18MMW declares “Race War” on SNL’s Yellowface

Posted on April 4, 2015 by jozjozjoz

8A-2015-03-18MMW-RaceWarSays Michael Hornbuckle:

18MMW declares RACE WAR on SNL!! Because of all the Yellowface SNL does. And if SNL thinks Asians can’t win a RACE WAR…well, we PROVE that Asians CAN!

ABOUT 18 MIGHTY MOUNTAIN WARRIORS:
Quite possibly the world’s most psychotic Asian American sketch comedy group, the Warriors have been together since 1994 and in that time have created innumerable all-new material feature shows, 4 original collaborations with Culture Clash, Campo Santo, Latina Theatre Lab, Lodestone Theatre, OPM and Cold Tofu and performed in New York City, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Chicago, Vancouver, Houston, and Phoenix, among other cities and at the world famous Comedy Store and Laugh Factory. Inspired by groups such as Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Culture Clash, SNL, and Kids in the Hall, their irreverent style of skit comedy ranges from slapstick to political and takes no prisoners.

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Asian American Commercial Watch: Panera Bread’s Soba Noodle Bowl with Chicken

Posted on April 3, 2015 by John

https://youtu.be/Tm43Apblgx0

Okay, so there are no Asian American actors or actresses in this commercial, but I just saw this Panera Bread commercial for their new offering of Asian-inspired broth bowls, highlighting Soba Noodle Bowl with Chicken.

I really don’t eat regularly at Panera Bread and to be honest, although the quality of their food is generally above average, the ‘value’ has never been for me. I’ve usually gone their for coffee, bagels, a sandwich or salad. Maybe that is why the restaurant chain characterizes the new line of broth bowls as to “Eat Adventurously.”

I’m not totally familiar with Panera Bread’s offerings, but was genuinely surprised to discover that they were offering a soba noodles. The next time I’m at Panera Bread, I’ll have to give this dish a try.

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Varun Ram thrills Indian Americans in NCAA Tournament

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Jeff

varunramWhen the University of Maryland needed a defensive spark in the last seconds of their March Madness opener against Valparaiso, they called up reserve player Varun Ram.  According to the Washington post, Ram’s late game disruption of Valparaiso’s offense caused Indian Americans around the country to take notice.  As I looked into more detail about him, it seemed to me that this 5-9 point guard is really a giant in many ways.

Varun Ram first placed NCAA Division III basketball at Trinity and then transferred to the University of Maryland.  He made the Big Ten Athletic conference team as a walk-on on – truly amazing as only one of five Indian Americans playing Division I ball.  While he only played 57 minutes this year and scored all of his points on free throws, he became a fan favorite because of his hustle. Continue reading →

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‘Attack on Titan’ Live Action Movie

Posted on April 2, 2015 by tinabot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvU3ExhdB30

titanIt seems like just yesterday I was suffering from Attack on Titan PTSD. As the new season has not yet been released, apparently, the anime and manga have been popular enough for them to go all out and make a live action movie of the story. So, needless to say, it looks TERRIFYING. The titans look like Godzilla-sized zombies. The story and experience were traumatizing enough animated (and I heard the manga is worse), so who’s sadistic idea was it to make it live action? In any case, of course I’ll watch it. It’s like my obsession for the great white shark. The more terrifying it is, the more I want to see it. First movie is set to come out August 1st, and the sequel soon after on September 19.

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Watch online: ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ (Episode 10: “Blind Spot”)

Posted on April 1, 2015 by jozjozjoz

RANDALL PARK, CONSTANCE WU

Here we are with Episode 10 (out of 13) of Season 1 of Fresh Off the Boat, the Gay Asian, or Gaysian episode with guest star Rex Lee playing Oscar, Jessica’s ex-boyfriend. (Catch up online: Episodes 1 and 2, Episodes 3 and 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, and if you didn’t download the pilot when it was available for free on iTunes and Amazon Instant Video, you can still do that for a few $.)

Remember, aside from the ratings (which are most important), the network is also tracking legal downloads/streaming, as well as social media (Hashtag: #FreshOffTheBoat). So if you want to show the network your support, definitely watch, download, and tweet/post about it.

Multiple episodes are currently available for streaming using the “WATCH ABC” app for iOS. As of now, these downloads and streams are only legit available in the U.S./North America. Sorry to all our overseas readers that we can’t necessarily provide you links; you’ll just have to catch it on satellite for now.

EPISODE 10: “Blind Spot” (S1E10)

Fresh Off the Boat: Blind Spot (3/31)
JESSICA’S COLLEGE BOYFRIEND COMES TO VISIT, ON “FRESH OFF THE BOAT” ON ABC

Rex Lee Guest Stars

“Blind Spot” – Jessica’s college boyfriend, Oscar Chow (guest star Rex Lee), comes to visit. She’s a bit miffed that Louis isn’t a little more jealous….but she’s got a blind spot and is completely oblivious to the fact that Oscar is gay. Meanwhile, Eddie goes to great lengths to get out of the school science fair, on “Fresh Off the Boat,” TUESDAY, MARCH 31 (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET)on the ABC Television Network.

“Fresh Off the Boat” stars Randall Park as Louis, Constance Wu as Jessica, Hudson Yang as Eddie, Forrest Wheeler as Emery and Ian Chen as Evan. Eddie Huang provides the voice over narration.

Guest starring are Lucille Soong as Grandma Huang, Chelsea Crisp as Honey, Jillian Armenante as Nancy, Ray Wise as Marvin, Rex Lee as Oscar Chow, Amanda Lund as Vanessa, Jennifer Hasty as Bev, and Sonya Eddy as Deb.

“Blind Spot” was written by David Smithyman. Claire Scanlon directed.

“Fresh Off the Boat” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG,L parental guideline.

FRESH OFF THE BOAT: SEASON 1

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‘Fresh off the Boat’ Episode Review: “Blind Spot”

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Mitchell K. Dwyer

Fresh Off the Boat, Season 1, Episode 10: “Blind Spot”
Original airdate March 31, 2015.

CONSTANCE WU, REX LEEMicrosynopsis: Jessica’s college ex-boyfriend visits the Huang family and stays in their home. Much to Jessica’s consternation, Louis isn’t the least bit jealous. Eddie gets panicky when the science fair sneaks up on him, and he plots to catch Evan’s chicken pox as a way out of it.

Good: The episode brings it in early scenes, beginning with Eddie and his brothers discussing their projects. It’s almost always funny when it’s just the three boys: the combination of sweet, smart, and earnest works really well, and we get several scenes like that. After nine episodes, one of my biggest problems with this program is the way school is presented, but despite the science fair plot, none of the story actually takes place in school, so we get around that. And in the main story, we’re treated to Jessica at her best, which is almost always when she’s interacting with Louis. The Louis-Jessica-Oscar love triangle is almost Midsummer-Night’s-Dreamish with its shifting dynamics, and the actors keep it aloft with excellent acting. I don’t want to spoil anything for people who haven’t seen it yet, but the visual effects, including views of Evan’s blood, Jessica’s gaydar, and the Flying Liza, were some of the best so far.

RANDALL PARK, CONSTANCE WUBad: My complaints this week are pretty small. The soundtrack, one of my favorite elements, steered clear of hip hop entirely for the first time, and except for one song (which is very familiar but which I can’t place!) in the Denim Turtle, all the music is sung by the characters. And although I understand Oscar’s exaggerated characterization (employed for comic effect, it gives us more insight on Jessica’s and Louis’s characters), I couldn’t help wishing that a show which exists partially to repackage media-perpetuated stereotypes could have found a creative, intelligent, less stereotypical way to draw Oscar. The episode as it’s offered is funny and not unrealistic, but it probably doesn’t do much to add to people’s understanding of another, often unfairly portrayed demographic. Also, I was disappointed that we never saw the red bikini. Stop teasing us, Jessica.

FOB moment: I had to look this one up, but Jessica puts white flower oil on Evan’s chicken pox. This is apparently a Chinese equivalent of my Japanese mom’s iodine-crammed-down-my-sore-throat-when-I-was-a-kid treatment.

Soundtrack flashback: “A Whole New World” from Aladdin.

Final grade, this episode: This is the funniest episode yet, due in large part to sticking to what the show has already done well (minus, alas, the usual soundtrack flashback) and staying away from problem areas. It goes for quick laughs, but it continues the development of its characters and their relationships with each other. The three Huang boys show us several new sides to their relationships, with Emery and Evan, usually allies, emerging as rivals too, in a way that’s believable and still funny. As I have written in this space before, young people watching the program need to have faith in Louis’s relationship with Jessica, and here’s an episode that strengthens that dynamic while offering new, challenging stuff for families to discuss. Good acting, multi-layered laughs, meaningful character development, and surprises all over the place make this the best we’ve seen from Fresh off the Boat. It feels like a reward for faithful viewers who kept hoping for realized potential. This isn’t quite that, but it’s an encouraging step. Objectively speaking, “Blind Spot” deserves a strong B plus, but it’s getting a good-effort bump as a way to motivate it to keep moving in this direction. A minus with a “great effort” sticker.

FRESH OFF THE BOAT: SEASON 1

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8Books Review: Hokusai Origami Paper and Booklet

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Lily

9780804844536__48138.1425594687.1280.1280Maybe this is a stretch for being a “book,” but to learn origami (at least when I was growing up before YouTube and internet tutorials), you used a book or at least a printed booklet of instructions, so we’ll just call it a book. Or close enough, as a stack of papers.

For anyone who folds origami, you know that it comes in all manner of shapes and sizes and patterns. And for anyone who doesn’t, now you know. This particular set of beautiful sheets–Origami Papers: Hokusai Prints, Large 8 1/4″— features prints from Katsushika Hokusai, perhaps best known for his oft reprinted wave and vibrant matching solid colors on the back side. 6 sheets of each design are included. It’s one a of large variety of papers available from Tuttle.

Of course, as is the nature of origami, as you fold, you lose large swaths of the pattern, but you can still maintain a glimmer of the original prints in the final origami–more exciting perhaps than the standard solid print, especially when you’re making gifts or ornaments. Continue reading →

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Traveling Japan: Conbini (Convenience Stores)

Posted on March 30, 2015 by tinabot

DSC00935

Last year, I wrote about Taiwan’s convenience stores being awesome. Japan’s are pretty awesome too. I remember one time, a couple decades ago, I found convenient stores in Japan selling Play Stations.

Japan has a reputation of being too expensive, and definitely, high end Japanese hotels and restaurants can really be ridiculously pricy, even for high end, but many a time, with family or friends, I have traveled Japan living solely off of convenience store foods. From an American perspective, that sounds pretty horrible, like chili-dogs and nacho cheese every day, but the above picture is of a soba noodles meal I bought at a local convenience store. I just brought it home, put it in a bowl, and heated it up. Even for health conscious folks, you can find some seriously delicious, rather fresh, and healthy choices. Just an onigiri rice ball would make a great meal, but even if you need something a little more substantial, let’s say a beef bowl, you can grab one at the local convenience store.

DSC01219

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Continue reading →

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‘The Who’s TOMMY’ opens May 13, 2015 at East West Players featuring Deedee Magno Hall, Joseph Morales, Cliffton Hall, and Parvesh Cheena

Posted on March 28, 2015 by 8AsiansNews

8A-2015-03-28-EWP-1050x420_tommy

East West Players (EWP), the nation’s longest-running professional theatre of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, continues its 50th Anniversary Season, Golden, with “The Who’s TOMMY,” Music and Lyrics by Pete Townshend, Book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff, Additional Music and Lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon. “The Who’s TOMMY” was originally produced on Broadway by Pace Theatrical Group and Dodger Productions with Kardana Productions. The production is directed by Snehal Desai (EWP’s “A Nice Indian Boy”) with musical direction by Marc Macalintal (EWP’s “Chess,” “Krunk Fu Battle Battle”) and choreography by Janet Roston (Ovation Award and NAACP Award winner for “The Color Purple” at Celebration Theatre). Generous support for this production is provided by the S. Mark Taper Foundation Endowment for East West Players.

“The Who’s TOMMY” cast features Joseph Morales (“In The Heights” Broadway & National Tour, “Bombay Dreams” Broadway) as Tommy, Deedee Magno Hall, recently from “If/Then” on Broadway (“Miss Saigon” Broadway & International Tour, “Wicked” 1st National Tour) as Mrs. Walker, Cliffton Hall (“Miss Saigon” Broadway, 1st National Tour & International Tour, “Wicked” 1st National Tour) as Captain Walker, and Parvesh Cheena (NBC’s “Outsourced”) as Uncle Ernie. Also featured are Araceli Prasarttongosoth, Van Brunelle, Michayla Brown, Ryan Castellino, Cesar Cipriano, Cailan Rose, Constance Jewell Lopez, Maxwel Corpuz, Michael Daniel Dashefsky, Christine De Chavez, Caitlyn Calfas, Marius Beltran and Tina Nguyen.

About “The Who’s TOMMY:” Deprived of sight, hearing and speech by the shock of what he had witnessed as a child, young Tommy Walker seems lost to life – until he reveals an uncanny talent for the game of pinball. When his lost senses are suddenly restored, Tommy is hailed as a living miracle. The classic rock musical arrives for the first time at East West Players in an electrifying new production.

“We are thrilled to produce ‘The Who’s TOMMY’ on this auspicious occasion of EWP’s 50th Anniversary because the Who is also celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year,” says Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director. “This cast represents the diverse landscape of America today and has talent that will knock your socks off. This production will bring a unique sound and look like no other production of ‘TOMMY.’”

The design team includes: Set design by Stephanie Kerley Schwartz, costume design by Jenny Foldenauer, lighting design by Karyn Lawrence, sound design by Cricket Meyers, projections design by Sean Cawelti, and props by Marissa Bergman. Stage Manager is Ondina V. Dominguez.

All performances will be staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center of the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Previews are Thursday, November 6th through Saturday November 8th at 8pm and Sunday November 9th at 2pm. All preview seats are $28.

Opening Night for “The Who’s TOMMY” is Wednesday, May 13th at 8pm and includes a 7pm pre-performance cocktail reception, and a post-show reception with the cast and creative team. Call theater for availability. “Pay-What-You-Can” Performance is on Thursday, May 14th at 8pm. A special talkback with the cast and creative team is on Sunday, May 24th immediately following the performance. The production runs until June 7th.

Regular performances run Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets may be purchased online at eastwestplayers.org or by calling 213.625.7000. Regular tickets range from $43-58. Student and Senior discounts available. Dates, prices and details are subject to change.

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Asian American Commercial Watch: Jason Wu for Cadillac in “The Daring: No Regrets”

Posted on March 27, 2015 by jozjozjoz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGhaOV0BPmA

Last November, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, I noticed something different about Cadillac. They seemed to be on the eve of a re-invention.

These new ads, with the tagline “Only those who dare drive the world forward” seems to confirm my observations. Cadillac seeks to reinvent its 112-year-old brand as one The ad, features “those was dare,” innovators Jason Wu, Anne Wojcicki, Njeri Rionge, Richard Linklater, and Steve Wozniak and the song: Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien performed by Edith Piaf

We’ve written a lot about Jason Wu in the past, including when his design was selected by Michelle Obama for her first and second Inaugural Ball gowns.

In addition to the ad which features all the innovators, there is also a video specific to Jason Wu:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYalQG7d6eg

8A-2015-03-27-Cadillac-JasonWuJason Wu came to the US as a boy of 9 with a love for dressing dolls. He dared to follow his passion and went from fashion intern to an arbiter of style tasked with revolutionizing one of the world’s most iconic fashion brands.

Here is a message from the President of Cadillac, talking about what today’s Cadillac is about:

Continue reading →

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Fung Brothers: Things Asian Parents Do

Posted on March 26, 2015 by tinabot

asianI think a lot of Asian American kids watch this and are like “Yeah, my parents do a lot of those things”, but my mom watched this, cracked up, and said “I really do do that!” I feel like that’s another level of validation for the video.

I have to say, though, their mom in this video is ADORABLE.

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