Fri, Nov 28, 2003 - Page 19 News List

`Welcome to Taiwan'

By Jules Quartly  /  STAFF REPORTER

In a telephone interview from Beijing, Chozie said the present attitude of the authorities in Taiwan toward electronic music was the same as elsewhere at different stages. Giving the example of Australia he said the government had been forced to accept, to an extent, the popularity of raves and made a feature of them at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 and at year-end celebrations since then.

"The way electronic music packages the events and gives them a contemporary vibrancy is something that is being played on around the world," Chozie said, adding he was now in talks with Chinese government officials to musically package the Beijing 2008

Olympics.

"I'm having a good time here, I like being at the start of things. Knowing the history of how electronic music developed in the UK, the US and Australia gives you an idea of what's going to happen."

He is also pushing the boundaries of acceptance in China, too. "Rave here is a dirty word. It's not called that. It's called a Musical Youth Cultural Event (MYCE)."

DJ Chozie's Ministry of Sound Tour starts in Kaohsiung tonight at Speed. He plays at a new club in Taichung tomorrow; with Felix the Housecat on Dec. 5 in Taipei, at an undisclosed venue; LUXY on Dec. 13 and another unconfirmed venue for his birthday the next day. Keep an eye out for further dates in this column.

■ Finally, shouts out to Tony Chen, owner of 151, who just celebrated the 12th anniversary of the only club on Chienkuo North Road on Wednesday. Hip-hop was the flava, with DJs Alex Wu, J4, King (小金), MC Hotdog and E.A.C. headlining. E.A.C. brought down the house with Tainan's best free-style rap. Hotdog followed up with a 15-minute set that brought the place to boiling-point. If 151 can create the same kind of scene until 4am every Wednesday, it could be around for a while longer.

Where to go, way to go ...

151 is at 65 Chienkuo N Rd, Sec 2 (北市建國北路二段65) and can be reached by calling (02) 2516 1642.

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