Theater
In The Drought Goddess (大神魃), by Ethan Chen Production House (野墨坊), the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di, 黃帝) banishes his daughter because he fears that she has become too powerful after she helps him win an important battle. [See story on Page 15.] The traditional opera, which is the second production in the New Idea Theater Festival (新點子劇展) and features beiguan (北管) and nanguan (南管) music, examines how the daughter copes with loneliness.
▲National Experimental Theater, Taipei City
▲Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm and tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing
The Taipei National University of the Arts’ (國立台北藝術大學) theater department will stage two short plays: For All Time, a one-act play by Rita Wellman that tells the tragic story of a group of women dealing with loss; and an adaptation of Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s Bremer Freiheit, which is based on the life of 19th-century serial killer Geesche Gottfried.
▲Taipei National University of the Arts — Performing Arts Center (國立台北藝術大學展演藝術中心戲劇廳), 1, Xueyuan Rd, Beitou Dist, Taipei City (台北市北投區學園路1號)
▲Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$350, available through NTCH ticketing
Human Condition (人間條件), Green Ray Theater’s (綠光劇團) newest play, centers on the life of a 17-year-old girl who rebels against her dysfunctional family’s listless existence.
▲Sun Yat-sen Hall of the National Sun Yat-sen University Art Center (高雄中山大學逸仙館), 70 Lienhai Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市蓮海路70號)
▲Tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,000, available through ERA ticketing
The Little Matches Girl (賣番仔火的小女孩) by Taiyuan Puppet Theater Company (台原偶戲團) tells the story of a greedy grandmother who forces her granddaughter to work in a factory that makes matches. The girl befriends a little boy and together they discover that the matches are alive. One night, a disaster threatens the lives of both children and their match friends.
▲Nadou Theater (納豆劇場), 79 Xining N Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧北路79號)
▲Tomorrow at 3pm
▲Tickets are NT$200, available through NTCH ticketing
Classical music
2008 Christmas Concert — Santa Is Gone? (2008聖誕音樂會－聖誕老公公不見了) is a family concert featuring the Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Chorus (台北愛樂室內合唱團), the Philharmonic Theater Workshop (愛樂劇工廠) and the jazz orchestra of the Taipei Philharmonic (台北愛樂青年管弦樂團附設爵士樂團) under the direction of Hsieh Shu-jing (謝淑靖) and conducted by Ku Yu-chong (古育仲). The program includes music from Polar Express and Christmas favorites such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Silent Night and Frosty the Snowman.
▲Today at 7:30pm and tomorrow 2:30pm
▲National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,200, available through NTCH ticketing
Star Light, Dreams and Christmas Carols — Evergreen Symphony Orchestra Charity Concert (星燦.夢想.耶誕頌.長榮交響樂團 — Xmas慈善音樂會) opens with Anderson’s Christmas Festival. Blind soprano Chu Wan-hua (朱萬花), who is also the Secretary General of the Arts Promotion Association for the Disabled (APAD) and longtime promoter of disabled musicians, will sing Moonlight Serenade (月光小夜曲), Twilight on the Tamsui River (淡水暮色), When I Open My Heart (打開心內的門窗), The Green Island Serenade (綠島小夜曲) and other well-known Taiwanese folk songs. Blind clarinetist Chang Lin-fong (張林峰) will perform in Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2. All proceeds from this concert will be given to APAD to help create more opportunities for disabled performers. The Evergreen Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Gernot Schmalfuss. More information on the concert can be found at www.orchestra.evergreen.com.tw
▲Thursday at 7:30pm
▲National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲Tickets are NT$500 and NT$1,500, available through ERA ticketing
Hung Hsiao-chin 2008 Solo Obeo Recital (洪小琴2008年雙簧管獨奏會) features young oboist Hung Hsiao-chin (洪小琴) performing a program that includes Strauss’ Oboe concerto, Skalkottas’ Concertino for Solo Oboe and Piano Accompaniment and Pasculli’s Concerto Sopra Motivi Dell Opera La Favorita Di Donizetti for Oboe and Piano. Hung will be accompanied by pianist Chen Yi-min (陳藝民).
▲Today at 7:30pm
▲Kaohsiung City Concert Hall (高雄市音樂館演奏廳), 99 Hehsi Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市河西路99號)
▲Tickets are NT$200, available through NTCH ticketing
Contemporary
Tomorrow night it’s hip-hop and positive vibes at VU Livehouse, as Island Jam presents Hip Hop Winter Clash, with DJs Marcus Aurelius, Sofa King, and Mixter-T and Shaman, and Jamaican sound system Black Reign International.
▲
B1, 77, Wuchang St Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市武昌街二段77號B1). Tel: (02) 2314-1868
▲Tonight at 11pm
▲NT$350 admission includes one drink
Wu Bai (伍佰) and China Blue appear tomorrow night at Party Room at the Core Pacific City Mall, in the final show of a five-weekend run. The Taiwanese rock pioneer is currently promoting his latest album, Spacebomb (太空彈).
▲Party Room, Core Pacific City Mall (京華城), 12F, 138, Bade Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市八德路四段138號12樓)
▲Tomorrow at 9pm
▲Tickets are NT$900, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.tickets.com.tw; also available at the door. Ticket price includes one drink. No assigned seating
The Wall (這牆) features three major acts this weekend. Appearing tonight is French indie-pop and soul group Tahiti 80, which sings in English [see Highlight]. Alt-rock chanteuse Faith Yang (楊乃文), who sang a duet with Jarvis Cocker at this month’s Urban Simple Life festival, performs tomorrow. Japanese band Plastic Trees, whose sound ranges from hard-core rock to pop and also borrows from Britpop bands, plays on Sunday. On Wednesday, underground rockers The Chairman (董事長樂團) preside over a 1980s theme party and Christmas celebration.
▲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 visit www.the-wall.com.tw for more information
▲Starts at 8pm tonight; 8:30pm tomorrow (doors open at 8pm); 7pm on Sunday (doors open at 6pm)
▲Tonight’s show is NT$1,200 in advance (available at venue). Shows tomorrow and Sunday are already sold-out. Tickets for the Christmas Eve show are NT$400 in advance (available at venue) and NT$500 at the door
ShantaaL (鼓動的曼陀羅) takes to the stage tonight at Witch House (女巫店), playing the sounds of India, Central Asia, the Middle East and Spain. Tomorrow it’s solo act Ian (芮唯) and indie folk outfit Daxiaojie (大小姐樂團).
▲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
▲Entrance fee for music shows is NT$300, includes one drink
Tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) owner and highly sought-after session guitarist Geddy Lin (林正如) performs with his jazz trio. Afterwards, Fusion Blanca (白融合) takes to the stage. The group features Jyotsna Pang (彭靖惠) on vocals with a backing jazz group, an accordionist and scratch DJ. Performing tomorrow night is vocalist Peggy Hsu (許哲珮)
▲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
▲Shows start at 9pm tonight and tomorrow
▲NT$400 tonight and tomorrow
Sea Journey Jazz Combo (海洋知音爵士樂團), a four-piece group with vibraphone, bass, drums and guitar, appears tonight at Sappho de Base, while The Montunos Latin Band spices up proceedings tomorrow night. The Sappho Jazz Band performs on Tuesday as usual, with an open jam afterwards. Chicago electric-blues band BoPoMoFo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ) rocks the house on Wednesday, and on Thursday the Sappho Jazz Band is back to host an open jam to celebrate Christmas.
▲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 for more information
▲Performances begin at 10:30pm on weekends, 10pm on weekdays
▲No admission fee
Tonight at Tone 56 Live Bar it’s New Orleans funk and rock powerhouse The Kenyatta Trio. Tomorrow DJ Shawl of South Africa spins tunes from “yesteryear to today’s techno.”
▲1F, 56, Minquan E Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市民權東路三段56號1樓), near the corner of Fuxing North (復興北) and Minquan East (民權東) roads. Tel: (02) 2517-3869
▲Music shows go from 9:30pm to 12:30am tonight and tomorrow, and 7:30pm to 9:30pm on Sundays
▲No admission fee
Tonight Underworld (地下社會) hosts Black Summer Days (黑色夏日), whose music is based on hard, rhythmic rock ’n’ roll mixed with blues and punk. Also appearing is punk band Random (隨性). Tomorrow night grunge band KoOk (庫克) visits from Kaohsiung, sharing the bill with post-rock group Sorry Youth. Then on Wednesday, the bar hosts a Christmas Eve party, starting with punk band Feed Me (餵我樂團) and Freeloader and followed by a 1980s dance party.
▲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
▲Music shows tonight and tomorrow are from 9:30pm to 11:30pm. Bar open from 8pm daily; on Wednesday, bands play from 9:30pm to 11:30pm, followed by a dance party, which runs until 5am.
▲Entrance for the music shows is NT$300 tonight and tomorrow and includes one drink; drinks are buy one, get one free on Tuesdays and Thursdays before midnight; for the Christmas party on Wednesday, entrance for the band is NT$300, which includes a drink and admission to the dance party. Entrance for the dance party is NT$100
Tonight at Bliss it’s The Rattlebrains, who describe their songs as a mixture of 1970s psy-ambient rock, post rock and experimental music. Tomorrow DJ collective Idioteque spins alt-rock tunes.
▲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 visit www.bliss-taipei.com. For more information on live performances at Bliss, visit www.myspace.com/blisslivehouse
▲Tonight at 10pm and tomorrow at 8pm. Bar/kitchen open from 7pm daily. Ladies night Fridays; women get one free cocktail of their choice
▲NT$200 for music shows tonight and NT$100 tomorrow
Both established and aspiring Taiwanese pop musicians perform regularly at the EZ5 Live House. This homey pub and restaurant on Anhe Road, whose clientele ranges from taxi drivers to prominent politicians, is one of the few places where people actually turn off their cell phones and listen attentively to the performers. EZ5 hosts three different singers every night. Recommended performers include beloved female crooner Tiger Huang (黃小琥), who performs two sets every Monday, and Julia Peng (彭佳慧), who appears on Tuesdays.
▲211, Anhe Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市安和路二段211號). Call (02) 2738-3995 or visit www.ez5.com.tw for more information
▲Music shows run from 9:45pm to 12:30am
▲Cover and two drinks is NT$600 to NT$850, depending on the performer. Call the venue for exact amount
Every Wednesday night at the Cosmopolitan Grill there’s a blues open mic, held by the Blues Society on Taiwan. 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
▲No admission fee
Exhibitions
Legends of the Silk Road — Treasures From Xinjiang (絲路傳奇—新疆文物大展). This exhibit of ancient artifacts from the Silk Road reflects the history of the ancient trade route connecting Asia and Europe and features 150 archaeological treasures unearthed in Xinjiang. Highlights include the 3,800-year-old “Loulan Beauty” mummy and artifacts from the Tang Dynasty unearthed in Turfan.
▲National Museum of History (國立歷史博物館), 49 Nanhai Rd, Taipei City (台北市南海路49號). Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Tel: (02) 2361-0270
▲Until March 15, 2009
Acrylic Skin/Existence — Hiroyuki Matsuura Solo Exhibition (松浦浩之個展). With a solid training in graphic design, Matsuura is known for his humorous take on Asian society and culture painted with a colorful palette and an anime aesthetic.
▲Eslite Gallery (誠品畫廊), B2, 245, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路一段245號B2). Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11am to 7pm. Tel: (02) 2775-5977 X588
▲Until Jan. 4, 2009
Auto-Plastic Injection — Su Meng-hung’s Solo Exhibitions (自動塑膠射出—蘇孟鴻個展). Promising young artist Su replaces the images of landscapes, flowers, birds and other animals in traditional Chinese painting with icons from contemporary popular culture to create paintings that resemble mass-produced prints. The result is a critical reflection on art as a commercial item.
▲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. Tel: (02) 2578-5630
▲Until Dec. 28
Myth Inside Monitor — Lee Lee Nam (有影無影—李二男影像神話). Having quickly become a star in contemporary art circles in South Korea, Lee Lee Nam stirs fascination with popular video art works that are commonly described as animated paintings, or as Eastern and Western classical paintings brought to life.
▲Metaphysical Art Gallery (形而上畫廊), 7F, 219, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路一段219號7樓). Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11am to 6:30pm. Tel: (02) 2771-3236
▲Until Jan. 4, 2009
Yang Hsing-sheng Solo Exhibition (台灣風情畫—楊興生個展) is an exhibition of more than 40 oil paintings by the acclaimed veteran painter, who has taken artistic nourishment from abstractionism and Taiwan’s native literary movement.
▲Capital Art Center (首都藝術中心), 2F, 343, Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市仁愛路四段343號2樓). Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 7pm. Tel: (02) 2775-5268
▲Until Dec. 28
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