| Highlight | |
 A Moving Sound performs tomorrow, then heads to the US for its latest international tour. PHOTO: COURTESY OF A MOVING SOUND
| A Moving Sound is holding a special performance tomorrow at the Shin Kong Building, next to the Eslite Bookstore on Dunhua South Road, Taipei City. The group, which features the vocal improvisations and dance of Mia Hsieh (謝韻雅), has been preparing for a run of shows in Los Angeles and at the Netherlands’ Dunya World Music Festival, a renowned venue for world music acts. After several months of rehearsals, the group is ready and happy to be on stage again: “It’s harvest time,” says co-founder and bassist Scott Prairie. “We’ve been working hard for the opportunity to get out and play internationally.” Tonight’s show will mostly feature compositions from the group’s last album, Songs Beyond Words (心的航行), but with a twist. They will be joined by several guest musicians and a new percussionist, Lin Jing-ping, who also plays the yangqin (揚琴), a hammered dulcimer originally from Iran. On the Net:
▲ www.amovingsound.com.
▲ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲ Admission is NT$400 at the door; to book call Scott Prairie at 0911-899-774
▲ A Moving Sound Pre-International Show Tour at Shin-Kuang Building, 12F, 243, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (新光人壽大樓12樓,台北市敦化南路一段243號12F) |
Theater
Taiwan’s raucous legislature and zany television shows are some of the fodder for Mad in Taiwan (瘋狂年代), the latest work by Ping-Fong Acting Troupe (屏風表演班). The play within a play tells the story of a theater group that attempts to produce a musical that captures the spirit of Taiwan. The trope they eventually hit on is betel nut beauties.
▲ National Theater, Taipei City
▲ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,500, available through NTCH ticketing
Life of Love (愛情生活) kicks off Tainaner Ensemble’s (台南人劇團) repertoire of plays for this year. Written in the style of Sex and the City, the play follows the life of a woman named Cat who works in a pub, and her love interest, a man named Dog. Through the chases that ensue, the audience sees the give-and-take of trying to form a lasting relationship in the 21st century.
▲ Tainan Human Theater Factory (台南人戲工場), 3F, 85 Shengli Rd, Tainan City (台南市勝利路85號3F)
▲ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$400, available through NTCH ticketing
Mr Pee (老皮) by Drama Club Theater (劇樂部劇團) is about how a “mysterious island nation” struggles to deal with rising sea levels. When members of the ruling classes come together to find a solution, nothing can be done. They eventually call on the wisdom of ancestor spirits to guide them through the crisis.
▲ Crown Theater (皇冠藝文中心小劇場), 50, Ln120 Dunhua N Rd, Taipei City (台北市敦化北路120巷50號)
▲ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$400 and are available through NTCH ticketing
Hard-hitting social commentary tinged with moral themes is a trademark of the plays written by the late Spanish playwright Fernando Arrabal. Taiwan’s Tellus Theater continues its adaptation of Arrabal’s work with Guernica Picnic on the Battlefield, which combines two of the master playwright’s works and investigates what it means to live during war. The play is in English.
▲ Lien Te Vegetarian Restaurant (蓮德品素天地), B1, 82 Ningpo W St, Taipei City (台北市寧波西街82號B1)
▲ Tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$350 and are available through NTCH ticketing
4 idiots on a Couch will present Man Movie Night, a testosterone-fueled night of comedy and cinema. Using their comedic talents, four funnymen battle it out to convince the audience that their chosen movie is the “baddest.” The show begins with each comedian introducing his chosen movie, followed by an audience vote. The movies will then be screened interspersed with jokes. Prizes are on offer and so are drink specials.
▲ Comedy Club, at B1, 24 Taishun St, Taipei City (台北市泰順街24號B1)
▲ Tomorrow beginning at 10pm
▲ Tickets are NT$300 and are available by calling (02) 2369-3730 or sending an e-mail to social@comedyclub.tw. Visit english.comedy.com.tw for more information
Classical music
Cello Recital by Chang Chen-chieh (張正傑大提琴獨奏會 — 美猴王鬧場) includes a performance by renowned Beijing opera artist Chu Lu-hao (朱陸豪) using the role of the Monkey King to provide an interpretive exposition on the Chang’s contemporary cello music. Additional information on this project can be found at blog.yam.com/proart.
▲ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲ Sinjhuang Cultural Arts Center (新莊文化藝術中心), 133 Jhongping Rd, Sinjhuang, Taipei County (台北縣新莊市中平路133號)
▲ Tickets are NT$100 to NT$500 and are available through ERA ticketing
Purple Phoenix Ladies’ Ensemble International Tour (紫鳳鳴樂女子樂團世界巡迴演出) will see the highly acclaimed all-female orchestra from China perform in Taipei and Tainan. Apart from the familiar traditional instruments, the ensemble’s female performers will also show off their skills on rarely used traditional instruments such as the juquin (鋸琴).
Tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm (Tainan)
Tainan Municipal Cultural Center Performance Hall (台南市立文化中心演藝廳), 332, Chunghua E Rd Sec 3, Tainan City (台南市中華東路三段332)
Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000, available through ERA ticketing
Drumming on the Heart Strings — The Meeting of Jazz Drum and Violin (鼓動心弦公益音樂會 — 爵士鼓與小提琴奇遇記) features brother and sister duo Ning Kam and Francis Kam, the former on violin, the latter on percussion.
▲ Sunday at 7:30pm
▲ National Taichung Library Chungsing Concert Hall (台中中興堂), 291-3 Jingwu Rd, Taichung City (台中市精武路219之3號)
▲ Tickets are NT$350 to NT$2,500 and are available through ERA ticketing
2008 New Art Inc — Tso Chun, Chung Hsiao-ching Violin and Piano Duet (2008新逸藝術 — 左軍.鍾曉青小提琴與鋼琴二重奏音樂會) is part of the New Art Inc Chinese Artists series that features emerging classical musicians from Asia.
These two highly anticipated artists will perform a program including Beethoven’s Sonata for Violin and Piano No.7 in C Minor, Op. 30 No. 2, Tchaikovsky’s Meditation Op. 42-1, Franck’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, M. 8 and Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25.
▲ Tuesday at 7:30pm
▲ National Recital Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$800 and are available through ERA ticketing
Socrates is Flying (飛行的蘇格拉底) sees the Academy of Taiwan Strings (台灣絃樂團) perform with violin soloist Wu Meng-ping (吳孟平). The program features Peng Ching’s (彭靖) suite The Lost Kingdom (消失的王國), Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade for Solo Violin, Strings, Harp and Percussion and Benjamin Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10.
▲ Tuesday at 7:30pm
▲ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,200, available through ERA ticketing
Thirty Fingers Playing Strings (三十指繁弦) sees Man Wu (吳蠻),
the pipa (琵琶) virtuoso who plays with Yo-yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, perform as a soloist with the TCO in a program that includes works by Chinese and Central Asian composers. On Tuesday night, the Chemirani Trio, an Iranian percussion group, performs with Mongolian singer Urna Chahar-Tugchi.
▲ Today and Tuesday at 7:30pm
▲ Zhongshan Hall (中山堂中正廳), 98 Yenping S Rd, Taipei City (台北市延平南路98號)
▲ Tickets are NT$200 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing
A Love Story about Taipei & Shanghai (雙城記 —台北時晴•上海多雲) sees the Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Choir (台北愛樂室內合唱團) under the baton of Tu Ming-yuan (杜明遠) playing a selection of music expressive of cross-Strait romances.
▲ Tomorrow at 7:30pm (Chiayi County) and Monday at 7:30pm (Taipei City)
▲ Chiayi Performing Arts Center (嘉義縣表演藝術中心), 265, Jianguo Rd Sec 2, Minsyong Township, Chiayi County (嘉義縣民雄鄉建國路二段265號) and National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$250 to NT$500 for Chiayi and NT$300 to NT$1,200 for Taipei, available through NTCH ticketing
Contemporary
The 9th annual Tainan May Jam
(台南五月音樂季), the grassroots music festival featuring underground and independent bands, takes place this weekend at a local beach,
starting tomorrow afternoon. Among the groups set to play: New Hong Kong Hair City, Money Shot Horns, Divebomb and veteran Tainan rock group #Charlie Swiggs Band.
▲ To get there (from Tainan): follow Anbei Rd (安北路) to the end, turn left, and watch for the concert on the beach on your right
▲ For the schedule, visit www2.eecs.stut.edu.tw/~charlie/swiggs/index.php?inter_url=mayjam&inter=bandlist
▲ Admission is free
Tonight Underworld (地下社會) hosts Taichung funk-rock trio Point 22 and Dirt Star (土星), an experimental rock/pop solo act based in Guangzhou, China. Taking to the stage tomorrow are country-punk rockers the Deadly Vibes and Blood Orange, made up of ex-members of punk band The Deported. On Sunday and Monday, party crew Back 2 the Future (B2TF) presents Night of the Living Metal, an all-night heavy metal party [see story on Page 13 of today’s Taipei Times]. On Wednesday, it’s punk bands Inhuman Species (非人物種) and Random.
▲B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師大路45號B1). Call (02) 2369-0103 or visit www.upsaid.com/underworld for more information
▲Bands start playing after 9pm. The bar is open from 8pm daily; closed Mondays
▲Entrance tonight and tomorrow is NT$300 and includes one drink. Entrance on Wednesdays is NT$100. Before midnight on Tuesdays and Thursdays, drinks are buy-one-get-one-free
At Bliss tonight, it’s an evening of funky beats, hip-hop, indie rock,
and drum ’n’ bass with Spank the Monkey, featuring DJs Lipz and the Skallyunz, Kid Killy and Mixter T. Rock band Loaded takes the stage tomorrow. Next Friday, May, 9, acoustic-rock trio Black Lung City Choir visits from Taichung. Ilan hillbilly rockers Dirty Skies make an appearance Saturday, May 10.
▲148, Xinyi Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市信義路四段148號), one block east of Dunhua South Road (敦化南路).
▲Call Bliss at (02) 2702-1855 or log on at www.bliss-taipei.com. For more information on live performances at Bliss, go to www. myspace.com/blisslivehouse
▲Tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday at 10pm. Bar/kitchen open from 7pm daily. Ladies night Fridays; women get one free cocktail of their choice
▲Entrance to the bar is free. NT$200 cover for music shows
Kaohsiung punks FireEx (滅火器)
and Punk Hoo (胖虎) shake the stage at The Wall tonight. Tomorrow it’s indie-rockers Love Manana (愛的大未來) , Telephone Booth (電話亭), and 929. On Sunday, Kenny From Casino (賭場肯尼), Huge Plonker
(超大屌生物), Lumei (露魅) and
Desecration all play in a show named Come Together, Change — Who Are You? (合體!變身!Who Are You?), which features four very different styles of music, ranging from pop-rock to heavy metal. On Wednesday it’s Oxymoron (白痴奧克西) and Pink Band (粉樂團).
▲B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Call (02) 2930-0162 or log on at www.the-wall.com.tw for more information
▲8pm tonight, tomorrow; 3pm Sunday
▲NT$400 tonight and tomorrow; NT$300 Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. Admission includes one drink
Tonight at Witch House (女巫店), it’s a quiet, intimate evening of acoustic music with Ding Ding and Xi Xi
(丁丁與西西).
▲7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Road Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號). Call (02) 2362-5494 or visit www.witchhouse.org
▲Performances start at 9:30pm. Restaurant/bar with queer/feminist bookstore and large collection of board games open 11am to midnight Sunday to Wednesday; 11am to 1am Thursday to Saturday
▲NT$300 entrance includes one drink
Jazz Quintessence is tonight at Sappho, the favorite late night hangout spot for Taipei’s jazz musicians. Taking to the stage tomorrow is Mirror Quartet (魔鏡樂團), a combo of five blind studio musicians that occasionally holds live performances. The group has earned high praise from Taiwanese folk icons Chen Ming-chang (陳明章) and Tsai Cheng-nan (蔡振南). On Tuesday night, there’s a set by the Grace Jazz Trio with an open jam afterwards. On Wednesday, it’s Phase-In Jazz Quartet, featuring original compositions by leader Michael Haack. Mandinga Jazz Trio plays Thursday.
▲B1, 1, Ln 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1). Call (02) 2700-5411 (after 9pm) or visit www.sappho102.biz
▲Performances begin at 10:30pm
▲No entrance fee except for tomorrow, which is NT$150
Tomorrow at Italian restaurant Capone’s, the Kenyatta Quintet led by drummer Abe Nbugu Kenyatta plays jazz, funk, and blues from his hometown, New Orleans. The group will play at the venue every Friday until June 27.
312, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段312號). Call (02) 2773-3782 for more information
▲From 9pm to 11pm
▲No entrance fee, dinner seating
Tonight at 89K in Taichung, rock trio Moss, a new band formed by Erin King, lead singer of the now-defunct Milk, takes the stage, after which there’s an open jam. Tomorrow it’s an evening of ska, reggae, and dub with Skaraoke and Taimaica Sound System.
▲25 Daguan Rd, Taichung City (台中市大觀路25號)
▲The show begins at 10:30pm
▲NT$250 entrance includes one drink
Exhibition
Gong Yang Ren — Solo Exhibition by Huang Wan-ling (貢養人，快樂也許不曾存在—黃琬玲個展). Borrowing from the Buddhist concepts of spiritual admiration and sacrifice, Huang examines modern cults and fetishes for branded goods. The artist draws inspiration from her experience working in Ximending.
▲AKI Gallery (也趣), 141 Minzu W Rd, Taipei City (台北市民族西路141號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 6:30pm. Call (02) 2599-1171
▲Until May 11
Oriental Poetry Life (東方．詩歌．生活). The exhibition features a series of sculptures by Chang Kuo-ken (張國根), a sculptor whose work spans three decades. Having received strict training in traditional stone sculpturing, Chang attempts to break away from the limits of orthodox approaches by seeking inspiration from ancient Chinese poetry.
▲Pethany Larsen Gallery (Pethany Larsen藝坊), 2F, 30, Ln 45 Liaoning St, Taipei City (台北市遼寧街45巷30號2樓). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm. Call (02) 8772-5005
▲Until May 11
The 6th Taishin Arts Awards Exhibition (第六屆台新藝術獎入圍特展). The exhibition features the 15 finalists from this year’s Taishin Arts Awards, including Oculus (斷章) by
Cloud Gate 2 (雲門舞集2), The Butterfly Dream (夢蝶) by Contemporary Legend Theater (當代傳奇劇場), The Venetian Twins by Formosa-Zephyr Opera Troupe (台灣春風歌劇團), and Kuo I-chen’s (郭奕臣) Solo Exhibition Mutation (突變).
▲Museum of Contemporary Art (台北當代藝術館), 39 Changan W Rd, Taipei City (台北市長安西路39號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 2552-3720
▲Until June 15
Living Under the Longan Tree (龍眼樹下). Specializing in wood-block prints, promising young artist Wu Song-ming (吳松明) exhibits at the German Cultural Center nearly a decade after returning from studying in Germany with an exhibition of water colors and wood-block prints.
▲German Cultural Center Taipei (台北德國文化中心), 12F, 20, Hoping W Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市和平西路一段20號12樓). Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm. Call (02) 2365- 7294
▲Until June 20
The Tropical Work: Snowman (熱帶計劃:雪人). The latest video work by young artist Wang Ya-hui (王雅慧) raises questions about how people’s feelings towards objects change. By showing a snowman on a tropical island, the piece examines the transformation of environments, temperatures, experiences, emotions and senses.
▲National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (國立台灣美術館), 2, Wuchuan W Rd Sec 1, Taichung City (台中市五權西路一段2號). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Call (04) 2372-3552
▲Until June 30
Nov. 11 to Nov. 17 People may call Taipei a “living hell for pedestrians,” but back in the 1960s and 1970s, citizens were even discouraged from crossing major roads on foot. And there weren’t crosswalks or pedestrian signals at busy intersections. A 1978 editorial in the China Times (中國時報) reflected the government’s car-centric attitude: “Pedestrians too often risk their lives to compete with vehicles over road use instead of using an overpass. If they get hit by a car, who can they blame?” Taipei’s car traffic was growing exponentially during the 1960s, and along with it the frequency of accidents. The policy
Hourglass-shaped sex toys casually glide along a conveyor belt through an airy new store in Tokyo, the latest attempt by Japanese manufacturer Tenga to sell adult products without the shame that is often attached. At first glance it’s not even obvious that the sleek, colorful products on display are Japan’s favorite sex toys for men, but the store has drawn a stream of couples and tourists since opening this year. “Its openness surprised me,” said customer Masafumi Kawasaki, 45, “and made me a bit embarrassed that I’d had a ‘naughty’ image” of the company. I might have thought this was some kind
What first caught my eye when I entered the 921 Earthquake Museum was a yellow band running at an angle across the floor toward a pile of exposed soil. This marks the line where, in the early morning hours of Sept. 21, 1999, a massive magnitude 7.3 earthquake raised the earth over two meters along one side of the Chelungpu Fault (車籠埔斷層). The museum’s first gallery, named after this fault, takes visitors on a journey along its length, from the spot right in front of them, where the uplift is visible in the exposed soil, all the way to the farthest
The room glows vibrant pink, the floor flooded with hundreds of tiny pink marbles. As I approach the two chairs and a plush baroque sofa of matching fuchsia, what at first appears to be a scene of domestic bliss reveals itself to be anything but as gnarled metal nails and sharp spikes protrude from the cushions. An eerie cutout of a woman recoils into the armrest. This mixed-media installation captures generations of female anguish in Yun Suknam’s native South Korea, reflecting her observations and lived experience of the subjugated and serviceable housewife. The marbles are the mother’s sweat and tears,
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