http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=1257376#list

Author’s note: There’s bound to be updates to this month’s events – keep checking back for more information and new events! If you have an event you’d like to plug, comment on this post or contact me with all the details. Please follow a few guidelines for the maximum benefit.

September 24 – October 23: The month-long Icheon Ceramics Festival kicks off, giving the world a chance to take in the thousand-year history of Korean ceramics. For you Seoul folks, this is an easy day-trip to southeast Gyeonggi-do, not the city with the airport The English-language website is a little quirky, but mostly helpful (lower-right corner for the language option).

September 28 – October 3: the Cheonan World Dance Festival – supposedly the only large-scale dance festival in the country. Ample participation opportunities across the board. About 1 1/2 hours south of Seoul, but Cheonan is on the subway, making it easier to arrive. Check it out at Cheonan Samgeori Park, Cheonan Museum and Arario Plaza. Learn more at the official festival page (currently in Korean only)

September 30 – October 3: Jarasum International Jazz Festival – one of the biggest jazz festivals in Asia is about an hour east  of Seoul. While a little remote, it’s worth it if you enjoy the smooth sounds. Two years ago was a fun time, although it’s probably best if you stay for the weekend or visit on Saturday. Learn more at www.jarasumjazz.com.

September 30 – October 9: Andong Mask Festival – one of the main reasons to visit the area comes once a year. Plenty of tangible and intangible assets to take in for the two weekends it’s going on. There plenty to see and plenty to do – definitely worth visiting if you’re not heading to one of the other festivals. Check out maskdance.com for more information.

Picture from visitkorea.net

October 1 – 12: Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival – along the river is where you’ll enjoy an exhibition and parade of traditional lanterns from around the world, lantern floating, and wish lantern hanging.

 

October 7 – 10: the Nangye Korean Traditional Music Festival – an intriguing chance to hear some Korean traditional music. If you’re keen on the subtleties of the local sound, this will be one of the largest concentrations of musicians and music you’ll see. Yeongdong-gun in Chungcheongbuk-do; see www.nanmf.org for more information.

October 8 (12pm-3am): The twice-annual HBC Fest in Haebangchon returns! Um, well, yeah, about that… See this Three Wise Monkeys post for more. For now, show up and expect to hear plenty of local expat musicians in a ‘Happy Music’ event. See the line up on the Facebook page. Haebangchon area, Noksapyeong station (line 6, exit 2).

October 15 (9am-5pm): The 19th annual KOTESOL conference. Because the Korea Teaching of English to Speakers of Other languages conference is a mouthful. If you’re ready to take teaching English seriously, or want to hang out around those that are, this is one of the best opportunities all year. Plenary speakers include Stephen Krashen and Keith Folse. Get more information on the Facebook event page or the official website.

October 22 (1pm-4pm): Cancer Sucks, especially to those that die from it. If you like dancing, being silly, winning stuff and helping to raise money for fighting cancer, this is a great way to start your weekend. Start by getting dressed up – family-friendly juseyo – and head on out. For a minimum donation of 10,000 won, participants will be given a set of vampire teeth and the opportunity to dance in a video. No dancing skills are needed.  Many local businesses such as restaurants and gyms have donated gift cards which will be auctioned at the event. For more information, e-mail onlyonemitzi AT gmail.com or go to the Facebook event page.

October 23 : Shakespeare’s Gore and Madness – just in time for Halloween! Severed hands, dismembered tongues, loved ones driven to suicidal insanity; is this Shakespeare or the set of John Carpenter’s latest Halloween film? Pull your loved ones close, for it is indeed bloody Shakespeare and not for the feint of heart.  ‘Gore and Madness’ will run for two weekends only, at two different theatres.  The first weekend (October 22 and 23) will be performed at the Whitebox Theatre near Hyochang Park Station   The second weekend (October 29 and 30) will be performed at an international performance festival in Seoul’s theatre district of Daehangno at the 알과 핵 극장. For reservations, please email ticketing AT seoulshakespeare.com, or see seoulshakespeare.com for more info.

© Chris Backe – 2011

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