[Theater]
A Touch of Zen (禪武不二), a combination of percussion and martial arts with a unique take on various aspects of Buddhist religious practice at the National Theater, Taipei.
* Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and Sunday at 3:30pm
* Tickets are NT$300 to NT$2,500 and are available through NTCH ticketing
A Doll's 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 (蓮德品素天地), B1, 82 Ningpo W St, Taipei (台北市寧波西街82號B1)
* Tomorrow and Sunday at 6:30pm
* Tickets are NT$350 and are available through NTCH ticketing or www.artsticket.com.tw
The Glass Menagerie (玻璃動物園) by Tennessee Williams will be performed by Spring Wind Art Theater (南風劇團). The play takes place during the Great Depression and investigates the tenuous relationship between an aging mother and her shy daughter, as narrated by the son.
* Performance Hall of the Hsinchu County Cultural Affairs Bureau (新竹縣文化局演藝廳), 146 Hsiencheng 9th Rd, Chupei, Hsinchu County (新竹縣竹北市縣政九路146號)
* Tomorrow at 7:30pm
* Tickets are NT$400 to NT$500 and are available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
2007 — Taipei Traditional Arts Festival (2007 臺北市傳統藝術季). This weekend's celebration of Chinese and Taiwanese culture kicks off on Saturday evening with puppet theater by the renowned puppet group I Wan Jan Puppet Theater (亦宛然掌中劇團) performing The Wrestling Deities Jab the Monkey King (仙拼仙 – 拼死猴齊天) followed on Sunday by Zhaozhou-Tone Puppet Theater's (潮調布裝戲) Three Esteemed Scholars in One Generation (一門三及第). Both are outdoor performances at the Zhongshan Hall Plaza.
* The Wrestling Deities Jab the Monkey King will be performed tomorrow at 2:30pm and Three Esteemed Scholars in One Generation (一門三及第) will be performed Sunday at 2:30pm. Both will be performed at Zhongshan Hall Plaza (台北中山堂)
* Admission is free
The Silk Rhapsody: The Beauty of Jiangnan Music (絲情話意 — 江南絲竹之美), also part of the 2007 Taipei Traditional Arts Festival, is a presentation of Southern Chinese string music.
* Taipei Zhongshan Hall (台北中山堂) on Wednesday at 7:30pm
* Tickets are NT$200 to NT$800 and are available through ERA ticketing
[Events]
Chinese Ice Hockey League (CIHL). After 8 months of tough, regular season action, the CIHL enters the championship game tomorrow night with the Bears squaring off against the Tigers at 7:30pm. There is also a raffle draw for a trip for two to Hong Kong. More information about the championship game can be found at www.cihl.com.tw.
* Taipei Arena (台北巨蛋), tomorrow at 7:30pm
* Admission is free
[Classical Music]
Li Hei-ning 2007 Piano Recital (李海寧2007鋼琴獨奏會) and Thomas Landschoot and Wang Liang-yu Chamber Music Concert (Thomas Landschoot與王亮予室內音樂會. Music Forum (十方樂集) in Taipei will present a piano recital tonight and a chamber music concert on Sunday. For tonight's concert, Li will present a program of piano works, including Bach's Partita No.2 in C Minor, BWV 826, Beethoven's Eroica Variations, OP.35 and Albeniz's Suite Espagnole, Op.47. The Sunday concert will feature Belgian cellist Thomas Landschoot, a founding member of the Chamber Ensemble Bloomington in Japan, the Taman Trio in Europe, and the Trio du Soleil in the US. Joined by pianist Wang, Landschoot will play a program of works, including Debussy's Cello Sonata in D Minor, Beethovven's Sonata for Piano and Cello in A Major, Op.69, Pendereck's Capriccio per S. Palm and Prokofiev's Sonata for Cello and Piano in C Major, Op.119.
* At the Forum Auditorium (十方樂集音樂劇場演奏廳), 4, Ln 187, Minzu W Rd, Taipei (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
Taipei Male Choir — The First Decade of Choral Tour de Tours from National Chiao Tung University (拉縴人男聲合唱團 — 第一個十年 — 從交大起程). The prizing-winning Taipei Male Choir will hold a concert in Hsinchu and present a program of religious songs, including Palestrina's Sicut Cervus, Bruckner's Ave Maria, Milhaud's Psaume 121, Miskinis' Ave Regina Ceolorum, Matsushita's Ave Regina Ceolorum, Gustafsson's Gloria, and Szymko's Ave Maria, and folk songs, including Alfven's Aftonen, Tormis' Kaksikpuhendus, Chinese Xinjiang folk song Waiting for You Until Dawn arranged by Qu Xi-xien (瞿希賢), and Taiwanese Aboriginal folk song Ma Pu A Su Si Ngnal (獵人追捕) arranged by Cai Yu-shan (蔡昱珊).
* 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)
* 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
* Tomorrow at 7:30pm
Wu Ching-man Piano Recital (吳京蔓鋼琴獨奏會). Wu, a first prize winner of the Gino Gandolfi International Piano Competition, made her well-received debut on the stage of Taipei's Novel Hall (新舞臺) in September 2005. This year, Wu will hold a concert in Ilan and present a program of works, including Mozart's Piano Sonata in B-flat Major, K.333, Beethoven's Piano Sonata in A-flat Major, No. 331, Op.110, Chopin's Piano Sonata in B-flat Minor, No.2, Op.35, and Ravel's Sonatine.
* At the Ilan Performing Arts Center of the Ilan County Cultural Affairs Bureau (宜蘭縣文化局演藝廳), 482 Chungshan Rd Sec 2, Ilan City (宜蘭市中山路二段482號)
* Tickets range from NT$200 to NT$300 and are available through ERA ticket outlets
* Sunday at 2:30pm
2007 Young Star Series — Chiu Meng-lu Harp Recital "Exploring the Beauty of Harp" (2007兩廳院樂壇新秀 — 邱孟璐豎琴獨奏會). Winner of the first prize in the Philipa Power Harp Competition three years in a row, Chiu also won the Una Morgan Prize in 2000. Chiu will present a program of works, including Respighi's Sicilliana, Scarlatti's Sonata K208 and 209 in A Major, Pescetti's Sonata in C Minor, Alvars's Introduction, Cadenza and Rondo from the Fantasy on Italian Airs, Rosetti's Sonata No.2, Spohr's Variation for Harp on the Aria "Je suis encore dans mon printemps," Op.36, Hindemith's Sonata for Harp, and Grandjany's Rhapsodie.
* Wednesday at the Chung Yuan Christian University's Holistic Education Village Juili Hall (中原大學全人教育村瑞麗堂), 200 Chungpei Rd, Chungli City (中壢市中北路200號), and May 26 at the National Recital Hall, Taipei
* 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
* Wednesday and May 26 at 7:30pm
Meditation of the Chamber Music (美麗驚嘆–室內樂曼波). As part of the NTCH 20th Anniversary activities titled "Art Vital Capsule" (藝術活力膠囊), local musicians and ensembles that have been active in the local musical scene in the past two decades have been invited to play in this concert. They will be witnesses to the achievements and progress of Taiwan's classical music. The concert will be held in a lecture-concert format with presenter Zoe Hwang (黃瑞芬). The program will include Brahms' Waltz, Op.39, Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No.1 in D Minor, Op.49, Bartok's String Quartet, No.1, Op.7, Taiwanese folk songs, Hindemit's Kleine Kammermusik for Woodwind Quintet, Op.24, No.2 and Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Venezia. The concert will be presented in different instrumental combinations, including piano for four hands, string quartet, wind quintet, brass quintet, and string sextet.
* At the National Concert Hall, Taipei
* Tickets cost from NT$300 to NT$800 through NTCH ticketing
* May 24 at 7:30pm
[Contemporary]
Tonight at The Wall, La Petite Nurse (小護士樂團), which has been on the edge of the local indie scene for more than half a decade, and four-piece pop/rock act Relax One (輕鬆玩) take the stage. Tomorrow it's The Hohak Band (好客樂隊), formed by ex-members of the award winning contemporary Hakka combo Labor Exchange (交工樂團), and Jonathan Gregory percussion, and from 11pm it's The O'Brothaz with what is touted as Taipei's biggest reggae and dancehall session. On Sunday Lazy Lady, Madflow and Undersoul provide the entertainment. Wednesday it's Vanish, heavy metal act Bad Monk (歹和尚) and Random.
* Entrance tonight and tomorrow is NT$400, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday it's NT$300,
* Shows start at 8pm
* 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 the J.E.G. jazz trio (神崎爵士之夜) tonight, there's a 1976 mini concert tomorrow and Neon plays on Sunday. Open jam night is on Monday, Formula and Paparazzi play on Tuesday, Peggy Hsu (許哲珮) on Wednesday and Jasmine (??) and rock band SUNNY 4 on Thursday.
* Shows start at 9:30pm
* Entrance tonight, tomorrow, Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday is NT$350. Tuesday is NT$300. On Monday there is a no cover but a minimum charge of NT$300
* B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市羅斯福路三段244號B1). Call (02) 2368-7310, or visit www.riverside.com.tw
No Fear (魔咧) and Shi Zhen (十震) take the stage tonight at Underworld (地下社會). Wednesday features Green! Eyes (綠色眼睛) and Space Cake.
* 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
Tonight at the Living Room (小客廳) Jasmine and Friends (停竹歌友會), Journey to the West PX (西遊記PX) and Emergency Exit (安全門樂團) take the stage. Tomorrow pop rock outfit The Antagonauts perform, two Living Room regulars, tarot master Eiffel (塔羅老師艾菲爾) and folk singer-songwriter Hank provide the entertainment on Tuesday. On Wednesday there is a dinner magic show (晚餐魔術秀), followed by bluegrass band the Soggy Bagel Boys. Thursday sees Longplaying 52Hz (黑膠52) perform.
* Tonight's performances start at 9pm, 10pm and 11pm, tomorrow and Wednesday at 10pm, Tuesday at 8pm and Thursday at 9pm.
* Entrance for the 9pm show tonight is NT$500, NT$350 for the 10pm and 11pm gigs. Tomorrow admission is NT300, NT$350 on Tuesday and Wednesday. For Thursday, admission is NT$400
* 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), WaveLight, BSD, indie band Sensitive (敏感帶樂團), Mixup, Sunglow and Eight Immortals (老八仙) take the stage while tomorrow it's alt-rock group Cigarette Band (哈根草) and POF. Monday it's Dragonforce (for more information see the story on Page 15), Wednesday it's Alluvial Fan and Mary See the Future. Thursday's entertainment is provided by Metal Warriors and Undo.
* Bands take the stage tonight, Wednesday and Thursday at 9pm, Monday at 8pm. The time of tomorrow's gig has yet to be released.
* Admission tonight is NT$350, entry has yet to be set for tomorrow, while Monday, Wednesday and Thursday's gigs are NT$300 each
* B1, 50 Zhongxiao W Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市忠孝西路50號B1). Call (02) 2314-1868 or visit www.velvet-underground.com.tw
[Exhibitions]
MEME 2007: Antimatic: The Social Experiments of Peng Hung-chih (抗衡:彭弘智對於社會行為的藝術實驗). The opening exhibition of this newly open art space under the Hung Chien-chuan Education and Culture Foundation (洪健全教育文化基金會). The artist's solo show features five of his previous and new video installations and interactive sculptural pieces.
* MEME space, 12F, 9 Roosevelt Rd Sec 2, Taipei (臺北市羅斯福路二段9號12樓). Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. Call (02) 2396-5505 x132
* Until July 31
The Epoch (打開當代 -- The Epoch!當代藝術新銳會外展). Bringing a troupe of local contemporary artists to the 2007 International Art Expo held at Taipei's World Trade Center, AKI Gallery augments the major exhibition with a smaller showcase simultaneously displaying works by six artists using media ranging from oils to ball-point pen.
* AKI Gallery (也趣), 4, Ln 140, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 7, Taipei (台北市中山北路七段140巷4號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 7:30pm. Call (02) 2872 5296
* Until May 27
Erotica, Concealed Camera (色情.偷拍). A joint photography exhibition by Huang Chang-chuan (黃長川) and Ma Li-qun (馬立群) features a series of works posing as erotic pictures shot by concealed camera to lead the viewer into the stories and scenes that explore and parody the human desire for voyeuristic pleasure.
* Huashan Cultural Park (華山文化園區), 1 Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei (臺北市八德路1號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 2392 6180
* Until May 22
The Gate (門). Staring this month, the Taishin Bank Foundation for Arts and Culture has scheduled a (re)presentation of selected works by three local artists from last year's Taiwan Avant-Garde Documenta III. The first artist to kick off the Taishin Art's C06 series is Lai Yung-hsing(賴永興) and his wooden sculpture series envisioned as a portal from the virtual to the real.
* Taishin Financial Tower Art Gallery (台新金控大樓), 118 Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei (臺北市仁愛路四段118號). Open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 6pm. Call (02) 3703-6955
* Until May 24
1001 Hanky-Panky of Taiwan Epopee -- Wu Bo-jia and Lu Chen-shih 1+1 Exhibition (台灣史詩的一千零一式: 吳伯嘉與陸承石雙個展). Aiming to address the mix-and-match cultural identity of Taiwan and its collective social consciousness, the young visual artist duo take two separate approaches to illuminate different aspects of the post-modern.
* West-wing art gallery of the Taipei County Government building(台北縣政府西側藝廊), 161 Jhongshan Rd Sec 1, Banqiao City, Taipei County (台北縣板橋市中山路一段161號). Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Call (02) 29603456 x4583
* Until June 3
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