The East

Japanese Embroidery Exhibition

The East — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 12:38:39 +0000

Shizuka Kusano – Exhibition of Japanese Embroidery

A small exhibition of some of Kusano-san’s beautiful kimono, obi, wall hangings.

This exhibit will be open free to the public as follows: Wednesday-Friday, June 26-28, 5.00 pm to 7.30 pm only and Saturday, June 29, 10.30 am to 5.00 pm.

Admission Free

Date: 26 – 29 June 2013
Venue: The Bridge House Hotel, Longham, Ferndown, Dorset
E-mail: info@nejiribana.co.uk
Web: http://www.japaneseembroideryuk.com
Organiser: Japanese Embroidery UK

Okinawa Day 2013

The East — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 13:16:47 +0000

London Okinawa Sanshinkai and Okinawa Association U.K are delighted to host Okinawa Day 2013 on Saturday 22nd June at Spitalfields in London E1.

Okianwa Day 2013 is an admission free outdoor event and organised as a part of the Spitalfields Estate Community Events Programme. We are committed to promote the diversity of Okinawan culture through a wide range of events, such as performing arts (folk and classical songs accompanied by sanshin lute, Taiko drumming performance and Eisa dance) and arts and crafts, food, tourism information etc…

We hope very much that more and more people in the U.K will participate and enjoy Okinawan related events and contribute to create an Okinawan cultural hub in the U.K through our creative and dynamic energy of Okinawa Day 2013.

Date: 22 June 2013
Venue: Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street, London E1 6AA
Email: contact@okinawaday.org.uk
Web: www.okinawaday.org.uk
Organiser: London Okinawa Sanshinkai and Okinawa Association U.K

Yi Sung-yol, Jang Kiha and the Faces

KCCUK — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 12:34:20 +0000

Since his 1994 debut as part of the pioneering Korean modern rock duo, U & Me Blue, New York City native, Yi Sung Yol, has soared as a solo artist by making his name and making his mark as one of Korea’s top modern rock icons. After featuring in a series of high profile Korean movie soundtracks such as ‘The Coast Guard’ (2002), ‘…ing’ (2003), and ‘Wonderful Days’ (2003), he released his first, self-produced studio album (This Day, This Time, These Days) and received nominations for ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Musician of the Year’ at the 2004 Korean Music Awards. His hit streak continued with his sophomore solo effort (In Exchange) as Yi scored ‘Musician of the Year’ and ‘Modern Rock Song of the Year’ accolades at the 2008 Korean Music Awards. With his latest 2011 release (Why We Fail), online fans and critics felt it was far from a failure as they voted it as the #1 Korean Album of Year on Naver Music (Korea’s #1 online portal site) and the acclaim amplified even more as Yi Sung Yol successfully nabbed 4 nominations (Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Musician of the Year, Male Artist of the Year) and 2 wins (Modern Rock Album of the Year, Modern Rock Song of the Year) at the 2012 Korean Music Awards.

The name of the band, Jang Kiha and the Faces, comes from the nickname Jang picked up as the “best-looking of the indie scene” — hence the “faces.” Jang sings vocals, plays guitar and percussion, and writes the songs. “The Faces,” who all sing in the chorus, include bassist Jung Joong-yub, guitarist Lee Min-ki, drummer Kim Hyun-ho, and backup dancers Mimi Sisters.

Date: Thursday 20 June 2013, 7.30pm
Venue: SCALA 275 PENTONVILLE ROAD, LONDON N1 9NL
Tickets: £15

BOOK TICKETS NOW!!

1. NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF KOREA - FRI 14 JUNE

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=14928

2. GEOMUNGO FACTORY- WED 19 JUNE

http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/geomungo-factory-130619/

3. PANSORI NIGHT: AHN SOOK SUN - FRI 21 JUNE

http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/pansori-night-ahn-sook-sun-130621

4. UHUHBOO PROJECT & UK BAND - SUN 16 JUNE

http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=2099

5. YI SUNG YOL BAND & JANG KIHA AND THE FACES - THURS 20 JUNE

http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=2100

FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT KCCUK

020 7004 2600 / info@kccuk.org.uk

Geomungo Factory

KCCUK — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:38:06 +0000

The first-ever British concert by Korean cult legends Geomungo Factory, who’ve taken the geomungo – an ancient form of zither, played with a stick – and explored its future as well as its past. ‘You can’t make innovations if you don’t know the tradition’, they say, so the first half of this concert explores the throbbing, percussive, cello-like sounds of four geomungos. They let rip in the second half with their own compositions – dark, fascinating pieces that seem to evoke the sound world of Steve Reich, and include new instruments that they have created.

‘The music of Geomungo Factory sounds very contemporary and very ancient at the same time. A deep, muscular sound, both percussive and melodic, is at the heart of their musical world.’ (Simon Broughton, Songlines)

Date: Wednesday 19 June 2013, 7.30pm
Venue: Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ
Tickets: £15

BOOK TICKETS NOW!!

1. NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF KOREA - FRI 14 JUNE

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=14928

2. GEOMUNGO FACTORY- WED 19 JUNE

http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/geomungo-factory-130619/

3. PANSORI NIGHT: AHN SOOK SUN - FRI 21 JUNE

http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/pansori-night-ahn-sook-sun-130621

4. UHUHBOO PROJECT & UK BAND - SUN 16 JUNE

http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=2099

5. YI SUNG YOL BAND & JANG KIHA AND THE FACES - THURS 20 JUNE

http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=2100

FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT KCCUK

020 7004 2600 / info@kccuk.org.uk

Uhuhboo Project and Pere Ubu

KCCUK — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:39:45 +0000

Long-standing pioneers of avant-garde Korean pop music, Uhuhboo Project take to the Scala stage as part of the K-Music 2013 Festival.”

Uhuhboo Project’s music is simply impressive.” Choreographer Pina Bausch

Also on the bill at this concert are Pere Ubu who, since their formation in the mid-1970s, have been changing the face of rock music, redefining the art of cult; and who have refined the voice of the outsider; inspiring the likes of Joy Division, Pixies, Bauhaus, Thomas Dolby and many more. With their latest album, Lady from Shanghai, gaining a 4* review in The Independent these two bands will complement each other perfectly in a showcase of the unexpected.

Ubu are generally regarded as the missing link between the Velvets and punk. From the beginning they obviously understood the nuts and bolts of popular music, and then loosened them. Joe Cushley, MOJO

Date: Sunday 16 June 2013, 7.30pm
Venue: SCALA 275 PENTONVILLE ROAD, LONDON N1 9NL
Tickets: £15

BOOK TICKETS NOW!!

1. NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF KOREA - FRI 14 JUNE

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=14928

2. GEOMUNGO FACTORY- WED 19 JUNE

http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/geomungo-factory-130619/

3. PANSORI NIGHT: AHN SOOK SUN - FRI 21 JUNE

http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/pansori-night-ahn-sook-sun-130621

4. UHUHBOO PROJECT & UK BAND - SUN 16 JUNE

http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=2099

5. YI SUNG YOL BAND & JANG KIHA AND THE FACES - THURS 20 JUNE

http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=2100

FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT KCCUK

020 7004 2600 / info@kccuk.org.uk

The 13th Japanese Matsuri

The East — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 13:12:28 +0000

From 1 to 2.30 pm, there will be Japan Experience corner for visitors to put on kimono, try origami, write their names in Japanese aplhabets, and sample Asian sweets.

From 2.30 to 3.30 pm, there will be performance corner for visitors to listen to Taiko (Japanese druming) by local people and Japanese songs by the participants at the weekly Japanese Class.

The event is free and open to the public.
This is supported by the Japan Society of the UK.

This is part of Glasgow’s West End Festival.

Admission Free

Date: 15 June 2013, 1 to 3.30pm
Venue: Wellington Church, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12
Email: matsuriglasgow@gmail.com
Web: http://www.japanese-matsuri-glasgow.org.uk/
Organiser: Japanese Matsuri for Glasgow

Yoko Ono’s Meltdown

The East — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:42:31 +0000

This year’s Meltdown festival at the Southbank Centre will be curated by Yoko Ono, celebrating her achievements in music, visual arts and activism and coinciding with her 80th birthday. The festival, now in its 20th year, will feature performances by a number of artists from around the globe, including Japanese artists and performers such as Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Cibo Mato and Ikue Mori. Reflecting Ono’s cross-genre dedication to the arts, the opening will launch an extensive film programme at the BFI Southbank and will open and close with two event-packed weekends as part of the festival.

Date: 14 June 2013 – 23 June 2013
Venue: Southbank Centre, London

The National Orchestra of Korea

KCCUK — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:41:17 +0000

After major concerts around the world, the National Orchestra of Korea finally make their London debut with this Barbican concert, which opens the K-Music Festival, a London-wide celebration of the best of Korean music. Under their artistic director Won Il, this acclaimed Orchestra have developed a special voice in Korean culture – drawing on traditional instruments, but encouraging innovation.

Date: 14 June 2013 / 20:00
Venue: Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk Street London , EC2Y 8DS
Tickets: £10 – 25

BOOK TICKETS NOW!!

1. NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF KOREA - FRI 14 JUNE

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=14928

2. GEOMUNGO FACTORY- WED 19 JUNE

http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/geomungo-factory-130619/

3. PANSORI NIGHT: AHN SOOK SUN - FRI 21 JUNE

http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/pansori-night-ahn-sook-sun-130621

4. UHUHBOO PROJECT & UK BAND - SUN 16 JUNE

http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=2099

5. YI SUNG YOL BAND & JANG KIHA AND THE FACES - THURS 20 JUNE

http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=2100

FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT KCCUK

020 7004 2600 / info@kccuk.org.uk

Pansori Night: Ahn Sook-Sun

KCCUK — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:32:55 +0000

Pansori is Korean musical drama which delivers myths that have been passed on orally – with no musical notation, pansori is limitless and exciting, combining passion and humour. One of the greatest of all pansori singers, Ahn Sook-Sun, was the first Korean artist to play the Edinburgh International Festival, and has also played Womad. She makes a very rare appearance in London with a musical ensemble for this special programme which features Heungboga, one of the five great works of the pansori tradition, and also includes music for gayageum (a 12-string plucked instrument rather like the koto or zheng) and geomungo.

‘Often described as Korean opera, the description is misleading – it wasn’t an aristocratic creation, but mixes elements of folk music and shamanism. The intimacy, the translation, the audience and the ambience are just as important as the music. When all that comes together, pansori really is one of the world’s great musical art forms.’ (Simon Broughton, Songlines)

Date: Friday 21 June 2013, 7.30pm
Venue: Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ
Tickets: £15

BOOK TICKETS NOW!!

1. NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF KOREA - FRI 14 JUNE

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=14928

2. GEOMUNGO FACTORY- WED 19 JUNE

http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/geomungo-factory-130619/

3. PANSORI NIGHT: AHN SOOK SUN - FRI 21 JUNE

http://www.cadoganhall.com/event/pansori-night-ahn-sook-sun-130621

4. UHUHBOO PROJECT & UK BAND - SUN 16 JUNE

http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=2099

5. YI SUNG YOL BAND & JANG KIHA AND THE FACES - THURS 20 JUNE

http://www.scala-london.co.uk/scala/event.php?id=2100

FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT KCCUK

020 7004 2600 / info@kccuk.org.uk

Public Seminar – The Japan Mint and the Royal Mint: A History of Exchange

Japan Foundation — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:17:30 +0000

When the Meiji government came into power in 1868 it recognised the pressing need to produce a credible and reliable currency which would aid the modernisation of Japan. Thus, in 1871 it established the Japan Mint in Osaka where high-quality coins would be produced. Japan developed its mint by combining traditional Japanese techniques with knowledge acquired through exchange of technology and human resources with the UK. Upon its establishment, the Japan Mint purchased machinery from the Hong Kong Mint and hired a series of British experts including Thomas Kinder and William Gowland to oversee its operations. In addition, four of the famous Chōshū Five, who studied at University College London, would at various times become Head of the Japan Mint during its early years. This exchange with the UK played a central role in the initial development of Japan’s mint but the extent and importance of this exchange is perhaps not widely known.

The Japan Foundation, in collaboration with the Royal Mint Museum, is delighted to present this special public seminar exploring the history of exchange between Japan and the UK in the area of mint. Yoshiake Shinhara, President of the Japan Mint, will look at the UK’s contribution to the establishment of the Japan Mint and the close ties that developed between Japan and the UK in the area of mint in the late 19th century. Shinhara will be joined by Graham Dyer OBE FSA from the Royal Mint Museum who will provide a British perspective on these ties, and Dr Helen Wang (Curator of East Asian Coins, British Museum) who will delve into the British Museum’s vast collection to introduce some of the coins that were in circulation in Japan and the UK around the time of the Japan Mint’s inception.

Date: 13 June 2013 from 6.30pm
Venue: The Japan Foundation, London