HBO Goes Brownface In Something Called Jonah From Tonga (Which I'll Never Watch)

And I think that's all you need to know about this.

Animals Out of Paper + Rajiv Joseph + C.S. Lee + Tess Lina

Sounds like it should be a great show. Check it out if you can.

East West Players (EWP), the nation’s longest-running professional theatre of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, opens its 50th Anniversary Season, Golden, with “Animals Out of Paper,” by Pulitzer-nominated Rajiv Joseph and directed by Jennifer Chang. The production features CS Lee (“Dexter”), Tess Lina (“Revenge,””NCIS”) and introducing Kapil Talwalkar.

When a world-renowned origami artist opens her studio to a teenage prodigy and his school teacher, she discovers that life and love can’t be arranged neatly in this drama about finding the perfect design. A quirky and melancholy play, by the author of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, that has been hailed as “pitch-perfect” by the NY Times.

“We are proud to have a Pulitzer Prize finalist and multi-award winning playwright open our Golden Season at EWP,” says Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director. “As EWP leads the charge for diversity for all theaters to open up their storytelling to include the stories of the world, Rajiv and our production of Animals Out Of Paper is perfect to the core – biracial playwright, Pan-Asian cast, diverse creative and design team. The future of theatre is here.”

The design team includes: set design by Naomi Kasahara, lighting design by Tom Ontiveros, costume design by Halei Parker, sound design and original composition by Melanie Chen, and props by Ayako Inoue. Stage manager is Michelle Gutierrez-Martina.

All performances will be staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center of the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Previews are Thursday, September 4th through Saturday September 6th at 8pm and Sunday September 7th at 2pm. All preview seats are $23.

Opening Night for “Animals Out of Paper” is Wednesday, September 10th at 8pm and includes a 7pm pre-performance cocktail reception, and a post-show reception with the cast and creative team. Opening Night is sponsored by Edison International. Call theater for availability. “Pay-What-You-Can” Performance is on Thursday, September 11th. A special talkback with the cast and creative team is on Sunday, September 21 immediately following the performance. The production runs until October 5th.

Regular performances run Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets may be purchased online at www.eastwestplayers.org or by calling 213.625.7000. Regular tickets range from $28-$38. Student and Senior discounts available. Dates, prices and details are subject to change.

Because You Wanted CAAMFest San Jose Highlights

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

OPENING NIGHT: MEET THE PATELS
Geeta and Ravi Patel’s MEET THE PATELS opens the festival on Friday, September 5, at 7pm, at Camera 3 Cinema in downtown San Jose, followed by the Opening Night Party at 9pm at the beautiful San Jose Museum of Art (SJMA). MEET THE PATELS follows comedian Ravi Patel, on the verge of turning 30 and feeling pressure to get married, as he ventures off to explore the various traditional Indian methods of arranged marriages. Along the way, he learns what it means to be in love, and how marriage is more than a commitment between two people. Director Geeta Patel will be in attendance.

CENTERPIECE: AMERICAN DREAMS IN CHINA
Highly praised as the “Chinese Social Network,” three college slackers turned successful businessmen face copyright infringement lawsuits in one of China’s most successful box office hits of 2013. A modern telling of David versus Goliath, AMERICAN DREAMS IN CHINA, directed by Peter Chan (THE WARLORDS, DRAGON), is an aspirational and riveting story of the underdog’s rise to the top. Saturday, September 6 at 6pm at Camera 3 Cinema

CLOSING NIGHT: 27°C LOAF ROCKS
Veteran director Lin Cheng-sheng once again finds cinematic success with 27°C LOAF ROCKS, a mouth-watering foodie flick based on the life of Wu Pao-Chun, Taiwan’s master baker. Along with the ensemble cast, Director Lin does a remarkable job bringing to life Wu’s extraordinary journey of passion and perserverance, from his apprenticeship in a Taipei bakery to his win at the 2010 Bakery World Cup. With the best in foodie films such as EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN and ZONE PRO SITE: THE MOVEABLE FEAST, Taiwan’s cinematic legacy continues to grow with this glossy, family friendly feature. Sunday, September 7 at 7pm at Camera 3 Cinema

IN MEMORIAM: YURI KOCHIYAMA
CAAMFest San Jose is honored to host a special screening of YURI KOCHIYAMA: PASSION FOR JUSTICE by Rea Tajiri, commemorating the life and legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, a Japanese American icon and civil rights activist who continues to inspire new generations of Asian Americans (and beyond). Yuri Kochiyama passed away at the age of 93 this past June. Director Rea Tajiri will be in attendance. Thursday, September 4 at 7pm at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. RSVP required. Please RSVP to PublicPrograms@JAMsj.org.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS
In March 2014, CAAMFest proudly world premiered AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS, a hilarious web series created by the National Film Society (Patrick Epino and Stephen Dypiangco). Reuniting “bad guys” from classic films such as LETHAL WEAPON, DIE HARD and THE KARATE KID for one last battle, this digital media project pushes new, innovative ways for filmmakers to tell their stories. Saturday, September 6 at 8:30pm at Camera 3 Cinema

EXPECTED GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE (as of August 6, 2014)

Eli Olson, Co-Director, STORIES FROM TOHOKU
Dianne Fukami, Co-Director, STORIES FROM TOHOKU
Geeta Patel, Director, MEET THE PATELS
Mahesh Pailoor, Director, BRAHMIN BULLS
Patrick Epino, Co-Director, AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS
Rea Tajiri, Director, Yuri Kochiyama: PASSION FOR JUSTICE
Stephen Dypiangco, Co-Director, AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS
Thien Do, Director, FUNNY MONEY

"Japs" And Not Being From Kentucky Because You're Asian?

Sure, I may not want to be from Kentucky - but only because I have my own prejudices against Kentucky (except for KFC which I'm sure didn't even start in Kentucky...wait...my researcher is sending me a text...wait...it was from the collection agency at the bar down the street...fuck them) - BUT if I was from Kentucky and I was Asian, and I was Elaine Chao, I would surely be offended if someone like Kathy Groob, a Democratic activist and the founder of a group called Elect Women told said "She (Chao) isn't from KY, she is Asian".

Ahh - not all Democratic activists...or liberals for that matter...are wanted...

And in Ted Nugent news, it's again no surprise that he slings words like "Japs"...

Who Killed Koreatown?

While I am lazy and just getting to reading some emails, I wanted to make sure and post this up on the redistricting of Koreatown - and while I can't claim to know all of the ins and outs - I pass on to you:

Redistricting is conducted once every ten years after the census and district lines are redrawn to reflect the changes in the population. In California, hearings are held throughout the state and KAC spoke at various public hearings to the State Redistricting Commission to ensure that Koreatown was kept in a single district on all levels to keep the special language needs and interests of the Koreatown residents intact. Thanks to assistance from the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans for Fair Redistricting (CAPAFR) and KAC’s active participation in the State Redistricting process, Koreatown was kept whole in five State Assembly districts, two State Senate districts, and two Federal House of Representatives districts, respectively. Los Angeles County kept Koreatown whole after the 2000 redistricting process and fortunately, Koreatown remained in a single County Supervisorial District after the 2011 redistricting process.

The Korean American community benefited from being kept whole pursuant to the LAPD Olympic Station boundaries for the Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly and County districts. However, the Los Angeles City Redistricting Commission was riddled with highly irregular actions, starting with a lack of transparency during the redistricting process.

By splitting Koreatown into two districts, the City denied the Koreatown community the ability to vote collectively for a single City Council representative who would represent the community’s unique interests. The community still lacks many things, including public green space, government-funded senior centers, low income housing and road maintenance.

Five Koreatown residents sued the City of Los Angeles after thousands of requests to put Koreatown into one district were ignored. Two prestigious law firms, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Bird, Marella, Boxer, Wolpert, Nessim, Drooks, Lincenberg & Rhow P.C. represent the Koreatown plaintiffs. A second lawsuit was filed by plaintiffs in City Council Districts 8, 9, and 10.

The City Redistricting issue is far from over and the litigation is likely to last several years. KAC will ensure that the Korean American voice is not ignored, and will continue to monitor the progress for the redistricting lawsuits.

Read more here.

HMONGSTORY 40 PROJECT

Heard about this great project from NBC News and the awesome Frances Kai-Hwa Wang.

From the site @ http://www.hmongstory40.org:

Beginning June 9th through the summer of 2014, the Hmongstory 40 project will be launching the research phases of our project. Please go to the “Exhibits” tab above and view the descriptions for the four exhibits: “Life in Laos, Laos and the Secret War, Thailand Refugee Camps and California“. We are currently looking for passionate individuals who can help us with outreach and research for these four Exhibits. We have teams of four people who will be leading the exhibits, but will need support team members in each of the four phases. Call (559) 454-1212 to learn more today.

The Huffpost's Ricky Camilleri Is Douchie And What Woody Allen Really Means About NOT Casting Black Actors

If you haven't read this excerpt from a recent interview by Woody Allen for the New York Observer, it goes like this:

Earlier this year, in an effort to derail Ms. Blanchett’s Oscar campaign, a couple of anonymous complaints turned up in the tabloids about Mr. Allen not using black actors. He’s horrified when I bring up the subject. We talk about the new generation of wonderful black actors like Viola Davis and wonder if they’ll ever be cast in a Woody Allen film. He doesn’t hesitate to respond: "Not unless I write a story that requires it. You don’t hire people based on race. You hire people based on who is correct for the part. The implication is that I’m deliberately not hiring black actors, which is stupid. I cast only what’s right for the part. Race, friendship means nothing to me except who is right for the part."

What Allen is really saying is that his characters - who people consider deep and layered with a multitude of emotions - can't be played by anyone who's not White - because I guess Allen just feels that if you aren't White you can't be neurotic, funny, quirky, elated - basically all human emotions.

But as we all know - that's a load of complete and utter Diane Keaton.

It's like the site I still lament - Stuff White People Like - which basically tells people that doing certain things - like listening to NPR, is only for White People (because you know, they have a hold on everything...).

Really?

So is Woody also saying that People Of Color are kind of like sub-humans who just aren't evolved? I mean if Allen would have to write something specific for let's say some Black and Asian American characters does that mean that no one talks in complete sentences and the main story lines are between a basketball court and a Chinese delivery place?

If I didn't already not get Woody Allen, I don't get him even more.

And To Make Matters Worse

Who even thinks about trying to defend Woody Allen on this?

Oh wait...

Here it is straight from the HuffPost.

Yeah - we all know the studios have issues, but ummm Ricky Boy - that doesn't excuse what Allen said and the inherent White Privilege and Racism of it all (and I wonder how many White teachers who school kids of color have the same mentality when it comes to subjects or mannerisms).

Friday Photo: Mikado Protest

Love.This.Pic.

You Could Be A First: Nancy Tong

While it's not official yet, it sounds like Nancy Tong is set to win a post as Democratic district leader of the 47th Assembly District - which would make her the first Asian American elected official in Brooklyn - and she's getting a lot of love from the local community:

Many community leaders attended the event, including Steve Chung, president of the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn, Warren Chan, president of the Asian Community United Society, Louie Liu, vice president of the Brooklyn Community Improvement Association, John Chan, chairman of Brooklyn Asian Communities Empowerment and its president, Jianghua Li, and community activist Tim Law. They all said Tong’s election will be a milestone for the Chinese community in Brooklyn. It is a sign of the growing power of Chinese on the political stage. They also hope Tong’s experience can encourage more Asians to participate in politics so that the community will have a louder voice.

Maybe one day I'll run for office...

What will my platform be...

Puyallup Native American Tribe VS Ted Nugent

It's not really a surprise that Ted Nugent gets a show cancelled at a Native American run Casino:

“The First Amendment gives people the right to free speech, but I think racism is intolerable and not acceptable here,” Puyallup Tribal Council Vice President Lawrence LaPointe told the affiliate. “We’ve been getting lots of complaints from the community and other organizations. I don’t want to take away his right to say what he wants to say but we don’t need it here.”

Nugent replied calling the people pushing for the cancellation "unclean vermin".

If anyone is unclean here...

Arden Cho + Love In NY

Community Channel's Adult Themes

Your Friday Straight Outta Vietnam Tôi đồng ý LGBT Because You Wanted It Pic

The Mikado + Read It + Are You Fucking Kidding Me?

I don't need to go into a long diatribe about WTF is wrong with this stage to the right.

Let's just burn it down.

Figuratively speaking of course.

1. Seattle Revival of ‘The Mikado’ Insists on Bringing Yellowface Back With It
2. The yellowface of “The Mikado” in your face
3. Stereotypes in 'The Mikado' Stir Controversy in Seattle

If Only The Ku Klux Klan Was Really That Sweet...

Reading this article about how the KKK is using candy as a recruitment tool I can only think to myself that they should have tried for every doorstep in America.

Which I'm guessing would make them go completely broke.

And I'm okay with that.

Oh Texas...WTH Is Wrong With You

Sure, I get that some people consider being able to wave the losing confederate flag on the doorstep as free speech, but having the DMV have to give them out?

Under the guise of free speech?

Fine.

Then I want a Texas issued license plate that has a bunch of dead confederates on it, with someone from the North standing on top of their dead carcasses burning the confederate flag (with an image of the American flag proudly in the background).

Two can play this game...

Visual Communications' 2015 Armed With a Camera Fellowship

It's that time! Filmmakers get your cameras ready.

The Armed With a Camera Fellowship for Emerging Media Artists is for up-and-coming Asian Pacific Americans who have had some experience in filmmaking. Over a seven-month period, 10 selected Fellows will receive the support and resources needed to each create a five-minute film and premiere it at the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival. Resources include training, workshops, mentoring, and a cash stipend. Over the past 12 years, the Fellowship has helped nearly 100 filmmakers to launch their careers.

The deadline to apply this year is August 29.

Where can I find more information?
You can find more information on our website at www.vconline.org and click on Programs and Artist Services.

Direct link: http://www.vconline.org/alpha/cms//index.cfm/programs/artist-services/armed-with-a-camera-fellowship/

Who should I contact for more information?
You can e-mail Milton at Milton@vconline.org for more information.

Who can submit?
Applicants must be of Asian Pacific descent and residents of Southern California. If accepted, Fellows must be able to attend mandatory meetings and workshops in Los Angeles. Women, South Asian and Southeast Asian filmmakers are highly encouraged to apply to the AWC Fellowship.

How do I apply?
You will need to send the following:

Information Cover Sheet (downloadable online at our website)
Letter of Intent
Resume
Project Treatment (2 page maximum)
Project Timeline (All projects must begin in October 2014 and completed in March 2015)
Budget (if proposed budget exceeds $2,000, you must show/explain other sources funding; budget items may include artist stipend, equipment, supplies, location fee, food etc.)
Sample work cued to five minutes (can be online link).

When are entries due?
All entries/submissions are due on August 29, 2014.

Where/who should we mail our entries?
Email to: milton@vconline.org


Mail to:
Attn: Milton Liu/AWC
Visual Communications
120 Judge John Aiso St., Basement Level
Los Angeles, CA 90012

How many applicants will be accepted?
Visual Communications will reward the fellowship up to 10 applicants.

When will we hear back?
Rewarded applicants will hear back in mid September.

How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship will span seven months in total, beginning October 2014. Final projects should be completed by March 13, 2015.

What kind of filmmaker/work is VC looking for?
Up to ten artists will be selected based on their demonstrated commitment to the arts, production and exhibition experience, and the quality of their sample work. Consideration will be given to communities that have been underserved and underrepresented in the media arts. A review panel composed of community members, media artists, and curators will judge the work based on artistic innovation, feasibility within the timeline, and budget of their proposed projects.

Jeremy Lin: You're A Laker Now!

With one year left on his contract Jeremy Lin will need to show what he's made of in Lakerville.

Hopefully we'll still see a lot more of Lin in the coming years.

David So + Why's Everyone Hating On Viet Women? Gotta Beat That Down

So this is a nice video and all and I agree just do what you love.

At the End David talks about his love of Vietnamese women.

Check out these comments in the video from 2 people.

Brenda Revelo

Daivd sorry but hope you got over that "Vietnamese phase". I and including a couple of male friends had really bad experiences with a certain type of Vietnamese girls. Specially when it comes with Korean men, they fall for those certain type of girls and end up heartbroken and a changed man (in a bad way) yes those girls are pretty and develop nice features but some are cocky as FUCK and full of themselves. Each of my male friends were dating a vietnamese girl (the girls are not friends or know each other) but each one fought or broke up for stupid things. One started crying in public because the guy didn't have enough money to buy her boba tea. Another didn't like the gold necklace the guy bought for her for her birthday and throw it in the trash. Last one, always said "im cute right" and made weird trying-to-be-cute faces. -___- not saying all Vietnamese girls are like that, i know some really nice ones but there are these few that get on my nerves. Im not even Korean but i just cant stand to see a Korean guy with that type of Vietnamese girl

Kaitlin Nguyen

Alright first of all, you can go ahead and say anything you want, but the stuff that you saying is freaking racist, I'm Vietnamese and that was rude. It doesn't matter if you say that not all us girls are like that , its still not right for u to say anything about us, so keep your mouth shut about all races. Take a good look at your race first and than say something.

Smack.

Event It: The Translation of Han Book Launch And Reading + Hei Kyong Kim + Sun Yung Shin + Eva Song Margolis + Bao Phi

Today @ 6:30pm - 8:00pm
The Third Place Gallery
3730 Chicago Ave S, Studio B, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407

Please join us for the book launch and reading of Hei Kyong Kim's "The Translation of Han" on Friday, July 11th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at The Third Place Gallery in Minneapolis.

In addition to Hei Kyong Kim reading from her book, Sun Yung Shin, Eva Song Margolis, and Bao Phi will be reading to help celebrate Kim's first full length book of poetry and prose.

http://www.thetranslationofhan.com/

== About The Book ==

The Translation of Han (released June of 2014) is a collection of poetry and prose about the spiritual, psychological, personal and political aspects of historical and intergenerational trauma amongst a people; it explores issues of race, adoption, culture, gender, lateral oppression, violence, love, family, and grief and loss. It is argued that Han cannot be understood by others who are not raised within the culture, including adopted Koreans; however, Hei Kyong Kim argues that adoptees were born out of trauma, out of Han. This body of work reflects an immigrant experience that has too often been forgotten.

== About Hei Kyong Kim ==

Hei Kyong Kim, Psy.D., L.P., was adopted from Seoul, South Korea in 1975. By day she works as a psychologist and by night she writes poetry and prose. Her work can be found in numerous journals, anthologies, and media, including: Outsiders Within, Seeds from a Silent Tree, Paj Ntaub Voice, Journal of Asian American Renaissance, New Truths: Writing in the 21st Century by Korean Adoptees, Proceedings of the First International Korean Adoption Studies Research Symposium, MoonRoot, Adoption Today, Parenting as Adoptees, Asian American Press, and Gazillion Voices. In addition to her writing, she has spoken at conferences here and in South Korea.

== Praise For The Translation of Han ==

"The Translation of Han is an important, ambitious book full of risks and rewards. It reads like a museum: beautiful, compelling, and daring. This remarkable debut explores trauma, survival, kinship and family, and the essential fight for identity. Kim writes about difficult subject matter with grace and accuracy. She is the real deal. This book is an absolute treasure."

- Lee Herrick, author of Gardening Secrets of the Dead and This Many Miles from Desire

"Like a spirit guide, Hei Kyong Kim’s stunning debut leads us through overlapping worlds of family and identity, blood and body, language and food, eternally haunted by an unquenchable thirst for connection. As I read it, I felt lit with the glow of recognition and shook with pleasure at her bravura style. Whether measuring out intimate, lyric delight in the ‘tiny bird lips’ of her daughter or embellishing the sweeping narrative of her own birth, Kim’s is a voice in full command of its power. I would follow it anywhere."

- Katie Hae Leo, author of the chapbook Attempts at Location, playwright, and essayist