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Theater
Cloud Gate Dance Theater (雲門舞集) will perform Song of the Birds (鳥之歌) as part of its Spring Riot (春鬥) tour. Song of the Birds, choreographed by Cloud Gate founder Lin Hwai-min (林懷民), is set to Spanish cellist Pablo Casals’ piece of the same name (El Cant dels Ocells).
▲ 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)
▲ Today at 7:30pm and tomorrow at 3pm
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$900 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Golden Bough Theater (金枝演社) combines ancient Chinese mythology and Taiwanese Aboriginal legends in The Classic of Mountains and Seas (山海經). A young boy wandering through the jungles of Taiwan finds himself transported back 2,000 years and bears witness to the exploits of some of Chinese mythology’s legendary characters and learns about Aboriginal folk tales.
▲ Huwei Fortress (滬尾砲台), 34-1, Ln 6, Chungcheng Rd Sec 1, Tamsui Township, Taipei County (臺北縣淡水鎮中正路一段6巷34-1號)
▲ Today, tomorrow and Sunday at 8pm
▲ NT$600 to NT$1,200 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Who is the fairest of them all? Song Song Song Children’s & Puppet Theater (九歌兒童劇團) has adapted the children’s fable Snow White into a story of unrequited love in the popular children’s performance of A Dwarf Who Loved Snow White (愛上白雪公主的小矮人), a children’s performance that sees one of the seven dwarfs falling in love with the kingdom’s fairest princess.
▲ 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20號)
▲ Tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$800 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Hard-hitting social commentary tinged with moral themes is a trademark of the plays written by the late Spanish playwright Fernando Arrabal. Taiwan’s Tellus Theater continues its adaptation of Arrabal’s work with Guernica Picnic on the Battlefield, which combines two of the master playwright’s works and investigates what it means to live during war. The play is in English.
▲ Lien Te Vegetarian Restaurant (蓮德品素天地), B1, 82 Ningpo W St, Taipei City (台北市寧波西街82號B1)
▲ Tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$350 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Classical music
Purple Phoenix Ladies’ Ensemble International Tour (紫鳳鳴樂女子樂團世界巡迴演出) will see the highly acclaimed all-female orchestra from China perform in Taipei and Tainan. Apart from the familiar traditional instruments, the ensemble’s female performers will also show off their skills on rarely used traditional instruments such as the juquin (鋸琴). Following the Taipei performances, there will be two performances in Tainan on May 3.
▲ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲ Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館), 505, Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市仁愛路四段505號)
▲ Tickets are NT$600 to NT$2,000 and are available through ERA ticketing
NSO Song of Wayfarer 2008 — Rhapsody in Rome (NSO旅人之歌 — 羅馬鄉情) sees Chien Wen-pin (簡文彬) back in front of the National Symphony Orchestra to perform the world premiere of Wang Yi-wen’s (王怡雯) The Lotus Pond (蓮池), which was commissioned by the NSO, along with Respighi’s Roman Festivals and Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major featuring the soloist Lee Yi-ning (李逸寧). There will be a pre-concert lecture in the lobby of the concert hall hosted by Hsing Tze-ching (邢子青).
▲ Today at 7:30pm
▲ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,500 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Dialog Between West and East — A TSO Concert (臺北市立交響樂團定期音樂會 — 中西對話) sees Martin Fischer-Dieskau take to the podium to conduct the Taipei Symphony Orchestra in a program that includes Blacher’s Paganini Variations, Gliere’s Symphony No.1, Op.8 and Schneider’s Veranderungen — Konzert for Sheng and Orchester. This final piece will feature Wu Wei (吳巍) as the sheng soloist.
▲ Today at 7:30pm
▲ Taipei Zhongshan Hall (台北市中山堂), 98 Yenping S Rd, Taipei City (台北市延平南路98號)
▲ Tickets are NT$200 to NT$800 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Tuba Buffo — Meng-Hsin Tsai Tuba Recital (2008蔡孟昕低音號獨奏會) brings the tuba into the forefront of the performance with a program that includes Henry Eccles Sonate, Julius Jacobsen’s Tuba Buffo, William Penn’s Capriccio for Tuba and Marimba and Ole Schmidt’s Tuba Concerto.
▲ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲ Lujhou Branch of KHS Musical Co Music Hall (蘆洲功學社音樂廳), 162 Jhongshan 2nd Rd, Lujhou City, Taipei County (台北縣蘆洲市中山二路162號)
▲ Tickets are NT$200 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Taipei Philharmonic Chorus Concert Tour (台北愛樂合唱團國內巡迴音樂會) sees the group in Taichung for a performance of Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle and selections from Chien Nan-chang’s (錢南章) The Maid Malan (馬蘭姑娘).
▲ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲ Chunghsing Concert Hall, Taichung (台中中興堂), 291-3 Chingwu Rd, Taichung City (台中市精武路291之3號)
▲ Tickets are NT$250 to NT$500 and are available through NTCH ticketing
The Ancient Voice From Mongolia (蒙古原音), the second performance in the 2008 Taipei Traditional Arts Festival (2008年傳統藝術季) Dunhuang Series (敦煌系列) will feature Urna Chahar-Tugchi performing together with the Taipei Chinese Orchestra conducted by Li Ying (李英) and with Xiao Baiyong (蕭白鏞) on erhu and Chuang Kuei-Ying (莊桂櫻) on transverse flute. The program will include Xin Huguang (辛滬光) Gada-Mairen, the Mongolian Hero (嘎達梅林), Liu Tianhua’s (劉天華) Moon Night (月夜) and Liu Mingyuan’s (劉明源) On the Grassland (草原上).
▲ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲ Taipei Zhongshan Hall (台北市中山堂), 98 Yenping S Rd, Taipei City (台北市延平南路98號)
▲ Tickets are NT$200 to NT$1,000 and are available through NTCH ticketing
The Power of a Maestro — Second 2008 Concert by the Formosa Singers (福爾摩沙97年系列音樂會之二 — 大師的魅力) has the Formosa Singers (福爾摩沙合唱團) performing under the baton of Joseph Flummerfelt with Tsai Yu-shan (蔡昱姍) on piano. The program includes Stravinsky’s Pater Noster, Brahms’ O Schoene Nacht and Warum, Poulenc’s Kyrie and Agnus Dei, and Rachmaninoff’s Bogoroditse Devo and Shestopsalmiye, as well as spirituals and folk songs.
▲ Tuesday at 7:30pm
▲ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Contemporary
Anie Fann and Ting Bu Dong (聽不懂樂團) perform tonight at Living Room (小客廳). Tomorrow, it’s Guts Improv (勇氣即興), where actors create short skits based on “audience suggestions and crazy rules,” followed by Longplaying 52Hz (黑膠52) and Gold Seal
▲ 3F, 8, Nanjing E Rd Sec 5, Taipei City (台北市南京東路五段8號3樓). Call (02) 8787-4154 or visit www.livingroom-taipei.com
▲ Tonight: Anie Fan from 9pm to 10pm; Ting Bu Dong from 10pm to midnight. Tomorrow: Guts Improv from 8pm to 9pm; Longplaying 52Hz from 9:30pm to 11pm; Gold Seal from 11pm to 12:30am
▲ There is a minimum charge of NT$300 for each performance, as well as a suggested donation of NT$50 for Anie Fann, Guts Improv, Longplaying 52Hz and Gold Seal, and a suggested donation of NT$150 for Ting Bu Dong
Two former members of spastic industrial band Fish and the Bedroom Riot (Fish的床上暴動), Fish and Dizzy, perform tonight at Underworld (地下社會) as a new group, Dynatac. Tomorrow it’s Telephone Booth (電話亭) and Radiobear (小白熊電台). Vulcan and Power Overwhelming play on Wednesday.
▲ B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師大路45號B1). Call (02) 2369-0103 or visit www.upsaid.com/underworld for more information
▲ Bands start playing after 9pm. The bar is open from 8pm daily, except Mondays
▲ Entrance tonight and tomorrow is NT$300 and includes one drink. Entrance on Wednesdays is NT$100. Before midnight on Tuesdays and Thursdays, drinks are buy-one-get-one-free
Tonight at Bliss, it’s Dirtstar, an experimental band from China, and local cover band The Originals. The Black Light District plays tomorrow. On Wednesday, there’s a farewell party for and performance by musician Scott Cook, with appearances by other artists.
▲ 148, Xinyi Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市信義路四段148號), one block east of Dunhua South Road (敦化南路). Call Bliss at (02) 2702-1855 or log on at www.bliss-taipei.com. For more information on live performances at Bliss, go to www.myspace.com/blisslivehouse
▲ Tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday at 10pm. Bar/kitchen open from 7pm daily. Ladies night Fridays; women get one free cocktail of their choice
▲ Entrance to the bar is free. NT$200 cover the music shows
Brit-rockers 1976 play two sets tonight at The Wall (這牆). On Sunday, it’s Challenging the Fire (火焰大挑戰), a competition for new bands. Nuin 8 (扭音八), Vera Queen and To a God Unknown play on Wednesday.
▲ B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Call (02) 2930-0162 or log on at www.the-wall.com.tw for more information
▲ Shows start at 8pm
▲ NT$400 tonight; NT$200 Sunday; NT$300 Wednesday. Admission includes one drink
Jazzy/bluesy act Kukao (鼓號大樂隊) performs tonight at Witch House (女巫店). Tomorrow, it’s Wenhui and Friends (雯慧與朋友們).
▲ 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Road Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號). Call (02) 2362-5494 or visit www.witchhouse.org
▲ Performances start at 9:30pm. Restaurant/bar with queer/feminist bookstore and large collection of board games open 11am to midnight Sunday to Wednesday; 11am to 1am Thursday to Saturday
▲ NT$300 entrance includes one drink
Exhibition
Centennial Celebration of Chang Wan-chuan (張萬傳百歲紀念展). Born in Tamshui District, Taipei, in 1909, Chang was an important figure in the history of Taiwanese contemporary art. After receiving academic training in Western painting in Japan, the artist depicted life in Taiwan with bold brush strokes influenced by fauvism and expressionism. The retrospective exhibition features Chang’s oil painting, aquarelles and sketches.
▲ Taipei Fine Arts Museum (台北市立美術館), 181, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市中山北路三段181號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 5:30pm, Saturday until 8:30pm. Call (02) 2595-7656
▲ Until June 22
Back to the Root: A Retrospective of Lin Hsin-yueh (歸鄉—林惺嶽創作回顧展). Featuring 100 sketches, watercolors and oil paintings, the exhibition spans Lin’s half-century artistic career. Having developed a surrealist style in 1960s, Lin turned to examine the history of Taiwan after studying in Spain in 1970s. His signature surrealism was replaced by more realistic depictions of Taiwan in 1980s and onwards. The new millennium sees Lin’s art developing in two directions: a return to the surrealistic world and visual studies on contemporary Taiwan and its history.
▲ Taipei National University of Arts — Kuandu Museum of Arts (台北藝術大學關渡美術館), 1, Hsuenyuan Rd, Peitou Dist, Taipei City (台北市北投區學園路1號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Call (02) 2896-1000 X2432
▲ Until May 4
Rooftop Poems — Shiau Bei-chen Solo Exhibition (樓頂上的詩歌—蕭北辰個展). Artist Shiau seeks inspiration from the rooftop shacks that are an integral part of the city’s landscape and creates poetry out of the ugly and the ordinary.
▲ Galerie Grand Siecle (新苑藝術), 17, Alley 51, Ln 12, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (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 May 4
Lang Ching-shan’s Photographic World (年代風華—郎靜山逝世13周年紀念展). To commemorate the 13th anniversary of the photographer’s death, the exhibition features Lang’s most celebrated landscapes and lesser known portraits.
▲ National Museum of History (國立歷史博物館), 49 Nanhai Rd, Taipei City (台北市南海路49號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 2361-0270
▲ Until May 25
Second Vision (第二種視野). Featuring works by 39 young artists, the exhibition suggests that 21st-century artists hold entirely different values and perspectives than those of previous generations.
▲ National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts in Taichung (國立台灣美術館), 2, Wuchuan W Rd Sec 1, Taichung City (台中市五權西路一段2號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Call (04) 2372-3552
▲ Until May 11
May 6 to May 12 Those who follow the Chinese-language news may have noticed the usage of the term zhuge (豬哥, literally ‘pig brother,’ a male pig raised for breeding purposes) in reports concerning the ongoing #Metoo scandal in the entertainment industry. The term’s modern connotations can range from womanizer or lecher to sexual predator, but it once referred to an important rural trade. Until the 1970s, it was a common sight to see a breeder herding a single “zhuge” down a rustic path with a bamboo whip, often traveling large distances over rugged terrain to service local families. Not only
Ahead of incoming president William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration on May 20 there appear to be signs that he is signaling to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and that the Chinese side is also signaling to the Taiwan side. This raises a lot of questions, including what is the CCP up to, who are they signaling to, what are they signaling, how with the various actors in Taiwan respond and where this could ultimately go. In the last column, published on May 2, we examined the curious case of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) heavyweight Tseng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) — currently vice premier
The last time Mrs Hsieh came to Cihu Park in Taoyuan was almost 50 years ago, on a school trip to the grave of Taiwan’s recently deceased dictator. Busloads of children were brought in to pay their respects to Chiang Kai-shek (蔣中正), known as Generalissimo, who had died at 87, after decades ruling Taiwan under brutal martial law. “There were a lot of buses, and there was a long queue,” Hsieh recalled. “It was a school rule. We had to bow, and then we went home.” Chiang’s body is still there, under guard in a mausoleum at the end of a path
Last week the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) released a set of very strange numbers on Taiwan’s wealth distribution. Duly quoted in the Taipei Times, the report said that “The Gini coefficient for Taiwanese households… was 0.606 at the end of 2021, lower than Australia’s 0.611, the UK’s 0.620, Japan’s 0.678, France’s 0.676 and Germany’s 0.727, the agency said in a report.” The Gini coefficient is a measure of relative inequality, usually of wealth or income, though it can be used to evaluate other forms of inequality. However, for most nations it is a number from .25 to .50