Daily Archives: May 3, 2008

APA Month Day 3 – Video Game Pianist Martin Leung

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Martin Leung (aka Video Game Pianist aka Blindfolded Pianist) is an award-winning, globally-recognized pianist and musical pioneer for the 21st century. Although he trained classically, Martin Leung specializes in playing music from video games.

At San Francisco’s Sony Metreon on 8 March 2005, Martin made his first public appearance interpreting the tune-stories of Super Mario, Sonic, Zelda, Earthworm Jim, and Halo 2 as a performing art. Two days later he performed at Moscone Center for the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) Audio Awards. Martin Leung is in the vanguard of efforts to introduce video game music as a respectable component of universal music-making. The first video-game-music solo recital Martin performed publicly was in 2005 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas—replete with 21 encores.

His success was initially launched by a popular internet video of then-seventeen-year-old Martin’s blindfolded performance of the classic Super Mario Brothers theme, and a spirited Mario medley. This landmark clip debuted on numerous websites on 2 July 2004.

Watch the Video Game Pianist in action:

You can also find Martin Leung at Facebook, Myspace, and YouTube. Add him as your friend.

Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown Trailer

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Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown Trailer
“Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown,” a feature documentary five years in the making, will debut at the Los Angeles Asian American Film Festival, the most prestigious festival of its kind in Southern California, on Saturday, May 3rd, at 4pm at the Director’s Guild on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.

Set against the backdrop of glittering crowns, colorful dresses, and lively dance music in one of the oldest and biggest ethnic pageants in the United States, this documentary features the intimate stories of some unforgettable young women who vie for the title Miss Los Angeles Chinatown, while struggling to find themselves in two cultures with different values and expectations. The crown is a link to the past, while the women’s lives are a sign of the changing times.

A beautiful and poised teacher is the perfect candidate but a disappointment in her father’s eyes because her boyfriend is African American; a half White, half Chinese tomboy joins the pageant because she thinks it will make her more Chinese. Meanwhile, a Miss Chinatown imposter shows up around town – she wears a sash and gown, but sports a cigar, granny glasses, and tells bad jokes. Turns out she is really performance artist Kristina Wong, who grew up in the shadow of Miss Chinatown but found that she could never live up to this ideal image. If she couldn’t beat them, she figured she’d join them.

Documentary cameras follow the lives of these three subjects for several years, at a pivotal time as they are just starting to find out who they are as women. As the drama of their lives unfold, so do frank conversations about romantic relationships, familial dynamics, body image, mental health, career, and identity. What emerges are some of the rarely heard voices of young Asian American women at the turn of the 21st century.

Watch the trailer for “Yours Truly, Miss Chinatown”

P.S.
While you are in the Los Angeles area, check out the Pacific Islander Festival. the event celebrates the heritage, traditional culture, and the arts of the indigenous cultures of Polynesian, Micronesian, and Melanesian communities of Los Angeles with authentic ongoing stage performances. The event will also features island villages with hands-on-demonstrations, traditional arts presentations, and ethnic food to enjoy.

WHEN: May 3 and 4, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
SITE: Harbor Regional Park, Wilmington – Harbor City

Plano ASIAFEST 2008

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We are rounding out our Texas events with the 5th annual Plano Asian American Heritage Festival taking place at Haggard Park in Downtown Plano from 11 am to 5 pm. Activities will include demonstrations of Asian culture including Chinese calligraphy, Asian painting, traditional dances, fashion shows, musical instruments and other cultural arts. Talented artists from the local Asian community will showcase their culture and heritage to the public. This event celebrates the diverse artistic and cultural experiences of Asian-Americans. ASIAFEST ‘08 is about understanding the different spices that make up the wonderful American Melting Pot. ASIAFEST ‘08 is supported by the City of Plano, the Mayor, City Council, and their sponsors.



Dallas Asian American Youth Orchestra (DAAYO), a 35 piece string orchestra, will be performing classical music at AsiaFest. Here’s a concert performance by DAAYO a few months ago:

18th annual Asian Festival in Dallas

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The 18th Annual Asian Festival in Dallas is the largest celebration of Asian culture in Texas, attracting over 15,000 visitors a year. This fun, colorful and festive event will unite Asian cultures while creating a diverse marketplace featuring native arts & crafts, music, dance, food, martial arts and children’s activities. Unique cuisine from Indonesia, Korea, China, India, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries will be sold by independent vendors. As many as 17 different Asian cultures as well as communities will be represented in the festival. The children’s area, Passport to Asia for Kids, will provide activities culturally relevant to the traditions of the arts of Asia such as origami, face painting, henna painting, jewelry making, and many more. Organized by the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce.

Event date: Saturday, May 3, 2008

Location: Dallas City Hall Plaza

1500 Marilla Street

Dallas, TX, 75201

Time: 11:00am -5:00pm

This event is partial sponsored by the Crow Collection of Asian Art:

8th Annual Dragon Boat Festival in Houston

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In another part of Houston, they have the 8th Annual Dragon Boat Festival going on. Over 30 teams racing throughout the day with colorful entertainment, educational cultural booths, delicious cuisine, and fun games for kids and adults alike. The festival continues its 8th year paddling at the birthplace of Houston – Allen’s Landing in downtown.

8th Annual Dragon Boat Festival

Saturday, May 3, 2008

9:00am – 4:30pm

Allen’s Landing – Downtown Houston

Here’s what to expect in the thrilling sport of dragon boat racing in Houston Texas with a 2006 clip:

We can hear the banging of the dragon boat drums already.

APA Heritage Festival in Houston

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Join the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Association (APAHA) and over 5000 annual attendees at the Asian/Pacific Heritage Festival this May 3 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park in Houston, TX!




In addition to the vibrant array of cultural performances, vendors, and booths highlighting the ethnic Asian/Pacific American diversity of Greater Houston that APAHA is known for, this year’s festival will feature headlining performances by:

– JUNOON: South Asia’s biggest rock bad, Junoon has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Founded in 1990 by Salman Ahmad, a doctor by training and a rock musician by profession, Junoon was the first rock band invited to perform at the United Nations General Assembly. Prior to forming Junoon, Ahmad performed with one of Pakistan’s first pop bands, Vital Signs; and now serves as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador on HIV/AIDS.

– Lirio Vital: Internationally renowned Filipina stage, recording, and concert star and Aliw Award Winner (Best Female Vocal Performer)

– Bao Han: Celebrated Vietnamese pop star with “Lien Khuc Paris By Night” (Thuy Nga Productions)

Watch Junoon’s music video Bulleya:

Here’s perfomance the Bao Han din in Seattle eariler this year:

Have fun out in Houston, TX!!!