Ak Dan Gwang Chil: Korean Shamanic Folk-Pop
Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 PM
Alice R. Manicur Assembly Hall, Lane University Center
Ak Dan Gwang Chil Photo:Lee Jong Sam
“There’s a flowering folk-roots revival in South Korea — but no band combines virtuosity, charisma, and pure energy like Ak Dan Gwang Chil. Three powerhouse singers and six virtuoso players combine for breakneck-speed roots-romps.” - WFMU
With one foot in the world of tradition and another in glitzy upbeat pop, Ak Dan Gwang Chil (ADG7) is a multiple award-winning group featuring three powerhouse female folk singers and a rich repertoire inspired by Korea's sacred, shamanic ritual music (gut) and beloved folk songs (minyo) of Hwanghae Province in the northern reaches of the Peninsula. Their powerful performances engage and immerse like no other, presenting the spiritual blessings and positive energy of traditional music in a thoroughly modern and often comical style.
ADG7 was organized in 2015, the year Korea commemorated its 70th anniversary of national liberation. By reconnecting with and reimaging shared Korean cultural roots, ADG7 expresses the true meaning of liberation and the desire for unification. The group's recognitions include Best Group at the 2018 KBS Korean Traditional Music Awards and the Sori Frontier Award at the 2017 Jeongju International Sori Festival, plus recent performances at WOMEX (World Music Expo) 2019 and globalFEST 2020 as official artists, and upcoming shows as a grantee of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation touring roster.
Band Members: Kim Yak Dae (Daeguem), Lee Man Wol (Piri & Saenghwang), Grace Park (Ajaeng), Won Meon Dong Maru (Gayaguem), Chun Gung Dal (Percussion), Sunwoo Barabarabarabam (Percussion), Hong Ok (Singer), Myeong Wol (Singer), and Yoo Wol (Singer)
“A most astonishing show musically and immensely entertaining – Ak Dan Gwang Chil from South Korea. WOW!!!” Bob Boilen, NPR Music
ADG7 was organized in 2015, the year Korea commemorated its 70th anniversary of national liberation. By reconnecting with and reimaging shared Korean cultural roots, ADG7 expresses the true meaning of liberation and the desire for unification. The group's recognitions include Best Group at the 2018 KBS Korean Traditional Music Awards and the Sori Frontier Award at the 2017 Jeongju International Sori Festival, plus recent performances at WOMEX (World Music Expo) 2019 and globalFEST 2020 as official artists, and upcoming shows as a grantee of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation touring roster.
Band Members: Kim Yak Dae (Daeguem), Lee Man Wol (Piri & Saenghwang), Grace Park (Ajaeng), Won Meon Dong Maru (Gayaguem), Chun Gung Dal (Percussion), Sunwoo Barabarabarabam (Percussion), Hong Ok (Singer), Myeong Wol (Singer), and Yoo Wol (Singer)
“A most astonishing show musically and immensely entertaining – Ak Dan Gwang Chil from South Korea. WOW!!!” Bob Boilen, NPR Music
“You’ll believe this band can fly.” Songlines Magazine
OFFSTAGE SERIES WITH WFWM
Immediately after the performance
CES joins forces with Frostburg State University’s own WFWM-FM. After select performances, WFWM station director Chuck Dicken joins the artists for a fun, interactive discussion with ticket holders.
ARTS BEYOND THE STAGE
Korean Folk Music 101
Wednesday, Nov. 17
Time and Location TBA
Ak Dan Gwang Chil shares rhythms, songs and dance from the sacred, shamanic, and secular gut (ritual music) and minyo (folk song) traditions of Korea’s Hwanghae-do region.
