Theater
Shamlet 莎姆雷特 is a spoof on the original Shakespeare tragedy by Fong Ping Troupe (風屏劇團). The play tells the story of a theater troupe battling against the odds to put on a successful production of one of the world's greatest tragedy. Using the play within a play trope, the play blends the classic work with the lives of troupe members.
* Taipei Cultural 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)
* Today, tomorrow, Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm; tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
* Tickets are from NT$500 to NT$2,500 and available through www.artsticket.com.tw
Cats is a musical based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, a book of poems about feline friendship. The musical, like the poems, revolve around a ball, during which one lucky cat will be bestowed with an extra life. Cats will be cats, however, and the tension mounts and rivalries are fueled as the leading contenders for the extra life try to out do each other over a backdrop of memorable songs and breathtaking dance routines.
* Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中市中山堂), 98 Hsuehshi Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號)
* Today, tomorrow, Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm; tomorrow at 2:30pm and Sunday at 11am
* Tickets are NT$800 to NT$4,800 and are available through ERA ticketing
Events
Chinese Ice Hockey League (CIHL) Hockey night in Taiwan begins week seven on Sunday at 7:20pm with the Bears vs. Lions. At 8:40pm, the Tigers play against the Raptors followed at 10pm with the Rhinos vs. Wolves. Come out and cheer your favorite team in the well-chilled Taipei Arena as ex-pats and locals alike take to the ice for some cool hockey action.
* Taipei Arena (台北小巨蛋), 2 Nanjing E Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市南京東路四段2號)
* Sunday, starting at 7:20pm
* Admission is free
Classical Music
ComeMusic String Orchestra (來去弦樂團). Since its inception in 2001, ComeMusic String Orchestra's mission has been to increase public appreciation of classical and contemporary music. The orchestra was established by the cyber community comemusic.com, where musicians gathered to exchange music-related information. The orchestra made its debut concert in 2003 and since then, it has performed extensively around Taiwan. This year, the orchestra will give a series of four concerts starting tomorrow and Sunday in Taipei, Feb. 3 in Taipei County, and Feb. 4 in Taichung City. Under the direction of conductor Li Hsuan (李瑄), the orchestra will play a program including Corelli's Concerto Grosso, Op.6, Vivaldi's Violin Concerto No.4, Op.8, Scott Joplin's Theme from "The Sting", The Easy Winners, and Elite Syncopations, Riz Ortolani and Nino Oliviero's "More" from the Italian movie Mondo Cane>, Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot>, Joe Hisaishi's "Reprise" from the movie Spirited Away, Lee Che-yi's (李哲藝) Taiwanese folk song The Hamlet Wine Song, Marquina's Espana Cani, and Lecuona's Malaguena.
* Tomorrow in the lobby of the Eslite Dunnan Bookstore (誠品敦南店1樓大廳), 245 Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市敦化南路一段245號), Sunday at the Music Hall in the Xi Hu Branch of Taipei Public Library (台北市立圖書館西湖分館4樓音樂廳), 4F, 594 Neihu Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市內湖路一段594號4樓), Feb. 3 at the Performing Arts Hall of the Taipei County Hakka Museum (台北縣客家文化園區演藝廳), 239 Longen St, Sansia Township, Taipei County (台北縣三峽鎮龍埔里隆恩街239號), and Feb. 4 at the Taichung Corridor Cafe Theater (文英館迴廊咖啡劇場), 10-5 Shuangshih Rd Sec 1, Taichung City (台中市雙十路一段10-5號)
* Concerts at Taipei's Eslite Dunnan Bookstore and the Taipei County Hakka Museum are free. For the concerts at Taipei's Xi Hu Library and Taichung's Corridor Cafe Theater, tickets can be obtained free of charge from the ComeMusic String Orchestra at 0966-817-007. There will be a minimum food and beverage charge for the concert at Taichung's Corridor Cafe Theater
* Tomorrow at 7:30pm; Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 at 2:30pm
Maestro and National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) series: From the New World (名家與國家交響樂團的對話－探索新世界). Named "Conductor of the Year" by Die Opernwelt, the most influential opera magazine in German-speaking countries, Conductor Lu Shao-chia (呂紹嘉) will bring out the essence of three eastern European works: Ligeti's Atmosphere, Bartok's Piano Concerto No.2, Sz 95, and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World, Op.95. Also featured in this concert will be the famous contemporary French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, performing Bartok's Piano Concerto No.2. There will be a pre-concert talk by Wang Shih-chiang (王世強) in the lobby of the National Concert Hall 30 minutes prior to the concert.
* The National Concert Hall, Taipei
* Seats are still available from NT$500 to NT$1,500 through NTCH ticketing.
* Saturday at 7:30pm
Kaohsiung City Symphony Orchestra Outdoor Concert — Fabulous (高雄市交響樂團戶外音樂會－非比樂事). KCSO will hold two outdoor concerts on the riverbank of the Ai River in Kaohsiung tomorrow and Sunday with a series of light classical music works. The conductor will be Hsio Pang-hsiang (蕭邦享) and the program will include Lehar's Gold and Silver, Brahms' Hungarian Dances No. 12, 14, 15, Chen Shu-si's (陳樹熙) arrangements of Scarf Dance, Theme from A Summer Place, and Consolation, Johann Strauss' Pizzicato Polka, Bauern Polka, Op.276, Die Libelle, Op.204, Perpetuum Mobile, Op.257, Bluette Polka Francaise Op.271 arranged by Cao Peng (曹鵬), Chase's arrangement of The Muppet Medley, Lowden's arrangement of Selections from the popular musical Cats, and Rapley's arrangement of Selections from the movie Fiddler on the Roof.
* The Kaohsiung City Music Hall Square (高雄市音樂館廣場), 99 Hehsi Rd, Kaohsiung (高雄市河西路99號)
* Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information, please call (07) 531-1000 or www.kcso.org.tw
* Tomorrow and Sunday at 7:30pm
Music Elves — A Concert of Piano, Flute and Soprano (音樂精靈－鋼琴、長笛、女高音). Featuring three nationally acclaimed musicians, soprano Ho Kang-ting (何康婷), flutist Wong Li-mei (翁立美) and pianist Tsai Shih-hao (蔡世豪). They will present a program including Saint-Saens' Une Flute Invisible, Ravel's La flute Enchantee, Dicie's Carol of the Birds, Mendelssohn's Auf Flugen des Gesanges, Chao Yuan-jen's (趙元任) Teach Me How Can I Not Think of Him (教我如何不想他), and Huang Tzu's (黃自) Three Wishes of Rose (玫瑰三願).
* The lobby of the Taipei Cultural 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
The Sound of Formosa (2007年群策會感恩音樂會). Organized by Taiwan Advocates (財團法人群策會) and co-organized by Chamber Music Society of Taiwan (台灣室內樂藝術推廣協會), the concert has been set up around the them of "appreciating Taiwan's Beauty." Yen Lu-fen (顏綠芬), professor of the music department at Taipei National University of the Arts, as well as an organizer of the concert, said that the concert is arranged in three parts: first, presenting the works of prominent Taiwanese composers; second, presenting Taiwan-themed choral music to show Taiwan's political stability and social consolidation; and third, passing down Taiwan's musical heritage. Featuring conductor Chiu Chun-chiang (邱君強), violinist Hsu His-lung (徐錫隆) and baritone Liau Chong-boon (廖聰文), the concert will include a program of works by Taiwanese composers, such as Ma Shui-long (馬水龍), Kuo Chih-yuan (郭芝苑), Hsiao Tyzen (蕭泰然), Chiang Wen-yeh (江文也), Chien Nan-Chang (錢南章), Hsu Sung-Jen (徐頌仁), Gordon Shi-wen Chin (金希文), and others. The purpose of the concert is to make friends and inspire people to show their patriotic love for the island.
* Sunday at the National Concert Hall, Taipei, and Tuesday at the Chihteh Hall, National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center, Kaohsiung City (高雄中正文化中心至德堂), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市五福一路67號)
* As of press time, all tickets for the Taipei Concert are sold out, but NT$300 tickets for the Kaohsiung concert are available through NTCH ticketing
* Sunday and Tuesday at 7:30pm
Contemporary
Tonight the Living Room (小客廳) presents the popular "psychedlic jam rock explosion" that is Rocket Girl, along with post rock English trio To a God Unknown. Tomorrow it's Journey to the West PX (西遊記PX) and Goodbye Nao. Tuesday is Chit Chat Game Night with board games. Wednesday features newly discovered songwriter Hank, along with four-piece Rebirth (再生樂團), and Thursday it's post-rock band Emily (艾蜜莉).
* Tonight and tomorrow's performances begin at 10pm. Tuesday's fun and games runs from 7pm to midnight. Thursday's music starts at 8pm, followed by the theater at 10:30pm
* Entrance for tonight, tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday is NT$300. There is no admission fee 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 or visit www.livingroomtaipei.com
Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) features local jazz combo J.E.G. tonight, the enchanting melodies of Summer Lei (雷光夏) tomorrow, and Sunny 4 on Sunday. Monday night is open-jam night, when anyone with a song or an instrument can perform. On Tuesday it's singer-songwriter Deserts Chang (張懸), Wednesday features jazz singer Joanna (王若琳), and Puyuma musicians Wu Hao-en (吳昊恩) and Chi Jia-ying (紀家瑩).
* The music starts at 9:30pm each night
* Entrance tonight tomorrow and Thursday is NT$350. For Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday 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) presents the happy-go-lucky pop and rock sound of Relax One (輕鬆玩), and La Petite Nurse (小護士), a talented indie four-piece that can switch from Coldplay-like downbeat numbers to more up-beat and typical Taiwan indie-scene noise. Saturday features popular but overrated melodic indie-pop three-piece Tizzy Bac. Wednesday it's Big Egg Hell Dog (巨蛋地獄狗) and My Major Miseries (MMMs), and Thursday it's Mad Flow, Under Soul and Overdose.
* Entrance tonight and tomorrow is NT$400. Wednesday and Thursday 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
Velvet Underground (地下絲絨) features local bands Step One (一步) and Mr M, followed by the UK's DJ Fresh and Shimon tonight (see Vinyl Word for more details). Tomorrow it's Even Slightly (恕) and Hercules (海克力斯), followed by a Boom Bap DJ Party. Tuesday it's pop-punk act Crazy Mom and metal band Samurai. Wednesday it's pop-punk act Pink Stars.
* Bands take the stage tonight at 9pm. The DJs spin from 11pm to 5am. The live music starts at 8pm tomorrow and the DJ part runs from 10pm to 5am. On Tuesday and Wednesday, bands take to the stage at 9pm
* Admission tonight is NT$300 or NT$200 for students for the rock shows, and NT$600 for the DJs. Admission tomorrow NT$300 or NT$200 for students for the rock shows, and NT$500 for the DJ party. Admission Tuesday and Wednesdays is NT$300 or NT$200 for students
* 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
Witch House (女巫店) presents Afternoon Tree (午后之樹) 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 Rd 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
Tonight at Underworld (地下社會) it's Creamy Harmu (奶油哈姆), who play a combination of Brit-pop, grunge, post-rock, funk and punk, and post-rock band Emily (艾蜜莉). Tomorrow it's indie rock with Varo and Smol. Wednesday features the part-funk, part-pseudo nu-metal sound of Coach (教練) and Higher Band's (亥兒) power rock.
* 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
Taichung's Grooveyard presents Militant Hippi with special guests Faye and the Slacks tonight, and "Tacihung's newest and hippest groove sensation" Pangmama tomorrow. Every Wednesday at the Grooveyard it's jazz night, and Thursday is "Taiwan Exposed Open-Mic Night," a jam session for established and amateur musicians, poets, comedians and other performers.
* 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 tonight and 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
Exhibitions
Heaven-Sent Conveyances: Treasures Among Ching Historical Documents (奉天承運 － 清代歷史文書珍品展). The museum's Books and Documents Department has developed this exhibition to give viewers a greater understanding of China's last imperial dynasty. The show is divided into four sections: Imperial Mandates: Proclamations of the Emperor, Memorials, Their Copies and Archives, Official Documents and Historiographical Compilations and Archival and Illustrated Materials on Taiwan Aborigines.
* National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院), 221 Zhishan Rd Sec 2, Taipei (台北市至善路二段221號). Open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 3pm. Call (02) 2881-2021
* Until March 15
Connected by Traces of Electricity by Tseng Wei-hao (曾偉豪之電跡繫). Artist Tseng believes that sound is also a three-dimensional medium, possessing body, volume and texture in exactly the same way as sculpture. Through the participation and interaction of visitors, the artist seeks to develop unexpected chemical changes within a physically innovative framework as electrical current and sound waves pass through the human body.
* Museum of Contemporary Art (台北當代藝術館), 39 Changan W Rd, Taipei (台北市長安西路39號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 2552-3721
* Until Feb. 4
Spirit Variations (心感變奏曲). features a series of abstract paintings by France-based artist Lee Chia-chao (李加兆).
* Home Gallery (家畫廊), 30-1 Zhongshan N Rd Sec 3, Taipei (台北市中山北路三段30-1號). Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 2591-4302
* Until Jan. 31
Impression – Suan Hooi-wah Photo Exhibition (印象－全會華攝影個展). An urban drifter, veteran photographer Suan deconstructs the artificial landscapes into heterogeneous signs and reconstructs the elements into a impressionistic urban space inhabited by imaginations, desires and passage of time.
* Taiwan International Visual Arts Center (台灣國際視覺藝術中心), 29, Ln 45, Liaoning St, Taipei (台北市遼寧街45巷29號). Open Tuesday to Friday from 11am to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Call (02) 27733347
* Until Jan. 31
Sept.16 to Sept. 22 The “anti-communist train” with then-president Chiang Kai-shek’s (蔣介石) face plastered on the engine puffed along the “sugar railway” (糖業鐵路) in May 1955, drawing enthusiastic crowds at 103 stops covering nearly 1,200km. An estimated 1.58 million spectators were treated to propaganda films, plays and received free sugar products. By this time, the state-run Taiwan Sugar Corporation (台糖, Taisugar) had managed to connect the previously separate east-west lines established by Japanese-era sugar factories, allowing the anti-communist train to travel easily from Taichung to Pingtung’s Donggang Township (東港). Last Sunday’s feature (Taiwan in Time: The sugar express) covered the inauguration of the
The corruption cases surrounding former Taipei Mayor and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) head Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) are just one item in the endless cycle of noise and fuss obscuring Taiwan’s deep and urgent structural and social problems. Even the case itself, as James Baron observed in an excellent piece at the Diplomat last week, is only one manifestation of the greater problem of deep-rooted corruption in land development. Last week the government announced a program to permit 25,000 foreign university students, primarily from the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, to work in Taiwan after graduation for 2-4 years. That number is a
In a stark demonstration of how award-winning breakthroughs can come from the most unlikely directions, researchers have won an Ig Nobel prize for discovering that mammals can breathe through their anuses. After a series of tests on mice, rats and pigs, Japanese scientists found the animals absorb oxygen delivered through the rectum, work that underpins a clinical trial to see whether the procedure can treat respiratory failure. The team is among 10 recognized in this year’s Ig Nobel awards (see below for more), the irreverent accolades given for achievements that “first make people laugh, and then make them think.” They are not
This Qing Dynasty trail takes hikers from renowned hot springs in the East Rift Valley, up to the top of the Coastal Mountain Range, and down to the Pacific Short vacations to eastern Taiwan often require choosing between the Rift Valley with its pineapple fields, rice paddies and broader range of amenities, or the less populated coastal route for its ocean scenery. For those who can’t decide, why not try both? The Antong Traversing Trail (安通越嶺道) provides just such an opportunity. Built 149 years ago, the trail linked up these two formerly isolated parts of the island by crossing over the Coastal Mountain Range. After decades of serving as a convenient path for local Amis, Han settlers, missionaries and smugglers, the trail fell into disuse once modern roadways were built
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