Cross-Cultural Arts Festival: Sounds of Korea

Friday, April 5, 2013, at 8:00 PM
Shea Center for Performing Arts at William Paterson University
300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470

The fourth annual William Paterson University Cross-Cultural Art Festival will celebrate the Asian cultures of Korea, Japan and China on campus in Wayne from March 1 to April 13. Korean week begins on April 1 with a Korean film festival and a music performance. Other highlights include a panel discussion, traditional calligraphy, displays, a K-pop dance performance and Korean food.

The week of events will close on April 5 with “Sounds of Korea,” the premier performance group of Korean traditional arts in the U.S. The troupe will perform traditional Korean music and dance. The mesmerizing “Fan Dance” and “Drums of Ecstasy” are among the dazzling and engaging repertoire of Sounds of Korea. Under the direction of Sue Yeon Park, noted master artist and recent recipient of the NEA National Fellowship Heritage Award, Sounds of Korea showcases beautifully crafted instruments and colorful costumes in their stunning productions.

Tickets
Adults: $15 • Seniors: $13 • Students: $10
To purchase tickets, please visit: http://www.wpunj.edu/wplive/programs/CCAF.dot

Contact
Shea Center Box Office (Email: boxoffice@wpunj.edu / Phone: 973-720-2371)
Korean Performing Arts Center (Email: events@kpacnyc.org / Phone: 212-921-9344)

Welcoming Jeongwol Daeboreum Festival
“Blessings and Good Fortunes for a New Year”

Korean Cultural Experience presented by Korean Performing Arts Center 

Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 3:00pm

The Edison Ballroom
240 West 47th Street New York, NY 10036

The Korean Performing Arts Center proudly presents the Korean Cultural Experience event on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Edison Ballroom in NYC. The event celebrates Jeongwol Daeboreum, a Korean celebration, which refers to the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, as well as the first full moon of the lunar year. There are many traditions and customs associated with Jeongwol Daeboreum in Korea. Some of these traditional performances include “Ganggangsullae” and “Jishin Balpggi” or “Stepping on the Spirits of the Earth.” The audience will participate in a series of exciting cultural experience programs which include the cracking of the Bureom nut, playing a traditional board game (Yut Nori), making of a wish for the New Year, folk dancing together, receiving a fortune in Korean calligraphy, making a traditional knot, and also trying on traditional clothes. Through this celebration, we hope to drive out negative energy, and bless the audience with good fortune, hope, peace, and prosperity in the New Year.

This is a unique opportunity to experience Korean culture and arts through a traditional festival. This is a daytime Saturday program, so all family members are welcome to come together to enjoy the event. Also, this program is a fundraising event for KPAC educational programs. KPAC will continue to contribute our culture and be an educator of Korean traditional performing arts for the younger generations throughout the New York City area.

*Audience Participation Events Program*
These events will start before the planned performances

• Wishing Tree – Write down New Year’s wish and hang cards on wishing tree
• Well-Wishing Remarks -Write down words of blessings to friends and family

I.   Jishin Balpggi: Stepping on the Spirits of the Earth

This event starts at Times Square outside the theater. 50 members of the performance troupe will perform at Times Square and head to Edison Ballroom. After the performance troupe enters the theater, the main event will open.  The audience at the theater can view the performance at Times Square, as a projector will be showing the live performance in the theater.

II.  Introduction

III. Binari

IV. Ip-chum: Improvisational Folk Dance with the Song of Seong-ju Puri

V. Gayageum Byeongchang: Song to the Gayageum – Korean Zither – Play
(Song: Banga Taryeong)

VI. Janggu-chum: Hourglass Drum Dance

VII. Ganggangsullae: 5,000-year-old Korean Traditional Dance
Audience participates in Ganggangsullae dance performance

VIII. Yut Nori: Traditional Board Game
Audience participates in a game of Yut Nori

*Audience Participation Events Program*
This event will conclude after the planned performances

• Audience participants will receive a paper written in Korean calligraphy
• Audience participants will make a Korean traditional Knot
• Audience participants will try on Korean traditional clothes

Ticket Information

• Tickets
  General Admission: $10 / Seniors & Students: $5
  To purchase tickets, please visit: http://kpacfestival.eventbrite.com

Contact Information

Korean Performing Arts Center (12 East 33rd St. 5^th Fl. New York, NY 10016)

• Tel: 212.921.9344
• E-mail: events@kpacnyc.org

FREE OPEN CLASSES (January 2013)

*YOGA CLASS (4 SESSIONS)*
(Vinyasa Yoga)

11:00am – 12:00pm
Session I. Wednesday, January 23
Session II. Friday, January 25
Session III. Monday, January 28
Session IV. Wednesday, January 30

Yoga aims to unite the mind, body, and spirit. Yogis view that the mind and body are one, and if taken to the right environment, the body can find harmony and heal itself.  It also helps you become more aware of your body’s posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even in the midst of a stress-stricken environment. Start Yoga at KPAC to feel fitter, more energetic, peaceful, and get some exercise!!!

*K-pop Dance class (1 SESSION)*

8:00 – 9:00pm
Thursday, January 31

Since Korean culture has become more popular and is now in the limelight, people are also very interested in Korean arts and entertainment including music and dance. As part of the Korean cultural experience program, KPAC offers K-Pop Dance that has recently become well-known because of songs like “Gangnam Style.” K-Pop Dance is not just for hardcore K-Pop fans and anyone can enjoy the catchy songs and dynamic dance moves of K-pop music.  If you’re interested in K-Pop culture, come and experience it to the fullest by learning to dance.  You will find it fun and surprisingly educational.

Location: Korean Performing Arts Center
(12 E 33^rd St., 5^th Fl. New York, NY 10016) 

*For more information about the classes or registration, please contact us:
Call: 212-921-9344 · Email: edu@kpacnyc.org

*****************************************

한 국 공 연 예 술 센 터 
2013년 1월 무료 오픈 클라스 (요가 · K-pop 댄스)

한국공연예술센터의 전문강사와 함께 요가와 K-POP댄스를 배우세요!!!

맨하튼 미드타운에 위치한 한국공연예술센터에서 요가 및 K-POP 댄스 무료 오픈 클라스가 있으니 관심 있는 분들의 많은 참여를 바랍니다.

*요가 클라스 (Vinyasa Yoga)*

오전 11시 – 12시
Session I. 1월 23일 (수요일)
Session II. 1월 25일 (금요일)
Session III. 1월 28일 (월요일)
Session IV. 1월 30일 (수요일) 

*K-pop 댄스 클라스*

오후 8시 – 9시
1월 31일 (목요일)

장소: 한국공연예술센터 (12 E 33^rd ST, 5^th FL. New York, NY 10016)

*등록을 원하거나 더 자세한 문의사항은 전화  212-921-9344나  이메일 edu@kpacnyc.org 로 연락을 주시기 바랍니다. 

*KPAC Educational Program*
한국 문화가 전세계적으로 각광을 받고 있는 이 시점에서 2013년 1월부터 저희 기관에서는 한국 문화에 관심이 많은 대중들에게 좀 더 가까이 다가가고자 알차고, 체계적인 문화 · 예술 교육프로그램을 실시하고자  합니다.  현재 저희 한국 공연예술센터의 교육 프로그램은 가야금,  거문고,  해금,  한국무용,  사물놀이,  K-POP,  요가 등 다양한 프로그램이 있으며, 학생들의 교육 수준에  맞춰 그룹 및 개인 레슨 등 다양한 클라스가 있습니다. 수업 스케줄을 확인하세요!  http://ktpaa.org/us/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/KTPAA-Program.pdf

The KTPAA 18th Annual Concert 2012

“Spirits, Nature and Heaven”
“하늘과 자연, 그리고 영혼” 

Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 8:00PM
Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95^th Street, New York, NY 10025)

Featuring Exceptional Korean Performing Artists,
NEA National Heritage Fellow Sue Yeon Park
Jang Jae Hyo & the Sonagi Project

Performance Overview 

The Korean Performing Arts Center (Korean Traditional Performing Arts Association) proudly presents its 18th annual concert, “Spirits, Nature and Heaven.” The show features New York’s two exceptional Korean performing artists, Sue Yeon Park (Korean dance master & national heritage fellow at the National Endowment for the Arts) and Jang Jae Hyo & the Sonagi Project (Korean traditional percussion ensemble). The main purpose of this annual concert is to showcase Korean art in its many forms and spread awareness of the art throughout NYC. The theme of this concert is based on shamanism and will focus on the important role of storytelling by religious specialists. While the performance of the Sounds of Korea is a much more traditional expression of the shamanistic world, the performance from Sonagi Project reinterprets this tradition. This concert will provide an opportunity for others to draw emotion and energy from and view Korean traditional music and dance, linking Korea’s values and past to the contemporary world stage.

The concert will begin with the performance of Minyo Medley (Gayageum Ensemble), featuring students from the KPAC workshops offered to Americans eager to learn about Korean culture. The group of Sounds of Korea will present Seungcheonmu, a dance of the spirit ascending to heaven. This dance is a sort of Ssitgim Gut or exorcism, a ceremony where shamans cleanse others from the negative of the dead and send them to paradise. Seungcheonmu, the dance, will be performed together with Gyeonggi Dodang Gut, music, by Sonagi Project. Finally, Sonagi Project will introduce new compositions based on Korean rhythms and chants. These new compositions will draw from the instrumental and vocal art of Pansori, including the artworks of Mun Gut, Doong Dang Gi Taryeong, and Pungmul.

Tickets Information

• General Admission: $30 / Senior & Student: $20
• For purchase the tickets, please visit: http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7690-ktpaa-proudly-presents-the-18th-annual-concert

Korean Performing Arts Center (Korean Traditional Performing Arts Association)

• Tel: 212.921.9344 /      Fax: 212. 921.0845
• E-mail: info@ktpacnyc.org
• Website: www.kpacnyc.org
• Facebook Event Page:
  http://www.facebook.com/KTPAA/events#!/events/103290253165316

Korean Traditional Performing Arts Association & Korean Performing Arts Center

Korean Traditional Performing Arts Association (KTPAA) was founded in 1986 as the Korean Traditional Arts Community. With growing community support, the association adopted its current name, Korean Traditional Performing Arts Association in 1990. In 1993, KTPAA was formally recognized by the State of New York as a non-profit organization. Since 1998, KTPAA has received annual grants from the Folk Arts Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

The organization serves a vital role in New York City through the teaching of traditional arts to members of the Korean community, and through performances for both Korean and general audiences. KTPAA has played an instrumental role in instilling Korean cultural pride to second generation Korean Americans and in fostering intercultural dialogue with the American society at large. In 2010, KTPAA opened its studio, Korean Performing Arts Center, near Korean Town in Midtown Manhattan to get closer to the Korean community.  KPAC is a home for the company, has rehearsal space for the artists, outreach programs for local audiences, and a school that offers music and dance classes to students of all ages.

Sounds of Korea is the New York-based KTPAA consists of a Dance Troupe, an Instrumental Chamber Ensemble and a Percussion Ensemble. Korean performance art spans a wide range of styles and settings, from classical court music and theatrical masked dance, to popular story-telling songs, drama and folk percussion and dance. Under the direction of dancer Sue Yeon Park, the organization has performed nearly all of these forms at major concert venues, and has introduced Korean music and dance to a wide array of audiences. Its members consist of professionals and individuals from the Korean community who are dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding and appreciation of Korea’s artistic heritage and history.

Artistic Director, Sue Yeon Park

The director of the Sounds of Korea show, Sue Yeon Park, is one of the foremost Korean artists in the United States today. As a dancer, she was trained under Master Yi Mae Bang, one of South Korea’s Living National Treasures.  She has obtained the prestigious title of yisuja, which designates her mastery at the highest level of Master Yi’s performance lineage of Salpuri-chum. She also holds the yisuja title of distinction for the preservation of Seungmu. Sue Yeon Park performs extensively in the US, Europe and South Korea. In her long-time affiliation with the KTPAA,she has been an instrumental leader and teacher and has served as the president and artistic director for the last six years. She has produced and presented at such prestigious venues as the Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Merkin Hall, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Museum of Natural History. She has given guest master classes and adjudicates for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) annual competition since 2004. She is a recipient of the New York Governor’s “Award of Excellence” in recognition of her outstanding achievements and community service to the Empire State, “Best Artist of the Year” Award from the Foundation for Korean Arts and Culture in Korea, and the “Award of Recognition and Appreciation” from Asian American Cultural Center at Rutgers University for her dedication to Korean art and music. In 2008, Sue Yeon Park was named as a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow. She received this honor as a Korean musician and dancer in recognition of her work for nearly three decades, bringing traditional Korean arts to American audiences. She is the first KoreanAmerican artist to receive this honor.

Sonagi Project creates music informed by various traditional genres. Influences include Pungmul gut (farmers’ percussion band ritual), Samulnori (modern percussion quartet), and Pansori (traditional vocal art of storytelling) genres that have roots in Korea’s indigenous shamanic culture; the group also incorporates Jeontong minyo (traditional folk songs) as well as elements of Buddhist music. Building on traditional forms to give their music a contemporary sensibility, Sonagi Project takes liberties with certain techniques and rhythms, and at times embraces outside sources. Some of their original works contain African and Brazilian influences, yet their music preserves the sentiment, emotion, and spirit of Korean tradition. The group is based in Seoul, South Korea, and has performed in North and South America, Europe and East Asia, to popular and critical acclaim. They are a leader of Korean music among a new generation of artists and performers that continue to engage in cultural exchange, and are a vibrant force in the world music scene that now flourishes around the globe.

Sponsors for the Event

Korean Traditional Performing Arts Association (Korean Performing Arts Center) receives support from New York State Council of the Arts, Korean Cultural Service New York, the Korean Channel, Center for Traditional Music and Dance, the Korea Times, Rutgers Korean Cultural Group Alumni Association, and Camp Friendship Korea.

The Seventeenth Annual Concert Korean Performing Arts Center (KTPAA) Sounds of Korea: A Journey through Time Saturday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Peter J. Sharp Theater, Symphony Space
(2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York, NY)