THE APPA Newsletter

April 29, 2008

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, 2005, 2006, and 2007 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 FROM 2-6PM, the Chinatown Farmers' Market takes place at Hill & Alpine bringing fresh fruits and produce by California Farmers to the Chinatown Community. FRIED BANANA, FRIED YAM, HAWAIIAN CHICKEN. We invite you to come and experience the Chinatown Farmers' Market. Free parking with purchase.

 

The Downtown Arts District/Little Tokyo Farmers' Market

Weller Court 2nd & San Pedro in

Little Tokyo Summer Hours 10-3pm

Features fresh produce, Hawaiian Chicken, more food gifts...and live jazz band.

Tuesdays from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

The weekly market is held every Tuesday from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m year round, rain or shine.

Sponsored by LARABA the market will include farm-fresh produce, Asian produce, organic produce, eggs, seafood, cheese, olives, olive oils, flowers, plants, bread and prepared foods and more.

Hawaiian Chicken, Roasted corn on the cobb

Local businesses interested in having a prepared food booth at the market or individuals interested in volunteering at this non-profit event, please contact Susan Hutchinson at 323-660-8660 for more information

 

Los Angeles Public Library Celebrates our DiverseCity

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

 

Chinese American Museum, El Pueblo de Los Angeles, www.camla.org

Jake Lee exhibit opens.

THE CHINESE AMERICAN MUSEUM AND AUTO CLUB GIVE LEGENDARY CALIFORNIA PAINTER DAY IN SUNSHINE

California Artist Fused Chinese Heritage with California Scenes

(LOS ANGELES, Oct. 31, 2007) ÐÑ Jake Lee, a highly respected, yet quiet and enigmatic painter who influenced numerous other artists in California for decades, has not been the subject of a major retrospective, until now. ÒSunshine & Shadow: In Search of Jake LeeÓ an exhibition hosted by the Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles, co-produced with the Automobile Club of Southern California, marks the first comprehensive and critical review of a prolific artist who embraced California landscapes and city scenes through watercolor.

Showcasing at the Chinese American Museum (CAM) from Dec. 1 to April 13, 2008, ÒSunshine & ShadowÓ will highlight more than 60 watercolors, including eight from the Auto ClubÕs WESTWAYS cover art collection. The collection will also illustrate with photos and letters more details of the artistÕs professional career and his family life, which he kept distinctly separate for many years.

ÒJake Lee is among the most well known and prolific watercolor artists of the 20th Century, yet we found very little published about his personal life as we researched this exhibition,Ó said Dr. Pauline Wong, Executive Director of the museum. ÒWe had no problem locating his art and his influence Ð it lives in collections throughout the state and in the hearts of his many students. But it was more challenging to find the man. We believe this exhibition and catalogue will result in new appreciation for his artistic production and his influence.Ó

*SPRING 2008

Corky Lee exhibit opens.

http://camla.org/

 

Exhibition: Discovering the Grace of Life

January 11th ~April 30th, 2008

Story of Beautiful Korean Crafts

The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles\5505 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles , Ca. 90036

January 11th ~April 30th, 2008

The Korean Cultural Center will host the Special exhibition, Discoverong the Grace of Life. This Exhibition will present fine Korean Traditional and Contemporary Craft Arts to fully recognize and appreciate the wonders of Korean Culture. This show is supported by the Korean Craft Promotion Foundation.

 

One Way or Another: Asian American Art Now

February 10, 2008 - May 4, 2008

One Way or Another: Asian American Art Now, a traveling exhibition organized by the Asia Society, brings together seventeen artists from across the United States who challenge and extend the category of Asian American art. The title of the exhibition, drawn from the 1978 Blondie hit song, suggests a non-formulaic way of making or seeing art. The artists and their works characterize the freedom to choose, manipulate and reinvent different kinds of languages and issues, whether formal, conceptual, or political. Together, they defy a definitive conception of Asian American art.

The exhibition features painting, sculpture, video and installation art by contemporary Asian American artists whoÑwith a strong sense of being American and an acute critical consciousness of world mattersÑgrapple with issues of self in a way that sets them apart from their predecessors.

Curated by Melissa Chiu, Director and Curator of Contemporary Asian Art at the Asia Society Museum in New York, Karin Higa, Adjunct Senior Curator of Art at the Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, and Susette S. Min, Assistant Professor of Asian American Studies and Art History at the University of California, Davis.

Featured artists: Michael Arcega, Xavier Cha, Patty Chang, Binh Danh, Mari Eastman, Ala Ebtekar, Chitra Ganesh, Glenn Kaino, Geraldine Lau, Jiha Moon, Laurel Nakadate, Kaz Oshiro, Anna Sew Hoy, Jean Shin, Indigo Som, Mika Tajima, and Saira Wasim.

Photograph from exhibition installation at the Asia Society, New York, October 2006 by Eileen Costa, Courtesy of the Asia Society.

This exhibition was organized by Asia Society, New York with support from Altria Group, Inc., the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation, Nimoy Foundation, and Asia Society's Contemporary Art Council.

The Los Angeles installation is co-presented by the Asia Society of Southern California.

Additional Support Provided by: Ernest Y. and Kiyo Doizaki, Mariko Gordon and Hugh Cosman, Barbara and Thomas Iino, Mitsubishi International Corporation Foundation, Kristine Nishiyama and Barry K. Schwebs, Michael W. Oshima and Chiaki Tanaka, PhD, Deborah Shiba and Gordon Yamate.

JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM

369 East First Street

Los Angeles, California 90012

phone: (213) 625-0414

fax: (213) 625-1770

janm.org

 

February 8 - May 11, 2008 Lotus Moon: The Art of Otagaki Rengetsu

Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) was a Buddhist nun, a woman of great beauty and one of JapanÕs most celebrated artists. Admired primarily for her exquisite calligraphy, Rengetsu was also a poet and ceramic artist, often inscribing her poems in her own calligraphy onto ceramic vessels, a unique blending of art forms for any artist in Japanese history.

Pacific Asia Museum

46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena California 91101 [Google Map]

Hours: Wed Ð Sun: 10:00am-6:00pm

Admission:  $7 for adults

$5 for students/seniors

Free admission every 4th Friday of the month!

Parking: Free parking is available in museum parking lot, located on corner of Los Robles and Union.

www.pacificasiamuseum.org

 

March 6 - July 27, 2008

Chinaman's Chance: Views of the Chinese American Experience

The discovery of gold in California drew unprecedented numbers of Chinese immigrants. By 1865 about 50,000 Chinese had come to ÒGolden MountainÓ to try their luck. But the winds of fortune often blew in unexpected directions.

The majority of the Transcontinental RailroadÕs east-bound track was built by Chinese. To conquer the treacherous terrain, workers were often suspended from the top of cliffs to plant explosives. It was from this dangerous task that the phrase ÒA ChinamanÕs Chance in HellÓ was coined. Later shorten to ÒChinamanÕs Chance,Ó the phrase unfortunately defined many immigrantsÕ experiences.

Three contemporary artists Ð Amanda Ross-Ho, Zhi Lin and Arthur Ou Ð will examine the diverse Chinese American experience from

the days of the Transcontinental RailroadÕs construction to today.

Several of the artists will be incorporating Pacific Asia Museum collections into their work, and all draw their inspiration from the history encompassed in the museumÕs exhibitions.

While the experience of being of Chinese heritage and living in America is unique to each individual, ChinamanÕs Chance: Views of the Chinese American Experience will investigate the similarities and dissimilarities of these experiences. The experience of the viewer will be simultaneously cerebral, physical, historical, contemporary, foreign and universal.

Sponsored by Pasadena Art Alliance.

Pacific Asia Museum

46 North Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena California 91101 [Google Map]

Hours: Wed Ð Sun: 10:00am-6:00pm

Admission:  $7 for adults

$5 for students/seniors

Free admission every 4th Friday of the month!

Parking: Free parking is available in museum parking lot, located on corner of Los Robles and Union.

www.pacificasiamuseum.org

March 29 One Way or Another - Gallery Talk

1PM

Gallery talk with curator Karin Higa and artists Kaz Oshiro and Glenn Kaino.

In conjunction with the exhibition One Way or Another: Asian American Art Now

JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM

369 East First Street

Los Angeles, California 90012

phone: (213) 625-0414

fax: (213) 625-1770

janm.org

 

Pacifika: Young Perspectives on Pacific Island Art

May 1 through August 24, 2008

The first in a series of experimental, community-driven exhibits; Pacifika: Young Perspectives on Pacific Island Art explores the arts, cultures, and traditions of the people of the Pacific Islands now living in Southern California. Issues regarding migration, ceremonial tattooing, costumes and adornments will be explored through interpretive materials created by students of Carson High SchoolÕs Pacific Islanders Club and UCLAÕs Pacific Islands Student Association (PISA).

Contemporary objects such as costumes Ð created and worn by students during dance performances and competitions Ð will be displayed alongside traditional examples from Pacific Asia MuseumÕs collection. For example, a 19th century Hawaiian necklace (lei niho palaoa), exquisitely created by a master craftsman (kahuna), will be juxtaposed with a 21st century necklace made from unconventional materials, such as plastic and paper.

Other objects from the museumÕs collection include Samoan textiles made from bark cloth (tapa); a coconut-shell purse from Tonga; Fijian cowry-shell necklaces; and models of outrigger canoes which have a fascinating history as the main means of transport for all the Pacifika (Polynesian) peoples.

Additionally, the exhibit will include photographs and oral histories to provide context about what it means to be a Pacifika youth living in Los Angeles. Since first contact with the outside world in the late 18th century, the Pacifika peoples have shown great resilience and vitality in regards to combining traditional beliefs with new ideas.

This exhibit is curated by students from Carson High SchoolÕs Pacific Islanders Club and UCLAÕs PISA, under the supervision of Christina Hellmich, Curator of the Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art and Curator of Oceanic Art at the de Young Museum of San Francisco.

This exhibition is sponsored by the James Irvine Foundation and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

Julian Bermudez, Exhibition Coordinator

Related Events

Saturday, May 10, 1pmÐ4pm Free Family Festival: The Arts of the Pacific Islands

Family Festivals are always a lot of fun, and this will be no exception! Come celebrate Pacific cultures and the opening of the innovative new exhibition Pacifika:Young Perspectives on Pacific Island Art. Enjoy a dance ÒtourÓ of Samoa, Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand and Tahiti, hands-on crafts, demonstrations, and more. This Free Family Festival is supported in part by a generous grant from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, The James Irvine Foundation, Pasadena Arts and Culture Commission, the City of Pasadena Cultural Affairs Division and Target.

 

 

April 19-May 25, 2008 TRAPEZOID:

LodestoneÕs first presentation of a play in the science-fiction genre, TRAPEZOID tells the story of a Korean American poet in love hired by a technology think tank to put the ÒartÓ in artificial intelligence.  When the robot creation falls in love with the human creator, it's man-made versus mankind with sometimes comic and sometimes tragic results.

Written by Nic Cha Kim

Directed by Scott Horstein

Produced by Stephanie Chang & Vic Chao

Cast: Julia Cho, Antonia Grace Glenn, Alberto Isaac, Lanny Joon, Elaine Kao, Charles Kim, Leonard Wu, Elpidio Ebuen, John Fukuda, Grace Kim, Stephanie Lincoln, Brian P. Nichols & Enoch Wu

Fri-Sat 8 PM, Sundays 2 PM

(Low-Priced previews April 17-18 at 8 PM)

$16 for general admission

$14 for students/seniors.

Group rates of $12 each are available for reservations of ten or more.

Tickets for the April 19th Opening Night Gala with a post-show reception are $25.

All Sunday matinees (except May 25) will be pay-what-you-can admission with a $1 minimum.

GTC BURBANK

1111-B W. Olive St.

Burbank, CA 91506

(inside George Izay Park, just west of S. Victory Blvd.)

http://lodestonetheatre.org/Lodestone/4237E87D-9684-4191-A592-35CD2AB9C1A0.html

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 8, 2008

LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL

A Visual Communications Production

24th Edition

May 1-8, 2008

Wednesday, May 7 - Film screening at Aratani/Japan America Theatre

Thursday, May 8 - Closing Night & Awards Ceremony at Aratani/Japan America Theatre

Visual Communications will present the 24th edition of The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, May 1-8, 2008, at the Directors Guild of America, Laemmle's Sunset 5 Theatre, and Aratani/Japan America Theatre, among others. The Film Festival will include the latest new works by established and emerging filmmakers and video artists; a slate of provocative and highly entertaining feature-length productions showcasing the talents of Asian American acting and producing talents; new works by Asian international artists; and filmmaker seminars, panel discussions and symposiums on topics relevant to Asian Pacific cinema.

The Film Festival once again is proud to present two of its most prestigious events at the Aratani/Japan America Theatre, host venue to the 1st Festival back in 1983. On Wednesday, May 7, the Film Festival continues and expands its commitment to nurture and promote new Asian Pacific American filmmaking talent through the World Premiere screening of works by Visual Communications' 2008 Armed with Camera Fellowship. Then be sure to join us on Thursday, May 8 as the Film Festival presents the annual Filmmaker Awards for feature-length and short films, and Festival Audience Awards for favorite feature-length narrative and documentary film, to be allowed by the local premiere of the Closing Night feature and Reception.

For complete program and ticket information call Visual Communications at

(213) 680-4462 x. 59 beginning April 2008 or visit www.vconline.org

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

 

Saturday, May 10, 2008 3pm

THE COLBURN DANCE INSTITUTE SPRING CONCERT

The annual Colburn Dance Institute Spring Concert will be performed for the first time at the Aratani/japan America Theatre. Featuring a combination of classical and contemporary choreography, the students of the Professional Training Program will showcase the work of Jiř’ Kyli‡n, George Balanchine and Marius Petipa amongst others.

Aratani/Japan America Theatre

Admission Free

Reservations required

Call the Colburn Box Office at (213) 621-1050

www.colburnschool.edu

 

Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, 2008

LITTLE TOKYO FUNFEST

DAY ONE: Saturday, May 17, 10-4pm

JACCC Plaza, Center Building, & San Pedro Street

Admission Free

Day one of Little Tokyo Funfest kicks off with JACCC'S Asian Pacific Arts & Crafts Faire, the 10th Annual San Tai San Youth Basketball Tournament and Nikkei Community Day.

10th Annual San Tai San Youth Basketball Tournament

For girls and boys ages 7-12 years old

For information and online registration go to http://reccenter.ltsc.org

Come out to play ball on the streets of Little Tokyo! Children ages 7-12 are invited to register teams for our outdoor 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. All teams play at least 2 games and everyone gets a goodie bag, t-shirt, and tournament raffle ticket.

2nd Annual Nikkei Community Day

Sponsored by Ties That Bind

Japanese and Japanese Americans from all over the Greater L.A. Area come together for an amazing festival of Nikkei heritage and culture. Join community leaders as they share their ideas on "The State and Future of the Nikkei Community," visit community information booths, watch performances on stage and participate in workshops.

DAY TWO: Saturday, May 17, 10-4pm

25TH ANNIVERSARY CHILDREN'S DAY CELEBRATION

JACCC Plaza, Center Building, & San Pedro Street

Admission Free

Day two continues with our Asian Pacific Arts & Crafts Faire, with live entertainment, craft vendors, delicious food, and childrens' crafts and games. along with our annual Chibi-K: Kids for Kids Fun Run and Cultural Discovery Workshops.

Chibi-K: Kids for Kids Fun Run (Rain or Shine!)

For children ages 4 to 12 years

Everyone is invited to participate in this fun run through the streets of Little Tokyo. Registration includes a Chibi-K Run T-shirt, and goodie bag.

Online registration for Chibi-K (coming soon)

For schedule and phone registration contact Jessie Kikuchi at (213) 628-2725 x142

or jkikuchi@jaccc.org

Cultural Discovery Workshops, 11-3pm

Workshops for the entire family! Led by local artists and professionals, these hands-on workshops are a unique opportunity for parents and children to experience a variety of cultural traditions all in one day! A perfect event for the whole family!

Online registration for Cultural Workshops (coming soon)

For schedule and phone registration contact Jessie Kikuchi at (213) 628-2725 x142

or jkikuchi@jaccc.org

 

Lotus Steps 2008

Saturday, May 17, 2007 [date corrected]

UCLA Royce Hall

7:00pm Chinese Cultural Dance Club at UCLA to Present its Nineth Annual Dance Production, Lotus Steps 2008: From Within...

In addition to producing Lotus Steps, CCDC organizes free dance instruction, mentoring programs for adopted children from China, and educational programs for disadvantaged and at-risk adolescents in the Los Angeles community.

For additional information about either Lotus Steps 2008 or CCDC, please contact Helen Cheng, Lotus Steps Production Manager of Public Relations at ccdc.publicrelations@gmail.com.

Advanced Entrance (AE) tickets are a fantastic way to guarantee great seats to our show! Two AE tickets can be reserved with an individual contribution of only $50! There's no limit to how much you can contribute, but there are a limited number of AE tickets available. Hurry and secure the best seats in the house to our event. Download our contribution brochure and follow the instructions to reserve your AE tickets.

General Admission tickets will be available at the UCLA Central Ticket Office and through our website . General Admission tickets are FREE!

Tickets are required for admission. Non ticket holders will be placed in a standby line and granted admission to the auditorium starting at 6:45 pm, space permitting.

http://www.ccdcbruins.com/lotus/lotus.htm

 

Saturday, May 24 - Sunday, June 29

AJA 22nd ANNIVERSARY

AJA XXII marks the 22nd year of the JACCC s annual spotlight on contemporary art.

Activating and manipulating the space of the Doizaki Gallery and the JACCC Plaza marks the return of award-winning landscape architect Calvin Abe to the Artist of Japanese Ancestry (AJA) series for the second time.

Honed by his many years of experience, Abe's exciting new installation piece titled Shreddings Part III: Defuragu is an innovative look into our current eco-system. This visually powerful and interactive installation promises to take gallery-goers on an introspective journey.

George J. Doizaki Gallery and JACCC Plaza

Admission Free

Gallery Hours: Tues-Fri, 12-5pm, Sat-Sun 11-4pm, or by appt. Closed Mondays and Holidays

For information or to schedule an appointment beyond normal gallery hours contact

Gavin Kelley at (213) 628-2725 x.133 or kelley@jaccc.org

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

 

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Anniversary Dinner

The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center cordially invites you to attend its 28th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Dinner. Sunday June 1, 2008, at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. We will be honoring Councilperson Jan Perry and Media News Anchors Frank Buckley, Rob Fukuzaki, Susan Hirasuna, David Ono, and Gordon Tokumatsu.

For ticket and sponsorship information call (213) 680-2725.

 

Saturday, June 7, 8pm

ASIA AMERICA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Japanese national treasure Sadao Watanabe returns in a very special appearance with the full Asia Symphony Orchestra. Also featured in the program will be Beethoven's Symphony #6 in F Major "Pastorale" and the World Debut of "Dolores Del Carmen" for Spanish guitar and Orchestra composed by music director David Benoit.

Aratani/Japan America Theatre

$75 VIP with reception /$50 Premiere tickets/ $35 general admission

For more information call (213) 628-2725

Charge by phone (213) 680-3700

Box Office Hours: Monday-Friday,12-5pm

Buy tickets online (coming soon)

www.asiaamericasymphony.org

 

Saturday, June 7, 1pm

ÒChinese Pioneers in the San Gabriel ValleyÓ

The San Gabriel Valley is the destination of many Chinese immigrants, but this is not a new phenomenon. A hundred years ago, small Chinese communities thrived in Pasadena and elsewhere.  Join Professor Susie Ling as she discusses the history of Chinese Americans in the San Gabriel Valley, and their contemporary concerns.  Susie Ling is an Associate Professor of History/Asian American Studies at Pasadena City College and an active member of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California.  Free with admission; call 626.449.2742 ext. 31 to RSVP.

 

Saturday, June 21

A benefit concert for the Theatre

SOUNDS & VOICES OF J-TOWN

Save the date for this benefit concert celebrating the Aratani/Japan America Theatre. Bringing together extraordinary talent from the API community, featured artists include acclaimed Jennifer Paz (Flower Drum Song & Miss Saigon), a rare in-concert performance by Mariko Nishizu, and compelling poet/activist Traci Kato Kiriyama.

These artists and other special guests honor the main stage that has been home to

Asian Pacific Islander performing artists for over 25 years. There will be a post performance reception following the concert.

Proceeds from the concert will go towards theatre equipment upgrades.

Aratani/Japan America Theatre

Special VIP Seating $100*

$50 orchestra, $45 balcony

*(tax deductible to the extent permitted by law)

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

 

June 28 Senshin BuddhistTemple Bon odori

1311 W 37th St

Los Angeles,  CA  90007-3960

Phone: (323) 731-4617

Fax: (323) 731-1318

http://senshintemple.org/

 

June 28 West Covina Buddhist Temple Obon

East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center

1703 West Puente Ave,

West Covina, CA 91790

 

June 28, 29 San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon

9450 Remick Avenue

Pacoima, California 91331

Telephone:  (818) 899-4030

Facsimile:  (818) 899-0447

Email:  sfvhbt@gmail.com

http://sfvhbt.tripod.com/

 

Sunday, June 29, 5pm

Special film screening and Aurora Borealis Photography Show

AURORA FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER FILM SCREENING

The Aurora Foundation will hold a special screening of the film Bizan (2007)

directed by Isshin Inudou. Based on the novel by Masashi Sada the film starts

Nanako Matsushima, most known for her leading role in The Ring. Set in Tokushima, Bizan tells a universal story of familial love and emotional healing with lots of local flavor.

Aratani/Japan America Theatre

For ticket prices, tickets, and information contact the Aurora Japanese

Language Scholarship Foundation at (323) 882-6545

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 5, 6 San Fernando Valley Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon

9450 Remick Avenue

Pacoima, California 91331

Telephone:  (818) 899-4030

Facsimile:  (818) 899-0447

Email:  sfvhbt@gmail.com

 

July 12,13 Nishi Hongwanji Los Angeles Betsuin Obon

815 East First Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Phone: 213/ 680-9130

FAX: 213/ 680-2210

http://www.nishihongwanji-la.org/

 

July 19, 20 Pasadena Buddhist Church Obon Festival

Sat. & Sun., 5:00 - 8:30pm

BOOK SIGNING STAN SAKAI signs 

USAGI YOJIMBO #22 - TOMOE'S STORY

Sat., 5-7pm

Pasadena Buddhist Church - 1993 Glen Avenue, Pasadena CA  91103 - tel (626) 798-4781

 

July 19, 20 Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple Obon

12371 Braddock Drive

Culver City, California 90230

(310) 391-4351

http://www.vhbt.org/

 

July 19, 20 ORANGE COUNTY BUDDHIST CHURCH Obon Festival

909 South Dale Avenue    

Anaheim    

California 92804

Tel: (714)827-9590

http://www.bca-ocbc.org/

 

 

July 26, 27 HIGASHI HONGANJI BUDDHIST TEMPLE obon

505 East Third Street

OBON is a traditional event to honor and express gratitude to the spirits of our ancestors,

those before us who provided us with the gift of life.  The Obon Festival features food, games,

farmers market, flower market, traditional Bon Odori Dancing, and various types of

entertainment.  This year's entertainment lineup includes June Kuramoto of Hiroshima, Local

Mojo, TAIKOPROJECT, hereandnow, and many others. 

Los Angeles, CA 90013

Telephone: (213) 626-4200

Facsimile: (213) 626-6850

E-mail: info@hhbt-la.org

http://www.hhbt-la.org/Obon.html

 

West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Obon Festival 2008

Saturday, July 26 5-10pm

Sunday, July 27 3-9pm

2003 Corinth Avenue

West L.A., CA 90025

(310) 477-7274

10 am - 4 pm Daily

O-bon or only Bon is a Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors. This Buddhist festival has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people from the big cities return to their home towns and visit and clean their ancestors' graves. Traditionally including a dance festival, it has existed in Japan for more than 500 years. It is held from July 13 (August 13 according to the lunar calendar still observed in many regions) to the 15th ("Welcoming Obon" and "Farewell Obon" respectively) in the eastern part of Japan (Kanto), and in August in the western part. In recent years, however, most parts of Tokyo, and by extension, the media, hold Obon in August to coincide with the summer holiday period. Obon shares some similarities with the predominantly Mexican observance of el D’a de los Muertos.

http://www.wlabt.org/activities/activities_obon.html

 

August 2, 3

 

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

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This Weekend (and earlier/later)            

 

 

MUKASHI MUKASHI: Asian Stories from Long Ago

at the Geffen Playhouse

Saturday, May 03, 2008

12:15 PM - 12:15 PM

Geffen Playhouse

10886 Le Conte. Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90024

These Classic Asian tales told by Hoichi the blind poet include stories about a mysterious Crane Maiden and a wily trickster named Chu. People and puppets perform these famous tales from China and Japan and prove that magic is all around you every day!

This production is replacing the Perilous Streets of Los Angeles

Cost: $10-$15

Special Instructions

Parking ** The following are just a few of the several parking facilities in Westwood close to the Geffen Playhouse: Westwood Plaza, 924 Westwood Blvd, Phone: (310) 208-4474 Flat rate after 5pm: $7.00 Westwood Center, 1100 Glendon Ave, Phone: (310) 208-8589 Flate rate after 5pm: $5.00 Grant Parking, 1030 Gayley (entrance on Weyburn) & 1031 Broxton Flat rate after 4pm: $5.00

Sponsor(s): Asian Languages and Cultures

Spring Festival of World Music with the Hammer Museum

UCLA Student Ensemble Performances

Saturday, May 03, 2008

2:00 PM

Hammer Museum

Los Angeles, CA 90095

Music of India Ensemble (2:00 p.m.)*

Shujaat Khan and Abhiman Kaushal, co-directors

The Music of India Ensemble, under the direction of Shujaat Khan and Abhiman Kaushal, performs short compositions of North Indian classical and semi-classical ragas (harmonic modes) and talas (rhythmic patterns on tabla, or drums). The ensemble comprises the students of Shujaat Husain Khan on vocals and sitar (a long-necked lute with seven principal strings, plus 12 to 20 sympathetic strings) and the students of Abhiman Kaushal on tabla.

UCLA Near East Ensemble (3:30 p.m.)

Romeo Guzm‡n, assistant director

The UCLA Near East Ensemble, under assistant director Romeo Guzm‡n, presents music from the Arab world, particularly from eastern Mediterranean cities such as Cairo, Damascus and Beirut. Selections include court music from the Ottoman era, Sufi-related works and modal improvisations, as well as nightclub pieces and folk songs.

*Additional performance scheduled for Thursday, May 15 -- 7 p.m. in Schoenberg Hall.

The UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology offers a series of events for the public's enjoyment throughout the year. Programs include performances of high artistic accomplishment in various genres directed by faculty of national and international renown. For updated information and confirmation of events, the public may call (310) 206-3033 or visit the department's Web site at www.ethnomusic.ucla.edu.

Sponsor(s): Ethnomusicology

The Rising Individual and Changing Moral Practice in China

A two-day international conference on social change in China

Saturday, May 03, 2008

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

6275 Bunche Hall

UCLA

Los Angeles, CA 90095

For full details, visit the conference microsite

click here >>

For more information please contact

Richard Gunde

Tel: 310 825-8683

gunde@ucla.edu

 

To Touch the Soul: Make Art/Stop AIDS in Cambodia

Film screening and Q&A with filmmakers.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Fowler Museum of Cultural History

UCLA Campus

Los Angeles, CA 90095

"To Touch the Soul" (2007, 70 minutes, color, English)

In January 2005, Cal State University Long Beach art education professor Carlos Silveira took twenty-seven of his students to Cambodia, where they worked alongside students from a local university to conduct art projects involving impoverished children affected by HIV/AIDS. While grappling with issues including cultural differences and language barriers, the group learned the true meaning of kindness, selflessness, courage, community and social activism. The documentary features a mix of diary voice-overs and interviews with Carlos, his students and their young charges, and highlights the growing problem of AIDS orphans in Cambodia. A Q & A with Carlos Silveira, Teresa Hagen (producer), and Ryan Goble (director/editor) follows the screening.

Ryan Goble, director/editor, was born in Portland , Oregon , but has spent most of his life in California . He graduated from California State Long Beach with a B.A. in Film and Electronic Arts in 2004, emphasis in production. While in school, he wrote and directed three short films. His last film, ÒThis is It,Ó was chosen for the 14th Annual Student Showcase held at the Directors Guild of America. At present, he is editing several music videos for the Frank Stagliono Band and working as a director/editor for AVPÕs ÒDig,Ó a show currently running on the Fox Sports Channel. He has also founded a nonprofit organization to buy computers for the Cambodian children featured in the film.

Teresa Hagen, producer/owner of Cut Loose Productions, is a writer with more than 30 yearsÕ experience. She has written for print, radio and film.  Among her many achievements, she has co-produced a recruitment video for California State University, Los Angeles College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology, and has served as the writer for a documentary titled ÒA Reflection of Margaret Mitchell,Ó East Heights Productions.  At California State University , Long Beach , she works as an editor/writer for Public Affairs and University Publications. In addition, she was the communications coordinator in 2004 for the non-profit organization, We, The World.  She is a member of the International Documentary Association and Film Independent.

Carlos Silveira is a Professor of Art at California State UniversityÐLong Beach who developed the project on Art and Social Action in Cambodia along with a similar project in Brazil.  He has an article about the experience online at http://www.diversityweb.org/DiversityDemocracy/vol10no3/silveira.cfm.

Co-sponsored by the Fowler Museum of Cultural History in connection with the "Make Art/Stop AIDS" exhibit through June 15. 

Cost: Free and open to the public.

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/

Sponsor(s): Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Fowler Museum at UCLA, UCLA United Khmer Students, UCLA Art|Global Health Center

 

May 3, 4 9th Annual Pacific Island Festival

10AM-5PM

Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park

25820 Vermont Avenue

Harbor City-Wilmington, CA

Pacific Islander Community Council

 

Saturday, May 3, Arigato Bazaar

Centenary United Methodist Church

300 South Central Avenue

Los Angeles, CA  90013

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Call: 213-617-9097 Email: cumcshotokyo@aol.com  Fax: 213-617-7688

http://www.gbgm-umc.org/centenary-umc/

 

April 19-May 25, 2008 TRAPEZOID:

LodestoneÕs first presentation of a play in the science-fiction genre, TRAPEZOID tells the story of a Korean American poet in love hired by a technology think tank to put the ÒartÓ in artificial intelligence.  When the robot creation falls in love with the human creator, it's man-made versus mankind with sometimes comic and sometimes tragic results.

Written by Nic Cha Kim

Directed by Scott Horstein

Produced by Stephanie Chang & Vic Chao

Cast: Julia Cho, Antonia Grace Glenn, Alberto Isaac, Lanny Joon, Elaine Kao, Charles Kim, Leonard Wu, Elpidio Ebuen, John Fukuda, Grace Kim, Stephanie Lincoln, Brian P. Nichols & Enoch Wu

Fri-Sat 8 PM, Sundays 2 PM

(Low-Priced previews April 17-18 at 8 PM)

$16 for general admission

$14 for students/seniors.

Group rates of $12 each are available for reservations of ten or more.

Tickets for the April 19th Opening Night Gala with a post-show reception are $25.

All Sunday matinees (except May 25) will be pay-what-you-can admission with a $1 minimum.

GTC BURBANK

1111-B W. Olive St.

Burbank, CA 91506

(inside George Izay Park, just west of S. Victory Blvd.)

http://lodestonetheatre.org/Lodestone/4237E87D-9684-4191-A592-35CD2AB9C1A0.html

 

 

Korean Cinema: Creating Culture, Interpreting Experience

Lecture series presented by The Korean Cultural Center and the Korea Culture and Content Agency

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Korean Cultural Center

Ari Hall, 3rd Floor

5505 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90036

The Korean Cultural Center and the Korea Culture and Content Agency are offering a lecture series on Korean Cinema during the month of April. The lecture series will feature a variety of experts in Korean film and the film industry and will be an exciting opportunity to hear first-hand about Korean Cinema and its powerful impact abroad.

The lecture series will take place from April 9 - April 30, every Wednesday from 7 - 9 p.m.

Screenings of Korean films related to the lectures will be provided.

Maximum of 100 people for this lecture series! Sign up now!

Schedule of Lecturers and Presentation Topics: (Note: All lectures are on Wednesday evenings from 7 - 9 p.m.)

April 30: Timothy Tangherlini, Professor of Asian Languages  and Culture, UCLA 

"We're not anarchists: Documenting the rise of the Choseon Punk Movement"

Cost: $20

Special Instructions

Free with student ID

For more information please contact

Jin Sung Tel: 323-936-7141 (x123)

jin@kccla.org

http://www.kccla.org/html/specialevent_detail.asp?ID=96

 

Last weekend (or so) I went to:

 

April 26, 27 Welcome to the 13th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, the countryÕs largest celebration of the written word.

For one weekend in April, people who love books will gather with people who love to write, publish and sell books. And, thereÕs nothing like it anywhere.

140,000 attendees

450+ authors

300+ exhibitors

900+ volunteers

100+ author panels

6 outdoor stages

2 childrenÕs areas

For more literary fun and surprises, join us on Friday, April 25 for the 28th Annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes. This special evening will honor some of the finest books of 2007 and their writers, and kicks off the Festival of Books on Friday, April 25. For more information, click here.

DonÕt miss the next exciting chapters of two extraordinary 2008 literary events Ñ the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books and the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes.

Los Angeles Times

FESTIVAL OF BOOKS at a Glance

IN ASSOCIATION WITH UCLA¨

Saturday, April 26 ¥ 10 am to 6 pm

Sunday, April 27 ¥ 10 am to 5 pm

UCLA Main Campus

Admission to the Festival of Books is free. Parking is $8.

http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/

 

 

Resources:

 

LACMA calendar:

http://www.lacma.org/events/Calendar.aspx

 

UCLA Asia Institute calendar:

http://www.international.ucla.edu/asia/events/index.asp?action=monthview

 

Japanese American National Museum

http://www.janm.org/events/

 

Chinese American Museum

http://camla.org/events/calendar.htm

 

Korean Cultural Center

http://www.kccla.org/html/calendar.asp

 

Japanese American Community Cultural Center

http://jaccc.org/

 

Pacifica Asian Museum

http://www.pacificasiamuseum.org/calendar/whatsnew.htm

 

------------------------------------------------------

 

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

 

Number of California's potential immigrant voters to swell

An analysis finds that they and their children could make up almost 30% of the state's electorate by 2012.

By Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

April 29, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-immigvote29apr29,1,2631941.story

 

Lives remembered, lives rebuilt, attitudes changing -- 33 years after South Vietnam fell

For many in Little Saigon, memories of what they went through still shape their reality. Others -- many born here -- look to Vietnam for opportunities and for ways to improve lives.

By My-Thuan Tran, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

8:59 PM PDT, April 29, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-me-saigon30apr30,1,1738706.story

 

From the Chicago Tribune

Transcript: Rev. Jeremiah Wright speech to National Press Club

April 28, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/chi-wrighttranscript-04282008,0,2100817,full.story

 

Linking culture and growth in China, India

By Tunku Varadarajan, Financial Times

April 28, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-books28apr28,0,3252613.story

 

'Harold and Kumar' push the limits of multiculturalism

Ethnicity is a detail, not the punch line, in the stoner comedies.

By Mark Olsen, Special to The Times

4:09 PM PDT, April 23, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-ethnic24apr24,0,683276.story

 

THE PERFORMANCE

Maggie Q in 'Deception'

The Hawaiian-born actress has kicked and chopped her way from low-budget Asian action movies into more dramatic films, such as 'Deception.'

By Jodie Burke, Special to The Times

April 24, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-et-performance24apr24,1,1263970.story

 

Olympic torch protests pose dilemma for host nations

Countries that allow its citizens to demonstrate risk offending China, a coveted trading partner that is exceedingly thin-skinned.

By Barbara Demick, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

April 25, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/los_angeles_metro/la-fg-torch25apr25,1,899453.story

 

Dick Rossi, 92; Flying Tigers pilot downed 6 Japanese planes

By Jocelyn Y. Stewart, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

April 28, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/asia/la-me-rossi28apr28,1,3175952.story

 

Filipino WWII veterans win Senate vote on military benefits

The measure would expand support for those who helped U.S. troops fight Japan. The House plans a similar bill.

By Nicole Gaouette and Richard Simon, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

April 25, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-vets25apr25,1,3458818.story

 

'Real to Reel: Hollywood and World War II' exhibition in New Orleans

A new exhibit shows the hand-in-glove ties to the White House in WWII.

By John Horn, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

April 30, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/business/la-et-reel30apr30,0,2509082.story

 

 

Nobel Peace laureate Wangari Muta Maathai speaks at ecological awakening event in L.A.

The founder of Kenya's Green Belt Movement urges attendees to 'start with small things, start with ourselves,' in a campaign to save the environment and ease poverty.

By John L. Mitchell, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

April 27, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-nobel27apr27,1,3379094.story?track=rss

 

The Olympic flame shines a different light on two Chinese women

A wheelchair user is praised for protecting the torch in Paris, and a student is vilified online after landing in the middle of a debate over Tibet.

By Ching-Ching Ni, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

April 28, 2008

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/newmedia/la-fg-pride28apr28,1,3476027.story