Theater
If Kids Theater Company’s (如果兒童劇團) The Third Piece (伊卡寶藏大冒險) tells the adventure of a little boy from a small fishing village who ends up sailing the Seven Seas in a quest for the world’s greatest treasure.
■ National Theater, Taipei City
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 10:30am, 2:30pm and 7:30pm, Sunday at 10:20am and 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$1,600, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Assembly Dance Theatre (組合語言舞團) teams up with Taishin Arts Award-winning choreographer Lai Tsui-shuang (賴翠霜) for its latest contemporary dance production Premiere (首映會). In the piece, four dancers jump, swirl, roll and twitch on the floor, in the air and against flickering images projected onto the wall. [See story Page 13.]
■ Experimental Theater, Taipei City
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow, Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500, available
through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Godot Theatre Company’s (果陀劇場) Hello Dolly (我愛紅娘) is billed as a Broadway-style musical featuring a big band and star-studded cast including catwalk models Chien Shuai-chun (錢帥君) and Jerry Huang (黃志瑋), pop singer Tong-en (同恩) and veteran entertainer Pai Ping-ping (白冰冰) in a story about a happy chef and matchmaker who aims to help others find happiness.
■ Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館), 505, Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市仁愛路四段505號)
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,500, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Cloud Gate 2’s (雲門舞集2) annual spring performance, Spring Riot 2010 (2010春鬥), this year consists of new works by three choreographers. Huang Yi’s (黃翊) The Floating Area (浮動的房間) involves a lone dancer in one sealed room. Crack (裂) by Cheng Tsung-lung (鄭宗龍) is about change in life. Ku Ming-shen’s (古名伸) Endless Shore (碎浪海岸) was inspired by Taiwan’s eastern coastline.
■ Novel Hall (新舞臺), 3-1 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路3-1號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,200, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Mystic Dance Drama (詭舞劇) by Mei Theatre (滅劇場) is a
modern dance work that portrays people’s inner landscapes. The performers are professionally trained in dance, kung fu and acrobatics. Mei Theatre was founded in 2008 by Hu Chia (胡嘉), a kung fu practitioner of the Monkey and Crane Kung Fu School (猴鶴雙形拳) in Taiwan and a pupil of marital arts master Chen Ming Luen (陳明崙).
■ Crown Art Center Theater (皇冠小劇場), 50, Ln 120, Dunhua N Rd, Taipei City (台北市敦化北路120巷50號)
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$400, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
Silk Road Ensemble With Yo-Yo Ma (馬友友 — 絲路之旅在台灣) brings superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma (馬友友) and a group of musicians who form the Silk Road Ensemble. The ensemble is made up of virtuoso musicians with a mission to explore the music of Central Asia, where Western and Eastern musical traditions have a common source. The program includes many compositions that have been generated by the frisson of this unusual group of artists, which includes many masters of unusual Central Asian instruments.
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm (Taichung) and Sunday at 7:30pm (Kaohsiung)
■ Taichung City Fulfillment Amphitheater (圓滿戶外劇場), in Wensin Park (文心森林公園), at the intersection of Wensin Road Section 1 (文心路一段) and Siangshang Road Section 2 (向上路二段); Kaohsiung’s Chih-teh Hall (高雄市文化中心至德堂), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市五福一路67號)
■ Tickets are NT$800 to NT$6,000, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
NSO Sound of Formosa (NSO精選 — 聲動•福爾摩莎) presents new work by local composers performed by the National Symphony Orchestra (國家交響樂團) under Gunther Herbig and featuring pianist Lu Chia-huei (盧佳慧). The program includes the world premieres of three works, The Legend of Red Moon (紅月傳說) by Huang Si-yu (黃思瑜), Piano Concerto No. 1 (第一號鋼琴協奏曲) by Chin Hsi-wen (金希文) and Impressions of Home — A Symphony (交響曲《吾鄉印象》) by Lai Teh-ho (賴德和).
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Simon Says — Magic Horns (神奇號角手 — 器樂也玩) brings French horn and cornet virtuoso David Guerrier to Taipei to perform with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (臺北市立交響樂團) under the baton of guest conductor David Paul Meyer. The program includes Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain, Gliere’s Concerto for Horn in B-flat Major, Op. 91 and Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto in A-flat Major.
■ Wednesday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$200 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Tribute to Alfred Hitchcock (希區考克逝世30周年紀念音樂會) is a musical tribute to the great film director with a program consisting of music used in some of his most popular films including Psycho, Vertigo and Rebecca, as well as classical music such as Gounod’s Funeral March of a Marionette and the second movement of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11, which featured in Hitchcock’s films. The concert will be performed by the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (長榮交響樂團) under Gernot Schmalfuss and will present pianist Chen Kuan-yu (陳冠宇).
■ Thursday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$250 to NT$2,000, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Contemporary
Tonight Legacy Taipei hosts LM.C, a Japanese electro-rock duo renowned for its wild costumes and high-energy shows. Pop-rocker pretty boys Champion (強辯樂團) appear tomorrow night with female-led pop-punk band The Fen-Fens (紛紛樂團). Matzka and Di Hot make their regular appearance at the venue on Wednesday.
■ Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), Center Five Hall (中五館), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號)
■ Shows start at 8pm tonight and tomorrow, 8:30pm on Wednesday
■ Entrance is NT$1,800 tonight, NT$600 (NT$500 in advance) tomorrow and NT$400 on Wednesday. Tickets are available through ERA ticketing, online at www.ticket.com.tw or www.legacy.com.tw, or at ibon kiosks at 7-Eleven stores
This is a big weekend at The Wall (這牆). Beijing group PK 14, one of China’s best-known indie bands, appears tonight. They have been compared to Television and Sonic Youth, and were listed by Spin Magazine as one of the 50 “must-see” bands at the South By Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas. Touming Magazine (透明雜誌) opens. Tomorrow emo-metal band The Hindsight performs with punk group KoOk (庫克). On Sunday it’s gender-bending Canadian electro/synthpunk musician Peaches, who headlines a show that includes local electro-rock favorites Go Chic and DJs Eat Me! Black Hole! [see story on Page 13].
■ 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 tonight, 7pm tomorrow and 8pm on Sunday
■ Entrance fee is NT$800 tonight, NT$400 tomorrow and NT$1,200 (NT$950 in advance) Sunday. Tickets available online at www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Indie groups Ride to Where (騎去哪) and Liquid Punch play tonight at Witch House (女巫店). Veteran rocker Sissey Chao (趙一豪), who sounds like Jim Morrison singing in Mandarin, plays tomorrow. Pink Guitar is a female-led bossa nova and folk outfit that 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
■ Entrance fee for music shows is NT$300
Tonight Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) hosts jazz guitarist Yang Ting-yu (楊騰佑) and Friends. Tomorrow it’s two rock groups that use traditional Chinese instruments, newcomers GTROZ and well-received Hakka band Zenkwun (神棍樂團). On Sunday up-and-coming indie bands Fun People and PUMPKINney Fan Club (南瓜妮歌迷俱樂部) take the stage. Monday is 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 10pm tonight and 9pm all other nights. For a list of standard songs and ground rules for the open jam, visit the venue’s Web site
■ Entrance fee is NT$400 tonight and tomorrow, NT$350 on Sunday and NT$150 on Monday
Pop singer Victor Wong (品冠) appears tonight at Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館). Tomorrow the venue hosts One Million Star (超級星光大道) finalist Pets Tseng (曾沛慈). On Thursday it’s jazz-rock group Seven Shekels (七舍客勒) who opens for Rock N’ Rap.
■ 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 8:30pm tonight, 6:30pm tomorrow and 8:30pm Thursday
■ Entrance fee is NT$500 tonight, NT$400 tomorrow and on Thursday. Tickets available online at www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Alt-pop band 13 (拾參) and upbeat punk rockers Punkhoo (胖虎) play tonight at Underworld (地下社會). Tomorrow it’s post-rock outfit Selfkill and indie-electronica band Telephone Booth (電話亭樂團). Indie rockers Louis and synth rockers The Okay Cars appear on Wednesday.
■ 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 on Fridays and Saturdays, which includes one drink, NT$100 on Wednesdays. Free on other nights and after music shows
The Earl Hines II Jazztet appears tonight at Sappho de Base, a late-night lounge and jazz venue. Tomorrow it’s the Jo Jo Ma Quartet, led by American expat saxophonist Joseph Marchione. On Tuesday pianist Hsu Yu-ying (許郁瑛) and friends take to the stage. On Wednesday Ash and Friends perform jazz on “unorthodox” instruments. German expat jazz bassist Klaus Bru and his ensemble appear
on Thursday.
■ 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$100 on Friday, free on other nights
Tonight Roxy Roots hosts a party to celebrate Earth Day with Balkan folk group Aashti (汎絲路樂團) and DJs Minijay, Chamber and Cougar. Tomorrow Taichung-based country and bluegrass group Waysoon takes the stage.
■ 90 Songren Rd, Taipei City (台北市松仁路90號). Tel: (02) 2725-3932.
On the Net: www.roxy.com.tw
■ Shows start at 10pm
■ Entrance is NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays (NT$200 credited toward food and drink)
EZ5 Live House hosts Mando-pop singers backed by a live band every night. Highlights for the week include Julia Peng (彭佳慧), a major draw who appears every Tuesday, and male crooner Shin Lung (辛隆), who performs every Saturday.
■ 211, Anhe Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市安和路二段211號). Tel: (02) 2738-3995. On the Net: visit www.ez5.com.tw
■ Music shows run from 9:45pm to 12:30am
■ Entrance fee (includes two drinks) ranges from NT$600 to NT$850, depending on the performer
Taipei Swing holds dance socials on Friday nights at Capone’s with live music from blues band BoPoMoFo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ). Dancers of all levels are welcome, and beginner’s lessons are offered while the band takes a break. Tomorrow it’s Salsa night with live music from Latin on Fire.
■ 312, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段312號)
■ Live music from 9pm to 11:30pm on Fridays, 8pm to 11:30pm on Saturdays
■ On Fridays there’s a minimum charge of one drink, dancers receive a free drink coupon. On Saturdays the minimum charge is NT$300
The Mercury (水星酒館) in Kaohsiung features indie bands every week. This week’s performer is Kaohsiung group Orange Doll (橘娃娃). They perform with singer and guitarist Marine (馬林).
■ 46 Liwen Rd, Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City (高雄市左營區立文路46號).
Tel: (07) 550-8617.
On the Net: mercurybar.blogspot.com
■ Show starts at 9pm
■ Entrance is NT$200
Events
A host of expat bands, including 3 Day Bender, 2 Acres Plowed and Dr Reniculous Lipz and The Skallynz perform at the 5th Annual Soho Street Chili Cookoff tomorrow afternoon at the FuBar and Grill sports bar in Taichung. Prizes are being offered for the best chili, and all are welcome to participate in the contest. All proceeds from the event go to the American Chamber of Commerce Kids Fund. For more information, call the venue.
■ 25-9 Daye Rd, Taichung City (台中市西區大業路25 之9號) Tel: (04) 2310-9401 or 0920-504-724
■ Tomorrow from 1pm to 8pm
■ Admission is NT$250
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In 2020, a labor attache from the Philippines in Taipei sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanding that a Filipina worker accused of “cyber-libel” against then-president Rodrigo Duterte be deported. A press release from the Philippines office from the attache accused the woman of “using several social media accounts” to “discredit and malign the President and destabilize the government.” The attache also claimed that the woman had broken Taiwan’s laws. The government responded that she had broken no laws, and that all foreign workers were treated the same as Taiwan citizens and that “their rights are protected,
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
March 16 to March 22 In just a year, Liu Ching-hsiang (劉清香) went from Taiwanese opera performer to arguably Taiwan’s first pop superstar, pumping out hits that captivated the Japanese colony under the moniker Chun-chun (純純). Last week’s Taiwan in Time explored how the Hoklo (commonly known as Taiwanese) theme song for the Chinese silent movie The Peach Girl (桃花泣血記) unexpectedly became the first smash hit after the film’s Taipei premiere in March 1932, in part due to aggressive promotion on the streets. Seeing an opportunity, Columbia Records’ (affiliated with the US entity) Taiwan director Shojiro Kashino asked Liu, who had
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