Theater
A brand new production of Blooming Enlightenment (花蕊渡河) by the U-Theater group (優人神鼓) featuring most of the material from the original show that proved an enormous success at the Taipei International Flora Expo (台北國際花博) last year. Added to this is new material and performances featuring the theater group’s youth division. The show will play in Taichung this week, followed by a run of five performances in Taipei starting Oct. 11.
■ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中市中山堂), 98 Syueshih Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號)
■ Tickets are NT$350 to NT$1,800; available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Just Play It (彈琴說愛), a musical theater production by Performance Workshop written and directed by Ismene Ting (丁乃箏) and featuring pianist John Vaughan. This production follows on from the hugely popular tour of Taiwan and China that the show enjoyed in 2010. Just Play It creates something inspirational and warm-hearted from the simplest musical and dramatic elements, proof once again that Performance Workshop remains at the forefront of Taiwan’s creative development in theater.
■ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm; tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25 Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段25號)
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$1,500; available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Human Condition V (人間條件五), an ongoing series of dramatic projects that has proved one of Green Ray Theater’s (綠光劇團) most enduring successes. The fifth installment of the series, which deals with various aspects of Taiwanese society, focuses on the role of men in society: Their innocence, delightfulness and absurdity.
■ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm; tomorrow and Sunday 2:30pm
■ National Theater, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$600 to NT$4,000; available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Butterfly Dream (蝴蝶夢) by the Taiwan Kunqu Opera Theater (台灣崑劇團), presents the full seven-act kun opera version of the classic opera about the philosopher Zhuang Zhou (莊周). This will be followed by the five-acts of kun opera for Lanke Mountain (爛柯山).
■ Tomorrow at 2:30pm (Butterfly Dreams) and Sunday 2:30pm (Lanke Mountain)
■ Dadaocheng Theater (大稻埕戲苑), 9F, 21, Dihua St Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市迪化街一段21號9樓)
■ Tickets are NT$100 to NT$300; available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Deathless Beauty (燕歌行), a new production created for the 15th anniversary of the Tang Mei Yun Taiwanese Opera Company (唐美雲歌仔戲團) is inspired by the intense fraternal rivalry between the prodigiously talented Cao (曹) brothers from the ruling family of Wei (魏) and the literary achievements of Cao Pi (曹丕), one of the greatest literary geniuses of his age.
■ Opens Thursday Oct. 4
■ National Theater, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,000; available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
The new production of Nine Songs (九歌), one of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s (雲門舞集) iconic works, continues its national tour this week.
■ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ Chiayi Performing Arts Center (嘉義縣表演藝術中心演藝廳), 265, Jianguo Rd Sec 2, Minsyong Township, Chiayi County (嘉義縣民雄鄉建國路二段265號)
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,800; available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
Celebrated Italian violin master Salvatore Accardo, well known for his interpretations of Paganini, performs at the National Concert Hall. The programs includes the great composer’s Carnevale di Venezia and La Campanella, as well as Beethoven’s Sonata No. 5 The Spring and Brahms’ Allegro dalla Sonata.
■ Tonight at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$1,500 to NT$4,800, available through NTCH ticketing and online at www.artsticket.com.tw
The National Symphony Orchestra kicks off a series entitled Kaleidoscopic France — The Greek Myth, featuring pieces by Debussy and Ravel. Russian virtuoso trumpeter Sergei Nakariakov performs with the orchestra.
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing 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. This weekend’s shows featuring Mando-pop singer Penny Tai (戴佩妮) is already sold out. Wednesday is a night of 1970s folk nostalgia, with sets from all-star veteran performers from the era including Wu Chu-chu (吳楚楚) and Wang Hai-ling (王海玲).
■ 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
■ Sold out tomorrow and Sunday, NT$1,200 on Wednesday. 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 Canto-rock singer Candy Lo (盧巧音) and fellow Hong Kong-ers, indie rock group KOLOR. Tomorrow, it’s a soul and hip-hop party Feel Soul Good with a lineup of Japanese DJs Chika, mic.b, Chicano, as well as local Hoklo-singing hip-hero Dog G (大支). On Sunday, it’s indie rock bands OCD Girl (強迫女孩), Sleaze (湯湯水水) and Digihai.
■ 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, except Saturday’s, which starts at 9:30pm.
■ NT$700 tonight, NT$900 on Saturday, NT$200 on Sunday. Tickets for all shows, with discounts on advance tickets, 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, hosts rock trio Silent Sign and Puyuma Aboriginal singer Leo Chen (陳永龍). Indie pop/folk band 929 takes the stage tomorrow.
■ 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
Indie rock groups Posh Inverse (優雅逆轉) and Frusciante play at Underworld (地下社會), a small basement club in Taipei. Tomorrow surf rock/punk band Floaty throws a release party for its new EP, with expat indie rock trio Roxymoron joining in on the fun.
■ 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 before midnight
■ Entrance for music shows is NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays, which includes one drink. Entrance for Wednesday shows is NT$100
Tonight indie rock club Revolver hosts live music from OCD Girl (強迫女孩), Giant Lobsters (大龍蝦樂團), Outlet Drift (漂流出口), The Deposers (罷黜者) and False Arrest (非法拘捕). Tomorrow, the venue hosts DJs Neker, John MP, Fronteir and Susan. Tuesday are You Bring It You Spin It night, where club-goers are welcome to bring their own vinyl records and play them.
■ 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 9:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$300 tonight and tomorrow; free Tuesday. Admission includes one free drink.
RAY Band (雷樂隊), a trio of pop session musicians, performs tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) Tomorrow, it’s pop singer Henry Tseng (曾昱嘉), the winner of the fourth season of Super Idol (超級偶像), and taking the stage on Sunday are Aboriginal rock groups Salama (莎拉瑪) and Bar999 (巴紮溜).
■ 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
■ NT$400 tonight and tomorrow and NT$350 Sunday. Tickets can purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw and tickets.books.com.tw
Indie folk singer and actress Enno Cheng (鄭宜農) and jazzy folk rockers Baba Band (爸爸辦桌) share a billing tonight at Riverside Live House (河岸留言西門紅樓展演館) in Ximending. Tomorrow Indie pop outfit Come on! Bay Bay! (來吧!焙焙) takes 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 and tomorrow. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight Sappho de Base, a late-night jazz/lounge bar, hosts Mark Kuo’s Neo Retro Jazz Trio. Tomorrow, it’s local ska favorites Skaraoke. Next week’s shows were not available as of press time.
■ 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$200 tonight and tomorrow.
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.
■ 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
Tomorrow, Bobwundaye, a small pub on Heping East Road (和平東路) in Taipei, hosts blues band Stevie Ray and Black Sheep.
■ 77, Hoping E Rd, Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市和平東路三段77號)
■ Shows start at 9:30pm
■ NT$200 on Saturday
On Fridays at Italian restaurant Capone’s, Taipei Swing holds dance socials with live music from electric blues band Taipei 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. Duo Blurrs Bros perform blues and American songbook tunes on Thursdays.
■ 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). Indie rock star Deserts Chang (張懸), who has a new album out, takes the stage tonight for a sold-out show. Tomorrow it’s pop-rocker No Name.
■ 1 Dayong Rd, Yancheng Dist, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市鹽埕區大勇路1號). On the Net: pierer-2.khcc.gov.tw, www.thewall.com.tw
■ Shows start at 7:30pm
■ Sold out tonight, NT$400 tomorrow.
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