Program

As a DJ, I infect the audience with music, focusing primarily on Taiwanese Mandarin music and audience interaction. Because the theme revolves around the ocean, I also try to incorporate variations of blue in the costumes to create a more cohesive and visually appealing performance.

Through live performances featuring DJ sampling, scratching, trumpet and suona playing, and drumming, accompanied by abstract VJ visuals rich in Tai Chi and Taiwanese symbolism, this performance conveys the juxtaposition of darkness and light, the cycle of good and evil, and the subversion of traditional Taiwanese art.

Established 15 years ago, this band has serenaded audiences all over Taiwan, including performing in many temples. The band's core mission is to cater to the needs of the elderly. They frequently perform at nursing homes and kindergartens, regaling listeners with traditional or modified Taiwanese nursery rhymes. With over 2,000 performances under their belt, this band has dedicated themselves to give back to the older generation. Perhaps during your next visit to Tainan in southern Taiwan, you'll chance upon them. Harmonizing tales of Taiwan's history within the walls of a temple, their music extends warmth to every corner of the city.

Tjakudayi is a dancing performance premiered by TAI Body Theatre in 2013. This work is inspired from the novel ’ How to Say I Love You’ by Ising Suaiyung, a member of the dance troupe, based on the Paiwan tribe’s Tjalja’avus community in Pingtung. It presents the traditional life of the Paiwan people, continuing the family line in the music passed down by their ancestors. Whether it’s seasonal rituals or life customs, the Paiwan people always express their feelings timely through songs. Through singing, they express their longing for each other, because only through singing can they be together.

As contemporary indigenous youth, in the process of exploring tradition, we are like newborns, everything is unknown and fresh to us, there is anticipation, yet uncertainty. However, through blending the old, we find our own methods of inheritance. We endeavor to combine ancient vocal melodies with experimental drumming, harnessing the energy of interdisciplinary elements to evolve our contemporary culture.

The main theme revolves around the imagery of ancestors crossing from China to Taiwan, spanning the Black Water Ditch and taking root upon arrival. It is accompanied by the Hengchun folk song “Si Hsiang Chi” (Thoughts Arising),’ expressing the longing and separation between loved ones who embarked on a distant journey to Taiwan, hoping for a safe passage across the Black Water Ditch(Taiwan Strait). To ensure the safety of their loved ones, prayers to the deities are offered, and the assistance of a shaman is sought, chanting the ’Passing Gate’ ritual, unique to the Hongmao Villagers, to pray for the safe passage of their kin. Upon arriving safely, they settle and cultivate the land in Taiwan, leading to a peaceful and prosperous life, symbolized by the ’Garden Stroll’ funeral dirge, singing of the intentions for a fruitful and fulfilling life.

In the name of Paris Olympics, this performance combines the groovy and energetic music from France and Taiwan, mixing tracks from French artists like Daft Punk, Phoenix, Françoise Hardy with Taiwanese creations such as Sticky Rice’s “Paris Strawberry”, Kay Huang’s “Blue Beer Sea”, and JADE EYES’s “By The Sea Side”. Through the rhythmic movements induced by listening to the music, it’s like having a mini Olympics within your body, connecting the common elements between Taiwan and France, presenting a selection of songs that evoke summer, romance, and love.

Shu-Chan Chiu, a singer-songwriter hailing from Meinong and Liugui in Kaohsiung, has nurtured a lifelong affinity for her mother tongue, Hakka, since childhood. Securing the top honors in the Hakka category of both the 2020 and 2022 Taiwan Music Composition and Songwriting Contest, Shu-Chan Chiu triumphed with her singles Mong and Nightmare respectively. In July 2023, she unveiled her inaugural Hakka composition album, Shape Of Life. Completely independently produced and released, the album earned her the prestigious Best Folk Song Award at the 14th Golden Indie Music Awards. The album comprises soulful ballads about life, predominantly rooted in acoustic guitar melodies. Her mellifluous voice, akin to the first rays of dawn's warmth, intertwines with the morning dew, gently guiding the listener forward with tranquil assurance.

Abao (Aljenljeng)
Singer, songwriter, and member of the Paiwan tribe in Taitung.

In 2003, Abao made her debut with the girl group Abao & Brandy and secured the Golden Melody Award for Best Vocal Ensemble the subsequent year. Following her award win, Abao shifted her focus to music creation and immersed herself in behind-the-scenes production. In 2012, the producer of Taiwan Indigenous TV invited her to resume her role as a host on screen. As her hosting duties brought her closer to indigenous tribal cultures across Taiwan, she became increasingly involved in learning about and promoting indigenous cultures. While hosting, in 2014 she collaborated with her mother and grandmother to record the Paiwan folk ballad album “The East Payuan Folk And Three Generations”. In 2016, she released her first native-language album, “Vavayan Woman”. Her second native-language album, “Kinakaian Mother's Tongue”, released in 2019, garnered her eight Golden Melody Award nominations. Currently, she continues to intertwine mother tongue culture with multi-field performance work and advocates for the creation of mother tongue music by a new generation of indigenous youth.

Through four interconnected tales, we explore the intricate relationships between humans, gods, and destiny, highlighting Taiwan’s cultural richness. From the captivating performance of Taiwan’s renowned folk opera, “The Divine Comedy,” depicting celestial battles and the miraculous voyages of the Eight Immortals, to the heroic exploits of Hakka bandits, and the heartfelt melodies of traditional Taiwanese opera, love and loyalty intertwine. This theatrical journey not only showcases Taiwan’s vibrant heritage but also celebrates its progressive spirit, resonating with audiences worldwide

Birthday Wishes: Feudal Times – The Power of the People and the Challenges of Democracy

On the empress's birthday, all the ministers come to offer their congratulations. The empress discloses that she is considering stepping down from the throne and relinquishing her authority. She is willing to heed the counsel of the ministers and proceed with enfeoffment. The ministers begin to flatter her, speaking sweetly and persuasively. The empress is delighted, and the ministers receive what they desire. However, there is one incompetent minister who exploits the people. He flatters the empress, offering goods and favors that are not rightfully his. This leads to a people's rebellion, resulting in the overthrow of his rule. The people proclaim themselves rulers, but the problems persist; the new officials promptly reverse course and start flattering their new masters.

Birthday Wishes: Feudal Times – Democratic Countries' Capacity for Self-Examination

Two mortals trespass into the realm of the gods. Secretly, they indulge in the gods' banquet, partaking of food and drink. Listening to the gods, they realize that despite their magical powers, the gods are no wiser than humans. After being discovered by the gods, they are teased, but then granted the ability to serve as gods for a day. Using their divine powers, they win the favor and respect of their audience.

Fighting Beauty Competition: Embracing the Essence of Love

The prince's companions convene a concubine selection assembly on his behalf. Although the competing girls each possess talents admired by the prince, none manage to capture his heart. During the assembly, a quarrel erupts between two of the women, Xiuying and Fengjiao. But paradoxically, the more they quarrel, the more they find themselves drawn to each other. The prince, embracing the unexpected turn of events, decides to accept both Xiuying and Fengjiao. It transpires that Fengjiao had actually entered the concubine selection competition on behalf of her brother. The prince accepts her entering the contest. Only then do the friends realize that they have misunderstood the prince's liking from beginning to end.

Volunteer Fighters and the Military: Tolerance and Virtue

Refugee Ah-Qiang has a history of thievery. He pilfers the belongings of a nun. He also absconds with silver candlestick holders and silver plates from a temple. A policeman pursues him, leading to a scuffle in the darkness. Eventually, Ah-Qiang is apprehended. But during the trial, the nun asserts that everything Ah-Qiang purportedly stole from her was actually given to him as a gift. Lacking sufficient evidence, the judge has no choice but to acquit him. Touched by the nun's gesture, Ah-Qiang vows to embark on a new path in life.

Taiwan is surrounded by seas and towering mountains, where the people are kind and simple, living harmoniously with the island’s animals, sharing their home. One day, an evil dragon disrupted the island’s harmony, seeking to occupy the beautiful island of Taiwan. In the face of disaster, the people of Taiwan, regardless of race or ethnicity, united to confront the adversity, praying for the support and blessings of the gods. After the calamity, peace prevailed, and congratulations poured in, as the Eight Immortals descended to celebrate Taiwan’s prosperity and longevity.

Sam-seng-hiàn-gē presents a novel genre of music unique to Taiwan. The embraces the essence of local traditions, blending electronic music with elements of Taiwanese temple music, thus seamlessly crossing cultural boundaries. The exceptional band that was established by renowned music producer Blaire Ko. It also features two prominent figures in the electronic music scene, Sonic Deadhorse and fish.the, along with the talented young visual artist Children Chiu. Sam-seng-hiàn-gē channels the spirit of diverse expression and reverence for heaven and earth by embodying the essence of the three types of sacrifices: sea, land, and air. The band reflects on how to bridge the aesthetics passed down by their predecessors with contemporary expressions, encouraging more individuals to rediscover and embrace their cultural heritage. Through collaborations across different disciplines, they further offer fresh inspiration and new possibilities. Their aspiration is to serve as a conduit, linking digital sound with traditional culture, catering to music creators across all generations.

This program, titled ‘Artful Echoes,’ presents original compositions and melodic music pieces that construct contemporary musical thinking. The repertoire includes both original compositions and adaptations by the ensemble, drawing inspiration from the emotions and realizations of life. Additionally, the program features specially commissioned trio compositions, uniquely scored for zheng, zhongruan, and dizi. It is hoped that this performance will bring warmth and a sense of intimacy, showcasing the innovative charm of contemporary Taiwanese traditional music.

A Root is an orchestra that blends traditional Chinese instruments like sheng, yueqin, liuqin, and zhongruan with modern elements such as piano, cello, bass, percussion, and vocals. Drawing inspiration from Taiwanese culture they engage in a process of deconstruction and reconstruction weaving stories that wander among opera songs, jazz vocabulary, and electronic sounds. Their integration of Taiwan's diverse languages, contemporary folk customs, and Taiwanese flavors transforms their music into an island celebration with multidimensional fun.

Established in 2017, the Go Go Machine Orchestra hails from Taiwan. Based in Kaohsiung, the ensemble crafts music using a diverse array of instruments, including piano, percussion, guitar, electronic noise, and synthesizers. The members of the orchestra are accomplished music and sound artists. The music style orbits around minimalism, intricately weaving together the arrangement, deconstruction, and reconstruction of diverse musical elements.

Presently, the ensemble has as members Kuan-Yin Chen on guitar, Ni-Li Tang on piano, Pin-Hsin Wang handling the synthesizer, and Ting-Chun Yeh on percussion. In 2019, they released their debut album Time, earning nominations at the 9th Golden Indie Music Awards for Best Live Performance, and at the 10th Golden Indie Music Awards for Best Crossover Music Album and Best Live Performance. That same year, they received an invitation to perform at the Asia Rolling Music Festival. Throughout their performances, they showcased a seamless fusion of image synthesis and minimalist rock music, epitomizing synergy. That year, their talents were sought after internationally, with invitations to perform in France, the Netherlands, and Poland. They made history as the first Taiwanese band to grace the stage at Les Trans Musicales de Rennes in France and secured another milestone as the premier Taiwanese band to be invited to record a live session for KEXP, a renowned American radio station. In both July 2020 and January 2021, they received invitations from the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts to present Shift in Space as part of the museum's REOPEN series of activities. They participated in an online concert as part of the Primavera Pro music festival in Barcelona, Spain, in June 2021. In February 2022, they orchestrated the immersive live performance Illusion Fantasy featuring holographic projections. In October of the same year, they took part in the Baybeats music festival in Singapore. In May 2023, they received another invitation to the Wales Focus music festival in the UK, where their performance was warmly embraced.

As the repetitive machinery hums and noise builds, a formidable wall of sound emerges. The electric guitar soars with high-pitched whines, while the xylophone delicately interweaves, rearranging and harmonizing the array of musical elements. Fragmented and reconstructed, minimalist melodies intertwine with digital compositions, slow rhythms, percussive beats, and electronic textures, forming a multifaceted tapestry of sound. It strikes the listener's senses like the stark contrast of a typical noodle shop tucked away in a roadside alley. In an era that champions interdisciplinary endeavors, the group actively seek collaborations with artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. It enables the audience to delve deeper into the poetry, accessing the soul through both visual and auditory pathways.

“Shapeless” presents a performance through audiovisual means, interpreting the fluidity of forms through both auditory and visual elements. Many things are transient. Consciousness is transient, gender is transient, decisions are transient, and forms are also transient. From the perspective of quantum mechanics, all objects exist between tangible and intangible states, all being vibrations of quantum nature. The appearance of forms is merely determined by our subjective consciousness. Musically, “Shapeless” navigates through various genres like flowing water in a 40-minute composition. In terms of visual design, abundant abstract and shape-shifting elements echo the theme of Shapeless.

Nymphia Wind, renowned for introducing Taiwan to the world through her drag art, will lead the Haus of Wind girls Bagel Rimrim, Hannah Monina, Tina Banana, and Aphrodity to undergo a transformation into Taiwanese showgirls. They will take to an electronic float stage during the Cultural Olympics. Taiwan's island scenery and cultural landscape are translated into stunningly beautiful costumes. Witness how the Queen of the Haus of Wind showcases Taiwan's passion, diversity, faith, and myriad flavors through the adventurous aesthetics of cross-dressing. Let's craft a Taiwan impression with the audience in the birthplace of the Folies shows.

A captive soul, now gracefully morphing with the body’s fluidity, breaks free from constraints, riding on the surge of newfound liberty, emerging from the cocoon. The performance takes on the form of fluid feminine circus, breaking gender constructs and self-imposed limitations. Harnessing the energy imbued in circus body and skills, it explores various expressions distinct from conventional beauty, offering an alternative reflection and contemplation.

“Eating and drinking” is an indispensable part of life, and cuisine is the embodiment of the culture of each country/city. Taiwan and France each have their unique culinary traditions. A piece of music, a taste, can trigger personal emotions or shared memories. This performance will be inspired by a visible “call-in” to create, inviting local French dancers to collaborate. Let the ever-spinning Taiwanese lazy Susan round table lead everyone into the sensory memories of Taiwan.