Taiwanese Waves Meetup – August 3, 2025

We’ll meet at 4:30 PM by Ralph’s Coffee, 888 Madison Ave, NYC 10021, then walk together to Rumsey Playfield in Central Park for the show Taiwanese Waves. Doors open at 5 PM, with the event running from 6 to 10 PM.

🕓 Our Afternoon Plan

4:30 PM – Ralph’s Coffee: We’ll gather outside Ralph’s Coffee (on Madison at 71st St), grab a drink, catch up, and head into the park together.

5:00 PM – Into Central Park: We’ll stroll to Rumsey Playfield, pick a good spot, and get ready for the performances. Admission is free and open to all.

6:00–10:00 PM – Performances Begin: Three Taiwanese acts plus a DJ set will offer music and dance that span traditions and contemporary expression.

🎭 Performer Biographies

Bulareyaung Dance Company (布拉瑞揚舞團)

Founded in 2015 by Indigenous choreographer Bulareyaung Pagarlava of the Paiwan tribe, this Taitung-based company integrates Indigenous traditions and nature into contemporary movement. Their training often takes place outdoors—dancing in mountains, chanting by water—drawing from ancestral rituals to create a distinct expressive vocabulary.

ABAO & Nanguaq Girls (阿爆 + 那屋瓦少女隊)

ABAO is a celebrated pop artist from Taiwan’s Indigenous Paiwan community who performs primarily in her native language. She debuted with Abao & Brandy, then began releasing solo albums featuring lyrics co-written with her mother. The Nanguaq Girls are a young Indigenous vocal ensemble from Taiwan, mentored by ABAO as part of cultural revival efforts.

Enno Cheng (鄭宜農)

Enno is a multifaceted Taiwanese artist known for her airy, piano‑based pop songs, themed around outer space. She is also an actress and author, and performs with the band Chocolate Tiger. Her solo LPs combine poetic lyricism with sparse, intimate arrangements.

🌙 Why We’re Excited

This is the 6th edition of Taiwanese Waves, curated to broaden how we hear Taiwanese music—featuring songs in Mandarin, Taiwanese, and Indigenous languages. Enno Cheng offers a poetic presence. ABAO and the Nanguaq Girls connect generations through Indigenous storytelling. Bulareyaung Dance Company brings movement rooted in land and heritage.

📋 Quick Summary

4:30 PM – Meet at Ralph’s Coffee, 888 Madison Ave

5:00 PM – Walk into Central Park and find spots at Rumsey Playfield

6–10 PM – Watch Enno Cheng → ABAO + Nanguaq Girls → Bulareyaung Dance Company → Chinatown Records DJ set

We’re really looking forward to sharing this evening—discovering Indigenous Taiwan through dance and music under the open sky of Central Park.