Taichung's 'Best Music Scene in Taiwan' has become 'No Music Scene' Thanks authoritarian regime! Almost every place with live entertainment has been closed now after the Ala pub caught fire killing 9 people. The Taipei Times has an article with some of the facts.
It appears that the problem is that the government hasn't been doing their job in terms of inspections. A couple of local officials lost their jobs, and the rest of the enforcement team is shutting down anything and everything they can. I'm beginning to wonder if they aren't using the fire as an excuse to shut down places that don't have the right connections, because it's an obvious over-reaction to the problem. They aren't giving business owners any options, or are telling people they owe millions of dollars in back taxes. Not to mention that the liquor license laws are completely ambiguous. It's impossible to obey the letter of the law when the government is making it up as they go along!
All my Taiwanese friends point out that the government and organized crime leaders hang out in the same places, so it's not much of a leap to assume that they are working together to eliminate the competition... Of course that's just me thinking out loud...
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
More Venue Closures in Taichung City
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Police...Again
The police showed up at my show tonight at PJs -again! It wasn't even 10pm yet... No noise complaints from the neighbors, just the fact that when they drive by they can see a performer through the window. It's getting bad.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Too Many Performances!
4 gigs in 26 hours? Am I crazy? -I think yes. Compass International Food and Music Festival, PJs Cafe, a wedding reception, and DC stage in Kaohsiung. I don't know how I got myself into this, but at least it'll be over in a day!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Dream Induced Song -'Something's In The Air'
Another 'dream induced' tune I woke up with in my head yesterday. I'm a strange man...
Something's In The Air
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Food and Music -Taichung Style!
Annual Festival in Taichung city -Compass Food and Music Festival Chen Mo at 4pm.
Monday, May 16, 2011
'Kiss You on the Moon' -new tune by friend Benjamin Ellis
Love this new original by old friend from Portland! He lives in New Orleans now.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Trip Over the Mountains to Taroko Gorge
Taiwan your natural beauty thrills and surprises me at least as much as your people! I'm happy that we're getting to spend some time with Samantha's parents here in Taiwan! Taroko Gorge: WOW! 哦台灣！你是了不起的！太魯閣哇！
Friday, May 13, 2011
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Off to Explore Taiwan!
Another awesome night performing at PJ's! Samantha's parents got to come, hear me play, and eat PJ's wonderfully tasty vittles! Now off to explore the wilds of Taiwan for a week!
