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BD Wong, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Brandon Victor Dixon, Tom Viola at “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids”

Posted by: Lia Chang

On Tuesday, March 27, 2012, Tony award-winning actor BD Wong hosted “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids,” at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York.

BD Wong Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids. Photo by Lia Chang

Currently appearing on NBC’s critically acclaimed drama “Awake,” Wong collaborated with Wayne Barker (Broadway composer of PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS) to write a mini-musical based upon King Matt the First, Janusz Korczak’s beloved Polish children’s story. He co-wrote, directed, choreographed and performed with 11 handpicked kids from the “Rosie’s Theater Kids” program.

Joe Benincasa, executive director of The Actors Fund of America, BD Wong, honoree Tom Viola, executive director Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids and BD Wong in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Brian Stokes Mitchell, fresh off a plane from Dallas where he appeared in “Do You Hear the People Sing” a Broadway-style concert featuring the music of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon at the American Airlines Center, was introduced by Joe Benincasa, executive director of The Actors Fund of America, to present RTKids’ honoree Tom Viola, Executive Director of...
Save Our Chinatown Committee Wins Major Legal Victory

Posted by: AC Team

Save Our Chinatown Committee Celebrates Court Victory

Riverside, California

March 28, 2012

News ReleaseSave Our Chinatown Committee

After nearly 3 ½ years of legal proceedings, the 4th Appellate District court has invalidated the approval of an office building project that threatened to destroy Riverside’s historic Chinatown. “We look forward to providing the City guidance during this process,” says Save Our Chinatown Committee (SOCC) Chair, M. Rosalind Sagara. “Together, we can find a way to protect the archaeological remains of Riverside’s historic Chinatown and we believe the best way of doing this is by developing a historic park at the site.”

The ruling, issued on March 21st, centered on the environmental impact report (EIR) and whether or not it complied with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the state regulations protecting historic sites threatened with demolition.

A panel of three judges invalidated the EIR and the subsequent approval of the project having found that the City failed to consider reasonable alternatives to the proposed building plans and location. Also, it was decided that the EIR contained insufficient analysis for the City to consider accurately the environmental and cultural impacts of the proposed development. The Court of Appeal’s decision will cancel any construction permits issued based on that EIR. Any new EIR will require additional public review.

The Court of Appeal also reversed the Superior Court’s ruling that the sale of the property was improperly conducted. The Court of Appeal ruled that the Riverside County Office of Education is not technically a school district and therefore not subject to State Education Code’s rules for selling property. SOCC arguments that the RCBOE is subject to nearly identical rules in another state law were not considered by the Court of Appeal due to a timing issue. SOCC will monitor the agency’s actions regarding the historic property. ...
LA: Film Screening "The Untold Story of Ralph Carr and the Japanese: Fate of 3 Japanese Americans and the Internment

Posted by: Suzanne Kai

Los Angeles - at the Japanese American National Museum Film Screening April 28, 2012 at 2:00pm The Untold Story of Ralph Carr and the Japanese: Fate of 3 Japanese Americans and the Internment This documentary follows the story of two Japanese Americans who were forced to relocate to Amache, and one Colorado native of Japanese descent who worked for the state government beginning in the Carr administration. The Japanese American National Museum has many wonderful exhibitions and events year round. Click here to the JANM.org calendar for more exhibitions and events information. JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM 369 East First Street Los Angeles, California 90012 phone: 213.625.0414 fax: 213.625.1770
Jeremy Lin's Jersey is still NBA's top seller since February - online Knicks stores sales up

Posted by: Suzanne Kai

Since Jeremy Lin's February 4 breakout game as a Knicks point guard, sales of Lin merchandise continues to surge. For the full story from Marketwatch's Andria Cheng click here.

Related:

Jeremy Lin signs endorsement deal with Volvo

"In the locker room with Jeremy Lin" by Suzanne Joe Kai

"How Linsanity hits home" by author, journalist, broadcaster and former senior editor of Rolling Stone Magazine Ben Fong-Torres.

Author, former Wall Street Journal writer, and historian William Wong writes about Linsanity in this five-part series:
Linsanity 5: Confirming stereotypes? by William Wong Linsanity 4 Can't escape race no matter what by William Wong Linsanity 3: Will fame (‘friend’ of Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Sarah Palin, et. al.) ruin Jeremy Lin? by William Wong Linsanity 2: Redefining American by William Wong Linsanity 1: Am I Linsane? You Betcha! by William Wong
Guidelines on reporting on Jeremy Lin issued by the Asian American Journalists Association

Jeremy Lin inspires a nation by Dave Zirin for Nation Magazine

Is Jeremy Lin a "marked man?"

Woah - Jeremy Lin is on Sports Illustrated Magazine's cover - Will the 'curse' of being on SI's cover jinx him? AsianConnections' editor and New York Bureau Chief Lia Chang is in the midst of Linmania in NYC with this report and a link to the Sports Illustrated story.

Jeremy Lin coverage on Wikipedia

Jeremy Lin on Twitter

Je remy Lin on Facebook

Jeremy Lin's Official Channel on YouTube.com

The Wall Street Journal Feb. 12, 2012
Mar. 21: Jeanne Sakata Set for SEVEN in L.A.

Posted by: Lia Chang

Jeanne Sakata (Mo Sochua), Chastity Dotson (Hafsat Abiola), Alex Napier (Marina Pisklakova Parker), Liz Canavan (Ias nez McCormack), Marlene Forte (Annabella de Leon), Sabina Zuniga (Farida Azizi), and Sohina Sidhu (Mukhtar Mai), are featured in SEVEN: Art at Work for Human Rights and Social Justice, at the University Park Campus, Bovard Auditorium (ADM), on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at 7:00pm. Admission is free. Reservations required. To RSVP, click here.

Jeanne Sakata

SEVEN is a collaborative documentary theatre piece written by seven award-winning women playwrights. Based on personal interviews, SEVEN tells the stories of seven incredible women from around the world who have faced risks to themselves and their families to take on human rights abuses in their countries. One of the women set up the first domestic-violence crisis center in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union, even as the government denied the existence of such abuse. Another, in Pakistan, refused to remain silent after she was raped, demanding justice; she later opened a school so that young girls would no longer be victimized because of illiteracy. Still another returned to Cambodia after her parents had been killed by the Khmer Rouge to work against human trafficking. In the interwoven stories, what emerges is a connection of common purpose, determination and courage. The groundbreaking play was written by Paula Cizmar, Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Carol K. Mack, Ruth Margraff, Anna Deavere Smith and Susan Yankowitz.For more information email visionsandvoices@usc.edu or click here.

SEVEN: Art at Work for Human Rights and Social JusticeVisions and VoicesWednesday, March 21, 2012 : 7:00pmUniversity Park CampusBovard Auditorium (ADM)

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang. Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning...
April 27-May 26: Sex in Seattle 20: Happily Ever After . . ..

Posted by: Lia Chang

Photo by Rick Wong

SIS Productions celebrates the grand finale of its popular hit series! Sex in Seattle 20: Happily Ever After . . . premieres at West of Lenin located at 203 N 36th Street in Seattle. The show runs April 27 – May 26, playing Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm. Tickets are $16 for general admission, $12 for students/seniors/actors. Advance purchase discounts and group rates are also available. Call (206) 323-9443 or email tickets@sis-productions.org for reservations and information or check out the website at www.sexinseattle.org. Advance tickets may be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets ~ call 1-800-838-3006 or go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/233110.

Sex in Seattle is the country’s longest-running theatrical romantic comedy experience! Each episode explores the ups and downs of life and love from a uniquely humorous perspective. Is it possible to live happily ever after? Or are fairytale endings just a made-up myth? From media expectations to parental pressures to living up to the model minority stereotype, how can any modern-day woman ever hope to achieve true happiness? Find out how Seattle’s favorite Asian American gals discover their own secret to a happy ending!

Rated “PG-13″ for sexual innuendo and saucy situations.

Sex in Seattle 20: Happily Ever After is written by Kathy Hsieh, directed by Lisa Anne Glomb and produced by Lorna Chin, Kathy Hsieh, Lisa Marie Nakamura, May Nguyen, Hayley Park, Miko Premo & Roger Tang.

Featuring: Leilani Berinobis or Audrey Fan, Henry Drew, Tom Falcone or Don Fleming, Gordon Hendrickson, Kathy Hsieh, Miko Premo, Serin Ngai or May Nguyen and Moses Yim.

SIS Productions is a production company that strives to create, develop and produce quality works that involve Asian American women,their themes, and Asian American issues. SIS Productions encourages opportunities and support for Asian American women to be involved in all aspects of the production of artistic endeavors.

Mar. 27: BD Wong in Rehearsal for “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids”

Posted by: Lia Chang

Last weekend, I caught up with BD Wong at the Maravel Arts Center on 445 W. 45th St. in New York, where he was rehearsing a number which will be performed in “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids,” on Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 W. 55th St. @ 9th Ave in New York.

BD Wong rehearses with Rosie’s Theater Kids at the Maravel Arts Center on 445 W. 45th St. in New York on March 17, 2012. Photo by Lia Chang

BD will also be hosting the event, (also honoring Tom Viola, Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids), which features Rosie’s Theater Kids alongside Derick K. Grant, Brandon Victor Dixon, Zakiya Young, and special taped video appearances by Audra McDonald and John Tartaglia. A highlight of the evening is sure to be an original piece conceived and co-written by BD, in which he will perform with 11 of the children from the “Rosie’s Theater Kids” program.

BD Wong rehearses with Rosie’s Theater Kids at the Maravel Arts Center on 445 W. 45th St. in New York on March 17, 2012. Photo by Lia Chang

In Manhattan, thousands of children live near the “Great White Way” but never have the opportunity to step inside one of the theaters and experience Broadway. As Rosie O’Donnell says, it’s “like living in Hawaii and not having access to the beach.” Today, New York City public schools rely largely on private funding for arts education and they continue to struggle due to a constant shortage of public funding. This is where Rosie’s Theater Kids comes in, providing theater exposure and theater training to hundreds of NY City Public school kids each week.

BD Wong rehearses with Rosie’s Theater Kids at the Maravel Arts Center on 445 W. 45th Street in New York on March 17, 2012. Photo by Lia Chang

BD shared, “For several weeks now, I have been rehearsing with 11 of Rosie’s Theater Kids, Music Director Steven Jamail and RTK Vocal Performance...
Jeremy Lin signs endorsement deal with Volvo

Posted by: Suzanne Kai

March 19, 2012

Automaker Volvo announced today it has signed a brand endorsement deal with New York Knicks' Jeremy Lin.

Lin will reportedly become Volvo's brand ambassador for the next two years, with focus in the U.S., China and Chinese-language markets in Asia.

"You may not immediately see the conneciton between me and Volvo, but both of us are striving to be better and smarter at what we do, and to do it our own way," Lin said at a news conference today.

"I hope that my efforts will inspire more young people to follow their ambitions in sports and education, just like Volvo Car Corp. is designing cars around epople's ambitions in life."

For the full story click here.

Related:

Jeremy Lin signs endorsement deal with Volvo

"In the locker room with Jeremy Lin" by Suzanne Joe Kai

"How Linsanity hits home" by author, journalist, broadcaster and former senior editor of Rolling Stone Magazine Ben Fong-Torres.

Author, former Wall Street Journal writer, and historian William Wong writes about Linsanity in this five-part series:
Linsanity 5: Confirming stereotypes? by William Wong Linsanity 4 Can't escape race no matter what by William Wong Linsanity 3: Will fame (‘friend’ of Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Sarah Palin, et. al.) ruin Jeremy Lin? by William Wong Linsanity 2: Redefining American by William Wong Linsanity 1: Am I Linsane? You Betcha! by William Wong
Guidelines on reporting on Jeremy Lin issued by the Asian American Journalists Association

Jeremy Lin inspires a nation by Dave Zirin for Nation Magazine

Is Jeremy Lin a "marked man?"

Woah - Jeremy Lin is on Sports Illustrated Magazine's cover - Will the 'curse' of being on SI's cover jinx him? AsianConnections' editor and New York Bureau Chief Lia Chang is in the midst of Linmania in NYC with this report and a link to the Sports Illustrated story.

Jeremy Lin coverage on Wikipedia

Jeremy Lin on Twitter

Je remy Lin on Facebook

Jeremy Lin's Official Channel on YouTube.com

The...
Art Hsu stars in The FP - the SXSW hit

Posted by: Suzanne Kai

March 15, 2012 -

THE FP

Written and Directed by: Brandon Trost & Jason Trost

Starring: Jason Trost, Lee Valmassy, Art Hsu, Caitlyn Folley, Nick Principe, Brandon Barrera, James DeBello, Sean Whalen, and James Remar

Indie film The FP makes its debut in limited release in theaters nationally today March 16, 2012. Click here for The FP screening schedule.

I would go to see The FP only because Art Hsu is one of the stars in this quirky, funny movie.

Film critics are writing that this homage to retro-80's B movies and 90's hip hop spoken by white folks is hilarious, utterly ridiculous, and fun.

A word of caution however, one reviewer warned there is some rough dialogue that is racist, sexist and homophobic in this retro romp.

The FP won the Audience Award at 2011’s Fantasia International Film Festival in Toronto, and was a hit at 2011's SXSW, the mega film and music festival in Austin, Texas.

AsianConnections' interview with Art will be posted soon!

Meanwhile, enjoy our exclusive interview with Art on his first feature film starring role back in 2009 in Cranked: High Voltage!
In the Locker Room with Jeremy Lin

Posted by: Suzanne Kai

Madison Square Garden, New York City

By Suzanne Joe Kai

March 11, 2012

JEREMY LIN IN THE LOCKER ROOM - PHOTO BY SUZANNE JOE KAI

I spent the day today watching a Knicks game. This time it wasn't on a television screen from California but up close, live and in person at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

I was on the court, literally, at today's pre-game practice, behind the scenes embedded with veteran sports reporters, at the pre and post game press conference with the coach, and yes - in the locker room with Jeremy Lin.

Stay tuned soon for our feature on Jeremy Lin, Mr. Linsanity himself. Meanwhile, we have posted a few photographs from today.

The greatest thing about Linsanity is that Jeremy Lin can win, he can lose, but he has already achieved the near impossible.

In just a few short weeks, he's turned a country on its head and made it examine how Asian Americans are viewed in the mainstream.

As we watched him in person today, we saw a very talented 23 year old basketball player with a great career ahead of him.

We also thought of the historical milestone he has already achieved - for all of us.

Video screenshots are below.

Related:

"How Linsanity hits home" by author, journalist, broadcaster and former senior editor of Rolling Stone Magazine Ben Fong-Torres.

Author, former Wall Street Journal writer, and historian William Wong writes about Linsanity in this five-part series:
Linsanity 5: Confirming stereotypes? by William Wong Linsanity 4 Can't escape race no matter what by William Wong Linsanity 3: Will fame (‘friend’ of Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Sarah Palin, et. al.) ruin Jeremy Lin? by William Wong Linsanity 2: Redefining American by William Wong Linsanity 1: Am I Linsane? You Betcha! by William Wong
Guidelines on reporting on Jeremy Lin issued by the Asian American Journalists Association

Jeremy Lin inspires a nation by Dave Zirin for Nation Magazine

Is Jeremy Lin a "marked man?"

Woah - Jeremy Lin is on...

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Petition launched to designate Landmark Status to former Internment Camp - Vote by LA City Council Committee is June 11, 2013

Featured Articles

BD Wong, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Brandon Victor Dixon, Tom Viola at “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids”

Save Our Chinatown Committee Wins Major Legal Victory

LA: Film Screening "The Untold Story of Ralph Carr and the Japanese: Fate of 3 Japanese Americans and the Internment

Jeremy Lin's Jersey is still NBA's top seller since February - online Knicks stores sales up

Mar. 21: Jeanne Sakata Set for SEVEN in L.A.

April 27-May 26: Sex in Seattle 20: Happily Ever After . . ..

Mar. 27: BD Wong in Rehearsal for “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids”

Jeremy Lin signs endorsement deal with Volvo

Art Hsu stars in The FP - the SXSW hit

In the Locker Room with Jeremy Lin

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