Around Town 1

Classical Concerts

‘YO-YO MA Cello Recital’

Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall

Oct. 12

Renowned Cellist Yo-Yo Ma returns to Korea for the first time in five years for a special one-night performance at the Concert Hall of Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 12. British pianist Kathryn Stott, who has been Ma’s recital partner since 1978, will also join him for this special recital. Praised as “a musical marriage of cello and piano” by The Guardian, Ma and Stott are expected to show a harmonic and mutually responsive musical partnership through the performance.

The repertoire for this recital is called “All Russian Program” as Ma will be playing selections from the famous Russian composers of the 20th century. The program includes Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne, Prokofiev’s Cello Sonata in C Major, Op. 119, and Rachmaninov’s Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

‘Seoul International Music Festival'

Seoul Arts Center & others

From Oct. 24 to Nov. 4

From Oct. 24 to Nov. 4, the Seoul International Music Festival (SIMF) will be held at various venues in Seoul including Seoul Arts Center. The festival will bring in world-renowned groups and performers to share classical music at its best to the audience in Seoul.

This year’s theme country for SIMF is Finland to commemorate 44 years of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Finland. On Oct. 24 and 25, the famous Finish ensemble, the Lahti Symphony Orchestra will play the music of Sibelius along with other Korean musical artists.

SIMF donates 5% of its profit to low-income citizens and also gives them free tickets to concerts, so that they can have a chance to experience classical music live. The regular-priced tickets for the Lahti Symphony Orchestra concert cost 24,000 to 48,000 won. For more information, visit simf.kr or call (02) 1544-5142.

‘Sir Simon Rattle & Berliner Philharmoniker’

Nov. 19 and 20

Renowned English conductor Sir Simon Rattle and the world famous orchestra Berliner Philharmoniker will perform at the Concert Hall of Seoul Arts Center on Nov. 19 and 20. This will be the Berliner Philharmoniker's sixth visit in South Korea, and also the final concert with Sir Simon Rattle as he will step down as artistic director of Berliner Philharmoniker in 2018.

On Nov. 19, Chinese pianist Lang Lang will interpret Bartok's Piano Concerto No. 2, and the orchestra will play Brahms' Symphony No. 4. The following day, Simon Rattle will present Korean composer Jin Eun-sook's music for the first time, which was written specifically for the Berliner Philharnomiker's Asia tour this year. The program on Nov. 20 also includes Stravinsky's Petrushka and Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 3.

Tickets cost 70,000 to 450,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 6303-1977.

Big Tickets

‘Slow Life Slow Live 2017'

Jamsil Olympic Stadium

Oct. 7

A special concert titled "Slow Life Slow Live 2017" will be held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium on Oct. 7. The concert begins at 4:30 p.m. with "La La Land In Concert" conducted by Justin Hurwitz, an American composer who wrote scores for the 2016 movie "La La Land." This 150-minute-long performance will be presented by the jazz band from the movie's original soundtrack along with the Korean ensemble Ditto Orchestra.

After 80 minutes of set change, "Hans Zimmer Live" will be showcased at 8.30 p.m. Hans Zimmer, a famous film score composer well known for "Pirates of the Caribbean," "The Dark Knight" trilogy, "Interstellar" and recently released movie "Dunkirk," will lead his 19-piece studio band orchestra and choir for the performance. It will be Zimmer's first visit to Asia.

The ticket box will open at 12 p.m. on Oct. 7, and the entrance for the concert begins at 2:30 p.m. The concert will end around 11 p.m.

Entrance for this concert costs 135,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.melon.com or call (02) 563-0595.

‘Ed Sheeran Seoul’

Olympic Park, The 88 Garden

Oct. 29

As part of his world tour, English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran will visit Korea for his concert at the 88 Garden of Olympic Park on Oct. 29.

Since early 2011, when he released his debut album "+(plus)," he gained popularity in England, and soon after internationally with his second studio album "x(multiply)." His single "Thinking Out Loud" earned him two Grammy Awards. Sheeran's third album "÷ (divide)" was released in March 2017. The first two singles from the album, "Shape of You" and "Castle On The Hill," were released in January 2017 and broke records in a number of countries, including the U.K., Australia and Germany, debuting in the top two positions on the charts.

The opening of the concert will be featured with a live performance of the musician Lauv at 4:30 p.m. Ed Sheeran will take the stage at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets cost 110,000 to 132,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 1544-1555.

Pop & Jazz

‘Seoul Forest Jazz Festival 2017'

Seoul Forest

Oct. 7 to 8

From Oct. 7 to 8, Seoul Forest Jazz Festival 2017 will be held at Seoul Forest, located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.

On Oct. 7, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., famous jazz musicians such as Haewon, Na Hee-kyung, the Sweetpea Quintet, Lee Han-earl Organ Trio and Suh Soo-jin will perform. On Oct. 8, other famous artists including Yoonhan, Song Young-joo, Dear Jazz Orchestra and Oh Wha Pyong Trio perform live.

Ticket price varies from 48,000 to 77,000 won depending on how many entry days it covers. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 337-9966.

Plays & Musicals

‘Napoleon'

Charlotte Theater

Until Oct. 22

For the first time in Asia, the musical "Napoleon" will be presented at the Charlotte Theater until Oct. 22.

Musical "Napoleon" was created by composer Timothy Williams and writer Andrew Sabiston. Since its premiere in 1994, it was staged in numerous places around the world including the West End and Broadway. The musical depicts turbulent life of Napoleon, as well as his complex relationships with his wife Josephine and chief diplomat Talleyrand.

Michael K. Lee, Im Tae-kyung and Han Ji-sang will play the role of Napoleon.

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

‘Ben-Hur’

Chungmu Arts Center

Until Oct. 29

The musical "Ben-Hur," based on Lew Wallace's 1880 novel of the same name, will be staged at the Chungmu Arts Center until Oct. 29.

"Ben-Hur" revolves around a fictional hero named Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish nobleman falsely accused of an assassination attempt and enslaved by the Romans. The music of this show will be performed on a combination of classical and electronic instruments, effectively bringing out the actors' performances as well as highlighting the revenge plot, which becomes a story of compassion and forgiveness. Also the stage design is expected to attract the audience's attention as Ben-Hur's story takes place in Jerusalem in 30 A.D.

Actors Yoo Joon-sang, Park Eun-tae and Ivy appear in this musical.

Tickets cost 50,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 577-1987.

‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch'

Hongik Daehangno Art Center

Until Nov. 5

Hongik Daehangno Art Center will run a rock musical, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" from Aug. 18 to Nov. 5.

Hedwig, a transgender woman who fronts a rock band, tours around the U.S. with her band, the "Angry Inch." She abuses her husband Yitzhak, and expresses extreme hatred towards Tommy Gnosis, a famous rock star and former lover, who abandoned her after learning about her gender identity. On stage, she decides to reveal the story of her past to the audience.

Actor Oh Man-seok and Yoo Yeon-seok plays Hedwig.

Tickets cost 55,000 to 99,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3485-8700.

‘Rebecca'

Blue Square

Until Nov. 12

A musical full of suspense, "Rebecca", will be presented at the Blue Square until Nov. 12.

A young woman, "I", marries a man named Maxim de Winter, who is suffering from the tragic loss of his first wife, Rebecca. When "I" moves in to Maxim's place, she soon realizes that the place is heavy with a grave atmosphere. "I" fears she is an unworthy replacement for beautiful and mysterious Rebecca. However, the situation takes a new turn when Rebecca's corpse is found in a lake.

Actor Chung Sung-hwa and Um Ki-joon plays Maxim, while Kim Keum-na and Lee Ji-hye plays "I".

Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-6478.

Dance

‘Swan Lake'

Seoul Ars Center Opera House

Nov. 9 to 12

With the music of the famous Russian composer Tchaikovsky, the ballet company of the Mariinsky Theatre will perform at the Opera House of Seoul Arts Center from Nov. 9 to 12. Mariinsky Ballet, based in Saint Petersburg, Russia, was founded in the 18th century and is one of the world's leading ballet companies. It will be the first repertoire in which the white swan Odette and the black swan Odile are played by the same ballerina. In addition, the principal players from Mariinsky Orchestra will present the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" along with Seoul Concert Philharmonic.

Ballet dancers Viktoria Tereshkina, Irina Sapozhnikova, Kimin Kim and Sergey Umanetc will appear in this performance.

Tickets cost 50,000 to 280,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 598-9416.

Clubs

Club Octagon

Nonhyeon

Located near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, Club Octagon is notable for its stylish interiors and elite clientele. The club features a performance stage, lounge bar and dining area and is the perfect place to unwind on a night out after work or on the weekend. It is near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on 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 on Line 6. For more information, call (02) 792-1127.

Club Evans

Hongik University

Club Evans is a live music club that has served as a platform for emerging jazz artists for a decade. It also operates jazz recording studios, where it produces albums for many local jazz artists, and a jazz academy. Club Evans holds jazz concerts and music sessions every Monday and Tuesday. Opening at 7:30 p.m., Club Evans is located near exit 1 of Sangsu Station on Line 6. For more information, visit clubevans.com or call (02) 337-8361.

Once in a Blue Moon

Apgujeong

Once in a Blue Moon, one of the best-known jazz clubs in the city, 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 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, features music by some of the city's best DJs and a spacious interior with a state-of-the art lighting nightly. Club Answer is located in Cheongdam, a posh Seoul district known for its party culture, near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on Line 7. For more information, call (02) 514-4311.

Club Double Eight

Sinsa

Opened in 2010, Club Double Eight takes clubbing to new heights. Located in Gangnam, near exit 1 of Sinsa Station on Line 3, it provides diverse hotel promotions and features weekend lineups with exuberant DJs. For more information, call (02) 543-8803.