Magnetic North, WAM, Equilibrium, And Changing Identity: Recent Works by Women Artists from Vietnam

I talked about Changing Identity in a previous post and in conjunction with the exhibition they'll be putting on a special rendition of Equilibrium (the spoken word series directed by writer/poet/artist Bao Phi from the Loft Literary Center) which is going to feature Vietnamese American artists including Jennii Le, Sahra Nguyen, and Magnetic North.

When: Friday, April 10, 8:00 p.m.; galleries open at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Weisman Art Museum
Cost: $5/$3 students, WAM and Loft members; tickets available at the door

Spoken Word Meets Hip Hop Meets Vietnamese Cool.

Nice.

Go Go Cold Tofu Improv

Got this sent out earlier this week (thanks Stefanie) and wanted to make sure and post it on up as it starts up tonight through April 11th:

Cold Tofu Improv presents
Tofu Exposed: An All New Sketch Comedy Show

Cold Tofu Improv, the nation’s first and premier Asian American improvisation and sketch comedy group, presents Tofu Exposed: An All New Sketch Comedy Show from March 27 – April 11 at the Avery Schreiber Theatre in North Hollywood. This is the organization’s first sketch show in more than five years.

"Since 1981, Cold Tofu members have performed comedy encompassing a variety of universal themes that all people could relate. We provide a safe place for artists of all backgrounds to explore the different sides of comedy,” said Artistic Director Helen H. Ota. “Tofu Exposed is the culmination of a year-long sketch writing workshop that allows members to explore their lives through comedy and show the often hilarious side of everyday experiences.”

Want to see a private moment between a husband and wife? Hear the conversation happening behind closed doors between co-workers? Know what he’s thinking while on a first date? Explore the lives of your favorite Cold Tofu members with Tofu Exposed, an all new sketch comedy show written by the cast.

Directing the show is Stephen Kearin. He was a founding member of both Improv Theatre and True Fiction Magazine, and performed with BATS Improv for 14 years. Stephen is currently a member of Impro Theatre in Los Angeles and a founding member of 3ForAll. He’s directed Kirk Ward in two of his shows. First was the critically-acclaimed 3 Stories Tall that premiered in Los Angeles and is being remounted this summer at Luis Valdez's El Teatro Campesino, and Fatherland at The HBO Aspen Comedy Festival.

Tofu Exposed features Cold Tofu Improv members J. Stephen Brady, Denise Iketani, John Lau, Jully Lee, Kevin Ocampo, Helen H. Ota, Michael C. Palma and Aaron Takahashi.

Tofu Exposed runs March 27 – April 11 with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. Tickets are $25 for opening night, $15 general and $12 for students, seniors and groups of 10+. The Avery Schreiber Theatre is located at 11050 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. To make reservations, e-mail tofuexposed@gmail.com or call (213) 739-4142.

Tofu Exposed is supported in part by Sam Woo BBQ Restaurant, 6450 Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91411, (818) 988-6813.

Comedy + BBQ = good night for everyone.

Available Now: 2009 Chicago Asian American Showcase Program

Just a word out that the full program is now available for the 2009 Chicago Asian American Showcase which is looking to have a great slaw of films (and by slaw I mean slew except that I just felt like using slaw because nothing goes better with a bucket of chicken than good coleslaw and nothing really goes better with a movie than a bucket of chicken and if you truly follow that line of thinking you either read this blog way too much or you're my twin and that means we probably shouldn't have sex).

Check out the PDF program down at the FAAIM website as well as at the Gene Siskel Film Center where you can also get information on getting tickets.

Rocky Mountain High School And Mixed Company Of Yale's "Single Asians"

A semi non sequitur of a post - but only partially because they really do fit together.

First.

The group Mixed Company of Yale singing "Single Asians" to the tune of Beyonce's "Single Ladies".



Second.

From an article from the RockyMountTelegram.com on a panel of students from Rocky Mount talking about their views of discrimination and prejudice from the event "Can We Talk" that happened last night:

Jonathan Kim, an Asian-American student at Northern Nash High School, said he has experienced remarks and hurtful stereotypes because of his race.

“People have made racist remarks at school that I would physically hurt them, or shoot up their school,” Kim said. “Or they think I’m too smart to care what they have to say.”

When you read that one comment it's almost scary how it sums up so much of the way that Asian American males of all ages can be looked at through a far too often racist and stereotypical lens by the rest of society - reiterated by a High School student.

Kind of telling of where we still are isn't it?

Person Of The Year (At Least In One State)

This news is a little old, but still worth mentioning as California's Person Of The Year (given out on the 16th of this month) was Vietnamese American Nguyen Dieu Quyen:

Dieu Quyen was born in Vietnam in 1978 and left the US at the age of 14. Beginning a new life in a strange country, she tried her best and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics and Teaching from the University of Long Beach. Currently, she teaches at the Pacifica High School in the city of Garden Grove in California.

For the past several few years, Nguyen Dieu Quyen has been recognized as a good teacher and an active woman in social activities.

She is also a member of the management board of representatives of Vietnamese language centers for the overseas Vietnamese community in Southern California. In addition, Dieu Quyen also works as a newsreader for the local television station.

And she regularly acts as a MC for social events that are organized by the overseas Vietnamese community in California, contributing to the development and good of the community, especially as regards charitable activities.

“Dieu Quyen is really an enthusiastic humanitarian activist. She has devoted all her heart, her soul, her timetable and her talent for the community. She is worthy of receiving the “Person of the Year” honor”, stated Jose Solorio a representative for California’s 69 County, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana.

Dieu Quyen has awarded the honor in a ceremony on March 16th at California’s house of representatives.

Congratulations.

A Boston First?: Your Name's Nguyen And You're Running For City Council

Caught this article down at the Dorchester Reporter and according to the newsbyte 26 year-old Hiep Q. Nguyen has confirmed that he'll be running for City Council at-Large and most think he's the first Vietnamese American to ever run for City Council in the city of Boston:

At 26, he may be the youngest candidate in this year's race. And according to many, he is the first Vietnamese-American ever to run for the council in Boston.

"I was very surprised when I went a community meeting and knew about his running," said Van Lan Truong, a long-time community activist who was also the Vietnamese liaison for Mayor Raymond Flynn in the 1980s and 90s. "I'm very happy to see the younger generation getting involved and doing work for the community."

Nguyen is considered a newcomer to community activism, though he grew up in the area. Reached on the phone Tuesday, March 24, he declined to comment on the race other than to say that he is running. Nguyen immigrated from Tay Ninh, Vietnam, a town 50 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City in 1991 at the age of 8. His father was a pilot in the South Vietnamese army trained by the U.S. Air Force.

He attended St. William's Grammar School in Savin Hill and Boston Latin Academy, and then moved on to undergraduate and graduate degrees at Bentley University in Waltham.

Since his recent return to Boston, he has involved himself in efforts to register Vietnamese-American voters in last year's election and also the resurrection of the financially troubled Vietnamese-American Civic Association where he has become the president of the board of directors.

And to all the people that say he may not be able to connect with the Vietnamese American community because of his age and experience - at some point - you gotta make way for the new, so why not now?

Strangers Like To Beat Us Down?

I caught this article talking about race and violent crimes from a 2006 study from the Justice Department and if it does hold true and the trend has continued, it means that out of all the racial groups out there, we're apparently more likely to be the target of violent crimes by strangers than any other group - about 20% higher than anyone who isn't Asian - and while the article doesn't provide any reasons why this might be happening, I think people are just jealous that we're such a good looking people, and when they realize they'll never have that cool Asian vibe like us they just kind of go batshit.

Or they still have issues with Yoko and want to take it out on someone, but beating down an Asian person isn't going to help because Yoko's still going to be there (and I really do think she's an alien from another planet sent here to mock me).

All of this though doesn't mean you shouldn't meet new people and talk with strangers - but it is probably better to be on the safe side and not take lollipops from someone who looks like Rush Limbaugh.

Because he'll eat you.

Amanda Terkel On The Keith Olbermann Show

So I've been reading about Bill O'Reilly stalking and ambushing Asian American journalist and blogger Amanda Terkel (check out Disgrasian and Angry Asian Man for more posts) and wanted to post up the video of her on Keith Olbermann's show, talking about the ambush by O'Reilly's people about a blog post she did which simply pointed out that O'Reilly - in his own words -basically said it was the victim's fault she was raped and murdered because of you know - how she was dressed.

Keith Olbermann Video



The original O'Reilly segment



O'Reilly's Own Words

From the August 2 edition of Westwood One's The Radio Factor with Bill O'Reilly:

O'REILLY: So anyway, these two girls come in from the suburbs and they get bombed, and their car is towed because they're moronic girls and, you know, they don't have a car. So they're standing there in the middle of the night with no car. And then they separate because they're drunk. They separate, which you never do. All right.

Now Moore, Jennifer Moore, 18, on her way to college. She was 5-foot-2, 105 pounds, wearing a miniskirt and a halter top with a bare midriff. Now, again, there you go. So every predator in the world is gonna pick that up at two in the morning. She's walking by herself on the West Side Highway, and she gets picked up by a thug. All right. Now she's out of her mind, drunk.

And the thug takes her over to New Jersey in the cab and kills her and rapes her and does all these terrible things to her. And the thug is so stupid, he uses her cell phone, and the cops trace it back to him and they -- and they arrest him and charge him with murder. He had a prostitute girlfriend with him, and she's charged as an accessory to murder. But Jennifer Moore is in the ground. She's dead.

And The O'Reilly Supporters

And here's a YouTube comment from a supporter of Big Bad Bill on the whole situation who we'll just call dumbMF instead of his YouTube screen name cancerman67 which probably has something to do with the number of children he's "helped across the street" never to be found again:

This dumb b***h can dish it out - but when confronted - suddenly she's behaving like a victim. Did she try talking to O'Reilly before making the accusations? Hmmmm - NO. If she didn't make accusations in the first place - she wouldn't have had to explain herself.

Get a clue - or at least a better screen name that doesn't incriminate you.

Random Post On Nothing

You'll probably want to skip this post since I'm just going to ramble about nothing, but I figure it's been a while since I've just randomly posted on nothing, and since this is my blog, I figure I have a free pass.

So I tried reading my book again a few nights ago and while I slept with it under my arm and it was actually quite comfy and I felt literate (because I think literate people fall asleep with books), I only made it through the first page before I fell asleep.

The same thing happened when I was watching Obama on TV last night. After he chastised some reporter whose name I can't remember because of a question he wouldn't let drop I nodded off into slantyland - which is a fun place to be btw because I get to be naked a lot (and apparently I have six-pack abs too) - but out of all that I heard when I actually was awake what I remember the most (and I still blame Palin for this) is that people are continuing the practice of dropping their "G's" at the end of words including Obama to sound more "folksy" - and you know what? The G is there for a reason. It's supposed to be there and I'm actually kind of feeling bad for the letter G because it's really getting ignored in the face of everyone trying to appeal to what's becoming my least favorite place of this year which is "Mainstreet".

I mean everyone's trying to appeal to "Mainstreet". Commercials, television shows, politicians - even pizza's trying to make an appeal - and when they make their appeals all of them are dropping their G's.

It's kind of like this new rule that says if you're making a case about anything to anyone who you think is "Mainstreet", drop the G because apparently those of us who are on said street or blvd have never learned to pronounce the G at the end of words because we think it's invisible and if you drop it we'll think you're one of us and then we'll gladly accept whatever you have to say to us.

At the same time, the more I'm typing about this the more I really want to stand up for the letter G at the end of words and start a campaign for it because I'm actually kind of afraid we're going to lose it and never find it again and then I'll have to go through life saying "I can't talk with you right now because I'm masturbatin" and let's face it - that really doesn't sound that good.

AAA-Fund Interview: Judy Chu

Win A Squier Vintage Modified Precision Bass From The Slants

Got this sent out and wanted to post it on up:

Portland, Oregon-based Asian outfit The Slants - Simon Young (bass), Aron (vocals), Gaijin (keyboards), Johnny (guitar), and Tyler Chen (drums) ­ have teamed up with Squier Guitar, by Fender. As well as Shonen Jump, Shojo Beat Magazine, and one of the largest anime conventions in the country, Sakuracon, to offer fans a chance to win a limited edition Squier Vintage Modified Precision Bass customized by The Slants' founder and bassist, Simon Young.

The bass features artwork from the band's debut album, "Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts", as well as some detail work by Simon Young, which mirrors the custom Fender Jaguar basses that he uses himself. The bass is one of a kind and will be crafted in Fender's custom shop.

"I've had a lot of people been interested in my basses," says Young, "but there's never been a chance to get anything like them until now."

No purchase is necessary to enter. Fans must simply fill out the entry form, available at http://www.theslants.com/basscontest

Contest rules and regulations are available at the site. Fans may enter until April 12, 2009, when The Slants will give away the bass on stage during their concert at Sakuracon; runner up prizes are being graciously donated by Shonen Jump, Shojo Beat Magazine, and Fender.

The Slants are currently riding high on the emerging popularity of their debut full-length, "Slanted Eyes, Slanted Hearts", an album full of new wave, synth, pop, and danceable rock, all with an Asian flavor. The album has catchy hooks, smooth harmonies, and anthemic choruses - everything that a solid record should have. And it has been catching the support of a new breed of fans: anime watching, video game playing, manga reading kids who are in love with the band's sound and show presence.

Due to popular demand, The Slants are returning to Sakuracon 2009. In addition to The Slants, this year's musical guests will include Girugamesh, Smile DK, and Hagry and Anrgy.

The Slants have an extensive tour schedule throughout 2009 already on the books. Look for them at a club or anime convention near you.

Obama, The Administration, And More Asian American Nominations

More Asian American nominations straight from the White House Press Release:

Dr. Howard Koh, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Howard Koh is the Harvey V. Fineberg Professor of the Practice of Public Health, Associate Dean for Public Health Practice, and Director of the Division of Public Health Practice at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). At HSPH, he has served as the Principal Investigator of multiple research grants related to community-based participatory research, cancer prevention, health disparities, tobacco control, and emergency preparedness. He is also Director of the HSPH Center for Public Health Preparedness.

Koh previously served as Commissioner of Public Health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1997-2003) where he emphasized the power of prevention for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, which included four public health hospitals and a staff of over 3000 professionals. Koh graduated from Yale College, Yale University School of Medicine and completed his postgraduate training and chief residencies at Boston City Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. He has earned board certification in internal medicine, hematology, medical oncology, and dermatology, as well as a Master of Public Health degree. He is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine and Chair of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the CDC’s Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response.

Koh has published over 200 articles in the medical and public health literature. He has received numerous awards and honors including the Distinguished Service Award from the American Cancer Society. President Bill Clinton appointed Koh to the National Cancer Advisory Board (2000-2002). In recognition of his contributions to early detection and prevention of melanoma, the Boston Red Sox designated Koh as a “Medical All-Star” (2003), and invited him to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park. He and his wife, Dr. Claudia Arrigg, are the proud parents of three children.

Rhea Suh, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for Policy Management and Budget, Department of Interior

Most recently, Rhea Suh was a Program Officer at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, where she managed the program’s portfolio of grants designed to protect the ecosystems of the western part of North America. Suh has served as a consultant for the US National Park Service where she wrote educational strategy & developed educational programs for under-served constituencies (such as low-income communities) to bring National Park lessons to a broader audience in public schools. She served as Senior Legislative Assistant to Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell where she drafted & developed legislative initiatives, staffed the Senator at meetings & events, and regularly met with constituents.

Prior to her work for Senator Nighthorse Campbell, Suh was a high school science teacher in New York City. Rhea serves on the board of the Environmental Grantmakers Association and is on its inclusive practices committee. She is also a member of the Asian-American Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy Association.

Rhea holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and Education from Columbia University and a masters’ degree in Education from Harvard. Suh’s graduate school project at the Kennedy School of Government focused on helping the US Park Service think through the options for how they could create a formalized educational program that could help bring the parks into classrooms around the country.

Cool.

Free Traxx: DJ GEOMETRIX

Got this sent out to me and wanted to make sure to post on up:

DOWNLOAD EXCLUSIVE TRACKS from DJ GEOMETRIX'S Latest Mix CD "MY BITTER SWEET 16" Promo release available @ PLUNGE Miami, FL (March 26th) & ULTRABAR Washington, DC (April 10th)

Jay-Z vs. Robin da Hood - I Just Wanna Luv U (DJ Geometrix sMASH edIT)

http://www.djgeometrix.com/remix/dj_geometrix-just_wanna_love_u_remix.mp3
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57472729b3bfaf5b/
http://drop.io/djgeometrix/asset/dj-geometrix-just-wanna-love-u-remix-mp3

Wu-Tang Clan vs. Daze of Thunder - C.R.E.A.M. (DJ Geometrix sMASH edIT)

http://www.djgeometrix.com/remix/dj_geometrix-cream_remix.mp3
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57472587700e398b/
http://drop.io/djgeometrix/asset/dj-geometrix-cream-remix-mp3

Wale vs. DJ Mujava vs. Scottie B - Township Dig Dug (DJ Geometrix sMASH edIT)

http://www.djgeometrix.com/remix/dj_geometrix-dig_dug_remix.mp3
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57472601584eb880/
http://drop.io/djgeometrix/asset/dj-geometrix-dig-dug-remix-mp3

Notorious B.I.G. vs. Cold Blank - Hypnotize (DJ Geometrix sMASH edIT)

http://www.djgeometrix.com/remix/dj_geometrix-hypnotize_remix.mp3
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57472734070ec92c/
http://drop.io/djgeometrix/asset/dj-geometrix-hypnotize-remix-mp3

Common vs. Cadence - Lazy Love H.E.R. (DJ Geometrix sMASH edIT)

http://www.djgeometrix.com/remix/dj_geometrixi_used_to_love_her_remix.mp3
http://www.zshare.net/audio/57472724f434a5a7/
http://drop.io/djgeometrix/asset/dj-geometrix-i-used-to-love-her-remix-mp3

MV: BoA - Look Who's Talking Behind-the-Scenes

Caught this up on YouTube and you definitely want to check it out.

DVD+Showing: A Song For Ourselves

Three notes on A Song For Ourselves:

1. You can now pick up the DVD. Go to the blog and check the side button.

2. It's going to have it's NY premiere this Friday:

Friday, March 27th at 7pm
Manhattan Country School
7 East 96th Street (Between Madison & 5th Ave.)
New York, NY 10128

Unfortunately it's sold out (but still cool).

3. There's a good article down at Asia Pacific Arts along with some video.

It's Soy Good?

Sorry - I couldn't really help that after I read this article on how soy intake during childhood might help Asian American women reduce the risk of breast cancer - and while they can't say for sure - if they did a study that said eating two buckets of chicken a day could reduce the risk of prostate cancer (and I always want to say prostrate for some reason) - I'd be doubling up on my chicken intake.

Unfortunately that study hasn't come out yet, but if it does - I'll be ready.

Gary Locke You've Been Confirmed

While in some ways we knew there shouldn't be anything precluding Gary Locke from becoming Commerce Secretary - it's never official until the confirmation (especially as of late) - and now we can say that Gary Locke has officially joined the Obama cabinet:

The third try is, evidently, the charm for President Obama’s appointments to lead the Commerce Department. The Senate has just voted to confirm former Gov. Gary Locke of Washington to the post.

Mr. Obama’s first two nominees withdrew: Gov. Bill Richardson because of a pay-for-play investigation in his home state of New Mexico, and Senator Judd Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican, over philosophical differences and a dispute about control of the Census Bureau.

But after all that controversy, Mr. Locke breezed through, with the Senate approving his nomination by voice vote.

Taking.Over.The.World.

Or at least the White House.

O.K., maybe just the cabinet.

Well...a portion of it.

You know what I mean.

10th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival Call For Entries

Posting this up for the good folks down at SDAFF:

This is just a friendly reminder that the San Diego Asian Film Foundation's Call for Entries Early Deadline is approaching.

10th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival
Oct 15-29, 2009

Call For Entries

We're looking for the Best in Asian and Asian American cinema
CASH prize for Jury Winner
Early Deadline: April 30, 2009 ($25 fee)
Late Deadline: June 10, 2009 ($40 fee)

Rules, entry forms, and festival info at www.sdaff.org

For more info: 858.565.1264 Info@sdaff.org

So for any of you budding filmmakers out there - you still have time.

Lineup: Japan Film Festival–Los Angeles 2009

Got word down from the folks the JFFLA that they've come out with their full lineup. Info from the press release:

The Japan America Media Association, presenter of the Japan Film Festival–Los Angeles, is proud to announce the line-up for this year’s Festival. The Japan Film Festival–Los Angeles 2009 will be held from Friday, April 10 – Sunday, April 19 in Santa Monica and Downtown Los Angeles and will feature both North American and Los Angeles Premieres. We will be showing 22 feature films in total.

Here's a list of some of the films that will be playing as well as more information on venues and ticket prices from (go to the site for the full updated list).

Films

Opening: The Sky Crawlers LA Premiere
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Starring: Rinko Kikuchi, Ryo Kase, Chiaki Kuriyama, Syosuke Tanihara

“Kildren” are ageless fighter pilots who live in adolescence until they die in battle.
 They were created to fight in an endless war to “entertain” the peacetime people.

Closing: Vacation
Director: Hajime Kadoi
Starring: Kaoru Kobayashi, Hidetoshi NIshijima, Nene Otsuka, Ren Osugi, Syuji Kashiwabara

Hirai, a veteran prison guard who is getting married to Mika, a single mother. 
Hoping to make time to be with his new family, he finds that the only way to be entitled to a week's vacation is if he acts as the execution assistant during an execution.

Always: Sunset on Third Street 2 LA Premiere
Director: Takashi Yamazaki
Starring: Hidetaka Yoshioka, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Koyuki, Maki Horikita, Hiroko Yakushimaru

The scene is set four months after the previous movie in the Tokyo Shitamachi area. The story continues with the human drama of the residents in Yuuhi machi 3 chome.

252: Signal of Life US Premiere
Director: Nobuo Mizuta
Starring: Hideaki Ito,Masaaki Uchino, Takayuki Yamada, Yu Kashii, Yuichi Kimura

The biggest monster Typhoon ever to hit Japan, people try to survive while in a furious panic.

ICHI
Director: Fumihiko Sori
Starring: Haruka Ayase, Shido Nakamura, Yosuke Kubozuka, Akira Emoto, Riki Takeuchi, Takao Osawa

New, female version of the famous sword hero “Zatoichi”.

The Gift From Beate
Director: Tomoko Fujiwara
Starring: Beate Sirota Gordon

Ms. Beathe Shirota Gordon makes every effort to build “essential equality of the sexes” in the Constitution of Japan after WWⅡ. Supported by her efforts, Japanese women devote their energies to establishing a gender equal society.

Campaign
Director: Soda Kazuhiro
Starring: Kazuhiko Yamauchi, Sayuri Yamauchi, Junichiro Koizumi, Junko Kawaguchi

Documentary film about “a political amateur” who is transformed into “a candidate running with the official support” of the big political party. Making full use of strategy and methodology while developing an electoral
campaign.

Tribute for the prolific actor, Ken Ogata

A Long Walk
Director: Eiji Okuda
Starring: Ken Ogata, Saki Takaoka, Kana Sugiura, Syota Matsuda, Eiji Okuda

A middle-aged man who suffers from remorse in his life meets a girl who has blocked out her emotions after being repeatedly abused by her mother. While being chased as a kidnapper, he decides to take off on a journey of redemption.

Vengeance is Mine
Director: Syohei Imamura
Starring: Ken Ogata, Rentaro Mikuni, Chocho Miyako, Mitsuko Baisyo, Mayumi Ogawa

A story of a man who kills five people and runs away through Japan. His life is full of accumulated crimes from his upbringing, love affairs and antagonism from his own father. 


Date and Venue

April 10 (Fri) to 16 (Thu)
Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex (Santa Monica)
1332 2nd Street Santa Monica, 90401

April 17 (Fri) to 19 (Sun)
Downtown Independent (Downtown Los Angeles)
251 S. Main Street Los Angeles, California 90012

April 25 (Sat) and 26 (Sun)
Starplex Cinema (Irvine)
4626 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92604

Ticket Prices

General Admission $10
Students / Seniors (60+) / Matinee(before 4:30pm) $7 (ID is needed for students and seniors)

*Advance ticket (3 tickets) $20
(*This ticket is valid for Santa Monica and Downtown LA only. It is not valid in Irvine. This is a voucher only and will need to be exchanged for the actual ticket at the ticket office.)

Released: Utada - This Is The One

So you know I was going to pick this up and listen to it non-stop and it's almost exactly what I expected - straight up everything I love about Utada - depth, soul, pop, r&b, hot beats, and that vibe that only Hikki can bring with her music.

You definitely want to pick it up (get it down at Amazon or from iTunes where you get the album plus the "Come Back To Me" video as well as a digital booklet).

Hot Tracks

• Come Back To Me: Loved the slow r&b/pop vibes when it first came out and still loving it now (and it's definitely cool that you get the video as well with the album).
  
• Me Muero: Leave it up to Utada to put this track on because there aren't a lot of artists who could pull this off and while at first I thought it was a little out of place it's seriously grown on me and I think has some of the best lyrics and vocals on the album. Loving this track.
  
• Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI: One of my favorite tracks hands down because it's just a slick slick vibe.
  
• Apple and Cinnamon: Strong deep mid-tempo gooey beats and an infectious hook. What more do I want? One of my favorite tracks.


• This One (Crying Like a Child): Its just got a good r&b pop feel to it that I just can't help but like.
  
• Automatic, Pt. II: Automatic is always going to be a classic (and who doesn't love the Unplugged acoustic version?), but Pt. II is kind of like when Batman Begins came out - it made you rethink the franchise.
  
• On and On: Certifiable pop with the Utada stamp and that's the only way I can explain it.

All the other tracks are pretty solid as well and I'm sure are going to grow on me the more I listen to them.

$7.99 for the latest Utada?

Can't be beat.

And On Dirty Desire

I guess I have to post at least a little something on this right?

Far be it from me as someone who has a blog named "Slant Eye For The Round Eye" and who signs correspondence with "Slanty" from saying what a musician, artist, and Asian woman meant when she has the line "Love You Long Time" in her song - especially when she's already said the verses in the song are tongue-in-cheek and she's already talked about how people say she speaks great English - not gonna happen.

At the same time I'm going to point you to David Henry Hwang and Margaret Cho who said this in an MTV article last year:

" 'Love you long time' comes out of a fairly stereotypical situation, and it's recycled itself back into the culture," said playwright David Henry Hwang. "Now it's being used as an empowerment phrase, like to deny it — 'I won't love you long time' — or women who take the phrase and use it to assert themselves."

[...]

"It's so many different kinds of slurs in one," comedian Margaret Cho said. "It's instantly putting you in the position of being a foreigner, an outsider and a sexual stereotype. It's an all-in-one combo."

[...]

"I was walking down the street and this guy yells from his car, 'Love you long time, me love you long time,' " Cho related. "And I was so horrified. Of course he's talking to me, to the Asian woman walking down the street. And he left.

"I don't mind it when it's used in songs, like when women use it," Cho continued. "Fergie uses it, that doesn't bother me. But when it's shouted in the street and they don't wait to hear the response? What if I was actually going to go, 'Oh, OK'? They never stick around to hear the answer."

All I know is this.

Leave it up to Utada to push the boundaries on her "mainstream" album - because if you do a search on "Utada+love you long time" the conversations are already out there.

Support Asian American Music.