THE APPA Newsletter

June 27, 2006

 

 

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. (substitute in your Enterprise and company, etcÉ)

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ed. by Douglas Ikemi

(dkikemi@pacbell.net)

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Back issues of the newsletter for all of 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 are available at http://www.ikemi.info/APPA/newsletters.html if you want to look up some past event. The website www.apa-pro.org no longer exists. This newsletter was originally published under the auspices of the Hughes Asian Pacific Professional Association (no longer extant). It currently has no affiliation and is available to anyone who is interested in downloading it.

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Please send in information on cultural events and news items to dkikemi@pacbell.net or dkikemi@mac.com . 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 

 

Los Angeles Public Library Celebrates our DiverseCity

http://www.lapl.org/kidspath/events/diversecity/index.html

 

Mani Wall and A Sacred Geography

Exhibition at UCLA June 11 - September 10, 2006

In 1996, artist/writer Mary Heebner and her husband, photographer Macduff Everton, traveled to the walled Kingdom of Lo in NepalÕs Mustang district to visit HeebnerÕs daughter, Sienna Craig, an anthropologist and writer who lived in Nepal intermittently from 1993Ð2005. They rode horses and trekked, stopping at villages along the way. In 2004, Heebner and Everton returned again to visit Craig, who was then working as a medical anthropologist in Lhasa, Tibet.

ÒMani Wall and A Sacred GeographyÓ Ñ on view at the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History from June 11 through Sept. 10 Ñ is the result of a creative collaboration by Heebner, Craig and Everton, inspired by the landscape of these regions and the wall of painted boulders etched with Tibetan prayers (mani) that they encountered in Nepal.

In 2003, Heebner made individually pulp-painted sheets of paper, using variations of the ochre, gray and white stripes of the mani walls, to frame a collection of 12 sonnets that Craig had written about the Himalaya and Tibet. These sheets of paper became the loose-leaf pages of the elegant, limited-edition book, ÒA Sacred Geography: Sonnets of the Himalaya and Tibet,Ó which will be displayed at the Fowler in its entirety.

Heebner later used the same hues to create the ÒMani WallÓ series of paintings, also on display. Interspersed along the gallery walls will be a selection of 14 panoramic photographs of Nepal by Everton. Together, the words and images from this family project create a loving and personal tribute to this sacred region.

About the artists

Mary HeebnerÕs collages, paintings, works on paper and artistÕs books are exhibited throughout the United States. A version of her artistÕs book, ÒOn the Blue Shore of Silence: Poems of the Sea by Pablo Neruda,Ó was published in 2004. She also writes travel articles for several magazines including CondŽ Nast Traveler, Travel + Life and National Geographic Traveler.

Macduff EvertonÕs widely published photographs are exhibited and collected around the world. He is a contributing editor at National Geographic Traveler and Islands Magazine, as well as a correspondent for Virtuoso Life. Currently he is updating his seminal book, ÒThe Modern Maya.Ó

Sienna Craig is completing a Ph.D. in medical and cultural anthropology from Cornell University. In 1998Ð99, Craig and her husband, Kenneth Bauer, founded DROKPA, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to form partnerships with pastoral communities in the Himalaya and Central Asia to implement grass-roots development and catalyze social entrepreneurship. In addition to her dissertation research, since 2002 she has been an ethnographer and research coordinator with a National Institutes of Health/Global Network for WomenÕs Health project based in Lhasa, Tibet. Her memoir, ÒHorses Like Lightning: A Passage Through Mustang,Ó will be published in 2007.

Visiting the Fowler

ÒMani Wall and A Sacred GeographyÓ is presented in conjunction with the debut of a major, traveling exhibition, ÒThe Missing Peace: Artists Consider the Dalai Lama,Ó and will be on view in the Fowler MuseumÕs Goldenberg Galleria. The Fowler Museum, part of UCLAÕs School of the Arts and Architecture, is located in the north part of the UCLA campus.

Related event: 1Ð4 p.m., Saturday, June 24, A World of Art Family Workshop: Books of Place

Write original poems about a special place Ñ real or imagined Ñ and combine them with watercolor paintings to create your own artistÕs book based on the exhibition ÒMani Wall and A Sacred Geography.Ó The cost is $10 for members; $15 for non-members. Reservations are required; call (310) 825-7325.

12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

UCLA Fowler Museum, Los Angeles, CA 90095

 

The Missing Peace: Artists Consider the Dalai Lama

Exhibition at UCLA  June 11 - September 10, 2006

 UCLA Fowler Museum to Premiere the Traveling Exhibition 
 
Seventy-seven contemporary artists from 25 countries have contributed artworks for an exhibition inspired by the messages, vision and values of the Dalai Lama. ÒThe Missing Peace: Artists Consider the Dalai LamaÓ Ñ on view at the UCLA Fowler Museum from June 11-Sept. 10 Ñ explores themes of peace, compassion, patience and tolerance. Participating artists have considered the Dalai Lama in a broad array of new and existing works made in a variety of media expressing their personal interpretations of and reflections on his philosophies and ideals.

A photograph of the Dalai Lama taken in India in 1998 by the late Richard Avedon was among the first works contributed to ÒThe Missing Peace.Ó Many artists, including Bill Viola, Mike and Doug Starn, Sylvie Fleury, El Anatsui, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Michal Rovner and Chuck Close, have created new works for the exhibition. For example, Viola recently traveled to India to meet with the Dalai Lama to create a new work that will debut at the Fowler.

All works in the exhibition have been donated by the artists and will be auctioned to raise funds for the peace initiatives of the Dalai Lama Foundation and the Committee of 100 for Tibet, the co-sponsoring organizations. The Dalai Lama, who has met with ÒThe Missing PeaceÓ organizers on several occasions, supports the project and will be lending a work of art from his personal collection.

Darlene Markovich, president of the Committee of 100 for Tibet, is executive director of ÒThe Missing Peace,Ó leading a team of more than 20 individuals and 17 international advisers who have been organizing the exhibition for more than two years.

ÒOur goal is to use art as inspiration and a catalyst to shift attention towards peace. We hope the exhibition will inspire others to explore and embrace these ideals,Ó Markovich said. ÒPeace may be elusive in our world, but the Dalai Lama consistently shows us that dedicating oneself to peace can have widespread positive impact.Ó

Randy Rosenberg, curator of ÒThe Missing Peace,Ó formerly served as curator for the art collections of The World Bank and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

ÒThe exhibitionÕs 77 artists bring their individual stories and experiences as well as a rich and diverse array of media and styles,Ó Rosenberg said, Òbut together their works speak eloquently to the Dalai Lama's vision of compassion, peace and the unity of all things.Ó

The exhibition and associated educational programs endeavor to make an enduring contribution to the global dialogue about peace. Extensive public programming planned in conjunction with the exhibition, from artistsÕ panels to family workshops that will encourage dialogue about peace and ethics, will be announced in the spring.

The Dalai Lama Foundation, founded in 2002, supports the development of our shared global capacity for ethics and peace. The Dalai Lama Foundation runs three initiatives: a free study guide and study circles on ethics and peace based on the Dalai LamaÕs book ÒEthics for a New Millennium,Ó online courses on ethics and peace topics, and curricula for ÒThe Missing Peace.Ó Visit http://www.dalailamafoundation.org/.

Visiting the Fowler

The Fowler Museum is open from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays; and from noon until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The Fowler Museum, part of UCLAÕs School of the Arts and Architecture, is located in the north part of the UCLA campus. Admission is free. Campus parking is available for $8 in Lot 4.

For more information, please visit http://www.dlportrait.org

Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

UCLA
Fowler Museum
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: Free

www. fowler.ucla.edu

 

From Heart to Hand

Exhibition at Pacific Asia Museum June 22 - September 17, 2006

Modern Japanese Prints from the George and Marcia Good Collection. From Heart to Hand focuses on 15 modern Japanese prints from the post war era as represented in the George and Marcia Good collection, donated to Pacific Asia Museum in 1990. These prints have been selected to present a sample of the wide array of styles and techniques found in works of the modern Japanese print movement.

Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA  91101

Special Instructions

Wednesday Ð Sunday 10 a.m. Ð 5 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. Ð 8 p.m.

Tel: (626) 449-2742, www.pacificasiamuseum.org

 

Merging: The Art of Diana Shui-Iu Wong March 18, 2006 Ð October 15, 2006

Merging features a collection of work that spans four decades, from WongÕs early impressionistic portraits and landscapes to recent abstract compositions inspired by the Chinese philosophy of the I Ching or The Book of Changes.

While WongÕs classical training in both Chinese and Western painting form the basis for her techniques, her study of the I-Ching offered her a decisive break from traditional modes as well as new creative directions. In 1962, Wong began to experiment beyond the conventions of her formal art training to explore the liberating complexity of abstraction. Discovering that she could express pride for her heritage and culture through her work, Wong has also found self- empowerment through her art making. WongÕs most recent work ventures boldly into abstraction while grounded in nature and the elements. Her striking images, like color-flooded snapshots of the cosmos, explore universal questions about being and balance.

Chinese American Museum

El Pueblo de Los Angeles

125 Paseo de la Plaza

Los Angeles, California 90012

www.camla.org, (213) 485-8567

 

June 30, 2006 Double Feature Screening - Negadon: The Monster From Mars & The Great Yokai War

At Egyptian Theatre 
As part of the Giant Monsters on the Loose festival

The American Cinematheque presents Giant Monsters on the Loose! 

The Friday, June 30th program is a 7:30 PM Double Feature. First up is the Los Angeles Premiere of  "Negadon: The Monster From Mars" (2005, Central Park Media, 26 min.). The world's first 100% computer generated kaiju film is a loving homage to the classic Japanese monster movies of the 1950's and 60's. In the year 2025, extreme overpopulation results into the "Mars Terraforming Project," a plan to make the red planet a habitable world. The MTP's efforts awaken the space monster Negadon, who crashes into Tokyo and destroys all in its path. Earth's only hope is Miroku, a prototype robot piloted by its inventor. The award-winning NEGADON: THE MONSTER FROM MARS marks the directorial debut of graphics & special effects wizard, Jun Awazu, whose previous credits include KAMEN RIDER 555 and the Godzilla film GMK. In Japanese with English Subtitles.

Next on the same bill is the Los Angeles Premiere of THE GREAT YOKAI WAR, (2005, Media Blasters & Kadokawa, 124 min.) directed by Takashi Miike. While attending a festival at an ancient shrine, a timid young boy named Tadashi is chosen to be the next Kirin Rider, a warrior of peace who must defend the world in times of darkness. To prove his worth, Tadashi tries to claim the legendary Goblin Sword from the yokai...strange mystical beings that come in a variety of bizarre forms- some hideous, some cute-and who have incredible supernatural powers.  As Tadashi sets out on his quest, the evil Lord Yasunori Kato and his henchwoman Agi the Bird-Stabbing Witch (Chiaki Kuriyma of BATTLE ROYALE and KILL BILL) have been capturing yokai and merging them with discarded items to make an army of mechanical monsters called Kikai. Tadashi must unite the good yokai to oppose Lord Kato, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Acclaimed director Takashi Miike's big budget update of t  he classic Daiei films is great entertainment; a wonderful blend of adventure, horror, and comedy featuring hundreds of bizarre creatures. Co-starring Bunta Sugawara. In Japanese with English Subtitles.

Next on the same bill is the U.S. Premiere of GAMERA THE BRAVE, (2006, Kadokawa, 97 min.) Thirty years after Gamera disappeared during a battle with the flying monsters called Gyaos, a young boy named Toru Aizawa discovers a turtle egg while playing on a beach. The egg hatches in his hand, and Toru keeps the tiny newborn as a pet. The little turtle grows quickly and soon displays some very odd behavior like flying and breathing fire. Toru soon realizes he has found a baby Gamera. When the sea monster Zedus comes ashore and attacks the town of Isheshima, the new Gamera comes to the rescue of Toru and his friends. But the little monster is no match for his larger and much stronger opponent. Will this new Gamera be able to recover and find a way to beat the villainous Zedus? A new creative team led by director Ryuta Tazaki (KAMEN RIDER AGITO, SHIBUYA 15) and special effects director Isao Kaneko (GODZILLA VS. BIOLANTE, TETSUJIN 28) launches a fresh cycle of films unconnected to t  he 1990's Gamera trilogy. GAMERA THE BRAVE mixes the traditional "friend of all children" Gamera from the classic films of the 1960's with modern special FX techniques. The film opened in Japan on April 29, and makes its US debut at this festival. In Japanese with English Subtitles. Please Note: Due to the current unavailability of a 35mm print, GAMERA THE BRAVE will be screened off of a Digi-Beta source.

Friday,  7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Lloyd E. Theatre at the historic Egyptian , 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 

Special Instructions

General Admission is $9; $6 Cinematheque members; $7 Seniors (65+ years) and students with valid ID card.

Tel: 323.466.FILM

 

July 1 West Covina Obon

 

July 1-4 AnimeExpo, http://www.anime-expo.org/

 

July 8th and 9th40th Annual Obon Carnival

Zenshuji Soto Mission  Obon Carnival  The festivities will run from 11am to 8pm . 123 S. Hewitt Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 624-8658
info@zenshuji.org

http://www.zenshuji.org/

 

July 8 Oxnard Buddhist Temple  Obon Festival 250 S. ÒHÓ Street, Oxnard, Telephone: 805.483.5948

 

July 07, 2006 Performance - Odissi: An Experience in Elegance

At Thousand Oaks Civic Art Center, Scherr Forum

A vibrant and enchanting dance presentation by the Rudraksya Dance Troupe of India, July 7-9,2006

Odissi is the graceful and lyrical dance form of the eastern state of Orissa, India. Famous for its grace and charm; the dance is characterized by its rounded, fluid movements, as well as the abundance in sculpturesque poses, bearing close resemblance to the relief sculptures of the famous temples of Puri, Konark and Bhubaneswar. Rudraksya ( www.rudrakshya.com) is led by Guru Bichitrananda Swain. At a young age he has become a reputed choreographer and is considered as a unique and great dance teacher (Guru). His choreography presents a distinct vision both in the theoretical and practical components of dance. Sri Swain is particularly interested in developing new work for the " purusha Anga " or male form.  Saturday, July 8, 2006 at 7:30 PM Cypress College Campus Theater, 9200 Valley View St, Cypress. Sunday, July 9, 2006 at 3:00 PM, Performing Arts Center, Cal State University, Northridge 
18111 Nordoff St, Northridge 

Friday,  7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Thousand Oaks Civic Art Center, Scherr Forum, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 

Cost: $50, $ 25 , Students $ 15

Special Instructions

For more information and tickets : Sunity Behera ( 310) 589 8451 Rickie Patnaik ( 818) 735 7821 Nandita Behera ( 714) 521 5655 Sushma Aggrawal ( 818) 718 6770 For Thousand Oaks Program also contact the ticketmaster.com or the box office at (805 ) 449 2787

www.rudrakshya.com

 

July 08, 2006 Kuh 25 Years Concert by Filipino singing star Kuh Ledesma

At The Grove of Anaheim

The Original Pop DIVA of the Philippines, KUH LEDESMA, celebrates 25 years of glorious music and entertainment with a much-anticipated concert in Los Angeles. Often compared to Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion and Sade, but with her own distinctive rich vocal style, KUH is first class all the way and her concerts back home are richly conceptualized with high-end production values.

Kuh Ledesma's music career spans 25 years of performances, which include more than 300 concerts, numerous awards in the Philippine music scene, and 18 albums in the local recording industry. She was the first Filipino singer to be the recipient of the Salem Music Awards in March 1989. In 1997 she released an international debut album entitled PRECIOUS, a collaboration of the best American and Filipino songwriters, arrangers and musicians.

In the 90's Kuh had a series of back-to-back concerts with foreign artists like Noel Pointer, Jack Jones, and Kenny Rankin (and later with The Platters and Michel Legrand). This later led to the popular POWER OF TWO concert series that had Kuh performing with Filipino artists such as Regine Velasquez, Pops Fernandez, and Jaya in a bid to show that artists can work together and go against formula in creating a good show.

Produced by Katz Entertainment and Red Fox Entertainment, KUH 25 YEARS is presented by Diverse and Inclusive Visionary Artists (DIVA), KSCI TV
18 and Seafood City Supermarket.

Joining KUH will be musical greats BASIL VALDEZ, CHRISTIAN BAUTISTA, Kuh's daughter ISABELLA and multi-award winning actor CHRISTOPHER DE LEON.

Saturday, 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM

The Grove of Anaheim. 2200 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806

Cost: $55 / $75

For more information please contact

Tickets Tel: 562-529-8680 , www.kuhledesma.net

 

July 08, 2006 TAIKOPROJECT: Rhythmic Relations 2006

A pulse-pounding drumming spectacular from TAIKOPROJECT, one of the nation's leading Japanese drum groups and its affiliated adult, collegiate and youth ensembles in innovative arrangements and crossover pieces merging the decades-old tradition with fresh, new energy.

Featuring

TAIKOPROJECT

Bombu Taiko

Kitsune Taiko

Yukai Daiko

Saturday,  8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Ford Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: $35, $30, Children 12 & under $12

Tel: 323-461-3673, www.fordamphitheatre.org

 

July 9, 2006 Bridge USA Magazine Summer Japanese Festival Sunday - 5:00 pm, Torrance Cultural Center, Torrance Blvd & Madrona Ave, Torrance, Admission Required

Call:  (310) 532-5921 for more information

 

July 8-9 Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple - pm Tel. (213) 680-9130, Fax (213) 680-2110 815 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

 

Thursday, July 13, 6 pm Ð 8:30 pm

Hong Kong Association of Southern California and the Irvine Chamber

of Commerce

cordially invite you to attend the

4th Summer Mixer

Irvine Marriott Hotel

18000 Von Karman Avenue

Irvine, CA 92612

Co-sponsors:

Asian Business Association of Orange County

Asian Business League of Southern California

Asian Pacific-USA Chamber of Commerce

Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County

Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County

Latino Business Conexion

OCA Ð Orange County

Orange County Chinese American Chamber of Commerce

Orange County Korean American Bar Association

Orange County Korean American Coalition

Organization of Chinese American Entrepreneurs/Advisory Network

Singapore American Business Association of Southern California

South Asian Biz Alliance Network

Corporate Sponsors:

Cathay Pacific

Southern California Edison

Member/Co-sponsor: $15/person

Non-member/At the door: $20/person

For information, please contact Hong Kong Association Secretariat

213-622-9446, email: info@hkasc.org

 

July 15,16 Pasadena  Buddhist Church Obon  (626) 798-4781

1993 Glen Ave

Pasadena, CA 91103

 

July 16, 2006 Sozenji Community Obon Festival Sunday - 12 noon - 7:00 pm

Sozenji Buddhist Temple, 3020 W. Beverly Blvd, Montebello, CA  90640. Free and open to the public. For information, call (323) 724-6866

 

The San Fernando Valley Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple will hold its Obon Festival on July 22 and 23. It will be held at the SFV Japanese-American Community Center, 12953 Branford St., Pacoima, CA 91331. Ondo dance practices will start on July 6 and will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.

 

At Home in this World? Asian Music, Dance, and Theater

Exciting performances by artists from the Philippines, India, and USA

July 19 - Performances by artists from the Philippines, India, and USA

See photos at http://www.wac.ucla.edu/cip/appex/2006/APPEXPerformances.html

Performances by Fellows of the UCLA Asian Pacific Performance Exchange (APPEX) Program.

APPEX Fellows 2006
Cultural, historical, religious and aesthetic influences converge when 18 artists work together for the first time. Join us to witness the vision and virtuosity of the  artists and consider the benefits of international exchange and collaboration.

Individual works Performances July 19, Wednesday  July 21, Friday

Collaborative works August 9, Wednesday, August 11, Friday. Time: 7:00 pm, Glorya Kaufman Dance Theater UCLA, 120 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles 
www.wac.ucla.edu/cip

Tickets: $12;  $10 students & seniors $36 to attend all 4 shows. Limited offer.

www.tickets.ucla.edu; 310-825-2101

Glorya Kaufman Dance Theater  UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: $12; $10 students & seniors

Special Instructions

Parking at UCLA costs $8.

For more information please contact

Barbara Gaerlan Tel: 310-206-9163, cseas@international.ucla.edu, www.international.ucla.edu/cseas/

 

July 29-30 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple Obon Carnival, 505 E. 3rd Street., Downtown LA Little Tokyo

 

July 29, 2006, Halau Hula Kawik Laua 'O Leinani presents Ho'ike 2006

Saturday, 3pm & 7pm

Featuring the songs and dances of Hawai'i, Tahiti, New Zealand and the wonderful sounds of the Kalika band.

For more information call (909) 396-4775 or e-mail, kawikaleinani@aol.com.

$20 General Admission

Aratani Japan America Theatre  

Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, 244 South San Pedro Street, Suite 505
(between 2nd and 3rd Streets), Los Angeles (Little Tokyo), CA 90012 (213) 628-2725

 

July 29-Aug 20 The Fox Lantern, a family puppet theatre production set in feudal Japan. World premiere at Triumirate Pi Theatre,  Sat 11AM & 2PM, Sun 2 &4PM. (no 2PM show Aug 5, no performances Aug 13. Centenary United Methodist Church Social  Hall, 300 S. Central Ave., (3rd & Central in Little Tokyo). $10 adults, $5 children, For reservations call 213-617-9097, email cumcshotokyo@aol.com.

 

Aug 12-20 Nisei Week, Downtown LA Little Tokyo

Parade Aug 13

Ondo Aug 20

http://www.niseiweek.org/

 

Aug 12-13 Tofu Festival, Downtown LA Little Tokyo

 

September 1st, 2nd, & 3rd  E Hula Mau 2006 E Hula Mau is Southern California's only Hula and Chant competition, staged annually every Labor Day weekend since 1995 by Na Mamo, a non-profit organization based in Southern California.

Our goal is to blend honored traditions with innovative ideas, and to present for everyone from participating halau to special friends and guests, a wonderful experience from the Hawaiian people.

For halau, we strive to give them a setting where their artistry can be presented at its best. For the audience, an opportunity to experience the kinetic poetry that is hula. We wish for all that they have the feeling of being welcomed as `ohana, or family.

E Hula Mau is three days of hula, mele, arts, crafts, food, and fellowship. It is held in the beautiful Terrace Theater of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center in Long Beach, California. Participating halau come from all over the mainland United States.

E Hula Mau is Not Only a Competition...

E Hula Mau has cultural workshops to share the Hawaiian heritage. It also has associated events such as the E Hula Mau Kanikapila Jam, featuring live entertainment, hula show, `ono foods, local snacks (crackseeds), and beautiful arts and crafts. Bring your guitar or `ukulele and jam with us Saturday night after the competition at the host hotel in the courtyard. Check our website periodically for additional information.

To top off the weekend, the Mahalo Bash is held Sunday night after the competition, always featuring the best in contemporary Hawaiian entertainment.

The heritage lives on through you.

It's official, E Hula Mau 2006, the 12th annual edition of the event, is scheduled, so mark your calendar now. The specifics are:

Labor Day Weekend, September 1st, 2nd, & 3rd, 2006

Terrace Theater

Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center www.longbeachcc.com/maps.htm

namamo.org

 

September 16, 2006 Queen Mary Asian Heritage Festival Saturday - 5:00 pm  Queen Mary Special Events Park, Long Beach, CA

 

October 7 34th Annual Akimatsuri Fall Festival 12-8PM East  San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center,

1203 West Puente Avenue                   

West Covina, California 91790 

 http://esgvjcc.741.com/home.htm

 

SAVE YOUR SATURDAY NIGHTS FOR COLD TOFU!

AND NOW - WATCH VIDEOS ONLINE!

Join us for our monthly improv shows at Maryknoll!

Upcoming shows in 2006!

JULY 22, 7:30 pm

AUGUST 19, 7:30 pm

SEPTEMBER 23, 7:30 pm

OCTOBER 21, 7:30 pm

NOVEMBER 18, 7:30 pm

DECEMBER 16, 7:30 pm

Maryknoll Catholic Center

222 S. Hewitt St., LA 90012 (Located east of Alameda, between 2nd & 3rd Streets) Admission: Pay-What-You-Can

Make your reservations by calling (213) 739-4142 or e-mail us at coldtofu@hotmail.com. Email for details. www.coldtofu.com

 

See LA Library DiverseCity events at http://www.lapl.org/kidspath/events/diversecity/index.html

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This Weekend (and earlier)

 

June 30, 2006 Double Feature Screening - Negadon: The Monster From Mars & The Great Yokai War

At Egyptian Theatre 
As part of the Giant Monsters on the Loose festival

The American Cinematheque presents Giant Monsters on the Loose! 

The Friday, June 30th program is a 7:30 PM Double Feature. First up is the Los Angeles Premiere of  "Negadon: The Monster From Mars" (2005, Central Park Media, 26 min.). The world's first 100% computer generated kaiju film is a loving homage to the classic Japanese monster movies of the 1950's and 60's. In the year 2025, extreme overpopulation results into the "Mars Terraforming Project," a plan to make the red planet a habitable world. The MTP's efforts awaken the space monster Negadon, who crashes into Tokyo and destroys all in its path. Earth's only hope is Miroku, a prototype robot piloted by its inventor. The award-winning NEGADON: THE MONSTER FROM MARS marks the directorial debut of graphics & special effects wizard, Jun Awazu, whose previous credits include KAMEN RIDER 555 and the Godzilla film GMK. In Japanese with English Subtitles.

Next on the same bill is the Los Angeles Premiere of THE GREAT YOKAI WAR, (2005, Media Blasters & Kadokawa, 124 min.) directed by Takashi Miike. While attending a festival at an ancient shrine, a timid young boy named Tadashi is chosen to be the next Kirin Rider, a warrior of peace who must defend the world in times of darkness. To prove his worth, Tadashi tries to claim the legendary Goblin Sword from the yokai...strange mystical beings that come in a variety of bizarre forms- some hideous, some cute-and who have incredible supernatural powers.  As Tadashi sets out on his quest, the evil Lord Yasunori Kato and his henchwoman Agi the Bird-Stabbing Witch (Chiaki Kuriyma of BATTLE ROYALE and KILL BILL) have been capturing yokai and merging them with discarded items to make an army of mechanical monsters called Kikai. Tadashi must unite the good yokai to oppose Lord Kato, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Acclaimed director Takashi Miike's big budget update of t  he classic Daiei films is great entertainment; a wonderful blend of adventure, horror, and comedy featuring hundreds of bizarre creatures. Co-starring Bunta Sugawara. In Japanese with English Subtitles.

Next on the same bill is the U.S. Premiere of GAMERA THE BRAVE, (2006, Kadokawa, 97 min.) Thirty years after Gamera disappeared during a battle with the flying monsters called Gyaos, a young boy named Toru Aizawa discovers a turtle egg while playing on a beach. The egg hatches in his hand, and Toru keeps the tiny newborn as a pet. The little turtle grows quickly and soon displays some very odd behavior like flying and breathing fire. Toru soon realizes he has found a baby Gamera. When the sea monster Zedus comes ashore and attacks the town of Isheshima, the new Gamera comes to the rescue of Toru and his friends. But the little monster is no match for his larger and much stronger opponent. Will this new Gamera be able to recover and find a way to beat the villainous Zedus? A new creative team led by director Ryuta Tazaki (KAMEN RIDER AGITO, SHIBUYA 15) and special effects director Isao Kaneko (GODZILLA VS. BIOLANTE, TETSUJIN 28) launches a fresh cycle of films unconnected to t  he 1990's Gamera trilogy. GAMERA THE BRAVE mixes the traditional "friend of all children" Gamera from the classic films of the 1960's with modern special FX techniques. The film opened in Japan on April 29, and makes its US debut at this festival. In Japanese with English Subtitles. Please Note: Due to the current unavailability of a 35mm print, GAMERA THE BRAVE will be screened off of a Digi-Beta source.

Friday,  7:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Lloyd E. Theatre at the historic Egyptian , 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 

Special Instructions

General Admission is $9; $6 Cinematheque members; $7 Seniors (65+ years) and students with valid ID card.

Tel: 323.466.FILM

 

July 1 West Covina Obon

West Covina Buddhist Temple's 2006 Obon Festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 1, 2006. The festival lasts all day, starting from 1 pm and lasting until 9:00 pm. Please join us for a day full of Japanese culture, cuisine and of course, the exciting Obon Odori Dancing. Below are some highlights from previous Festivals. 1203 West Puente Ave., West Covina 917890. See our Map Page http://www.livingdharma.org/Map.html for directions. E-mail us or call (626) 913-0622 if you have any questions.

http://www.livingdharma.org/

 

July 1-4 AnimeExpo, Anaheim Convention Center $55 for 4 day ticket http://www.anime-expo.org/

 

July 01, 2006  Double Feature Screening - Godzilla 2000 & Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack

At Egyptian Theatre 
As part of the Giant Monsters on the Loose festival

The American Cinematheque presents Giant Monsters on the Loose!  Following at 8:30 PM is a Double Feature. First up is GODZILLA 2000, (1999, Sony Repertory, 99 min.) directed by Takao Okawara. Following TriStar Pictures' poorly received American GODZILLA, Toho brought back the original Japanese Godzilla for his first film in four years.  A government team salvages a spaceship that had crashed into the ocean millions of years ago. Unfortunately the craft still houses the consciousness of the long-dead alien crew, who begin looking for the material needed to recreate new bodies. They soon discover that Godzilla's unique genetic structure would allow them to conquer the world. But the King of the Monsters has other ideas and takes on the spaceship and the alien beast Orga for a duel to the death in the heart of Tokyo. GODZILLA 2000 launched the third wave of Godzilla films that recently ended with GODZILLA: FINAL WARS. It was quickly picked up by Sony Pictures and became the first Toho-produced Godzilla movie to receive a wide stateside relea  se in 15 years. English Dubbed Version.

Next on the same bill is GODZILLA, MOTHRA & KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK, (2001, Sony Repertory, 105 min.). Acclaimed by fans as one of the most exciting Godzilla films since the heyday of the 1960's, "GMK" features a terrific, redesigned Big G (hint: he's leaner, meaner and packs a nasty bite), bent on destroying Japan as vengeance for the restless souls of WWII victims. Standing in his way are the "Guardian Deities" - i.e. Mothra, King Ghidorah and Baragon. Director Shusuke Kaneko helmed the astounding trio of GAMERA films for Daiei in the mid-1990's - here, he's practically reinvented the Godzilla series for the 21st century. In Japanese with English subtitles. Discussion in between films with GODZILLA 2000 American producer Michael Schlesinger and the cast and crew responsible for the American version.

Saturday,8:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Lloyd E. Theatre at the historic Egyptian , 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 

Special Instructions

General Admission is $9; $6 Cinematheque members; $7 Seniors (65+ years) and students with valid ID card.

Tel: 323.466.FILM

 

July 01, 2006Screening - All Tomorrow's Parties

At UCLA James Bridges Theater  As part of the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival

China, France, 2003, 96 min, 35mm. In Mandarin and Korean with English subtitles

Directed By: Yu Lik-wai, Writer: Yu Lik-wai, Producers: Hengameh Panahi, Li Kit-ming, Cinematographer: Lai Yiu-Fai. Editor: Chow Keung. Cast: Jo Yeong-weon, Diao Yinan, Zhao Weiwei, Na Ren

In the near future of a China ruled by a bizarre cult, brothers Xiaomian and Xiaozhuai are stuck in a gulag where tentative romances (Xiaomian with sickly Lanlan, Xiaozhuai with Korean-born Xuelan) develop. When the cult collapses, new challenges emerge, leading to emotional uncertainties. As Jia Zhangke's inventive cinematographer, Yu Lik-wai has displayed one of the most perceptive eyes for the world of the post-Mao generation. His second work is a major accomplishment, a beautiful and slyly elliptical examination of fears in the new China.

 Saturday, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

UCLA James Bridges Theater, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: $10

www.lafilmfest.com

 

Saturday, July 01, 2006 Screening - In Between Days

At Landmark's Regent  As part of the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival

Canada, South Korea, USA, 2006, 83 min, Color, HD video. In Korean and English with English subtitles

Directed By: So Yong Kim

Writers: So Yong Kim, Brad Gray

Producer: Brad Gray

Cinematographer: Sarah Levy

Editor: So Yong Kim

Music: Asobi Seksu

Cast: Jiseon Kim, Taegu Andy Kang

Teenager Aimie is a recent Korean immigrant to North America. Living with her mother in a dreary suburb, AimieÕs best and only friend is the taciturn but playful Tran, a fellow immigrant with whom she establishes a casual routine riding buses, playing arcade games and passing time indoors, insulated from the bitter winter. Just as Aimie begins to fall for Tran, however, his attentions turn to another girl. This stunningly beautiful first feature from writer/director So Yong Kim offers a passionate study of cultural adaptation and adolescent longing. Saturday, July 01, 2006 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Landmark's Regent
1045 Broxton Avenue (between Weyburn & Kinross)
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Cost: $10

www.lafilmfest.com

 

July 2, 2006Ruji Sawa Charity Show

Ruji Sawa leads 20 performers from Japan in an afternoon of popular Japanese music, dance, and drama. "Samurai," a Japanese play opens the first half. The second half "Musashi" features Japanese music, dance, and taiko and is highlighted by a popular dance using two swords which was made famous by Japan's legendary swordsman, MIiyamoto Musashi.

Sunday, 1pm

For ticket sales and information contact:

Uehara Travel Agency           (213) 680-2408

Okinawa Store                       (213) 200-8116

Sanuki-no-Sato                      (310)324-9185

$45, $35 General Admission (Tickets sold only at above locations)

Aratani Japan America Theatre

Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, 244 South San Pedro Street, Suite 505
(between 2nd and 3rd Streets), Los Angeles (Little Tokyo), CA 90012 (213) 628-2725

 

 

Last weekend I went to: 

 

[hiking]

 

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

 

Chinese Tourists Export a Mix of Cash and Brash

They're boosting their nation's image, and the world economy. But there are culture clashes.

By Mark Magnier, Times Staff Writer

June 26, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-fg-tourism26jun26,1,5373146.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

 

Mineta, Cabinet's Sole Democrat, Quits

By Johanna Neuman and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Times Staff Writers

June 24, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-mineta24jun24,1,3611721.story

 

Koizumi to Get a King's Welcome

President Bush will treat his friend, the outgoing Japanese premier and huge Elvis fan, to a going-away present: a visit to Graceland.

By Bruce Wallace, Times Staff Writer

June 27, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-koizumi27jun27,1,7102373.story

 

June 22 Los Angeles Times to Publish Guide to Nation's Largest Anime Trade Show

Times and PLAY magazine join forces on June 25 advertising supplement

http://www.latimes.com/services/newspaper/mediacenter/releases/la-mediacenter-2006-0622,1,401076.story

 

CSUN stands by donated artifacts

A retired curator questions the validity of pieces given by a donor who's also facing a lawsuit alleging fraud.

By Lynne Heffley, Times Staff Writer

June 28, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/valley/la-et-csun28jun28,1,1458082.story

 

Border Issues Cause More Than Whispers at Libraries

In suburban Atlanta, outcry and applause follow a decision to cut funds for Spanish titles.

By Jenny Jarvie, Times Staff Writer

June 25, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-books25jun25,1,4408496.story

 

Moscow Surpasses Tokyo as Priciest City

From the Associated Press

June 26, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cities26jun26,1,5764853.story

 

Wife's Criminal Record Is a Snag for Orange County Lawmaker

O.C. Assemblyman Van Tran's rivals have made a campaign issue out of his spouse's no-contest plea to writing fake medical bills.

By Garrett Therolf, Times Staff Writer

June 25, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-vantran25jun25,1,6811220.story

 

A Novel Therapy for China: HMOs

A California firm is rolling out managed care in the wake of socialized medicine's collapse. The economics are uncertain in a nation used to commune clinics and 'barefoot' doctors.

By Don Lee and Daniel Yi, Times Staff Writers

June 25, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-maohmo25jun25,1,5895923.story

 

Artists on the same page

Sandra Oh's training makes it a natural for her to end up on stage, where she's often a sort of alter ego to the playwright in works by friend Diana Son.

By Jan Breslauer, Special to The Times

June 25, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-oh25jun25,1,7438917.story

 

Time to grow up? Nah, let's party

At Party Scammers events, adults get downright goofy in the name of plain old fun.

By Cindy Chang, Special to The Times

June 22, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-wk-alt22jun22,1,6360508.story

 

Far From Home, Koreans Cheer for Home Team

Thousands young and old flock to Olympic Boulevard to watch the World Cup match with Switzerland on giant projection televisions.

By K. Connie Kang, Times Staff Writer

June 24, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-korea24jun24,1,7835548.story