Are you chronically ill, overweight, tired, depressed, looking old before your time – or just want to stay healthy and happy? You might want to attend the screening of Food Matters, on August 11th at Suji’s in Itaewon.

This documentary (trailer here) takes a close look at the current state of our health. It uncovers the trillion dollar worldwide “sickness industry” and draws attention to a growing body of scientific evidence suggesting that nutritional therapy can be more effective, more economical, less harmful and less invasive than conventional medical treatments.

Food Matters features interviews with leading medical experts from around the world who discuss natural approaches to preventing and reversing cancer, obesity, heart disease, depression, mental illness and many other chronic conditions. Find out what works, what doesn’t, and what ís only hurting you. Being better informed about your nutritional choices could save your life.

Date: Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
Venue: Suji’s, 34-16 Itaewondong, Yongsangu, Seoul 02-797-3698
Time: 7 pm registration for 7:30 screening
Cost: W15,000 includes the film, “Super Food” refreshments and drink
RSVP: by Wednesday August 10th here

Program
7 pm – doors open for light refreshments (or come earlier and have dinner!)
7:30 pm – film screening starts
8:50 pm – film screening ends, stay on to chat about food and health!
9:30 pm – event formally closes (carry on as you wish!)

Film duration: 80 minutes

This Saturday, Suji’s Restaurant located conveniently between Itaewon and Noksapyeong stations brings you a great mix of music and munchies. Rock band The Odds Against with guests Brigitte Benecke and Austin Kaufmann will bring their eclectic groove to the stage from 7 – 9 pm with instruments including the mandolin, guitar, harmonica, and cello.  At the time, Suji’s will be having an all-you-can-eat (and drink!) BBQ party on their big rooftop terrace (inside if it rains).  The party starts at 7 pm at Suji’s Restaurant and Bar and the cost is W35,000 for BBQ  and drinks with beer and wine. Make reservations by calling 02-797-3698 or e-mail at seoulsuji@gmail.com

TIME & DATE: Saturday, July 31st  from 7 – 9 pm
LOCATION: Suji’s Restaurant near Noksapyeong Stn.
PRICE: W35,000
CONTACT: 02-797-3698, seoulsuji@gmail.com

Walk the plank for victims of human trafficking at the Sailor Fest! You don’t actually have to walk any planks except for the weathered boards at the floor of Rocky Mountain Tavern, the site hosting the event. Guests at the event not only have the pleasure of attending a sailor-themed party with raucous music (and Celtic drinking songs!), but they also get to contribute to a worthy cause. Proceeds go to benefit the Cambodian Children’s Painting Project.

WHAT: Sailor Fest
WHEN: Friday, July 23^rd at 9 PM
WHERE: Rocky Mountain Tavern in Itaewon
HOW MUCH: W10,000
FACEBOOK PAGE: Yaar!

Music Line Up
T.C. McManus (accordion-powered pirate punk)
James Jarman
The Tremors
The Maritime Hitmen (a Celtic drinking song band)

Whether it’s DJing, heading up the respected Get Physical label, producing tracks or compiling mix albums, there’s no doubt that Patrick Bodmer and Philipp Jung (aka M.A.N.D.Y) –have a sensitive ear for production and an innate appreciation of what works on the club floor.

Despite being well established DJs in their native Germany, it was in 2005 when the release of their track “Tonite” erupted in the UK that the pair really started gaining noteworthy recognition. Selected by the legendary Pete Tong as the “essential tune of the week” (for three weeks in a row I must add), it wasn’t long before M.A.N.D.Y’s talents were in high demand.

Nonetheless, this was just a taste of what was to come. It was their 2006 collaboration with Booka Shade “Body Language” that brought their names to the attention of the world-wide electronic music community. Crowned DJ Magazines’ track of the year and Ibiza’s track of the season, the track was a twenty-four carat hit, the undisputed dance track of the year and considered by many to be a club-anthem–one treasured and stashed in DJs’ record boxes around the globe.

Today, M.A.N.D.Y’s releases and club appearances are met with eager anticipation, founded on a reputation for delivering quality sets of what is called “minimal/experimental tech-house,” a genre characterized by a stripped-down aesthetic, commonly adhering to the motto “less is more.” It is their sophisticated mixing skills, first-class productions and an admiringly diverse collection of remixes including The Knife, Sugarbabes, Lindstrom, Royskopp, Ficherspoon and the Klaxons that has permitted them to continue what they love to do.

Now, I won’t fib: minimal isn’t my forte so to speak, and I have yet to actually see them live, yet nearly everyone I speak to has attested to top-notch performances. I’ve certainly heard enough good things about M.A.N.D.Y that whether I’m a fan of the genre or not is no longer part of the equation. At the end of the day, be it rock, classical, death metal or house, good music is good music and for that reason, I’ll be there with bells ringing!

Who: M.A.N.D.Y – (Get Physical)
What: Minimal House/Tech House
When: Saturday July 31st
Where: Club Eden in Gangnam
How: W30,000
More info: http://eden-club.co.kr/
Table reservations – 010-9081-9290

Whitenoize Party Vol. 12 “White Party”

Timmy Vegas isn’t the only big attraction to see at Answer this weekend. Stop by on Friday night for the 12th edition of Whitenoize, the party where almost anything can (and will) happen.

DJs: DJ Koo, Neonethy (aka DJ Nene), DGuru, Gon, Drill, Hype, Aya & VJ The Maze
Date: Friday, July 16th
Time: from 9 pm
Location: Club Answer in Cheongdam-dong
Cover: W30,000
Dress code: all white
Info: 02-514-4311
Web: clubanswer.co.kr
Whitenoize video on Youtube

July 21st – September 12th

Slip into your comfortable shoes, make sure your credit card is handy, and head out for some great deals at the Seoul Grand Sale. First sponsored in 2008 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organization in an effort to increase Seoul’s reputation as a shopping destination, the Seoul Grand Sale has developed into a massive yearly event. Last year 810 stores participated, but this year a whopping 5000 are already set to offer special deals. The coupon book will give you great discounts not only on beauty products, shopping, and food but also on tourist activities. For even more deals, look out for the “Big 20” card which is good at establishments like Lotte Mart, TGI Fridays, and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. The Seoul government is even developing an app to help those with smart phones find participating stores nearby. seoulgrandsale.com 02-120

Feeling lonesome? Get over the breakup blues or the single syndrome with this speed dating event hosted by the Seoul Sisters’ Rugby Club.

Date: Thursday, July 15th.
Time: First round starts at 8:30pm, second round starts at 9:15 pm
Location: Scrooge Pub (Dickens Bar, 3rd Floor) Itaewon
Cost: W10,000
Contact: seoulsisters827@gmail.com

House DJ Timmy Vegas keeps audiences guessing as he switches from steady house beats to soulful vocals to hard-to-place records.

HEADLINER: Timmy Vegas: Soul Central
GUESTS: Flamenco, Dguru, Gon, Grill, Hyde, Aya & VJ the Maze
DATE: Saturday, July 17th
ADMISSION: W30,000
LOCATION: Club Answer (Facebook page)
DRESS CODE: chic & sexy
CONTACT: 02-514-4311

Finally, an opera that even children can enjoy. If “opera” brings to mind images of star-crossed lovers, betrayed heroes, and other melodramatic motifs, think again. With “My First Opera,” the Korea National Opera has prepared a performance that can be enjoyed without obscure knowledge of European languages and art history. Kids will enjoy laughing at the unexpected events in Maurice Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortileges (trans. “The Child and the Spells”), and parents will be delighted to see their children having a good time in an opera box.

Music performed by the MFO Orchestra, Mostvoices, and the Ipiccoli Junior Chorus, with Jeong Min conducting.

DATE: Saturday, July 10^th – Sunday, July 18^th
TIME: 7:30 pm
VENUE: Toweol Hall at the Seoul Arts Center
ADMISSION: W10,000 – W50,000

Plot
In this playful children’s tale, a naughty little boy starts breaking his furniture after receiving a scolding from his mom. The furniture fights back, and soon a hodgepodge of animals that the boy had mistreated in the past join the fight. But when the boy starts trying to fix the leg of a squirrel wounded in the scuffle, the animals are impressed by his kindness. They all sing to his mother, who runs over and embraces the boy.