One couple takes guerilla marketing to a whole other level.
ISSUE: Spring 2011
DEPT: Cultural Collage
PHOTOS: CHARLES KANG AND CAT LEE
Last year we littered Los Angeles with wildflower seeds — freeways, center dividers, sidewalks, parking lots, all over the place.
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.
Los Angeles brightest, young Asian Pacific leaders were recognized for their outstanding philanthropy last night in rainy Downtown LA. APCF, the Asian Pacific Community Fund, hosted the Awards reception for the third year in a row where 200 community supporters, philanthropists and young civic leaders came out to support the young awards recipients.
As you may know from our previous post, the L.A. Flea Market opened up at the Dodger Stadium this summer and Audrey Assistant Editor Janice Jann and guest Helen Wong decided to help scrounge for the best vintage finds, sniff out the food trucks and give you tips and bits on…How To Navigate A Flea Market!
Flea market fashion to couture fashion, check out Audrey’s Night Out 2010 TOMORROW!
I like Chinatown. I can always find yummy things to eat and drink, and it’s a cool place to chill. You can always find something to do in Chinatown.
This summer, L.A.’s Chinatown is poppin’. Starting in August, every Saturday from 5pm to midnight, the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles and the Chinatown community have partnered together with Community Arts Resources (CARS) to host Chinatown Summer Nights in order to showcase one of L.A.’s most unique neighborhoods.
The famous Chinatown arch in Los Angeles.
From Lei Min Way to Chung King Road, attendees will find food trucks lined up serving samples of the most delectable dishes as KCRW deejays spin music throughout the night. In addition to the food trucks, there will be cooking demonstrations by local restaurants, as well as family-oriented activities and hands-on cultural workshops, anything from art to dance. The workshops will be conducted by local artists and museums and other educational institutions.
The trendiest way to dine out -- food trucks!
Savor Chinatown's amazing dumplings.
In addition, temporary art installations will be set up for public viewing, and merchandise will be available for anyone’s browsing pleasure at the LA Craft Experience. Better yet, the Chinatown Summer Nights Discount Program gives discounts to local stores and restaurants (check out their website!).
The night market in Chinatown.
Food, music, and art? Chinatown knows how to get down.
DETAILS
Where: Chinatown, Los Angeles between Broadway and Yale, from College Street to Bernard Street.
When: Every Saturday in August (August 7, 14, 21, and 28) from 5pm to midnight.
How: Public transportation and a courtesy shuttle will be provided from Chinatown Gold Line Station and Central Plaza. There’s also a private lot, valet, and free bike parking.
Admission: Free and for all ages
Chinatown gets lit up at night.
FreshEvents’ Pamper Me Fabulous brought together some of L.A.’s hottest spas and salons.
I always think it’s funny when people tell me I have a glamorous job. The words “magazine editor” conjure images of exclusive red-carpet soirees and celeb-infused events. Sure, I get a cool invite or two and tons of free products, and I’ve sat a mere arm’s length away from such luminaries as Tony Leung and Ralph Fiennes at one time. But most of the time? I’m just trying to catch up with my email and figure out the day to day. I wish I could clone myself just so I could make it out to all the spas and salons that various publicists want me to check out. Continue Reading »
Korean Film Festival in Los Angeles, or KOFFLA, kicks off today.
Hosted by festival spokesperson and actor John Cho (Flash Forward) and famed Korean director Chung Chang-Wha, the festival kicks off with an opening party tonight featuring a screening of the much anticipated film Le Grand Chef 2, a sequel to the wildly successful Korean film Le Grand Chef, at the historic Egyptian Theatre in the heart of Hollywood. Stars of Le Grand Chef 2, Korean actors Kim Jeong-eun (Lovers in Paris) and Jin Goo (of the Korean thriller Mother, out in theaters soon), are expected to attend the red carpet gala.
Le Grand Chef 2, the opening night film.
Debbie Lee, a finalist from The Next Food Network Star.
Remember Debbie Lee, one of the finalists for The Next Food Network Star? She wow’d the judges with her gastronomic mix of soul food and Korean cuisine, which just so happens to be the hottest thing in foodie-dom right now. Frankly, mix anything with the spicy, sweet, pungent, flavorful tastes of Korean food and you’ve got a winner.
Well, if you’re going to be anywhere near the Los Angeles area this spring, you’re in luck. Lee will make her next culinary appearance as a part of the limited engagement Guest Chef Series at Los Angeles’ Breadbar on West Third Street starting today.
Her Seoultown Tapas menu sounds vaguely familiar to Korean cuisine aficionados, but with a definite twist. Taking inspiration from “sool jip” (Korean pubs) small plates, the menu includes Korean rice cylinders with maple smoked bacon and jalapeno ponzu; kimchi ramen with egg drop, spicy fish broth and Japanese popcorn; and slow cooked cod, chile scallion sauce, roasted daikon and mountain rice.
It’s all a preview to Lee’s newest restaurant venture, a Korean-inspired pub slated to open later this year in Los Angeles. And I, for one, can’t wait.
Lee’s Seoultown Tapas menu will be available at Breadbar from February 24 – April 10, 2010, Tuesday to Saturday, 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Small plates start at $8. Call 310-205-0124 for reservations.
