World Premiere of Battery Dance's THE DURGA PROJECT in May

Battery Dance

Presents

Robin Cantrell (left) and Unnath H.R. (Photo by Darial Sneed; Location: The House of Morgan on Wall Street)

The Durga Project

When: May 11th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.;

May 12th at 7 p.m., followed by VIP gala

Where: Schimmel Center for the Arts (3 Spruce Street), Pace University

Tickets: http://batterydance.org/ny-season/

World Premiere

40TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON KICKS OFF WITH WORLD

PREMIERE OF U.S./INDIA COLLABORATION OF

THE DURGA PROJECT

New York City’s dance ambassador to the world, Battery Dance, introduces an Indo-American, collaborative dance interpretation of Hindu Goddess Durga’s Shakti (strength) and Bhakti (devotion) through the world premiere of “The Durga Project,” featuring renowned classical Indian dancer Unnath H.R. and five of Battery's Western-trained dancers.

The 30-minute choreographic fantasy, which weaves together the movement vocabularies, sonorities and aesthetics of the United States and India, will also be complemented by works commissioned by European and African choreographers: “Inter/Ago,” created in 2015 by Tadej Brdnik, the recently retired Martha Graham principal dancer and choreographer, who has danced with Battery Dance since 1998; and “Observatory,” created in 2014 by Theo Ndindwa, founder of South Africa’s iKapa Dance Theatre, and since performed in tours of South America, Europe, Asia and at the first Cape Town International Dance Festival in 2015.

The Durga Project Credits:

Artistic Director: Jonathan Hollander

Dancers/Choreographers: Robin Cantrell, Mira Bai Cook,

Clement Mensah, Bethany Mitchell, Sean Scantlebury

Guest Dancer/Choreographer: Unnath H.R.

Costumes: Solé Salvo

Lighting: Calvin Anderson

Indian dancer Sonali Skandan & Jiva Dance will present MAYURA: BLUE PEACOCK on three evenings

National Bird of India Serves as Inspiration for Original Classical

Dance Production Featuring Art of Bharatanatyam

Indian classical dancer Sonali Skandan, along with her company Jiva Dance, unveil “Mayura: Blue Peacock,” an evening-length, Bharatanatyam classical dance production, with original music and choreography, focused on India’s national bird, the rare and beautiful peacock.

“Mayura is the Sanskrit word for peacock,” says Skandan, “and throughout history, this magical creature has been featured in poetry, literature, sculpture, art, music, dance and mythology. We wanted to pay homage to its beauty, grace and regal nature through our movement, music and choreography.”

Photo by Mariliana Arvelo

The performance uses classical poetry and literature to weave vivid images of the peacock described in Indian myths and legends – from the powerful, ancient Mayil Virutham, which praises the peacock as Lord Muruga’s vehicle, to the lilting epics of Kalidasa describing the peacock in the rains, as a reminder of Ram’s longing for Sita, to the love songs of Andal and Mirabhai.

The original musical score has been composed by one of India’s renowned composers, Rajkumar Bharathi, and features original choreography by Skandan. The cast comprises of six talented and energetic dancers from various backgrounds and disciplines.

“Mayura: Blue Peacock” will be performed on the evenings of Sept. 18th, 19th and 20th at the Chen Dance Center, 70 Mulberry Street, NYC. Ticket prices range from $18 to $22 and can be purchased by visiting www.mayura.eventbrite.com.

About Sonali Skandan & Jiva Dance:
Jiva Dance is the critically-acclaimed dance company of Jiva Performing Arts, an organization based in NYC, which seeks to educate and present the classical music and dance of India. Jiva Dance began in 2008 under the artistic direction of Sonali Skandan. The company sees the importance of preserving and promoting the traditional arts, yet also understands the need to incorporate innovative techniques to reach diverse audiences. Jiva Dance holds the belief that tradition is a continuum of evolution and hopes to invigorate classical works with a fresh and unique voice. They company has performed at various universities, colleges and festivals along the East Coast to tremendous audience and media acclaim. For more information, please visit www.jivaperformingarts.org or www.sonaliskandan.com.

Mayura is made possible, in part, by public donations from the Fund

for Creative Communities, supported by New York State Council on

the Arts and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

"L'Arc～en～Ciel LIVE 2014 at National Stadium" satellite broadcast in 10 major U.S. cities on March 22nd

LIVE VIEWING JAPAN PRESENTS

“L'Arc～en～Ciel LIVE 2014 at National Stadium”

LIVE VIEWING SATELLITE BROADCAST IN

10 MAJOR U.S. CITIES ON MARCH 22nd, 2014

Live Viewing Japan, a famous distribution company dedicated to introducing Japanese artists of various genres globally, is very pleased to share the spectacular stage presence of world-famous Japanese rock juggernaut, L’Arc~en~Ciel, with 10 major cities all over the United States, in the form of a delayed satellite broadcast of their long-awaited “L’Arc~en~Ciel LIVE 2014 at National Stadium.”

Chosen as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, the iconic National Stadium only played host to four most influential Japanese music bands’ performances as of 2012, with L’Arc~en~Ciel included. Being the band’s second time to play at this enormous venue as well as their very first show since the last world tour, the significant “L’Arc~en~Ciel LIVE 2014 at National Stadium” sparked worldwide attention as soon as it was announced. In response to fervent requests from the U.S. audience, the second day (March 22nd, 2014) of the two-day concert will be presented in 10 theaters across the United States as a special delayed satellite broadcast.

Original post cards will be given to everyone attending the live viewing and original limited edition glow sticks for the first 50 people who arrive. Tickets are available for $20 at the following theaters and Fandango.com.

City/Theater/Time
Los Angeles, CA Century City 15 3:00 (PST)
Orange, CA Orange 30 3:00 (PST)
San Diego, CA Mission Valley 20 3:00 (PST)
San Francisco, CA Bay Street 16 3:00 (PST)
Seattle, WA Pacific Place 11 3:00 (PST)
Chicago, IL River East 21 5:00 (CST)
Houston, TX Willowbrook 24 5:00 (CST)
Baltimore, MD Columbia Mall 14 6:00 (EST)
Boston, MA Burlington 10 6:00 (EST)
New York, NY Empire 25 6:00 (EST)

Visit http://larcenciel2014lvj.com for more information.

Comprised of Hyde (vocals), Ken (guitarist), Tetsuya (bassist), and Yukihiro (drummer), L’Arc~en~Ciel achieved blockbuster commercial success with many number one singles and albums on the Oricon charts after their major debut in 1994. Featuring a wide range of sounds from hard-rock tunes to romantic ballads, the band has so far sold over 15 million albums, 16 million singles, and millions of merchandise, including DVDs.

Finding success at home, L’Arc~en~Ciel continued to expand their profile through launching activities overseas. On July 31st, 2004, L’Arc~en~Ciel made their North American debut at the anime convention, Otakon, as the first Japanese band to perform at the 1st Mariner Arena, which attracted an audience of 12,000 people. Sequentially hitting Asia and Europe from 2005 to 2008, L’Arc~en~Ciel gained increasing international fame and solidified their loyal fan base everywhere they went.

The band embarked on a stunning world tour, which covered 10 countries throughout Asia, Europe, and North America, one year after they celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2011. Their New York show took place at Madison Square Garden on March 25th, 2012, making L’Arc~en~Ciel the first Japanese artist ever to be the lead act at the legendary venue. Acclaimed for having “made a great contribution to cultural activities, and built a bridge of friendship between Hawaii and Japan” by the mayor of Honolulu, Peter Carlisle, the band has conquered the Japanese rock scene at a furious pace with their captivating music and dramatic live performances, while setting their sights worldwide to keep up with the frenzied response in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

About Live Viewing Japan:
Live Viewing Japan is a famous Japanese-based media distribution company dedicated to introducing Japanese artists of various genres around the world. More information on the company and its projects is available at: www.liveviewing.jp.

ACF 1698: One-night only screenings of J-rock band GLAY concert film coming soon

GLAY CONCERT FILM ONLY A FEW DAYS AWAY AND SET TO THRILL
J-ROCK FANS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES

Bestselling Japanese Rock Band Performance Presented In A Special Live Concert Film
In Exclusive One-Night-Only Screenings!

Only a few days remain to secure tickets to attend the San Francisco and Los Angeles theatrical screenings of the GLAY: STADIUM LIVE 2012 THE SUITE ROOM in OSAKA NAGAI STADIUM live concert film.

The film, which captures a mesmerizing live performance by the bestselling J-rock band, will play for one-night-only in San Francisco on Friday, November 16th at 8:00pm, at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema, and also on Saturday, November 17th in Los Angeles at 6:00pm at the Downtown Independent Theatre. Advance tickets are $20.00 and are available for the San Francisco screening at: www.newpeopleworld.com/films/films-11-2012/, and for Los Angeles at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/282701

Tickets are also available at respective theatre box offices on the day-of screenings.

GLAY’s original 4-hour live performance took place in Osaka on July 28th and 29th before a massive audience of more than 100,000 people and was adapted into the special 3-hour concert film, depicting the best moments of the legendary performance on July 29th and featuring many of the band’s greatest hits. Additional information on this special event can be found at: http://www.liveviewing.jp/glay-screenings/.

As a special bonus, attendees for the San Francisco and Los Angeles screenings will also receive a special commemorative GLAY notebook that was originally only given to concert goers that bought a GLAY CD at one of the band’s live shows. Notebooks will be given out on-site at theatre locations on a first-come/first-served basis, while supplies last.

Since their debut in 1994, GLAY has led the music scene in Japan to become one of the best-selling rock acts in the country and has also garnered a substantial worldwide following. To-date, the 4-piece band has released an astounding 45 singles and has sold more than 40 million albums in Japan alone.

The band name “GLAY” is a deliberate misspelling of the word “gray”, which represents the style of music the members wanted to play; a mixture between rock (black) and pop (white). Takuro, the band’s founder and leader, writes most of Glay's songs and music and is an ardent Beatles fan and the group’s music is heavily influenced by English as well as American rock fans. Although GLAY primarily composes songs in the rock genre, they have also written songs in styles ranging from reggae to gospel. Due to their musical diversity, beautiful lyrics and wonderful melodies, the band has emerged as one of the most successful and well known bands in Japan, and most of Asia. The members of GLAY are also heavily involved in a variety of social and charitable causes.

About Live Viewing Japan:

Live Viewing Japan is a Japanese-based media distribution company focused on bringing a variety of entertainment properties to a global theatre-going audience. More information on the company and its projects is available at: www.liveviewing.jp.

ACF1694: I AM: SMTOWN Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden

CJ Entertainment

Proudly Presents

I AM.: SMTOWN Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden

These days if one mentions K-Pop, PSY and Gangnam Style immediately come to mind. But K-Pop has been around for quite awhile. (I ran a post about Korean songstress BoA here at AsianCineFest in March, 2009.) But on October 23, 2011, an incredible sold-out concert by several enormously popular K-Pop acts took place at New York's Madison Square Garden. It was the first time Asian artists performed at The Garden and recorded a sold-out show.

The groups are part of SMTown, a segment of SM Entertainment, an independent Korean record label, talent agency, producer, and publisher of pop music That concert and other footage will be available tomorrow, Tuesday, November 6, 2012 in an incredible 4 -disc DVD release from CJ Entertainment. (It will also be available on Blu-ray.) KANGTA, BoA, TVXQ!, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, SHINee & f(x) are the featured performers.

Disc 1 is an approximately 2-hour documentary movie about the groups and the tour. It was originally released in May, 2012. For me one of the most interesting things was seeing footage of some performers auditioning when they were in the fifth grade! Many trained for five years or so before joining one of SMTOWN's groups. I was truly impressed by the hard-work and dedication that these talented young people have put into their careers.

Disc 2 consists of ten DVD extras. Only nine are listed on the back cover of the DVD slipcase, either because of one of those oversights that occur from time to time (Criterion's 2 disc Godzilla release had a similar problem) or because the tenth extra was added after the slipsheets had already gone to press. In any case that additional extra is "SMTown Fan Meet Up Special," a segment of the Hello Pop! TV show related to a concert in Anaheim California. Total running time for the extras is approximately 45 minutes.

Discs 3 and 4 present the full-length, sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden. It runs approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. The exciting, high-energy concert was magnificently captured and edited.
 
All I can say is that if you're already a fan of K-Pop, I AM.: SMTOWN Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden is an absolute must-have. The regular DVD version, which I had for review purposes looked terrific. I can't even begin to imagine how great the Blu-ray version probably looks.

And if you're not all that familiar with K-Pop? Well, this release is almost certain to make you an enthusiastic fan.

I AM.: SMTOWN Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden is great entertainment and a great value. It gives consumers more "pop" for your buck than any release I can think of. My ACF over-all rating of the concert footage, documentary movie and additional extras is 3.5 out of 4 stars; very, very highly recommended.

ACF 1221: P’ungnyu Strings concert at The Korea Society on November 17th

Park Min-ji on komungo

Contemplative Traditional Music Series
P’ungnyu Strings (Komungo)
 When: Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 6:00 PM
Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor, NY, NY
Entrance on 57th Street, southwest corner of the intersection

Admission: $10 Members/$20 Guests/Free for Explorer-level Members

This month's episode in The Korea Society's Contemplative Traditional Music Series will feature Park Min-ji playing the komungo, a traditional Korean stringed musical instrument of the zither family of instruments that has both bridges and frets. 

Enjoy a meditative hour of stringed Komungo set to p’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility and central theme of this autumn's performance series. The Korea Society here presents p’ungnyu in its chul-p’ungnyu (stringed-instrument) form. P’ungnyu also refers to a state of leisure when one is elevated from the mundane to better appreciate poetry, music and companionship.

Accompanying the opening of Highlights, this meditative short performance of six-stringed komungo celebrates p’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility. As a philosophy, p’ungnyu refers to a state of leisure where one celebrates arts and companionship.

The evening’s performer, Park Min-ji, graces the audience with her komungo skills. Park graduated from Hanyang University in Korea, was honored at the Dong-A Korean Traditional Music Concours in 2009, and took first in the National Traditional Performing Arts Competition in 2006. She also took first at the 2010 World Korean Traditional Performing Arts Competition in New York and was a member and soloist with the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Traditional Music Orchestra. She toured Atlanta, San Francisco, and Hawaii with the Korean Traditional Music Orchestra of Hanyang University in 2010.

This series is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.

More information at www.koreasociety.org or contact Yuni Cho (yuni.ny@koreasociety.org)

ACF 1217: YAMATO - THE DRUMMERS OF JAPAN to perform in New Jersey on November 18th

 YAMATO – THE DRUMMERS OF JAPAN

Bring Drums, Some Created from 400 Year-Old Trees,

to NJPAC’s Prudential Hall

When: Friday, November 18, 2011 at 8pm

Where: NJPAC’s Prudential Hall

1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102

Yamato – The Drummers of Japan, is an explosive troupe of Japanese taiko drummers that combines a sense of drama with the primal power of percussion, producing one of the world’s most physical forms of music. Yamato, which takes the stage of NJPAC’s Prudential Hall on Friday, November 18 at 8pm, performs with various sizes of drums, some of which are created from trees as old as 400 years, and adds timpani and flute for an evening of highly charged rhythm—from the patter of raindrops to the hammered-out beat of rolling thunder.

Tickets are $35-$70, and are available by telephone at 1-888-466-5722, at the NJPAC Box Office at One Center Street in downtown Newark, or at www.njpac.org.  This performance is part of the Capital One Variety Series, made possible in part by Capital One, New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Discover Jersey Arts.

Click here to watch a video of Yamato or go to http://bit.ly/NJPACYamato

Program Information (subject to change):

暁 Akatsuki (‘The dawn’)

空回里 Kara-mawari (‘Round and round’)

壱徹 Ittetsu (‘Be stubborn’)

無我夢中 Muga-Muchuu (‘Ecstatic enthusiasm’)

楽打 Rakuda (‘Merrily beat’)

有頂天 Ucho-ten (‘To be in rapture’)

遠音 Tone (‘The sound from faraway’)

我楽多　Garakuta (‘Junk’)

我武者羅 Gamushara (‘Bullheadedness’)

About the Artist:

Japanese Taiko drumming group Yamato was born in Yamato-no-kuni, the present day Nara prefecture, in 1993 by Masa Ogawa.  Its headquarters is in Asuka village in Nara, the “birthplace of Japanese culture.” The company tours the world, performing 150-200 times a year, and has grown from four to fifteen members.  For the members of the company, comprised of both men and women, drumming is a way of life. They start the day with a 10 kilometer run, followed by weight training for the rest of the morning. They then practice drumming together in the afternoon and continue with individual practice until bedtime.

ACF 1214: International Premiere of Thailand’s BOXING BOYS!

World’s first non-verbal Thai kickboxing performance

blends martial arts with street dance

The world’s first non-verbal Thai kickboxing performance, blending martial arts with street dance, physical comedy and romance, recently opened at Singapore’s 1942-seat Esplanade Theatre. The Singapore season marks the show’s first bow after its critically acclaimed world premiere in Thailand earlier this year.

Conceptualized, directed and co-choreographed by Ekachai Uekrongtham, celebrated Thai director of the award-winning film Beautiful Boxer and the hit musical Chang & Eng, Boxing Boys! is an inventive live theatre performance that does not rely on words but uses visual, physical and musical elements of the production to tell a story of how two young men – a robust professional kickboxer and a mischievous street dancer – fight to win over the younger sister of a Muay Thai Master.

The 17-strong cast of Boxing Boys! comprises real-life Thai kickboxing champions, award-winning street dancers, sports champs and martial arts experts culled from extensive nation-wide auditions. These include Pongsiri Bunluewong, winner of three Equestrian Gold Medals from the SEA Games and Asian Games; Samran Malaithaisong, Thai kickboxing champion who’s recently been named “Star Kickboxer” by Muay Siam Magazine; Asanee Suwan, kickboxing champ and Thai ‘Oscar’ winner for Best Actor from Beautiful Boxer; Pakasit Luxsiri, 6-time winner of National Thai Sword Fighting Competitions; Assanai Yungyuen, a Taekwondo instructor who holds a Black Belt and has won numerous National Taekwondo Contests; and Thiniwat Tonglue, winner of the recent Singha Battle of the Year Thailand and the 11^th Phrasumain Anniversary Krumping Battle.

The choreography for Boxing Boys!, co-created by one of Thailand’s leading choreographers Kanyarat Napasab and Uekrongtham, confronts as well as blends Thai martial arts and traditional Thai dance with street dance like B-Boying, Krumping, Popping and Locking as well as contemporary dance and body percussion. The extensive fight choreography in the show is crafted by Master Sane Tubthimtong, one of the world’s most revered Muay Thai Masters. Emphasizing on real and raw body attacks and contacts, the fight sequences are explosive yet artful - featuring ancient Muay Thai moves rarely seen these days. In addition to kickboxing sequences, the show also incorporates a war scene showcasing sword-fighting sequences between Thai and Burmese warriors – leading up to the very moment when Muay Thai was born.

Boxing Boys' vast musical landscape features original compositions penned by Papassilp Kitawongwat, Thai ‘Oscar’ winner for Best Original Score from Yamada; and Pacharapong Chantapoon, one of most sought after composers and arrangers for musical theatre. The inspired gamut of musical styles in the show range from traditional Thai music to Hip Hop, Pop, Rock, Electro, Percussion-based, New Age, Classical, Opera and World Music. Sound design is specially created for the show by Nakorn Kositpaisarn, winner of Asian Film Award for Best Sound Design for Warlords starring Jet Li.

Boxing Boys! was critically acclaimed when it had its world premiere in Bangkok earlier this year. Bangkok Post says “Juxtaposition is the charm of the show” and describes Boxing Boys! as “a non-stop joy ride of fun”. It also says the show’s use of music “creates multiple layers of profound meanings”. Season Magazine says Boxing Boys! “harmonizes combat art with dance moves impeccably” and praises the show for its “breathtaking fight sequences which are a thrill to watch.” The Hindu says the live performance is “studded with music, dance and pulsating action” while Prestige Magazine describes it as “a rich cultural potpourri… a show that sizzles with six-pack bodies and high voltage energy.” Kom Chad Luek Newspaper says “this non-verbal performance communicates through the elegance and universality of body language.” It also applauds the show for “revealing the aesthetics and exquisite beauty of Thai kickboxing.”

Boxing Boys! is a Scenario Thailand production executive produced by Takonkiet Viravan whose Broadway credits as Producer include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe and Promises, Promises starring Sean Hayes. The International Premiere of Boxing Boys! in Singapore at the Esplanade Theatre is presented by MediaCorp VizPro International. Negotiations are now underway for the show to tour internationally commencing in 2012.

ACF 1213: World premiere of "Here Now" by WHITE WAVE Young Soon Kim Dance Company at MAD

 "Here Now"

WHITE WAVE Young Soon Kim Dance Company

When: Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5
7:00 PM both evenings

Where: The Theater at MAD
Museum of Arts and Design (MAD)
Jerome and Simona CHazen Building
2 Columbus Circle, NYC

$25 general / $15 MAD members and students

Exploring the turbulence of human emotions, Brooklyn based WHITE WAVE Young Soon Kim Dance Company will present the world premiere of "Here Now." In collaboration with composer Marco Cappelli and filmmaker Anna Kiraly, Young Soon Kim choreographed the work by weaving together panoramic video images of wild rivers and Manhattan streets, original music performed on guitars and fluid dramatic movement. In this way, she and her collaborators showcase the ability of multidisciplinary dance to convey the complexities of human experience.

Click here to purchase tickets, or call 1.800.838.3006
For more information, visit MAD’s Web site.

ACF 1100: P'ungnyu Woodwind - Traditional Korean Music at The Korea Society on Thursday

Contemplative Traditional Music Series:
P’ungnyu Woodwind (Taegǔm)
When: Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 6:30PM
Where: The Korea Society, 950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor
Entrance on 57th Street, the southwest corner of the intersection
Admission: $10 Members/$20 Guests/Free for Explorer-level Members

Enjoy a meditative hour of stringed kayagum set to p’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility and central theme of our spring/summer performance series. The Korea Society here presents p’ungnyu in its chul-p’ungnyu (stringed-instrument) form. P’ungnyu also refers to a state of leisure when one is elevated from the mundane to better appreciate poetry, music and companionship.

Enjoy a meditative hour of the taegǔm, or large transverse bamboo flute, set to p’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility and central theme of this season’s performance series. The Korea Society presents p’ungnyu in its taep’ungnyu (wind instrument) form. Woodwind artist Choi Seung-hee opens with the Taegûm sanjo and Jajinhanib, invoking a bountiful harvest. Choi has performed over 50 live performances in Korea and majored in Korean Traditional Music at Dankook University in Korea under Yoo Ki-joon and Oh Kyoung-soo.

More information at www.koreasociety.org or contact Yuni Cho (yuni.ny@koreasociety.org)

This performance is presented with the generous support of the New York State Council on the Arts.

ACF 1077: Contemplative Traditional Music Series: P’ungnyu Strings

Contemplative Traditional Music Series:
P’ungnyu Strings (Kayagum)
When: Thursday, June 30th at 6:30 PM
Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor
Entrance on 57th Street, southwest corner of the intersection

This Thursday, enjoy a meditative hour of stringed kayagum set to p’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility and central theme of our spring/summer perfromance series. The Korea Society here presents p’ungnyu in its chul-p’ungnyu (stringed-instrument) form. P’ungnyu also refers to a state of leisure when one is elevated from the mundane to better appreciate poetry, music and companionship.

Park Yoon-sook, founder and president of the twenty-year-old Korean Traditional Music and Dance Institute of New York, opens with a Kayagum sanjo. Before her arrival in the United States, Park spent more than two and a half decades studying kayagum, p’ansori, and dance with many of Korea’s leading artists. Ms. Park won numerous awards and performed over 1,800 concerts across Asia and the United States, including a solo recital at Carnegie Hall. This performance is presented with the generous support of the New York State Council on the Arts.

For more information and to buy tickets online, click here.

ACF 982: Springtime Court Music concert at The Korea Society on Thursday, April 21st

Contemplative Traditions Music Series: Springtime Court Music
When: Thursday, April 21st, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue at 57th Street, 8th Floor, NYC
Entrance on 57th Street, south-west corner of the intersection

Artist Han Heejung performs the two-stringed haegûm in the p’ungnyu style, and her subdued and unhurried melodies are designed to prompt contemplation. Han opens with the Yuch'osin chi kok version of Yôngsan hoesang, accompanied by two wind instruments, the taegûm and the hyangp'iri. She also performs the Haegûm sanjo in the style of Chi Yônghûi, a delicate tune reminiscent of Kyunggi folk music with Chinyang, Chungmori, Chungjungmori, and Chajinmori rhythms. Han concludes with Chôk Nyôm, a seven-movement solo piece for haegûm composed by master Kim Yôngjae, and a composition by Yang Sônghwan that derives from the folk music of Kyôngsang province.

P’ungnyu, the classical ensemble music of Korean nobility, is the central theme of The Korea Society’s 2011 traditional music series. As a music of the upper class, P’ungnyu includes the most sophisticated Korean lyric song genre, or kagok, and the indigenous Korean popular song, or sijo. P’ungnyu appears in three varieties: chul-p’ungnyu, with stringed instruments; taep’ungnyu, with wind instruments; and a combination of the two. P’ungnyu also refers to a leisurely state where one becomes appreciative of poetry, music and companionship. Enjoy traditional teas and sweets throughout this special hour of contemplative music, commentary, and Q&A.

About the Performer and Commentator: Han Heejung was a principal member of two traditional orchestras in Korea, the Youth Korean Traditional Music Orchestra and Seoul Korean Traditional Music Orchestra, prior to immigrating to the United States. She graduated from Chu-Gye University for the Arts, where she received traditional academic training and studied under celebrated haegum performers Jung Lim Kim and Kyonng Sook Yang. She joined the Korean Traditional Performing Arts Association’s Chamber Ensemble in 2005, developing new approaches to Korean traditional compositions.

Admission:
$10 Members/Student Guest; $20 Guests; $5 Student Members
Explore Korea card holders attend this program for free with REGISTRATION.

BUY TICKETS

Presented with the generous support of the New York State Council on the Arts.

ACF 974: Reminder - Concert for Japan

CONCERT FOR JAPAN
When: Saturday, April 9, 11 AM — 11 PM
Where: Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street, NYC
Between 1st and 2nd Avenues

Japan Society presents a 12-hour concert benefiting organizations that directly help people affected by the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan. With dozens of music acts and performances throughout the day, confirmed performers for the GALA BLOCKS, organized by John Zorn, include Philip Glass & Hal Willner; Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and Zorn; Ryuichi Sakamoto; and Bill Laswell with gigi band. In addition, special activities will be available for all ages, from making origami cranes and washi lanterns for good wishes to unlimited access to Bye Bye Kitty!!! Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

CONCERT SCHEDULE (for the most up-to-date listing of performers, ticket availability, and viewing the concert live online, click here)

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM OPEN CONCERT New York Suwa Taiko Association led by Hiro Kurashima, Kokoro Gospel Choir
More to come!

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM GALA BLOCK (GALA BLOCK ticket required: $100)
Philip Glass & Hal Willner
Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson & John Zorn
** Limited availability**
Buy Tickets

2:45 PM – 5:30 PM OPEN CONCERT (seating is first come, first served)
Performance order TBD
Masayo Ishigure (koto), Mutsumi and Masumi Takamizu (ji-uta sankyoku), James Nyoraku Schlefer (shakuhachi), Sadahiro Kakitani (ryuteki - gagaku flute), Taikoza (taiko), Yumi Kurosawa (koto), Taka Kigawa (piano)
More to come!

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM GALA BLOCK (GALA BLOCK ticket required: $100)
SOLD OUT
Ryuichi Sakamoto solo
Bill Laswell with gigi band

8:00 PM - OPEN CONCERT (seating is first come, first served)
Performance order TBD
Hard Nips, Echostream, The Suzan, Me & Mars, DJ Aki, plus Salmé from Tokyo!

ENTRANCE FEE (Does not include GALA BLOCKS)
$5, cash at door

GALA BLOCK CONCERT SEATS$100 per gala block (includes Entrance Fee and assigned seating to GALA BLOCK)
Limited to Two Tickets per order per GALA BLOCK

Tickets available on-line or by visiting Japan Society’s box office or calling 212-715-1258.

In addition to the music, CONCERT FOR JAPAN offers special activities for all ages over the course of the event: making origami cranes and washi lanterns for good wishes and recovery, basic Japanese language lessons with the theme "Reach out to Japan," and unlimited access to Bye Bye Kitty!!! Between Heaven & Hell in Contemporary Japanese Art, Japan Society's current gallery exhibition. Throughout the day, visitors are invited to explore the Japan Society landmark building from top to bottom capturing images with a camera or phone, to redeem a gift.

This event replaces the annual j-CATION culture festival scheduled for that day.

100% of proceeds from this event will go to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.

Concert for Japan is generously supported by Mitsubishi International Corporation and Kikkoman Corporation.

ACF 965: Juilliard @ The Korea Society season finale on Tuesday at 6:30 PM

Juilliard @ The Korea Society: Season Finale
When: Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 6:30 PM
Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor, NYC
Entrance on 57th Street, the south-west corner of the intersection
Admission: FREE, but registration required
Register here

Celebrate Korea as a center of excellence in classical music at the Juillard @ The Korea Society season finale. Award-winning violinists Clara Ha-Neul Yoon and Siwoo Kim perform a short program of solos and duets. Siwoo Kim opens with Bach’s Sonata for Solo Violin No. 2 in A Minor, followed by Clara Yoon’s performance of Ysaye’s Sonata for Solo Violin No. 4 in E Minor. The two conclude with Prokofiev’s Sonata for Two Violins in C Major. The hour includes Q&A and a meet-and-greet with these rising stars.

About the Performers:

At 21, violinist Clara Ha-Neul Yoon has emerged as an exciting and charismatic artist. Winner of the Nanpa International Music Competition, Ms. Yoon captured top prizes at the Hyupsung National Competition, Greater Lansing Symphony Young Artists Competition, Cynthia Woods Young Artists Competition, and elsewhere. Hailed by the Daejeon Arts & Culture Times for "truly virtuosic and innovative playing,"

Ms. Yoon appeared as part of the Rising Star series at the Daejeon Arts Center and performed across Europe, Asia, and United States. Ms. Yoon participated in the Meadowmount Music Festival, Green Mountain Music Festival, Great Mountain Music Festival, and Texas Music Festival, as well as the master classes of Lawrence Dutton of the Emerson String Quartet, James Buswell, Joel Smirnoff, and Kyung-Sun Lee.

Siwoo Kim is a multifaceted violinist active as a soloist and in chamber and orchestral settings. Kim began playing violin at two and a half and over the ensuing two decades has won many competitions and awards. Kim took first prize at the Sejong Music Competition and the Columbus Symphony Young Musician Competition, was awarded the Elaine Louise Lagerstorm Violin Award at the WAMSO Young Artist Competition, and placed second at the Corpus Christi International Competition for Piano and Strings in 2010. There, he was awarded the Best Performance of Bach Prize and the Best Violin Performance Prize.

Siwoo won last year’s Gold Medal at the Crescendo Music Awards and placed third at the California International Young Artist Competition. Siwoo also received significant scholarships from the National Federation of Music Clubs, the Korean-American Scholarship Foundation, the Rachel Barton-Pine Foundation, and the NFAA YoungARTS Awards. Siwoo has played with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and the Westerville Symphony Orchestra, and was featured in the Young Steinway Concert Series and elsewhere. Kim appeared on the popular National Public Radio program From The Top. Siwoo Kim performs on a G. B. Guadagnini (Turin), on generous loan from The Juilliard Collection.

ACF 949: Screening of "Intangible Asset No. 82" followed by Live Performance

Intangible Asset No. 82
Directed by Emma Franz

2008, 90 minutes

Followed by a Live Performance
When: Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Where: Museum of the Moving Image
35th Avenue and 37th Street, Astoria, Queens, NY

N or Q Train to 36th Avenue

The Korea Society closes out Asia Week 2011 at The Museum of the Moving Image with a screening of the documentary Intangible Asset No. 82. In the film, director Emma Franz follows Simon Barker, an Austrailian jazz musician, on his exploration of Korean traditional folk rhythm and shamanic ritual. He meets Intangible Asset No. 82, shaman Kim Seok-Chul, and professor Kim Dong-Won, who advise him on the technique and roots of traditional Korean music.

Simon Barker (left) and Bae Il-dong

Following the screening, Kim Dong-won, Barker and artist Bae Il-dong will perform contemporary and jazz stylings on traditional instruments. This screening is part of Korean Cinema Now, co-presented by the Museum of the Moving Image and The Korea Society. The Museum of the Moving Image recently reopened after a $67 million expansion, with dyamic new architecture by Thomas Leeser and New York City’s newest, state-of-the art screen.

ACF 880: Cellist Se-Doo PARK performing at The Korea Society tomorrow night

The Korea Society welcomes award-winning cellist Ms. Se-Doo Park, a 2010 Orchestre symphonique de Montréal Standard Life Competition laureate. Ms. Park, a masters candidate at the famed Juilliard School, will perform the prelude and sarabande from Bach’s Suite No.6 in D major, the 3rd movement from Cassadó’s Suite, Chan Ka Nin’s Soulmate, and Piatigorsky’s Variations on a Paganini Theme. Ms. Park’s violoncello performance is part of a series at The Korea Society celebrating Korea as a center of excellence for classical music. The performance concludes with a Q&A session and meet-and-greet with this rising star.

When: Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 at 6:30 PM

Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY
(Entrance on 57th Streeet, Sout-West corner)

$10 (Members/Students); $20 (Guests)
(Walk-in registration will incur an additional charge of $5)
BUY TICKETS

About the Performer
Ms. Se-Doo Park has taken grand prizes at the National Music Competition of Korea, the Korean TV-Radio Competition, Kiwanis Music Competition, Academy Symphony Orchestra Competition, and Indiana University Cello Competition. Her performances have been broadcast nationally in Canada. Since her orchestral debut with the In-Eum Symphony Orchestra at 15, Park has appeared as a soloist with the Indiana University Concert Orchestra, Academy Symphony Orchestra, and Oakwood Symphony Orchestra. Park has appeared at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival, the Sarasota Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Banff Music Festival, Meadowmount School of Music, Centre d'arts Orford, and Le Domaine Forget. An avid chamber musician, Park is a founding member of Ensemble Sine Qua Non and has performed in England, Germany, and Scotland, where the ensemble will again perform in 2011.

Born in California, Park grew up in both Korea and Canada, and started playing the cello at age 8. She has studied at Indiana University, the Royal Conservatory of Music of Canada, and Seoul Arts High School. Park is pursuing her master's at Juilliard School under the tutelage of cellist Timothy Eddy. Her mentors include Bryan Epperson, Miriam Fried, Rafael Figueroa of The Metropolitan Opera, Menahem Pressler, and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi. Park is an artist in Music & Arts at Trinity Wall Street for the 2010-2011 season, and returns the summer to the prestigious Ravinia Music Festival.

ACF 809: Live House Korea (P’iri and Saenghwang) at The Korea Society

Traditional Music through Seasons: Bamboo Forest in Winter
Live House Korea (P’iri and Saenghwang)

When: Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 6:30 PM
Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor, NYC
Entrance is on 57th Street,
near the South West corner of the intersection

Yoon Ju-A guides the listener through a winter grove to the p’iri (bamboo oboe) and saenghwang (mouth organ). Yoon has toured widely and was part of the Happy Bamboo ensemble. A meditative, candlelight holiday performance.

$10 Members, $20 Guests
Register at http://www.koreasociety.org/

ACF 804: Free performance by cellist Elizabeth Chung at The Korea Society, NYC

Juilliard at The Korea Society

When: Thursday, December 9, 2010, 6:30PM Performance
Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Ave at 57th Street, 8th Floor, NYC
(Entrance on 57th street, South-West corner of the intersection)
Admission: Free (A Korea Society holiday thank you!)

The Korea Society continues its 2010-2011 Young Visions, Young Performers series with cellist Elizabeth Chung. A frequent contributor to orchestras nationwide, Ms. Chung will perform Bach (Suite No. 3 in C Major, Gigue, and No. 6 in D Major, Prelude, and Allemande), Piatti (Caprice Opus 25, No. 7), Ligeti (Sonata for Solo Cello) and Saint-Saëns (The Swan from Carnival of the Animals) in The Korea Society’s Samsung Center. Enjoy seasonal sweets and refreshments at this candlelit holiday concert.

About the Performer
Ms. Elizabeth Chung has performed with the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra, Aspen Academy Conducting Orchestra, Keweena Symphony Orchestra and Harper Symphony Orchestra. Elizabeth is a prize-winner of the Third Triennial Johansen International, Lennox String, MTNA String, Keweena Symphony Concerto and Aspen cello concerto competitions. In 2007, Elizabeth was named semi-finalist in the Paulo International Cello competition. Elizabeth's performance of the Shostakovich cello concerto at Orchestra Hall was broadcast by Chicago's WFMT 98.7.

ACF 768: From Autumn to Winter-s Eve: A Musical Journey at The Korea Society

From Autumn to Winter’s Eve: A Musical Journey

Minji Park explores late autumn's grasp and the onset of winter through a program of traditional six-string kǒmun’go. The evening’s selections pay tribute to the late season and highlight the masculine, deep sounds of one of Korea’s oldest native instruments. A winner at the 2010 World Korean Traditional Performing Arts Competition in New York, Minji Park will perform from the traditional Korean court and folk music repertoire.

Wednesday, November 17
6:00PM Refreshments
6:30PM Performance

BUY TICKETS

The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor
(Entrance on 57th Street, the South-West corner of the intersection)
New York, NY

Admission:
$10 for Members/Students
$20 for Guests
(Walk-in registration will incur an additional charge of $5)

For more information or to register for the program, please contact Heewon Kim or 212-759-7525, ext. 355.

ABOUT THE PERFORMER
Minji Park graduated from Hanyang Unviersity in Korea. An accomplished kǒmun’go artist, she has taken awards at the National Traditional Performing Arts Competition in 2006, Dong-A Korean Traditional Music Concours in 2009, and 2010 World Korean Traditional Performing Arts Competition in New York. She was a member of and soloist for the Seoul Metropolitan Youth Traditional Music Orchestra. In 2010, Minji Park has performed in Atlanta, San Francisco, and Hawaii with the Hanyang University's Korean Traditional Music Orchestra.