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Arts & Theater

Classical Concerts, Big Tickets, Dance, Pop&Jazz, Plays&Musicals

Classical Concert Beethoven Virus Live Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Jan. 11 Conductor Seo Hee-tae is to perform "Beethoven Virus in Live," based on the hit TV drama "Beethoven Virus." World-renowned pianist Seo Hye-kyung and mezzo-soprano Lee A-kyung join as special guests. Tickets range from 33,000 won to 77,000 won. For more information, call 02-548-8690. Located near exit 3 of City Hall Station on subway line 1 and 2, or exit 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. Opera 'Le Nozze di Figaro' Art Theater, Korea National University of Arts Dec. 25- 30 The National Opera of Korea has prepared Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro. This is the first of the University Tour Opera Series. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 90,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555. Located near exits 1 of Sinimun on subway line 1. New Year's Eve Concert 2008 Seoul Arts Center Dec. 31 The Gangnam Symphony Orchestra, led by Laurent Petitgirard, will present New Year's Eve Concert 2008. Join pianist Lee Yong-gyu, cellist Yang Sung-won and popera singer Rose Jang an

Dec 18, 2008

Handbags: From Chatelaine to It-Bags

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The handbag is one of women's most sought-after fashion items; it is often synonymous with their identity and personality. Influenced by the trends of fashion and personalized by its owner, the handbag is the very projection of women. The World Jewellery Museum is holding a special exhibition ``Handbag, My Love,'' displaying more than 80 handbags from the 19th to the 20th centuries from around the world until May 30. The exhibition shows the history of handbags with many different fashions and textiles. ``The changing forms and purposes of a handbag have illustrated many social developments, including the emancipation of women. As women's social activity became stronger, the size and patterns of the bags also changed,'' Elaine Kim, curator and vice-director of the museum, said. Early History of European Bags 1500-1800 In the 13th and 14th centuries, purses had an important place in women's and men's fashion. Back then there were no pockets. Most of the bags were made from plain leather or cloth, although there were also more luxurio

Dec 17, 2008

Las Vegas Show to Dazzle Local Fans

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Spectrum Asia Entertainment is bringing the dazzling ``The Famous Artist Show'' of Las Vegas to local viewers this month. The show, with its package of impersonators, dancers, exciting music and stage settings, is considered one of the top live tribute shows. Spectrum Asia Entertainment is an affiliate of American entertainment agency Spectrum Agency International, which boasts Microsoft and Burger King among its clients. ``We're so happy to be here. Our celebrity tribute show is a new and exciting experience for Asia of all ages. We encourage all of you to come and join us and even tell your friends to join us as well,'' Cheryl Murphy, the head of Spectrum Agency International and the producer of the show, said at a press conference in northern Seoul last week. Murphy, a former dancer, started her business to create and bring various shows to fans. She also offers talented personnel to clients. The agency works with various countries including Japan, Mexico, South Africa and now South Korea. The impersonator show is one of the most p

Dec 17, 2008

Theater in 2008: Movical Booms, Best Play Series Hits

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The economic recession that has affected almost every part of the world hasn’t touched the local theater industry. This year, musicals and plays have stayed afloat through their distinctive strategies. The musical industry highly relied on producing movie-based musicals, called ``movical’’ while the plays gained bigger popularity than ever through the success of ``Yeongeuk Yeoljeon 2'' (A Series of the Best Plays). The two genres also used a star-studded marketing strategy. Musicals The buzzword in this year's musical trend was ``movical,'' referring to the combination of movies and musicals. The boom in re-creating the cinematic arts on the musical stage draws from the success of hit films such as ``Radio Star',’’ ``The Harmonium in My Memory’’ and ``200-Pound Beauty.’’ It marks a big contrast from last year when homegrown blockbuster musicals such as ``Dancing Shadows’’ and ``Janggeum, The Great,’’ were produced prolifically but without commercial success. As the home-grown creative musicals failed to win the hearts of the p

Dec 16, 2008

The Nutcracker of Different Shapes, Sizes

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Christmas is near, and one of the season's best-known children's tales ``The Nutcracker'' is being brought to life in various ways, including classic ballet, a new musical and even a ``Nutcracker meets B-Boy'' themed performance. Korea's three best known ballet troupes ― the Korea National Ballet Company (KNBC), the Universal Ballet Company (UBC) and the Seoul Ballet Theater (SBT) ― will offer special performances for their fans. The KNBC will bring famed choreographer Yuri Grigorovich's version, which has more dynamic movements than any of the others. The ballet master is famous for his intricate detail and difficult steps. KNBC's Nutcracker will be performed at Seoul Arts Center, from Dec. 25 to 31. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300 (Korean). The UBC is also bringing The Nutcracker, choreographed by Vasily Vainonen, and the troupe is preparing a special performance to start the New Year. On Dec. 31, the UBC will perform at 10 p.m. and thus share in the festivitie

Dec 15, 2008

Whos Next in Chinese Modern Art?

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Interest in Chinese contemporary art has grown significantly in recent years. Works by Yue Minjun, Zang Xiaogang, Zhang Huang, Cai Guoxiang and other Chinese artists have fetched record-breaking prices at auctions. However, the global financial crisis has affected the art market. The recent auction of Chinese contemporary art at Christie's Hong Kong proved to be disappointing, causing many to wonder if the Chinese art boom is over. Opera Gallery founder Gilles Dyan remains optimistic, saying the only ones who will stay away from buying art are the speculators. ``The good thing (about the financial crisis) is this will stop the speculation that has been going on for the last three or four years. This will stop. But we will still have collectors and real art lovers who will buy the art. Only speculators will stop buying… I'm not very pessimistic about the future,''' Dyan said, during a press conference at Opera Gallery Seoul, Cheongdam-dong, Thursday. The Opera Gallery Seoul had just opened its new exhibition ``Who's Next in Ch

Dec 12, 2008

Art Exhibitions, Kids and Sports

Art Exhibitions Great Masters of European Art: Meet Rembrandt Hangaram Art Museum Through Feb. 26 Art works by great European masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck and Boucher are in Seoul for the first time. The works are from the permanent collection of the State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow, Russia. The exhibit is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 9,000 won for youth and 7,000 won for children. Call (02) 2113-3400. Visit www.sac.or.kr (English, Korean). First Glance Alternative Space Loop Through Dec. 23 Sen Chung is showing 20 melancholic paintings and a mural at his solo exhibition. Through his paintings, Chung shows his feelings about unfamiliar places and situations. Visit www.galleryloop.com or call (02) 3141-1377. Traces Gallery Space Through Jan. 18 Kim Seung-young's installation work is unveiled as part of Gallery Space's re-opening project: Construction of Discourses. Visit www.space-culture.com or call (02) 3670-3628. Emotional Space Savina Museum of Contemporary Art Through Dec. 21 In his insta

Dec 11, 2008

Classical Concerts, Big Tickets, Dance, Pop and Jazz

Classical Concerts White Christmas with Kim Nam-yun &150 Violinists Seoul Arts Center Dec. 23 Violinist Kim Nam-yun and her 150 students deliver Christmas carols, pop songs and theatrical scores including Ennio Morricone's ``Gabriel's Oboes.'' Spend a romantic evening with their violin tunes. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Beethoven Virus Live Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Jan. 11 Conductor Seo Hee-tae is performing ``Beethoven Virus in Live,'' based on the hit TV drama ``Beethoven Virus.'' World-renowned pianist Seo Hye-kyung and mezzo-soprano Lee A-kyung join as special guests. Tickets range from 33,000 won to 77,000 won. For more information, call 02-548-8690. Located near exit 3 of City Hall Station on subway line 1 and 2, or exit 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. Opera `Le Nozze di Figaro' Art Theater, Korea National University of Arts Dec. 25- 30 The National Opera of Korea has prepared Mozart's ``L

Dec 11, 2008

Korean-American Co-Production Dreamgirls to Premiere in Feb.

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Broadway musical ``Dreamgirls,'' better known as the film adaptation starring pop diva Beyonce Knowles as Deena and Jennifer Hudson as Effie, will have its debut in Korea for the first time. The musical will be a co-production of OD Musical Company head Shin Chun-soo and American producer John F. Breglio. The Korean version will premiere in February next year with Korean stars, and will later tour other countries with local casts. The new production will be in Boston next fall and on Broadway in 2011, according to OD Musical. Shin and Breglio are teaming up with the international production of ``Dreamgirls,'' the original of which was first staged on Broadway in 1981, along with other celebrated Broadway creative staff. For the production, the world-renowned creative team will upgrade the original to include new musical numbers by composer Henry Krieger and lyricst Tom Eyen including ``Listen,'' which was used in the film adaptation ― its script will be revised too. With much anticipation, the Korean cast, who will play the main rol

Dec 10, 2008

Artist Depicts Antique Dolls in Paintings

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter As a child, artist Francoise Seungheey Kim grew up playing with beautiful dolls. Her fascination continued through her adult years, until she decided to make them the subject of her art. ``My exhibit is perfect for the Christmas season. The theme is `doll's outing'. I've been creating art focusing on dolls and dollhouses for the last six years. But I've been collecting dolls for a long time,'' she told The Korea Times, Monday, just before the exhibit's opening at Gallery Jant, in Bundang, south of Seoul. The exhibit runs through Dec. 30. In her paintings, antique European dolls are shown wearing ruffled dresses and prim coats, reading books and sitting down for a picnic. The doll paintings seem very old-fashioned, especially in a time when most girls do not play with such antique dolls. Some of the dolls are from Kim's own collection, but most of them are conjured up from her imagination. Even Kim is disappointed with the declining popularity of dolls among young girls. ``These days children have to study more, and don't have time t

Dec 10, 2008
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