'12 Years of History' Incheon's Representative Brand Performance 'Coffee Concert'

Cumulative Audience of 56,000... Formation of Enthusiast Groups Among Housewives and Active Seniors
First Half Lineup Revealed... Diverse Genres Including Classic, Jazz, Show Choir, Ballet, and More

Show Choir Group Harmonize
Photo by Incheon Culture & Arts Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The brand performance "Coffee Concert" at Incheon Culture & Arts Center has attracted over 56,000 attendees over 12 years, establishing itself as a representative performance of Incheon.

First launched in 2008, the Coffee Concert is a matinee concert held once a month on the third Wednesday at 2 PM. It has expanded its support base by attracting a dedicated audience including housewives who have a keen interest in various cultural activities, self-employed individuals who find evening shows difficult to attend, and "active seniors" who actively enjoy their leisure time after retirement.

The Coffee Concert is also known as a happy stage for performers, as artists share their stories while performing and engage in communication with the audience.

This year, Incheon Culture & Arts Center plans to hold the Coffee Concert from March through December and has announced the lineup for the first half of the year. In addition to classical, popular genres, and jazz, which have received strong responses from existing audiences, unique performances such as show choir and ballet have been prepared.

Violinist Kim Youngwook of the world-renowned Novus Quartet and Hong Minsu, runner-up of the Liszt Piano Competition, will open the March Coffee Concert stage. The two performers will play music from the Romantic era, the most beloved period in classical history, including works by Schumann, Schubert, and Liszt, with a youthful sensibility.

In April, blues music master Kim Mokkyung, known as Korea's "Eric Clapton," will visit with his band. His signature songs such as "Bureujima" and "Story of a 60-Year-Old Elderly Couple" will be performed live, stirring the soul. Through performances based on various musical elements ranging from traditional blues to folk and country music, audiences can appreciate his true talent, recognized on the global stage.

In May, the country's first show choir group Harmonize will take the stage. As a skilled choir that won gold medals at the 2016 World Choir Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and the 2018 World Choir Olympics in Tshwane, South Africa, they will present a stage filled with dynamic performances and diverse harmonies.

Saxophonist Brandon Choi and pianist Jeong Hwanho will be responsible for the warm and gentle music on the June stage. With familiar nostalgic old pop and jazz pieces, they plan to offer a small gift-like moment to those weary from daily life.

Incheon City Ballet
Photo by Incheon Culture & Arts Center

In July, the Incheon City Ballet, representing Incheon, will bring the "Ballet Concert with Commentary" to the audience. Along with commentary by director Park Taehee, they will showcase various pas de deux (duets danced by a female and male dancer) and corps de ballet performances, spanning traditional and contemporary ballet.

Meanwhile, starting at 2 PM on the 28th, season tickets for the first half of the Coffee Concert will be on sale. A limited number of 50 seats can be purchased at a 20,000 KRW discount from the regular price. Since season tickets began selling in 2009, they have sold out early every year, and last year they sold out within 20 minutes of the start of sales.