14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2009 • TIMES

Pauline Lan, ’s answer to Madonna. Photo: Taipei times

Chu Ko Liang’s (豬哥亮) the retail outlet, which Next commercial for consumer Magazine partially ascribes electronics retailer Tsann to Yang having turned down a Kuen Enterprise Co (3C, 燦 dinner invitation from Breeze 坤) has proven to be a hit. The boss Henry Liao (廖鎮漢). She advert, for air conditioners, reportedly faces the prospect makes use of Chu’s talents of shelling out NT$7 million for for impersonation and double violating her contract, a sum entendre. her agent says vastly exceeds It seems that the comedian what Breeze paid her. cannot help but sail close to Yang, who was much touted the wind, and Jerry Fan (范 for her “boldness” in photo 可欽), a friend of Chu’s who shoots, has also suffered from helped negotiate this comeback a comparison with Maria gig, said he hoped that the Ozawa, the Japanese porn star A Love Story About Taipei and Shanghai is a musical about love on National Communications who was recently in Taiwan to both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Commission (國家傳播通訊委員 promote the new slasher flick Photo courtesy of Taipei Philharmonic Foundation for Culture and Education 會) would not take exception Invitation Only (絕命派對). to the incorporation of a line Yang was supposed to engage in the commercial that is in some girl-on-girl action almost an exact homophone with Ozawa, but according to for a Chu catchphrase the Next the scene was shot using Cross-strait relations funnyman had previously been a different actress because warned off using on air. The the two fostered a mutual Jan Tien-hao (冉天豪) grew up listening to music dislike for each other. Yang Monkey Pilot’s lead singer Tony Wang, left, goes bananas on stage. Photos: Alita Rickards sentence “leng liang ka hou” that was popular in Taiwan and China during the 冷涼卡好 is also reported to have been ( ), sounds, as spoken 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. somewhat shocked by Ozawa’s in the ad, almost identical to The 37-year-old composer said he chose songs hard-core credentials, which go the banned catch phrase “lin from that era for the musical A Love Story About nia ka hou“ (恁娘卡好), which very much further than flashing Shanghai and Taipei (上海台北雙城戀曲), beginning a bit of thigh in a fashion shoot. can be translated as anything Monkey business tonight at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, as much to It’s not all hard slog for from “how’s your mother?” to evoke nostalgia in the audience as it to attract a those working in the enter- “your mother’s alright!” and the hen Monkey Pilot (猴子飛行員) gets on stage, onto the dance floor grooving and rocking. younger generation to the theater. tainment industry, though. connotations that might arise it’s easy to see how the group’s warm, fun Wang’s physical presence — tall, broad, large “Young people hate these songs when they are One woman who seems to be from this statement. energy draws the audience in. It doesn’t — combined with his powerful voice and passionate growing up,” he said. “But I’ve re-arranged [the getting the breaks is 44-year- Apple Daily quoted Tsann Wmatter who plays before the band, Monkey Pilot is performance brings the crowd to life. Erin Wang (王昱人) songs] in a way that I hope can appeal to them.” old (藍心湄). The Kuen Enterprise general Pauline Lan relaxed and exudes an easygoing vibe. The music has a plays drums provides a kicking, energetic rhythm, with If the three musical numbers performed at a 閻俊傑 homely TV host likes her men manger Jerry Yen ( ) Seattle-grunge feeling initially reminiscent John Chen (陳自強) on guitar, Yao Yu (余光燿) on bass, press conference on Wednesday afternoon, which young, and her relationship as saying that sales of air of Soundgarden, which rocks out into and Zane Yang (楊聲錚) on acoustic guitar. included a heart-wrenching rendition of Sweet conditioners had doubled in with 28-year-old pretty boy heavy metal guitar noodling at times. All five come from different musical Honey Honey (甜蜜蜜), are anything to go by, they (郭彥均) might go the week since the television Anthony Kuo Add to that charming lead singer backgrounds: hard rock; alternative and metal; should do just that. someway to showing that not advertisement went to air. Tony Wang (王湯尼) with his “Get on funk; and blues and reggae. When they play a The musical features the Taipei Philharmonic everyone in the celebrity firma- up!” James Brown funk show, they like everyone to dance and “get crazy,” Chamber Choir (台北愛樂室內合唱團) and Taipei ment is fixated on age. And this voice, and you said Wang. “We want to talk about life, hard life, Philharmonic Theater (愛樂劇工廠) performing is hardly a one-off coup, for have a sound easy life — funny things.” with Qi Qi (齊奇), a well-known opera singer Lan has a solid track record in that gets In Taiwan it can be difficult making money from from Shanghai. the cradle-snatching depart- the playing in a band, but the members of Monkey Pilot Taiwanese performers include Chang Shih-pei ment. The relationship doesn’t crowd dismiss the idea that one should focus on making (張世珮), Chung Hsiao-tan (鍾筱丹) and Aska Yang seem to be doing Kuo’s career up money first and having fun later. “If for 10 years (楊宗緯) of One Million Star (超級星光大道) talent much harm either and his you only think about money then your mind is like show fame. modus operandi isn’t unique. dead water — you have money but don’t know Directed by Hsieh Shu-ching (謝淑靖), A Love Basketball star (何 Sam Ho what is fun,” said Wang. Story About Shanghai and Taipei is a lavish 守正), who has signed on as a To avoid this mental stagnancy, the band has production about love and loss. It tells the story of new spokesman for Taiwan Chu Ko Liang: from fame to obscurity come up with a Monkey Pilot philosophy based on Pei-pei (裴裴), a young woman living in contempo- Beer, could be reading from the and back again. Photo: Taipei Times early space exploration programs, when monkeys rary Taipei who travels to Shanghai for a vacation same rule book as Kuo as he is were launched into space as a prelude to manned and falls in love with a man named Gao-yang (高楊). reportedly riding the skirt tails The commercial has space flight. According to the Monkey Pilot Pei-pei carries a black and white photograph of a successful woman to fame found favor on video-sharing conception, monkeys don’t know fear — they of her grandfather that was snapped before he and fortune. His long rumored Web sites, with viewer only know that if they go somewhere and do fled to Taiwan in 1949. When she shows it to Gao- association with Mando pop comments predominantly something they will get a banana. yang, he is astounded to see his grandmother in diva (張惠妹) has never supporting Chu’s return to the A-mei The basic message the band tries to get the same image. been fully acknowledged or entertainment world. A post across is that you don’t have to be perfect The photo serves as a vehicle to shift the denied by either party, but on YouTube by Stare7500 put at anything in order to do it, said Wang. narrative focus back to when the Chinese according to observers at Next, it nicely: “We’ve had so many “[W]ith no fear you have power, you can do Nationalist Party (KMT) fled to Taiwan after Ho has been holding to the titty ads, finally a Taiwanese ad it and be good at it.” losing the Chinese civil war — a time when lovers 看 straight and narrow recently. that is the real thing. Great.” ( The secret, said Wang, is not to think too much: “What- and families were separated by events beyond 了那麼多乳的廣告,終於看到台灣拍 His good behavior has brought ever goes on, the monkey feels fine.” — Alita Rickards their control. 一點像樣的廣告了,讚.) This refers him fully into A-mei’s charmed — Noah Buchan to the flurry of debate over circle, and if nothing else, his advertising slots by sex kittens career in showbiz is looking up. Yaoyao (瑤瑤) and Shushu (舒 In other romantic news, PERFORMANCE notes: Theater notes: 舒), both of whom rely on their Next has revealed its report on bongos’ powers of persuasion the divorce between actress What: A Love Story About Taipei and Shanghai (上海 • 台 伊能靜 rather than acting prowess to Annie Yi ( ) and Harlem What: Monkey Pilot (猴子飛行員) with La Petite Nurse 北—雙城戀曲) 庾澄慶 promote products. Yu ( ) being finalized was (小護士) Where: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館), 505, Chu would do well to based on false information, Where: Underworld (地下社會), B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei City Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市仁愛路四段505號) remember, however, that the which was “leaked” to get the (台北市師大路45號B1) When: Today at 7:30pm and tomorrow at 2:30pm world of celebrity endorse- media off their backs. Whether When: Tonight at 9pm Admission: NT$400 to NT$2,000 tickets, available ments is a fickle one. Take it’s official or not, the two Admission: NT$300, includes one drink through NTCH ticketing aspiring model Liz Yang (楊莉 seem now to be well and truly 思) for example. The Guate- embarking on their separate malan-Taiwanese model, who romantic paths with Sina.com attained some prominence (新浪) running photos of Yi through a short-lived involve- snapped enjoying a late night Top Five Mandarin Albums April 24 to April 30 Li Li-wei (李立崴) and You (你) with 8.4% ment with singer David Tao (陶 out with an unnamed man and 3 喆) and as spokeswoman for Next reporting that Yu has Taipei’s Breeze Center (微風廣 found consolation “in the arms Jolin Tsai (蔡依林) and Butterfly (潮男正傳) with 24.82 % Compilation album K.O. 3 Anguo (三團鼎立SUPER大鬥陣) with 4.72% 場), is being threatened with of a mature woman (熟女).” 11 4 a lawsuit for failing to meet — Compiled by Ian her contract obligations to Bartholomew 2 By2 and Twins with 8.46% 5 Power Station (動力火車) and Moving On (繼續轉動) with 3.71% Album chart compiled from G-Music (www.g-music.com.tw), based on retail sales

[ EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT ]

online at www.artsticket.com.tw Tickets are NT$200 and NT$350 Jhongmei Rd, Jhongli City (中壢市中美 (黃維明) and Hsu Hsi-lung (徐錫隆), a Malaysian female power singer and tonight at Riverside Live House (Pingtung), and NT$250 to 路16號) viola player Chen Rui-hsien (陳瑞賢) a coveted Israeli guitarist. The (西門紅樓展演館). Led by lead singer Exhibition A bank robbery takes place in Taiwan NT$800 (), available through Tickets are NT$150 to NT$400, and cellist Chen Yi-hsien (連亦先) instrumentally diverse Chun Zhi Wu Bai (伍佰), the Asian chart- Directed by Chin Shih-chieh (金士傑) in Drama Performance’s (台灣戲劇表演 NTCH ticketing or online at available through ERA ticketing or together to perform a program of Band (江春枝) performs on Thursday. topping rock band China Blue rules 1980, Ho Chu’s New Match (荷珠新 家) Sifu (師˙夫). Among the hostages: www.artsticket.com.tw online at www.ticket.com.tw music by Bartok and Kodaly. 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3, Taipei the venue tomorrow. Tackling center 配) was a legendary production by an award-winning school teacher, a Tuesday at 7:30pm City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號). For stage on Sunday is Nouvelle Lanling Theatre Workshop (蘭陵劇坊) Henan opera star, a martial-arts master, Tainaner Ensemble’s (台南人劇團) six- Karoly Mocsari Piano Recital (莫 Hualien Bach Hall (花蓮巴赫廳), 221 more information, call (02) 2362-5494 Vague, the internationally renowned that mixed Beijing opera with modern a bakery owner and a pregnant hour long K24 is a humorous play 薩里鋼琴獨奏會) brings the renowned Boai St, Hualien City (花蓮市博愛街 or visit www.witchhouse.org band recognized for their bossa nova theater. In celebration of the troupe’s woman. The question: who has the within a play featuring nine actors in interpreter of Liszt and Bartok to Taipei 221號) Performances start at 9:30pm. and pop covers of 1980s New Wave 30th anniversary, Chin returns to the right to decide who should survive? more than 70 roles. The “K24 Bureau of to perform a program that includes Tickets are NT$500, available Restaurant/bar with queer/feminist songs. On Thursday, JS performs director’s chair to reprise the comedy National Tainan Living Art Center (台 Investigation” discovers a plot to works by Liszt, Schumann and Haydn. through ERA ticketing or online at bookstore and large collection of music from its newly released album. about a sex worker attempting to pass 南生活美學館), 34, Jhonghua W Rd Sec assassinate the president’s daughter, Sunday at 3pm www.artsticket.com.tw board games open 11am to midnight 177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市 as a rich man’s daughter. 2, Tainan City (台南市中華西路二段 who’s been cast in the role of Juliet for National Concert Hall, Taipei City Sundays through Wednesdays; 11am 西寧南路177號). Call (02) 2370-8805 National Theater, Taipei City 34號) a professional theater production. Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,500, to 1am Thursdays through Saturdays or visit www.riverside.com.tw for Tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sunday at Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at Chunghsing Concert Hall, available through ERA ticketing or Admission for music shows is NT$300 more information 2:30pm 2:30pm and 7:30pm (台中中興堂), 291-3 Chingwu Rd, online at www.ticket.com.tw Contemporary Sunday’s show starts at 8pm, all Tickets are NT$600 to NT$3,600, Tickets are NT$250 to NT$1,200, Taichung City (台中市精武路291之3號) Riverside Cafe (河岸留言) tonight others at 8:30pm available through NTCH ticketing or available through ERA ticketing or Tomorrow at 2pm As part of the 2009 Taiwan Tonight, highly regarded Japanese hosts rock and jazz fusionists Yellow Entrance fee is NT$450 tonight, online at www.artsticket.com.tw online at www.ticket.com.tw Tickets are NT$800 to NT$2,500, International Piano Festival (2009台灣國 hardcore/screamo outfitEnvy plays Funky Stuff. Tomorrow rock duo NT$900 tomorrow, NT$1,350 on available through NTCH ticketing or 際鋼琴藝術節), the Peter Jablonski The Wall (這牆). Tomorrow Katncandix2 (棉花糖) and indie Sunday and NT$450 on Thursday For the 2009 Taiwan Kun Opera A collaboration between Taiwan’s online at www.artsticket.com.tw 2009 Piano Recital (傑布隆斯基 punks FireEx (滅火器) and artist Lai Ya-yehn (賴雅妍) perform. Theatre All Stars (蘭谷名華2009崑 Taiyuan Puppet Theater Company (台 2009鋼琴獨奏會) has the Swedish Punk Hoo (胖虎) shake the stage. On Sunday, another double-bill The quartet Jazz Your Mind plays 劇名家匯演), Shanghai Kun Opera 原偶戲團) and Compagnie des pianist performing a program that B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei features Engine No. 9 (九號引擎) tonight at Sappho de Base. Troupe’s (上海崑劇團) Ji Zhenhua (計鎮 Zonzons from France, La Boite is a Classical includes Haydn’s Piano Sonata in D City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Call and Lost and Found (失物招領). Tomorrow there’s veteran expat band 華), Liang Guyin (梁谷音) and Zhang work of modern puppet theater AMA Principle Artist Series 12 Major, Grieg’s Piano Sonata in E Minor, (02) 2930-0162 or visit www.thewall. B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, Blues Vibrations. The venue hosts Mingrong (張銘榮) team up with artists grounded in tradition, in which two — Su Shien-ta Violin Recital (亞 Op. 7, Chopin’s Piano Sonata No. 2 in B com.tw for more information Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷 the 4 Peace Ensemble on Tuesday from Taiwan Kunqu Opera Theatre (台 puppet troupes perform a play about 藝首席獨奏家系列十二 — 蘇顯達小提琴 Flat Minor, Op. 35 and Copland’s El Shows start at 8pm tonight and 2號B1), next to Taipower Building (台 and Minstrels United on 灣崑劇團) for revivals of traditional two puppet troupes. 獨奏會), presents a program of classical Salon Mexico. tomorrow 電大樓). Call (02) 2368-7310 or visit Wednesday. On Thursday, the Beijing favorites as well as several rarely Art Center (屏東縣 music on the theme of “the tango,” Tuesday at 7:30pm Entrance fee for music shows is www.riverside.com.tw for more Jazz Quartet takes center stage. performed pieces. 藝術館), 427, Heping Rd, Pingtung City featuring Tartini-Kreisler’s Devil’s Trill, National Concert Hall, Taipei City NT$1,000 in advance or NT$1,200 at information B1, 1, Ln 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, (屏東市和平路427號); Chiayi Smetana’s Aus Der Heimat, Prokofiev’s Tickets are NT$400 to NT$3,600, the door for tonight, NT$400 at the Shows starts at 9:30pm tonight, City (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1). Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德 Performing Arts Center (嘉義縣表演藝 Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in F- available through ERA ticketing or door tomorrow 9pm tomorrow and Sunday Call (02) 2700-5411 (after 9pm) or 路三段25號) 術中心演藝廳), 265, Jiankuo Rd Sec 2, Minor, Op. 80 and Piazolla’s Histoire du online at www.ticket.com.tw Admission is NT$400 tonight, visit www.sappho102.biz for more Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm Minhsiung Township, Chiayi County Tango. Su will be accompanied by Performing tonight at Witch House NT$450 tomorrow, NT$400 on information and Sunday at 2:30pm (嘉義縣民雄鄉建國路二段265號) Weng Chung-hua (翁重華) on piano. 2009 Asia Pacific SQ Concert in (女巫店) is Miss Stocking (絲襪小姐). Sunday Performances begin at 10:30pm on Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,800, Tonight (Pingtung) and tomorrow Tomorrow at 7:30 Spring (2009亞太弦樂四重奏春季音 Taking to the stage tomorrow night is weekends, 10pm on weekdays available through NTCH ticketing or (Chiayi) at 7:30pm Jhongl���������������������i�������������� Arts Center (中壢藝術館), 16 樂會) brings violinists Huang Wei-ming indie-rock band Neon, which boasts A Chord (謝和弦) graces the stage No admission fee