THE APPA Newsletter

March 1, 2005

 

See This Weekend

 

MISSION STATEMENT:

Promote full utilization of the capabilities of the Enterprise's employees and champion the betterment of the company and community. Promote interest in Asian Pacific issues and culture and act as a bridge to all groups within our community.

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ed. by Douglas Ikemi

(dkikemi@pacbell.net)

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The internet site is at:

www.apa-pro.org    

Our own domain name, apa-pro.org, stands for Asian Pacific American Professionals. www.apa-pro.org/ gives you a menu of AP organization websites.

Back issues of the newsletter for all of 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 are available on the website if you want to look up some past event.

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Please send in information on cultural events and news items. Thanks to those who have.

 

Long range calendar items:

 

Chinatown Farmers Market Every Thursday, 3:00pm to 7:00pm Chinatown Business Improvement District http://www.ChinatownLA.com/  For Information (213)_ 680-0243 

 

November 13, 2004 Ð April 3, 2005 John Kwok: Line and Color exhibit. Chinese American Museum, 425 N. Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles 90012 (In Olvera Street) 213-626-5240. http://www.camla.org/events/calendar.htm

 

Feb 6-May 1 Japan after Perry: Views of Yokohama and Meiji Japan  The opening of Yokohama to trade with the United States and Europe in 1859 ended more than two centuries of Japanese isolation and transformed the rural fishing village into a thriving international port. Curated by Ann Yonemura, Senior Associate Curator of Japanese Art of the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, this exhibition documents this early history of JapanÕs gateway to the world, artists produced colorful woodblock prints of city scenes, urbane residents, and harbor views, capturing this tumultuous era of JapanÕs transformation into a modern industrial state and international power. Organized by the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, Japan After Perry: Views of Yokohama and Meiji Japan showcases 24 woodblock prints from the collection gift of Ambassador and Mrs. William and Florence Leonhart. The presentation at the Japanese American National Museum commemorates 150 years of U.S.-Japan relations. http://www.janm.org/events/2005/02/

 

March 11 Tsugaru-shamisen artist Agatsuma and David Benoi trio perform at the Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, 501 Indian Peak Rd., in Rolling Hills Estates, $35-50, 8PM, call 310-544-0403x10.

 

March 12 The Japanese  American Family Gathering :The Camp Dance: The Music and the Memories, Aratani/ Japan America  Theatre. Gather the entire family together and experience the Grateful Crane Ensemble's hit musical revue that will take you on a sentimental  journey  back to the floor of the internment camp dance. Along with the show, the  Ensemble and Japanese American families will also pay special  tribute to our Issei and Nisei generations for all they've done so the younger generations could live a better life in America. Tickets:

 $25 General Admission Orchestra, $20 Balcony

 $20 JACCC & JANM Members, Groups of 10 or more

 $15 Seniors and Students

More info on tickets: call the Box Office  at 213.680.3700

 

March 12-27 Beikoku Shodo Kenkyu Kai

40th Anniversary Calligraphy

Location: Doizaki Gallery, JACCC, LA  Little Tokyo

The expressive and varied strokes of Shodo, the Way of the Brush,

 reflect the union of artist and brush. Rev. Kanshu Ikuta and Hiroko Ikuta,

 pioneering Los Angeles calligraphers of the Bekoku Shodo Kenkyu  Kai

 have inspired generations of practitioners. The 40th Anniversary

 Calligraphy exhibition features over 200 works from these master

 calligraphers and their students.

 Gallery Hours:

 Open Tuesday ­ Friday 12 noon to 5pm

 Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 4pm

 Admission Free

 For more information contact the Visual Arts Department at

 (213) 628-2725, ext. 127. http://www.jaccc.org/

 

March 12 From Tokyo Rose to the Patriot Act: Propaganda and its Impact on Civil Liberties at the Japanese American Museum, 2PM, Downtown LA Little Tokyo.

In this second of five sessions, we continue our examination of selected propaganda artifacts displayed in the exhibition Common Ground: The Heart of Community. Dr. Mitchell T. Maki, with actors Pat Morita and George Takei, covers the World War II period. For more information about this series, please refer to the February 26th calendar listing. www.janm.org

 

March 17-June 19 The Art of the Japanese Sword: The Yoshihara Tradition exhibit at the Pacific Asia Museum

 

March 19, 20 Ikebana International Los Angeles Chapter 4 opens ÒKaten, the Art of Japanese Flower Arrangement ShowÓ in Ayres Hall at the Los Angeles Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Aracadia, 91007, 626-821-3222

 

March 19 Katen - Ikebana International Date(s) Saturday March 19  Location: Ayres Hall & Gate  ; also 3/20,  at the Los Angeles Arboretum, Arcadia http://www.arboretum.org/

 

March 19 Angahara Dance  Ensemble "Raja-Mandalam"  Choreography & Direction, Ramaa Bharadvaj. Location: Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 7:30PM

Join Lester Horton Award winning choreographer Ramaa  Bharadvaj and her company of 14 dancers as they premiere  their latest production Raja Mandalam. They create a dance  Mandala ­ a sacred connecting circle ­ which infuses  intimate  new meanings, explosive dance images and passion filled  emotions into ancient myths and tales. The production features an original musical score by Rajkumar Bharathy (India) and a  narrative prose/poetry written by award winning Nigerian novelist Chris Abani.

Tickets

 Sponsors: $50

 Advance Sales

 $30, $23 orchestra, $18 balcony

 $27, $20, $15 JACCC Members

 Day of Show

 $35, $28 orchestra, $23 balcony

 $32, $25, $18 JACCC Members

More info on tickets: call the Box Office at 213.680.3700, www.jaccc.org

 

March 26 Odalan Bali: An Offering of Music & Dance At Royce Hall

Inspired by Bali's timeless cycles of ceremony and ritual, "Odalan Bali" is a presentation of sound and motion that captures the creative life force of the Balinese Temple Festival. From the energetic clamor of villagers working at dawn to the ethereal calm of prayer and worship; from the introspective resonance of voice and flutes to the virtuosic dances that Bali is so famous for, this full length evening work brilliantly traces the life of a ceremony from the awakening of the ritual site, to purification, and finally to spiritual union. "Odalan Bali" speaks to the deep commitment of the enduring strength of Balinese culture. ‚udamani, one of Bali's leading gamelan and dance companies, is proud to perform the choreographic work of I Nyoman Cerita on the UCLA campus. With music commissioned by the Savannah Music Festival, the internationally renowned 25-member company's UCLA performances launches a six-week USA tour under the auspices of the World Music Institute of New York City. In addition to choreographer I Nyoman Cerita, the artistic team includes I Dewa Putu Berata, Artistic Director; Emiko Saraswati Susilo, Assistant Director; and composers, I Dewa Putu Berata, I Dewa Ketut Alit, I Dewa Rai, I Made Karmawan, and Wayne Vitale. www.cudamani.org

Time: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

UCLA

Royce Hall

Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: $75 VIP, $25, $20, $15 (students and seniors).

 For more information please contact Central Ticket Office Tel: 310-825-2101

www.tickets.ucla.edu

 

March 31 Asian American Comedy Showcase at the Japanese American National Museum, 7:30PM. Celebrate April Fools' Eve with our second annual showcase of Asian American comedians. Eight emerging comedians will have you laughing Ôtil it hurts. Special guest emcee: funnyman Rodney Kageyama. www.janm.org

 

April 2-3 Pasadena Cherry Blossom Festival, 10AM - 6PM, at the Rose  Bowl.  http://www.pasadenacherryblossom.org/

 

April 3 Gempou: A  Zen Master of Living Without Arms, Location: Aratani/Japan America  Theatre, 2PM.  Musical Director Mitsuyo Tamai. A compelling musical in English and Japanese about legendary  councilor Gempou Yamamoto, his pacific teachings about the  "gracious heart of Zen" and his triumph in achieving  peace without warfare in bringing about the end of World War II.  Featuring a 25-member ensemble from Wakayama Prefecture. Produced by the Santa Monica Playhouse as part of its International Exchange Program, Model Language Studio of Tokyo and Tamai Education Group Wakayama.

Tickets: $15 General Admission $12 JACCC Members, Groups of 10 or more, Students, Seniors. More info on tickets: call the Box Office at 213.680.3700 www.jaccc.or5g

 

April 10 Hanamatsuri Festival at the JACCC Plaza, George J.  Doizaki Gallery, Garden Room A. Hanamatsuri, the celebration of Buddha's birth, is a joyous and widely celebrated occasion in Buddhist temples throughout the world. A  lecture on Buddhism and a ceremony will commemorate the event.

11am- 4pm (George J. Doizaki Gallery) An exhibition of Children poster and haiku poems

11am ­ 12 noon (Garden Room A) Lecture on Buddhism by Dr. Duncan Williams "War/Peace/Buddha's  wish"

1 ­4pm (JACCC Plaza) Hanamatsuri Ceremony and Gagaku and Bugaku performance

For more information contact the Visual Arts Department at 213-628-2725, ext. 127 or email: kosaka@jaccc.org

 

April 16,17 Monterey Park Cherry Blossom Festival, http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-santaclarita17feb17,1,4180718.story

 

July 16 to Oct 16 From the Fire: Contemporary Korean Ceramics exhibit at the Pacific Asia Museum

 

September 22-25 Los Angeles Korean Festival Seoul International Park, Korea Town, Los Angeles http://www.lakoreanfestival.com/main.htm

 

Nov 18 to Feb 12, 2006 Place/Displace, Three Generations Taiwanese Art exhibit at the Pacific Asia Museum

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This Weekend (and earlier)

 

Feb 18-Mar 4 Nine Classics of Japanese Cinema Presented by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Susan Sontag, the late critic, filmmaker and novelist, was one of America's best-known and most-admired intellectuals, a longtime, devoted enthusiast of Japanese cinema and a member of the Japan Society Film Advisory Committee. In 2003, the Japan Society Film Center presented "Critic's Choice: Susan Sontag on Japanese Film", a selection of eight of her favorite films. Because of the extraordinary public response to that program, the Japan Society requested that Ms. Sontag program a sequel to her series, which she completed prior to her death in January of this year. We are happy to bring nine of those rare classics films to LACMA.

February 25, 2005 (Fri)

 The Love of Sumako the Actress

(1947 / 96 min / Dir: Kenji Mizoguchi)

Repast

(1951 / 97 min / Dir: Mikio Naruse)

February 26, 2005 (Sat)

 Fires on the Plain

(1959 / 105 min / Dir: Kon Ichikawa)

Pigs and Battleships

(1961 / 108 min / Dir: Shohei Imamura)

March 4, 2005 (Fri)

 Drunken Angel

(1948 / 98 min / Dir: Akira Kurosawa)

Himatsuri

(1985 / 120 min / Dir: Mitsuo Yanagimachi) Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Bing Theater, LACMA, Los Angeles, CA 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Cost: $5

 

March 3  Concert - China Philharmonic with Lang Lang At Royce Hall

UCLA Live presents China Philharmonic with Lang Lang

For the first time in America, two of China's most distinguished musical forces come together in a not-to-be-missed cultural event. They will be performing works by Bartok, Hua Yanjun and Rachmaninoff.8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

UCLA

Royce Hall

Los Angeles, CA 90095, Tel: 310.825.2101 www.uclalive.org

 

March 5 Toshiko Akiyoshi Concert for Sumatra Tsunami Victims at Zenshuji Soto Mission, 123 Hewitt Street, LA 90012. 8PM, suggested donation $40. Call Rev. Shumyo Kojima at 213-624-8658.

 

March 5,6 Hana No Kai  25th Anniversary, 12:30PM, Aratani/ Japan America  Theatre. Hana No Kai is celebrating its 25th anniversary  with this Japanese traditional dance recital and introducing newly certified Natoris.  Guest artists from Japan include Masayasu Wakayagi, Masahiko Wakayagi, Keika Wakayagi, Tadasuke Wakayagi, and Sanjyuro Wakayagi. Visit the Website: www.hisamiwakayagi.net. $50 (VIP/reserved) $35 (GA) JACCC members $47/$32. Public Contact Info: (323) 257-5412; (310) 572-1315; (310) 372-2028. More info on tickets: call the Box Office at 213.680.3700

 

March 5 Author Event: Celebrate Chinese Culture & National Women's History Month At Asia Pacific Museum. Join TEENA APELES and celebrate National Women's History Month with readings from her new book, "WOMEN WARRIORS: Adventures from History's Greatest Female Fighters." The book features some of history's most daring women - from women warriors of ancient mythology to the modern women who grace today's playing fields, screens, comic books and political arenas.  Apeles will be joined by local writers and performers -- Lili Barsha, Norwood Cheek, Robin Conrad, Annie Fair, Rachel Kann, Kisha Xiomara Palmer, Marjorie Gellhorn Sa'adah and Deborah Vankin -- who will read monologues from the book or share their own "warrior" works. Teena Apeles is a freelance writer and editor based in Los Angeles. She has contributed to several publications including Bust, Giant

Robot, SOMA, Audrey, Pasadena Weekly, LA Weekly and to the anthologies Bare Your Soul and Geography of Rage.

Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Pacific Asia Museum

46 N. Los Robles Ave.

Pasadena, CA 91101

Cost: The event is included with museum general admission, $7, $5 students & seniors. Tel: (626) 449-2742 www.pacificasiamuseum.org

 

March 6 A Conversation with Velina Hasu Houston at the Japanese American Museum, 2PM, Downtown LA Little Tokyo.

In 1993, Velina Hasu Houston published the play Tea about five Japanese "war brides" who find themselves living in rural Kansas alongside their American GI husbands after World War II. Tea went on to become one of the most produced Asian American plays, shedding light on "the immigrant spirit that is the spine of America." As part of Women's History Month, Houston will revisit some of its groundbreaking themes and discuss her latest work involving Japanese international brides of World War II. Reservations recommended. www.janm.org Please call 213-625-0414 to make reservations.

 

 

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Last Weekend: Nursed a cold, again.

 

 

 

 

Links to selected articles from the LA Times. To actually access the articles, you may have to sign up for a free account.

 

Feb 28 CALIFORNIA

Inland Empire Sees Rise in Hate Crimes, Bucking Trend in State

The tally stands out in regions where violations have declined. Authorities say the stimulus is an influx of racial minorities.

By Lance Pugmire and Janet Wilson, Times Staff Writers

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hate28feb28,1,5819956.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

 

Feb 28 COLUMN ONE

They Can't Handle the Truth

Taiwan's media go all out for a story, even if the facts aren't there. Reformers don't have much clout in a culture that's so freewheeling.

By Mark Magnier, Times Staff Writer

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-hounds28feb28,1,6064085.story?ctrack=2&cset=true

 

Feb 28 COMMENTARY

Do Asian Americans Count in L.A.?

By Raphael J. Sonenshein, Raphael J. Sonenshein, a political scientist at Cal State Fullerton, is the author of "The City at Stake: Secession, Reform, and the Battle for Los Angeles" (Princeton University Press, 2004).

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-sonenshein28feb28,1,1231773.story?ctrack=3&cset=true

 

Feb 25 STYLE & CULTURE

Hope for a better ending

The chaotic, dreamlike qualities remain, but writer Haruki Murakami's work has a new touch of optimism.

By Bruce Wallace, Times Staff Writer

http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-et-murakami25feb25,1,5159279.story

 

Feb 25 PASSINGS

Zhu Qiaomei, 94; China's Oldest Surviving WWII-Era Sex Slave

From Times Staff and Wire Reports

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-passings25.2feb25,1,5853680.story