Theater
Of Man and Object (人物語) is a modern dance performance by Taipei Dance Circle (光環舞集)that explores the relationship between man and the objects around him.
* Keelung Cultural Center (基隆文化局演藝廳), 181 Hsinyi 1st Rd, Keelung City (基隆市信一路181號)
* Today at 7:30pm
* Tickets are NT$200 to NT$400 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Quest for the Garden Saunter and the Interrupted Dream (尋找遊園驚夢) is a neo-classical Kun opera and will be performed by the Lanting Kun Opera Troupe (蘭庭崑劇團).
* Former 11th Air Force Village (新竹空軍十一村), inside Hsinchu Park (新竹公園)
* Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm
* Tickets are NT$250 and are available through ERA ticketing
The Fabulous World of Otaku (宅男的異想世界) takes a tender look at the sub-culture of computer nerds and their difficulties communicating with the outside world.
* Performance Hall of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Hsinchu County (新竹縣文化局演藝廳), 146 Hsiancheng 9th Rd, Chupei, Hsinchu County (新竹縣竹北市縣政九路146號)
* Tomorrow at 3pm and 7pm
* Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,200 and available through ERA ticketing at www.ticket.com.tw
A Doll House. Performed by Tellus Theater, the play was written in 1879 by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen and is a harsh criticism of Victorian marital life.
* Lien Te Vegetarian Restaurant (蘭德品素天地), B1, 82 Ningpo W St, Taipei (台北市寧波西街82號B1)
* Tomorrow at 6:30pm
* Tickets are NT$350 and are available through NTCH ticketing or www.artsticket.com.tw
Lotus in the Steppe (草原的白蓮), a touring performance of Mongolian dancing and throat singing by LOTOS (LOTOS 蒙古民族歌舞團) from the Republic of Kalmykia will take place in Taipei for Mother Day.
* Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館大會堂)
* Sunday 7:30pm
* Admission is free. Tickets will be offered on a first come, first serve basis and are available from the service counter on the west side of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall or from the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Cultural Center (蒙藏文化中心) located at 3, Ln 8, Qingtian St, Taipei (台北市青田街八巷三號) or call (02) 2351-4280
Classical Music
Chen Hsiao-lan and Kao Yu-ching Piano Duet Concert (陳曉蘭與高郁晶雙鋼琴之夜 and Tsai Yun-yen Piano Recital (蔡昀晏鋼琴獨奏會). Music Forum (十方樂集) in Taipei will present a piano duet concert performance featuring Chen and Kao tonight and a piano solo concert featuring Tsai on Sunday. For tonight's concert, Chen and Kao, classically trained at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music respectively, will present Mozart Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K.448 (375a), Ravel La Valse, Poeme Choreographique for Two Pianos, Barber No.2 "Schottische," No.3 "Pas de Deux," and No.5 "Hesitation Tango" from Souvenirs Suite, Op.28, and Rachmaninoff Suite No.2 for Two Pianos in C Major, Op.17. For the Sunday concert, Tsai, who is currently a senior at the Taipei National University of the Arts, will present a program of works, including Chopin Etude Op.10-12, Bach WTC Book I in E Major, Messiaen Ile de Feu, Wang Jian-zhong (王建中) Silver Clouds Chasing the Moon (彩雲追月), Schumann Kreisleriana, Op.16, Mozart Sonata in F Major, K.533 and K.494, and Beethoven Sonata No.32, Op.111.
* At the Forum Auditorium (十方樂集音樂劇場演奏廳), 4, Ln 187, Minzu W Rd, Taipei City (台北市民族西路187巷4號)
* All tickets cost NT$250 and are available through NTCH ticketing or call Music Forum at (02) 2593-5811
* Tonight and Sunday at 7:30pm
Natalia Gutman Cello Recital (顧德曼大提琴獨奏會). The most significant artistic influence on the musical personality of Russian cellist Natalia Gutman was her teacher Mstislav Rostropovich, who fought for the rights of Soviet-era dissidents and later triumphantly played Bach suites below the crumbling Berlin Wall, and died last month at the age of 80. Gutman will dedicate her two concerts in Taipei and Taichung to Rostropovich. Partnered with pianist Viacheslav Poprugin, Gutman will present two concerts with two different programs. The program in the Taipei concert will include Dvorak Romantic Pieces, Op.75, Grieg Sonata for Cello and Piano in A Minor, Op.36, Rachmaninoff Sonata for Cello and Piano in G Minor, Op.19, and the program in the Taichung concert will include Tchaikovsky Polonaise from "Eugene Onegin," Op.24, Dvorak Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op.104, and Richard Strauss?Suite from "Der Rosenkavalier".
* Tomorrow at the National Concert Hall, Taipei and Sunday at the National Taichung Library Chungsing Concert Hall (台中中興堂), 291-3 Chingwu Rd, Taichung City (台中精武路219之3號)
* As of press time, NT$500 and NT$800 tickets are sold out for the Taipei concert, but NT$1,000 to NT$1,800 seats are still available; NT$300 tickets are sold out for the Taichung concert, but seats are still available from NT$500 to NT$1,000 through NTCH ticketing
* Tomorrow and Sunday at 7:30pm
National Symphony Orchestra Richard Strauss Cycle IX -- Heroic Virtuoso (提琴在炫技) The program in this concert will feature Strauss Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op.8 and Busoni rarely played Piano Concerto, Op.39. For the first piece, NSO concert master Wu Ting-yu (吳庭毓) will elaborate his mastery as the soloist. The second piece will feature guest pianist Kun Woo Paik from South Korea, who will play with the National Experimental Chorus and the NSO under the direction of Chien Wen-pin (簡文彬). There will be a pre-concert talk by Wang Shih-chiang (王世強) in the lobby of the National Concert Hall for the Taipei concert 30 minutes prior to the concert on Sunday afternoon.
* At the National Concert Hall, Taipei
* Tickets range from NT$300 to NT$1,500 and are available through NTCH ticketing
* Sunday at 2:30pm
2007 Pro Arte Piano Trio 10th Anniversary Concert Series (伯牙鋼琴三重奏「十年友誠」系列音樂會).
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 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), the trio will present Beethoven Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op.11, Paul Schoenfeld Cafe Music and Tchaikovsky Piano Trio in A Minor, Op.50.
* May 16 at the Hsinchu Municipal Performance Hall (新竹市立演藝廳), 17 Tungta Rd Sec 2, Hsinchu City (新竹市東路二段17號)
* As of press time, NT$200 tickets are sold out for the Hsinchu concert, but NT$100 tickets are still available through NTCH ticketing
* May 16 at 7:30pm
2007 Young Star Series -- Chiu Meng-lu Harp Recital "Exploring the Beauty of Harp" (2007兩廳院樂壇新秀邱孟璐豎琴演奏會). Chiu, a first prize winner of the Philipa Power Harp Competition three years in a row and the winner of the Una Morgan Prize in 2000, will present a program including Respighi Sicilliana, Scarlatti Sonata K208 and 209 in A Major, Pescetti Sonata in C Minor, Alvars?Introduction, Cadenza and Rondo from the Fantasy on Italian Airs, Rosetti Sonata No.2, Spohr Variation for Harp on the Aria "Je suis encore dans mon printemps," Op.36, Hindemith Sonata for Harp and Grandjany Phapsodie.
* May 16 at the National Chiao Tung University Arts Center (交通大學藝文中心), 1001 Tahsueh Rd, Hsinchu City
(新竹市大學路1001號), May 23 at the Chung Yuan Christian University Holistic Education Village Juili Hall (中原大學全人教育村瑞麗堂), 200 Chungpei Rd, Chungli City, Taoyuan County (桃園縣中壢市中北路200號), and May 26 at the National Recital Hall in Taipei
* For the Hsinchu concert, tickets cost from NT$100 for students and NT$200 for the general public and are available through National Chiao Tung University Library and Student Union (交通大學浩然圖書館與活動中心) at (03) 571-2121 X52666 or X59056 as well as the Eslite Bookstore Hsinchu Branch, 68 Sinyi St, Hsinchu City (新竹市信義街68號)at (03) 527-8907 X254. Admission is free for the Chungli Concert. For the Taipei concert, tickets range from NT$300 to NT$500 and are available through NTCH ticketing
* May 16, 23, and 26 at 7:30pm
Contemporary
Expat punk band Consider the Meek perform tonight at The Wall, with Everybody Enemy and Hindsight (光景消逝). Tomorrow it ABS: All Blues & Ska, a side project for Wu Bai (伍百) and China Blue drummer Dean "Dino" Zavolta, bassist Xiao Zhu (小朱) and keyboardist Da Mao (大貓), with support from Lao Liu (老六)and Yang Teng-you (楊騰佑)on guitar. Sunday features pop-rock band 13 (拾參). On Wednesday, it Space Cake, The Newsongshead and Telephone Booth (??秅).
* Entrance tonight and tomorrow is NT$400. Sunday and Wednesday is NT$300
* Shows start at 8pm
* B1, 200 Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei (臺北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Call (02) 2930-0162 or visit www.the-wall.com.tw
Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) presents fusion jazz with special guest saxophonist Kanzaki Hisaaki and the J.E.G. jazz trio (神崎爵士之夜) tonight. Champion (冠軍) takes the stage tomorrow. This Sunday, and the second Sunday of every month, is 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. Monday is open-jam night. On Tuesday, it pop-fusion combo They're Lisa (他們是力殺) and J-rock oriented Crimson (緋紅). And on Wednesday it Bone(骨頭) and Bibi Chao (趙之璧) and her band.
* Shows start at 9:30pm
* Entrance tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday is NT$350. Sunday and Tuesday is NT$300. On Monday there is a one-drink minimum
* B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷B1). Call (02) 2368-7310, or visit www.riverside.com.tw
Naraku and Inverse Hand (逆指針) take the stage tonight at Underworld (地下社會). Tomorrow features post-rock/nu-folk band We Save Strawberries (草莓救星) and Kaohsiung punks Fire Extinguisher (滅火器). Wednesday looks particularly promising with happy-punk band Heavy Smoker (煙鬼) and Consider the Meek.
* The bar opens at 8pm and bands take the stage at 9pm
* Entrance is NT$300
* B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei (臺北市師大路45號B1). Call (02) 2369 0103 or visit www.underworld-taipei.blogspot.com for more information
Tonight at the Living Room (小客廳) it Longplaying 52Hz (黑膠52), Slow Motion and Reverie (空想). Tomorrow it Mayonnaise (美乃滋) and American Night. Tuesday, it two Living Room regulars, tarot master Eiffel (塔羅老師艾菲爾) and folk singer-songwriter Hank. On Wednesday there a dinner magic show (晚餐魔術秀), followed by bluegrass band the Soggy Bagel Boys. And on Thursday it Iris and "raucous unplugged indie guys" MOS.
* Tonight performances start at 9pm and 10pm. Tomorrow start at 8pm and 10pm. Tuesday both start at 8pm. Wednesday magic runs from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, followed by the band at 10pm. Thursday shows start at 9pm and 11pm
* There is a minimum charge of NT$300 for each musical performance. Wednesday magic show is NT$500 and the minimum charge for Tuesday tarot is NT$300
* 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
Tonight at Velvet Underground (地下絲絨), it Rainbow Band (虹樂團), Rainbow(獵虹), Red Flower (紅花) and New Hong Kong Hair City. Tomorrow features Everybody Enemy, La Petite Nurse (小護士) and Nekojamband (妮可醬). Tuesday it Consider the Meek. Wednesday is Red Blood Cell (紅血球) and Index, and Thursday it Pink Stars and Luan Ru (亂入).
* Bands take the stage tonight, Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30pm, tomorrow at 8pm and Tuesday at 9pm
* Admission tonight is NT$450 or NT$250 for students. Other days is NT$350 and NT$200
* 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
Tonight at Grooveyard in Taichung, it Black Lung Inner City Choir. Tomorrow is the release party for the new issue of Pressed literary magazine, featuring Andy Kincart, Dr. Reniculous Lipz and .22. Meanwhile, at Groovecity, it Eagle Lin tonight and Black Lung Inner City Choir tomorrow.
* The music starts at 8pm at Grooveyard and 8:30pm at Groovecity
* Grooveyard cover is NT$200. Groovecity entrance is NT$300
* Groovecity is inside Tiger City (台中老虎城旁停車場) at 120 Henan Rd Sec 3, Taichung (台中市河南路三段120號老虎城). 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
Exhibition
City II (城市II). Tina Gionis is a freelance writer and photographer based in Taipei. Born in Greece, she grew up in the US and graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelors of Arts in Creative Writing and a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. She has been living and traveling in Asia for 10 years. This is her 10th exhibition. More information about the artist and gallery can be found at www.owlphotography.com and www.gallery41art.com. The exhibition theme is an observation of a culture modernizing and dealing with their urban environment.
* Gallery 41, 41, Ln 100, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市敦化南路一段100巷41號). Tel: (02) 8773 5089
* The opening reception is tomorrow from 3pm to 7pm
* Until June 10, Tues to Sun 11am to 7:30pm
Terracotta Army of Qin Shihuangdi (兵馬俑特展). Presenting the fierce terracotta army and striking recent archaeological discoveries from the mausoleum of Qin Shihuangdi, the emperor of the short-lived Qin Dynasty (BC221 to BC206), the exhibition not only displays a terracotta army of various ranks but also recent findings such as stone armor, terracotta acrobat figures, bronze waterfowl and terracotta musicians.
* National Museum of History (國立歷史博物館), 49 Nanhai Rd, Taipei (臺北市南海路49號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 2361-0270
* Tomorrow through July 31
New Blooms of the Divine -- Solo Exhibition by Hua Chien-chiang (新仙花形--華建強個展). Artist Hua breathes a new life into Taiwan glue color painting by adding post-modern sarcasm to the traditional art form. Oscillating between comics and landscape painting, the works aim to manifest the vanity of modern people and the consumption of humanity through bizarre characters and social references.
* Taipei Fine Arts Museum (台北市立美術館) at 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 July 1
Transformed. A joint exhibition by four artists with distinct ideas and approaches to art featuring stone sculptures, installation pieces, video and design works to manifest the theme of transformation.
* NTUE Nanhai Gallery (南海藝廊), 3, Ln 19, Chungching S Rd Sec 2, Taipei (台北市重慶南路二段19巷3號). Open Wednesday to Sunday from 2pm to 9:30pm. Call (02) 2392-5080
* Until Sunday
Solo Exhibition by Assem Sharaf (埃及藝術家阿森夏拉夫個展). Coming from the heart of ancient city Cairo, Assem Sharaf is a modern Egyptian artist who uses recycled material, ancient colors and modern shapes as the main elements of his visual world. The 50 artworks on display search for new aesthetics in art and life.
* Sheltering Sky (天棚藝術), 111 Huanhe N Rd Sec 1, Taipei (臺北市環河北路一段111號). Open Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 6pm. Call (02) 2558-5789
* Until tomorrow
Wandering in the Poetry -- The 2nd NCAF Techno Art Creation Project (科光幻影 詩路漫遊). Presenting the works of five recipients of the second art project supported by the National Culture and Arts Foundation, the exhibition suggests a link to the origin of art creation itself, touching on the poetic through various high tech forms and utilizations.
* 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 June 10
In late October of 1873 the government of Japan decided against sending a military expedition to Korea to force that nation to open trade relations. Across the government supporters of the expedition resigned immediately. The spectacle of revolt by disaffected samurai began to loom over Japanese politics. In January of 1874 disaffected samurai attacked a senior minister in Tokyo. A month later, a group of pro-Korea expedition and anti-foreign elements from Saga prefecture in Kyushu revolted, driven in part by high food prices stemming from poor harvests. Their leader, according to Edward Drea’s classic Japan’s Imperial Army, was a samurai
Approaching her mid-30s, Xiong Yidan reckons that most of her friends are on to their second or even third babies. But Xiong has more than a dozen. There is Lucky, the street dog from Bangkok who jumped into a taxi with her and never left. There is Sophie and Ben, sibling geese, who honk from morning to night. Boop and Pan, both goats, are romantically involved. Dumpling the hedgehog enjoys a belly rub from time to time. The list goes on. Xiong nurtures her brood from her 8,000 square meter farm in Chiang Dao, a mountainous district in northern Thailand’s
Located down a sideroad in old Wanhua District (萬華區), Waley Art (水谷藝術) has an established reputation for curating some of the more provocative indie art exhibitions in Taipei. And this month is no exception. Beyond the innocuous facade of a shophouse, the full three stories of the gallery space (including the basement) have been taken over by photographs, installation videos and abstract images courtesy of two creatives who hail from the opposite ends of the earth, Taiwan’s Hsu Yi-ting (許懿婷) and Germany’s Benjamin Janzen. “In 2019, I had an art residency in Europe,” Hsu says. “I met Benjamin in the lobby
April 22 to April 28 The true identity of the mastermind behind the Demon Gang (魔鬼黨) was undoubtedly on the minds of countless schoolchildren in late 1958. In the days leading up to the big reveal, more than 10,000 guesses were sent to Ta Hwa Publishing Co (大華文化社) for a chance to win prizes. The smash success of the comic series Great Battle Against the Demon Gang (大戰魔鬼黨) came as a surprise to author Yeh Hung-chia (葉宏甲), who had long given up on his dream after being jailed for 10 months in 1947 over political cartoons. Protagonist