To share the beauty and vitality of Taiwan's diverse culture and arts, the Taiwan Culture Month in New York will return this year with an even more comprehensive lineup of concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, and forums from May 18 through July 14.
C O N C E R T S
‘Poetry, Sizhu, and Taiwanese Opera'
One of Taiwan's most famous traditional Chinese music ensembles will bring a comprehensive program on sizhu music, a classical style of musical arrangement using traditional Chinese string and woodwind instruments, to New York from May 26 to 28.
The three-concert series named "Poetry, Sizhu, and Taiwanese Opera” will offer "Classic Sizhu” - classical repertoire with fresh, novel arrangements; "Modern Sizhu” - commissioned works from Taiwanese composers; and "Poetry and Taiwanese Opera” - innovative pieces integrating classic Tang Dynasty poetry with Taiwanese operatic music.
- May 26 2pm, Mid-Manhattan Library (455 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016), followed by a Q&A session with the musicians
- May 27 3.30pm, Queens Botanical Garden (43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY 11355) free with park admission
- May 28 1pm, Passport to Taiwan Festival, Union Square, NY
‘Hello Taiwan'
The "Hello Taiwan” concert series can trace its roots back to 2010, when members of the New York Taiwanese American community first organized a rock concert to promote Taiwan culture and music. Now a multiple-act event that tours the US East Coast on an annual basis, "Hello Taiwan” has developed close ties with indie music venues and cultural festivals.
This year, indigenous singer-songwriter Biung (王宏恩), up-and-coming artist Sean Huang (黃昺翔), and Hakka contemporary ensemble Gina's Can (吉那罐子) will hold two concerts in New York as part of the 2017 Taiwan Culture Month - one at Joe's Pub on May 27, and another on May 28 at the Passport to Taiwan Festival on Union Square to celebrate Taiwanese American Heritage Week.
- 5/27 1pm New York, NY - JOE'S PUB
- 5/28 12pm New York, NY - Passport to Taiwan Festival (Union Square)
‘A Sketchbook of Contemporary Music from Taiwan'
Hailed as "an impressively organized and professional group” by the New York Concert Reviews, the New Asia Chamber Music Society (新亞室內樂協會) will introduce three pieces of classic music by veteran Taiwanese composers on June 10 at the Taipei Cultural Center in New York.
- 6/10 4pm, TECO-NY (1 E. 42nd St.) - RSVP required
F I L M S
‘Beyond Fiction: The Neglected Voices Behind History'
The Mid-Manhattan Library will host a four-part film series from June 4 through 25 to explore the neglected voices from contemporary Taiwanese and East Asian society and history.
Delving into personal life stories as well as family memories, these films display the wide range of Taiwan's historical complexity, which is far greater and more varied than mainstream narratives may suggest.
L E C T U R E S
‘Path to Life - A Steel Cable Connecting the World'
- Date: May 18, 6.30pm
- Venue: TECO-NY (1 E. 42nd St.)
- Lecturer: Sculptor Kang Mu-Xiang (康木祥)
‘The Expression of Emotion in Traditional Chinese Music'
- Date: May 25, 6pm
- Venue: Flushing Library (41-17 Main St, Flushing)
- Lecturer: Huang Chen-Ming(黃正銘), Chai Found Music Workshop
‘Taiwanese Hand Puppet Making Workshop'
- Date: May 27, 2pm
- Venue: Queens Botanical Garden (43-50 Main St, Flushing)
- Lecturer: Puppeteer Wang Da-chung (王大中)
‘Illustration Workshop'
- Date: June 1, 3.30pm
- Venue: TECO-NY (1 E. 42nd St.)
- Lecturer: Nina Edwards, Adjunct Professor of Pratt Institute
‘On Beauty - An Architectural Quest for Home'
- Date: June 22, 6.30pm
- Venue: TECO-NY (1 E. 42nd St.)
- Lecturer: Eric Wong (王紀凡) Professor at the Architecture School of Pratt Institute
E X H I B I T I O N S
‘Considerate Creations: Chameleons - Part II'
- Date: June 16 - July 14, 2017
- Venue: Gallery 456 (456 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York)