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Theater

Meng Jiang Nu (孟姜女) is a Chinese tale set during the reign of the first emperor Qin Shihuang (秦始皇) about a young woman who travels to the Great Wall to find her husband who has been forced to work there. With an updated kun opera libretto by Zeng Yung-yi (曾永義), the story is used to demonstrate the recurring political problems faced by the working classes.
* National Theater, Taipei
* Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
* Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,200 and are available through NTCH ticketing

Royal Dance Ensemble of Cambodia (柬埔寨皇家傳統舞團). The origins of Cambodian dance can be traced back to the ninth century and boast a long continuous tradition until abruptly broken by the civil war of the 1970s. But thanks to the efforts of Cambodia's Royal University of Fine Arts and the royal family, the traditional dance style was been revived.
* Tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm at Novel Hall (新舞臺), 3-1 Sungshou Rd, Taipei (台北市松壽路3-1號); Wednesday at 7:30pm at Chungli Arts Center (中壢藝術館音樂廳), 16 Chungmei St, Chungli City, Taoyuan County (桃園縣中壢市中美路16號); and Thursday at 7:30pm at the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Hsinchu County (新竹縣文化局演藝廳), 146 Hsiancheng 9th Rd, Chupei City, Hsinchu County (新竹縣竹北市縣政九路146號)
* Tickets for the Taipei performances are NT$300 to NT$1,000 and are available through NTCH ticketing (All NT$500 and NT$1,000 tickets were sold out as of press time); other performances are NT$300 to NT$800. All tickets are available through NTCH ticketing

Irma la Douce (巴黎花街) by Godot Theater (果陀劇場) tells the story of a fired cop on the steamy streets of 1960s Paris, who falls in love with a prostitute named Irma la Douce, who he meets at a seedy bar called the Cafe Moustache. After killing off la Douce's pimp, the ex-cop takes his place and gradually loses all sense of reality as he becomes increasingly jealous of the hooker's johns.
* Kaohsiung Cultural Center's Chih Teh Hall (高雄市立文化中心至德堂), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City, (高雄市五福一路67號)
* Tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm * Tickets are NT$400 to NT$2,800 and are available at www.artsticket.com.tw (NT$400 tickets are already sold-out)

Forever Tango is an evening of tango music and dance that recalls the early home of tango in the brothels of Buenos Aires, where women dressed in sexy attire and men were suited in gangster mode.
* National Taichung Library Chunghsing Concert Hall (台中市中興堂), 291-3 Chingwu Rd, Taichung (台中市精武路291之3號)
* Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm
* Tickets are NT$500 to NT$3,000 and are available through NTCH ticketing

Contemporary

Dan “Gonzo” Machanik and Comedy Cartel members Mark Goding and Kurt Penney present The Other White Meat tonight at the Living Room (小客廳). The English-language standup comedy act is for mature audiences only and not for the easily offended. Tomorrow it's Balm in Gilead, a vocal and piano duo performing Broadway tunes and jazz mixed with a bit of tap dancing, followed by Black Sheep (黑羊藍調), who “combine scorching Texas-style guitar with a tangy Taiwan twist.” Wednesday is a night of cool, light, poppy jazz with Pure Jazz (漂兒流行爵士樂團), and on Thursday it's a double billing with pop-rock bands Longplaying 52 (黑膠52) and New Yorker (紐約客).
* Tonight's comedy show begins at 10pm. Tomorrow and Wednesday's music starts at 9pm. On Thursday, bands take the stage at 8:30pm
* Entrance is NT$300
* 3F, 8 Nanjing E Rd Sec 5, Taipei (台北市南京東路5段8號3樓). Call (02) 8787-4154 or visit www.livingroomtaipei.com

In Taichung, Grooveyard presents acid jazz, groove and originals by Submarine 3 tonight, and the Anglers, playing roots and reggae, tomorrow. At the newly opened Groovecity, it's Faye and the Slacks with folk and pop tonight, and the Doolittles' “original and exciting Euro rock” tomorrow.
* The music starts at 9:30pm
* Grooveyard entrance is NT$100 tonight and NT$200 tomorrow. Groovecity entrance is NT$300
* Groovecity is inside Tiger City (台中老虎城) at 120 Henan Rd Sec 3, Taichung (台中市河南路三段120號). Grooveyard is located at 2F, 105 Huamei W Rd, Taichung (台中市華美西街105號2樓). Visit www.grooveyardtaiwan.com or call 0939-574-737 for more information

The Wall (這牆) reopens after the Lunar New Year holiday with alt-rock band Dolly's Pillbox (朵莉的藥盒) and post-rock band Tin Pan Alley (錫盤街), followed by trance, breakbeats and drum 'n' bass with Viba, Digihai and DJ Zeon. Tomorrow, increasingly popular Aboriginal rockers Totem (圖騰) take the stage to play new songs from their upcoming album, after which it's ladies night, when DJ Pola Bear mans the decks. Sunday, it's a head-banging triple-header with power and thrash metal acts Forgiveness (恕), Revilement and Infernal Chaos. Wednesday night features alternative bands Inverse Hand (逆指針), Telephone Booth (電話亭) and Mayonnaise (美乃滋), and on Thursday it's another round of Challenging the Fire (火焰大挑戰), a battle of up-and-coming bands.
* Entrance tonight is NT$400 for the bands and NT$300 for the DJs. Tomorrow it's NT$400 for Totem, following which men pay NT$300 and women get in free to see the DJs. Sunday and Wednesday are NT$300. Thursday is NT$150
* Bands take the stage at 8pm. DJs start spinning 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

Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) presents jazz combo Delta on the Main Street tonight and pop-rock group Champion (強辯) tomorrow. Monday night is open-jam night, when anyone with a song or an instrument can perform. Thursday features indie singer-songwriter Deserts Chang (張懸).
* The music starts at 9:30pm each night
* Entrance is NT$350 except for Monday, when there is no cover but a one-drink minimum, and Thursday, which is NT$400
* 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

Pop-rock band Lumei (露魅) plays tonight at Velvet Underground (地下絲絨).
* The music starts at 9pm
* Admission 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

Classical Music

La Causerie de Paris — 2007 Lin Shang-jung Flute Recital (巴黎隨想 — 2007林尚蓉長笛獨奏會). Lin, a talented Taiwanese flutist, will be giving her first recital since her return from Paris where she studied under Jean-Pierre Rampal. Also featuring pianist Weng chung-hua (翁重華), Lin will present a program of Paris-themed works.
* At the Chihshan Hall, National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center, Kaohsiung City (高雄中正文化中心至善廳), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市五福一路67號)
* Tickets are NT$150 and available through NTCH ticketing
* Tonight at 7:30pm

Qian Zhou Violin Recital (錢舟小提琴獨奏會). In 1987, 18-year-old Qian introduced herself to the world of music with a brilliant triumph at the Marguerite Long/Jacques Thibaud Competition in Paris. As the youngest Long/Thibaud winner ever, her victory drew worldwide attention. Joined by pianist Albert Tiu, a graduate of the Juilliard School where he studied with Jerome Lowenthal, Qian will present Leclair's Violin Sonata in D Major, Op.9, No.3, Brahms' Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, Op.100, Kreisler's transcription of Falla's Spanish Dance among other works. Qian and Tiu will also give master classes. For more information, visit www.newartinc.com or call (02) 8773-2898.
* Tonight at the National Sun Yat-sen University (高雄中山大學逸仙館), 70 Lienhai Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市蓮海路70號), Tuesday at the Tainan Municipal Cultural Center Performance Hall (台南市立文化中心演藝廳), 332 Chunghua E Rd Sec 3, Tainan City (台南市中華東路三段332號), March 9 at the Hsinchu Municipal Auditorium (新竹市文化局立演藝廳), 17 Tungta Rd Sec 2, Hsinchu City (新竹市東大路二段17號), March 10 at the National Concert Hall, Taipei, and March 11 at the Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中市中山堂), 98 Hsuehshi Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號)
* For the Kaohsiung concert, tickets can be obtained free of charge from the National Sun Yat-sen University at (07) 525-2000 X2715 or send an e-mail to warwick98@mail.nsysu.edu.tw. For the Taipei concert, tickets are NT$500 to NT$1,500 and for the rest, tickets cost from NT$300 to NT$1,000 through ERA ticketing
* Tonight, Tuesday, March 9 through March 11 at 7:30pm

Lin Chia-wei Guitar Recital (彈琴說愛 — 林家瑋古典吉他演奏會). Lin, an 18-year-old Taiwanese guitar prodigy won the third prize at the 3rd Australian Guitar Competition in 2004. Prior to his departure for Germany to pursue his guitar studies, he will present a concert of guitar favorites in Kaohsiung tomorrow.
* Tomorrow at the Chih-Shan Hall, National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center, Kaohsiung City (高雄中正文化中心至善廳), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市五福一路67號)
* Tickets are NT$200 and NT$300 and are available through ERA ticketing or call Chuang Chia-liang Guitar Ensemble (莊嘉良吉他合奏團) at 0931-812-572 Saturday at 7:30pm

Grace Chung 2007 Piano Recital (鍾曉青2007鋼琴獨奏會). Chung, an assistant professor of piano at Tainan National University of the Arts, will present an all-Schubert concert, including Sechs Moments Musicaux, D.780, Drei Klavierstucke, D. 946, and Sonata in A Major, D.959.
* At the National Recital Hall, Taipei
* As of press time seats are still available from NT$500 to NT$600 through ERA ticketing
* Thursday at 7:30pm

Andrei Yeh Piano Recital (葉孟儒鋼琴獨奏會). Born in Taiwan, Yeh is recognized for his outstanding performances of the music of Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Schostakovich. He has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taipei and in several cities in Russia. He will tour Taiwan to give a series of three concerts in Kaohsiung on March 8, Taichung on April 14, and Taipei on April 15. The program will include Chopin's four ballades, Ballade in G Minor, Op.23, Ballade in F Major, Op.38 , Ballade in A-flat Major, Op.47, and Ballade in F Minor, Op.52, and Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No.8 in B Major, Op.84.
* Thursday at the Chihshan Hall, National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center, Kaohsiung City (高雄中正文化中心至善廳), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市五福一路67號), April 14 at the Taichung County Seaport Art Center (台中縣立港區藝術中心), 21 Chungchen Rd, Chingshui Township, Taichung County (台中縣清水鎮忠貞路21號), and April 15 at the National Concert Hall, Taipei
* Tickets for the Kaohsiung and Taichung concerts cost from NT$200 to NT$500 and for the Taipei concerts cost from NT$300 to NT$1,000 through ERA ticketing
* Thursday at 7:30pm and April 14 and 15 at 2:30pm

Exhibitions

Commemorative Exhibition Marking the 100th Anniversary of Li Shih-chiao's Birth (李石樵百歲紀念展). A leading figure in Taiwan's art history, the late artist strived to create a unique art throughout his life, and his oeuvre not only reflects the trend and features of Taiwan's art development but became a integral part of local art history. As part of the celebrations marking Li's 100th birthday, the exhibition features representative works and related manuscripts and documents to present a comprehensive view of Li's achievement.
* Taipei Fine Arts Museum (台北市立美術館), 181 Changshan N Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市中山北路三段181號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Call (02) 2595-7656.
* Until May 6

What Are You Seeing (你看見了什麼) and Witnessing Growing-up (目擊成長). The two exhibitions expose the public to acclaimed art works by Yu Hung (喻紅), one of the most important contemporary artists from China. The former show exhibits Yu's latest series of paintings on silk fabric; the later is a series of press photos and the artist's paintings that draws parallels between China' drastic social changes and the artists life experiences.
* Eslite Gallery (誠品畫廊), B2, 245 Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市敦化南路一段245號B2). Open Tuesday to Sunday at 11am to 7pm. Call (02) 2775-5977; Eslite Bookstore, Xinyi Branch (誠品信義店), 11 Songgao Rd, Taipei (台北市松高路11號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 9pm. Call (02) 8789-3388.
* Until Sunday

City, the Scenery (城，是風景), an illustration exhibition by Bird Han (韓君岳) using acrylic and markers to create a colorful urban fantasia with a surrealistic twist.
* Pethany Larsen Gallery (Pethany Larsen藝坊), 2F, 30, Ln 45, Liaoning St, Taipei (台北市遼寧街45巷30號2樓). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Call (02) 8772-5005.
* Until March 18

Family Dwelling — 4x5 3 Times Series (家宅 — 四乘五立方系列). The latest photography installation series by Chen Shun-chu (陳順築) presents the artist's continuous interest in interpreting his family history and memory through a molding of a deconstructed family space.
* Chi-Wen Gallery, 3F, 19, Ln 252, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市敦化南路一段252巷19號3樓). Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 7pm. Call (02) 8771-3372
* Until March 31

Swinhoe in Formosa 1856 to 1866 (以史溫侯之名：一位英國博物學家在台灣特展). The first British official consul in Taiwan, Robert Swinhoe (1836 to 1877) named thousands of native species on the island and as a pioneering naturalist contributed in important ways to Taiwan's natural history. Through Sinhoe's specimens and archives, visitors can gain a rare view on the changes that have affected the island's natural resources and environment.
* National Museum of Natural Science (國立自然科學博物館), 1 Kuanchien Rd, Taichung (台中市館前路一號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Call (04) 232-6940
* Until April 8

Events

Urban Nomad underground film festival is seeking entries for this year's event, which will be held in Taipei in late April or early May. Organizers are looking for the following subgenres — experimental film/video, animation, comedic shorts, political documentary, Internet shorts — and themes — skateboard/surfing, North Korea and Iraq, gender, migrant workers. Entries less than 15 minutes long stand a greater chance of being accepted. Films should be accessible to both English- and Chinese-speaking audiences, which means films with subtitles and subject matter pertinent to Taiwan will be given priority. Urban Nomad is offering a cash prize of NT$5,000 for "best original short from Taiwan," regardless of category.
* Deadline: March 26
* Format: DVD, MPEG, or VCD. For some accepted films, organizers may later ask for mini DV, beta SP or other high-quality versions
* Send entries to 2, Alley 1, Ln 12, Jinmen Street, Taipei, Taiwan (台北市金門街12巷1弄2號). For more information, e-mail urbannomadfilmfest@gmail.com. Application forms can be downloaded at www.urbannomadfilmfest.blogspot.com
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