Theater
Animalario’s Urtain is an award-winning tragicomedy that traces the life of Spanish heavyweight boxer Jose Manuel Ibar, who was nicknamed Urtain. The story begins with the boxing legend’s suicide just before the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, and ends with his birth in a poor farming family. The production is in Spanish with Chinese subtitles.
■ National Theater, Taipei City
Photo courtesy of NTCH
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$800 to NT$2,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Part of an ongoing interdisciplinary arts event at the Taipei Artist Village, Taiwanese artist Chen I-hui’s (陳怡慧) performance mixes human voices, piano and electronic noise.
■ Barry Room, Taipei Artist Village (台北國際藝術村百里廳)
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Admission is NT$200 at the door
The National Taiwan College of Performing Arts’ (國立臺灣戲曲學院) Beijing Opera Troupe (京劇團) presents Dreams of Yang Fei (楊妃夢), in which Tang Dynasty imperial concubine Yang Guifei (楊貴妃) reminisces about her life and the era she lived in.
■ Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段25號)
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 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
Godot Theatre Company’s (果陀劇場) A Handbook for Love (新神鵰瞎侶求愛攻略) is a romantic comedy that mixes fantasy with martial arts to dramatize four men and women’s search for true love. The production is helmed by the troupe’s founder and artistic director, Liang Chih-min (梁志民), and features a cast of pop stars including Shuan Wang (小蠻) and model-turned-actor Lance Yu (余秉諺).
■ Eslite Bookstore Xinyi Branch Performance Hall (誠品信義店展演廳), 6F, 11 Songgao Rd, Taipei City (台北市松高路11號6樓)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 1:30pm, 4:30pm and 7:30pm, Sunday at 1:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$700 and NT$1,999, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Fantasy Party Invitation (男人幫之異想世界) by Open Theater (大開劇團) explores relationships and marriage in the form of a comedy that opens with two men excitedly preparing a bachelor party for their best friend.
■ Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中市中山堂), 98 Syueshih Rd, Greater Taichung (台中市學士路98號)
■ Tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,200, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
Varga & Contzen — Petrushka & Barber (症狀展演彼得洛希卡) presents violin soloist Mirijam Contzen performing with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (台北市立交響樂團) under visiting conductor Gilbert Varga. The program includes Rossini’s The Thieving Magpie Overture, Barber’s Violin Concerto, Op. 14, and Stravinsky’s Petrouchka.
■ Today at 7:30pm
■ Zhongshan Hall (台北市中山堂), 98 Yanping S Rd, Taipei City (台北市延平南路98號)
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
NTSO Beethoven Series — Laughter and Humor (NTSO貝多芬永恆久九:歡樂與幽默) sees the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra (國立台灣交響樂團) perform under the baton of visiting conductor Fusao Kajima with special guest Liam Teague on steel pan. The program includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Op. 60, Jan Bach’s Concerto for Steelpan and Orchestra and selections from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet.
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm (Taichung) and Sunday at 7:30pm (Hsinchu)
■ Chunghsing Concert Hall, Taichung (台中中興堂), 291-3 Cingwu Rd, Greater Taichung (台中市精武路291之3號) and Performing Arts Center of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Hsinchu County (新竹縣文化中心演藝廳), 146 Siancheng 9th Rd, Jhubei City, Hsinchu County (新竹縣竹北市縣政九路146號)
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
NSO Mahler Odyssey — Das Lied von der Erde (NSO馬勒系列 — 大地之歌) presents mezzo-soprano Christine Iven performing with the National Symphony Orchestra (國家交響樂團) under the baton of Lu Shao-chia (呂紹嘉). The program includes Mahler’s Ruckert and Das Lied von der Erde, as well as Wagner’s Prelude From Act 1 of Lohengrin.
■ Sunday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
<>bContemporary
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 for this weekend as of press time. On Thursday, the Ten Drum Theater (十鼓擊樂團), a local percussion troupe that was nominated for a Grammy for best world music album several years ago, performs Charm of Taiwan (台灣風情), a show inspired by Hoklo (commonly called Taiwanese) and Aboriginal folk music.
■ 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)
■ 3pm on Thursday
■ Admission is NT$800. Tickets for the venue’s concerts can be purchased at ERA ticketing outlets, online through www.ticket.com.tw or www.legacy.com.tw or at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks
Tonight The Wall (這牆), Taipei’s most prominent venue for indie rock artists, hosts Mandarin-rapping hip-hop artists Gordon, Miss Ko and Ying Hung (英宏). Tomorrow, television celebrity and pop singer Amber An (安心亞) takes to the stage. On Sunday, the venue hosts American indie rock trio Sebadoh, a band formed in the 1990s by Dinosaur Jr bass player Lou Barlow [see story on the right]. Taiwanese indie group Forests opens the show. On Wednesday, it’s expat indie bands Roxymoron and The Okay Cars.
■ 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
■ NT$500 tonight (NT$400 in advance), contact the venue for tomorrow’s ticket prices, NT$1,200 on Sunday (NT$1,000 in advance) and NT$400 on Thursday (NT$300 in advance). Tickets for all shows can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight Witch House (女巫店), an intimate coffeehouse-style venue in the National Taiwan University area, hosts actress and indie-folk singer Enno Cheng (鄭宜農) and Ah-Chiang (阿強) of garage rock band 88 Balaz (88顆芭樂籽). Harpist and flutist Paige Su (蘇珮卿) performs in support of the release of her debut jazz fusion EP. On Thursday, the venue hosts two noise rock outfits, Silent Sign and Sonic Deadhorse.
■ 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 Underworld (地下社會), a small basement club in Taipei, hosts indie rock group Posh Inverse (優雅逆轉) and ska group Mary Bites Kerry. Tomorrow, it’s expat indie rock trio Roxymoron and Vampire Watching Television (吸血鬼看電視). After the bands, the venue is hosting a “vinyl party” with music by DJs Sylvain Chao (阿堯), Siegfy (江安中) and 1976 drummer Warren Lin (林雨霖). On Wednesday, up-and-coming bands Human Beings (人) and Draw My Last Breath, a post-rock/screamo-influenced group, take to the stage.
■ 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 9pm to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Underworld is open daily from 9pm, closed on Mondays. Happy hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays until midnight
■ Entrance for music shows is NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays, which includes one drink. Entrance for Wednesday shows is NT$100
Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) hosts jazz group Jazzy Bounce tonight. Tomorrow it’s Mando-pop singers Jenny Liang (梁一貞) and Queenie (方宥心). On Sunday, female crooner Hsieh Yi-wen (謝苡雯) and pop singer Wei Yi-wei (吳亦偉) take to 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
■ Show starts tonight at 9:30pm, 9pm on all other nights. For a list of standard songs and ground rules for the open jam, visit the venue’s Web site
■ NT$400 tonight, tomorrow, NT$350 Sunday and NT$150 Monday. Tickets can purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Rock fusion guitarist Trevor X (林振益) leads his band tonight at Riverside Live House (河岸留言西門紅樓展演館). Tomorrow the venue hosts South Korea-born pop singer Bii.
■ 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
■ NT$400 tomorrow and Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
The Earl Hines II Jazztet performs cool jazz tonight at Sappho de Base, a late-night lounge bar that hosts live jazz and blues performances. Tomorrow Blues Vibrations plays funk, blues and psychedelic soul. On Tuesday, Chia’s Jazz Trio takes to the stage, on Wednesday it’s Fusion Planet, and on Thursday it’s Fugue State, a group of expats that draws on blues, folk, classical and rock.
■ 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. The venue is closed on Sundays and Mondays
■ Entrance is NT$150 tonight, NT$200 tomorrow, free other nights
No shows are listed as of press time for tonight at indie rock club Revolver. Tomorrow the venue hosts Deep Fried House 3 featuring DJs BB, Petstov, Nina and MiniJay.
■ 1-2, Roosevelt Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路一段1-2號), tel: (02) 3393-1678
■ Shows usually start after 10pm. Contact venue for precise times
■ Entrance is NT$250 tomorrow, which includes one drink
Geek chic pop star Crowd Lu (盧廣仲) is among a handful of performers taking part in a free, but short, concert tomorrow at Luzhou MRT Station (蘆洲捷運站), as part of the Taipei Metro Exit Music Festival. Also appearing is Mando-pop singer Lala Hsu (徐佳瑩), R ’n’ B crooner R.Chord (謝和弦) and indie electronica group The Girl and the Robots (女孩與機器人). The festival continues for the next several Saturdays at various MRT stops.
■ Taipei Metro Exit Music Festival, Luzhou MRT Station (蘆洲捷運站), B1, 386, Sanmin Rd, Lujhou Dist, New Taipei City (新北市蘆洲區三民路386號B1)
■ 3pm to 5pm
■ Entrance is free
EZ5 Live House hosts Mando-pop singers backed by a live band every night. Highlights for the week ahead include male crooner Shin Lung (辛龍), who performs every Saturday. Acclaimed Aboriginal singer Samingad (紀曉君) performs on Thursdays.
■ 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
Tonight Italian restaurant Capone’s hosts Taipei Swing’s weekly social. All are welcome to join and a beginner’s lesson is offered. Music is provided by electric blues band Bopomofo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ). Tomorrow, drummer Abe Nbugu Kenyatta leads a band playing music from his hometown of New Orleans. On Wednesday nights, it’s Latin music from guitarist Roberto Zayas and bassist Rick Taira.
■ 312, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段312號), tel: (02) 2773-3782
■ Live music from 9pm to 11:30pm on Fridays, 8pm to 11:30pm on Saturdays
■ On Fridays, minimum charge of one drink. On Saturdays, minimum charge is NT$300
Tomorrow, The 3 Baboons Sports Bar & Grill, an expat hangout at the Taimall Shopping Center (台茂購物中心) in Taoyuan, hosts an evening of folk rock from expats Red Rob and Keith.
■ Taimall Shopping Center (台茂購物中心), 112, Nankan Rd Sec 1, Lujhu Township, Taoyuan County (桃園縣蘆竹鄉南崁路一段112號), tel: (03) 212-2150. On the Net: www.3baboons.com
■ Starts at 8pm
■ Entrance is free
The Wall (這牆) programs regular live rock shows at Kaohsiung’s Pier 2 Arts Center (高雄駁二藝術特區). Tonight the venue hosts Insecteens (昆蟲白), a side project of Sugar Plum Ferry guitarist Hsiao Bai (小白). Local indie rock trio Fuguko (河豚子) opens the show. Tomorrow, it’s indie groups Cubic and Fun People (放屁伯樂團).
■ 1 Dayong Rd, Yancheng Dist, Greater Kaohsiung (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
■ NT$300 tonight and tomorrow
The Mercury (水星酒館), an indie rock club in Kaohsiung, hosts Fetish People (癡人) and post-rock group Unfit Chair (難坐的椅子).
■ 46 Liwen Rd, Zuoying Dist, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市左營區立文路46號), tel: (07) 550-8617. On the Net: mercurybar.blogspot.com
■ Starts at 9pm
■ Admission is NT$200, which includes one drink
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