There’s no doubt that the Asian American community is stronger than ever before and becoming more widely recognized for their contributions to the Arts, amongst other disciplines. At the frontline of community organizations for Asian Americans in Southern California is APEX; a volunteer-based organization that encourages others to do the same, as their mantra this year encourages Asian Americans to live through, “Empowering the Community. Inspiring Change.”
On Saturday Sept. 8, 2012, APEX will hold its 19th Annual APEX Awards Gala; honoring those who have made an impact on the Asian American community. The awardees include the Far East Movement for the Excellence in Arts & Entertainment, Center for the Pacific Asian Family for the Excellence in Community Service, The Gas Company for the Excellence in Corporate Leadership, and Dan Au, Vice President of Planning & Operations (OC) for the President’s Award.
In perfect timing to offset this summer’s heat wave, Aaron Takahashi and Jully Lee of Cold Tofu will be the emcees of the evening. The night which will include a dinner show, live entertainment, and special performances from singers Ryan Fleming & Israel Waahila of HaleAmanO, singer Vy Nguyen, and dancer/choreographer David Lee.
WHAT: 19th Annual APEX Awards Gala
WHEN: Saturday, September 8, 2012
6PM – VIP Reception
7PM – Awards Dinner & Show
WHERE: Sheraton Downtown Los Angeles Hotel 711 S. Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Attire: Black-tie/Formal Only
For more information on Asian Professional Exchange | APEX, please visit www.apex.org.
There’s nothing Offbeat, as suggested by the title of her latest single, about Clara C, although her mellow voice and seriously soothing strumming give her a quirky outside-the-lines type attraction; à la Zooey Deschenel.
The 24-year old graduate of the University of California, Irvine, Clara kept her musical talents under wrap until just a few years ago when her voice was unleashed, winning her such competitions as Kollaboration 10, ISA 09: Los Angeles, as well as the KAC Media Creative Juice Night.
Since the debut of her first album in 2010, Clara has performed for up to crowds of 18,000 at venues such as The White House Dept. of Education, Hollywood Bowl, Shrine Auditorium and more.
Over the next three months, Clara is set to tour alongside fellow Asian American musician, David Choi, in a 2012 Fall Tour presented by YesStyle.com. Clara and Choi kicked off their tour yesterday, Sept. 29th in Los Angeles at the Troubadour, and will continue on to hit 19+ cities across the United States. The two will wrap up in Clara’s Alma Mater hometown of Orange County at the Galaxy Theater on November 30.
For those interested in hearing more from Los Angeles’ own little cheesy Quesadilla, there is a full interview (conducted by host Nic Harcourt), courtesy of Guitar Center, that accompanies this performance is available for free at: http://atguitarcenter.com/podcast, proving that Clara is not Offbeat, or Cheesy, but a musical force to be reckoned with.
The podcast is part of an ongoing podcast series created by Guitar Center that delivers unique music, and the stories behind it as told to host, Nic Harcourt, in the highest quality possible. The series features both exclusive performance videos and audio podcasts of these interviews that aim to tell the stories of the artists, their background, their music and more.
This week’s Happenings 5.19-20
The weather is getting warm and we’re starting to get ready for those restless summer evenings. Luckily for Audrey readers, there are blooming possibilities for the movie-goers, dance buffs, and hungry tasters in all of us. Check out what is happening now and around the web this week.
AM2 (Animation, Music, and Manga) are looking for attendee models (male and female) to strut down the AM2 runway for various Japanese brands (Putumayo, Sikh) during the three day convention event at the Anaheim Convention Center. Interested parties can register online and those selected will receive a one (1) day fast-pass/Passport and will receive all benefits associated it for themselves and a friend. All participating models selected MUST show up for a scheduled fitting prior to the event.
Deadline to be considered is May 15th, 2012. More info and model registration can be found here.
Follow AM2 on Facebook and Twitter!
About AM2:
Located in Anaheim, California – AM2, established in 2010, is a multi-day (3 days) 24 hour event with no general attendance/badge purchase requirement and is aspiring to be a key meeting place for fans that share a common interest in Asian music, Animation/Anime, and Comics/Manga. Nominal fees are charged for certain activities that attendees choose to participate in. AM2 will be held on June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center in sunny Anaheim, California. More information can be found at www.am2con.org.
From director Sharon Kon comes a new type of love story with an unexpected ending. “The Father’s Love”, which Kon both wrote and produced, is a full-length narrative film. In the movie, main character, Sarah, discovers that forgiveness is the key to true love while struggling to find fulfillment in relationships after moving to New York City.
Director, Producer, and Writer, Kon, was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kon is passionate about producing films with not only aesthetic appeal but also thought-provoking and ultimately life-changing to each viewer.
“The Father’s Love” launched on April 3, 2012. A trailer can be viewed on its’ website at http://thefatherslovemovie.com/
This week’s Happenings 4.19-4.26
It’s already the middle of April, and Audrey Magazine is gearing up for the summer months by presenting you with a multitude of activities, from the budding talents of young Asian Americans at Kollaboration Boston, to a Californian film festival and a visual and literary art exhibition.
I’ve never been more tempted to crash a party after watching Meeghan Henry’s newest video, ‘Crash A Party’, which premiered on March 24, 2012. Unfortunately, I might have to wait a few more weeks to grow my nails out to blend in with Henry’s girl posse.
18-year-old Henry, born in Jakarta, Indonesia, came to the US at the age of four. Henry made a name for herself in Hollywood following the release of her debut single, “When I’m 18”, along with her first album in 2010.
On March 27, Meeghan’s premiere party rocked the city of streets of LA until the break of dawn at Exchange LA. “Crash A Party”’ is the first single from Henry’s second album that is set to be released in a few months.
This week’s Happenings 3.23- 3.30
It’s almost the end of March, and as the Cherry Blossoms start blooming, we can start whipping out our Spring/Summer ensembles. If our closets need a little help, this week’s Happenings can help us out in that area, from an Allison Izu release event to the launch of NAMI’s new online store. Additionally, if you are more the book-worm type, feel free to peruse the collections for something to wear on your way to DC’s SAALT leadership event.
Nordstrom Hawaii to host Allison Izu Release Event
When: Saturday, March 24, 2012
Where: Ala Moana Nordstrom 11am – 3pm
Calling all petites! Allison Izu will be holding a release event at the Ala Moana Nordstrom on March 24, Saturday from 11am – 3pm in Hawaii to help customers find the perfect pair of Allison Izu jeans.
Allison Izu is a unique clothing company which designs and creates clothing for petite women, so they can realize their true beauty comes in a “smaller package”!
During the event, customers who buy any pair of Allison Izu jeans will receive a FREE Allison Izu top (assorted styles and sizes, while supplies last). Also, come down to enter a giveaway for a pair of Allison Izu jeans and top (winner to be pulled at the end of the event).
NAMI to Launch New Online Store
What: Full collection for Spring/Summer 2012
When: Now
Where: www.onnami.com/shop
At the SXSW Style X fashion portion of the Austin, TX festival, NAMI announced the launch of its new online store to offer the full collection from Spring|Summer wear for 2012.
NAMI is a brand based out of Los Angeles, started by the multi-talented Korean-American designer Sarah Nami Ahn.
Rise Up! SAALT Young Leaders Institute
When: May 6-8; applications due by March 23, 2012
Where: Washington, DC
If you a South Asian American college student who wants to change your campus and community, then considering applying to the Rise Up! SAALT Young Leaders Institute to be held in Washington DC the week of May 6-8.
Rise Up! is a four-day gathering of fellow students who are looking to build better skills and strategies, create change and be more effective leaders in their respective campuses and communities.
THE RAID: REDEMPTION
When: Opens March 23, 2012
Where: NY, LA, DC, SF, and Chicago
The Raid: Redemption is an Indonesian martial arts action film directed by Gareth Evans and starring Iko Uwais. After its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), critics and audience alike hailed the The Raid as one of the best action films in years.
The gorgeous and ever-romancing city of London was the ideal spot for the star-studded red carpet world premiere of the upcoming motion picture, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”.
The lavish event was held on February 7th at the legendary Burzon Mayfair Cinema and brought out the acclaimed cast and crew of the film.
Director by Academy Award-nominated director John Madden (Shakespeare in Love), the film follows a group of British retirees who decide to “outsource” their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. This is where Indian actor Dev Patel comes in, who is best known for his previous role in “Slumdog Millionaire”. The film also stars British actors Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love, James Bond series), Bill Nighy (Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean), and Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton, Batman Begins).
“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is set to open in theaters in the US on May 4, 2012.
Many of us have experienced the feeling of living in the shadows of our parents. The charming romantic comedy, Cast Me If You Can, tells the story of Hiroshi, a perpetual supporting actor, living in the shadow of his famous playwright father. Helmed by award-winning director Atsushi Ogata (Eternally Yours), a graduate of Harvard College and MIT’s Center for Advanced Visual Studies, and known as “Japan’s answer to Woody Allen,” the film features a veteran star cast including Toru Masuoka, Hiromi Nagasaku, Masahiko Tsugawa, Keiko Matsuzaka, and Emoto Akira. Already an award-winner in numerous film festivals in major U.S. cities, as well as overseas in China, India and Germany, Cast Me If You Can was a hit in its native Japan where it has been turned into a novel.
If you missed the special screening last week in Los Angeles presented by the University of Southern California’s Japan Film Society, the film is now available on DVD here. Check out the trailer here:
