Theater
Hakka Play - Dan Ching Hun (客家大戲 - 丹青魂) is a play about Tang Dynasty artist and court painter Wu Tao-tzu (吳道子) and a student Huang Fu-zhen (皇甫軫), who engage in a competition to paint the best mural. When Wu realizes that Huang has greater talent, he conspires to destroy the reputation of the younger man.
- National Theater, 21-1 Zhongshan S Rd, Taipei (台北市中山路21-1號)
PHOTO: TAIPEI TIMES
- Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
- Tickets are NT$300 to NT$2,000 and are available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artstickets.com.tw
The Great Monkey Fights the Spider Goblin (美猴王大戰蜘蛛精) is a Beijing opera based on an episode from the literary classic Journey to the West (西遊記).
- Shih-Ming Hall of Taiwan Cement Building (台泥大樓士敏廳), 113 Zhongshan N Rd Sec 2, Taipei (台北市中山北路二段113號)
- Today and tomorrow at 8pm
- Tickets are NT$880 and are available through ERA ticketing outlets or online at www.ticket.com.tw
I Get a Kick Out of You (一腳翻天) by Contemporary Dance Company is a multimedia performance that features dance, dialogue, singing and video projection. The story is based on choreographer Yao Shu-fen's (姚淑芬) experiences living in England and observing the island's soccer culture.
- Hsinchu Municipal Auditorium (新竹市文化局演藝廳), 17 Tungta Rd Sec 2, Hsinchu City (新竹市東大路二段17號)
- Tomorrow at 7:30pm
- Tickets are NT$200 and are available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artstickets.com.tw
Elsewhere is a play within play and investigates the life of a fictitious theater director who lives in a fantasy world of fame and fortune. The play shifts back and forth between the real-life world of the director and the plays he directs.
- Guling Street Theater (牯嶺街小劇場), 2, Ln 5, Guling St, Taipei (台北市牯嶺街5巷2號)
- Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm
- Tickets are NT$200 and are available at available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artstickets.com.tw
Upcoming
The East Rock Music Festival (東岸酷熱搖滾絳眵½), kicks off Thursday in Hualien and runs through Sunday, Aug. 5, at the Jichi Beach Resort (花蓮加魯灣度假村). Scheduled acts include Back Quarter (四分之一), Overdose, Lucky Pie and Little Lamb Sisters (小羊妹妹).
- 5pm to 8:30pm Thursday, and 4pm to 8:30pm Aug. 3 to Aug. 5.
- Entrance is NT$250 per day at the gate. Advance four-day tickets are NT$700 and can be purchased at Family Mart (全家) convenience stores in Ilan, Hualien and Taidong
- Address: 6-1, Jichi Village, Fengbin Township, Hualien County (花蓮縣豐濱鄉磯崎村6號之1). For more information, log on at www.eastrock.tw
Classical Music
The Clarinet: Classic and Romantic (豎笛音樂的古典與浪漫). Clarinettist Li Hui-wen (李慧玫) and pianist Liao Chiao-han (廖皎含) will present a program of works, including Stamitz's Clarinet Concerto, No.9 in B-Flat Major, Bassi's Fantasia de Concerto, Schumann's Fantasy Pieces, Op.73, and Kokai's Four Hungarian Dances.
- At the National Recital Hall, Taipei
- All tickets cost NT$200 and are available through NTCH ticketing
- Tonight at 7:30pm
Chen Yu-ling Piano Recital (陳譽齡鋼琴獨奏會). Chen, currently a music therapist in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, will present a program of works, including Beethoven's Piano Sonata No.15, Op.28, Liszt's Sonetti del Petrarea 47, 104, and 123, Gershwin's Three Preludes for Piano, and Schumann's Carnival, Op.9.
- At the National Recital Hall, Taipei
- Tickets range from NT$200 to NT$500 and are available through ERA ticketing
- Tomorrow at 7:30pm
Yu Li-hsuan Violin Recital (尤儷璇小提琴獨奏會). Young Taiwanese violinist Yu is currently a first violinist at the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra. This is her first recital after receiving her degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Joined by pianist Yang Min-kuei (楊閔貴), Yu will present three violin sonatas by Beethoven, Ysaye and Brahms, which have very different characteristics. Also, Yu will present Sarasate's showpiece Carmen Fantasy, which is one the most popular virtuoso violin masterpieces, known for its dazzling technique and singing tone based on the themes of Bizet's opera Carmen.
- At the National Recital Hall, Taipei
- Tickets range from NT$300 to NT$400 and are available through NTCH ticketing
- Sunday at 2:30pm
Eric Aubier Trumpet Recital (艾瑞克.歐比赫小號獨奏會). World-renowned French trumpet player Aubier entered Maurice Andre's class at Le Conservatoire de Paris at the age of 14. He was the youngest graduate at the time, and earned three first prizes. He was also a prize winner at international competitions in Prague, Toulon and Paris. When Eric Aubier was only 19, Rolf Liebermann named him trumpet soloist for the Paris Opera Orchestra. Since 1995, he has devoted himself to a career as an international soloist and professor. He has put all his effort into the development of a trumpet repertoire. He teaches at the CNR of Reuil-Malmaison and has given master-classes all over the world. In his third visit to Taiwan, Aubier will be joined by pianist Chen Chien-fen (陳倩芬) and present a program of works, including Tartini's Concerto in D Major, Listzt's Hungarian Rhapsody, Brandt's Concertpiece No.1, Jolivet's concertino, Ravel's Jeux D'eau, and Desendos' Incantation et Candence.
- At the National Recital Hall, Taipei
- As of press time, NT$400 tickets are sold out, but seats are still available from NT$600 to NT$800 through ERA ticketing
- Monday at 7:30pm
Contemporary
Tonight there's a free seafood barbeque and happy hour between 7pm and 9pm at Bliss. Following that, talented up-and-coming band Frecklebenben (雀斑) are tentatively scheduled to perform upstairs, followed by Cross Roads, who are definitely scheduled to perform. Tomorrow The Roadhouse Rogues play blues and rock.
- The music starts at 9pm tonight and 10pm tomorrow
- Entrance to the bar is free. Cover for the shows upstairs is NT$200
- 148 Xinyi Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市信義路四段148號). Call Bliss at (02) 2702-1855 or visit www.bliss-taipei.com
Golden Melody-nominated indie (in the original sense of the word) electronica collective KbN (凱比鳥) and Japanese band Aonami play Underworld (地下社會) tonight in a gig that almost makes you want to skip Formoz. Tomorrow it's Kenny From Casino (賭場肯尼) and the Fever Cats. Check the Web site as sometimes shows are posted only a day or two in advance.
- The bar opens at 8pm and bands start playing 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
If you miss Japanese band Six o' Minus Saturday at Formoz, you can see them Monday at The Wall (這牆), along with Luminous Orange and Yndi Halda. Thursday it's another installment of Challenging the Fire (火焰大挑戰), a battle of young or otherwise unknown bands. Scheduled to perform are Mr Dirty, Ma Tuzi (麻兔子), Niunaiguan (牛奶罐), Accident Track, The Cranes, Teenager and Nachos.
- Entrance Monday is NT$800. Thursday is NT$150
- Bands take the stage at 8pm Monday and 7pm Thursday
- 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
Luan Ru (亂入) and No Name perform tonight at the Living Room (小客廳). Tomorrow it's "African-style" dancer (非洲舞蹈) Ariana. Tuesday is tarot night with Eiffel (塔羅老師艾菲爾).
- Tonight's performances begin at 9pm and 10pm. Tomorrow's runs from 10pm to midnight. Tuesday's tarot is from 8pm to midnight. Wednesday's music starts at 8pm. Thursday's bands start at 9pm
- Entrance is NT$300 plus a two-drink minimum
- 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
Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) tonight presents house regulars Ray Band, who cover bands as diverse as The Beatles and Bad Company and play their own 1980s-style power rock and blues. There's a good show tomorrow featuring Neon (特別來賓), who take the stage following a performance/album release party for New Yorker (紐約客) and their new CD Make You Happy (惹你開心). On Sunday it's Your Low End (憂樂團) and funk rock four-piece Da Bones (骨頭). Monday is open-jam night, when anyone with an instrument to play or song to sing can do so on stage with Riverside's excellent sound system. Tuesday features Night of Seven Books (七書之夜) and the multi-instrument whiz Suming, better known as rhythm guitarist for Totem (圖騰), in another one of his side projects; this one as a solo performer. Wednesday is a Brit-pop party with Taipei pub circuit regulars and 1990s-style Brit-rock revivalists, along with guitarist Hasega Watakashi (長谷川俊) who will perform with Japanese band Quizmaster, who derive their inspiration from Flipper's Guitar, who were in turn influenced by of British 1980s pop groups like Haircut 100, The Style Council and Aztec Camera. On Thursday it's' Timmy (黃玠) and talented young jazz singer/guitarist Joanna Wang (王若琳).
- Shows start at 9:30pm
- Entrance tonight, tomorrow, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday is NT$350. Wednesday 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
Friday night is Salsa Night at Grooveyard in Taichung. Following the salsa there will be live music from easy-listening pop band Vento. Tomorrow it's "the long-awaited reunion of one of Taiwan's funkiest bands," Schumpy. Thursday is Taiwan Exposed open-mic night. Over at Groovecity, it's Aboriginal singers Eagle Lin, it's house jazz combo 'Round Midnight and Gu La Pau tonight and again tomorrow.
- At Grooveyard, tonight's salsa lasts from 8pm to 10:30pm (the venue is smoke-free during this time). Vento plays from 9pm to 11:30pm. Schumpy plays tomorrow from 9pm to 11:30pm. Thursday's open-mic starts at 9pm. At Groovecity, the music runs from 6pm to 10pm both tonight and tomorrow.
- Grooveyard cover is NT$200 tonight and tomorrow. There's no cover Wednesday and Thursday. There is no cover at Groovecity
- 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號二樓). Visit www.grooveyardtaiwan.com or call 0939-574-737 for more information
On Tap will be celebrating the Taiwan Summer Cup and local sides Da-An FC and The Animals FC with drink specials tomorrow night. Also at the pub, which serves Western grub and now opens at 5pm, DJs spin acid jazz and house every Wednesday from 10pm until 4am.
- 5pm to 4am Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday, and 5pm to at 6am; Friday and Saturday
- On Tap is located at 49, Ln 308, Guangfu S Rd, Taipei (台北市光復南路308巷49號). Call (02) 2741-5365
The Bootleg Beatles are the world's premier Beatles' tribute bands and they'll be making a two-night stop in Taipei. Formed 10 years to the day after Paul McCartney announced the Beatles' split, the Bootleg Beatles have performed over 4,000 concerts throughout the world keeping Beatlemania alive. During their three-decade career, the Bootleg Beatles have toured with Oasis, Elton John and David Bowie, among others and have performed variously for three members of the Fab Four. Dust off those sixties duds and throw on some high-heeled boots and be prepared to be transported back to an era where St. Pepper reigned supreme.
- Taipei International Convention Center (台北國際會議中心)
- Tomorrow and Sunday at 7:30pm
- Tickets are NT$800 to NT$3,200 and are available through ERA ticketing or online at www.tickets.com.tw
Exhibitions
Human - Shadow (人-影). This solo exhibition by Hsieh Wang-tzu (謝旺自) features a series of paper-cutting works on imaginary creatures that speak of the blurred faces of strangers in the urban jungle and other beings that inhabit the city.
- Taishin Financial Tower (台新金控大樓), 118 Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市仁愛路四段118號2樓). Open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 6pm. Call (02) 3703-6955
- Through today
Vietnam Art On-Site (越南藝術現場). Organized by Amily's Art, the exhibition features oil paintings from Vietnam that blend the country's culture, nature and its people with French impressionism.
- The Path Cafe (花徑開), 10, Alley 33, Ln 216, Zhoungxiao E Rd, Taipei (台北市忠孝東路四段216巷33弄10號). Open Monday to Sunday from 12pm to 2am. Call (02) 7718-5982
- Until Aug. 20
Glove Puppet Art Exhibition (泉州新藝城木偶藝術特展). As most original Quanzhou glove puppets are in museums and private collections, this exhibition brings to Taiwan the intricately carved and beautifully costumed puppets for the first time from the Huayuan School (花園派) in Quanzhou, Fujian Province.
- Fish Art Center (秋刀魚藝術中心), 137 Chihu Rd, Taipei (台北市基湖路137號). Open Sunday to Friday from 11am to 10:30pm. Call (02) 2532-3800
- Until Tuesday
Narratives in Motion: The Animal Kingdom of the Formosan Aborigines' Folktales (聽傳說-台灣原住民與動物的故事). Aboriginal people learn the wisdom of their ancestors from the oral tradition passed down from generations to generations. This special exhibition introduces the public to the island's Aboriginal myths and folk tales in relation to animals that include the angry hundred-pace snake, flying fish god and the wise black bear.
- National Taiwan Museum (國立台灣博物館), 2 Xiangyang Rd, Taipei (台北市襄陽路2號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Call (02) 2382-2699
- Until Nov. 15
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