Congrats to Audrey reader Karen Huynh for winning our weekly Thank Goodness It’s Free Friday giveaway. Karen won the Sanrio 50th Anniversary Small Gift gift bag, full of Hello Kitty goodness. Her favorite item in the bag, she says, is Sanrio’s 50th anniversary commemorative coffee table book, Small Gift. “I love looking through the pictures, especially of the older products that they use to sell, especially since I use to own some of them!” says Huynh. “Thanks to you and Audrey Magazine for the gift bag, its awesome!”

Wanna be a part of The Audrey Community? Send us your photo and tell us why you’re an Audrey It-Girl! You just may win a bag of goodies from our sample closet!

Got the mid-winter doldrums? Nourish yourself! There are so many ways to feed the soul this January, from fine art to fine food.

Ye Tao, Shanghai Baby.

Los Angeles Art Show

When: January 19-23, 2011

Where: Los Angeles Convention Center

How: www.laartshow.com/index.html

The 16th Annual Los Angeles Art Show returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center starting today. Beyond the usual fine art from around the world and from private collections, check out a special Asian Contemporary exhibition presented by 53 Art Museum from Guangzhou, China, curated and sponsored by the prominent Asian art magazines Art Gallery Magazine and Gallery Sights. The Art Show will also include a significant grouping of Chinese galleries who have never shown works outside of China.

Beyond fine art, there’s also book signings, street art, lectures and film screenings including The Rising Tide, a documentary shot in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen in the summer of 2006, exploring China’s march toward the future through the works of some their most talented photographers and video artists. There will even be guided tours in Korean and Chinese.

The Opening Night Premiere Party, which will be hosted by Kat von D (LA Ink), will help The Art of Elysium to expand its program to bring arts to critically ill hospitalized children, and increase substantially the number of school children who visit the Getty through the Getty Museum’s Education Department program for Title-One School visits.

Letters From My Mother

When:  Thursday, January 20, 7:30pm

Where: Tateuchi Democracy Forum in the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, 111 N. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

How: Admission is free, but please RSVP by calling 213-625-7000 or emailing boxoffice@eastwestplayers.org.

East West Players (EWP), in collaboration with the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) and Japanese American National Museum (JANM), presents a staged reading of  Letters From My Mother by Udaya Kanthi Salgadu and directed by Shaheen Vaaz. The reading will be performed by Asian American notables including Tamlyn Tomita, James Kyson Lee, Camille Mana, and more.

Letters addresses the horror of slavery and human trafficking still occurring in this day and age. It follows Sripa, a young Sri Lankan high school graduate who endured 26 months of forced labor in a household in the United States. Sripa draws strength only from her mother’s letters, until inquiries from a neighbor eventually lead to her rescue. Sripa must then find the courage within her to become an advocate for the abolition of human trafficking.

Developed in the East West Players David Henry Hwang Writers Institute with the support of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, Letters From My Mother is based on the playwright’s true life experience. This reading is presented as part of a month-long campaign to raise the awareness of human trafficking and modern day slavery. To learn more on human trafficking, visit www.castla.org.

A panel discussion and a wine and cheese reception follows the reading.

Dhobi Ghat

When: Opens January 21, 2011

Where: In theaters

How: dhobighatfilm.com

Shai (played by Indian American Monica Dogra) is a modern Indian American woman, on sabbatical from her prestigious job in finance, to indulge her photography hobby in Mumbai. She has a brief dalliance with Mumbai native Arun (Aamir Khan), a gifted but solitary painter, and strikes up an unusual friendship with Munna (Prateik), a handsome laundry boy (dhobi) with ambitions of being a Bollywood actor. As Shai takes an interest in Munna’s life and work in the dhobi ghat (the area in Mumbai where laundry is done), their friendship deepens despite significant class differences, and Arun becomes obsessed with recordings left by a beautiful former tenant of his apartment.

Kiran Rao’s directorial debut, set in the wild and chaotic metropolis of Mumbai, follows four people, separated by class and language, drawn together in compelling relationships. The films stars and was produced by Aamir Khan, one of India’s most popular actors.

Korean Community Day at Fowler Museum

When: Saturday, January 22, 2011, 1-4 pm

Where: Fowler Museum at UCLA, Westwood, CA

How: Admission is free

UCLA’s Fowler Museum is opening up its doors to celebrate Korean arts and culture. Bring appa and unni to this family-oriented day with art workshops and tours of their “Life in Ceramics: Five Contemporary Korean Artists ” exhibit. After the afternoon’s festivities are over, take a stroll around UCLA’s beautiful campus. Fun for the whole family!

dineLA Restaurant Week

When: January 23-28, January 30-February 4, 2011

Where: Restaurants throughout Los Angeles

How: www.dineLA.com/RestaurantWeek

Now’s your chance to try some of the best restaurants L.A. has to offer, all at special prix-fixe prices. From Hollywood’s recently opened W Hollywood complete with a dinner at Delphine, to a coastal getaway at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and dinner at Fig Santa Monica, dineLA Restaurant Week offers visitors the perfect excuse to visit Los Angeles and dine at a great value.

Check out participating restaurants here.

ALOUD: A conversation with Andrew Lam and Maxine Hong Kingston

When: Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 7 pm

Where: Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, Los Angeles, CA

How: www.lfla.org/event-detail/541/Maxine-Hong-Kingston

Acclaimed writer Maxine Hong Kingston.

Don’t miss the meeting of two brilliant minds in modern Asian American literature in casual conversation. Andrew Lam, the editor and co-founder of New America Media, and author of  the award-winning Perfume Dreams: Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora, and his latest work, East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres, talks Asian American literature with Chinese American author Maxine Hong Kingston, the award-winning author of The Woman Warrior.

The daughter of Chinese immigrants, Kingston grew up active in antiwar activities in Berkeley, but left the mainland for Hawaii in the late ’60’s, where she wrote The Woman Warrior, and China Men, which earned the National Book Award. Her most recent books include a collection of essays, Hawai‘i One Summer, and her latest novel, The Fifth Book of Peace. Kingston was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 1997 by President Clinton. She is currently Senior Lecturer Emerita at the University of California, Berkeley.

I remember when sample sales were a rare, coveted event. Designers would set out runway samples and alert only a select, elite few to come peruse their wares at ridiculously low prices. The designers themselves would even be present, giving advice on how you can take in the back or sneaking out special merchandise for you. (I still have the slim-cut stone trench with sequin trimmed belt that Phillip Lim, during his pre-3.1 days, brought out for me at his warehouse during a Development — his former label — sample sale a half a dozen years back. Sigh.)

Nowadays, sample sales are aplenty, but who has time to trek out to some out-of-the-way warehouse to pick through stuff that, well, has been picked through? Thank goodness for online discounters and sample sales — it can make a slow work day quite productive.

Modnique is one such sample sale trove. The retailer of designer merchandise at highly discounted prices save its members up to 85 percent off well-known brands such as Valentino, Miss Sixty, Covet, Lalique, Gucci, Fendi and more. Everything sold on Modnique (read: Modern meets Unique) is guaranteed to be 100 percent brand new and authentic.

The catch? You only have anywhere from 36 to 72 hours to nab sale items of specific brands, and it’s only available to its members. (But membership is free, so why wouldn’t you join?)

Try it out! To get you started, Modnique and Audrey Magazine are giving away a pair of Fendi sunglasses to one lucky reader. It’s the Fendi FS474M, length 5.5 inches, made in Italy (of course), and retails for $275.

So here’s what you have to do:

1. Go through Audrey Magazine’s winter 2010-11 issue and tell us your favorite part of the magazine and why.

2. If you don’t have a copy of our winter issue (what?!?), then tell us your favorite story at AudreyMagazine.com and tell us why.

3. Do this via comment to this post by Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 11:59 pm. Don’t forget, you must have a U.S. mailing address to win.

Good luck!

Have you heard of comedian Sheng Wang? Well, get familiar with the name because the Taiwanese American was just signed to a one-year talent holding deal with NBC Universal as a part of the prize for winning top honors at NBC Universal’s seventh-annual “Stand-Up for Diversity” comedy search. Held at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, Calif., and hosted by Indian Canadian comedian/actor Russell Peters, the competition concluded a three-city search for the nation’s funniest diverse comics.

Get to know this face: comedian Sheng Wang.

“We were impressed by all of the talented and promising new voices who auditioned for our showcase this year,” said Grace Wu, Executive Vice-President, Casting, NBC Universal. “We selected our winner, Sheng Wang, because of his smart, insightful writing and his hilarious stand up performance. He is well deserving of this talent deal and we welcome him to the NBC Universal family.”

Known as the “Taiwanese Texan,” Wang was born in Taiwan, raised in Houston and developed his comedy chops in San Francisco. Wang has toured with the Comedians of Comedy and American Eagle’s “Campus Comedy Challenge.” He also has appeared on Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham” and attended the “Just for Laughs” comedy festival in Montreal.

Wanna catch him live? He’ll be joining the touring company of NBC’s Stand-Up for Diversity College Tour, which will be performing at more than 50 college campuses nationwide. Additionally, select finalists will be featured in February at the N.A.C.A convention in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to Wang, this year’s finalists included Phoebe Robinson, Thomas Dale, Mike Britt, Ron Funches, Samuel J. Comroe, JJ Williamson, Amir K and Tony Baker.

Asian Americans in comedy is a rare thing, but Eliot Chang is the real deal. I mean, the guy is hilarious.

So now’s your chance to support a really talented Asian American comedian — vote for him during the month of January in Comedy Central’s Stand Up Showdown where people vote for their favorite half hour special. People can vote once a day every day from now through Thursday, January 27, using this link http://bit.ly/gBVILr, or just text “CHANG” to 44686.

Let Eliot explain it himself:

Don’t know Eliot Chang yet? Check him out at EliotChang.com, or watch this clip:

Need a makeover? Why not with Clinton Kelly, co-host of TLC’s What Not to Wear? Macy’s is holding its “Macy’s Million Dollar Makeover with Clinton Kelly” contest where one winner will get the makeover of a lifetime.

Throughout the month of January, legal residents in the U.S. 18 years or older can enter the contest here. In February, eight contestants will be selected for a Clinton Kelly makeover. Then America will vote for the ultimate makeover and the winner will receive $1 million worth of products, services, cash and experiences to transform the winner’s life.

Kelly calls Macy’s Million Dollar Makeover “my typical makeover on steroids. The winner will not only get some quality time with me to update their look, but will get a truly life-changing experience. From fashion to finance to fitness, one lucky person will undergo a complete life transformation.”

You have until January 31, 2011 to enter. Entrants must “like’” Macy’s to access the contest application, which will require either a video or picture. Each contestant’s personal story and makeover will be filmed and posted to for an open voting period that begins in March. The videos will be posted two per week, with the most-voted on video each week proceeding to the semi-finals in April. The two most voted on videos from the semi-finals will compete in a finals round – with the victor winning the million dollar makeover.

To enter, click here.

Clover Crystal earrings.

Mimi Kim is the creator and designer of Mimi Kim Jewelry, a line of classic, chic pieces using semi-precious stones and a delicate touch. Kim’s custom crafted pieces have been featured in magazines and on the runways at Fashion Week.

Jewelry designer Mimi Kim, far right, at Audrey's Night Out 2010.

Mimi Kim Jewelry was also featured at Audrey’s Night Out. Check out closeups of her stunning pieces:

Fossilized Agate Pendant.

Amazonite Leaf dangle earrings.

Coin bracelet.

Champagne Bubbles ring.

Goldstone Fleur de Lis dangle earrings.

See more at Mimi Kim Jewelry.

The halls have been de-decked, the nog noshed, and auld lang syne sung. If you find yourself needing more, however, we’ve got plenty of stimuli for the soul, from some elegant pounding on the black and whites to some good ol’ fashioned pounding with a mallet.

Photo by Kaz Tsuruta.

Mochitsuki! Japanese Mochi Pounding Party

When: Saturday, January 8, 2011

Where: Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco,

How: Free with museum admission (children 12 and under always admitted free)

Info: 415-581-3500, or click here.

Kick off the New Year right. Pound on some mochi (sticky rick dumpling) in a traditional mochitsuki at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. After taking turns pounding the glutinous rice in an usu (large mortar) with a kine (wooden mallet), decorate your chewy rice cake with a New Year’s greeting to take home to friends or family. Meanwhile, enjoy the music and dance of Kagami Kai, a San Francisco-based group started nearly 20 years ago by Tetsu Takatani, dedicated to maintaining the Japanese tradition of mochi pounding. Afterwords, listen to Japanese New Year stories, draw written fortunes, make a rabbit netsuke (tiny sculpture that serves as a fastener for a carrying couch), shop in the museum store, refresh at Cafe Asia, stroll the museum’s collection galleries, and view the special exhibition Beyond Golden Clouds (closing January 16).

2011 Miss LA Chinatown Fashion Show

When: January 8, 2011 from 11:30-2pm

Liuli Gongfang Gallery Opening

When: Friday, January 14, 2011

Where: Brea Mall, Brea, Calif.

Liuli Gongfang, a world renowned name in glass art sculptures and jewelry, will celebrate its Southern California gallery grand opening at the Brea Mall. Often described as the Steuben of China, Liuli Gongfang works are collected worldwide. The Chinese glass studio was founded by Loretta Hui-shan Yang, celebrated as one of Taiwan’s greatest film stars, and Chang Yi, one its most luminary cinematic directors. The Southern California gallery is the glass studio’s second in the U.S.

Macho Like Me

When: January 14 – February 13, 2011

Where: The Coast Playhouse, 8325 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA

How: macholikeme.tix.com

Author, filmmaker and performer Helie Lee will be performing Macho Like Me, the provocative one-woman performance piece about Lee’s six-month journey living life as man. Cutting off her hair, donning men’s clothes and moving out of her home to begin life anew as Harry, Lee sets out to prove a point: that men have it so much better than women. But Lee’s assumptions are quickly dashed, resulting in a new world-view that ends up surprising many, especially herself. Now adapted into a full-length documentary, Macho Like Me weaves Lee’s monologue with interactive documentary footage, exploring the dynamics of how society treats men and women differently. Lee is the author of the bestseller Still Life With Rice (Scribner 1996), and In The Absence of Sun (Harmony Books 2002), memoirs in which she chronicles her family’s experience in war-torn Korea from the 1930s to 1997.

Watch the Macho Like Me Trailer from Helie Lee on Vimeo.

The Green Hornet

When: Friday, January 14, 2011

Where: A theater near you

How: An action comedy film with Seth Rogan and Jay Chou based off of the TV series in the 1960s. The Green Hornet, Britt Reid, played by Seth Rogan is the son of a well known media magnate and has to take over the company when his father dies. Reid becomes friends with his father’s most trusted employee, Kato, played by Jay Chou. They decide to change the direction of where their life was leading, and change it to fight crime. Reid and Kato pretend to be criminals in order to get closer to the real criminals and take them down.

Pianist Harumi Hanafusa Recital at Carnegie Hall

When: Saturday, January 15, 2011, 8:30PM

Where: Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (154 West 57^th Street), New York, NY

How: $40/$20 Students + Seniors, CarnegieCharge 212-247-7800, Carnegiehall.org

The celebrated Japanese pianist, Harumi Hanafusa, will make her long-awaited American debut at Carnegie Hall for a one-night only concert featuring the world premiere of a major new work for piano by the leading Japanese composer, Toshi Ichiyanagi (Yoko Ono’s first husband!). Hanafusa, widely recognized as one of the best performers of French music, will also be performing works by French composers, including Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit and La Valse, and Debussy’s Images I and II.

Mo’olelo Performing Arts Company at The 10th Avenue Theatre

Mo'olelo's presents Stick Fly in February.

When: Starting January 17, 2011

Where: The 10th Avenue Theatre, San Diego, CA

How: www.moolelo.net, 619-342-7395

The socially conscious performing arts company Mo`olelo (its name means “story” in Hawaiian) will begin its 2011 season at its new residence at The 10th Avenue Theatre in downtown San Diego with the wonderfully named Seven Days of Awesome, a week of comedic dance and acrobatic skills featuring the amazing Platt Brothers along with special guests from the world of magic, dance and comedy, from January 17 to January 23. Other shows for the 2011 year include Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Speak to the First Lady, Stick Fly by Lydia R. Diamond, and The High School ImprovFest.

The theater organization is dedicated to broadening the scope of San Diego’s cultural environment by telling powerful stories that are as diverse as the islands of Hawaii, by paying equity wages to local actors and developing environmentally-friendly theatre practices. A recipient of the Patté, San Diego Theatre Critics Circle, McDonald Playwriting and the Anti-Discrimination Awards, Mo’olelo’s mission is to create new works based on research within various communities, produce lesser-known works by master and contemporary playwrights, and educate youth. For the theater company’s complete schedule, visit www.10thavenuetheatre.com.

Just out: the White House announced that Chinese American Tina Tchen has been promoted to Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady.

Tina Tchen, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff for the First Lady.

The First Lady released this statement:

“I am thrilled to welcome Tina to my team. I have admired her work with the White House Council on Women and Girls and her leadership with the Office of Public Engagement. Tina’s tenure at the White House has focused on ensuring that communities across the country have a voice and a presence at the White House, and her office has worked closely with mine to develop many of our outreach efforts, so she was the natural choice for this role. We particularly share a commitment to nurturing young women and utilizing the White House as a platform for education and inclusion, and I look forward to continuing that work together.

“When selecting a replacement, I looked for someone who had the right experience to lead my team and am grateful to bring on Tina, whom I’ve known and respected for 20 years. Tina’s success leading the Office of Public Engagement, reaching out to people across the country and encouraging Americans from all walks of life to feel connected to this White House, makes her uniquely qualified to step up to this position. I look forward to working with her in the years ahead to develop effective strategies for the Let’s Move! campaign, to broaden our work on behalf of military families, to continue the arts and cultural events in the White House, and to advance our international agenda.”

Tchen began her work for the President and First Lady during the 2008 campaign. Prior to that, Tchen was a partner at the Chicago office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, where she worked for 23 years in corporate litigation, representing public agencies including the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), the Illinois Department of Public Aid and the Chicago Housing Authority.

Start the New Year right.

No racism. No bullying. No more violence.

Pan Asian Community Together (PACT) just released the second of its PSA projects, “Speak Out! APIs Against Violence.”

Directed by Shane Sato and produced by PACT and Ken Choy, the PSA includes Tzi Ma, Elizabeth Sung, Nebula Gu, Edward Hong, Sue Jin, Randall Park, Jae Suh, Megan Lee, and Joseph Yuan. Longer versions include Amy Hill, Katherine Iniba, James Huang, Aki Aleong, Jully Lee, Junko Goda, and more.

Check out the long version of the PSA here: