Theater
The National Theater and Concert Hall New Idea Series this year focuses on the renowned Ming Dynasty playwright Tang Xianzu (湯顯祖). Three theater companies will present contemporary renditions of his works. Cie MaxMind (拾念劇集) kicks off the series with Dreams of Manuscript (玉茗堂私夢), which blends modern theatrical elements with traditional kun opera (崑劇). The production is based on four of Tang’s kun opera manuscripts known as The Four Dreams of Yuming Hall (玉茗堂四夢).
■ National Experimental Theater, Taipei City
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Short One Player (三缺一劇團) presents The Third Wish (第三個願望), a play about the relationship between a mother and her children that is filled with stress, frustration and love.
■ Guling Street Avant-Garde Theatre (牯嶺街小劇場), 2, Ln 5, Guling St, Taipei City (台北市牯嶺街5巷2號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$350, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Local flamenco dancers, guitar player and singers hit the floor with dances and music from southern Spain.
■ Saffron Flamenco Studio (蕃紅花佛朗明哥表演廳), 2, Ln 142, Nanya S Rd Sec 2, Taipei County (台北縣南雅南路二段142巷2號). Tel: (02) 8967-5937. On the Net: tw.myblog.yahoo.com/gina-saffron
■ Tomorrow at 8pm
■ Tickets are NT$350 and include a drink
For its children-friendly Beauty and the Beast (美女與野獸), Tainaner Ensemble (台南人劇團) uses acrobatics, magic tricks, music and dance to reinterpret the classic fairy tale.
■ Tainan Municipal Cultural Center (台南市立文化中心), 332, Jhonghua E Rd Sec 3, Tainan City (台南市中華東路三段332號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 and NT$700, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
In WoMan (這一夜—守歲) by Taiwan Drama Performance (台灣戲劇表演家), the skeletons in one family’s closet come out at a Lunar New Year gathering.
■ Sun Yat-sen Hall of the National Sun Yat-sen University Art Center (高雄中山大學逸仙館), 70 Lianhai Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市蓮海路70號)
■ Sunday at 7:30pm.
■ Tickets are NT$250 to NT$1,200, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Classical music
Ling-yi Ou Yang and the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (歐陽伶宜與長榮交響樂團) presents cellist Ling-yi Ou Yang (歐陽伶宜) performing with the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (長榮交響樂團) under the baton of Gernot Schmalfuss. The centerpiece of the program is Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104. It will also include Wagner’s Overture to “Tannhauser” and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major, Op. 100. [See story to the right.]
■ Wednesday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$1,500, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
A Flute’s Adventure — Chen Yi-ting Flute Recital (長笛歷險記:陳怡婷2009長笛獨奏會) features flautist Chen Yi-ting performing a mixed program that includes Alfred Casella’s Barcarola et Scherzo for Flute and Piano, Edgard Varese’s Density 21.5 for Solo Flute, Mike Mower’s Sonata Latino and Christopher Caliendo’s Sonata for Flute and Piano No. 3. She will be accompanied on piano by Chen Kuan-yu (陳冠宇).
■ Wednesday at 7:30pm
■ National Recital Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$800, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Nothing but Swing — Taipei Big Band (除了搖擺別無其他—台北爵士大樂團) is a concert organized by the Arts Center of the National Chiao Tung University (國立交通大學), which brings together classical and modern jazz talent from around the country to celebrate big band style music. The program ranges from arrangements of works by Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk, to Chick Corea and Sammy Nestico.
■ Thursday at 7:30pm
■ Chungcheng Hall of the National Chiao Tung University (交通大學中正堂), 1001 Dasyue Rd, Hsinchu City (新竹市大學路1001號)
■ Tickets are NT$150 to NT$400, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Starry, Starry Night (星光燦爛) sees the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (臺北市立交響樂團) performing under the baton of guest conductor Andras Ligeti, with Robert Chen (陳慕融) on violin and Anny Hwang (黃安妮) on piano. The program includes Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Ravel’s Tzigane, Saint-Saens’ Introduction & Rondo Capricioso and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major “Titan.”
■ Sunday at 2:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$200 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Event
The Canadian Society in Taiwan is hosting its second Pancake and Skate party on Sunday beginning at 4pm. The event features pancakes made with real Canadian maple syrup as well as Tim Horton’s coffee — a Canadian favorite. Admission is NT$80. Skates can be hired at the venue for NT$250. Be sure to mention that you are with the Canadian Society. There will also be a hockey clinic where participants can learn to shoot a puck. Prizes are available for those who score a goal. Dress warm as the rink is colder than outside.
■ Taipei Arena (台北小巨蛋), 2 Nanjing E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市南京東路四段2號)
■ Sunday from 4pm to 6pm
Contemporary
Legacy Taipei, located in a former warehouse at Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), is Taipei’s newest mid-sized rock venue hosting top local bands and international acts. Tonight is the Back to Spin party, now in its third edition [see story on Page 13]. Tomorrow indie-pop favorites Tizzy Bac take the stage. Wednesday night features reggae-rock group Matzka and Di Hot and alt-rockers Monkey Pilot (猴子飛行員).
■ 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號)
■ Shows start at 10pm tonight, 8pm tomorrow and Wednesday
■ Entrance tonight is NT$800 (NT$500 in advance, limited to 500 persons), NT$600 tomorrow (NT$500 in advance) and NT$400 on Wednesday. Tickets for tomorrow’s and Wednesday’s shows are available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Tonight at The Wall (這牆) Unfamiliar Friends Party (不熟的朋友) celebrates the release of its new EP, We Are So Wise. Tomorrow night revered indie pop band 1976 performs in support of its latest album Life or Live (不合時宜). On Sunday it’s folk rock group Windmill (風籟坊), post-rock/emo band Orangegrass (橙草) and atmospheric indie rock group Bearbabes (熊寶貝).
■ B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Tel: (02) 2930-0162. On the Net: www.thewall.com.tw
■ Music shows start at 8pm
■ Entrance fee is NT$400 tonight, NT$500 tomorrow and NT$300 on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Experimental solo performer Wang Yu-Chun (王榆鈞) takes to the stage tonight at Witch House (女巫店). Tomorrow night it’s blues and jazz combo Afternoon Tree (午後之樹). Green! Eyes (綠色眼睛), which describes its music as having a “flavor of guitar pop and a bit of country,” appears on Thursday.
■ 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號).
Tel: (02) 2362-5494. On the Net: www.witchhouse.org
■ Performances start at 9:30pm. Restaurant/bar with queer/feminist bookstore and large collection of board games open 11am to midnight Sundays through Wednesdays; 11am to 1am Thursdays through Saturdays
■ Entry for music shows is NT$300
Rachel Liang (梁文音), who came to prominence on the pop idol reality TV show One Million Star (超級星光大道), performs tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言). Tomorrow the venue hosts Hot Music, a special concert featuring well-known Hakka musicians such as Golden Melody Award winning folk rocker Hsieh Yu-wei (謝宇威) and pop performer Julia Peng (彭佳慧). On Sunday expat hard rock band Jindown (筋斗雲) shares the bill with No Key Band. On Monday it’s the venue’s weekly open jam.
■ B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷2號B1), next to Taipower Building (台電大樓). Tel: (02) 2368-7310. On the Net: www.riverside.com.tw
■ Shows start at 9pm tonight, tomorrow and Sunday. Open jam starts at 9pm. For a list of standard songs and ground rules, visit the venue’s Web site
■ Entrance fee is NT$500 tonight, free tomorrow but limited to online registration (for details see hotmusic.pixnet.net), NT$350 on Sunday and NT$150 on Monday
Tonight Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館) hosts Julie Chu (朱俐靜), a singer featured on the TV reality show Super Idol (超級偶像), as part of an ongoing concert series that concludes tonight. Tomorrow pop singer Genie Chuo (卓文萱) takes to the stage. On Sunday it’s aspiring Mando-pop and R ‘n’ B group Magic Power (魔幻力量), which is launching its debut album. Polished acoustic pop band Staycool (小房間以外的事), also celebrates the release of its debut CD on Thursday.
■ 177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧南路177號). Tel: (02) 2370-8805. On the Net: www.riverside.com.tw
■ Shows start at 8pm tonight, 7pm tomorrow, and 8:30pm Sunday and Thursday
■ Entrance fee is NT$500 tonight, NT$600 tomorrow, NT$350 Sunday and NT$400 Thursday. Tickets can purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight Underworld (地下社會) hosts one-man electro-rock band Sonic Deadhorse and noise band Sunset Rollercoaster (落日飛車). Tomorrow it’s nu metal band RJ45 (石頭果醬) and indie-rockers Macbeth (馬克白). Later on, party crew Back 2 the Future (B2TF, 回到未來) holds Special Gay Night Party 2, featuring electro/dance DJ Monster Attack. On Wednesday it’s up-and-coming bands Cheez and The Looking Glass.
■ B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師大路45號B1). Tel: (02) 2369-0103. On the Net: www.upsaid.com/underworld
■ Music shows run from 9:30pm to 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 9pm to 11pm on Wednesdays. Underworld is open daily from 9pm, closed on Mondays. Happy hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays before midnight
■ Entrance is NT$300 tonight and tomorrow, which includes one drink. Tomorrow’s late-night party is NT$100. NT$100 on Wednesday
Sappho de Base is closed tonight for a private event. Appearing tomorrow is Canadian jazz guitarist Roy Patterson, a past winner of the Prix de Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival. On Tuesday East of Harlem, an expat/Taiwanese quintet, takes to the stage and on Wednesday, it’s ShantaaL, which plays music from India, Central Asia, the Middle East and Spain. On Thursday it’s the Brian, Grace and Yohei Jazz Trio.
■ B1, 1, Ln 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1).
Tel: (02) 2700-5411. On the Net: www.sappho102.biz
■ Music shows begin at 10pm. Closed on Sundays and Mondays
■ Entrance is NT$150 tomorrow, NT$100 on Tuesday, free on other nights.
Expat pop-folk act Reider plays tonight at Taichung’s 89k. Tomorrow the venue hosts a party held by Perpetual Motion.
■ 21 Daguan Rd, Nantun Dist, Taichung City (台中市南屯區大觀路21號)
■ Shows start at 10pm
■ Entrance is NT$300
The Mercury (水星酒館), a club that opened a few months ago in Kaohsiung, features local indie bands. Appearing tomorrow is emo-folk singer Enno (鄭宜農).
■ 46 Liwen Rd, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung (高雄市左營區立文路46號). Tel: (07) 550-8617. On the Net: mercurybar.blogspot.com
■ Shows start at 9:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$100
Jazz duo pianist Chang Kai-ya (張凱雅) and violinist Hsieh Chi-pin (謝啟彬) perform outdoors on Sunday at the Left Bank Jazz Party (2009左岸藝術節爵士派對), an outdoor event held every weekend at the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology (十三行博物館). The pair will perform new songs from Chang’s new release, Jazz Promenade (記憶漫遊).
■ 200 Museum Rd, Bali Township, Taipei County (台北縣八里鄉博物館路200號)
■ 3pm on Sunday
■ Entrance is free
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