Theater
Chen Wu-kang (陳武康) and Su Wei-chia (蘇威嘉) from all-male dance collective Horse (驫舞劇場) teamed up with Hong Kong theater director Edward Lam (林奕華) to stage Relationship Between Two Men (兩男關係), a dance duet that explores emotions, friendship and sexuality.
■ Experimental Theater, Taipei City
■ Tonight to Saturday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$600, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Established during the Qing Dynasty in Yunlin County’s Siluo (西螺) Township, the highly esteemed Hsin Hsing Ku Puppet Show Troupe (新興閣掌中劇團) presents Love in the Journey to the West (征西奇緣), a puppet show that was traditionally staged over 16 days and is considered a showpiece of wenxi (文戲), a performance method that emphasizes stylized acting in Taiwanese glove puppetry.
■ Taipei Zhongshan Hall (台北中山堂), 98 Yanping S Rd, Taipei City (台北市延平南路98號)
■ Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$300, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Organized by Taipei Quyi Troupe (台北曲藝團), the newest instalment of the Tea House Theatre of Taipei (台北大碗茶) presents a series of works of folk performance arts including crosstalk (相聲) and bamboo allegro (竹板快書), a form of entertainment in which performers tell stories by reciting lines that are short and rhythmic.
■ The Red House Theater (西門紅樓), 10 Chengdu Rd, Taipei City (台北市成都路10號)
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,200, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
All U People Theatre (全民大劇團) returns to the stage with A Sandwich Husband (當岳母刺字時…媳婦是不贊成的), which looks at rivalry between mothers and their daughters-in-law through a comic rendition of the story of Yue Fei (岳飛), a Southern Song Dynasty general noted for his loyalty to the emperor.
■ 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)
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$350 to NT$2,500, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Adapted from Taiwanese writer Tsai Chih-heng’s (蔡智恆) popular novel of the same title, which was first released in several instalments on a Bulletin Board System in 1998, The First Intimate Contact (第一次的親密接觸) tells of a real-life romance between a zhainan (宅男), a term that refers to nerdy guys into manga and computer games, and a girl battling a rare fatal disease.
■ Kaohsiung Cultural Center’s Chihteh Hall (高雄市文化中心至德堂), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市五福一路67號)
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,500, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
Shadow Dancers of Classical and Jazz (TSO古典與爵士的影舞者) sees the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (台北市立交響樂團) performing together with violinist Benjamin Schmid under the direction of guest conductor Dorian Wilson. The program includes Tchaikovsky’s Polonaise From “Eugene Onegin,” Op. 24 and Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 36, as well as Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35.
■ Today at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
NTSO Beethoven Series — VIII: V for Victory (貝多芬永恆久九 — VIII: V for 勝利) presents South Korean violin soloist Kim Chee Yun performing with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra (國立台灣交響樂團) under the baton of guest conductor Kazuyoshi Akiyama. The program includes Carl Maria von Weber’s Overture to Der Freischutz, Saint-Saens’ Violin Concerto No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 61, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67.
■ Tomorrow at 7:30 (Taichung) and Saturday at 7:30pm (Nantou)
■ 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) and Performance Hall of the Nantou Cultural Affairs Bureau (南投縣政府文化局演藝廳), 135 Chienkuo Rd, Nantou City (南投市建國路135號)
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000 for Taichung and NT$300 to NT$800 for Nantou, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
NSO Forever Tales — Returning to Olympus (NSO永遠的童話 — 神箭) is a joint production of the National Symphony Orchestra (國家交響樂團) and The Puppet and Its Double Theater (無獨有偶工作室劇團). The concert program, which includes Stravinsky’s Apollon and Les Noces, will be performed by soprano Lin Meng-chun (林孟君), alto Fan Ting-yu (范婷玉), tenor Fernando Wang (王典), and bass Tsai Wen-hao (蔡文浩), as well as the Taiwan National Choir (國立實驗合唱團).
■ Saturday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Pogorelich and Casadesus (TSO — 大師的痛與快樂) introduces concert pianist Ivo Pogorelich, who will perform with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (台北市立交響樂團) under guest conductor Jean-Claude Casadesus. The program includes Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor, Op. 23 and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
■ Wednesday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing and 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. Tomorrow and Saturday’s shows featuring pop singer Richie Jen (任賢齊) are sold out. On Sunday afternoon, the venue hosts a showcase of indie acoustic acts: Glory (葛洛力), Tomodachi (偷摸大雞), Finn and DingDing and ShiShi (丁丁與西西). On Wednesday, it’s indie-pop group We Save Strawberries (草莓救星) and garage rock faves 88 Balaz (88顆芭樂籽).
■ 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 tomorrow and Saturday, 3pm on Sunday and 8pm on Wednesday
■ Sold out tomorrow and Saturday, NT$350 on Sunday. Tickets for the venue’s concerts can be purchased at ERA ticketing outlets, online through www.ticket.com.tw and www.legacy.com.tw and at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks
Tonight The Wall (這牆), Taipei’s most prominent venue for indie rock artists, hosts local groups The Looking Glass, Gsus (激射樂團) and The Tic Tac (包子饅頭). No shows are scheduled tomorrow. On Saturday the venue hosts Japanese rock band Acidman. Sunday is post-rock/experimental rock night with Lily et Coco, Low Brightness Period (低明度時期) and The Sign of Human (記號士). On Wednesday, talented experimental singer-songwriter Wang Yu-jun (王榆鈞) performs.
■ 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
■ NT$400 tonight (NT$300 in advance), NT$1,700 Saturday (NT$1,500 in advance), and NT$400 each Sunday and Wednesday (NT$300 in advance). Tickets for all shows can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw and tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight Witch House (女巫店), an intimate coffeehouse-style venue in the National Taiwan University area, hosts Zoe Huang (黃玠瑋), a singer-songwriter who models herself after Western performers like Avril Lavigne. Also performing is alt-rock/dream pop singer-songwriter Gladys Tsai. Tomorrow it’s indie upstarts New Sunglasses (新墨鏡) and electronica group Miss Banana (香蕉小姐). Metal core/emo band 831 (八三夭) takes to the stage on Saturday.
■ 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
Noisy experimental rock group The Sign of Human (記號士) and solo act Easy play tomorrow at Underworld (地下社會), a small basement club in Taipei. On Saturday, it’s disco/post-punk/electronica group Acidy Peeping Tom (微酸的偷窺狂). On Wednesday, Parachute (降落傘) takes to the stage.
■ 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 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Underworld is open daily from 9pm, closed on Mondays
■ Entrance is NT$300 on Friday and Saturday (includes one drink). Entrance for Wednesday shows is NT$100
Tonight indie rock club Revolver hosts an evening of live death and grind metal with Panzar Warfare, Rofflecopter and Hateful Rezpect. Tomorrow it’s a disco/nu-disco party featuring DJs Neonkidz, among others. On Saturday, local ska favorite Skaraoke takes to the stage, followed by DJs Marcus Aurelius, Cuppa T and Robi Roka.
■ 1-2, Roosevelt Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路一段1-2號), tel: (02) 3393-1678
■ Shows start at 9:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$200 tonight, NT$250 tomorrow, NT$350 on Saturday (free entrance for women)
Mando-pop female crooner Ren, aka Hsia Yu-tung (夏宇童), appears tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言). Tomorrow it’s jazz saxophonist Tony Tung (董舜文) and friends. Mando-pop singer-songwriter Shino (林曉培) takes to the stage on Saturday, and on Sunday the venue hosts garage rock bands Fever Trend and My Skin Against Your Skin.
■ 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 9pm
■ NT$350 tonight and Sunday, NT$400 tomorrow and NT$450 Saturday. Tickets can purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw and tickets.books.com.tw
Mando-pop singer Lien Yi-han (連依涵) and her group Heavy Rain Report (大雨特報) appear tonight at Riverside Live House (河岸留言西門紅樓展演館). Tomorrow, it’s veteran singer/actor/author Teng Chih-hao (鄧志浩). On Saturday, Aboriginal singer-songwriter Suming (舒米恩) takes to the stage.
■ 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
■ NT$400 tonight, NT$ 500 tomorrow and NT$400 on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Fusion Planet performs tonight at Sappho de Base, a late-night lounge bar that hosts live jazz. Tomorrow is the top-notch Latin jazz outfit Musa’s Trio. On Saturday, it’s old-school soul cover band Sexual Chocolate.
■ 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$200 tomorrow and Saturday; free all other nights
Acclaimed Aboriginal singer Samingad (紀曉君) performs every Thursday at EZ5 Live House, which hosts Mando-pop singers backed by a live band every night. Highlights for the week ahead include male crooner Shin Lung (辛龍), who performs every Saturday, and veteran performer Tiger Huang (黃小琥), who has returned to performing at the venue on Wednesdays.
■ 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 Taipei blues band Bopomofo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ). On Saturday, drummer Abe Nbugu Kenyatta leads a band playing music from his hometown of New Orleans. Iris sings “romantic chansons” Sunday nights and on Wednesdays, it’s Latin music from guitarist Roberto Zayas.
■ 312, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段312號), tel: (02) 2773-3782
■ 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). On Saturday, the venue hosts post-hardcore/emo band Twisted Donut Monsters (麻花捲怪獸), guitar rock trio The Flamencos and prog-rock/post-rock outfit Killjoy.
■ 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
■ Show starts at 7:30pm Saturday
■ NT$1,200 on Saturday
The Mercury (水星酒館), an indie rock club in Kaohsiung, hosts live music every Saturday. This weekend, it’s female-led post-punk trio My Skin Against Your Skin and punk group Inhuman Species (非人物種).
■ 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
■ Starts at 9pm
■ Entrance is NT$200
Sept.16 to Sept. 22 The “anti-communist train” with then-president Chiang Kai-shek’s (蔣介石) face plastered on the engine puffed along the “sugar railway” (糖業鐵路) in May 1955, drawing enthusiastic crowds at 103 stops covering nearly 1,200km. An estimated 1.58 million spectators were treated to propaganda films, plays and received free sugar products. By this time, the state-run Taiwan Sugar Corporation (台糖, Taisugar) had managed to connect the previously separate east-west lines established by Japanese-era sugar factories, allowing the anti-communist train to travel easily from Taichung to Pingtung’s Donggang Township (東港). Last Sunday’s feature (Taiwan in Time: The sugar express) covered the inauguration of the
The corruption cases surrounding former Taipei Mayor and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) head Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) are just one item in the endless cycle of noise and fuss obscuring Taiwan’s deep and urgent structural and social problems. Even the case itself, as James Baron observed in an excellent piece at the Diplomat last week, is only one manifestation of the greater problem of deep-rooted corruption in land development. Last week the government announced a program to permit 25,000 foreign university students, primarily from the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, to work in Taiwan after graduation for 2-4 years. That number is a
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