Taiwan's favorite Yukon-based musician, Matthew Lien, makes an impromptu visit to these shores this weekend to participate in two special concerts in two east-coast cities. Aimed at promoting environmental awareness, culture and jointly organized by the county governments of Ilan and Taitung respectively, the performances will differ somewhat from Lien's larger west-coast city shows. This weekend's gigs will see Lien performing on a much smaller and more intimate scale. Instead of an entire ensemble of musicians, the new-age artist will be teaming up with Paul Stephens -- one of northern Canada's premiere bass players -- along with two local musicians, Huang Yin-jong and Chou Yi-chen, for what Lien has dubbed "an unplugged style of concert."
"I met with the government of Taitung and explained that it is difficult to perform concerts there during my big tours because of transportation costs and so on," stated Lien. "However, I feel a deep loyalty and commitment to bringing music to more than just the west coast of Taiwan so I agreed to perform these special concerts." While tonight's appearance at the Ilan Center for Performing Arts (宜蘭演藝廳) is simply a concert, Lien's Taitung show is part of the inaugural Doulan Mountain Festival (都蘭山節). Established by the Taitung County Government only this year, it is hoped that the festival will promote tourism to and increase environmental awareness of the 1190m Taitung landmark famous for its blue jade and considered sacred by the local aborigines.
The Ilan Center for Performing Arts is located at 106, Weishui Road, Ilan City (
PHOTO COURTESY OF TAITUNG COUNTY GOVERNMENT
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