When the going gets tough as an Asian American, I find it’s good to remember that sometimes we, as a community, just totally rule. This week, my spirits were down after learning that the awful man who caused the security ruckus at Newark Airport was Chinese. Come on, Jiang. We’re cooler than that. We don’t NEED to give that extra hug goodbye. Play hard to get! So I comforted myself with the knowledge that regardless of such idiocy, we still had a reason to celebrate ourselves. A new King of Donkey Kong was announced and his name is Dr. Hank Chien.
Yeah, that’s right. Move over, Billy Mitchell with your badly designed ties and fake hot sauce empire. You, too, Stevie Wiebe but take your time. You earned a soft spot in my heart after watching the documentary, King of Kong, and I still really like you. A lot. Let’s do lunch or something.
The nerd spotlight is all over Chien who scored a whopping 1,061,700 points on the arcade game, a top win that was confirmed by Twin Galaxies, who calls themselves the “official electronic scoreboard” for videogame player rankings and tournaments. Don’t think this is his only feat.
“It’s something to add to my resume and it’s something I can be proud of,” said Chien, who holds a computer science and mathematics degree from Harvard University and is a graduate of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.
Not only does this guy suddenly pick up the arcade game after watching Mitchell and Wiebe duke it out in their infamous documentary, but he also boasts a Harvard degree and can fix up your face as a plastic surgeon. Is this a prime example of an over-achieving Asian or what? Apparently Chien found a natural affinity for the classic Donkey Kong.
“Donkey Kong requires reflexes, it requires strategy, it requires foresight planning and timing,” Chien said. “It requires everything, which is the beauty of the game.”
Ah yes, Grasshopper. It is all in the mind. Okay, I’ll stop now. Congratulations, Dr. Chien! We rule!
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Dawen (as seen above in his music video for “Wake Up”) will be playing live with Macy Gray tonight on Ustream! You’ll be able to chat live with them as Dawen performs a live set, including a few covers of Macy Gray’s hits!
Macy Gray LIVE with Dawen
Thursday, March 11, 2010
7:00pm – 8:30pm PT
Listen in for CD giveaways and more! Will you be there?
Shopping With GASP!
“The exhibition examines the changes in Korean society from the 1950s through the 1990s as evidenced through its comics—joyful, satirical and penetrating—which provide a running commentary that reflects the lives of ordinary people. What shines most prominently through these works is an engaged and vigorous civil society in Korean, continuously challenging the status quo in whimsical and provocative ways.
The comics play an important role in characterizing and distinguishing the culture and sensibility of two Koreas. The exhibition includes cartoons from artists in both prosperous, rapidly changing South Korea as well as from less well-known North Korea. Lee Do Yeong pioneered Korean comics in the early 20th Century, but it wasn’t until the explosion of magazines and newspapers in the middle of the century that comics emerged as a cultural force.
The comics on view range from the playful to the political. Viewers will instantly recognize the variety of juvenile comics: Kkŏbŏngi, a mischievous 11 year-old, is South Korea’s answer to Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes. Other comic panels call for more reflection. Artists like Park Jae-Dong used their wits and their pens to illuminate the pervasive social ills in South Korea during the 1970s and ‘80s—such as rampant sexism and poverty—overshadowed by the country’s overwhelming economic success.
The exhibition’s North Korean comics capture that reclusive country’s economic hardships and strict ideological controls on society. The Great General Mighty Wing indoctrinates young readers through the adventures of a devoutly socialist, anthropomorphic bee. Other North Korean comics exalt the prestige of the motherland: World Professional Wrestling King—Ryok To San is a biographical comic of Kim Sin-Nak, a famous wrestler from North Korea who became a major figure on the international wrestling circuit.
Korean Comics: A Society Through Small Frames is organized and curated by The Korea Society as part of their traveling exhibition programs.
Festival Forum
SATURDAY MARCH 13, 2010 12PM-9PM
JAPANTOWN PEACE PLAZA
Come experience a full day of live performances, interactive storytelling projects, screenings and more—all in the heart of Japantown—during SFIAAFF!
2010 Performances and Projects include:
THE ROBBIE KWOCK MELECIO MAGDALUYO QUINTET
Hard-hitting post-Bop from this Bay Area quintet.
Featuring:
Robbie Kwock: Trumpet
Melecio Magdaluyo: Saxophones
Ron Belcher: Bass
Murray Low: Piano
Paul Van Wageningen: Drums
POISON APPLE PIE
Torrey Hart, Emmalee John- son-Kao, and Jasmine Stade formed Poison Apple Pie in 2008 after a session of Bay Area Girls Rock Camp. A locally grown production, all three girls attend middle school in Oakland, CA.
THE JUNIOR PANTHERS
With influences such as the Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream and the Rolling Stones, the Junior Panthers like to shake it up with their own style of raucous riffs, driving rhythms and addictive melodies.
LORDY RODRIGUEZ
Neighborhoods change. There are always multiple narratives associated with any neigh- borhood, both new and old. Lordy Rodriguez’s interactive art project reveals the historical narratives of Japantown and integrates them with the personal stories of individuals to create a “map” of experiences. Check out Rodriguez’s booth at the Festival Forum for instructions on how to interact with this project.
**MORE PERFORMERS/EVENTS TBA!!**
I was intrigued when I first read Jennifer’s post over at Mixed Race America on things we avoid just to avoid perpetuating a stereotype. For example, when you’re at the food court in the mall, do you avoid going to the Asian food stands, because it would help perpetuate the stereotypes that Asians eat rice (and other Asian foods)?
I bring up that specific example, because when I went to college in Philadelphia, my roommate, Phil, whose family was local, invited me to dinner one night. His mom was Italian-American, and his family has been in the U.S. for a few generations. Phil warned me before we got to his house that his mom had made rice for dinner, as she didn’t know what else to make for a Chinese guy (it didn’t matter that I’ve been in the U.S. since I was 2, and she’s met me and knew I spoke English with a perfect Long Island accent). Phil’s girlfriend, Val, at the time was African-American, and Phil’s mom prepared fried chicken whenever Val went to dinner at their house, so I guess I shouldn’t have been offended. (And I was plenty happy to have rice for dinner, since I was a poor college student living on mac and cheese.)
Speaking of not doing something just because it would perpetuate a stereotype, Jennifer (of Mixed Race America) brings up the example of not wearing a cheongsam at her wedding, because she didn’t want to perpetuate the stereotype of her being “Suzie Wong”. I do catch myself sometimes thinking I shouldn’t order “oriental chicken salad” and then do it anyway, just because I like mandarin oranges. There’s probably dozens of other examples just like that. And then sometimes I do things just to completely be opposite of a stereotype. My entire career and profession is sort of a reaction to the Asian stereotype. My parents wanted me to be an engineer, but I followed a career path to become a marketing executive. Instead of being meek, quiet, and hard-working at my desk in a cubicle farm, I go out and give presentations, talk loudly at work functions, and meet and greet customers.
This topic gets more difficult when I try to apply this to my four year old daughter. I want her to learn about her culture and heritage, even if it means perpetuating stereotypes, because it’s too easy to lose sight of where you’re from as an Asian American. I want my daughter to wear a cheongsam at her wedding and to consider it a part of who she is, rather than what it makes her appear to be.
The question remains whether as a society we’re ready to see people for who they are or are we helping to perpetuate stereotypes when we do things that are really just who we are?
As I had blogged previously, Modern Family is one of my favorite new comedy shows of the 2009-2010 television season. In a recent episode, I was pleasantly surprised to see actress Suzy Nakamura reprises her role as Dr. Miura, who same sex couple Mitchell and Cameron befriend and invite over to their home. Mitchell and Cameron become concerned and self-conscious when their adopted daughter Lily’s first words are “momma” instead of “daddy.” Later, in this video clip, Dr. Miura explains that her mother, who was born in Japan, was very traditional, pushing her to get married and have kids – and would only be happy with that stereotype. However, Dr. Miura was lucky to have a very supportive dad who would listen and support whatever decisions she made in her life. She reassures Mitchell and Cameron that Lily is just as lucky to have two father who love her as much as they do . . . And then screeches away in her car and hits everything in her path, reinforcing the stereotype about bad Asian American female drivers.
DIRECTIONS IN SOUND
Notes from the Asian American Underground
Friday March 12 2010
Mighty, 119 Utah St. San Francisco | 9pm, 21+
Advance: $10 CAAM Members | $12 General
Cover: $12 CAAM Members | $15 General
DIRECTIONS IN SOUND. a genre-bending showcase featuring the best of future-forward music that’s blowing up in the underground around the globe. this year, our lineup features internationally known artists to up-and-comers bubbling below the radar. if you can dig non-stop bangin beats, eletro-clash with a neon sheen, and even hip-hop smashed on video, DIRECTIONS IN SOUND 2010 will satisfy all the senses.
DJ SHORTKUT (triple threat, beat junkies)
A member of the world renowned Beat Junkies, Triple Threat DJ’s and Invisibl Skratch Piklz crews, DJ Shortkut is not one to be messed with when it comes to rocking parties and strutting his turntablist skills. Now witness the future of turntablism, as this multi DMC champion incorporates all manner of machinery and technical bedazzlement with an exclusive video mixing set.
HOT TUB (oakland)
The Bay Area’s premier party starters, this trio of spandex clad ladies bump and grind over hip-hop beats while spewing zany racy rhymes.
KERO ONE (plug label)
Remix Magazine’s “Best Hip Hop Album of 2006″ award winner, Kero One, bounces between soulful jazz tinged tracks to upbeat synth-driven party bangers when he’s on stage.
GREEN TEA (plug label)
Green Tea’s fresh sound combines electro funkiness and jazzy hip-hop sensibilities that appeal to dance floors from SF to Tokyo.
NAVDEEP (mutiny)
The visionary DJ/producer/turntablist/tabla player brings raw yet refined passion to the decks, turning crowds on with a stylish
melange that slides from South Asian sonics and his native Bhangra rhythms to hard-hitting breaks, pounding hip-hop cuts and fragments of furious rock.
NAKO (popscene)
SF’s indie queen has been holding it down year after year at SF’s longest running club POPSCENE, bringing the kids her signature indie, 80s, brit-pop, and darkwave sounds week after week.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The 28th Annual San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF), which showcases the best Asian and Asian American films from around the globe takes place March 11-21, 2010 in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose. 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Festival’s presenting organization the Center for Asian America Media (CAAM). SFIAAFF is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films, annually presenting approximately 120 works featuring thrilling films from the United States, Philippines, Japan, Thailand, China, and more.
For more information or tickets please visit:
http://festival.asianamericanmedia.org/2010
Our internal e-mail lists have us discussing all kinds of stuff: Asian American identity, representation in the media, the experiences of activism in an academia setting and its progression as we transition to the working, adult world. And sometimes, we talk about Haisong Jiang, the “Rutgers Romeo” sentenced to community service and a fine for breaching security at Newark Airport. This is one of more intense debates we’ve had internally, so read the whole conversation after the jump. Where do you stand on this issue?
John: Haisong Jiang Faces Consequences for Kiss at Newark Airport.
Linda: So some security guards don’t do their job that day, but there are people out there who think this man should be deported? What am I not understanding?
Featured Guests:
Winner of Bravo’s Project Runway, Season 2: Fashion Designer, Chloe Dao
Winner of Bravo’s Top Chef, Season 3: Executive Chef, Hung Huynh
Winner of CBS’s Amazing Race, Season 14: Attorney, Victor Jih
Cast Member of MTV’s The Real World, San Francisco: Physician, Pamela Ling
Moderator:
Leland Y. Yee, PhD, Psychologist and California State Senator
The 28th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival opens with TODAY’S SPECIAL, a sparkling romantic comedy that hits the heart as well as the funny bone, TODAY’S SPECIAL is a lovingly crafted ode to family, food and New york City. Steaming kitchens and Bollywood songs of yore fill this hilarious second feature from Kaplan (YEAR OF THE FISH, SFIAAFF ‘07), written by and Starring the great Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show). Screening will be held at the Castro Theatre, followed by a stylish Gala reception at the Asian Art Museum. Be sure to get your tickets to both Opening Night Film TODAY’S SPECIAL and the fabulous gala party following at the Asian Art Museum! Take advantage of the special combo price for both! For tickets, visit: here.
THU 3/11, 700PM – 930PM
OPENING NIGHT FILM + GALA RECEPTION
TODAY’S SPECIAL
Castro Theater / Asian Art Museum $55.00
–
THU 3/11, 930PM – 1200AM
OPENING NIGHT GALA
Asian Art Museum $30
Have dessert first! Kick off this year’s Festival at its annual opening bash. After the film, come enjoy the star-studded Asian Art Museum Opening Night Gala, mix and mingle with filmmakers and special guests and partake in desserts and drinks, and explore the Museum’s exciting new Shanghai exhibit!
For tickets and more information visit:
http://festival.asianamericanmedia.org/2010/
The Center for Asian America Media presents the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF) every March. The SFIAAFF is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films, annually presenting approximately 120 works in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose.
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APA Events
Feb 9: (Los Angeles, CA) East West Players presents THREE YEAR SWIM CLUB
Feb 9: (Los Angeles, CA) OR (Orphan Relief): China Care Bruin’s 4th Annual Awareness Night
Feb 10: (Los Angeles, CA) CAUSE: Women in Power Annual Luncheon
Feb 15: (Seattle, WA) Pork Filled Players Enter The Year of the Dragon Spam*O*Rama
Feb 16: Adam WarRock and Kirby Krackle: West Cost Tour Dates!!!
Feb 16: (New York, NY) Amar Chitra Katha: Monica Ferrell, Chitra Ganesh, Keshni Kashyap, and Himanshu “Heems” Suri of Das Racist
Feb 17: (Los Angeles, CA) All My Sons- Feb 18: (San Francisco, CA) NAAAP-SF Lunar New Year Gala 2012
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