This past Monday, the Asia Society threw their fifth annual gala at The Pierre Hotel in Manhattan, honoring fashion designer Jason Wu. Of the Asian fashion elite, guests included Jenny Shimizu, Shu Pei, and Anna Su, along with NY Projects owner Yung Hee Kim and publisher Chiu-Ti Jansen. THe event included a live auction, which took place in the hotel’s grand ballroom (covered in fuchsia!).

When he took his award, Wu stated: “When I grew up in Taiwan, it was very clear to me that I wasn’t going to be your average doctor, lawyer or accountant. In fact, I’d highly discourage myself from doing any of your taxes. But my parents encouraged me to do what I wanted to do. I wanted to acknowledge them because they couldn’t be here; they are in Taiwan. Because they think New York is too dirty. And it is a bit dirty, but I love it.”

From music and movies to charity events and Halloween festivities, the last week of October is packed with happenings that will soothe your ears, warm your soul, and unleash your Halloween persona.

RACHAEL YAMAGATA, 2011 CHESAPEAKE TOUR

Beautiful Japanese-Italian-German American singer-songwriter, Rachael Yamagata, just began her 2011 Tour on October 24 in Portland, Main’s Port City Music Hall. The tour is in celebration of the release of Yamagata’s third album, Chesapeake.

Chesapeake features an eclectic collection of songs projecting Yamagata’s optimism and hopefulness, showcasing her sultry and smoky voice, rich, layered harmonies, striking ballads and soulful grooves.  The tour will hit major U.S. cities and will finish off on December 22^nd at New York City’s City Winery.

When : October 24, 2011- Dec 27, 2011

Where: In select U.S. cities Nationwide

How:  To stream Chesapeake online, visit http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2011/10/album-stream-rachael-yamagata-chesapeake.html

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It’s been a reasonably cool 80 degrees this past week, so I hope you were able to ditch the work emails and head out to some of our cool events. If not, then this is the week to do it! With the Fourth of July holiday on Monday, I’m sure the long weekend is much-needed to regroup. I have an outside Bollywood dance party and for the extreme anime lovers, there’s a HUGE convention going on (complete with costumes galore).

David B. Jang: New Works

When: Now through Wednesday, August 3, 8 am

Where: DAC Gallery, 828 S. Main St., Los Angeles, 90014

How: It’s free.

Artist David B. Jang turns ordinary objects into extraordinary pieces of art. Styrofoam cups, empty potato chip bags and scraps of paper towels come together to make pieces that, the artist says, viewers can relate to because of the familiarity they have with the materials.

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Not sure what to do for the upcoming weekends? Perhaps you want to take a break on a weekday after a long day at the office. Here are some fun alternatives — from poppin’ to boppin’ to art hoppin’ — to just going home and vegging out in front of the tube. Go out for a night of music, art and culture — or some good ol’ fashioned sex. (Keep reading to see what we mean.)

Clara C Tour

When: Saturday, March 19, 8 pm

Where: Hotel Cafe  1623 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028

How: claramusic.com

Kollaboration winner Clara C is going on tour!! If you don’t know who Clara C is, you are definitely missing out and need to go check out her YouTube page ASAP. Her first stop will be in L.A. at the Hotel Cafe. Pre-sale tickets will be $11 and you can get it at www.hotelcafe.com. It is a 21+ event, so if you’re under 21, sorry … maybe next time? If you know who Clara C is, you’ll be sure to make it there by 7 when doors open because there will definitely be a line.

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