September 15, 2013

Atlantic City, N.J. 

Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri Photo credit: The Miss America Organization / ABC

CNN.com reported examples of racist tweets that were posted on Twitter by some users right after Nina Davuluri was crowned Miss America tonight. The 24 year old Miss New York made history as the first Indian American to win the Miss America title. Miss Davuluri's talent routine was a Bollywood fusion dance. 

In response to the racist tweets on Twitter, including some Twitter users accusing her of being Arab and a terrorist, Ms. Davuluri said at her first press conference after winning the crown in Atlantic City, "I have to rise above that."  "I always viewed myself as first and foremost American."

Ms. Davuluri said "I'm thankful there are children watching at home who can finally relate to a new Miss America." 

A native of Syracuse, New York, Davuluri is applying to medical school. As the 2014 Miss America, she will receive a $50,000 scholarship as part of her pageant title. 

Ms. Davuluri's first runner-up is Miss California Crystal Lee. Lee performed a ballet dance, is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese, and obtained a B.A. and M.A. from Stanford in four years.

Davuluri is the second Asian American to win the title. The first Asian American to win the title of Miss America was Angela Perez-Baraquio who won in 2001 and is of Filipino descent.

For more on the story:

MissAmerica.org

ABCNews.go.com

CNN.com

USAToday.com

Jeff Yang, writer of Tao Jones column for Wall Street Journal Online

Related: RedAlertLive.com reports racist slurs for Puerto Rican singer Marc Anthony by some Twitter users for Singing 'God Bless America' and the young Mexican-American boy Sebastien De La Cruz for singing the National Anthem During the NBA Finals. 

July 26, 2013

Actress Lia Chang stars in the award-winning play "Power Play"  by playwright/actress Lorey Hayes in Winston-Salem, North Carolina July 31-August 1. 

We are proud to take over Lia's "Backstage Pass" column this month to congratulate her on her upcoming performance in "Power Play."

Lia stars with Pauletta Pearson Washington, aka Mrs. Denzel Washington ("The Watsons Go to Birningham"), Lorey Hayes ("Dreamgirls)", Roscoe Orman ("Sesame Street"), Marcus Naylor ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)", and Phynjuar ("Meet the Browns").

Photo credit courtesy by Wiliam J. Chang (L to R) Pauletta Pearson Washington, Lia Chang, Roscoe Orman, Lorey Hayes.

The actors will perform the play in a staged reading at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

“Power Play” by Lorey Hayes
 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 3 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 1
 Shirley Recital Hall, Salem College, 500 E. Salem Ave., Winston-Salem
 Tickets: $25
 Information: 723-7907, www.nbtf.org.
Tickets also are available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Saturday at the N.C. Black Repertory Company office,
610 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem.
Starting Tuesday, tickets may be purchased from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily at
Benton Convention Center, 301 W. Fifth St., Winston-Salem.

About "Power Play":

 Roscoe Orman's Franklin Wright has been propelled to political stardom by his Asian American campaign manager, played by Lia Chang.

Just three days before the election, hoping to become California’s first African American governor he finds himself in a scandal that threatens his career and marriage — a scandal based on a secret that his wife, played by Paulette Pearson Washington, has harbored for years.

Related:

National Black Theatre Festival:...

October 6, 2013 Update: Linsanity is in selected theaters now! Buy tickets and go!

October 4, 2013 UPDATE: Go see Linsanity!

"Linsanity" the docoumentary begins screening in theaters in a limited release October 11, but keep an eye out for earlier screenings in your area!

Its a terrific documentary! Show support on the opening weekend by buying tickets!

July 24, 2013

Mark your calendars!

Variety Film Reporter Dave McNary reports exclusively that "Linsanity" the documentary about Jeremy Lin directed by Evan Jackson Leong, and produced by Christopher Chen, Allen Lu and Brian Yang will be released in theaters beginning October 4, 2013.  

For the full story by Dave McNary at Variety click here.

I saw the documentary at a press screening earlier this year, and a second time at CAAMFest 2013's Opening Night in San Francisco, and look forward to its theatrical release. 

If you would like to join the movie's "Street Team" to get the word out click here to fill out the Linsanity - Street Team form or go straight to the website and find the link at www.Linsanitythemovie.com. 

If you would ike to host your own screening with your group you can fill out a form at the official website www.Linsanitythemovie.com/screening

"Linsanity" credits:

Executive Producer: Sam Kwok, James Stern, Patricia Sun
Producer: Christopher Chen, Allen Lu, Brian Yang
Cinematographer: Evan Leong
Editor: Greg Louie

Here's the description of "Linsanity" from CAAMFest 2013:

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