Live Performance entertainment in Asia
-
Kampot Traditional Music School
Visitors are welcome to drop by and observe the students of the Kampot Traditional Music School, which trains orphaned and disabled children in traditional music and dance. There's no charge but donations are welcome.
reviewed
-
The Tumen Ekh Song & Dance Ensemble
A performance of traditional music and dance will be one of the highlights of your visit to Mongolia and should not be missed. You'll see outstanding examples of the unique Mongolian throat-singing, known as khöömii; full-scale orchestral renditions of new and old Mongolian music; contortionists guaranteed to make your eyes water; traditional and modern dancing; and recitals featuring the unique horse-head violin, the morin khuur. The Tumen Ekh Song & Dance Ensemble at the State Youth & Children's Theatre is the most popular cultural show in town, featuring traditional singers, dancers and contortionists. It's a great chance to hear khöömii and see some fabulous costu…
reviewed
-
A
Seoul Arts Centre
This sprawling arts complex has a circular opera house with a roof shaped like a Korean nobleman’s hat. It also houses the 700-seat Towol Theatre and the smaller Jayu Theatre. The national ballet and opera companies are based here. Music House consists of a large concert hall and a smaller recital hall and is home to the national choir, the Korea and Seoul symphony orchestras and the Seoul performing arts company. There are also three art galleries here: Hangaram Design Museum, Hangaram Art Museum and Seoul Calligraphy Museum. The website has a calendar of the many events, shows and programs. To reach it, walk straight on from the subway exit and turn left at the end of t…
reviewed
-
B
Kabuki-Za (Kabuki Theatre)
Performances and times vary from month to month at Kabuki-za so check with the TIC (Tourist Information Center; ) or the theatre for programme information. Be sure to rent a headset for blow-by-blow explanations in English, and pick up a bentō downstairs. A full kabuki performance comprises three or four acts (usually from different plays) over an afternoon or an evening (typically 11:00 to 15:30 or 16:30 to 21:00), with long intervals between the acts.
If four-plus hours sounds too long, you can purchase last-minute tickets for a single act, although seats are only on the highest balcony. Since some acts tend to be more popular than others, inquire ahead as to which to…
reviewed
-
C
Pyongyang Circus
The nature of visiting North Korea is that the most mundane everyday things become instantly fascinating. Given that contact with locals is kept to a minimum, while in Pyongyang you should take advantage of the relatively wide choice of evening entertainment to see how locals like to relax. Of course, what you will and won't be able to do depends on your guides, and so let them know any requests as early on as possible, and of course, try to stay in their good books.
The Pyongyang Circus gets glowing reviews from visitors. It is mainly a human circus, and you may hear vicious rumours that during the famine many of the animals ended up on plates.
reviewed
-
D
Red Pavilion Theatre
The Red Pavilion Theatre is one of Taipei's older buildings. The wooden, octagonal structure was originally a public market, then a theatre for Chinese opera as well as a second-run cinema. Since beginning life anew as a multipurpose centre for vocal and visual arts it has hosted a variety of performers and performances, such as Taiwan-based world music group A Moving Sound and the Taipei run of the Vagina Monologues.
Exhibits and performances change frequently, but even if you come just to check it out (or have a coffee), it's worth the time.
reviewed
-
Puppet Performance
Bukhara's old town is eerily silent by night, which is part of its charm, but there are several early evening entertainment options. A favourite is the puppet performance, held at a theatre on the western end of Lyabi-Hauz. The three-part amateur performance, with a traditional wedding ceremony as the usual theme, is held in Tajik, Uzbek and English.
The show is staged mainly for the tour-bus crowd but individuals can piggyback; shows are often cancelled if there are no tour groups in town.
reviewed
-
E
Yeakdang Theatre
This theatre, part of the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts (www.ncktpa.go.kr), puts on an ever-changing program by leading performers every Saturday at 5pm from early January to mid December. The 1½-hour show is a bargain and usually contains seven items including court dances, folk songs, pansori,gayageum, flute music and drumming. Take a taxi (W2000) or the shuttle bus (W800) from the subway exit, or walk (about 15 minutes).
reviewed
-
Shandur Cup Polo Tournament
Shandur Cup Polo Tournament. The horsemanship is first rate, the reckless competitiveness of the riders is entertaining and the treatment of the horses is…well, these must be tough little ponies. The tournament dates from 1936, and has been an annual, heavily touristed event since 1989. Most sizable travel agencies in Gilgit and Chitral and a number of national agencies now have package tours, and their own Shandur encampments, for the event.
reviewed
-
Folklore and Fashion Show
Across Lyabi-Hauz in the Nadir Divanbegi Medressa, the nightly folklore and fashion show, with traditional musical performances and dancing. Do not book this through Uzbektourism or you may be forced to buy the dinner at a premium; book at the gate or through the Tourist Information Centre instead.
The show is staged mainly for the tour-bus crowd but individuals can piggyback; shows are often cancelled if there are no tour groups in town.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
F
Universal Theatre (Heaven & Earth Theatre)
Around 100m north of Poly Plaza, young performers from the China National Acrobatic Troupe perform their mind-bending, joint-popping contortions. A favourite with tour groups, you’ll need to book ahead. Tickets are pricier the further from the stage you sit. Keep an eye out for the dismal white tower that looks like it should be in an airport – that’s where you buy your tickets (credit cards not accepted).
reviewed
-
G
Chongdong Theatre
This well-established theatre is centrally located, just around the corner from Deoksugung. Shows last for 1½ hours and usually include lively percussionists, gayageum performers, shamanist exorcisms, a pansori soloist and a fan dance. English subtitles appear on a screen. Arrive an hour before the show for a percussion class (W15,000). The ticket office opens at 7pm or you can book online.
reviewed
-
Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre
Architect Itō Toyō has broken all the rules with this 2004 building, and we love it. Its undulating exterior walls are punctuated with frosted glass cut-outs that look like rocks - very impressive at night. Among other performances, the Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre is the key venue for the Saito-Kinen festival. Heading east on Eki-mae-dōri from the city centre, it's just off the map on the right.
reviewed
-
H
Ho Guom Xanh
No place better represents the slick, contemporary side of Hanoi's nightlife. The cheerily uniformed bar staff peddle steeply priced bottles of Johnny Walker Black with the persistence of used car salesmen, and the wildly gyrating go-go dancers are a throwback to Paris revues - naughty, but not X-rated. When the singers come out, however, it's plain that Hanoians are as sentimental as ever.
reviewed
-
The Moonstone Song & Dance Ensemble
The Moonstone Song & Dance Ensemble at Tsuki House puts on a Mongolian cabaret. You get the lot: contortionists, throat singers, musicians, tsam mask dancers and an electrifying shaman dance done in contemporary fashion. One drink is included in the price of the ticket and food is available. Tsuki House is the modern glass building next to the Circus (on the north side).
reviewed
-
I
Mei Lanfang Grand Theatre
Named after China’s most famous practitioner of Peking opera, this theatre opened its doors in 2007 and has since become one of the most popular and versatile venues in town. As well as traditional opera, you can see Shakespeare productions and modern theatre. Contemporary dance companies and international ballet troupes also take to the good-sized stage on a regular basis.
reviewed
-
J
Pyongyang Grand Theatre
Cinema, theatre and opera trips are possible (although rare), and while films, operas or plays aren't likely to be of a particularly gripping order, again, it's the experience that is interesting. Spectacles in the main theatres vary little from one to the other. Musical 'classics' such as The Flower Girl and A Daughter of the Party are in constant rotation.
reviewed
-
K
Municipal Theatre
Each week the theatre has a different programme, such as Eastern European-style gymnastics, classical music or traditional Vietnamese theatre. Performances typically begin at 20:00; inquire at the theatre or ask at your hotel. And if there's nothing happening when you're in town, you can at least pop into the stylish Q Bar, around the side of the building, for a drink.
reviewed
-
L
Philharmonia
Features Western and Kyrgyz orchestral works and the occasional Kyrgyz song-and-dance troupe, but you may need a local person to identify these from the playbills. In front of the Philharmonia is a statue of the legendary hero Manas slaying a dragon, flanked by his wife, Kanykey, and his old adviser, Bakayn. The kassa (ticket office) is on the west side.
reviewed
-
M
Gandharba Culture and Art Organisation
This is an organisation for the city's musician caste. There are informal music jams between 17:00 and 19:00 at their offices on the 3rd floor above Equator Expeditions (tourists are welcome), but they also play in local restaurants such as the Northfield Cafe. Individual musicians offer music lessons for around Rs 200 per hour and they also sell their own CDs.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
N
Maxim’s Dinner Theatre
Something of a Saigon legend, located next to the Majestic Hotel, this supper club is better recommended for its music performances than for the food. The menu offers Vietnamese, Chinese and Western dishes, including the adventurous sea slug. The live music includes everything from Vietnamese folk music to slow smoochy tunes. Reservations are recommended.
reviewed
-
O
Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre
The best place in Shànghǎi to catch English language plays, or Chinese adaptations of Western classics with English subtitles, this theatre has a reputation for pushing the buttons of the censors. Recent productions include The Heidi Chronicles and The Tempest. Some of China's finest thespians, such as Ge You, have trodden the boards here.
reviewed
-
Archery
Tournaments are scheduled on many weekends at the Changlimithang Archery Ground. Whether it's the traditional bamboo or the high-tech carbon fibre bows, the skill, antics and camaraderie are always entertaining. For dates of events check the papers. Archers practise at the target field at the south end of Changlimithang Stadium on most mornings.
reviewed
-
P
Boxing Stadium
The big-time muay thai fighters spar at Lumphini's coveted ring. Matches occur on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 18:00. Tickets cost around ฿2000 for ringside seats. The stadium doesn't usually fill up until the main event around 20:00.There has been talk of the Lumphini Stadium moving to a new location on Th Nang Linji.
reviewed
-
Q
Mila Restaurant
Mila Restaurant features singers and a Dzongkha comedian most nights. There is a largely local audience and the performers, both amateur and professional, sing traditional Bhutanese songs. When there are professional acts expect a Nu 50 cover charge. After 8pm members of the audience can request songs at Nu 100 each.
reviewed
