THEATER
A collaboration between Taipei Royal Ballet (台北皇家芭蕾舞團) and Taipei Civic Symphony Orchestra (台北市民交響樂團), Love Poetry (魔幻情詩) tells a love story between two men and a woman inspired by Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
■ National Theater, Taipei City
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Israel-born, France-based choreographer Emanuel Gat makes his debut in Taipei this weekend with his six-year-old Emanuel Gat Dance company presenting three works including Winter Voyage, Silent Ballet and The Rite of Spring. Gat’s performances open this year’s Novel Hall Dance, a showcase of international choreographers and dance companies.
■ Novel Hall (新舞臺), 3 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路3號)
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 8pm, Sunday at 3pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
WCdance (林文中舞團) presents Small Songs (情歌), a contemporary dance piece that studies the changing concepts of love and romance in different times and places by having performers dancing to 13 musical works selected from classical, opera, nanguan (南管) and Mando-pop music. [See story on Page 14.]
■ Wenshan Theater (文山劇場), 32 Jingwen St, Taipei City (台北市景文街32號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Cloud Gate 2’s (雲門舞集2) annual spring performance, Spring Riot 2010 (2010春鬥), is touring Chiayi this weekend. This year’s performances consist of new works by three choreographers. Huang Yi’s (黃翊) The Floating Area (浮動的房間) involves a lone dancer in a sealed room. Crack (裂) by Cheng Tsung-lung (鄭宗龍) is about change. Ku Ming-shen’s (古名伸) Endless Shore (碎浪海岸) was inspired by Taiwan’s southeast coast.
■ Chiayi Performing Arts Center (嘉義縣表演藝術中心演藝廳), 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, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,200, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
The Sky Crisis (飛天行動) continues its third run in Tainan this weekend. The Party Theater Group (同黨劇團) production tells the tale of a mad scientist who threatens to launch nuclear missiles against China to ensure Taiwan’s independence. Actors Chui An-chen (邱安忱) and Betsy Lan (藍貝芝) play six characters in this black comedy.
■ Eslite Bookstore, Tainan (台南誠品書店), B2, 181, Changrong St Sec 1, Tainan City (台南市長榮路一段181號B2)
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$400, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Spark (“極光”木笛樂團音樂會) is a quintet featuring Andrea Ritter and Daniel Koschitzki, who tackle unusual music using unconventional flutes to give a spark to a style of music that they describe as being “classical band.” They are joined by Stefan Glaus on violin, Victor Plumettaz on cello and Juta Peiping on jazz piano. The program covers a wide range of musical styles from Bach to Michael Nyman, with detours into folk music.
■ Tomorrow at 2:30pm (Kaohsiung), Sunday at 2:30pm (Taichung), and Wednesday at 7:30pm (Taipei)
■ National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center, Kaohsiung City (高雄中正文化中心至善廳), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市五福一路67號), Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中市中山堂), 98 Syueshih Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號), and Zhongshan Hall (台北市中山堂), 98 Yanping S Rd, Taipei City (台北市延平南路98號)
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,200 (Kaohsiung) and NT$300 to NT$1,500 (Taichung and Taipei), available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Concert by Ivo Pogorelich (波哥雷里奇鋼琴獨奏會) as part of the International Chopin Festival 2010 (20X10蕭邦CHOPIN國際音樂節) presents the highly acclaimed Croatian pianist in a program that will include Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 3, Listz’s Mephisto Waltz, and Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit. [See story on
Page 13.]
■ Tomorrow at 7pm, doors open at 6pm (Taichung), Sunday at 7:30pm (Taipei) and Tuesday at 7:30pm (Kaohsiung)
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City and National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center, Kaohsiung City (高雄中正文化中心至善廳), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市五福一路67號) and Taichung Arena (台中戶外圓滿劇場), also known as Taichung City Fulfillment Amphitheater (圓滿戶外劇場), in Wenhsin Park (文心森林公園) at the intersection of Wenhsin Road Section 1 (文心路一段) and Siangshang Road Section 2 (與向上路二段) in Taichung City’s Nantun District (台中市南屯區)
■ Tickets are NT$600 to NT$4,500, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw. The Taichung performance is free
Summer, 1883, Oh Lovers! (1883年 — 夏-戀人哪!) a concert in the National Symphony Orchestra’s (國家交響樂團) German music series, presents a program that includes Strauss’ Tod und Verklarung and Duet Concertino for Clarinet, Bassoon and Orchestra and Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90, with Ju May-lin (朱玫玲) on clarinet and Jian Kai-yu on bassoon (簡凱玉). The orchestra will be conducted by Lu Jia (呂嘉).
■ Today at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
CONTEMPORARY
Legacy Taipei, located in a former warehouse at Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), hosts top Taiwanese pop performers and international acts. The Spark Anniversary Party tonight features Miami rapper Pitbull. Tomorrow night it’s the RockN’Girl-Festival 001 with all-female rock groups from Asia.
■ Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), Center Five Hall (中五館), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號)
■ Shows start at 9pm tonight and 7pm tomorrow
■ Tonight’s show is NT$1,500, tomorrow night’s show is NT$1,000 for women and NT$1,200 for men. Tickets available through ERA ticketing, online at www.ticket.com.tw or www.legacy.com.tw or at ibon electronics kiosks at 7-Eleven stores
Indie rockers Aphasia (阿飛西雅) and Cicada split the bill tonight at the The Wall (這牆). Suming (舒米恩) of indie-rock band Totem (圖騰) appears tomorrow night. Indie-electro pop group Soft Ears (軟耳朵) is on the lineup for Sunday evening.
■ 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 start at 8pm
■ Tickets for tonight and tomorrow’s shows are NT$400. Sunday night’s performance is NT$300. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Indie rockers Queen Suitcase (皇后皮箱) perform tonight at Witch House (女巫店). Matzka (馬斯卡), who mixes reggae with Chinese, Taiwanese and Aboriginal influences, takes the stage tomorrow night.
■ 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號). Tel: (02) 2362-5494. On the Net: 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
■ Entry for music shows is NT$300
The Sound of Jazz Quartet (爵士四重奏之聲) performs tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言). Tomorrow’s show with Shadya (藍又時) is already sold out. Csha (思涵) and Baba Band (爸爸辦桌) appear on Sunday. Monday is open-jam 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). Tel: (02) 2368-7310. On the Net: www.riverside.com.tw
■ Shows start at 9:30pm tonight and 9pm all other nights. For a list of standard songs and ground rules for the open jam, visit the venue’s Web site
■ Entrance fee is NT$400 for tonight’s show, NT$350 for Sunday’s performance and NT$150 on Monday
Live & Talk (創作之路) performs tonight at Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館). Olivia and Invisible Garden (閻韋伶與桃花源樂團), Queen (魏如昀) and Smack perform tomorrow night.
■ 177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧南路177號). Tel: (02) 2370-8805. On the Net: www.riverside.com.tw
■ Shows start at 8pm tonight, 8:30pm tomorrow and Thursday
■ Entrance fee is NT$400. Tickets can purchased online through
www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Punk groups Zag Lope and Eyeball Killer (眼球殺手) perform tonight at Underworld (地下社會). Manstone (硬漢) and We Are So Sad (傷心欲絕) appear tomorrow. On Sunday it’s Welcome to the Underworld Part 2 (歡迎來到地下社會第二場), a music party thrown by promotion group and music label Back 2 The Future (B2TF, 回到未來) featuring eight bands, including Lily et Coco (哩扣), 88 Balaz (88顆芭樂籽), Go Chic and She Bang-a (死蚊子), that will be professionally recorded. [See story on Page 14.]
■ 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. Sunday’s recording session runs from 3pm to 9pm. Underworld is open daily from 9pm, closed on Mondays. Happy Hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays before midnight
■ Entrance fee for music shows on Fridays and Saturdays is NT$300, which includes one drink, NT$100 on Wednesdays. Admission for Sunday’s show is NT$400 and includes a drink
Sappho de Base, a late-night lounge and jazz venue, hosts Earl Hines II tonight and The Blues Vibrations tomorrow night.
■ 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
■ Music shows begin at 10:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$350 tonight and tomorrow
Rockers Silent Toad (啾吉惦惦) and Black Summer Days (暗黑夏日雙搖滾樂團) perform tonight at Roxy Roots. Tomorrow is Fiesta Latino Ladies night, with free entrance for women.
■ 90 Songren Rd, Taipei City (台北市松仁路90號). Tel: (02) 2725-3932. On the Net: www.roxy.com.tw
■ Shows start at 10pm
■ Entrance is NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays (NT$200 credited toward food and drinks)
EZ5 Live House hosts Mando-pop singers backed by a live band every night. Highlights for the week include Julia Peng (彭佳慧), a major draw who appears every Tuesday, and male crooner Shin Lung (辛隆), who performs every Saturday.
■ 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 fee (includes two drinks) ranges from NT$600 to NT$850, depending on the performer
Taipei Swing holds dance socials on Friday nights at Capone’s, with live music from blues band BoPoMoFo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ). Dancers of all levels are welcome, and beginner’s lessons are offered while the band takes a break. Tomorrow it’s Salsa night with live music from Latin on Fire.
■ 312, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段312號)
■ Live music from 9pm to 11:30pm on Fridays, 8pm to 11:30pm on Saturdays
■ Minimum charge of one drink on Fridays, dancers receive a free drink coupon. On Saturdays the minimum charge is NT$300
Kaohsiung punk rockers The Rednoz (紅鼻子) appear tomorrow night at The Mercury (水星酒館).
■ 46 Liwen Rd, Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City (高雄市左營區立文路46號). Tel: (07) 550-8617. On the Net: mercurybar.blogspot.com
■ Show starts at 9:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$200
VU Live House (地下絲絨) features performers from St John’s University (聖約翰科技大學), Ming Chuan University (銘傳大學), Tamkang University (淡江大學) and Mackay Medical College (馬偕醫學院) tonight. Metal bands Sear of Fire, Live Machine (機動現場) and Epitaph (落幕表述) play tomorrow night. Later tomorrow night, Tranquility Bass Productions presents drum ’n’ bass party Syncopation 2 (切分音2).
■ B1, 77, Wuchang St Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市武昌街二段77號B1). Tel: (02) 2314-1868. On the Net: www.velvet-underground.com.tw
■ Music shows start at 5:30pm this evening and 7pm tomorrow. Tomorrow’s drum ’n’ bass party runs from 11pm to 5am
■ Entrance fee is NT$450 for the music shows. Tomorrow’s drum ’n’ bass party is NT$600 for men, NT$400 for women, all-you-can-drink
HIGHLIGHTS
■ The International Indigenous Film Festival (國際原住民族影展) kicked off on Tuesday with a program of 30 feature, documentary and short films from Taiwan and abroad that aims to raise awareness of issues concerning indigenous communities around the world.
Among the films to be screened are The Strength of Water and Taua, which examine aspects of Maori society in New Zealand, multi-award winning Samson and Delilah, and four documentaries by Amis filmmaker Mayaw Biho (馬耀比吼) about Aboriginal name rectification and the controversial relocation of the Sanying Aboriginal Community (三鶯部落).
The festival runs through May 30 at venues in Taipei, Kaohsiung and various Aboriginal communities in Nantou, Pingtung, Taitung and Hualien counties. All screenings are free of admission. For more information, visit iiff.apc.gov.tw.
The film festival is being held in advance of next month’s annual International Austronesian Conference (南島民族國際會議) organized by the Executive Yuan’s Council of Indigenous Peoples (行政院原住民委員會). The three-day conference takes place in Taipei and Nantou on June 8, June 9 and June 11. To learn more, go to 2010austronesian.ctu.com.tw.
■ Some of the biggest names in the world of trance music, including Australian-born Emma Hewitt and The Thrillseekers from the UK, hit the stage next Saturday for DancePort 2010 (電音港) at Kaohsiung’s Ocean Theater (海上劇場), the only large-scale performance venue in Taiwan situated on the sea.
The lineup consists of a dozen artists, including DJ Odin (大馬), techno spinner DJ Kenji and house/trance mixer DJ Eros. Also on the bill are the Samadhi VJ Team and fire dancers True Spin (火舞團). For more on the event, including interviews with participating artists, check out next Friday’s Vinyl Word.
DancePort 2010 (電音港), May 22 from 9pm to 6am at Ocean Theater (海上劇場), Lover’s Wharf (情人碼頭), Singda Port (興達港), Cieding Township, Kaohsiung County (高雄縣茄萣鄉)
Admission is NT$1,000 at the door. Presale tickets are NT$800 from 7-Eleven ibon kiosks or online through www.spunite.com/danceport/english.php
On the Net: www.spunite.com/
danceport/english
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
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
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
It’s a discombobulating experience, after a Lord of the Rings trilogy that was built, down to every frame and hobbit hair, for the big screen, to see something so comparatively minor, small-scaled and TV-sized as The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. The film, set 183 years before the events of The Hobbit, is a return to Middle-earth that, despite some very earnest storytelling, never supplies much of an answer as to why, exactly, it exists. Rohirrim, which sounds a little like the sound an orc might make sneezing, is perhaps best understood as a placeholder for further cinematic
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