Apparently "The Hunger Games" Sucks Because Some Of The Characters Are Black?

Friday, March 30, 2012

I'll admit it. I have no idea about this movie. In fact I just learned what the book is about from a couple of tweens a week ago - but that doesn't change the fact that apparently people can't stand that some of the main characters are (*gasp*) Black.

From Jezebel:

The tumblr Hunger Games Tweets has collected a smattering of Twitter postings, with the goal of exposing "Hunger Games fans on Twitter who dare to call themselves fans yet don't know a damn thing about the books." What people are saying is disappointing, sad, stomach-churning, and just plain racist [...]
Some of the tweets go like:

"Why does rue have to be black not gonna lie kinda ruined the movie"

"Why did the producer make all the good characters black smh"

"Kk call me racist but when I found out rue was black her death wasn't as sad"

You people have some serious MF issues.

Get.A.Clue.

The Jay Legaspi Sessions (Part 2 & 3)

Friday, March 30, 2012

Check it.

Part 2

This was a song I wrote literally at 3:10 AM, and it holds a special significance to me as it’s one of the very first songs I ever wrote. I love the simplicity and directness of it, and it reminds me of the time when it was just me, a guitar, and a marble notebook.

I hope you enjoy!

Special thanks to JR Pena and Daniel Dai for their creative direction in producing this and all the videos in the series. A big thank you again to Luke Villapaz and Shelby Chung for the additional camerawork, and a big thank you as well to Amanda Yu who was behind the scenes and the Protools rig making sure I looked and sounded good.

Also, a shout out to Gifted Thought, who wrote some very kind words about the song, and named it his #2 track in his Top 10 Asian-American Tracks of the decade
Part 3

Quite simply, the song is about being in over your head. Given the percussive nature of the track, I wanted to showcase some beatboxing and looping for live performances, and this is what I came up with. If you like it, please share the video and help me spread the word!

This video was the biggest undertaking in terms of the sessions, and the one I’m the proudest of. Thank you to JR Pena and Daniel Dai were the creative force behind this project, and to Luke Villapaz and Michael Fernandez, who provided additional camerawork. A special thank you as well to Amanda Yu who recorded the audio and worked behind the scenes to make sure the session ran smoothly, and to Grace Subervi, who offered additional assistance on set. This video was all due to their hard work, and I can’t thank them enough!

I hope you enjoy! Lyrics are at the bottom. If you like what you hear, there is a version of the track on my most recent album, Picture Perfect.

For those curious about my setup, I’m using an Electro-Harmonix 2880 Super Multi-Track Looper. The mixer feeding the audio to the loop is a Behringer Xenyx 1002FX. My microphone is a Shure Beta Series 58A.

I'm Not Proud Of It But Sometimes I Do It (Follow White People Around In My Car)

Thursday, March 29, 2012

I'm not tough. If you've ever met me in person you'll agree to this fact. I'll freely admit this (in part because I prefer to spend my time masturbating to quality porn rather than perfecting my fighting skills).

But I still can't help but fuck with people sometimes.

I know that one day it'll bite me in the ass (even though I'd like to think I won't fuck with people I can't at least run from) - but again - I still can't help it.

And I'll admit - sometimes I like to fuck with White People.

For instance sometimes I happen to run across people who for some reason or another decide to honk and get road ragey with me even though they're the ones cutting me off. And sometimes it happens to be a granola tree hugging White Guy with his granola tree hugging White Girl - who also seems to find it funny and amusing that her White Man honked at the Asian guy.

Like I said - I'm not tough and many a days you'll find me in my car humming along to the sweet sweet sounds of pop letting my hair flop around in the wind looking like Geek 101 (but who doesn't have those days right? I mean we can't all be drifting around in a hot car, and truth be told, I like my everyman's sedan that's not too flashy).

Sometimes though - it just gets to me when that happens and I can't help but feel like somehow, someone's exerting their Whiteness on me because they see me somehow in a state that seems submissive to them (see the above reference to my pop-loving self).

So I get aggressive.

I feel like having some fun.

I flip the channel to something a little harder, turn it up, my face goes a little harder and the next thing you know that stereotype for them flips from being one of the submissive Asian guy to the angry POC.

And yes - I'm okay with that.

In fact - I'm banking on that.

You can say it's wrong - and yes it technically is - but there's just something a little fun about pulling up alongside a car filled with granolas who had to get a little White on you and seeing them get scared like you're going to really fuck with them in a way they just never thought you would (and then following them around for a good mile around city corners just to add to their anxiety - well - that just adds to the overall enjoyment).

Again - I'm not proud of doing things like this.

But sometimes I just can't help myself.

Diane C. Fujino + Richard Aoki

Thursday, March 29, 2012

It's free. It celebrates an iconic figure of the Asian American movement. Seriously. What more do you want? Get there if you can.

Saturday, April 21, 2012
7:00pm until 10:00pm
FREE EVENT!


Book Launch! Diane C. Fujino will present her new book, Samurai Among Panthers: Richard Aoki on Race, Resistance, and a Paradoxical Life.

The program will include spoken word, and presentations of AAPI Alumni Richard Aoki scholarship awards.

Location: UC Berkeley campus MLK Student Union, Multicultural Center (lobby entry) at intersection Telegraph Ave and Bancroft Way
For more information, contact Eastwind Books of Berkeley (510) 548-2350

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An iconic figure of the Asian American movement, Richard Aoki (1938–2009) was also, as the most prominent non-Black member of the Black Panther Party, a key architect of Afro-Asian solidarity in the 1960s and ’70s.

Samurai among Panthers weaves together two narratives: Aoki’s dramatic first-person chronicle and an interpretive history by Asian American movement scholar, Diane C. Fujino. Aoki’s candid account of himself takes us from his early years in Japanese American internment camps to his political education on the streets of Oakland, to his emergence in the Black Panther Party.

Richard Aoki’s voice rings clear in the over 200 pages of oral interview given to biographer Diane Fujino, collected in 100 hours of taped interview sessions between 2003 and 2004. Richard Aoki describes in his own words the story of his life. The result is an eleven chapters treasury of Aoki’s transcript.

Beginning with his early childhood with his family’s forced incarceration at the Topaz, Utah concentration camp, he takes us through his teenage years in West Oakland and Berkeley, to his military service, and subsequent political awakening with his growth as a revolutionary internationalist. His reminisces of the formation of the Black Panther Party in Oakland catapult the reader into the heart of the Black liberation movement. Aoki becomes a key leader in the birth of the Asian American Political Alliance, the UC Berkeley Third World Liberation Front alliance and the 1968 TWLF Student Strike which won the formation of Ethnic Studies, Asian American Studies, Chicano Studies, and African American Studies at UC Berkeley.

With Aoki’s characteristic wit and talent for talk-story, the reader is given a last gift from the private and courageous life of one of the early leaders of the Asian American radical movement.

Fujino respectfully reserves her independent interpretations and historical connotations in separate comments before and after the chapters. This unique format gives Fujino freedom to differ with Aoki in her interpretation and lends an interesting indirect conversation between biographer and subject. Fujino provides a scholarly historical context to the personal narration.

Samurai Among Panthers is a valuable addition to materials available to present and future generations in remembering, studying, honoring a key political leader of the Asian American movement.

Diane C. Fujino is Associate Professor and Chair of Asian American Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her other books include Heartbeat of Struggle: The Revolutionary Life of Yuri Kochiyama and Wicked Theory, Naked Practice: A Fred Ho Reader.

Event sponsored by: Asian American & Asian Diaspora Studies of UC Berkeley (AAADS), Asian Pacific American Student Development of UC Berkeley (APASD), AAPI Alumni, Eastside Arts Alliance, Eastwind Books of Berkeley, Serve the People (STP) and KPFA Freedom Archives.

YOMYOMF Network Launches INTERNET ICON w/Ryan Higa

Thursday, March 29, 2012

From my inbox and now on to you.

Nice.

YOMYOMF Network, a launch partner of YouTube's groundbreaking original channels initiative, has teamed with Andy Fickman's Oops Doughnuts and Bobby Smith, Jr.'s Ashore Entertainment in search of the next "Internet Icon." YouTube sensation, Ryan Higa, will judge along with Christine Lakin. Christine is best known for her role as "Al" in the series "Step by Step" and is currently in the VH-1 series "Stevie TV" and a regular voice on the highly successful "Family Guy" television series. Chester See, currently one of the most subscribed internet artists with over 350,000 songs sold on iTunes, will host the show. Contestants will compete in a series of challenges designed to highlight their creativity and filmmaking skills in an effort to become the next big internet star. Production begins late April and the show will air in mid-May with the audience voting on a winner prior to a finale in July.

YOMYOMF Network springs from YouOffendMeYouOffendMyFamily.com (YOMYOMF), an Asian American pop culture blog founded in 2009 by Justin Lin, whose directing credits include Universal's FAST & FURIOUS and episodes of the NBC comedy COMMUNITY. The network is founded by entertainment, technology and web video veterans including Justin Lin, Ryan Higa, Kevin Wu, Abdul Khan, Philip W. Chung, Cash Warren, NBA Star Baron Davis, and Chester See. You can follow the YOMYOMF Network on Twitter at @YOMYOMFNETWORK.

Producing the project is Andy Fickman's Oops Doughnuts Productions alongside Bobby Smith's Ashore Entertainment. Oops current slate includes Paramount's BOYSCOUTS VS. ZOMBIES, RKO/Twisted Pictures THE PLANTATION, and JEWTOPIA, which is currently in post production, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Rita Wilson, Jon Lovitz, Camryn Manheim, Tom Arnold, Joel David Moore, Ivan Sergai, and Jamie Lynn Sigler. Fickman directed Fox and Walden Media's family comedy PARENTAL GUIDANCE with Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, and Marisa Tomei, out in theaters Nov. 21.

Ashore Entertainment is a multi-media production company (founded by Bobby Smith, Jr.) specializing in film, television, internet, and animation. Bobby Smith, Jr. is a writer, producer, and entrepreneur whose credits include THERE ARE NO CHILDREN HERE, starring Oprah Winfrey and THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD, starring Halle Berry.

Contest starts Wednesday, March 28th. For more details on the show and how to enter, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/interneticonshow

Isn't She Lovely Cover (Clara C & Jayesslee Cover)

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Your Wednesday Morning Cover

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Carrie Ann Inaba Goes Petsami

Monday, March 26, 2012



Yes. That is the voice of Carrie Ann Inaba.

It's Spring. I Need A Makeup Tip

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Yes...Robert De Niro Divides the Country...Sure...

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Funny when White People can't take a joke.

And I Quote: Jason Wu

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

From nymag:

I suppose this hasn’t really been done before—an Asian designer tapping into the Asian side. Usually, culturally, we stay away from it … I feel like I’m at a place where I’m maturing not just as a designer, but as a person, to embark on inspirations that hit close to home.

More Asian American Business Owners Get Attacked

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

In another string of attacks, well - here's another targeting APIA business owners

Inside the house, the robbers kicked Kenny on the ground in his side and head and hit him four times with a gun in the back of his head. One thug said he would count down from 5 and then shoot, Kenny said. The attacker counted, "5, 4, 3, 2, 1," and Kenny told them they had already taken the couple's money outside. The thug then counted down again, and Kenny said he then told them the money was upstairs and they should "take anything."

Meanwhile, one of the gunmen pointed a gun at the head of Kenny's 40-year-old Korean-American wife, who had been taken to an upstairs bedroom by other attackers, Kenny said.
Hope they find these perps and string 'em up by their MF balls.

Might be good through not talk about how much money was actually taken though in the article because that might just give more people more desire to keep on doing this (just a thought...)

Erin Khue Ninh + ESPN

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

If you haven't gotten a chance to sit down and read this article yet on Linsanity by Hyphen Blog Editor Erin Khue Ninh - grab a chair, get a drink, and definitely take it all in.

Have there been famous Asian Americans before Lin? Of course. In sports, even. But Michael Chang inspired other Asian kids to play tennis; he didn't inspire all manner of Americans to sport his face. As for skater Michelle Kwan, the infamous MSNBC headline about her Olympic loss says it all: "American beats out Kwan." The difference between his predecessors and Lin is the difference between tolerance and identification -- between being a "them" that's allowed to hang around, and being "us."

More than an expansion of politically correct speech, this is about how America sees itself when it looks in the mirror. We do this thing when we watch Daniel Craig in a Bond film or Michael Jordan in a commercial, when our superheroes leap tall buildings in a single bound: We identify. They become our Ideal-I, our more capable and smarter and faster selves. And even if we look nothing like them and can do nothing like them, even if any resemblance is imaginary, that misrecognized self becomes a part of who we are.
Read it in full.

You Could Be A First: Grace Meng

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Can Queens elect their first Asian American to the House Of Representatives?

I guess we'll just have to wait and find out.

Rep. Gary Ackerman's surprise announcement of his retirement on Thursday evening sent a half-dozen Queens Democrats scrambling to see if they could put together a bid for the seat. In the end, three decided they could.

On Monday morning, the Queens County Democratic organization said it would back Flushing Assemblywoman Grace Meng, a 36-year-old daughter of Chinese immigrants, in the June 26 primary.

In Pictures: Touch

Monday, March 19, 2012


Mercury News: Minh Duc Nguyen (left), Porter Lynn Duong (center), and Long Nguyen (right).

Mike Relm: Remix Earth (Mass Effect 3)

Monday, March 19, 2012

Monday Word(s) Of The Day: Fluffy Butt

Monday, March 19, 2012

That's it.

3X: Melissa Polinar

Friday, March 16, 2012





Friday Morning Blue Scholars

Friday, March 16, 2012

Joan Chen + NPR

Friday, March 16, 2012

I haven't gotten a change to read/listen to this, but think it could be interesting (and I wonder if the title of the article is a direct quote from Chen).

Hawaii Five-0 Gets An Order For Another Season

Friday, March 16, 2012

Cool.

[JL Sessions] Part 1: Presenting: Jay Legaspi

Friday, March 16, 2012



http://www.jaylegaspi.com/news/jl-sessions-part-1-is-out-now/

I Finally Get Into The Technology Age With Facebook And Twitter

Friday, March 16, 2012

I'm slow...

Facebook | Twitter

MOCA's Chinese Cinema Club

Thursday, March 15, 2012

And if you're in the mood for some film.

SF Weekly + "Your Next Asian American Role Model Might Be A Serial Killer In A Film Called Chink"

Thursday, March 15, 2012

From the article:

How did your hero decide pursue the career of a serial killer?

The character, played by Jason Tobin (Better Luck Tomorrow), is an Asian American male whose abuse-filled childhood consists of getting beaten up and made fun of for being Asian. Those traumatic experiences turned him to hate being Asian. Looking for ways to discharge his inner rage, he reads about the escapades of serial killer icons of the past and becomes inspired by them, and decides to become one himself.

I can see some people getting offended by this premise.

For anyone getting uncomfortable just from reading the synopsis, relax. While the main theme is deeply rooted in racial politics, the movie is intended to play out much more lightheartedly. We know that this is a movie that shouldn't take itself too seriously. And if you are concerned about too much violence, don't worry, there's a love story as well. Our hero falls in love with an Asian American femme fatale, from whom he will learn whether if it is ever possible to be a model minority and a serial killer at the same time.

PSA + Show Information: NOT FOR SALE CONCERT: End Human Trafficking

Thursday, March 15, 2012



A great show for an even better cause. Definitely get on out and support it if you can.

Come see the show to support this great cause against human trafficking!

Show is on March 21st at Avalon Hollywood!
Buy tickets to see this live: www.wantickets.com/notforsale

OR

Stream online for 5$: http://notforsalecampaign.org/events/nfs-benefit-la/

Who's performing?
- Boyce Avenue
- Clara Chung
- Joseph Vincent
- Jayesslee

Asian American Literary Review: Tak Toyoshima, David Mura, Genny Lim, Velina Hasu Houston, Giles Li, Gary Pak, Juliana Hu Pegues + More

Thursday, March 15, 2012



www.aalrmag.org.

Retro Kim Sisters: Going Out Of My Head

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Vienna Teng + Stageit Shows

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Check out some Vienna Teng if you're so inclined on Stageit.

Vienna plays solo acoustic versions of songs from her debut album Waking Hour. First in a series—look for upcoming shows highlighting each of her other studio albums, covers, and unreleased material!

March: Waking Hour
April: Warm Strangers
May: Dreaming Through the Noise
June: Inland Territory
July: Covers and Rarities
August: New Songs and Improvisations

Dean Obeidallah + The Wall Street Journal

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Here's a quick snippet from a WSJ article featuring Dean Obeidallah.

The comedian who made his name on the "Axis of Evil Comedy Tour" made one thing clear when he opened a recent set at Michigan State University: "Tonight, it's not Islam 101."

For every joke Dean Obeidallah made about his Arabic heritage or Muslim faith, there were others about student loans, Asian-American basketball phenom Jeremy Lin, the presidential race and full-body scans at airports.

The last topic might seem like fertile ground for a Muslim comic, but the punch line goes to another time-honored funny topic: male anatomy.

"They're looking at my image on the monitor," he said. "All I can think of is, 'please don't laugh, please don't laugh.'"

Arab-Muslim stand-up comedy is flourishing more than a decade after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. While comics like Obeidallah, Ahmed Ahmed and Amer Zahr differ on approach — and there are disagreements among some— they're all trying to do more than just lampoon themselves or their people for easy laughs.

"I think our own community pushed us a little bit. They were tired of hearing jokes about ... having problems at the airport. ... They wanted a more nuanced approach to comedy," Obeidallah said during a multi-city swing through Michigan.

"You want to be dynamic. The same act, it's boring. People will not come back to see you a second or third time."
Read it in full here.

Make A Call. Do Some Good: AAJC And NAPABA Support National Call-in Days To Urge Senate To Vote On Judicial Nominees

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

From the wire:

Call your senators toll-free at 1-866-338-5720 , and urge them to vote without delay on President Obama's judicial nominees.

AAJC and NAPABA are supporting a national call-in campaign to urge the Senate to vote on President Obama's judicial nominees. A diverse group of extremely qualified federal judicial nominees has been awaiting votes by the full Senate for an average of more than 100 days. Many of these individuals were approved unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Importantly for Asian Pacific Americans, Judge Jacqueline Nguyen (nominee for the Ninth Circuit), Miranda Du (nominee for the District Court of Nevada), and John Lee (nominee for the Northern District of Illinois) are all awaiting final confirmation votes by the full Senate.

The unprecedented delay in the Senate means that our system of justice has slowed down in some places to a near standstill. In addition, many of these federal court vacancies have led to judicial emergencies. This results in average Americans waiting months - and even years - for their day in court because there aren't enough judges to hear their cases.

Make your voice heard. We need your help now!
Call your senators at 1-866-338-5720 .

This week, beginning as early as March 14, the Senate could consider a number of President Obama's nominees. These votes are expected to include Miranda Du and John Lee. For far too long, these important votes have been delayed for no legitimate reasons. Senators must be told to end the obstruction and vote on these judicial nominees.

Your calls make a difference!

Senators on both sides of the aisle have to hear that these votes are important to their constituents. Please call now - make your voice heard and join thousands of others.

Take Action Now: Participate in the National Call-in Days March 13-15.
Call your senators toll-free at 1-866-338-5720 !
Urge them to end the obstruction and vote on judicial nominees.
Tell senators that for too many Americans, justice delayed is justice denied.

In Pictures: SFIAAFF + Baiyu

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Had a chance to check out Baiyu down at SFIAAFF where she laid down some of her new tracks and posed for some photos (click on a photo for the larger version).






Because You Wanted A Video Too (Don't Deny It)
Take A Number



YouTube | Site

Gotta Love This: New Heights (ft. Cathy Nguyen) - Someday (Acoustic Session)

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Support us by purchasing this track!
iTunes: http://bit.ly/someday-acoustic-itunes
Amazon: http://amzn.to/somedayacoustic
Bandcamp: http://newheights.bandcamp.com

Someday (Studio Version) available in our latest full album:
Something to Believe In
iTunes: http://bit.ly/somethingtobelievein
Amazon: http://amzn.to/somethingtobelieveinamzn

Track Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Travis Graham
Videography: Kiyung Park.
Special thank you to Michelle An for allowing us to film and hang out at your place!

Follow Cathy Nguyen!
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lilcdawg
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cathynguyenmusic
Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/lilcdawg

Follow us -- New Heights
Web Site: http://www.new-heights.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/newheightsmusic
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/newheights
@travisheights @chrisheights @_tylercarroll @bobbywalkerUG @kiyungpark
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/new-heights/id117653860
Bandcamp: http://newheights.bandcamp.com
Official Store: http://newheights.bigcartel.com

LYRICS:
I've wanted you, only you
Dreaming of your pretty face
I'll get to your heart someday

Feeling like everything is lost
I knew the cost when I went for you that night
I came undone
Only you, you're the one I seek
I've finally realized you don't need me

Oh, soon very soon my mind is back on you
And I feel lost

I've wanted you, only you
Dreaming of your pretty face
I need your heart
Love is easy, it's you I see
Now I'm falling all over again
I'll get to your heart someday

Reaching out I've been caught inside
These thoughts of mine I just can't hide away forever

Soon very soon my mind is back on you
And I feel lost again
I'd rather be same than faking that I've changed
It's not over

I'll get to your heart (x4)

Tasty: COLD TOFU Improv Show at Maryknoll!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Saturday, March 17, 2012
7:30pm until 8:30pm

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with COLD TOFU on Saturday, March 17th, 7:30pm at Maryknoll! Show up wearing something green and you’ll receive an additional ticket for our regular opportunity drawing. Who knows? If you’ve got the luck of the Irish with you, you just might win one of the prizes at the end of the show!

So wear green and join us an evening of side-splitting laughs. The show begins at 7:30pm and admission is only $5!

Maryknoll JCC Auditorium
222 S. Hewitt Street, Los Angeles 90012
(Located east of Alameda, between 2nd & 3rd streets)
FREE parking available on the property

Email coldtofu@hotmail.com or call 213-739-4142 for more information. Reservations are not necessary for this show.

OU aKDPhi's 5th Annual invASIAN: "Growth through Creativity."

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Thursday, March 29, 2012
7:00pm until 10:00pm

alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority at the University of Oklahoma will be hosting our 5th annual invASIAN showcase on Thursday, March 29th in Meacham Auditorium at 7:00PM.

As always, this is a FREE showcase and is open to all ages! This year's guest performers are:

\\ JReyez (international singer and rapper)
\\ afterschoolspecial (up and coming musical group)

Our MCs will be Bilal Ittiq and Yen Tran!

Our Local Performers will be:

1) AfterShock (Dance)
2) Ashvin Joseph (Drummer)
3) PJ and Suzi (Singing)
4) Lambda Phi Epsilon (Dance)
5) Chinh Doan (Broadcast Journalism)
6) Band of Misfits (Dance)
7) Jo Anne Kotlowski (Fashion Show)
8) Elizabeth Vuong (Art)

invASIAN is a showcase that displays the talents that Asian-Americans have developed through their opportunities in the United States. Our objective is to assist local artists in their endeavors to become more recognized in their perspective fields and to increase Asian awareness by showcasing talented Asian-Americans to the OU community.

In the past, artists from several different aesthetics, from DANCE and MUSIC, to FASHION and PHOTOGRAPHY performed in aKDPhi's annual invASIAN showcase.

Each year, we also invite a nationally recognized Asian-American individual, who we feel, through their dedication, has promoted Asian-American Awareness through their hard-earned success. In the past we've had the honor of showcasing WONG FU PRODUCTIONS, DAT PHAN, MIKE SONG, & JASON YANG.

SFIAAFF: NANI

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

While I didn't get a chance to see White Frog while I was down at SFIAAFF - one of the films I did get to see was NANI - and feature, short - it really didn't matter.

Just one of the best films I saw hands down.

Wide Lantern Announces Pitching Diversity Panel At WonderCon 2012

Monday, March 12, 2012

Sounds like a great event. Get on down if you can make it.

Wide Lantern, an entertainment-focused website promoting diverse people and points of view, will present its inaugural Con panel at WonderCon 2012 in Anaheim, California.

Wide Lantern’s roundtable discussion kicks off the three-day event Friday, March 16 with its 1:30pm panel, Pitching Diversity. Executives, comic book artists, writers, actors, and producers will delve into how to work within the confines of the Hollywood system to create diverse characters, themes, and storylines, and offer practical advice on how to pitch diverse projects successfully.

Moderated by Wide Lantern’s writer Ken Choy, the panelists include Brandon Easton (Shadowlaw creator, Thundercats writer), Randall Park (Supah Ninjas star; writer), Teresa Huang (staff writer on Knight Rider remake), Charles Howard (Producers Guild of America Diversity Committee), Adam Wolman (creative consultant; Wide Lantern co-founder; former network exec), and Frank Gonzalez (Director, Talent Development and Diversity, Disney/ABC Television Group).

Some lucky attendees may have a chance to pitch their project to the panel and get valuable feedback.

WonderCon 2012 is at the Anaheim Convention Center March 16-18, 2012.

Co-founded by Adam Wolman and Curtis Chin, Wide Lantern is staffed by entertainment industry professionals and working artists with a common goal: to go beyond the mainstream by creating a truly diverse site, bringing cross-cultural entertainment, news, politics, and commentary that reflects the face of America today. Wide Lantern: the World Wide Web in color.

SXSW + Sung Kang + Sunset Stories

Monday, March 12, 2012

Free Music From The Film: The Crumbles

Monday, March 12, 2012

Link

Upcoming Events @ The Third Place Wing Young Huie Photography Gallery

Monday, March 12, 2012

Coming soon.

Light / Dark Show: Isolating the Senses on March 17th

Yes! Lets Collective, in partnership with The Third Place Gallery, is teaming up with an array of local visual artists, including Colin Kopp, Alfonso Fernandez, Ali Rogers, and Bridget Blatzheim to present "The Light / Dark Show: Isolating the Senses." In a time when we are constantly over stimulated by lights and sounds, images and advertisement, the Yes!Lets Collective invites you to this rare opportunity to isolate your senses for an evening of visual and audio art, themed Light / Dark at Wing Young Huie’s Third Place Gallery on Saturday, March 17th from 7:00 - 9:00pm. The event kicks off in complete silence, with the audience using only their eyes to soak in the visual art. Next, the audience will be guided into complete darkness, using only their ears to soak in the music. The event will culminate in a discussion with the artists, followed by ping pong and karaoke. Refreshments will be served. Photo copyright Colin Kopp.

Yes!Lets Collective is a cohort of Twin Cities musicians, artists and organizers; with an ethos of unwavering enthusiasm, the collective seeks to unite ‘performer’ and ‘audience’ through events based on community building and collaborative art-making.


When: Saturday, March 17th

Time: 6:30 pm - doors open
7 pm - event begins, followed by discussion, followed by ping pong and karaoke (starting around 9 p.m.)!

Suggested Donation: $5 - 10

Where: The Third Place
Wing Young Huie Photography Gallery
3730 Chicago Avenue South, Studio B
Minneapolis, MN 55407


Political Discourse/Discord in Conversation and Karaoke April 13th

We are pleased to partner with Northern Lights and the Walker Art Center for our April event, which will be part of the larger gathering Discourse and Discord: A Public Symposium. The evening will begin with one of Wing's "Chalk Talk" workshops, re-imagined to encourage dialogue between strangers on a variety of political topics. Following the discussion, we will feature karaoke centering around political, patriotic and protest songs both classic and contemporary. Beer, wine and light refreshments will be served. Photo by Wing Young Huie (University Avenue Project, 2010)

When: Friday, April 13th

Time: 6:30 pm - doors open
7 pm - event begins

Suggested Donation: $5 - 10

Where: The Third Place
Wing Young Huie Photography Gallery
3730 Chicago Avenue South, Studio B
Minneapolis, MN 55407

P.S: Vote For Ed Bok Lee At The MN Book Awards

Monday, March 12, 2012

Forgot to mention this in the last post - but you can vote for Ed Bok Lee to be a finalist for the MN Book Awards. Go to the FB page, click on the left hand menu, like the page, and you will be able to see the books to vote for (Ed Bok Lee's is on page 7).

Ed Bok Lee Upcoming Events

Monday, March 12, 2012

May 1, Books on the Square, Providence, RI

May 1, Brown University, Providence, RI

April 13, Busboys & Poets, 11 pm feature, Washington DC

April 12 - 13, AAAS (Association of Asian American Studies Conference), Washington DC

April 11, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

April 3, University of California, Berkeley, CA

March 31, Fresno City College, Fresno, CA

March 29, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA

Developing The Solo Show + AAFilmLab

Monday, March 12, 2012

Thursday
7:00pm until 9:00pm


The Azure Lounge, 333 E 91 Street, at E 91st Street and 1st Avenue (photo ID will be required upon check in), NYC
Industry Spotlight: Cindy Cheung on "Developing The Solo Show." Thurs., March 15, 7-9PM

This Industry Spotlight is a must for any actor who is looking for effective autonomous ways to create your own work. Cindy Cheung is the writer and performer of SPEAK UP CONNIE, directed by BD Wong, and will explain the considerations that went into writing and performing her solo piece. Cindy will talk about her own experiences, including: figuring out what you want to write about, negotiating what personal stories to share, the unique situation of being alone on stage for 75 minutes, the power of generating one's own work, collaborating with a director, as well as some technical ins and outs and marketing. We will have an open Q&A afterwards so bring your questions!

Cindy Cheung’s film and TV credits include: Children of Invention (Sundance 2009), Lady In The Water, Robot Stories, Falling For Grace, “Bored To Death,” “White Collar,” “Fringe,” “Law and Order,” “L&O:SVU,” “L&O: Criminal Intent”, “One Life To Live” and “Sex and the City.” Theater credits include Middletown (Vineyard), The Sugar House at the Edge of the Wilderness (Ma-Yi), The Seagull and Antigone, (NAATCO), Goodbye Cruel World (Roundtable), Sides: The Fear Is Real… (Ma-Yi/Miyagi), Masha No Home (E.S.T.), W;t (Florida Studio Theater), The First Picture Show (A.C.T.), A Christmas Carol (South Coast Rep), Sweeney Todd and Into The Woods (East West Players). She has an MFA from A.C.T. and continues to develop her solo show, SPEAK UP CONNIE, with director BD Wong.

When:
Thursday, March 15
Where:
TBA, New York, NY

Time:
7PM to 9PM
Please be on time.

Please RSVP via our Facebook Event and/OR email info@AAFilmLab.org with “RSVP March 15th” in subject line.

To offset costs of maintaining our services to our community, and in the aid of securing a permanent home for the AAFilmLab, we will be accepting donations. The suggested donation is $3.00 - $5.00.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our previous events. Connect and reconnect with those you met at our previous meetings at our Facebook Profile Page and our Facebook Event Invite: Past Events!

SUBMIT FOR "Unfinished Works" or "Industry Spotlight"
For more information about submitting for our programs "Unfinished Works" or "Industry Spotlight" please go this page:
http://aafilmlab.org/index.php/weblog/news/

We are currently accepting submissions from writers for "Unfinished Works"! Please click on the link above!

The AAFilmLab is a not-for-profit organization committed to challenging our membership to continually strive to be better. If you found our programs helpful or were able to find or utilize resources from AAFILMLAB meetings to improve your film, we kindly ask for an appropriate credit. Thanks!

Pan-Asian Voices for Equity (PAVE-MN) Social Gathering/Happy Hour

Monday, March 12, 2012

Thursday
5:00pm until 8:00pm


Bring a friend and join PAVE-MN (Pan-Asian Voices for Equity - Minnesota) for a fun social event at Saji-ya in St. Paul! The more the merrier. :)

We'll get there at 5 and happy hour prices go 'til 6, but feel free to stay as late as you want. There is a parking lot.

Please RSVP on this event page so we can give the restaurant a heads up ahead of time. Thanks, and see you soon!

Saji-ya
695 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
http://www.sajiya.com/

DJ Serpico + Leo37 + First Place + FanFare

Monday, March 12, 2012



After a 5-year whirlwind of tours through 11 countries, shared stages with some of contemporary music’s great talents, and a personal life that has held its share of highs and lows, Taiwanese-Canadian emcee/producer/turntablist LEO37 has finally emerged with his brand new EP, FANFARE. Produced entirely by Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist, John Poon, this record, though brief, demonstrates a LEO37 who, lyrically, has never sounded more comfortable or confident. Marrying poignant, vivid lyrics and a highly stylized sense of cadence with a sonic mélange of analog and digital textures, this duo, during a time when everything has been done before has somehow created something altogether fresh.

Intentionally featuring a limited cast of guests (Lillian Chan/Vocals – You & The Nite and Tim Shia/Drums – Fire Dance, Footwork & Fanfare) and album art from award-winning animator/illustrator, Howie Shia, FANFARE is available now for free download at: www.leo37.com

Dawen + Taylor Swift Ft. The Civil Wars - Safe And Sound (cover)

Monday, March 12, 2012

Yellow Boyz Headline The Asian Hip Hop Summit

Monday, March 12, 2012

Yellow Boyz will headline the Asian Hip Hop Summit: Year of the Dragon Tour, which begins at the University of Georgia on April 2 and concludes in Brooklyn at Public Assembly on May 6. Yellow Boyz, a hip hop trio from Atlanta, are rumored to be negotiating an unprecedented "double" recording deal for both the United States and Korea. This tour will take Yellow Boyz to the West Coast for the first time.

College stops include Yale University, UCLA, and UC San Diego. A few cities will be hosting an Asian Hip Hop Summit for the first time, such as Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, and Tacoma, WA. Yellow Boyz will be joined on the road by Lyricks/Manifest/JL from Virginia, Smokes from Wisconsin, Decipher from Philadelphia, and Mike B from Los Angeles. Major Summits that are not to be missed include Dallas on April 10 at KTX, Los Angeles on April 18 at UCLA's Fowler Museum, San Francisco on April 22 at Brick and Mortar, and Minneapolis on May 4 at Epic.

To herald the coming of spring and the unfolding of their tour, Yellow Boyz have also released the new video for their song "Snapback Season".

George Takai Happy Dance

Monday, March 12, 2012



You may have already seen this, but I just found it (thanks to the good folks down at BCB who unlike me don't sleep under rocks).

Take Two + Women's History Month

Monday, March 12, 2012

Definitely a good thing. Get down if you can make it.

Take Two

For Women's History Month, Take Two presents two searing documentary dramas in which Sembaru and Iraqi women turn mass depredation into brash jubilation. Come have a drink with us and be a part of this unique all-women program! (Well, there is a man, but he's a doll...)

7:00 Social (Half) Hour

Artists and activists meet, talk and get slightly tipsy together.

7:30 UMOJA: No Men Allowed

Written and directed by Elizabeth Tadic
Outcast tribal African women found their own village and launch a successful business, incurring the jealousy of their former husbands and setting off a wild and wacky gender war.

8:00 9 PARTS OF DESIRE

By Heather Raffo
Directed by Nancy Robillard
Iraqi-American writer/actress Heather Raffo lifts the veil on the impact of the Gulf War, in this poetic piece derived from the poignant, perceptive and profound stories of nine Iraqi women. With Jessica Arinella, Francis Benhamou, Anita Keal, Robin LeMon and Matthew Rashid.

Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai + Target Free Thursday Works-in-Progress: Formosa by Kelly Tsai"

Thursday, March 08, 2012

Target Free Thursday Works-in-Progress: Formosa by Kelly Tsai

Thursday, March 15 at 6:30pm
Location: Museum of Chinese in America

The Slants:You Make Me Alive - Official Music Video (Cosplay Edition)

Thursday, March 08, 2012

The Jay Legaspi Sessions

Thursday, March 08, 2012



Got a heads up from musician Jay Legaspi that he's going to be putting up a new video every week in the month of March and I'm definitely looking forward to checking them out (and so should you).

Here's a little more from Jay:

The first video to be released will be an interview piece touching on my musical inspirations, creative process, and performing career thusfar. The following two videos will be performance pieces. The videos were shot by my good friends JR Pena and Daniel Dai, who really gave a professional touch to the pieces.
Check out more down at Jay's site.

SFIAAFF: Here I Come

Thursday, March 08, 2012



Jennifer Lopez Still Loves Heejun Han

Wednesday, March 07, 2012



Pretty damn good.

Jessica Sanchez Killed It

Wednesday, March 07, 2012



And yes - she is of Filipino and Mexican descent.

In Pictures: Jeremy Lin Takes Over The Xbox 360

Monday, March 05, 2012

Heejun Han, You've Made It To The Finals

Friday, March 02, 2012

AI Goodness

Thursday, March 01, 2012