Theater
Jessie Fan Dance’s (潔兮杰舞團) modern dance piece Mazu-Sea Goddess (媽祖林默娘舞劇) is inspired by the story of Matsu, one of the country’s most revered deities. The production is a collaboration between theater professionals and cultural celebrities that include celebrated photographer Ke Hsi-chie (柯錫杰), stage and lighting designer Lin Keh-hua (林克華) and members of the dance school at Beijing’s Central University for Nationalities (中央民族大學), also known as Minzu University of China.
■ National Theatre, Taipei City
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$2,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
One of Ping Fong Acting Troupe’s (屏風表演班) popular touring productions, Can Three Make It Part I (三人行不行I), is a comedy that tackles the absurdity and chaos of urban life with 18 characters played by three actors.
■ Novel Hall (新舞臺), 3-1 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路3-1號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm and 10:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm, 7:30pm and 10:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$800, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
A tribute to the late writer Yeh Shih-tao (葉石濤), who died of cancer last December, Kaohsiung-based Spring Wind Art Theatre’s (南風劇場) Mr Chien (簡先生) follows a White Terror victim who returns to his hometown years after the end of authoritarian rule.
■ National Taiwan Arts Education Center (國立台灣藝術教育館), 47 Nanhai Rd, Taipei City (台北市南海路47號)
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$300, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Billed as a return to the golden age of theater-based glove puppet performances, Wu Zhou Yuan Glove Puppet Theater Troupe’s (五洲園掌中劇團) Conquering All Under Heaven (爭霸天下系列布袋戲) is a series of 10 performances drawn from the troupe’s traditional repertoire that have been revised to cater to contemporary audiences.
■ Red House Theater (紅樓劇場), 10 Chengdu Rd, Taipei City (台北市成都路10號)
■ Tonight, tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$200 and NT$300, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Sketches 1983 (素描) by To Be Theater (阮劇團) is a theatrical play about an evening encounter between two strangers.
■ 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)
■ Tonight 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$350, available through NTCH ticketing or online at
www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
Paganini Festival in Taiwan (帕格尼尼大賽四位首獎得主聯合大師班暨系列音樂會) winds up this weekend with the last in a series of concerts featuring emerging local violinists Lu Siqing (呂思清), Huang Bin (黃濱), Huang Mengla (黃蒙拉) and Ning Feng (寧峰). Tonight’s program will include Sarasate’s Concert Fantasy on Themes From Bizet’s “Carmen,” Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E-Minor and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D-Major with the soloists supported by the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (長榮交響樂團) under Gernot Schmalfuss. Tomorrow there will be a violin recital by Ning Feng including Schnittke’s Suite in Old Style, Schubert’s Sonatina, Op. 137 No. 3, No. 3 D408, and Grieg’s Sonata No. 2, Op. 13.
■ Today at 7:30pm, National Concert Hall, Taipei City; tomorrow at 8pm, International Convention Center of the Chang Yung-fa Foundation Building (財團法人張榮發基金會國際會議中心), 11 Zhongshan S Rd, Taipei City (台北市中山南路11號)
■ Tickets are NT$800 to NT$2,000 tonight and NT$500 tomorrow, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Symphony of Clay and Fire (聆聽—火與土的交響樂) is a concert showcasing masters of the ocarina, a type of clay flute, featuring Giorgio Pacchiani and Chou Tze-lei (周子雷), accompanied by Chinese zither and keyboard.
■ Tomorrow and Sunday at 7:30pm
■ Lujhou Branch of KHS Musical Co Music Hall (蘆洲功學社音樂廳), 162 Jhongshan 2nd Rd, Lujhou City, Taipei County (台北縣蘆洲市中山二路162號)
■ Tickets are NT$800 and NT$1,000, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Lost in Wonderland — The Lost Forest (兒童樂園 — 被遺忘的森林) sees the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra (台北市愛樂管弦樂團) continue its series of children’s concerts with a musical tale The Lost Forest featuring a quartet of violin, cello, piano and flute with host Lin Chi-yin (林姿吟).
■ Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Henry Mazer Music and Culture (台北愛樂暨梅哲音樂文化館), B1, 7, Jinan Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市濟南路一段7號B1)
■ Tickets are NT$250, available
through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Bruch’s Oratorio “Moses” Concert (布魯赫神劇「摩西」演唱會) will be performed by the National Sindian High School Orchestra (國立新店高中管絃樂團) under the baton of Hou Lung-kuo (侯龍國), with soprano Weng Ruo-pei (翁若佩), tenor Fang Wei-cheng (方偉臣) and baritone Liau Chong-boon (廖聰文), supported by the Rong Kuang Choir (榮光聖樂合唱團) and Sacred Family Choir (聖家堂聯合合唱團).
■ Wednesday at 7:30pm
■ Taipei Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Contemporary
Roxy Roots, a newly opened bar and restaurant dedicated to reggae and blues fans, hosts Chicago blues and vintage soul outfit BoPoMoFo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ) tomorrow night.
■ 90 Songren Rd, Taipei City (台北市松仁路90號). Tel: (02) 2725-3932. On the Net: www.roxy.com.tw
■ Show starts at 11pm tomorrow
■ Entrance is free
Tonight’s a hard rockin’ evening at The Wall (這牆) with metal bands Hekate (席卡堤), Nemesis (天譴) and Human Brutality, as well as emo-rockers One Way to Die (死路一條). On Sunday it’s another round of Challenging the Fire (火焰大挑戰), a battle of young or otherwise unknown bands.
■ B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Tel: (02) 2930-0162. On the Net: www.thewall.com.tw
■ Shows starts at 8pm tonight and 7pm on Sunday
■ Entrance is NT$400 tonight and NT$250 on Sunday
Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) is closed tonight for a private party. Tomorrow Baba Band shares the bill with Neon, the alt-rock group led by charismatic singer/songwriter Jun Lee (李昀熹). On Sunday there’s more indie rock with Fever Cats, Engine No. 9 (九號引擎) and Lost and Found (失物招領). On Monday the venue holds its weekly open jam.
■ 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). Tel: (02) 2368-7310. On the Net: www.riverside.com.tw
■ Shows start at 9:30pm tonight and 9pm tomorrow and Sunday. Open jam starts at 9pm on Monday. For a list of standard songs and ground rules, visit the venue’s Web site
■ Entrance is NT$400 tomorrow, NT$350 Sunday and NT$150 Monday
Tonight the Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館) pop singer Z-Chen (張智成) holds a concert to launch his new album Secret Love (暗戀). Mando-pop singer Shadya (藍又時) performs tomorrow. Thursday’s lineup includes Golden Melody nominee Hsiao Hung-ren (蕭閎仁), an R ’n’ B pop singer who recently gained notoriety for his song This Person Fuck. Also appearing are pop pianist and vocalist Si Han (思涵) and pop-rock act Color Band.
■ 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 tonight
■ Entrance is NT$450 tonight and tomorrow and NT$400 Thursday
Tonight one-man electro-rock band Sonic Deadhorse appears at Underworld (地下社會), along with Shishukong (屍術控). Tomorrow punk band Inhuman Species (非人物種) shares the bill with high-energy garage rockers 88 Balaz (八十八顆芭樂籽). No bands were scheduled for Wednesday as of press time.
■ B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師大路45號B1). Tel: (02) 2369-0103. On the Net: www.upsaid.com/underworld
■ 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
Kate’s Jazz Quartet plays tonight at Sappho de Base. Black Mirror plays tomorrow night. Tuesday is an open jam session with the venue’s “jazz friends.” The Nomads Ensemble, a folk and jazz fusion group, appears on Wednesday. On Thursday the MaJam Jazz Quartet (麻將爵士樂團) plays jazz, fusion, funk and blues.
■ B1, 1, Ln 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1).
Tel: (02) 2700-5411. On the Net:
www.sappho102.biz
■ 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 keyboardist Andrew Page, with the music mainly covering blues and jazz. 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). Tel: (02) 2508-0304. On the Net: www.cosmo.com.tw
■ 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, while Julia Peng (彭佳慧) is another major draw who appears every Tuesday.
■ 211, Anhe Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市安和路二段211號). Tel: (02) 2738-3995. On the Net: 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
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 to lounge jazz. 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). Tel: (02) 2579-0558. On the Net: www.franzandfriends.com.tw
■ Minimum charge of NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays, on other nights there’s a one-drink minimum
The Other Side is a new nightclub opened by Ling Wei (凌威), the owner of the Taipei’s long-standing Roxy venues. The new club is a “party-until-the-sun-comes-up” spot like one of Ling’s past ventures, the recently closed Roxy Vibe. But The Other Side promises a classier atmosphere, with sofa seating and a modern lounge interior befitting of its locale in Taipei’s East District. House DJs spin classic dance and rock from bands like Nirvana, The Ting Tings, Oasis, the Cure and Michael Jackson.
■ B1, 20, Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路20號B1). Tel: (02) 2723-3257. On the Net: www.roxy.com.tw
■ Open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 10pm until 4am. Closes at 7am on Fridays and Saturdays
■ Cover ranges from NT$300 to NT$700 depending on day and time
A jumbo operation is moving 20 elephants across the breadth of India to the mammoth private zoo set up by the son of Asia’s richest man, adjoining a sprawling oil refinery. The elephants have been “freed from the exploitative logging industry,” according to the Vantara Animal Rescue Centre, run by Anant Ambani, son of the billionaire head of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani, a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The sheer scale of the self-declared “world’s biggest wild animal rescue center” has raised eyebrows — including more than 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards and 900 crocodiles, according to
They were four years old, 15 or only seven months when they were sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, Bergen-Belsen, Buchenwald and Ravensbruck. Some were born there. Somehow they survived, began their lives again and had children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren themselves. Now in the evening of their lives, some 40 survivors of the Nazi camps tell their story as the world marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most notorious of the death camps. In 15 countries, from Israel to Poland, Russia to Argentina, Canada to South Africa, they spoke of victory over absolute evil. Some spoke publicly for the first
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