Concert

"Corea Festival Ensemble Concert": The ensemble that has worked on popularizing chamber music since it was launched in 1986 will hold concerts around the year, starting with the "Drama in Music" concert on April 3 at Hoam Art Hall. The concert`s program includes L.Janacek`s String Quartet No.1 "Kreutzer Sonata," highlights from Gounod`s opera "Faust," Beethoven`s Piano Sonata from "Tempest" and more. Tickets are 20,000 won. Exit No.9, City Hall Station on Subway Line No. 2. For more information, call (02) 501-8477.

"Evgeny Kissin Recital": The young Russian virtuoso pianist will have his first recital in the country at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on April 8. The 34-year-old pianist has received extraordinary acclaim for his numerous recordings, among which are Schumann Concerto with the Vienna Philharmonic and Carlo Maria Giulini and the Prokofiev Concertos Nos. 1 and 3 with the Berlin Philharmonic. Tickets are 50,000 to 160,000 won. Exit No. 5, Nambu Bus Terminal Station on Subway Line No. 3. For more information, call (02) 751-9606.

"Ensemble Planeta Concert": The popular 5-member female classical and cappella group from Japan will give a concert at Coste Hall in in Myungdong Cathedral, downtown Seoul, tomorrow. The group has gained a growing circle of fans worldwide with their total of six albums, through which they exquisitely present their uncanny vocal harmonies. The concert`s program will include a collection of classical masterpieces of Bach and Mozart. Tickets are 33,000 to 55,000 won. Exit No. 8, Myeong-dong Station on Subway Line No. 4. For more information, call (02) 2690-5643.

"Yiruma`s Same Old Story": The Popular new age pianist will hold a concert on April 8 at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts, before starting his compulsory military service. Since debuting in 2001 with "Love Scene," Yiruma has gone on to release successful follow-up albums like "First Love," "From the Yellow Room," "Destiny of Love" and, most recently, last year`s "Poemusic." Out of popular demand, he is setting up dates to additional concerts that will be staged in six other cities. Tickets are 20,000 to 70,000 won. Exit No. 8, Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line No. 5. For more information, call (02) 543-1601.

"Bob James Live in Seoul": Jazz pianist Bob James will arrive in Seoul next month along with his project band called "Angels of Shanghai" to give a concert at the 424-seat Baekam Art Hall in Samseong-dong, Seoul on Apr. 19 and 20. Also performing with James will be Korean-born world-renowned jazz guitarist Jack Lee, and contrabassist Nathan East, who is currently working with James in the world-class fusion jazz band named "Fourplay." Tickets are 60,000 to 70,000 won. Exit No. 8, Samseong Station on Subway Line No. 8. For more information, call (02) 559-1333.

"Branford Marsalis in Seoul": The Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophonist will offer a concert at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall On May 2. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the world`s capital of Jazz music, in 1960, into one of the most prolific, talented musical families in America, Marsalis has been called the most versatile jazz entertainer since Louis Armstrong. Tickets are 20,000 to 80,000 won. Exit No. 5, Nambu Bus Terminal Station on Subway Line No. 3. For details, call (02) 543-1601.

Dance

"Sleeping Beauty": Universal Ballet will perform the Kirov version of the piece from April 5 to 9 at Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. Universal Ballet`s production is based on traditional Kirov style, featuring magnificent scenery with ornate metal gates, topped with myriad candles and beautifully figured backdrops like magical silver spider webs. Characters from the fairy tale of Charles Perrault`s "The Master Cat" or "Puss in Boots" have also been added to the performance. Tickets are 10,000 to 100,000 won. Exit No. 5, Nambu Bus Terminal Station on Subway Line No. 3. For details, call (02) 2204-1041.

Drama

"Oldboy": Film director Park Chan-wook has demonstrated his distinctive style with "Oldboy," a thriller based on a Japanese comic strip. Now, a drama version is set to greet Korean fans, offering a new interpretation for the theme of revenge. The drama will run through April 30 at Daehangno Uri Theater in downtown Seoul. Ticekts are 30,000 won to 35,000 won. Exit No. 2, Hyehwa Station on Subway Line No. 4. For further information, call 745-0308.

"Encore Happy Together": This comedy about two armed robbers storming into the house of a rich old woman will run through Aug. 31 at Small Theater Happy Together in Seoul. Tickets are 10,000 won and 20,000 won. Exit No. 2, Hyehwa Station on Subway Line No. 4. For further information, call (02) 742-7262 or visit www.artpama.co.kr.

"A Third Rate Actor": The original Korean play features an obscure actor who hasn`t taken a major role in drama for nearly 30 years. Exploring the possibility of restoring humanity through the peculiar character, it will run through April 30 at Valentain Theater in Hyehwa-dong, Seoul. Tickets are 20,000 won to 25,000 won. Exit No. 2, Hyehwa Station on Subway Line No. 4. For further information, call (02) 3674-5555.

"Waiting for Her Spring": The drama is set in a port city after two Koreas are reunited. People teeming with ambitions and new hopes rush to the special economic zone. The drama will run through April 9 at the small theater of Dongsoong Art Center in Seoul. Tickets are 15,000 won to 25,000 won. Exit No. 1, Hyehwa Station on Subway Line No. 4. For further information, call (02) 762-9190.

"Son Sook`s Talk Concert": Subtitled "Smile, My Dear Love (Saranga Usora)," the show features a handful of short plays portraying different kinds of love. Son Sook, a veteran actress, holds a talk session with audiences following each performance. The drama will run through April 9 at COEX Art Hall near Samsong Station on Subway No. 2. Tickets are 20,000 won to 40,000 won. For further information, call (02) 744-7304.

"Waiting for Godot": BH Productions presents Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. Performances are Thursdays, March 23, 30 and April 6 at 9:00 p.m.; Fridays, March 24, 31, and April 7 at 9:00 p.m.; Saturdays, March 25 and April 1, 8 at 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; and Sundays, March 26 and April 2 at 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The venue is The Space Theatre, located near Exit 3 at Anguk Station on Subway Line No. To reach the venue, go out exit 3 and walk straight for approximately 1 minute. The theatre will be on your left. Tickets to all performances are 15,000 won. Doors open one hour prior to performance. For reservations, call 02) 794-4624 or write to thebhpcompany@yahoo.com

Musical

"Les Dix Commandements": The musical based on the famous biblical episode about the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt will be staged at the Gymnastics Gymnasium of Olympic Park, eastern Seoul, from April 11 to May 9. Premiered in 2002, more than 2 million music and dance lovers went to see the epic in France alone, which has led to sales of CDs and DVDs reaching 4.2 million copies in total. Tickets are 30,000 to 150,000 won. Exit No. 3, Olympic Park Station on Subway Line No. 5. For more information, call (02) 512-7986.

"Palae (Washing)": Based on the director Choo Min-joo`s six years` experiences living in Noyu-dong, eastern Seoul, the musical features socially disadvantaged people struggling to survive in a society full of prejudices. The award-winning musical will run through April 23 at Sangmyung Art Hall in Daehangno, downtown Seoul. Tickets are 30,000 won and for more information, call (02) 762-9190.

"Mr. Mouse": Adapted from American writer Daniel Keyes`s "Flower for Algernon," the musical moves around In-hoo, a mentally handicapped man who works at a Chinese restaurant, who develops a genius IQ of 180 after undergoing brain surgery in connection with a human intelligence-enhancing experiment. It will run through tomorrow at Sadari Art Center Nemo Theater in downtown Seoul. Tickets are 35,000 won. Exit No. 1, Hyehwa Station on Subway Line No. 4. For further information, call (02) 747-2070.

"Yodeok Story": A musical features horrible cases of human right abuses taking place in North Korea`s Yodeok political prison camp as part of its main theme. It will run through tomorrow at Seoul Kyo Yuk MuhWha HoeKwan Theater, southern Seoul. Tickets are 20,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 569-4483.

"Grease": The time-honored musical by the experienced Broadway team presents the show about love, friendship, and rebellion during adolescence. After being staged through March 23 at Chungmu Art Hall in downtown Seoul, it is being performed at Seongnam Art Center south of Seoul from March 25 to April 5 and at Daegu Opera House in the southeastern city of Daegu from April 12 to April 23.

"Aida": A big-budget Disney musical features the heart-breaking love between Radames, the Captain of the Egyptian Army, and Aida, the daughter of the Nubian King, with the Egyptian princess Amneris telling the story. It runs at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul. Tickets are 40,000 won to 120,000 won. Exit No. 7, Yeoksam Station on Subway No. 2. For ticket reservations, call (02) 2005-0114, or visit www.musical-aida.co.kr

"Funky Funky": A musical directed by comedian Geong Seong-han is running at Funky House in Myeong-dong, downtown Seoul. Near Exit No. 6, Myeongdong Station on Subway No. 4. Tickets are 20,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1588-1089 or visit www.funkyfunky.co.kr

"Subway Line 1, 2005": A tried-and-true rock musical by the Hakchon Theatre Troupe portrays a wide range of Seoulites in the 1990s runs at Hakchon Theater. Tickets range from 17,000 won to 28,000 won. Exit No. 2, Hyehwa Station on Subway Line No. 4. For more information, call (02) 763-8233 or visit www.hakchon.co.kr

"Waikiki Brothers": The musical revolves around the life of Sung-woo and his dream of forging a career as a rock musician. It will run through tomorrow at Theater Sun at National Theater of Korea in downtown Seoul. Tickets are 30,000 won to 100,000 won. Exit No. 6, Dongguk University Station on Subway Line No. 3. For further information, call (02) 3141-1345.

Exhibition

"Great Chairs, Design of the 20th: 100 Years-100 Chairs": Seoul Museum of Art in central seoul offers a chance to look at how industrial furniture designs changed or developed in different periods of the 20th century. The exhibition, sponsored by the Embassy of Switzerland, will run through April 30 at the Seoul Museum of Art near City Hall Station on Subway Line No. 2. Admission is 6,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for students under 18 and 1,500 won for children under 12. For more information, call (02) 2124-8800 or visit www.seoulmoa.org

Steven Gontarski`s solo exhibition: Half-Korean sculptor and painter Gontarski shows how much an artist can encompass classical Renaissance and contemporary art through his solo exhibition at PMK Gallery in central Seoul. Gontarski received much attention at a solo exhibition at White Cube in London, which is famous for presenting young British artists. He is introducing to Korean art lovers his earlier sculptures, recent installations, drawings and oil paintings at the month-long exhibition here. The exhibition runs through April 8 at PKM Gallery near Anguk Station, Line No. 1. For more information, call (02) 734-9467.

"Gerhard Richter/A.R. Penck": With special help from Germany`s Bockmann Collection, renowned for its broad collection of Richter`s works, the National Museum of Contemporary Art has been exhibiting 67 pieces of the two artists in "Gerhard Richter/A.R. Penck" since Feb. 25. Observing the valuable artworks of the two artists` from the 1960s until now, viewers will see for themselves why Richter and Penck are regarded as two of the most important living artists in the world. The exhibition will run through April 30 at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. The gallery offers shuttle buses every 20 minutes beginning from 9 a.m. at Exit 4, Seoul Grand Park Station on Subway Line No. 4. For more information, visit www.moca.go.kr

"ArtSpectrum 2006": Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art in Hannam-dong is holding the third biannual exhibition, ArtSpectrum 2006, presenting 16 Korean contemporary artists. Encompassing all genres of contemporary art, from painting to media art to installation to photography, visitors will be able to see the current direction of contemporary art. The exhibition will run through May. 14 and is located near Exit 1 at Hangangjin Station on Subway Line No. 6. A one-week advance reservation is required for English tours. Admission for adults is 3,000 won and for children, 2,000 won. Reservations should be made in advance. For reservations, call (02) 2014-6901 or visit www.leeum.org

"Sentimental Journey": Swiss painter, graphic designer and installation artist Alfonso Huppi is holding his solo exhibition at Daelim Contemporary Art Museum in central Seoul. Living and working in Germany, Huppi uses diverse media such as photography and drawing to conceptualize his imagination and creativity. The exhibition is also supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Seoul. The exhibition runs through Apr. 9 and is located near Exit 4 at Gyeongbokgung Station on Subway Line No. 3. For more information, call (02) 720-0667 or visit www.daelimmuseum.org

"Mixed Reality": Media artist holds a three-dimensional virtual reality exhibition at Savina Museum of Contemporary Art in central Seoul. Visitors can see various works including a computer graphics show with goggles. The exhibition runs through April 9. Docent programs are available at 2 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located near Exit No. 1 at Anguk Station on Subway Line No.3. For more information, call (02) 736-4372.

"Gwon O-sang: The Sculpture": After becoming one of the eight emerging artists to sign an exclusive contract with Arario Gallery, Gwon will hold his solo exhibition, ignoring traditional methods of sculpture by substituting heaviness and sturdiness with reproducible fragility. Gwon chose photographic fragments as the chief material for his work. The exhibition will run through April 9 at Cheonan Arario Gallery located at Shinbu-dong, Cheonan City, South Chungcheong Province. For more information, visit www.arariogallery.co.kr

"Joan Mitchell: A Survey 1952-1992": In collaboration with the Joan Mitchell Foundation, Kukje Gallery has prepared the first retrospective exhibition of the late artist in Asia. In the 1940s, abstract expressionists established foundations for an entirely new painterly expression that strengthened into a major art movement of the 20th century. By 1950, the new style of "gestural abstract painting" quickly gained a fervent advocate in Mitchell, who helped it expand and flourish for decades. The exhibition runs through April 4 at Kukje Gallery near Anguk Station, Subway Line No. 3, Exit 1. For more information, visit www.kukje.org

"International Architectural Ceramic Exhibition": With the opening on Mar. 24, Clayarc Gimhae Museum is holding the exhibition where 16 international artists in the field of architectural ceramics will exhibit their early and latest works of earthenware, porcelain, ceramics and clay. The participating artists include William Daley from the United States and Nino Caruso from Italy. The exhibition will run through Oct. 1, displaying 47 art pieces. The closest railway station to Gimhae is Gupo Station in Busan. It takes about 30 minutes to one hour to Gimhae by taxi or bus. For more information, call (055) 340-7016 or visit www.clayarch.org