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
It’s almost here!
For those of you who don’t know what it is, Kollaboration was founded in 2000 by Paul “PK” Kim as an Asian and Pacific Islander (API) organization and movement as an annual event to foster API talent, professionals, and youth and bring them into mainstream media under the mantra and its mission statement Empowerment Through Entertainment.
I was fortunate enough to be on the Boston team, and believe me, this show is worth your time and money.
Here are the contestants in a music video of a cover of Yael Naim‘s New Soul.
This year, there will be a special guest performance by singer Priscilla Ahn and comedian KT Tatara. VIP ticket holders will get preferred seating and have a meet & greet opportunity with Priscilla Ahn.
DETAILS:
Date: Friday, June 17, 2011
Time: 8:30PM (Doors Open 6:30PM)
Venue: Ford Amphitheatre
2580 Cahuenga Blvd, East, Hollywood, CA 90068
Ticket Prices:
$20 General Admission, $30 VIP Admission (preferred seating)
Get your tickets now!
It’s finals time for many students across the country, which could account for any irresponsible and recent YouTube blowups. Some may have just Bruined their image (sorry, I just had to). Instead of stressing, let’s stop, take a breather, and smell the roses! And by roses, I mean all the budding talent among Asian Americans that are helping to empower the community through entertainment.
Last Sunday, Jonathan Kim, 17, and Nessa Rica Ramos, 20, were among those who auditioned for L.A.’s upcoming Kollaboration Acoustic 5, a U.S. and Canada showcase where the finest singer-songwriters, instrumentalists, spoken word artists, and other acoustic Asian American artists perform and compete.
Jon Kim and his band released his first single "Dear Mrs. Beautiful" Island Def Jam digital recording last February on ITunes.
Kim is a Torrance local who picked up acoustic guitar, singing, and songwriting abilities while going back to his clarinet days in high school. The Korean American heard about Kollaboration Acoustic through a friend and YouTube stars Clara Chung and David Choi. “I think this can help spread word about the AA community in the media, especially with such talented people such as AJ Rafael and Gabe Bondoc. [They] and many of the AA artists on YouTube inspire me to do what I do,” says Kim.
Escape the Ides of March! Get yourself to some heartwarming indie films, cool anti-kawaii art, or be your own Asian American idol and sing your heart out at Kollaboration Acoustic’s auditions.
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
When: March 10-20
Where: Multiple venues, San Francisco, CA
How: caammedia.org.
Every year in March, the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) holds the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF). The SFIAAFF is now the largest showcase for Asian American and Asian films in North America. The film festival is not just limited to SF but also in parts of San Jose and Berkeley.
The Opening Night film that will be shown is West Is West at 7 pm in the Castro Theatre. It is the sequel to East is East where Om Puri stars as a Pakistani father who, with his son, is caught between different cultures, trying to find their respective identities. Where the son is becoming a teenager, his father is dealing with similar struggles and issues even with the age gap. After the screening there will be an Opening Night Gala Reception at the Asian Art Museum.
The festival will also offer live performances from comedians as well as live music and dancing. Check out the scheduling on the website for more information.
