KAA’s Korean Night Showcase lights up the Amphitheater once again

by Anna Derby and Kathy Thayer

special to the LW Weekly

The Korean American Association (KAA) presented its ever-popular Korean Night Showcase production at the Amphitheater on Aug. 17 to an audience of 1,500—nearly double the attendance of last year—showcasing talent from various Korean performing arts clubs.

The evening opened with the mayor of the City of Seal Beach, Shelly Sustarsic, voicing her appreciation to the Leisure World community and in particular to the Korean population for their contribution to the cultural diversity of the city.

From traditional folk dancing to modern line dancing, the moves and costumes dazzled the audience. Mutual 5 resident Anna Derby was the emcee and introduced the nine acts in English and Korean.

All performances were conducted by GRF clubs as part of the community event. The KAA gifted audience members with light sticks that added to the drama as dusk faded to dark and lit up the night.

The Korean Drum Club, founded and led by Professor Don Kim, gave a rousing rendition of “Samul Nori, the Sound of Drums” highlighted by six teenage dancers, who deftly streamed a long ribbon attached to a swivel on their heads, much like a lasso at a rodeo, mesmerizing the audience.

Pastor Ra’s clarinet solo, Scene and Air, enchanted the crowd with its soulful melody.

Steve Chung of Mutual 6 led his LW Saxophone Club in “Delilah” and two popular Korean tunes. The talented musicians from the Gloria Autoharp Club, under Monica Yoo’s direction, blurred cultural lines with “El Condor Pasa” and “The Maiden’s Prayer.”

The Joy Walking & Stretching Club was different from other club’s performances, since body stretching is its main focus. The club exemplifies the importance of seniors maintaining their health and mobility, a key component of Korean culture.

Grace Lee of Mutual 3 led her Korean Traditional Dance Club in a striking fan dance performance with exquisite costumes, imported from Korea, and performed a solo.

The Joyful Line Dance Club sported all black costumes and sunglasses as they moved in unison to the song “Surfin’ USA” while the audience cheered and waved their light sticks.

The Korean Sing Along group brought a bit of nostalgia with four Korean songs, lifting the audience back to their beginnings.

Not to be outdone, the Korean American Chorale (conducted by Kyung Hwan Paik, of Mutual 3), which has performed at GRF tree lighting ceremonies, sang a sentimental hymn. Each group boasts 60 talented singers. The entire ensemble joined them on stage to close the show with, “Sing Together in Spring In My Hometown,” inviting the audience to join in.

Several sponsors offset the cost of the event, which has become an annual Amphitheater treat, drawing all cross sections of the community together.

This year saw a significant increase in non-Koreans who were amazed at how much talent this community has to offer.

Every year the show grows in popularity, and for good reason: It is a night to remember.

LW's Saxophone Club

Jong Sung Na