of poet Yoon Dong-joo, Seoul Performing Arts Company will present the musical "Shooting at the Moon, Yoo Dong-joo."
The musical is about Yoon Dong-joo, one of the most-beloved Korean poets who lived a tragic life during the Japanese occupation. He left numerous poems which depict the innocent and beautiful soul that stands up to adversities imposed by the Japanese colonizers. The musical premiered in 2012, and received great acclaim from both the audiences and critiques for its delicate portrayal of the poet's anguish and hope.
Actors On Ju-wan and Park Yeong-soo play Yoon Dong-joo.
Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call 1544-1555.
‘The Pretenders'
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
March 31 to April 23
For the first time in Korea, Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's play, "The Pretenders (Kongs-Emnerne)" will be staged at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.
"The Pretenders" was written in 1863 by Henrik Ibsen, who is also known as the father of modern drama. Although this play is set in 13th century Norway, it gives insights into intricate human psychology, relationships and conflicts that are still valid today.
Actor Kim Joo-hyeon plays the main character, King Hakon.
Tickets cost 20,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 399-1794.
‘Oh! Carol'
D-Cube Arts Center
Until May 7
The musical "Oh! Carol" will be staged at the D-Cube Arts Center from Feb 28 to May 7.
"Oh! Carol" tells a story of six people who meet at a resort in Florida. Marge is a smart but unlucky girl, who gets abandoned by her fiance on her wedding day. She visits the resort with her best friend, Lois, who tries to help her find a new love. Del is an attractive singer who aspires to become a star, and Gabe is a worker at the resort who has amazing artistic talent but lacks confidence. The four begin to form a heartwarming love story.
Actors Jeong Dan-young and Lindsey play the main character Marge.
Tickets cost from 50,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-3363.
‘Jekyll and Hyde'
Blue Square
Until May 21
The Broadway cast of the musical "Jekyll and Hyde" will visit Korea as part of their world tour and perform at Blue Square from March 8 to May 21.
A talented doctor and scientist, Henry Jekyll works on separating the human soul from the body. For his experiments, he uses himself as a human guinea pig. As a result, he creates his other self, Hyde, who is full of evil. Hyde gradually takes control of Jekyll, and starts killing people who stood in his way.
Actors Kyle Dean Massey and Bradley Dean play Jekyll.
Tickets cost 50,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1588-5212.
‘Our Bad Magnet'
Daehak-ro Art One Theater
Until May 2
A play written by Scottish author Douglas Maxwell, "Our Bad Magnet," will be staged at Daehak-ro Art One Theater from March 5 to May 28
In a small Scottish town, four boys at the age of 9 become friends with each other. One of them, Gordon, is always quiet and depressed. When the boys turn 19, Gordon kills himself after having conflict with the other three. Ten years later, the three boys reunite and trace back their childhood memories and secrets.
Actor Moon Tae-yu, Song Kwang-il, and Oh Seung-hun play Gordon.
Tickets cost 40,000 to 55,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 764-8760.
Dance
‘Sleeping Beauty'
March 22 to 26
The Korean National Ballet will perform "Sleeping Beauty" on March 22 to 26 at the Seoul Arts Center.
Since its foundation in 1962, the Korean National Ballet has been endeavoring to become a world-class ballet company, by establishing an affiliated ballet academy, extending its repertoire in collaboration with internationally renowned choreographers, performing overseas on invitation and nurturing many star ballet dancers. In 2014, the company scouted former prima ballerina Kang Sue-jin as its artistic director. In this performance, the Korean National Ballet will present a newly rendered version of "Sleeping Beauty" choreographed by Marcia Haydee, and fascinate audiences with a beautiful combination of dance, music and story.
Tickets cost 5,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 587-6181.
‘Don Quixote’
National Theater of Korea
April 5 to 9
The Universal Ballet Company will present the comic ballet "Don Quixote" at the National Theater of Korea from April 5 to 9.
The classic comic ballet is based on a novel of the same name written by Spanish writer Cervantes. It was originally created in 1869 by choreographer Marius Petipa and composer Ludwig Minkus. The piece portrays the joyful love story of Basilio the barber, and Kitri, the beautiful daughter of an innkeeper. It also features representative Spanish dances such as flamenco, fandango, and the dance of the matadors, showing the audience the exotic and passionate world of 17th century Spain.
Tickets cost 10,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (070) 7124-1737.
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.