UPCOMING
Eight stand-up comedians will perform at Comedy Night next Saturday at Live Comedy Club Taipei, which is located in the Shida area and is Taiwan's first full time comedy club. The English-language show will run twice and will feature all new material from expat comedy guru Dan "Gonzo" Machanik based on his "outrageous gonzo misadventures in China," plus performances by stand-up veterans Mark Goding and Kurt Penney, as well as several new faces, Mark Bronsil, aka Matt the Puppet Guy, Norman Fung, Adrian Maidment, Kao Ying-hsuan (高英軒), an actor who will be appearing in Ang Lee's (李安) next movie, and Christopher Run, who describes himself as a "confirmed sexual-terrorist" and "devout atheist" whose material may offend the religious. For information on Dan Machanik, check out www.danielmachanik.com.
- NT$350 admission includes one drink
PHOTO: COURTESY OF SPOT
- Next Saturday at 9pm and 11:30pm
- B1, 24 Taishun St, Taipei (台北市泰順街24號B1). Call (02) 2369-3730 or visit www.comedy.com.tw/english
Damien Sargue, Live!, a concert by the star of the Euro-pop musical Romeo and Juliet which recently played Taiwan. Sargue is returning to Taipei to give a concert for his unexpectedly massive and vocal fans. The concert will include selections from Romeo and Juliet, Hunchback of Notre Dame and some songs from his own repertoire.
- National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei (國父紀念館), 505 Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市仁愛路四段505號)
- Tickets are NT$1,000 to NT$4,200
- Aug. 25, 7:30pm
Rewinding the Good Old Memories Film Festival (膠卷時光影展). The fist big enterprise in Taiwan to take up the role as a film festival organizer, China Trust (中國信託) puts forth a lineup of 15 classic films that look back to a golden age of cinema. For those who missed David Lean's Doctor Zhivago, the immortal Fiddler on the Roof, The Remains of the Day or Leos Carax's first commercial film Les Amants du Pont-Neuf, this another chance to relive the memorable moments on the big screen.
- When: Today through Aug. 23
- Where: SPOT - Taipei Film House (台北之家-光點電影院), 18 Zhongshan N Rd Sec 2, Taipei (台北市中山北路二段18號) and The Showtime Cinema (欣欣數位影城), 247 Linsen N Rd, Taipei (台北市林森北路247號)
- Tickets cost NT$220 per screening; a festival pass costs NT$900 for six screenings, available through NTCH ticket outlets or at www.artsticket.com.tw
- For more information, visit /blog.roodo.com/chinatrustfilm
THEATER
Huang Ping-yuan 2007 Concert (源來有你-黃品源2007台北演唱會) will perform a program of his romantic songs for audiences who have waited 15 years to hear him perform live. Huang has 10 albums to his credit and is a favorite among the KTV crowd.
- Taipei International Convention Center (台北國際會議中心), 1 Xinyi Rd Sec 5, Taipei (台北市信義路五段1號)
- Tickets are NT$1,000 to NT$3,200 through ERA ticketing
- Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Music Forum Weekend Concert - Romance and Monologue (十方樂集週末音樂會-浪漫、獨白). Music Forum in Taipei will present a piano recital tonight featuring piano soloist Ho Pei-jung (何佩蓉). Ho will present a selection of romantic piano works, including Chopin's Polonaise-Fantasie, Op.61 and Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor Op.58, and Rachmaninoff's Moments Musicaux, Op.16.
- 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 at 7:30pm
A Dialogue Between Troubadour and Six-String Guitar (吟遊詩人與六弦琴的對話). Canada-based countertenor D. Kai Ma (馬稚凱) was born in Taiwan and began his musical performances playing the piano and singing at the age of 11. He is a chorister and soloist in the Cantata Singers of Ottawa and Ottawa Bach Choir where he is currently the only male alto, and the Chorus of Opera Lyra, which often sings opera and oratorios at the National Arts Center of Canada. He has also sung as a countertenor soloist in several oratorio concerts in Canada. Last year, he was selected as a countertenor soloist in the Christ Church Cathedral of Ottawa under Matthew Larkin. With guitarist Su Meng-feng (蘇孟風), he will return to Taiwan to give three concerts of troubadour songs.
- At the Forum Auditorium (十方樂集音樂劇場演奏廳), 4, Lane 187, Minzu W Rd, Taipei City (台北市民族西路187巷4號).
- All tickets are sold out.
- Tomorrow at 7:30pm
Formosa Ensemble Orchestra (福爾摩沙室內樂團年度音樂會-絕代風華). Since its inception in 1997, the Southern Taiwan-based ensemble has held over 200 concerts around the world. Featuring violinists Chen Song-huei (陳松暉) and Lu Yuan-che (呂元哲), violist Wu Chin-an (吳晉安), cellist Tsai Fu-kuei (蔡福貴), soprano Chang Jui-fen (張瑞芬), and pianist Chen Hsin-yi (陳欣宜), the concert will be presented in different instrumental combinations, including string quartet, piano solo, piano quintet and vocal music. The program will include works by Vivaldi, Puccini, Dvorak, Anderson, Hellesell, Tseng Yi-jen (曾以仁), and Tyzen Hsiao (蕭泰然).
- At the National Recital Hall, Taipei
- Tickets range from NT$200 to NT$500 and are available through ERA ticketing
- Sunday at 7:30pm
Liang Chien-wen Violin Recital (梁倩文小提琴獨奏會). Taiwanese violinist Liang studied in Universitat fur Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien with Gunter Pichler and Uwe-Martin Haiberg at Universtaet der Kuenste Berlin l. She now returns to Taiwan to give two concerts in Taichung and Taipei. The program will include Debussy's Claire de Lune, Reverie, Ballade for violin and piano, Richard Strauss' Sonata for Violin and Piano in E-flat Major, Op.18, Brahms' Sonata for Violin and Piano in d minor, Op.108, and Kreisler's Praeludium und Allegro.
- Sunday at the National Taichung Library Chungsing Concert Hall (台中市中興堂), 291-3 Jingwu Rd, Taichung City (台中市精武路219之3號), and Aug. 17 at the National Recital Hall, Taipei.
- Tickets range from NT$200 to NT$500 for the Taichung concert and are available through ERA ticketing. For the Taipei concert, all tickets are sold out
- Sunday and Aug. 17 at 7:30pm
2007 Taipei Symphony Orchestra Youth Summer School Concert (2007 TSO青少年暑期音樂夏令營). The musical summer camp organized by the Taipei Symphony Orchestra for junior high and high school students will hold a free concert featuring guest conductor David Wroe, who is Music Director of the Westfield Symphony Orchestra, the Resident Orchestra of Union County, New Jersey, and violinist Huang Chun-wen (黃俊文), who now studies at Juilliard School. The program will include Sibelius' Violin Concerto in d minor, Op.47.
- At the Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25 Bade Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市八德路三段25號)
- Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance by call (02)2577-5931X266
- Aug. 13 at 7:30pm
CONTEMPORARY
Bliss features Unrelentless, expat rockers Dave Archdall, of Melbourne incendiary rock outfit The Sailors, lead guitarist Duncan Cameron, ex the Degenerators, Ass9, and Tarry Bush, and drummer Ryan O'Connell, from S.U.E. They play loud, "punked up" rock covers - "Think The Ramones meets Chris Issak meets your mom at a bar." There will also be a dance show with Tina and Ariana. Also tonight, women wearing skirts get a free drink. Tomorrow it's up-and-coming Taipei band White Eyes (白目) and Texas twins JD and JT Long's country music/garage rock band the Deadly Vibes. Then, next Saturday, comedy hypnotist Brian David Phillips will "make you feel really good" with his Blissnosis, an R-rated version of his usual, more family-friendly act.
- Performances start around 10pm
- Entrance to the bar is free. Cover for the shows upstairs is NT$200
- Address: 148 Xinyi Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市信義路四段148號).
- Call Bliss at (02) 2702-1855 or log on at www.bliss-taipei.com
Underdog, Taipei's mid-week house and funk bonanza, makes a special detour tonight, decamping for a one-off gig at Sappho. Electronica artist Viba will perform live with special guests, and residents Geezer Foo and Shorty will throw down the funk, acid jazz, and deep house. Entrance is free, and the fun starts from 9pm.
- The music starts around 9pm
- Entrance to the bar is free
- Address: 1, Ln 102 Anhe Rd Sec 2, Taipei (台北市安和路二段102巷1號). Call (02) 2700-5411 for more information
Underworld (地下社會) presents Bitter and Mosquilephant (蚊子大象) tonight. Tomorrow it's Tube (地下鐵) and Johnny and Eeyore. On Wednesday it's Horsemen (騎馬人), Kill You One More Time (惡夢再現發片金屬會) and Bazooka (火箭炮).
- The bar opens at 8pm and bands start playing at 9pm
- Entrance is NT$300
- 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
Nan Zi Han (男子漢), Fire Ex (滅火器) and The Chairman (董事長) perform tonight at The Wall (這牆). On Sunday it's popular indie-pop band Won Fu (旺福). On Monday it's 13 (拾參) and special guest guitarist Lu Guang-zhong (盧廣仲). Wednesday features, Air Raid Shelter (防空洞), Chang Jun-de (張俊德) and Cosmic Man (宇宙人). And on Thursday it's Mosquilephant, the Blue Velvets (藍絲絨), Finn and Mrs This (這位太太).
- Entrance tonight and Sunday is NT$400. Monday Wednesday and Thursday is NT$300
- Bands take the stage 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
South African singer-songwriter David Foster performs tomorrow at the Living Room (小客廳). It's tarot night again on Tuesday with Eiffel (塔羅老師艾菲爾). Wednesday features Fourth Person Performance Space (第四人稱表演域) and Drunk (酒客二人組), and on Thursday it's Cary Lazy and Pure Pie.
- Tomorrow's performance runs from 10pm to midnight. Tuesday's tarot is from 7:30pm to midnight. Wednesday's musicians take the stage at 8pm and 9:30pm. Thursday's music starts 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) showcases Brussel Van Taipeh jazz combo and special guests, who will be playing music in the vein of John Coltrane. Tomorrow it's a Rock Oriental Express (搖滾東方) mini concert. On Sunday it's Rolling Dice (搖滾骰子) and Godfather (教父). Open-jam night returns Monday, after a one-week hiatus. On Tuesday it's 36 Roundhouse Kicks (三十六迴旋踢) and Your Low End (憂樂園). No Name and Unsafe play Wednesday, and Neon and Coach play Thursday.
- Shows start at 9:30pm
- Entrance tonight, Thursday and Wednesday is NT$350. Tomorrow is NT$400. Sunday and Tuesday is NT$300
- 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
EXHIBITION
Multiformited - Essence Space: Post-Ceramics 2007 (多質性場域-破陶展2007). Featuring works by five acclaimed ceramics artists in Taiwan, the exhibition aims to explore possibilities of contemporary ceramics art told through new vocabularies and concepts that invite viewers to see the ancient art in a new light. The exhibition will move to Taichung County Cultural Center (台中縣立文化中心) from Sept. 14 to Oct. 7.
- Taipei National University of the Arts - Guandu Arts Museum (台北藝術大學關渡美術館), 1 Xueyuan Rd, Beitou, Taipei (台北市北投區學園路1號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Call (02) 2893-8871
- Until Sept. 2
A Retrospective Collection of Documentary and Experimental Films from Taiwan 1930 to 2003 (從紀實到實驗 - 台灣七十年紀錄與實驗影像展). Special screenings of a collection of documentary and experimental films by 21 artists and filmmakers in Taiwan, including several never-before-released and incomplete works. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.changsgallery.com.tw/exhibitions/070810/070810.html
- Galerie Grand Siecle (新苑藝術), 17, Alley 51, Ln 12, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市八德路三段12巷51弄17號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 1pm to 6pm. Call (02) 2578-5630.
- Until Aug. 31
Heavy Flotation – Chen Hua-jun's Engraving Exhibition (沉重的漂浮 - 陳華俊版畫個展). Artist Chen's visually contrasting block prints manifests both the fragility and strength of humanity and the weight and lightness of life through the featured fantasy creatures that both alienate and enthrall.
- 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 Sept. 9
Lights on France (燈光下的法蘭西). Featuring the photo light box works by Pierre Bourdis and Xavier Testelin, two acclaimed French lighting designers known for creative expressions of lighting in urban landscape at night. The exhibition transcends the original function of lighting and guides visitors into a world of surprising beauty and imagination.
- 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 Oct. 21
The Mysterious Saturn System (揭開土星系統的奧秘特展). The exhibition introduces local audiences to the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn's system with models, interactive programs and online resources that explain the intriguing images and data sent back by the Cassini spacecraft, the first to explore the Saturn's rings and moons from orbit, and the Huygens Probe that dove into Titan's atmosphere in 2005.
- 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) 2322-6940
- Until Dec. 16
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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