14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2008 • TIMES Is a vic- tim of romantic circumstance? dancing in her piece, Coming Photo: Taipei Times Home, which combines her passion Same, same, but different for Flamenco with Aboriginal music sung live by Panai and Nabu. It is a heartfelt piece that transcends both language and culture. Wang has become 團) appeared in the Experimental 樺). Next week it’s the turn of Wei and Yeh’s funky Dimmer, however, Is it just Pop Stop, or , and then upon land- something Theater in May, Chen Wu-kang (陳 Kuang-ching (魏光慶), Su Shih-jian Taiwan takes a lighter approach to the do the local celebrity rags ing made a staggering fool of of a modern dance foundry in the 武康), the Eliot Feld dancer who (蘇詩堅), Huang and a collaborative search for direction, set to four seem starved of hot gossip himself at Taoyuan Interna- past two decades, producing loads is a member of Horse (formerly effort from Lai Wei-chun (賴韋君) songs by Leon Redbone. recently? Gone, it seems, are tional Airport, he got wasted of talented dancers or chore- M-Dans) or Lien Ho (賀連華), who and Tien Hsiao-tzu (田孝慈). “Why Leon Redbone music? I the halcyon days when Hong at a KTV in Tamsui (淡水) and ographers. Making a living as a founded Genio Dance, and Sun The works that will be per- love it, I love it. But the politically Kong celebs had photos of roughed up a fan, reports the professional here is another matter, Chuo-tai (孫梲泰), founder of 8213 formed are as varied as their correct explanation is ‘that Taiwan their sex capers posted across Liberty Times. which is why the National Theater’s Physical Dance Theater. Others are creators — and their scores is under the influence of American the Internet, or when Tai- The evening started out New Productions of Emerging Tai- just beginning their careers, such as — ranging from minimalists solos culture,’” Wang said in a phone wanese starlets blushed after innocently enough when an wanese Choreographers program, Huang Huai-de (黃懷德). to quartets to multimedia perfor- interview. being busted for getting high. admirer surnamed Wang (王) along with its Young Stars, New The program has been split into mances, although a common thread “We tossed around a lot of ideas. And so it goes that this struck up a conversation with Vision — Dance later this year are two parts, so to see all eight works is the search for identity, be it on a Sometimes when I am not in Taiwan week the paparazzi dug up the Golden Bell Award-winner so crucial. This weekend and next, you will need to go both weekends. personal, societal or national level. she came up with ideas, she [Yeh] the old “Alan Luo (羅志祥) while the thespian’s friends Taipei audiences will have the This weekend features the For example, Lien will be chose the music — I gave her the and Jolin Tsai (蔡依林) are a tried to use Tuo’s fame to chance to see the work of some works of Lien, Lin, music but she chose it. She came up couple” chestnut. This mori- dodge the bill. But the KTV of Taiwan’s best young choreogra- Sun and a collabo- with the name. Dimmer is the [light] bund morsel of showbiz life, staff was having none of it, phers at the Experimental Theater. ration between switch that can make us see better. which first saw life years ago, and Wang stepped up and The Emerging Choreographers Chen and Yeh Movements are about looking for is being rehashed because paid the tab, which came to a program has been almost a year Ming-hwa (葉名 light,” he said. the two pop stars were spot- whopping NT$1,900. in the making, starting off with Searching for direction is also the ted together in Japan. Tsai’s The situation got ugly a competition last October that theme of Su Shih-jian’s piece, The agent, however, scotched the when Wang, in an act of quid attracted almost 100 hopefuls. Wind Blew. Su said the solo, which rumors by saying that the pro quo, asked to take have Top: Lien Ho. Led by choreographer and dance will be danced by Chou Meng-ping two celebrities were — here his photo taken with Tuo. The Above: Sun Chuo-tsai. professor Ku Ming-shen (古名伸), a (周夢蘋), is about the conflicts he comes the classic PR rebuttal entertainer, inexplicably roiled Right: Lin Shing-hsiu. panel selected 10 men and women felt when he returned home from — “just friends,” and the fact at Wang’s request, caught the Photos courtesy of ntch they felt represented the best of graduate studies in Los Angeles. that pair took the same flight startled fan in a headlock and Taiwan’s dance world. “When I graduated from the and booked into the same aggressively wrapped him on Some of the 10 are already California Institute of the Arts, hotel was mere “coincidence.” the noggin a few times with established names, working with the school had changed my idea Speaking of friends, Chen his knuckles. But it didn’t end their own small troupes, such as of my country, but when I came Chin-yi (鄭進一) seems to there. Wang’s friend saw the Lin Hsiang-hsiu (林向秀), whose back, everything here seemed the have quite a few. The Liberty ruckus, over, and landed Lin HH Dance Company (林向秀舞 Times (the Taipei Times’ same, yet different,” Su said. “How sister newspaper) implied, in can I tell the people that Taiwan is a half-page spread complete very beautiful, just like the mind is with supposedly incriminating beautiful, when the government is photos, that the 53-year-old always building new buildings that composer is a three-timing focus only on the outer beauty, not womanizer. inner beauty?” He was first papped one “You have to see the beauty in afternoon entering a hotel and normal life, need to look at who you The jury’s still out on Chen Chin-yi. are, you have to enjoy the moment,” then leaving a few hours later Photo: Taipei Times with what the paper described he said. — Diane Baker as a “well-endowed” woman. a few punches on Tuo, which Though Chen later denied was enough to knock the Performance notes: any illicit rendezvous had actor back into reality: He taken place, the photographs apologized to the injured party What: New Productions of Emerging showed the mystery woman for his violent behavior. Taiwanese Choreographers walking past Chen’s car carry- ’s (伍佰) wife and WHEN: Tonight and tomorrow at ing his latest CD. agent Chen Wen-pei (陳文佩) 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at Evening the same day is getting a reputation of her 2:30pm; Aug. 15 and Aug. 16 at 7:30pm, brought the alleged Casanova own as a sulk, if the Apple Aug. 16 and Aug. 17 at 2:30pm to Yangmingshan, where he Daily is to be believed. The WHERE: Experimental Theater dined with a female reportedly tabloid’s intrepid reporters TICKETS: NT$500, available through half his age. This snippet was caught up with the pair earlier the NTCH box office or www.artsticket. disingenuous rumor monger- this week at the American com.tw ing, though, as other dinner Institute in Taiwan, where guests included another couple they were applying for visas. old enough to be the young The paper wrote that Chen woman’s parents. The evening became petulant during the ended after Chen’s girlfriend interview. This “incident” Gross Fugue: not your mama’s karaoke, or rock band for that matter picked him up at 10pm. The falls on the heels of an earlier verdict? Although bed-hopping run-in with authorities, when ffensive” is one comment that For the duo, the partnership is an makes for good headlines, in Chen got into a verbal alterca- “O electronica rock duo Gross Fugue Performance notes: ideal one. Having met through the this case res ipsa loquitur. tion with a cop. That scuffle hears about their performances. But they expat music scene, the two say they Meanwhile, actor Tuo ended with the police officer take it as a compliment. What: Gross Fugue live at Sappho de Base have realized a common artistic goal: Tsung-hua (庹宗華) is living calling Chen “penis pubic “We try to push the envelope as to Where: B1, 1, Ln 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, to combine visual elements with music. up to his reputation as a hell- hair,” which is tantamount, what is acceptable,” says Ed Eibel, who Taipei City (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1). Before meeting Eibel, Kolmarnicki had raiser. But rather than sinking in Mandarin, to childishly plays double bass and co-writes the songs Call (02) 2700-05411 (after 9pm) or visit just started to use MIDI synthesizers and one too many on a plane, as calling her a “James Blunt,” in for the band, which plays tomorrow night www.sappho102.biz for more information became “excited by .” “I he did a few years ago on Cockney rhyming slang. at Sappho de Base in Taipei. like being able to blend heavy music and When: Tomorrow night at 10:30pm Gross Fugue combines prerecorded tracks, live a flight from to What offends some is the graphic nature melodies,” he said. — Noah Buchan On the Net: www.. music and video images in its performances. The of Gross Fugue’s multimedia show. During com/grossfugue The pair also share a penchant for off- the group’s Fiction of God, the audience the-wall performances. Eibel, an American group plays tomorrow night at Sappho de Base. Photo courtesy of Gross Fugue Top Five Mandarin AlbumS July 25 to July 31 sees a string of video images projected The band, which is named after expat who also produces children’s music on stage: a hockey player with a bloody Beethoven’s famously dissonant piece, for non-native English speakers, used to in the Heart. Wilber Pan (潘瑋柏) and Future Tense (未來式) face, a crucifixion scene, random scenes of takes the karaoke concept of singing to play covers on the ukulele as Tomorrow VJ Ferox Neutrino joins a prerecorded track and gives it an indie- 1 with 15.4 percent of sales fisticuffs, nuclear explosions at Hiroshima Jimi Ukulele and the Ukulele Experience. the group on stage, adding visual and Nagasaki, Iraqi prisoners being rock slant. But unlike typical karoke Kolmarnicki, a native of Canada, used elements to the band’s videos with self- tracks, Gross Fugue’s music is drenched (周筆暢) and NOW tortured by US soldiers at Abu Ghraib. to perform with Taipei expat comedians designed software that “reacts” to sound. with distortion and electronic effects. 2 with 11.46% The song compelled one restaurant Hartley Pool and Chris Garvin under the With Gross Fugue’s shows, Eibel owner to ask the band never to come Eibel creates the skeleton of each stage name Eddie Bruce Jr. His repertoire and Kolmarnicki are looking for a Elva Hsiao (蕭亞軒) and The Three Faces back again. But Eibel insists that they song by prerecording the drum and consisted of 1980s songs, which included connection with an audience, whether 3 of Eve (三面夏娃) with 9.67% “don’t want to be gross for the sake of bass parts with computer software and We Are the World. He didn’t sing the positive or negative. Having this band, being gross.” The images are necessary to electronic synthesizers. Then he compiles songs to be funny, but rather to be says Kolmarnicki, is a “chance to do (蕭敬騰) and Jam Hsiao (蕭敬騰) with 6.74% “to complete the song,” he says. footage for an accompanying video. On “weird,” he says. something emotional and visceral.” 4 Besides, says Eibel, the song stage, he plays the double bass with a With the generally darker content of “[We] want people who watch the bow, while bandmate Erik Kolmarnicki Various artists and Always Open Your Heart (大開天窗) with 5.58% expresses what he wants to say: “If god the music, Gross Fugue tries to lighten up show to be physically and emotionally 5 isn’t a fiction, why do these things [the plays electric guitar and sings over the its one-and-a-half-hour set with a grunge- exhausted when it’s over,” says Eibel. prerecorded tracks. Album chart compiled from G-Music (www.g-music.com.tw), based on retail sales violence] happen?” electronica cover of Deee-Lite’s Groove is — David Chen

[ EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT ]

Unforgettable Legend (東方夜 Tomorrow at 7:30pm songs from the 1970s, 1980s and 譚). The family production is based on National Concert Hall, Taipei City 1990s. No shows are scheduled for Theater a story written by popular Taiwanese Tickets are NT$100 to NT$1,000, Contemporary tomorrow. On Sunday it’s indie punk {} ASAP is a stage production folk author Sih-ma Jhong-yuan (司馬 available from NTCH ticketing Highlight Tomorrow night at Cosmopolitan bands Pissionaite Winkers and Pa adapted from 4.48 Psychosis, a play 中原) and tells the story of a snake that Tomorrow night, three expat rock Grill, the Bopomofo Blues Band Pun (怕胖團). written by the late British playwright teaches martial arts to a woodcutter 2008 Hsinyi Arts — Liao Pei-wen bands play on Yangmingshan (陽 (ㄅㄆㄇㄈ) takes to the stage, followed 3F, 8, Nanjing E Rd Sec 5, Taipei City Sarah Kane that one critic described and the consequent struggles he faces Solo Violin Concert (2008 新逸藝 明山) to raise funds for several by the David Foster Syndicate. Every (台北市南京東路五段8號3樓). Call (02) as a 75-minute suicide note. The work with his newfound fighting skills. 術 — 廖姵玟小提琴獨奏會) Taiwanese orphanages. The bands Wednesday night there’s a blues open 8787-4154 or visit www.myspace.com/ explores what it means to suffer from Jhongli Arts Center (中壢藝術館), 16 has the young artist performing are Public Radio, a current favorite mic held by the Blues Society on taipeicenterstage for more information severe depression. Jhungmei Rd, Jhongli City (中壢市中美 a program that includes Brahms’ in the expat rock and party scene, Taiwan and hosted by Torch Pratt. All Shows start at 10pm Guling Street Theater (牯嶺街小劇場), 路16號) Scherzo in C Minor and Violin Sonata Neon, an indie-rock group that are welcome to bring their instruments Tonight is free. Entrance tomorrow is 2, Ln 5, Guling St, Taipei City (台北市牯 Tomorrow at 7:30pm No. 3 in D Minor, Paganini’s Caprice sings mostly in Mandarin and enjoys and sit in on guitar, bass, or drums. NT$200 嶺街5巷2號) Tickets are NT$300 to NT$800, No. 24, and Prokofiev’s Sonata for 2 a loyal following in Taipei, and 1F, 218 Changchun Rd, Taipei City Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and available through NTCH ticketing Violins, Op. 55. Johnny Fatstacks, which plays (台北市長春路218號1樓). Gross Fugue appears at Sappho 2:30pm and Sunday at 2pm and 7pm Sunday at 2:30pm alt-country and rock. The venue Call (02) 2508-0304 or visit www. de Base tomorrow with an electronic Tickets are NT$400, available through Heart of Ocean (海洋之心) is a National Concert Hall, Taipei City is the Dong Tian Restaurant (洞天 cosmo.com.tw for more information rock and visual show (see story above). National Theater Concert Hall (NTCH) diabolo dance production by Diabolo Tickets are NT$300, available through 花園餐廳), which is located on the 9pm to 11pm tomorrow night; On Tuesday night the Grace Jazz ticket outlets or online at Dance Theater (舞鈴劇場) that portrays ERA ticketing mountainside and offers scenic 8pm to 11pm every Wednesday Trio plays a set, with an open jam www.artsticket.com.tw life underwater. views of Taipei. Minimum charge of NT$250 afterwards. Jazz trio Tall Boy appears 宜蘭縣文 Ilan Performing Arts Center ( Ling-yi Ou Yang & Melody Lin All proceeds from door ticket Tomorrow three expat bands play at the tomorrow; free admission on Wednesday, and on Thursday 浮浪貢開 化局演藝廳 歐陽伶宜‧林冠吟 Happiness Part 1 & 2 ( ), 482, Chongshan Rd Sec 2, Cello Concert ( sales will go to three orphanages: mountainside Dong Tian Restaurant in it’s DJ Zulu spinning what he calls 花 宜蘭市中山路二段482號 師生聯合音樂會 Part 1 & 2) is a light and carefree Ilan City ( ) — ) has the two cellists, St Shepherd’s Grace Halfway House Yangmingshan to raise funds for three Pop punk band Abandoned “timeless and positive black sounds.” 基督徒救世會牧恩中途之家 Taiwanese musical by Golden Bough Sunday at 2:30pm student and teacher performing a ( ) and Taiwanese orphanages. Machines and garage rockers Auto B1, 1, Ln 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei Theater (金枝演社) that tells the story Tickets are NT$200 to NT$900, program that includes Brahms’ Cello Cathwel Service (天主教福利會泰 da Fe play tonight and tomorrow at City (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1). Graphic courtesy of Sophie Lee of a young bohemian searching for available through NTCH ticketing Sonata No. 1, Beethoven’s 7 Variations 山仁慈家園) in Taipei, and St Lucy’s VU Live House. On Wednesday it’s Call (02) 2700-5411 (after 9pm) or visit happiness and the interesting places Op. 46, Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo Capriccioso Center (善牧基金會聖露晰服務中 Taiwanese Orphanages with Public DJs D.Soto, VDUB, and Scotty Baller. www.sappho102.biz where it is found. Op. 62 and Bach’s Solo Cello Suite, No. 3. 心) in Tainan. Tickets at the door Radio, Neon, and Johnny Fatstacks B1, 77 Wuchang St, Taipei City Performances begin at 10:30pm Taipei Zhongshan Hall (台北市中山 Tomorrow at 7:30pm are NT$700, which keeps your glass at the Dong Tian Restaurant (洞天花 (台北市武昌街二段77號B1). No entrance fee 堂), 98 Yenping S Rd, Taipei City (台北 Classical music Taichung’s Shinmin Senior High full throughout the entire evening. 園餐廳), 2, Ln 2, Yangde Blvd Sec 2, Call (02) 2314-1868 for more information 市延平南路98號) 2008 Taipei City Music Festival School Art Center (新民高中藝術中心), There is a dress code for the Shihlin Dist, Taipei City, (台北市士林 Starts at 10pm Taiwanese alt-rock pioneers Back- Part 2 plays tonight, tomorrow and — Ryu Goto with the Taipei 289, Sanmin Rd Sec 3, Taichung City evening: wear all white. 區仰德大道二段2巷2號). Call (02) NT$300 entrance fee includes one quarter (四分衛) perform at The Sunday night at 7:30pm; Part 1 plays Symphony Orchestra (2008臺北 (台中市三民路三段289號) For more information or to make 2880-5680 for more information drink. Wednesday night is ladies’ night, Wall (這牆) tonight. Hitting the venue tomorrow and Sunday at 3pm 市音樂季開幕音樂會 — 五山鳥龍與北市 Tickets are NT$300 and NT$500, a donation, contact Kate Huang at Tomorrow night, from 9pm to 3am with free admission and one drink for Wednesday night is the Los Angeles- Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,600, 交) opens this week with a concert by available through NTCH ticketing [email protected] NT$700 entrance fee, all-you-can- women; cover for guys is NT$200 and based DJ duo Guns N Bombs, whose available through NTCH ticketing Japanese violinist Ryu Goto, who will Fundraiser Party for Three drink; dress code is white includes one drink fresh electro-rock and dance mixes perform with the TSO under conductor Stars of the KCCO Recital Series have earned them a mention in the If Kids Theater (如果兒童劇團) has Wang Jin (王進). The program will — A Night of Strings (高市國之星 Appearing tomorrow night at Center alt-music rag Pitchfork. Joining them are teamed up with Municipal Chinese include Rossini’s “Barbiere di Siviglia” 系列— 彈撥樂之夜) is an evening in compositions and arrangements of 音樂館演奏廳), at 99 Hehsi Rd, Stage (formerly the Living Room, now DJ Kay and local favorites Tomadachi Classical Orchestra (台北市立國樂團) Overture, Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. which performers from the traditional pieces. Kaohsiung City (高雄市河西路99號) under new management) is Soma, a a DJ duo that spins everything but hip- and The Taipei Folk Dance Company 1 in D Major, Op.6, and Fontane di Roma City Chinese Orchestra (高雄市國樂 Tomorrow at 7:30pm Tickets are NT$200, available through Taipei cover band that plays popular hop. The party is being held by party (台北民族舞團) to bring audiences The and Feste Romane by Respighi. 團) get together to present their own Kaohsiung City Concert Hall (高雄市 NTCH ticket outlets contemporary rock as well as popular crew Back 2 the Future (B2TF, 回到未來).