Getting Your Beatrock Music Anniversay Celebrations On

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Buzzword For The Week: WikiLeaks

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Even if you've been living under a rock in a cesspool of your own spit (cherry flavored hopefully) I'm just hoping you know the buzzword of the week:

WikiLeaks aka - WikiLeakage.

30 Reasons To Support The Asian American Writers' Workshop

Tuesday, November 30, 2010



  1. We're the place to go when your mother tells you you're wasting your life with this writing thing.
  2. The United Asian American Organizations named us one of the top five Asian American groups in the country.
  3. We helped curate the first Asian American ComiCon where we held a panel on the politics and aesthetics of nerds. You know, your people?
  4. We're fun. We curated the book party for Monique Truong's new novel about synaesthesia and handed out miracleberries, the fruit that rewires your taste buds.
  5. The mother of a Workshop youth program student writes: "After a turbulent year of racism and bullying in his own school, [my son] was delighted to discover a supportive circle of peers at the Workshop. 'I never knew there was a place like this,' he marveled to me after the first day. 'I felt like I belonged on the spot.'"
  6. You think literature should connect to real life. You like that we've done programs on transnational adoption, desi teens in Silicon Valley, Jose Rizal, Bollywood-influenced weddings, the formation of the Chinese American middle class, political reform in China, Burma and Bangladesh, and the Cultural Revolution.
  7. Not only are we one of the most active Asian American and literary spaces in New York, we're also most most stylistically diverse. We've featured Fatima Bhutto, enfant terrible Tao Lin, avant-pop electronica duo Matmos, Law & Order's B.D. Wong, LOLCats entrepreneur Ben Huh, Pulitzer-winning poet Louise Gluck, Slate music writer Hua Hsu, Watchmen writer Alex Tse, G.I. Joe creator Larry Hama, crime novelist Henry Chang, journalist Jennifer 8. Lee, saxophonist-activist Fred Ho, hip hop activist Jeff Chang, architect Billie Tsien, Crimean Tatar absurdist rocker Cihan Kaan, legal blogger David Lat, and Pakistani punk band The Kominas.
  8. You got free beer, ice cream, and a mix CD at our MIX TAPE READING featuring seven writers writing about their favorite songs.
  9. We've been doing all this on personal computers!
  10. Your dollars make sure we are around the next Thursday night you decide to need to hear some poems, drink some booze, lament, and celebrate.
Okay - so technically that was only ten - but I'm coming off a Holiday Buzz, some time off, and a past couple of months that have been really really busy -- and you can read the rest here and if you're so inclined donate.

At Your Service 2: Benefit For Coalition For Asian American Children & Families

Tuesday, November 30, 2010



Plan your schedule accordingly because what beats doing something good and having a kick ass time?

Exactly.

Give a $20 donation at the door
Get a $10 Auction Coupon

Wednesday, December 8th
6:30 pm - 10 pm
Chinatown Brasserie
380 Lafayette Street, NYC

Emceed by: Helen Hong, Comedian and Producer/Host of K-Date

Music by: DJ VNA

Hosted by: CACF's Action Council

Ring in the holidays with dim sum and drink specials!
Bid on amazing services donated by some of our talented supporters!
WIN Dance Lessons * Home-cooked Meals * Photo Sessions * Fitness Classes* And MORE!

Random FM ft Roger Sanchez

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

And A Happy Turkey Day

Thursday, November 25, 2010



Whether it be the strip club, the poker table, a movie, some family, a group of friends, or even the drive-thru at some random restaurant that's somehow open, at the shopping mall, or even if you're not celebrating but hard at work because that's just what you have to do....well -- eat, drink, and remember the one golden rule:

Tofurkey isn't as good as the real thing.

Bill Imada, Outsourced, And Guy Aoki

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Caught this article down at Advertising Age and wanted to pass it on.

"It would have been more ground breaking and refreshing if [NBC] had an Indian American as the star -- someone who had to go to India but has no knowledge of the culture or language," states Guy Aoki, founding president of Media Access Network for Asian Americans (MANAA). Aoki believes that casting an Asian-American actor as the "Outsourced" lead character would have forced viewers to put aside their preconceived notions about Asian Americans, who are often viewed as perpetual foreigners because of the way they look. According to Aoki, "It would send the message that we can't assume that someone with an Indian face is a foreigner and not as American as anyone else. Maybe [NBC] could introduce a character like that in the future."

But even Aoki agrees that the program has merit.

"'Outsourced' is positive in that it tackles the issue of outsourcing jobs head-on," notes Aoki, who has taken on the networks and studios for not portraying real-world issues and challenges. "I was surprised that people would watch a series about Indians at call centers because there is so much resentment about American jobs going to India."
Read it in full here.

Jonathan Lee: Teach 'Em Young

Monday, November 22, 2010



If you think you need to be of driving age to stage a demonstration in Tiananmen Square (trying to get the DMZ between North and South Korea turned into a peace park) where only minutes later you get picked up by Chinese authorities - think again.

Being thirteen will suffice.

A 13-year-old American boy campaigning to turn the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea into a peace park tried to get the Chinese president's attention Monday, staging a brief protest near Tiananmen Square before being led away by police. Jonathan Lee unfurled a sign saying "peace treaty" and "nuclear free DMZ children's peace forest" as he stood outside Tiananmen Gate just north of the square in central Beijing [...]

Less than a minute after Lee began his demonstration, a man presumed to be a plainclothes police officer grabbed the boy's sign and waved away watching journalists, who had been contacted by Lee's family ahead of time. Three or four uniformed police officers then hurriedly escorted Lee and his mother away without commotion. Police held the pair and a few hours later Lee and his mother, Melissa Lee, returned to their hotel where they were joined by the boy's father and sister. The family arrived unaccompanied at Beijing airport Monday evening to catch a Korean Airlines flight to Seoul, but declined to comment to The Associated Press.
All I have to say is that you should give this kid a lot of kudos because at thirteen I was just thinking of a way to keep my fake mustache on so I could get into the strip club and the only thing I would have been protesting (even though I wasn't protesting anything) would have been the right to knock down a few beers at an early age and since I wasn't really that smart at that time either (and not much has changed folks) I would have been advocating for 21.

Yeah.

Definitely gotta give it up for this kid.

Soiree: Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Damn straight:

Academy Award Nominee Iris Yamashita (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Quentin Lee, director of The People I've Slept With will be amongst the celebrities at the CAPE Soiree.

The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) presents its highly-anticipated “CAPE Soiree” at Vibiana (210 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012), December 2, 2010; 6:30-11:00pm.

This year’s electrifying event will feature special appearances by the two Mr. Sulus of Star Trek: John Cho and the legendary George Takei.

Tickets are $75.00 for CAPE Members; $95.00 for Nonmembers. A special Soiree Combo Ticket is also available. Ticket purchase and detailed information are available at www.capeusa.org.

Additional celebrity guests include Dancing With the Stars’ Carrie Ann Inaba, Twilight’s Justin Chon, and Gilmore Girl’s Keiko Agena. Honorees are Comedian Ken Jeong and CBS President of Entertainment, Nina Tassler.

About CAPE: Founded in 1991 in Los Angeles, CAPE is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing diversity and creating social change by actively developing, promoting, and positioning Asian Pacific Americans for key artistic and leadership roles in the entertainment industry and media arts.
More information can be found at Capeusa.org.

Kal Penn Comes Back Home (To The White House)

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

It seems like even the third installment of Harold and Kumar can't keep Kal Penn away from his rightful place at the White House doing - well - apparently what he was doing before (I'm joking).

Kal Penn, former actor of television series “House,” is returning to the White House after fulfilling contract obligations for the third and latest “Harold and Kumar" installment.

The White House recently issued a statement that said Penn, the only successful Indian American actor in Hollywood, has been appointed as the go-to person “for those in the Arts, Youth, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.”

Profile: Chau Trinh-Shevrin + New York University’s Center for the Study of Asian American Health

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Because you may want to know:

For years, New York health-care providers treated Asian-Americans afflicted by serious, even life-threatening illnesses with ever-increasing frequency. Many doctors in the nation’s largest city agreed that Asians seemed particularly at risk for specific health problems just like any other racial group, but there was neither research nor statistics supporting physician observations.

Enter New York University’s Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH), which emphasizes community-based participatory research and problem solving. Established in 2003, it is perhaps the only center of its kind at a U.S. academic medical center dedicated solely to evaluating public health issues of this racial group. Among other things, CSAAH:

Develops and conducts research to address and eliminate health disparities.

Builds and improves public and private partnerships to increase outreach and advocacy in response to social and other inequities faced by Asian-Americans.
And if you do.

Wednesday Night Covers + Mary Seno

Wednesday, November 17, 2010



And A Ukulele Cover

Random Cool Factoid: There Really Could Be An Asian American President (Now...If People Happened To Die)

Wednesday, November 17, 2010



Did you know that since Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) is now president pro tempore of the Senate (elected to the position on Monday) that he's Number Three in line to take over the presidency?

Sure, you can say it will never happen and that this isn't anything to actually post up on - but really - stranger things have happened.

And yes.

That still shocks me.

Go Wisconsin?

And Just In Case You Were Wondering...

Wednesday, November 17, 2010



Jean Quan was the actual winner.

I Refudiate You + Brandy Got The Shaft

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Sweet sweet Palinism's:

Sarah Palin's lack of command of the English language has led the Global Language Monitor to name "refudiate" as one of the top words used in 2010. When trying to look smart by combining "refute" and "repudiate," Palin's verbal faux pas became an Internet sensation.
Nice.

That Palin Can't Dance

I'm just going to say that no matter what you think the fact that Brandy got voted off DWTS over the other Palin simply says that the end of the world is coming.

Really.

Mu Performing Arts + Cowboy Versus Samurai

Wednesday, November 17, 2010



The Guthrie Theater presents
a Mu Performing Arts production of
Cowboy Versus Samurai
by Michael Golamco
directed by Randy Reyes


The lives of the only two Asian Americans in the tiny town of Breakneck, Wyoming, are turned upside down when the beautiful Veronica Lee, a Korean American teacher from New York City, moves to town. Cowboy Versus Samurai is a romantic comedy that re-imagines the Cyrano de Bergerac story in which the "nose" is race. This production features actors John Catron, Sun Mee Chomet (Macbeth), Kurt Kwan (Mu's production of Yellow Face) and Sherwin Resurreccion (M. Butterfly).
Ticket Prices

Tue, Wed, Sun Evening; Weekday Matinees $22
Thu Evening; Sat & Sun Matinees $26
Fri & Sat Evenings $30

This Just Isn't Hello Kitty

Tuesday, November 16, 2010



Usually I don't post things people send me that I could care less about it - but in this case I'll make an exception simply because this picture just isn't the way to get Hello Kitty back on the radar (wait...did it ever leave?)

And yes - if you don't know these White People I don't blame you (and you can be White too): Ashlee Simpson and hubby Pete Wentz.

Yup. He looks thrilled doesn't he?

Kyle Chu, Mr. Hyphen, And Tell Me More

Monday, November 15, 2010



Mr. Hyphen, a signature event of Hyphen magazine, celebrates Asian-American men who are committed to strengthening their communities through a contest structured like a beauty pageant. The prize is a $1000 donation to the winner's nonprofit organization. Host Michel Martin speaks with winner Kyle Chu, a self-proclaimed "queer Chinese-American and San Francisco native," to learn why he chose to compete, how gender and racial stereotypes have affected him personally, and what social changes he strives to accomplish for the Asian-American community [...]

Welcome and congratulations.

Mr. KYLE CHU (Winner, Mr. Hyphen 2010): Thank you so much. It's a pleasure to be here today.

MARTIN: How are you describing the contest? I mean, I didn't feel right about beauty contest, but I didn't know what else to say, 'cause beauty is part of it - or handsomeness. How did you describe it, and why did you want to participate?

Mr. CHU: The reason I applied is I can actually attribute it to a really positive internship experience with the Center for Asian-American Media, which is the organization I represented. I wanted to show my appreciation for them in proportions larger than a fruitcake, I guess.

(Soundbite of laughter)

MARTIN: Okay.

Mr. CHU: And so I feel like Hyphen was a great fit for that because Hyphen magazine and the Center for Asian-American Media have parallel mission statements in that they both want to attest to that diversity of the Asian-American experience.
Listen to it in full down at NPR.

Far East Movement + The Tonight Show

Monday, November 15, 2010



Sure, we may all still feel the fallout from the Conan/Leno fiasco but hey - it's still the Tonight Show and just in case people weren't aware now they know FM aren't White Guys (and remember - I do love my White People - but that last part really is important because some people think we just can't rock a stage).

Btw - I think I have to give the Lopez Tonight performance the nod over the Tonight Show - it just felt better right?

Mike Le, Eddie Kim, And More On That KTown Reality Show

Monday, November 15, 2010

Random Notes On The MSP Asian Film Festival

Monday, November 15, 2010

If you haven't noticed, this thing I loosely call a blog hasn't gotten a lot of love over the past couple of weeks (and the last month wasn't what I'd call a blog-a-thon either) and while it's chastised me from afar - hey - I was seeing a bunch of film and meeting some great people.

So how did the first MSP Asian Film Festival go?

Here's my breakdown.

  • Anurag Kashyap has some intense fans.
  • Mark Tang's Open Season was packed and if you haven't gotten to see it - you really should.
  • Apparently Portland people really do have some spunk (and yes I have pictures to prove it).
  • There's only so many people you can reach in a limited amount of time and in The Cities as great as the communities are, sometimes getting them all together isn't as easy as you might think. But isn't that true anywhere?
  • See Enemies Of The People.
  • I can watch a long film and I'm not saying I could do any better - but I gotta tell ya - Poetry was a long MF film. Good. But make sure to bring in some popcorn and possibly someone to cuddle with who you can keep on saying things like "I could be watching people getting blown up downstairs at The Legend Of Chao Fa but since you've forced me to watch this, I think I should at least get to cop a feel."
  • The Legend Of Chao Fa + Stars from Thailand = Really Good Crowds.
  • Does Asian, or Asian American Film bring in more audiences? I can't really tell you, but I think overall you have to have both because that's just the way we roll.
  • Panels really can turn in to roundtables.
  • I don't know what those special drinks were at the Closing Night - but I did have a few of them - and yes - they were tasty.
  • From what I hear - this just might be going down next year...who knows too - maybe with a lot more of a slant too.

And now back to your regular TV schedule.

Released: Aung San Suu Kyi

Monday, November 15, 2010



This has been a long time coming and to be honest, when I caught the news over at a friend's house, I thought two things:

1. Finally.

2. What happens next? What does this mean for Myanmar (aka Burma)?

I don't think anyone - especially me - really knows what it means and how things will play out for her in the future, but this, at the very least, is a start.

From CNN:

Freed activist Aung San Suu Kyi pledged Monday to keep working toward restoring democracy and improving human rights in Myanmar, saying she is not concerned about being detained again in the future.

"Actually, I don't think about it," Suu Kyi, who was released from house arrest Saturday, said in her first comments to CNN. The 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient has spent 15 of the past 21 years under house arrest for her dogged opposition to authoritarian rule in Myanmar -- which she calls by its former name, Burma.

"I may be detained again," Suu Kyi said, noting she's been in and out of house arrest over the last two decades. "I just do what I can do at the moment," she said.

"We have to work together," she said. "That is the main message. Those inside the country have to work together and also those supporters outside."

Suu Kyi had much the same message for her supporters Sunday, telling them in a speech, "I'm not going to be able to do it alone. You've got to do it with me. One person alone can't do anything as important as bringing change and democracy to a country."

"We would like to form a network of people working for democracy," she told CNN Monday, and said she would like to open a dialogue with "those who are in a position to do something, to change the situation in Burma for the better."
Apparently she hasn't had any contact with Myanmar's military leader and head of state Gen. Than Shwe and probably won't be seeing her children anytime soon as they still haven't gotten visa's to visit her - so that dialogue is still ongoing.

Statement By The President

While the Burmese regime has gone to extraordinary lengths to isolate and silence Aung San Suu Kyi, she has continued her brave fight for democracy, peace, and change in Burma. She is a hero of mine and a source of inspiration for all who work to advance basic human rights in Burma and around the world. The United States welcomes her long overdue release. Whether Aung San Suu Kyi is living in the prison of her house, or the prison of her country, does not change the fact that she, and the political opposition she represents, has been systematically silenced, incarcerated, and deprived of any opportunity to engage in political processes that could change Burma. It is time for the Burmese regime to release all political prisoners, not just one.The United States looks forward to the day when all of Burma’s people are free from fear and persecution. Following Aung San Suu Kyi’s powerful example, we recommit ourselves to remaining steadfast advocates of freedom and human rights for the Burmese people, and accountability for those who continue to oppress them.

Pacquiao Beats Antonio Margarito

Monday, November 15, 2010

Just in case you don't really follow boxing, here's some news you still might want to know just so you can be in the know.

[...] Pacquiao added to his lengthy legacy Saturday night by defeating a taller, stronger and more desperate Antonio Margarito before 41,734 at Cowboys Stadium. Margarito of Tijuana, Mexico, had five inches and 17 pounds on Pacquiao, but by the end of the WBC super welterweight championship, the big guy was beaten up by the little guy.

Margarito emerged a bloody mess. Both eyes were virtually swollen shut from Pacquiao connecting on 411 power punches. One judge had Pacquiao winning all 12 rounds, while The Post had him winning 11 of 12.

"This was the hardest fight of my boxing career," Pacquiao insisted. "He was a lot bigger than me. I tried to fight him toe-to-toe, but he's really a great fighter with a big heart." [...]
So I guess there's only a couple of things left to do...

It's up to Floyd Mayweather now to decide whether he wants to fight Manny Pacquiao and settle once and for all who is the best boxer on the planet.

Pacquiao had said the fight would be "good for boxing" and his promoter Bob Arum is willing to make another attempt at reaching a deal. The only holdup appears to be Mayweather and whether he really wants to fight the Filipino slugger.
Get in full here.

Better Luck Next Time: Anh "Joseph" Cao

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

He was a first.

Now he's not returning.

I don't know whether to be happy or sad.

Or just a little indifferent.

It was a good run while it lasted?

P.S.

I think the above should be some sort of poetic form (and for anyone that wants to say "craptastic", I possibly might agree with you on that one).

Apparently Kinect Isn't Actually Racist (Maybe?)

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

I'm not a game console programmer, nor quite that eruditic (and yes, that's my own made up word based on a word which somehow doesn't always sounds like a word), but this is my thought on the "Is Kinetic Racist" issue that I know you've thinking about (because who in their right mind wouldn't be?):

If you need lot's o' light for your console to recognize people with dark skin, I'm just wondering if the people that actually made the recognition software weren't quite thinking about anyone else but White People therefore begging the question of if the people behind the recognition software rather than the gaming console itself are a little racially insensitive (even if some of them were POC because I honestly don't know and let's just say it for the record that you can be a POC and still be MF clueless - and I'll include myself in that one at times).

And just for the record - I don't know about you, but I don't know a lot of gaming consoles that rounded up "The Jews" (somehow the word anthropomorphism comes to mind).

Random Quote From A Former President

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

"It hurt," Bush said. "You can disagree with my politics but don't ever accuse me of being a racist."
Linkage

The Story: Manny Pacquiao

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Get Loaded With MYX Down At UC Davis

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

I Like You Rishi Chandra (And Sometimes NPR)

Tuesday, November 09, 2010



Sure, I don't know Rishi Chandra, but I can't help but feel a kinship to him if only because he's leading us into a new kick-ass world even if it's not ready for primetime.

Sorry - I couldn't help that.

On a recent visit to Google's offices in Mountain View, I sat down with Chandra and one of the Logitech boxes to see how it worked. He pulled out a very lightweight keyboard connected to the TV and pressed a button. A search box appeared on the screen.

"Anyone who understands the web understands this notion of being able to type in where you want to go, and we'll help you get there," he says as he types out a search for the spoof newspaper The Onion — one of Chandra's favorites. "The Onion actually has a great set of video content online," he tells me.

Chandra clicks on the link, and a list of Onion videos pops up. He clicks on one, and a mock-serious newscaster fills the 40-inch screen. Chandra and I sit back on comfortable chairs and laugh as the announcer says, "Just ahead, The Huffington Post has launched a new print edition featuring articles torn out of other newspapers."

Other fans of online video may find, as I did, that this is a vast improvement over sitting at a desk chair hunched over a computer. Of course, I was just getting a show from a Google employee.
Listen (and read) in full down at NPR.

Chinky Cartoon Yellow Face Or Just A Little Cute?

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Jeff Yang, Superman, Bernard Chang, And Getting Your Superhero On

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Again - that's just some sweet DIY.

And you know you want to listen.

visualizAsian is back for November with a killer fun live conversation, an hour with Jeff Yang and Bernard Chang on the role of superheroes and comics, and why there aren’t many Asian American superheroes.

The chat will be Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET, and if you haven’t registered for a visualizAsian call before, you can sign up in a jiffy.

These two guys are eminently qualified to speak about Asian Americans as well as comic books and superheroes:

Jeff Yang is the Asian Pop columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, and one of the leading lights of Asian American pop culturedom. We’ve run into him at AAJA conventions, where he’s moderated panels galore over the years. He’s been on the forefront of Asian American pop for years. We first knew his name as the editor of the gone-but-not-forgotten pioneering AsianAm publication, A magazine. He’s also written pop culture compendiums that are musts in every AsianAm library (Eastern Standard Time is one). His latest project, as editor-in-chief of “Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology” is so cool he and his crew of co-editors, writers and artists are getting to do a second volume.

Bernard Chang is one of a handful of notable Asian American artists working in comic books. He’s worked on both Marvel and DC superheroes, and he’s currently one of the artists drawing the most venerable superhero of them all, Superman.
What's up vizualizAsian?

CAAM Goes Jennifer Hayashida At The Flaherty Film Seminar

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Millions The Series + Sexy Party Time

Tuesday, November 09, 2010



I haven't actually been able to get to the site itself, but I'm thinking it's just a glitch - check it often - and make sure and check out the YouTube channel.

Sexy Party Time

Gwendoline Yeo Has Her Mouth Wide Open

Tuesday, November 09, 2010



I can't make it to this - but you - you might be able too for the Opening Weekend.

Gwendoline Yeo's Laughing with My Mouth Wide Open

Starring Gwendoline Yeo, also featuring Dennis Delsing
Directed by Mark St. Amant
Produced by Gaalan Michaelson
(The Black Dahlia Theatre)

A sharply observed and riotously funny celebration of Yeo's cultural journey from Singapore to America, and from family identity to self-identity and womanhood, accented by her performance on the Chinese long zither (“gu-zheng").

Saturday, November 20 @ 8 pm or Sunday, November 21 @ 7 pm

EL CENTRO THEATRE
804 Santa N. El Centro Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90038
(2 blocks north of Melrose, between Vine and Gower)

Hot Track: Siow + We Were

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Nice.

You've Been Honored: East West Players

Tuesday, November 09, 2010



Just ask yourself this simple question - when the hell did you ever get honored for anything?

Exactly.

Now bow the MF down.

East West Players (EWP), the nation’s premier Asian American theatre, was awarded the Heritage Award at the 9th Annual Autumn Festival on Saturday, November 6, 2010 held at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA.

The 9th Annual Autumn Festival celebrates the cultures of China, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. At each of the Aquarium’s cultural festivals, an outstanding leader in the community is honored with the Heritage Award. Cecile Fisher, Vice President of Marketing for the Aquarium of the Pacific, was there to host the awards ceremony. Jan Perry, Los Angeles City Councilwoman of the Ninth District, presented the award to Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director of East West Players, after she performed a Japanese dance to open the ceremony.

“We are honored to have been presented with the Heritage Award for the work we’ve done in our community,” says Tim Dang. “East West Players is about telling stories, especially from the Asian Pacific American community. We always try to bring entertainment, education, and enlightenment in our main stage productions and educational programs so our neighborhoods can feel that much more in touch with each other.”

The weekend was a flurry of activities and featured live music and dance performances, cultural arts exhibits, and children’s crafts. Throughout the weekend artisans and other vendors displayed and sold their works. Various ethnic entrees were also presented.

Kina Grannis + Back To December

Tuesday, November 09, 2010



It's Tuesday.

You need a little music.

Jean Quan: We Won't Know Until We Know

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Straight outta the Asian American Action Fund:

Will Oakland elect its first Asian American Mayor? We’ll find out on Sunday after a razor-close election.

As I write this, Oakland City Councilmember Jean Quan leads former California Senate Pro Tem Don Perata by just over 1,800 votes (51 percent to 49 percent) — but up to 15,000 votes have yet to be counted.
Read it in full here.

An Open Letter To Real K-Girl

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Dear Real K-Girl,

I just want you to know that if you read that last Open Letter To Imaginary K-Girl -- it wasn't actually me who wrote that.

Well, I mean, it was me, but it wasn't actually me who was writing that.

In fact I'd kind of like to come to my own defense and just say that I think it was written under duress (sometimes I wonder if that's really a word btw, because it kind of sounds like "undress" which I know makes absolutely no sense whatsoever when it comes to wondering if it's a real word, but I think you already know I don't make sense all the time).

To be honest -- I think there was an imaginary gun pointed to my head with someone forcing me to write it.

I'll even go so far as to say that I was also possibly drugged.

Maybe even tied up as well.

Are you buying any of this btw?

No?

Not even a little?

Yeah - I probably wouldn't either so I guess I should just say what I've come here to say --

What these posts are really about.

We all have these pictures of who we see in our mind sometimes about who we'll be with, the perfect moment, these things that you just think should be.

We all have them somedays.

But honestly?

They all pale in comparison to you.

This woman, this touch, the way your hand found mine that one evening when I dropped you off even though we both weren't quite sure at the time -- the way you look when I pick you up in the dead of night because I just can't wait to see you for another day and because it's just fun to drive around with embers and ashes and cracks in the windows - and those long conversations, those late night whispers, drive-by kisses and skin against skin:

They're so much more than anything I could have ever possibly imagined.

An Open Letter To Imaginary K-Girl

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Dear Imaginary K-Girl:

I figured as I was doing my laundry right now it might be a nice time to write you this letter, in part, because even though you're imaginary, I still feel the need to tell you things - and honestly - I've been kind of busy lately, and I feel bad that I haven't told you all the things I really want to say to you.

So here it goes....

First, I just want to say that you're perfect.

I mean really perfect.

Movie perfect.

Son Ye-Jin in "A Moment To Remember" perfect.

And that I also love you.

I mean really love you.

Like the type of love I can only express through a Hallmark card (because as you know, I'm not a man of words when it usually comes to my feelings).

I know it may not be true love, in part because you're just a fiction of my imagination, but it's love nonetheless.

And I feel it -- so it has to be real.

And if I could?

Well --

I might even marry you (although imaginary J-Girl might not really care for me anymore if we're married, but honestly, she hasn't really been around lately and the last time we were supposed to meet she stood me up and I just didn't think that was nice of her to do even if she really did have a prior engagement that she forgot about).

But here's the thing - we kind of need to keep it low key, a little bit more so than we have - and I know what you're going to say -- it's really me who needs to tone it down because you're not the one professing your love from rooftops to people you don't know and that I'm actually the loud one in bed who wakes up the neighbors.

But I figure there's no "I" in imaginary coupledom.

We're a team.

And sure, no one can actually see you, but that doesn't matter to me --

Because you're perfect.

And I love you.

I really really do.

But....

And I don't know how to say this - so I'm just going to say it.

You're kind of making Real K-Girl a little jealous and I'm not really sure how to handle that and I know what you want to say - and I kind of agree - even though I love you - you are imaginary - and it does beg the question of how sound Real K-Girl is if she gets jealous of you Imaginary K-Girl.

In fact, come to think about it, she's even jealous of Unicorn Girl.

Who in their right mind would be jealous of Unicorn Girl?

And the more I think about it - I'm actually a little peeved - because I'm no one's fool - there's no ring on this finger - no one controls me. No one tells me who I can and cannot see.

I'm a Big Cat.

And the Big Cat needs to roar.

In fact....

I'm gonna tell Real K-Girl exactly what I think about this whole situation....

O.K.

I'll see you soon.

Yours.

Indiana University Students Gather After Recent Attacks

Friday, November 05, 2010

People - can you all please stop fucking around with my student folks? And by fucking around I mean robbing and slinging racial slurs their way?

Students packed a room on Indiana University's campus Wednesday night. They talked about racial concerns after Asian American students were hurt, robbed and called racial slurs by two African Americans while walking on campus early Sunday morning. Justin Sohn is an Asian American student and says he isn't surprised by the comments, but he is shocked by the robbery, "The racial comments happen all the time. It's something that as an asian american you learn to live with." [...]

Police say their investigation does not show the students were targeted because of their race, even though racial slurs were used during the crime.
Again, when will people actually get the fact that when someone commits a crime against someone else and starts breaking out the racial epithets that yes - it actually is a crime based on racial prejudice and that yeah - they were probably targeted because of their race?

I'm kind of thinking maybe never?

Get a clue.

Boston Asian American Film Festival 2010

Friday, November 05, 2010

And if you're in Boston next week make sure and check out the BAAFF 2010 as it's going to have a lot of great films including: The Things We Carry, AOKI, The People I've Slept With, and Today's Special - so definitely get on out and enjoy the show -- because remember - DIY just doesn't happen - it needs you too.

The Boston Asian American Film Festival (BAAFF), presented by the Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW), aims to educate, interact, and engage the Greater Boston community on Asian American social and cultural concerns.
Get more info down @ http://www.aarw.org/baaff2010

Cool.

Page Turner And The Sexy Nerd Party

Friday, November 05, 2010

While this week has been busy and I'm not expecting a ton of posts this week (and has that really been any different from the last few weeks - no - no it hasn't) - I wanted to make sure and post this up:

The Sexy Nerd Party: Page Turner Kick-Off with Fred Ho and Das Racist
Featuring drinks, music, dancing and guest appearances by Tao Lin, Richard Price, Lorraine Adams, Nami Mun, Karan Mahajan, and others.
Live music by Fred Ho and Das Racist
Saturday, November 6, 8-11pm
Chambers Fine Arts, 522 West 19th Street, NY, NY
$40 entry / $60 for two


Sorry, pal. If you're a writer or if you're Asian American, odds are you were once a nerd. Don't be ashamed--you're all grown-up now and besides, thanks to Andre 3000, Tina Fey, and Google, nerd chic is in. So, throw on your most festive attire and stumble over to the swankiest Asian Art gallery in New York, where we'll have drinks and dancing. You can support your favorite nonprofit by gazing shyly at the cute red-haired girl across the room, getting drunk in the presence of writers likeTao Lin, Richard Price, Lorraine Adams, Nami Mun, and Karan Mahajan, and dance awkwardly in the corner with your favorite sexy nerd. Featuring jazz legend Fred Ho and hip hop ensemble Das Racist as musical guests. You bring the sexy, we'll bring the nerd. Admission comes with free sexy nerd glasses.

PAGE TURNER: The Asian American Literary Festival
Featuring Susan Choi, Tao Lin, Tan Lin, Das Racist, Richard Price, Tim Wu, Henry Chang and others!
Sunday, November 7, 11am-6pm
Literary Awards Reception 6-7pm
powerHouse Books, 37 Main St Brooklyn, NY, NY


Hey, let's you and I create the next Asian American intellectual milieu. The Workshop's premiere festival will feature more than twenty writers to create a brainy and eclectic literary space. Hear Richard Price, author of Lush Life and The Wire, talks shop about the Lower East Side with crime novelist Henry Chang. Marvel at well-known writers reading their best work that got rejected by literary journals. And take a break at our cozy upstairs mezzanine space--we're calling it The Hangout and it's where we'll have Asian American superheroes, drunken scrabble, and more. It all shakes down at the hottest bookstore in New York.

Featuring Meena Alexander, Gina Apostol, Henry Chang, Samantha Chanse, Susan Choi, Thomas Sayers Ellis, Luis H. Francia, Sarah Gambito, V.V. Ganeshananthan, Fred Ho, Young-ha Kim, Myung-mi Kim, Hari Kondabolu, Amitava Kumar, Tan Lin, Tao Lin, Jerry Ma, Karan Mahajan, Cate Marvin, Nami Mun, Manijeh Nasrabadi, Wena Poon, Richard Price, Iraj Isaac Rahmim, Bino A. Realuyo, Akhil Sharma, Roger Shimomura, Sung J. Woo, Tim Wu, Jeff Yang, and Monica Youn.
http://pageturnerfest.org/#pageturner

MSP Asian Film Festival Starts Today

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

And it's time.

If you're down in the MSP area and you aren't getting on down to the first Asian Film Festival this week and next - well - I'm not sure I really want to know you, because who doesn't want some great film, good food, and a chance to meet some kick ass people (that would be your fellow film goers).

http://mspfilmfest.org/aff10/

I Give You Lots Of Pork For Fodder

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

No salt though - because some of you use way too much.

60 Seconds Max!

This Friday, Nov 5! At 11 pm! At Annex Theatre, the corner of Pike and 11th in Seattle! PFP joins a throng of artists for the 60 Seconds Max edition of Spin the Bottle!

Spin the Bottle takes place at Annex Theatre, just off the corner of 11th and Pine! Drinks available! Tickets $10, and also act as a raffle ticket! Go to www.annextheatre.org!

PFP Alums headline SIS's Insatiable 5!

PFP Alums dominate the offerings for Insatiable 5, Seattle's Asian American Playwrights Festival!

Diverse voices! Fresh viewpoints! Surprising themes! Insatiable! features new play readings by local playwrightsMaggie Lee, May Nguyen and Roger Tang (all PFP alums!) and Kathy Hsieh (who we should make an honorary PFPer anyway).

Prima Vera Arts Center
112 5th Ave N, 2nd Floor (Susan G. Komen Foundation Building)
Just north of Denny Way, between 5th Avenue N & Taylor Ave N
(enter from the back off of Taylor Avenue N)

http://www.sis-productions.org/insatiable.html
(206) 323-9443
tickets@sis-productions.org

Tickets are $5 per reading; $8 for a 2-reading pass; or $12 for an all-fest pass.

Insatiable! schedule:

The Clockwork Professor by Maggie Lee
Thursday, November 4 at 8pm
Sunday, November 7 at 2pm

Seamus Pemberton, otherwise known as the Clockwork Professor, is a humble inventor, a quiet, eccentric man of science. But now, buried secrets and forbidden technology from the past threaten to destroy everything he holds dear, perhaps even rocking the very foundations of the city of New Providence. From underground laboratories to royal airships to dimension-hopping portals, come join the Clockwork Professor on this whirlwind adventure of fantastical science fiction with a steampunk twist!
Directed by Mok Moser and featuring Meredith Armstrong, Brian Beckley, Rob Burgess, Joe Chin, Agastya Kohli, Margaretta Lantz, Lisa Lee, Tim Takechi, Owen Yen and Lance Zielinski.

Lines in the Sand by May Nguyen
Friday, November 5 at 8pm
Saturday, November 6 at 4pm

Sam has an explanation for everything, but when his lab is on the verge of collapse following the death of its lead researcher and a vigilante called Dark Mask gains support from coworkers, his world of certainty falls away.
Directed by Manuel Cawaling and featuring Leilani Berinobis, Elizabeth Daruthayan, Agastya Kohli, Brad Walker, Owen Yen, Moses Yim, and more!

Shadowed Intent by Roger Tang
Saturday, November 6 at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 7 at 4pm

Newly promoted Detective Kim Inamura must convict the Asian American Ted Bundy while navigating minefields of race, sex and politics in the press, the precinct, City Hall, and, mostly importantly, in herself.
Directed by Maria Batayola and featuring Miko Premo, Owen Yen, Henry Drew, Tom Falcone, Chau Luu and Yvette Zaepfel.

B4 by Kathy Hsieh
Sunday, November 7 at 7pm
Monday, November 8 at 7:30pm

Three couples. Three time periods. One NYC apartment. Japanese-American couple Grace and Jimmy are re-starting their lives after being interned during WWII. Walter Weissman and his wife Rachel struggle to find meaningful work during the blacklist of the 1950s. Christina and her brother Paul desperately search for her husband after he leaves for the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. B4 was selected as part of the International Centre for Women Playwrights’ Chicago Her-rah Festival 2007, and won Honorable Mention in New York’s 2007 New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest. Directed by Aimée Bruneau and featuring Leilani Berinobis, Keith Dahlgren, Maria Glanz, Mona Leach Grife, Sam Lai, Hana Lass, Ray Tagavilla or Christian Ver, and Brad Walker!

Your White House Readout For The Day

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Okay.

I'm not going to say that this is thrilling, nor even that amazing, that long, or even on time (because it's technically from yesterday) - however - I figure some of you may want to know about this if you haven't already heard about it - and really - I wouldn't blame you if you haven't (because out of all the things to know, I'm not sure this is the subject on everyon's mind - even if it could be important).

Readout of the President's Call with President Lee of the Republic of Korea

President Lee called the President yesterday evening to discuss the forthcoming G20 Summit that will be held in Seoul on November 11 - 12. They also discussed the bilateral aspect of the President’s upcoming visit and economic and trade issues, including the KORUS Free Trade Agreement. The President underscored that we hope to use the next week to make progress toward an agreement. If we can reach a satisfactory agreement on the key issues for American workers, we will have a deal.
Yup.

That's it.

And don't say I didn't tell you what I already told you.

'Cause I told you.

Because You Know You Wanted More On "Stories from Chinese America: The Arthur Dong Collection, Vol. 2"

Wednesday, November 03, 2010



And since you did indeed want to know more - well - I give you more.

Stories from Chinese America: the Arthur Dong Collection, Vol. 2 brings together an anthology of films spanning over 25 years showcasing Dong’s historically acute focus on Chinese Americans at crossroads with Hollywood, pop culture, tradition, and immigration. The 4-disc boxed-set includes Hollywood Chinese Collector’s Edition, Forbidden City, U.S.A. Collector’s Edition, Sewing Woman, Lotus, and Living Music for Golden Mountains, Dong’s 1981 documentary directorial debut. Also included is the restored and newly scored 1916 film, The Curse of Quon Gwon, the earliest known Chinese American feature film ever made.
And Yes. There Are Launch Parties

LOS ANGELES DVD LAUNCH PARTY
November 6, 3pm


Visual Communications hosts a celebration for the release of Stories from Chinese America: the Arthur Dong Collection, Vol. 2. Headlining the event will be the world premiere of the newly scored and restored 1916 film, The Curse of Quon Gwon, the earliest known Chinese American feature film. Dong will be on hand to give a tour of the many hours of extra archival and interview footage that comes with his new DVD anthology. A reception and DVD signing follows. Saturday, November 6, 3PM @ The National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, Little Tokyo. Tickets: (213) 680-4462, ext. 32, or www.vconline.org.
SAN FRANCISCO DVD LAUNCH PARTY
November 13, 12 noon


San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies Department presents a celebration for the release of Stories from Chinese America: the Arthur Dong Collection, Vol. 2. Headlining the event will be the Bay Area premiere of the newly scored and restored 1916 film, The Curse of Quon Gwon, the earliest known Chinese American feature film. Dong will be on hand to give a tour of the many hours of extra archival and interview footage that comes with his new DVD anthology. The party includes a guest appearance by the Grant Avenue Follies and a reception with door prizes. Proceeds support SFSU’s Asian American Studies programs and students. Nov. 13, Saturday, 12 noon @ the Four Star Theatre. Tickets: Brown Paper Tickets or the Four Star Theatre box office. More info: www.sfsu.edu/~aas.

R & B Vibe: Baiyu + Take A Number

Wednesday, November 03, 2010



So I got sent in this track from singer Baiyu who earlier this year signed a deal with JMD/INgrooves/Universal - and I don't know about you - but I'm definitely feelin' the vibe on this one.

And oh yeah:

Just got released for a free download.

Nice.

Far East Movement + Rocketeer

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Random Quotable + Race + Black And White?

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Linkage:

It reminds me of yet another conversation I had with another colleague who was adopted into a Caucasian family as an infant. Let’s say her name is Katie.

We were discussing racial tolerance and the various forms in which we see it… particularly in the dating scene. In her case, she was discussing it from an adoptee perspective. She was relaying a relatively recent story of how one of her aunts (whom adores her to death) was talking to her about the fact that she would never “allow” her daughter to date a black man…. And then turned to Katie and said “I know you understand what I mean.” Katie said she just stared at her aunt and finally said “Why would you think I’d understand? Because I’m black? … You DO realize that I’m black and in YOUR family, right?” God bless her frankness.

Is It Wrong That I Like This Song?

Tuesday, November 02, 2010



Yes.

It probably is.

Really.

It's got a catchy hook?

That's all I got here....