Theater
For its newest production, The Cacophony of Life (樂鬧人生), Sun Son Theatre (身聲劇場) adds black humor to its signature fusion of modern theater, dance, chant, masks and world music to recount a traveler’s life story.
■ Bamboo Curtain Studio (竹圍工作室), 39, Ln 88, Jhongjheng E Rd Sec 2, New Taipei City (新北市中正東路二段88巷39號), near Zhuwei MRT Station (竹圍捷運站)
Photo courtesy of Sun Son Theatre
■ Tonight, tomorrow at 7:30pm, Saturday 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 Party Theater Group’s (同黨劇團) rendition of I Am My Own Wife, a Pulitzer-winning play by American playwright Doug Wright, stars Chiu An–chen (邱安忱), who takes up the challenge of playing 40 roles in the story about a transvestite who survives the Nazi and Communist regimes in East Berlin.
■ 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)
■ Tickets for tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday are sold out, but seats remain for the show on Monday at 7pm
■ Tickets are NT$500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Directed and written by emerging talent Yang Ching–hsiang (楊景翔), Po-you Base Troupe’s The Abandoner (據說有戰爭在遠方) is a fable about war in which four individuals find themselves living together on an island after the end of a civil conflagration that nearly wiped out the entire population.
■ Experimental Theater, Taipei City
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm, Saturday 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
Shinehouse Theatre’s (曉劇場) Armageddon (穢土天堂) tells of a group of sewer dwellers who are “liberated” and civilized by the people who live above ground.
■ Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), Fruit Wine Building (果酒禮堂), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號)
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm, Saturday 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
Invisible Soldiers (迷彩馬戲團) by Representation Theatre (再現劇團) presents a contemporary fable in which soldiers find that there is no escape from their military base.
■ National Taiwan University Theater (國立台灣大學台大劇場), 1, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段1號)
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm, Saturday 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
Classical music
Meylemans and Adorjan vs Schumann and Brahms (焦掉的心只剩一堆灰) sees the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (台北市立交響樂團) performing with flautist Andras Adorjan under guest conductor Ivan Meylemans. The program includes Schumann’s Cello Concerto adapted for flute, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98.
■ Today at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,500, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
A Dialog Between Piano and Flute (鋼琴與長笛的對話) showcases the talents of emerging local pianist Yen Chun-chieh (嚴俊傑), who came to prominence after winning the third prize in the Tchaikovsky International Music Competition (Youth) in St Petersburg in 1997. He will perform a program that includes Couperin’s Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou les Maillotins, Franck’s Sonata for Piano and Violin in A Major, Chopin’s Three Mazurkas Op. 59, Strauss’ Sonata for Piano and Violin in E-flat Major Op. 18 and Prokofiev’s Toccata in D Minor, Op. 11. He will be accompanied by Andy Hu (胡志瑋) on flute.
■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm
■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City
■ Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,200, available through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw
Masters of the Cello (Cello二次方大提王者 — 堤剛絕技再現) presents the combined talents of cellists Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and Thomas Landschoot performing together with the Kaohsiung City Symphony Orchestra (高雄市交響樂團). The program includes Strauss’ Don Juan, Op. 20, Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33, and Falla’s Danza Ritual del Fuego.
■ Sunday at 7:30pm
■ Kaohsiung Cultural Center’s Chihteh 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$1,500, available through ERA ticketing or online at www.ticket.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. Japanese rock star Sugizo, the guitarist from visual kei band Luna Sea, performs tonight. Tomorrow’s and Saturday’s shows featuring Mando-pop singer Penny Tai (戴佩妮) are already sold out. On Sunday, it’s A-hsiang (阿翔), best known as the frontman for Luantan (亂彈), a popular underground band from the 1990s. One Million Star (超級星光大道) alumnus Queen (魏如昀) takes to the stage 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, except Wednesday’s, which begins at 8:30pm
■ NT$2,500 tonight, sold out tomorrow and Saturday, NT$800 on Monday and NT$500 on Wednesday (NT$400 in advance). Tickets for the venue’s concerts can be purchased at ERA ticketing outlets, online through www.ticket.com.tw or www.legacy.com.tw or at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks.
Tomorrow, The Wall (這牆), Taipei’s most prominent venue for indie rock artists, hosts an evening of hardcore metal with No Turning Back, Human Brutality and Dying Chelsea. No shows are scheduled as of press time on Saturday. On Sunday, local post-rock heroes Aphasia (阿飛西雅) open for Japanese indie-electronica band miaou.
■ 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
■ All shows start at 8pm
■ NT$700 tomorrow, NT$1,000 on Sunday (NT$800 in advance). Tickets for all shows can be purchased online through www.thewall.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight Witch House (女巫店), an intimate coffeehouse-style venue in the National Taiwan University area, hosts solo performer Mayonaise (美乃滋) and punk outfit Inhuman Species (非人物種). Tomorrow, Aboriginal singer-songwriter Suming (舒米恩) takes to the stage. On Saturday, it’s electro-rockers Sunset Rollercoaster (落日飛車) and indie pop outfit Come on! Bay Bay! (來吧!焙焙!).
■ 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
■ Shows 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 for music shows is NT$300
Indie rock bands 2Hrs and Slack Tide take to the stage tomorrow at Underworld (地下社會), a small basement club in Taipei. On Saturday, post-rock group selfkill and Subway (地下道) take to the stage. On Wednesday, it’s start-up indie bands Acidy Peeping Tom (微酸的偷窺狂) and Big Pie (周大派).
■ 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
■ Shows run from 9pm to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. 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. Admission for Wednesday shows is NT$100
Tonight Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) hosts Canadian gypsy jazz guitarist Denis Chang, who will be playing with local group Dark Eyes Gypsy Jazz Band. Tomorrow the Green Fusion Project performs fusion jazz. On Saturday, Amis Aboriginal TV show host and singer Ado (阿洛) takes to the stage. On Sunday, it’s pop rock groups Great Adventure (大冒險樂團) and Mafianjo (瑪菲安喬). 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
■ Show starts tonight at 9:30pm, 9pm on all other nights. For a list of standard songs and ground rules for the open jam, visit the venue’s Web site
■ NT$350 tonight, NT$400 tomorrow and Saturday, NT$350 Sunday and NT$150 Monday. Tickets can purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw or tickets.books.com.tw
Tonight and tomorrow Riverside Live House (河岸留言西門紅樓展演館) hosts a music contest, titled I Am Music, for up-and-coming bands. On Saturday, it’s comedic indie-rock troupe Wonfu (旺福). On Sunday, Japanese pop singer Mikuni Shimokawa takes to the stage.
■ 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
■ Free tonight, tomorrow and Saturday, and NT$1,700 Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online through www.riverside.com.tw/livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw
Saxophonist Terry Hsieh (謝明諺) and his quartet perform avant-garde and post-bop tonight at Sappho de Base, a late-night lounge bar that regularly hosts live jazz performers. Tomorrow, it’s experimental quartet The Yellow Lighter Dogma. On Saturday, Latin-jazz group Musa’s Trio takes to the stage. Yisierfei (似「四」而非), a quartet that fuses traditional Chinese music with jazz, performs on Tuesday and on Wednesday, Electric Mess Age (電子混亂世代) plays funk and acid jazz.
■ 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
■ Shows start at 10pm. The venue is closed on Sundays and Mondays
■ Entrance is NT$200 tomorrow and Saturday, free other nights
Acclaimed Aboriginal singer Samingad (紀曉君) performs every Thursday at EZ5 Live House, which hosts Mando-pop singers backed by a live band every night. Highlights for the week ahead include male crooner Shin Lung (辛龍), who performs every Saturday, and veteran performer Ann Lang (郎祖筠) on Wednesdays.
■ 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
■ Shows run from 9:45pm to 12:30am
■ Entrance fee (includes two drinks) ranges from NT$600 to NT$850, depending on the performer
Tonight indie rock club Revolver continues its one-year anniversary celebrations with live music from Okay Cars, Heartones (心電樂) and Para-box. Tomorrow, it’s Roxymoron, Hot Pink and Nintendo Generation Blues (任天堂世代憂鬱), followed by DJs James Ho, Subtle and Robin Lai. On Saturday, the Funky Brothers are followed by DJs Marcus Aurelius, Robi Roka and Paul S. DJ Taili spins dub and roots reggae on Wednesday.
■ 1-2, Roosevelt Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路一段1-2號), tel: (02) 3393-1678
■ Shows start at 10pm
■ Entrance is free tonight and tomorrow, NT$300 on Saturday on Wednesday, includes one drink
Italian restaurant Capone’s hosts pop rock band Mary Jane and her Quartet every Friday. Tomorrow, drummer Abe Nbugu Kenyatta leads a band playing music from his hometown of New Orleans. On Wednesday nights it’s Latin music from guitarist Roberto Zayas and bassist Rick Taira.
■ 312, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段312號), tel: (02) 2773-3782
■ Live music from 9pm to 11:30pm on Fridays, 8pm to 11:30pm on Saturdays
■ On Fridays, minimum charge of one drink. On Saturdays, minimum charge is NT$300
Tomorrow night, The Village Cafe (村落餐廳), a bar and cafe located at the Taipei Artist Village (台北國際藝術村), hosts Canadian gypsy jazz guitarist Denis Chang, who will be playing with local group Dark Eyes Gypsy Jazz Band.
■ 7 Beiping E Rd, Taipei City (台北市北平東路7號), tel: (02) 3393-7377, X207
■ Shows start at 9:30pm
■ Entrance is NT$350 for all shows
The Wall (這牆) programs regular live rock shows at Kaohsiung’s Pier 2 Arts Center (高雄駁二藝術特區). Indie pop singer-songwriter Peggy Hsu (許哲珮) takes to the stage tomorrow night. On Saturday, it’s indie rock groups Human Beings (人), Sun of Morning (晨曦光廊) and Fuguko (河豚子).
■ 1 Dayong Rd, Yancheng Dist, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市鹽埕區大勇路1號). On the Net: pier-2.khcc.gov.tw, www.thewall.com.tw
■ Shows start at 7:30pm
■ NT$500 tonight, NT$300 tomorrow
The Mercury (水星酒館), an indie rock club in Kaohsiung, hosts live music every Saturday. Doodle and The Third Party (第三者) play on Saturday.
■ 46 Liwen Rd, Zuoying Dist, Greater Kaohsiung (高雄市左營區立文路46號), tel: (07) 550-8617. On the Net: mercurybar.blogspot.com
■ Starts at 9pm
■ Entrance is NT$250, which includes one drink
Taipei Discussion and Learning meets every Sunday at Wisteria Tea House (紫藤廬) to hear lectures and discuss topics such as philosophy, science and alternative medicine. All discussions and lectures are conducted in English. This weekend’s lecture is titled Vitamins: What Are They and Is It Possible to Have Too Many?
■ Wisteria Tea House (紫藤廬), 1, Ln 16, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市新生南路三段16巷1號)
■ 7:45pm, every Sunday
■ Entrance is free. For more information visit www.taipeidiscussion
andlearning.blogspot.com
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