the first emperor... in hd

Live from Metropolitan Opera... Tan Dun's epic opera The First Emperor will be broadcast on the big screen in select HD theaters around the country this Saturday, January 13th. It's the next best thing to seeing the show live, I guess. (See Placido Domingo in yellowface!) The production is staged by none other than Zhang Yimou, with costumes by Oscar-winning designer Emi Wada. Sounds like a big deal. For more information, go here and here.

shooter in alhambra, ca

Police in Alhambra, CA are searching for Dien That Ton, 22, who is suspected of firing eight rounds from an assault rifle at a Chinese restaurant: Student sought after shooting at restaurant. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. So what the the hell was that all about?

chicago kollaboration auditions

Chicago! This is your time... the Chicago edition of Kollaboration, the premier Korean American talent show is seeking singers, dancers, rappers, poets, musicians and comedians to audition for its 2007 show. If you think you've got what it takes, head over to Chi.Kollaboration for more information. You could be a star. Sort of.

everything we feared: bai ling on lost

Here's a brief, 30-second sneak peak from an upcoming episode of Lost, guest starring my favorite freakshow Bai Ling. Yeah, it looks like pretty much everything I was dreading, right down to the music. And of course Bai Ling takes off her clothes in the clip. Of course. The show suddenly looks a lot less appealing...

masi prefers "geek"

Another Masi Oka talk show appearance last night, this time on the Late Late Show: Masi Oka Interview. Craig Ferguson calls him a nerd. Masi says he prefers "geek."

a dragon and a wok

There's recently been some controversy over a new public sculpture in Portland's Chinatown, involving two symbols—a dragon and a wok: Sculpture's portrayal of dragon, wok draws complaints

Some members of the Chinese community contend that the dragon, an ancient symbol that has come to represent the Chinese people, appears to be strangled by a steel collar. They also believe that an overturned wok at the base, located near the House of Louie restaurant, is symbolic of going out of business.

To remedy the situation, a plaque will be placed on the plinth that holds the sculpture, "giving people a frame of reference about the artist's intent." Who knew a red granite and stainless-steel dragon and a wok could rattle so many people? Not the artist, obviously: Dragon design prompts roar in Chinatown

cha vang: killed in self defense?

An update on the murder of Wisconsin hunter Cha Vang, who was found dead on Saturday... James Nichols, a 28-year-old squirrel hunter, is being held but has not been charged in the stabbing of Vang: Preliminary probe of hunter's death ends. At first getting into a verbal confrontation with Vang in a public hunting area, Nichols claims he acted in self defense after being shot in the hands: Hunter killed in self-defense. The district attorney hasn't said if/when other charges might be filed.

hmong americans in michigan

This article in the Michigan Daily talks about the area's large Hmong American community—one of the highest Hmong concentrations in the United States: Michigan Hmong. According to the article, there are currently just eight Hmong students at the University of Michigan.

telemongol invades the bay area

This is for my Bay Area peoples... Coming in February, Asian American Theater Company and Contemporary Asian Theater Scene present TeleMongol, the celebrated collaborative sketch comedy show that combines the forces of Lodestone Theatre Ensemble and three of the nation's most renowned Asian American comedy troupes, Cold Tofu, 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors, and OPM. The show runs February 9-18 at Theatre on San Pedro Square. For more information, go here. And for you, my good readers, discounted tickets. You like that? When you purchase you tickets at Brown Paper Tickets, enter the password "tmangryasian" and get yourself a few bucks off the ticket price. Get 'em while they last.

more on asian americans and affirmative action

Here's a really interesting editorial from The Nation on Asian Americans and affirmative action: Asian Americans for Affirmative Action. It's a response Sunday's New York Times story on the overwhelming population of Asians at UC Berkeley: Little Asia on the Hill. Check out both articles, because they're pretty provocative.

top five health issues facing apa women

Audrey magazine's December/January issue has a great article on the top five health issues facing APA women. You can download a PDF of the article from the NAPAWF (National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum) website: Countdown to Health. Very informative, and hey, it really could save your life. So what are the five issues you need to know about? Read the article and find out.

martial arts pioneer dies

Hapkido Grandmaster Bong Soo Han, a pioneer in bringing real martial arts technique to American movies died on Monday at the age of 73: Hapkido legend Bong Soo Han dies. According to this article, he was greatly respected in the martial arts community and often called the father of Hapkido in the Western world. As a senior first-generation student to Hapkido founder Yong Sul Choi, Han is credited with first bringing the art to America in 1967. You may have seen his work in cult films like Billy Jack and Kentucky Fried Movie. Here's the Grand Master's official website.

"go west, young chinaman"

Oh, come on. You're telling me The Economist couldn't think of a better headline than this? Totally unnecessary and inappropriate: Go west, young Chinaman. That's racist!

UPDATE: The headline has been changed, minus the "China." I think the editors were a bit stunned by all the mail they received about it.

m. night shyamalan takes on avatar: the last airbender?

Man, it didn't take M. Night Shyamalan very long to sell out. After taking a hell of a beating for this summer's cinematic mess, Lady In The Water, looks like he's retreating to safer fare. So what's he doing to recover his credibility? A movie version of Avatar: The Last Airbender, of all things. He's apparnetly signed a three-picture deal to write, direct and produce a franchise based on the popular Nickelodoen kids TV series: Shyamalan Planning a Different Avatar. (This shouldn't be confused with James Cameron's new film project, also titled Avatar.) For those unfamiliar with the series, it's set in an Asian-influnced fantasy world with martial arts and magic stuff. Seems like a far cry from The Sixth Sense.

asian american leads palo alto

This week, Yoriko Kishimoto became the first Asian American and ninth woman to lead the city of Palo Alto, CA: City's first Asian mayor elected

faked voter registration

Two years after Jimmy Meng narrowly defeated his incumbent opponent by less than 200 votes to become the first Asian American elected to the New York state legislature, an aide to Meng has surrendered to the Queens District Attorney on charges that he faked voter registration documents: DA: Jimmy Meng Aide Surrenders. 42-year-old Simon Ting will be arraigned with a Class E Felony in relation to at least 36 fraudulent voter registration forms. Though a spokesman for the district attorney says it appears Ting acted alone, I really do have to wonder...

what kind of brotherhood

Sickening. According to an autopsy report, Phanta "Jack" Phoummarath, the University of Texas student who died of alcohol poisoning in December 2005, had anti-gay and other derogatory phrases scrawled on his body when it arrived at the medical examiner's office: Body of fraternity pledge had offensive markings, authorities say.

The three leaders of Lambda Phi Epsilon -- Phoummarath's would-be "brothers" -- were indicted on multiple counts of hazing and serving alcohol to minors last month. They deserve everything that's coming to them.

just another lame youtube video

Foolish white man uses chopsticks to impress Asian girl: "That's Awesome!" (It's not.) Just another idiotic video clip populating YouTube.

kind of like netflix, but more yellow people

Check it out... You may have noticed the little ad for TigerCinema flashing on the side there. They're an online DVD rental service for Asian and Asian American cinema. Kind of like Netflix, but more yellow people. Good stuff to feed your expand your knowledge/feed your addiction of Asian cinema/television. And for you, good readers of this website, a deal... TigerCinema normally offers a free 2-week trial, but for the month of January 2007, from now to January 31st, use the promotional code ANGRY to extend your trial for a total of 3 weeks. You know you want it. For more information, and to sign up, head on over to TigerCinema.com.

masi on hiro

People are crazy for Masi Oka, easily the breakout star of Heroes... At first I was going to post this story, but then I came across this lengthier one on IGN: Heroes' Hiro Talks. He discusses all the success that's been coming his way lately, from the fan-favorite role of Hiro to his recent Golden Globe nomination. I'm still hoping we'll see Oka make a reappearance as Franklyn on Scrubs soon...