Some know her as Kim from Miss Saigon. Others know her for playing the roles of Éponine and Fantine in the Broadway musical Les Misérables. Even more people know her as the singing voice of  Disney’s famous princesses, Jasmine and Mulan. Whichever role it may be,  there is simply no denying the talent of Filipino singer and actress, Lea Salonga.

This past Tuesday, the UCLA Disney Club hosted “An Evening with Lea Salonga” at the Broad Art Center. As expected, it was a full house. Solanga discussed the process of her success from growing up in the Philippines, studying pre-med biology in college, to her break through in the musical theater world. Salonga described her experience of booking the roles for Jasmine and Mulan and explained,

“For the first time, my looks didn’t matter in the audition,”

Solonga ended the night by gracing her mesmerized audience with a live performance of  ”A Whole New World” and “Reflection”.

To continue the celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), Verizon Wireless presents a five-city concert tour featuring Chinese and Taiwanese musical artists Van Ness Wu, JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu and Mike Relm (most of whom also happen to be Asian American!), starting this Thursday, May 20, in Seattle.

Verizon Wireless presents the APA Heritage Month Concert Tour, featuring Van Ness Wu, Evonne Hsu, JJ Lin and Mike Relm.

And it’s not just a concert. The stars will also be making an appearance at local Verizon Wireless stores nationwide where they will be greeting fans and signing autographs, just for you!

From Seattle, the tour moves on to New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and finally Los Angeles on May 29. Check out the teaser video here (and keep reading to see the videos from each of the performers).

Through the APAHM Concert Celebration Tour, (its third annual event), Verizon Wireless continues its effort to support and celebrate the contributions of the Asian American community. (More than 8 percent of its employee base is Asian or Asian American descent, according to Verizon.)

The APAHM Concert Celebration Tour includes the following events throughout May:

Seattle:

Van Ness Wu.

• Thursday, May 20: Autograph signing with Van Ness Wu and Evonne Hsu, in the Seattle University Verizon Wireless Store

• Friday, May 21: Concert featuring Van Ness Wu, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in Seattle

New York:

• Sunday, May 23: Concert featuring Van Ness Wu, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in New York

• Monday, May 24: Autograph signing with Van Ness Wu and Evonne Hsu in Flushing, NY, at Verizon Wireless Authorized Retailer HiPoint Wireless

Video mixer Mike Relm.

Washington, D.C.:

• Tuesday, May 25: Autograph signing with JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in the Germantown, MD, Verizon Wireless Store

• Wednesday, May 26: Concert featuring JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in Washington, D.C.

San Francisco:

• Thursday, May 27: Concert featuring JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in San Francisco

• 

  JJ Lin.

  Friday, May 28: Autograph signing with JJ Lin and Evonne Hsu, in the San Francisco Market Street Verizon Wireless Store

Los Angeles:

• Saturday, May 29: Concert featuring JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in Los Angeles

• Sunday, May 30: Autograph signing with JJ Lin and  Evonne Hsu, in the Los Angeles Puente Hills Verizon Wireless Store

When you go to the autograph signing session, don’t forget to bring your no-longer-used wireless phones for recycling through the company’s HopeLine® program and for a chance to win an autographed concert T-shirt from the featured artists. HopeLine is Verizon Wireless’ phone recycling and re-use program that supports domestic violence prevention agencies, including more than 20 organizations in the Bay Area.

For more information on the APAHM Concert Celebration Tour, visit www.verizoninsider.com/apahm. To see more of the videos from the stars, scroll down.