Theater
2012 Tsai Jui-yueh Dance Festival VII: Conqueror and Wind (2012第七屆蔡瑞月舞蹈節 — 擁抱大地,我們不是征服者) presents the work of choreographers from Taiwan, Japan, the US and Australia. Choreographers featured include Tsai Jui-yueh (蔡瑞月), Yogi (aka Chan Tien-chen, 詹天甄), Eleo Pomare, Elizabeth Dalman and Orita Katsuko.
■ Today at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 3pm and Sunday at 7:45pm
■ Tsai Jui-yueh Dance Research Institute (蔡瑞月舞蹈研究社), 4F, 40-1, Zongshan N Rd Sec 2 (台北市中山北路二段40-1號)
■ Tickets are NT$600; available through ERA ticketing and online at www.tickets.com.tw
The Mercedes Benz Classical Arts Festival presents the Mariinsky Ballet and Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theater’s production of Swan Lake. The choreography is from Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s 1985 production, with revisions by Konstantin Sergeyev.
■ Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30pm
■ Tainan Municipal Cultural Center Performance Hall (台南市立文化中心演藝廳), 332 Jhonghua E Rd Sec 3, Greater Tainan (台南市中華東路三段332號)
■ Tickets are NT$1,200 to NT$4,800; available through ERA ticketing and online at www.ticket.com.tw
Legend Opera II B.Box of Brother and Sister II (B.Box兄妹串戲II — 那一年,我們都挨打) is another production in Contemporary Legend Theater’s (當代傳奇劇場) Legendary Classic Drama Series. This daring mix of Beijing opera and contemporary slapstick aims to show that operatic skills are as pertinent to making good contemporary theater entertainment as they ever were.
■ Today, tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm
■ Auditorium of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, 21 Zhongshan S Rd, Taipei City (台北市中山南路21號)
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$1,500; available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
A brand new production of Blooming Enlightenment (花蕊渡河) by the U-Theater group (優人神鼓) featuring most of the material from the original show that proved such an enormous success at the Taipei International Flora Expo (台北國際花博) last year. Added to this is new material and performances featuring the theater group’s youth division.
■ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ Kaohsiung Cultural Center’s Chihteh 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$350 to NT$1,800; available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classics in Bloom (經典綻放) is the 25th anniversary production of the Taipei Folk Dance Theater (台北民族舞團) featuring both new and traditional works.
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25 Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段25號)
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500; available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
The National Concert Hall hosts a performance of the opera La Traviata by the Hsintien Senior High School Orchestra and Choir.
■ Wednesday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$300 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. Mando-popper Evan Yo (蔡旻佑) takes the stage tonight. Tomorrow the Lian Lian Kan Festival presents singer-songwriters and pop artists Huang Jie (黃玠), Zulin Wu (吳志寧) and Wan Fang (萬芳). On Sunday, the festival continues with Huang Jie returning to perform with composer Lee Cin-yun (李欣芸) and pop-chanteuse Waa Wei (魏如萱), among others.
■ 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 7:30pm tonight, 8pm tomorrow, 4pm on Sunday
■ NT$1,000 tonight, NT$800 tomorrow and Sunday. 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
Tonight The Wall (這牆), Taipei’s most prominent venue for indie rock artists, hosts an evening of metal from local bands Ogre, Panzer Warfare and Revolting Society (背骨). On Saturday, dance rock group P!SCO takes the stage, while on Sunday, it’s indie rockers Sorry Youth (拍謝少年), Insecteens (昆蟲白) and Bowztiger (包子虎樂團). On Wednesday, everyone’s local garage rock favorites 88 Balaz (88顆芭樂籽) take the stage, with indie electronica stalwarts KbN and Nineteen Tael (十九兩) also part of the bill.
■ 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$500 tonight and tomorrow, NT$200 on Sunday, NT$200 on Wednesday. Tickets for all shows, with discounts on advance tickets, can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw and tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight indie rock club Revolver hosts DJs X-Kutz, Marcus Aurelius, Robi Roka and MT8. On Saturday, it’s Night Zoo with DJs James Ho, C-type, AM Stereo, Colette and Salamander. On Thursday, the venue hosts live music from Hotpink and Hateful Respect.
■ 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 10pm
■ Entrance is NT$250 tonight and tomorrow, NT$200 on Thursday. Admission includes one free drink
Bobwundaye, a small pub on Heping East Road (和平東路) in Taipei, hosts an open mic every Wednesday.
■ 77, Hoping E Rd, Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市和平東路三段77號)
■ Shows start at 9:30pm
■ Free on Wednesdays
The Hands Up Band and the Skyline Jazz Band perform at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) tonight. Tomorrow, it’s indie folk group Hush!. On Sunday it’s pop-rock bands Clockworker (發條人) and Jimile (吉米樂).
■ 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$400 tomorrow and NT$350 Sunday. Tickets can purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw and tickets.books.com.tw
Mando-pop artists Sharon Kwan (關詩敏) takes the stage tonight at Riverside Live House (河岸留言西門紅樓展演館). Tomorrow it’s indie-pop duo JS.
■ 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 8pm
■ Purchase of CD required for admission tonight; NT$400 tomorrow. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
R ‘N’ B/soul/gospel/jazz group Alter-J performs tonight at Sappho de Base, a late-night lounge bar. Tomorrow, it’s more gospel and soul with Sexual Chocolate. On Tuesday, the Sappho House Band leads an open jam. On Wednesday, it’s the MaJaM Jazz Band (麻將爵士樂團).
■ 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 tonight and tomorrow, free on 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. Other highlights include Mando-pop songstress Julia Peng (彭佳慧) on Tuesdays.
■ 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
On Fridays at Italian restaurant Capone’s, Taipei Swing holds dance socials with live music from 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. Duo Blurrs Bros perform blues and American songbook tunes on Thursdays.
■ 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). Tonight the venue hosts acoustic fingerstyle duo Woody Woody and The Angles (角落).
■ 1 Dayong Rd, Yancheng Dist, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市鹽埕區大勇路1號). On the Net: pierer-2.khcc.gov.tw, www.thewall.com.tw
■ Shows start at 7:30pm
■ NT$300, tonight. Tickets for all shows, with discounts on advance tickets, can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw
The Mercury (水星酒館), an indie rock club in Kaohsiung, hosts live music every Saturday.
■ 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, includes one drink
Witch House (女巫店), an intimate coffeehouse-style venue in the National Taiwan University area, hosts live music most nights.
■ 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
Forced Grrl (強迫女孩) and indie rockers Macbeth (馬克白) play tonight at Underworld (地下社會), a small basement club in Taipei.
■ 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 and Saturdays. 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. Entrance for Wednesday shows is NT$100
Event
Taipei Discussion and Learning meets every Sunday at Wisteria Tea House (紫藤廬) to hear lectures and discuss topics such as philosophy, science, anthropology, globalization and alternative medicine. All discussions and lectures are conducted in English. This weekend’s lecture is titled “Entheogens, Cultural Development and the Alien Among Us.”
■ Wisteria Tea House (紫藤廬), 1, Ln 16, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市新生南路三段16巷1號)
■ Every Sunday at 8pm
■ Entrance is free. For more information visit www.taipeidiscussionandlearning.blogspot.com
In the mainstream view, the Philippines should be worried that a conflict over Taiwan between the superpowers will drag in Manila. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr observed in an interview in The Wall Street Journal last year, “I learned an African saying: When elephants fight, the only one that loses is the grass. We are the grass in this situation. We don’t want to get trampled.” Such sentiments are widespread. Few seem to have imagined the opposite: that a gray zone incursion of People’s Republic of China (PRC) ships into the Philippines’ waters could trigger a conflict that drags in Taiwan. Fewer
March 18 to March 24 Yasushi Noro knew that it was not the right time to scale Hehuan Mountain (合歡). It was March 1913 and the weather was still bitingly cold at high altitudes. But he knew he couldn’t afford to wait, either. Launched in 1910, the Japanese colonial government’s “five year plan to govern the savages” was going well. After numerous bloody battles, they had subdued almost all of the indigenous peoples in northeastern Taiwan, save for the Truku who held strong to their territory around the Liwu River (立霧溪) and Mugua River (木瓜溪) basins in today’s Hualien County (花蓮). The Japanese
Pei-Ru Ko (柯沛如) says her Taipei upbringing was a little different from her peers. “We lived near the National Palace Museum [north of Taipei] and our neighbors had rice paddies. They were growing food right next to us. There was a mountain and a river so people would say, ‘you live in the mountains,’ and my friends wouldn’t want to come and visit.” While her school friends remained a bus ride away, Ko’s semi-rural upbringing schooled her in other things, including where food comes from. “Most people living in Taipei wouldn’t have a neighbor that was growing food,” she says. “So
Whether you’re interested in the history of ceramics, the production process itself, creating your own pottery, shopping for ceramic vessels, or simply admiring beautiful handmade items, the Zhunan Snake Kiln (竹南蛇窯) in Jhunan Township (竹南), Miaoli County, is definitely worth a visit. For centuries, kiln products were an integral part of daily life in Taiwan: bricks for walls, tiles for roofs, pottery for the kitchen, jugs for fermenting alcoholic drinks, as well as decorative elements on temples, all came from kilns, and Miaoli was a major hub for the production of these items. The Zhunan Snake Kiln has a large area dedicated