Theater
Moon River is a collaboration between Taiwan’s Dance Forum (舞蹈空間) and all-male dance company The Condors from Tokyo. Choreographed by Ryohei Kondo and performed by artists from the two troupes, the piece is an eloquent demonstration of the Japanese company’s hilarious physical comedy and bold body movements.
■ National Theater, Taipei City
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Saturday Night With Rifat features expat stand-up comedian Rifat along performing with magician Terry and impersonator duo Hsiao-hsia (小蝦) and Hsiao-pai (小白).
■ Comedy Club, 20, Ln 553, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段553巷20號). Tel: (02) 2369-3730
■ Tomorrow at 8pm
■ Tickets are NT$300, or NT$270 in advance (includes one drink), available at the door or online through
tickets.books.com.tw
Paper Windmill Theater Troupe (紙風車劇團) presents The Tale of the White Snake (白蛇傳), a family entertainment that uses 250cm-tall lantern puppets to recount the ancient Chinese story that’s traditionally told to children during Dragon Boat Festival.
■ 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 at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, Sunday at 10:30am and 2:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
In Firefly Theatre’s (螢火蟲劇團) The Judgment (2012末日大審判), a civil servant is taken to court after being accused of being mad. In the courtroom, he meets a hotdog-licking woman, a neurotic homosexual and a sex addicted old woman. The only thing missing is the judge. The play is not suitable for children under the age of 12.
■ Preparatory Office, Wei Wu Ying Center for the Arts (高雄縣衛武營藝術文化中心籌備處), 449-1 Nanjing Rd, Fengshan City, Kaohsiung County (高雄縣鳳山市南京路449-1號)
■ Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$200, 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), which tells the comic story about a wedding, two families and a runaway bride, returns to the stage.
■ Taichung Chungshan Hall (台中中山堂), 98 Syueshih Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號)
■ Tonight at 7:30pm
■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$2,000, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw
Classical music
TSMC “Xin Zhu” Art Festival — Wang Yujua Piano Recital
(台積“心築”藝術季— 王羽佳鋼琴獨奏會) presents the young Chinese pianist Wang Yuja (王羽佳), who is now gaining an international reputation, in a performance of four keyboard sonatas by Scarlatti, Scriabin’s Preludes Op.11 No.11, No.12 and Etude Op.8 No.9, Chopin’s Piano Sonata No.2 in B Flat Minor, Op.35 and Waltz in C Sharp Minor, Op.64, No.2, and Stravinsky’s Three Movements From Petrushka. A second concert with the same program will be performed at the National Concert Hall as part of the International Chopin Festival (20X10蕭邦CHOPIN國際音樂節).
■ Monday (Hsinchu) and Wednesday (Taipei) at 7:30pm
■ Hsinchu Municipal Auditorium (新竹市立演藝廳), 17 Dongda Rd Sec 2, Hsinchu City (新竹市東大路二段17號) and the National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,800 (Hsinchu) and NT$400 to NT$2,800 (Taipei), available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw. Also available before the day of the performance at 7-Eleven ibon, Family Mart (全家) FamiPort and High-Life Life-ET kiosks around the country
Renaissance vs Poetry of Tang and Song Dynasties (文藝復興vs唐宋詩詞新唱) is a concert that presents music from the European Renaissance and reconstructions of music to accompany the recital of Tang and Song Dynasty poetry. The project has been initiated by The Cardinal Singers (野聲合唱團). The Renaissance section of the program includes sacred music, chanson and folk music.
■ Today at 7:30pm
■ Novel Hall (新舞臺), 3-1 Songshou Rd, Taipei City (台北市松壽路3-1號)
■ Tickets are NT$200 to NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Art Song vs Broadway (藝術歌曲vs百老匯) sees soprano Larraine Yaros Sullivan and tenor Stephen Lancaster present a range of songs in a number of styles, ranging from Debussy’s Trois Ballades de Francois Villon and Schubert’s Nacht und Traume to songs from Broadway favorites such as Annie Get Your Gun and Sweeney Todd. They will be accompanied on piano by Lo Wan-yi (羅婉儀).
■ Monday at 7:30pm (Kaohsiung) and July 3 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) and National Recital Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$250 for the Kaohsiung concert and NT$300 to NT$800 for the Taipei concert, available through NTCH ticketing outlets or online at
www.artsticket.com.tw
Contemporary
Legacy Taipei hosts Taiwan’s long-standing pop rocker Bobby Chen (陳昇) as part of the venue’s Golden Melody Awards artists series. Also on the bill is popular rock group The Chairman (董事長). Tomorrow is the Back to Spin 2010 Summer Party, a dance party dedicated to the former Spin nightclub [see story on Page 13]. Taitung reggae rocker Matzka performs with fellow Puyuma Aboriginal and songstress Jiajia (家家) on Wednesday.
■ 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 tonight, 10pm tomorrow, 8:30pm Wednesday
■ Entrance fee is NT$800 tonight, NT$900 tomorrow and NT$400 on Wednesday. Tickets available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.com.tw or
www.legacy.com.tw or at 7-Eleven ibon electronics kiosks
Tonight The Wall (這牆) hosts an evening of live electro-rock and dance music from Go Chic and Sunset Rollercoaster and post-rock sounds from Lily et Coco (哩扣). Tomorrow is metal night with a hard-hitting lineup that includes Beyond Cure, Emerging From the Cocoon and Dying Chelsea. On Sunday popular indie bands Windmill (風籟坊) and Flat Club (假文藝青年俱樂部) take to the stage. Also on the bill are newcomers Goosander (川秋沙). Afterwards, the venue breaks out the big screen TV for the World Cup.
■ 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
■ 8pm tonight and tomorrow and 7pm on Sunday. After Sunday’s show, the venue’s World Cup party’s starts at 10pm
■ Entrance fee is NT$400 tonight, NT$600 tomorrow (NT$400 in advance), NT$300 on Sunday, and NT$200 for the World Cup, and includes one drink. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Jazzy/bluesy act Kukao (鼓號大樂隊) takes the stage tonight at Witch House (女巫店), opening for Mando-pop singer-songwriter Debbie Hsiao (蕭賀碩). Tomorrow Chiang Ming-hsueh (江明學) sings Mando-pop and Taiwanese classics, with jazz fusion group Gina’s Can (吉那罐子樂團) closing the evening.
■ 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
Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) hosts The Sound of Jazz Quartet, which includes as a member the young and talented drummer Doris Lin (林文昱). Tomorrow’s show with jazz-pop fusion artist Yen-j (嚴爵) is sold out [see story on Page 13]. Pop-rock band A-Pay (阿霈樂團) takes the stage on Sunday. Monday is the venue’s weekly open jam. The National Taiwan University Jazz Big Band (台大騷動爵士大樂團) performs on Wednesday.
■ 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 on 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 is sold out, NT$350 on Sunday and Wednesday and NT$150 on Monday
Pop singer Victor Wong (品冠) and celebrity DJ Wu Chien-heng (吳建恆) appear tonight at Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展演館). Tomorrow it’s a girl power lineup featuring pop-punk band The Fen-Fens (紛紛樂團), pop singer Queen (魏如昀) and her band Smack and Mando-pop singer Olivia Yan (閻韋伶).
■ 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$400 tomorrow. Tickets can purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Indie electronica band Telephone Booth (電話亭) appears tonight at Underworld (地下社會) opening for post-punk group MacBeth (馬克白). Tomorrow it’s punks Divebomb and Awesome Shit. On Wednesday indie bands Black Box (黑箱) and Cocoon take the stage.
■ 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 on Fridays and Saturdays, which includes one drink, NT$100 on Wednesdays
The Earl Hines II Jazztet appears tonight at Sappho de Base. Taipei-based jazz drummer Ed Schaefer and friends take the stage tomorrow night. Emo Jazz Trio plays on Tuesday, Ash and Friends are on Wednesday, and The Sound of Jazz Quartet takes the stage 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). Tel: (02) 2700-5411. On the Net:
www.sappho102.biz
■ Music shows begin at 10pm
■ Entrance is NT$100 tonight and tomorrow, free on other nights
Tomorrow VU Live House hosts Sub Bound 4, a trip-hop and underground hip-hop party featuring DJs Point, Saucey, LazyDaze, jez.f and Ill K.
■ B1, 77, Wuchang St Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市武昌街二段77號B1). Tel: (02) 2314-1868
■ Show begins at 11pm
■ Entrance fee tonight is all-you-can-drink, NT$600 for men and NT$400 for women
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 metal band Overdose and emo band Mister Mouth (嘴哥樂團). Tomorrow Aboriginal folk singer Panai (巴奈) takes the stage.
■ 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$400 tomorrow
The Mercury (水星酒館) celebrates its one-year anniversary tomorrow night with rockabilly bands Full House and Double Strike.
■ 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.
In Taichung, expat hip-hop crew Dr Reniculous Lipz and the Skalluynz celebrate the release of their new CD with a show at Light Lounge. Also appearing are expat funk rock band Point 22 (.22) and DJ Richie Partridge.
■ Show starts at 10pm
■ 85 Huamei W St, Sec 1, Taichung City (台中市華美西街一段85號). Tel: (04) 2328-0118
■ Entrance is NT$300, includes one drink
Events
The FuBar and Grill in Taichung marks its second anniversary tomorrow with a World Cup competition comprising various activities to test contestants’ skills. For more information, call the venue.
■ 25-9 Daye Rd, Taichung City (台中市西區大業路25之9號). Tel: (04) 2310-9401 or 0920-504-724
■ Tomorrow from 2pm
■ NT$200 entry fee for competitors
The Canadian Society in Taiwan holds its annual Canada D’eh celebrations at Baishawan (白沙灣) tomorrow. The outdoor party includes beach volleyball, soccer, hamburgers and hotdogs, swimming and fresh ocean air. There will be plenty of games such as horseshoe pitching and tug-o-war, and raffle prizes. The lineup of live music includes DJs Dominik T and Rick Kraft and BoPoMoFo (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ) blues band.
■ Baishawan (白沙灣)
■ Tomorrow from 2pm to midnight
■ Tickets are NT$450 for adults and NT$50 for children. Children under 6 years old or 90cm tall get in free. Prices increase at the door to NT$600 per adult, NT$700 for adult plus child and NT$200 per child. Complete details on where to buy tickets and other information can be found at www.canadiansociety.org. Read tomorrow’s Travel section for a full preview
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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