CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Capone’s might be the ideal spot for those who want to partake in Taipei City’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Soul jazz singer Djavan performs tonight, and tomorrow drummer Abe Nbugu Kenyatta leads a band playing music from his hometown of New Orleans.
Photo courtesy of Taipei Times
■ 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
■ Call (02)-2773-3782 for prices and reservations, which are recommended for dinner tonight and tomorrow
Photo courtesy of Taipei Times
— David Chen
Tonight for New Year’s at Sappho de Base, South African expat Dawid Vorster performs a farewell show with his trio and guest musicians from Taipei’s live jazz scene.
Photo courtesy of Taipei Times
■ 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
■ Starts at 10:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$800 (includes one drink).
Photo courtesy of Rock Records
— David Chen
One sky-high option for viewing the fireworks in Taipei is the Miramar (美麗華) ferris wheel in Neihu District near Jiannan Road MRT Station (劍南路捷運站), but be prepared for long lines. Even if you don’t get a spot, there will be fireworks and a concert celebration at the Miramar Entertainment Park (美麗華百樂園) featuring a roster of Mando-pop performers, as well as indie-pop band 13 (拾參).
Photo courtesy of Rock Records
■ 20 Jingye 3rd Rd, Neihu Dist, Taipei City (台北市內湖區敬業三路20號), tel: (02) 2175-3456. On the Net: www.miramar.com.tw
■ Starts at 8pm
■ Entrance is free
Photo courtesy of Sony Music
— David Chen
The Brass Monkey holds a New Year’s eve “masquerade party” tonight, with free masks for women.
Photo courtesy of Kyle Merriman
■ 166 Fuxing N Rd, Taipei City (台北市復興北路166號), tel: (02) 2547-5050
■ Starts at 9pm
■ Entrance is NT$450 for men, NT$300 for women
Photo courtesy of Kyle Merriman
— David Chen
Underworld (地下社會), a regular basement haunt for local indie rock fans, celebrates New Year’s Eve tonight with psychedelic indie rockers Macbeth (馬克白) and post-rock group Lily et Coco (哩扣), followed by DJs Floaty, Dizzy, Chema, Randy and Fish. Tomorrow it’s garage rockers The White Eyes (白目樂隊) and veteran blues/garage rockers Celluloid (賽璐璐).
Photo courtesy of Danny Chu
■ 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
■ Starts at 9:30pm tonight and tomorrow
■ Entrance is NT$400 tonight, which includes one drink, and NT$300 tomorrow
Photo: Taipei Times
— David Chen
Tomorrow indie rock band Echo (回聲樂團) performs in support of its new album Virgin Air (處女空氣) at Kaohsiung’s Pier 2 Arts Center (高雄駁二藝術特區), which holds shows run by The Wall (這牆).
■ 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
■ Starts at 7:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$400
— David Chen
Party organizers Lezsmeeting and Woman Empire are joining forces to throw a New Year’s Eve party for lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals and anyone else in the mood for a seven-hour party at Riverside Live House (河岸留言西門紅樓展演館). All-women rock outfit Gonzo, singing combo CastAway, VJ Dolcevita as well as all-women groups All L and Miss Mr will perform. The dress code is military.
■ 177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧南路177號)
■ Tonight from 10pm to 5am
■ NT$1,000 in advance and NT$1,200 at the door for women; NT$1,500 for men. For ticketing information, go to www.lezsmeeting.com/news_information.php?sn=36
— Ho Yi
The Mercury (水星酒館), an indie rock club in Kaohsiung, celebrates New Year’s tonight with drink specials, prize raffles and free sparkling wine for the countdown.
■ 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
■ Starts at 9pm
■ Entrance is free
— David Chen
In Tainan, The Checkered Record Club holds its New Year’s celebration tonight with indie bands Mr Dirty, The Deposers, Ion Fission (離子分裂), The Hand Knife Club (手刀樂隊) and Eyeball Killer (眼球殺手).
■ B1, 314, Simen Rd, Sec 2, Greater Tainan (台南市西門路二段314號B1), tel: (06) 222-3238
■ Shows start at 10pm
■ Entrance is NT$200
— David Chen
For a relatively mellow New Year’s Eve, consider chilling to tunes at either of these friendly neighborhood pubs: Bobwundaye, located near Liuzhangli MRT Station (六張犁捷運站) at 26, Ln 38, Chongde St, Taipei City (台北市崇德街38巷26號), tel: (02) 2377-1772, and DV8, located at 385, Fuxing S Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市復興南路二段385號), between Heping East (和平東) and Xinhai (辛亥) roads.
— David Chen
Or head to another homey and friendly establishment, Witch Cloud (巫雲), which serves great Yunnan cuisine (the long-haired and bearded owner Lao Wu (老五) is a Myanmar native with a vast collection of vinyl) and is a favorite hang-out for Taipei literati, artists and all around rebels without causes.
■ 7, Alley 9, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷9弄7號), tel: (02) 2369-3906
■ Open daily from noon till late
— David Chen
Bobby Chen (陳昇), Taiwan’s wild man of pop, will hold his annual New Year’s Eve concert for the 17th consecutive year tonight and tomorrow night at Taipei International Convention Center (台北國際會議中心). Chen, who is best known for his hits One Night in Beijing (北京一夜) and Leaving Sadness to Myself (把悲傷留給自己), is acclaimed for his fusion pop, which blends literary sensitivity with pop inventiveness. On stage, Chen is known for his devil-may-care attitude and off-the-cuff humor that both entertain and provoke audiences. The performer has a reputation for drinking onstage and overstaying his allotted time, so prepare to get your money’s worth at Bobby Chen 2011 New Year’s Eve concert (陳昇2011年跨年演唱會).
■ 1, Xinyi Rd Sec 5, Taipei City (台北市信義路五段1號). On the Net: bobbychen.bossnets.net
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 8pm
■ Tickets are NT$1,000 to NT$4,200, available through ERA ticketing outlets, online through www.ticket.com.tw or at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks
— Andrew C.C. Huang
Taichung’s CMP Block (勤美誠品 綠園道正後方) offers a lineup of five acclaimed indie bands and musicians tonight. The 2011 Encourage With Love New Year’s Eve Concert (2011年愛的鼓勵跨年演唱會) features Tizzy Bac, Staycool, Huang Jie(黃玠), We Save Strawberries (草莓救星) and 1976. Tizzy Bac opens the concert. Mod-rocker indie band 1976, which won the Best Band Award at the Golden Melody Awards this year for its newest album Manic Pixie Dream Girl (不合時宜), will perform as the closing act.
■ 257-2, Jhonggang Rd Sec 1, West Dist, Greater Taichung (台中市西區中港路一段257之2號). On the Net: tw.streetvoice.com/profile/home.asp?sd=741291
■ Tonight from 7:30pm to midnight
■ Admission is free
— Andrew C.C. Huang
Riverside Music Cafe (河岸留言), the iconic Taipei live house venue in Gongguan, continues its decade-long tradition of ushering in the New Year with fusion jazz. Geddy Lin (林正如), the founder of Riverside Music Cafe, is a professional guitar player who has played on the albums of pop superstars such as Chang Hui-mei (張惠妹, better known as A-mei, 阿妹) and Sammi Cheng (鄭秀文). He will be joined by six young guest guitarists on the lineup for the venue’s New Year’s Eve G7 Jazz Fusion (跨年Ｇ7爵士大融合) concert tonight.
■ B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷2號B1). On the Net: www.riverside.com.tw
■ Tonight at 9:30pm
■ Admission is NT$500 with one drink and NT$600 with two drinks. Tickets are available from www.riverside.com.tw and www.tickets.books.com.tw
— Andrew C.C. Huang
Indie pop rocker Misi Ke (柯泯薰) will join One Million Star (超級星光大道) alumnus Queen (魏如昀) and her band Queendom (后盾樂團) for a New Year’s Day concert at Riverside Music Cafe (河岸留言). Queen, a singer/songwriter rocker who is acclaimed for her ravishing renditions of hits such as Radiohead’s Creep and Faye Wong’s (王菲) alternative gem Idiot (白癡) and made her TV debut in season two of One Million Star, released her first album Dumb (傻) in 2008.
■ B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷2號B1). On the Net: www.wretch.cc/blog/misike and www.queenqueen.org
■ Tomorrow at 9pm
■ Tickets are NT$400, available from www.riverside.com.tw or and www.tickets.books.com.tw
— Andrew C.C. Huang
Indie singer/songwriter Insecteens (昆蟲白) shares the bill with folk rock band Silverbus (銀巴士樂團) at The Wall’s (這牆) New Year’s Day concert. Insecteens, real name Huang Chien-hsun (黃建勳), is the former guitarist and vocalist of the indie rock outfit Sugar Plum Ferry (甜梅號). Indie band Silverbus will perform material from its first album, Orange (橘色), which goes on sale tomorrow.
■ B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). On the Net: thesilverbus.blogspot.com
■ Tomorrow at 8pm
■ Admission is NT$400 in advance or NT$500 at the door. Tickets are available by calling (02) 2930-0162 or online at www.the-wall.com.tw
— Andrew C.C. Huang
Three indie rock bands — Crystal Dancer (舞璃), Ipood and Pumpkinney Fan Club (南瓜妮歌迷俱樂部) — share the stage at Riverside Live House (河岸留言西門紅樓展演館) on Sunday. Electronica melodic metal band Crystal Dancer will perform songs from its recently released album Crystal Dimension (璃次元). Ipood is a young band comprised of five 19-year-olds from National Taiwan Normal University’s affiliated senior high school. Pumpkinney Fan Club is a young indie band that blends Brit rock, psychedelic rock and electronica.
■ 177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧南路177號). On the Net: www.indievox.com/deth and www.indievox.com/ipood; www.indievox.com/pumpkinneyfanclub
■ Sunday at 8pm
■ Admission is NT$400. Tickets are available online at www.riverside.com.tw and www.tickets.books.com.tw
— Andrew C.C. Huang
Indie band Microcosmos (小宇宙樂團) and Chine Rock Band (辛搖滾樂團) share the stage at Riverside Music Cafe (河岸留言) on Jan. 4.
■ B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷2號B1). On the Net: www.indievox.com/microcosmos; tw.beta.streetvoice.com/music/meil_aki2001
■ Jan. 4 at 9pm
■ Admission is NT$350. Tickets are available online at www.riverside.com.tw and www.tickets.books.com.tw
— Andrew C.C. Huang
Veteran Mando-pop producer/songwriter Li Cheng-fan (李正帆) will perform hits he has written and produced in a concert titled The Happy Doorbell (幸福的門鈴) at Riverside Live House (河岸留言西門紅樓展演館) on Thursday. Li, who is acclaimed for producing Mando-pop icon Sarah Chen’s (陳淑樺) breakthrough album Moment of Awakening (夢醒時分) and for working with heavyweights such as Sylvia Chang (張艾嘉) and Bobby Chen (陳昇), will perform his signature ballads backed by his new band Indylegonza. Mando-pop songtresses Freya Lim (林凡) and Chin Wen (僅雯) will make appearances as guest performers.
■ 177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧南路177號). On the Net: www.wretch.cc/blog/chinacicada
■ Thursday at 8:30pm
■ Admission is NT$400. Tickets are available online at www.riverside.com.tw and www.tickets.books.com.tw
— Andrew C.C. Huang
In support of his new album Drifting North (北漂), which was released in April, TV talk show host and Mando-pop singer Kang Kang (康康, real name Kan Chin-rong, 康晉榮) will perform at Taipei’s Brown Sugar in two concerts titled The Singing Traveler (歌唱旅人). Kang Kang, known mostly for his dumb-and-dumber humor on TV shows, is best known as a singer for his KTV hit Ditched (兵變).
■ 101 Songren Rd, Taipei City (台北市松仁路101號). On the Net: www.wretch.cc/blog/kangkk528
■ Tuesday and Jan. 11 at 10:30pm
■ Minimum charge is NT$760 per person. Reserve seats by calling (02) 8780-1110
— Andrew C.C. Huang
Emily Guan (官靈芝), the veteran pub circuit singer who won the Best Hakka Singer Award at the Golden Melody Awards this year, performs every Tuesday night at Taipei’s Lotus Music Restaurant (Lotus音樂餐廳). Guan, who previously released five jazz albums in a mix of English, Spanish and Portuguese, enjoyed her breakthrough with the Hakka jazz album You in the Past (頭擺的你) last year.
■ B1, 171, Songde Rd, Taipei City (台北市松德路171號B1) On the Net: www.lotusrestaurant.com.tw/lotus_star_glz.html
■ Tuesdays from 9:45pm to 10:30pm
■ Minimum charge is NT$1,000 per person. Call (02) 2346-888 for reservations
— Andrew C.C. Huang
To celebrate the year-end holiday season, Taipei’s culture center South Village (南村落) has teamed up with the Tourism Bureau (觀光局) to plan the Kang Ching Lung Travelers’ Winter Life Festival (康青龍冬至旅人生活節). The party ends with a jazz concert tonight at Blue Note (藍調).
■ 4F, 171, Roosevelt Rd, Sec 3, Taipei (台北市羅斯福路三段171號4樓). On the Net: www.tteacafe.tw/?cat=68
■ Tonight from 10pm to 1am
■ Admission is free. Call (02) 8369-2963 for reservations
— Ho Yi
At Taipei’s Da-an Forest Park (大安森林公園), a concert will be held for fans of Chinese oldies and minge (民歌, folk songs).
■ Tonight from 8pm to 12:30am
■ Admission is free
The 2010 19th Chiayi City International Band Festival (2010第19屆嘉義市國際管樂節) is the latest edition of what has become an established annual event on the band music calendar and earned Chiayi City the title of “the city of band music.” The event will involve bands from around the world and feature both concerts and parades. While predominantly focusing on school bands from around the country, bands will be coming from as far away as Germany to participate. There are also extensive fringe activities including handicraft markets, exhibitions and workshops. The event runs until Jan. 2. For detailed schedule information, visit the festival site at www.chiayicity2010.com.tw.
■ Today until Sunday
■ Venues around Chiayi City
■ Tickets for concerts by foreign bands are NT$100, available at the door. All other performances are free
— Ian Bartholomew
Witch House (女巫店) is taking reservations for its popular New Year’s Eve game night, where patrons can choose from an extensive selection of German board games. Tomorrow Mando-pop group Every Planet (美味星球) takes to the stage.
■ 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
■ Tonight from 10:30pm to 3am, 9:30pm tomorrow
■ Entrance is NT$450 tonight, NT$300 tomorrow
— David Chen
CLASSICAL MUSIC
64th Charity Concert “Messiah” (第64屆彌賽亞慈善演唱會) sees the YMCA Oratorio Choir (台北YMCA聖樂合唱團) performing a production of Handel’s Messiah under the artistic direction of Sun Ai-kuang (孫愛光).
■ Zhongshan Hall (台北市中山堂), 98 Yanping S Rd, Taipei City (台北市延平南路98號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000; available though NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
— Ian Bartholomew
NSO 2010 New Year’s Eve Concert (NSO 2010跨新年音樂會) is a series of two concerts spanning the New Year. The National Symphony Orchestra (國家交響樂團) will be joined by the Vienna State Opera Concert Society and the Taipei Philharmonic Chorus (台北愛樂合唱團) to present a program that includes Bizet’s Carmen Suite (3 pieces), Ravel’s Tzigane, Rapsodie de Concert, for Violin and Orchestra, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnole, Op. 34 and Oroff’s Camina Burana. Soloists include violinist Tseng Yu-chien (曾宇謙), soprano Lo Ming-fang (羅明芳), tenor Fernando Wang (王典) and baritone Lee Chia-wei (李佳蔚). The conductor is Lu Shao-chia (呂紹嘉).
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tonight at 10pm and tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$2,500, available though NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com
— Ian Bartholomew
DANCE MUSIC
Expect lots of models, people that like to hang out with models and mere mortals who wish they were models to be strutting their stuff all night long at the Primo’s Countdown Party.
■ 2F, 297, Zhongxiao E Rd, Sec 5, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路五段297號2樓), tel: (02) 2760-5885. On the Net: www.club-primo.com
■ Tonight from 9pm to 5am
■ Admission: NT$1,000 with unlimited “champagne” before midnight and two free passes to Primo on a future date
— Marcus Aurelius
The good people behind the Summer Aquarian beach parties have taken over a former steak restaurant on the 12th floor of The Living Mall (京華城) for the Asia Nation Taiwan 100 Birthday (亞洲電節拍:跨年派對). While it may sound like an odd place to celebrate New Year’s Eve, there are three areas of music featuring rare hip-hop from DJs VT, KID, Ray Ray, OBK, BD and MC Gary, well-done house music from MiniJay, Yoshi, Code, F*Daniel, and Sam and trance with Gabey, Kaoru, Racy, Carlos and Jocy.
■ 12F, 138, Bade Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市八德路四段138號12樓), call Jackal at 0938-242-730 for information
■ Tonight rom 9:30pm to 6am
■ Admission at the door is NT$1,100 for men and NT$700 for women
— Marcus Aurelius
Many people prefer staying away from the madness that surrounds Taipei 101 New Year’s Eve. For a low-key and intimate time, The Soho will have great tunes from KJ Stone, Ty, and Fokker.
■ 149, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路一段149號), tel: (02) 2751-1338. On the Net: www.thesoho.com.tw
■ Tonight from 9pm to 5am
■ Admission is NT$800, which includes three drinks
— Marcus Aurelius
Though many groups of friends will be scattered all over the city for a good deal of the night, many venues are closing at 4am. Frog in a Sock is betting that the merrymaking will continue until long after the sun comes up by hosting an afterparty at Barbados that goes until 7am with DJs Cola, Kaptain K, and Capital Jay.
■ 101 Songren Rd, Taipei City (台北市松仁路101號)
■ Tonight from midnight to 7am
■ Admission is NT$400 with a drink from midnight to 3am, NT$300 with a drink after. If you have a wristband from The Last Minute party, entry is NT$100 with a drink
— Marcus Aurelius
Over the past few months, Amici bar and restaurant in Taichung has quietly become the place to go when everywhere else is shutting down. Known for going until the wee hours of the morning, this cozy place will be bursting at the seams when the big parties let out. Matty D will be running the bar as well as the music along with Colour Wolf.
■ 160 Dongsing Rd, Taichung City (台中市東興路三段160號), tel: (02) 2327-4088. On the Net: tw.myblog.yahoo.com/cielomrskk
■ From 10pm to 8am
■ Admission is free
— Marcus Aurelius
Planet Clash has rounded up Kaohsiung DJs Chino Spiker, Tony, Amati, Duckie, Minca, Toby and Victor Cheng for a sci-fi theme New Year’s Eve rave at the Kaohsiung Industry and Commerce Exhibition Center (高雄工商展覽中心).
■ 274 Jhongjheng 4th Rd, Yancheng Dist, Kaohsiung City (高雄市鹽埕區中正四路274號). On the Net: www.planetclash.org
■ Tonight from 9pm to 5am
■ Admission is NT$600
— Queen Bee
E for Electro is throwing a 15-hour-long event at the World Trade Center, Taichung (台中市貿一館) featuring international headliners Ninetynine, Tai, Funky Gong, and Harald Rauschenberg and supporting DJs Edify, F*Daniel, Ripper, Stoned, Fantasy Entrance, Renard, JJ, Kenji Mark, Eat Me Black Hole and Freaky Squeaker. It’s gonna be huge.
■ 60 Tianbao St, Situn Dist, Taichung City (台中市西屯區天保街60號)
On the Net: e4electro-explosion.blogspot.com
■ Today from 2pm to 5am
■ Admission is NT$1,500 at the door
— Queen Bee
The Brickyard is hosting a New Year’s Eve party tonight with DJs ConRank and Supermilkmen.
■ B1, 507, Jhongshan 2nd Rd, Cianjin Dist, Kaohsiung City (高雄市前金區中山二路507號B1)
■ Starts at 10pm
■ Entrance is NT$500 for men and NT$300 for women at the door.
— David Chen
Listeners got their first taste of Eve (Eve Jihan Jeffers) on The Root’s breakout single You Got Me, even though many people thought it was Eryka Badu rapping because Badu was in the video. Soon after, she became the first lady of the hard-core rap group Ruff Ryders. Eve went on to score a platinum album (Scorpion) and win three Grammys and is building an acting career. She headlines at Luxy’s New Year’s Eve Casino Royale party. While getting Eve makes headlines for Luxy, the club isn’t just relying on star power. The party features four rooms of music with lots of local deejays getting the chance to shine on the biggest night of the year. In The Loft, Saucey returns to recreate Citrus with old pals Xuan and Hooker and new friends Cookie and Mr Uppity. In the Pulse room, rechristened the Electronic Ballroom for this night, DJs Ray Ray and Doris, Bigg’z, Reaz:on, Deeplay and Genetically Modified Beats will keep the electro sounds pounding all night long. Luxy has made an extra room that will feature drum and bass with Mixter-T, Chin, Lai, Rich, Robi Roka and MC Stoppa. And that’s not all. Blackjack and other casino games will be rolled out for the party. Winners will be able to redeem chips for drinks.
■ 5F, 201, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段201號5樓). Call (02) 2772-1000 or 0955-904-600 for reservations (English service available). On the Net: www.luxy-taipei.com
■ Tonight from 9pm to 4am
■ Tickets at the door are NT$1,200 before 11pm and NT$1,500 after. All tickets include open bar until midnight. Arrive early if you don’t have a ticket
Frog in a Sock has held four very successful New Year’s parties at the Sunworld Dynasty Hotel’s (王朝大酒店) penthouse suite, but this year, the group decided to upgrade. Angus Yeates, part of Frog in a Sock, said, “Due to growth we have changed to a bigger venue inside the Taipei Country Club. New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest nights of the year so why go to a place you can go to every other week?” The DJ lineup includes Yoshi, miniJay, Mike Lambert, Jerry Aseret, Charles, Lucy and Marcus Aurelius.
■ Taipei Country Club (台北鄉村俱樂部), 1 Qingyun St, Taipei City (台北市青雲街1號), tel: 0988-421-990. On the Net: www.taipeicountry.com.tw
■ Tonight from 9pm to 4am
■ Advance tickets are NT$800, available at both Toasteria Zhongxiao, 2, Ln 248, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段248巷2號) and Toasteria Shida, 1, Alley 72, Yunhe St (地址:台北市雲和街72巷1號). Admission is $1,000 at the door
— Marcus Aurelius
At the Taiwanfest in Toronto earlier this year, Go Chic met up with LEO37 (Leo Shia) and they hit it off. LEO37 spends half the year in Taiwan and he’s back and putting on A Good Fu@#ing NYE Party at The Source with Go Chic and DJs Sonia and H2SO4.
■ 1-2, Roosevelt Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路一段1-2號)
■ Tonight from 10pm to 6am
■ Entrance is NT$300 before 11pm and NT$500 after. Both prices include two drinks
— Marcus Aurelius
ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES
The holiday spirit will be celebrated 2,000m above sea level in Lishan (梨山) at an outdoor plaza in front of the Lishan Guesthouse (梨山賓館). Prizes will be given to visitors at a New Year’s Eve party held in front of the guesthouse, and afterward revelers can hike up to 2,580m above sea level to enjoy the sunrise from Fushoushan Farm (福壽山農場). Free guided ecological tours will take participants to green spots such as Teh-chi Water Reservoir (德基水庫) and Wuling Farm Recreational Park (武陵農場森林遊樂區). Each bus tour is approximately three hours long.
■ Visit the Lishan Visitor Center (梨山遊客中心) at 95 Jhongjheng Rd, Lishan Borough, Heping District, Greater Taichung (台中市和平區梨山里中正路95號) for more information
■ On the Net: www.trimt-nsa.gov.tw. Tel: (04) 2331-2678 X130
— Ho Yi
If you want to catch the Taipei City New Year’s fireworks celebration but can do without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds surrounding Taipei 101, then put on your hiking shoes: Xianji Yan Temple (仙跡岩廟) in Jingmei (景美) offers nice views of the city and fireworks, and other views can be also enjoyed along the Xianji Yan hiking trail. While you won’t find huge crowds, it’s still a good idea to arrive earlier for a prime spot. There is public street lighting on the trails, but travel with friends and take a flashlight. And don’t forget the champagne.
■ The start of the Xianji Yan Hiking Trail (仙跡岩觀山步道) is on Jingxing Road (景興路) and runs along the hill parallel to Jingmei Street. The easiest way to get there is via public transport. The trail is a five-minute minute walk from Jingmei MRT Station (景美捷運站).
— David Chen
A sky-high option for watching the Taipei 101 fireworks show is Guanyin Mountain (觀音山), where a New Year’s party will be staged on the plaza in front of the Guanyin Mountain Visitor Center (觀音山遊客中心). The event features a food fair, an acrobatic show, music performances and lucky draw prizes that include iPhones, digital cameras and LCD televisions. Visitors can walk to the nearby Yinghanling (硬漢嶺) to watch the fireworks.
■ Guanyin Mountain Visitor Center (觀音山遊客中心), 130, Lingyun Rd Sec 3, Wugu District, New Taipei City (新北市, formerly known as Taipei County) (新北市五股區凌雲路三段130號). On the Net: www.kis.org.tw/news/news_1.aspx?id=11
■ Party begins tonight at 8pm and runs till 12:30am
— Ho Yi
After the New Year countdown, revelers can hop on trains heading to Fulong Beach (福隆海水浴場) and keep the partying rolling with rock outfits and musicians including Champion (強辯樂團), Tizzy Bac, Crowd Lu, jazz musician-turned-pop artist Yen-j (嚴爵) and Monkey Pilot (猴子飛行員).
■ 40, Singlong St, Fulong District, Gongliao Borough, New Taipei City (新北市, formerly known as Taipei County) (新北市貢寮區福隆里興隆街40號). On the Net: 2011.firstholding.com.tw
■ Tonight from 3am to 8:40am
— Ho Yi
Get rid of stress with a massage at the spacious Six Star Villa Spa (六星集), which is open 24 hours a day . A 10-minute foot and shoulder massage costs NT$200, while a 100 minute foot and body massage is NT$1,600.
■ Six Star Villa Spa, 76, Nanjing E Rd Sec 5, Taipei City (台北市南京東路五段76號). For more locations visit footmassage.web66.com.tw
■ Open 24 hours a day
■ Massages range in price from NT$200 to NT$1,600
— Catherine shu
FILM
Frederick Wiseman’s 2009 film La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet (舞動芭黎) will be shown twice nightly until Jan. 7 at the Wonderful Theater (真善美戲院) and Blossom Digital Cinema (梅花數位影院). The film follows the productions of seven ballets at the famed Opera House in Paris, giving viewers an inside look at the dancers, the choreographers, the rehearsals and performances, as well as the costumers and other backstage crew members. Among the ballets included are those by modern-dance choreographers Wayne McGregor and Emmanuel Gat, who both have appeared in Taipei as part of the Novel Hall Dance series and Angelin Preljocaj, whose company has appeared at the National Theater. The film is in French, with Chinese and English subtitles.
■ Wonderful Theater (真善美戲院), 7F, 116 Hanzhong St, Taipei (台北市漢中街116號7樓) and at the Blossom Digital Cinema (梅花數位影院), 2F, 63, Heping E Rd, Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市和平東路三段63號2樓)
■ Two showings daily at 6pm and at midnight from tonight to Jan. 7
■ Tickets are NT$270, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw or at cinema box office
— Diane Baker
The Norwegian film Home for Christmas (Hmen til jul) will be shown twice nightly until Jan. 7 at the Ambassador Theatre (國賓影城) Spring Center (長春廣場). The movie by Bent Hamer is based on the short story collection Only Soft Presents Under the Tree by Levi Henriksen. The movie is a modern updating of The Christmas Carol set in the fictional town of Skogli and tells the stories of several characters whose lives intersect around Christmas. In Norwegian, with Chinese subtitles.
■ At 6pm and midnight from tonight to Jan. 7
■ The Ambassador Theatre (國賓影城) at Spring Center (長春廣場), 176 Changchun Rd, Taipei City (台北市長春路176號)
■ Tickets are NT$270, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw or at the cinema box office
— Diane Baker
DINING
The Tavern is offering a New Year’s Eve buffet, which includes US prime rib, grilled salmon and pork tenderloin with creamy eggplant and tomato sauce.
■ 415, Xinyi Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市信義路四段415號), tel: (02) 8789 0892. On the Net: www.tavern.com.tw
■ NT$1,000 for the buffet. Reservations recommended
— David Chen
Hotel Eclat, known for its eclectic decor, will host New Year’s Eve dinners at its restaurant Ming Yuen (明園). Enjoy Cantonese cuisine while surrounded by the hotel’s collection of contemporary Chinese art. Today is the last day to enjoy the restaurant’s Year End Reunion Dinner for between two and 12 diners, either dine in or take away. Ming Yuen also offers a New Year’s Eve Set Menu tonight
■ Hotel Eclat, 370, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路370號).
On the Net: www.eclathotels.com/taipei
■ Ming Yuen is open for dinner from 5:30pm to 11:30pm (kitchen closes at 9:30pm)
■ Ming Yuen’s Year End Reunion Dinner prices vary according to the size of the party. Its New Year’s Eve Set Menu is NT$1,800 per person plus a 10 percent service charge, and includes complimentary sparkling wine. Call (02) 2784-8338 (Ming Yuen) for reservations
— Catherine Shu
EXHIBITIONS
Memory Funlab @ Taipei 2010 is a quirky exhibition showcasing the work of interior designers, architects, illustrators, photographers and others whose creations are based loosely on the theme of “memories of Taipei.” Works include an onion made of wood that visitors can sit in, vintage video games featuring the images of prominent Taiwanese politicians, and street photography by TC Lin (林道明). The exhibition runs until Sunday and is being held at a restored three-story house in the heart of the Dihua Street (迪化街) shopping district.
■ 127, Dihua St Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市迪化街一段127號). On the Net: www.tientiencircle.org
■ Runs until Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Closed tomorrow
■ Entrance is free
— David Chen
The Little, Little Eyes (一閃一閃小眼睛) exhibit at Ecole Cafe (學校咖啡館) features photographs taken by schoolchildren in Hualien and Okinawa.
■ Ecole Cafe, 6, Ln 1, Qingtian St, Taipei City (台北市青田街1巷6號). On the Net: ecole-cafe.blogspot.com
■ Exhibit runs through Jan. 2. Cafe opening hours are 1pm to 11pm
■ Entrance is free
— Catherine Shu
SHORT BREAKS
Music of different eras is the theme of the five-hour long New Year Eve’s party held on the Shuishe (水社) pier at Sun Moon Lake (日月潭). Taiwanese folk songs of the 1930s, Western oldies from the 1950s and minge of the 1970s are among the genres to be performed and reinterpreted by contemporary musicians. Moreover, there will be not one but three firework shows during the countdown party. Free shuttle buses will pick up visitors around the lake starting at 4pm. Reservations for sunrise watching on Maolanshan (貓蘭山) are already filled.
■ On the Net: www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw. Tel: (049) 2855668 X360 to X369.
■ Tonight from 7:30pm to 12:30am
— Ho Yi
If watching the sunrise to a soundtrack of classical music sounds heavenly to you, check out the Alishan New Year Sunrise Concert (阿里山日出印象音樂會). The annual event continues with a classical lineup featuring noted pipa (琵琶) player Wang Shi-rong (王世榮), bamboo flute performer Chen Chung-sheng (陳中申) and the Philharmonia Moment Musical (樂興之時管絃樂團). A New Year’s Eve party will take place at the Alishan railway station in the Alishan National Scenic Area from 9pm to midnight. Performing groups and artists include singing combo The Orion (獵戶座) and the dance group Dah-Nah-Yi-Gou (達娜伊谷舞蹈團), both of which hail from the Tsou (鄒族) tribe.
■ On the Net: www.2011ali-sunrise.tw/main.htm. Tel: (05) 370-3550
■ Sunrise concert begins tomorrow at 5:50am
— Ho Yi
Green Island is staging its own New Year countdown celebrations, featuring fireworks, music performances and outdoor dining at the Green Island Airport. The best spot to enjoy the sunrise is Fanchuanbi Grassland (帆船鼻大草原). A flag-raising ceremony will take place afterward at the Jhaorih Hot Springs (朝日溫泉), well-known as one of the three saltwater hot springs in the world.
■ On the Net: www.taitung.gov.tw/tw/Calendar/calendar.aspx and www.taimali.gov.tw
— Ho Yi
Visitors and residents on the Matsu (馬祖) islands can witness the sunrise at the Dongyung Lighthouse (東湧燈塔) on Dongyin Island (東引島), the northern point of the Matsu chain. Those who are interested in learning about the winter constellations can join a star-spotting event on the islet’s helicopter landing zone on New Year’s Eve. Meanwhile, Nangan Island (南竿島) is staging a New Year countdown party featuring music performances and fireworks. Beigan Island (北竿島) is collaborating with Huangqi Township in China’s Fujian Province to stage simultaneous firework shows. The two locations are only 15 minutes away from each other by boat.
■ On the Net: www.matsu-nsa.gov.tw and www.mkaliu.com.tw/index.php
— Ho Yi
Enjoy a romantic night for two at RSL Hot & Cold Spring Hotel (瓏山林蘇澳冷熱泉渡假飯店) in Suao Township, Yilan County. The resort’s anniversary celebration special includes a one-night stay, breakfast, dinner and a bottle of sparkling wine. New Year’s Eve revelers will be treated to blackjack, tarot card readings and fireworks.
■ RSL Hot & Cold Spring Hotel, 301 Jhongyuan Rd, Suao Township, Ilan County (宜蘭縣蘇澳鎮中原路301號). On the Net: www.rslhotel.com
■ The anniversary celebration package runs until June 30. RSL’s New Year’s Eve celebration starts at 8pm
■ The anniversary celebration package’s weekday rate (Sunday to Thursday) is NT$10,999 and the weekend rate is NT$13,999. Regular weekday rates for Japanese-style rooms start at NT$6,800
— Catherine Shu
Book a family holiday getaway to Evergreen Resort Hotel in Jiaosi (長榮鳳凰酒店礁溪) and enjoy nearby attractions like the Snow Mountain Range (雪山山脈) and hot springs. Holiday activities at the hotel include storytelling evenings for children and New Year’s sunrise watching on the rooftop.
■ Evergreen Resort Hotel in Jiaosi, 77 Jiankang Rd, Jiaosi Township, Yilan County (宜蘭縣礁溪鄉健康路77號).
On the Net: www.evergreen-hotels.com/branch/Jiaosi
■ New Year’s Day sunrise watching starts at 6am
■ Rates start from NT$8,400 for a room with a double bed
— Catherine Shu
Go camping and enjoy breathtaking views and fresh air at Fushoushan Farm (福壽山農場) in Taichung. Recommended activities for New Year’s Eve include sunrise watching.
■ Fushou Shan Farm, 29, Fushou Rd, Heping District, Greater Taichung (台中市和平區梨山里福壽路29號). On the Net: www.fushoushan.com.tw
■ Rooms start at NT$2,090
— Catherine Shu
Watch the first sunrise of 2011 on Orchid Island (蘭嶼). Festivities start the night before with a concert. Headliners include singers Pau-dull (陳建年) and Tai Li-wei (戴立威) and violinist Annie Lin (林宜融).
■ Taitung Dong-chin Elementary School, 1 Dongcing Village, Lanyu Township, Taitung County (台東縣蘭嶼鄉東清村一號). On the Net: lanyutaitung.blogspot.com
■ Concert starts at 7pm. Sunrise watching activities start at 6am
■ Entrance is free
— Catherine Shu
Watch the New Year’s first sunrise from yet another perspective at Kenting National Park’s (墾丁國家公園) Guanshan sunset scenic spot (關山夕照景點). Bid good-bye to 2010 with a party in front of the archway entrance to Kenting National Forest Recreation Area (墾丁國家森林遊樂區).
■ Kenting National Forest Recreation Area entrance, 201, Gongyuan Rd, Hengchun Town, Pingtung County (屏東縣恆春鎮公園路201號).
On the Net: www.ktnp.gov.tw
■ The party in front of the archway entrance starts at 8:30pm
■ Entrance to the recreation area is NT$100
— Catherine Shu
Nantou County’s Cingjing Farm (清境農場) will host a New Year’s Eve party with a fireworks show, music performances and a celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China’s founding.
■ Cingjing Farm, 170, Renhe Rd, Tatong Village, Renai Township, Nantou County (南投縣仁愛鄉大同村仁和路170號). On the Net: www.cingjing.gov.tw
■ The New Year’s Eve party starts at 7:30pm
■ Entrance to the farm is NT$100
— Catherine Shu
OFFICIAL NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENTS
When the clock strikes midnight, Taipei 101 will welcome in 2011 with 30,000 rounds of fireworks for a 288-second show costing a total of NT$60 million (US$2 million) — double last year’s budget. Designed by none other than Cai Guo-qiang (蔡國強), a New York-based Chinese artist who employs both of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) daughters, the explosive extravaganza will feature auspicious patterns to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China’s founding.
■ On the Net: www.tvbs.com.tw/project/tvbs_g/activity/2010_taipei/index.html
— Ho Yi
The New Year countdown party in front of Taipei City Hall (台北市政府) will feature musical performances throughout the evening by big-name stars including Chang Hui-mei (張惠妹, aka A- mei, 阿妹), Wang Lee-hom (王力宏), Mayday (五月天), Rainie Yang (楊丞琳) and Aska Yang (楊宗緯). Expect terrifyingly large crowds and traffic control measures. Most MRT lines will offer 24-hour services.
■ Taipei City Hall, 1 Shifu Rd, Taipei City (台北市市府路1號). On the Net: www.tvbs.com.tw/project/tvbs_g/activity/2010_taipei/index.html
■ Tonight from 7pm to 1am
— Ho Yi
How about enjoying the New Year countdown in Taipei next to the Keelung River (基隆河), watching fireworks and a live audio-visual show projected onto a gigantic screen of water that is 200m wide? This New Year Eve’s party is being held as part of the Taipei International Flora Exposition (2010台北國際花卉博覽會), and was organized by the Taipei City Government (台北市政府), the Council for Cultural Affairs (文建會) and the Council of Agriculture (農委會) as the first in a series of events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China. The top-notch production crew for the show includes Cloud Gate Theatre founder Lin Hwai-min (林懷民), Chinese artist Cai Guo-qiang, theater director Wang Chia-ming (王嘉明) and Liu Ruo-yu (劉若瑀) from U-Theatre (優劇場).
■ Dajia Riverside Park (大佳河濱公園), which runs along the Keelung River in north Taipei. An easy way to get there is to take the R34 (紅34) bus from Yuanshan MRT Station (圓山捷運站) to Hope Springs Station (希望噴泉站).
■ Starts tonight at 11:30pm
■ Open to visitors with tickets to the Flora Exposition
— Ho Yi
The Taitung County Government’s New Year’s Eve celebration at the lush Seaside Park (海濱公園) at the end of Datong Road (大同路) in Taitung City. The event features a variety of performances including a fire dancing and flag show by local performing groups, an arts and crafts fair and a farmer’s market.
■ Tonight from 8pm to 12:30am
■ Admission is free
— Ho Yi
After the New Year countdown in Taitung, revelers are encouraged to join the 10,000 Step Hiking (萬步健走) event organized by the Greater Taichung Government. Participants will take a 7km walk to the Alishan railway station, where special sunrise trains will ferry participants to Taimali (太麻里) to watch the sunrise on the beautiful sandy beach at Taimali Sunrise Park (太麻里迎曙光園區).
■ On the Net: www.taitung.gov.tw/tw/Calendar/calendar.aspx and www.taimali.gov.tw. Tel: (089) 781-301
■ Tonight from midnight to 6am
— Ho Yi
Not to be outdone by Taipei, Kaohsiung City is planning a 199-second fireworks spectacle to welcome in 2011. Some 18,000 rounds of kaleidoscopic explosions will light up the sky while a legion of pop stars and entertainers including Mark Chao (趙又廷), Ethan Ruan (阮經天) and Tiger Huang (黃小琥) will welcome the New Year at the countdown party. The activities run from 7:30pm to 1:30am, but the party continues until 3am with performances by Crowd Lu (盧廣仲), rock outfit Tizzy Bac, Matzka, Totem (圖騰) as well as hip-hop acts Tripoets (參劈) and MJ116 (頑童). The New Year Eve’s party takes place on the boulevard near the Dream Mall.
■ Dream Mall (夢時代廣場), 789 Jhonghua 5th Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市中華五路789號). On the net: ks2010.streetvoice.com
■ From 7pm to 9:30pm
■ Admission is free
— Ho Yi
Television personality Hu Gua (胡瓜) will host Taoyuan County’s official New Year’s Eve celebration at Taoyuan Multipurpose Culture Park (桃園縣多功能藝文園區). Headliners at the event include Wu Bai (伍佰) and Show Luo (羅志祥).
■ Taoyuan Multipurpose Culture Park, the corner of Jhongjheng Road (中正路) and Tongde 6th Street (同德六街). On the Net: www.tycg.gov.tw
■ Party starts at 7pm on Dec. 31
■ Entrance is free
— Catherine Shu
Television personalities Nono and Makiyo will host Tainan’s official New Year’s Eve party at the Tainan City Government Building Western Plaza (台南市政府西側廣場). Guests include Van Fan (范逸臣) and Joseph Cheng (鄭元暢).
■ Tainan City Government Building, 6 Yonghua Rd Sec 2, Greater Tainan (台南市永華路二段6號). On the Net: www.tncg.gov.tw
■ Concert starts at 7pm
■ Entrance is free
— Catherine Shu
Taichung’s official celebration at the National Taiwan College of Physical Education (國立台灣體育大學體育館) features fireworks and appearances by Eddie Peng (彭于晏) and Aska Yang (楊宗緯), among others.
■ National Taiwan College of Physical Education, 16, Shuangshih Rd Sec 1, Greater Taichung (台中市雙十路一段16號). On the Net: azio.im.tv
■ Party starts at 7:30pm
■ Entrance is free
— Catherine Shu
It is barely 10am and the queue outside Onigiri Bongo already stretches around the block. Some of the 30 or so early-bird diners sit on stools, sipping green tea and poring over laminated menus. Further back it is standing-room only. “It’s always like this,” says Yumiko Ukon, who has run this modest rice ball shop and restaurant in the Otsuka neighbourhood of Tokyo for almost half a century. “But we never run out of rice,” she adds, seated in her office near a wall clock in the shape of a rice ball with a bite taken out. Bongo, opened in 1960 by
Common sense is not that common: a recent study from the University of Pennsylvania concludes the concept is “somewhat illusory.” Researchers collected statements from various sources that had been described as “common sense” and put them to test subjects. The mixed bag of results suggested there was “little evidence that more than a small fraction of beliefs is common to more than a small fraction of people.” It’s no surprise that there are few universally shared notions of what stands to reason. People took a horse worming drug to cure COVID! They think low-traffic neighborhoods are a communist plot and call
Over the years, whole libraries of pro-People’s Republic of China (PRC) texts have been issued by commentators on “the Taiwan problem,” or the PRC’s desire to annex Taiwan. These documents have a number of features in common. They isolate Taiwan from other areas and issues of PRC expansion. They blame Taiwan’s rhetoric or behavior for PRC actions, particularly pro-Taiwan leadership and behavior. They present the brutal authoritarian state across the Taiwan Strait as conciliatory and rational. Even their historical frames are PRC propaganda. All of this, and more, colors the latest “analysis” and recommendations from the International Crisis Group, “The Widening
The sprawling port city of Kaohsiung seldom wins plaudits for its beauty or architectural history. That said, like any other metropolis of its size, it does have a number of strange or striking buildings. This article describes a few such curiosities, all but one of which I stumbled across by accident. BOMBPROOF HANGARS Just north of Kaohsiung International Airport, hidden among houses and small apartment buildings that look as though they were built between 15 and 30 years ago, are two mysterious bunker-like structures that date from the airport’s establishment as a Japanese base during World War II. Each is just about
RSS