Rather bummed to receive this news... The Sulu Series, a monthly art/performance series at Bowery Poetry Club in New York, will end next month and then transition into a bi-annual or annual event. The official last monthly event is Sunday, September 19. Here's the letter with the word from Sulu Series Artistic Director Taiyo Na:
Dear Sulu Series Artists & Supporters,Do note that the second to last monthly Sulu Series event is happening this weekend, August 15, featuring Marco Mercado, Crystal Leigh, Intalek, Jay Legaspi and Kilusan Bautista with host Koba. Go here for more details.
I'm writing to let you know about what the committee of folks who run the Sulu Series have recently decided about its future. Sulu Series as a monthly series at Bowery Poetry Club will end this upcoming September and then transition into a bi-annual or annual event after that. Our official last monthly date is Sunday, September 19 with special feature Bao Phi from Minnesota and many more friends. This last monthly show is also our 5th year anniversary and will be a benefit for the APIA Spoken Word & Poetry Summit in 2011 in Minnesota.
This August 15, we will have our second to last monthly Sulu Series featuring Marco Mercado, Crystal Leigh, Intalek, Jay Legaspi and Kilusan Bautista with host Koba (http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=140219849343317&ref=ts)
Some of us are saddened, but most of us understand that it's time for a change. Since Sulu started in '05, there's a lot more going on right now for young Asian Americans in the arts in New York City than ever before, making Sulu in New York (not DC or elsewhere) less relevant and urgent, and in a good way. Over the years I've seen each artistic discipline - especially poetry, comedy and music - grow tremendously, with each discipline further carving out their unique communities to foster their intimate growth. From Ken Chen revitalizing the Asian American Writers' Workshop in really inventive and beautiful ways, to the monthly Mouth to Mouth open mic Jen Kwok & Ed Lin host there, to Kollaboration NY being such a success, to Kundiman's reading series and retreats pressing on and expanding, to the various youth-centered events at Project Reach fostering another generation of shakers, I really can stand back and say that this Asian American arts community in New York City is progressing.
I want to express how grateful we are for your support of Sulu through the years, whether near or far. Much thanks must go to the Bowery Poetry Club for hosting us all these years. Together as a community we have showcased hundreds of Asian American poets, comedians, musicians, theater artists and filmmakers. We've held benefits and raised awareness for and alongside dozens of organizations and causes. Our shows have served thousands of audience members, and we've helped to cultivate a canon of Asian American culture that is priceless in its worth and impact.
What all of us Sulu folks would really like to do now is to filter as much of our audience and network into the various mentioned events going on throughout New York City, as well as other events and groups across the country that deserve much attention. Please see the list below.
It's been a great honor and pleasure to serve this community with you through Sulu. As mentor and Program Director of Project Reach Fay Chiang has told me, Sulu Series in New York City is "graduating."
Keep keepin' on.
Sincerely,
Taiyo Na
Artistic Director, Sulu Series
And here's a list of events and groups that are allied with the Sulu Series across the country:
NEW YORK:Lots of great people and organizations still doing their thing all over the United States. Big props to the Sulu Series for keeping this monthly thing going for five years. I'll definitely try to post something again when the final monthly event rolls around in September. For more information, check out the Sulu Series Facebook group here.
Asian American Writers' Workshop (AAWW)
http://www.aaww.org/aaww_events.html
Ed Lin & Jen Kwok's Mouth to Mouth Monthly Open Mic @ AAWW
http://jenkwok.net/blog/
http://www.aaww.org/aaww_events.html
Kollaboration NY
http://kollabny.blogspot.c..om/
Kundiman Retreat & Reading Series
http://www.kundiman.org/
Project Reach NYC
http://projectreachnyc.org/
PHILLY:
-Family Style Monthly Open Mic Series @ Asian Arts Initiative
http://www.asianartsinitiative.org/programs/performa..nces.php
BOSTON:
-Boston Progress Arts Collective (BPAC)
http://bostonprogress.org/
DC/MD/VA Area:
-SULU DC
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=155388419558
-Kollaboration DC
http://kollaborationdc.org
BAY AREA:
-RAMA
http://www.gostudiorama.com/
SEATTLE:
-isangmahal arts kollective
http://www.isangmahal.org/
LA:
-Tuesday Night Cafe
http://www.tuesdaynightproject.org/
