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Taiwan Fun Magazine, April 2003

By Selena Huang
Translated by Yvonne Chen (³¯¨|ªÚ)

The Dance King--Jose Greco Flamenco Dance Company Date: April 19, 7:30pm; April 20, 2:30pm Location: Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Prices: NT$400 600 800 1000 1200 1500, ERA Ticketing Tel: (02) 3343-3133

       Known as the first family in Flamenco dance, the Greco family is synonymous with 20th and 21st century Flamenco dance. Blending classic ballet with Flamenco dance, Jose Greco II with his vivid portrayal and life force truly deserves the title of new generation Flamenco dance king. His passionate and charismatic dance steps have garnered great reviews for his profound telling of primal love and lust in the ¡§Gypsy¡¨ and for the life and death struggles in the ¡§Matador Song¡¨. This month, enter the passionate realm of Flamenco dance and experience the soul piercing voice and guitar sounds with the beautiful dance steps and wind-like motion of the dance king.

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Date: April 5, 7:45pm; April 6, 7:45pm Location: National Theater Concert Hall Prices: NT$2000 3000 3600 4800 6000 7200 10000, ERA Ticketing Tel: (02) 3343-3133

       The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is based in Vienna, the music capital of the world, and has long been a leading symphony orchestra. For over 150 years, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra has preserved its traditional sound--robust, consistent and warm, the strings whimsical and delicate. The beautiful and unique music is breathtaking and surpasses other symphony orchestras. The orchestra partners once again with the great conductor Zubin Mehta to bring audiences the works of Classical and Romantic masters Haydn, Beethoven, and Mahler, as well as the orchestra¡¦s leading conductor Nicolai¡¦s famous opera piece.

Indian Civilization--Art Exhibition Date: April 23-July 20 Location: National Museum of History Prices: Adults NT$120; Students/Military/Police NT$80 Tel: (02) 2361-0270

       Since ancient times, India--with its great accomplishments in religion and philosophy--has influenced Asia, Europe and the America. Their civilization not only boasts diverse languages and religions, but also highly organized cities since prehistory. Excavated pottery, bricks, and so far undeciphered writings are all indicative of the sophistication and mystique of ancient Indian civilization. This exhibition will show the characteristics of Indian civilization from prehistory to the 18th century, with more than 160 artifacts, divided into five categories, including Buddhist art.

Amnesia Border Morendo A Minor to E flat Major Date: April 25, 7:30pm; April 26, 2:30pm & 7:30pm; April 27, 2:30pm Location: Experimental Theater of the National Theater Price: NT$350 Tel: (02) 2343-1587, (02) 2343-1647

      Creative and visual, the Century of Contemporary Dance Company combines the works of Taiwanese composers with dancers¡¦ bodies for a rare cross-over blending of music and dance. This piece depicts the meaning and visualization of ¡§border." Choreographer Shu-fen Yao, along with her creative partner, explore this era of blurring borderlines, where the contour of ¡§self¡¨ is dissolving and diluted by the World Wide Web. The musical creativity reveals the sorrow and reflections of this generation as the music and dance superimpose over the organized visual space.

Ping Fong Performing Arts ¡V My Kid Sister, Affectionate Version Date: April 11~20 7:30pm; April 12, 13, 19, 20 2:30pm Location: Novel Hall for Performing Arts Prices: NT$400 600 800 1000 1200 1500, Acer Ticketing Tel: (02) 2938-2005

      Published in 1992, the popular book ¡§My Kid Sister¡¨ by Da-Chuen Chang tells of the life of the author¡¦s sister, from her birth to her teen years. At times, it is a male confession by the author, and at times it is told from the sister¡¦s viewpoint. From their lives and dialogues, we see family relationships, social events, and the bittersweet experience of growing up. The cast includes Guo-Hsiu Lee and Yueh Wong who portray a seemingly happy unhappy couple. Ruey-Jiun Fan plays the soul character, the sister, and playing for the first time in theater, Chih-Cheng Hsueh portrays the brother.

Good 9 Taipei Date: Now until Dec. 31 Location: United Hotel Tel: (02) 2773-1515

       The United Hotel in eastern Taipei has organized six months of special events. Besides the various ¡§Concept Tours¡¨ with discount room rates and packaged tours, guests can use their room cards and receive VIP discounts at 18 allied stores. All within walking distance of the hotel, these stores include the Express City Day Spa, the Cinemark movie theater, Champagne, Corner, Burt¡¦s Bees skincare products, Vis-a-Vis hair salon, New Taipei Beer House, and Ching Ting Home Furnishings.