Theater
Now in its fifth year, 2011 International Ballet Star Gala in Taipei brings to the capital a troupe of principal ballet dancers including Igor Kolb from Mariinsky Theater, Tamara Rojo and Federico Bonelli of Royal Ballet of London and Yumiko Takeshima and Raphael Coumes-Marquet from Dresden Semperoper Ballett. [See story on page 14.]
■ National Theater, Taipei City
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$1,200 to NT$6,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Ballet Kaleidoscope (芭蕾萬花筒) by Taipei Capital Ballet (台北首都芭蕾舞團) is composed of four pieces that draw inspiration from jazz, tango, modern dance and classical ballet.
■ Wenshan Theater (文山劇場), 32 Jingwen St, Taipei City (台北市景文街32號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$200, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Strawmen and Sparrows (稻草人與小麻雀) by Big Fish Children’s Theater (黃大魚兒童劇團) returns to Taipei with four shows this weekend. Based on a script written in 1993 by Huang Chun-ming (黃春明), a major proponent of Taiwan’s “nativist literature movement” (鄉土文學), the children’s theatrical production sheds light on environmental issues through a tale of friendship between sparrows and scarecrows.
■ Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段25號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$200 to NT$600, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
The Underworld Code (王國密碼), the latest production by Ping-Fong Acting Troupe (屏風表演班), begins with an unsolved murder 46 years ago, which leads to a political scandal that rocks today’s Taiwanese government.
■ Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中市中山堂), 98 Syueshih Rd, Greater Taichung (台中市學士路98號)
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$600 to NT$3,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
All U People Theater’s (全民大劇團) Television Station in Chaos (瘋狂電視台—相聲了沒) returns to Taipei with 12 shows starting tonight. The stand-up comedy performed in Mandarin tells the story of five workers who try to rescue the TV company they work for from bankruptcy. The cast includes comedian Bacy Tang (唐從聖) and theater veteran Luo Bei-an (羅北安).
■ Novel Hall (新舞臺), 3-1 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路3-1號)
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$450 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
Being Romantic: Alexander Sung Piano Recital (宋允鵬鋼琴獨奏會—美好時光) presents Taiwan-born, Austrian-trained concert pianist Alexander Sung (宋允鵬), a student of fourth-generation Beethoven disciple Heinz Scholz and third-generation Liszt disciple Richard Hauser, performing a program that includes Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2, Schubert’s Impromptu in B-flat Major, and Schumann’s Kreislerina, Op. 16 and Toccata for Piano in C Major, Op. 7.
■ Sunday at 2:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing outlets or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
As part of the 2011 Taiwan International Recorder Festival (第二屆木笛音樂節), recorder artists from around the world will be performing at various venues across Taiwan. Up north, the festival opens with Boreas Quartett Bremen and Han Tol Concert featuring recorder soloist Han Tol performing a program of works from the 16th and 17th centuries.
■ Today at 7:30pm (New Taipei City), tomorrow at 2:30pm (Greater Taichung) and Sunday at 2:30pm (Greater Kaohsiung)
■ Lujhou Branch of KHS Musical Co Music Hall (蘆洲功學社音樂廳), 162 Jhongshan 2nd Rd, Lujhou Dist, New Taipei City (新北市蘆洲區中山二路162號), Chunghsing Concert Hall, Taichung (台中中興堂), 291-3 Jingwu Rd, Greater Taichung (台中市精武路291之3號), National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center, Greater Kaohsiung’s Chihshan Hall (高雄市中正文化中心至善廳), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市五福一路67號)
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$1,600 for New Taipei City and Taichung and NT$300 to NT$1,200 for Kaohsiung, available through ERA ticketing outlets or online at www.tickets.com.tw
In southern Taiwan, Chen Pei-yu (陳佩瑜) will open the 2011 Taiwan International Recorder Festival (第二屆木笛音樂節) today with a program that includes works by Telemann, JS Bach, Corelli and Marais. She will also perform in Taichung on Sunday.
■ Today at 7:30pm (Kaohsiung) and Sunday at 2:30pm (Taichung)
■ Greater Kaohsiung’s National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center (高雄中正文化中心至善廳), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市五福一路67號) and Chunghsing Concert Hall, Taichung (台中中興堂), 291-3 Jingwu Rd, Greater Taichung (台中市精武路291之3號)
■ Tickets are NT$300 and NT$500 for Kaohsiung and NT$300 to NT$800 for Taichung, available through ERA ticketing outlets or online at www.tickets.com.tw
Also part of the 2011 Taiwan International Recorder Festival (第二屆木笛音樂節), Weng Yueh-hung (翁月鴻) will perform two concerts with a program that includes works ranging from Bach and Vivaldi to compositions by contemporary Japanese composer Maki Ishii.
■ Tomorrow at 2:30pm (New Taipei City) and Wednesday at 7:30pm (Taichung)
■ Lujhou Branch of KHS Musical Co Music Hall (蘆洲功學社音樂廳), 162 Jhongshan 2nd Rd, Lujhou Dist, New Taipei City (新北市蘆洲區中山二路162號), Chunghsing Concert Hall, Taichung (台中中興堂), 291-3 Jingwu Rd, Greater Taichung (台中市精武路291之3號)
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$800 for both venues, available through ERA ticketing outlets or online at www.tickets.com.tw
Chen Hui-mei Flute Recital — Paris-French Flute Music 1 (陳惠湄長笛演奏會。巴黎—法國二十世紀長笛音樂之一) brings local flautist Chen Hui-mei (陳惠湄) to the stage to present a program of contemporary flute pieces by composers Ibert, Milhaud and Dutilleux, among others.
■ Wednesday at 7:30pm
■ National Recital Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$250 to NT$500, available through ERA ticketing outlets or online at www.tickets.com.tw
Gary Graffman and the TSO (波麗露左左左) sees the American concert pianist performing a program that includes Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, KV 183, Ravel’s Concerto for Piano (left hand) in D Major, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36 and Ravel’s Bolero. He will perform with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (台北市立交響樂團) under the baton of guest conductor Ernst Kovacic.
■ Today at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing outlets or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
The Shimmery Latin (拉丁琴迷) sees the National Symphony Orchestra (國家交響樂團) getting some Latin groove going with bandoneon virtuoso Juanjo Mosalini accompanying the orchestra under the direction of guest conductor Gisele Ben-Dor. The program includes works from composers Alberto Evaristo Ginastera and Astor Piazzolla.
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing outlets 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’s show featuring indie pop stars Tizzy Bac is already sold out. Tomorrow indie band Echo (回聲樂團) brings its stylish electro-rock to the stage. On Wednesday, Mando-pop songstresses Freya Lim (林凡) and Yisa Yu (郁英霞) of China share the bill.
■ 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)
■ Shows start at 8pm
■ Sold out tonight, NT$600 tomorrow (NT$500 in advance), NT$700 on Wednesday (NT$500 in advance). Tickets for the venue’s concerts can be purchased at ERA ticketing outlets, online through www.ticket.com.tw or www.legacy.com.tw or at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks
The Wall (這牆), Taipei’s most prominent venue for indie rock artists, hosts a trio of bands tonight: headliner Microcosmos (小宇宙樂團), Morning Call (輕晨電) and I Get It (那我懂你意思了). No shows are scheduled for tomorrow as of press time, but on Sunday, a group of punk and emo bands from Japan and Australia take to the stage: The Dirt Radicals, Don’t Turn Away, Astro Attack and Start of the Day. On Monday, it’s another marathon of bands gathering together to raise money for victims of the tsunami and earthquake that struck Japan last month. Among the eight groups slated to play: Loh Tsui Kweh Commune (濁水溪公社, LTK), Wonfu (小旺福), Bearbabes (熊寶貝樂團) and Touming Magazine (透明雜誌).
■ 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
■ Show starts at 8pm tonight and Sunday, 7:30pm on Monday
■ NT$500 (NT$400 in advance) tonight and Sunday, NT$400 on Monday. Tickets for all shows can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Folk rocker Chico Tsai (踩騎歌) of the band Natural Q (自然捲) appears tonight at Witch House (女巫店), which regularly hosts shows from both indie rock bands and folk artists in a coffeehouse setting. Indie singer-songwriter Huang Pei-yu (黃培育) and Liu A-chang (劉阿昌) take to the stage tomorrow. Hakka singer-songwriter Ayo (謝宣圻) performs 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), 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 Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) hosts studio rock band KK Rock. Tomorrow the venue hosts popular funk rock band Coach (教練樂隊) and indie rockers Love Manana (愛的大未來). Pop rocker Lin Tao-yuan (林道遠) performs on Sunday, and Monday is the venue’s weekly open jam.
■ 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 tonight at 9:30pm, 9pm on all other nights. For a list of standard songs and ground rules for the open jam, visit the venue’s Web site
■ NT$400 tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday and NT$150 Monday. Tickets can purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight Riverside Live House hosts indie pop group The Girl and the Robots (女孩與機器人). Mando-pop singer and TV talent show regular Roger Yang (楊培安) appears tomorrow. On Thursday, it’s pop-rock bands Morning Call (輕晨電) and P!SCO.
■ 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$450 tonight, NT$1,000 tomorrow (NT$800 for standing room tickets), NT$400 on Thursday. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Expat group Half Mile Radius and Slack Tide take to the stage tonight at Underworld (地下社會), a small basement club in Taipei. DJ Floaty and indie rock band Bowztiger (包子虎) share a billing tomorrow. On Wednesday, it’s up-and-coming groups Soundtrack and Lightning Punch (閃電戰鬥拳).
■ 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 9pm to 11pm on Fridays, Saturdays and 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
Earl Hines II Jazztet performs tonight at Sappho de Base, a late night lounge bar that hosts mostly live jazz and blues performances. Tomorrow, it’s Olivier Baron, a French expat trombonist leading his quartet. On Tuesday it’s TNT Jazz followed by an open jam, and Chia’s Trio on Wednesday. Flaneur Daguerre, a quartet that plays everything from free jazz and Balkan folk to classical and rock ’n’ roll, performs on Thursday.
■ 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. The venue is closed on Sundays and Mondays
■ Entrance is NT$150 tonight and NT$200 tomorrow and Thursday, free on other nights
EZ5 Live House hosts Mando-pop singers backed by a live band every night. Highlights for the week ahead Mando-pop songstress Julia Peng (彭佳慧) on Tuesday, and male crooner Shin Lung (辛龍), who performs every Saturday. Acclaimed Aboriginal singer Samingad (紀曉君) performs on Thursdays.
■ 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 Italian restaurant Capone’s, with live music from electric blues band Bopomofo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ). Dancers of all levels welcome. Tonight’s performance features a guest appearance by Japanese blues guitarist Shun Kikuta, who is based in Chicago and was a long-serving member of Koko Taylor’s band. 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. 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 it presents Wild Age Tours, a showcase of Australian and Japanese bands: The Dirt Radicals, Don’t Turn Away, Astro Attack and Start of the Day.
■ 1 Dayong Rd, Yancheng Dist, Greater Kaohsiung (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 7:00pm.
■ Entrance is NT$500 tomorrow
The Mercury (水星酒館), an indie rock club in Kaohsiung, hosts Sky Post (天空郵局) and Cubic tomorrow.
■ 46 Liwen Rd, Zuoying Dist, Greater Kaohsiung (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$150, which includes one drink
Event
Taipei Discussion and Learning meets every Sunday at Cafe Bastille to hear lectures and discuss topics such as philosophy, science, anthropology, globalization and alternative medicine. All discussions and lectures are conducted in English. This Sunday’s topic is entitled The Philosophical Aspects of Chinese Painting.
■ Cafe Bastille, 7 Wenzhou St, Taipei City (台北市溫州街7號), tel (02) 2362-9981
■ 7:45pm, every Sunday
■ Entrance is free. For more information visit www.taipeidiscussionandlearning.blogspot.com
In late October of 1873 the government of Japan decided against sending a military expedition to Korea to force that nation to open trade relations. Across the government supporters of the expedition resigned immediately. The spectacle of revolt by disaffected samurai began to loom over Japanese politics. In January of 1874 disaffected samurai attacked a senior minister in Tokyo. A month later, a group of pro-Korea expedition and anti-foreign elements from Saga prefecture in Kyushu revolted, driven in part by high food prices stemming from poor harvests. Their leader, according to Edward Drea’s classic Japan’s Imperial Army, was a samurai
The following three paragraphs are just some of what the local Chinese-language press is reporting on breathlessly and following every twist and turn with the eagerness of a soap opera fan. For many English-language readers, it probably comes across as incomprehensibly opaque, so bear with me briefly dear reader: To the surprise of many, former pop singer and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ex-lawmaker Yu Tien (余天) of the Taiwan Normal Country Promotion Association (TNCPA) at the last minute dropped out of the running for committee chair of the DPP’s New Taipei City chapter, paving the way for DPP legislator Su
Located down a sideroad in old Wanhua District (萬華區), Waley Art (水谷藝術) has an established reputation for curating some of the more provocative indie art exhibitions in Taipei. And this month is no exception. Beyond the innocuous facade of a shophouse, the full three stories of the gallery space (including the basement) have been taken over by photographs, installation videos and abstract images courtesy of two creatives who hail from the opposite ends of the earth, Taiwan’s Hsu Yi-ting (許懿婷) and Germany’s Benjamin Janzen. “In 2019, I had an art residency in Europe,” Hsu says. “I met Benjamin in the lobby
It’s hard to know where to begin with Mark Tovell’s Taiwan: Roads Above the Clouds. Having published a travelogue myself, as well as having contributed to several guidebooks, at first glance Tovell’s book appears to inhabit a middle ground — the kind of hard-to-sell nowheresville publishers detest. Leaf through the pages and you’ll find them suffuse with the purple prose best associated with travel literature: “When the sun is low on a warm, clear morning, and with the heat already rising, we stand at the riverside bike path leading south from Sanxia’s old cobble streets.” Hardly the stuff of your