Upcoming
● Ticket sets for the complete four concert series of the much anticipated premiere of the NSO production of the Des Ring Des Nibelungen are now on sale with a 30 percent discount for those purchasing tickets for all performances (five shows, including a program of highlights), which runs Sept. 15-16, Sept. 23-24 and Sept. 28. The production, that brings to Taiwan some of the world's foremost singers in Wagnerian roles, along with an outstanding number of local singers, includes a total of 16 hours performance time involving 220 musicians and singers. Tickets for each of the four performances are NT$400 to NT$2,000. Tickets for individual concerts go on sale on Aug. 1. Tickets are available through NTCH ticketing.
● The community walk up Taipei 101, organized by the Canadian Society among others, is getting into full swing. Climb the world's tallest building for a worthwhile cause, and raise funds for the Garden of Hope Foundation which fights domestic violence and sexual abuse. The American, British and European chambers of commerce, ICRT and the Foreign Correspondents Club have thrown themselves into the event, so why don't you. The registration fee is NT$500 and participants are expected to raise a minimum of NT$2,000 in sponsorship. Refreshments will be provided for participants. Details are available at the Canadian Society Web site at www.canadiansociety.org.
Theater
The Legend of the Mermaid (人魚傳說) a performance of Hakka opera by the Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe (榮興客家採茶劇團), as part of the 2006 Taipei Traditional Arts Festival (台北市傳統藝術季), at Zhongshan Hall (台北市中山堂), 98 Yenping S Rd, Taipei (台北市延平南路98號).
● Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000 and are available through TRTC ticketing. More information at www.tco.gov.tw.
● Tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
Listening to the Sky Singing (聽見飛天在唱歌) by the Jade and Artists Dance Troupe (肢體音符舞團) at the Red Playhouse (紅樓劇場), 10 Chengdu Rd, Taipei (台北市成都路10號).
● Tickets are NT$500 and are available through ERA ticketing.
● Tonight and tomorrow at 8pm
Kick Back, Sip Tea and Enjoy Kun Opera (歇腳:喝茶:聽崑曲) a performance of selections from the operas Washing the Silken Gauze and The Western Chamber.
● Tea costs a minimum of NT$150 per person but entry is free.
● Sunday 2:30pm and 3:30pm
Hwa-gang Dancing Group Performance of the China Culture University 2006 (華崗舞團2006公演) at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館) at 505 Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市仁愛路四段505號).
● Admission is free.
● Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm
New Snow White (白雪公主與七矮人) by Japan's Flying Boat Theater Troupe (飛行船劇團) at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館) at 505, Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市仁愛路四段505號).
● Tickets are NT$300 to NT$800 and are available through ERA ticketing.
● Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
101 Dalmatians by the Paper Windmill Theater (紙風車劇團), at the Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市八德路三段25號).
● Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,100 and can be obtained at the venue.
● Saturday at 10:30am, 2:30pm, and 7:30; Sunday at 10:30am and 2:30pm
Music
Songs of the Wayfarer 2006 (在波光流傳的跫音), featuring violinist Jasmine Lin (林允白) and cellist Sophie Shao (邵欣玲), with the NSO under Chien Wen-pin (簡文彬) playing a program including Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1, Bruch's Scottish Fantasy Op. 46 and the NSO commissioned work Timeless Reflections by Wang Yi-wen (王怡雯). At the National Concert Hall, Taipei.
● Tickets are NT$300 to NT$800 and are available through NTCH ticketing.
● Tonight 7:30pm
The Pines of Rome (羅馬之松), by the Taipei Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (台北愛樂青年管弦樂團), with special guest 12-year-old violin prodigy Tseng Yu-qian (曾宇謙), winner of the third prize at the Yehudi Menuhim International Competition, playing a program including Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 1 and Respighi's The Birds and Pines of Rome.
● Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000 and are available through NTCH ticketing.
● Sunday 2:30pm
2006 Young Stars of Chinese Music (愛現一族) featuring Liao I-chuan, Wang Yu-chen and Chang Huan-cheng, three talented musicians selected through auditions by the National Chinese Orchestra (NCO). At the National Recital Hall, Taipei.
● Tickets are NT$200 to NT$400 and are available through NTCH ticketing.
● Tomorrow 7:30pm
An Evening of Harp Chamber Music featuring harpist Chiu Meng-lu (邱孟璐), at the National Recital Hall, Taipei.
● Tickets are NT$300 to NT$800 and are available through ERA and NTCH ticketing.
● Tuesday 7:30pm
Youn Sun-nah Quintet Jazz Concert (羅韻萱五重奏爵士演唱會) at Novel Hall (新舞台), 3-1 Songshou Rd, Taipei (台北市松壽路3-1號). Youn is the only Asian jazz singer to be signed on the prestigious Blue Note jazz label.
● Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,800 and are available through ERA ticketing.
● Tuesday 7:45pm
Ju Percussion Group (朱宗慶打擊樂團) Listen and Laugh Tour (聆聽、微笑) highlights the music of Taiwan's foreign labor community with works and instrumentation from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries at the National Concert Hall.
● Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,100 and are available through NTCH ticketing.
● Thursday 7:30pm
Event
Taipei Art Fair 2006 (台北國際藝術博覽會) at the Huashan Cultural Center (華山藝文專用區), 100, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市100八德路一段一號). This major art market is an ideal place to get an idea of Taiwan's contemporary art scene and purchase works by emerging and established artists. For more information, visit www.art-taipei.com, www.aga.org.tw, or call (02) 2321-4808
● Until Tuesday from 7am until 7pm
Rock, Pop and Jazz
The Wall (這牆) presents Thirteen and Zayin tonight, Digihai (低級海) and Echo tomorrow and Nature Believe on Sunday. B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Call (02) 2930-0162.
● Entrance is NT$400 tonight and tomorrow and NT$300 on Sunday.
● Tonight and tomorrow at 10pm
The Living Room (小客廳) presents the LilyC Club tomorrow, Wilde Theater's Dead Lovely and the Hot House Jazz Combo tomorrow (theater and dinner NT$1,000; just music NT$100), Rolling Dice (搖搖骰子) and Emily on Tuesday. 3F, 8, Nanjing E Rd Sec 5, Taipei (台北市南京東路五段8號3樓). Call (02) 8787-4154.
● Tickets are NT$100 for tonight and Tuesday.
● Shows begin at 10pm tonight and 8:30pm on Tuesday
Room 18 presents Ramrider, crossover Japanese disco pop. B1, 22 Songshou Rd, Taipei (台北市松壽路22號B1). Call (02) 2345-2778.
● Tomorrow
Velvet Underground (地下絲絨) presents Luo Mei-ling (羅美玲) and Little Nurse (小護士) with Simon tonight, and Summer D Party tomorrow. B1, 50, Zhongxiao W Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市忠孝西路一段50號B1).Call (02) 2314-1868.
● Tickets are NT$400 tonight and NT$800 tomorrow
● Shows begin at 9pm
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibition by Li Chin-yi -- The King's Breakfast (李瑾怡 -- 國王的早餐) at Pacific Cultural Foundation (太平洋文化基金會藝術中心), B1, 38, Chongching S Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市重慶南路三段38號B1). Call (02) 2337-7155. Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
● Until May 27
A Solo Exhibition by Lisa Wen -- Lisa's Wonderland (溫易鷗畫展 -- 繁花似錦) at Jeff Hsu's Art gallery (觀想藝術中心), B1-2, 1, Ln 200, Sungteh Rd, Taipei (台北市松德路200巷1號B1-2). Call (02) 8780 8181. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30am to 7pm
● Until Sunday
New Media Collection, 1965-2005 Center Pompidou (龐畢度中心新媒體藝術展) at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, (台北市立美術館), 181, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市中山北路三段181號). Call (02) 2595-7656. Open Tuesday from Sunday 9:30am to 5:30pm.
● Until July 23
Solo Exhibition by Su Yu-an (蘇俞安個展) at Shin Leh Yuan Art Space (新樂園藝術空間), 15-2, Lane 11, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 2, Taipei (中山北路二段11巷15-2號). Call (02) 2561-1548. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 1pm to 8pm.
● Until Sunday
Windows (窗), a photographic exhibition by Pethany Chen at the Pethany Larsen Gallery, located at 2F, 30, Ln 45, Liaoning St, Taipei (台北市遼寧街45巷30號2F). For more information call (02) 8772-5005.
● Until July 30
Chen Ching-Jung Solo Exhibition (陳景容畫展) at the National Museum of History (國立歷史博物館), 49, Nanhai Rd, Taipei (台北市南海路49號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 2361-0270.
● Tomorrow until May 21
Exhibition of Calligraphy Works by Tung Yang-tse (沉墨似金 董陽孜作品展), a show featuring Taiwan's top calligrapher's work, at the Eslite Art Space (誠品敦南店B2藝文空間), B2, 245, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei (B2, 敦化南路一段245號). Open 11am to 10pm daily.
● Tomorrow Sunday
Tradition and Innovation -- Biennial Calligraphy Exhibition (傳統與實驗 書藝雙年展) at the Taipei National University of the Arts -- Guandu Arts Museum (台北藝術大學關渡美術館), 1, Xueyuan Rd, Beitou, Taipei (台北市北投區學園路1號). Call (02) 2893-8871. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
● Until June 2
Hyper Reality -- Contemporary Images from the Museum Collection (超 -- 現實當代影像典藏展) at Taipei Fine Arts Museum (台北市立美術館), 181, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市中山北路三段181號). Call (02) 2595-7656.
● Until June 11
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