A R O U N D T O W N 發光的城市 15 TIMES • FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2010 MUSIC BY Ian Bartholomew THE VINYL WORD BY Alita Rickards

PERFORMANCE notes:

WHAT: Wei Hai-ming, Fantasia, Nostalgia, Aria Variata Where and when: Tomorrow at ’s Chungshan Hall (台中市中山堂), 98 Syueshih Rd, Taichung City (台中市學士路98號); May 16 at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (台北國父紀念館), 505, Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市仁愛路四段505號2樓). A is generally regarded as third concert will be held in Tainan on May 29. All a good thing when artists step out of their comfort concerts start at 7:30pm Itzone, pushing themselves in Admission: NT$500 to NT$2,500, available new directions and expanding through NTCH ticketing or online at www.artsticket.com.tw their expressive range. Chinese Eben Pretorius, left, and Matt Chisholm are Genetically Modified Beats. Photo courtesy of GMB opera diva Wei Hai-ming (魏海 敏) has never shirked this task, his weekend offers a chance to get away from the traffic and and ever since her starring role pollution of the city without having to lose out on the party scene. in Contemporary Legend Theater’s (當 school of Beijing opera to which she Perpetual Motion’s Riverbash this year takes place from 6pm 代傳奇劇場) Media back in 1991, she has primarily belongs. Ttomorrow to 8am on Sunday in Sansia Township, Taipei County, with appeared in numerous unconventional Certainly Wei has brought her own very a rocking roster of DJs. works, most recently in Orlando, the high- unique style to interpretations of popular It’s worthwhile arriving at the party site early tomorrow afternoon profile cooperation with theater director Chinese pop favorites. In a rendition of as half of the experience includes swimming in the river and messing Robert Wilson. Love Is Over (是否), a well-known romantic around on inner tubes. A water volleyball game and some rafts will be With Fantasia, Nostalgia, Aria ballad made popular by early Taiwanese set up, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own inflatables. Variata (花月憶時夢), Wei will plunge rocker Julie Su (蘇芮), Wei’s fiercely precise Come nightfall, tents can be set up for NT$200 each. into the realm of pop music, though diction and dramatic presentation, along On the bill is Marcus Aurelius, a veteran player who focuses on hip- this is pop music in its very broadest with the unconventional support of violin, hop and funk, the Sinister Sound Syndicate, which infuses a primarily definition, incorporating the Shanghai piano and harp, made something very electro set with fidget house, indie dance, nu disco and disco punk, and jazz club music of the 1920s and 1930s, unusual of the familiar song. It brings to Edify, who fuses electro dance, B-more and deep bass with pop hooks. and the transition from campus songs mind a similar disjunction of seeing Meryl Also playing is Earworm co-founder BB, who plays an eclectic to rock music. She will be supported by Streep singing ABBA in Mama Mia! mix of acid house, funk, indie dance and nu disco, and V-Dub, who a group of outstanding local musicians Wei has brought her musical selection mashes up of electronica, grunge-fidget and 1980s indie rock. drawn from both Western symphonic and right up to date with Jay Chou’s (周 Dr Lipz joins forces with fellow bandmate Subtle to provide hip- Chinese classical traditions. Nothing is as 杰倫) Chrysanthemum Terrace (菊花 hop, drum ’n’ bass, breaks and a scratch attack. you’d expect it, and this, it would seem, is 台), the theme song from Curse of the The list is rounded out with three of my top-rated acts of the year: exactly what Wei wants. Golden Flower (滿城盡帶黃金甲, 2006). Wei Bounce Girlz, Eat Me! Black Hole! and Genetically Modified Beats. Wei first worked together with a said that it was important to touch on Bounce Girlz rock crowds with fresh and funky electro house, Western classical orchestra on a major such modern pop favorites to appeal to tribal house and dubstep. Though the group made a name for itself show in 2007 when she sang Beijing opera younger audiences. bringing acts like Designer Drugs and Shitdisco to , these accompanied by the National Taiwan Wei admitted that venturing into pop girls are a riot on the decks. As they say, “Prepare to bounce!” Symphony Orchestra (國立台灣交響樂團) music, with its singing style that differs Eccentrically coifed duo Eat Me! Black Hole! has been ripping in New Sounds from Beijing Opera (京 significantly from that of Beijing opera, had up the electro scene. At the Peaches concert on April 25 ago they 劇新韻). “I became fascinated by the idea been a great challenge. But Wei has never had the crowd dancing in a frenzy and were equally well-received at of working together with a [Western] been much bothered by boundaries. Even Spring Scream. orchestra, as it totally changed the effect of within the world of Beijing opera, she is The music Genetically Modified Beats throws down is awesome the operatic singing. The sounds of Beijing noted for her willingness to perform in the and original. They use Ableton Live and an “array of Midi devices” to opera can still be very contemporary and style of other schools, something that is “create, modify, and play with a living, moving electronic soundscape,” can forge links to a young audience ... quite rare for an art form that defines its said Eben Pretorius, one half of the duo. “We bring our studio, which that’s why it is necessary for a to artists by its particular styles. we literally live in, to the stage,” he said. “Then we use everything we explore new ways of expression. That’s While there is no doubt that Wei is can get our hands on to create a new spin on each bit of audio we why I’ve decided to embark on this new a prodigious vocal artist, the question present the crowd with.” project,” Wei said. inevitably arises as to whether she can Tickets are NT$800 at the door (presenting a flyer will get you At a press conference last Wednesday, tackle pop musicians on their home NT$200 off). NT$600 advance tickets are available at both Toasterias. Wei emphasized that she was an artist turf. Will this be just a minor curiosity The venue is about 25km from Yongning MRT Station (捷運永寧 of the 21st century who loved many rather like opera diva Montserrat Caballe 站). Shuttle buses run hourly from exit No. 1 of the station, starting contemporary works and felt no singing duets with Freddie Mercury, or at noon tomorrow. A service also runs to the site directly from The compulsion to constrain herself to ancient something more enduring? Wei believes Wall (這牆) in Taipei. For driving directions and bus information visit traditions. “The new operas of Mei Lanfang she is breaking new ground and suggests www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=114549675233728&ref=ts or (梅蘭芳) were the pop music of their day,” that she may make such ventures into perpetualmotiontaipei.blogspot.com. Wei Hai-ming is always up for the challenge. Photo courtesy of the Wei Hai-ming Beijing Opera Foundation she said, referring to the founder of the pop music an annual event.

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

■ Tickets are NT$450 (NT$300 for for Emerging Talent — Li Hsun- already sold out. On Thursday it’s 2號B1), next to Taipower Building (台電 music. MaJam Jazz Quartet (麻將爵 students) at the door chia Piano Recital (涴莎夏季樂集— Contemporary Taitung reggae rockers Matzka and 大樓). Tel: (02) 2368-7310. On the Net: 士樂團) plays jazz, fusion, funk Theater 未來新秀李訓佳鋼琴獨奏會) will feature Di Hot. www.riverside.com.tw and blues on Tuesday. On Wednesday Flux Waves Dance Theater (流浪舞蹈劇 young pianist Li Hsun-chia (李訓佳) ■ Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山 ■ Shows start at 9:30pm tonight pianist Jason Hayashi and his Co-organized by the Cultural Bureau in 場) presents Stretch Your Wings performing a program that includes English pop rock duo Tears for 1914), Center Five Hall (中五館), 1, and 9pm all other nights. For a list trio take to the stage. On Thursday Shannxi Province (陝西省文化廳) and (展翅), a contemporary dance piece Chopin’s Polonaise Op. 40 No.2, Fears, who achieved international Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德 of standard songs and ground rules Rocky and Friends preside over an Taipei Arts Promotion Association (台北 inspired by the idea of faith. The piece Rachmaninoff’s Etudes-Tableau Op. 39 fame with their 1985 hit album 路一段1號) for the open jam, visit the venue’s open jam. 市文化藝術促進協會), Shannxi Folk is a collaboration between No. 9, Scriabin’s Etude Op. 8 No. 10, 11 Songs From the Big Chair, ■ Shows start at 8pm tomorrow and Web site ■ B1, 1, Ln 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei Arts Fair (陜西民間藝術園遊會) choreographers Wu Chin-tao (伍錦濤) and Prokofiev’sSonate Op. 83. appear in Taipei tomorrow night. As 8:30pm on Thursday ■ Entrance fee is NT$400 tonight and City (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1). features a series of exhibitions, and Wu Peng-feng (吳朋奉) and ■ Tomorrow at 7:30pm of press time, tickets are still available ■ Tomorrow night’s show is sold out, NT$450 tomorrow, NT$350 on Sunday Tel: (02) 2700-5411. On the Net: performances, workshops, tea and food Japanese composer Koji Sakurai. ■ Wansha Classical Music Salon (涴莎 for their concert at the NTU Athletic NT$400 on Thursday. Tickets available and NT$150 on Monday www.sappho102.biz appreciation events aimed at ■ Experimental Theater, Taipei City 古典音樂沙龍), 12, Alley 16, Ln 167, Stadium (國立台灣大學綜合體育館). through ERA ticketing or online at ■ Music shows begin at 10:30pm introducing Taipei residents to various ■ Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Dongmen Rd Sec 2, Tainan City (台南 Aboriginal folk chantuese Panai (巴 www.ticket.com.tw or www.legacy. Folk rocker Elisa Lin (林依霖) shares tonight and tomorrow, 10pm on folk arts and culture in the Chinese Sunday at 2:30pm and 7:30pm 市東門路二段167巷16弄12號) 奈) opens the show. com.tw or at ibon electronics kiosks at a bill with indie rockers Red Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. province. Performances by art groups ■ Tickets are NT$600, available ■ Tickets are NT$250, available ■ NTU Athletic Stadium (國立台灣大學 7-Eleven stores Flower (紅花樂團) and neo-grunge Closed on Sundays and Mondays from Shannxi include shadow through NTCH ticketing or online at through NTCH ticketing or online at 綜合體育館), 1, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, band Ground Zero (放射空間) ■ Entrance is free puppetry, mask dance, traditional www.artsticket.com.tw www.artsticket.com.tw Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路四段一號) Canadian indie folk band Ohbijou tonight at Riverside Live House opera and folk singing. ■ Show starts at 7:30pm appears tonight at The Wall (這牆). (西門紅樓展演館). Tomorrow Tonight at Roxy Roots Canadian ■ Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山 Organized by Representation Theatre Love in Chopin: Eric Chen 2010 ■ Tickets are NT$900 to NT$4,800, Alt-rockers Wavelight (波光折返) the venue hosts Mando-pop folk singer and former Taiwan 1914), Center Four Hall (中四館) and (再現劇團), Go to Hell (地獄樂團) can Piano Recital (愛戀蕭邦—陳冠宇 available through ERA ticketing outlets and nu-metal group Respect (尊敬樂 singers Jiwasi Dulan (吳亦帆) and resident Scott Cook appears with Distillation Room (蒸餾室), 1, Bade Rd best be described as a sort of theme 2010鋼琴獨奏會) see one of Taiwan’s or online at www.ticket.com.tw 團) take the stage tomorrow night. Hsu Che-wei (徐哲緯). On Thursday Taichung blues-rock band Three Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段 park where visitors can check out live best-loved classical pianists performing On Sunday indie rockers Green!Eyes it’s folk rockers Miss Dessy and Day Bender. Tomorrow expat party 1號). On the Net: tw.myblog.yahoo. theater and music performances as a program of Chopin. Legacy Taipei, located in a former (綠色眼睛) perform to promote their indie-electronica band Telephone favorites The Money Shot Horns com/taipei _tapa well as interactive installations and ■ Thursday at 7:30pm warehouse at Huashan 1914 Creative new single. Booth (電話亭). take to the stage. On Wednesday ■ Today to Sunday from 10am sound pieces at any time of the ■ National Recital Hall, Taipei City Park (華山1914), hosts top Taiwanese ■ B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei ■ 177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西 renowned Japanese free-jazz to 10pm day before the park closes. All shows ■ Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,000, pop performers and international acts. City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). 寧南路177號). Tel: (02) 2370-8805. On drummer Sabu Toyozumi leads an ■ No admission fee and exhibitions at the park are inspired available through ERA ticketing or Tomorrow night’s show with Mando- Tel: (02) 2930-0162. On the Net: the Net: www.riverside.com.tw open jam. by the idea of hell. For detailed online at www.ticket.com.tw pop singer (林宥嘉) is www.thewall.com.tw ■ Shows start at 8pm tonight, 8:30pm ■ 90 Songren Rd, Taipei City (台北市松 EX-Theatre Asia’s (EX-亞洲劇團) A True schedules of live performances, go to ■ Music shows start at 8pm tonight, tomorrow and Thursday 仁路90號). Tel: (02) 2725-3932. On the Calling (假戲真作) explores the blurred www.wretch.cc/blog tomorrow and 8pm on Sunday ■ Entrance fee is NT$400 tonight, Net: www.roxy.com.tw boundary between what is real and /rpt20080229/ 12807541. ■ Entrance fee is NT$900 tonight, NT$500 tomorrow and NT$400 on ■ Shows start at 10pm what is not in everyday life through a ■ Representation Theatre’s Arts h[ photoIGHLIGHT in telecom ] NT$400 tomorrow and NT$300 on Thursday. Tickets can purchased online ■ Entrance is NT$300 on Fridays and story about a guru and an actor. The Factory (再現劇團藝術工場), B1, 43, Sunday. Tickets can be purchased through www.riverside.com.tw/ Saturdays (NT$200 credited toward BY Alita Rickards production is a multi-cultural Nanchang Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市 online at www.thewall.com.tw or livehouse or tickets.books.com.tw food and drink) collaboration between stage director 南昌路一段43號B1) An adult take on Disney’s 1940s tickets.books.com.tw and actor Chongtham Jayanta Meetei ■ Tonight from 6pm to 10pm, classic Fantasia will take place next Metal bands Ashen and Brain EZ5 Live House hosts Mando-pop from India, Taishin-award winning actor tomorrow and Sunday from 2pm Saturday in the form of a massive Fingerstyle guitarist pair Woody Corrosion play tonight at Under- singers backed by a live band every Derrick Wei (魏雋展) and experimental to 10pm water park party at Formosa Fun Woody performs tonight at Witch world (地下社會). Tomorrow there’s a night. Highlights for the week include music band Arcn Templ from Singapore. ■ Tickets are NT$100, available Coast (八仙海岸) in Bali (八里) to House (女巫店). Tomorrow it’s triple bill featuring post-rock-ish group Julia Peng (彭佳慧), a major draw ■ Bamboo Curtain Studio (竹圍工作室), through NTCH ticketing or online at celebrate The Loop Productions’ Hualien acoustic folk duo Tom and Sun of Morning (晨曦光廊), post- who appears every Tuesday, and 39, Ln 88, Jhongjheng E Rd Sec 2, www.artsticket.com.tw 10th anniversary. Expect both bands Huck (湯姆與哈克). On Thursday punk and baroque pop band The Tic male crooner Shin Lung (辛隆), who Tamsui, Taipei County (台北縣淡水鎮中 and DJs, some of whom are Playboy female pop singer Chiang Tao (姜道) Tac and Posh Inverse (優雅逆轉). performs every Saturday. 正東路二段88巷39號) bunnies, beer games, fireworks and and acoustic rocker Jih ching-chiang On Wednesday it’s blues and rock ■ 211, Anhe Rd Sec 2, Taipei City ■ All shows are sold out except for fire spinners. Women will engage in (日京江) each perform a set. from expat Joe Markus and punk (台北市安和路二段211號). Sunday’s 7:30pm performance Classical music a wet T-shirt contest and “hot chick ■ 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3, Taipei band My War. Tel: (02) 2738-3995. On the Net: ■ Tickets are NT$450, available boxing,” with men showing off their City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號). ■ B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師 www.ez5.com.tw through NTCH ticketing or online at Orchestre Philharmonique de physiques during an event dubbed Tel: (02) 2362-5494. On the Net: 大路45號B1). Tel: (02) 2369-0103. On ■ Music shows run from 9:45pm www.artsticket.com.tw Radio France (法國印象之美－法國 “Macho Paradise.” www.witchhouse.org the Net: www.upsaid.com/underworld to 12:30am 廣播愛樂管絃樂團) brings the highly The focus will be on more than 30 Play on, Playmates. ■ Performances start at 9:30pm. ■ Music shows run from 9:30pm to ■ Entrance fee (includes two drinks) Eclipsed Sun Tale (蝕日譚) is acclaimed orchestra to Taiwan to acts providing music, with big Photo courtesy of The Loop Productions Restaurant/bar with queer/feminist 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and ranges from NT$600 to NT$850, Taiwan Haibizi’s (台灣海筆子) latest tent perform under the baton of conductor names including (ladies first) 2008 bookstore and large collection of 9pm to 11pm on Wednesdays. depending on the performer theatrical production that deals with Chung Myung-whun. The two Playboy centerfold playmates the Fantasia Waterpark Festival (The board games open 11am to midnight Underworld is open daily from 9pm, modernity, capitalism and laborers. For concerts at the National Concert Hall Essex Twins and DJ KayJay, who is Loop Productions’ 10th anniversary) Sundays through Wednesdays; 11am closed on Mondays. Happy hour on Taipei Swing holds dance socials on the past decade, Taiwan Haibizi has (國家音樂廳) will feature different the officialPlayboy Playmate DJ, as May 15 from noon to midnight to 1am Thursdays through Saturdays Tuesdays and Thursdays before Friday nights at Capone’s, with live worked in close collaboration with programs. Ravel’s Rapsodie Espagnole well as hip-hop star Fat Joe. at Formosa Fun Coast (八仙海岸), ■ Entrance fee for music shows midnight music from blues band BoPoMoFo Japanese director and playwright and La Valse and his arrangement of DJ Craze, Treasure Fingers and DJ 1-6, Neighborhood 1, Siagu Village, is NT$300 ■ Entrance for music shows is (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ). Dancers of all levels are Sakurai Daizo, the foremost advocate Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition Dan will be joined by local acts Bali, Taipei County (台北縣八里鄉下 NT$300 on Fridays and Saturdays, welcome, and beginner’s lessons are of tent theater, a type of left-wing will be performed today, and Ravel’s including DJs Mykal, Xuan, J-Six and 罟村1鄰下罟子1之6號). To get Tonight Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) which includes one drink; NT$100 offered while the band takes a break. theater that originated in Japan in the Rapsodie Espagnole, Piano Concert in G Reaz:on, along with Taiwan’s DMC there take the MRT to Guandu owner and guitarist Geddy Lin (林正 on Wednesday Saturday is Salsa night with live music late 1960s. Major — featuring Roger Muraro on turntablist solo champion of 2009, Station (關渡捷運站), then take the 如) and a cast of veteran musicians from Latin on Fire. ■ Chin Tu Farm (勤篤農園) inside the piano — and Daphnis & Chloe Suites DJ Kid. Resident DJs Hooker, Cookie Red No. 22 (紅22) bus directly to perform for the venue’s “evening of Tonight at Sappho de Base, a late ■ 312, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei former Tucheng Ammunition No. 1 & No. 2 tomorrow. and others join in the lineup. the water park jazz.” Comedic indie rockers Won Fu night lounge and jazz venue, it’s City (台北市忠孝東路四段312號) Warehouse (土城彈藥庫), 42 Heping ■ Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm For the full story, including Admission is NT$2,000 at the door, (旺福) play tomorrow night. On Sunday Olivier Baron, a French expat ■ Live music from 9pm to 11:30pm on Rd, Tucheng, Taipei County (台北縣土 ■ National Concert Hall, Taipei City interviews with both performers from Luxy or online through it’s pop-rock groups Joker and No trombonist who will be leading a Fridays, 8pm to 11:30pm on Saturdays 城市和平路42號). For directions, go to ■ Tickets are NT$500 to NT$3,600, and the players who make the www.ticket.com.tw. Presale tickets Key Band. Monday is the venue’s quartet. Tomorrow the venue hosts ■ Minimum charge of one drink on blog.roodo.com/taiwanhaibizi/ available through NTCH ticketing or Loop go round, read next Friday’s are no longer available weekly open jam. Aashti Ensemble (汎絲路樂團), a Fridays (dancers receive a free drink archives/12048169.html online at www.artsticket.com.tw Vinyl Word. On the Net: www.fantasia.tw ■ B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, group of Macedonian and Taiwanese coupon). On Saturdays the minimum ■ Tonight through Monday at 7:30pm Wansha Summer Concert Series Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷 performing Balkan folk and gypsy charge is NT$300