Theater
Israel’s famed Batsheva Dance Company makes its Taipei debut this weekend as part of the Dance in Autumn series with Decca Dance 2010, a 90-minute compilation of pieces created by the troupe’s artistic director Ohad Naharin between 1992 and 2008 and reworked so that pulse-pounding rhythms segue seamlessly into more introspective works.
■ National Theater, Taipei City
Photo Courtesy of Kuandu Arts Festival
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 and NT$2,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw and ibon and Life-ET kiosks Taipei’s newest contemporary dance company, Meimage Dance (玫舞擊), makes its debut this weekend as part of the Autumn in Dance series. Artistic director Ho Hsiao-mei’s (何曉玫) Woo! Barbie (Woo!芭比) explores Taiwanese cultural images and female icons ranging from betel-nut beauties to Barbie dolls in a mediation on modern society and loneliness.
■ Experimental Theater, Taipei City.
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500, available
through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw and ibon and Life-ET kiosks. The only seats left are for tomorrow’s matinee Quartett von Heiner Muller (海納穆勒四重奏), Shakespeare’s Wild Sisters Group’s (莎士比亞的妹妹們的劇團) production of Heiner Muller’s Quartett, stars acclaimed theater actress Hsu Yen-ling (徐堰鈴) and young talent Alejandro Chen (陳恭銘) in a tale of pornography, violence, erotica and death.
■ Taipei National University of the Arts Theater (國立臺北藝術大學展演藝術中心戲劇廳), 1 Xueyuan Rd, Taipei City (台北市學園路1號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday
at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$600 and NT$900, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw.
What will the popular perception be of the human body 10 years from now? Five performers, including mime artist Yao Shang-te (姚尚德) and contact improvisation dancer Chu Hsing-lang (朱星朗), give their answers in Not Dance (非關舞蹈).
■ Guling Street Avant-Garde Theatre (牯嶺街小劇場), 2, Ln 5, Guling St, Taipei City (台北市牯嶺街5巷2號)
■ Tonight and Tuesday to Thursday at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$450, available
through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Adapted from French author Jean Genet’s play of the same title, Les Bonnes by Point Theater Workshop (戲點子工作坊) combines Chinese opera, modern dance and acrobatics to tell the tale of two housemaids who indulge in sadomasochistic rituals when their mistress is away. The show is being staged as part of the Huashan Living Arts Festival (2010華山藝術生活節). For more information about the festival, visit www.hlaf.com.tw
■ Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), Fruit Wine Building (果酒禮堂), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$400, available
through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Staged as part of Eslite’s Sound Theater series and based on German playwright and theater director Falk Richter’s play of the same title, Electronic City by veteran film and theater director Hung Hung (鴻鴻) presents a modern fairy tale about the ubiquity of electronic media.
■ Auditorium at Xinyi Eslite Store (誠品信義店), 6F, 11 Songgao Rd, Taipei City (台北市松高路11號6樓)
■ Tonight at 8pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 8pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$450, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
The International Chopin Festival 2010 (20X10蕭邦CHOPIN國際音樂節) continues with a concert by Gwhyenth Chen (陳毓襄) in Kaohsiung. The program includes several of the Polish composer’s nocturnes and ballads and a scherzo.
■ Monday at 7:30pm
■ Kaohsiung Cultural Center’s Chih-teh Hall (高雄市立文化中心至德堂), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City, (高雄市五福一路67號)
■ Tickets are NT$200 and NT$1,000, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw. Also available through ibon, FamiPort and Life-ET kiosksOf Heaven and Earth — Mahler No. 4 (NSO馬勒系列 - 天上人間 馬勒第四) has the National Symphony Orchestra (國家交響樂團), violin virtuoso Ray Chen (陳銳) and soprano Grace Lin (林慈音) performing under the baton of guest conductor Christoph Poppen. The program includes Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 in G Major and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64. [See story on Page 14.]
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
NTSO International Music Festival — Wen-Sinn Yang (2010 NTSO 國際音樂節系列四 — 楊文信大提琴之夜) presents Swiss-born cellist Yang Wen-sinn (楊文信), a former principal cello of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, performing with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra (國立台灣交響樂團) in a program that includes works by Taiwan-born composer Jiang Wen-ye (江文也), Zoltan Kodaly’s Peacock Variations and Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor.
■ Wednesday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Contemporary
Legacy Taipei, located in a former warehouse at Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), hosts top Taiwanese pop performers and international acts. Tonight Mando-pop singer Penny Tai (戴佩妮) performs in a show that is already sold out [see story on Page 13]. Pop rock band Sowhat appears tomorrow, and on Sunday, guitar fanatics might want to catch a pair of rock and jazz guitar heroes: Larry Carlton of the US and Tak Matsumoto of Japan. On Wednesday, reggae and dub group Hangin’ in the Air (盪在空中) and ska-rock band Mary Bites Kerry (瑪莉咬凱利) perform.
■ Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), Center Five Hall (中五館), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號)
■ Show starts at 8pm tonight and tomorrow, 8:30pm on Sunday and Wednesday
■ Tonight’s show is sold out, NT$600 tomorrow (NT$400 in advance), NT$1,800 for back area seating and NT$2,200 for front area on Sunday, NT$500 on Wednesday (NT$400 in advance). Tickets can be purchased at ERA ticketing outlets, online through www.ticket.com.tw or www.legacy.com.tw or at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks
Indie bands Touming Magazine (透明雜誌), We Are So Sad (傷心欲絕) and synth-pop group The Looking Glass perform tonight at The Wall (這牆), Taipei’s most prominent venue for indie rock artists. Tomorrow the venue hosts over-the-top nakashi punk rockers Loh Tsui Kweh Commune (濁水溪公社), commonly known as LTK, and The Chairman (董事長樂團). This Thursday, Japanese math rock/post-rock band toe takes to the stage.
■ B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Tel: (02) 2930-0162. On the Net: www.thewall.com.tw
■ Shows start at 8pm
■ Entrance is NT$500 tonight, NT$500 tomorrow (NT$400 in advance) and NT$1,300 on Thursday (NT$1,100). Tickets can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Veteran Hakka musician Ayu Huang (黃連煜) and renowned guitarist Dong Yun-chang (董運昌) perform together tonight at Witch House (女巫店), which regularly hosts performances from both indie rock bands and folk artists in a coffeehouse setting. Taking to the stage tomorrow is Queen Suitcase (皇后皮箱), the winner of this year’s battle of the bands competition at the Ho-Hai-Yan Gung-Liau Rock Festival (貢寮國際海洋音樂祭). This Wednesday, the venue hosts a special show featuring Australian fusion jazz band Logic. On Thursday, it’s Corners of Nowhere, a project by a British expat musician that mixes live music and singing with sampled beats and electronica.
■ 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號). Tel: (02) 2362-5494. On the Net: www.witchhouse.org
■ Shows 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
■ Entrance for music shows is NT$300
Tonight the Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) hosts jazz singer Shih Ying-ying (史茵茵). Tomorrow, it’s indie-folk singer Huang Jie (黃玠). On Sunday, Baba Band (爸爸辦桌) shares the bill with Puyuma Aboriginal folk singer Hao-en (昊恩). The venue’s weekly open jam takes place on Monday.
■ 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). Tel: (02) 2368-7310. On the Net: www.riverside.com.tw
■ Shows start at 9:30pm tonight and 9pm all other nights. For a list of standard songs and ground rules for the open jam, visit the venue’s Web site
■ Entrance is NT$400 tonight and tomorrow, NT$150 on Monday and NT$350 on Sunday
Tonight Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館) hosts BeCos Trio, The Little and Hakka rock band Zenkwun (神棍樂團). Tomorrow it’s pop rockers Zhongligou (中離狗), garage rockers Picks (痞克四) and expat folk-rock band The Red Cliff.
■ 177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧南路177號). Tel: (02) 2370-8805. On the Net: www.riverside.com.tw
■ Shows start at 8:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$400 tonight and tomorrow. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight at Underworld (地下社會), it’s rock band Pliers (三十萬年老虎鉗) and Homework (轟沃克), while tomorrow Pito Wilson and Lamb of Allah take to the stage. On Wednesday, up-and-coming indie bands Alice the Cat and Lazy Raven (黑銅板) perform.
■ B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師大路45號B1). Tel: (02) 2369-0103. On the Net: www.upsaid.com/underworld
■ Shows run from 9:30pm to 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 9pm to 11pm on Wednesdays. Underworld is open daily from 9pm, closed on Mondays. Happy hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays before midnight
■ Entrance for music shows is NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays, which includes one drink, and NT$100
on Wednesdays
Flaneur Daguerre, a quartet that plays everything from free jazz and Balkan folk to classical and rock ’n’ roll, performs tonight at Sappho de Base, a late night lounge bar that hosts live jazz and blues performances. Tomorrow, Japanese blues musician Mr Oh Yeah takes to the stage, and on Tuesday it’s gypsy jazz band Dark Eyes. Rocky and the Barfly host an open jam on Wednesday, and on Thursday the Toshiyuki Chiba Quartet performs.
■ B1, 1, Ln 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1). Tel: (02) 2700-5411. On the Net: www.sappho102.biz
■ Shows start at 10pm
■ Entrance is NT$200 tonight, NT$150 tomorrow, and NT$100 Thursday, free on other nights
EZ5 Live House hosts Mando-pop singers backed by a live band every night. Highlights for the week ahead include Mando-pop songstress Julia Peng (彭佳慧) and male crooner Shin Lung (辛隆), who performs every Saturday. Legendary pub songstress and pop singer Tiger Huang (黃小琥) performs on Mondays.
■ 211, Anhe Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北 市安和路二段211號). Tel: (02) 2738-3995. On the Net: visit www.ez5.com.tw
■ Shows run from 9:45pm to 12:30am
■ Entrance fee (includes two drinks) ranges from NT$600 to NT$850, depending on the performer
Taipei Swing holds dance socials on Friday nights at Capone’s, with live music from blues band BoPoMoFo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ). Dancers of all levels are welcome, and beginner’s lessons are offered while the band takes a break. Tomorrow, drummer Abe Nbugu Kenyatta leads a band playing music from his hometown of New Orleans.
■ 312, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段312號)
■ Live music from 9pm to 11:30pm on Fridays, 8pm to 11:30pm on Saturdays
■ On Fridays, minimum charge of one drink, dancers receive a free drink coupon. On Saturdays, minimum charge is NT$300.
Tonight 89k, Taichung’s long-established spot for local indie bands, hosts DJ Edify. Reggae band Wailin’ Soul, which is led by Trinidadian expat Sherwyne Pereira, plays tomorrow night.
■ 21 Daguan Rd, Nantun Dist, Taichung City (台中市南屯區大觀路21號)
■ Shows start at 10pm
■ Entrance is NT$300 tonight and tomorrow
The Wall (這牆) programs regular live rock shows at Kaohsiung’s Pier 2 Arts Center (高雄駁二藝術特區). Tonight the venue presents funk-rock group Coach (教練樂隊) and emo band Mister Mouth (嘴哥樂團). Tomorrow it’s garage rock band The White Eyes (白目樂隊), which has just released its first full-length album, Kiss Your Eyes. The opening act is Easy Shen.
■ 1 Dayong Rd, Yancheng Dist, Kaohsiung City (高雄市鹽埕區大勇路1號). On the Net: pier-2.khcc.gov.tw, www.thewall.com.tw
■ Shows start at 7:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$300 tonight and NT$400 tomorrow
The Mercury (水星酒館), an indie rock club in Kaohsiung, hosts psychedelic indie rock group The Tic Tac tomorrow.
■ 46 Liwen Rd, Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City (高雄市左營區立文路46號). Tel: (07) 550-8617. On the Net: mercurybar.blogspot.com
■ Show starts at 9:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$200, includes one drink
Tomorrow night, The Brickyard (紅磚地窖) in Kaohsiung hosts expat hip-hop outfit Dr Reniculous Lipz and the Skallyunz (白悟空).
■ B1, 507, Jhongshan 2nd Rd Sec 2, Kaohsiung City (高雄市中山二路507號B1)
■ Show starts at 11pm
■ Entrance is NT$350 for men, NT$150 for women
Tomorrow night David Chen and the Muddy Basin Ramblers perform vintage jazz, blues and jug band music at the Taipei Artist Village. They will be joined by violinist and former member Zoe Moffat, who is visiting from the UK.
■ 7 Beiping E Rd, Taipei City (台北市北平東路7號)
■ Show starts tomorrow at 9:30pm
■ Entrance is free
HIGHLIGHT
The three-week-long 2010 Kuandu Arts Festival (2010 關渡藝術節) celebrates not one but several genres of art with a series of theatrical, musical and dance performances, a film festival, art exhibition and an outdoor art fair that turns the campus of the Taipei National University of the Arts (TNUA, 國立臺北藝術大學) into a giant theme park tomorrow and Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
At the Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts (關渡美術館), the 2010 Kuandu Biennale presents art works, created by nine teams of artists and curators from various Asian countries, that explore the theme of memory. Meanwhile, the Kuandu Film Festival features shorts made by students from Korea National University of Arts and TNUA as well as digitally restored classics including Edward Yang’s (楊德昌) The Terrorizer (恐怖份子) and The Personals (徵婚啟事) by Chen Kuo-fu (陳國富).
The musical lineup for this weekend includes nanguan (南管) opera, beiguan (北管) hand puppet theater and the polyphonic sounds of the Bunun (布農) and Paiwan (排灣) Aboriginal tribes.
Renowned Taiwanese choreographer Ku Ming-shen (古名伸) has teamed up with dancers from Hong Kong’s DanceArt to stage Unreachable Distance (最遙遠的距離), a theatrical production that examines human emotion. Seasoned theater director Chen Huei-wen’s (陳惠文) It’s Show Time, a visual and audio spectacle, takes to the stage from Oct. 29 to Oct. 31.
The festival runs through Oct. 31, while the Kuandu Biennale runs until Dec. 26.
Performances, film screenings and other activities take place at TNUA’s campus at 1 Xueyuan Rd, Taipei City (台北市學園路1號). For more information on performance times, venues and ticket prices, view the festival’s program (Chinese only), at kdarts.tnua.edu.tw/festival/schedule.php
-By Ho yi
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