Grooving with New Cultures

14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 • TAIPEI TIMES BY David Chen compiled BY MUSIC stop Noah Buchan Grooving with new cultures

etizens and paparazzi were Teacher (麻辣鮮師) and more Moving Sound (聲動劇場), one of abroad as a modern twist on traditional get a taste of different cultures — they says to expect a humorous presentation salivating at the prospect recently in Jay Chou’s flop Taiwan’s most prominent world Taiwanese musical theater combined with will be learning more about their own. with a guest male rapper decked out that Mando-pop diva Jolin Pandaman (熊貓人), is worried music troupes, is back with a set of melodies and grooves from Central Asia The group plans a special performance in traditional robes playing the 蔡依林 Anew material that will be presented in and India. of the song Toh De Gong (土地公伯), or part of the Earth God, as well as a NTsai ( ) might have a new about his image, he should follow man. The rumors began over the in the footsteps of singer Van two separate shows at the Red House Hsieh says they are making a “Earth God,” from their latest album, choreographed dance featuring Hsieh weekend when bloggers spotted Ness Wu (吳建豪) and become a Theater (紅樓劇場) tomorrow. conscious effort to present world music Starshine. Even though the Earth God and the a capella group. Tsai holding hands with Vivian born-again Christian. Then all past The group, led by co-founders Mia in Taiwan as a way “to understand is one of the most common folk deities, Dawson, a 26-year old half- indiscretions would be forgiven. Hsieh (謝韻雅) and her husband, Scott different cultures.” many Taiwanese have “forgotten” its Singaporean, half-New Zealand Another celebrity with image Prairie, recently finished a tour of Europe, She says what links the Israeli, Greek purpose, Hsieh says. model, while taking time off to issues is singer Jeremy Liu which has become an annual destination and Tibetan songs is their “spirituality” and “This song tells us its function. Performance notes roam the streets of Tokyo. (劉子千). Following a long and for them. a yearning “to connect with the universe.” When we worship the Earth God, what Dawson, who was named infamous line of celebrities who Their travels have partly inspired She hopes Taiwanese audiences will offerings do we have to prepare? It talks What: A Moving Sound live in “most eligible bachelor” by souse it up and then get behind tomorrow’s program, which is being see that “even [with people] from other about the things managed by the Earth concert CLEO, a women’s magazine the wheel, Liu crashed a car on filmed by Public Television Service cultures, we are actually all together.” God — when you give birth, take an When: Tomorrow at 3pm and 8pm based in Singapore, was also a Hong Kong street in April after (公視) for an upcoming documentary on One thing that will remain the same exam, choose a time to build a house Where: Red House Theater (紅樓劇 said to have attended Tsai’s 30th one too many. the band. tomorrow is the lively, celebratory — for such things we usually consult the 場), 10 Chengdu Rd, Taipei City (台北 birthday bash. The accident left his rumored “We want to share our world mood of A Moving Sound’s concerts. Earth God.” 市成都路10號) The two rumored lovebirds girlfriend, actress Charlize experiences with Taiwanese audiences,” The group often invites a handful of Hsieh says she wrote the lyrics to this Admission: NT$600, available at 林亞霖 said Hsieh, A Moving Sound’s lead guest performers for its seasonal shows jubilant tune after extensive research, originally met up when the Lin ( ), seriously injured. the door or through www.artsticket. 混血 vocalist and dancer, who has chosen and in Taipei. Tomorrow’s guests include with the aim of “educating” young “mixed blood” ( ) Dawson Fortunately, nobody was killed com.tw appeared in Tsai’s music video and Lin has already made a full adapted folk songs from Israel, Greece flamenco guitarist Camaron de la Vegas Taiwanese. “These things are part of On the Net: www.amovingsound. for Love Player (玩愛之徒). recovery. and Tibet for tomorrow’s show. and an a capella chorus of six women led tradition, and we’ve practically forgotten com Comically, Dawson’s first The Liberty Times (the This is a slightly new angle for a group by Hsieh. about it all,” she said. name led some bloggers to Taipei Times’ sister newspaper) that has been presenting its original work And audiences tomorrow will not only But the learning will be fun. Hsieh wonder if Jolin was playing reported that Liu received 150 for both teams. Others simply days of community service for lamented that a Jolin-Jay Chou (周 DUI and was ordered to pay a 杰倫) reunion now seemed out of fine of HK$8,000 (NT$35,000). the question. And finally, recriminations Speaking to the media earlier over this year’s Golden Bell this week, Tsai admitted going to Awards (金鐘獎) have already Japan with Dawson. Later, while begun — and the ceremony appearing on a Chinese-television is still a few weeks away. The program, Tsai said, somewhat nomination list for the television predictably, “We are just friends.” and radio awards ceremony was Brushing off this response, the announced on Monday and by host asked point blank if she is Tuesday the usual blather about A Moving Sound performs tomorrow at the Red House Theater to present new material that includes traditional folk music from the Israel, Greece and Tibet. Photo courtesy of A Moving Sound dating the model. Tsai’s agent backdoor dealings and unfair stepped in and Tsai clammed up. judging dominated the gossip BY Ho Yi Apple, true to form, was pages. This is somewhat of a having none of this. The gossip shame because all the bitching FILM rag speculated that the alleged distracted from the fact that affair must be true because many of the nominations went Tsai’s denials weren’t as to programming that highlights South Korea exposed vehement as they were when different aspects of Taiwan’s rumors surfaced that her and culture. The ceremony takes Chou were back together. place on Oct. 22 at Sun Yat-sen s the featured country in the film Watching these works makes us realize In other Jolin news, singer Memorial Hall. festival Shooting Left Asian ’10 that we in fact hardly know anything Elva Hsiao (蕭亞軒) came to Tsai’s — Korea Now, which opened at about South Korea,” said Yao Li-qun defense over allegations last AGuling Street Avant-Garde Theatre on (姚立群), director of Bodyphase Studio. week that she was rude to an Wednesday, South Korea doesn’t bear the Additional screenings of films such airline stewardess, as reported in slightest resemblance to a sparkling nation as People Who Can Not Leave and the United Daily News. of pretty-faced pop stars and electronic Yongsan, Expression in 337 Way: Rhea Hsiao, who claimed that Tsai gadgets that most of us are familiar with. will take place at the Sanying Aboriginal was asleep during the entire On the contrary, forced eviction, Community (三鶯部落) and Losheng episode, said it was the fault women’s labor protests and a Sanatorium (樂生療養院), two Taipei- of her agent. Hmmm, where homosexual political movement are area communities facing relocation. would celebrities be without among the sociopolitical issues tackled in Discussions will also be held by their agents to blame or step in the seven documentary films screened at activists and academics from South at the right moment? In any this festival. Initiated in 2006 with a series Korea and Taiwan on related social and event, Hsiao’s discussion of the of film screenings, forums and panel political issues. For more information, airplane incident seems well discussions, the Shooting Left Asian call (02) 2391-9393. timed to attract attention to event is organized by Bodyphase Studio her recently released album (身體氣象館) on an irregular basis with the 蕭灑小姐 Miss ELVA ( ). aim of exploring Asian countries from a Festival notes Singer and actor Wilber social activist perspective. Jung Il-gun, Memories of Daechuri. Photo courtesy of Guling Street Avant-Garde Theatre Pan (潘瑋柏), who also just The struggles of ghetto tenants in What: Shooting Left Asian ’10 celebrated his 30th birthday, central Seoul come into focus in People on the everyday lives of locals help 2003 and immediately faced a five-year 在左邊的亞洲影展 expressed regrets over Who Can Not Leave and Yongsan, build a deeper understanding of the trial that ignited fierce conflicts within — Korea Now ( ) the weekend about a youthful Expression in 337 Way: Rhea, both issues surrounding the government’s South Korean society. When and Where: Today and indiscretion. Pan’s shame of which deal with last year’s violent redevelopment projects, which many Another highlight is Earth’s Women, tomorrow at Guling Street Avant- stems from photo shoot he crackdown against participants in a believe sacrifice the landless poor for the an affecting documentary by female Garde Theatre (牯嶺街小劇場), 2, Ln did completely naked — sit-in protest against forced evictions profits of the conglomerates. director Kwon Woo-jung that has gained 5, Guling St, Taipei City (台北市牯嶺街 aside from an object in the Yongsan neighborhood that left The Border City 2 is a polished wide exposure on the film festival circuit. 5巷2號); Oct. 2 at Sanying Aboriginal strategically placed to conceal six people dead. Many of the clips were production that explores the deep The film follows the lives of three women Community (三鶯部落) at Sanying Rd, his masculinity. shot by activists present at the event, for divisions between the two Koreas, a who moved to farming communities Yingge Township, Taipei County (台 Pop Stop thinks: What’s the whom being able to produce and spread living heritage of the Cold War, through and devoted themselves to the peasants’ 北市鶯歌鎮三鶯路); and Oct. 3 at Losh- big deal? If Pan, who earlier their message quickly and widely is much the personal turmoil of Song Du-yul, movement after graduating from college. eng Sanatorium (樂生療養院), 794, performed in the drama Spicy more important than high production a renowned South Korean philosophy “These documentaries are very direct Jhongjheng Rd, Sinjhuang City, Taipei values. These clips nevertheless have a professor who lived in Berlin for more and powerful. You can tell the filmmakers County (台北縣新莊市中正路794號) Wilber Pan has image issues. strong sense of immediacy. than 35 years. Branded a North Korean are keen to make observations and are Admission: Free Photo: Taipei Times Extended interviews and a focus spy, Song returned to his homeland in very articulate in formulating issues.

RESTAURANTS BY Noah Buchan BY David Chen 宮都拉義式餐廳 here aren’t enough places in Taipei large salads, tortilla wraps heated in a of beetroot and a slice of tomato with La Gondola Italian Restaurant ( ) like Journey Kaffee (覺旅咖啡). The panini grill and pastas. All meals cost mozzarella and basil. Address: 5, Alley 17, Ln 170, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段170巷17弄5號) coffee is decent, the food is made between NT$150 to NT$180. The salads come in a wooden bowl, Tfrom fresh ingredients, and both are The pesto chicken pasta (青醬雞肉 with the portions large enough to be a Telephone: (02) 2771-1808 Open: 11:30am to 10:30pm Average meal: NT$400 reasonably priced. The cafe’s spacious 麵) had crushed almonds sprinkled on lunch for one or to be shared with two Details: Chinese and English menu, 10 percent service charge, credit cards accepted and comfy interior makes it easy to top and a pesto sauce that was creamy or three people as a side order. The whittle away an afternoon with friends, instead of watery thin, as it often is at chicken Caesar salad (NT$170) is better hortly after sitting down at La pre-cooked, rubbery smoked chicken or alone with a book. many similarly priced pasta restaurants than average. Other choices include Gondola, I noticed a crowd of tasted as though they had just been Journey Kaffee’s airy space, in Taipei. The pasta was cooked the smoked salmon or shrimp and bacon young women huddled together removed from a package. Think of the which occupies two floors, is full of right kind of al dente and served in a for NT$180 each. Sacross the street in pouring rain, looks chicken found in a 7-Eleven sandwich, contemporary rustic charm. There are white bowl with a sprig of fresh basil, All of the meals come with any of excitement and expectation on their and you get the idea. The dressing long wooden tables for large gatherings; most likely plucked from the many drink on the menu and a dessert for an faces. I should have known they weren’t tasted like it came from a jar. potted plants adorn the tables; fresh potted plants spread around the cafe. additional NT$80. Pass on the bread hanging around for the food. More ridiculous was the spaghetti La Gondola offers ambience and stargazing, but fruits and vegetables sit out in the open Not bad at all for NT$170. pudding, which is too dry, and go for the La Gondola’s lounge bar vibe is with clams, garlic and chili in white not much else. Photo: Noah Buchan, Taipei Times in wooden crates; and the menu is The tortilla wraps, which the cafe recommended banana cake (NT$60). immediately appealing. The front wine sauce (NT$270). Aside from the scribbled on a chalkboard. calls “wrapanini” as they’re cooked in The only catch to Journey Kaffee is section, level to the street, boasts clams, which admittedly tasted fresh, Ness Wu (吳建豪) sauntered out of the The atmosphere will likely a panini grill, are slightly less filling that the entire neighborhood, a business picture windows offering clear views there was no hint of garlic or chilies, let same office. He was followed by actress please followers of LOHAS, which but still make for a decent lunch. The district in Neihu, seems to know about of passing foot and vehicle traffic. On alone white wine, in the “sauce.” And Rainie Yang (楊丞琳). La Gondola stands for “lifestyles of health and selection includes barbeque chicken it. Be prepared to wait for a seat during each table was a bottle of wine and canned corn as a filler? Please. appears better situated for stargazing sustainability” and is a buzzword among (BBQ雞肉磚餅), Italian sausage (義大利臘 lunch and dinner times on weekends. candles in crimson candleholders, As I was finishing off the pasta, than eating — further confirmed by the environmentally conscious Taiwanese. 腸磚餅) for NT$150 and mushroom and If you’re looking for quiet, Journey casting a romantic glow through the singer Elva Hsiao (蕭亞軒) emerged from appearance of singer, actor and host But the cafe also appeals to those bean (野菇豆泥磚餅) for NT$130. is good for breakfast, which is served entire dining area. It seemed to be the a ground floor office across the alley. Show Luo (羅志祥). who need to be wired: There’s free The Spanish red pepper chicken until 11am. The combo platters average perfect spot to woo a date. That is, Slightly mobbed by assembled fans, she The second pizza, bacon and Wi-Fi access and customers with wrapanini (西班牙紅椒雞肉磚餅, NT$150) NT$100 and come with panini-grilled until the food arrived. jumped into a car and drove off. mushroom (NT$260), soon arrived. laptop computers are invited to use has a slightly spicy bite and the filling toast, boiled eggs and coffee or juice. The Caesar salad with smoked Moments later, the first of two Both pizzas were billed as having the electrical outlets installed at nearly includes a tasty mayonnaise dressing. Journey Kaffe is a five-minute walk chicken (NT$170) didn’t even put up pizzas — smoked salmon (NT$250) tomato sauce, but I couldn’t find any every table and booth. All wraps come with a small serving from Xihu MRT Station (西湖捷運站). a pretense of quality. The strips of — arrived just as actor and singer Van in the mountain of cheese and sparse If that’s not wired enough, espresso toppings. Worst of all was the crust: drinks made with Illy beans range Thick like a sandwich, it was folded from NT$75 for an Americano to into layers and had the taste and NT$105 for a caramel cappuccino. consistency of a sickly sweet pastry. Other beverages include fresh orange, One would think La Gondola would grapefruit or kiwi juice (NT$90) and be empty, but it was doing good banana milkshakes with either berries business on the Monday night I visited. or apple (NT$110). Perhaps it’s the ambience. More likely, Lunches are a hit at Journey Kaffe, it’s the possibility of catching a glimpse and on a recent Monday visit, the place of the celebrities emerging from the was packed with a line snaking out the office across the street. door. The menu is simple, consisting of

Journey Kaffe Address: 1F, 24, Ln 583, Ruiguang Rd, Taipei City (台北市內湖區瑞光路583巷24號1F) Telephone: (02) 8751-3227 Open: 8am to 10pm Average Meal: NT$150 to NT$270 Details: Chinese menu, free wireless Internet, credit cards not accepted On the Net: www.journeykaffe.com Journey Kaffe’s Spanish red pepper chicken “wrapanini.” Photo: David Chen, Taipei Times