The cast and crew of White Frog, including B.D. Wong, Greg Sulkin, BooBoo Stewart, Harry Shum, Jr., Joan Chen, David Henry Hwang and his wife Kathryn. Front: Tyler Posey and Ellie Wen.
It was a beautiful night in San Francisco to celebrate the 30thAnnual San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. Presented by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), this event was a must to attend. My photographer Erilou and I had the pleasure of attending this star studded event. The Opening night was held at the Castro Theater and a Gala reception at the Asian Art Museum followed. The world premier of White Frog, directed by Quentin Lee was featured. White Frog is a drama film about a teen named Nick (Booboo Stewart) with Asperger’s Syndrome who has to cope with the death of his brother Chaz (Harry Shum, Jr.). With an amazing and talented cast, many of the actors who are in White Frog were present at the movie premiere. I had the pleasure of interviewing and meeting many of the actors such as Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf), Harry Shum Jr (Glee), Booboo Stewart (Twilight), and many other talents within the film industry. Read on to read interviews with BooBoo Stewart, Ellie Wen, Harry Shum, Jr. and more.
For those of you who are living on the far east side of LA, make the time to check out the Riverside Art Museum (RAM). It is unlike any other museum visit you will experience.
Located in present day downtown Riverside, the museum building was designed and built in 1929 by renowned architect Julia Morgan and originally served as the city’s first YWCA.
Photo Credit: Riverside Art Museum website
This week’s Happenings 3.14-3.26
Yes, springing forward doesn’t make the second week of March all that appealing. Luckily, however, Audrey has some thoughtful, creative, and literary opportunities for you to be thankful for the “extra” sunny hours on this month of the four-leaf clover.
ASIAN WOMAN GIVING CIRCLE
– Open Call for Proposals
When: Now through Monday March 26, 2012
Where: www.asianwomengivingcircle.org/apply.htm
The Asian Women Giving Circle is pleased to announce the 2012 Request for Proposals for their Women, Arts and Activism grants.
Through this RFP, the Asian Women Giving Circle seeks to support Asian American women-led projects that use the tools of culture, the arts, and education to raise awareness around issues that impact Asian American communities. The focus of this grant making will be on programs and projects that combine the arts with activism and that highlight and promote women’s central role in their leadership, creation, development and management.
The deadline for submitting a proposal is Monday, March 26, 2012 at 5 pm (Eastern Standard Time).
Between owning advertising firms and owning an up-and-coming eyewear company, Michael Lee is a very busy man. I was fortunate enough to snag a phone interview with the co-owner of the renowned eye wear company, Mezzmer. Michael, the advertising expert turned business savvy entrepreneu, has no problem juggling both industries. “I am very busy all the time, but I love doing what I do,” he says.
Read our article on the multi-talented Asian Fusion CEO, founder and Indonesian Cooking author published in the Audrey Magazine spring issue featuring cover girl Hannah Simone.
Audrey Magazine: Is there a particular ingredient you enjoy cooking with most?
Dina Yuen: Garlic. Food is not food without garlic. Its pungency is incredibly alluring in every aspect. Most people don’t realize how diverse garlic can be in regards to its strength and subtlety. The presence or absence of garlic can make or break a dish.
AM: What do you appreciate the most about your ethnic heritage?
DY: My background is a mix of Chinese and Russian. (My historical fiction novel, The Shanghai Legacy, tells the romantic adventure of how this came about). I feel incredibly blessed to come from two culturally rich heritages that have contributed a great deal to the world. Admittedly though, I identify much more closely with my Chinese roots since in my generation, there is only a little Russian remaining and I’ve not had the opportunity to spend as much time in Russia as I’d like. With regards to my Chinese heritage, I am obsessed with Chinese history, philosophers, martial arts and of course, food.
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Yea-Ming Chen and Goh Nakamura. Photograph by Mye Hoang.
Audrey Magazine caught the pre-screening of ‘Daylight Savings’, the black-and-white indie sequel to ‘Surrogate Valentine,’ before its SXSW March 10, 2012 world premiere. Helmed again by Dave Boyle and starring Goh Nakamura, Yea-Ming Chen, and Lynn Chen, the film follows Goh, (who reprises his role as himself) a rising independent musician who faces the aftermath of his long-distance girlfriend’s sudden breakup as he is about to embark on his biggest tour. A broken heart, conflicting emotions, spontaneous road trip, and potential new romance makes for an endearing adventure that could be better told.
Image via austin2012.sched.org
SXSW 2012 is going on now!
‘Seeking Asian Female,’ a documentary directed by San Francisco-based filmmaker Debbie Lum, will world premiere at the festival on Monday, March 12.
Watch the trailer for the eccentric modern love story about Steven, an aging white American man who finds Sandy from China online after considering hundreds of other Asian brides. Lum narrates with skepticism and humor as she documents the early stages of Steven’s search, Sandy’s first steps onto U.S. soil, and the good, bad, and ugly, a year into the tumultuous marriage.
I’m sure that most of you, especially those college students from the California area, have been following Janet Liang’s story. Janet is a 24-year-old UCLA graduate student who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2009.
Currently, Janet has until June 2012 to find a bone marrow donor to reverse her condition or she will lose her fight against cancer.
Because Asian Americans make up only 7% of the total bone marrow registry, the pool of donors that Janet has to choose from is very limited. However, we can change this by registering, which only requires filling out a short questionnaire and taking a completely painless oral swab test.
Please visit: http://helpingjanet.tumblr.com/how-to-register to find out where and how you can register.
And update from Janet can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NDgv1K26EM&feature=player_embedded
I’m always super excited when great musicians come together to share their talent on one stage while benefiting a good cause. Join some of the top YouTube artists on Wednesday, March 21st for the fight against human trafficking while enjoying some amazing music! Some of my favorite YouTube stars will be performing that night, including Boyce Avenue, Jayesslee, Clara C, Joseph Vincent, Satellite and Tournament of Hearts. The concert, which will take place at the Avalon Theater in Hollywood, aims to bring awareness to the fight against modern day slavery and human trafficking. This special evening will be hosted by YouTube Vlogger/Comedian David So.
Purchase your tickets by March 14th and get 20% off with promo code: Audrey321NFS
Can’t make the event? Those not able to attend in LA now have the opportunity to watch a live stream of the event from anywhere in the world. The live stream is available with a $5 donation to support the campaign. Those who sign up for the live online broadcast will also have access to the recorded version and special footage for up to one week after the event. Plus you will automatically be entered into a raffle to win one of 6 autographed guitars signed by either Boyce Avenue (2), Jayesslee (2), Clara C (1) or Joseph Vincent (1). Winners will be announced the day of the concert and all net proceeds of the event benefit the Not for Sale Organization.
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In our Spring 2012 issue, we feature Six Taste, the largest and highest rated food tour company in Los Angeles founded by USC alum Jeff Okita. Our writers got mushy on their Valentine’s Day tour and a pipin’ hot Thai Town tour. Now’s your chance to check out their “Shamrocks and Green Shots” tour, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
On March 16, from 5 to 10 pm, stroll Little Tokyo/Arts District (who knew the area was so Irish!) with a group of friends ready to imbibe. Check out green tea donuts from Cafe Dulce, pesto pasta from Fat Spoon, and the green tea pudding at Aburiya Toranoko. Drinks include Green Sangria, Green Iced Plum Wine from Izakaya Fu-Ga or green draft beers from Xlixe and District.
