July 2012

7.31.2012

2012 tacl/tap national convention, august 31 - september 3

Taiwanese American Professionals and the Taiwanese American Citizen's League invite you to the "Connect the Dots" TACL/TAP National Convention 2012 ("The GREATEST Taiwanese American CONVENTION ever!") happening August 31 - September 3 in New York City. Here's a short film/promo video for the convention, featuring none other than Kevin Wu, aka KevJumba:

I recently heard from Kris R. Noam, a doctoral candidate in sociology at the University of California, Irvine, who is conducting research on second-generation American-born Chinese parents, and is looking for participants for her interview-based study. Here's a short blurb about her research:

Check out this gorgeous, nicely produced video for "Oceanside" by Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Alex Wong , aka A City On A Lake, featuring Ximena Sarinana. It's directed by Lawrence Chen, whose work I've written about here before. This is another good one:

I recently learned that a feature documentary about George Takei is in the works. You know it was only matter of time. And this looks pretty good.

The George Takei Documentary Project, directed by Jennifer M. Kroot, promises to be "the definitive documentary portrait" of George Takei's life and career, chronicling his rise to fame, and how we went from a Star Trek celebrity to becoming a civil rights activist. Here are some more details:

Last weekend at the Asian American International Film Festival, the Asian American Film Lab screened and awarded the top ten films from Eighth Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout competition, in which filmmaking teams were challenged to write, shoot and edit a short film with a prescribed theme ("This is only a test.") in 72 hours. Here are the top ten films:

It looked like the massive success of The Hunger Games movie had all but killed plans for a Hollywood remake of Battle Royale. Both movies are about a dystopian future in which youth are forced to kill each other in a last-man-standing competition to the death. With the movie remake scrapped, many fans of the Japanese cult classic breathed a sigh of relief.

But hold up. It looks like we could still see a U.S. remake of Battle Royale -- as a TV series. The CW is apparently in talks about the possibility of turning the property, based on a novel by Koshun Takami, into an hourlong drama series: Battle Royale' could be reborn as a TV show.

Sgt. Adam Holcomb, who was found guilty of maltreatment and assault -- but acquitted on charges of negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, communicating a threat and hazing -- in the death of Pvt. Danny Chen, was sentenced to just 30 days in military jail: Jury Recommends 30-Day Sentence for Sergeant in Army Hazing Case.

But he will remain in the service. A military jury recommended Holcomb should be reduced one rank, to specialist, and be fined $1,181.55. This is apparently the monetary cost of driving a Chinese American soldier to his death:

News and notes from London...

Fencing controversy forces Korean to sit on piste for ages, eventually costs her medal: South Korean fencer Shin A-lam should have gotten a shot at gold, but was massively screwed over by a timing mechanism malfunction, not only cheating her out of a spot on the podium, but forcing her to sit weeping on the piste while judges figured out what the hell to do.

The Saddest Olympian Ever: 23 photos of Shin A-lam crying her eyes out as dreams of Olympic gold were unfairly snatched away from her.

Swiss Athlete Sent Home for Twitter Remark: Swiss footballer/sore loser Michel Morganella was expelled from the Olympics for his threatening and racist messages on Twitter about South Koreans. After his team lost 2-1 against South Korea on Sunday, he weeted that South Koreans "can go burn" and referred to them as a "bunch of mongoloids." Goodbye, Michel.

Controversy surrounds world-record 400 IM of China's 16-year-old Ye Shiwen: 16-year-old Chinese swimmer Ye Shiwen comes out of nowhere, shatters the world record in the 400-meter IM, and almost immediately, the accusations start flying. Of course she must be doping.

david choi & clara c 2012 fall tour

You're going to like this. Fan favorite singer/songerwriters David Choi and Clara C have joined forces for a 19-city Fall Tour across U.S./Canada, presented by YesStyle.com. They're both bringing full bands and sharing new music, including their newly recorded duet "Darling It's You." Here's the tour promo video, which features a snippet of the song:

Hey filmmakers! The Center for Asian American Media has announced its Call For Entries for 31st San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.

This is your chance to be a part of the largest film festival in North America dedicated to showcasing films by or about Asian Americans and Asians around the world. Here are some more details about the entry deadlines:

Breaking news from the Danny Chen case... This afternoon, a military jury found Sgt. Adam Holcomb not guilty of negligent homicide in the death of Pvt. Chen: Soldier accused of negligent homicide not guilty.

Holcomb was found guilty on two lesser charges, maltreatment of a subordinate and assault. He faces a maximum of two and half years in prison.

Danny Chen killed himself after enduring weeks of physical abuse and racial hazing while serving in Afghanistan. Holcomb was one of eight soldiers facing court-martial in connection with Chen's death:

We're getting poetic up here. It's time for another installment of Angry Poetry Corner, a regular weekly spotlight on the work of API poets -- not necessarily angry -- curated by Cara, our Angry Asian Intern. Because you could use a little more poetry in your life.

In the corner this week, a poem by Margaret Rhee:

Hibakusha, directed by Choz Belen and Steve Nguyen, is an animated drama that tells the story of Kaz Suyeishi, an 84-year-old woman who recalls her most vivid and horrific experiences as a teenager when an atomic bomb was dropped on her hometown of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Take a look at the trailer:

Heads up. nineteen sixty nine ("NSN") is the official student journal of the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. They just launched their inaugural issue, which features quite a number of Asian American Studies-themed papers. Here's a look at the contents:

A couple of weeks ago, I posted Lin. Sanity., a great spoken word piece by Giles Li, talking about what's so darn great about Jeremy Lin. Turns out, it was part of a spoken word trilogy. Here's part two: Lin 467 to the Future, written and performed by the incomparable Bao Phi. Video by Joua Lee. Take a look:

Sad news... Last week, search and rescue crews found the body of a man who disappeared and died while hiking in the Sierra Nevada: Missing San Rafael hiker found dead.

31-year-old Tom Heng, an experienced hiker from San Rafael, California, was last seen on July 22 on what was supposed to be a daylong hike to the summit Mount Langley in Sequoia National Park. At some point, he got separated from his group.

Heng's body was found in the Old Army Pass area of the John Muir Wilderness in Inyo National Forest. The cause of death wasn't made public:

read these blogs

In a place called Naboo, or mythical China.: Why mythical China? Why are all the men white and the only people of color are women? Jennifer Chang writes a thoughtful response to the Nightingale panel at the La Jolla Playhouse last week.

IAmA Japanese American who was imprisoned in the Internment Camp Tule Lake: An "Ask Me Anything" Reddit discussion with a Japanese American who was interned at Tule Lake during World War II.

Filmmaker's 25 New Faces of Independent Film: Patrick Wang: Patrick Wang's debut film In the Family put him on the independent filmmaker radar.

Race and Ichiro's Muddled Mariner Legacy: On race, sports, and Ichiro Suzuki's request to be traded from the Mariners to the Yankees.

this week's angriest posts

Not really the angriest, just the most viewed.

noose found hanging at ucsf

the nightingale panel discussion at la jolla playhouse

godfrey gao cast in the mortal instruments: city of bones

cantonese-speaking nypd officer talks down suicidal man from jumping of bridge

who are asian pacific america's most influential authors?

jason chu responds to the nightingale casting controversy with "colorblind" spoken word

horse riding fitness ace power!

happy birthday. here's a crappy card.

haters gonna hate, jeremy

army reserve officer commits suicide at gun range

For those headed to Las Vegas next week, I'll be speaking on panels at UNITY '12 and the OCA National Convention. Hope to see you there. Stay Angry.

7.27.2012

luckyrice night market los angeles, august 4

Oh yes. There seems to be no shortage of delicious culinary events happening in Los Angeles next weekend... including the debut of the LUCKYRICE Night Market, with food from the likes of Sang Yoon, Erik Bruner-Yang, Chai Chaowasaree and more, serving up a new twist on the Asian night market experience. It's happening Saturday, August 4 at the Helms Baker Building in Los Angeles. Here are some more details:

A little while ago, I wrote about the tragic death of Sho Funai, a 23-year-old engineer who was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Ocean Beach, San Diego earlier this year. Funai's family was calling for the judge to impose the maximum sentence on the driver who hit and killed him, then drove away.

For pleading guilty to felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor possession of alcohol by a minor, 19-year-old Nikolette Kristine Gallo was sentenced to one year in county jail and five years' probation.

That's it. That's all she gets after admitting she had been drinking and smoking marijuana before the crash. That's all she gets for killing Sho and fleeing the scene:

Hey! Check it out. Time to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Jason Chu.

UPDATE: John Lu has been found and is safe.

Got this passed along to me, and I'm just helping to spread the word... Friends and family are asking for the public's help to locate 39-year-old John Lu, who has been missing for over a week. He was last seen at his care facility in East Los Angeles on July 18. Here are some more details:

10th annual plate by plate los angeles, august 4

Los Angeles! Do you love food, drink and good times for a good cause? Plate By Plate, one of the year's premiere food and wine tasting events, returns next weekend. Featuring over forty of LA's top restaurants and beverage purveyors, it's happening Saturday, August 4 at the Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles. Here are some more details about the event:

Warner Brothers recently dropped this epic extended first look at Cloud Atlas, the new movie from the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer, based on the acclaimed novel by David Mitchell. It's one crazy-ass looking movie, and the trailer will leave you awestruck and/or scratching your head.

It looks huge in scope and scale, with six interrelated stories spanning across time and space, including a thread set in a dystopian futuristic Korea. They've Korean actress Bae Doona (who I love) as some kind of clone girl, and ... oh, hell no. Is that Jim Sturgess in yellowface? See for yourself:

It's looking like we might get to see both Harold and Kumar on television in the near future.

This fall, John Cho will be on NBC's Go On. And the news is out that Kal Penn has just been cast to co-star in the CBS sitcom pilot Ex-Men: Kal Penn Cast in CBS Comedy Ex-Men.

The single-camera comedy is about a young dude who, after getting ditched at the altar, moves into an apartment complex of older divorced men. Kal will play Gil, a fellow resident who got caught having "the world's worst affair":

It's on, my fellow fanboys. Shattered: The Asian American Comics Anthology, is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. Take a look at that handsome cover, above, by Cliff Chiang.

Edited by Jeff Yang, Parry Shen, Keith Chow and Jerry Ma, this is the highly-anticipated follow-up to Secret Identities, and features contributions from the likes of Bernard Chang, Sean Chen, Cliff Chiang, Larry Hama, Sonny Liew, Takeshi Miyazawa, Greg Pak, G.B. Tran, Gene Yang and more.

I'm also happy to share that I was able to contribute a little something to the Shattered character gallery. I'm just glad to be part of the project. So what's the character? You'll have to buy the book to find out...

Shattered will be available in November. For further information and updates about the book, become a fan on Facebook here and follow the Secret Identities Tumblr.

cantonese-speaking nypd officer talks down suicidal man from jumping off bridge

Whoa. This week in New York, a Chinese American police officer was able to talk down a man threatening to jump from a ledge on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge: Verrazano Bridge Rescue: NYPD Officer Yi Huang Talks Down Distraught Man From Jumping.

The man was apparently distraught over arguments he was having with his daughter and his financial situation. NYPD Officer Yi Huang, who speaks Cantonese and happens to be from the same hometown, was able to reason and reminisce with the man:

2012 oca national convention, august 2-5

Hey, nation! Get out to Vegas, get out to vote. On August 2-5, OCA will host one of the largest conventions of Asian Pacific Americans from around the U.S. at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. This year's theme is "GOTV2 - Get Out To Vegas, Get Out The Vote," and includes workshops, resources for youth, and a closing night gala. Here's some more information:

OCA-NY recently announced that they're accepting submissions for the 2012 Hate Crimes Prevent Art Contest, aimed at raising awareness among youth about the cause, impact and prevention of hate crimes.

Artists are challenged to create a piece that examines this year's theme: "UNMASKING HATE CRIMES: Hear the Cries, See the Solution, and Speak through Art." Here's some more information about the theme:

A little while back, I posted an early trailer for Fog City Nights, a video project featuring b-boys and b-girls dancing against the cityscape of San Francisco. Here's the latest preview, which goes a little more in-depth with the themes and personalities they're trying to explore. Take a look:

Some tragic news of a suicide in Virginia... Last week in Colonial Heights, a military officer was found dead at a gun range. He apparently killed himself: Man who died at Colonial Heights shooting range identified as Fort Lee officer.

Second Lieutenant James R. Cho, a 26-year-old U.S. Army Reserve officer stationed at Fort Lee, died of what has been determined as a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Employees at The Smoking Gun shooting range discovered his body after hearing a gunshot:

My new favorite artist, Malaysian singer/songwriter Yuna, was recently a guest performer on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. Just thought I'd share the good tunes. Here's video of the set, which includes an interview:

Poet/musician Jason Chu recently dropped this spoken word video, "Colorblind," as a reponse to the recent casting controversy over the La Jolla Playhouse production of The Nightingale. He's frustrated, but also encouraged by the frank dialogue it has inspired within the Asian American community. Take a look:

Got a special occasion coming up? Thinking about giving someone a crazy obnoxious, racist greeting card? Then I have just the thing for you...

Ashley Baccam came across this questionable card at Rite Aid the other day: Is This Card Racist? The takeout box and wonton font are stupid, but that's apparently not enough. The damn has to sing too. Here's what happens when you press the button:

This week, the first court martial in the death of Private Danny Chen began in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Sergeant Adam M. Holcomb is one of eight soldiers implicated in the repeated physical attacks, mental abuse and racial taunts that ultimately drove Chen to take his own life: Army Prosecutor Details Racial Abuse That Preceded Soldier's Suicide.

Prosecutors argue that Chen, 19, was driven to suicide in the face of a steady campaign of harassment and hazing. Sergeant Holcomb is charged with negligent homicide, assault and maltreatment of a subordinate, among other crimes.

But Holcomb's defense lawyer was working hard to shift the blame on the victim, contending that Chen killed himself because he was distraught over his poor performance as an infantryman and because his Chinese immigrant parents had apparently disowned him for joining the military:

4c the power presents summer nights, july 27

San Jose! 4C the Power, an organization that provides art workshops to empower youth, presents Summer Nights, benefit concert this Friday, July 27. Swing by the Seven Trees Community Center and see Jennifer Chung, DANakaDAN, New Heights and more take the stage. Proceeds help continue 4C to provide free workshops. More info:

Hepatitis B disproportionately affects Asians and Pacific Islanders. In a weird way, hepatitis B is kind of "racist" against APIs, considering that 1 in 10 of us are infected, compared to 1 in 1000 Caucasians. One in ten! What's up with that? You suck, hepatitis B.

This Saturday is World Hepatitis Day. To mark the occasion, the World Hepatitis Alliance is planning a Guinness World Record attempt to have the most people performing the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" actions in 24 hours at multiple venues around the world.

They're counting on lots of folks to show up as part of the national effort in New York City, San Francisco and Boston. If you're in one of these cities and you can make it, spread the word and bring a friend. For more information about these gatherings, go to the Team HBV website here.

battle of the year: the dream team trailer

When you think of "dance coach," the first person who comes to mind definitely isn't Sawyer from Lost. But there he is, Josh Holloway, in the trailer for the dance flick Battle of the Year, directed by Benson K. Lee and based on his excellent 2007 documentary Planet B-Boy. Take a look:

Some more on The Nightingale casting controversy... On Sunday afternoon, community members gathered for a post-performance talk-back discussion at the La Jolla Playhouse. The panel included members of the Asian American theater community, as well as some key creatives from The Nightingale.

For those who were unable to attend, here's a video of the entire panel.

New Yorkers, I know the sting of Jeremy Lin's departure from the Knicks probably hasn't worn off yet. Perhaps you're going through what Sylvia Kwon calls The Five Stages of Grief ("How I mourned the loss of #17").

But come on. A point guard's gotta do what he's gotta do. Here's a good interview with Jeremy Lin, who's candid about letting "Linsanity" go to his head, signing with Houston, and working hard in spite of the haters.

Yes, he says "haters": Jeremy Lin exclusive: I will always have haters.

Lot of people hating, embittered Knicks fans calling Jeremy one thing or another. But let's be real -- the facts speak for themselves: De-Villainizing Jeremy Lin: Some Clarity to His Contract Negotiations.

godfrey gao cast in the mortal instruments: city of bones

Model/actor Godfrey Gao, a rather handsome man I've mentioned here before, has been cast in the movie adaptation of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, a popular fantasy book series: 'Mortal Instruments' Adds Lena Headey, Jared Harris & Godfrey Gao.

City of Bones is the first in a series of six young adult fantasy books in which an ordinary teenager discovers she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons.

Gao will play Magnus Bane. I'm not at all familiar with these books, but according to The Shadowhunters' Wiki, Mangus Bane is the "High Warlock of Brooklyn," which sounds totally awesome:

Saw this posted multiple times all over the social networks... and really, how could I not click on this headline? This incredibly amusing: Korea Has Invented Something Much Worse Than The Shake Weight.

Behold, Horse Riding Fitness Ace Power! If you've ever wanted to see grown men and women gyrate their hips in a way that will make you feel fantastically uncomfortable, look no further than this awesome Korean infomercial:

So get this. The Library of Congress recently kicked off its multiyear "Celebration of the Book" with an exhibition, Books That Shaped America, exploring "the important and varied ways that books influence our lives." Yaaaay. I love books.

That's great and all, but of the 88 books selected for this list, not one represents work by Asian Pacific Americans. This doesn't really come as a surprise. But it does afford us an opportunity to talk about whose work could have made the list.

With the help of book blogger Terry Hong, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program came up with a list of 53 influential authors from Asian Pacific America. It's by no means comprehensive, but intended more as a starting point. Take a look at the initial list of "pioneer" writers:

aaww presents bricolage: journeys of recovery, july 26

If you're in New York City, the Asian American Writers' Workshop invites you to the second installment Bricolage: Journeys of Recovery, "a salon-style multimedia show-n-tell" featuring novelists Don Lee, Aimee Phan and Pauline Chen. It's happening Thursday, July 26 at the Asian American Writers' Workshop. Here are some more details:

Calling all you lovely Angry Asian Poets! It's time to get even more poetic up in here. We want your poems to showcase on the Angry Poetry Corner.

Got some poetry to share with the world? Submit up to three pieces for review by Friday, August 10, 11:59 pm EDT for a chance for your work to be featured on this site. Here are the guidelines:

Some new music for you... Jersey City electrohop trio Triangle Offense just dropped their second mixtape, The First Love. This is meant to be a thematic follow-up to their first effort, The Courting, representing a more mature next step their artistic, musical journey. Take a listen via SoundCloud:

A little while back, I posted a call out for couples to submit for Retrofit Republic's first ever Wedding/Engagement Lookbook contest. Our friends chose a winning couple, and recently featured Paloma and Artnelson, all styled up and looking damn good in the Summer Wedding Lookbook 2012. Here are some more photos:

Whoa. It's the end of an era. The Seattle Mariners have traded outfielder Ichiro Suzuki to the New York Yankees: Ichiro traded to Yankees.

The veteran outfielder, ten-time Major League All Star, has played with the Mariners since his first season in America, way back in 2001.

But it looks like he won't be going very far -- the Yankees are playing a three-game series against Seattle, starting tonight. Will Ichiro play?

Yeah, that's going to be kind of awkward:

For those who saw The Dark Knight Rises over the weekend, you may have spotted former Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward making a cameo appearance in the football stadium scene. (If you've only seen the theatrical trailer, it's the crazy scene where the field is imploding behind him.)

So check it. They've not only got action figures for Batman, Bane, Catwoman and the rest of Gotham's usual suspects, you can also get your very own action figure for Hines Ward, wide receiver for the Gotham Rogues:

Last week, news broke that administrators at UCSF have been dealing with a racially charged incident prompted by a noose found hanging in a storeroom earlier this month: Noose hung in UCSF warehouse.

On July 10, a large noose was found hanging inside a UCSF Medical Center warehouse for facilities management. According to reports, the person responsible is an Asian American worker who apparently hung it up as a prank.

From UCSF's press release:

7.31.2012

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