As we move into October, Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts will be officially inaugurated on Saturday, October 13! In Taiwanese tradition, homeowners usually host housewarming parties prior to moving into their new homes. It is believed that visitors will bring good luck and happiness. Come visit Weiwuying before the Grand Opening, catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and join us in celebrating many joyous years ahead. The event is to run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 10.

Eating is prohibited within the theatre. Weiwuying has prepared many recitals and performances to passionately welcome each visitor, featuring traditional Chinese opera, drum music, and a pipe organ recital at the concert hall, the theatre playhouse, and the recital hall. Shows, from 15 to 30 minutes long, are to take place from noon to 6:30 p.m. with free walk-in admission. The front hall of the Opera House is open to showcase Milong Installation Art. Additionally, the outdoor markets are open at the south park of Weiwuying from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on October 10, October 13, and October 14 respectively.
 

Weiwuying’s concert hall, unique in Taiwan for its vineyard style, invites two performing groups: a pipe organ recital by Hsin-hung Liu, and TBLE Brass. Organist Hsin-hung Liu is to play the biggest pipe organ in Asia. TBLE Brass is to perform a non-language comedy entitled “All The King’s Men” featuring classical music and physical comedy at the concert hall, to congratulate the grand opening of Weiwuying.
 

▲Hsin-hung Liu

The center’s theater playhouse is to feature a musical and theatrical introduction “Join us at the Housewarming Party”. Led by director Po-ang Hsu, the 11-year-old Po You Base Troupe, performs traditional Chinese opera and modern theater. Actors will be simulating the roles of ushers to lead audience members to their seats and offering introductions to the singing and acting to follow. Their performance aims to integrate the rules and regulations of theatres into the content of their play, allowing citizens to better familiarize themselves with theatres while enjoying the performance.

Total Musical Theatre, a local musical group in Kaohsiung led by screenwriter and director Wei-wei Wu, is to perform “New York…er”, a musical fusing pop music, jazz, and Broadway shows. This musical uses renting as a common experience to describe four young Taiwanese living in New York and discusses how they pursue their dreams abroad, conquer difficulties, and develop good friendship in a tiny apartment. This musical will fully present a hilarious and touching episodic format of modern television.

Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, the largest theatre under a single roof, spans 3.3 hectares. Inspired by lush banyan trees in the nearby park, architect Francine Houben created the silver white avant-garde exterior. The fence-free style keeps the openness of the park, blending seamlessly into the surrounding environment and allowing people to access the center freely. It creates an intimacy between theatre and life and turns itself into a new cultural landmark in Taiwan.

The Grand Opening Season Program invites great artists from various fields to exchange views and perspectives with us. Award-winning Dutch architect, Francine Houben will talk about her design concepts of Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Theatre for the Arts, sharing how she transformed a space through architect design aspects into a popular and wonderful arts center. Tickets are available from noon on Tuesday, October 2 via the NTCH Ticketing System. Each ticket is 100 NTD.
 

▲Francine Houben

Apart from the rich Grand Opening Season Program, you are invited to stroll around the open commercial space, occupying roughly 500+ pings and attracting seven shops, including Milieu Tea House and Perfume Dance restaurant on the first floor as well as Fun Stage Corner, Stage5 Bistro, I-pin Cheese Cake, Jiu Zhen Nan Taiwan Pastry, and X Simtree Café on the third floor. The diverse stores aim to satisfy your preference for various dining options. Weiwuying lifetime members enjoy 10% off any purchase at these stores. Special discounts are made available during the Grand Opening Season. All the announcements are given by each store.

Weiwuying Opening Season offers a special Ticket Combo. Enjoy 20% off for purchases of 500 NTD and above with at least one show per month of October, November, and December. It is only available until October 31 so please seize the great limited offer.