I remember when I first arrived in Boston, everyone was not as friendly or nice as I was used to. Some people were straight up mean and rude. And as a recent and very naive high school grad, I was appalled.
Maybe if I had had a deck o’ these cards on me, people might have reciprocated my warm smiles and bright thank you’s and sorry’s with more than just a grunt or a dirty look.
We can’t believe it’s almost the end of June! Here are some cool events to tide you over until it’s time for some Fourth of July fireworks. You can treat your eyes and ears to some cool performances featuring traditional Asian dances or snag a ticket for a charitable event.
3rd National Asian American Theater Festival
When: Thursday, June 23-26, 7:00 pm
Where: Locations vary by performance
How: Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at caata.net, by phone at (213) 625-7000, or in person at the East West Players’ administrative office located at 120 N. Judge John Aiso, Los Angeles 90012.
Whether you’re in the mood for a hip-hop musical, aerial art, or comedic storytelling, head to the Asian American Theatre Festival, starting tonight. The performers and storytellers are coming in from all over the country and the list includes performance artist Denise Uyehara, writer and performer May Lee-Yang, and East West Players. Can’t make it tonight or tomorrow? No problem—they have repeat performances throughout the weekend!
Now that The Voice fever has officially swept the nation, my Facebook news feed, and the Audrey office, I can finally voice (heh heh) my love for the top 4 finalists.
Beverly McClellan, Vicci Martinez, and Javier Colon are all freakin’ telegenic mofos who have more talent in their pinky finger than my whole 5’7″ frame so forgive me for being a little jealous. However, the one I’m rooting for will definitely have to be the soft-spoken folksy half-Korean Dia Frampton.
A little dancing never hurt anyone.
On the 18th of Saturday, I found myself at the Beverly Garden Holiday Inn in North Hollywood at the K-Pop TaKover, presented by MYX TV, featuring MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew Season 5 winners Poreotics and Movement Lifestyle. People of all ages, from kids as young as 6 and adults as old as 48, participated in a number of dance workshops, scheduled over the course of two days, to learn and improve their dance techniques. What made this convention unlike any other was the fact that this was the first ever K-Pop convention.
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).
