Join us for the opening of the OnStage Korea 2023 Season featuring two acclaimed Korean artists who redefine traditional music with contemporary style, SaaWee and Hwang Gina, in a back-to-back performance at DC’s Union Stage at The Wharf on Sunday April 16 at 5:00 p.m.! This special event also celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Korea-US Alliance in 2023 and offers an eye-opening look at recent trends in Korean creative music—inspired but not bound by tradition—including music by Latin Grammy-winning artist Sita Chay of SaaWee.

SaaWee, comprised of Chay and percussionist Jihye Kim, will present their original work The Ritual of Le Sac in the first half, combining dynamic music and dance that draws inspiration from traditional Korean shamanistic performance and its cathartic spiritual impact. This performance includes an international collaboration with keyboardist Jason Lindner and contemporary dancer Sidra Bell. Soloist Hwang Gina’s Scene: Geomungo Universe is a musical force of nature that fuses multiple rich aural traditions, including acoustic and electric string instruments as well as the iconic and evocative Korean geomungo, an 6-stringed zither with a wide range of expression.

Combining their own unique personal style and musical vibes, these two groups represent the cutting-edge of contemporary creative music in Korea, where the line between traditional and pop culture is often blurred but the immersive audience experience remains paramount.

For more information and to register for free tickets, visit the KCCDC website and see the full event listing.