This past weekend, Las Vegas was more than just a summer hot spot for bottle service and laying poolside in a cabana. The Miss USA pageant was held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino on Sunday night.
Miss Hawaii Angela Byrd. Credit: Miss Universe L.P., LLLP/Patrick Prather.
Miss Hawaii Angela Byrd made it past the swimsuit competition and earned herself a spot in the top 10. Credit: James Otoa/EverettMaking it to the top 10 was Miss Hawaii, Angela Byrd. The 23-year-old English-Scottish Korean sauntered across the stage in a shimmery blue string bikini and nude strappy stilettos during the swimsuit competition. Then she donned an embellished off-white evening gown before she was thrown out of the competition when the judges selected the top four. Despite the loss, Byrd–who also works as a model–plans on continuing her education to become a physician assistant.
LA-based Bluebook Productions is launching its new website in style this Friday night at Chop Suey Café & Lounge.
Comprised of musicians, choreographers, scholars, event planners, and other innovative minds, this creative arts collective is focused on propelling more Asian Pacific Islanders into the music entertainment industry. A hefty lineup of performers include Sam Kang, Dawen, Shin-B, and Vudoo Soul, with beats by resident DJ Young Duzzin.
Where: Chop Suey Café & Lounge, 347 East 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA
Date: Friday, June 24
Time: 9:30 p.m. - 2 a.m. (doors open at 9 p.m.)
Cost: $10 cover, purchase at http://bluebookproductions.eventbrite.com/
Details: 21+ only
I’ve spent the last week-and-a-half vegetating on my bed, staying up all night from the adrenaline rush I get from the gore and suspense of Dexter. Now that I’ve aced through all five seasons, I have nothing to occupy my now TV-addicted brain. (Whomp Whomp).
Fortunately for it (and maybe not so fortunately for my job hunt), summer has just started, meaning MORE TV!
We got life coaching from a canine, robots in America, and… sexy lawyers. All for you, this summer.
“When I see someone like a Harry [Shum, Jr.], I get excited. I think about me as a kid — like, ‘oh my god, I want to be cool like that.’” — Jon M. Chu on Asian role models.
ISSUE: Spring 2011
DEPT: Personalities
STORY: Katrina Guevara
Jon M. Chu may be known for directing dance films, namely Step Up 2: The Streets and Step Up 3D, but don’t pigeonhole him just yet. The 31-year-old says he’s just a modern fairytale story- teller, whether it be through dance, superhero stories, or an old fashioned boy-meets-girl romance. He even considers his latest film, the 3D musical documentary, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, a modern-day fairytale. “[It’s] about a kid from a small town who follows his dream, has Usher as a mentor, finds his way and is anointed by the king,” says Chu.
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If I could sum up my first Kollaboration Acoustic 5 show viewing experience, I would liken it to a mug of vanilla latte with whipped cream.
I have never been to the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood, so I wasn’t prepared on Friday when I was greeted by a beautiful canopy of palm trees and other greenery that served as the show’s lush background as I got ushered to my seat. The theater was constructed with warm camel stones, inviting the viewer to comfortably enjoy the performance on its smooth even stage. Moody lighting beautifully lit the performers and helped to create the intimate environment, and the house itself felt like we were all seated in a cavernous bowl, a friendly one.
Photo Credit: Nathan Nowack Photography
Spoken word artist Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai was recently featured in our Spring 2011 issue for her notable and powerful performances. (I have had the good fortune to see her perform live, and it was amazing.)
Photo courtesy of Yellowgurl.com.
Now you’ll get the chance to see her perform at the Say You Heard My Echo show commissioned by the Asian American Arts Alliance (A4).
“I don’t know why I feel like I have to have sex with other people than you. … My kisses on your neck may not be exclusive, but they’re not random either.” – Kelly Zen- Yie Tsai
ISSUE: Spring 2011
DEPT: Personalities
STORY: Anna M. Park
With spoken word poet Kelly Zen- Yie Tsai, what you hear is pretty much what you get.
“If I was the center of everything for a day everything would be aimed towards, dictated by, catered to, tailored for 5-foot-2 tattooed Asian females.”
“I don’t know why I feel like I have to have sex with other people than you. … My kisses on your neck may not be exclusive, but they’re not random either.”
“When it comes down to … whether my heart, my uterus, my tax return and my generation is gonna be governed by your sorry self, I would like to say that I’m real. I’m here. I’m voting. And believe me this girl is yellow.”* Continue Reading »
Throughout the years, Asian Americans have yearned to see faces like theirs on the small screen. With Nickelodeon’s new show Supah Ninjas, the Asian American family is returning for the first time in 16 years as the star of a mainstream television series. While teen-oriented shows are saying they’re committed to diversity, do AA teens today really feel well-represented?
ISSUE: Spring 2011
DEPT: Features
STORY: Janice Jann
There’s a new family moving into TV-land this spring. The dad, a bumbling cop. The grandfather, a wise old man. And the son, a doe-eyed high-schooler named Mike who just wants to win over the girl of his dreams.
Not cool.
I mean, seriously, thanks British Vogue for featuring the slew of Asian supermodels dominating the runway (but seriously, they’re so hot, how can you not feature them?) but mistaking model Liu Wen for Du Juan? What a fashion faux pas!
Teen shows seem to offer richer opportunities for young Asian American actors these days. But what’s it like actually being “that Asian on that show”? We find out from actresses Ashley Argota, Jolene Purdy and Nikki Soohoo.
ISSUE: Spring 2011
DEPT: Features
STORY: Janice Jann
PHOTOS: Audrey Cho
