Violins Can Be Really Cool: Paul Dateh's Top 40 Violin Mashup

Been seeing this around and wanted to make sure and post it because it's just that damn good in every single way from the music and the video.



Pick it up free here.

Maya Soetoro-Ng, Kip Fulbeck, Conversations, And The JANM

I think you'll definitely want to check this out.

Multicultural and global educator Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng will engage artist, slam poet, filmmaker and author Kip Fulbeck as part of the Japanese American National Museum’s on-going series, “Conversations”, in a special ticketed presentation set for Saturday, June 12, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Tateuchi Democracy Forum. Tickets are $15 for National Museum members and $20 for non-members.

Soetoro-Ng, who is currently an education specialist at the East West Center which promotes cooperation and exchange between the United States and Asia, has spent her career developing humanities curriculum for alternative public and private schools in New York City and Honolulu and conducting teacher training workshops in the U.S. and Indonesia. A lecturer in the University of Hawaii's College of Education from 2000 to 2006, she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii in international comparative education. Soetoro-Ng is also known as President Barack Obama’s maternal half-sister, having been born and raised in Indonesia and educated in Hawai`i. She
campaigned for her older brother during the 2008 Presidential election.

Fulbeck, an award-winning artist, performer, and professor of art at the University of California, Santa Barbara, created the current National Museum exhibition, Mixed: Portraits of Multiracial Kids by Kip Fulbeck, featuring over 70 framed photographic images of children of multiple racial heritage and their statements or drawings. Fulbeck also created a book under the same title as the exhibition and is known as a leading artist and filmmaker on the subject of mixed race identity. He maintains a number of on-going projects, including the Web site, http://thehapaproject.com/. He also developed the extremely popular 2006 National Museum exhibition, kip fulbeck: part asian, 100% hapa, which drew thousands of visitors.

Soetoro-Ng, whose father is Indonesian, wrote the foreword to Fulbeck’s book. In it, she explains, “There are advantages and disadvantages to being mixed. On one hand, mixed kids have an expanded worldview; on the other hand, they may feel torn by divided loyalties. I envied those around me who had a clear community. There is great value in seeing ourselves reflected in others and knowing that there is some shared experience between us and others ‘out there.’ “

Actress Amy Hill will moderate the conversation. Hill, whose mother was Japanese, has worked steadily over the years in films, television and stage. She had a prominent role in the film “50 First Dates” and regularly voices characters in animated series such as King of the Hill, American Dad and Lilo and Stitch. She will be heard in the upcoming Nickelodeon series Kung Fu Panda and recently made a pilot for HBO, co-starring Laura Dern.

“The Japanese American National Museum is very proud to help bring together Maya Soetoro-Ng and Kip Fulbeck,” stated Akemi Kikumura Yano, President & CEO of the National Museum. “As the 2000 Census made clear, there is a growing population with multi-cultural, multi-ethnic backgrounds. Both Kip and Maya have been at the forefront in articulating their experiences and the National Museum is pleased to have them discuss their lives in our Tateuchi Democracy Forum.”

This event includes the presentation of the Loving Prize by the Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival (which takes place at the National Museum on Sunday, June 13, beginning at 11 a.m.). The Loving Prize is named in honor of the June 12, 1967 Supreme Court decision, Loving v. Virginia, in which the remaining anti-miscegenation laws in 16 states, which banned marriages between the races, were finally struck down. Several groups and organizations now commemorate that landmark case by celebrating June 12 as Loving Day.

The Loving Prize, established in 2008, is awarded annually to outstanding artists, storytellers and community leaders for inspirational dedication to celebrating and illuminating the Mixed racial and cultural experience. Previous honorees include Kip Fulbeck, James McBride, Angela Nissel and Maria P.P. Root. The award will be presented prior to the Kip Fulbeck-Maya Soetoro-Ng program. For more information on the Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival, go to mxroots.org.

“Conversations” is an on-going series for the National Museum that brings together distinguished and accomplished individuals and provides the opportunity for them to share their experiences and points-of-view on a variety of subjects. The series was inaugurated last year with former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta and actor/activist George Takei.

Presenting Sponsor for “Conversations” is the MedLife Foundation, with additional support from American Airlines, Tateuchi Foundation, the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs and Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival. Media sponsors are the Los Angeles Downtown News and the Rafu Shimpo.

For more information on “Conversations” or to reserve tickets, call the Japanese American National Museum at (213) 625-0414. For more information on the National Museum and its programs, go to www.janm.org.

Random Question I Can't Help Asking

As I was microwaving the food of champions the other night - frozen chicken tenders and egg rolls - I had to ask myself the question of if it would be wrong to pleasure myself while taking a moment here and there to eat some food - you know - space it out a little.

Make it an event.

Or - because there is an "or" here - if it would be wrong to masturbate with hot food waiting for me that I could see out of the corner of my eye.

And I know what you're saying - but this is what goes through the mind of one non-descript guy who happens to be Asian American.

And a blogger (which might be good or bad depending upon how you look at this post).


And - in case you're wondering - I did neither for a few reasons including the following:

• Food is sex. Sometimes it's not great sex, but it's sex nonetheless and I want to make sure I enjoy the whole experience unfettered by anything else (while also noting how lucky I am that I get to treat food as something pleasurable versus a basic need).


• Sex is - well - sex. And I don't know about you - but even when it's just with myself (which I know technically isn't sex per se) I like to make the most out of it. Like I don't think I could ever enjoy a great steak while someone was SMC'ing me underneath a table in a restuarant (where I assume it would be very darkly lit).
  
  I just don't think I could concentrate on either to a point where it would be pleasurable for either sensation.

That's it.

A Quick Note To Anyone Who Buys The Playboy 3-D Centerfold Issue

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with 3-D --- although who in their right mind would buy a 3-D TV right now (way too early) --- and as much as some of you might think I'd be all about this centerfold in 3-D --- that's really not the case.

Why?

Simple.

If you want 3-D it's called the Strip Club.

I'll Take A Number 5 Please (AKA Bron Bron Go Bye Bye)

You can say he's the biggest trash talker in the NBA but I'll just say he's vocal - and if you let him get into your head - well - than you must be weak.

But look at that smile - c'mon - how can you deny that?

You can't. It's just that simple.

But no matter what you say, it's called a championship ring and moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals.

That's Just Not A Good Look



Really it's not.

Rebuilding Versailles

Caught this in my inbox via Pacific Citizen and wanted to post it on up.



Check out the article down at PC.

Sweet Sweet Ray

Been a busy week - so not a ton of posts - but I do have to say this.

Sweet Sweet Ray.

3-2.

Nice.

And just remember Lakers' fans.

It was Utah.

A Note To The Guy That Stole My Subs (And The Subs From The Two People In Front Of Me As Well)

Dear Guy At Un-Named Sub Shop,

Dude - that takes balls to load up 7 subs into a bag and walk out of there like they were your own. I in part blame it on the fact that the people weren't calling out the subs they were putting out there on the counter - because if I would have heard mine I would have snatched those MF's up - because I was hungry.

At the same time, since you were standing there already - waiting - and it looked like there were already a few subs you were picking up for yourself and your crew of painter friends - why would we - or should we - have suspected anything different?

Now I still got my subs - so that's fine - but all I'm saying is that people work hard to make those subs - and the fact that you stole three people's subs and had to make people do extra work - to re-make those subs you stole - kind of says something about you - in particular that you have no conscience when it comes to other's people food.

And somehow that's just wrong.

Kinda funny.

But still wrong.

O.K., that's it.

I hope you get chlamydia and it hurts when you pee.

Slanty

Retro Random K-Drama Music Video

What?

You got something to say?

I can't help it - I marshmellow.

And yes. I did intend to actually write it that way.

Btw: One Word For Cleveland

Even.

DramaFever And Hulu Get It On

See?

Hard work and cool dramas from the homelands are in fact another way to get your professional groove on.

DramaFever is now offering mainstream U.S. audiences viewing television programs online on Hulu.com, the best of Asian programming. A brand new Hulu-DramaFever show page offers Americans free and easy access to a curated selection of the most popular blockbuster titles from Korea, Philippines, China, and Japan, including full-length television series, documentaries, music videos, and more. For the first time for many, people now have a way to discover and enjoy the convenience of watching the primetime drama, comedy, action, and suspense series, which are shaping and reflecting societal trends and pop cultural tastes in Asia today. All videos are streaming in high quality with English subtitles or dubbing. DramaFever is an online Asian programming content distributor, and Hulu is an online video service that offers hit TV shows, movies and clips at Hulu.com and other online destination sites, anytime in the U.S.

Initially in May, DramaFever will distribute a total of 116 episodes of the most recent seasons of four of Korea’s hit television series, which enjoy large international followings and popularity among non-Asian audiences on DramaFever.com. Then each month, DramaFever will add one to two additional titles, up to 40 new hours of programming to the DramaFever show page at

http://www.hulu.com/network/DramaFever.

DramaFever will draw from its ever-expanding library, one of the most comprehensive and current collections of legal Asian content in the U.S. – at present over 100 titles representing 5,000 hours of programming. As DramaFever secures more deals with Asian TV networks and partners, new videos across entertainment genres and countries will become available.

“Asian content has wide appeal internationally and is growing in popularity among non-Asian audiences. People are curious about what’s popular in the East or want alternatives to traditional TV programming,” says co-founder Suk Park. “We created DramaFever to make the best of Asian entertainment more accessible to mainstream American and Canadian audiences, and our deal with Hulu helps us introduce this content to the millions who visit and explore new videos on Hulu every day.”

According to co-founder Seung Bak, internal research, supported by third-party statistics indicates that over 50% of visitors to DramaFever.com are non-Asian and that that figure is growing. Since its launch in August 2009, DramaFever.com’s user base has increased 500% to approximately 250,000 unique monthly visitors, who on average watch 45 minutes of video per visit and spend approximately four hours a month on the site, discovering new content and celebrities.

This month, the DramaFever show page on Hulu will play full seasons of Korean hit series, ranging from high-ratings action thriller “Iris” -- reminiscent of “Alias” or “24” -- to romantic comedy and situational comedy series “Coffee Prince” and “My Lovely Samsoon”, as well as Korean historical drama “Queen SeonDuk.” All titles feature the country’s biggest stars and big budget productions. For similar content and a wider selection of videos, people can also visit DramaFever.com to watch for free or pay just $4.99 per month for premium membership, which includes uninterrupted advertising-free programming, access to exclusive content and other advanced features. Future plans will bring content from DramaFever to mobile and Web TV platforms.

Thanks Rosally

Random Free Track

From The Slants:

"HEARTBEAT IS HEAVEN" (Free Mp3!)

Have you received this totally free, unreleased download yet? This is a brand new song that we didn't include on "Pageantry" but we're giving out for free to you. It's available courtesy of the good people at G Sake and you can get the password to download it here:

http://fburls.com/53-BzuIf6XO/t/s/txt/cid/598261/sid/120291760

Cool.

SACNAS Responds To AZ Immigration Law SB1

'Cause you gotta do what you gotta do - and that means boycotting the shit out of Arizona.

SACNAS eliminates Arizona as potential conference location citing likelihood of attendee harassment due to SB1070 immigration law

SANTA CRUZ, CA, May 10, 2010 - In a recent letter to Governor Jan Brewer, SACNAS formally withdrew Phoenix as a potential conference site for its 2012 national conference, stating the new Arizona immigration law virtually guarantees harassment of its conference attendees, most of whom are Hispanic. SACNAS, a national society of scientists advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in science, estimates the total loss in revenue to the local economy at $3 million.

"The leadership of SACNAS strongly believes the immigration law SB1070 will make the state inhospitable to people of color, especially Hispanics," says society president, Jose Dolores Garcia, PhD. "We have been seriously considering Phoenix as a site for our conference in 2012. However, we feel the passage of this law and the policies of Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio will lead to racial profiling of our students and faculty."

Each year, SACNAS holds a major annual national conference bringing together 3,000 student and professional scientists for a four-day meeting. Members of the organization are among the nation's brightest minds in science and represent over 300 leading research facilities, colleges and universities, government agencies and corporations.

The organization's executive director, Judit Camacho points out, "We are not only concerned for our Hispanic attendees, but also for the Native American populations we serve. The law's potential impact on the civil liberties of all Americans cannot be underestimated. Unfortunately, the state has simply become too hostile for the safety and well-being of our members."

If Arizona's current punitive immigration law is repealed, SACNAS may again consider Phoenix as a possible future conference site.

SACNAS is a 37-year-old professional society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists-from college students to professionals-in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership. It has been recognized by the National Science Board as the premier organization promoting diversity in science careers and has received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.

www.sacnas.org

Get Lost: DiRECT ARTS + Round & Round + The Exiles

Got this sent in my way from DiRECT ARTS and wanted to post it on up.

I love the nuances of language - how there is a word for a smell in Chinese that has noreal equivalent in English (xiang is the smell of rice cooking, the smell of something frying) - how in Spanish, the word for "handcuff" is the same as the word for "wife." I believe the more ways you have of describing something, the more nuanced is your understanding of the world. Part of this belief is from growing up speaking Taiwanese, a language that was banned for 50 years. Language has always been something precious to me - and like all precious things, it's powerful and coveted.

Wipe out a people's language and you wipe out their power.

Take Two this month will feature a play and film about trying to retain a language and a culture that is lost. Julia Cho's sensitive short about a linguist's failure of communication is paired with a feature film about a group of Native Americans in Bunker Hill, a neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles that no longer exists. The wonderful Obie winner Ching Valdes Aran will be directing and we look forward to seeing the gorgeous cinematography of THE EXILES on Theatre 80's amazing 30 foot screen. It'll be an evocative double bill and we hope you'll experience it with us.

Theater, film, smart beautiful interesting people, what more can you ask for? Come join us at Theater 80 next Tuesday!

--V

Take Two riffs on loss and longing in the pairing of two poetic pieces: Julia Cho's poignant ROUND & ROUND and THE EXILES, a film that itself was lost for nearly 50 years. Directed by Obie winner Ching Valdes Aran, ROUND AND ROUND by Julia Cho is a poignant short play in which a linguist runs out of words to save his crumbling marriage. Lauded by the Los Angeles Times for "crafting intricate, often poetic pieces that blur the lines between fact and fiction," Julia Cho's plays have been produced at South Coast Repertory, The Vineyard Theatre, The Public Theater, Long Wharf Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre Workshop and East West Players. Julia won the 2004 Weissburger Award for BFE and recently received the 2010 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE.

THE EXILES by Kent McKenzie, chronicles a brawling, boozy day in the life of several young Native Americans living in Bunker Hill, a downtown Los Angeles neighborhood that no longer exists. A labor of love shot over a 3-year period by Kent McKenzie and fellow students at USC, the film was hailed at the Venice Film Festival in 1961 but tragically did not find commercial distribution. It remained unseen by the general public for nearly 50 years, forgotten except for fans like Thom Anderson who heaped praises on the film in his documentary LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF.

Restored by Milestone Pictures, the film was selected for the 2008 Berlin Film Festival and played at IFC last year. Gorgeously shot with a happening early '60s soundtrack, THE EXILES is a remarkable record of a vanished community - gritty, realistic and ahead of its time.

"A beautifully photographed slice of down-and-almost-out life, a near-heavenly vision of a near-hell... situated at the juncture of nonfiction and fiction..." --Manohla Dargis, NY Times

"Mackenzie's sparkling, moody black-and-white images of what might be called the Native American Diaspora... depict a classic American story of aspiration and tragedy. It is beautiful and devastating." -Armond White, NY Press

THEATER 80 80 St. Marks Place(at 1st Avenue) 6:00 - Social (half) Hour 6:30 - The Short 7:00 - The Feature $8 tickets - cash only at the door

Sherman Alexie

Mashups: Lali Puna + 2046

And Continuing On The Same Theme: Are You In The Mood?

Random Saturday Night Romance (French Movie Style)

Sure. It doesn't have any Asian faces in it - but you still gotta love the vibe.

Enjoy.

Vietnamese Prostitutes, Edamame, And Me Luv U Long Time

Reading the article "Act Like A Vietnamese Prostitute, Get Free Edamame" down at Jezebel, I had some thoughts including the following:

• What non-Asian Americans came up with this dumb motherfuck of an excuse slogan for some free shit? Why not just have them say "I LIKE TO RAPE ASIAN WOMEN" and then for some free desert, have patrons say "I'LL KILL A BREEDER TOO." I mean fuck it right because if you're gonna create marketing like a racist sot, why not go all the way and just drink the whole MF bottle?
• Don't get me wrong - I'm up for what the post had to say and for shedding light on the issue - but did they have to break out the Vietnamese Prostitute? Is that the only headline they could come up with? Isn't that kind of like sodomizing your grandma so she won't be able to shout racist shit at the drive-thru?

That was it.

Open Letters And Asian American Actors

I was reading this post on the YOMYOMF blog which was an open letter to Asian American Actors (regarding movie 'stardom') and at the same time caught a response to it from TMM - and I just thought I'd post up a little bit of both as I think when you juxtapose the two - they make a good read.

YOMYOMF

When The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift (which was directed by Justin) was released, some Asian American media reported that the studio behind the pic (in this case, Universal) would not let Justin cast an Asian American in the lead. This was untrue. When Justin was hired, he asked the then head of the studio, Stacey Snider, if he could cast an Asian American actor in the lead role of the troubled high schooler who’s sent to Japan to live with his father. To her credit, she said he could audition Asian American actors and if he genuinely felt one of them was the best actor, he had her blessing to hire him. To make a long story short, the Asian American actors who came in were ill prepared and gave bad auditions. There was no way in good faith that Justin could cast any of them (Justin though, of course, created the role of Asian American character Han and fought for fellow Offender Sung who won the part through his hard work and talent).

TMM

Where was the casting call for a lead role for this part?? Did AngryAsianMan send out the memo and we just missed it? I get all of Phil Yu's posts on my mobile phone. If he did, every AA/API actor that wants to be somebody would've hopped on a plane to Killa-So-Kali for an audition. Hell, I would've taken out a shark loan against my Toyota Tercel, prepared a monologue (in English and Japanese), made sure my boots were spit-shined, and flew over there with a couple acting buddies in a Tokyo minute.

One thing is for certain, you cannot dismiss the explicit racism toward Asians/Asian Americans in Hollywood culture, and even the indie scene. See my previous post. The reality is most of the roles afforded to us are only slightly different than they were in the past. I won't cite because that would be a waste of time. I'm so tired of it, I'm claiming the bragging rights to being the biggest foreign film fan you will ever meet in this world. Leslie Cheung is God. I've become so jaded in time, just seeing another Asian man jigging for change in front of my TV for the sake of a five-second chuckle makes fumes come outta my ass.

Cool.

Random Eric Nakamura + Lynn Chen