Upcoming
Tomorrow and Sunday, the Taipei Artist Village (TAV) hosts the Winter Open Studio, a free event featuring workshops by artists-in-residence. There will also be musical performances, beginning with a taiko drum show from Taipei Drum (台北極鼓集).
Highlights include an installation by Australian artist Jayne Dyer, who created thousands of black butterflies to display at the TAV Gallery as a message of “nature in crisis,” and a performance by Taipei’s 1/2Q Theater (二分之一Q劇場), which combines modern dance and theater with traditional kun opera (崑劇). Workshop sessions include a demonstration of “contact improvisation” by performance artist Mauro Sacchi and vocal experiments from sound artist Alice Chang (張惠笙). On Sunday the event concludes with a party and performances from The Tribe of West Africa, an African percussion group, David Chen and the Muddy Basin Ramblers and The Dana Wylie Band.
▲ Taipei Artist Village, 7, Beiping East Rd, Taipei City (台北市北平東路7號). Tel: (02) 3393-7377
▲ A detailed schedule can be downloaded from www.artistvillage.org/events.php?type=4
▲ Tomorrow and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm; on Sunday, there is a party from 6:30pm to 10pm
▲ Entrance to all events is free
Mando-pop superstars A-mei (張惠妹) and Wang Lee-hom (王力宏) join MC Hot Dog, Wu Bai (伍佰) and China Blue, Kimbo (胡德夫) and dozens of other local and foreign acts at the Pacific International Sightseeing Festival 2009 (2009太平洋國際音樂節) at the Meiluen Brewery Hualien, which starts today and runs through Jan. 4, 2009. In addition to the music there will be exhibitions sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and trade associations. The festival is organized by the Hotel Association of the Republic of China (中華民國旅館商業同業公會全國聯合會).
▲ Pacific International Sightseeing Festival 2009 (2009太平洋國際音樂節) at the Meiluen Brewery (美崙酒廠), 6 Meigong Rd, Hualien City (花蓮市美工路6號). For more information, including directions and a band schedule, go to
www.pacific2009.com.tw
▲ Today through Jan. 4, 2009 from 10am to 9:30pm (ends at midnight on New Year’s Eve)
▲ No admission fee
Theater
Li Ling the Abandoned Hero (半世英雄•李陵) is the fifth experimental kunqu (崑曲) play created by 1/2Q Theater (二分之一Q劇場). Han Dynasty general Li Ling, who has been betrayed and captured by the Huns, is waiting to strike back against the enemy, only to find that the emperor has ordered the death of his entire family. Haunted by grief for the rest of his life, Li never returns to his homeland.
▲ Experimental Theater of the National Theater, Taipei City
▲ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Wonderwork (誰是聖誕老公公), staged by If Kids Theater (如果兒童劇團) for the second time in four years, tells the story of an old man who is inexplicably chosen to be of one of the world’s 500 Santa Clauses. As he helps deliver presents to children, it dawns on him that people see him as a greedy, stingy and inconsiderate person.
▲ Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段25號)
▲ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm; tomorrow and Sunday at 10:30am and 2:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
The president’s daughter is cast in the role of Juliet in Tainaner Ensemble’s (台南人劇團) humorous play within a play K24 (Chaos). The K24 Bureau of Investigation discovers that an attempt will be made on the first daughter’s life on opening night and tries to uncover the killer’s identity. This weekend’s performances feature the first two episodes from the six-episode series.
▲ Preparatory Office, Wei Wu Ying Center for the Arts (高雄縣衛武營藝術文化中心 籌備處)) 449-1, Nanjing Rd, Fengshan City, Kaohsiung County (高雄縣鳳山市南京路449-1號)
▲ Today at 7:30pm and tomorrow at 2:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$200, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Acting without a script, singing songs without lyrics and playing music without a score, Guts Improv Theater (勇氣即興劇場) presents three improvisational shows, each with a specific theme: dramatic games, a play involving audience participation, and a love story. [See story on Page 15.]
▲ Comedy Club, B1, 24 Taishun St, Taipei City (台北市泰順街24號B1)
▲ Tomorrow and Sunday at 8:00pm; tomorrow at 10:00pm
▲ Tickets are NT$200 or NT$300 with one drink, available at the door or at a 10 percent discount through tickets.books.com.tw or by calling (02) 2782-1100
Based on the novel by the noted writer Wang Lan (王藍) and newly adapted by the Chinese Confederation of Entertainment Unions (中華演藝工會), Blue and Black (藍與黑) tells the story of three young people with lofty ideals during the Chinese Civil War. GIO Minister Vanessa Shih (史亞平) will be on stage during the last show.
▲ Zhongshan Hall, Taipei City
▲ Monday and Tuesday at 7:00pm and Tuesday at 2:00pm
▲ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$2,000, available through tickets.books.com.tw or by calling (02) 2782-1100
The Fifth Chinese Character Festival (第五屆漢字文化節), which aims to promote the use of Chinese characters and is organized by the Council for Cultural Affairs (行政院文化建設委員會), runs through Jan. 11, 2009 at Huashan Culture Park in Taipei City. Taking place tomorrow night is one of the festival’s highlights, In Calligraphy, Tea and Music in Fall (深秋的茶•樂與書), a presentation by Lin Ku-fang (林谷芳), director of Fo Guang University’s Graduate Institute of Art Studies.
▲ Huashan Culture Park (華山創意文化園), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市德路一段1號)
▲ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲ Tickets are NT$600, available through tickets.books.com.tw or by calling (02) 2782-1100
Classical music
Lang Lang Piano Recital (郎朗鋼琴獨奏會) features the internationally renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang (郎朗) performing a program that includes Schubert’s Piano Sonata No.20 in A Major, D.959, Bartok’s Piano Sonata BB 88 Sz.80, Debussy’s Selections From Debussy Preludes: Book 2, Book 1 and Chopin’s Polonaise Op. 53 in A-flat Major, “Heroic.”
▲ Today at 7:30pm
▲ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$800 to NT$4,800, available through ERA ticketing
Li and Lin Piano Duo Recital (李美文.林雅敘2008深琴對語), sees pianists Li Mei-wen (李美文) and Lin Ya-hsu (林雅敘) performing a program that includes Mozart’s Sonata in D Major for Two Pianos, KV448 and Brahms’ F Minor Sonata for Two Pianos, Op.34bis.
▲ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲ National Recital Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$600, available through ERA ticketing
An Evening of Brahms and the Double Concerto (新絕代雙嬌 — 布拉姆斯雙協奏曲之夜) is the final concert for this year by the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (長榮交響樂團). The program includes Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, Brahms’ Double Concerto and Symphony No. 3. The orchestra will be conducted by Gernot Schmalfuss and feature Lin Yun-pai (林允白) on violin and Yeh Ju-pei (葉儒沛) on cello.
▲ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$1,500, available through ERA ticketing
An Evening with Slatkin — 2009 NSO New Year’s Concert (麥卡倫極致享宴 — 2009國家音樂廳新年音樂會) features conductor and multiple Grammy Award-winner Leonard Slatkin conducting the National Symphony Orchestra in a program that includes Holst’s The Planets, Korngold’s Nocturn from “Much Ado About Nothing”, Mozart’s A Musical Sleigh Ride, and Strauss’ Blue Danube Waltz.
▲ Wednesday at 10pm and Thursday at 7:30pm
▲ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,400, available through NTCH ticketing
Contemporary
Tonight The Wall (這牆) hosts a CD release party for the compilation album Da Party, which features songs by up-and-coming indie bands. Groups performing tonight include Ride to Where (騎去哪), Moka Apple and electronica outfit Go Chic. Later tonight, another party rolls in with funk and nu-metal band Coach (教練) and DJ Jez F from electronica outfit KbN (凱比鳥). Tomorrow the venue hosts Punch Party 9, a get-together for a network of 60 Taiwanese bloggers. Each blogger will give a seven-minute talk. On Sunday it’s post-rock band Mosquilephant (蚊子大象) and garage rockers White Eyes (白目).
▲ 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.thewall.com.tw for more information
▲ 8pm and 11:30pm tonight; from 7pm to 10pm tomorrow; 8pm on Sunday
▲ NT$400 entrance for each event tonight; NT$300 tomorrow and Sunday
Tonight Witch House (女巫店) hosts Bitter, playing music influenced by Manchester rock from the 1980s and 1990s, and electronica group Veraqueen. Tomorrow Hong Shen-hao (洪申豪) of indie rock band Touming Magazine (透明雜誌) puts on a solo show, followed by Ban Ban (斑斑), who plays solo acoustic music. On New Year’s Eve the venue lets you “game into the evening” with its extensive collection of fantasy board games.
▲ 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; entrance for New Year’s Eve party is NT$450, and NT$350 for those who dress in costume.
Tonight is Electric Bass Night 2 at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言), featuring bass virtuoso Huang Chun-han (黃群翰) and Ning Zi-da (甯子達). Pop-rock band Da Bones (骨頭樂隊) and Singaporean pop singer Jing Wong (黃靖倫) take to the stage tomorrow. Wednesday night is the venue’s New Year’s Eve party, and in keeping with its tradition of the past nine years, there will be a jazz jam featuring owner and guitarist Geddy Lin (林正如) and his backing band, along with a long list of guest musicians.
▲ 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 9:30pm tonight, 9pm tomorrow and 9:30pm on Wednesday
▲ NT$400 tonight and tomorrow. On New Year’s Eve, NT$500 with one drink or NT$600 with two drinks
The Dana Wylie Band, a folk and roots group, appears tonight at Sappho de Base, while Jazz Your Mind performs tomorrow. Tuesday features acoustic music that mixes folk, country, rock, blues and early jazz with The Accidentals. On Wednesday electronica-rock and video band Gross Fugue presents a new project to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
▲ 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
Pop and dance band Spider appears tonight at Tone 56 Live Bar. Tomorrow it’s DJ Charl of South Africa spinning contemporary and techno tunes. On Sunday pop-rock cover band Stud takes to the stage. On New Year’s Eve house band Loaded plays until midnight, followed by rock from the Acoustic Avengers.
▲ 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 Sunday
▲ No admission fee
Reggae and dub are the sounds tonight at Underworld(地下社會), with Paiwan group Matzka and De Hot from Taitung and Dangzai Kongzhong (盪在空中). Tomorrow it’s Kenny From Casino (賭場肯尼), a group that combines emo, punk, Britpop and garage, and pop-rockers New Yorker (紐約客). On Wednesday night anarchist rockers LTK Commune (濁水溪公社) and garage band White Eyes (白目) kick off the venue’s New Year’s Eve celebration, which continues with a dance party featuring Underworld’s house DJs. [See story on Page 13.]
▲ 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; on New Year’s Eve the bands go from 9pm to 11:30pm and the dance party goes from 11:30pm to 5am. Bar open from 8pm Tuesdays through Sundays
▲ Entrance is NT$300 tonight and tomorrow and includes one drink; the New Year’s Eve party is NT$500 for the bands (includes two drinks), with free entrance to the dance party; entrance for the dance party is NT$300 and includes one drink.
Bliss celebrates New Year’s Eve with The Soul, Sweat and Swank Show, featuring DJs spinning classic soul and funk hits. [See story on Page 13.]
▲ 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
▲ Wednesday at 10pm. Bar/kitchen open from 7pm daily
▲ NT$500 cover with drink specials all night. Extra to reserve tables and sofas on the first floor. Call Travis at 0930-000-402 for details
Both established and aspiring Taiwanese pop musicians perform regularly at the EZ5 Live House. This homey pub and restaurant on Anhe Road, where the 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 on Mondays, and Julia Peng (彭佳慧) on Tuesdays. On Wednesday, EZ5 celebrates New Year’s Eve with its usual lineup, which includes house singer Liu Wei-ren (劉偉仁) and a surprise special guest.
▲ 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, except for Wednesday’s, which runs from 9:30pm until 1:15am
▲ Entrance fees range from NT$600 to NT$850 depending on the performer and include two drinks
As of press time, the weekly blues open mic is still on for Wednesday, New Year’s Eve, at the Cosmo-politan Grill, 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
Room 19 features 19 works created by cutting-edge artists from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the US, displayed in 19 rooms. The exhibition examines whether nightclubbing could be viewed as a type of political practice.
▲ Taipei National University of Arts — Kuandu Museum of Arts (台北藝術大學關渡美術館), 1 Xueyuan Rd, Beitou Dist, Taipei City (台北市北投區學園路1號).
▲ Open Tuesdays` through Sundays from 10am to 5pm. Tel: (02) 2896-1000 x2432
▲ Until Feb. 22, 2009
Allegorical Bodies (印尼當代群展—人體寓言). The recently opened gallery invited Indonesian curator Hendro Wiyanto to put together a group exhibition of works by five contemporary artists living in Indonesia.
▲ A Art Contemporary Space (A Art當代空間), 436, Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市仁愛路四段436號). Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11am to 8pm. Tel: (02) 8780-6878
▲ Until Jan. 6, 2009
Lee Ming Chung’s Solo Exhibition XI (李民中個展XI). A versatile artist who often composes music to accompany his paintings, Lee is known for creating abstract art with a colorful palette and childlike sensitivity and imagination. The exhibition displays 15 new oils.
▲ Main Trend Gallery (大趨勢畫廊), 209-1, Chengde Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市承德路三段209-1號). Open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11am to 7pm. Tel: (02) 2587-3412
▲ Jan. 14, 2009
Beauty and Sorrow (美麗與哀愁). The group exhibition features paintings by five Japanese artists that examine the dreamy and fairytale character of the country’s contemporary art scene.
▲ Michael Ku Gallery (谷公館), 4F-2, 21, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路一段21號4樓之2). Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11am to 8pm. Tel: (02) 2577-5601
▲ Until Jan. 11, 2009
Tsui Kuang-yu — Absence_1995 & 2005 Documenta (崔廣宇個展 當時不在場_95與05年文件展). The work on display at IT Park Gallery isn’t art per se, but historical documents from the artist’s relationship with the gallery.
▲ IT Park Gallery (伊通公園), 2-3F, 41, Yitong St, Taipei City (台北市伊通街41號2/3樓). Open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 1pm to 10pm. Tel: (02) 2507-7243
▲ Until Jan. 10, 2009
Comedy
Canadian funnyman Kurt Penney headlines The Real Deal, a New Year’s Eve stand-up comedy show at the Comedy Club. In an e-mail describing the show, Penney wrote: “If this isn’t the best comedy show anyone has seen in Taiwan (excluding shows that I’ve been in, of course), I’ll run naked through 西門町 [Ximending].” Also making appearances will be Matt “The Puppet Guy “ Bronsil, Spotty 2-Shoes, the Taichung Improv Group, Tobie Openshaw and a “special guest.”
▲ Comedy Club, B1, 24 Taishun St, Taipei City (台北市泰順街24號B1). For reservations, call (02) 2369-3730
▲ New Year’s Eve from 10pm to 3am
▲ NT$500 admission includes two drinks. NT$80 drink specials all night
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