THE APPA Newsletter

March 27, 2006

 

WomenÕs History Month

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womensintro1.html

http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/womenhist/

 

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

 

Korean Art History Lecture Series

At Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles

February 8 Ð March 22 , 2006, every Wednesday 6:30 p.m. -8 p.m. (6 weeks)* March 1st will be closed

Lecturer: Keehong Kim, Ph.D

The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles offers a series of lectures on Korean culture in English throughout the year. The first lecture will be on Korean art history. Subsequent lectures focus on Korean film, food, architecture, and music. [Some lecture topics may extend over two weeks or more.]

This new program is designed to cover the full scope of traditional and contemporary Korean culture. It offers a good opportunity for the general public as well as for the English-speaking Korean community in Southern California to appreciate the distinctiveness of Korean art and history. 

Schedule of classes

Class 1: Introduction / Prehistoric Korean Arts

Class 2: The Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla Period Part I Goguryeo(B.C. 37-668 C.E.)-Tomb Wall Murals, King Gwanggaeto
Baekje(B.C. 18-660 C.E.)-the Royal Tomb of King Munyeong

Class 3: The Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla Period Part II

Old Silla (B.C.57~668 C.E.) Ð Various artifacts from Tombs

Unified Silla (668~935) Ð Buddhist Art

Class 4:  Korean Ceramic Art of Goryeo(918~1392) and Joseon Periods (1392~1910)

Class 5: Joseon Dynasty Period Part I Classic Style of Early and Middle Period

Master Jeong, Seon (1676~1759) and his Korean Landscape Paintings

Class 6: Joseon Dynasty Period Part II The Golden Age of Korean Style

Master Kim, Jeonghui (1786~1859) and his Calligraphy

Conclusion        

 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles, 5505 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90095

 Free, registration required

open to the public

For more information please contact

Sejung Kim Tel: 323-936-7141(x123) 
sejung.kim@kccla.orgwww.kccla.org

 

Feb 3-May 23 Japanese Paintings: Birds, Flowersand Animals at the Pavilion for Japanese Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

 

When China Ruled the Seas: The Treasure Fleet of the Ming Dynasty, 1405-1433

Exhibition at Ventura County Maritime Museum through May 31, 2006

Celebration of the 600th Anniversary of the Chinese Treasure Fleet Comes to Channel Islands Harbor

The exhibit features artifacts of the early Ming Dynasty as well as, the Chinese navigational and shipbuilding technology of the 15th century. A portrait commissioned by the Los Angeles artist, Pang Qi, and a replica of the AdmiralÕs formal uniform lllustrate the colorful and larger-than-life central Asian Islamic admiral of the Treasure Fleets, Zheng He. The Treasure Ships, some 480 feet long, the size of a small WWII aircraft carrier, are represented by a four-foot long model specially built for the exhibit.

In 1405, Emperor Zhu Di ordered a massive ÒTreasure FleetÓ of 200-300 ships with 28,000 men to sea on the ÒWestern OceanÓ to invite envoys of foreign states to return with the fleet as guests of his court. The great fleets of specialized ships carried their own water, food, troops, horses and support Ðcrews, as well as diplomats and linguists. They also carried gifts of silks, patterned cottons, blue and white porcelain ceramics and gold and silver items to be presented on behalf of the Chinese emperor to heads of states.

The fleets made seven voyages between 1405 and 1433. They traveled along the coast of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, India, Arabia and eastern Africa. They returned with rare woods, herbs and spices, fruit and plants, several giraffes and an oryx, gems and minerals and charts of the tides and stars. Admiral Zheng He, himself, kept a logbook and made very accurate geographic maps. In 1433, the Ming imperial policy was changed to one of isolationism. Foreign trade was banned, maps and charts destroyed and the fleet of ships left to deteriorate. China, the superpower of the 15th century, closed its doors on the world and was not successfully engaged for five centuries until President Nixon made his historic visit.

The following community organizations are participating in both the exhibit and the cultural festival grand opening activities: The Ventura County Chinese American Association, The Ventura County Chinese American Historical Society and the Conejo Chinese Cultural Association.

The museum is open daily, 11-5 pm, except on Christmas and New YearÕs. Admission and all activities are free and open to the public. The Museum is located in Channel Islands Harbor at 2731 South Victoria Avenue in Oxnard, at the corner of S. Victoria and Channel Islands Boulevard.

Ventura County Maritime Museum: 2731 S.Victoria Ave, Oxnard, CA 

Cost: Free

Tel: (805) 984-6260, VCMM@aol.com

 

March 5 - June 4, 2006 A Letter from Japan: The Photographs of John Swope

Exhibition at UCLA Hammer Museum

A Letter from Japan: The Photographs of John Swope is the first in-depth presentation of vintage prints from the late Los Angeles photographerÕs 1945 journey through post-war Japan. Shot during a three-and-a-half-week period, SwopeÕs photographs vividly document the impact of World War II on the local population of Japan as well as on the Allied soldiers and prisoners of war. The exhibition presents over 115 vintage prints, which also include selected highlights from his career as a renowned Hollywood photographer from the 1930s through 1970s.

About the Exhibition
The exhibition and accompanying catalogue honor John SwopeÕs original intention of bringing together his timeless, powerful photographs with the emotional text of a letter he wrote from Japan to his wife, actress Dorothy McGuire. Individual images are juxtaposed with short excerpts in both the exhibition and the catalogue. Published by the Hammer Museum, the catalogue also reprints the entire 144-page letter for the first time.

In addition to the Japanese series, the exhibition presents a selection of SwopeÕs earlier and subsequent work in photojournalism and portraiture that further reflect his striking ability to encapsulate a range of universal human experiences in photographs. Early on, Swope (1908-1979) became best known for his insider views of Hollywood in which he captured both the glamorous and the mundane sides of life through intimate portraits of celebrities and behind-the scenes views of movie and theatrical productions. He went on to have a successful career as a freelance Life magazine photographer, where he frequently covered similar stories on Hollywood.

Alongside the photographs, A Letter from Japan presents books and magazines, in which SwopeÕs work was originally published, the photographerÕs personal documents and letters, his camera, and other ephemera. The exhibition includes significant loans from the John Swope Trust, Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts, Craig Krull Gallery, Ben Stiller, and other private collections.

Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 11am-7 pm Thu 11am-9 pm Sun 11am-5 pm 
$5 Adults, $3 Seniors (65+) and UCLA Alumni Association Members with ID, Free for Museum members, students with ID, UCLA faculty and staff, and visitors 17 and under accompanied by an adult. Free on Thursdays for all visitors

For more information please contact

Hammer Museum Tel: 310.443.7000, hammerinfo@arts.ucla.edu, www.hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions_upcoming.htm

 

March 10-Jun 18 Reflections of Beauty : Women from JapanÕs Floating World at Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena.

 

14th Annual Juried Art Exhibition - ÒSurface TensionÓ

At The Korean Cultural Center Through April 28, 2006

Painting, Photography and installation works by 14 Contemporary Artists.

The Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles proudly presents its 14th Annual Juried Exhibition which will consist of a variety of contemporary arts by exceptionally talented artists. The artists were selected by jurors David Moon (Chair & Professor of Art Dept. of CSUN), Howard Fox (Curator of LACMA), Yong Soon Min (Chair & Professor of Art Dept. of UCI).

The Juried Arts Exhibition has steadily become one of the most popular exhibitions at KCCLA, having its debut in 1993. The event has undoubtedly grown through the hearts, minds, curiosity, and opened mindedness of supporters; therefore, we are delighted to present our 14th exhibition.  The artists participating in our Annual Juried Exhibition are from different parts of America. Regardless of the much dissimilarity in their culture, ethnicity, ideology and economic background, these artists all share very important characteristics that has brought them to one place; their creative processes in developing a visual statement of their lives to present and share with us all.

This year, they had 251 applicants from across the nation and it was extremely difficult to narrow the selection down. The KCCLA has selected 14 artists to share their ideas, inspirations and abilities.

Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Korean Cultural Center, 5505 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 

Cost: Free

Special Instructions

Opening reception: April 7, 2006 from 6-8:30PM. Open Mon -Fri

Tel: (323) 936-7141 ex #112, seon@kccla.org

 

April 06, 2006 Hammer Museum Film Screenings: Propaganda Films

A double feature of Japanese and American propaganda films from World War II that present two distinctly different portraits of the Japanese Soldier. Part of an ongoing exhibit, "A Letter from Japan"--the photographs of John Swope.

A double feature of Japanese and American propaganda films from World War II that present two distinctly different portraits of the Japanese Soldier. Part of an ongoing exhibit, "A Letter from Japan"--the photographs of John Swope.

Thursday,  7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, CA 90095

http://www.hammer.ucla.edu/calendar_Apr_2006.htm

 

April 8, 9 Torrance Sister City Association Bunka Sai, 11AM-5PM

Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive N.

 

April 09, 2006 US SUMO OPEN

At Los Angeles Convention Center

Tickets are on sale now for the 6th Annual US SUMO OPEN

** National champions from US, Europe, and Japan!


** Male and female sumo wrestlers!

** Japanese dance and taiko drumming!

** Enjoy Sushi, Sake & Beer while you watch!

** Sumo Souvenirs and Japanese artwork

For out-of-town guests, call Figueroa Hotel (near the Convention Center): 800-421-9092.  Mention "US SUMO OPEN" to get a special $98 rate.  Book your hotel and get your ADVANCE TICKETS today!

 Sunday,  12:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Los Angeles Convention Center
Los Angeles, CA 

Cost: starting at $15

Tel: call 310-288-3641
www.usasumo.com

 

April 9 The Art of Gaman: Arts & Crafts from the Japanese American Internment Camps by Delphine Hirasuna 2-4PM

Delphine Hirasuna presents a varied collection of artifacts photographed by Terry Hefferman in a tribute to the 120,000 Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II. Hirasuna will speak on the art of gaman, "the art of enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity"; and on how crafts were produced in camp out of found materials. Objects presented in this colorful anthology are examples of what may be found in public and private collections throughout the United States, including that of the National Museum's.

The Art of Gaman: Arts & Crafts from the Japanese American Internment Camps is available for sale through the Museum Store Online or toll-free at 888.769.5559.

JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, 369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California 90012, phone: (213) 625-0414, fax: (213) 625-1770

 

April 15 Little Tokyo Walking Tour 10:15-AM-12;15PM

Relive history and learn about present-day Little Tokyo with National Museum docents on this historic walking tour.

$8 for National Museum members and $13 for non-members, includes Museum admission. Reservations along with comfortable walking shoes and clothes are recommended. Weather permitting.

JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, 369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California 90012, phone: (213) 625-0414, fax: (213) 625-1770

 

April 16, 2006 Goya Champuru

This is an Aurora Foundation Film Screening. Guests and Ticket Sales TBA Sunday,  at 1pm.    

Admission is $10

Aratani/Japan American 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, jaccc.org

 

April 19-21 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles is a nonprofit organization devoted to paving the way for a greater appreciation of India's cinema and diverse culture by providing the public with a selection of films from and about India by Indian and International filmmakers. The Opening and Closing Night Galas will begin with a screening of a feature film followed by receptions that will include music and/or dance performances. In addition, during the festival, various Indian-influenced art and music exhibitions will be presented at no cost to the public.The Festival will take place April 19-23, 2006 at ArcLight Cinemas, an elegant, state-of-the-art facility at Sunset and Vine in Hollywood.

Tickets for IFFLA will go on sale this Friday, March 24 at ArcLight HollywoodÕs box office, located at 6360 W. Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood , and online at: www.arclightcinemas.com . Ticket prices are $11 for general admission and $9 for discounted admissions (students, seniors, and AFI and ArcLight members). Gala ticket prices are $60 each for Opening and Closing nights and $25 for the Tribute on April 21.  Festival Passes are priced at $75 for the Fest Pass (includes all regular screenings), and $200 for the All-Access Pass (includes all screenings, Galas and Seminars).

For more information on IFFLA please go to www.indianfilmfestival.org.

 

April 22 Contrasting Elements: A Guided Tour of Isamu Noguchi's To the Issei and California Scenario with Prof. Amy Lyford and Prof. Bert Winther-Tamaki 10AM-4PM

Isamu Noguchi explored California's culture, history, and terrain in two impressive works: To the Issei and California Scenario. The former, located on the plaza at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo, pays homage to the Issei pioneers. The latter, resting between two skyscrapers and a parking structure in Costa Mesa, offers a vivid sculptural portrait of the Golden State.

Learn more about the work and the man who created them in a special guided tour with Amy Lyford, Assistant Professor, Art History, Occidental College and Bert Winther-Tamaki, Associate Professor, Asian American Studies, UC Irvine.

Space is limited, $50 for museum members, $65 for non-members, includes transportation and lunch. Advanced reservations highly recommended. For reservations or more information, call 213.625.0414.

In conjunction with the exhibition Isamu Noguchi: Sculptural Design

JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, 369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California 90012, phone: (213) 625-0414, fax: (213) 625-1770

 

April 22 Sculpture in Goop: A Special Noguchi-Inspired Program for Families 1-4PM

Kids of all ages will model and mold Isamu Noguchi-inspired sculpture with goop, a quick-drying and fun material. Whether they create their own sculptures, playgrounds, landscapes, or furniture to take home with them, kids can explore the Isamu Noguchi - Sculptural Design exhibition and discover how they too can make objects that are both beautiful and functional in design.

Free with admission to Isamu Noguchi - Sculptural Design. Kids under 18 years FREE when accompanied by an adult.

In conjunction with the exhibition Isamu Noguchi: Sculptural Design

JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, 369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California 90012, phone: (213) 625-0414, fax: (213) 625-1770

 

April 22 Craft Class with Ryosen Shibata: Sumi-e Sparrows (Suzume) 1-3PM

Design birds in flight with the art of sumi-e. $8 for National Museum members and $13 for non-members, includes supplies and Museum admission. Reservations are recommended.

JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, 369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California 90012, phone: (213) 625-0414, fax: (213) 625-1770

 

April 22, 2006 Performance - Music of India At Hammer Museum

The Music of India Ensemble performs short compositions of North Indian classical and semi-classical ragas (harmonic modes) and talas (rhythmic patterns on tabla). The ensemble comprises the students of Shujaat Husain Khan on vocals and sitar (a long-necked lute with seven principal strings, plus 12Ð20 sympathetic strings) and the students of Abhiman Kaushal on tabla (drums).

Saturday,  2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

UCLA
Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: Free

 

April 22 & 23, 2006 The 2006 Cherry Blossom Festival Committee and the City of Monterey Park are pleased to present the 9th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Barnes Park, located at 350 S. McPherrin Avenue; Monterey Park, CA.  Entry to the Festival is FREE.

Planned and coordinated by community volunteers, the Cherry Blossom Festival strives to provide a cultural arts event that offers a forum for learning, entertainment, fun, and support of community. 

So take the time to see, hear, and taste a bit of the Japanese and Japanese American culture through a first-hand experience of watching traditional Japanese dancing, hearing the resounding beats of the taiko drums, observing the mastery and various skills of martial arts, participating in the ancient art of the tea ceremony, or buying hand-made crafts or food with an Asian flair. Other highlights of the Festival include games & crafts for children, and numerous cultural displays.

Each year the festival strives to have a mix of entertainment that will delight any taste, and this year will be no exception:

Actor Rodney Kageyama will be on hand both days to handle the M.C. duties, with David Ono of Eyewitness News and Jane Yamamoto of Fox 11 News making special guest appearances.  If you have any questions about the performance schedule, please call the Recreation & Parks Department at (626) 307-1388.

www.ci.monterey-park.ca.us

 

April 29, 2006 Book Signing at the UCLA Festival of Books

Author to sign copies of his book on Korean Culture, geared for elementary school children.

Author John Stickler and his wife, fine artist Soma Han, will be signing and chopping their book, Land of Morning Calm: Korean Culture Then and Now, at the L.A. Times Festival of Books at the end of April. The 32-page picture book presents 19 facets of Korean life, from the symbolic national flag to the preparation of kimchi. Now in its second edition, it is published by Shen's Books, a national distributor of cultural and educational materials for young readers. Reviews are posted on the Internet at www.amazon.com and www.shens.com

      The Sticklers will be in Booth 191, IMCBook, in Wilson Plaza on the UCLA campus Saturday April 29 from 1-3 p.m. 

     The national children's magazine Skipping Stones selected Land of Morning Calm to receive its 2005 Honor Award, as an exceptional title in the multicultural and international category. The list of Honor Award winners may be seen on the magazine's website www.skippingstones.org/book2005.htm

     Soma Han previously illustrated a book of Korean proverbs, Tigers, Frogs and Rice Cakes, also from Shen_s Books. The Sticklers live in Southern California.

Saturday,  1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: Free

 

April 29, 2006 Performance - Music of China At Hammer Museum

The Music of China Ensemble, under the direction of Li Chi, performs arias from Kun opera of the 15th century, silk-and-bamboo music from the Shanghai area, folk dances for festive celebration, zheng zither music in the Keijia style from Canton Province, music for large percussion ensemble and modern compositions for an ensemble of traditional Chinese wind and string instruments.

Saturday,  2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

UCLA
Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: Free

 

VC FILMFEST Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival to be held from May 4 to 11. The 22nd edition of VC FILMFEST: The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival  is slated to return once again to its signature venues, the Directors Guild of America and Aratani/Japan America Theatre.

http://www.vconline.org/

 

May 05, 2006 Lecture - Virtually Exploring Southern California Asian Americana

At Santa Monica College

Seventh annual Asian Pacific Islander Celebration at Santa Monica College.

With three distinguished speakers:

Daphne Kwok, Executive Director of Angel Island Immigration Foundation Sojin Kim, Curator, Japanese American National Museum Dr. Pauline Wong, Executive Director, Chinese American Museum Moderated by Dr. Lesley Kawaguchi

A multi-media presentation and lively dialogue about the relevance of preserving material cultures into the 21st Century.

Friday, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College Concert Hall
1900 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica , CA 90405

Special Instructions

Free and Open to the Public Seating strictly on a first-arrival basis

For more information please contact

Judy Neveau Tel: (310) 434-4303

 

Saturday May 6, 2006 Salute to Chinese American Actors, a premiere event of the Asian Pacific Heritage Month

VIP Reception With the Stars for Jade Level tables

and $200 ticket patrons: 5pm

Registration & No-Host Bar: 6pm

Delectable Chinese Banquet: 6:30pm

All-Star Salute: 7:30pm

San Gabriel Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom

225 West Valley Blvd

San Gabriel, CA 91776

Join us in commemorating

our 30th anniversary with an all-star gala!

Honor the actors who have made their

mark in Asian American film history.

HONORING

Michael Paul Chan

Francois Chao

Rosalind Chao

George Kee Cheung

Chao Li Chi

Tsai Chin

James Hong

Kelly Hu

Alvin Ing

Nancy Kwan

Dana Lee

Let Li

Bai Ling

Lucy Liu

Lisa Lu

Tzi Ma

Mina Na

Julia Nickson

Jack Ong

Freda Foh Shen

Elizabeth Sung

Lauren Tom

B. D. Wong

Russel Wong

Ping Wu

our prompt reservation and payment are most appreciated! Detach and mail with payment to CHSSC.

Please reserve tables of 10 people for me at the following level:   

Total: $______

__ Jade $2,000 (Includes VIP reception) __ Gold ($1,500) __ Silver ($1,000)

Please reserve __ seat(s) at the following level:       Total: $______

__ $200 (Includes VIP reception) __ $150   __ $100 

I am unable to attend, but enclosed is my tax-deductible contribution of:    Total: $______

Name   ________________________________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________________________________

Phone   ________________________________________________________________________

Email  ________________________________________________________________________

Please list attendees sitting together on the back of this form.

Make checks payable to: CHSSC, 415 Bernard St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Chinese Historical Society of Southern California

CHSSC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

All but $50 of each ticket is tax deductible to benefit CHSSC.

For more information, please contact CHSSC:

(323) 222-0856 or chssc@earthlink.net.

www.chssc.org

 

May 06, 2006 Performance - Music of Korea At UCLA Hammer Museum

The Music of Korea Ensemble, under the direction of DongSuk Kim, presents a variety of styles of court and folk music and dance traditions.

Saturday,  3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

UCLA
Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: Free

 

Saturday, May 6, 2006

Cherry Blossom Festival

Presented by the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center

12 noon to 7:00 p.m.

West Covina Civic Center Courtyard

1444 W. Garvey Ave.

West Covina, CA 91793

Free Parking at Civic Center

For more information, please contact the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center at 626-960-2566.

http://www.westcov.org/events/index.html

 

May 09, 2006 Lecture- "Beyond Suzhou: Region and Memory in the Gardens of Sichuan"

At The Huntington Library

A series of public lectures on Chinese gardens and related topics begins this fall at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.  Addressing different aspects of the history, art, and culture of China that are closely linked to traditional garden designs, these lectures will help create the historical and cultural contexts for the HuntingtonÕs own Chinese garden, which is currently under construction.  The first series, consisting of four lectures, will focus on defining the characteristics of Chinese garden design.  The lectures are free.  All lectures begin at 7:30 p.m. in FriendsÕ Hall at The Huntington.

Jerome Silbergeld, the P.Y. and Kinmay W. Tang Professor of Chinese Art History at  Princeton University and director of PrincetonÕs Tang Center for East Asian Art, will discuss the gardens of Sichuan Province and the differences of style and patronage from other regional gardens of China.  Developed in relative isolation from Imperial and Suzhou style gardens, the gardens of this southwestern province can shed a great deal of light on the complex history of gardens in China.  Silbergeld has written several books on traditional and modern Chinese painting and on the Chinese cinema.  

Tuesday,  7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

The Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108

Cost: Free

For more information please contact

Lisa Blackburn Tel: (626) 405-2140, lblackburn@huntington.org

 

May 20, 2006 Lotus Steps 2006

Annual dance production of the UCLA Chinese Cultural Dance Club

Tickets:

Tickets for Lotus Steps will be available in the spring. Email ccdc@ucla.edu for more information.

Doors open at 6:15 pm for Advanced Entrance (AE) ticket holders. Doors open at 6:35 pm for General Admission ticket holders. Seating is guaranteed until 6:45 pm.

Two Advanced Entrance (AE) tickets can be reserved with a contribution of $50 to the UCLA Chinese Cultural Dance Club. There is no limit to how much one can contribute, but there are a limited number of AE tickets available. Download the CCDC contribution brochure and follow the instructions to reserve your AE tickets.

General Admission tickets will become available at the UCLA Central Ticket Office or online at this website in spring. 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.

 Saturday 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Royce Hall
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095

For more information please contact

Patrick Pieng, ccde.external@gmail.com, www.ccdcbruins.com

 

 

May 21, 2006Performance - Music of Bali At UCLA, Schoenberg Hall

The Music of Bali Ensemble, under the direction of I Nyoman Wenten, features gamelan music (the generic Indonesian word for orchestra) and dance. The Balinese gamelan gong kebyar is famous for its fast tempos, abrupt changes of texture and brilliantly costumed dancers who act out stories from the Ramayana.

Sunday,  7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

UCLA
Schoenberg Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: Free

 

June 01, 2006Performance - Music of China

At UCLA, Schoenberg Hall

The Music of China Ensemble, under the direction of Li Chi, performs arias from Kun opera of the 15th century, silk-and-bamboo music from the Shanghai area, folk dances for festive celebration, zheng zither music in the Keijia style from Canton Province, music for large percussion ensemble and modern compositions for an ensemble of traditional Chinese wind and string instruments.

Thursday,  7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

UCLA
Schoenberg Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: Free

 

June 02, 2006 Performance - Music of India At UCLA, Schoenberg Hall

The Music of India Ensemble performs short compositions of North Indian classical and semi-classical ragas (harmonic modes) and talas (rhythmic patterns on tabla). The ensemble comprises the students of Shujaat Husain Khan on vocals and sitar (a long-necked lute with seven principal strings, plus 12Ð20 sympathetic strings) and the students of Abhiman Kaushal on tabla (drums).

Friday,   7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

UCLA
Hammer Museum
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: Free

 

June 03, 2006 Performance - Music of Korea At UCLA Schoenberg Hall

The Music of Korea Ensemble, under the direction of DongSuk Kim, presents a variety of styles of court and folk music and dance traditions.

Saturday,  7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

UCLA
Schoenberg Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Cost: Free

 

June 11  Bando School of Japanese Classical Dance presents a Charity Show benefiting senior health care services featuring Bando Mitsugoro X. 1PM and 6PM. Tickets $50. Aratani/Japan America Theatre 

Japanese American Cultural and  Community Center, 244 South San Pedro Street,  90012. For ticket info 310-539-8636

 

June 17 Asia America Symphony  and Ahn Trio perform at the Aratani Japan America Theatre, 8PM.  www.asiaamericasymphony.org

 

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This Weekend (and earlier)

 

 March 30, 2006 Screening - Nobody Knows At Irvine City Hall

Japan's entry to the Academy AwardsÕ Foreign Language Film in 2004!

Film Screening with introduction and discussion by YUKA KANNO, UC Irvine Fulbright Scholar and Japanese contemporary film expert.

Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda's touching film follows the empty lives of 12-year-old Akira (Yžya Yagira) and his three younger siblings (Ayu Kitaura, Hiei Kimura and Momoko Shimizu) after their mother abandons them in a tiny Tokyo apartment. Pragmatic, determined and wise beyond his years, Akira manages the household as best he can--but eventually the money runs out, and the children must find new ways to survive. The movie is based on a real 1988 event best known as the "Affair of the Four Abandoned Children of Nishi-Sugamo." Nobody Knows was Japan's entry to the Academy AwardsÕ Foreign Language Film in 2004. Fourteen-year-old Yžya Yagira, who plays as Akira, won the "Best Actor Award" at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

 Thursday, 6:00 PM - 8:45 PM

Irvine City Hall - Council Chambers
1 Civic Center Plaza
Irvine, CA 92606

Cost: free

 

April 01, 2006 War Prisons

Discussion over the question, "Have we learned any lessons?" by examining Worlld War II military prisons in Japan as well as presen-day conditions of military prisons and torture camps around the world.

Speakers include Bill Barrette, Herbert Bix, John A. Glusman, and John Sifton.

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, CA 90095

http://www.hammer.ucla.edu/calendar_full_Apr_2006.htm#day1

 

April 1-2, 2006  5t Annual Pasadena Cherry Blossom Festival

FESTIVALTIMES 4/1: 10am-6pm; 4/2: 10am-5pm

The Rose Bowl ¥1001Rose Bowl Drive

Pasadena, CA91103

FESTIVALEMCEES: 

Actors/Performers Kellye Nakahara Wallett, Rodney Kageyama and Kathy Bee

MAINSTAGE ENTERTAINMENT Ð

Bento Ð Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Come Swing Dance with the Big Band TheoryÐ

Saturday from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

The Mariachi Divas featuring Keiko Okamoto Ð

Sunday at 1 p.m.

Daion Taiko Ð Sunday at 2 p.m.

HAWAIIAN VILLAGEÐ Hawaiian Crafters &

Performances

MARTIALARTS ARENAÐ

Nonstop Martial Arts Performances

JAPANESE VILLAGE & JAPANESE

AMERICAN PAVILION Ð Japanese/Asian

Crafters, Martial Arts History Museum,

Stone IshimaruÕs Internment Photo History,

Japanese Doll Making, Origami Magic with

Michael, Joe & Yami

KIDS CRAFT includes

Mini Stars, Cootie Fortune Cookies, Kimono

Doll Bookmarks, Paper Dolls, Fish Kites &

OrigamiÐ INFLATABLE GAMES!

CULTURALSTORYTELLING with actors

from Screen Actors Guild

Foundation/BookPals

OPENING CEREMONY Ð Saturday at 10:15 a.m.

Kathy Bee sings National Anthem, and Find Your Exercise Passion with

Joey DowdyÕs World Dance Groove Fitness

SENATOR DANIELINOUYE

CHERRY BLOSSOM LEADERSHIP AWARDS Ð

Margaret Makihara Cerrudo, AT&T Operations, Inc.; East West Players;

Japan America Society of Southern CAÐ Saturday at 3 p.m.

ÒTEACHERS MAKING ADIFFERENCEÓ

(Saturday at 12 p.m.)& GEORGE KIRIYAMAEDUCATIONAL

EXCELLENCE AWARDS (Saturday at 1 p.m.)

COMMUNITY TREASURE HONOREES

Actor Rodney Kageyama and Mary Nomura (Songbird of Manzanar) Ð

Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

RUNWAY FASHION SHOWÐ

Featuring fashions and designs of

Sue Wong, Citron, Jimmy AuÕs for Men 5Õ8Ó

& Under and Plum Pudding fashions for

children and young adults Ð Sunday at 3 p.m.

HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO Ð

Japanese American Medical Association,

QiGong with Ernie, health scan, accupuncture,

wellness programs, chiropractic, A3M

and more!

GENERALCRAFTERS, VENDORS &

CHERRY BLOSSOM FOOD COURT Ð

Leona Valley Cherry Growers will be selling

cherry trees and uniquely special Cherry

Blossom Pasadena Honey Ð proceeds

benefiting the Festival.  Make your own

Cherry Blossom Mad Hatter Hats!

ROSE BOWLPARKING Ð $7 in Lot K

For a list of vendors, activities & performances, go to

http://www.pasadenacherryblossom.org/entertainment.htm

 

April 1 & 2 2006 Sogetsu Ikebana School, Los Angeles Display 10AM-5PM

For one weekend only, the George & Sakaye Aratani Central Hall will be adorned with more than fifty imaginative floral sculptures arranged by members of Sogetsu Ikebana School in Los Angeles.

Founded in 1926 by Sofu Teshigahara, the Sogetsu philosophy is that ikebana should be accessible to people of all backgrounds and in all parts of the globe. Stop by and view the work of talented local students who demonstrate a keen awareness and deep respect for the natural world.

JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, 369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California 90012, phone: (213) 625-0414, fax: (213) 625-1770

 

April 1, 2006 Hindi Film Dance Competition

Produced by Sound Nation, LLC

Saturday,  at 7pm.    

Admission will be announced (around $10-$15)

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, jaccc.org

 

2006 Tokyo City Cup & Japan Family Day At Santa Anita Park

Santa Anita Park and Ohi Racecourse, Tokyo, have held a partnership since 1995. Every Spring, the "Tokyo City Cup" race is held at Santa Anita Park. In celebration of the Tokyo City Cup, the Soma Nomaoi samurai warriors dressed in traditional armor have performed on the main track in front of the grandstand. Enjoy this celebration, as well as Japanese cultural exhibitions and activities such as martial arts demonstrations, origami art, koto performances, Japanese tea ceremony, and a kimono fashion show throughout the day. Supported by Japan America Society of Southern California

Saturday, April 01, 2006 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Santa Anita Park, 285 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007

Cost: $5

FEATURED EVENTS

Japan Family Day has something for everyone.

Authentic Japanese cultural events and demostrations will be setup on the Santa Anita Park grounds, featuring the following:

Soma Nomaoi (Samurai Horse Racing)

2:00 - 4:00 (Course Tracks)

All Day (Exhibition Booth)

Karate (Martial Art)

12:30 & 2:30 (Main Stage)

All Day (Exhibition Booth)

Shinkendo (Martial Art)

1:30 & 3:30 (Main Stage)

All Day (Exhibition Booth)

Koto (Japanese Harp)

1:00 & 3:00 (Main Stage)

All Day (Exhibition Booth)

Taiko (Japanese Drum)

4:00 (Main Stage)

Origami (Japanese paper craft)

All Day (Exhibition Booth)

Calligraphy (Japanese letterform art)

All Day (Exhibition Booth)

Sado (Japanese Tea Ceremony)

11:30, 12:30, 1:30 & 2:30 (Exhibition Booth)

Kado (Japanese Flower Arranging)

All Day (Exhibition Booth)

Japan Travel Expo (Travel Info)

All Day (Exhibition Booth

Tel: (805) 449-8726
www.tokyocitycup.com

 

April 01, 2006Tokyo Night 2006 At The Queen Mary

The Japanese Student Network (JSN) is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting scholarship among Japanese college students studying in the U.S. In 1985, the JSN created "Tokyo Night" as a charity event that today attracts over 2,000 college-aged guests. Proceeds are used to support the JSN's national scholarship fund, as well as other local charities. Supported by Japan America Society of Southern California.

 Saturday,, 9:00 PM - 12:00 PM

The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802

Cost: $25 - $35

shin@jsnla.org, www.jsnla.org

 

April 01, 2006 Culture in Nature: Cave Temples of Sichuan

Day-long international conference at USC

In this one-day symposium, organized by the USC Deparements of Art History and East Asian Languages and Cultures, eight scholars of art history, archaeology, religious studies, and history will discuss the social and artistic landscape of premodern Sichuan province.

This will be the first ever scholarly conference in the U.S. solely devoted to the material culture of Sichuan. The symposium will feature six papers in two panels, all devoted to exploring various aspects of cave temples as a unique built environment that brings together sophisticated visual forms, local institutions, and the technological advances. The first panel, "Monumental Sculpture and Architecture," examines the fusion of art and engineering in the making of cave temple sites in Sichuan. The second panel, "Art of Syncretism," addresses cross- and intra-cultural exchanges as evident in pictorial images and iconographies found in the region. Each panel ends with commentaries by a discussant.

Symposium Schedule

Panel 1: Monumental Sculpture and Architecture, 10:15 am - 12:15 pm

The Cultural Values of Song Buddhist Art: Rethinking Sichuan Stone Sculptures -- Ning Qiang, Connecticut College

Emulating Nature, Carving Landscape: On the Drainage System at Baodingshan  -- Li Fangyin, Art Museum of Dazu Stone Carvings

Buddhist Sculpture in the Upper Min River Region and Routes of Cultural Interchange in Southern Dynasties -- Lei Yuhua, Archaeological Institute of Chengdu

Commentary
Sonya Lee, USC

Panel 2: The Art of Syncretism, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Into the Clouds: The Mount Yuntai Parish and Early Medieval Daoist Imaginations of Sacred Space -- Stephen Bokenkamp, Indiana University

Baodingshan and Laitan: Buddhist Syncretism and Orthodoxy in Sichuan -- Angela Howard, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey

Dao Discussing and Religious Syncretism of the Three Doctrines in Song-Yuan Art -- Hui-shu Lee, UCLA

Commentary: Richard Von Glahn, UCLA

The symposium is open to the public and requires no prior registration.

Saturday,

Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

USC Zumberge Hall of Science 159,  Los Angeles, CA 

Cost: Free

For more information please contact

USC Department of Art History Tel: 213 740-4552, www.usc.edu/schools/college/art_history

 

 

 

Last weekend I went to: 

 

Mammoth Mountain with the Asian Ski and Board Club

 

http://www.asbcla.org/

 

 

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

 

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

 

Op/Ed March 27 Women and 'gendercide'

By Ayaan Hirsi Ali, AYAAN HIRSI ALI, a Somali-born Dutch legislator, lives under 24-hour protection because of death threats against her by Islamic radicals since the murder of Theo van Gogh, with whom she made the film

March 26, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-ali26mar26,1,5636409.story

 

MOVIES

First-Time Filmmakers Take on Female Circumcision in America

"A lot of men walk out and are very stone-faced. Women just sit there and they don't move."

By Robert W. Welkos, Times Staff Writer

March 26, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-honor26mar26,1,5471813.story

 

Mexico Eyes Potential of Chinese Tourists

It faces a monumental task in selling itself to an unfamiliar market, observers say.

By Chris Kraul, Times Staff Writer

March 23, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-mexchina23mar23,1,3705703.story

 

Cinematic showcases

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-wk-movieside23mar23,1,3082767.story

 

Silver Lake to get politically active

Wide-ranging film event has Mamet's latest, a neighborhood landmark and a Giuliani exposŽ.

By Kevin Crust, Times Staff Writer

March 23, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-wk-screen23mar23,1,1824992.story

 

Desmond Doss, 87; WWII Hero Who Refused to Carry a Gun

By Dennis McLellan, Times Staff Writer

March 26, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-doss26mar26,1,1121344.story?page=1&ctrack=1&cset=true&coll=la-headlines-pe-california

 

Interest in Learning Arabic Soars

As global events focus attention on the language, students at U.S. colleges are lining up for classes. But instructors are in short supply.

By Larry Gordon, Times Staff Writer

March 22, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-arabic22mar22,1,5015206.story

 

Drug Plan Doesn't Speak Their Language

Seniors with limited English skills are having a hard time accessing Medicare's new prescription program.

By Rong-Gong Lin II, Times Staff Writer

March 27, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-medicare27mar27,1,6939990.story

 

Jade Snow Wong, 84; 'Fifth Chinese Daughter' Author, Ceramicist

By Mary Rourke, Times Staff Writer

March 22, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-wong22mar22,1,3742778.story

 

Farmworkers Stage Protest Downtown

Close to 4,000 activists march to oppose proposed legislation and remember Cesar Chavez.

By Jessica Garrison, Times Staff Writer

March 27, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-march27mar27,1,7709063.story

 

500,000 Pack Streets to Protest Immigration Bills

The rally, part of a massive mobilization of immigrants and their supporters, may be the largest L.A. has seen.

By Teresa Watanabe and Hector Becerra, Times Staff Writers

March 26, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-me-immig26mar26,1,7449499.story