Gwynne Chow Tuan

On Wednesday, May 2, 2012, MSNBC anchor Richard Lui and actor BD Wong (“Awake”, “Law & Order SVU”) will co-emcee APEX’s 20th Anniversary Inspiration Awards Gala Dinner celebrating role models in the Asian-American community and APEX’s crucial work with underserved, inner-city youth, at Capitale, 130 Bowery in New York City from 6:30pm – 10pm.

The 2012 Inspiration Awards will be presented to Ben and Emily Huh of Cheezburger Network, Aasif Mandvi of “The Daily Show,” Chad Troutwine of Veritas Prep, Dr. Alexander Tsui, and fundraiser Gwynne Chow Tuan.

APEX enables underserved children from Asian American communities in New York City to become well-rounded, productive members of society through programs that meet their academic, social and personal needs. The honorees for the evening have demonstrated an equal commitment to serving the Asian American community.

Ali Ewoldt

In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, the Eastern Region Equal Employment Opportunity Committee of Actors’ Equity Association will present a concert reading of GOLD MOUNTAIN (book, music and lyrics by Jason Ma), on Monday, May 21 at 7 p.m. Directed by Christine Toy Johnson, the reading will take place at Hunter College’s Lang Recital Hall, 69th Street (between Park and Lex) and will feature Raymond J. Lee (ANYTHING GOES), Ali Ewoldt (LES MISERABLES), Alan Ariano (MISS SAIGON), Steven Eng, Whitney Kam Lee, Paolo Montalban (PACIFIC OVERTURES), Buzz Roddy, Hansel Tan, Joshua Dela Cruz, Dan Edwards, Andrew Eisenman, Brian Jose, Jake Manabat and David Shih. Musical direction is by Michael Larsen. Production design is by Bruce Alan Johnson.

GOLD MOUNTAIN is the untold story of the Chinese men who, in search of a better life for their families, came to California to build the Central Pacific Railroad — endangering their own lives and finding heartache and hardship instead of the gold they were promised. Two star-crossed lovers find each other in the midst of it all and must find a way to escape, or risk never being together again.

Tickets are free, but space is very limited. RSVP to

Novelist Ed Lin’s 4th book, One Red Bastard (Minotaur Books), his 3rd of his Robert Chow series, is hot off the presses this month. Publishers Weeklyawarded the book a prepublication star, denoting a book of exceptional merit.

“Tensions in America’s relationship with China and Taiwan form the backdrop for Lin’s compelling third mystery featuring Chinese-American Robert Chow of the NYPD (after 2010’s Snakes Can’t Run). By the fall of 1976, Chow has moved on from being the department’s token to real policing, but his personal and professional lives collide when his journalist girlfriend, Lonnie, becomes the prime suspect in a case with potential international repercussions. Chen Xiaochuan, the official representative for Mao Tse-tung’s daughter, who’s seeking asylum in the States, is bludgeoned to death in a Chinatown park, and Lonnie is the last person known to have seen him after interviewing him for her newspaper. Possible motives can be found all over the political spectrum, complicating the investigation.”

Check out the book trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VnwcLiSXO4

Meet Lin on Monday, May 7 at 6:30pm at The Mysterious Bookshop at 58 Warren Street in New York.http://bit.ly/IFi9GW

Tens of thousands flee Bangkok fearing beach of river banks. Click here for the full story.

Journalist Lisa Ling has developed a new sitcom, which has been picked up by ABC.

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