TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Whether it is music, art, dance or theater that pique's one's interest, there is always plenty to do and see around Taipei. For those looking to see what is happening between Feb. 23 and March 3, Taiwan News has compiled a list of the best events the city has to offer.
A self-described "annual opera production to shake Taiwan," a wholly unique performance comes to Taipei's National Theater this weekend. Italian composer Giacomo Puccini's magnum opus Puccini will be reinterpreted by Taiwan's National Symphony Orchestra in the format of a traditional Peking opera, with the focus "redirected from stage setting to performance, and from text to music." The show hopes to convey the melodrama of the original work through a purely musical experience. There will be one show each day from Feb. 22 to Feb. 24, tickets are available online.
(Image by TiFA)
On the northern coast of central Honshu lies Japan's Toyama prefecture; a national hub of traditional arts and crafts. Taipei's Not Just a Library is hosting a special exhibition over the next month that celebrates the craftsmanship of the region and features lectures, workshops and film screenings. Interested parties can study the intricate process of mother-of-pearl inlaying and copper craft. The exhibition runs between Feb. 23 and March 24, registration for special events must be conducted via Accupass.
Mother-of-pearl inlaying
The third edition of ZINE DAY TAIWAN has arrived, and fanzine fans can make their way down to Retro Jam Taiwan to view, buy, sell and talk about zines. The event runs on Feb. 23 and 24 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. each evening.
(Image by Retro 印刷 Jam Taiwan)
Popular venue at Ximending's LGBT bar strip Cafe Dalida is hosting a talk with New York voguing icon Stanley Milan in the evening of Feb. 27. Voguing is an underground dance movement that began within the black and Latin LGBT communities of New York, but was exposed to the masses via Madonna's 1990 hit "Vogue." Prolific in the scene for over 20 years, Stanley Milan will give a lecture on voguing and conduct a question and answer session following performances from some local dancers.
Voguing in New York city (Wikimedia Commons image)
An exhibition of Japanese miniature artist Tatsuya Tanaka titled “Miniature Life Exhibition" is currently on display at the Huashan Creative Park in Taipei. The exhibit opened Dec. 23, 2018 and will run until March 3, 2019.
Artwork by Tatsuya Tanaka (Image from https://kidultkingdom.com)
Taipei’s Red Room art space is hosting its monthly “Stage Time and Wine” open-mic night on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Artists, poets, musicians, and other performers are welcome to join for a friendly and relaxed evening of creativity and shared experiences. Entry is NT$200 per person, with guests encouraged to bring a dish or snacks for the community table.
(Image from Red Room Facebook)
The Taipei Biennial 2018, which began in mid-November, is still running until March 2019. Hosted by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Goethe Institut Taipei, this year’s theme is “Post Nature: the Museum as an Ecosystem.”
Over the weekend of Feb. 22-24, four performances by a visiting Russian Ballet troupe will take place at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall. Each of the four performances will showcase a separate ballet including Swan Lake, Don Quixote, the Nutcracker, and Cinderella.
For Hip-Hop fans, and those who might enjoy giving a performance of your favorite hip-hop jam, check out the first installment of Rock The Mic: Season 2, which is taking place on Feb. 23 at Dadaocheng's Ivy Palace.
FutureWard in cooperation with the PACK animal sanctuary is hosting a community market of second hand goods on Saturday, Feb. 23 at FutureWard Central near Nanjing Fuxing MRT station. If you would like to be a vendor, please contact the market organizers through the Facebook event page.
On Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Butterfly Hall, in Zhongshan District, Hiking BIJI (健行筆記) is hosting a huge second-hand market for hiking and camping goods. The market will run from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you have outdoor goods that are in good condition and would like to be a vendor, contact the event organizers through the Facebook event page.
On Sunday, Feb. 24, the 4th annual Woman High Showtime Party (女子HIGH) will be held at Corner House. The party is organized by women, and will feature talented female DJs. The event is open to all guests. In addition to the party, the day will also feature forums for thoughtful discussion on women's issues and a variety of creative performances. The cost is NT$700 per person. Check out the Facebook event page for more info.
One of the oldest popular ex-pat hangout’s in Taipei, the Brass Monkey is celebrating its 16th Anniversary Party on Saturday, Feb. 23. Come join for drink specials and good times. Party starts at 9:00 p.m.
Taipei’s Yang Ming Swing group is hosting another Swing Dance Party on Saturday, Feb. 23 featuring DJs and live music. All levels of experience are welcome to join the fun. Bring a partner, of come as alone and make new friends. The party starts at 7:30 p.m. at YM Swing. Entry is free but donations are appreciated for the band.
Japanese digital artist ANDAERφ is holding an art exhibit in Taipei, that starts on Feb. 23 and will run through March, 24 at the d/art gallery. ANDAERφ is known for fantastic landscapes and character drawings, which have been featured in a number of popular anime and videogames.
Regular Hangouts
If you want to put your English to use and enjoy an open forum to discuss different topics and hear presentations in English, check out the iEnglish Club English Gathering every Saturday.
If you're looking for a family friendly group to practice your English or your Chinese, consider checking out events with Language Exchange Taipei. They are having a free language exchange on Sunday afternoon at Lifehouse Taipei.
The LEIT Language Exchange group regularly hosts a huge number of activities. Check their events page for friendly hangouts and language exchange opportunities.
For the beginning of 2019, Taiwan's Bobwundaye bar on Heping Rd. in the Da'an District will be hosting Wednesday Open Mic Nights for anyone who wants to share a little bit of their musical or artistic talent with an audience. The floor is opened for performances beginning at 10:00 p.m.
Two Three Comedy continues to host stand-up comedy open mic nights every Monday at bar 23 Public. The show begins at 9 p.m. but those wishing to sign up should be sure to arrive early.
Everyone’s favorite Irish bar in Gongguan near NTU, James Joyce, is also hosting live music every weekend.
If you have a love of Indian food and culture, then you can always stop by the Mayur Indian Kitchen location on Songjiang Road, where they have regular dance performances or Indian music for dining customers on Saturday nights.
For those new to Taipei, or those who have been here a while but still haven't seen all the city has to offer, consider taking a walking tour with "Like it Formosa." Tours happen regularly every week, with four different types of tours to choose from, depending on what you want to see.
And depending on your interests, check this list of meet up groups regularly to see if there is anything up your alley.