| Highlight | |
Eric Mandala and his world music fusion group, Mandala, play tonight at Bliss.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC MANDALA
| Eric Mandala and his “world music fusion” group Mandala start a tour of Taiwan with a musical performance tonight at Bliss in Taipei. The group, which is currently based in Kyoto, Japan, aims to “bring sacred styles of art together for a new fusion in this new multicultural world.” They play trance grooves and jam band music on many different instruments, in particular those from Africa, India and Indonesia. Mandala has also staged several multimedia and art performances, with past shows in Indonesia including a live painting performance mixed with jazz music played by a traditional gamelan ensemble. And the group is no stranger to Taiwan, having played at Spring Scream in 2004 and at several venues in Taipei in 2005. One of Mandala’s musical themes is the search for a “universal language,” also the title of one of the group’s CDs. At the beginning of the song Jiliumonayo, Mandala says in a voice-over interview: “Universal language is hard to explain … because it is communication without any words, any talking … we live in peace … singing from our hearts … like a bird.” Mandala also performs tomorrow at VU Live House and in Taichung on Sunday and Monday. ▲ Mandala ▲ 10pm tonight at Bliss, 148, Xinyi Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市信義路四段148號); 10pm tomorrow at VU Live House, B1, 77 Wuchang St, Taipei City (台北市武昌街二段77號B1); 8pm Sunday at Retro Taichung, Wuchuan W Rd, Taichung City (台中市五權西路一段116號); 8pm Monday at 1-1, Chingcheng 22nd St, Taichung City (台中市西區精誠22街1-1號). The final venue is a private residence. Call (04) 2310-0836 ▲ Entrance fee NT$200 ▲ On the Net: www.myspace.com/ mandalaworldmusic
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DV8 is back in business in a new location. PHOTO: RON BROWNLOW, TAIPEI TIMES
| DV8, the popular bar formerly located on Jinhua Street (金華街) that closed in February of 2007 after two decades in business, is celebrating its reopening in a new location tomorrow night. Among the highlights: NT$100 draft beers; two-for-one tequila shots all night; and music from DJ Fish. ▲ Tomorrow from 8pm until late. Entrance is free
▲ DV8, 385, Fuxing S Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市復興南路二段385號), between Heping East (和平東) and Xinhai (辛亥) roads, a three-minute walk from the Technology Building (科技大樓) MRT Station |
Theater
Boris Godunov by the renowned Catalan theater group La Fura dels Baus is a play that fuses an historical event, the attack on the Moscow’s Dubrovka Theater in October of 2002 by Chechen rebels, with Alexander Pushkin’s play, which takes its title from the Czar of the same name, who, according to the play, gradually sinks into madness after murdering the Czarevich Dimitri to usurp the throne. The production is about terrorism and what motivates those who commit acts of terrorism.
▲ National Theater, Taipei City
▲ 7:30pm tonight and tomorrow, and 2:30pm Sunday
▲ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$3,000, available through NTCH ticketing
Dharma Master Wu-Da’s Penance (慈悲三昧水懺) is a gezai opera (歌仔戲) by the Hsu Ya-fen Opera Company (�?熇q子劇坊). The opera takes place during the Tang Dynasty and tells the story of a humble monk, Wu-Da, who develops a fiercely arrogant personality after becoming one of the emperor’s spiritual confidants. A painful bodily affliction helps Wu-Da realize the errors of his ways and eventually find redemption.
▲ Kaohsiung County Labor Recreation Center (高雄縣勞工育樂中心)
▲ 7:30pm tonight and tomorrow, and 2:30pm tomorrow
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$2,500, available through ERA ticketing
Classical music
Composition 7 Saxophone Quartet (第七樂章薩克斯風四重奏) are a quartet made up of Ku Po-yu (古博元), Li Cheng-yu (李承育), Wu Chia-chia (吳嘉佳) and Wu Chih-huan (吳志桓), who perform extensively in North America and Europe. They have returned to Taipei and will play a program that includes Petit Quatour, Mountain Road, Grave et Presto and Tango Virtuos.
▲ 7:30pm Tuesday
▲ National Recital Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing
Luo Hui-chu in Concert — Homage to the Baroque (駱惠珠獨唱會－巴洛克歌詠) is a concert of pieces from the Baroque period by singer Luo Hui-chu (駱惠珠), who has made the period her specialty. The program will include Cesti’s Amanti io vi disfido, Intorno all’idol mio, Bassani’s “Dormi bella” from La Serenata, Scarlatti’s Le Violette, Giail sole dal Gange and Vivaldi’s Sposa son dispresata, son quell gelsomino.
▲ 7:30pm Wednesday
▲ National Recital Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing
8th Taipei International Choral Festival (2008第八屆台北國際合唱音樂節) opens tomorrow with the Chamber Choir of Stuttgart under conductor Frieder Bernius. On Monday, the St John’s College Choir of South Africa will perform, followed by the Tapiloa Chamber Choir from Finland on Tuesday, the Chanters Group of the Church of St Panteleimon the Healer from Georgia on Wednesday and he Idea of the North from Australia on Thursday.
▲ 7:30pm tomorrow and 7:30pm Monday through Thursday
▲ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing
Contemporary
The month-long Taipei International Jazz Festival concludes this weekend with free shows tonight and tomorrow evening in 228 Peace Park (228和平紀念公園). Featured performers include trombonist Steve Davis, saxophonist John Rocco, trumpeter Saskia Laroo, singer Denise Jannah, violinist Hsieh Chi-pin (謝啟彬) and pianist Chang Kai-ya (張凱雅). See Page 13 of the June 20, 2008, edition of the Taipei Times for the full festival preview.
▲ 228 Peace Park (228和平紀念公園), Main Stage, near NTU Hospital MRT Station (台大醫院捷運站), exit No. 1
▲ 7:30pm to 9:30pm tonight and tomorrow
▲ No entrance fee
Expat drum ensemble Pan Africana appears tonight at VU Live House. Tomorrow, it’s Mandala, playing “ethnic fusion world music” (see highlight above). Every Thursday is Island Paradise night, featuring reggae, ska and Caribbean music. This Thursday, it’s DJ Katzu, of Jamaican sound system Black Reign International, and Skaraoke.
▲ B1, 77, Wuchang St Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市武昌街二段77號B1). Call (02) 2314-1868 for more information
▲ Performances start at 10pm
▲ NT$300 entrance fee, includes one drink
Appearing tonight at Center Stage (formerly the Living Room, now under new management) is DJ Hamish. Performing tomorrow are The Accidentals.
▲ 3F, 8, Nanjing E Rd Sec 5, Taipei City (台北市南京東路五段8號3樓). Call (02) 8787-4154 or visit www.myspace.com/taipeicenterstage for more information
▲ Performances start at 10pm
▲ Free tonight; NT$200 tomorrow
Appearing tonight at the Underworld (地下室) is White Eyes (白目), a garage band that took first prize at this year’s battle of the bands at the Ho-Hai-Yan Rock Festival (海洋音樂祭). They share a bill with Black Summer Days (黑色夏日), whose music is based on hard rhythm rock ’n’ roll mixed with blues and punk. One-man electro-rock band Sonic Deadhorse and ZX43 take to the stage tomorrow night.
▲ 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
▲ Live shows run from 9:30pm to 11:30pm. The bar is open from 8pm daily; closed Mondays; drinks are buy-one-get-one-free on Tuesdays and Thursdays before midnight
▲ Cover for the music shows is NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays and includes one drink; NT$100 on Wednesdays
Witch House (女巫店) hosts singer Su Erh-chen (蘇兒真), a lawyer by day and aspiring pop musician by night. Rock Song Machine Wuge (搖滾點唱機五哥) appears tomorrow night, playing original fingerstyle guitar compositions backed by a bassist and drummer.
▲ 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號). For more information, 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 Sundays through Wednesdays;
11am to 1am Thursdays through Saturdays
▲ NT$300 entrance includes one drink
Tonight at the Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) it’s big-band jazz ensemble Dizzy Jazz Band (底細爵士樂團). R ’n’ B hip-hop crew Genesis Open Mic (創世紀音樂會) rocks the house tomorrow. On Sunday there’s classical and contemporary jazz with Hung Chun-hui and Wei Niang’s quartet (洪筠惠與威良), followed by the Skyline Jazz Band, whose repertoire includes bossa nova, soul, funk, fusion and R ’n’ B. Monday is open-jam night.
▲ 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). Call (02) 2368-7310 or visit www.riverside.com.tw for more information
▲ Performances start at 9:30pm
▲ NT$400 tonight and tomorrow; NT$350 on Sunday. Admission includes one free drink. There is a one-drink minimum on Monday
Indie rockers The Dolittles and reggae band High Tide play tonight at 89k in Taichung. Tomorrow new group Wailin’ Soul plays roots R ’n’ B.
▲ 25 Takuan Rd, Taichung City (台中市大觀路25號). Call (04) 2381-8240 for more information
▲ Performances start at 10:30pm
▲ NT$300 entrance includes one drink
Every Wednesday night at the Cosmopolitan Grill there’s a blues open mic, held by the Blues Society on Taiwan and hosted by Torch Pratt. All are welcome to bring their instruments and sit in on guitar, bass, or drums.
▲ 1F, 218 Changchun Rd, Taipei City (台北市長春路218號1樓). Call (02) 2508-0304 or visit www.cosmo.com.tw for more information
▲ 8pm to 11pm every Wednesday
▲ Free admission
The Diner’s (樂子) new branch on Dunhua Road hosts The Diner Jam, an open mic every Thursday.
▲ 6, Ln 103, Dunhua S Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路二段103巷6號), just off Anhe Road (安和路), in the lane behind Carnegie’s. Call (02) 2700-1680 or visit www.thediner.com.tw for more information
▲ 9:30pm to midnight every Thursday
▲ Free admission
Exhibition
Good Gangsters (好流氓), a conceptual exhibition curated by Esther Lu and Adnan Yildiz, raises questions such as “why do we need exhibitions?” and “what kind of role do exhibition planners play?”
▲ Taipei Fine Arts Museum (台北市立美術館), 181, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市中山北路三段181號). Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9:30am to 5:30pm, and Saturdays from 9:30am to 8:30pm. Call (02) 2595-7656 for more information
▲ Until Aug. 3
The 6th City on the Move Art Festival 2008: Dark City + Eye of the City (第六屆城市行動藝術節—黑暗城市+城市之眼). For Eye of the City, seven Taiwanese and international visual artists explore the sights, sounds and smells of urban spaces, and the fantasies, feelings and anxieties a city carries within itself. The Dark City sees six Taiwanese architects experimenting with the ideas of the lightness and darkness within cities, including the mesmerizing nightscapes unique to Asian metropolises.
▲ 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 Tuesdays through Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 2552-3720 for more information
▲ Until Aug. 24
Superb Superficialness (很膚淺). Paris-based Taiwanese artist Chou Yu-cheng (周育正) returns home for a solo exhibition of 10 video installation works, sculptures and paintings he has created since 2005. The art will be on display at two separate venues.
▲ Taishin Tower (台新金控大樓), 118, Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市仁愛路四段118號2樓). Open Mondays through Fridays from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 3707-6955 for more information; Galerie Grand Siecle (新苑藝術), 17, Alley 51, Ln 12, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段12巷51弄17號). Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 1pm to 6pm. Call (02) 2578-5630 for more information
▲ Tomorrow until Aug. 16
Contemporary Painters Exhibition (當代名家展). More than 40 paintings by celebrated Taiwanese artists in Taiwan in styles ranging from Impressionism and Realism to Expressionism and with subject matter that includes portraits, still lifes and landscapes.
▲ Cathay United Art Center (國泰世華藝術中心), 7F, 236 Dunhua N Rd, Taipei City (台北市敦化北路236號7樓). Open Mondays through Saturdays from 10am to 6pm. Call (02) 2717-0988 for more information
▲ Until Aug. 23
Beyond a Dialogue (科光幻影—對話之外), an exhibition of digital art by six Taiwanese artists that deals with the themes of time, space, the city, the virtual and the real. The art encourages visitors to think of the impact that technology has on human survival and that urban spaces have on the mind and psyche.
▲ 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 Tuesdays through Sundays from 9am to 5pm. Call (04) 2372-3552 for more information
▲ Until Aug. 17
Event
The Lin Rong San Foundation of Culture and Social Welfare (財團法人林榮三文化公益基金會) is sponsoring Taiwanese-language classes (台語文欣賞與應用) for students of all levels interested in learning to read and write in Hoklo (commonly known as Taiwanese). Classes will be conducted in Mandarin. The basis of instruction will be in romanized Hoklo, which will be taught in the introductory-level class. Some knowledge of romanized Hoklo is assumed for the intermediate-level classes, which will develop reading and writing skills. Introductory classes begin on Aug. 8 and run every Friday until Oct. 10. Intermediate classes start on Aug. 13 and run every Wednesday until Oct. 15. Classes will be held from 6:20pm and 9:20pm. For more information or to register, call (02) 2977-2067 or visit the foundation’s Chinese-language Web site at www.lrsf.org.tw.
▲ Lin Rong San Foundation of Culture and Social Welfare, 6F, 10 Jhongsin Rd Sec 3, Taipei County (台北縣三重巿重新路三段10號6樓)
▲ Registration closes on Wednesday. Participation is free
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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