8 Asians

If you’re able to make it to San Jose on November 20 or 21st, you should make the 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors performance one of your stops! The 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors are BACK in the Bay Area with a full length show for the first time in THREE YEARS! Celebrate 15 years of the 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors by enjoying their sketches created and performed in Los Angeles and (mostly) NEVER BEFORE SEEN in the Bay Area!

Sketches include:

• TORTURE!
• ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!
• KOREAN BBQ!
• And more!

The Contemporary Asian Theater Scene presents The 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors at The 9th Annual Asian Comedy Night!

Friday, November 20, 8pm (with cast reception)
Saturday, November 21, 7pm and 10pm

San Jose Woman’s Club
75 South 11th Street, San Jose 95112-2018

TICKETS:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/84600
Friday show and reception with cast: $25
Saturday shows: $20

What you could win from 18MMW and CATS: two tickets to either performance on Saturday, November 21.

That’s right! The lucky winner wins a pair of tickets to see 18MMW Saturday night!

How do you enter?
Simply leave a short comment stating why you should win. (Be sure to use the email address you’d like to be contacted at if you’re the winner.)

Hurry, the deadline to enter is: Wednesday, November 18 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time) One lucky winner will be selected and contacted on Thursday.

Rules for entering:

1. Please be in the San Jose area (or willing to travel to SJ on your own dime) and serious about using these tickets; if you’re too busy to use these, please don’t take them away from someone who will!
2. Tickets are non-transferrable; they are good for you and a guest.
3. Contributors to 8Asians and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.

Prizes courtesy of: 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors and Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS).

UPDATE: Congrats to our winners, YvesPaul and Kenny! They were randomly chosen from all the haiku entries submitted. Missed your chance? Enter the next giveaway, when, uhm, we have one again.

We’ve blogged about the LOLcats guys a couple of times — since their humble beginning as a way for an Asian American couple in Hawaii to send funny photographs of cats and walruses with captions about cheezburgers and buckits, it has since become a media empire, spawning a book deal and a couple of other additional humor sites. And guess what? Those sites have book deals too. And guess who has a couple of those books to give away to you, the 8Asians reader? That’s right, us. Freeh bukkz, we haz em.

We have two sets of books to give away this week — each set will contain the following books: How to Take Over Teh Wurld: A LOLcat Guide 2 Winning, as well Graph Out Loud: Music. Movies. Graphs. Awesome and Fail Nation: A Visual Romp Through the World of Epic Fails, the new book counterparts of GraphJam and FailBlog, respectively. All you have to do is submit a haiku that uses the phrase “lol” or “FAIL” in the comments section — we’ll pick two haikus and send the books over.

Hurry, the deadline to enter is: Monday, October 19th 2009 at 11:59 pm PST. TWO lucky winners will be selected and contacted on Tuesday morning.

Rules for entering:
1) Please be in the US or Canada. Sorry, we will not be shipping anywhere else.
2) Regular contributors to 8Asians and their immediate family members are not eligible to win. Who is deemed a “regular contribution” will be at the sole discretion of the Editors of 8Asians.

Prize courtesy of: The Cheezburger Network.

UPDATE: Early bird gets the worm autographed Mike Shinoda “Glorious Excess” art book! The first commenter is the winner! Congratulations to itzk2di2dm (Kimle)! Thanks to everyone who entered, and also to all the 8Asians contributors for not quitting because of Rule #2!

About a month ago, we reported that Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park fame opened a exhibit of his artwork called Glorious Excess (Dies) at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.

If you didn’t heed our advice and go see the exhibit right away, you and the rest of the procrastinators of the world have one final weekend to check it out. Glorious Excess (Dies) will be closing October 4, so it’s your last chance to check out this one-of-a-kind art show. While you’re at it, why not check out the ID Film Fest also happening in Little Tokyo this weekend, as well?

What’s that? You love Mike Shinoda and you want a little something to remember this exhibit by? Shinoda published a special Glorious Excess “Art Book” which is a 128-page full-color book that documents the bodies of work he created for (Born) and (Dies). The forward is written by world-renowned artist Shepard Fairey and also includes five insightful chapters written by Shinoda himself. (All proceeds from the book and other merchandise from this exhibit go to various charities Shinoda supports.)

What you could win from 8Asians:
One AUTOGRAPHED copy of the Glorious Excess Art Book

How do you enter?
Simply leave a short comment stating why you want to be chosen as the winner of the autographed Mike Shinoda book. (Be sure to use the email address you’d like to be contacted at if you’re the winner.)

Hurry, the deadline to enter is: Monday, October 5 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time)
ONE lucky winner will be selected and contacted on Tuesday morning.

Rules for entering:
1) Please be in the US or Canada. Sorry, I will not be shipping anywhere else!
2) Contributors to 8Asians and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.

Prize courtesy of: 8Asians, with thanks to JANM and Mike Shinoda.

(Mike Shinoda photo taken by jozjozjoz; Cover artwork from MikeShinoda.com)

Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (Thai: องค์บาก), also known in the United States as “Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior” was a Thai action film from 2003 that was considered the breakout film of Tony Jaa. Because of Ong-Bak, Jaa was hailed as the next international martial-arts star.

Now Ong-Bak 2: The Beginning is here today on VOD, Amazon and XBOX Marketplace. Jaa stars in and directs this epic tale of revenge set hundreds of years in the past. Featuring a huge cast and hordes of elephants, this film takes Jaa’s skills to the next level, showcasing him as a master of a wide range of martial arts styles.

What? The past? Well, Ong-Bak 2 is not a sequel, but a prequel to its predecessor, which sounds kind of confusing, right? Well, no need to be confused!

Why not get a Tony Jaa refresher course by watching the Ong Bak DVD, which you can win right here on 8Asians! And, if that weren’t enough, we’re also going to throw in a DVD of 2008 Thai action film Chocolate (Thai: ช็อคโกแลต), also known as Fury! (Chocolate was directed by Prachya Pinkaew and has martial arts choreography by Panna Rittikrai, the same pair who directed Tony Jaa in Ong-Bak.)

If you love martial arts and action films, you need to check these movies out! Ong-Bak 2 is available now on VOD, Amazon and XBOX Marketplace and the film will be in theaters Oct 23.

What you could win from 8Asians: 2 DVDs: Ong-Bak + Chocolate!

How do you enter?
Simply leave a short comment stating why you want to be chosen as the winner for the DVDs. (Be sure to use the email address you’d like to be contacted at if you’re the winner.)

Hurry, the deadline to enter is: Wednesday, September 30 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time)
FIVE lucky winners will be randomly selected and contacted on Thursday morning.

Rules for entering:
1) Please be in the US or Canada. Sorry, I will not be shipping anywhere else!
2) Contributors to 8Asians and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.

Prize courtesy of: 8Asians.

UPDATE: Congrats to the winner, DavidNam811, who will receive a pair of tickets to watch “Ocean of Pearls” during its theatrical run in SF!

When was the last time you saw a trailer and you were overwhelmed with the urge to see that movie? Ever since I watched the trailer to Ocean of Pearls, I’ve been feeling that way. Bummed because I missed this movie at the 2008 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival where it received the Grand Jury Award and Audience Award for Narrative Feature, this movie can now be seen theatrically in limited markets. (See screening schedule). Lucky Bay Area folks can see this film at Landmark’s Bridge Theater in SF from August 21 – August 27, 2009.

A film which explores issues of identity which many Asian Americans can relate to, “Amrit Singh is of two worlds, but belongs to neither. A turban-wearing Sikh, he has lived his life in North America out of sorts and out of place, cast adrift at an uneasy crossroads between East and West. But when he is offered a prestigious position as a transplant surgeon in a Detroit hospital, the young doctor sees it as a opportunity to start fresh. He struggles to be the man he believes he is and at the same time the person he wants to be. His ambitious pursuit of success, however eventually leads to tragedy and it is only in defining his singular identity that he finds peace.”

Ocean of Pearls is based on the real-life experiences of director Sarab Singh Neelam, a physician based in the Detroit area (see this awesome interview and story done by Metromode). Written by the award-winning screenwriter V. Prasad, the film stars Omid Abtahi, Heather McComb, Navi Rawat, KT Thangavelu, and Rena Owen and speaks to the universal challenge of how people (not only Sikhs) must balance romance, family, ethics and spirituality in today’s complex world.

From the director, Sarab Singh Neelam

s a practicing Sikh living in the United States, I have undertaken this effort to reach out broadly to various communities after the events of 9/11. This tragedy has led to hate crimes – especially against Sikhs. It is extremely important to note, however, that this film and its characters are fictitious, though loosely based on my own experiences and observations. This film is not intended to be a definitive depiction of Sikhs or Sikhism. It is one characters journey to find inner peace.

“Ocean of Pearls” opens on Friday, August 21, at Landmark’s Bridge Theatre in San Francisco. (Updated Screening Schedule)

Bay Area folks, lucky you… 8Asians is doing another ticket giveaway!

TICKET GIVEAWAY FOR SAN FRANCISCO OPENING!
Courtesy of Landmark Theatres, 8Asians is giving away a free pair of tickets for Opening Weekend 8/21-8/23 in SF (Landmark’s Bridge Theatre))!

All you have to do is to leave a comment of why you want to see this film and one lucky winner will be selected to go!

(Contest will be closed at 11:59pm Pacific Time on Thursday night, 8/20)

Congratulations to Jason H, who was randomly selected as the winner of our Asian American Arts Stimulus Package 2! Thanks for all the great entries!

Here is Jason’s winning entry:

Ever since I moved to Los Angeles, a year ago, I have appreciated the wide availability of API-American events on the West Coast. After attending many of these events, I felt so influenced, that I wanted to be part of these organizations and be part of their goals. Therefore, I have been able to meet so many fascinating and very welcoming people.

Rather than just attend events, I always feel obligated to volunteer and help in any way I can. My most recent event was the Korean BBQ Cookoff and I got to know the KAC (Korean-American Coalition). I am also affiliated with Kollaboration, Visual Communications, and Tuesday Night Cafe. I cannot wait for Nisei Week coming soon!

As for my favorite of the three tickets, I would most appreciate Lodestone’s “Closer than Ever,” because I have never been to a musical before. I have always wanted to go to one for the live-acting, the singing, the dancing, and the inspiration/feeling a person can gain from such an experience. I have looked into possibly volunteering for it, but I believe they do not need any.

I know of the 18 Mighty Mouth Warriors from TNKAT; they usually do short comedic skits every show!

As for the East-West Players’s “Art,” this is my first time hearing of it and it does sound very interesting. I am likely to go and support them.

Congratulations! Please attend and enjoy all three events and thanks for your commitment to the L.A. Asian American arts community!

You know, I have to say that even though Jason was selected randomly as the winner, I’m so pleased that it turns out he has a great entry (albeit not very “brief” as requested!). I love all 3 of these organizations, but I’m also glad he singled out Lodestone’s musical “Closer Than Ever,” which I saw on Opening Night. It was really a fun production and I think for someone who has never seen a musical revue, this is a great one to “pop his musical cherry.” I do know that 18MMW’s Bow Down to Your Asian Masters is already sold out for this weekend, so please act quickly and book your tickets before they’re all gone… their run ends next weekend! And even though East West Players’ Art doesn’t open for another month, please mark the dates in your calendar because it promises to be another exciting run, as well!

I wish we had more free tickets to giveaway, but please check out the event websites as there are (generally) lower priced tickets such as previews, matinees, and “Pay What You Can” performances.

Thanks again to 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors, Lodestone Theatre Ensemble, and East West Players for offering up free tickets for this giveaway.

UPDATE: Comments are closed and the winner is being contacted… announcement to follow in the next couple of days!

Those of you who can’t take advantage of our Asian American Arts Stimulus Package 2 giveaway, pay attention on how you can score a free goodie from 8Asians!

Lily and I both blogged about how much we enjoyed Ping Pong Playa and if you didn’t heed our advice to watch it at your local film fest, or if you weren’t able to see it for some other reason, now you have no excuse!

Ping Pong Playa is out on DVD, BluRay and Amazon VOD. Even better yet, Angry Asian Man tipped us off to an Amazon sale on indie DVDs so the PPP DVD is only $5.99 (regularly $14.98) for a limited time. I say you should buy a copy to lock in your awesome deal and then enter our 8Asians giveaway… if you win, gift your original DVD to a friend!

What you could win from 8Asians: one Ping Pong Playa DVD with a PERSONALIZED AUTOGRAPH by PPP star Jimmy Tsai! I will also provide photographs of Jimmy signing your DVD for you!

How do you enter?
Simply leave a short comment stating why you want to be chosen as the winner for the DVD. “I haven’t seen it yet” is totally acceptable! (Be sure to use the email address you’d like to be contacted at if you’re the winner. I will contact you to ask you what you want your personalization to be!)

Hurry, the deadline to enter is: Wednesday, August 12 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time)
One lucky winner will be randomly selected and contacted on Thursday morning.

Rules for entering:
1) Please be in the US or Canada. Sorry, I will not be shipping anywhere else!
2) Please be ready with your personalization request by Thursday if I email you. And don’t be rude or crude in your personalization request; if I deem it offensive, I will give it to someone else.
3) Contributors to 8Asians and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.

Prize courtesy of: 8Asians with special thanks to Jimmy Tsai.