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Taiwan Studies Program, Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington

[April 24- May 28] Music, Island, Stories: Taiwan Calling!

January 29, 2024

In partnership with the Taipei Music Center, the UW Taiwan Studies Arts & Culture Program welcomes you to celebrate Taiwan’s pop music through the “MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES: TAIWAN CALLING!” program on the UW campus. In addition to the mini concert (April 3) and pop-up exhibition (April 24-May 28) at the Allen Library North Lobby, Kay Huang (黃韻玲), Ma Shih-Fang (馬世芳), and Chen Te-Cheng (陳德政) will also join us at the in-person public roundtable discussion and reception on April 24, as well as two guided exhibition tour on April 25 & 26.

MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES: TAIWAN CALLING!

Our Song, Our Era

Taiwan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and it has a range of tall mountains running down its center, creating a distinctive geography. Over the past half century, thanks in part to its historical situation, Taiwan has given rise to several generations of outstanding singers and songwriters. Their classic songs and albums have established themselves at the emotional core of the ethnic Chinese world. These songs have reflected the pulse of their times and affected countless listeners, becoming precious cultural assets and parts of the collective memory.

The Taipei Music Center is one of Taiwan’s leading cultural institutions. Its mission is to promote Taiwanese popular music and to grow and deepen the music industry. In 2021, it established the permanent exhibit “MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES: Pop Music in Taiwan.” This year it has selected some of the best parts of that exhibit to be displayed overseas for the first time, in the hope that foreign listeners can experience the attractions of Mandarin pop music, expanding opportunities for international cultural exchange.

SPEAKERS

Kay Huang (黃韻玲) is currently the chairperson of the Taipei Music Center. She is a veteran of the Mandarin popular music scene as a composer, arranger, musician, producer, television program host, radio program host, and actress in theater, film and television. She has been a judge for singing competitions and the head of a record company. She has won Best Composition at the Golden Melody Awards, and Special Contribution Award and Best Singer-Songwriter at the Golden Indie Awards.

Ma Shih-Fang (馬世芳) is a Taiwanese radio personality, writer, and television host. He has won six Golden Bell Awards for his radio work. His book Subterranean Homesick Blues was nominated for a Golden Tripod Award and was awarded one of “The Best Books from Taiwan” at the Taipei International Book Exhibition in 2008. His third book, Lend Me Your Ears, won the China Times Kaijuan Good Book Award. He was the chief editor and one of the translators of The Lyrics: 1961-2012 (Traditional Chinese edition) by Bob Dylan. He was also nominated for the Golden Bell Award for Best Variety Show Host for his work on the PTS show Viva Music Season 4.

Chen Te-Cheng (陳德政) is a writer and a DJ. He earned a B. A. in Communication from National Chengchi University and an M. A. from the School of Media Studies at The New School in New York. His published works include books of music-related essays such as The Long Goodbye. In 2019, he joined the K2 Taiwan Expedition Team, and his book on the experience, A White Summer, won the TIBE Book Prize for Non-fiction. He hosts the podcasts Pilgrimage: The Hero’s Journey and Pilgrimage: Ways To Nature. In 2024, he published his newest work, The Passage of Youth.

April 3 @ 12:30 PM | UW Allen Library North Lobby

MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES: TAIWAN CALLING!

POP-UP MINI CONCERT

with UW SCHOOL OF MUSIC, feat. Joyce Chiao Yu Wu, Alex Fang, and Karen Haining.

 

April 24 – May 28, 2024 | UW Allen Library North Lobby

MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES: TAIWAN CALLING!

POP-UP EXHIBITION

Grow with the nourishment of this land; thrive with the freedom in this air.

 

 

April 24, 2024 | UW Walker Ames Room (KNE 225)

PUBLIC ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

with Kay Huang (黃韻玲), Ma Shih-Fang (馬世芳), and Chen Te-Cheng (陳德政)

April 25 & 26, 2024 | UW Allen Library North Lobby

GUIDED EXHIBITION TOUR

with Kay Huang (黃韻玲), Ma Shih-Fang (馬世芳), and Chen Te-Cheng (陳德政)

MUSIC, ISLAND, STORIES: TAIWAN CALLING! is a collective effort between the UW Taiwan Studies Arts & Culture Program and its generous partners: Taipei Music Center (Taiwan), Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs, and Tateuchi East Asia Library.