THEATER
Part of the Huashan Living Arts Festival (2010華山藝術生活節), Mobius Strip Theater debuts its newest work, Diving Into the Moment (潛水中). Inspired by The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, the play tells the story of man left paralyzed by a diving accident. The multicultural production team and cast include a director from Hong Kong, a leading lady from Malaysia and Italian Mauro Sacchi. For more information about the festival, visit www.hlaf.com.tw
■ Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號)
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$400, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Renowned writer Chang Ta-chuen (張大春) adapted 14 stories by Anton Chekhov for Contemporary Legend Theatre’s (當代傳奇劇場) Run! Chekhov! (歡樂時光—契訶夫傳奇). The production, a musical set in 1920s Taiwan, features 18 performers playing 66 characters, accompanied by 10 musicians. Director Wu Hsing-kuo (吳興國) also stars in the show. Run! Chekhov! premieres tomorrow and runs through Oct. 31
■ Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), East Second Hall (東二館), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號).
■ Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 4:30pm
■ Weekday tickets are NT$500 to NT$900, weekend tickets are NT$600 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw.
Staged as part of Eslite’s Sound Theater series and based on English writer Caryl Churchill’s play of the same title, Drunk Enough to Say I Love You is a theatrical performance that examines US hegemony since the Vietnam War.
■ Auditorium at Xinyi Eslite Store (誠品信義店), 6F, 11 Songgao Rd, Taipei City (台北市松高路11號6樓)
■ Tonight at 8pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$450, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Hong Kong theater director Edward Lam (林奕華) and film director and playwright Sylvia Chang (張艾嘉) team up for Grand Expectations (命運建築師之遠大前程), which explores humanity through a menage a trois.
■ National Theater, Taipei City
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$800 to NT$3,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Scarecrow Contemporary Dance Company (稻草人現代舞團) presents The Keyman (鑰匙人), a modern dance piece that uses the human body to explore inner conflict, pain and suffering.
■ Experimental Theater, Taipei City
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$450, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Lang Lang Piano Recital (郎朗鋼琴獨奏會) brings the Chinese piano sensation Lang Lang (郎朗) to Taiwan for a concert at the National Concert Hall, Taipei City. The program includes Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 No. 3, and Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor “Appassionata,” Op. 57, Albeniz’s Iberia Book 1: Evocacion, El Puerto, Fete-dieu a Seville and Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, Op. 83.
■ Today at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$1,200 to NT$3,600, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
The International Chopin Festival 2010 (20X10蕭邦CHOPIN國際音樂節) continues with Gwhyenth Chen (陳毓襄) performing seven Chopin nocturnes in two concerts this week.
■ Today at 7:30pm (Taoyuan) and Thursday at 7:30pm (Taipei)
■ Performing Arts Hall of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taoyuan County Government (桃園縣政府文化局演藝廳), 21 Hsienfu Rd, Taoyuan County (桃園市縣府路21號) and the National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$200 and NT$400 for Taoyuan and NT$400 to NT$1,000 for Taipei, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw. Also available through ibon, FamiPort and Life-ET kiosks
Licitra Tenor Recital (里契特拉) brings Salvatore Licitra, one of the world’s top tenors, to Taipei for a concert with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (台北市立交響樂團). The program includes Verdi’s Ah la paterna mano from Macbeth, Puccini’s Ch’ella mi creda, from La Fanciulla del West and E lucevan le stele, from Tosca, Giordano’s Come un del di di maggio, from Andrea Chenier and Mascagni’s Lola c’hai di latti la cammisa, from Cavalleria Rusticana. The orchestra will be conducted by Chen Chiu-sheng (陳秋盛). [See story on Page 13.]
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$1,000 to NT$4,200, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
CONTEMPORARY
Legacy Taipei, located in a former warehouse at Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), hosts top Taiwanese pop performers and international acts. No shows are scheduled this weekend as of press time. On Wednesday, the venue hosts Mando-pop singer Frida Li (利得彙) and Golden Melody Award-winning singer-songwriter Debbie Hsiao (蕭賀碩).
■ 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)
■ Show starts at 8:30pm on Wednesday
■ NT$500 (NT$400 in advance). Tickets can be purchased at ERA ticketing outlets, online through www.ticket.com.tw or www.legacy.com.tw, or at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks
No shows are scheduled tonight as of press time at The Wall (這牆). Tomorrow the venue hosts a party dubbed Rock ‘N’ Girls’ Arena, which is part of the Women Make Waves Film Festival and features girl-power synth band P!SCO, experimental solo performer Wang Yu-jun (王榆鈞) and DJs Bounce Girlz. [See story on Page 16.] On Sunday, the venue presents World’s End Girlfriend, a solo project of Japanese musician Katsuhiko Maeda, who crafts dramatic electronica music inspired by classical and post-rock. Also performing is Japanese group Black Hole Carnival.
■ 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
■ Shows start at 8pm tomorrow and 8pm on Sunday
■ Entrance is NT$400 tomorrow (NT$380 with ticket stub from Women Make Waves Film Festival) and NT$1,300 Sunday (NT$1,100 in advance). Tickets can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Hong Kong Canto-pop singer Denise Ho (何韻詩), aka HOCC, returns to Taiwan for a sold-out performance at Witch House (女巫店), which regularly hosts performances from both indie rock bands and folk artists in a coffeehouse setting. Tomorrow the venue hosts Coromandel Express, whose members play sitars, tablas and other Indian percussion instruments. This Thursday, it’s up-and-coming rock group Dream Drawing (夢作音).
■ 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
■ Shows 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 for music shows is NT$300. Tonight’s show is sold out
Tonight Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) hosts jazz guitarist Yang Ting-yu (楊騰佑) and Friends. Tomorrow, cutesy pop-folk singer Hsiao Lu (小路) and Singaporean Mando-pop singer Jones (石康鈞) take to the stage. On Sunday, it’s rock bands Joker and 4amlive. The venue’s weekly open jam takes place on Monday.
■ 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 9:30pm 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 is NT$400 tonight and tomorrow, NT$150 on Monday and NT$350 on Wednesday
Tonight Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館) hosts pop singer Shino Lin (林曉培). Tomorrow, Malaysian Mando-pop singer Rynn Lim (林宇中) plays a solo acoustic show. This Thursday, it’s female pop duo Heiniu and Bainiu (黑妞與白妞) and fingerpicking acoustic guitar duo Woody Woody.
■ 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
■ Entrance is NT$500 tonight, NT$400 tomorrow and Thursday. Tickets can purchased online through
www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight at Underworld (地下社會), it’s Hi-Life Wedding, a rock trio. Also performing is The New Trust, an indie rock band from California [see story on Page 14]. Tomorrow features reggae and dub group Down in Air (盪在空中) and indie rockers Touming Magazine (透明雜誌). Taking to the stage on Wednesday are guitarist/funnyman Yellow Blue White (黃藍白) and Gandehao (幹得好).
■ 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
■ 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 for music shows is NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays, which includes one drink, and NT$100 on Wednesdays
Earl Hines II Jazztet performs tonight at Sappho de Base, a late night lounge bar that hosts live jazz and blues performances. Tomorrow, Blues Vibrations play blues and psychedelic rock. On Tuesday it’s Yohei’s Jazz Trio, and on Wednesday Coromandel Express performs a “musical masala” of jazz. On Thursday, Misterioso performs the music of Thelonius Monk and Ornette Coleman, as well as jazz standards.
■ 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
■ Shows start at 10pm
■ Entrance is NT$150 tonight, NT$200 tomorrow, NT$150 Wednesday and NT$250 Thursday, free on other nights
EZ5 Live House hosts Mando-pop singers backed by a live band every night. Highlights for the week ahead include Mando-pop songstress Julia Peng (彭佳慧) and male crooner Shin Lung (辛隆), who performs every Saturday. Legendary pub songstress and pop singer Tiger Huang (黃小琥) has returned to her Monday slot after an extended break.
■ 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
■ 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, drummer Abe Nbugu Kenyatta leads a band playing music from his hometown of New Orleans.
■ 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, minimum charge of one drink, dancers receive a free drink coupon. On Saturdays, minimum charge is NT$300
89k, Taichung’s long-established spot for local indie bands, tonight hosts blues-rock outfit Three Day Bender and Reider Band. American DJ Tony Soul spins house music tomorrow night.
■ 21 Daguan Rd, Nantun Dist, Taichung City (台中市南屯區大觀路21號)
■ Shows start at 10pm
■ Entry is NT$300 tonight and tomorrow
The Wall (這牆) programs regular live rock shows at Kaohsiung’s Pier 2 Arts Center (高雄駁二藝術特區). No shows are scheduled for tonight. Tomorrow the venue hosts disco-funk rockers Cosmos People (宇宙人). On Sunday, instrumental rock group 2 Hours and post-rock outfit Penguinbear Likes to Eat Chicken Ball (企鵝熊愛吃雞肉球) takes to the stage. These groups open for Shine Lin (林倩), lead singer of long-standing indie band The Peppermints.
■ 1 Dayong Rd, Yancheng Dist, Kaohsiung City (高雄市鹽埕區大勇路1號). On the Net: pier-2.khcc.gov.tw, www.thewall.com.tw
■ Shows start at 7:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$300 tomorrow and Sunday
HIGHLIGHT
Paul Katz, a Research Fellow at Academia Sinica’s Institute of Modern History, will deliver a lecture entitled Rite Makes Right — Judicial Rituals in Postwar Taiwan tomorrow as part of the Lung Yingtai Cultural Foundation’s (龍應台文化基金會) Taipei Salon (台北沙龍) lecture series. Katz will share his findings on the influence of ancient judicial rituals on Taiwan’s contemporary legal system. Examples of the continued importance of traditional practices include politicians making oaths of innocence — and until recently beheading live chickens — to stress their righteousness when accused of vote buying, and policemen and prosecutors regularly making offerings at temples to seek help cracking tough cases.
Taipei Salon (台北沙龍), Rite Makes Right — Judicial Rituals in Postwar Taiwan. The lecture takes place at Yue-han Hall (月涵堂), 110 Jinhua St, Taipei City (台北市金華街110號) and will be conducted in English only. Admission is free, but those attending must pre-register online at www.civictaipei.org or by calling (02) 3322-4907
■ Oct. 16 at 2pm
In the March 9 edition of the Taipei Times a piece by Ninon Godefroy ran with the headine “The quiet, gentle rhythm of Taiwan.” It started with the line “Taiwan is a small, humble place. There is no Eiffel Tower, no pyramids — no singular attraction that draws the world’s attention.” I laughed out loud at that. This was out of no disrespect for the author or the piece, which made some interesting analogies and good points about how both Din Tai Fung’s and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s (TSMC, 台積電) meticulous attention to detail and quality are not quite up to
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Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) hatched a bold plan to charge forward and seize the initiative when he held a protest in front of the Taipei City Prosecutors’ Office. Though risky, because illegal, its success would help tackle at least six problems facing both himself and the KMT. What he did not see coming was Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (將萬安) tripping him up out of the gate. In spite of Chu being the most consequential and successful KMT chairman since the early 2010s — arguably saving the party from financial ruin and restoring its electoral viability —
The Ministry of Education last month proposed a nationwide ban on mobile devices in schools, aiming to curb concerns over student phone addiction. Under the revised regulation, which will take effect in August, teachers and schools will be required to collect mobile devices — including phones, laptops and wearables devices — for safekeeping during school hours, unless they are being used for educational purposes. For Chang Fong-ching (張鳳琴), the ban will have a positive impact. “It’s a good move,” says the professor in the department of
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