Taipei Performing Arts Center to open Aug. 5 with ballroom performances

2022-07-28

The long-awaited Taipei Performing Arts Center is opening in August, with a series of programs for its grand opening. One of its shows will be a ballroom dance performance telling the story of Taiwan’s history. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a preview.

Ballroom dancers take the stage wearing colorful costumes. This scene tells the love story of a couple at Taipei’s Yuanshan Park during the Japanese colonial period in the 1930s.

Chen Yu-ju
Director
This piece was inspired by an old photo of the Yuanshan Park. I thought that since ballroom dancing involves a man and a woman dancing together, I came up with a scene for the couple to go on a date at the park.

There’s also a ballroom dance piece inspired by the Taiwan Pride Parade.

Liu Ruo-yu
Taipei Performing Arts Center chairwoman
When we were thinking about Taiwan’s transformation over the years, from the Japanese colonial period to the present, we thought that the Pride Parade had to be included in the show. This program is based on the theme of love and discusses relationships. So at this point in time, the challenges that everyone has faced for gender equality, can be expressed through this outlet.

The Taipei Performing Arts Center is officially opening in August. For its opening show, it’ll showcase eight love stories that took place in Taiwan over the years. Scenes range from the 1930s, the Japanese colonial period, the arrival of American soldiers in Taiwan, modern-day pandemic life, and all the way to the future in the year 3022.

Chen Yu-ju
Director
We have a screenwriter. We decided on the era first, and then chose the music accordingly. Though some of the scenes may feel a bit distant for some audiences, we hope that the performance can evoke memories through the songs and dances.

After a brief soft opening period from March to May, The Taipei Performing Arts Center will officially open to the public in August.

北藝中心將開幕國標舞音樂舞劇打頭陣

2022-07-28

台北表演藝術中心將於8月開幕，屆時將有一系列的節目迎接喜訊。其中包括一個國標舞音樂舞劇，講述台灣的歷史故事。

舞台上，舞者演出音樂舞劇的精采片段，眼前的場景描述1930年代日治時期，一對小情侶在台北圓山公園上演的愛情故事。

[[執行導演陳侑汝]]
"像是圓山公園早期照片，那個場景從照片發想的，那時候想說，國標舞者都是一男一女的配對，我們想說讓小倆口在公園裡面約會 "

與性別平權相關的同志大遊行議題，也包括在其中。

[[臺北表演藝術中心董事長劉若瑀]]
"我們就想說，台北的變化，從日治時代一步一步走過來，走到現在，就想說不能少掉這個大遊行，這個節目是以愛為主題，討論情愛的關係，在這個時間點，大家能夠面對性別平等的挑戰的時候，好像需要有表達的出口"

台北表演藝術中心將於8月正式開幕，首檔節目由8段不同的故事，順時性串聯而成，從1930年開始，歷經日治時期、美軍駐台、符合當今現況的「口罩時光」，一直到3022年。

[[執行導演陳侑汝]]
"我們有文本的編劇，把年代的想像先提出來，然後針對每個年代去挑，我們是從音樂先開始找到，我們希望說觀眾在看的時候，他其實也有些年代有點遙遠，但是可能喚起某些記憶，透過歌曲、舞蹈"

台北表演藝術中心經過3至5月的試營運後，將於8月正式開幕。