Aspiring musicians, rock stars and singers, rejoice. Last night was the first in what will be ongoing Thursday night open-stage jams at the Diner’s recently opened second branch.
The tradition of a jam night hosted by expats in Taipei had its glory years from 2004 to 2006 at Citizen Cain (大國民), where bands like Public Radio, Johnny Fatstacks, Creepy Susan, Billy James and Big Brass Balls Band got their start.
Due to noise complaints and frequent police visits, the Cain’s Thursday Live Jam was discontinued, and a lot of people have had a big, black hole in their week since then. So Jesse Morden-Green, of alt-country band Johnny Fatstacks, decided it was time to recreate the experience.
PHOTO: ALITA RICKARDS
“For a lot of people, jam night was a coming of age music-wise. People got comfortable playing in front of other people there,” he said, somewhat wistfully, in an interview at the Diner on Tuesday night. “All it takes is that one song where you get the response, you hear someone say ‘that was really good.’ There’s that feeling when you get a positive response and it’s honest.”
Though the music is central, Morden-Green said the social aspect is equally important: “It’s the one night where everyone gets together and plays music, listens to music, drinks, laughs and hangs out. It’s totally not pretentious.”
He decided to hold jam night at the Diner after meeting with the owners, who he said “are the warmest, friendliest, most amazing people — they have so much faith and confidence in this night.”
For Morden-Green, it’s important that this time the night be hosted by a Taiwanese-run establishment.
“The main focus is on a blend of foreign and Taiwanese musicians. I want local people to feel comfortable singing a Chinese song. Before [at Canadian-owned Citizen Cain] it was all whiteys singing English songs, and the crux of this place [the Diner] is the blending of both cultures,” he said.
He encourages anyone who wants to make music to come and sign up for a three-song, 15-minute set. “Don’t be shy. Come expecting a really good group of people, both performers and the audience. Whether you want to play or listen, have great food, a chat, a few drinks — it’s just a really great place where foreigners and Taiwanese can come together. Music is bigger than culture. It breaks down the boundaries.”
That US assistance was a model for Taiwan’s spectacular development success was early recognized by policymakers and analysts. In a report to the US Congress for the fiscal year 1962, former President John F. Kennedy noted Taiwan’s “rapid economic growth,” was “producing a substantial net gain in living.” Kennedy had a stake in Taiwan’s achievements and the US’ official development assistance (ODA) in general: In September 1961, his entreaty to make the 1960s a “decade of development,” and an accompanying proposal for dedicated legislation to this end, had been formalized by congressional passage of the Foreign Assistance Act. Two
Despite the intense sunshine, we were hardly breaking a sweat as we cruised along the flat, dedicated bike lane, well protected from the heat by a canopy of trees. The electric assist on the bikes likely made a difference, too. Far removed from the bustle and noise of the Taichung traffic, we admired the serene rural scenery, making our way over rivers, alongside rice paddies and through pear orchards. Our route for the day covered two bike paths that connect in Fengyuan District (豐原) and are best done together. The Hou-Feng Bike Path (后豐鐵馬道) runs southward from Houli District (后里) while the
March 31 to April 6 On May 13, 1950, National Taiwan University Hospital otolaryngologist Su You-peng (蘇友鵬) was summoned to the director’s office. He thought someone had complained about him practicing the violin at night, but when he entered the room, he knew something was terribly wrong. He saw several burly men who appeared to be government secret agents, and three other resident doctors: internist Hsu Chiang (許強), dermatologist Hu Pao-chen (胡寶珍) and ophthalmologist Hu Hsin-lin (胡鑫麟). They were handcuffed, herded onto two jeeps and taken to the Secrecy Bureau (保密局) for questioning. Su was still in his doctor’s robes at
Mirror mirror on the wall, what’s the fairest Disney live-action remake of them all? Wait, mirror. Hold on a second. Maybe choosing from the likes of Alice in Wonderland (2010), Mulan (2020) and The Lion King (2019) isn’t such a good idea. Mirror, on second thought, what’s on Netflix? Even the most devoted fans would have to acknowledge that these have not been the most illustrious illustrations of Disney magic. At their best (Pete’s Dragon? Cinderella?) they breathe life into old classics that could use a little updating. At their worst, well, blue Will Smith. Given the rapacious rate of remakes in modern