14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2010 • TIMES BY Diane Baker compiled BY DANCE stop Noah Buchan

ext Magazine, the gossip came last year, when Chu Death becomes them rag that celebrities love to allegedly referred to Lin as his hate for airing their dirty fiancee at a bash in Japan. Nlaundry in public, inaugurated Things took a turn for the its Entertainment Awards (娛樂 worst, however, when Lin made un Chuo-tai (孫梲泰) admits his five memorable, they were too easy. This off each other, collided, joined. If you 大賞頒獎典禮) a few months back public her displeasure at Chu’s dancers hate him right now, that he’s piece will test their limits, make them throw lots of rocks, there is still just PERFORMANCE notes and then invited the winners, a behavior, which includes showing driving them to kill themselves. cross the line,” he said in an interview one big ripple ... It made me think that veritable who’s who of stars who up to work visibly hungover and SBut at least they will always near his Beitou studio on Sunday. if there is the right distance between

have graced its cover over the throwing hissy fits on set. He What: 8213 Physical Dance remember Ripple, he says. Sun’s works are about the message as people, you can live with each other, like past few years, to its first annual didn’t endear himself to ’s Theatre, Ripple The latest work by the founder and much as the dance, and he isn’t afraid of between a father and son in the same awards ceremony, held last week. netizens when he referred to When: Tonight and tomorrow director of 8213 Physical Dance Theatre physical confrontation. apartment, they could be at peace, not Astoundingly, many showed up. as his motherland. at 7:30pm, tomorrow and (8213 肢體舞蹈劇場) opened last night at “We need to challenge ourselves to fighting,” he said. The awards’ main category, At a press conference over the Sunday at 2:30pm the Experimental Theater. It’s a bigger push modern dance in Taiwan, to push He’s very excited about the set, a big “top popular stars,” spread weekend, reporters badgered Chu Where: Experimental Theater production that he’s tried before, thanks for the future. Taipei society is always shiny plastic floor that’s lit from inside the praise among 10 of the with questions about his “wife.” (國家戲劇院實驗劇場), 21-1, to a NT$1 million budget, and it’s the unstable, you are gambling with your life with LEDs. He was inspired by the entertainment industry’s most “Who is Kelly Lin?” he Zhongshan S Rd, Taipei (台北市 first time he isn’t dancing in one of his by riding a scooter everyday,” he said shiny floor he remembers at his uncle’s recognizable faces. responded. But the assembled 中山南路21-1號) own works. “So to create art from this — it’s not house and the floors of dance clubs he Jolin Tsai (蔡依林) was first up, media stuck to their guns and Admission: NT$500, available “I want to dance, not to make money. about soft, comfortable things. If you frequented as a teen. and told the assembled glitterati Chu, visibly annoyed, tried to at the NTCH box office or online I tell the dancers that this piece will want peace, don’t come to our show. There will also be lots of speakers. that she had worked hard to earn put an end to the inquisition: at www.artsticket.com.tw kill you — that it may kill you, but If you want a challenge, to see dancers Sun’s music designer prefers sound her award because Next was “You are rumormongering ... this you will always remember it. I can’t almost dying, which is not pretty, then to melody. making a killing off her. Asked line of questioning makes me remember most of the pieces I did [in come see our show,” he said. “If the audience doesn’t like it, at least what her most memorable cover uncomfortable.” other companies]; they weren’t The show’s inspiration came from they can’t sleep,” Sun said. “We spent a story was, Tsai pondered: “The In other celebrity romance throwing rocks. lot of money on speakers — the bass, the one about my skin allergy.” news, Andy Hui’s (許志安) love life “One day I threw a rock into the boom, boom, boom.” Predictably, media outlets continues to unravel, as reported water [and] saw a ripple. Threw two pulled the image out of their by the Apple, the Liberty Times rocks, saw two ripples, but they bounced archives. (the Taipei Times’ sister Pop heartthrob (言 newspaper) and pretty much 承旭), also honored as a “popular every other media outlet in Asia. star,” thanked Next for publishing So it must be true. unflattering photos of him so that Last month the Canto-pop people would think he is more star split with girlfriend Michelle handsome in person. Yu (余德琳) amid rumors that he 8213 Physical Singer Rainie (楊丞琳), ditched her to get back with his Dance Theatre meanwhile, showed off a little Bible-thumping ex-flame Sammi is performing its skin to prove she’s a bigger Cheung (鄭秀文). latest work, Ripple, boob than had been reported. And there’s more. Last week, at the Experimental “Everyone thinks I’m a 32A. The Pan Heng Zhang (潘恒章), Hui’s Theater this fact is I’m 32B!” she said. assistant from 1993 to 2008, came weekend. Photo courtesy of 8213 Some might think that these to his defense. Well, kind of. Physical Dance Theatre celebrities were nuts to attend Thinking that she could dispel such an awards ceremony. But rumors that Hui is nothing but as Oscar Wilde once wrote, a low-life lothario, Pan revealed “There is only one thing in the that they had a secret two-year world worse than being talked romance. “He’s a wonderful BY Catherine Shu about, and that is not being man,” she said. MUSIC talked about.” Needless to say, the ploy Speaking of being talked backfired. The media, quick to about, gossip rags have been put two and two together, noted spilling considerable ink over that Hui dumped Pan at Acoustic time traveling the past few weeks about the same time that he the breakup of model Kelly hooked up with Yu, coustic guitar lovers can hear music (林熙蕾) and former F4 further revealing that Lin ranging from classical Baroque-style PERFORMANCE notes boyband singer and actor he fired her in the melodies to Japanese pop tune covers Ken Chu (朱孝天). process. tomorrowA night, when Golden Melody What: Dong Yun-chang (董運昌) The Apple Daily, Hui, in his own award-winning guitarist Dong Yun-chang and Chen Ya-hui (陳雅慧) which can always be defense, sent a (董運昌) and mandolin player Chen Ya-hui relied on to put gossip handwritten letter (陳雅慧) perform at Suho Paper Museum When: Tomorrow at 7:30pm in an historical context, to the press (樹火紀念紙博物館). Where: Suho Paper Museum published a timeline on Monday The musical duo released a joint album (樹火紀念紙博物館), 68, Changan E of the couple’s admitting, of original compositions influenced by Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市長安東 “relationship,” somewhat different European and Asian music 路二段68號) Tel: (02) 2507-5535. On which it claimed obliquely, traditions titled Napoli Blue Night (那不勒 the Net: www.suhopaper.org.tw began in 2005 to the affair 斯藍色夜) in January. Admission: NT$500 when the duo with Pan “For covers of pop songs, we arrange On the Net: www..com/ were shooting and saying the music so the mandolin plays the pages/dong-yun-chang, the movie The he was melody. It gives the song a different tw.myblog.yahoo.com/chen-liuqin Tokyo Trial. sorry, “for flavor,” says Dong, whose albums Urban The daily not being a Meditation (城市冥想) and At the 33rd confirmed good enough Street Corner (第33個街角轉彎) both won classical guitar and I don’t have the time that the person.” . Dong runs a to do that, so I say that my music is rumors were music production company called Play classical-inspired,” he says. Guitarist Dong Yun-chang and mandolin player Chen Ya-hui perform classical guitar tunes and covers of true in 2007, Ear (玩耳音樂), which recently signed At university, Dong played folk music Japanese pop songs tomorrow night at Suho Paper Museum Photos courtesy of Suho Paper Museum when it published its first artist, fellow acoustic guitarist before switching his focus to country Rainie Yang gave music, prompted in part by his admiration on pop records; the different influences tomorrow is part of The Season When pictures showing Next Magazine’s Koumis (蓓麗). for Chet Atkins. Now he counts classical add up to the clean, smooth sound and Dreams Take Off (夢想起飛的季節), Suho’s the pair cavorting fact checkers a Though he is known for his classical guitarists Michael Hedges, Andres Segovia, gentle yet lively melodies that are his 15th anniversary celebration, which runs in matching couple of tips. guitar skills, Dong draws inspiration from outfits. But the Narciso Yepes and Pierre Bensusan among musical trademark. through Oct. 23. For more information, go Photo: Taipei times a wide range of musical genres. “You real clincher really have to spend a lot of time studying his heroes. Dong also frequently performs Dong and Chen’s performance to www.suhopaper.org.tw/paperplane.

RESTAURANTS BY Noah Buchan BY Ho Yi espite its relatively secluded location in The tapas joint’s paella (NT$350 for a Pastaria 凱利義式餐廳 a residential area near Zhongshan Junior small plate and NT$900 for a large pan) was TIDBITS High School MRT Station (中山國中捷運站), just the right moistness, and contained an BY Catherine Shu DHestia Tapas Bar (西班牙小酒館) is a popular appetizing mix of shrimps, clams, scallops Address: 21, Ln 13, Pucheng St, Taipei City (台北市浦城街13巷21號) spot for Spanish fare. and mussels. Telephone: (02) 3365-2910 The restaurant’s hard-earned reputation Other recommendations include roasted he shaved ice shop Open: 11:30am to 10pm is endorsed by a wealth of positive pita bread pizza with green onion and white formerly known Average meal: NT$200 food blogger reviews, and to cater to an anchovies (NT$250), truffle risotto (NT$350) as Ice Monster T(and now known as Details: English and Chinese menu, credit cards not accepted expanding clientele it operates two venues, and fried potato with aioli and spicy sauce located opposite each other. (NT$190). The drinks selection includes Yongkang 15) reopened A last-minute visit on a recent Sunday sangria (NT$220 per glass and NT$900 per with great fanfare evening almost ended before it had begun. pitcher), rebujito (NT$220 per glass) and last month — but he first thing you need to one looked a little out of place. Pastaria’s pizza isn’t bad, but skip the pasta. “We are fully booked tonight,” said a staff Spanish red and white wines priced between the dessert landmark know about Pastaria, a pizza But I tried to get into the spirit Photo: Noah Buchan, Taipei Times member when I called to make a reservation. NT$250 per glass and NT$1,650 to NT$3,500 already has new and pasta joint that opened of things by diving into two “But I can squeeze you in for an hour.” per bottle. competition. The new ice on the Tsix months ago in the Shida orders of pizza and two orders of Four hours later, my dining partner and I With the fast and efficient service offered Smoothie King block. night market (師大夜市), is that pasta. Patrons have two choices half bad, and I must admit that arrived at the restaurant. by the staff, who all wear black uniforms, the (思慕昔) recently opened a reservation is pretty much when it comes to how their pizza the thick crust, obviously of the The interior palette is brown, black and overall dining experience at Hestia Tapas Bar a two-level store just Photo: Catherine Shu, Taipei Times mandatory during lunch and is made. The first is to order one frozen variety, was cooked to a white, and with jazzy Spanish background exceeded expectations. a block away from dinner hours. of the menu’s 10 varieties, the palatable crispy brown. playing in the background, the atmosphere is Yongkang 15 on Yongkang Street. It may Fifteen minutes after I sat second is to choose two varieties The two pasta dishes that I more chill-out lounge than restaurant. lack the hordes of camera-toting tourists, down, 21 university students and go half and half. All pies are ordered, spaghetti with chicken The spot soon filled up after the clock but it offers an air-conditioned alternative sauntered in, single file, and 6 inch. in spicy marinara and pesto struck six. and a larger, slightly cheaper menu of icy took over the second of the Credit must be given to chicken, barely deserve mention. We began with oven-dried tomato and treats. Items include fruit smoothies (NT$65 restaurant’s two floors. Ten Pastaria for its creativity. I Served without garnish, there homemade chili-flavored sausage (NT$200), for a medium cup, NT$85 for a large cup) minutes later, in walked another couldn’t decide whether to wasn’t even a rudimentary a harmonic combination of sweetness and and snowflake ices, or creamy frozen milk dozen for the same party. In order the tuna fish, corn and attempt to make them look savoriness, followed by pan-fried mushroom shaved into paper-thin sheets that melt on between, groups of four and six onion pizza or the pie consisting palatable. And the chicken tasted with garlic (NT$200). The deep-fried garlic the tongue (NT$150). And, of course, there were turned away because all of banana, apple and cherry like it was the deep fried variety provided piquancy and crunchy texture, while are mounds of shaved ice topped with mango the seats on the first floor were tomatoes, so for my first order sold at night market stalls. a delectable blend of herbs was strongly and other fruit (NT$120). either occupied or reserved. It I just stuck with the more Pastaria is banking on its aromatic without overwhelming the delicate How does Smoothie King’s mango ice was Tuesday just before noon pedestrian pepperoni, black cheap prices, and with quality taste of the mushrooms. compare to the one served by its famous and my server said it’s like this olive and onion on one half, and that’s similar to Dominos or The chef’s adept use of spices was also neighbor? The mound of shaved ice is about every day. barbeque pork, sauteed onion Pizza Hut, it’s a solid bet for evident in the cubes of roasted beef short the same size, but the serving of fruit is This is somewhat of a and green peppers on the other. those not looking for a gourmet rib steak with honey and mustard seeds smaller than the overflowing toppings at mystery because the decor, For my second order, I combined pie. Single orders for sit-down or (NT$290). Yongkang 15, where walking away with with its maple-colored paneling, a Hawaiian with the supreme take out are also available. Six- Sprinkled with lime juice, each bite was an sticky hands seems designed to be part of the dark brown laminate tables (ground pork, onion, green peas, inch pizzas are NT$69 to NT$79 explosion of flavors. We also gave two thumbs customer experience. The fruit was equally and orange-backed chairs bacon and mushroom). and 10-inch pizzas are NT$158 up to the restaurant’s popular deep-fried tasty, however, and covered with just enough reminded this reviewer of the The pizzas that arrived were and NT$168. Pastas range from calamari rings — crunchy on the outside and condensed milk and syrup to keep the ice worst of 1970s kitsch. So why somewhere between Pizza Hut NT$89 to NT$150. chewy on the inside — with aioli (NT$220). sweet even after all the toppings were gone. the crowds? It probably has and 7-Eleven, which considering Yongkang 15 is still the best place to take something to do with the all-you- the price makes sense. With a out-of-town visitors after a meal at Din Tai can-eat pizza and pasta menu. At moderate amount of toppings Hestia Tapas Bar 西班牙小酒館 Spanish appetizers are deceitfully simple at Hestia Fung (鼎泰豐), but Smoothie King is good for NT$199, Pastaria obviously fits and even less sauce, much of Tapas Bar. Photo: Ho Yi, Taipei Times locals who want to cool off without a crowd. the bill for large parties wanting the flavor came from the artery- Address: 3, Alley 18, Ln 130, Mingsheng E Rd Sec 3, Taipei City (台北市民生東路三段130巷18弄3號) Address: 9 Yongkang St, Taipei City to save a few bucks while clogging amount of cheese. The Telephone: (02) 2715-3707 Open: Noon to 2pm and 6pm to 9pm (台北市永康街9號). Tel: (02) 2395-8770. On the increasing their waistlines. barbeque pork and sauteed onions Average meal: NT$1,000, including drinks Details: Chinese and English menu, credit cards accepted, Net: www.smoothie.com.tw. Needless to say, my party of tasted of teppanyaki, which wasn’t reservations recommended