14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2009 • TAIPEI TIMES

Fringe

Continued from p13

Leaving the world of childhood behind, the Taipei Arts Festival offers a showcase of the darker side of human life with a program One would think Edison Chen is all mouth and trousers, that is partially built around that after having his most and jeans. Photo: taipei times contemporary reworkings of intimate moments splashed Shakespeare’s plays. across countless tabloids, somewhat morbid fascination The opening event, a ver- his genitalia picked apart in with the miscarriages (real and sion of Macbeth (Aug. 12 to minute detail by thousands, if alleged) of female stars. The Aug. 15) by the Teatr Biuro not millions of strangers, and glossies, which breathlessly Podrozy of Poland, is already gangsters threaten him with covered pop queen Faye Wong’s sold out, and only a handful mutilation (or worse), Edison (王菲) miscarriage last year, are of tickets remain for director Chen (陳冠希) would be happy now targeting actress and singer Peter Brook’s Warum, Warum to hole up in a monastery and (and former Chen paramour) (Aug. 28 to Aug. 30). dedicate himself to a lifetime of Cecilia Cheung (張柏芝), who they The LAFA production Ode to celibacy. But, no. say lost what would have been Joy (Sept. 4 to Sept. 6) featuring Hong Kong gossip rag her second child with husband Taiwan’s own Sheu Fang-yi (許 東方新地 Oriental Sunday ( ) Nicholas Tse (謝霆鋒). 芳宜) has also sold out. Tom Hu and his band Skaraoke, left and below middle, performed reports that the pop star, who A Hong Kong news outlet Fortunately, lesser-known at the opening������������ party for��� R�o�xy� R �oots,��������������������������������� below left and below right, is gradually emerging from his said that the star has been groups promise some very last weekend.� Photos courtesy of Skaraoke and Alyson Schill self-imposed exile, enjoyed depressed since the alleged exciting theater, particularly a hot night out in Malaysia a miscarriage and refuses to K. Lear (Aug. 14 to Aug. 16) by few days before arriving in leave the house. But Tse and France’s International Visual Taiwan on Tuesday. Chen was his mother both angrily denied Theater and Spain’s Teatre in Kuala Lumpur for the grand the rumors. In an interview Lliure’s European House opening of his clothing store with a Chinese newspaper, Tse — Hamlet’s Prologue Without and celebrated afterwards by snapped to a reporter, “if my Words (Aug. 21 to Aug. 23). Both throwing a bash at a nightclub, wife were pregnant, don’t you adaptations from Shakespeare where he was photographed think I would know?” plays, the former uses sign with scantily-clad revelers In somewhat happier news, language and the latter body clinging to him, despite a strict Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) and her language to convey the story. ban on cameras at the party. venture capitalist fiance Aviv Summer Lei’s (雷光夏) Apparently, female guests had Nevo are still very much in concert of music inspired by managed to stuff mini-cameras love, even though the two have Shakespeare’s sonnets, promises down their (presumably just as no time to get married. The to reveal the acclaimed singer- tiny) panties to take souvenir peripatetic duo had originally songwriter in a new light, and photos with Chen. planned to get hitched next the work of choreographer The Hong Kong actor and month on a private island in Italy, Arco Renz will feature former singer spent the early part of but have now postponed their Taipei Dance Circle member the evening chatting with his nuptials indefinitely because The root of the matter Su Wen-chi (蘇文琪), who is male friends and studiously of their work obligations. The now principal dancer at Renz’s avoiding contact with the Liberty Times reported that Kobalt Works. opposite sex. But a few drinks Zhang gave an interview last year Further details of all the later, he was unable to resist to a Chinese newspaper where he space between popular crowd may spend more money, they to NT$350, with drinks from NT$200 to performances can be found on temptation and, judging by his she expressed some trepidation nightclub Room 18 and lounge bar may demand that the club water down NT$300. the festival’s Web site. wide grin in the snaps, didn’t about matrimony, despite her T In House in Taipei’s upscale Xinyi its music with hip-hop, a genre Harley To promote the Chinese menu, on�� With activities of the Taipei mind being photographed in happy relationship. “What do you District (信義) is an unlikely spot for a believes “has been murdered.” Sunday at 4pm the club is offering a free Children’s Arts Festival aimed the act. do if the marriage goes wrong?” reggae bar. But with a street patio, dance Harley said there is a two-tier system brunch buffet for members������������������� of the Roxy at kids aged 3 and over, the A few days later, Chen (and she asked. “I want mine to last a floor and stage, Roxy’s newest venture for every musical genre and this results Roots Facebook group who RSVP.� Taipei Arts Festival featuring his four bodyguards), looking lifetime, because the person I am — Roots — is pulling in more than the in a lot of DJs and bands “playing Top 40 There is currently no entrance fee, with some of the best known names none the worse for wear, with is wonderful.” expected crowd. for fashion” while the real music stays DJs nightly spinning reggae, two-tone, in their respective artistic fields discreetly arrived in Taipei to Zhang and Nevo may still be “A lot of the clubgoers only know Room underground. Because “reggae is so close ska, dancehall, Calypso and roots, and live and the Fringe giving first-time film a commercial for a certain going strong, but it seems that 18 and Lava,” said Skaraoke front man to the underground roots” there is a shows are planned twice a month. artists a step-up onto the public brand of jeans. Ironically (or Taiwanese-American basketball Thomas Hu (胡世漢), whose band played at danger of it becoming a fad and fading out. The decor is colorful, with red walls, stage, the three arts festivals perhaps intentionally), the star James Mao (毛加恩) and the opening party last Friday. “This gives “It’s a ballsy thing he’s done,” Harley and a red, yellow and green ceiling. A cast a wide net. clothing company that hired model Bianca Bai (白歆惠) have them something else to check out.” said of Roots’ owner Ling Wei (凌威). giant mural of Bob Marley graces one him also counts Jolin Tsai (蔡依 finally split for good. Tittle-tattle The grand opening also featured Promoter Alyson Schill said Roxy DJs wall, and potted palm trees are scattered 林) among its roster of celebrity has been rife about the status of Taimaica Soundsystem (台買加環繞音效), Jonny Marr (馬奎元), Joyce (李菊華) and Fei around the long, narrow room. models. Followers of Chen’s the duo’s (known collectively in and both bands played to a packed house. Wen (周斐文) have been specifically trained Low sofas and tables are positioned sexcapades might remember the media as Bai Mao, or white “I couldn’t see the floor. There were to this end, and Wei said in a previous on an L-shaped platform that goes around that Tsai was briefly sucked into fur) on-off relationship, but Mao so many people,” said Hu. He feels having interview he is not interested in having two sides of the dance floor. Long tables the photo scandal when pictures seemed eager to proclaim his a reggae bar in a posh area is a good any hip-hop played in his establishments with bar stools line one side. Ambient of a woman resembling the single status at a nightclub last opportunity for the scene. except at Roxy 99. lighting adds to the atmosphere. pop singer in a compromising weekend, reports NOWnews. Black Reign’s Oliver Harley, aka Lion, Roots, located at 90 Songren Rd (台北市 The patio has a view of both the street position found their way onto He was cavorting with an who was also at the opening night, agreed, 松仁路90號), is open 24 hours a day. and the stage and is a comfortable place the Internet. The lingerie-clad assortment of lamei (辣妹), or but added this caveat: “It can have a The drinks menu features classic to watch — and to be watched. beauty was dismissed as a hot chicks, allegedly nibbling positive effect with what is happening Caribbean rum cocktails and blended “A lot of people don’t think that look-alike, but Tsai continued on one lady’s ears. The 196cm with reggae,” he said. fresh fruit drinks. something other than hip-hop or house to battle rumors that she’d tall Mao had to stoop to talk “But it’s got to stick with the roots and Burgers, fries and deep-fried can work,” said Schill. made sex videos with Chen, a to many of his admirers, but make it real reggae, provide a space for appetizers are served around the clock, “Only [jazz������������������������������� bar] Brown�������������������� Sugar has been rumored ex-boyfriend. Gossip NOWnews cheekily reported us [Black Reign], High Tide, Skaraoke, with a menu of Chinese dishes available able to penetrate [the market], but from Sobd, Aurora and Elysium performs rags reported that the two will that he stooped so low — Wailin’ Soul …” for lunch and dinner. what I’ve seen over the past couple of Explosion of Bellydance! in the upcoming not be appearing in commercials figuratively and literally — that His concern is that while the upscale The food prices range from NT$100 days, everyone loves it.” — Alita Rickards Taipei Fringe Festival. together anytime soon. his eyeballs were hovering photo courtesy of taipei culture foundation Despite Chen’s recent efforts, mere centimeters away from his the Liberty Times [the Taipei conversation partners’ buntlines. Times’ sister paper] somewhat Bai’s reaction? “Whatever,” prudishly speculated that the she said. “If that’s what makes Top Five Mandarin Albums July 3 to July 9 Compilation album Faith Map with 13.71% shots from Malaysia might undo him happy, then that’s fine.” 3 his attempts at rehabilitation She added that she’s so busy Jerry Yan (言承旭) and Freedom, Secret (多出來的自由:秘密自遊) with in the Hong Kong media. He A-mei (張惠妹) and A-mit — Concept Album (A-MIT 意識專輯) with shooting a new movie she barely 11 18.94 percent of sales 4 4.34% can take heart that the gossip has time to think about her ex rags there might be too busy, and his earlobe-loving ways. Wilber Pan (潘瑋柏) and 007 (零零七007) with 4.05% however, with their strange and 周筆暢 時間 — Compiled by Catherine Shu 2 Bibi Zhou ( ) and Time ( ) with 15.42% 5 Album chart compiled from G-Music (www.g-music.com.tw), based on retail sales

[ EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT ]

Comedy Club, B1, 24 Taihsun St, Piano Quartet Op. 25 in G Minor. Plum Ferry (甜梅號). On Tuesday performer Koumis (蓓麗) and Golden Taipei City (台北市泰順街24號B1) Sunday at 7:30pm French rock duo Inspector Cluzo, Melody Award-winning folk and pop Theater Today, tomorrow and Sunday at 8pm National Recital Hall, Taipei City which played at Spring Scream this singer Europa Huang (黃建為). On Written and directed by theater doyen Tickets are NT$500 at the door, Tickets are NT$300 to NT$500, year, returns for another show. Monday, the venue hosts its weekly Stan Lai (賴聲川), Performance NT$450 in advance, available through available through ERA ticketing or B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei City open jam. Workshop’s (表演工作坊) Light Years tickets.books.com.tw online at www.ticket.com.tw (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Call (02) B1, 2, Ln 244, Roosevelt Rd Sec 3, (陪我看電視) tells of the social 2930-0162 or visit www.thewall.com.tw Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路三段244巷 changes in China over the past 30 The Kingdom of Performance Absolutely Jazz (爵對Absolutely for more information 2號B1), next to Taipower Building (台電 years through the journey of a black- (2009說唱玩國) is Taipei Quyi Jazz) will feature a program including Chthonic sings Happy Birthday to U Loud All shows start at 8pm except for 大樓). Call (02) 2368-7310 or visit www. and-white television named Xiao Bao. Troupe’s (台北曲藝團) latest attempt Andrew Beall’s arrangement of the Pat Highlight Music this weekend. Photo: Taipei Times tomorrow’s, which starts at 6pm riverside.com.tw for more information The play premiered in Beijing in to raise children’s interest in cross-������ Metheny Suite and Beck’s Jazz Variants. Entrance fee is NT$550 tonight. Show starts at 9:30pm tonight and September featuring actors from talk (相聲),������������������ a Chinese comedic Today at 7:30pm Seven bands are coming together There is a little something here Tomorrow and Sunday’s shows are 9pm tomorrow and Sunday. Open China and Taiwan, including Fang performance form. Performance Hall of the Bureau of tomorrow and Sunday at The Wall for everyone who wants to NT$500 for one night, NT$800 for two jam starts at 9pm; for a list of standard Fang (方芳), Zhang Jingchu (張靜初) Red House Theater (紅樓劇場), 10 Cultural Affairs Hsinchu City (新竹市文 (這牆) to celebrate the first birthday support a burgeoning independent nights, tickets are available at White songs and ground rules, visit the and Chu Chih-ying (朱芷瑩). Chengdu Rd, Taipei City (台北市成都 化局演藝廳), 17, Dongda Rd Sec 2, of Taiwanese independent record musical collective, and as these Wabbit Records, located inside the venue’s Web site National Theater, Taipei 路10號) Hsinchu City (新竹市東大路二段17號) label U Loud Music. The diversity of bands have a strong local following, venue. Tuesday’s show is NT$400 Entrance is NT$400 tonight and Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at Tickets are NT$250 to NT$350, the U Loud Music festival reflects you can expect a high-energy, tomorrow, NT$350 Sunday and Sunday at 2:30pm 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday available through NTCH ticketing or the wide range of the label’s output: enthusiastic audience. Jun Lee (李昀熹) of Neon plays a NT$150 Monday Tickets are NT$500 to NT$3,000, at 2:30pm online at www.artsticket.com.tw tomorrow’s show includes the warm The Wall (這牆), B1, 200, Roosevelt solo show tonight at Witch House available through NTCH ticketing or Tickets are NT$300 and NT$500, acoustic indie rock of Silverbus, Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路 (女巫店). Tomorrow it’s another set Taiwanese folk songstress Jasmine (庭 online at www.artsticket.com.tw available through ERA ticketing or Lost in Wonderland (兒童樂園—彈 incendiary political rhymes from 四段200號B1) of solo acts: Ian (芮唯) and Puyuma 竹) takes to the stage tonight at online at www.ticket.com.tw 指之間室內樂團 樂活一夏) is a series of rapper Chang Jui-chuan (張睿銓), Doors open tomorrow at 5pm and singer Leo Chen (陳永龍). Riverside Live House (西門紅樓展 Happiness Part III — Forget chamber concerts for children. This Orangegrass’ (橙草) clever emo- the show starts at 6pm, doors open Electronica-rock band Dianzibiao 演館). Tomorrow pop diva A-mei (張 Me Not (浮浪貢開花3—勿忘影中人), Capital Ballet, Taipei (台北首都芭蕾舞 week the concert will feature Chu Yu- pop stylings and Chthonic’s (閃靈) on Sunday at 7pm and the show (電子婊樂隊) and post-rock group 惠妹) appears as her alter-ego A-mit the latest installment of Golden 團) presents Ballet Pageant III (玩芭 you (朱育佑) on violin and Hsieh Yi- symphonic extreme metal. Sunday’s starts at 8pm Mosquilephant (蚊子大象) take to (阿密特). The concert is a “boys only” Bough Theatre’s (金枝演社) Happiness 蕾3) inspired by Richard Strauss’ 1905 hsuan (謝宜璇) on cello. The program show features the bouncy ska punk Single-day tickets are NT$500, the stage on Thursday. party: to get in, fans need to be (浮浪貢開花) series, is a lighthearted, opera Salome includes Reinhold Gliere’s Eight Pieces of Shy Kick Apple (害羞踢蘋果), tickets for both days are NT$800 7, Ln 56, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3, Taipei identified as male on their ID cards and comic musical that tells the story Chiayi Performing Arts Center (嘉義 for Violin and Violoncello, Op. 39, the anthemic pop punk of FireEx Call (02) 2930-0162 or visit City (台北市新生南路三段56巷7號). For don something “rainbowy.” No shows of a young bohemian and his search 縣表演藝術中心), 265, Jianguo Rd Sec 2, Handel-Halvorse’s Passacaglia for Violin (滅火器) and the hypnotic post-rock www.thewall.com.tw for more more information, call (02) 2362-5494 are scheduled for Sunday. On for happiness. Minsyong Township, Chiayi County (嘉 and Violoncello arranged by Michael of Sugar Plum Ferry (甜梅號). information — Taylor Briere or visit www.witchhouse.org Thursday, it’s Come on! Bay Bay! (來 Metropolitan Hall (城市舞台), 25, 義縣民雄鄉建國路二段265號) Press and Zoltan Kodaly’s Duo, Op. 7. Performances start at 9:30pm. 吧!焙焙!), which has an indie-pop Bade Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市八德 Tomorrow at 7:30pm Sunday at 2:30pm Restaurant/bar with queer/feminist sound similar to Belle and 路三段25號) Tickets are NT$250 to NT$400, Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra and the compositions of Benjamin Britten. nu-metal group Head Phones bookstore and large collection of Sebastian. Also appearing is indie- Tonight at 7:30pm, tomorrow at available through NTCH ticketing or Maestro Henry Mazer Music and Tuesday at 7:30pm President. Tomorrow and Sunday board games open 11am to midnight folk duo katncandix2 (棉花糖). 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sunday at online at www.artsticket.com.tw Culture (台北愛樂暨梅哲音樂文化館) at National Recital Hall, Taipei City indie label U-Loud Music holds a Sundays through Wednesdays; 11am 177 Xining S Rd, Taipei City (台北市西 2:30pm B1, 7 Jinan Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市 Tickets are NT$250, available party to celebrate its birthday. [See to 1am Thursdays through Saturdays 寧南路177號). Call (02) 2370-8805 or Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,200, 濟南路一段7號B1) through NTCH ticketing or online at Highlight above.] Taking to the stage Entry for music shows is NT$300 visit www.riverside.com.tw for more available through NTCH ticketing or Classical music Tickets are NT$250, available www.artsticket.com tomorrow are Silverbus, rapper information online at www.artsticket.com.tw Nuance Chamber Ensemble 2009 through NTCH ticketing or online at Chang Jui-chuan (張睿銓), alt- It’s jazz at the Riverside Cafe (河岸 All shows start at 8:30pm Concert (微分音室內樂集2009) www.artsticket.com rockers Orangegrass (橙草) and 留言) tonight with saxophonist Tung Entrance (includes a drink) is NT$450 Shitty Life (開運喜劇ㄕˇ味人生) is for presents a program that includes Faure’s Contemporary black metal group Chthonic (閃靈). Shuen-wen (董舜文) and friends. tonight, NT$450 on Thursday. For and about those who have been laid Pavane Op. 50 for Violin and Cello, Tzu-Shan Huang Vocal Recital Metal is on the menu tonight at The On Sunday it’s ska group Shy Kick Up-and-coming folk rocker Connie details on tomorrow’s show (in off, dumped by their lovers and face Beethoven’s Piano Trio Op. 70 No.1 (幻象－黃子珊獨唱會) presents singer Wall (這牆) with Alien Avenge (異族 Apple (害羞踢蘋果), punks Fire Ex Lu (呂莘) appears tomorrow night, Chinese), visit www.starmei.com/bbs_ the disapproval of their own mothers. “Ghost Trio” in D Major and Brahms’ Huang Tzu-shan (黃子珊) performing 亡魂), Nemesis (天譴) and Japanese (滅火器) and post-rock band Sugar while Sunday features acoustic page.php?pid=4662