Theater
The latest stand-up comedy production by Comedian’s Workshop (相聲瓦舍),The Unmatchable Mates (兩光康樂隊), stars Feng Yi-gang (馮翊綱) and Song Shao-qing (宋少卿) as two villagers forced to provide entertainment for the night after the village’s movie projectionist is thrown into jail for stealing money from his boss.
▲Novel Hall (新舞薹), 3-1 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路3-1號)
▲Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,200, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Star performers from the National China Beijing Opera Theatre (中國國家京劇院) have traveled to Taipei with members of an opera troupe from Dalian and China’s National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts (中國戲曲學院) to stage 11 classics at Taipei’s National Theater.
▲National Theater, Taipei City
▲Tonight at 7pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2pm and 7pm
▲Tickets are NT$300 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Made up of six afternoons of performances, Blue Dragon White Tiger (青龍白虎三世纏鬥) by the National Guoguang Opera Company (國立國光劇團) recounts the ancient legend of two mythical beasts, Blue Dragon and White Tiger. The third and fourth installments take place this weekend at Guoguang Theater.
▲Guoguang Theater (國光劇場), 8-1, Ln 66, Mucha Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市木柵路三段66巷8號之1)
▲Tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$200 and NT$300, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Ping-Fong Acting Troupe’s (屏風表演班) 2002 production The Aurora Borealis (北極之光) returns for a countrywide tour. The theme of this star-studded, big-budget production is first love over three generations and the promises and commitment that run through it.
▲Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中中山堂), 98 Syueshih Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號)
▲Tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$600 to NT$3,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Happiness Part III — Forget Me Not (浮浪貢開花3—勿忘影中人), the latest installment of Golden Bough Theatre’s (金枝演社) Happiness (浮浪貢開花) series, which began life four years ago, is a light-hearted, comic musical that tells the story of a young bohemian and his search for happiness.
▲Sun Yat-sen Hall of the National Sun Yat-sen University Art Center (高雄中山大學逸仙館), 70 Lianhai Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市蓮海路70號)
▲Tomorrow at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$300 and NT$1,100, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Taichung Improv Theatre and the Taipei Players present An Evening of Short Plays as part of Stock 20’s Art Festival. The production’s three short one-act plays include The Bear,
written by Anton Chekov, directed by Josh Myers and starring Nick Ford, Jenny McManus, and Thomas van Niekerk, and Oral Report and Alternative Lifestyle by Jack Neary, performed by Katie Partlow, Sarah Zittrer and Mandy Roveda, who is also the director.
▲Stock 21 Experimental Theatre 6-1, Ln 37, Fuxing Rd Sec 4 at Taichung City (台中市復興路四段37巷6-6號)
▲Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$200. For more information, call 0933-367-899 (Chinese), 0912-129-654 (English), or visit www.stock20.com.tw
Classical music
Extremely Murakami (極端村上春樹之夜), a concert by the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra (台北愛樂管弦樂團), features music that mirrors the world of Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. The program includes Rossini’s La Gazza Ladra Overture, Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in A-Major, G. 125, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, and Smetana’s Die Moldau.
▲Today at 7:30pm
▲National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
NSO Theme Park — Voyage in Musical Land (NSO主題樂園—音樂航海王) is a family concert in which the country’s most highly regarded orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra (國家交響樂團), performs in conjunction with actors from If Kids Theater (如果兒童劇團). The orchestra will be under the direction of Chang Yin-fang (張尹芳) and the program will include family-friendly works including selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, Mussorgsky’s Tableaux d’Une Exposition and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumble Bee.
▲Tomorrow at 10:30am and 2:30pm
▲National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲Tickets are NT$400, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Lev Klychkov & Taiwan Pro Arte Orchestra (天方夜譚—聖彼得堡愛樂首席) presents Russian violinist Lev Klychkov performing together with the Taiwan Pro Arte Orchestra (普羅藝術家樂團) under the direction of Liao Chia-hung (廖嘉弘). The program includes Mussorgsky’s Introduction to Act 1 of “Khovantschina,” Tchaikovsky’s Melody Op. 42 No. 3 and Sarasate’s “Navarra” for Violins and Orchestra, Op. 33.
▲Sunday at 7:30pm
▲National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Contemporary
Roxy Vibe, an old Taipei nightclub standby, is closing after this weekend, and the venue is going out with a bang. Tonight is a “back-to-back” mixing session, where two DJs share a set, taking turns choosing songs. DJ team-ups include Elemence with Mixter T, Gil T Azell with C-Type and Shorty with Rich. Also joining in on the fun are MCs Stoppa and Shaman. Tomorrow’s farewell party is mostly live music with Skaraoke, Coach, Boyz and Girl and Hi-Life Wedding and Dr Reniculous Lipz. Rounding out the party are the Rock In Hose Burlesque and DJ Marcus Aurelius. [See story on Page 13.]
▲B1, 155, Jinshan S Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市金山南路一段155號B1)
▲Shows begin at 10pm tonight and tomorrow
▲Entrance fee is NT$350 tonight and NT$400 tomorrow, includes one drink
Tonight at The Wall (這牆) Tizzy Bac returns for another two-night run in support of their latest album,
If I See Hell I Won’t Fear the Devil (如果看見地獄，我就不怕魔鬼). After tomorrow’s show Dance Rock Taipei also returns, with nu-disco and indie-dance sounds from DJs Death Is Not My Aim from Tokyo and Spykee Fat. There will also be live music from Go Chic. On Thursday, punk and deathcore are the sounds of the evening with bands Use Pen to Sing (用筆來唱歌), Ashen and Dangzai Kongzhong (盪在空中).
▲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
▲Tizzy Bac performs at 8pm tonight and tomorrow, tomorrow’s dance party starts at 11:30pm, Thursday’s show starts at 8pm
▲Entrance fee is NT$500 tonight and tomorrow for Tizzy Bac, NT$800 for the dance party tomorrow, NT$300 on Thursday
Tango Negro, which plays accordion music inspired by Argentinean tango composer Astor Piazzolla, appears tonight at Witch House (女巫店). As of press time, no shows are scheduled for tomorrow. On Thursday it’s Brother Fifth (搖滾點唱機五哥), which is composed of two fingerstyle guitarists and a 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 opens 11am to midnight Sundays through Wednesdays; 11am to 1am Thursdays through Saturdays
▲Entry for music shows is NT$300
Tonight string and wind quartet Levites Chamber (利未人室內樂團) appears at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) for a concert with local star cellist Fan Tsung-pei (范宗沛). They will play a “variety of styles to create the atmosphere of a small European bar,” says the venue. Appearing tomorrow is pop singer Peggy Hsu (許哲珮)who just released a new album. On Sunday, it’s pop pianist and vocalist Si Han (思涵) and solo singer Ma Chang (馬場).
▲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
▲Show starts at 9:30pm tonight, 9pm tomorrow and Sunday
▲Entrance fees: NT$400 tonight, tomorrow and NT$350 Sunday
Legendary Puyuma folk singer Kimbo Hu (胡德夫) appears tonight at Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館). He’ll be backed by friends from the Wild Fire Music Troupe (野火樂集), a who’s who of Taiwan’s Aboriginal music scene that includes singer Leo Chen (陳永龍), guitarist Gelresai (陳世川) and Amis singer Hsiao Mei (小美). [See story above.] Tomorrow’s concert with Malaysia-born Mando-pop singer Penny Tai (戴佩妮) is already sold out.
▲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 for more information
▲Tonight at 7pm and tomorrow from 7:30pm to 11:30pm
▲Entrance fee is NT$500 tonight, includes one drink. Tomorrow’s show is sold out
Sea Journey Jazz Combo
(海洋知音爵士樂團), a four-piece
outfit with vibraphone, bass,
drums and guitar, appears tonight
at Sappho de Base. Tomorrow is funky party music with Space Funk and Alice’s Tears. On Tuesday, it’s the Jason Hayashi Trio.
The Chris Stiles Trio plays modern jazz, which includes interpretations
of Chinese pop music, on Wednesday. Double J and Friends appear on Thursday.
▲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
Every Wednesday night at the Cosmopolitan Grill is an open mic session hosted by Jake Stanley of the acoustic duo Stoked Pokey. All are welcome to participate, and participants receive 20 percent off drinks.
▲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
▲8:30pm 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 Huang Chung-yuan (黃中原) tonight and male crooner Hsing Lung (辛隆) tomorrow. Julia Peng (彭佳慧), one of the venue’s major draws, appears every Tuesday.
▲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
▲Entrance (including two drinks) ranges from NT$600 to NT$850, depending on the performer. Call venue for exact fees
Taichung funk and rock-noir band Point 22 (.22) plays with 88 Balaz (88顆芭樂仔) tonight at Underworld (地下社會). Tomorrow post-rock band Collider appears with The Originals. On Wednesday, it’s punk band Inhuman Species (非人物種) and Oh!Serena.
▲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
▲Shows are from 9:30pm to 11:30pm and 9pm to 11pm on Wednesdays
▲Entrance is NT$300 tonight and tomorrow and includes one drink, NT$100 on Wednesday
Franz and Friends (城市舞台藝文沙龍), an upscale restaurant and performance space in Taipei’s East District, hosts music shows every night. The music tends to play it safe, ranging from wistful love songs
and opera numbers to lounge jazz. Weekly highlights include Denise Juan (阮丹青), a former pop singer turned piano teacher, television presenter and traveler, and her band Sunshine Costa. They play tonight. Tomorrow it’s Buona Sera, a group featuring soprano Chang Hsiao-ni (張曉倪).
▲ 25, Bade Rd, Sec 3, Taipei City
(台北市八德路三段25號B1).
▲Call (02) 2579-0558 for reservations,
or visit www.franzandfriends.com.tw for more information
▲Minimum charge of NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays; all other nights minimum charge is one drink
Exhibitions
Saint Anonymous (微塵聖像—阿藍、陳志駒影像雙個展) is a dual exhibition by photographers Chen Chih-chu (陳志駒) and A-Lan (阿藍) that explores themes such as the material and spiritual, sacred and profane and good and evil.
▲Elsa Art Gallery (雲清藝術中心), 3F, 1-1 Tianmu E Rd, Taipei City (台北市天母東路1-1號3樓). Open daily from 1pm to 7pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Tel: (02) 2876-0386
▲Until July 5
Lin Weimin’s (林偉民) paintings question how televisions, computers, digital cameras and video represent truth in his solo exhibition Flash (Flash系列-1).
▲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 June 28
Self-taught artist Yu Cheng-yao (余承堯) updates the classical tradition of mountain and water painting (山水畫) in his solo exhibit Among the Spirits of Heaven and Earth: The Best of Yu Cheng-yao (與天地精神相往來—余承堯精選展).
▲Jia Art Gallery (家畫廊), 1F-1, 30, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市中山北路三段30號1樓之1). Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Tel: (02) 2591-4302
▲Until July 12
Between Dimensions — Li Hui Solo Exhibition (維度之間—李暉個展) uses installation as a means of creating unique visual experiences. The artist combines modern materials such as LED lights, lasers and stainless steel to create a dreamlike world drawn from the transcendental ideas of Buddhism and Taoism.
▲Taipei National University of the Arts, Kuandu Museum of Fine 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 to Sundays from 10am to 5pm. Tel: (02) 2893-8871
▲Until July 19
X Beyond O: Calligraphy-Sign-Space (無中生有:書法 符號 空間) mixes calligraphy, architecture and design to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary media. The collaborative exhibition includes works by calligrapher Tung Yang-tze (董陽孜), Hong Kong director Matthias Woo (胡恩威) and architect Roan Ching-yueh (阮慶岳).
▲Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei (MOCA, Taipei), 39 Changan W Rd, Taipei City (台北市長安西路39號). Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Tel: (02) 2552-3721. On the Net: www.mocataipei.org.tw
▲Until Aug. 9
Cultural Insights From Taiwanese Documentary Photography (台灣美術系列─紀錄攝影中的文化觀) explores Taiwan’s cultural values and social environment through 152 photographs covering the past century. The images are culled from the museum’s permanent collection.
▲National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (國立台灣美術館), 2, Wucyuan W Rd Sec 1, Taichung City (台中市五權西路一段2號). Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am to 5pm. Tel: (04) 2372-3552
▲Until July 19
Taiwan’s plants, animals and folk customs serve as Hsiao Mei’s (蕭媺) visual language in her solo exhibit Here Is Where We Meet (飄遊.境遇). The show features more than 30 of her dreamlike oil paintings created between 2003 and this year.
▲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 Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:30am to 5:30pm, open until 8:30pm on Saturdays. Tel: (02) 2595-7656. On the Net: www.tfam.museum
▲Until June 26
On the final approach to Lanshan Workstation (嵐山工作站), logging trains crossed one last gully over a dramatic double bridge, taking the left line to enter the locomotive shed or the right line to continue straight through, heading deeper into the Central Mountains. Today, hikers have to scramble down a steep slope into this gully and pass underneath the rails, still hanging eerily in the air even after the bridge’s supports collapsed long ago. It is the final — but not the most dangerous — challenge of a tough two-day hike in. Back when logging was still underway, it was a quick,
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislative caucus convener Fu Kun-chi (傅?萁) and some in the deep blue camp seem determined to ensure many of the recall campaigns against their lawmakers succeed. Widely known as the “King of Hualien,” Fu also appears to have become the king of the KMT. In theory, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) outranks him, but Han is supposed to be even-handed in negotiations between party caucuses — the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) says he is not — and Fu has been outright ignoring Han. Party Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) isn’t taking the lead on anything while Fu
There is a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) plot to put millions at the mercy of the CCP using just released AI technology. This isn’t being overly dramatic. The speed at which AI is improving is exponential as AI improves itself, and we are unprepared for this because we have never experienced anything like this before. For example, a few months ago music videos made on home computers began appearing with AI-generated people and scenes in them that were pretty impressive, but the people would sprout extra arms and fingers, food would inexplicably fly off plates into mouths and text on
From censoring “poisonous books” to banning “poisonous languages,” the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) tried hard to stamp out anything that might conflict with its agenda during its almost 40 years of martial law. To mark 228 Peace Memorial Day, which commemorates the anti-government uprising in 1947, which was violently suppressed, I visited two exhibitions detailing censorship in Taiwan: “Silenced Pages” (禁書時代) at the National 228 Memorial Museum and “Mandarin Monopoly?!” (請說國語) at the National Human Rights Museum. In both cases, the authorities framed their targets as “evils that would threaten social mores, national stability and their anti-communist cause, justifying their actions
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