The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles is proud to announce the world premiere of their highly anticipated production, “Rhythm and Passion of Korea” at the Ford Amphitheatre on September 10, 2011. The new work promises to take audiences through an awe-inspiring journey where tradition and modernity merge in music and dance for one unforgettable night. Highlights of this incredible evening include the musical styling of international “Haegum” sensation, Kang Eun-il and her group of elite musicians direct from South Korea, Haegum Plus. World renowned B-Boy dance crew, Last for One, best known for defying the laws of physics with their award-winning, heart-stopping acrobatic routines, will be performing in the second half of the evening to close out an amazing night of entertainment.  

Praised around the world for being a virtuoso of the “Haegum,” an instrument passed down from the Goryeo Dynasty (918~1392 AD) resembling a fiddle with its rod-like body and played with a bow, Ms. Kang takes Korean music to new heights. Armed with her bow, she and Haegum Plusexpand and continually test the limits of sound. The result is entirely new genre that has become termed, “new traditional music.” Unlike “fusion” or “hybrid” music, “new traditional music” strongly maintains the character of traditional Haegum music -- traditional sound and instrumentation serve as the “text” of the music and are central to the musical piece. Alongside the Yoshida Brothers of Japan and the Twelve Girls Band of China, Kang Eun-il and Haegum Plus are emerging as one of the most prominent musical groups representing Asia.

Last for One will add hip hop flavor to the second half of the evening. Audiences will have the rare opportunity to watch the dance crew that has earned numerous honors, including first place of the 2005 International Battle of the Year in Germany (known as the most prestigious B-Boying competition in the world). Additionally, they have also taken the first place title at both the 2003 Japan Battle of Hirapa and at the 2005 Spain Underground Republic 3. Last for One has been invited to perform around the globe in the U.S., Singapore, France, Finland, England, Mongolia, Angola and China. Last for One was also featured in the critically acclaimed documentary film, Planet B-Boy.

Be sure to join us on September 10, 2011 for “Rhythms and Passion of Korea” at the Ford Theatre.

Tickets priced at $25 for adults and $10 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under, are available at www.FordTheatres.org or 323 461-3673 (for non-visual media 323 GO 1- FORD). Adults who buy tickets on or before September 3 pay only $20.

For more information on Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles, please visithttp://www.kccla.org/english_/home_.asp