HIGHLIGHT
New York-based indie rock band Asobi Seksu performs at The Wall (這牆) in Taipei this Thursday. The group is making its second trip to Taiwan after a well-received set at the Formoz Festival (野台開唱) in 2007. Comparisons to My Bloody Valentine often came up when the band formed almost a decade ago. But Asobe Seksu’s shoegaze rock sound has shifted to dream pop, and the band has shrunk from a quartet to a duo comprised of guitarist James Hanna and female singer and keyboardist Yuki Chikudate. Expect to hear tracks from the band’s latest release Hush (2009).
■ Asobi Seksu at The Wall (這牆), B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, (台北市羅斯福路4段200號B1), tel: (02) 2930-0162
Photo courtesy of The Wall
■ Thursday at 8pm
■ Tickets are NT$1,300 at the door, NT$1,100 in advance, available at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks or online at www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
THEATER
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s (雲門舞集) Water Stains on the Wall (屋漏痕) is scheduled to have its world premiere at the National Theater today. The newest creation by Lin Hwai-min (林懷民) is inspired by Chinese landscape painting and the Tamsui River, which the artist can view from his home in Bali (八里) Township, Taipei County.
■ National Theater, Taipei City
■ Tonight, tomorrow, Monday to Thursday at 7:45pm, Sunday at 2:45pm
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Part of the 15th Crown Art Festival (第十五屆皇冠藝術節), The Dragon Chasers (尋龍之音) by Sun Son Theatre (身聲劇場) tells the story of three young warriors who follow a dragon into a world of myth and magic. Like the company’s previous productions, The Dragon Chasers is a fusion of modern theater, dance, chant and world music. For more information about the festival, visit www.wretch.cc/blog/CAF15th.
■ Crown Theater (皇冠小劇場), 50, Ln 120, Dunhua N Rd, Taipei City (台北市敦化北路120巷50號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$450, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Night on the Galactic Railroad (銀河鐵道之夜) is a multimedia musical adaptation of Kenji Miyazawa’s famed 1927 novel of the same title. The theatrical version is a collaboration between veteran director Michael Li (黎煥雄) and Taiwan-based Japanese composer Koji Sakurai.
■ Taipei National University of the Arts Dance Hall (國立臺北藝術大學展演藝術中心舞蹈廳), 1 Xueyuan Rd, Taipei City (台北市學園路1號)
■ Tonight at 7:45pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:45pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$100 and NT$200, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Dance Works’ (舞工廠舞團) Daydreamer (異響) augments tap dancing with theatrical lighting effects, techno beats and percussive music. The diverse production crew includes percussion musician Alex Wu (吳政君) and multimedia artist Luke Shih (施惟捷).
■ Kaohsiung Cultural Center’s Chih-shan Hall (高雄市文化中心至善廳), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市五福一路67號)
■ Sunday at 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,200, available through Hi-Life (萊爾富) Life-ET and 7-Eleven ibon kiosks and NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Scarecrow Contemporary Dance Company (稻草人現代舞團) presents The Keyman (鑰匙人), a modern dance piece that uses the human body to explore inner conflict, pain and suffering.
■ Tainan City Municipal Cultural Center (台南市立文化中心), 332, Jhonghua E Rd Sec 3, Tainan City (台南市中華東路三段332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
CLASSICAL MUSIC
PAI International Masters Series — Oxana Yablonskaya 2010 Piano Recital (俄羅斯鋼琴女皇 — 雅布隆絲卡亞2010鋼琴獨奏會) brings the internationally acclaimed Russia-born pianist Yablonskaya to Taiwan. She will perform a program that includes a selection of mazurkas and nocturnes by Chopin, two rhapsodies by Brahms, Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109 and Schumann’s Arabesque in C Major, Op. 18.
■ Thursday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$3,000, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Music Forum Weekend Concert Series — Orient-Occident (十方樂集週末音樂會系列 — Orient-Occident) presents a dialogue between contemporary Finnish music and compositions by musicians from Taiwan and Japan. The concert will open with the world premiere of Tung Chao-ming’s (董昭民) Brechung — for Violin and Piano (折射 — 為小提琴和鋼琴), and includes Toshio Hosokawa’s Vertical Time Study 3, Tapio Nevanlinna’s Kiinankannel (China chimes), Jyrki Linjama’s Keinuja — Liu Shi-Kun in Memoriam (波動 — 紀念劉詩昆,搖籃曲及船歌) and Maija Hynninen’s Interpolations 1.
■ Tomorrow at 2pm
■ 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$300, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Miroslav Kultyshev Piano Recital (米羅斯拉夫.庫提榭夫鋼琴獨奏會) presents the Russian pianist Miroslav Kultyshev, the 2007 silver medalist from the 13th International Tchaikovsky Competition, who also won a distinction in the 16th International Chopin Piano Competition last month. Kultyshev will perform a program of works by Chopin.
■ Monday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500 and are available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Dresdner Kreuzchor and Dresdner Philharmonie “Messiah” (力晶2010藝文選粹 — 曠世神劇彌賽亞) brings the boys’ choir of the Kreuzkirche in Dresden and the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra to Taiwan for a full production of Handel’s Messiah. The orchestra will be conducted by Roderich Kreile, and will feature soprano Maki Mori, alto Margriet van Reisen, tenor Andreas Weller and bass Klaus Mertens.
■ Wednesday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei
■ Tickets are NT$1,000 to NT$4,500 and are 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. Soler, a Hong Kong-based band comprising twin brothers Julio and Dino, takes to the stage tonight. Tomorrow night’s show featuring Taiwan’s top rocker, Wu Bai (伍佰), and his band China Blue is already sold out. On Sunday, Taiwanese mod-rocker indie band 1976 performs with Telephone Booth (電話亭) as the opening act. On Wednesday, it’s veteran alt-rock band The Chairman (董事長), which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
■ 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 7:30pm tomorrow
■ NT$1,000 tonight, NT$600 on Sunday (NT$500 in advance) and NT$500 on Wednesday (NT$400 in advance). Tomorrow’s show is sold out. 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
Hi Jack and post-rock group Random (隨性樂團) perform tonight at The Wall (這牆), Taipei’s most prominent venue for indie rock artists. Tomorrow is a birthday concert featuring pop heartthrob Aaron Yan (炎亞綸). Upbeat punks Punkhoo (胖虎樂團) take to the stage on Sunday. This Thursday, New York-based dream pop band Asobi Seksu 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 tonight, 7:30pm tomorrow, 8pm Sunday and Thursday
■ Entrance is NT$500 tonight (NT$400 in advance), NT$500 tomorrow, NT$500 Sunday (NT$400 in advance), NT$1,300 on Thursday (NT$1,100 in advance). Tickets can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Folk rock group Yellow Melon 7 (小玉西瓜) takes to the stage tonight at Witch House (女巫店), which regularly hosts performances by both indie rock bands and folk artists in a coffeehouse setting. Also appearing tonight is humorous rocker Lu Hsiao-ming (呂小明). Indie-pop acoustic duo DingDing and ShiShi (丁丁與西西) performs tomorrow. On Thursday, it’s indie-pop group 23 Half (23號半).
■ 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
Four bands take to the stage tonight at the Riverside Cafe (河岸留言): Kenny From Casino (賭場肯尼), which combines emo, punk and Brit-pop, new wave rockers Supercharged Northern Comfort (超快速北方安逸), and rockabilly bands Full House and Sugar Lady. Tomorrow night, it’s three sets from a trio of Mando-pop artists: Tseng Ching-wen (曾靜玟), Tai Hui-hsin (戴蕙心) and No Name (余荃斌). On Sunday, the venue hosts two Japanese blues artists that are also performing at this year’s Blues Bash [see story on page 13], singer and guitarist Nacomi and Kensuke Machida. The venue’s open jam takes place on Mondays.
■ 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
■ Show starts at 7pm tonight and 9pm all other nights. For a list of standard songs and ground rules for the open jam nights, visit the venue’s Web site
■ Entrance is NT$350 tonight, NT$400 tomorrow night, NT$350 on Sunday and NT$150 on Monday. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館) hosts rapper Soft Lipa (蛋堡), who has just released a new album. Tomorrow it’s pop-rock act Color Band, Mando-pop singer Angie Li (李嘉) and Hsiao Hung-jen (蕭閎仁).
■ 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
■ 8:30pm tonight and 8pm tomorrow
■ Entrance is NT$400 tonight and tomorrow. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight Underworld (地下社會) hosts Varo, the electronica and experimental rock project of former Ladybug member Wan Ting (琬婷). Also performing are indie rockers Radicalo. Tomorrow the venue hosts punk bands Random and Inhuman Species (非人物種). On Wednesday, it’s IPOOD and The Same Day.
■ 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 it’s the Jason Hayashi Quartet, and on Tuesday New York guitarist Teddy Kumpel performs with keyboardist Andrew Page.
■ 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 and NT$150 tomorrow, 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) takes to the stage 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
The Wall (這牆) programs regular live rock shows at Kaohsiung’s Pier 2 Arts Center (高雄駁二藝術特區). Tomorrow high-energy garage rockers 88 Balaz (88顆芭樂籽) take to the stage to promote their new CD. On Sunday, it’s noise band Sunset Rollercoaster (落日飛車) and Nintendo Generation Blues (任天堂世代憂鬱).
■ 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 tonight and tomorrow
■ Entrance is NT$400 tonight and NT$300 tomorrow
The Mercury (水星酒館), an indie rock club in Kaohsiung, hosts indie rock group Insecteens (昆蟲白) and Shine Lin (林倩), lead singer of long-standing indie band The Peppermints (薄荷葉).
■ 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 9pm
■ Entrance is NT$250, which includes one drink
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