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4 Days Celebrations at Weiwuying from October 10-13
National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) is celebrating its first anniversary on October 13! The arts center prides itself as a center for everyone and has designed a four-day celebration filled with open house, public events, outdoor concerts, open rehearsals, talks and anniversary souvenirs!
Kicking off celebrations on National Day, October 10th, Weiwuying’s Open House will let visitors catch excerpt rehearsals of world-class performances, The Magic Flute and Autumn River ; while in the signature Concert Hall organist Hsin-Hung Liu’s will have two performances with ‘Asia’s largest organ’; Recital Hall unveils with three whimsical shows by local theater companies, Big JuTuan and Funk Theatre.
As the sunsets at the outdoor theater, Weiwuying presents live music outdoor event starting 7pm, SUPERMUSICALIDOCIOUS, featuring the most sought-after pop and indie musicians in Taiwan: 9m88, Evan Yo and Accusefive.
Weiwuying’s first year has proved successful, “by the enthusiastic support of every single friend that has visited and participated in our events,” Artistic Director Chien Wen-Pin says in humility.
“Throughout the preparation stage, to opening, and first year operations, Weiwuying is unlike any other arts centers not only in size but the expectations and missions that we carry. This year has definitely been a challenge, for the team and also for the city of Kaohsiung. How the arts center connects to the everyday lives of its citizens has been the core discussion on what we do.” Chien continues.
“Weiwuying is about breaking stereotypes, on doing that, much of what we do seems rebellious, and to be rebellious requires courage.” Chien stressed that being courageous has enabled more possibilities, and the team will continue to break down barriers, make sure that the center is for anyone and everyone.
Enthusiastic is certainly true about Weiwuying’s audiences. On October 3rd, within 1.5 hours of the first day that free tickets for the open rehearsal of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s and the opera The Magic Flute open for registration, all tickets were gone. People started queueing since 7am for a registration opening at 11am. If you were one to miss the open rehearsal registrations, limited tickets to both shows are still available.
There are also chances to catch Open House performances in the Concert Hall and Recital Halls on the day will also be available at the doors of the venue starting 11am on October 10th.
Starting October 11th, Weiwuying Playhouse will see the world premiere of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s world premiere of EXCHANGE, a triple bill of triple magnitude by renowned choreographers Lin Hwai-min, Chung-lung Cheng and Tao Ye of TAO Dance Theater.
While the Opera House will see Taiwanese premiere of Komische Oper Berlin and British theater group 1927’s worldwide sensation The Magic Flute. With more than 350 performances in more than 25 cities, accumulating more than 500,000 audiences under its belt, The Magic Flute is not to be missed!
On October 12th, one and only concert of internationally renowned organist from the Notre Dame, Olivier Latry in the Concert Hall. Latry is also Weiwuying’s organ consultant, once said, “Weiwuying organ is every organist’s dream, unlimited repertoire can be played on this set of organs.” Is this not all the reason for us to experience the Concert Hall?