Theater
The Strange Double Meeting (奇雙會) by National Guoguang Opera Company (國立國光劇團) is the story about the horse peddler Li Qi. One day, while away selling horses, his wife openly carries on an affair with another man. When he returns, he has to deal with his wife's indiscretions.
* At the Guoguang Theater (國光劇場), 8-1, Ln 66, Mucha Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市木柵路三段66巷8號之1)
* Tomorrow at 2:30pm
* Tickets are NT$200 and NT$300 and are available through ERA ticketing
Irma la Douce (巴黎花街) is the latest comedy by Godot Theater Comedy (果陀劇團) and is adapted from the Oscar-winning film of the same name by Billy Wilder. The plot revolves around a cunning bar owner, an honest police officer who falls in love with a prostitute who is obsessed with the idea of romance. The tale is a passionate and sometimes chaotic look at the idea of love and the end has a surprise twist.
* National Theater, Taipei (國家戲劇院)
* Jan. 19 to Jan. 28
* Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,500 and can be purchased through www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical Music
Taishin Arts Center Lunch Time Concert — "Winter, Play, Fun" of France Mon Amour (台新金控藝文中心午間音樂會 — "冬、遊、趣" 愛戀法蘭西). A part of the Taishin Arts Center's (台新金控藝文中心) concert series, this one-hour concert will feature harpist Lee Che-yi (李哲藝) and flutist Chang Hao (張浩), performing Debussy's La Fille aux Cheveaux de Lin (The Girl With Flaxen Hair), Bizet's Arlesienne Suites, and other suites of French Chansons.
* Taishin Arts Center, 2F, 118 Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市仁愛路四段118號2樓)
* Free admission
* Today at 12:30pm
National Symphony Orchestra Richard Strauss Cycle 5 — Ein Heldenleben (國家交響樂團發現理查史特勞斯系列五 — 英雄的生涯). Ein Heldenleben, usually translated as A Hero's Life, is a tone poem composed by Richard Strauss in 1898. Taiwan-born conductor Lu Shao-chia (呂紹嘉), a graduate of the Vienna Conservatory and former music director of the Niedersachsische Staatstheater Hannover (NSH), Germany's leading opera house, will conduct the NSO in Taichung tonight and in Taipei on Sunday. The concert will feature Germany-based Taiwanese pianist Chen Pi-hsien (陳必先) performing Schoenberg's Piano Concerto, Op.42. Another work in the program will be Brahms' Haydn Variations, Op.56a. There will be a pre-concert talk by Peng Guang-lin (彭廣林) in the lobby of the National Concert Hall for the Taipei concert 30 minutes prior to the concert on Sunday afternoon.
* Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中市中山堂), 98 Hsuehshi Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號) tonight and National Concert Hall, Taipei
* Seats are available from NT$500 to NT$1,500. For the Taichung concert, tickets cost from NT$200 to NT$1,000 and are available through NTCH ticketing
* Tonight at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
Yu Li-yu's Guqin Lecture Recital (琴心抒懷 — 游麗玉古琴講唱). The Guqin (古琴) is an ancient seven string Chinese zither. Yu is a doctoral candidate in Asia-Pacific cultural studies in France and now teaches at the National Taiwan University of Arts. She will introduce the instrument to the audience on Sunday afternoon.
* The lobby of the Taipei Culture Center (台北市立社會教育館), 25 Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市八德路三段25號)
* Free admission
* Sunday at 2:30pm
Taiwan Chorus Yearly Concert — The Moon Fairy in Taiwan (台灣合唱團年度演唱會 — 台灣的月娘). One of the top choruses in Taiwan, the Taiwan Chorus is led by music director Chang Ching-lang (張清郎) and has a number of outstanding singers, including Chen Shu-chi (陳淑姬) and Lu Pi-ling (呂碧玲). Many of the choir's members have completed their musical studies overseas and the chorus has an extensive repertoire, ranging from Chinese folksongs to staged operas and oratorios. In this concert, they will sing a variety of Hokkien folk songs as well as the work of prominent Taiwanese composers such as Cheng Chih-ren (鄭智仁) and Chen Yung-tao (陳永淘).
* Novel Hall (新舞臺) at 3-1 Sungshou Rd, Taipei (台北市松壽路3-1號)
* Tickets price from NT$300 to NT$500 and are available through ERA ticket outlets nationwide
* Sunday at 7:30pm
Daniel Yun-Yao Hung Violin Recital — Paris 1782 (洪韻堯小提琴獨奏會 — 法義琴緣). Sponsored by the Yueh Xiang Chamber Musical Group (樂享室內樂團), Hung will be accompanied by pianist Chang Shih-hsin (張詩欣) and present a program including Tartini's Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Minor "The Devil's Trill," Saint Saens' Sonata for Violin & Piano No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 75, Ysaye's Sonata for Solo Violin No.6 in E Major, Franck's Sonata for Violin & Piano in A Major, and Paganini's "La Campanella" theme from the final movement of his Violin Concerto No.2 in B Minor.
* At the National Recital Hall, Taipei
* Tickets cost from NT$300 to NT$500 and are available through NTCH ticketing outlets
* Wednesday at 7:30pm
Contemporary
Velvet Underground (地下絲絨) kicks off the weekend tonight with rock bands One Step (一步) and Mr M. Then, from 11pm to 5am, Bassment Productions presents DJ Fresh and Shimon, from the UK, with local support from Zeon, Chin and Rich, along with VJ Freeform (MoS/Luxy). Tomorrow it's thrash metal bands Forgiveness (恕樂團) and Hercules (海克力斯). Tuesday it's the Seven Deadly Sins (七原罪) and Blackjack (黑傑克). Thursday it's Dragon Glory II and New Stars.
* The music starts at 9pm
* Cover is NT$600 for the DJs and NT$300 (NT$200 for students) for all other shows
* B1, 50 Zhongxiao W Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市忠孝西路一段50號B1). Call (02) 2314-1868 or visit www.velvet-underground.com.tw
Tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) it's local jazz combo Delta on the Main Street. Tomorrow it's Brit-pop-sounding indie four-piece 1976. This Sunday and the second Sunday of every month it's Genesis "a night of soul-stirring open-mic" for "artists of every medium and language," from spoken word, poetry and rap to songs, acoustics, and comedy. West Indian/ Caribbean food will be served courtesy of A Taste of the Caribbean. Australian DMC champion and MoS resident DJ Sheep will man the decks. Monday night is open-jam night, when anyone with a song or an instrument can perform. On Tuesday it's the neo-prog sounds of Formula, performing along with Penny and Room 19 Musik. Wednesday it's Roundhouse Kick (迴旋踢) and Elisa (一粒沙). And on Thursday it's Neon (霓虹).
* The music starts at 9:30pm each night
* Entrance tonight, tomorrow and Thursday is NT$350. For Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday entrance is NT$300. On Monday there is a one-drink minimum
* B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷2號B1). Call (02) 2368-7310, or visit www.riverside.com.tw
The Wall (這牆) features long-serving but somewhat overlooked indie rockers Back Quarter (四分衛) tonight and 13 (拾參) tomorrow. Sunday it's another round of Challenging the Fire (火焰大挑戰), a battle of the bands, with Milky CaLar, Luan Ru (亂入), The Newssonghead, Pen Sauce, Rabbit is Rich (兔子很有錢), Bluebox (藍色盒子), Blue Velvets (藍絲絨), and Moshou Mamei (魔瘦麻美). Wednesday's performance by Brazilian electro-rock band Cansei de Ser Sexy has been cancelled.
* Entrance tonight and tomorrow is NT$400. Sunday is NT$150
* Shows start at 8pm
* B1, 200 Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Call (02) 2930-0162 or visit www.the-wall.com.tw
Witch House (女巫店) presents Puyuma musicians Wu Hao-en (吳昊恩) and Chi Jia-ying (紀家瑩) tonight. Tomorrow and Sunday there is no live music, but knowledgeable staff will be on hand to explain the workings of Witch House's 400 or so board and card games.
* Entrance tonight is NT$300
* Tonight's music starts at 9:30pm. Game assistance will be provided between 2pm and 8pm tomorrow and Sunday
* 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Road Sec 3, Taipei (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號). Call (02) 2362 5494 or visit www.witchhouse.org
At Grooveyard in Taichung, tonight's live music performance has yet to be announced. Tomorrow it's Word Alive, an open-mic event featuring poetry readings, performance art and comedy organized by the staff of Pressed literary magazine, followed by live music from 'Round Midnight and guests. (The deadline for submission for the upcoming issue of Pressed is Jan. 15. For more information, send an e-mail to pressed_literature@yahoo.com.) Wednesday at the Grooveyard it's jazz night, and Thursday is "Taiwan Exposed Open-Mic Night," a jam session for established and amateur musicians.
* Tomorrow, Word Alive starts at 7pm. 'Round Midnight takes the stage at 10pm. Wednesday's jazz and Thursday's jam session both start at 9pm
* Entrance tomorrow is NT$100 before 10pm and NT$200 after. There's no cover on Wednesdays and Thursdays;
* 2F, 105 Huamei W Rd, Taichung (台中市華美西街105號二樓). Visit www.grooveyardtaiwan.com
Underworld (地下社會) presents Kenny from Casino tonight, We Save Strawberries (草莓救星) and Easy tomorrow, and Selling Us Everything and Toss a Coin Wednesday.
* The bar opens at 8pm and bands take the stage at 9pm
* Entrance is NT$300
* B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei (台北市師大路45號B1). Call (02) 2369 0103 or visit www.underworld-taipei.blogspot.com for more information
EXHIBITION
I Go Traveling VII/Plaza Traveler (我去旅行VII — 廣場旅人). Artist Tang Huang-chen (湯皇珍) invites visitors to go traveling in different plazas in different cities the artist has visited through the use of three sound collection boxes and engage in the experiment of listening, communicating, speaking and the repeated transmission of language.
* Art Gallery at Taishin Tower (台新金控大樓), 2F, 118 Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市仁愛路四段118號2樓). Open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 6pm. Call (02) 3703 6955
* Until Jan. 24
Camel Market — The Object of Animal Structure: Yang Chun-luan and Hsi Shih-bin 1+1 Solo Exhibition (駱駝市場．動物結構 — 楊純鑾與席時斌雙個展). In the Camel Market, Yang attempts to explore the relationship between the exchange and value emerging in the camel market in Egypt and dwell on the human essence through images and words. In the Object of Animal Structure, he investigates the inner space of human beings by conjuring up a site where dissected cadavers are pieced back together.
* Shin Leh Yuan Art Space (新樂園藝術空間), 15-2, Ln 11, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 2, Taipei (台北市中山北路二段11巷15-2號). Open Wednesday to Sunday from 1pm to 8pm. Call (02) 2561 1548
* Until Sunday
Polygonal Body Temperature (多邊形體溫). A solo exhibition by Hsu Shui-fu (許水富) featuring the artist's poetry, calligraphy and water color paintings to convey a inner state through different languages and forms.
* Starts Studio (時空藝術會場), 28 Heping E Rd Sec 2, Taipei (台北市和平東路二段28號). Open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm. Call (02) 8369 1266.
* From tomorrow through Jan. 31
Double Visions — No. 0 Collection of 2007 (雙象園 — 2007零號集錦). Featuring over 100 oil paintings by 18 local artists from different generations, the exhibition offers a wide view on Taiwan's art history taking in a broad spectrum from abstraction to realism.
* Nan Gallery, Renai Brach (南畫廊仁愛新館), 55, Ln 212, Jianguo S Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市建國南路一段212巷55號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Call (02) 2751 2700
* Until Jan. 21
Racing Car — Hsieh Ming-hsun Solo Exhibition (飆車 — 謝明順個展). A veteran photographer and educator, Hsieh's works always reveals the artist's unique sensibility and imagination. In this exhibition, the artist turns his camera to vehicles of every sort. Whether it is a big car, small car, motorcycle, bicycle, baby buggy, wheelchair or a miniature model car, Hsieh captures them all in all situations, both day to night, on boulevards and small alleys.
* Jazz Photography Gallery (爵士攝影藝廊), 2F, 433 Bade Rd Sec 2, Taipei (台北市八德路二段433號2樓). Open Monday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 2741 2256
* Until Jan. 18
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It is one of the more remarkable facts of Taiwan history that it was never occupied or claimed by any of the numerous kingdoms of southern China — Han or otherwise — that lay just across the water from it. None of their brilliant ministers ever discovered that Taiwan was a “core interest” of the state whose annexation was “inevitable.” As Paul Kua notes in an excellent monograph laying out how the Portuguese gave Taiwan the name “Formosa,” the first Europeans to express an interest in occupying Taiwan were the Spanish. Tonio Andrade in his seminal work, How Taiwan Became Chinese,
April 28 to May 4 During the Japanese colonial era, a city’s “first” high school typically served Japanese students, while Taiwanese attended the “second” high school. Only in Taichung was this reversed. That’s because when Taichung First High School opened its doors on May 1, 1915 to serve Taiwanese students who were previously barred from secondary education, it was the only high school in town. Former principal Hideo Azukisawa threatened to quit when the government in 1922 attempted to transfer the “first” designation to a new local high school for Japanese students, leading to this unusual situation. Prior to the Taichung First
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