Why You Shouldn’t Miss the O-Jak Bridge Art & Dance Festival 2024: Bigger, Bolder, and Bridging Cultures

The countdown to one of Seattle’s most anticipated cultural events is on!

The O-Jak Bridge Art & Dance Festival 2024 is returning for its third year on November 16-17 at the Broadway Performance Hall, and we’re gearing up for our biggest show yet. After last year’s unforgettable Non-Traditional Swan Lake, which sold out, we’re bringing an even larger, more dynamic showcase that you won’t want to miss.

O-Jak Bridge Festival 2023: Non-Traditional Swan Lake Performers

A Festival Grown from Tradition and Global Stories

The festival is named after the O-Jak Bridge, a central symbol in Korean folklore. According to legend, the weaver princess and her herder husband were separated by the Milky Way and could only reunite once a year, when a bridge made of magpies' forms to connect them. This idea of a bridge between worlds is at the heart of what the festival stands for—bringing together different art forms, traditions, and people.

We’re more than a performance showcase. O-Jak Bridge represents the meeting of cultures, the fusion of traditional and contemporary arts, and the creation of new paths through storytelling. By focusing on both local and international artists, we’re creating a platform where dance, art, and community can build bridges between seemingly distant worlds.

O-Jak Bridge Festival 2023: Non-Traditional Swan Lake, Korean Traditional Dance Team, Morada

What Makes This Year Special?

After the success of last year, we’re going all out in 2024 with a theme inspired by Scheherazade: One Thousand and One Nights. Expect performances that tell breathtaking stories from across the globe, blending traditional forms with contemporary interpretations.

We’re incredibly honored to have The Seattle Korean Consulate, Clinique Cosmetics and, Gallery B612 as this year’s sponsors. Their support is helping us expand the festival, reaching more audiences and showcasing an even more diverse range of artists. With their backing, we’re able to bring this cultural celebration to a wider community and make it bigger and more accessible than ever.

O-Jak Bridge Festival 2023: Non-Traditional Swan Lake: MiYoung Margolis Dance Collective

Why We Need Festivals Like O-Jak Bridge

In today’s world, where polarization and division are increasingly common, we need spaces that foster connection. Art has always been one of the most powerful tools to remind us of our shared humanity, and the O-Jak Bridge Art & Dance Festival is about celebrating that connection.

This festival isn't just about dance performances and visual art; it’s about creating a platform where different cultural voices can come together and speak to one another. It’s a space for cross-cultural dialogue, where artists and audiences alike can experience the beauty of diverse traditions and find common ground through the universal language of movement and creativity.

Through our performances and art exhibitions, we’re not just showcasing talent; we’re building a community where people from all walks of life can come together to appreciate, learn, and grow. In short, we need the O-Jak Bridge Art & Dance Festival because it reminds us of the power of collaboration and the bridges art can build.

O-Jak Bridge Festival 2024 Promotional Image

Model @mariam_janni, Outfit @only.thecurious & #oniricglows with @compositenation

Editorial Photography by @jajasgarden

Meet the Artists and Choreographers

We’re proud to feature a world-class lineup of choreographers and artists this year.

Let’s take a look at who will be gracing the stage and galleries:

• MiYoung Margolis Dance Collective: Led by festival founder MiYoung Margolis, this collective is known for blending contemporary and cultural influences into mesmerizing performances.

• Adage Ballet Academy: With Former Pacific Northwest Ballet Dancers Abby Jayne DeAngelo & Guillaume Basso at the helm, expect a unique fusion of classical and modern ballet.

• Kathryn Hightower: A master of tap, Kathryn’s performances are filled with energy and rhythm that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

• Ankita Das & Suma Mondal: Specialists in Indian traditional dance, their pieces are always a captivating mix of storytelling and movement.

• Korean Traditional Dance Company, Morado: Bringing the beauty of Korean traditional dance to life with grace and precision.

• Ben Chi: One of the most exciting street dance artists today, blending modern urban movement with high energy.

  
  
  
  

Abby & Guillaume

MiYoung Margolis

Morado Director, Christal Lee

Ben Chi

Suma Mondal

Ankita Das

Kathryn Hightower, second left

On the visual arts side, we have:

• Jiamin Zhu of JaJasgarden, whose breathtaking editorial photography is our festival’s official poster image.

• Hakurei Ito, performing live Japanese calligraphy during the festival.

• JuJu Dang, who will showcase her stunning Wearable fashion designs.

• Mooa Kang, featuring her innovative wearable Korean modern art

• Bong Jun Kim, Special Korean Artist Display at the Lobby.

These choreographers and artists represent a mix of tradition and innovation, and their contributions to the festival embody the very spirit of O-Jak Bridge.

Photography by Jiamin Zhu

Artist Mooa Kang

Hakurei Ito

What You Can Expect

The O-Jak Bridge Art & Dance Festival 2024 promises an immersive experience where every attendee can feel part of something bigger. From live painting to world-class dance performances, the festival is designed to be more than just a passive viewing experience—it’s about interaction, connection, and engagement with both the art and the artists.

Whether you’re a long-time lover of the arts or someone new to dance and visual performances, this festival has something for everyone. It’s an opportunity to witness the power of global stories told through movement and visuals, to see how tradition and modernity can come together in unexpected ways, and to support both local and international artists.

Get Involved!

Tickets are on sale now, and with the growing buzz and the support from Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle || Clinique details(@debbieclinique) || Gallery B612, they’re going fast! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary celebration of art, dance, and culture.

Mark your calendars for November 16-17 and join us at the Broadway Performance Hall. Whether you’re coming to see a specific performance, discover new artists, or simply to be part of a vibrant cultural event, the O-Jak Bridge Art & Dance Festival is where you need to be.

Let’s build bridges through art—together!

Ticket Links

Click Nov 16th at 7:30 Pm

Click Nov 17th at 3:30 Pm

Sponsors

Gold Sponsors 

Dark Arts Software

Developing new and novel immersive games, experiences and technologies.

GCOOP USA

GCoop offers a variety of products from Korean skincare, dietary supplements to household products. Learn about the brands, ingredients and benefits of GCoop products and try K Beauty for yourself.

Vice President GCOOP USA | Kay Boyce | 206-714-1068

ShareTea ChinaTown Seattle

Refreshing fruity bubble tea with a playful twist at ShareTea Chinatown! The 4-cut snap machine brings a touch of 🇰🇷Korea’s fun photo culture right to Seattle. ShareTea Chinatown is more than just bubble tea—it’s a cultural icon in our community. Get a 10% discount with your O-Jak Bridge Art & Dance Festival ticket!  

Seattle Nad+

Seattle NAD+ offers cutting-edge IV therapy combining NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) with BR+ (Bioavailability Regulator Plus) for superior wellness. This powerful blend helps boost cellular energy, repair DNA, and improve metabolism, with enhanced absorption for optimal results. It’s a breakthrough treatment for conditions like depression, chronic pain, and PTSD, offering rapid relief through its unique action on glutamate receptors.

www.seattlenad.com | (206) 695-2707

Soul to Seoul 

Seoulful food: Private chef For your intimate moments.

A journey of global comfort from soul to Seoul.

Bronze Sponsor

Kinesia Pilates  || Pioneer Square Pilates Studio Seattle WA - Kinesia Pilates Seattle

Images from O-Jak Bridge Festival 2023