Theater
A family falls apart after the death of the family matriarch in Short One Player Theater Troupe’s (三缺一劇團) latest work An Obituary Written by Everybody (大家一起寫訃文).
Crown Art Center Theater (皇冠小劇場), B1, 50, Ln 120, Dunhua N Rd, Taipei (台北市敦化北路120巷50號B1)
Tonight, tomorrow and Thursday at 7:30pm and tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
Tickets are NT$450, available through NTCH ticketing
Wu-Yi Wei-Ji (無以為繼) tells the story of a scriptwriter who, because he lacks inspiration, plagiarizes the work of others to maintain his creative output.
Somebody Cafe (貳拾陸巷), 2F, 131 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧南路131號2樓)
Tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and Sunday at 8pm
Tickets are NT$200, available through NTCH ticketing
The Stronger is based on August Strindberg’s play of the same name which uses two nameless women to investigate the nature of interpersonal relationships.
Guling Street Theater (牯嶺街小劇場), 2, Ln 5, Guling St, Taipei City (台北市牯嶺街5巷2號)
Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Tickets are NT$250, available through NTCH ticketing
Ether Space by Shang Orientheatre (上默劇團) is a one-woman meditative exploration of Taoism and Zen Buddhism. Accompanied by two musicians, the work seeks to recreate the existence of a hermit living close to nature and incorporates the elements of wind and water.
Taipei Artist Village (台北國際藝術村), 7 Beiping E Rd, Taipei City (台北市北平東路7號)
Today, tomorrow and Sunday at 7:30pm
Tickets are NT$400, available through NTCH ticketing
The Story of the Tiger is a solo performance by actor-director Chongtham Jayanta Meetei and is based on Dario Fo’s A Tale of a Tiger.
Red House Theater (西門紅樓), 10 Chengdu Rd, Taipei City (台北市成都路10號)
Tonight and tomorrow at 8pm
Tickets are NT$350, available through NTCH ticketing
Mint, Rosemary and the Flower With No Name investigates the relationships between women and focuses on a lesbian searching for love and meaning.
Nanhai Gallery (南海藝廊), 3, Ln 19, Chongqing S Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市重慶南路二段19巷3號)
Tonight, tomorrow and Sunday at 7:30pm
NT$350 tickets are available by calling (09) 2731-6048
Formosa (島上) is a narrative-driven play that examines the enormous sociopolitical changes that have occurred on Taiwan over the past 30 years through the a love story that tells of a political prisoner, named Peter, who when released becomes a politician, and Marilyn, the woman he adores. But Peter will eventually have to make a choice between Marilyn and the political ideas he has sworn to uphold.
Huashan Culture Park (華山創意文化園區), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號)
Today at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Tickets are NT$300, available through NTCH ticketing
The long-anticipated, Chinese-language production of Shakespeare’s Othello (針鋒對決) by the Godot Theater Company (果陀劇場) continues, this week in Hsinchu, with headliners Li Li-qun (李立群) and Chin Shih-jie (金士傑), two of Taiwan’s most accomplished stage actors.
Tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Hsinchu Municipal Performance Hall (新竹市立演藝廳), 17 Tungta Rd Sec 2, Hsinchu City (新竹市東大路二段17號)
Tickets are NT$500 to NT$4,000, available through TRCH ticketing or from Godot Theater Company at www.godot.org.tw
Classical
Forum Music Weekend Concert Series — Hung Chia-hui Piano Recital (十方樂集週末音樂會系列 － 洪佳穗鋼琴獨奏會) sees local pianist Hung Chia-hui (洪佳穗) perform a program that includes Beethoven’s Sonata No.14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 “Moonlight”, Yi-Chen Tsai’s (蔡宜真) Prayer (祈禱), Listz’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor, and Schubert’s Sonata in B-Flat Major.
Tomorrow at 2:30pm
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)
Tickets are NT$250, available through NTCH ticketing
2008 Hsinchu Wind Orchestra The Moon Romancing (2008新竹交響管樂團音樂會 — 思月) is a concert by the Hsinchu Wind Orchestra that features NSO principal violinist Wu Ting-yu (吳庭毓) and TSO conductor Kuo Lien-chang (郭聯昌). They play a mixed program ranging from works commissioned especially for the orchestra: The Moon Romancing Violin Concerto (小提琴協奏曲《思月》) by Weng Ching-hsi (翁清溪) and Wind, Feeling Bassoon Concerto (低音管協奏曲《風，情》) by Shi Chieh-yung (史擷詠).
Sunday at 3:30pm (Hsinchu) and Wednesday at 7:30pm (Taipei)
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); National Concert Hall, Taipei City
Tickets are NT$200 to NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing
The Sensuous Painting and Chinese Music (NCO畫與樂 — 丹青樂響 林谷芳與臺灣國家國樂團) aims to combine the aesthetics of classical Chinese painting and traditional Chinese music. The compositions to be performed are all inspired by masterpieces of painting, and the bridge between painting and music will be made by scholar Lin Ku-fang (林谷芳). The orchestra will be conducted by Wen Yi-jen (溫以仁) and feature nankuan specialist Wang Xinxin (王心心).
Sunday at 7:30pm
National Concert Hall, Taipei City
Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing
Za Ondekoza (“demon drum group,” 鬼太鼓座) is back for yet another tour of Taiwan in their ever popular program of percussion and bare buttocks. Their Taipei show begins this Sunday, and they will go on to tour Jhongli, Chiayi and Kaohsiung through September.
Sunday at 7pm
Jhongli Arts Center (中壢藝術館), 16 Jhungmei Rd, Jhongli City (中壢市中美路16號)
Tickets are NT$800 to NT$2,500, available through ERA ticketing
Contemporary
It’s Jazz Your Mind tonight at Sappho de Base, Taipei’s favorite late-night venue for impromptu jazz sessions. Appearing tomorrow night is Texas blues band Black Sheep. On Tuesday night the Grace Jazz Trio plays a set, with an open jam afterwards. Wednesday features the Double J Band, and on Thursday it’s DJ Zulu, spinning what he calls “timeless and positive black sounds.”
B1, 1, Ln 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1). Call (02) 2700-5411 (after 9pm) or visit www.sappho102.biz for more information
Performances begin at 10:30pm on weekends, 10pm on weekdays
No entrance fee
Tonight at The Wall (這牆) there’s an evening of Beatles-esque indie-pop from two Japanese acts, solo artist Hasegawa Takashi (長谷川俊) and the band Quizmaster. Also appearing is Taipei’s own indie-rock institution 1976. No shows are scheduled for tomorrow evening, but Sunday features the second installment of Come Together, Change — Who Are You? (合體!變身!Who Are You?), an eclectic lineup consisting of punk band Random (隨性), pop-rockers Lumei (露魅), hip-hop group Living Force (存活勢力), and hard-rock band Rule Yell (如意).
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
8pm tonight, 7:30pm on Sunday
NT$450 tonight; NT$350 on Sunday
Punk bands Random (隨性) and Vanish appear tonight at Underworld (地下社會). Japanese indie-pop rockers Hasegawa Takashi (長谷川俊) and Quizmaster hit the stage tomorrow night. On Wednesday indie-electronica band Alluvial (阿路米爾) appears with noise band Black Faith With Sonic Pace (黑色信念跟隨著音速腳步).
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
Live shows go from 9:30pm to 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 9pm to 11pm on Wednesdays. The bar is open from 8pm daily and is closed on Mondays
Entrance tonight and tomorrow is NT$300 tomorrow and includes one drink; tickets on Wednesday are NT$100 and do not include a drink
Indie-folk duo UTA (屋塔樂團) appears tonight at Witch House (女巫店), followed by a solo acoustic performance by Rukai singer and guitarist Gelresai (陳世川) of Echo GS (艾可菊斯). Tomorrow folk singer Huang Chien-wei (黃建為) takes to the stage. Jazzy/bluesy act Kukao (鼓號大樂隊) plays on Thursday.
7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號). For more information, 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 Sundays through Wednesdays; 11am to 1am Thursdays through Saturdays
NT$300 entrance includes one drink
Sam’s Jazz Quintet (蘇聖育爵士五重奏) appears tonight at Riverside Cafe with a guest saxophonist. Tomorrow night it’s alt-rockers Sorry Youth and post-rock band Sugar Plum Ferry (甜梅號). Performing on Sunday is low-key indie-rock duo Zag Lope (柴可洛噗), followed by White Eyes (白目) a garage-punk band that won the battle of the bands at this year’s Ho-Hai-Yan Rock Festival.
B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷2號B1), next to Taipower Building (台電大樓). Call (02) 2368-7310 or visit www.riverside.com.tw for more information
Shows start at 9:00pm
NT$400 tonight and tomorrow, NT$350 on Sunday; admission includes one free drink
Tonight at VU Live House is the Dance Like Nails Electro Party with No Tune-DJ Sessions. Tomorrow is the Vertigo Party with the Taimaica Soundsystem, one of Taiwan’s foremost homegrown reggae and dub outfits.
B1, 77 Wuchang St, Taipei City (台北市武昌街二段77號B1). Call (02) 2314-1868 for more information
Shows begin at 10pm
NT$400, includes one free drink
Appearing tonight at Tone 56 Live Bar is the Rubber Band, which plays rock, pop, and dance music. The group plays every Friday. Tomorrow it’s house band Loaded, which plays everything from “rock classics to today’s hits.” This Sunday features Soma, a Taipei cover band that plays contemporary rock and pop from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
1F, 56, Minquan E Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市民權東路三段56號1樓), near the corner of Fuxing North (復興北路) and Minquan East roads (民權東路). Call (02) 2517-3869 for more information
Music shows go from 9:30pm to 12:30pm tonight and tomorrow, and 7:30pm to 9:30pm on Sunday
No entrance fee
Every Wednesday night at the Cosmopolitan Grill there’s a blues open mic held by the Blues Society on Taiwan and hosted by Torch Pratt. All are welcome to bring their instruments and sit in on guitar, bass, or drums.
1F, 218 Changchun Rd, Taipei City (台北市長春路218號1樓). Call (02) 2508-0304 or visit www.cosmo.com.tw for more information
8pm to 11pm every Wednesday
Free admission
Exhibitions
The Unconscious Voyage (無意識航行). The debut solo exhibition by Chen Wan-jen (陳萬仁) explores what is real and fictional about imagery through a mosaic of daily images from screens and monitors.
AKI Gallery (也趣), 141 Minzu W Rd, Taipei City (台北市民族西路141號). Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 12pm to 6:30pm. Call (02) 2599-1171 for more information
Until tomorrow
Meissen in Taiwan (韓舞麟「千年麥森 璀燦風華」水彩畫個展). The series of water color paintings details contemporary artist Han Wu-lion’s (韓舞麟) traveling experience to Meissen, a medieval town famed for its porcelain in Germany, in 2006.
German Cultural Center Taipei (台北德國文化中心), 12F, 20, Hoping W Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市和平西路一段20號12樓). Open Mondays through Fridays from 1pm to 8pm. Call (02) 2365- 7294 for more information
Until Sept. 25
Solo Exhibition by Steven Liang (舞動 — 梁志偉個展). The exhibition features more than 20 works by contemporary glass artist Steven Liang.
Tittot Glass Museum (璃園水晶博物館), 16, Ln 515, Zhongyang N Rd, Taipei City (台北市中央北路四段515巷16號). Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am to 5pm. Call 2895-8861 for more information
Until Oct. 12
Frozen Rotation — Exhibition by Benjamin Ducroz and Shih Yi-shan (位轉自凍 — 班傑明杜可洛斯與施懿珊雙個展). Benjamin Ducroz excels in stop-motion animation. Shih Yi-shan favors mechanical installation. What the two artists have in common is that they both deal with the mutual-dependence between human beings and technology and their ironic and witty views on the vulnerability of technological media.
National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (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 Tuesdays through Sundays from 9am to 5pm. Call (04) 2372-3552 for more information
Until Nov. 16
Footprint Into the Future (未來的軌跡 — 台灣當代藝術展). Curated by Julia Draganovic, artistic director of Pan Palazzo delle Arti Napoli, the exhibition returns from its tour in Italy, which ran from November of last year to this April. It introduced the work of 12 Taiwanese contemporary artists to Italian audiences.
Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (高雄市立美術館), 20 Meishukuan Rd, Kushan Dist, Kaohsiung City (高雄市鼓山區美術館路20號). Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9am to 5pm. Call (07) 555-0331 for more information
From tomorrow to Nov. 9
Highlight
Legendary jazz pianist McCoy Tyner appears tonight at the National Concert Hall as part of the venue’s annual Summer Jazz Party. Tyner rose to prominence in the early 1960s as a member of the John Coltrane Quartet, which released highly influential albums such as My Favorite Things and A Love Supreme. Tyner’s percussive approach and sophisticated chord work created a distinctive sound that continues to influence jazz pianists today. In the 1970s, Tyner continued to break new ground with his album Sahara, in which he explored both African and East Asian sounds. To date, the 69-year-old has released nearly 80 albums, five of which have earned Grammy Awards, and his recent work has included a Latin album and arrangements for big bands. In 2002 Tyner received the Jazz Master award from the National Endowment for the Arts, the highest national honor for jazz musicians in the US.
Joining Tyner tonight are bassist Gerald Cannon, drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt, and special guest Christian Scott, an up-and-coming trumpeter from New Orleans.
McCoy Tyner Trio with special guest Christian Scott on trumpet at the National Concert Hall (國家音樂廳), 21-1 Zhongshan S Rd, Taipei City (台北市中山南路21-1號)
Tonight at 7:30pm
Tickets are NT$600 to NT$3,000; available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
On the Net: event.ntch.edu.tw/2008/JAZZ
Highlight
The Zen drumming group U-Theater, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, premieres its latest production at Taichung’s Chungshan Hall this weekend, kicking off a four-city tour that will take it to Hsinchu next weekend, the National Theatre in Taipei for five performances beginning Sept. 18, and finally Tainan on Sept. 27.
The Walk was inspired by the group’s experiences during their yun jiao (雲腳) traipse around Taiwan this spring, when they racked up some pretty impressive numbers: 50 days on the road, 100 townships, 1,200km, and more than a score of performances along the way. Yun jiao basically means to walk with a clear mind. It’s a form of mediation on the move, and the round-the-island pilgrimage was the company’s longest to date.
The Walk features some carefully choreographed segments where the performers move up, down and across the stage, beating small drums carried in their left arms in formations as complex as a US university’s marching band’s half-time performance. Company founder and director Liu Ruo-yu (劉若瑀) said the troupe’s members were overwhelmed by the kindness of people they met on their journey, and the offers of food, drink and lodging they received, and this is reflected in their new production. — Diane Baker
U-Theater, The Walk
Tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm, Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中市中山堂), 98 Hsuehshi Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號)
From NT$400 to NT$2,500
www.artsticket.com.tw or call 02-3393-9888
Taiwan is a crowded country. The average home is small. Farmers tend fields which, by North American standards, are tiny. At the same time, the pace of life is fast. Rushing from A to B, it’s easy to miss some of Taiwan’s smaller attractions. None of the three manmade curiosities described in this article justifies going hours out of your way, but if you’re passing nearby, you won’t regret stopping to take a look at any of them. SHALU’S NOSTALGIC PAINTINGS Shalu’s Nostalgic Paintings (沙鹿懷舊彩繪), also known as Meiren Borough Painted Village (美仁里彩繪村), is a set of colorful artworks depicting Taiwan
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In the introduction to his new manual on how to live a meaningful life, Jordan Peterson sets the tone by recounting the hellish sequence of health crises that afflicted his family during 2019 and last year. They included his wife’s diagnosis with a rare and usually lethal form of kidney cancer, and his own downward spiral from severe anxiety and dangerously low blood pressure into benzodiazepine dependency and an acute withdrawal response, near total insomnia, pneumonia in both lungs, and “overwhelming thoughts of self-destruction,” culminating in his waking from a medically induced coma in a Russian intensive care unit with
You don’t have to be grunting in a gym or grinding out the laps of the park to get a sweat on. Incidental exercise can be just as beneficial, and much easier to incorporate into daily routines. “It’s any activity that is part of daily living,” says Prof Emmanuel Stamatakis, an expert in physical activity at the University of Sydney, “rather than something that is done for the purpose of fitness, health or entertainment.” Stamatakis says that incidental exercise, which is termed “intermittent lifestyle physical activity” by academics, is under-researched. But a paper he co-authored in 2018 found that sudden bursts
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