Join us for the 1st Annual Korean Culture Week at the Kennedy Center, Oct. 20-22! Based on the theme of Tradition and Transition, this free three-day, three-performance event  will take audiences on a journey through Korea's outstanding performance arts, from ancient folk culture to the dynamic contemporary arts of today, with a variety of richly textured live performances.  

The event kicks off with a performance by NANTA on the Millennium Stage on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6 pm!  

The electric energy of NANTA, a one-of-a-kind comic, musical, non-verbal performance, draws inspiration from the traditional Korean percussion ensemble Samulnori. Set in a kitchen, a quartet of chefs transform knives and other handy utensils into musical instruments, thrilling audiences with high-flying cabbage and driving upbeat rhythms that blend a Korean tempo with Western style. Come see what NANTA is cookin' in this unforgettable performance of the show's best highlights!  

NANTA has been one of the most popular ongoing shows in Korea since it premiered in 1997, drawing the largest number of spectators in Korean stage history. NANTA's international debut came in 1999 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and it went on to become the first performance from Asia to open its own off-Broadway Theater in New York City.  

Friday's event is a rare, exquisite performance by Korean masters from the National Gugak Center on the Millennium Stage. It starts at 6 pm on Oct. 21! 

This show presents a variety of the most well-known Korean folk music and ensemble dance repertories to demonstrate the abundance and profoundness of Korea's traditions and heritage. It includes sinawi, an instrumental ensemble with improvisation derived from shamanistic music, and pansori, a deeply moving musical genre combining narrative song, storytelling, and body movements accompanied by solo percussion. In addition, seungmu is among the most well-known solo folk dances developed from Buddhist monks, and the iconic folk music of Gyeongsang Province, including namdogutgeori and seongjupuri, will round out the performance.   

Schedule of Events 

Thursday, October 20 @ 6pm

NANTA (Highlight) by PMC Production

Friday, October 21 @ 6 pm

Korean National Gugak Center 

Saturday, October 22 @ 6 pm 

Darkness PoomBa by Modern Table Company

No RSVP Required! 

All performances start at 6 pm. Early arrival is recommended. 

Admission is first come, first served.