Entertainment Update { 8/24/10 } | scheduled to appear - subject to change

Emcees: Andy Chang & Helen Ota

Local Talent:

David Choi | Korean-American Musician- www.davidchoimusic.com 

Clara Chung | Korean-American Musician- www.youtube.com/user/ClaraCMusic  

Jesse Barrera | Filipino-American Musician - www.jessebarrera.com/

Thomas' Apartment | Pan-Asian Alternative Band - www.thomasapartment.com/

Connie Lim | Pan-Asian Pop Band  - http://connielimmusic.com/

Pumana | Pan-Asian Hawaiian Band - http://pumana.com/

40 Percent | Filipino-American Reggae/Rock Band (no picture)

Cultural Groups: Hi-Za Yoo Korean Dance Institute, Kultura Philippine Folk Art, Lan Ling Dance Studio, LA Little Angels Children's Chorale, Northern Shaolim Kung Fu Association, Vietnamese Traditional Arts & Dance Organization

Please check back for more details !

The date is set!

Entertainment Update { 8/17/10 } | scheduled to appear - subject to change

Emcees: Andy Chang & Helen Ota

Local Talent: David Choi, Clara Chung, Jesse Barrera, Thomas' Apartment, 40 Percent, Connie Lim, Pumana

Cultural Groups: Hi-Za Yoo Korean Dance Institute, Kultura Philippine Folk Art, Lan Ling Dance Studio, LA Little Angels Children's Chorale, Northern Shaolim Kung Fu Association, Vietnamese Traditional Arts & Dance Organization

Please check back for more details !

Last night LA 18 Director of Community Relations Joyce Shimazu, LA 18 Kababayan LA Host Jannelle So and I attended the Press Opening Night Performance of Road to Saigon at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts in the Little Tokyo district of Downtown LA. Prior to the performance, there was a cocktail reception and silent auction. We mingled with community leaders, actors and key individuals behind the production of Road to Saigon.

The coveted role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon has been performed by an elite group of talented women on Broadway and around the world. However, this musical does not tell Kim’s story, but the personal stories of the talented actresses who have played this powerhouse role.

East West Player’s world premiere of Road to Saigon, May 13 through June 13, present Joan Almedilla, Jennifer Paz and Jenni Selma in a heartwarming, passionate and musical journey as they share memories about family, relationships, careers and personal milestones on their individual roads to Saigon.

Dressed in traditional Vietnamese aodai, the trio makes a bold impression in their opening number and sets the mood for a wonderful night of powerful music and inspirational words. Their songs and monologues seamlessly transition through each scene. Every song performed resonates with me and stirs my soul. The original song “Road to Saigon” is written by Selma (lyrics and music) and Nathan Wang (music). Detailing their own experiences and influences, each actress individually writes their own monologues and selects the songs they perform in this musical journey.

As they belted their numbers and intimately share their memories with the audience, I can’t help but feel immersed in that moment with them. From the challenges of gaining approval from parents, insecurities and doubts to sharing the joy of being on tour as Kim and living their dream—I was there. Every moment was epic in their world and it translated through their performances on stage. Almedilla, Paz and Selma are all living proof that with determination, sass and a beautiful voice—dreams can come true.

After the show it was a treat to meet Paz and Selma. Joyce knew them back from when Paz and Selma played Kim in Miss Saigon during the mid-90s. This was because Joyce’s daughter, Remi, played the character Tam during Paz and Selma’s reign as Kim. They were so sweet and personable. I am definitely a fan.

So, if you’re in the LA area, satisfy your musical craving by attending a showing of Road to Saigon. After experiencing this inspiring performance of three personal and unique journeys, I have a deeper appreciation for the arts and a better understanding of how creativity is essential to personal growth. Almedilla, Paz and Selma are irresistible—possessing amazing musical talents and incredible voices—they will astound you. Support your community and support the arts. Your musical soul will thank you.

Date:               May 13 – June 13

Times:             Wed – Sat        8pm

                        Sun                  2pm

Location:         David Henry Hwang Theater (120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012)

Tickets:            $40 - $50  

Parking available for $7.00 in Lot 7, adjacent to the theater OR street parking.

EAST WEST PLAYERS - ROAD TO SAIGON

Developed and Directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera
Musical Director and Arranger Nathan Wang
Musical Staging by Kay Cole

Featuring

Joan Almedilla, Jennifer Paz and Jenni Selma

For more information or ticket information, please contact East West Players at:

Phone: (213) 625-7000

Email: info@eastwestplayers.org.

Website: www.EastWestPlayer.org

Date:               Now thru July 25, 2010

Time:               Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm

Location:         Bowers Museum (2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706)

A historic exhibition of 150 objects drawn from the rich collections of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum and the Xinjiang Institute of Archaeology in Urumqi, China reveals surprising details about the people who lived along the ancient Silk Road.

Strikingly well-preserved mummies tall in stature and fair in complexion have lain in the parched Tarim Basin of western China for 3,800 years. Wearing Western-influenced textiles and possessing surprising technologies and customs, just who these extraordinary people were is a mystery! This historic exhibition of 150 objects drawn from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum and the Xinjiang Institute of Archaeology in Urumqi, China reveals surprising details about the people who lived along the ancient Silk Road. For the first time ever, three of the more than 100 Caucasian mummies found and preserved in the western China’s inhospitable desert sands are being presented in the United States. An impressive array of objects are included in the exhibition to represent the full extent of the Silk Road, where lavish goods, technologies and ideas between East and West were adopted and exchanged.

The exhibit is running now through July 25. See below for ticketing information.

Tickets: Secrets of the Silk Road tickets allow access to all of the Bowers Museum’s exhibitions

Adults - $18 Weekdays, $20 Weekends

Seniors (62+), Students & Children (6-17) - $16 Weekdays, $18 Weekends

Children under 6 - Free admission  

For more details, please contact:

(714) 567-3600

www.bowers.org

Want a chance to win a Dell Laptop, Dell Mini Laptop or a Kindle Wireless Reading Device? Enter the APIAHM Creative Writing Competition!

Writing contest topic: Write about the rich history and culture of the Los Angeles Asian & Pacific-Islander American Community and what it means to you.

Participation requires the creation of an original written work inspired by the contest topic and is open to all youth in grades 6-12 within Los Angeles County.

Hurry and enter (Entry Guidelines & Submission Details below)

Submission Deadline is Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 5pm!

To view a pdf version of the image above - http://www.culturela.org/events/heritagemonth/apiahm/2010/2010_API_Writing.pdf

For more details, please visit www.culturela.org.