The year in review

Cat Power gig at Taipei's Zeitgeist

The New York-based indi-rocker Cat Power (aka Chan Marshall) performed live in Taiwan for the first time, after establishing a small but avid fan base here with her 1998 album Moon Pix, a collection of poignant songs. After one hour of warm-up by Taiwanese singer-songwriter Sandy Chen (陳姍妮), Marshall went on stage to perform a selection of rock classics. The crowd was captivated, but things took a turn 10 minutes into the show when the lights suddenly went out with a small explosion in Zeitgeist's electric circuit. So for the next hour or so, the audience just chatted with the singer in the dark. It was unusual but a lot of fun. Cat Power's follow-up two gigs in southern Taiwan went alright.

Beneath the Red Banner

A dramatic work will occasionally gain importance for its place in history and occasionally for its exceptional literary value. Rarely will it be endowed with both. Beneath the Red Banner (正紅旗下) is just such a rare dramatic gem. That it starred one of China's official "top-tier" actors, Jiao Huang (焦晃), and was brought by the internationally renowned Shanghai Drama Arts Center indicated the quality of the production.

Ho-Hai-Yan Rock Festival in Taipei County

What a great idea: music, sun, sea and sand at a location conveniently close to Taipei. The Ho-Hai-Yan Rock Festival proved to be a big hit with little trouble and plenty to be happy about. One of the best things about the event -- apart from the perfect weather -- was the number of families that took part. Children played, adults watched and teens danced all day long. The main event for domestic bands was the Taiwan Indie Music Award, with NT$200,000 up for grabs, which was won by XL. One of the highlights of the show was a performance of the traditional Eight Generals, with Huang Yi-chin (黃一晉) of downtempo group 78Bpm, drum n' bass by DJ Ty and hip hop by DJ J4. On the Sunday, Magic Tribe, an Atayal Aboriginal rock band from Wulai, Taipei County, Junk Band from Hong Kong and Macau, and finally Jaurim and the Perishers, from Sweden, hit the stage. The outstanding performance, however, came from local stars Sticky Rice, who pretty much capped off a great weekend.

The Wedding Banquet

A combination of memorable performances by Welly Yang, Dina Lynne Morishita and Tyley Ross, a catchy score by Woody Pak and Jim Noone's creative and slick set design that made insightful use of projections saw John Tillinger's musical production of Ang Lee's (李安)The Wedding Banquet (喜宴), which made its world premier in Taipei in August, breathe fresh life into a much deflated local theater scene long devoid of Broadway-styled shows. The production was warm, funny and, while deviating slightly from Lee's original storyline, concise in its musical narrative of the trials and tribulations of a homosexual Taiwanese man living in the US, his lover, his conservative parents and a ditzy waitress looking for a way to secure her US citizenship.