Theater
A widow confronting middle age provides the main theme for theater company Lee Qingzhao the Private's (李清照私人劇團) play Ciao Ci-chao (曹七巧). The lead protagonist is taken from the play's name. The work touches on themes of feminism and modernist thought and has the widow Ciao attempting to stave off her loneliness by flirting with men. But her amorous overtures aren't reciprocated because her anger towards her surroundings, coupled with her fear of growing old, prevent her from engaging in normal relationships.
* Crown Theater (皇冠藝文中心小劇場), 50, Ln 120, Dunhua N Rd, Taipei (台北市敦化北路120巷50號)
* Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
* Tickets are NT$450 and are available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Workshop in Heaven Theater's (黑門山上的劇團) The World's Number One Bun: The Legend of Ding Tai Feng (天下第一包 ? 鼎泰豐秘笈) mixes historical fact with comedy and follows the growth of one of Taiwan's most famous chain restaurants, Ding Tai Feng (鼎泰豐), from a small eatery to a franchise with stores throughout the world.
* Taipei City Government Family Theater (台北市政府親子劇場), 2F, Taipei City Hall, 1 Shifu Rd, Taipei (台北市市府路1號2樓)
* Today, tomorrow and Sunday at 7:30pm and tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
* Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,200 and are available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
This weekend will see the last performances of the Italian Puppet Show: Sandrone (桑得羅尼) by Taiyuan Puppet Theater (台原偶戲團). The performance follows the humorous buffoonery and exploits of the tall and wickedly intelligent Fagiolino and his short, daft friend Sandrone, the Laurel and Hardy of the puppet theater.
* Nadou Theater (納豆劇場), 79 Xining N Rd, Taipei (台北市西寧北路79號)
* Tomorrow at 3pm
* Tickets are NT$200 and are available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Those interested in beiguan (北管) or nanguan (南管) music should check out the performances this weekend that are part of the 2007 Kuandu Arts Festival. Tomorrow features the nanguan performance To-hoe Takes the Ferry (桃花搭渡), the story of a maidservant who has to deliver an important letter to her mistress' lover. On Sunday, the entertainment heads north with a beiguan performance called The Peach of Longevity (蟠桃會), which features a brilliant array of costumes and acrobatics.
* All performances at Taipei National University of the Arts (國立臺北藝術大學音樂廳) 1 Xueyuen Rd, Beitou Dist, Taipei (北市北投區學園路1號)
* Nanguan performances are tomorrow at 2pm and 4pm; beiguan performances are Sunday at 2pm and 4pm
* Tickets are NT$200 and are available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
Listening to the 21st Century - Works by Emerging Composers of Taiwan (傾聽21世紀 ? 臺灣新銳作曲家聯展) is a rare chance to hear the work of emerging local composers, many of whom are expanding the conventions of Western classical music with the inclusion of traditional Chinese instruments and even electronica. The composers featured in this concert are mostly in their mid-30s. A lecture by Luo Chi-min (羅基敏) will be held prior to the concert in the lobby of the National Concert Hall.
* Tonight 7:30pm
* National Concert Hall, Taipei
* Tickets are NT$300 to NT$800 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica (基頓．克萊曼與波羅的海絃樂團), one of the most highly rated violinists from Eastern Europe and an acknowledged master in interpreting tango music for the orchestra, will perform Bartok's Divertimento, New Work for Violin and Strings by Kissine and a selection of movie themes including such favorites as A Fist Full of Dollars and Psycho. This concert is part of the NTCH's 20th anniversary celebrations.
* Tomorrow 7:30pm
* National Concert Hall, Taipei
* Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,500 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Orchestre de Paris (巴黎管弦樂團) will perform in Taipei under Christoph Eschenbach featuring renowned China-born pianist Lang Lang (郎朗). The two concerts will feature different programs: Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in C Major and Brahms' Symphony No. 1 on Wednesday and Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Major and Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique on Thursday.
* Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm
* National Concert Hall, Taipei
* Tickets are NT$1,800 to NT$6,000 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Performance of Works by Kaohsiung Composers 2007 (2007高雄作曲家作品聯展音樂會) will feature works by local composers.
* Tomorrow at 7:30pm
* Chih-Shan Hall, Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Kaohsiung City City (高雄市文化中心至善廳), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung (高雄市五福一路67號)
* Tickets are NT$250 through NTCH ticketing
Singapore Symphony Orchestra (新加坡交響樂團) under Lan Shui (水藍) will perform with Jin Li (金力) as violin soloist in a program that includes Barber's Overture to the School for Scanda, Op. 5, Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major, Op. 6 and Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 , Op. 27. Part of the NTSO International Music Festival Series.
* Today at 7:30pm
* Chunghsing Concert Hall, Taichung (台中中興堂) at 291-3 Chingwu Rd, Taichung (台中市精武路291之3號)
* Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,200 and are available from NTCH ticketing
Alexey Botvino Piano Recital (波特維諾夫鋼琴獨奏會) will feature the soloist performing with the NTSO in a program including piano works from Chopin, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff.
* Sunday 7:30pm
* National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra Music Hall (國立台灣交響樂團演奏廳), 738-2 Chungcheng Rd, Wufeng Township, Taichung County (台中縣霧峰鄉中正路738之2號)
* Tickets are NT$200 to NT$500 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Contemporary
The Xue Xue Institute (學學文創志業) is holding a series of concerts by contemporary musicians through next month. On the schedule this week is a Wednesday performance titled Coloring Nylas With Mrs This (這位太太+Nylas腊筆), with indie-rock bands Nylas and Mrs This (這位太太).
* Wednesday from 12:20pm to 1pm
* Tickets are NT$250
* 207, Tiding Blvd Sec 2, Neihu District, Taipei (台北市內湖區堤頂大道二段207號). Log on at www.xuexue.tw/events/pm/opening.html for more information and links to the online ticket vendor
Tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言), it's house regulars Ray Band, which plays covers by artists as diverse as The Beatles and Bad Company and original blues and 1980s-style power rock. Tomorrow it's Back Quarter (四分衛), which emerged from the underground scene during the early 1990s and has experimented with styles ranging from garage to pop to guitar-heavy hard rock. On Sunday, Riverside features Rapper's Renaissance Part 3, with the Tripoets (參劈), SoulScot Scottie (鐵竹堂), and Pezen (Pe'旬). Monday is open-jam night. Indie-rock acts Jacuzzi and Lucky Q perform Tuesday. Halloween is Wonfuween (旺聖節之夜), with popular indie-pop band Wonfu (旺福). Thursday features Hong Kong singer Rachel Kar (賈立怡) and Taipei-based alt-rock band Neon.
* Shows start at 9:30pm
* Entrance is NT$350 and includes one drink. 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
Aboriginal pop-rock outfit Totem (圖騰) performs tonight at Witch House (女巫店). Aboriginal folk singer Mama Panai (巴奈) performs tomorrow.
* Entrance is NT$300 and includes one drink
* Tonight and tomorrow at 9:30pm
* 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
Two of Taipei's best underground rappers, Kou Chou Ching (拷秋勤) and Chang Jui-chuan (張睿銓), appear with DJ Point tonight at Underworld (地下社會). Garage-rock band White Eyes (白目) and spastic punk outfit 88 Guava Seeds (88顆芭樂籽) play tomorrow. Yoztiger (包子虎), a solo project by a former member of indie bands Sugar Plum Fairy (甜梅號) and Chasing Sparrow (追麻雀佑子), performs Wednesday, along with Alice (阿麗絲).
* Bands start playing around 9pm. The bar is open from 8pm to 4am on weekdays, 8pm to and 5am on weekends, and is closed on Mondays
* Entrance for shows is NT$300 and includes one free drink
* B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei (台北市師大路45號B1). Call (02) 2369-0103 or visit www.upsaid.com/underworld for more information
Flamboyant Japanese alt-rock/Brit-rock band Plastic Tree plays tonight at The Wall (這牆). On Monday Riverside hosts US indie-rock/neo-psychedlia band The Apples in Stereo. Alt-rockers Cherry Bloom (櫻桃幫) and funk/nu-metal band Coach (教練) play Wednesday.
* Entrance is NT$1,200 tonight, NT$900 Monday and NT$400 Wednesday
* Bands take the stage 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 log on at www.the-wall.com.tw for more information
Tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言), it's house regulars Ray Band, which covers bands as songs by artists as diverse as The Beatles and Bad Company and plays original blues and 1980s-style power rock. Tomorrow it's Back Quarter (四分衛), who emerged from the underground scene during the early 1990s and have experimented with styles ranging from garage to pop to guitar-heavy hard rock. On Sunday, Riverside features Rapper's Renaissance Part 3, with the Tripoets (參劈), SoulScot Scottie (鐵竹堂), and Pezen (Pe'旬). Monday is open-jam night. Indie-rock acts Jacuzzi and Lucky Q perform on Tuesday. Halloween is Wonfuween (旺聖節之夜), with popular indie-pop band Wonfu (旺福). Thursday features Hong Kong singer Rachel Kar (賈立怡) and Taipei-based alt-rock band Neon.
* Shows start at 9:30pm
* Entrance is NT$350 and includes one drink. 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 O-Brothaz sound system hosts Thursday Reggae Oasis every Thursday night at club Plan B. The weekly event features Caribbean food, drinks and roots reggae.
* Entrance is free and all drinks are NT$150
* From 9pm to 1am
* 29-1, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市安和路一段29號之1). Call (02) 2775-5855 or visit www.obrothaz.com for more information
Friday night is Salsa Night at Grooveyard in Taichung, with professional instructors who teach salsa and merengue to the tune of Cuban music. After that it's Colin and folk trio Faye and the Slacks. Tomorrow there's a Halloween bash with The Money Shot Horns, followed by a DJ party featuring The 4 in Funk Affair. On Sunday, Grooveyard is hosting an after party/jam session for the Taichung Jazz Festival. Guitarist Russel Rogers plays blues, jazz, Middle Eastern- and African-influenced music on Halloween, when anyone wearing a costume gets a free drink. Thursday is Taiwan Exposed open-mic night.
* Tonight's salsa runs from 8pm to 10pm, followed by the live music at 10pm. Tomorrow's live music starts at 9:30pm. Sunday's jam session starts at 9pm. Wednesday's music starts at 10pm. Open-mic night starts at 9pm
* Grooveyard cover for the bands is NT$200 tonight. Tomorrow's party is NT$300. There's no cover Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday
* 2F, 105 Huamei W Rd, Taichung (台中市華美西街105號2樓). Visit www.grooveyardtaiwan.com or call 0939-574-737 for more information
Exhibition
Splendor of the Baroque and Beyond: Great Habsburg Collectors Masterpieces: From the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (華麗巴洛克 -- 偉大的哈布斯堡收藏家 -- 來自維也納藝術史博物館之鉅作). On loan from the dynastic collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the exhibition includes works collected by members of the House of Habsburg, starting in the 15th century. The 67 rare paintings are arranged in chronological order. The works mostly deal with religion, history, mythology and portraiture, representing the vicissitudes of the ruling family as well as the individual taste of the collectors.
* 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 Feb. 24, 2008
Life Goes On - Solo Exhibition by Chiu Chien-jen (生活照樣繼續 -- 邱建仁個展). The young artist, working in oil, strips off the ordinary appearances of everyday occurrences and puts together fragments of space and time to create a unique universe that is simultaneously past, present and future.
* 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). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Call (02) 2595-7656
* Until Nov. 11
3rd Life 4th Dimension of Ultra-New Vision of 21th Century Animamix (3L4D動漫美學新世紀). Featuring works by artists from Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea and the US, the exhibition present the trends and history of animamix (animation and comics) arts, the emerging mainstream aesthetic in the digital era, which is characterized by the worship of youth and novel visual experiences made possible by electronic media.
* Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館), 2F, 505, Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei (台北市仁愛路四段505號2樓). Open Daily from 9am to 7pm. Call (02) 2771-3236
* Until Nov. 8
Duologue - Exhibitions by Lee Ming-wei and Tse Su-mei (複音:李明維、謝素梅雙個展). The exhibition features representative works by the two internationally renowned artists who combine Eastern and Western philosophies from their respective cross-cultural backgrounds. Lee projects Eastern philosophy onto conceptual performance art through a series of interactive projects that explores how art influences the viewers' modes of thinking and perception, which, in turn, directly affect the meanings of the art works. Tse combines elements of music and visual arts to articulate her inner conflicts as she fluctuates between the Eastern and Western cultures.
* 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 Dec 16
Taiwan's Amazing Transfor-mation in Science and Tech-nology (科技台灣驚嘆號). The exhibition employs high-tech, interactive media to introduce the general public to the country's technological developments in agriculture, physics, chemistry, tropical medicine and public health. Workshops and lectures accompany the exhibition.
* National Museum of Natural Science (國立自然科學博物館), 1 Kuanchien Rd, Taichung (台中市館前路一號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Call (04) 2322-6940
* Until Dec. 12
Highlight
Billed as Tainan's answer to the Ilan International Folklore and Folk Game Festival (宜蘭童玩節), the Nanying International Folk Arts Festival (南瀛國際民俗藝術節), which opens tomorrow at Ten Drum Cultural Village (十鼓文化村) in Tainan County, will feature performances by 20 folk troupes from 10 nations, including Poland, Nigeria, Mongolia, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand. The festival, which runs through Nov. 11, takes as its theme Drumming Up Nanying, and will have drumming and other performances every day - four on weekdays, five on Saturday and six on Sunday. Highlights include the Chavkhdas of the Mongolian National Folk Troupe (蒙古查哈德斯國家民俗樂團) and Ballet Manila (菲律賓國家舞蹈團). There will be numerous other activities during the festival, including an exhibition from the collection of the Chi Mei Museum (奇美博物館), an exhibition of drums and furniture as well as a flea market. The Ten Drums Cultural Village is located at the Jenteh Sugar Factory (台南仁德糖廠), 399 Hushan Rd, Jenteh Township, Tainan County (台南縣仁德鄉虎山路399號).
* Tickets are NT$250 for adults and NT$200 for children
* The cultural village is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, until 7pm on Saturdays and 6:30pm on Sundays. More information on the event can be found at www.tnc.gov.tw/2007nanying (Chinese only), or call the festival's service line at (06) 2668-555
A series of dramatic news items dropped last month that shed light on Chinese Communist Party (CCP) attitudes towards three candidates for last year’s presidential election: Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) founder Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), Terry Gou (郭台銘), founder of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密), also known as Foxconn Technology Group (富士康科技集團), and New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). It also revealed deep blue support for Ko and Gou from inside the KMT, how they interacted with the CCP and alleged election interference involving NT$100 million (US$3.05 million) or more raised by the
A white horse stark against a black beach. A family pushes a car through floodwaters in Chiayi County. People play on a beach in Pingtung County, as a nuclear power plant looms in the background. These are just some of the powerful images on display as part of Shen Chao-liang’s (沈昭良) Drifting (Overture) exhibition, currently on display at AKI Gallery in Taipei. For the first time in Shen’s decorated career, his photography seeks to speak to broader, multi-layered issues within the fabric of Taiwanese society. The photographs look towards history, national identity, ecological changes and more to create a collection of images
At a funeral in rural Changhua County, musicians wearing pleated mini-skirts and go-go boots march around a coffin to the beat of the 1980s hit I Hate Myself for Loving You. The performance in a rural farming community is a modern mash-up of ancient Chinese funeral rites and folk traditions, with saxophones, rock music and daring outfits. Da Zhong (大眾) women’s group is part of a long tradition of funeral marching bands performing in mostly rural areas of Taiwan for families wanting to give their loved ones an upbeat send-off. The band was composed mainly of men when it started 50
While riding a scooter along the northeast coast in Yilan County a few years ago, I was alarmed to see a building in the distance that appeared to have fallen over, as if toppled by an earthquake. As I got closer, I realized this was intentional. The architects had made this building appear to be jutting out of the Earth, much like a mountain that was forced upward by tectonic activity. This was the Lanyang Museum (蘭陽博物館), which tells the story of Yilan, both its natural environment and cultural heritage. The museum is worth a visit, if only just to get a
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