After making its way around the film festival circuit, Quentin Lee’s The People I’ve Slept With is finally coming to a theater near you. The film releases in New York tomorrow, Friday, August 13, at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas, and then in Los Angeles on August 27 at Laemmle Sunset Five Theaters, and finally in San Francisco at the VIZ CINEMAS on September 3.

Karin Anna Cheung and Keo Woolford in "The People I've Slept With."

The People I’ve Slept With is a sexy, romantic story about Angela (Karin Anna Cheung of Better Luck Tomorrow), a young woman with a very active and passionate sex life. After every sexual conquest she makes keepsake “baseball cards” of each of her male partners. One day, Angela finds out she is pregnant and together with her gay best friend and co-worker Gabriel (Wilson Cruz of He’s Just Not That Into You, My So-Called Life) goes on a comical and raunchy hunt through her past hook-ups and dates to find her “baby daddy.” As Angela examines her frisky past, the answers she has been looking for reveal themselves in surprising ways.

Cheung and Archie Kao.

Also co-starring with Cheung and Cruz are Archie Kao (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), Lynn Chen (Lakeview Terrace, Saving Face) and screen legend James Shigeta (Flower Drum Song, The Crimson Kimono).

Cheung and James Shigeta.

The film has found strong support with sold out festival screenings including the Hawaii International Film Festival, San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, and Outfest Fusion. It was also selected as the official Closing Night Presentation of the 2010 New York Asian American Film Festival this past July 21.

For more info, check out the website.

Who doesn’t like free stuff? When you buy this Zoodorable Conscience Tee Shirt, you get a small plush doll! “It’s so fluffy I could die!”

Besides the bonus of a cute toy, this v-neck jersey tee comes in a lovely shade of aqua, perfect for making those baby brown eyes of yours pop. Fun graphics on the front, comes in XS, S, M, and L.

Yo seriously. You get a free toy.

Haven’t seen a Bollywood film yet? Where have you been? A Bollywood film is this year’s Korean drama — it’s a must-see for anyone in the know.

Well, you’re in luck. My Name is Khan is out on DVD now. (Add it to your Netflix queue!)

And excellent timing, too — the film’s star, Shah Rukh Khan (otherwise known as the king of Bollywood) — is set to reveal the ultimate homage to mainstream pop culture fame: a wax figure at Madame Tussauds. (The premiere is today at Times Square in New York!)

So what are you waiting for? I mean, My Name is Khan only set a new all-time record for the biggest opening weekend for a Bollywood film in North America. Two of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Kahn and the stunningly gorgeous Kajol, star in it. And the film is not your typical Bollywood fare: Khan plays the endearing Rizwan, a uniquely gifted man who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, who moves to San Francisco after his devoted mother passes away to make a happy life for himself. He meets a vivacious single mother, Mandira (Kajol), and they form a unique bond and fall in love against all odds. But when fate threatens to separate them, Rizwan decides to embark on a journey across America to win back the love of his life.

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in "My Name is Khan."

The Los Angeles Times called the film “a potent, energetic heart-tugger,” while The New York Times described it as “an affecting fairy tale about the perils of goodness.” And the DVD has tons of special features too, like the changing face of Bollywood, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and, of course, loads of music.

Get the DVD here.

Jazz musician and composer Dana Leong.

Jazz musician and composer Dana Leong will be bringing his unique “hip-hop meets avant-jazz sound” to the Golden State in a three-month long performance tour, starting tonight (August 11) through October 2. The Bay Area native kicks off his California tour with his headlining debut at Yoshi’s in Oakland.

Leong, a jazz cellist and trombonist, has played around the country with the likes of legendary avant-jazz saxophonist Henry Threadgill, Cuban jazz clarinetist and saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera, and drummer Dafnis Prieto. He has also worked with top artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Yoko Ono and Kanye West, to name a few. Critics agree that Leong has created a very unique, boundless signature sound by “revolutionizing” the cello with his cutting edge amplification, lyrical melodies and collage of jazz textures and improvisations.

Tonight, expect to see the Japanese-Chinese American leading his quartet Milk & Jade by Dana Leong (Hager ben Ari on bass, Yoni Halevy on drums, and iLLspoKinN on vocals) in full hip-hop regalia. They’ll continue with performances at the San Jose Jazz Festival (August 13), and then in Los Angeles at the Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park (August 14) and the Asian American Music Festival (October 15).

In addition, Leong continues to score for visual/theater projects with the world premiere of Project Bandaloop’s “Id Ego,” his first commissioned work for a contemporary vertical dance company. A multi-movement, site-reactive piece for San Francisco-based Project Bandaloop, Leong literally takes his musical style to new heights — both the dancers and Leong will propel off and across the exterior walls of the venue. You’ve got to see it to believe it. Catch it at Segerstrom Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, from September 30 to October 2.

For more information and tickets, click here.

I like bags that can serve multiple purposes. Like this Hello Kitty Small Black Patent Embossed Bag by Loungefly in black!

It’s made of patent PVC with embossed HK detail and has dual carrying handles. The bag is accented with silver toned hardware, zippered closure, and the signature HK dustbag and a Bow ID tag. The interior is lined with hot pink fabric (it’s like going to your happy place every time you open this bag!), two open pockets, and one zippered pocket. It is approximately 15″ x 11.5″ x 7″.

Perfect for carrying all your girlie accessories.  And other essentials, such as a laptop, a laptop charger, an extra-large nalgene bottle, and maybe even a pair of collapsable ballet flats?

This badgirl purse is worth your $$.

July 17 wasn’t just any old day at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif. It was the largest Filipino gathering on the West Coast, otherwise known as Kababayan Fest.

The so-called largest gathering of Filipinos on the West Coast -- Kababayan Fest at Knotts Berry Farm. Photo by Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press.

Roughly translating to “countryman” or “fellow townsman,” “Kababayan” is more loosely used to demonstrate respect for a unity defined by a shared heritage, culture and ethnic background. And unify they did — an estimated  20,000 Filipino Americans gathered to celebrate that day.

Traditional performances at Kababayan Fest.

In addition to the rides and good eats, there was plenty of Filipino culture and talented headliners. Dance crews We Are Heroes and Poreotix, America’s Best Dance Crew Season 4 and 5 winners respectively, were guest performers, as well as local talent Passion,  AJ Rafael, and Kultura Philippine Folk Art. The event was hosted by Joey Guila and Giselle Tongi.

Quest Crew performing at last year's Kababayan Fest. Photo by Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press.

If you missed out on that Filipino gathering, then don’t miss out on another. Make the most of these last few days of summer by checking out Kayamanan Ng Lahi’s dance and music event, presented by Big!World!Fun!, this Saturday, August 14 at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood, Calif.

Dance and music is alive in the deeply-rooted musical culture of the Philippine islands, and for the Philippine company, Kayamanan Ng Lahi, dance is all about family. Folk dances are passed down to the next generation like stories or heirlooms, and some of Kayamanan’s youngest members will be making their stage debuts at the family performance. The audience will be participating as well, as company members demonstrate Philippine martial art movements you can do in your seat. (Come early with the kids and make figure puppets and ribbon streamers for the show!)

Kayamanan, under the leadership of Joel Jacinto, Barbara Ele and Ave Jacinto, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Based on anthropological research, the company’s dance and music aims to stay true to its traditional Filipino roots, with an extensive dance repertoire, costumes and music ensembles.

DETAILS

When: August 14, 10 am

Where: Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068

Admission: Free for children, $5 for adults

Parking is $1 per vehicle

For tickets: 323-461-3673, www.FordTheatres.org

– with reporting by Han Cho

There’s something in the water. Maggie Q starring as the title character in the new fall series Nikita. Grace Park, who went from Boomer Valerii in Battlestar Galactica to Kono in the new Hawaii Five-O series. (Both Boomer and Kono were guys in the original series). And now Ellen Wong as the kick-ass ex-girlfriend in Universal Pictures’ newest film starring geek god Michael Cera, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Ellen Wong and Michael Cera in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Ellen Wong plays Michael Cera's obsessed girlfriend. Photo by Kerry Hayes, courtesy of Universal Studios.

Hollywood’s noticing this rise of girl power, too. Wong was recently on Entertainment Weekly‘s Women Who Can Kick Ass Panel at Comic-Con in San Diego, Calif. last month. The panel included Jena Malone (Sucker Punch), Anna Torv (Fringe), Elizabeth Mitchell (V), and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim), and the hour-long discussion was moderated by Nicole Sperling. All the women agreed upon the importance of doing their own stunts even though Malone gives credit to stunt doubles. “You can’t fit seven years of mastery into three months of training,” she said. Wong echoed this sentiment and discovered that doing her own stunts “gives you so much power when you get to do a superhero movie, like running up a wall and flipping.” In fact, right before the convention, she went skydiving and “screamed and let it all out,” said Wong.

Based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is about Scott Pilgrim (played by Michael Cera), a bass guitarist for the band Sex Bob-omb, who couldn’t be happier with his life until he meets the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead). In order to be with her, Pilgrim discovers that he must first defeat all of her seven evil exes, who are all trying to kill him.Staying true to the graphic novel series, the movie features text bubbles and other cartoon-style elements. Actions are punctuated with “POW” and “WHIP,” while some of the battle scenes are marked by Mario Life 1-Ups and coins that spill from the defeated enemy as it would in a video game.

Michael Cera and Satya Bhabha in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

There’s plenty of AA representation in the film, too. There’s Canadian actor, poet and playwright Jean Yoon, best know for her role as Betty Ong in The Path to 9/11, plays Knives Chau’s mother. And recent Yale grad Satya Bhabha plays Matthew Patel, one of Ramona’s evil exes Scott must defeat. Bhabha seems to be a superhero in real life, too, a recipient of the Louis Sudler Prize for Excellence in the Arts whose parents, an Indian/Parsi father and German Jewish mother, are “noted Harvard scholars.”

Michael Cera and Satya Bhabha.

And of course, there’s Wong, who plays Knives Chau, Scott’s obsessed ex-girlfriend. And if the trailer for Scott Pilgrim is any indication, boy, can she pack a punch. Pow Pow.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World opens this Friday the 13th.

Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Marie Louise Cosmetics Cleansing Clear Gel.

I’m a fan of the smoky eye. In fact, having rather typical East Asian eyes, I’ve been a fan of the smoky eye since probably as long as I’ve been wearing makeup. Face it, a smoky eye to me is like mascara to your average Caucasian — I do not leave the house without it.

The problem with the smoky eye is removing the smoky eye every night. It’s no easy task, trust me.

I’ve tried many, many makeup removers. Oily ones, stinging ones, all-in-one wipes, even Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. Needless to say, it’s a hit or miss proposition.

Now, I’m not going to say Marie Louise Cleansing Clear Gel is the best at removing makeup I’ve ever tried. It’s good, don’t get me wrong. All Marie Louise products’ nanotechnology and emulsification make their products reliably good. But what really sells me on it is the feel of the Cleansing Clear Gel. Squeeze a quarter size dollop on your hand and it looks like a clear gel. Rub your hands together to emulsify the gel and you feel the thick, viscous, rich quality. This is not your average gel. Massage onto your face and instantly you realize that this is a sort of oil in thick gel form. It’s like giving yourself a massage, but with a rich, creamy gel. As you massage it in, all the dirt, oxidized oils and makeup accumulated throughout the day are swept up into the gel. Then rinse or wipe off, and all you have is super soft, super clean skin — no stripping, no harsh cleansers (which, by the way, paradoxically increase oil production).

I know — oil removing oil? That’s right. This oil is the kind that removes oil and doesn’t leave an oily residue on your face.

The biggest endorsement I can give? It’s the middle of summer and my T-zone has started to run amok with oil production. But Marie Louise Cleansing Clear Gel not only doesn’t add to the oil slick on my face, I actually think it’s helping it.

Call me giddy or girly, but I freakin’ love underwear. It makes me so happy when I walk into Victoria’s Secret or a department store, and I can browse through layers and layers of pink cottons or gauzy teal lace and search for something that will make my butt look cute. Please don’t downplay the importance of cute underwear. It’s a woman’s fundamental necessity and absolutely essential to making her feel fabulous, if not sexy.

Unfortunately, there are those who cannot afford even this simple necessity, much less cute versions of it, due to difficult circumstances. However, thanks to Undershare, Inc., women and children escaping domestic abuse and the homeless can access clean undergarments and toiletries. For more than 15 years, Undershare has worked hard and succeeded in raising funds so that it can continue its work donating to affiliated shelters located in and around Los Angeles County, such as Violence Intervention Program and Downtown Women’s Center.

Helen Huang, founder of Undershare, Inc.

The mastermind behind this volunteer-based organization is Asian American Helen Huang. She began with one goal in mind: to provide new undergarments and toiletries to those in need. Since then, Undershare has grown into a reputable organization with a large network of volunteers.

This Saturday, August 14 , Undershare will be teaming up with the SuicideGirls to continue its efforts to get clean underwear and toiletries to those in need. The SuicideGirls are a community of punk-rock pinup models with an unorthodox approach to sexuality and beauty. (They’ve showcased their talents for PETA and SG Pinups for Soldiers.) At Undershare’s Ink n’ Undies benefit, the SG girls will be strutting their stuff in a fashion show with select pieces from several lingerie brands, including the Asian-helmed Seven ’til Midnight (STM), to help raise money.

The designers for STM are Chinese American sisters May and Vinh Luong. (They also design sleepwear line Spreegirl — we did a TGIF giveaway for one of their designs!) Based in Los Angeles, STM strives to offer women contemporary costumes and lingerie with colorful, on-trend designs and careful attention to detail and quality. It’s no surprise that the sisters know their stuff — STM is just one of three of their intimate apparel lines.

So what are you waiting for? Scantily clad models, a good cause, and gift bags? (VIP guests get an extra special VIP gift bag.) Not to mention a silent auction with really cool stuff, and of course a celebrity DJ will be spinning live music all night long. It’s a no brainer.

DETAILS

Ink n’ Undies is happening on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at Ecco Ultra Lounge located on 1640 North Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028. For tickets click here,  or for more info, go to Undershare’s official site.

This shirt by The Public Zoo cracks me up.

It features “Eggy” yelling over a cracked egg. You can practically hear him yell, “NOOOOO!” The back print is really cool too, and the three eyelet detail along the neck line and the contrast stitching make it stand out from other shirts. It’s 100 percent cotton, light and easy to wash.

Love the logo and the design. This one is a keeperrr.