Theater
Organized by the Paper Windmill Theater Troupe (紙風車劇團),
the Taipei County Children’s Performance Art Festival
(台北縣兒童表演藝術節) is staging carnival-like performances by theater and dance troupes, interactive games and bazaars during its tour of 29 villages and towns. Big Feet Troupe (大腳ㄚ劇團) performs this Sunday in Sansia Township (三峽鎮). Comma Theater Company (逗點創意劇團) performs on Wednesday in Wanli Township (萬里鄉).
Sansia Elementary School (三峽國小), 16 Chungshan Rd, Sansia Township, Taipei County (台北縣三峽鎮中山路16號); Tapeng Elementary School
▲(大鵬國小), 14 Jiatou Rd, Wanli Township, Taipei County (台北縣萬里鄉加投路14號)
▲Shows run from 1:30pm to 4:30pm
▲No admission fee
In Pipo Fairies (碧波仙子) by Taichung’s highly regarded Kuo Kwang Taiwanese Opera Troupe (國光歌劇團), a penniless young scholar whiles the time away feeding fish and turtles in a lake after being rejected by the wealthy father of his beloved. One day, the turtle and carp spirits in the lake decide to repay their benefactor’s kindness by making his wishes come true.
Taipei Culture Center, Yanping Branch (台北市社教館延平分館),
▲ 9F, 21, Dihua St Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市迪化街一段21號9樓)
▲Tomorrow at 2pm
▲Tickets are NT$100 at the door
The latest production of the Dance Shoe series, initiated by Kaohsiung City Ballet (高雄城市芭蕾舞團) in 2004 to provide a platform for nurturing new talents, Dance Shoe VI (點子鞋系列六) features works by six young promising choreographers. It will later tour Tainan City and Kaohsiung City. [See story on Page 15.]
▲National Experimental Theater, Taipei City
▲Tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$400, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
The Youth Beijing Opera Troupe of Beijing (北京京劇院青年團) teams up with seasoned Taiwanese artists in a series of Beijing opera classics that includes Si Lang Seeks His Mother (四郎探母) and Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea (八仙過海). [See story on Page 13.]
▲Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段25號)
▲Today at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$300 to NT$5,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Choreographer Lin Li-min (林麗敏) fuses elements of ballet, modern and jazz dances in Heritage Innovation (傳承,創新) performed by teenage dancers from the Dance Village (舞鄉舞團) troupe.
▲Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段25號)
▲Thursday at 7:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
Amore, Amore — Duet of Accordion and Soprano (手風琴與女高音的二重奏) brings together Slovenian accordionist and German-trained soprano Chen Hsin-ying (陳心瑩) in a program that includes songs by Rosa, Caccini, Scarlatti and Rodrigo.
▲Today at 7:30pm
▲National Recital Hall, Taipei City
▲Tickets are NT$300 and NT$500, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Romantic Kaohsiung (高雄是這樣浪漫音樂會) is a concert by the Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra (高雄市國樂團), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The program, which features pieces such as April Rain (四月望雨) and The Song of the Ai River (愛河之歌), was compiled to complement the atmosphere of Valentine’s Day.
▲Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲Kaohsiung City Concert Hall (高雄市音樂館演奏廳), 99 Hesi Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市河西路99號)
▲Tickets are NT$200, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
The 50th Anniversary of the Butterfly Lovers (NCO 梁祝五十系列《情．迷．梁祝 》) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Butterfly Lovers Concerto for Huqin (《梁祝》胡琴協奏曲), which is based on one of the best-known love stories of Chinese literature. The concert features the National Chinese Orchestra (NCO) and the program includes the Taiwanese premiere of the cello sections of Tan Dun’s (譚盾) music from the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (《臥虎藏龍》大提琴協奏曲). The orchestra will be conducted by Wen Yi-jen (溫以仁), with Lu Chao-lun (呂超倫) on huqin and Yen Jiemin (嚴潔敏) on cello.
▲Today at 7:30pm
▲Novel Hall (新舞台), 3-1 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路3-1號)
▲Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing on online at www.artsticket.com.tw
In Fantasy of an Artist Lost in Love (一位失戀藝術家的幻想告白),
cellist Janet Chien (簡荿玄) performs with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO) conducted by Wu Shou-ling (吳琇玲). The program includes Debussy’s Clair de Lune (arr. by Alfred Reed), Saint-Saens’ Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 33 and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14.
▲Sunday at 2:30pm
▲Taipei Zhongshan Hall (台北市中山堂), 98 Yenping S Rd, Taipei City
(台北市延平南路98號)
▲Tickets are NT$200 to NT$800, available through NTCH ticketing on online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Contemporary
Eric Mandala brings his “world music fusion” to VU Live House tomorrow night. [This was incorrect. The gig should have been reported as taking place tonight. The Taipei Times regrets the error]. Afterwards, Konkrete Jungle presents British DJ Miss Represent, who spins “liquid funk.” Also appearing are DJs NoNSeNsii and Too Bad It’s Not Tronic. [See Vinyl Word.]
▲B1, 77, Wuchang St Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市武昌街二段77號B1).
▲Tel: (02) 2314-1868
▲First show begins at 8pm, DJs start at 11pm
▲Admission for first show is NT$350, includes one drink; second show is NT$600 for men and NT$400 for women, includes one drink
Tonight and tomorrow The Wall (這牆) hosts LM.C, a Japanese electro-rock duo renowned for their wild costumes and high-energy shows. On Sunday indie-pop icons 1976 performs, with an opening set from indie rockers Orangegrass (澄草). Appearing on Wednesday are newcomers io, post-rock band Mosquilephant (蚊子大象) and Slow Motion, a band that attempts a mix of hard rock and French disco thump a la Daft Punk.
▲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
▲Shows start at 8:30pm tonight, 7pm tomorrow and 8pm Sunday and Wednesday
▲Entrance is NT$1,500 tonight and tomorrow, NT$400 on Sunday and NT$300 on Wednesday
Tonight at Witch House (女巫店), solo acoustic artist Takanow (達卡鬧) sings in the Rukai (魯凱), Hokkien and Hakka languages. Afterwards, Taitung Amis singer Long-ge (龍哥), who is known for his rousing drinking songs, takes to the stage. Singer Huang Jie (黃玠) appears tomorrow.
▲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
▲Admission for music shows is NT$300, includes one drink
Taking to the stage tomorrow at Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館) is college pop-rock favorite Crowd Lu (盧廣仲), whose popularity continues to grow. Advance tickets are likely to sell out, but the venue is holding 50 tickets to sell on the day of the concert starting at 6pm.
▲177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧南路177號). Call (02) 2370-8805 or visit www.riverside.com.tw
▲Show starts at 8:30pm
▲NT$550 admission includes a drink
Electro and disco-punk DJs Sinister Sound Syndicate are on tonight at Bliss, while tomorrow it’s Tainan punk band Divebomb and pop-punk rockers Abandoned Machines. Thursday is open-mic night. All are welcome to perform either three songs or a set running 15 minutes long.
▲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, visit www.myspace.com/blisslivehouse
▲Tomorrow at 10pm. Bar/kitchen open from 7pm daily. Ladies night Wednesdays, women get free sparkling wine with NT$100 specials on mixed cocktails
▲Free tonight and Thursday, NT$200 tomorrow
Ray Band (雷樂隊), a trio of veteran session musicians, plays power rock originals and covers tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言). The whispery voice of indie-pop chanteuse Waa Wei (魏如萱) sets a Valentine’s Day mood tomorrow 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
▲Shows start at 9pm tonight and tomorrow
▲Entrance is NT$400 tonight and NT$500 tomorrow and includes a drink
Jazz Your Mind performs tonight at Sappho de Base. Chicago-style blues group BoPoMoFo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ) appears tomorrow. [See Highlight.] On Tuesday the venue hosts an open jam, led by the Sappho House Band. The Mr Ed Trio performs on Wednesday.
▲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 on weekends, 10pm on weekdays
▲No admission fee
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
EZ5 Live House hosts Mando-pop singers backed by a live band every night. Highlights this week include pop singer Julia Peng (彭佳慧), who appears on Tuesdays, and Hsing Lung (辛隆), who appears on Saturdays.
▲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
▲Music shows run from 9:45pm to 12:30am
▲Entrance (including two drinks) ranges from NT$600 to NT$850, depending on the performer. Call venue for exact fees
Taking to the stage tonight at Underworld (地下社會) are electronica rock outfit Unfamiliar Friends Party (不熟的朋友) and Shishukong (屍術控). Tomorrow evening it’s hip-hop rockers Living Force (存活勢力). Wednesday is metal night with Brain Corrosion and Total Disruption. On Thursday the venue hosts a special show featuring Taimaica Soundsystem (台買加環繞音效), high-energy rockers 88 Balaz (八十八顆芭樂籽) and indie group Wangwen (惘聞) of China.
▲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
▲Shows run from 9:30pm to 11:30pm tonight and tomorrow and 9pm to 11pm on Wednesday and Thursday
▲Entrance is NT$300 tonight and tomorrow and includes one drink, Wednesday’s show is NT$100, Thursday’s show is NT$400 for admission and one drink
Tonight at Tone 56 Live Bar it’s Rubber Band, which plays rock, pop and dance music. Tomorrow Blues Vibrations perform their mix of surf rock, blues and jam-band music. On Sunday it’s an open acoustic jam.
▲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 tomorrow, Sunday’s open jam runs from 6pm to 10pm
▲No admission fee
Exhibitions
New Animamix (新動漫) features works by such renowned figures in Asian art as Yoshitaka Amano, from Japan; Kim Don Yoo, Kwon Kisoo, Eddie Kang and Lee Lee Nam from South Korea; China’s Tang Zhigan (唐志岡); and Taiwan’s Liao Yu-an (廖堉安) and Hung Yi (洪易). Also included in the exhibit are works by super-realist, post-pop artist duo Thukral & Tagra, from India. Animamix is an art movement that draws from the aesthetics of anime and comics.
▲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 daily from 11am to 6:30pm, closed on Mondays. Tel: (02) 2771-3236
▲Until Feb. 28
Tree With Arteries — Su-Chen Hung Solo Exhibition (樹是有血管的 — 洪素珍個展) is a solo exhibition that investigates cultural and individual memory and the relationship between humans and the environment.
▲Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei (MOCA, 台北當代藝術館), 39 Changan W Rd, Taipei City (台北市長安西路39號). Open daily from 10am to 6pm, closed on Mondays
▲Until March 12
Those wanting to gain a deeper understanding of one of Asia’s oldest trade routes can check out Legends of the Silk Road — Treasures From Linjiang (絲路傳奇—新疆文物大展). The exhibit provides viewers with a glimpse of life in the ancient world by displaying 150 items unearthed along the Silk Road, including a 4,000-year-old mummified body of a woman in sandals known as the Loulan Beauty (樓蘭美女) and artifacts from the Tang Dynasty.
▲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 daily from 10am to 6pm, closed on Mondays
▲Until March 15
Mind as Passion (激情心靈) explores the ideas behind art that is created using new media technologies such as video as well as two-dimensional and three-dimensional images. The exhibition includes works by 17 artists from Japan and Taiwan.
▲Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM), 181, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市中山北路三段181號).
▲Open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm, closed on Mondays.
▲Tel: (02) 2595-7656
▲Until March 29
Ancient Pottery of the Paiwan Tribe in Taiwan (祖靈的居所—台灣排灣族古陶壺特展) shows how ceramics are closely associated with the legends of the Paiwan tribe’s origins, and how pottery helps to perpetuate the tribe’s social hierarchy.
National Museum of Natural Science (國立自然科學博物館), 1, Kuanchien Rd, Taichung City (台中市館前路1號). Open daily from 9am to 5pm, closed on Mondays
Until May 17
Lee Ming-tiao Photography Retrospective (李鳴鵰攝影回顧展). Lee is considered one of the foremost figures in the history of Taiwanese photography. His camera captured the anonymous, the rural and the poor at work, home and play. This exhibit displays Lee’s black-and-white and color photography and memorabilia dating from the Japanese colonial period up until the 1990s.
Taipei Fine Arts Museum (TFAM), 181, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市中山北路三段181號).
Open daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm, closed on Mondays. Tel: (02) 2595-7656
Until April 5
The God of Earth in Taiwan
(台灣土地公特展) explains the origins of the Earth God (土地公) and why it continues to play an important role in folk worship throughout the country.
National Museum of Natural Science (國立自然科學博物館), 1, Kuanchien Rd, Taichung City (台中市館前路1號). Open daily from 9am to 5pm, closed on Mondays
Until May 31
Skies of Northern Tibet (藏北的天空) is a solo exhibition of 13 of Chiu Hsien-te’s (邱顯德) watercolors. The exhibit shows the continuing evolution of the artist’s style with the sky now occupying a greater proportion of the picture surface than ever before. Stylistically, the paintings possess a freer, more lyrical expressiveness and a tremendous richness of layering and tonal shifts in color.
99 Degrees Art Center (99藝術中心) 5F, 259, Dunhua S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路一段259號5F). Open daily from 11am to 6pm, closed on Mondays
Until Feb. 28
Art on Balcony (露台開賣) presents 100 works by 40 emerging and established contemporary artists working in a variety of different mediums including painting, sculpture, photography and printmaking.
Project Fullfill Art Space (就在藝術空間), 2, Alley 45, Ln 147, Xinyi Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市信義路三段147巷45弄2號). To arrange a viewing
call (02) 2325-0023
Until March 8
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