2-28-05 Cerry Blossom Festival

4th Annual
Pasadena Cherry Blossom Festival
Date: April 2-3, 2005
Time: 10AM - 6PM

The Pasadena Cherry Blossom Festival will be on April 2-3, 2005 at the world famous Rose Bowl. This prestigious event is produced by RYOMA, founded in 2002 for the purpose of administering cultural events to bridge generations and expose the mainstream population to various diverse cultural arts. The event is in its 4th year and has become one of the most impressive multi-cultural events in southern
California. Attendance has grown from a few thousand in 2002 to 20,000 in 2004, even with the rains on Saturday of the event. Organizers are anticipating a significantly higher attendance in 2005 based on the reputation of the festival, moving the venue to the Rose Bowl, support from the City of Pasadena and the local
community as well as the addition of several exciting new components.

EastWest Players UPDATE!

• Last chance to see critically-acclaimed PROOF
• Free ASIAN PACIFIC TALES show March 19 @ 2 pm
• 39th Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction
• Volunteer ushers needed for PROOF
• New David Henry Hwang Writers Institute Playwriting Workshop
• EWP patrons can buy $12 tickets to TEN THOUSAND YEARS

Last chance to see critically-acclaimed PROOF
"Thoughtful, leavened with humor."-Los Angeles Times RECOMMENDED"A beautiful staging of a top-drawer play ... characters are alive with complexity and imagination"-Daily News"Kimiko Gelman's captivating, laserlike intensity, underscored with a zesty humor, makes it all work."-Daily Variety"David J. Lee manages to be deferential, duplicitous, sweet, shy, geeky, and more than a little hot, often at the same time."-Back Stage West"Under the direction of Heidi Helen Davis and the cast, PROOF'S story comes to life."-Socal.com"East West Players has another quality production."-ReviewPlays.com"East West Players' shows the true universality of this story, but also succeeds in emphasizing -- or one could say proving -- the versatility of minority actors and their ability to handle multi-dimensional characters."-UCLA Asia Pacific ArtsEXTENDED! Now through March 6Thurs.-Sat. @ 8 pm, Sat. & Sun. @ 2 pmTickets $33-$38
More information on PROOF and purchase tickets.

39th Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction
All dressed up and nowhere to go?Come to the biggest party of the year! As we do each season, East West Players will celebrate the very best in Asian American talent with our 39th Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner. We are certain that you will want to be part of the fun this year as we honor talented and dedicated individuals who have given voice to the Asian Pacific American community. Remember to mark your calendar for great food, a fantastic show, the best silent auction in Los Angeles and the most exuberant crowd you are likely to encounter at any other event!Monday, April 186 pm No Host Cocktails and Silent Auction7 pm Dinner and Awards ShowHilton Universal City555 Universal Hollywood Dr., Universal City, CA 91608
More information on the 39th Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction.

New David Henry Hwang Writers Institute Playwriting Workshop
This 15-week workshop will be designed to help new and experienced writers start or develop new plays into scripts that are ready to be put on stage. Each 3-hour session will include: a warmup writing exercise, discussion of everyone's work progress, reading and discussion of 3 or 4 works in progress, reading assignments from dramatic literature to illustrate and inspire writers with their work, and a closing exercise to focus on the next week's work.Saturdays from 10-1 pm, March 26- July 9, 2005Fee: $350 (ACTS members $325)Location: Studio City
More information on the David Henry Hwang Writers Institute.
Free ASIAN PACIFIC TALES show March 19 @ 2 pm
ASIAN PACIFIC TALES blends Eastern and Western theatrical techniques with folk tales to encourage children to discover other people and understand the diversity of Asian Pacific Islander cultures. Interspersed with song and dance, this year’s 45-minute show includes Korean folk tale “Mirror Mirror,” Vietnamese folk tale “The Size of Kindness” and the continuation of last year’s Chinese folk tale “The Monkey King.”David Henry Hwang Theater120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012RSVP by March 18 at boxoffice@eastwestplayers.org or (213) 625-7000 x20
More information on Theatre for Youth.

Volunteer ushers needed for PROOF
Donate your time to East West Players by being an usher for a performance of PROOF and see the show for free. We need ushers for almost every performance. For more information or to volunteer contact Alden Villaverde at (213) 625-7000 x18 or avillaverde@eastwestplayers.org.
More information on all opportunities at East West Players.

EWP patrons can buy $12 tickets to TEN THOUSAND YEARS
TEN THOUSAND YEARSBy John RidleyDirected by Kipp ShiotaniThis world premiere drama follows a group of young Japanese pilots that voluntarily train to fly specially designed airplane bombs on suicide missions near the closing of World War II. As their training progresses and defeat becomes imminent, the physical and psychological stress begins to make them question action, art and ritual death.Extended! Now through March 3Mention promotion code "EWP" to receive $12 tickets for performances Friday @ 8 pm, Sunday @ 2 pm, as well as shows on March 1-3 @ 8 pmEl Portal Forum Theatre5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601(Free parking behind theatre @ Lankershim Elementary School on the corner of Weddington and Bakman.)
Purchase tickets to TEN THOUSAND YEARS.

As the nation’s premier Asian American theatre organization, East West Players produces outstanding works and educational programs that give voice to the Asian Pacific American experience.East West PlayersDavid Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012(213) 625-7000 phone (213) 625-7111 FAXWe send our email announcement to people who have purchased tickets to one of our events, participated in our arts education programs, auditioned for one of our productions or asked to be added to our mailing list. Occasionally we may include information or special offers about other events we feel may be of interest to you. To unsubscribe follow the link at the bottom of the e-mail. Visit East West Players.

2-23-05 John Cho. Left of Zed UC Berkeley, a Nor Cal news...

We got about 14 e-mails and 6 forwards and 18 instant messages from our pals up in Berkeley...

Yes, John Cho along with the band Left of Zed... will be performing @ noon, 12 O'clock at the Asian American Student Conference, infront the hideous looking Dwinelle Hall.

Check out the conference too! Speak.Asian Americans will be parterning up with BlackLava to do a kick-assing workshop:

Workshop title:
I Wear My Opinion! Ahhh! ! !
What do you do when the letter-writing campaign to your Congressman just ain't working? What is life after A&F and Details Magazine controversy? Come to this workshop to find out how entrepreneur & graphic artist Ryan Suda of Blacklava.net transformed his political activism in from of… t-shirt designs?!

2-16-05 Latern Festival 2005

Latern Festival 2005Sat. Feb 19 200512-6pm Free Admission

Also, besure to register and vote with CAUSE (Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment!)

2-16-05 NEMO ROCKS! (2-18-05)

Support NEMO Rocks!

This Saturday!

2-16-05 Finally... Ken Oak has arrived. CD Release Party (2-17-05)

Finally... Ken Oak CD Release Party. Go Support this Asian American brotha.
Click on the above image for more details!

2-10-05 FREE Special Screening! Beautiful Boxer.

REGENT/HERE! FILMSINVITES YOU AND A GUEST TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING OF THE ACCLAIMED FILM BEAUTIFUL BOXER

Tuesday, FEBRUARY 15, 2005,
8PM Regent Showcase Theatre
614 North La Brea (South of Melrose)
Los Angeles, California

RSVP via phone: TC:DM &Associates (213) 624-7827 ext. 4
Please include your name and the number of tickets you would like.
Mention SpeakAsianAmericans!

Please note that no tickets will be sent out -
Your RSVP is all that is necessary to attend!
Street parking available after 7PM on La Brea

Film info at www.beautifulboxer.com

BEAUTIFUL BOXER will open in LA theatres on February 18, 2005 at the Regent Showcase and the Pasadena Playhouse 7

BEAUTIFUL BOXER is the moving and beautiful film based on the true life story of NONG TOOM - Thailand's National Kickboxing champion who fought his way to national recognition as both a fighter and transvestite. The film is a poignant action drama that punches straight into the heart and mind of a boy who fights like man so that he can become a woman. The film has earned the lead actor the 2004 Thai Academy Award for Best Actor.

The film has earned accolades in festivals across the globe. BEAUTIFUL BOXER will be released in theatres in the United States beginning in January and throughout February and March by Regent/Here! Films.

This is one film not to miss.

2-9-05 Join Speak.AsianAmerican Yahoo Group!

Join our yahoo group!

Benefits:
-Special screenings to commercial and independent films.
-Hosted events (yes kids... free food. sometimes free alchy)
-Meet elected officials, community leaders at events, network.
-Job Announcements.

and most importantly...

support the Asian American enetertainment/non-profit/political communities!

So sign up now!

2-09-05 We are big fans of...

Angry Asian Man!

Thank you for the plug, Angry Asian Man.

According to him...

"02.09.05 Speak. Asian Americans is a blog dedicated to listing all the relevant APA events and happenings for active-minded folks in Southern California. It's a pretty good idea, to get some coordination going on between all the Asian American organizations out there. Because it sucks when events are scheduled on the same night, and this way, groups and organizations can cross-promote. Everybody wins!" ~ AngryAsianMan.com

2-08-05 Celebrate Lunar New Year with Hip Hop battles LA Chinatown!

For more information, visit: http://www.asiaticempire.com/

2-08-05 Lodestone Oscars Party!

5TH ANNUAL OSCAR PARTY FUNDRAISER:
Hosted by ROGER FAN (From the hit movie BETTER LUCK TOMORROW and the upcoming Disney release ANNAPOLIS)
Produced by Yi Lin

Sunday, February 27, 2005
Doors open at 4:00 PM
Oscars start at 5:00 PM
Arrive EARLY for best seating!
Valet parking available

* Come out and watch the Academy Awards on a BIG SCREEN with SURROUND
SOUND....
* ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET from 6-8 PM (w/free soda and coffee from 6-8 PM)...
* Hang out with your favorite Asian American celebrities including stars from
BETTER LUCK TOMORROW and Justin Lin (director of BLT and the upcoming
ANNAPOLIS starring James Franco)
* Enter to win COOL PRIZES IN OUR RAFFLE...
* Fully-stocked bar with DRINK SPECIALS all night (featuring L.A.'s largest
martini menu with over 100 selections)...
* Enter our annual Oscar pool and try to guess the winners (Pool closes at 5
PM). Only $5 to enter...
*Karaoke rooms available upstairs during and after Oscars program. Half-off
all rooms...

All this and more at Koreatown's hottest nightspot:

Nyx & Nox Bar & Lounge (formally Orchid Restaurant and Cafe)
3900 W. 6th Street (Corner of Oxford and 6th)
Los Angeles, CA 90020
http://www.orchidlosangeles.com/


Tickets:
$20 pre-sale (if received by Feb. 25)
$25 at the door (early arrival suggested)
VIP tickets $35 (includes reserved VIP seating, free access to VIP karaoke
room and gift bag. Only a limited number available.)

To order advanced tickets, send a check (made out to: Lodestone Theatre
Ensemble) for $20 per ticket (or $35 for VIP) to:

Lodestone Theatre Ensemble
c/o Oscar Night
PO Box 1072
Studio City, CA 91614

Please include your phone number and e-mail address so we can confirm your
order. Tickets will be waiting for you at the door. All checks MUST be
received by Feb. 25 for pre-sale price ($20). Order tickets early because we've
sold-out every year!

All proceeds directly benefit our upcoming projects including our next
mainstage production of Judy Soo Hoo's SOLVE FOR X and our educational touring
program AZIATIK NATION.

2-03-05 Spoken Word Audition!

YELLA if ya HEAR ME! AUDITIONS!!!!

YELLA if ya HEAR ME! is an annual APIA slam poetry showcase and competition in Los Angeles. YELLA if ya HEAR ME! has a mission to produce an exciting annual show that pushes forward new artists to the mainstream, search and establish talented spoken word artists, and at the same time inspire young people to pursue new art forms.

AUDITION DATE: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26th

LOCATION: KOA Building
3727 W. 6th St., Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90020

TIME: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

WANTED: Mainly spoken word artists
(but always looking for bands, singers, beatboxers and MC’s as well.)

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: a prepared piece

RSVP to Eddie Kim: edpkim3@yahoo.com for an audition timeslot, or call the number: 562-413-6012. Include the following information:

Name:
Age:
Contact phone:
Contact email:
Talent:

If you’d like to submit a video or audio recording of your audition, please send by February 26th to the following address:

Eddie Kim
Attn: Projekt NewSpeak
410 S. Oak Knoll Ave., #2
Pasadena, CA 91101

For additional information and updates, please visit our xanga site:
www.xanga.com/projektnewspeak

2-3-05 (APOLOGY)

Since the Sundance trip... things have been rollin for speak.asianamericans....

We will begin posting events on a regular basis again... We apologize for the delay.

Now, keep those events coming! E-mail us @ speak.pr@gmail.com

*SpeakAsianAmericans.