Theater
Based on American playwright Neil Simon’s play of the same title, Godot Theatre Company’s (果陀劇場) Fools (傻瓜村) is a lighthearted comedy about a young schoolteacher trying to lift a 200-year curse of stupidity cast on the inhabitants of a remote Chinese village. Stars accomplished stage actor Lee Li-chun (李立群).
▲National Theater, Taipei City
▲Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 7:30pm and 2:30pm and Sunday
at 2:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
In Classical Ballet Night (古典芭蕾之夜), members of the Lan Yang Dancers (蘭陽舞蹈團) troupe will perform classical pieces including Swan Lake, Giselle and Don Quixote.
▲Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段25號)
▲Tomorrow at 7:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$300 to NT$800, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Brotherhood Falsehood (水滸•誰唬) offers a different interpretation of the classic Chinese novel Water Margin (水滸傳). In this new rendition, the outlaws — who in the original story are portrayed as heroes seeking justice in a corrupt world — become pragmatic tacticians, each seeking to advance within their clan’s power structure.
▲Central Fifth Hall (中五館), Huashan Culture Park (華山創意文化園), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號)
▲Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Cat Man (貓神) is the latest work by Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Cultural Group (明華園戲劇總團). The Taiwanese operatic production tells a story of individual heroism versus institutional injustice through Cat Man, a Robin Hood-like character by night and young politician by day.
▲Chiayi Performing Arts Center (嘉義縣表演藝術中心), 265, Jianguo Rd Sec 2, Minsyong Township, Chiayi County (嘉義縣民雄鄉建國路二段265號)
▲Tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday
at 2:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$200 to NT$1,200, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Human Condition IV — The Same Moonlight (人間條件四 — 一樣的月光) is the latest installment of Green Ray Theater’s (綠光劇團) Human Condition series. Written
and directed by Wu Nien-jen
(吳念真), the play centers on the
lives of two sisters, one who works
as a cleaner, the other at an
international company.
▲Performance Hall of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs Hsinchu City (新竹市文化局演藝廳), 17, Dongda Rd Sec 2, Hsinchu City (新竹市東大路二段17號)
▲Tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
▲Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
2009 Taipei International Choral Festival (台北國際合唱音樂節) starts on Sunday with a program including highlights from Hyden’s Die Schopfung, and will feature the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Gabor Hollerung, the Philomela Choir from Finland, the Ateneo Chamber Singers from the Philippines and the Taipei Philharmonic Choir (台北愛樂合唱團). The festival will run through Aug. 2, with a total of seven concerts. On Monday, the Ateneo Chamber Singers will perform under Jonathan Velasco, on Tuesday the Philomela Choir from Finland will perform under Marjukka Riihimaki, and on Thursday there will be a concert by the a capella group Club for Five. There will be three more concerts the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday. [See story on Page 15.]
▲Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30pm
▲National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲Tickets are NT$600 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
New Taiwanese Band Repertoire (幼獅新韻 — WASBE世界管樂年會) features the Youshi Brass Band (幼獅管樂團), recently returned from their participation in the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles conference in the US. To celebrate the occasion, the band will perform a program including Roger Boutry’s Evocation, Chung Yiu-kwong’s (鍾耀光) Four Studies on the Theme of Picasso (四首畢卡索主題練習曲) and Clarinet Concerto (豎笛協奏曲) and Ito Yasuhide’s Rapsodia Formosa for Band.
▲Today at 7:30pm
▲National Concert Hall, Taipei City
▲Tickets are NT$200 to NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Jhong-Sin Liou 2009 Piano Recital (劉忠欣2009鋼琴獨奏會 — 經典．蕭邦) presents Liou Jhong-sin (劉忠欣), winner of the 10th International Taipei Chopin Competition, in three concerts this week.
▲Today (Taipei County), tomorrow (Taichung County) and Tuesday (Taipei City) at 7:30pm
▲Taipei County Arts Center (台北縣藝文中心演藝廳), 62 Jhuangjing Rd, Banciao City, Taipei County (台北縣板橋市莊敬路62號); Taichung County Culture Center (台中縣立文化中心演奏廳), 782 Yuanhuan E Rd, Fengyuan City, Taichung County (台中縣豐原市圓環東路782號); Novel Hall (新舞臺), 3-1 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路3-1號)
▲Tickets are NT$200 for today’s and tomorrow’s concert and NT$300 to NT$500 for Tuesday’s concert, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Contemporary
Tomorrow is a Reggae day at Walilei (哇哩咧), a beachside Italian restaurant in Tamsui (淡水). From the late afternoon until late evening, Jamaican sound system Black Reign International Sound spins roots, dancehall and dub.
▲12-1, Beishhizi, Sanjhih Township, Taipei County (台北縣三芝鄉北勢子12之1號). The fastest way to get there is to take the MRT Red Line to Hongshulin Station (紅樹林捷運站) and then a taxi to the restaurant. Call (02) 2636-8515 or visit www.walileitw.com for more information
▲DJs start at 5pm
▲No entrance fee
Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) is closed tonight for a private party. Tomorrow all-girl rock band Cherry Boom (櫻桃幫) celebrates its three-year anniversary. Mando-rock singer Chi Hsin-pei (季欣霈) appears on Sunday. On Monday the venue hosts the cast of the musical Mulan (木蘭少女), who are giving an “acoustic unplugged” performance.
▲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
▲Entry is NT$400 tomorrow, NT$350 on Sunday and NT$400 on Monday
Alice (阿麗絲樂隊) and laid-back indie-folk band Smokering (煙圈) take to the stage tonight at The Wall (這牆). Tomorrow night the venue hosts Japanese band D’erlanger, a pioneer in Visual Kei, a Japanese glam rock genre in which performers often wear wild costumes and makeup. On Sunday Taiwanese hip-hop roots outfit Kou Chou Ching (拷秋勤) appears with DJ Point, rapper Chang Jui-chuan (張睿銓) and South African DJ MoShang. [See story above.] On Wednesday it’s indie-electronica bands Space Cake (太空蛋糕), Sloth Scamper, and Hyakke (百景) of Japan.
▲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
▲All shows start at 8pm except for tomorrow’s, which starts at 7pm
▲Entrance fee is NT$400 tonight, NT$1,700 tomorrow at the door or NT$1,500 in advance, NT$300 on Sunday, and NT$700 on Wednesday at the door or NT$500 in advance. Advance tickets available at White Wabbit Records, located inside the venue
Jazzy/bluesy act Kukao (鼓號大樂隊) appears tonight at Witch House (女巫店). Tomorrow it’s indie-folk duo U.TA (屋塔樂團). On Thursday acoustic folk group Xiaoyu Watermelon (小玉西瓜) opens for folk-pop singer Jasmine (假死貓).
▲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
Rapper Soft Lipa (蛋堡), who just released a new CD titled Lotion (收斂水), performs jazzy hip-hop tonight at Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館). Tomorrow indie-pop singer-songwriter Peggy Hsu (許哲珮)ppears to promote her latest album, Fine (美好的). On Thursday the venue hosts indie-pop chanteuse Waa Wei (魏如萱). Wei’s younger sister, Queen (魏如昀), opens the show.
▲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
▲Shows start at 8:30pm
▲Entrance fee is NT$500 tonight, NT$450 tomorrow, NT$500 on Thursday, includes a drink
Tonight at Underworld (地下社會) it’s post-rock electronica from Lily et Coco and indie-rock veterans La Petite Nurse (小護士樂團). Tomorrow Picks (痞客四) opens up for punk group Children Sucker (表兒). On Wednesday up-and-coming bands Posh Inverse (優雅逆轉) and Radicalo split the bill.
▲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 run from 9:30pm to 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 9pm to 11pm on Wednesdays. Underworld is open daily from 9pm, closed on Mondays. Happy Hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays before midnight
▲Entrance is NT$300 tonight and tomorrow and includes one drink, NT$100 on Wednesday
Jazz Your Mind plays acid jazz and cool jazz tonight at Sappho de Base. New Orleans funk group Kenyatta Trio plays tomorrow night. Sea Journey Jazz Combo (海洋知音爵士樂團), a four-piece with vibraphone, bass, drums and guitar, appears on Tuesday. On Wednesday it’s Emo Jazz Trio, a group with a pianist, bass and drums, while T and T Jazz Trio and Friends play 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. Sappho is closed on Sundays and Mondays
▲No entrance fee
Every Wednesday night at the Cosmopolitan Grill there’s an open mic 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 entrance fee
EZ5 Live House hosts Mando-pop singers backed by a live band every night. Highlights this week include male crooners Su Tzu (蘇子) and Huang Chung-yuan (黃中原), who both appear tomorrow. Pub legend and songstress Tiger Huang (黃小琥) performs every Monday. Julia Peng (彭佳慧), another major draw, appears every Tuesday.
▲Music shows run from 9:45pm to 12:30am
▲Entrance fee (including two drinks) ranges from NT$600 to NT$850, depending on the performer
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. Weekly highlights include Denise Juan (阮丹青), a former pop singer turned piano teacher and television presenter, 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, on other nights there’s a one-drink minimum
Exhibitions
More than 200 jade objects dating from as far back as the Ming Dynasty are displayed in The Shiny Gem: A Jade Exhibition of Jay Arts’ Collection (光氣琳琅 — 久藝雅齋玉器展). The exhibit provides a solid overview of the various delicately carved motifs — including human figures, flowers and animals, as well as auspicious words and phrases — revealing how jade was intertwined with daily life.
▲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 through Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Tel: (02) 2361-0270
▲Until Aug. 9
The Collected Dialogues (對話錄) is a solo exhibit by Taiwanese photographer Chang Li-hao (張禮豪). Chang’s haunting black-and-white images document the architecture and public spaces of contemporary society.
▲VT Art Salon (非常廟藝文空間), B1, 47 Yitong St, Taipei City (台北市伊通街47號地B1). Open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 2pm to 11pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 2pm to 1am. Tel: (02) 2516-1060
▲Until Aug. 15
Heart — In Between — Being and Transformation (心．之間-存在與變化) is a solo exhibit by Taiwanese artist Jun T. Lai (賴純純). Lai installed several dozen colorful plastic hearts in rows along the exhibition space as a means of expressing the ability of the individual to change.
▲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
▲Until Aug. 30
Seventy-one oil paintings and 16 pastels and sketches make up The Rhythms of Forms and Colors (形色音韻), a retrospective exhibit of Chen Yin-huei’s (陳銀輝) art. Divided into four sections, the exhibit surveys Chen’s entire career, from representational works based on direct observation to more conceptual works following the modernist experiments of Surrealism, Expressionism and Fauvism.
▲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
▲Until Sept. 27
Dec. 16 to Dec. 22 Growing up in the 1930s, Huang Lin Yu-feng (黃林玉鳳) often used the “fragrance machine” at Ximen Market (西門市場) so that she could go shopping while smelling nice. The contraption, about the size of a photo booth, sprayed perfume for a coin or two and was one of the trendy bazaar’s cutting-edge features. Known today as the Red House (西門紅樓), the market also boasted the coldest fridges, and offered delivery service late into the night during peak summer hours. The most fashionable goods from Japan, Europe and the US were found here, and it buzzed with activity
During the Japanese colonial era, remote mountain villages were almost exclusively populated by indigenous residents. Deep in the mountains of Chiayi County, however, was a settlement of Hakka families who braved the harsh living conditions and relative isolation to eke out a living processing camphor. As the industry declined, the village’s homes and offices were abandoned one by one, leaving us with a glimpse of a lifestyle that no longer exists. Even today, it takes between four and six hours to walk in to Baisyue Village (白雪村), and the village is so far up in the Chiayi mountains that it’s actually
These days, CJ Chen (陳崇仁) can be found driving a taxi in and around Hualien. As a way to earn a living, it’s not his first choice. He’d rather be taking tourists to the region’s attractions, but after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the region on April 3, demand for driver-guides collapsed. In the eight months since the quake, the number of overseas tourists visiting Hualien has declined by “at least 90 percent, because most of them come for Taroko Gorge, not for the east coast or the East Longitudinal Valley,” he says. Chen estimates the drop in domestic sightseers after the
US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo, speaking at the Reagan Defense Forum last week, said the US is confident it can defeat the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the Pacific, though its advantage is shrinking. Paparo warned that the PRC might launch a “war of necessity” even if it thinks it could not win, a wise observation. As I write, the PRC is carrying out naval and air exercises off its coast that are aimed at Taiwan and other nations threatened by PRC expansionism. A local defense official said that China’s military activity on Monday formed two “walls” east
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