Classical Music
Xue Xue Weekend Concert — Pro Arte Piano Trio of Taipei (學學週末音樂會— 伯牙鋼琴三重奏). Since its inception in 1997, Pro Arte Trio has placed a special emphasis on exquisite chamber music and presented innumerable concerts featuring nationally acclaimed performers and composers. The trio has since become one of Taiwan's most active and productive chamber music groups. Featuring pianist Huang Jen-ling (黃貞綾), cellist Liu Chu-chuan (劉姝嫥), and violinist and Pro Arte Trio Director Lee Chun-ying (李俊穎). As part of the 2007 Pro Arte Trio 10th Anniversary Concert Serials, the trio will present Gaston Borch's Chaminade: Pierrette. Air de Ballet, Op.41, the 2nd movement of Paul Schoenfeld's Cafe Music, and Tchaikovsky's Piano Trio in A Minor, Op.50.
* Tonight at the Music Salon of the Xue Xue Institute (學學文創志業大樓音樂沙龍), 5F, 207 Tiding Blvd Sec 2, Taipei (台北市堤頂大道二段207號5樓). In addition, the trio will tour Chungli, Taitung, and Taipei in April and Kaohsiung and Hsinchu in May, and in these subsequent concerts, the program will additionally include Ravel's Paino Trio in A Minor.
* For tonight's concert, tickets are NT$500 and are available through NTCH ticketing or call 0800-068-089; for other concerts, tickets prices, venue, time, and dates are to be announced
* Tonight at 7:30pm
2007 German Cultural Center Taipei Musical Soiree — "Du bist min" (台北德國文化中心音樂演奏 — 妳是我的). As part of the center's Musical Soiree concert series, this concert will feature soprano Chen Hsin-ying (陳心瑩), who received an artist diploma from the Hochschule fur Musik Franz Liszt at Weimar. Accordion player Primoz Parovel and Stefan Hussong, both based in Weimar will present a program of accordion and vocal works tonight.
* At the German Cultural Center, Taipei (台北德國文化中心), 12F, 20 Heping W Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市和平西路一段20號12樓)
* Free admission. For more information, please call the German Cultural Center at (02) 2365-7294
* Tonight at 7:30pm
Lee Cheng-yu Piano Recital (李政諭鋼琴獨奏會). Lee has been selected as one of the outstanding musicians by the YinQi Culture and Music Foundation (財團法人音契文化藝術基金會) to participate in the 2007 Bach New Generational Voice (巴赫新聲) concert series. Tonight, Lee will play a program of classical piano works, including Mozart's Piano Sonata in F Major, K.332, Schonberg's Two Piano Pieces, Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op.110, and Shubert's Piano Sonata No.21 in B-flat Major, D.960.
* At the Bach Hall (台北巴赫廳), B1, 53 Minquan W Rd, Taipei (台北市民權西路53號B1)
* Free admission
* Tonight at 7:30pm
Chi Mei Symphony Orchestra's Lunar New Year Concert — Songs of Praise in the Spring of 2007 (奇美管弦樂團2007新年音樂會 — 春之頌). The Chi Mei Symphony Orchestra was founded by Chi Mei Group founder Hsu Wen-lung (許文龍) in 2003. The concert tour will feature guest conductor Tokuoka Naoki, and the orchestra will present a program of works, including Wagner's Prelude from Opera "Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg", Taiwanese folk songs Everlasting Blossoms (日日春), Sadness in the Moonlit Night (月夜愁), and Tuberose (夜來香), a Japanese folk song Red Dragonfly (赤蜻蜓), Leroy Anderson's Plink, Plank, Plunk and Waltzing Cat, and Chabrier's Espana Rhapsody and other selections.
* Tonight at the National Concert Hall, Taipei and Monday at the Performing Arts Center of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Hsinchu County (新竹縣文化中心演藝廳), 146, Hsiancheng 9th Rd, Chupei City, Hsinchu County (新竹縣竹北市縣政九路146號).
* As of press time, all tickets are sold out for the Taipei concert. For the Hsinchu concert, tickets cost from NT$100 to NT$200 and are available through NTCH ticketing.
* Tonight and Monday at 7:30pm
Ivo Pogorelich and Gwhyneth Chen Piano Concert (遊藝黑白 — 波哥雷里奇與陳毓襄鋼琴競演音樂會). Taiwan-born pianist Chen won the first prize in the Ivo Pogorelich International Piano Competition at age of 23, which is the biggest cash prize in the world for the piano competitions. In 1995, Chen was included in The One Hundred Most Successful Chinese People. Today, Chen is a leading Taiwanese musical figure and resides in New York. The program order will be Chopin's Nocturne in b flat minor, Op.9-1 and Nocturne in E major, Op.62-2, Rachmaninoff's Prelude in E flat major, Op.23-6 , Prelude in B flat major, Op.23-2, and Moments Musicaux, Op.16 No.1, No.6, Liszt's Etudes d'execution transcendante No.10 in F Minor, Strauss/Schulz-Evler's Arabesques on "An der schonen, blauen Donau", Brahms's Capriccio in F-sharp Minor, Op.76, Brahms' Intermezzo in A Major, Op.118 and Schumann's Toccata, Op.7, Granados' Danzas Espanolas Op.37 No.5 and No.12.
* Tomorrow at the Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中市中山堂), 98 Hsuehshi Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號) and Sunday at the National Concert Hall, Taipei
* As of press time seats for the Taichung concert are still available from NT$800 to NT$2,000; and for the Taipei concert, seats are still available from NT$1,000 to NT$2,000 through ERA ticketing
* Tomorrow and Sunday at 7:30pm
Theater
Finding Nemo (海底總動員) is the movie by Disney/Pixar that has been adapted to the ice. It tells the story of a clownfish named Nemo who goes through many adventures to reunite with his lost father.
* Fengshan Stadium, Kaohsiung County (高雄縣立鳳山體育館)
* Today, tomorrow, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at 7:30pm; tomorrow and Sunday at 11:30am and 3:30pm
* Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,000 and available through ERA ticketing
San Lang and Qi Gu (三郎與七姑) is a modern adaptation of an ancient classic of the same name by Hon Wa Folk Dance Troupe (紅瓦民族舞稻團) and tells the story of a couple who meet, fall in love, drift apart and finally reunite and marry.
* Metropolitan Hall (城市舞臺), 25 Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市八德路三段 25 號)
* Tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
* Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,000 and are available through ERA ticketing
A lifetime of spontaneous love (即興一場愛情之一輩子) is a play by Off Performance Workshop that combines elements of visualized storytelling found in dance with pop music and a comedic plot structure to celebrate a universal story of love for Valentine's Day.
* Ringside Theater (聚場劇場) B1, 10 Siwei Rd, Taipei (台北市四維路10號B1)
* Feb. 14 at 9pm
* Entry is free with meal
Contemporary
Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) presents J.E.G. jazz combo tonight. Tomorrow it's indie rockers Back Quarter (四分衛). This Sunday, and the second Sunday of every month, features Genesis "a night of soul-stirring open-mic" for "artists of every medium and language," from spoken word, poetry and rap to songs, acoustics, and comedy. West Indian/ Caribbean food will be served courtesy of A Taste of the Caribbean. Monday night it's open-jam night, when anyone with a song or an instrument can perform. Tuesday it's Crimson (緋紅) and Clipper's Hsiao Ying (夾子小應) with La La (辣辣). Wednesday it's You Are My Sunshine, an evening of jazz for Valentine's Day with Geddy Lin (林正如) on guitar, saxophonist Dong Sun-wen (董舜文), Kinya Ikeda on double bass, Toshi Fuji on drums, Fred Liu (呂聖斐) on the keyboards, and featuring singer Ciacia (何欣穗). And Thursday it's indie acts Elisa (一粒沙樂團) and Bibi Chao (趙之璧).
* The music starts at 9:30pm each night
* Entrance tonight, tomorrow and Thursday is NT$350. For Sunday and Tuesday, entrance is NT$300. On Monday there is a one-drink minimum. On Wednesday it's NT$400, or NT$500 for seats at a table
* B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷2號B1). Call (02) 2368-7310, or visit www.riverside.com.tw
Tonight at The Living Room (小客廳) expat singer-songwriter David Foster teams up with jazz combo Martian Acoustic Trio. Tomorrow it's Phunky Fatty (放克小胖), who play "acousticdiscofusionfunk," followed by The Blues Vibrations, who play "funk 'n' country," and saxaphonist Corbett Wall (高培華). It's Chit Chat Game Night on Tuesday with board games. Newly discovered songwriter Hank and My Dear perform on Valentine's Day. And on Thursday it's alt-rock band Mango (芒果樂團), followed by Question Mark Theater (小客廳劇場?Theater) with Nagano Masataka and Cara Speckhals.
* Tonight's performances begin at 10pm. Tomorrow the music starts at 9pm. Tuesday's fun and games runs from 7pm to midnight. The music starts at 7:30pm on Valentine's Day. Thursday's show starts at 8pm, followed by the theater at 9:30pm
* Entrance for tonight and Valentine's Day is NT$300. Tomorrow is NT$300 for both the Phunky Fatty and Blues Vibrations shows. There is no admission fee on Tuesday. Thursday is NT$50 for the band and NT$100 for the theater
* 3F, 8 Nanjing E Rd Sec 5, Taipei (台北市南京東路五段8號3樓). Call (02) 8787-4154 or visit www.livingroomtaipei.com
Velvet Underground (地下絲絨) presents all-girl indie five-piece Nekojamband (妮可醬) tonight, expat punk band Consider the Meek and electronic rockers Digihai (低級海) tomorrow, and pop-rock singer Marty Young on Thursday.
* Tonight's show starts at 11pm. Tomorrow's and Thursday's performances start at 9pm
* Entrance is NT$300 or NT$200 for students
* B1, 50 Zhongxiao W Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市忠孝西路一段50號B1). Call (02) 2314-1868 or visit www.velvet-underground.com.tw
The Wall (這牆) features post-rock band Orange Grass (橙草) and alt-rock band Soda Green (蘇打綠) tonight. Tomorrow good music and taike chic will be in full effect when quality showmen LTK (濁水溪公社) and The Chairman (董事長) take the stage. Following that there is Used's Dark Inside Party, tribal and progressive house until late. Tuesday it's rock band 13 (拾參) and downbeat electronica act Nylas. And on Thursday it's indie pop bands Electric Q and Black Faith with Sonic Pace, with the electronic loops, 1980s keyboard melodies and distorted guitar of Shine, Shine, Shine, Shine.
* Entrance tonight is NT$400. Tomorrow is NT$400 for the bands and NT$300 for the DJs. Tuesday and Thursday's shows are NT$300
* Bands take the stage at 8pm. Tomorrow's DJ party starts at 11:30pm
* B1, 200 Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Call (02) 2930-0162 or visit www.the-wall.com.tw
Tonight at Underworld (地下社會) it's The Sons of Pablo and New Hong Kong Hair City. Tomorrow it's Pepermint (薄荷葉). Wednesday it's Kao Chiu-chin (拷秋勤) with Joe (張睿銓) and DJ Point.
* The bar opens at 8pm and bands take the stage at 9pm
* Entrance is NT$300
* B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei (台北市師大路45號B1). Call (02) 2369 0103 or visit www.underworld-taipei.blogspot.com for more information
Taichung's The Grooveyard presents country rock band Dirty Skies and Japanese worldbeat and trance combo Mandala tonight. Mandala performs again tomorrow, along with The Martjin VanBuel Jazz Ensemble. Wednesday is jazz night. Thursday is Taiwan Exposed Open-Mic Night, a jam session for established and amateur musicians, poets, comedians and other performers.
* Performances start at 9pm
* Entrance tonight is NT$100 before 10pm and NT$200 after for Dirty Skies, and NT$300 for Mandala. Tomorrow is NT$300. There's no cover on Wednesday and Thursday
* 2F, 105 Huamei W Rd, Taichung (台中市華美西街105號二樓). Visit www.grooveyardtaiwan.com
Exhibitions
National Printing Workshop Exchange Exhibition (國際版畫工作室交流展). A joint exhibition comprising works from woodblock workshops in Taiwan, Spain and South Korea that break traditional material limits and concepts to deliver multiple and different textures and characters in block printings.
* Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館), 505 Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市仁愛路四段505號). Open daily from 9am to 5pm. Call (02) 2758-8008
* Until Sunday
They — Photo Exhibition by Chang Yung (她們/They — 張雍攝影展) and Holga Photography Exhibition (浮光掠影Holga影像展). The winner of the second TIVAC 365 Photography Award, young artist Chang spent one year and half making regular visits in the mental institution Bohnice in Prague and has created a series of honest and intimate photos of the female patients that look deeply into the silent flow of emotions and thoughts behind the bodily facade. The latter exhibition offers series of unique photos taken by Holga using the cheap plastic 120-film camera that was originally intended to provide the mass-market camera for working-class Chinese. Displayed with their blur, light leaks and other distortions, the Holga images pose a challenge to the digital technology and its pursuit for precision.
* Taiwan International Visual Arts Center (台灣國際視覺藝術中心), 1F, 29, Ln 45, Liaoning St, Taipei (台北市遼寧街45巷29號1樓). Open Tuesday to Friday from 11am to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Call (02) 2773-3347
* Until Feb. 14
Super Circus — A Preview (超馬戲團 — 預演展). The exhibition by Tsai Jie-xin (蔡潔莘) gives a preview at a daring attempt to renew the circus as a performing art form, to liberate one's body and transcend the old.
* Shin Leh Yuan Art Space (新樂園藝術空間), 15-2, Ln 11, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 2, Taipei (中山北路二段11巷15-2號). Open Wednesday to Sunday from 1pm to 8pm. Call (02) 2561-1548
* Until Sunday
Born to be Freedom (生來自由). Organized by online gallery Art4P, the joint exhibition invites 20 young artists to express their creativity on postcards along with the wall painting by illustration artist River Kuo. Visitors are also encouraged to make their own art on free postcards available at the show.
* Pixie Gallery Store, 44, Ln. 51, Da-an Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市大安路一段51巷44號). Open Tuesday to Thursday from 1:30pm to 9:30pm. Call (02) 2711-8289
* Until Feb. 12
A Thousand Years' Splendor — Zhao Hong Solo Exhibition (師法自然的千年繁華 — 趙紅個展). Taking both the realistic and surrealistic approaches to painting akin to those employed by painters in Sung dynasty, artist Zhao is interested in capturing the gracefulness of flowers.
* Chin De Chu Art Gallery (沁德居藝廊), 14, Ln 199, Xinyi Rd Sec 4 Taipei (台北市信義路四段199巷14號). Open Tuesday through Sunday from 12pm to 8pm. Call (02) 2707-4086
* Until Feb. 15
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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