Theater
Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Cultural Group (明華園) presents a production of Lu Dongbin, the Master Swordsman (劍神呂洞賓) as part of its Tales of the Eight Immortals (八仙傳奇) series that is currently touring the country. The production stars Sun Tsui-feng (孫翠鳳), one of Taiwan’s most respected ke-tsai opera performers who specializes in young male roles.
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm and Saturday at 2:30pm
■ Chiayi Performing Arts Center (嘉義縣表演藝術中心), 265, Jianguo Rd Sec 2, Minsyong Township, Chiayi County (嘉義縣民雄鄉建國路二段265號)
■ Tickets are NT$200 to NT$1,200; available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
I am Beautiful Facetival (做臉不輸 — 小美容藝術節), a series of performance art installations by Shakespeare’s Wild Sisters Group (莎士比亞的妹妹們的劇團) takes as its theme the current passion for plastic surgery and body enhancement that is sweeping the region, putting their own ironic twist on the subject.
■ Today, tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30pm; Sunday at 2:30pm
■ 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)
■ Tickets are NT$600; available through NTCH and online at www.artticket.com.tw
Guo Guang Opera Company (國光劇團) celebrates in 17th anniversary with a series of classic Beijing opera shows including The Orphan of Zhao (趙氏孤兒) and highlights from The Tale of the White Snake (白蛇傳). The performances are a showcase for the company’s top talent, and tickets are selling fast.
■ Tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Metropolitan Hall (台北市社教館城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (北市八德路三段25號)
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$2,000; available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com
Jimmy’s Subway: A musical — 2012 Revisit (2012幾米音樂劇 — 地下鐵) is a reprise of the hugely successful stage and film productions based on an illustrated book by Taiwan’s best-known cartoonist. The 2012 stage production features a top shelf lineup of cast and crew, including favorites of the indie theater scene such as Waa Wei (魏如萱) and Paige Su (蘇珮卿). Following its opening in Taipei, the show will tour to Tainan (July 21), Taichung (July 28) and Kaohsiung (August 4).
■ Tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ National Theater, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,800; available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com
Fluxwaves Dance Theater (流浪舞蹈劇場) present Swarmed, a new production created by choreographer Wu Jin-tao (伍錦濤) and composer Koji Sakurai.
■ Tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ National Experimental Theater, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$600; available at NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
German organist Felix Hell performs traditional Bach classics at the National Concert Hall in Taipei. At 27, Hell has already been hailed as a major worldwide talent on the organ. He started his career as a child prodigy, and received global recognition at age 21 for his performance of Bach’s entire set of works written for pipe organ. Saturday’s program includes Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, Prelude and Fugue in D major, BWV 532, as well as pieces by Franz Liszt and Samuel Barber.
■ Saturday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$800 to NT$1,200, 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’s show featuring hip hop group MJ116(頑童) is sold out. Indie pop outfit Come on! Bay Bay! (來吧!焙焙!) takes to the stage on Saturday. Veteran Mando-pop performer Tiger Huang (黃小琥) takes to the stage on Tuesday.
■ 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 tomorrow, NT$500 Saturday (NT$400) and NT$1,200 on Tuesday. Tickets for the venue’s concerts can be purchased at ERA ticketing outlets, online through www.ticket.com.tw, www.legacy.com.tw and at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks
Acclaimed Aboriginal singer/songwriter #Suming# (舒米恩) performs tonight, tomorrow and Saturday in support of his new album at The Wall (這牆), Taipei’s most prominent venue for indie rock artists. Later on Saturday, it’s a dance party entitled Organik 018 featuring techno/acidhouse DJs Milton Bradley and geometer. Sunday is metal night with local groups Nocturne Moonrise, Greedy Black Hole and Morals Abyss.
■ 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. Saturday dance party starts at 11:30pm
■ NT$500 tonight, tomorrow and Sunday, Saturday’s dance party is NT$900 (NT$700 in advance), NT$500 on Sunday (NT$400 in advance) Tickets for all shows can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw and tickets.books.com.tw
Noise rockers She Bang-a (死蚊子) and indie rock band Forests (森林) take to the stage tomorrow night at Underworld (地下社會), a small basement club in Taipei. On Saturday, experimental rocker KK NUll of Japan takes 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. Happy hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays before midnight
■ Entrance is NT$300 on Friday and Saturday (includes one drink).
Tonight indie rock club Revolver hosts live acoustic solo acts. Tomorrow, it’s live music from electro-rockers Jindowin (筋斗雲樂團), ska group Skaraoke, Pisco! and Kid Millionaire. On Saturday, funk band Coach (教練) takes the stage, followed by DJ sets from Charles, Vicar and Katrina.
■ 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 free tonight, NT$300 tomorrow and NT$350 on Saturday. Admission includes one free drink.
Mando-pop female crooner Ren, aka Hsia Yu-tung (夏宇童) appears tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言). No shows are scheduled on Friday as of press time, but on Saturday indie electronica/rock duo Astro Bunny (原子邦妮) and pop rock group Great Adventure (大冒險樂團) take the stage. On Sunday, teachers from the venue’s associated music studio and school, which include owner and jazz guitarist Geddy Lin (林正如) put on a performance.
■ 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, NT$400 Saturday and NT$350 Sunday. Tickets can purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw and tickets.books.com.tw
Hakka singer-songwriter Lin Sheng-xiang (林生祥), performs with his band on Sunday Riverside Live House (河岸留言西門紅樓展演館). Lin, who is close to finishing the follow-up album to his acclaimed 2011 release Land Is My Study (大地書房), will be joined by guitarist Ken Ohtake and bassist Toru Hayakawa, both of Japan.
■ 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$550 for all shows. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight Sappho de Base, a late-night lounge bar, hosts Tamdeed Oriental Ensemble (福微會), a group of local musicians performing a blend of traditional Middle Eastern music and jazz. Tomorrow saxophonist Adam Larson takes the stage, and on Saturday it’s live disco and funk from Sexual Chocolate. Wednesday is a rare chance to catch Flaneur Daguerre, a quartet that plays everything from free jazz and Balkan folk to classical and rock ‘n’ roll, as bandleader/saxophonist/composer Louis Goldford will be returning to the US.
■ 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.
■ 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
Guitar duo Blurrs Bros perform American songbook tunes tonight at at Italian restaurant Capone’s. On Fridays, Taipei Swing holds dance socials 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
v On Fridays, minimum charge of one drink. On Saturdays, minimum charge is NT$300.
On Saturday The TAV Cafe (村落餐廳), a bar and cafe located at the Taipei Artist Village (台北國際藝術村), hosts reggae band Roots Rebellion, formed by a group of expats from Jamaica, Martinique and Trinidad.
■ 7 Beiping E Rd, Taipei City (台北市北平東路7號), tel: (02) 3393-7377, ext 207
■ Shows start at 9pm
■ Entrance is NT$350, includes one drink
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’s shoe-gazing/new-wave trio Fuguko (河豚子), prog-rock/post-rock outfit Killjoy and experimental rockers Low Brightness Period (低明度時期). Beloved pop-punks and hometown band Fire Ex (滅火器) take the stage on Saturday, with power-pop punks The Locals (草地人) opening the show.
■ 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 7pm Saturday
■ NT$300 tomorrow and NT$500 Saturday
The Mercury (水星酒館), an indie rock club in Kaohsiung, hosts live music every Saturday. This weekend, however, is a special event by the Not Just Water Theater Group (白開水劇團), which will perform Le Petit Prince.
■ 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 8:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$400
The year was 1991. A Toyota Land Cruiser set out on a 67km journey up the Junda Forest Road (郡大林道) toward an old loggers’ camp, at which point the hikers inside would get out and begin their ascent of Jade Mountain (玉山). Little did they know, they would be the last group of hikers to ever enjoy this shortcut into the mountains. An approaching typhoon soon wiped out the road behind them, trapping the vehicle on the mountain and forever changing the approach to Jade Mountain. THE CONTEMPORARY ROUTE Nowadays, the approach to Jade Mountain from the north side takes an
Last week Joseph Nye, the well-known China scholar, wrote on the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s website about how war over Taiwan might be averted. He noted that years ago he was on a team that met with then-president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), “whose previous ‘unofficial’ visit to the US had caused a crisis in which China fired missiles into the sea and the US deployed carriers off the coast of Taiwan.” Yes, that’s right, mighty Chen caused that crisis all by himself. Neither the US nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) exercised any agency. Nye then nostalgically invoked the comical specter
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April 15 to April 21 Yang Kui (楊逵) was horrified as he drove past trucks, oxcarts and trolleys loaded with coffins on his way to Tuntzechiao (屯子腳), which he heard had been completely destroyed. The friend he came to check on was safe, but most residents were suffering in the town hit the hardest by the 7.1-magnitude Hsinchu-Taichung Earthquake on April 21, 1935. It remains the deadliest in Taiwan’s recorded history, claiming around 3,300 lives and injuring nearly 12,000. The disaster completely flattened roughly 18,000 houses and damaged countless more. The social activist and