Theater
Created especially for the NTCH’s Taiwan International Festival of the Arts, YogeeTi (有機體) is the product of a collaboration between French choreographer Mourad Merzouki of the Kafig Company and Taiwanese fashion designer Johan Ku (古又文). To create the piece, Merzouki picked five Taiwanese dancers to work with five French hip-hop artists. His choreography envisions the dancers moving like needles pulling invisible threads as they weave the show together.
■ National Theater, Taipei City
■ Tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
La Reminiscence d’un Fantome (降靈會) by The Puppet and Its Double Theater (無獨有偶工作室劇團) is a creative experiment in puppetry that explores several female writers’ works on life and death.
■ Experimental Theater, Taipei City
■ Tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$600, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Established in 1959, shortly after the Dalai Lama fled to India following a failed uprising, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts aims to keep the traditions of Tibetan performance arts alive. For their only show in Taipei, the institute’s performers will present a series of ritual and folk dances and music including shanak, a masked spiritual dance, and ngonpai don, a ritual purification performance. The Tibetan showcase is part of the ongoing Free Tibet Festival (2012圖博文化節). For more information, go to freetibet2012.blogspot.com.
■ Taipei National University of the Arts — Dance Theater (國立臺北藝術大學舞蹈廳), 1 Xueyuan Rd, Taipei City (台北市學園路1號)
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Tuesdays With Morrie, Godot Theatre Company’s (果陀劇場) newest production, is the stage adaptation of US author Mitch Albom’s 1997 memoir. In the best-selling work, Albom recounts the lessons he learned from visiting his former professor, Morrie Schwartz, who was dying of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a terminal disease caused by the degeneration of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. The cast is led by actor Chin Shih-chieh (金士傑) in the role of Morrie.
■ Metropolitan Hall (台北市社教館城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段25號)
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$3,000, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
After three sold-out performances in Taipei, Taipei Dad and New York Mom (台北爸爸‧紐約媽媽) by Mr Wing Theatre Company will be performed this weekend as part of the Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival (高雄春天藝術節). Directed by Miguel Li (黎煥雄), the theatrical work is based on documentary director and author Mickey Chen’s (陳俊志) autobiographic novel of the same name, which tells the story of a family living — and breaking apart — in Taipei in the 1960s and 1970s and in New York City in the 1980s.
■ Kaohsiung Cultural Center’s Chihshan Hall (高雄市文化中心至善廳), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市五福一路67號)
■ Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,500, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
David Garrett — Rock Symphonies (大衛‧蓋瑞 ─ 完美跨界小提琴演奏會) presents violinist David Garrett, a classically trained musician who is known for creating a rock ’n’ roll vibe in his best-selling crossover albums.
■ Sunday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$1,200 to NT$3,600, available through ERA ticketing and online at www.ticket.com.tw
The Lord of the Rings — The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert (魔戒首部曲 — 魔戒現身) will have its premiere in Taiwan as part of the Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival (高雄春天藝術節). The score, composed by Howard Shore, will be performed by the Kaohsiung City Symphony Orchestra (高雄市交響樂團) and soprano Kaitlyn Lusk under the baton of Erik Ochsner.
■ Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 7pm
■ Lakeside parkland outside the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (高雄市立美術館), 80 Meishuguan Rd, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市美術館路80號)
■ Tickets are NT$499, available through NTCH ticketing and 7-Eleven ibon kiosks and 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. Tonight is the venue’s semi-regular showcase of up-and-coming indie bands. The lineup includes HiJack, electronica group Miss Banana (香蕉小姐), electro-rock band Nintendo Generation Blues (任天堂世代憂鬱) and Hong Kong pop-rock outfit Supper Moment. Tomorrow night’s show with alt-rock veterans Backquarter (四分衛) is sold out. On Saturday, the venue hosts a trio of veteran female pop and jazz singers: Emily Guan (官靈芝), Hsiu-ching (秀璟) and Fan Yi-wen (范怡文).
■ 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
■ NT$200 tonight, sold out tomorrow, NT$1,600 and NT$1,200, depending on seating area, on Saturday. Tickets for the venue’s concerts can be purchased at ERA ticketing outlets, online through www.ticket.com.tw, www.legacy.com.tw and at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks
Tonight The Wall (這牆), Taipei’s most prominent venue for indie rock artists, hosts Countervalve (逆瓣膜), Wind Evasion (風迷藏) and Bouncy Metal (包子饅頭). No shows are scheduled tomorrow and Saturday. On Sunday, it’s indie rock outfit Islanders (島嶼), grunge rockers Memory Trader (記憶販子) and Small Potato (小人物).
■ 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$400 tonight (NT$300 in advance), NT$500 Saturday and NT$400 Sunday (NT$300 in advance). Tickets for all shows can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw and tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight Witch House (女巫店), an intimate coffeehouse-style venue in the National Taiwan University area, solo singer-songwriter Wang Shun (王舜) and fingerstyle guitarist Sujer (舒吉吉). Tomorrow, beloved indie folk songstress Enno Cheng (鄭宜農) takes to the stage. Folk rock group Yellow Melon 7 (小玉西瓜) and indie rockers Gayyung (假勇) perform on Saturday.
■ 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
Electronica group Sleeping Brain (眠腦) and indie rock band Frusciante play tomorrow at Underworld (地下社會), a small basement club in Taipei. On Saturday, it’s experimental electronica from Yearning Kru, followed by a set from one-man electro-band Sonic Deadhorse. On Wednesday, indie group Outlet Drift (漂流出口) and prog-rock/post-rock group Killjoy 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 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Underworld is open daily from 9pm, closed on Mondays. Happy hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays before midnight
■ Entrance is NT$300 on Friday and Saturday. Admission to Wednesday shows is NT$100
Pop-rock groups Mafianjo (瑪菲安喬) and Elesha (伊蕾莎) appear tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言). Tomorrow it’s Musa’s Trio, a top-notch Latin jazz group formed by two Argentines and a Brazilian, all based in Shanghai. Mando-pop singers Jiwasi Dulan (吳亦帆) and Hsu Che-wei (徐哲緯) take to the stage on Saturday. Folk rocker Yoyo performs on Sunday. On Wednesday, it’s dance rock group P!SCO.
■ 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, 9:30pm tomorrow, 9pm Saturday, 8:30pm Sunday and 9pm on Wednesday
■ NT$350 tonight and Wednesday, NT$400 tomorrow and Saturday. Sunday’s ticket price has yet to be announced. Check the venue’s Web site for updated information. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw and tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight Riverside Live House (河岸留言西門紅樓展演館) hosts Aboriginal rock group Sun Eagles (S.E 樂團) and Rock N Rap (凍頂樂團). Tomorrow it’s smooth jazz from UK group Acoustic Alchemy. On Saturday and Sunday, the popular reggae/Aboriginal rock group Matzka (瑪斯卡) takes to the stage.
■ 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 tonight, NT$1,000 to NT$1,500 tomorrow, depending on seating area, and NT$1,200 on Saturday and Sunday (NT$1,000 in advance). Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight The TAV Cafe (村落餐廳), a bar and cafe located at the Taipei Artist Village (台北國際藝術村), hosts jazz guitar duo Symmetry. On Saturday, The Lowlands Trio, featuring Belgian saxophonist Steven Delannoye, takes to the stage. On Wednesday, guitarist Hope Yeh (葉賀璞) leads a jazz quartet.
■ 7 Beiping E Rd, Taipei City (台北市北平東路7號), tel: (02) 3393-7377 X207
■ Shows start at 9pm
■ Entrance is NT$350, which includes one drink
Tonight, indie rock club Revolver hosts live acoustic music from Scott Cook, Nick Brown, Early and The Red Cliff, among other performers. Tomorrow, expat-led indie rock band Mike Mudd and the Silence take to the stage. On Saturday, it’s live music from The Funky Brothers, followed by DJs Charles, Zo, Katrina and James Ho.
■ 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 start at 10pm
■ Entrance is free tonight, NT$350 tomorrow, NT$250 on Saturday
Acclaimed Aboriginal singer Samingad (紀曉君) performs every Thursday at EZ5 Live House, which 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, and veteran performer Ann Lang (郎祖筠) on Wednesdays.
■ 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 Italian restaurant Capone’s, with live music from electric blues band Bopomofo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ). On Saturday, drummer Abe Nbugu Kenyatta leads a band playing music from his hometown of New Orleans. Iris sings “romantic chansons” Sunday nights, and on Wednesdays it’s Latin music from guitarist Roberto Zayas.
■ 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.
The Wall (這牆) programs regular live rock shows at Kaohsiung’s Pier 2 Arts Center (高雄駁二藝術特區). On Saturday, the venue hosts Mando-pop singer-songwriter Ricky Hsiao (蕭煌奇).
■ 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
■ Show starts at 7:30pm Saturday
■ NT$1,200 on Saturday
On a harsh winter afternoon last month, 2,000 protesters marched and chanted slogans such as “CCP out” and “Korea for Koreans” in Seoul’s popular Gangnam District. Participants — mostly students — wore caps printed with the Chinese characters for “exterminate communism” (滅共) and held banners reading “Heaven will destroy the Chinese Communist Party” (天滅中共). During the march, Park Jun-young, the leader of the protest organizer “Free University,” a conservative youth movement, who was on a hunger strike, collapsed after delivering a speech in sub-zero temperatures and was later hospitalized. Several protesters shaved their heads at the end of the demonstration. A
In August of 1949 American journalist Darrell Berrigan toured occupied Formosa and on Aug. 13 published “Should We Grab Formosa?” in the Saturday Evening Post. Berrigan, cataloguing the numerous horrors of corruption and looting the occupying Republic of China (ROC) was inflicting on the locals, advocated outright annexation of Taiwan by the US. He contended the islanders would welcome that. Berrigan also observed that the islanders were planning another revolt, and wrote of their “island nationalism.” The US position on Taiwan was well known there, and islanders, he said, had told him of US official statements that Taiwan had not
The term “pirates” as used in Asia was a European term that, as scholar of Asian pirate history Robert J. Antony has observed, became globalized during the European colonial era. Indeed, European colonial administrators often contemptuously dismissed entire Asian peoples or polities as “pirates,” a term that in practice meant raiders not sanctioned by any European state. For example, an image of the American punitive action against the indigenous people in 1867 was styled in Harper’s Weekly as “Attack of United States Marines and Sailors on the pirates of the island of Formosa, East Indies.” The status of such raiders in
On a sweltering summer night 30 years ago, infant Li Yuanpeng was finally fast asleep, nestled between his parents, when a group of men burst into their home in southern China’s Guangdong province. They beat Chen Mingxia and her husband and tied them up as baby Li, in his pale green gown and whorl of dark hair, wailed from the bed. It was the last time they would ever see their son. They “took my child away,” Chen said between sobs. Baby Li was kidnapped in 1995 when China’s one-child policy was in force and child-trafficking was rampant. While no official data
RSS