Neck Braces at the Ready

A R O U N D T O W N 發光的城市 15 TAIPEI TIMES • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2008 An example for Asia RESTAURANTS Indian novelist and essayist Pankaj Neck braces at the ready GinzaCha-Ya (銀座茶屋) Mishra will be in Taipei this weekend Address: B2, 300, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市忠孝 to give a lecture called Poor but omorrow sees melodic death metal 東路三段300號B2樓) Democratic: Democracy in India in group The Haunted from Sweden Telephone: (02) 8772-6150 the Age of Globalization as part of T playing with local act Infernal Open: 11pm to 9:30pm the Taipei Salon (台北沙龍), a series Chaos in a metal extravaganza that should Average meal: NT$200 of talks hosted by the Lung Yingtai leave partygoers with stiff necks and Details: Chinese menu; credit cards accepted Cultural Foundation (龍應台文化基金會). throbbing eardrums. The lecture, as the title suggests, will The music continues with a second Like Korean barbeque address two issues. show, billed as an “afterparty,” that begins and hot-pot restaurants, “The idea that poor countries have at 10:30pm, with industrial music by GinzaCha-Ya (銀座茶屋), to have an authoritarian government Roughhausen, heavy metal/grunge rockers located in the food court is one notion that’s been around for Doublewide, and Into the Void, a Black of Sogo’s Fuxing branch, a while. And India is the one major Sabbath tribute band. gives diners the satisfying exception,” Mishra�� said�� in a phone The Haunted started off in 1996, and the feeling of having a hand in release of the group’s first album in 1998 the creation of their own interview from his hotel in Hong Kong. GinzaCha-Ya’s tea bowl sets offer a savory garnered Terrorizer magazine’s Album of meal. The do-it-yourself His second theme investigates version of the afternoon tea. the process of globalization and its the Year award. Peter Dolving’s lead vocals process at GinzaCha-Ya Photo: Ron Brownlow, Taipei Times potential to turn back the clock on are scathing, introspective and full of is much more simple, India’s democratization. angst. The song D.O.A. from The Haunted’s however, and does not require grills or open flames — perfect “To diminish centuries-old patterns 2004 album One Kill Wonder was made if you want a fairly quick meal or are dining with a pyromaniac whereby people were born into one available for download in March this year who you do not want to expose to temptation. Most dishes on caste … has been the whole promise for a video game called Rock Band on the menu come in sets called huai shi cha shan (懷石茶膳), a of democracy in India. Globalization, Xbox and PlayStation. poetic phrase that literally translates into “tea-bowl meal.” by privileging certain classes Taipei’s Infernal Chaos was formed by GinzaCha-Ya’s tea-bowl sets are served in pretty Japanese- and certain kinds of people and guitarist Jesse Liu (小黑) of Chthonic (閃 style ceramic dishware neatly laid out on a wooden tray. Each introducing new kinds of inequalities, 靈) and plays a driving, engaging style of bowl is filled with an elegantly presented assortment of rice, has in many ways undermined this thrash metal. meat or fish, veggies and other ingredients, and accompanied particular promise,” he said. The afterparty features Taiwan resident by a teapot filled with a savory broth that has a very delicate tea His lecture seeks to connect these singer, songwriter, producer, keyboardist aroma, a small dish of seasonal pickled fruit or vegetables, and and guitarist Jeff Stoddard’s industrial a slice of silky tofu in a tangy sesame oil and vinegar sauce. two threads, illustrate the growing Industrial hard-core band Roughhausen is one degree of separation away from Skinny Puppy. photo courtesy of Roughhausen pains India is currently undergoing band Roughhausen. Your server will instruct you to pour as much broth into and examine how it can serve as a Although Roughhausen tours Europe, Puppy’s studio beginning in 1996. the bowl as you like, add slices of scallion and bits of wasabi the US and Southeast Asia regularly, it has paste for seasoning, and then gently mix the contents with a litmus test for other Asian countries “I was 20 years old serving at the table Performance notes: experiencing the same problems. only recently started doing shows here. of the masters,” he says. small wooden stirring spoon. The result resembles Taiwanese While Stoddard calls Germany “the congee, or zhou (粥), which is thinner than its porridge- This is Mishra’s second visit to The use of samples from cult leaders What and When: The Haunted Taiwan, and he professes a fascination center of the universe for this kind of such as Charles Manson, David Koresh like Cantonese cousin. The difference between congee and music,” he adds that has been “getting a headlines tomorrow with Infernal Chaos GinzaCha-Ya’s tea bowl sets, however, is the novelty and the with Taiwanese cinema: “[Taiwan] has and Jim Jones in Stoddard’s music reflects from 6:30pm to 10:30pm, followed by a Hou Hsiao-hsien (侯孝賢), easily one of lot of love and warmth [recently] from the his fascination with “the raw power of quality of the ingredients. local death metal crowd.” second show featuring Roughhausen, My dining companion ordered the chicken and wild greens the world’s great directors, if not the these personalities to convince people of Doublewide and Into the Void “As an artist, I keep the integrity to set (雞野菜茶膳, NT$180), which comes with lightly-seasoned world’s greatest director. To take an things they know logically and rationally Where: VU Livehouse, B1, 77, Wuchang myself,” he says. “As a performer I have to white rice, chicken stuffed with imitation crab and carrots, a interest in his films is to also take an to be untrue.” 台北市武昌街二段 keep the audience, so I focus more on the St Sec 2, Taipei City ( slice of soft, sweet fish tempura, a small piece of egg omelet interest in Taiwanese society, to take Doublewide, featuring vocalist 77號B1). Call (02) 2314-1868 for more an interest in Taiwanese history.” industrial hardcore: guitars, verse/chorus Macgregor Wooley, also New Hong Kong and an assortment of green vegetables and mushrooms. After structure. It’s sharp [and] blindly angry but information the broth was poured in, the mixture resembled (as one would Pankaj Mishra’s lecture is Hair City’s saxophone player, ends the ENTRY: Tickets for The Haunted are it’s something familiar.” expect) chicken soup. The flavor was richer and more savory tomorrow from 2pm to 4pm at Yue- night’s proceedings. The group is “a NT$1,300 each and NT$2,500 for two in han Hall (月涵堂), 110 Jinhua St, Taipei Stoddard, who hails from Canada hodgepodge of heavy sounds,” Wooley says. than my selection, the mentaiko set (明太子水茶膳, NT$190) — but hasn’t been back since he left six the VIP area; NT$800 each or NT$1,500 for two seasoned rice balls, slightly browned so that the outsides City (台北市金華街110號). The lecture At the Lost Lagoon party on Oct. 12, two in the Rock Area. Entry to the second is in English. Admission is free, but years ago, grew up in hippie communes Doublewide, with Wooley painted half are crispy; several spoonfuls of coral-colored mentaiko, the in the US and found himself attracted show is NT$250 and includes one drink paste-like marinated roe of pollock fish; vegetables; and pre-registration is required. Call (02) black and half white and making crazy (from 10pm onwards); free for people who 3322-4907, or register online at www. to Vancouver’s industrial scene, where eyes at the crowd, stole the show. seafood-flavored broth. I emptied my entire teapot into the he spent more than two years in Skinny attended The Haunted’s gig bowl and was sorry because the delightfully salty little eggs of civictaipei.org. — Noah Buchan — Alita Rickards the mentaiko were cast adrift in the broth and therefore hard to taste. Aside from that culinary tragedy, I enjoyed the crisped rice, which became satisfyingly firm to the bite when soaked. serving eight famous gin cocktails from admission before midnight. Seafood lovers should also try the grilled salmon set (燒鮭魚肚茶 around some of the most famous cocktail R-Min, Glenn Jr and Stingrays 膳), which at NT$280 is GinzaCha-Ya’s most expensive tea-bowl bars in the world,” Bernard Jutnet, brand are promising “cutting-edge electronic set, but comes with generous helpings of fish and salmon roe. manager for Hendrick’s Gin told the Vinyl dance music” in Kaohsiung at the Dizzy For an extra NT$70, we got a pot of oolong tea and a Word, adding that a new cocktail, the Pub tomorrow and the following two creme brulee-like custard at the end of our meal. The very “Formosa Buck,” will be unveiled. Definitely Saturdays. To check out the flyer and get rich and very creamy custard was delicious, but if you have There are several events of varying shades, a slightly more refined night for those a taste of DJ Glenn’s track selection, visit a less-pronounced sweet tooth, you might find it too heavy a sounds and cityscapes this weekend. Only seeking more upmarket chill than down- www.djglenn.com.tw. finish to the delicate flavors in GinzaCha-Ya’s tea bowls. Meal the broke, battered or “I have a cold” and-dirty ill. House of Gods takes place tonight, portions are relatively light and diners should not expect to brigade have mild excuses for not seeking Around the World in Eight Unusual Nov. 22 and Nov. 29 at Dizzy Pub, 170-176 emerge stuffed — which is a plus if you plan to go shopping in out one of these beauties. Cocktails happens tonight at the Grand For- D.Soto takes you “Around the World” with jazz and gin. Sihwei 4th Rd, Kaohsiung City (高雄市四維路 Sogo’s boutiques. — Catherine Shu First up is an interesting-looking evening mosa Regent Taipei, 41, Zhongshan N Rd Photo courtesy of David Clabaugh 170-176號). From 10pm until 5am. NT$150 tonight at the Gallery bar in the Grand Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市中山北路二段41號). with a drink. ( ) deejaying for about a year, will be on the L’Idiot 里蒂歐餐廳 Formosa Regent Taipei with Hendrick’s Gin NT$799 with one cocktail plus a selection of Hopefully no one has forgotten Queen 台北市民生東 ones and twos with tech house. He’s played Address: 1F, 156, Minsheng E Rd Sec 3, Taipei City ( on promotional duties. The event’s theme fine food from Around the World. Bee’s hot tip last week. The big one in 路三段156號1樓) is loosely based on Jules Verne’s novel, Get some Therapy tomorrow, hosted at a few parties recently, and it’s good to Taipei this weekend looks to be minimal see a new talent like him emerging from the Telephone: (02) 2545-6966 Around the World in Eighty Days. by Swank, promising electro house by techno house party Earworm at VT Open: Monday through Thursday from 11:30am to 10:30pm; Guests are asked to wear something the bucket load from Canadians Gareth foreign community and doing well. Artsalon tomorrow. Therapy is tomorrow at Liquid Lounge, Friday, from 11:30am to midnight; Saturday from 10am to Phileas Fogg-themed: Think England 1872, Jones and Matty D and Steve Stokes Earworm is tomorrow at VT Artsalon, midnight; Sunday from 10am to 10:30pm 98 Chungming S Rd, Taichung City (台中市忠台北市伊通街 mid-Victorian era. D.Soto will be laying from the UK. This is the only decent party B1, 47 Yitong St, Taipei City ( Average meal: NT$600 for lunch down some rare jazz grooves for attendees. in Taichung tonight for electro house, and 明南路98號). From 10pm until 5am. NT$300 47號B1). Admission is NT$400. all night; two drinks are included with Details: Chinese and English menu; credit cards accepted “We have the best bartenders in Taiwan Stokes, a long-termer who has only been — Tom Leeming Few restaurants go for [ EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT ] intentional humor, though many a howler can be The owners of the Riverside Cafe near the corner of Fuxing North (復興 through Sundays from 10am to found on the Chinglish recently opened Riverside Live House 北) and Minquan East (民權東) roads 7:30pm. Tel: (02) 3393-7377 menus and fusion dishes (西門紅樓展演館), a new venue located Call (02) 2517-3869 for more Until Nov. 24 of the city’s East-meets- in Ximending’s historic Red House information Highlight West establishments. Theater (西門紅樓). This weekend Music shows go from 9:30pm to Take a Walk With Classic Lens L’Idiot, however, amuses features two local stars: tonight is pop 12:30am tonight and tomorrow; The Saisiyat tribe’s biennial Festival Digital Body (數位與老鏡的漫 with its satirical take on 矮靈祭 singer Bobby Chen (陳昇) with his 7:30pm to 9:30pm on Sundays of the Little People ( ), starts 步). Tony Tseng’s (曾思中) photo trendy dining. 五峰 group, The ‘We Hate Love Songs’ No admission fee tonight in Wufeng ( ) Township exhibition features 80 photographs Named after the uber- L’Idiot is an intelligent choice for good- Band. (恨情歌樂團), while female in Hsinchu County and Nanchuang Dancing for the “little people.” taken using the bodies of three new exclusive restaurant in value fine dining. Photo: Steve Price, Taipei Times 南庄 crooner Michelle Pan appears on At Bliss, now under�� new ( ) in Miaoli County. The festival PHOTO: Taipei Times digital cameras with lenses for 40 film Steve Martin’s LA Story, Sunday to sing jazz and bossa nova management, wacky cover band pays tribute to a race of dark-skinned cameras that were manufactured to get a table at which he has to schedule an appointment to standards, as well as her own hits. The Originals plays tonight short people that according to legend once populated Taiwan. The Saisiyat between 1860 and 1990. The photos make a reservation and is vetted by the Fourth Reich Bank of 177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市 with hillbilly punks The Pinetop believe they wiped out the “little people” and must put this curse to rest are of scenes from everyday life and Hamburg before being told he’s not rich enough to order the 西寧南路177號). Call (02) 2370-8805 or Surgeons. Tomorrow Sinister with a ceremony where participants drink rice wine, sing and dance in the theme of the show is a dialogue duck, L’Idiot is a quirky affair, and knowing how to navigate visit www.riverside.com.tw for more Sound Syndicate spins electro- rituals that last from dusk to dawn for three consecutive days. between two generations, the young the menu means the difference between a pedestrian repast information house, disco punk and minimalist While the Nanchuang ceremony is known for its commercial tilt with photographer and his father, a film and a good-value nosh-up. Opened two months ago in the Show starts tonight at 8:30pm; techno, while Thursday features dub a night-market atmosphere, the Wufeng event takes a more spiritual developer. space that used to house Tony Roma’s on Minsheng East 7:30pm on Sunday (doors open at music presented by Tranquility Bass approach. The beginning rituals are held in private and the first set of Heng Chang Gallery (恆昶藝廊), 396- Road, the dining room is dominated by two large sinuous 7pm) Productions. dances are restricted to Saisiyat tribe members, but the festival opens to 1, Renai Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市仁 sculptures that resemble Gaudi’s Park Guell serpentine bench Entrance (includes one drink) is 148, Xinyi Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北 the public later in the evening. The event has become a popular tourist 愛路四段396-1號). Open Tuesdays and dragon fountain to the point of being pastiche. NT$550 tonight; NT$600 on Sunday 市信義路四段148號), one block east of attraction, with 10,000 people attending the 2006 ceremony in Wufeng. through Sundays from 10am to 6pm. The walls are painted peach, the ceiling maroon with wooden Dunhua South Road (敦化南路). Call A few traditional rules for visitors: no bickering so as to maintain a Tel: (02) 2706 6466 beams running the length of the room. Bric–a–brac sit on 芒草 Jazz Your Mind appears tonight at Bliss at (02) 2702-1855 or log on at harmonious atmosphere; wear a stem of silver grass ( ) to ward off bad Until Nov. 20 numerous white shelves, while an eclectic selection of photos Sappho de Base. Tomorrow night, www.myspace.com/blisslivehouse spirits; photography is allowed but only outside of the ceremonial circle. and paintings, some tacky, others arty, adorn the walls. Unlike Waka and Yo, a Japanese duo that Tonight, tomorrow and Thursday at For more information: Call the Wufeng Township Administration at (03) War Scene Massacre…… the dismal street views on offer at most downtown restaurants, play tabla and sitar, perform a set of 10pm. Bar/kitchen open from 7pm 585-1001 or the Nanchuang Township Administration Office at (03) Remains (戰場殺戮……過後？？). the windows here look out on greenery and flowering shrubs. Indian fusion music. The venue opens daily. Ladies night Fridays; women get 782-3115. For information in English for the Wufeng ceremony, e-mail The exhibition features a new series L’Idiot’s menu uses playful headings such as “Aviators” on Monday night for a special show one free cocktail of their choice [email protected] or call 0930-029-8426. of painting by performance artist Li for chicken and duck (roasted spring chicken with bacon and featuring blues band Black Sheep Entrance to the bar is free. The Saisiat Festival of the Little People Ming-sheng (李銘盛) that delves into pear stuffing with calvados, NT$580), “Aquatics” for seafood with Shun Kikuta, a Japanese guitarist Tomorrow’s and Thursday’s music Tonight until Sunday war and the human psyche. The artist (seared Hokkaido scallops with carrot puree and macadamia who lives in Chicago and tours with shows are also free Restroom�� facilities and camping�� space (NT$200�� per tent)�� available at will talk about his art tomorrow and nuts, NT$560), “Swine” for pork (pork chop with caramel blues legend Koko Taylor. On Tuesday Wufeng Sunday afternoon at the gallery. apple, NT$450), and “Cows and Baby Sheep” for beef and night the Sappho Jazz Band Underworld(地下社會) hosts King Space (King空間), 2F, 97, lamb (16-ounce prime sirloin with roasted garlic, NT$1,600). performs, with an open jam afterwards, newcomers Hi Jack and punk-band Hsiencheng 2 Rd Chubei City, Hsinchu Hospitable touches include plentiful warm bread, which is while The Chris Stiles Jazz Trio takes Random (隨性) tonight. Pop-punk 8pm to 11pm every Wednesday was organized after the artist saw two County (新竹縣竹北市縣政二路97號 served with honey butter prior to each meal and complimentary to the stage on Wednesday. Thursday group Abandoned Machines (留 No admission fee series of paintings sell for a total of 2號). Open Tuesdays through Sundays hors d’oeuvre of bruschetta topped with a large dollop of night, the venue welcomes solo folk 聲機工廠) and garage rockers The NT$20 million at this year’s Taipei Art from 10am to 8pm. Tel: (03) 558-8556 ricotta drizzled with a honey and balsamic vinegar sauce. rocker Shane Lazarowich and the Deadly Vibes perform tomorrow. Fair. The new works contemplate the Until Dec. 20 At lunchtime, aside from the a la carte menu, two sets are Long Naked Bottles. B1, 45 Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師 Exhibition binary relationship between nature available. Both begin with a choice of Caesar salad or baby B1, 1, Ln 102, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei 大路45號B1). Call (02) 2369-0103 or Shock．Shot — Wu Tien and humanity. sardine salad. The former was disappointingly bland, as the City (台北市安和路一段102巷1號B1). visit www.upsaid.com/underworld for Chang’s Solo Exhibition (懾． AKI Gallery (也趣), 141 Mintsu W Rd, Event dressing was light and tasted calorie-reduced. The latter, Call (02) 2700-5411 (after 9pm) or visit more information 相—吳天章2008個展). Wu’s highly Taipei City (台北市民族西路141號). The 9th Taipei Poetry Festival (第 consisting of radicchio, rocket, lamb’s lettuce and fried garlic, www.sappho102.biz for more Music shows tonight and tomorrow anticipated exhibition features eight Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 九屆臺北詩歌節) begins this weekend was a far superior medley of nutty, mustard and fishy flavors. information are from 9:30pm to 11:30pm large-scale works by the renowned 12pm to 6:30pm. Tel: (02) 2599-1171 with a series of readings, performances, Set 1’s (NT$390) main course choices, crispy chicken wrap Performances begin at 10:30pm on Entrance is NT$300 for both shows artist, one of the few to have Until Nov. 30 exhibitions and film screenings. This with spicy dressing (comes with fries) or pasta with smoked weekends; 10pm on weekdays. and includes one drink successfully made the jump from year’s focus is on Asian poetry with the salmon in cream sauce, both passed muster, but Set 2’s Monday’s show starts at 9pm traditional painting to digital art. Labyrinth — Wu Shang-lin theme of movement in the city. Poets (NT$590) pan-seared seafood with sauteed vegetables and caper No admission fee Every Wednesday night at the Main Trend Gallery (大趨勢畫廊), Solo Exhibition (迷境—吳尚霖個 Madeline Lee (李夙芯) from Singapore, sauce was the talk of the table. Artfully presented, the fish, on Cosmopolitan Grill there’s a blues 209-1, Chengde Rd Sec 3, Taipei City 展). Up-and-coming artist Wu uses Yau Ching (游靜) from Hong Kong, Kim this occasion sea bream, had a golden crispy top with flesh that Tonight at Tone 56 Live Bar it’s open mic, held by the Blues Society (台北市承德路三段209-1號). Open photography and video images to Huesoon from South Korea and Yu Jian was tender and firm without being dry. The capers and slice of funk and R’n’B band Kenyatta Trio. on Taiwan. All are welcome to bring Tuesdays through Saturdays from create a series of portraits of Taipei City (于堅) from China will read from their radish added a subtle piquancy. Unfortunately, the soup of the Tomorrow it’s house band Loaded, their instruments and sit in on guitar, 11am to 7pm. Tel: (02) 2587-3412 in motion under themes that include works and lead discussions on different day offered in Set 2 failed to materialize. which plays everything from rock bass or drums. From tomorrow through Dec. 13 “Margin and Center,” “Space and aspects of poetry. From the cold starters selection, Fine de Claire oysters at classics to today’s hits.” On Sunday, the 1F, 218 Changchun Rd, Taipei City Remembrance” and “Labyrinth.” At venues throughout Taipei. Check NT$160 each are a steal, while from the charcuterie section, Blues Vibrations take to the stage. (台北市長春路218號1樓). Call (02) 2508- Hung Tien-yu Solo Exhibition Taipei Artist Village (台北國際藝術 www.taipeipoetry.org for more details country pate (NT$240) was enough for four people. 1F, 56, Minquan E Rd Sec 3, Taipei 0304 or visit www.cosmo.com.tw for (美的背後—洪天宇個展) is an 村), 7 Beiping E Rd, Taipei City (台北市 in Chinese and English — Steve Price City (台北市民權東路三段56號1樓), more information exhibition of new works by Hung that 北平東路7號). Open Mondays Tomorrow until Nov. 23