2008 Asian Film Festival of Dallas

Just like the soaring temperatures that hit the metroplex this time every year, moviegoers can once again look forward to screaming-hot movie options at the 7th Annual Asian Film Festival of Dallas, scheduled from August 14th – 21st, 2008 at Landmark’s Magnolia Theater. With more than 40 films to choose from, movie fans can beat the heat with 8 days of film from 10 countries, including Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines. The Asian Film Festival of Dallas is more than just a film festival – it’s a combination of cinema and cultural experiences that help spread the importance of diversity among Asian Internationals, Asian-Americans and other groups in our community. With entries that range from traditional and lyrical beauty to the bleeding edge of modern film expression, the AFFD is proud to once again offer a fiery palette of movie options to Dallas enthusiasts. Many of these films are currently making the festival circuit, and more still have been imported directly from other countries. Either way, this may be your only option to see many of these on the big screen, before they gain a US distributor!

This year’s festival will open with “PING PONG PLAYA,“ the latest film from JESSICA YU, Academy-Award winning director of BREATHING LESSONS and IN THE REALMS OF THE UNREAL, who will be in attendance with lead actor JIMMY TSAI. The Centerpience Film is "The Assembly" based on a true story of one man's journey in search of truth and honor in the aftermath of one of the bloodiest battles in the Chinese Civil War. The Closing Night Film is the much-anticipated satire “BE A MAN! SAMURAI SCHOOL,“ the directorial debut of Asian cult film hero TAK SAKAGUCHI (VERSUS, DEATH TRANCE), who will also be in attendance.

This should be an interesting documentary since the Olympics are taking place in Beijing.
Watch Boomtown Beijing trailer

Party with Dot Com Mogul John Chow in Vegas

Dot Com Mogul John Chow wants you to party with him in Vegas. You can win one of two full conference passes to Blog World Expo, the biggest blogging and new media expo in the world. Blog World takes place September 20-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The passes also include tickets to the opening night gala party. If you win, you’ll still need to arrange your own hotel and transportation to Las Vegas.

To enter this is what you need to do:

To enter for a chance to win a full conference pass to Blog World Expo, write a blog post on why you want to go, what you hope to get out of it and why you deserve the pass. Link to this post and send a trackback (or comment with the URL). The two best posts, as judged by me (John Chow) and a few other Blog World people, will received the passes.

This is our entry to John Chow's contest:
There is only one reason we have to go to this conference

We want to be a dot com mogul too.

We want to meet, greet, and network with Asian Canadian dot com mogul John Chow. He can teach us a thing or two about being a mogul. (He's one himself.) The guy's total blog income for June 2008: $40,125.99. That's bank, money!! He travels around the world and throws parties at CES. BlogWorld seems to be where fellow dot com moguls congregate. Last year Mark Cuban was there. Here's some Asian moguls this year: Shama Hyder, Pat Kitano, Amra Tareen, and Lynn Truong. So John Chow hook a fellow Asian up.

John Chow on Breakfast Television telling you how to be a dot com mogul

Vote of 2009 SXSW Panel

racialicious and angryasianman are trying to get a panel together for the 2009 SXSW Interactive Festival. (Previously, members of the two sites were on a panel entitled "Challenging the Mainstream: Asian Americans in the Ethnic Blogosphere"at the NYC Asian American Student Conference.) The panel entitled "Can Social Media End Racism?" covers the tangled issues of race and privilege in our society come to a boiling point on the internet. Exploring the complicated place of race in society, this presentation examines the ideas of race in the digital environment with a specific focus on social media. Other speakers on this panel may include Jay Smooth from Ill Doctrine and Phil Yu from Angry Asian Man. If you want to support them, go here and vote. Your vote counts.

Voting closes on August 29. SXSW Interactive hopes to reveal the first batch of programming and confirmed speakers in October.

Here's what the discussion could be like

help: Benefit Concert for Burma and Sichuan

Touched by the destruction left by the cyclone in Burma (Myanmar) and the earthquake in Sichuan province, China, a group of sympathetic San Francisco Bay Area musicians have organized a concert in San Francisco to benefit the devastated regions. "help," a benefit concert for Burma and Sichuan, will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2008 in San Francisco. Artists performing at "help" will include American Idol semifinalist Paul Kim, Burmese-American songstress Natalise and an acoustic set by Mud, a San Francisco hometown favorite. The artists appearing at the benefit are all waiving their performance fees. All net proceeds will go to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to provide water, food and temporary shelter in the most devastated areas of Burma and Sichuan province.

"help" will begin at 7:00 p.m. PT on August 2 at the Glas Kat Nightclub, located on 520 4th St. Advance purchase tickets are $35 for general admission and $25 for students. Tickets will be $40 at the door, cash only. All tickets are general admission and there will be no reserved seating. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m PT. VIP packages for two are also available for $125, which include a three-course dinner, admission tickets and access to the VIP lounge area.

help: Benefit Concert for Burma and Sichuan promo video

Kollaboration Acoustic 2

KOLLABORATION ACOUSTIC 2 - "An Evening Under The Stars"
SATURDAY ~ August 2nd, 2008 @ the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.(Near Hollywood Bowl)

OUR FIRST OUTDOOR SHOW! Come watch the best Asian Singers in America battle it out for $1700 in total cash prizes in front of Celebrity Judges and 1,250 people!

PICNIC BASKETS, FOOD, & DRINKS (Alcohol) ALLOWED.
Come at 5pm and have a picnic with your date or family before the show. ***Drinks included with VIP Ticket purchase provided by JINRO and HITE***

Featuring Special Guests: PAUL DATEH & KEN BELCHER - (millions of views on youtube)

Comedians: Edwin San Juan and Ali Wong
And Competitors:
Benny Mao
Jaewon Choe
Jane Lui
Jason Arimoto
Jennifer Chung
Ken Oak Band
Lady Danville
Million Dollar Babies
Richey Lam
Sam Geunjin Kang
The Shinobies
Tier2

THAT'S A SICK LINEUP!

$100 FREESTYLE VOCAL CONTEST
$100 FREESTYLE GUITAR CONTEST

Show Begins at 7:00PM
Doors Open at 5pm ~ You can bring a picnic and eat before the show. Make it romantic... or bring your and family and friends. For those 21+ you can bring drinks.

VIP tickets will include complimentary FREE drinks and FREE entry to the afterparty.

Kollaboration Acoustic 2 promo video

2008 Olympic opening ceremonies leaked

A Korean film crew form SBS gained access to the China's Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium yesterday to rehearse the Korean broadcast of the Olympic Games. While inside, the crew secretly filmed a rehearsal of the opening ceremony. The video is banned on the Chinese news site Sina.com and has been taken off YouTube in mainland China.

Apparently, the ceremony is over 3 years in the making and cost over $300 million. The report claims the video features over 10,000 performers including kung-fu fighters, trapeze artists and traditional Chinese dancers. To get the the 10-second Olympic countdown, the latest laser technology was used.

Watch the leaked 2008 Olympic opening ceremonies

The Mummy Panel at Comic-Con

The cast of The Mummy : Tomb of the Dragon Emperor was present at Comic-Con. Asian actors were there in full force with Isabella Leong, Michelle Yeoh, and Jet Li. Isabella Leong make her Hollywood debut in this film. She learned both English and martial arts for her role. Michelle Yeoh and Jet Li battle each other in what is labeled "The fight that all of Asia has been waiting for." Jet Li said he didn't need to do too much. With all the special effects in the film, most of his shots were done with motion capture.

The Mummy Panel at Comic-Con Part 1


The Mummy Panel at Comic-Con Part 2


The Mummy Panel at Comic-Con Part 3

The Office Panel at Comic-Con

Some of writers/actors from The Office went to Comic-Con. The most notable Asian American on the panel for The Office was Mindy Kaling (aka Vera Chokalingam). She plays Kelly Kapoor. The Indian American actress had one of the biggest cheers as she was introduced. Also on the panel was writer Ryan Ko. Great to see Asian Americans as writers for hit shows like The Office.

The Office Panel at Comic-Con

Heroes Panel at 2008 Comic-Con

The entire cast of Heroes showed up at the 2008 Comic-Con. They showed the premiere episode of Heroes Volume 3: Villians to the crowd. On the panel afterwards, Masi Oka (aka Hiro) busted out some Japanese on the stage. Also an Asian dude dressed up in a Japanese samurai outfit asked some questions, while Masi Oka capitalized on the moment. Season 3 of Heroes returns on September 22, 2008.

Heroes Panel at 2008 Comic-Con

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Over the weekend, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival set an attendance record. The mission of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is to build bridges of awareness, knowledge and understanding between the diverse Asian Pacific American (APA) communities and the general public through cultural education, leadership development, and athletic competition. Keep up the good work Denver!

Watch one of the races at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Rebuilding the Bridge - China Quake Charity

If you are in the NYC, come and support this event to help support the victims of the China Quake. The event was put together in less than three weeks including getting artists and celerities Ryan Leslie, Planet B-Boy break dancing crews, J-Lim, Beau Sia, and Andrew Choi. Although the main act, the Jabbawockeez, got yanked days before the event, the group putting on the fundraiser posst this:

For the record, please don’t blame the Jabbawockeez members and managers for this. They really do care about what we’re trying to do and said that if they had a choice, they would be at our event in a heartbeat. They are the same guys that you’ve read about before this event, and the fame of winning America’s Best Dance Crew has not changed them one bit.

The promo video got taken down for the "Rebuilding the Bridge" event. However, you can still hear the PSA by Amy Chang - Remember the Jabbawockeez will not be at this event.

Jabbawockeez Drama on the East Coast

UPDATE: One of our bloggers didn't get all the facts right on this post. Apologies to SCAT Productions as their flyer did state their cause in small print on their flyer. Also three members of Jabbawockeez (Kevin Brewer, Phil Tayag and Chris Gatdula ) showed up towards the end of the "Rebuilding the Bridge" event to say some words on stage to support the Sichuan Quake event. They ended up staying for a meet & greet, took photos, signed autographs and passed out T-shirts. Jabbawockeez took care of their fans and the cause. Here's some fan footage when Jabbawockeez got announced.




Lots of drama surrounding the booking of Jabbawockeez performances on the East Coast this weekend for July 12th. Apparently, the Jabbawockeez were booked by both SCAT Productions and Rebuilding the Bridge (an event helping the China Quake Victims). For July 12th, SCAT Productions got the Jabbawockeez, while Rebuilding the Bridge lost their top act with days before the event.

On the "Rebuilding the Bridge" site, this message appears:

Due to unforeseen conflicts in scheduling, the Jabbawockeez are no longer part of the lineup for this event. On behalf of all the individuals and organizations involved, we are deeply sorry for this development. We are nonetheless extremely excited by the roster of artists who are performing.

On the Jabbwockeez website, the SCAT Productions event is being promoted. (It's going to be tough for the "Rebuilding the Bridge" event to re-promote without their top draw.) The Ningin.com message boards lit up for awhile on the Jabbawockeez controversy until the thread was taken offline. Ningin.com is a backer of the "Rebuilding the Bridge" event. Miss Info of Hot 97 in NYC, who is supporting the "Rebuilding the Bridge" event, voiced her concerns on her blog here and here.

...a disturbing tale of what happens when you have the wrong people repping you and claiming to be out to “do good in the hood."...

...But while some fans are putting the entertainment over the mission, which I cant respect, much love to all the folks who are support this 100% non-profit event (to one of the largest aid organizations in the world, Mercy Corps….not an unlicensed undocumented charity). I am doing everything I can to make sure you’ll be more than happy...

When you read between the lines on what is going on here, money is clearly a factor. If you take a look at how the marketing was done for the events. SCAT Productions flyers say nothing about the charity they support, only on their website. "Rebuilding the Bridge" flyers clearly state the charity they support. While not all the information is out in the open, the nasty truth will come out sooner or later. Bottom line, it's the charity that matters. Bypass all the drama and contribute directly to the cause you want - donate to Mercy Corps or Children's Chance in Connecticut.

The promo video got taken down for the "Rebuilding the Bridge" event. However, you can still hear the PSA by Amy Chang - Remember the Jabbawockeez will not be at this event.

Jammin' Asian - China Quake Fundraiser

Jammin' Asian is an exciting monthly showcase (every second Tuesday of each month) at the Laugh Lounge NYC featuring some of the best Asian-American Singers, Comedians, Spoken Word Artists, Magicians and more! This show is Hosted by Korean Joke Teller Tom Hudson and Filipino Funny man Air Tabigue, Jammin' Asian fuses a mixture of talent like no other. Today's Jammin' Asian show will be a Fundraiser for Earhquake Victims in China.

JAMMIN ASIAN -- Tuesday July 8 Show (Fundraiser for Earhquake Victims in China)

Hosted by Tom Hudson and Air Tabigue

Location:
Laugh Lounge
151 Essex Street
New York, NY
8:30pm (show starts)
Special Happy hour 7pm-8pm

Featuring:
Marisol Cheng - (New York Comedy Club)
Chewy - (Laugh Lounge)
Tijuana Yacht Club - (Comix)
Flo & Georgia Fox - (five Points Lounge)
Eugene Chang - (Rooftop Comedy)
Helen Hong - (Little Ethnic Girls and Friends)

and Headling......MASTER LEE!!!! (Conan O'brien, Showtime at the Apollo)

Here's a little of what you can expect at Jammin' Asian

Breaking the Rules with Danny Cho

We got a note from Danny Cho about his upcoming Breaking the Rules DVD Taping:

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that there are only 6 more days til the show and tickets. This show will sell out before the day of the show so if you plan on coming, please purchase the tickets early.

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July and hopefully I will see most of you at the show. Thanks!

-Danny

Here's the info about the Breaking the Rules DVD Taping.
Location:
The David Henry Hwang Theater
120 Judge John Aiso St.
Los Angeles , CA 90012

Cost: Admission is $20

For more info and tickets please go to www.dannycho.com.

Special Guest Performers: Far East Movement

Watch Danny Cho perform

Anime Expo 2008

Anime Expo 2008 kicks off today. Anime Expo 2008 is looking to be, once again, the nation’s premiere anime and manga convention of the year. Anime Expo 2008 will be held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. Guests of Honor for the expo include up and coming director Masahiro Ando, legendary American voice actor David Hayter, famed POKEMON director Masamitsu Hidaka, the dynamic duo known as Jyukai, renowned animator Hiromi Kato, celebrated veteran voice actor Toshihiko Seki, the new Japanese “It-Girl” Shokotan and the legendary character designer Takada Akemi. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.

Watch the Anime Expo 2008 trailer


Watch the Anime Expo 2008 Sneak Peek

Rebuilding The Bridge

For those of you in the NY area, here's a chance to catch the JabbaWockeez in your city. You are invited to "Rebuilding The Bridge", a charity fundraising event to benefit the China Earthquake relief efforts. The event will take place on Saturday, July 12, and will feature a ground breaking coalition of Asian American performers and not-for-profit organizations as we raise awareness and dollars to help rebuild China's Sichuan region after one the most devastating natural disasters in recent memory.

Feature performers include:
JABBAWOCKEEZ
RYAN LESLIE
BEAU SIA
ANDREW CHOI
...with more performers to be announced soon.

Other Special Guests include
Park Jin Young from JYP Entertainment
actor Ken Leung
Council Member John C. Liu

The event will be hosted by MISS INFO of HOT 97FM.
For more details (with frequent updates), please see the event's website: http://www.rebuildingthebridge.com
Saturday July 12th 7:30PM
Pace University
Michael Schimmel Center of the Arts
3 Spruce Street
New York, NY 10038
RSVP 212-619-4785 ext 106


JabbaWockeez In America's Best Dance Crew Season 2 Commercial

Masi Oka gets smart at the Apple store in SF

Masi Oka, the popular star of TV's "Heroes" and the new movie "Get Smart," talks with Chronicle reporter Ellen Lee about technology. Oka was at the downtown San Francisco Apple store to talk about his special Get Smart DVD, "Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control."

Masi Oka talks about owning 7 Macs, getting the iPhone 3G, working at ILM, Heroes, and a real "blue tooth."

watch the Masi Oka interview

70th Anniversary of Los Angeles Chinatown

On Saturday, June 28, Chinatown will celebrate the 70th anniversary of “New Chinatown.”

The public is invited to gather in Central Plaza from 7 to 11 p.m. to enjoy 1940’s style big band music and dancing, cocktails from the era, a video montage of the many movies shot in Chinatown, and a narrated video presentation of historic photos. A "Best Costume Contest" will be held to judge those who choose to come in 1930’s or 1940’s attire. Other entertainment will feature Chinese martial artists, lion dancers, and book-signings and readings by authors whose books celebrate Chinatown history.

The event will be kicked off with the re-dedication of one of the original plaques—recently discovered buried in storage—and an original replica on which is inscribed the words “Dedicated to the Chinese Pioneers Who Participated in the Constructive History of California.” This plaque was originally dedicated by California Governor Frank Merriam on June 25, 1938. The Governor was joined by a host of local dignitaries including Los Angeles Mayor F.L. Shaw, Republic of China Consul T.K. Chang, Princess Der Ling of China, actress Anna May Wong, and artist Tyrus Wong. In Governor Merriam’s words, New Chinatown “represented a monument to those Chinese who played such an important role in building the West and a lasting evidence of American Chinese amity.”

“New Chinatown” was an enclave of restaurants, shops, offices, and residences, which replaced an older settlement which had been displaced by the construction of Union Station. “New Chinatown” was billed as the first modern American Chinatown owned and planned from the ground up by Chinese. Today, “New Chinatown” is known as Central Plaza and is home to old and new establishments including curio shops, restaurants, bars, art galleries, and Chinatown’s trendiest boutiques.

The plaza that was dedicated seventy years ago became the heart of a much larger Chinatown, and today forms the backbone of a vibrant and expansive Southern California Chinese American community.

The free festival will run from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. at 951 N. Broadway Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Parking around the area is plentiful, and the festival is also easily accessed via Metro Gold Line rail from the Chinatown Station.

Here's a video with the sights and sounds of Los Angeles Chinatown

Kevjumba and Happyslip Dance Battle and Youtube Gathering

Today, Happyslip and KevJumba will be attending the Houston YouTube Gathering. Here's more information about the Youtube Gathering:

When:
Sunday, 6/15/08
12 noon to 5pm

Where:
Marq*E Entertainment Center (meet at the fountain)
7620 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024

If you think you can make it, you will need to sign up to this site and then make your comment below that YES you will try to meet up with us!

Looks like over 500 people will be attending. Maybe you will see a dance battle there.

Watch the KevJumba vs Fred G. Dance Battle for Happyslip. (Don't confuse this dance battle with The Biggest Online Dance Battle in YouTube History).

Volume Control 2

VOLUME CONTROL 2 is JUNE 15!
VOLUME CONTROL 2 - A Fundraiser for the 2009 Summit in the Bay Area
featuring performances from:
Proletariat Bronze
Aimee Suzara
Broken Halos
Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
Malaya Arevelo
Nate Krooks
Rodrael Guadalupe
and Youth Slam Champions Bryant Phan & Christsna Sot
with DJ shredONE
and hosts Adriel & Ruby from iLL-Literacy

6pm Doors, 7pm Show
$10-$20 sliding scale donation
All proceeds go to the 2009 APIA Spoken Word & Poetry Summit

for more information, contact volumecntrl@gmail.com

Watch Adriel from iLL-Literacy @ Volume Control 1 with $$$$$$

IN-N-OUT: Michelle Maykin Bone Marrow Drive

Meet Michelle Maykin.
She is a 26-year old acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient who is battling life-threatening odds of finding a bone marrow donor match by June 21st. In light of Michelle's diagnosis, Michelle's family and friends have banned together to launch a nationwide recruitment campaign, Project Michelle, to raise awareness of the dire donor shortage specifically within the Asian American community. The goal is to enroll 15,000 donors into the national registry in hopes of finding acute myeloid leukemia patient Michelle Maykin a bone marrow match and improve the odds for patients like her. Only 3% of all Asian Americans are registered as bone marrow donors.

WHAT: In-n-Out: The Drive to Increase Asian American Registered Bone Marrow Donors

WHEN: Saturday | June 14, 2008 | 10 am - 3 pm

WHERE: Chinese for Affirmative Action, Community Room
The Kuo Building
17 Walter U. Lum Place
San Francisco, CA 94108

COST: Free for all partial and full ethnic minorities (Asian and Pacific Islander, Native American, Hispanic/Chicano, and African American) and $25 registration fee for all non-minorities.

Lots of community support for this bone marrow drive:
Hyphen Magazine, Chinese for Affirmative Action, South Bay First Thursdays, Angry Asian Man, Asian American Cancer Support Network, South Asian Marrow Association of Recruiters, Kearny Street Workshop, Asian Pacific Islander Nonprofits of Los Angeles, and Center for Asian American Media

If you can't make it out to the registration drive or live outside of the San Francisco Bay Area, you can get a free home kit to participate in the program.

Here's Michelle Maykin talking about how you can help


Michelle Maykin demonstrates how easy it is to be registered as a bone marrow donor

New York Asian American International Film Festival site launch

The site for the 2008 Asian American International Film Festival in New York City is live. The festival runs from July 10–19, 2008. Three premieres anchor this year's lineup for Opening Night, Closing Night, and Centerpiece Presentations.


Opening Night Presentation (Princess of Nebraska)


Centerpiece Presentation (The Speed of Life)


Closing Night Presentation (Ping Pong Playa)

Watch the trailer for The Speed of Life directed by Ed Radtke

National APIA Presidential Townhall online

National APIA Presidential Townhall is now available online. Some of the highlights include Seriously the band, Kaba Modern, Tamlyn Tomita, Beau Sia, Camille Velasco, and Mike Honda. Van Tran represented John McCain, Hillary Clinton was taped, and Barack Obama was live via phone.

Kaba Modern Legacy performing at APIAVote Presidential Town Hall


Beau Sia at APIAVote Presidential Town Hall


Camille Velasco performing at APIAVote Presidential Town Hall

China Earthquake Charity Event in NYC

The Chinatown Film Festival -- in collaboration with NYU China Care, Families with Children in China (FCC), and the Malaysian American Association -- is organizing a live fundraising concert on Thursday, June 12th, from 6-10pm, to raise funds and help the victims of the recent earthquake in China. The event is showcasing famous Chinatown performers and NYU singers and dancers! It will be covered by various renowned New York medias: Qing Dao Ri Bao, CWCB Radio, Sing Tao and many MORE.

CFF's China Earthquake Charity Event
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
100 Lafayette St
New York, NY
6:00-10:00PM

Suggested donation is $20, (you can buy the ticket here or at the door). To reserve a VIP Table ($500) please email Joey Chee, Logistics Coordinator, at Joey@cff2008.org.

So come and support the cause!

Lots of destruction from the quake in China

3rd Annual Talent One Media Film Festival

Talent One Media is proud to announce the 3rd Annual T.O.M. Film Festival set to begin at 5:30pm on Saturday, May 31st, 2008 at the Aratani Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo, in Downtown Los Angeles, CA. The event will is Free Admission and open to the public.

This special 1-day event will premiere 10 original short films, feature live outdoor music from Slum Peasants and Elements of The Outer Realm, and will also feature an Awareness Resource area for partnering organizations. Film goers will not only enjoy Free admission for the festival, but they’ll have the opportunity to find out more about local and global initiatives to fight and end modern day slavery.

Talent One Media, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was created in 2005 by passionate filmmakers, artists, musicians, and community leaders whose goal is to positively impact and influence the world around them. The organization focuses on creating an environment for artists to use their talents for a greater cause and purpose. Through out the year, Talent One Media is committed to assisting and encouraging filmmakers and artists to take their skills and crafts to the next level and is able to achieve this through various resources and networks.

Watch the trailer for the Talent One Media Film Festival

Wing Luke Asian Museum Grand Opening

It was five years in the making, but it's now ready. The Wing Luke Asian Museum’s opens its doors to a new expanded home at 719 South King St. in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. From its new 60,000-square-foot home, the Wing Luke Asian Museum will expand its role as an economic and community resource for a distinctly diverse neighborhood, as one of Seattle’s historic and creative treasures, and as a cultural institution of national significance. Featuring: Honoring Our Journey, Community Portrait Galleries, Special Exhibition Gallery, George Tsutakawa Art Gallery, East and West Lightwells, Historic Immersion Exhibits, Tateuchi Story Theatre, Governor Gary Locke Library and Community Heritage Center, KidPLACE, Frank Fujii Youth Space, Learning Studios, The Marketplace, Community Hall, and much more. The event is free and open to the public. Timed tickets will be issued the day of celebration.

A national model for community-based exhibition process, upcoming special exhibits include the Native Hawaiian Community in the Pacific Northwest (Special Exhibition Gallery, October 2008); Voter Registration (New Dialogue Initiative, August 2008); Dance (KidPLACE, August 2008), and Mixed Race/Ethnicity (Community Portrait Gallery, September 2008). The “George Tsutakawa: The Making of a Fountain,” an exhibition featuring the fountains, paintings, models, and sculptures of the pioneer artist, will be on display in the art gallery bearing his name when the museum opens.

Community Grand Opening
Saturday, May 31, 2008 — 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Ribbon cutting and multicultural drumming performance at 10 a.m.

Sunday, June 1, 2008 — 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Cultural ceremony and lion and dragon dances at 11:30 a.m.

Watch the Wing Luke Asian Museum campaign video

8th Annual Slant Film Festival in Houston

This weekend only experience the 8th Annual Slant Film Festival. For the 8th year, Aurora Picture Show presents Slant, an eclectic showcase of the best in emerging Asian American cinema. The festival runs for 3 days this year. Catch all the action at:

Aurora Picture Show
800 Aurora Street
Houston, TX

Opening Night Films - Shorts - May 30 @ 8pm
What do missed connections, using bananas as weapons, and a little girl´s persistence in selling cookies have in common? Nothing, until we brought them together for Slant! This program of experimental and narrative films weaves together the humorous and the poetic. Some films tackle stereotypes, while others travel through memory and longing.

Getting to Nobu - May 31 @ 8pm
Join Slant veteran and our favorite TV personality, Nobu Adilman, for a special show-and-tell screening of his short films and television shows. Nobu is the co-producer of Food Network Canada's Food Jammers and Invention Nation. His career has included writing for network television (Emily of New Moon, Cold Squad), acting (Trailer Park Boys, Parsley Days), hosting CBC’s Smart Ask! for two years, guest hosting CBC’s late night program, ZeD, and pop culture reporting on CBC Newsworld’s Play.

Documentary Showcase - June 1 @ 8pm
In this program of documentaries, family members hold on to each other and their memories even when outside forces try to tear them apart.

Here's what you can expect from Slant 8. Watch the teaser for Slant Volume 1 DVD - Asian American Short Films

6th Annual Asianweek Comedy Night

The 6th Annual AsianweekComedy Night 2008 takes place on Friday, May 30 with two different shows at 7 – 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. – 12 midnight. The venue is The Purple Onion (140 Columbus Ave., San Francisco, Calif.), which has the world-renowned reputation as one America’s birthplace of stand-up comedy. This year, AsianWeek is proud to return to this storied venue and again feature already established and up-and-coming Asian American comics during the Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage month celebrations. Comics on board include Tessie Chua, Leah Eva, Nitin Kant, Dhaya Lakshminarayanan, Edwin Li, Duat Mai, and Joe Nguyen. Space limited, R.S.V.P. at comedynight@asianweek.com

Attendees of Comedy Night will receive free admission to the after-party at Suite 181(181 Eddy St., San Francisco, Calif.)

Here a taste of what to expect from Nitin Kant:


Comic Joe Nguyen pokes fun at himself as a Vietamese Jew

Se7en in California for Memorial Day weekend

Se7en will be partying it up in California this weekend. The plan for Se7en this weekend is party, autograph, party, autograph. He'll start in San Francisco then move down to the Los Angeles area. Verizon is backing Se7en based on the the party support and locations he's signing at.
San Francisco Party

1015
1015 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA

Saturday, May 24 @ 2pm:
Verizon Wireless Autograph Signing
457 Westlake Center, Daly City, CA 94015
1 (650) 991-9901

Los Angeles Party

Ritual
1743 N Cuenga Blvd
Hollywood, CA

Monday, May 26 @ 2pm:
Verizon Wireless Autograph Signing
12603 Towne Center Dr, Cerritos, CA 90703
1 (562) 809-5650

Here's Fancam footage from the Album Preview party Se7en had a few weeks back.

Kollaboration 5 in Chicago

Kollaboration 5 going down in Chicago. Music, dance, comedy, and more. Expected attendees include Far East Movement, Movie Director Michael Kang, Comedians Danny Cho & Sheng Wang, dance crews redefinition and nonstop, and more.



Kollaboration 5 is happening at:

Saturday, May 24, 2008
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Northshore Center for Performing Arts Theatre
9501 Skokie Blvd.
Skokie, IL

PERFORMERS

HOST: PK
BAND: Pas | Parts per Million.
DANCE: Redefinition | Nonstop.
VOCAL: Stacey | Jenna.
SINGER/SONGWRITER: Enoke | 4fret.
RAP: Cypha MC | Million Dollar Babies.


BATTLE

Freestyle Dance Battle (Open to anyone in the audience)
Freestyle Rap Battle (Open to anyone in the audience)
Acapella Singing Battle (Open to anyone in the audience)

Dance crew Redefinition at last year's Kollaboration


Jenna Lee at Kollaboration IV

Flashing Lights in San Francisco

lighting the past, present, and future
celebrating APA Heritage month

Thursday, May 22
10PM – 2AM
21+ | $10

Poleng Lounge
1751 Fulton Street @ Masonic
San Francisco, CA

The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) throws sweet parties. Here's a clip from their film festival's opening night party in San Francisco a few months back. In the video, H.P. Mendoza is interviewed and talks about his next project with CAAM, Fruit Fly.

Jin's Online Birthday Party

Jin's turning 26 on June 4 and he's throwing a birthday party online at Myspace. For details, go to myspace.com/jinforthewin. This will be interesting.

YOU ARE ALL INVITED.

WHO: Me.

WHAT: My 26th Birthday Celebrayyyshun.

WHEN: June 4th, 2008

WHERE: Right 'chea!! (myspace.com/jinforthewin)

WHY: Why not!?

So mark your calendars and get ya funky fresh & fly outfits ready! It's guaranteed to be a "PARTY".

We think Jin's birthday party would be something like this: