Theater
The 2010 Sinjhuang Drum Art Festival in Taipei County (2010台北縣新莊國際鼓藝節) continues this weekend with a series of performances by drum groups from India, South Korea, Malaysia, China and Taiwan at several venues in Taipei County. For more information, visit the Sinjhuang Culture and Arts Center’s Web site at www.chccc.gov.tw
■ Venues include Taipei County Government Multi-functional Hall (台北縣政府多功能集會|堂), 161, Jhongshan Rd Sec 1, Banciao City, Taipei County (台北縣板橋市中山路一段161號), Sinjhuang Stadium (台北縣立新莊體育館), 66 Hehsing Rd, Sinjhuang City, Taipei County (台北縣新莊市和興街66號) and East Plaza at Bitan, Sindian, Taipei County (新店碧潭東岸廣場)
■ Tonight, tomorrow and Sunday
at 7:30pm
■ All events are free of admission
Dancer and choreographer Su Wen-chi (蘇文琪) teams up with sound artist Chang Yung-ta (張永達) and visual artist Yeh Shih-ching (葉士敬) for her latest solo dance piece ReMove Me, which examines how the human body exists in a virtual world.
■ 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 at 7:30pm, tomorrow at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, and Sunday
at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500, available
through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
The Treasure Village (又一村), Comedians Workshop’s (相聲瓦舍) latest Chinese stand-up production, is composed of two stories. In the first, the residents of a veterans’ villages, or juan cun (眷村), dream of getting rich by digging up ancient Chinese treasures, while the second story takes its inspiration from Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s 1921 novel In a Grove.
■ Novel Hall (新舞臺), 3 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路3號).
■ Tonight and Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$12,00, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Tafen Musical Theater’s (大風劇團) newest production, Days of Bananas (金蕉歲月) is an historical drama about a Taiwanese banana tycoon and his family, who fall victim to political intrigue and insurrection during the 1960s.
■ Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館), 505, Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市仁愛路四段505號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$3,000, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Irma la Douce (巴黎花街) by Godot Theatre (果陀劇場) tells the story of a fired cop who falls in love with a prostitute named Irma la Douce, after the pair meet at a seedy bar in 1960s Paris. The ex-cop becomes La Douce’s pimp and gradually loses all sense of reality as he becomes increasingly jealous of the hooker’s clients.
■ 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 Thursday at 7:30pm, tomorrow 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
Johann Strauss — Die Fledermaus (小約翰.史特勞斯經典輕歌劇— 蝙蝠) is performed by the National Kaohsiung Normal University (國立高雄師範大學), with orchestra and chorus from its Department of Music and a host of emerging young artists, many of whom are currently based overseas, in the main roles. The production is directed by Austrian Michael Temme and conducted by German Joachim Harder.
■ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ Kaohsiung Cultural Center’s Chih-teh Hall (高雄市立文化中心至德堂), 67 Wufu 1st Rd, Kaohsiung City, (高雄市五福一路67號)
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,500, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Joshua Bell and Academy of St Martin in the Fields (約夏.貝爾與聖馬丁學院管弦樂團) brings the internationally-renowned orchestra to Taiwan under director and violin
soloist Joshua Bell. The program includes Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, Op. 62, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92.
■ Tuesday at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$1,200 to NT$4,800, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Love Letters From Rachmaninoff (NSO精選—情書 拉赫瑪尼諾夫) features the National Symphony Orchestra (國家交響樂團) performing under guest conductor Perry So (蘇柏軒), and piano soloist Alex Kobrin. The program includes Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18, and Franck’s Symphony in D Minor.
■ 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. No shows are scheduled for tonight. Tomorrow, heartthrob actor and singer Van Fan (范逸臣) and his rock group Craze Band (酷愛玲) take to the stage. Also appearing is Mando-pop singer Princess Ai (戴愛玲). On Wednesday, Taitung reggae rocker Matzka performs with fellow Puyuma Aboriginal and songstress Jiajia (家家). On Thursday the venue hosts Aqua Hooligan, an all-night dance party featuring UK DJs Aquasky and Atomic Hooligan.
■ 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 8pm tomorrow, 8:30pm Wednesday, 11pm until late
on Thursday
■ Tomorrow’s show is NT$800, (NT$600 in advance), NT$400 on Wednesday, NT$1,200 (NT$1,000 in advance) on Thursday. Tickets available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw or www.legacy.com.tw or at ibon electronics kiosks at 7-Eleven stores.
Tonight The Wall (這牆) hosts metal band Overdose. Sugar Plum Ferry (甜梅號) performs tomorrow in support of its new album, Islands on the Ocean of the Mind (腦海群島). Electro-pop band The Girl and the Robots (女孩與機器人) appears on Sunday, along with experimental solo performer Wang Yu-Chun (王榆鈞) and indie pop outfit Lupe. On Wednesday, it’s indie rockers Macbeth (馬克白), one-man electro-rock band Sonic Deadhorse, and expat band The Okay Cars. On Thursday, the venue hosts grunge rockers Monkey Pilot (猴子飛行員), Chinese-Canadians io and Funky Brothers (放克兄弟).
■ 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
■ Music shows start at 8pm
■ Entrance fee is NT$400 tonight, NT$500 tomorrow, NT$300 on Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
The Wall (這牆) started programming regular live rock shows at Kaohsiung’s Pier 2 Arts Center (高雄駁二藝術特區) last month. Appearing tonight are up-and-coming bands Youth Banana (台青蕉), Red Noz (紅鼻子) and The Man (男子漢樂團). Tomorrow night, the venue presents chanteuse Waa Wei (魏如萱), better known as Waa (娃娃).
■ 1 Dayong Rd, Yancheng Dist, Kaohsiung City (高雄市鹽埕區大勇路1號). On the Net: pier-2.khcc.gov.tw or visit www.thewall.com.tw for full schedule
■ Shows start at 7:30pm
■ Entrance fee is NT$300 tonight and NT$450 tomorrow
Indie rockers Rowen (再生草) take to the stage tonight at Witch House (女巫店). Tomorrow it’s post-rock band Morsa and acoustic folk group Xiaoyu Watermelon (小玉西瓜). Indie band Tuesday (星期二樂團) performs
on Thursday.
■ 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
Tonight Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) hosts rock and jazz fusionists Yellow Funky Stuff. Mando-pop singer Nylon Chen (陳乃榮) takes to the stage tomorrow night. Another up-and-coming pop singer, Arroy Shen (申東靖), appears on Sunday. Monday is the venue’s 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 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 and tomorrow, NT$500 on Sunday and NT$150 on Monday.
Tonight Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館) hosts Taiwanese rock legend Bobby Chen (陳昇) [see story on Page 13]. Tomorrow Christian rock band Mojo takes to the stage and on Thursday, it’s a trio of indie rock bands: Silent Toad (啾吉惦惦), Queen Suitcase (皇后皮箱), Green!Eyes.
■ 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
■ Entrance fee is NT$500 tonight, NT$450 tomorrow, NT$400 on Thursday. Tickets can purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse/ or tickets.books.com.tw
“One man band” Summerbred (夏生一人大樂隊) performs tonight at Underworld (地下社會), opening for indie rockers Touming Magazine (透明雜誌). Tomorrow night, expat post-rock band Collider shares the bill with experimental electronica act Shishukong (屍術控). On Wednesday, it’s indie bands Smells Good and Paper Girl (紙片女孩).
■ 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, which includes one drink; NT$100 on Wednesday
Tonight, lounge and jazz venue Sappho de Base hosts Brooklyn-based vibraphonist Tyler Blanton, who’s in town for a run of shows. The 28-year-old jazz musician has been described by New York Times jazz critic Nate Chinen as a “young vibraphonist with a strong lyrical footing.” For more info, visit www.myspace.com/tylersvibes. Tomorrow the Jo Jo Ma Quintet takes to the stage, and on Tuesday it’s I Bought a New Saxophone, a group formed by expat saxophonist Klaus Bru. On Wednesday, Coromandel Express performs a “musical masala” of jazz, classical and world music and on Thursday Rocky and Friends preside over an open jam.
■ 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 10pm
■ Entrance is NT$200 tonight, NT$100 on Wednesday
Tonight Roxy Roots presents a host of bands and DJs, including expat punks Divebomb, garage rockers My Skin Against Your Skin, post rock band Sorry Youth (拍謝少年), synth-rock outfit The Looking Glass and DJ Marcus Aurelius [see story on Page 13]. Taking to the stage tomorrow is Adoga (阿逗仔), an expat band that prides itself on performing covers of Western hard rock songs as well as Chinese and Taiwanese rock classics.
■ 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). Free entrance for women tomorrow night for Fiesta Latino night. Free entrance on Wednesdays.
EZ5 Live House hosts Mando-pop singers backed by a live band every night. Highlights for the week ahead include Aboriginal chanteuse Samingad (紀曉君) on 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. 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
■ On Fridays, minimum charge of one drink, dancers receive a free drink coupon. On Saturdays, minimum charge is NT$300
The Mercury (水星酒館), a small club that hosts indie bands in Kaohsiung, presents GreenSward (綠色草皮) tomorrow night.
■ 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 9pm
■ Entrance is NT$200, includes
one drink
Hotel One Taichung (台中亞緻大飯店) tomorrow hosts the Solstice of Hope charity fund-raiser, which comprises a photography exhibition, fashion show, raffle and after-party with Swank’s Matty D manning the decks. Proceeds will be donated to Buddhas Are Us, a small charity in Cambodia founded two years ago by former Taichung resident Jake Chapman that supports disadvantaged children.
■ Hotel One Taichung (台中亞緻大飯店), 532 Yingcai Rd, Taichung City (台中市英才路532號). Tel: (04) 2303-1234
■ Tomorrow from 7pm to 2am, with an after-party from 10pm onwards
■ Tickets are NT$800 (includes after-party), available at the door or in advance, or NT$450 for the after-party only, available at the door. For a list of ticket outlets visit buddhas.weebly.com or call Laura McKenzie on 0910-640-782
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