Getting To Know Your Kelly Choi

Quick video of Kelly Choi who's hosting out the new show Top Chef Masters on Bravo. You can also read an interview with her down at Asiance Magazine.

Look At That Asian Kid In The 1984 Michael Jackson Action Figure Commercial

Best Picture Ever: Pho Challenge!

I caught the above photo down at BicoastalBitchin and I just had to re-post it up here 'cause it's classic. Check out the post Pho Challenge! Huzzah! for more.

Maybe I Survived A Japanese Game Show Isn't Too Bad?

I only happened to catch one episode of Season two last week by accident (and I never saw Season One), but I gott a be honest - there's something mildly alluring about seeing the tables turned where you have a mostly White contestant pool (at least now) doing crazy things for the enjoyment of an all Asian studio audience where they're basically judged and juried by Asian people - behind the scenes, in front of the camera, by Rome Kanda and Judge Bob, in the punishments - they even make people read subtitles on this show (and there's even some AA representation in S2 with contestant Cathy Grosam).

Sure, I did happen to catch the Brent Alexander Karate Kid moment (but that's just on him), and in some ways you can make arguments against the show in terms of what people might actually be laughing at - but when you look at it from a perspective where on most game shows we watch we see mostly white people controlling the strings (at least on camera) - like I said before - it's mildly alluring to see Asians behind the scenes and as a host on this type of program (and I also thought it was interesting to see them show Rome Kanda both as his host personality and in regular street clothes).

So who knows - maybe I'll be catching a few more episodes of this MF.

Last API Standing: Kupono Awea

With Asuka Kondoh and Karla Garcia getting the ax in the last week, it's all up to Kupono Awea to take the So You Think You Can Dance crown.

Good luck and may the Tayeh be with you.

Random Dawen Wang

Look for the album "American Me" coming out next month.

I Liked It: Departures

I'll freely admit that sometimes I see movies because they won an award, and say what you will, but occasionally I want to know if something was really that good and at the same time let's all give it up for something called Cultural Relevancy.

If you're looking for something long and in-depth -- look further -- because as we all know, I'm a hack - but I will tell you this - you really should see it because it's not just funny (a lot more than I thought it would be), but it just lets you follow along in a story that doesn't do too much but still makes this impact on you because you can't help but wonder what's going to happen next - because it makes you invested in the characters and the small town they live in and I think like all good movies in this genre makes you think a little bit about your own life.

Don't worry though - I'm not trading in blogging anytime soon to prepare dead bodies - or become an actor in a "How To" video - but I may open up my own Slanty Bathhouse because then I get to be naked 24/7 and still get paid.

Nice.

Weekend DVD: Baby

I didn't see this in the theaters but I did happen to pick up the DVD (which came out this year) and I'm thinking if I like movies about guns, the underworld, and more guns - which I do - I'm gonna like it.

Here's a trailer

I'm Just Glad Disney And Pixar Didn't Actually Use The Me So Horny Chink Eye Breakfast At Tiffany's Face For Russell In The Final "Up!" Picture

I caught this article down at Gizmodo and seeing how Up! is outselling all other movies I was definitely interested in seeing some of the color images which led me to the Lou Romano site which led me to this image which was obviously not used in how Russell actually looked in the final.



Yeah...glad someone stopped this from coming out and isn't it how funny how no one from Gizmodo and NY Mag even mentioned this?

Just a word of advice - I probably wouldn't put this out in book form, or as a poster either...just saying.

Avex Star Search 2009

If you're not between the ages of 13-24 and don't want to be a superstar in Asia - this isn't for you - but if you are and you do (because really who doesn't) read dreamers of stardom:

After the overwhelming success of avex Star Search 2008, avex group, one of the world's largest independent entertainment companies, once again is searching for its next great star. avex is seeking talented, U.S-based, male and female musical artists, dancers and models of all racial backgrounds, aged 13-24, interested in becoming a performer and recording artist in Asia.

Potential applicants must first sign up online at www.avexstarsearch.com using the audition application form. All accepted applicants will be notified via e-mail about audition requirements, locations, specific requirements and times. Not all applicants will be accepted.

Selected talent will be invited to sign a contract with avex group and embark on a career as a performer in Asia. All applicants must be able to temporarily or permanently relocate to Japan. As skill levels and age will vary among selected talent, contract terms will be set on a case by case basis. Selected talent may also be invited --at the expense of avex-- to attend the avex Artist Academy, where they will receive additional vocal, dance, acting, language and modeling training, refining their skills at one of two state-of–the-art avex facilities.

avex group will be holding auditions for avex star search in Honolulu, HI this Fall, although other cities and states with significant numbers of applicants will be considered for separate auditions.

2008’s finalists are currently in Tokyo attending avex’s Artist Academy.

For more information, official rules and to register for avex star search, please visit: http://www.avexstarsearch.com

ABOUT AVEX GROUP:

The avex Group (avex) is a fully integrated entertainment business group based in Tokyo and listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Its main focus is the domestic audience as well as the rapidly growing East Asian entertainment market. avex is unique in Japan in terms of both the breadth and caliber of its business activities. The Group's major business segments include artist management, musical/visual content production, physical/digital distribution, concert production as well as IP rights development. Its unmatched, seamless in-house platform allows avex to maximize value for artist and the corporate brand as a whole, thereby enabling the avex label to achieve the No.1 market share in the Japanese music market. Avex group Official Web Site: http://www.avex.co.jp/e_site/index.html

It could be you!

Or maybe not - especially if you can't sing, can't dance, or look like this guy:



Good luck!

Asian American ComiCon Final Schedule And Complete Guest List

From the media release:

The organizers of the First Annual Asian American ComiCon (AACC) have announced the complete Featured Guest list and final Schedule of Events for this celebration of the unique contemporary role and historical legacy of Asians and Asian Americans in the world of graphic fiction, which will take place Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre Street in New York).

Confirmed Special Guests Include:

• Larry Hama (writer, G.I. Joe)
• Bernard Chang (artist, Wonder Woman)
• Cliff Chiang (artist, Green Arrow)
• Derek Kirk Kim (artist, The Eternal Smile)
• Greg Pak (writer, Incredible Hulk)
• Khoi Pham (artist, Mighty Avengers)
• Sean Chen (artist, Iron Man)
• Christina Strain (colorist, Runaways)
• Fred Chao (writer/artist, Johnny Hiro)
• Christine Norrie (artist, Breaking Up)
• Tak Toyoshima (writer/artist, Secret Asian Man)
• Misako Rocks! (writer/artist, Biker Girl)
• Kuo-Yu Liang (VP Sales & Marketing, Diamond Book Distributors)
• Sharad Devarajan (CEO, Liquid Comics)
• William F. Wu (writer, Hong on the Range)
• The Editors of Secret Identities (www.secretidentities.org)

Other special guests of the con will include: Ben Nugent, author, American Nerd; Hua Hsu, professor, Vassar College; Ed Lin, author of Waylaid and This Is a Bust; Monica Ferrell, author, The Answer Is Always Yes; Monica Youn, author, Ignatz (forthcoming); Vyshali Manivannan, author, Invictus; Paolo Javier, author, 60 lv Bo(e)mbs; Jennifer Lee, former editor, Marvel Comics and DC Comics; Kai-Ming Cha, comics and manga reporter, Publishers Weekly; Aimee Bahng, assistant professor, English, Dartmouth College; Ken Okabayashi, founder of Piggy Back Studios; Tyler Chin-Tanner, artist/writer, American Terrorist; Daniel Ketchum, editor, Marvel Comics; Karl Taro Greenfield, author, Speed Tribes; and Arune Singh, sales coordinator, Marvel Comics.

In addition, the following creators will be participating in the AACC's Artists Alley, and will conduct signing and sketch sessions throughout the day. Each artist will also donate an original sketch for AACC's silent auction, proceeds to benefit the nonprofit Museum of Chinese in America.

• Jimmy J. Aquino (writer, "Sampler," SECRET IDENTITIES)
• Jeremy Arambulo (writer/artist, ROGUE SOUP & BUG)
• Bernard Chang (artist, WONDER WOMAN)
• Sean Chen (artist, IRON MAN)
• Tyler Chin-Tanner (writer/artist, AMERICAN TERRORIST)
• Robin Ha (writer/artist, THE MAGIC 8-BALL)
• Dongyun Lee (writer/artist, ZOOM)
• Yali Lin (writer/artist, SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO & JULIET)
• Jerry Ma (art director, SECRET IDENTITIES)
• Allan Norico (writer/artist, THINGS I'VE SEEN AT SHOWS)
• Khoi Pham (artist, MIGHTY AVENGERS)
• Misako Rocks! (writer/artist, BIKER GIRL)
• Sarah Sapang (artist, "16 Miles," SECRET IDENTITIES)
• Christina Strain (colorist, RUNAWAYS)
• Alex Tarampi (artist, "Gaman," SECRET IDENTITIES)
• Tak Toyoshima (writer/artist, SECRET ASIAN MAN)
• Paul Wei (writer/artist, THE ADVENTURES OF MAXWELL & GRANDMA)
• Ken Wong (writer/artist, SCHRODINGER'S CAT)

COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The event will be divided into three tracks: Reading Comics, Making Comics, and Creator Spotlight. Each track includes a diverse range of interactive and immersive panels and workshops, featuring leading Asian and Asian American figures from comics, literature and academia.

Reading Comics

How do we read comic books today? This track answers this question by putting comic book artists at the same table with novelists, professors and industry professionals. A mash-up of fan convention, Asian American studies conference and literary festival, this one-of-a-kind series of panels and readings confronts pressing issues, such as the globalization of pop culture, the representation of Asian Americans in comics, and, of course, the nature of nerdiness.

Sessions Include:

· Nerdpop: The Rise of the Nerds!: Asian Americans have long been stereotyped as “nerds,” but nerdiness has become something to celebrate. With the rise of digital culture and the mainstreaming of comic books and other once nerdy genres, nerds have gone from persecuted minority to masters of the universe. This panel examines the historical development of nerd identity, particularly among Asian Americans, and the aesthetics of nerd pride. Moderated by Hua Hsu, professor, English, Vassar College, featuring panelists Ben Nugent, author, American Nerd; Derek Kirk Kim, artist/writer, Same Difference & Other Stories; and Keith Chow, senior editor, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology

· Every Comic Is Asian American: The most prominent Asian American comic characters have typically been slanty-eyed sidekicks and supervillains, speaking in broken English and colored the shade of school buses. This panel starts with an all-star line-up of novelists and poets re-imagining their favorite comic book characters as Asian American and continues with a panel of professors, artists, and journalists discussing how Asian Americans have been represented in graphic novels. Moderated by Ken Chen, executive director of The Asian American Writers’ Workshop, featuring panelists like Ed Lin, author, Waylaid and This Is a Bust; Monica Ferrell, author, The Answer Is Always Yes; Monica Youn, author, Ignatz (forthcoming); Vyshali Manivannan, author, Invictus; Paolo Javier, author, 60 lv Bo(e)mbs; and Karl Taro Greenfeld, author, Speed Tribes

· The Asianization of Pop Culture: The rise of the graphic novel could really be described as the Asianization of American pop culture. In fact, the graphic novel renaissance has in many ways been powered by the popularity of manga, Japanese comics that still account for half of the new comics released in the America today. Panelists discuss the influence of manga, manhwa, and anime on American comics and American pop culture more generally. Moderated by Kai-Ming Cha, comics and manga reporter, Publishers Weekly, featuring panelists Aimee Bahng, assistant professor, English, Dartmouth College; Kuo-Yu Liang, VP, Sales & Marketing, Diamond Book Distributors; Ken Okabayashi, founder of Piggy Back Studios; and Misako Rocks!, artist/writer, Biker Girl

· The New Villains: Muslim insurgents. Chinese spies. North Korean dictators. Is it just us, or are Asians increasingly being cast in the role of the global evildoer? What's the history of the portrayal of villainous Asians in comics and cartoon art, how does that history shape what we're seeing in those fields today, and what does this mean for Asians and Asian Americans in the real world? Moderated by Jeff Yang, editor-in-chief, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology, featuring panelists Larry Hama, creator, G.I. Joe mythology; William F. Wu, author, Hong on the Range and The Yellow Peril; Tyler Chin-Tanner, artist/writer, American Terrorist; and Sharad Devarajan, CEO, Liquid Comics

Track Two: Making Comics
This track focuses on the art and business of making comics— from alt-comics and literary graphic fiction to mainstream superhero books and syndicated strips. Featured workshops will include a hands-on demonstration by leading creators; explorations of the business side of comics; and other sessions highlighting comics as a profession, a discipline, an art form and a commercial landscape.

Sessions include:

· Writers' Bloc: Writers of indie and superhero comics and a syndicated comic strip discuss the craft of scripting sequential art and their strategies for tackling everyday creative challenges. Moderated by Greg Pak, writer, The Incredible Hulk and War Machine, featuring panelists Fred Chao, artist/writer, Johnny Hiro; Larry Hama, creator, G.I. Joe mythology; Christine Norrie, artist/writer, Cheat; and Tak Toyoshima, artist/writer, Secret Asian Man

· Visual Storytelling—The Art of Collaboration: Top graphical storytellers share their experiences and tips for making the most of the challenges and opportunities of collaboration between pencillers, inkers, colorists, and writers. Moderated by Greg Pak, writer, The Incredible Hulk and War Machine, featuring panelists Sean Chen, artist, Iron Man; Daniel Ketchum, editor, Marvel Comics; Derek Kirk Kim, artist/writer, Same Difference & Other Stories; Khoi Pham, artist, Mighty Avengers; and Christina Strain, colorist, Runaways

· Visual Storytelling—Hands On: A diverse group of acclaimed artists sketch in real time as they discuss their different approaches in making creative choices. Moderated by Greg Pak, writer, The Incredible Hulk and War Machine, featuring panelists Bernard Chang, artist, Wonder Woman; Fred Chao, artist/writer, Johnny Hiro; Cliff Chiang, artist, Green Arrow/Black Canary; and Misako Rocks!, artist/writer, Biker Girl

· The Business of Comics: For anyone who's ever dreamed of joining the comics world, here's your chance to get an insider's look at the commercial side of graphical storytelling. Comic book pros from every corner of the biz introduce their fields and discuss breaking in, maintaining a career, and keeping up with what the future has in store. Moderated by Jennifer Lee, former editor, Marvel and DC Comics, featuring panelists Bernard Chang, artist, Wonder Woman; Fletcher Chu-Fong, manager, Events & Retail, DC Comics; Kuo-Yu Liang, VP, Sales & Marketing, Diamond Book Distributors; Arune Singh, sales coordinator, Marvel Comics; Tak Toyoshima, artist/writer, Secret Asian Man; and Sharad Devarajan, CEO, Liquid Comics

Track Three: CREATOR SPOTLIGHT Sessions
In this track top comics creators paired with interesting counterparts (outside of comics) for one-on-one discussions covering craft, inspirations and influences, shared themes and future collaborations.

Sessions Include:

· Similar Differences—SPOTLIGHT on Derek Kirk Kim: A candid discussion with the brilliant author and artist of Same Difference and Other Stories and co-creator, with Gene Yang, of the new graphic novel The Eternal Smile. Moderated by Jeff Yang, editor-in-chief, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology

· From Chop-Chop to Silver Samurai—SPOTLIGHT ON: William F. Wu: A guided tour with science fiction legend William F. Wu, as he shares samples from his collection of thousands of comics depicting Asian images...good, bad, and definitely ugly. Moderated by Jeff Yang, editor-in-chief, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology

· Hama Time!—SPOTLIGHT on Larry Hama: Catching up with comics pioneer Larry Hama, creator of the G.I. Joe universe and winner of this year's KIYAMA AWARD! Moderated by Keith Chow, senior editor, Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology

All tracks are open to all AACC registrants; however, to manage traffic flow and seating, we will ask registrants to tentatively identify which sessions they intend to join upon receiving confirmation of their attendance. Space for some sessions is limited, and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with VIP Pass holders receiving priority.

Tickets for the nonprofit Asian American ComiCon are $15 for students, $25 for adults (18 and older), and $75 for a special VIP Pass, entitling the bearer to priority reserved seating at all panels and workshops, a complimentary Asian American graphic novel, signed by its creators, and an original sketch from one of the artists participating in the event's Artists Alley. Registration will be limited to 250 attendees, and is available in advance through the following link: https://www.nycharities.org/event/event.asp?CE_ID=4187

In addition, DISCOUNTED ADMISSIONS are available through the following sponsoring organizations. TO REGISTER AT DISCOUNTED RATES, CALL BEATRICE CHEN at the Museum of Chinese in America, 212.619.4785 x104 and provide an authorized discount code. Note: All passes may sell out before the day of the event.

Sponsoring Organizations & Link to Discount Code

AAFilmLab
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccaafilm.html

AngryAsianMan.com
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccaam.html

APEX
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccapexemail.html

Asian American Arts Alliance
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccaaaaemail.html

Asian CineVision
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccacv.html

AsianAmericanComics.com
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccaacomics.html

Bank of America Asian Leadership Network
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccaln.html

BetterAsianMan.com
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccbam.html

ChannelAPA.com
http://www.aacomicon.com/aacccapa.html

Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment
http://www.aacomicon.com/aacccapeemail.html

Midtown Comics
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccmidcom.html

New York University A/P/A Institute
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccapany.html

Ningin.com
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccningin.html

PopCultureShock.com
http://www.aacomicon.com/aaccpcs.html

Antisocial Ladder: What We Do Is Secret

I read this great post down at the Antisocial Ladder where SK goes into a little bit of the personal to help spread some knowledge and put out some topics that aren't always talked about even though they should:

I told my sister about it and when I asked her if I should let our mom know, she advised me to not say anything until I had to, i.e. when I actually was at a point in my life where I was thinking about having kids. Asian families are a bit notorious for keeping secrets and there will always be topics that are off-limit

[...]

Part of the reason I'm writing about this so frankly is that health, finances, and communication are still problematic in a lot of Asian/American families. I'm not sure how much things have changed since I was a teenager (oh, so long ago), but I wouldn't be surprised if there were a fair amount of young Asian Americans that don't let their parents if something is amiss with their physical or mental health. And if the family doesn't have health coverage, it's probably talked about even less.

Read it out in full at The Antisocial Ladder.

156 Asian And Asian American Links To Follow On Twitter

A few notes about this list:

• It's not in any order whatsoever because it's just more fun that way.
  
• For the most part, they all seem to be the real people.
  
• Definitely not all inclusive by any means and if I found a link that didn't update since April/May, for the most part I didn't put them on here.
• If you're wondering about the number 156...I had to start/stop somewhere.

Margaret Cho: http://twitter.com/margaretcho
Jon M. Chu: http://twitter.com/jonmchu
VisualCommunications: http://twitter.com/vconline
Japanese Film Festival LA: http://twitter.com/JFFLA
Center for Asian American Media: http://twitter.com/CAAM
Kollaboration: http://twitter.com/Kollaboration
Todd Angkasuwan: http://twitter.com/ToddAngkasuwan
Eric BYler: http://twitter.com/ericbyler
James Jyson Lee: http://twitter.com/jameskysonlee
Ted Fu (Wong Fu Productions): http://twitter.com/tedfu
Philip Wang (Wong Fu): http://twitter.com/philipwang
Wesley Chan (Wong Fu): http://twitter.com/thewesleychan
Koji Sakai: http://twitter.com/ksakai1
Disgrasian: http://twitter.com/disgrasian
Stuff Asians Like: http://twitter.com/stuffasians
That's Neaat: http://twitter.com/thatsneaat
Pacific Ties: http://twitter.com/pacificties
Gil Asakawa: http://twitter.com/GilAsakawa
Channel Apa: http://twitter.com/channelapa
Hyphen Magazine: http://twitter.com/hyphenmagazine
Asian American Writers' Workshop: http://twitter.com/theaaww
Sarah Gim: http://twitter.com/TheDelicious
Asiance: http://twitter.com/asiance
All Kpop: http://twitter.com/allkpop
Kev Jumba: http://twitter.com/kevjumba
8asians: http://twitter.com/8asians
Michelle Phan (Rice Bunny): http://twitter.com/RiceBunny
Timothy DeLaGhetto: http://twitter.com/Traphik
NDTitanLady: http://twitter.com/NickityNatNat
Giant Robot: http://twitter.com/giant_robot
Happy Slip: http://twitter.com/HappySlip
Sam Yoon: http://twitter.com/samyoonformayor
JAMN: http://twitter.com/jamuseum
Jin: http://twitter.com/jinthemc
DumbFounDead: http://twitter.com/dumbfoundead
SE7EN: http://twitter.com/OFFICIALSE7EN
Lyrics Born: http://twitter.com/lyricsborn
Ramiele Malubay: http://twitter.com/ramielemalubay
Anoop Desai: http://twitter.com/AnoopDoggDesai
Goh Nakamura: http://twitter.com/gohnakamura
Cast Of Thousands: http://twitter.com/cotband
Far*East Movement: http://twitter.com/fareastmovement
Jessi Malay: http://twitter.com/jessimalaymusic
Kristine Sa: http://twitter.com/kristinesa
Meg And Dia: http://twitter.com/megdia
Asian Man Records: http://twitter.com/asianmanrecords
Sabzi: http://twitter.com/sabzi
MTV Iggy: http://twitter.com/MTVIggy
Notorious MSG: http://twitter.com/notoriousmsg
Kinda Grannis: http://twitter.com/kinagrannis
Michelle Branch: http://twitter.com/michellebranch
Paul Dateh: http://twitter.com/pauldateh
Gabe Bondoc: http://twitter.com/gabebondoc
David Choi: http://twitter.com/davidchoimusic
Dj Virman: http://twitter.com/djvirman
LoveLikeFire: http://twitter.com/lovelikefire
Jane Lui: http://twitter.com/JaneLui
Jennifer Chung: http://www.youtube.com/jenniferjchung
Rachael Yamagata: http://twitter.com/rachaelyamagata
Susie Suh: http://twitter.com/SusieSuh
Melissa Polinar: http://twitter.com/mpolinar
Vienna Teng: http://twitter.com/viennateng
Sohee Ahn (Wonder Girls): http://twitter.com/Wgsohee
Mimi (Wonder Girls): http://twitter.com/WGmimi
Sun Min (Wonder Girls): http://twitter.com/WGsun
Yenny Park (Wonder Girls): http://twitter.com/WGyenny
Yubin Kim (Wonder Girls): http://twitter.com/WGyubin
Wonder Girls (USA): http://twitter.com/wondergirlsusa
Marie Digby: http://twitter.com/mariedigby
JR Aquino: http://twitter.com/jraquino
Heather Park: http://twitter.com/HeatherPark
Kevin So: http://twitter.com/TweetKevinSo
Jay Legaspi: http://twitter.com/jaylegaspi
Taiyo Na: http://twitter.com/taiyona
Sun Yung Shin: http://twitter.com/sunyungshin
Born In Chinese: http://twitter.com/borninchinese
Geo of Blue Scholars: http://twitter.com/prometheusbrown
OCA National Center: http://twitter.com/OCANational
Deep Foundation: http://twitter.com/deepfoundation
Asia Society (NY): http://twitter.com/AsiaSociety
Degenerasian: http://twitter.com/degenerasian
Liberate Laura: http://twitter.com/LiberateLaura
Asian Boston Magazine: http://twitter.com/AsianBoston
Asian Art Museum (Sf): http://twitter.com/asianartmuseum
APA Talk: http://twitter.com/apatalk
Miss Info: http://twitter.com/Missinfo
All Kpop: http://twitter.com/allkpop
Kim Kardashian: http://twitter.com/KimKardashian
Drama Fever: http://twitter.com/dramafever
Kero One: http://twitter.com/keroone
BoA (USA): http://twitter.com/BoA_USA
M.I.A.: http://twitter.com/_M_I_A_
Jennifer Chung: http://twitter.com/JenniferJChung
Paper Heart (The movie): http://twitter.com/PaperHeartMovie
Olivia Thai: http://twitter.com/OliviaChoi
Kogi BBq Truck: http://twitter.com/kogibbq
Kollaboration: http://twitter.com/Kollaboration
Ken Oak: http://twitter.com/kenoak
Vudoo Soul: http://twitter.com/vudoo
Seriously: http://twitter.com/Seriously_Music
Wing Luke Museum: http://twitter.com/wingluke
Fatgums: http://twitter.com/Fatgums
Blue Scholars: http://twitter.com/bluescholars
Black Lava: http://twitter.com/blacklava
Bambu: http://twitter.com/BambuDePistola
Jo Koy: http://twitter.com/Jokoy
SDAFF: http://twitter.com/SDAFF
AAFilmLab: http://twitter.com/aafilmlab
Ryan Higa: http://twitter.com/TheRealRyanHiga
Philly Asian Film Fest: http://twitter.com/PAAFF
AArisings (Nels Wong): http://twitter.com/aarisings
Michelle Krusiec: http://twitter.com/michellekrusiec
CACF: http://twitter.com/cacf
13 Minutes Magazine: http://twitter.com/13minutesmag
John Chow: http://twitter.com/JohnChow
Sepia Mutiny: http://twitter.com/sepiamutiny
Gina Hiraizumi: http://twitter.com/ginahiraizumi
Lyrics Born: http://twitter.com/lyricsborn
Tila Tequila: http://twitter.com/officialTila
DJ Shy: http://twitter.com/femaledjshy
ASPIRE: http://twitter.com/GirlsASPIRE
James Kyson Lee: http://twitter.com/jameskysonlee
Kearny Street Workshop: http://twitter.com/kearnystreet
Sylvie Kim: http://twitter.com/sylviek
Jennifer 8. Lee: http://twitter.com/jenny8lee
Erica O'Young: http://twitter.com/ericaoyoung
Kal Penn: http://twitter.com/Kal_Penn
Jabbawockeez: http://twitter.com/THE_WOCKEEZ
Brian Tong (CNET): http://twitter.com/brian_tong
East West Players: http://twitter.com/EWPlayers
Original Spin (Jeff Yang): http://twitter.com/originalspin
visualizAsian: http://twitter.com/visualizAsian
AsiaXpress: http://twitter.com/asiaxpress
Mindy Kaling: http://twitter.com/mindykaling
Boston Progress Radio: http://twitter.com/bprlive
Yellow Buzz: http://twitter.com/yellowbuzz
Tim Be Told: http://twitter.com/timbetold
MTV Asia: http://twitter.com/mtvasia
Keiko Agena: http://twitter.com/KeikoAgena
Keith Chow: http://twitter.com/the_real_chow
Tak Toyoshima: http://twitter.com/TakToyoshima
Olivia Munn: http://twitter.com/oliviamunn
New Demographic: http://twitter.com/newdemographic
Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai: http://twitter.com/yellowgurlpoet
Dave Liang: http://twitter.com/daveliang
Michael Kang: http://twitter.com/KANGisMAN
Shanghaiist: http://twitter.com/shanghaiist
Natalise: http://twitter.com/Natalise
JAZMIN: http://twitter.com/JAZMINonline
Desi You: http://www.desiyou.com/
Erin Yoshimura: http://twitter.com/ErinYoshimura
Ann Curry: http://twitter.com/AnnCurry
Dat Phan: http://twitter.com/Dat_Phan
Taiwanese American: http://twitter.com/TaiwaneseAm_org
Northwest Asian Weekly: http://twitter.com/nwasianweekly
Zee Avi: http://twitter.com/ZeeAvi

Do Van Du Goes Back

There's a good story down at the Mercury News about Do Van Du, a Vietnamese American who lost a leg and part of an arm when he was serving in the U.S. Special Forces (afterwards going on to become a successful software engineer), who's gone back to Vietnam to help disabled youth in the country by starting up a program teaching them software development:

For a small number of disabled young people enrolled in the tech training programs Du founded in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, that is changing. "IT allows them to connect to the outside world in a way they haven't before," said Andrew Wells-Dang, deputy country director for Catholic Relief Services. "It also demonstrates that people with disabilities can do all kinds of jobs, including high-tech ones."

In all, 175 students have received tech training over the past two years, including 75 as software engineers who earn international software engineering certificates. The others get six months' training in business process outsourcing — which includes image processing, data entry and general office IT work that companies outsource to countries like Vietnam.

Du's Information Technology Training Center, which receives funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development, just expanded to Ho Chi Minh City, where more than 50 students are now attending daily classes at Van Lang University. They have been provided with brand-new PCs. Subsidized housing is available to those who need it. The program, which has a budget of about $200,000 a year, is free to the students.

Pretty damn cool huh?

Anna Lo, Belfast, And Death Threats

You and I may not have a lot to do a daily basis (or anything at all for that matter) with Belfast, but you definitely have to give it up for Anna Lo who's standing her ground in the face of death threats while she speaks out against the intimidation of immigrant and minority communities who've been attacked and forced out of their homes:

IOL

Alliance Party MLA Anna Lo, who is originally from Hong Kong, told the Assembly yesterday that the police had warned her of a threat to attack her home. She also said she had received hate mail after speaking out against the attacks that forced 20 Romanian families to flee their homes in south Belfast earlier this month. Ms Lo says she will not be deterred by the threats and will continue to speak out against hatred and in support of migrant communities.

The Irish Times

She said she has stepped up her security measures following her intervention in the intimidation of more than 100 members of the Roma constituency in her constituency last month. Ms Lo has already received hate mail, but this week has been officially informed by police of increased threats from racists to her safety after new information was received at the weekend. “I’m not going to be deterred by these people,” she said. “If they think that they can stop me from speaking out against them or speaking for the vulnerable people, new ethnic minority communities or migrant workers they are mistaken”.

Hopefully she'll stay on the safe side as she keeps pushing forwarded in uniting the communities around her against the hate crimes.

Kevin So: Tales From The Road

Tim Dang Get's Irvine Leadership Award

This is a nice story out of Asian Week about Tim Dang who received the Irvine Leadership Award:

East West Players in Los Angeles is the nation’s oldest professional theater of color in operation today. An estimated 75 percent of Los Angeles-based Asian American dramatic artists have made a presence there, including Tony Award winning B.D. Wong, Star Trek star George Takei and the Indian-American actor and House co-star, Kal Penn.

But its greatest achievements of the last decade, under the leadership of artistic director Tim Dang, have had less to do with star power on stage than with the people watching them. Dang has guided East West Players’ evolution from a 99-seat experimental theater into a full-fledged regional theater, based in a 240-seat venue. East West Players has become a multicultural hub, where diverse audiences come together for thought-provoking performances reflecting a broad spectrum of human experience.

Read it in full.

Hot Track: Olivia Thai - Apologize

Seen this posted up a few places like on AAM and channelAPA and wanted to post it up here too as it's a slick track. Here's some links and info from the YouTube page:

http://itunes.com/oliviathai
http://myspace.com/oliviathai

My studio recording of One Republic's "Apologize" written by Ryan Tedder and produced by Peter A. Barker and Cezar Barretto for Spin Move Records.

http://www.spinmoverecords.com

And Wouldn't You Know It? Zoe Yang Is Going As A Bunnette

In a previous post you heard me talk about one woman's quest (Zoe Yang) to become a Bunnette - and interestingly enough on the day that I posted up on it - she won (and if you're interested on the odds between Kobayashi and Chestnut check out this link).

Now while I could end the post here, for some reason I think you might be wondering a couple of things - one of which is how come I didn't post up this info sooner. The reason should be obvious and you might have already guessed it - I'm lazy. And the next day turned out be what I'm referring too as "No Post Tuesday" where I was in fact going to put up a post titled "No Post Tuesday", but then it would have made "No Post Tuesday" "One Post Tuesday" and that just got too confusing - so nothing there either.

The other thing you might wondering is what drove Zoe Yang to become a Bunnette in the first place. That I can answer as well (at least a little), although not actually me, but Zoe herself, but not really her per se, because I'm sure she's out eating good food with someone from Craigslist - but she did send this along in an e-mail a couple of days ago after seeing the post which she said would be o.k. to add here:

I just want to get close enough to see Kobayashi's Adam's apple

Yes - there was something more about really thinking the MLE was a fascinating sport and how she thought it was oddly democratic and how she wasn't doing it to be the sole Asian representation (and there was even something in there about how this blog was blocked by her corporate network because of "Violence/Hate/Racism" which has nothing to do with anything, but still fun anyway to know) - so long story short - all about the MLE and the apple of the Kobayashi and cheering on folks like Juliet Lee, which all just means:

More Asian Flavor At Coney Island.

Cool.

KSW in July

Here's a quick list of events for Kearny Street Workshop this July.

Intergenerational / Interdisciplinary Writers Lab Final Public Reading

Venue Name: Intersection for the Arts
Venue Address: 446 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Contact Phone #: (415) 503-0520
Admission: Free
Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Description: A public reading by emerging writers from unique literary workshop with two of SF’s oldest interdisciplinary arts organizations. Twelve selected students will participate in workshops led by accomplished writers and artists Jewelle Gomez and Truong Tran, attend special exhibitions and performances, have the opportunity to perform/read work at a public event, and be published in online anthology.

Stand Up for APAture

Venue Name: KSW @ PariSoMa
Venue Address: 1436 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Contact Phone #: (415) 503-0520
Admission: $5-15 sliding scale at the door
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Description: We want to hear you laugh! Come to Stand Up for APAture, featuring hoboFish improv, Kamikaze Theory, stand-up comedians Josef Anolin and Edwin Li, plus musical parodies by Alexander Shen. You happy makes us happy! Proceeds benefit Kearny Street Workshop’s 11th annual APAture festival—the Bay Area’s biggest gathering of Asian Pacific American art.

Present Tense Biennial: Panel Discussion 2009

Venue Name: Chinese Culture Center
Venue Address: Hilton Hotel 3rd floor, 750 Kearny Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Contact Phone #: (415) 503-0520
Admission: Free
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2009
Time: 1:00-3:00 PM

Description: Join Present Tense artists, community partner organizations and exhibition curators for a casual and lively discussion about the goals, inspirations and challenges of the nine Chinatown storefront installations that are part of the exhibition. Among other topics, we will discuss the relationship between contemporary art, community building, and public space as a venue for the arts; the impact on artists, the community audience; and how exhibitions like Present Tense can bring new and provocative energy into the public scene. We invite artists and non-artists alike to participate the discussion in hopes of gauging community response to the Present Tense public art installations, as well as elaborating on the relationship between art, community enrichment and economic development.