| Highlight | |
 Dimi Dero Inc, one of the most impressive acts at last week's Spring Scream, is playing two more shows in Taipei, tonight at Bliss and Sunday at Riverside. PHOTO: COURTESY OF DIMI DERO
| They've made a name for themselves in Australia, they rocked Spring Scream, and now brooding French swamp rockers Dimi Dero Inc take their dark but swaggering six-string carnage to Taipei's Bliss (tonight) and Riverside (Sunday). Dimi Dero Inc, according to the band's bio, “were born one drunken night in Paris, when a bunch of musos were pissing in each other's pockets, talking shit, and promising they should work together some time. So they did.” This four-piece is led by magnetic singer/guitarist Dimi Dero and has been compared to Antipodean discophile art rock bands The Scientists and Birthday Party. ▲ Bliss is located at 148, Xinyi Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市信義路四段148號), one block east of Dunhua South Road (敦化南路). Call (02) 2702-1855 or log on at www.bliss-taipei.com or www.myspace.com/blisslivehouse for more information. Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) is located near Taipower Building (台電大樓) at B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷2號B1). Call (02) 2368-7310, or visit www.riverside.com.tw ▲ 10pm tonight at Bliss; 9:30pm Sunday at Riverside ▲ NT$200 at Bliss; NT$350 at Riverside |
 Mark Goding will not appear as Hellboy, but he will make fun Canadians at CSI: Taipei, one of the year's most anticipated standup comedy shows. PHOTO: COURTESY OF KLOIE PICOT | He's on the outs with ICRT but Kurt Penney, aka San Ba Di (三八弟) aka Elder Li, knows how to put on a stand-up comedy show. Tonight and tomorrow, he and fellow funnymen Mark Goding and Matt “The Puppet Guy” Bronsil team up with Tom Levene and the Taichung Improv Group for the fourth annual CSI: Taipei (Comedy Show in Taipei). Penney saves his best material for CSI: Taipei and last year's show packed a standing-room-only crowd of 120 people into Tianmu's Post49 Club for one of the funniest comedy nights of the season. This year it moves to the Comedy Club, near National Taiwan Normal University (師大), an intimate venue that offers great lines of sight and a projection screen and sound system rigged for stand-up. Produced by Taichung Improv and ICTIT (International Comedy Troupe in Taiwan). Both shows are no smoking. CSI: Taipei travels to Taichung for a show at 89k on Saturday, May 17. ▲ Comedy Club, at B1, 24 Taishun St, Taipei (台北市泰順街24號B1). Visit english.comedy.com.tw for more information. For reservations, call (02) 2369-3730 or e-mail social@comedyclub.tw
▲ Tonight and tomorrow at 10pm
▲ NT$350 admission includes one drink. NT$80 beer specials all night
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Theater
Audience members will be given the opportunity to vote for their favorite singer in Godot Theater's (果陀劇場) stage version of the television show One Million Star 2 (星光二班). Titled Wonderful World (我要成名之美好世界), Godot invited 10 crooners from One Million Star 2, the hit singing competition reality show, to belt out their favorite tunes in front of a live audience.
▲ Taipei International Convention Center (台北國際會議中心), 1, Xinyi Rd Sec 5, Taipei City (台北市信義路五段1號)
▲ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$800 to NT$4,000, available through NTCH ticketing
If Kids Theater (如果兒童劇團) has teamed up with Municipal Chinese Classical Orchestra (台北市立國樂團) and The Taipei Folk Dance Company (台北民族舞團) to bring audiences The Unforgettable Legend (東方夜譚). The family production is based on a story written by popular Taiwanese folk author Sih-ma Jhong-yuan (司馬中原) and tells the tale of a snake that teaches martial arts to a woodcutter and the consequent struggles he faces with his newfound fighting skills.
▲ Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段25號)
▲ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm; tomorrow and Sunday at 10:30am and 2:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Cloud Gate Dance Theater (雲門舞集) will perform Song of the Birds (鳥之歌) as part of its Spring Riot (春鬥) tour. Song of the Birds, choreographed by Cloud Gate founder Lin Hwai-min (林懷民), is set to Spanish cellist Pablo Casals' piece of the same name (El Cant dels Ocells).
▲ Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中市中山堂), 98 Hsuehshi Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號)
▲ Today at 7:30pm and tomorrow at 3pm
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$900 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Classical music
Hirofumi Noguchi and the Taipei Wind Orchestra and Symphonic Band (野口浩史與台北青年管樂團) will feature the Japanese trumpeter Hirofumi Noguchi performing under the baton of Hou Yu-biao (侯宇彪). The program will include Andre Julivet's Concerto No. 2 for Trumpet, Joseph Turrin's Chronicles for Trumpet and Wind Symphony, John Williams' Star Wars, Samuel Hazo's Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song and other works.
▲ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,000 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Discovering Italy — A Concert by Song Kuang-ching (宋光清長號獨奏會之發現義大利) features the principle trombonist of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), Song Kuang-ching (宋光清), performing Antonio Bertali's Sonata a 3 No. 1 in D Minor, Benedetto Marcello's Sonata No. 3, Nina Rota's Concerto per Trombone e Piano, Verdi's Caro Nome From “Rigoletto,” and selections from Puccini's operas. Song will be accompanied by piano, harp and string quartet.
▲ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲ National Recital Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$300 and NT$500 and are available through NTCH ticketing
2008 New Art Concert for Two Pianos (2008新逸藝術 — 張欽全/廖皎含雙鋼琴音樂會) features pianists Chang Chin-chuan (張欽全) and Liao Chiao-han (廖皎含) who will perform a program including Lutoslawski's Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 6 (for two pianos), and songs by Ravel.
▲ Today at 7:30pm (Taipei), Sunday at 2:30pm (Hsinchu)
▲ National Concert Hall, Taipei City and Hsinchu Municipal Performance Hall (新竹市立演藝廳), 17, Tungta Rd Sec 2, Hsinchu City (新竹市東大路二段17號)
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000 (Taipei) and NT$300 to NT$500 (Hsinchu) and are available through NTCH ticketing
Chipin & Kaiya International Jazz Quintet 2008 Taiwan Tour (啟彬與凱雅國際爵士五重奏2008台灣巡演) will feature the international jazz lineup of Hsieh Chi-pin (謝啟彬) and Chang Kai-ya (張凱雅) from Taiwan on violin and piano, John Ruocco from the US on saxophone and clarinet, Bart de Nolf from Belgium on bass and Mimi Verderame from Italy on percussion. More information about Chipin and Kaiya can be found at their Web site at www.chipin-kaiya.com/project/mrbebu.
▲ Tomorrow at 8pm
▲ Taipei Corridor Cafe Theater International Conference Center (台北迴廊咖啡劇場國際會議廳) located at the Taipei County Branch of the National Central Library (國立中央圖書館台灣分館), B1, 85 Jhongan St, Jhonghe, Taipei City (台北縣中和市中安街85號B1)
▲ Tickets are NT$600 and NT$700, available through ERA ticketing
Contemporary
Hakka hip-hop crew Kou Chou Ching (拷秋勤) plays tonight at The Wall (這牆). Kou Chou Ching — the name refers to the hard work of autumn harvesting — mines traditional beiguan (北管), nanguan (南管), Hakka bayin (客家八音), mountain songs (山歌), Taiwanese opera, folk songs and oldies from the 1940s to the 1970s for an unique brand of hip-hop the group's members see as an extension of liam kua (唸歌), a grassroots Taiwanese performance art that combines talking and singing. Performing tomorrow are local indie singer Ciacia (何欣穗), Swedish-Japanese singer/songwriter Maia Hirasawa and Swedish twee-pop band Hello Saferide. On Wednesday, it's Brit-rock-influenced indie band Big Day and folk-rock/disco/funk act The Touch. Twice a Week (一週兩次), MurMur and Feng Lai Fang (風籟坊) play on Thursday.
▲ B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (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
▲ 8pm tonight; 7pm tomorrow; 3pm Sunday
▲ NT$400 tonight; NT$800 tomorrow; NT$300 Wednesday and Thursday. Admission includes one drink
Tonight at Bliss, it's Dimi Dero Inc (see highlight). Tomorrow, popular — and free — indie-music party Idioteque, where you can dance to bands like Interpol, The Dresden Dolls, The Stone Roses, The Knife, The Talking Heads and The Rolling Stones, takes over the two-story venue. DJs spin indie, pop, electro and folk music, and also some Motown and jazz, for people who are tired of listening to hip-hop and house everywhere they go.
▲ 148, Xinyi Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市信義路四段148號), one block east of Dunhua South Road (敦化南路). Call Bliss at (02) 2702-1855 or log on at www.bliss-taipei.com. For more information on live performances at Bliss, visit www.myspace.com/blisslivehouse
▲ Tonight and tomorrow at 10pm. Bar/kitchen open from 7pm daily. Ladies night Fridays; women get one free cocktail of their choice
▲ Entrance to the bar is free. Cover for Dimi Dero is NT$200. There is no cover for Idioteque
Witch House (女巫店) presents neo-folk artists Leo Chen (陳永龍), Hsiao Mei (小美) and Gelresai (與世川), all of whom contributed to the album Folk Songs From the Heart (美麗心民謠), winner of Best Aboriginal-language Album (最佳原住民語專輯獎) at last year's Golden Melody Awards. The three are part of Wild Fire Music (野火樂集), a group of Aboriginal musicians that aims to bring a new sound to Taiwanese folk music. Puyuma singer/percussionist Leo Chen got his start in the business when he helped his cousin Pur-dur (陳建年) record a critically acclaimed album. His sound sometimes has a latin-jazz tinge, as does that of singer/acoustic guitarist Gelresai. Hsiao Mei performs traditional tunes drawn mainly from her Amis heritage, as well as Japanese and Taiwanese folk songs. Nylas, winner of Fnac's Attention Talent contest in 2004, makes an appearance on Thursday. The group's downbeat ambient tunes usually sounds like music for a movie soundtrack but venture into trip-hop and dark pop, a la Portishead (Nylas' singer is female). Video and performance art are often incorporated into the band's shows.
▲ 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Road Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號). Call (02) 2362-5494 or visit
www.witchhouse.org
▲ Performances start at 9:30pm. Restaurant/bar with queer/feminist bookstore and large collection of board games open 11am to midnight, Sunday to Wednesday; 11am to 1am, Thursday to Saturday
▲ NT$300 entrance includes one drink
Underworld (地下社會) is putting on a Nirvana tribute party tonight with Dubvana, Touming Magazine (透明雜誌), Inhuman Species (非人物種) and the always entertaining 88 Balaz (88 顆芭樂籽). Be prepared to dance tomorrow, when Sen (仙樂隊), who sound like a cross between early Wall of Vodoo and Gang of Four, and post-punk/electro-rock group White Eyes (白目), one of the best young bands in Taipei, take to the stage. There's a deejay party on Sunday with Feferlayer, Lilybeer, Trix, Cai Pu (菜圃) and Liu Ding (劉錠). Feferlayer lists Australian drum 'n' bass act Pendulum as one of her influences, Trix is the drummer for Touming Magazine, and Cai Pu, also a drummer, is associated with Freckles (雀斑) and Digihai. The party is organized by Back to the Future (B2TF), a new production team started by former members of Fish and the Bedroom Riot (Fish的床上暴動). Then on Wednesday, it's indie-rock/post-punk band Mosquilephant (蚊子大象) and alt-rock act Silent Toads (啾吉惦惦).
▲B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師大路45號B1). Call (02) 2369-0103 or visit www.upsaid.com/underworld for more information
▲Bands start playing after 9pm. The bar is open, except Mondays, from 8pm daily
▲Entrance tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday is NT$300 and includes one drink. Sunday is free. Before midnight on Tuesdays and Thursdays, drinks are buy-one-get-one-free
Exhibition
Carving the Subtle Radiance of Colors: Treasured Lacquerware in the National Palace Museum (和光剔采—故宮藏漆特展). Mostly of carved lacquerware from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the exhibition shows how lacquer color and quality along with layers of patterns and designs changed aesthetically and technically over time.
▲National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院), 221, Zhishan Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市至善路二段221號). Open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm; Saturday until 8:30pm. Call (02) 2881-2021
▲Until Nov. 30
The 60th Anniversary of Israel — Birth of a State: Photo Exhibitions of Paul Goldman and David Rubinger, The Art of Design: Dan Reisinger (以色列建國60年紀念—國家的誕生：保羅高曼&大衛羅賓哲攝影展，丹雷辛格設計展). In collaboration with Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, the exhibition is divided into two sections of photography and design. The photo exhibition features works by two Israeli photojournalists, Paul Goldman and David Rubinger, who document the historical moments in the history of Israel as well as lives of the ordinary people and politicians. Dan Reisinger is a world-renowned Israeli artist whose works ranges from poster and stamp designs to sketches and paintings.
▲Taipei Fine Arts Museum (台北市立美術館), 181, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市中山北路三段181號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 5:30pm; Saturday until 8:30pm. Call (02) 2595-7656
▲Until June 22
Our Own Land Where I Found This Landscape — a Solo Exhibition by Hung Su-chen (觀自身，即風景 — 洪素珍個展). Having started her artistic career in San Francisco in the 1970s, Hung has since garnered several awards and had her installation works exhibited in Europe, Asia and the US. Hung's latest works take an introspective gaze at the body.
▲Taipei National University of the Arts ─ Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts (台北藝術大學關渡美術館), 1, Xueyuan Rd, Beitou Dist, Taipei City (台北市北投區學園路1號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Call (02) 2893-8871
▲Until April 27
Tai Chi — Liang Jen-hung Solo Exhibition (太極風 — 梁任宏個展). The exhibition features Liang's latest mechanical art works that follow the philosophy of taichi. By revealing the trinity of sky, earth and human beings, the artist points to the self-destructive path modern man has taken through overexploiting nature.
▲Juming Museum (朱銘美術館), 2 Sheshihu, Chinshan Township, Taipei County (台北縣金山鄉西勢湖2號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Call (02) 2498-9940.
▲Until June 8
A Round Trip — Solo Exhibition of Tsai Chang-chi (來去走一回). Tsai's art is an assemblage of fragments of sensually perceptible phenomenon in daily life such as moments in time and space and familiar objects. With the core concept that time is the horizon of being, Tsai contemplates self as a representation that is experienced in the passage of time.
▲National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (國立台灣美術館), 2, Wuchuan W Rd Sec 1, Taichung City (台中市五權西路一段2號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Call (04) 2372-3552
▲Until April 27
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On May 2, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫), at a meeting in support of Taipei city councilors at party headquarters, compared President William Lai (賴清德) to Hitler. Chu claimed that unlike any other democracy worldwide in history, no other leader was rooting out opposing parties like Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). That his statements are wildly inaccurate was not the point. It was a rallying cry, not a history lesson. This was intentional to provoke the international diplomatic community into a response, which was promptly provided. Both the German and Israeli offices issued statements on Facebook
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Australia’s ABC last week published a piece on the recall campaign. The article emphasized the divisions in Taiwanese society and blamed the recall for worsening them. It quotes a supporter of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) as saying “I’m 43 years old, born and raised here, and I’ve never seen the country this divided in my entire life.” Apparently, as an adult, she slept through the post-election violence in 2000 and 2004 by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), the veiled coup threats by the military when Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) became president, the 2006 Red Shirt protests against him ginned up by
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