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LA Asian Pacific Film Festival | April 30 - May 7, 2009 | Los Angeles

The 25th Annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival opens this Thursday, April 30 with Tze Chun's Children of Invention. The film, about two young children learning to fend for themselves after being abandoned by their mother, [which] premiered at Sundance last year. This year's festival runs through May 7 and features Asian and Asian American films from 26 countries.
(From 13minutesmag.com)

Also screening at this year's festival is US-Canada co-production Dim Sum Funeral, a comedic-drama that revolves around the estranged adult siblings of a Chinese American family who make their way home to Seattle to mourn the death of their dragon lady mother, whose last wish was for a traditional Chinese funeral. Sound familiar? Maybe too familiar? Also described as "My Big Fat Chinese Funeral" (canada.com), Dim Sum Funeral was shot in British Columbia in 2008 for what would be considered a very modest budget, making its North American premier at the Whistler Film Festival.

Based on an idea by Chinese-born American director Anna Chi, this star-studded ensemble cast of Bai Ling, Talia Shire, Julia Nickson, Lisa Lu, Kelly Hu, Russell Wong and Vancouver's own Francoise Yip and Steph Song, came together with a crew -- and some six-degrees-of-separation synergy -- to make this comedic script (more after the jump).

Other highlights of LAAPFF include So Yong Kim's Treeless Mountain and Yojiro Takita's 2008 Oscar-winning film Departures.

More: Official Website | Hyphen Magazine's social calendar

Posted by Alden | April 29, 2009 | Comments (0)

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The 13th Annual Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival | Call for Submissions

Reel Asian is currently looking far and wide across Canada, North America, and around the world for the best new independent East Asian films & videos to showcase at the upcoming festival (November 11-15, 2009). Their deadline is coming up this May.

13TH ANNUAL TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | NOV. 11-15

Reel Asian is Canada's largest and longest-running showcase dedicated to contemporary Asian cinema and media arts from Asia, North America and all over the world. Annually, the festival attracts thousands of attendees to 5 frenetic days of screenings, industry events and galas. Submit new independent films and videos by and/or about East and Southeast Asians of all genres for the festival:

See SUBMISSIONS GUIDELINES and ONLINE SUBMISSIONS at Reel Asian.

EARLY DEADLINE: FRIDAY MAY 15, 2009 (NO SUBMISSION FEE)
FINAL DEADLINE: MONDAY JUNE 15, 2009 (SUBMISSION FEE $20 CAD)

Email questions to Artistic Director, Heather Keung at programming [at] reelasian [dot] com with subject 'submission 2009' or contact the festival office at 416.703.9333

Posted by Tamiko | April 29, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Film

Perogy Night in Vancouver | Ukrainian Heritage Hall

Perogies! Cabbage rolls! Drools. Lucky you if you're craving because on the first Friday of every month the Ukrainian Heritage Hall has their monthly Perogy Night in Vancouver from 5:00-8:00pm. It's apparently been a delish event since 1995.

For $11.00 you can order the Regular Dinner (6 Pyrohy; 2 Cabbage Rolls; Sauerkraut or Salad; Ukrainian Sausage; Coffee). There's also a Vegetarian option, as well as a super-sized dinner option.

Some good reviews. Erm, but some local reviews have stated the meal's pretty bland and unflavourful. Sadly, yes. It's better to do take-out by buying a dozen perogies for $4.00 to take them home, cook 'em up with tons of butter and fried onions and smear the heck of them with sour cream. Or maybe that's blasphemous? Still, it's all about feeling like you're part of something!

Ukrainian Heritage Hall | Perogy Night in Vancouver
First Friday of Every Month.
154 E. 10th Ave, Vancouver

Posted by Tamiko | April 28, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Food

BC Scene! | Ottawa/Gatineau | April 21 to May 3

There's no excuse for Western alienation any more, at least not for citizens of British Columbia over the next two weeks. Why, you ask? Because the nation's capital is hosting BC Scene, an arts fusion festival featuring over 600 BC artists, including the lovely Ndidi Onukwulu, pictured here.

BC Scene promises to "celebrate a dynamic culture that is the fusion of traditional and contemporary, East and West and established and emerging artists from all parts of the province. Musicians, actors, dancers, visual and media artists, writers and master chefs will be bringing their magic to concert halls, theatres, galleries, bars, clubs, museums and restaurants in the national spotlight."

Ottawans have 13 days to take in all that BC artists have to offer, including such dynamic artists and projects as:

And so much more! Wonder if there are any seat sales on now.......?

More: BC Scene home | BC Scene Schedule | BC Scene en francais | On Facebook | On Twitter

Posted by nikki reimer | April 24, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Art, Culture, Dance, Events, Film, Food, Literature, Music, Ottawa

Asian Canadian Artist Showcase & Art Auction | Saturday, May 2 | Vancouver

Bare walls? Need some art to spruce up your place? Then mark your calendar for the Asian Canadian Artist Showcase & Art Auction at the National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre on Saturday, May 2. The event features artwork by 50 emerging and established artists; live jazz; refreshments (cash bar); and will be MC-ed by CBC radio's Margaret Gallagher.

Asian Canadian Artist Showcase & Art Auction | Saturday, May 2 | 7:00-9:30pm
National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre
6688 Southoaks Crescent (at Kingsway & Sperling), Burnaby
FREE ADMISSION (INFO)
RSVP REQUIRED: 604.777.7000 ext. 105 or museum@nikkeiplace.org

Find contemporary and traditional art by artists and artisans who have generously donated work in all media, including painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, jewelry, and much more.

More: (photo credit) fish reversed - mixed media and resin on board - 36" x 24" by Mary Anne Tateishi

Posted by Tamiko | April 23, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Art, Vancouver

TRAIN | Maiko Bae Yamamoto | April 30 - May 9 | Vancouver

Train, "a playful story about curious connections," features Theatre Replacement Artistic Director Maiko Bae Yamamoto and her dad, Minoru Kofu Yamamoto.

Synopsis:

In a crowded Tokyo train station, a sharply dressed man waits for the love of his life to arrive. At the same station, a woman walks dangerously close to the edge, up and down the platform. These two are closely observed under the watchful eye of a noodle-stand girl who decides to take their fates into her own hands. Based on personal histories and the blurred line between truth and imagination,Train is a story of love and loss in a place where lives and possibilities intersect.

TRAIN by Maiko Bae Yamamoto | April 30 - May 9 | 8pm
Matinee Performances: 2:00pm Saturdays & 1:00pm Tuesdays
Where: Gateway Theatre | 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond, B.C.
Info: 604-270-1810 & Gateway Theatre

More: Train @ Theatre Replacement | Train @ Gateway Theatre

Posted by Tamiko | April 27, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Theatre

CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA ANNOUNCES PUNJABI BROADCASTS FOR ROUND ONE OF THE 2009 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA multi-language tradition continues! For the second straight year, CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA will provide Punjabi language broadcasts in the post-season, presented by Scotiabank. Each game from the Vancouver Canucks / St. Louis Blues series, as well as two games from the Montreal Canadiens / Boston Bruins series will be available in Punjabi language on CBCSports.ca and to Bell TV, Rogers Digital Cable, Shaw Digital Cable and Star Choice subscribers.

The 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs broadcasts in Punjabi get underway on Wednesday, April 15 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT as the Canucks host St. Louis at GM Place in Vancouver in Game One of their best-of-seven Western Conference Quarterfinal series. (Please see below for complete broadcast schedule). Additionally, Game Two (Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT) and Game Five, if necessary, (Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT) of the Montreal / Boston series will also be available in Punjabi.

Parminder Singh, voice of CBC'S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA regular season Punjabi broadcasts and host of Omni Television's Chardi Kalaa, will handle play-by-play duties while Harnarayan Singh, a freelance reporter with CBC Radio in Calgary, will provide analysis.

The Punjabi broadcasts will be available free to Bell TV subscribers on channel 249; to Rogers digital cable subscribers in Ontario and New Brunswick on channel 401;to Shaw Digital Cable subscribers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba on channel 333 and to Star Choice subscribers on channel 478. Viewers should contact their local service provider for more details.

More: (Photo) Hockey Night in Canada's Punjabi hosts Parminder Singh (left) and Harnarayan Singh calling a game between the Leafs and the Canucks | NHL Hockey in Punjabi Facebook Page @ Facebook | You haven't heard hockey until you hear it in Punjabi @ CBC Sports.ca @ CBC Sports.ca | Punjabi voices of Hockey Night in Canada @ Yahoo! Videos | "Mareyaa Shot-Tay Keeta Goal" Hockey Night in Canada...the Punjabi Way @ Darpan Magazine | hockey vocabulary in Punjabi at ctv.ca

Posted by Alden | April 16, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: CBC, Sports

Padma Lakshmi | Top Chef host in May's Allure

Before Slumdog Millionaire's Freida Pinto, there was Padma Lakshmi. The former model, current host of Top Chef, Indian cookbook author, and actress was born in Chennai, India but raised in the United States is making us forget all about Freida with an appearance in May's annual nude issue of Allure magazine (on sale April 21).

Padma, 38, evens show off her favorite body part -- a 7-inch scar on her right arm from a car accident at the age of 14. She states: "I love it because it makes me a person who has an interesting past, and it reminds me that I can survive any pain."

Padma's modelling career began when she was discovered sitting in a cafe in Spain, Lakshmi's career began at age 20. She's posed for Ralph Lauren, Versace, Roberto Cavalli, and photographer Helmut Newton. Thereafter, she had bits parts as an actress both in North America and India; written two popular cookbooks (Easy Exotic, and Tangy Tart Hot and Sweet); hosts Top Chef; married and divorced author Salman Rushdie; is spokesperson for Pantene's Nature Fusion line; and appears in a Spring 2009 Hardee's Western Bacon Thickburger ad.

Oh yes, there's also Padma's nude appearance in Allure Magazine -- online gallery here (along with Chelsea Handler, Eliza Dushku, Sharon Neal, and Lynn Collins). Take that, Freida!

More: (source) People Magazine & Huffington Post | (photo credit): Allure Magazine May 2009

Posted by Tamiko | April 14, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Beauty, Fashion

Deadliest Warrior | on Spike TV

Spike TV's new testosterone-fix, Deadliest Warrior is ethnic cool in the not so-cutesy-kitty-cat way. This show definitely has role-play game appeal, after all who really asks "If an Apache fought an Gladiator, who would win?" But to make sure this isn't just for nerds, Spike TV team up ancient weapons specialists, medical engineers and real-life warriors like MMA Champion Chuck Liddel and certifiable Apache warriors to determine, through quasi-scientific computer simulation and medical analysis, who would win in a fight to the death. What can be more transcultural than Spartan vs. Ninja or Shoalin Monk vs. Maori? If you've missed past episodes, no need to rage, Spike TV is repeating all of its episodes.

More: Full Schedule on Spike TV after the jump | Inside Look at Spike TV's Deadliest Warrior

Posted by Alden | April 25, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Martial Arts, TV

Juice Boxes Packaged like the Fruit | Naoto Fukasawa

Don't you just wish they had juice boxes like this back when you were in 5th grade? Bringing one of these to class would have made you the coolest kid in school ... kind of.

"Created by Japanese industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa, the juice box's packaging is supposed to be more appealing to the eye by imitating the actual fruit they contain. As Naoto puts it; "I imagined that if the surface of the package imitated the colour and texture of the fruit skin, then the object would reproduce the feeling of the real skin."

There's a good chance the juice box will be 10x better than the drink that it holds. I mean really, who drinks banana juice from a juice box? Hopefully it'll turn up in North America too.

More: (source) ohgizmo | Naoto Fukasawa profile on designboom

Posted by Matthew Tsang | April 17, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Design, Food

Go beyond the French manicure | Japanese 3D nail art

Why does it seem that the Japanese are so much more effortlessly cool than the rest of the planet? Their street fashions are among the most innovative, extreme, and colorful of any other nation, and it seems that any trend that blows up there trickles down in diluted form to North America three long years later. One such amazing and uniquely Japanese beauty trend is 3D nail art.

Although there are nail artists in these parts that will do little designs and glue decals to your nails, the Japanese nail artists take it to the next level by attaching jewels, 3D flowers, intricate patterns and art, and even insane looking extensions! Designs can take minutes to several hours to complete, depending on their complexity.

According to nail artist Megumi Furukawa, the aim of this art is to "makes women conscious of their feminine demeanour." Rather than go on and on though about how beautiful this art is, simply feast your eyes on this delicate and intricate art below!

More: Style with Anna | PingMag | Nail Art Bar | First Choice Nails

Posted by Jordana Mah | April 15, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Art, Beauty, Japan

Allure | Boudoir | boutique-style photography|| A Sexy Indulgence || Vancouver

Unleash your inner sex kitten with a purr, not a meow. Purr = glamourous + sexy + classy. Meow = Bitchy with a Capital B. Now how exactly to unleash and embrace your inner sex kitten? Answer: a Boudoir Photo Session.

Boudoir is a boutique style photography studio headed by photographer Ellen Ho and professional makeup artist Ai Nagasawa. Enjoy being pampered with a makeup and hair styling by Ai (see her beauty transformations here), while Ellen captures your unique beauty in a tasteful way. Don't be shy, Boudoir welcomes women (and men!) of all ages (18+), shapes, sizes, and colours.

Indulge in any of Boudoir's 4 sessions (packages start at $350): the BOUDOIR (private session); the VOGUE (photo shoot with a loved one or a friend); the HAUTE COUTURE (customized photo shoot at a luxurious hotel room, with bubbly and your girlfriends); and the BOUDOIR MARATHON. All sessions promise you "get the star treatment and feel like a celebrity!"

The Boudoir Marathon is the most accessible -- it features a 1-1.5 hour hair/make up/photo shoot at the Loden Boutique Hotel, where you'll be spoiled with bubbly and chocolates! Book fast, April and May are fully booked and June only has a few spots left. Contact Boudoir for more details: Ai (aipatricia@shaw.ca) or Ellen (ellenhophotography@gmail.com).

Posted by Tamiko | April 8, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Fashion, Vancouver

Surface Collective | decorate with wall tattoos

Pray tell you don't have those university posters of Monet's waterlilies taped to your wall?! Blank walls would be better at this rate. If you do wish to add some oomph to your blank walls, look no further than Surface Collective wall tattoos.

Surface Collective's collection includes designs that are edgy urban; feminine; cheeky; and playful (both for adults and children); with a wide range of sizes, colours, and price-points. There are even some with an Asian inspiration, in particular Japanese flourishes, as well as Middle Eastern script.

The Surface Collective mission is "enable people across the globe to visualize the flat surfaces in their space in ways never before imagined." The wall tattoos are easy to apply, simple to remove, and appropriate for a home, an office, or a retail or commercial space. Rod Tasaka is the Principal and Creative Director behind Surface Collective. He comes from a professional background that includes work in NYC and Vancouver over 12 years, with clients such as NBC, Nokia, Vivendi Universal, and Atari.

If the collection doesn't have a design to your liking, Surface Collective is open to collaborate in the development of a custom design just for you. Likey!

Posted by Tamiko | April 6, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Design

Moth Designs | "celebrating the Arabic speaking world"

A moth is a good omen in North Africa, and so, it for a makes a fitting symbol for Mary E. Robbins' designs. The Portland, Maine artist creates silk-screened tees that encourage learning and dialogue about the Arabic-speaking world.

Mary's interest in the Arab world (which translates in Moth Designs) began as a student at NYU when she traveled to Senegal in West Africa. Thereafter she visited Morocco, then northern India in Rajasthan. Moth Designs "was borne of Mary's love for thrifting, vintage materials, silkscreen, and her sewing machine." Popular tee designs include Whales in Love, which is an image of a whale with a heart over its head (and Arabic writing), and "no gas no guns."

Also check out her whimsical Fadwa clutch bags, each attached with two hang tags -- one detailing the construction, the second recounting her husband's cousin Fadwa's story. Mary notes it makes for "a wonderful gift for the world traveler, story collector, or anyone whose life has been touched by cross cultural experience."

More: Moth Designs @ Etsy | Mary E. Robbins' site | Interview & Feature @ Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram

Posted by Tamiko | April 3, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Fashion

Coco Cake Cupcakes | num, num, num | Vancouver

Cupcake shops are cute and pink, almost too cute and pink. For some true creativity, panache, lovin' in the batter and construction, Coco Cake Cupcakes is where your sweet-tooth should be at.

The cupcake catering company is based in Vancouver, and run by artist Lyndsay Sung, who wins big with her delightful cupcakes (and cakes). Delish flavours include Coco Ganache (dark chocolate cake covered in chocolate ganache); Coco Cake Snowball (raspberry jam filled coconut cake with vanilla creamcheese frosting and more coconut on top); and more.

The Coco Cake Cupcakes blog features Lyndsay's unique custom-made creations, like Canucks-themed cupcakes; Totoro cupcakes; happy lion cupcakes; The Very Hungry Caterpillar cupcakes; adorable and pink Hello Kitty cake; and more.

Birthdays, weddings, parties....or when a cupcake craving comes your way, order up some Coco Cake Cupcakes. Treat yourself - everyone's got to have some frosting in their life.

To taste test, head to Blim Market's Monthly Community Market where Coco Cake Cupcakes will be featured as one of 30 vendors on Sunday, April 29th @ 11:00-6:00pm at Cambrian Hall (215 E.17th, Vancouver).

More: (photo source) Coco Cake Cupcakes | Coco Cake Cupcakes BLOG | Coco Cake Cupcakes FLICKR | Blim

Posted by Tamiko | April 2, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Food

Akufuncture | Chinese Cultural Awareness through Streetwear

With the growing popularity of Japanese-inspired streetwear and lifestyle brands, like BAPE and Tokidoki, it was just a matter of time before Chinese culture was to also make a presence in the urban market.

Akufuncture is a new streetwear brand, specializing in T-shirts, fresh out of California. Their goal is to introduce the essence of "true Chinese culture" through "fusion fashion." Established in December 2008, Akufuncture's T-shirt line includes animated prints of the monkey king as well as updated, urban interpretations of Nezha, a Daoist protection diety.

Their designs are fresh, colourful, and culturally relevant. With support from Los Angeles-based hip hop group, M.C. Young Menace, as well as product popping up in stores like Authentix, Akufuncture will definitely be one to watch as an emerging force in the streetwear industry.

More: Akufuncture | One Inch Punch | Hide Your Arms | Photo credit: akufuncture.com

Posted by Michelle D. | April 22, 2009 | Comments (1)

Tags: Fashion

Saya | The World's First Robot Teacher

Saya is multilingual.
Saya can take attendance.
Saya can assign tasks from a textbook.
But most interestingly, Saya is a robot.

Created by Hiroshi Kobayashi (could a name be more Japanese?), Saya has been a 15 year project of the inventor and is now finally completed. Underneath its latex face, the robot can "create [up to 18] expressions with its motors including happiness, surprise, fear, disgust, sadness, and even anger." Originally named Pikarin, Saya will start teaching "after passing a trial term in Tokyo primary".

More: (source) The Sun | (pic source) Dvice | more at ubergizmo

Posted by Matthew Tsang | April 1, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Technology

Snuggle on Some Sushi | The Original Sushi Pillow

Moms usually advise us that food should be kept away from the bed. No crumbs. No stains. Keep the room smelling nice...or else! But what will mom say when she sees you lying in your very own bento box?

The Original Sushi Pillow Company, a little venture started by former Miss Saigon actors Cindy Tomm and Mel Maghuyop. Order online for their variety of nigiris and maki rolls to nap on, and don't forget extra soy sauce pillow cases on the side!

Doesn't stain -- check. Not stinky -- check. Chances are that 'sushi' will be mom's one exception.

More (source): Original Sushi Pillow Homepage

Posted by valerie.chin | April 13, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: Design, Food, Home

Hockey Night In Punjabi! | He Shoots, He Scores?

The Vancouver Canucks might be struggling mightily, so it really doesn't matter what language they're being broadcasted in. But how about 'Hockey Night In Canada' in Punjabi? That's what the Saturday nights have become as CBC Hockey Night in Canada is producing a Punjabi broadcast every Saturday night for 55 NHL regular season games. Hand picked from the Punjab community, Parminder Singh and Harnarayan Singh, die-hard hockey fans who know their hockey, provide the play-by-play and colour commentating,

There's a historical nuance to this story, too. Because of almost a century of British imperialism in India, particularly in the Punjab, Punjabi is not only interspersed with many English words, the popularity of field hockey (another imperial influence) in Pakistan and India has made it easier for people who don't speak Punjabi to understand some of the words spoken during the course of an NHL game.

More: NHL Hockey in Punjabi Facebook Page @ Facebook | You haven't heard hockey until you hear it in Punjabi @ CBC Sports.ca @ CBC Sports.ca | Punjabi voices of Hockey Night in Canada @ Yahoo! Videos | "Mareyaa Shot-Tay Keeta Goal" Hockey Night in Canada...the Punjabi Way @ Posted by Allan C. | April 16, 2009 | Comments (0)

Tags: CBC, Culture, Sports

This page contains all entries posted to Schema Magazine's Blog, "Daily Dose" in April 2009. They are listed from oldest to newest.

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