Theater
For Gnosis, inspired by a tale from the ancient Sanskrit epic the Mahabharata, British choreographer Akram Khan teams up with drummer and singer Sunahata to tell the tale of Queen Gandari, who blindfolds herself for life to follow her blind husband. Featuring live music by five musicians and a solo dance by Khan, Gnosis is the choreographer’s fourth work to appear at the annual Novel Hall Dance series.
■ 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
Green Ray Theater Troupe’s (綠光劇團) popular musical Wedding (結婚!結昏?辦桌) returns to the stage to tell the comic story about a wedding, two families and a runaway bride.
■ Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25 Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德路三段25號)
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$450 to NT$3,000, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Andy Warhol once said: “I want everybody to think alike. I think everybody should be a machine.” Against Again Troupe’s (再拒劇團) American Dream Factory (美國夢工廠) starts off with the quotation, and asks if the American dream is as pretty as it appears to be. [See story on Page 14.]
■ Guling Street Avant-Garde Theatre (牯嶺街小劇場), 2, Ln 5, Guling St, Taipei City (台北市牯嶺街5巷2號).
■ Tonight, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$450, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
In Disappeared Files (失蹤檔案) by Building Lab (實驗大廈劇團), a man leaves the city where lives on a mission to search for a file that may or may not contain all of his memories.
■ 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
In Q & A, the first episode of Tainaner Ensemble’s (臺南人劇團) Quest & Amnesia series, a man named Liu struggles to piece his past life back together after a car accident causes him to lose his memory. One day a man appears and tells Liu they were lovers long ago. Confused, Liu decides to go to Berlin to find out more about his past.
■ Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中中山堂), 98 Syueshih Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號)
■ Tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$2,000, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Classical music
2010 Lexus Classical Music Series — BBC Symphony Orchestra (2010LEXUS古典音樂會 — 英國BBC交響樂團) brings over the world-famous orchestra for two concerts in Taiwan featuring clarinet virtuoso Sabine Meyer and conducted by Ji Belohlavek. The program for the concert tomorrow in Kaohsiung will include Smetana’s Verture and three dances from “The Bartered Bride,” Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 73, Debussy’s Premiere Rapsodie and Elgar’s In the South Op. 50 and Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Op. 39. The concert in Taipei will include Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major, Op. 100 and works from the Kaohsiung concert.
■ Tomorrow (Kaohsiung) and Sunday (Taipei) at 7:30pm
■ Kaohsiung Cultural Center’s Chihshan Hall (高雄市立文化中心至善堂), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City, (高雄市五福一路67號) and National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$800 to NT$6,000, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.tickets.com.tw
Jose Carreras and Kiri Te Kanawa Concert presents two greats of the opera world in concert in Kaohsiung and Taipei. Carreras is the last of the “three tenors” who continues with an active concert schedule, but has already announced that he may be joining Domingo in semi-retirement some time soon (Pavarotti passed away in 2007), so this could be one of the last opportunities to see this opera legend perform live. He is joined by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who is acknowledged as one of the world’s foremost sopranos.
■ Today at 7:30pm (Kaohsiung) and tomorrow at 7:30pm (Taipei)
■ Kaohsiung Arena (高雄巨蛋), 757 Boai 2nd Rd, Zuoying Dist, Kaohsiung City (高雄市左營區博愛二路757號) and Taipei Arena (台北小巨蛋), 2, Nanjing E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市南京東路四段2號)
■ Tickets are NT$800 to NT$6,800 (NT$5,800 in Kaohsiung), available through the organizer’s Web site at www.kham.com.tw
Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc (法國聖馬克兒童合唱團) won a huge reputation in Taiwan following the release of the film Les Choristes (放牛班的春天). They are back to present their own special brand of music, ranging from sacred hymns to folk songs.
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ Yuanlin Performance Hall (員林演藝廳), 99, Ln 2, Jhongjheng Rd, Yuanlin Township, Changhua County (彰化縣員林鎮中正路2巷99號)
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500, available through ERA ticketing, 7-Eleven ibon kiosks and at Family Mart convenience stores
NSO Classics — Sheherazade (NSO精選 — 1001天方夜譚) features clarinetist Emma Johnson performing with the National Symphony Orchestra (國家交響樂團) under conductor Chen Mei-ann (陳美安). The program will include John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Sun Ying-chieh’s (孫瑩潔) Ballo Solo (野柳綺想曲), Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major K622 and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade, Op. 35.
■ Sunday at 2:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$600 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. Tonight’s Vicious Circle Nite features 16 DJs, bands and performers. [See story to the right.] Pop star Shino (林曉培) leads a band of six female musicians on Wednesday. [See story on Page 13.]
■ 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 7:30pm on Wednesday
■ Admission is NT$900 tonight and NT$500 on Wednesday. Tickets are available through ERA ticketing, online at www.ticket.com.tw or www.legacy.com.tw or at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks
Hardcore metal rockers Mutaker, KoOk and Dying Chelsea appear at the The Wall (這牆) tonight. Solidor (固定客), Lumay (露魅), Beright (做對樂團) and Gun Powder (槍砲樂團) perform tomorrow. Indie rockers Radicalo, Windmill (風籟坊) and Penguinbear Likes to Eat Chicken Ball (企鵝熊愛吃雞肉球) play on Sunday.
■ 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
■ Tonight and Sunday’s shows start at 8pm. Tomorrow’s show starts at 7:30pm
■ Tickets for tonight and tomorrow’s shows are NT$400. Sunday’s performance is NT$300. Tickets can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Indie-pop groups Ding Ding & Shi Shi (丁丁與西西) and Bitter perform tonight at Witch House (女巫店). Tomodachi (偷摸大雞) plays tweepop 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
■ Entrance fee for music shows is NT$300
Jazz Duo Men’s Ride (旋律的馳客) performs tonight at Riverside Cafe (河岸留言). Tomorrow’s show features popular rockers Coach (教練), and The Little. Hao-en (昊恩) and Panai (巴奈) appear on Sunday. Monday is the venue’s open-jam night. Elesha (伊蕾莎) and Kira and Big Danger (奇樂與大冒險) perform on Tuesday. Cool Silly (傻酷樂團) and Zoom In split the bill on Wednesday. Picks (痞克四) and Zag Lope appear on Thursday.
■ 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 tonight, tomorrow and on Sunday. Weekday shows are NT$350. Monday’s open jam is NT$150
Cherry Boom (櫻桃幫) performs tonight at Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館). DCW (東城衛) performs tomorrow night. Beright (做對樂團) and Overdose (毀滅之前) share the stage on Wednesday. American metal drummer John Tempesta plays on Thursday.
■ 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 8:30pm tonight, 6:30pm tomorrow, 8pm Wednesday and Thursday night
■ Entrance fee is NT$400 on all nights except Thursday, which is NT$250. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Punk groups Children Sucker (表兒) and Inhuman Band (非人物種) perform tonight at Underworld (地下社會). Bowztiger (包子虎) and Pleasure Science (愉悅科學) appear on Wednesday.
■ 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 for music shows is NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays, which includes one drink, NT$100 on Wednesdays
Sappho de Base, a late-night lounge and jazz venue, hosts Jo Jo Ma Quintet tonight and Flaneur Daguerre tomorrow night. Yohei Jazz Trio, Ash and Friends and Emo Jazz Trio perform on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, respectively.
■ 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 tonight and tomorrow and 10pm on other nights
■ Entrance for music shows is NT$350 tonight and tomorrow and NT$300 on Sunday and on weekdays
Pop jazz group Sky Jazz performs tonight at Roxy Roots. The Beachfest Pre-Party (哇哩雷鬼海灘會前派對) goes down tomorrow night with acts including Black Reign and Obnoxious.
■ 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$350 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 is 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
■ On Fridays there’s a minimum charge of one drink, dancers receive a free drink coupon. On Saturdays the minimum charge is NT$300
Pingtung indie rockers The Man (男子漢) 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 features Against Nature, OverNight and NeverMind tonight. The Rednoz (紅鼻子樂團), Gray Spiral (灰色螺旋), Shock Mail (夏卡毛), Underflow and Paranoia (偏執狂) play tomorrow night.
■ 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
■ Show start at 6:30pm tonight and 6pm tomorrow
■ Entrance fee is NT$450
Nov. 11 to Nov. 17 People may call Taipei a “living hell for pedestrians,” but back in the 1960s and 1970s, citizens were even discouraged from crossing major roads on foot. And there weren’t crosswalks or pedestrian signals at busy intersections. A 1978 editorial in the China Times (中國時報) reflected the government’s car-centric attitude: “Pedestrians too often risk their lives to compete with vehicles over road use instead of using an overpass. If they get hit by a car, who can they blame?” Taipei’s car traffic was growing exponentially during the 1960s, and along with it the frequency of accidents. The policy
Hourglass-shaped sex toys casually glide along a conveyor belt through an airy new store in Tokyo, the latest attempt by Japanese manufacturer Tenga to sell adult products without the shame that is often attached. At first glance it’s not even obvious that the sleek, colorful products on display are Japan’s favorite sex toys for men, but the store has drawn a stream of couples and tourists since opening this year. “Its openness surprised me,” said customer Masafumi Kawasaki, 45, “and made me a bit embarrassed that I’d had a ‘naughty’ image” of the company. I might have thought this was some kind
What first caught my eye when I entered the 921 Earthquake Museum was a yellow band running at an angle across the floor toward a pile of exposed soil. This marks the line where, in the early morning hours of Sept. 21, 1999, a massive magnitude 7.3 earthquake raised the earth over two meters along one side of the Chelungpu Fault (車籠埔斷層). The museum’s first gallery, named after this fault, takes visitors on a journey along its length, from the spot right in front of them, where the uplift is visible in the exposed soil, all the way to the farthest
The room glows vibrant pink, the floor flooded with hundreds of tiny pink marbles. As I approach the two chairs and a plush baroque sofa of matching fuchsia, what at first appears to be a scene of domestic bliss reveals itself to be anything but as gnarled metal nails and sharp spikes protrude from the cushions. An eerie cutout of a woman recoils into the armrest. This mixed-media installation captures generations of female anguish in Yun Suknam’s native South Korea, reflecting her observations and lived experience of the subjugated and serviceable housewife. The marbles are the mother’s sweat and tears,
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