Theater
The Magic Treasure Box (魔幻寶盒) by the Beitzu Theater Troupe (杯子劇團), a children's play at the Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市八德路三段25號).
● Tickets NT$300 to NT$900, through ERA ticketing.
● Today at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 10:30am, 2:30pm, and 7:30pm.
Classical
Classical Gypsy, a performance of the Brahms Symphony No. 3 and Violin Concerto and arrangements of traditional music with Jozsef Lendvay as violinist and the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (台北市立交響樂團) at Taipei Zhongshan Hall (台北市中山堂), 98 Yenping S Rd, Taipei (台北市延平南路98號). Tickets are NT$200 to NT$800 and are available through NTCH ticketing.
● Tonight 7:30pm
A free concert by pianists Wei Yu-bin (魏宇彬) and Wei Yu-mei (魏宇梅) of Saint-saens' Carnival of the Animals and Bizet's Jeux d'Enfants Op. 22 at the Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市八德路三段25號).
● Sunday 2:30pm
Chinese Calligraphy, Literature and Music (書法文學與音樂的交會), a concert of Buddhist-inspired traditional music that draws together the themes of spirituality, calligraphy and music, organized by Zen practitioner Lin Ku-fang (林谷芳), at the National Concert Hall, Taipei. Tickets are NT$300 to NT$800 and are available through TRTC ticketing.
● Tonight 7:30pm
NSO Shostakovich Cycle VII, presents Symphony No. 4 interpreted by prize-winning local conductor Lu Shao-chia (呂紹嘉) with Lilya Zilberstein as soloist. The program includes Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Overture and Rachmaninov's Rapsody on a Theme by Paganini, at the National Concert Hall, Taipei.
● Sunday 2:30pm
Chen I-chun Piano Recital, including music by Mozart, Chopin, Faure and Liszt, at the National Recital Hall, Taipei. Tickets are NT$200 to NT$500.
● Saturday 7:30pm
Taipei Philarmonic Youth Spring Concert (台北愛樂青年管弦樂團) led by visiting conductor Chiu Chun-Chiang (邱君強) will perform "Drachentenz" by local composer Chien Nan-chang (錢南章) as well as Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 and Richard Strauss' Oboe Concerto at the National Concert Hall. Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,500 and are available through NTCH ticketing.
● Monday 7:30pm
Stars of the Century -- A Chamber Evening, a program of music by winners of the NTSO 2005 Chamber Competition. Performance are by Artist Quartet and Ars Nova Quintet and will include Ma Shui-long's (馬水龍) String Quartet and music by Dvorak, Hindemith and Arnold, at the NSO Recital Hall in Taichung (國立台灣交響樂團演奏廳), 738-2 Chungshan Rd, Wufeng Township, Taichung County (台中縣霧峰鄉中正路738-2號), and at the Kaohsiung Music Hall (高雄市音樂館), 99 Hexi Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市河西路99號). Tickets are NT$200.
● Tomorrow 7:30 in Taichung, Tuesday 7:30 in Kaohsiung.
Rock, Pop and Jazz
Velvet Underground (地下絲絨) features BSD and Pinkstar tonight; Jie Chin (捷進) Jazz Night tomorrow. B1, 50, Zhongxiao W Rd, Sec 1, Taipei (台北市忠孝西路一段50號B1).
● Entrance NT$350 for tonight. Call (02) 2314 1868.
● Both shows begin at 9pm
The Wall (這牆) presents Menglu (夢露) and Zayin tonight; Sodagreen (蘇打綠) tomorrow; and Overdoe, Lazylady, 666 and Madflow on Sunday; Doodle and 8mm Sky on Wednesday and Alcohol and Chasing Sparrows (追麻雀) on Thursday. B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd, Sec 4, Taipei (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1).
● Entrance NT$400 for tonight. Tomorrow sold out; NT$300 other gigs. Call (02) 2930 0162
● All shows begin at 8pm
Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) presents jazz ensemble Metamorphosis (變形蟲節士樂團) tonight; Relax One (輕鬆玩) and We Save Strawberries (草梅救星) tomorrow and Unsafe and Hsieh You-ming (謝祐銘) and his band, who are also launching their latest album. B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷2號B1). Entrance NT$350 on weekends; NT$300 on weekdays. Call (02) 2368 7310.
● All shows begin at 9:30pm
Witch House (女巫店) features Kimbo Hu (胡德夫) tonight; and Bear Babies (熊寶貝樂團) tomorrow. 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號).
● Entrance is NT$300. Call (02) 2362 5494.
● Shows begin at 9:30pm
The Living Room (小客廳) features The Sound of Clashes tonight; and Milk tomorrow. 3F, 8, Nanjing E Rd, Sec 5, Taipei (台北市南京東路五段8號3樓).
● Entrance NT$100 for tonight, tomorrow. Call (02) 8787 4154.
● Tonight and tomorrow at 10pm.
Second Floor (貳樓咖啡館) presents Consider the Meek and The Riot tomorrow. 1, Xueyuen Rd, Taipei on the 2nd floor of the Guandu Arts Museum (台北市北投區學園路1號 -- 關渡美術館2樓).
● Free admission. For more information, visit www.2f.com.tw or call (02) 2894 5861.
● Both shows begin at 3pm
Festivals
2006 Art Festival "Spring Starting From the Museum" at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, (台北市立美術館), will include an art market in the plaza both tomorrow between 10am and 8:30pm and Sunday between 10am and 5pm. There will also be folk musical performances throughout the day. TFAM is located at 181, Zhongshan N Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市中山北路三段181號). Call (02) 2595 7656.
● Tomorrow and Sunday
2006 Taichung International Matsu Cultural Festival presents a host of traditional cultural and religious activities centered on the Chenlan Temple in Tachia, Taichung. The highlight of the festival is an eight-day pilgrimage starting tomorrow. Information about the festival, in both English and Chinese, is available at mazu.taichung.gov.tw.
● Until May 14
Yangmingshan Flower Season (陽明山花季), an annual flower festival held in Yangmingshan. For more information, visit www.yms.url.tw
● Until March 26
Exhibitions
The Mi'kmaw People of Newfoundland: A Celebration at the National Museum of History (國立歷史博物館), 49, Nanhai Rd, Taipei (台北市南海路49號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 2361 0270.
● Until April 30
Hyper Reality -- Contemporary Images from the Museum Collection (超一現實當代影像典藏展) at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, (台北市立美術館), 181, Zhongshan N Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市中山北路三段181號). Call (02) 2595 7656. Open Tuesday from Sunday 9:30am to 5:30pm.
● March 25 until June 11
Mozart Memorial Special Exhibition, providing an introduction to Mozart and his times through exhibits including posters, scores and audio-visual presentations. Also Experiment, Exploration and Opening, an exhibition of multimedia works by students. At the Nan Hai Gallery (南海藝廊), 47 Nanhai Rd, Taipei (台北市南海路47號). Call (02) 2311 0574.
● Until April 20
Galleries for Citizens: Lai Hsin-lung Seat vs Chair (市民畫廊) a show of conceptual art at the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (高雄市立美術館), 20 Meishuguan Rd,?Gushan District, Kaohsiung. (高雄市鼓山區美術館路20號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Call (07) 555 0331.
● Until April 30
Italian Light (義大利人對於設計) a talk on Italian-designed lights from the 1950s and into the 1980s, Taipei Fine Arts Museum, (台北市立美術館), 181, Zhongshan N Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市中山北路三段181號). Call (02) 2595 7656.
● Until April 4
Yuan-hao: From Chora to Female Pedigree, a Solo Exhibition by Juin Shieh (謝鴻均), IT Park, 2F, 41, Yitong St, Taipei (台北市伊通街41號2樓). Call (02) 25077243.
● Open Tuesday to Saturday 1pm to 10pm. Until April 15.
Spreading -- Solo Exhibition by Rose Huang (自遊自在 -- 黃沛瀅創作個展), Taipei Fine Arts Museum, (台北市立美術館), 181, Zhongshan N Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市中山北路三段181號). Call (02) 2595 7656.
● Open Tuesday from Sunday 9:30am to 5:30pm. Until April 4.
An exhibition of Chinese Embroidery (奇針藝繡) at the Hong-Gah Museum (鳳甲美術館), 5F, 260, Daye Rd, Taipei (台北市大業路260號5樓). See www.hong-gah.org.tw or call (02) 2894-2272.
● Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:30am to 5:30pm. Until June 4.
Calligraphy Exhibition From the Permanent Collection of Hwa-Kang Museum (華岡博物館館藏書法展) with works by over 70 artists including Zhang Da-chien (張大千) and Yu You-jen (于右任). Hwa-Kang Museum of the Chinese Cultural University (中國文化大學華岡博物館), 55, Huagang Rd, Yangmingshan, Taipei. Call (02) 2861 0511.
● Until June 19
Empty Fields -- A Dialogue Between Contemporary Art and Contemporary Philosophy (空場 -- 台灣當代藝術與當代哲學的對話), a joint exhibition on the concepts of art by 16 well-known local artists. Taipei National University of the Arts -- Guandu Arts Museum (台北藝術大學關渡美術館), 1, Xueyuan Rd, Beitou, Taipei (台北市北投區學園路1號). Call (02) 2893 8871.
● Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Until April 2.
Mozart's Memorial Special Exhibition -- The Whiz kid Mozart's Musical World (莫札特紀念特展 -- 神童莫札特的音樂世界). National Taiwan Arts Education Center (國立台灣藝術教育館), 47, Nanhai Rd, Taipei (台北市南海路47號). Call (02) 2311 0574.
● Open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Until April 20
From Old to Modern Times: Chan Liu Precious Paintings Exhibitions of the East and West (博覽古今 -- 長流中西秘珍大展). Chan Liu Art Gallery (長流畫廊), 3F, 12, Jinshan S Rd, Sec 2, Taipei (台北市金山南路二段12號3樓). Call (02) 2321 6603.
● Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm. Until March 28
The Mind of Nature: Process and Structure (心內風景). Taipei Artist Village (台北國際藝術村), 7, Beiping E Rd, Taipei (台北市北平東路7號). Call (02) 3393 7377.
● Open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 6pm. Until April 23
Lin Cai-yi Oil Painting Solo Exhibition (什麼是女人與花 -- 林彩藝油畫創作展) and Joint Exhibition of Picture Blocks -- Handheld Dreams (繪本積木聯展 -- 手提的夢想). Pacific Cultural Foundation (太平洋文化基金會藝術中心), B1, 38, Chongching S Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市重慶南路三段38號B1). Call (02) 2337 7155.
● Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Until April 1 and March 31 respectively.
An Impromptu Composed of Geometric Form and Colors -- Hu Kun-jung 2006 Solo Exhibition (幾何形色的即興曲 -- 胡坤榮2006創作個展). Main Trend Gallery (大趨勢畫廊), 209-1, Chengde Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市承德路三段209-1號). Call (02) 2587 3412.
● Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 7pm. Until April 1.
Spiritual Peach Blossoms -- Xu Bi-hua Solo Painting Exhibition (心靈桃花 -- 徐畢華繪畫個展). The Mayor's Residence Arts Salon (市長官邸藝文沙龍), 46, Xuzhou Rd, Taipei (台北市徐州路46號). Call (02) 2396 9398
● Open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm. Until April 2.
Eagle Forever -- Image Exhibition of Our City Bird (永遠的老鷹 -- 咱的市鳥生態展) and Consociate Exhibition of Being Together Pottery Sculpture of Jian Huang-bin and Liu Kuo-ying s(簡黃彬與劉國英牽手情陶瓷雕刻聯展). Keelung Cultural Center (基隆市文化中心), 181, Xinyi Rd, Keelung City (基隆市信一路181號). Call (02) 2422 4170.
● Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Exhibitions run through May 7 and March 26 respectively.
Landscapes -- Highlights From the Permanent Collection (山水 -- 2006典藏常設展), showcasing the evolution of artistic forms, concepts and the media since the 20th century and Bamboo in the Stormy Night -- A Reflection on the Taiwanese Art During the New Culture Movement in the Japanese Era (風中勁竹 -- 日治台灣新文化運動下的藝術). Taipei Fine Arts Museum (台北市立美術館), 181, Zhongshan N Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市中山北路三段181號). Call (02) 2595 7656.
● Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Exhibitions run through Oct. 22 and March 26 respectively.
Fifty Years of Italian Fashion(時尚義大利 -- 義大利經典時尚五十年), an exhibition on the development of Italian fashion over the last 50 years. Museum of Contemporary Art (台北當代藝術館), at 39, Changan W Rd, Taipei (台北市長安西路39號). Call (02) 2552 3721.
● Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Until June 4.
Sept.16 to Sept. 22 The “anti-communist train” with then-president Chiang Kai-shek’s (蔣介石) face plastered on the engine puffed along the “sugar railway” (糖業鐵路) in May 1955, drawing enthusiastic crowds at 103 stops covering nearly 1,200km. An estimated 1.58 million spectators were treated to propaganda films, plays and received free sugar products. By this time, the state-run Taiwan Sugar Corporation (台糖, Taisugar) had managed to connect the previously separate east-west lines established by Japanese-era sugar factories, allowing the anti-communist train to travel easily from Taichung to Pingtung’s Donggang Township (東港). Last Sunday’s feature (Taiwan in Time: The sugar express) covered the inauguration of the
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