June 2009 Archives
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Pinoy Transformers ... "Transporters"
By Alden E. Habacon
The Transformers, the animated television series, is a great example of exchange between Japan and the U.S.: written and recorded in the U.S. and originally animated by Japan's famous Toei Animation studio. But what if the autobots landed in the Philippines? In 2007, an anonymous graphic designer took a stab at what the robot warriors would look like. Yes, this is old news! But because of the recent release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen these images have resurfaced in emails. And in comparing these to the America-inspired robots, they bring to light the connection between cars and cultural identity.
These vehicles, especially the infamous jeepney, are unique to the chaotic streets of the Philippines. Descriptions of the vehicles by Glitch's Life.
BUMBLEJEEP - Jeepneys are one of the trademarks that you are in the Philippines. With gazillions of them running down the streets and making it so traffic, one would surely recognize them.
Posted by Alden | June 30, 2009 | Comments (0)
Shepard Fairey | Civil Dis-OBEY-dience
By Special Art Correspondent Leah Yin
OBEY Sticker collection on newspaper box. Photocredit: Leah Yin
In 1989 while I was watching the Tiananmen protest on a small black and white tube in China, 19 years old Frank Shepard Fairey was creating a black and white sticker of a giant named Andre.
If you're familiar with street art, then Shepard Fairey is a name all too familiar--the contemporary artist famous for his graphic OBEY Giant street viral campaigns, and as of late, infamous in a copyright scandal related to his iconic "Hope" portrait of Obama. Online and public opinion surrounding Shepard seem to pop up as aggressively and virally as his repetitious stickers on the streets.
Fairey's first museum retrospective is currently showing at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston (ICA) entitled, Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand. With an ipod as your personal curatorial guide, visitors can survey and engage the thematic groupings of his work and chew on the socio-political concerns Shepard propagates. Prophetic of his time, Shepard's iconic portraits of "Arab Woman" predicted the wave of media buzz around the Neda Agha-Soltan story, which turned a young beautiful Arab into an icon of Iran's civil unrest.
If you can't make it to ICA Boston before August 16th (closing date), you're still in luck. You can download the audio guide and brochure and check out the collection online. It is also more than likely that your city walls, buses and poles may already hold a collection of Fairey's work. OBEY and look for it.
More: Institute of Contemporary Art Boston | ICA Exhibit Brochure | The National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institute | Photocredit: Leah Yin
Posted by Leah Yin | June 29, 2009 | Comments (0)
Vancouver International Soccer Festival | June 27, 2009
To Promote Peace and Cultural Harmony, Canadian, American, Arab, Jewish, and Muslim communities will play together at the 2009 Vancouver International Soccer Festival (VISF)
Saturday, June 27th and Sunday, June 28th David Lam Park, Yaletown, Vancouver B.C Canada.
The stage is set for Canada's most exciting soccer and cultural weekend event, the 2009 Vancouver International Soccer Festival & Multi-Cultural Celebration is underway! 400 adult soccer players from the United States, Canada, and International students from different parts of the world will be competing under the banners of their nationalities.
The weekend Festivities will include exciting round robin action with men's and coed teams, globally inspired cuisine by Cactus Club Restaurants, Beer and Wine Garden overlooking False Creek, House DJ and wide-screen tournament TVs, Kids play zone with face painting and games, special appearances by Canada Border Services K9 unit, Vancouver Fire Fighters, and more. An exciting closing and award ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 28th at 8:30 pm.
An exciting opening ceremony hosted by Vancouver Mayor, Gregor Robertson will take place under the big tent on Saturday, June 27th 2009, at 10:00 am.
"I am thrilled to bring an exceptional soccer, and cultural experience -complete with weekend events, cultural celebrations and fanfare - to the best place on earth, said, Adri Hamael, event creator. "This event ties in beautifully with the spirit and values of the Olympics, and Canada day.
"I played soccer most of my life. Through soccer, I have made a lot of friends. Soccer kept me fit, won me a college scholarship, and taught me self-discipline" he remarks. "Soccer is the most played game in the world. It is an ideal medium to build bridges between different cultures. On the soccer field, our differences melt away; there is no black and white, yellow or brown, Arab or Jew. We are footballers united by the power of the beautiful game"
Net profits from the soccer tournament will be donated to Award Winning charity, Peace it Together Society (peaceittogether.ca)
For more information, please, contact:
Adri Hamael
Email: adrihamael@shaw.ca
Special thanks to VISF major community partners and sponsors:
Peace it Together Society, University of British Columbia ( UBC), Cactus Club Restaurants, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) , Fleming Designs, NOVUS Entertainment, BC Transmission Community Investment, Granville Island Brewing, and ZINEDINE ZIDANE & FRIENDS.
Posted by Alden | June 26, 2009 | Comments (0)
Caribbean Days Festival | North Vancouver | July 25-26, 2009
By Jordana Mah
(Above: Costumed dancers in the parade for the Caribbean Days Festival held in North Vancouver. July 2006. By I love your computer on Flickr.com)
Looking for something to do this summer? Summer is alive with the many rich cultural festivals and events happening in the city. One summer tradition is the Caribbean Days Festival, happening this coming July 25-26! Taking place in North Vancouver's Waterfront Park, this festival is put on by the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of BC as a celebration of Caribbean, food, music, and culture.
Check out the pre-festival boat cruise on July 19th, or participate in the main event starting on July 25th. The festival features a street parade, a variety of local food vendors (definitely check out the fried flying fish, always a crowd favourite), and an outdoor music festival showcasing a variety of Soca, Reggae, Calypso, Latin, African and other international sounds!
More: official festival site | Pictures from Caribbean Days 2008 (by Rebecca K Quinn) | Pictures from Caribbean Days 2007 (by Nortexis)
Posted by Jordana Mah | June 26, 2009 | Comments (0)
The Lady Obama Lipstick | Khuraira Make Up Line
Lady Obama Lipstick Special Edition is "sure to unleash the First Lady in you," so promises Khuraira, founder of a makeup boutique in Washington D.C. (yes, you can giggle).
The Lady Obama lipstick, a soft red, is described as the perfect colour for all women, which fits Nigerian-born Khuraira's business slogan: "Making the world flawless, one face at a time." The shimmery bronze colour is inspired by Michelle Obama's casual elegance.
Best of all, 20% of all of all proceeds from the sale of the US$20.00 Lady Obama lipstick will benefit the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.
More: Khuraira | Buzz Patrol blogl | Today With President Obama blog | Fly Paper
Posted by Tamiko | June 24, 2009 | Comments (0)Tags: Barack Obama, Beauty
Celebrate National Aboriginal Day on Schema
For years Schema has been including aboriginal art, culture and media as part of the Schema's Daily Dose of Ethnic Cool. In fact, there is far more ethnic cool happening in aboriginal communities (Canada's fastest growing population) than we can ever keep up with. Today, aboriginal design, music and culture are recognized as a vital part of Canadian mainstream culture. We're so happy to share in the pride of the influence of aboriginal ideas and perspective in Schema. If you do nothing else to recognize National Aboriginal Day (today), take some time to check out the Aboriginal Tag in Schema's Daily Dose.
If you'd like to see more aboriginal content on Schema Magazine, please let us know! We're looking for aboriginal bloggers and writers that would like to join the Schema Team. Email us at submit[at]schemamag.ca
Posted by Alden | June 21, 2009 | Comments (0)Tags: Aboriginal
CBC Celebrates National Aboriginal Day | June 21 | Atisookaan: The Art of Storytelling
As part of National Aboriginal Day, CBC Television is airing "new">Atisookaan: The Art of Storytelling at 11:00 am on June 21 at (with exception to B.C. where it will air at 4:00 p.m. Pacific). It will also be re-broadcast Saturday, July 18th at 9 p.m. on CBC Television in Manitoba.
This special one hour broadcast showcases the works of three emerging Aboriginal directors and writers from Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Each filmmaker's story focuses on a compelling piece of their personal history. The result is a mix of honour, strength and vision that's woven into a one-hour program hosted by CBC's Wabanakwut Kinew.
If you missed the broadcast, you can watch the full-length versions of this series, knowns as Second Stories. These amazing personal documentaries are streamed on NFB's website: Honour Thy Father (Written and Directed by Gerald Auger), It Had to Be Done (Directed by Tessa Desnomie), and new">Deb-we-win Ge-ken-am-aan, Our Place in the Circle (Written and directed by Lorne Olson).
More: CBC's National Aboriginal Website | National Film Board - Second Stories
Tags: Aboriginal, Events, Media, TV
Jimmy Choo x H&M collaboration | Autumn 2009
The economy is in the dumps, but ladies still know about Jimmy Choo shoes. $500 for a pair of shoes? Yikes. The Recessionistas' dream is coming true with news that Jimmy Choo will collaborate with H&M for a shoe and bag line in Fall 2009 (November 14) to select H&M stores around the world. That's not all...metrosexuals are also in the game with a Jimmy Choo for H&M collection of men's shoes and accessories as well. The price-range is stated to be between $60-$200 -- check out two pairs from the line in the photo -- oh la!
Who is Jimmy Choo? He's Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat, a London-based Malaysian of Hakka Chinese descent who was borne into a family of shoemarkers. He studied shoe-making in London, and co-founded Jimmy Choo Ltd with British Vogue accessories editor Tamara Mellon. In 2001, Choo sold his 50% stake, and now he's the creator behind Jimmy Choo Couture, with Tamara Mellon taking over the Jimmy Choo line that's coveted the world over.
More: H&M Release about Jimmy Choo Collaboration | Vogue UK | People | Financial Times | Cyana Trendland | Splendicity | How Jimmy Choo Lost his Name? @ Star | Jimmy Choo Bio @ Fashion Vue | (photo credit) Preview of Jimmy Choo x H&M shoes from H&M
Posted by Tamiko | June 19, 2009 | Comments (0)Tags: Fashion
David Choi | Pop/Folk with "a lita bita of dis and a lita suma dat..."
His music? He describes it as "a lita bita of dis and a lita suma dat witta bita lita dis ena hinta bita dat" (aka. pop/folk). Don't wince, that's just how the kids spell these days. Now, who's music? David Choi, a 23-year-old L.A.-based singer/songwriter/producer, known mostly for his performances on YouTube and MySpace. Don't knock it, Choi's got 3.8 million Youtube channel views, with more than 117,800 subscribers -- he's even beaten Miley Cyrus' numbers.
But there's more going on than that. In 2004, Choi was the grand prize winner for David Bowie's Mashup contest which Bowie himself chose. Following that, he was the grand prize winner for USA Weekend Magazine's John Lennon Songwriting Contest for teens, and appeared in USA Weekend Magazine with recording artist Usher. After getting accepted into a very selective ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) workshop, it led him to sign with Warner Chappell Publishing as a staff songwriter/producer as of April, 2006 for two years. Whew!
His album Only You is available in ALL digital outlets (found on his MySpace), as well as on his MySpace where you can order a copy. And for those Canadians out there, vote here to have David Choi and Kina Grannis perform in Canada.
More: David Choi MySpace | David Choi Youtube Channel | David Choi Blog | David Choi Interview @ AllKPop | David Choi Website | David Choi Twitter | David Choi Facebook | David Choi Lyrics | David Choi @ Wong Fu Productions | Profile @ Pop Matters | Interview @ Pop Seoul | David Choi's First Video for "Won't Even Start" by Wong Fu Productions | Photos of release party for "Won't Even Start" @ Shinobi Studios | David Choi @ KoreAm Journal | David Choi @ Slanted Eye for the Rounded Eye blog | David Choi's cover of Britney Spears' "Gimme More" (personal favorite) | David Choi @ Angry Asian Man here & here | Ramblings About Race @ David Choi Youtube (stemming from a question that asks if he only hangs out with other Asian Americans) | (photo credit) KoreAm Journal
Posted by Tamiko | June 17, 2009 | Comments (0)
Vancouver's Hotdog Fusions | Tandoori Tikka Dog vs. Japadog
Move over New York, Vancouver is becoming known as the hometown of innovative ethnic-fusion hotdogs like the Japadog.
Ah, the Japadog. A juicy hotdog with Japanese condiments, like terimayo, nori, daikon oroshi, miso-mayo, kurobuta, bonito flakes....drools. However, its stronghold over Vancouver might not last, despite a second location at Burrard & Pender. Now it's facing some competition (not sure if it can be considered "stiff competition" yet) with the addition of Tandoori Tikka Dog on West Cordova Street.
Opened by Sam Saleem, a transplant from California, Tandoori Tikka Dog just opened 3 weeks ago. According to the article in The Province, the Tandoori Tikka Dog has onions fried in butter covering a chicken or kosher beef sausage with homemade tandoori paste. Yum, now that requires a taste-test!
More: (source) The hotdogs of war: Once dominant Japa Dog faces competition by Laura Stone @ The Province | Japadog | Schema's post on Japadog (with tons of links) | (photo credit) Chowhound
Posted by Tamiko | June 15, 2009 | Comments (0)
Kibatsu Cinema | July 2-23 | Pacific Cinematheque Theatre | Vancouver
Still from Funky Forest.
Kibatsu Cinema: eccentricity, popular culture and contemporary Japanese film.
With a tagline like this, what's not to love? The Powell Street Festival Society and Pacific Cinémathèque are pleased to present the second edition of "Kibatsu Cinema," a 5-day celebration of the odd and the eccentric in Japanese pop culture and contemporary Japanese film. Kibatsu is a Japanese word denoting a person or thing that is, by ordinary standards, unusual or unconventional.
The series opens with Megane, director Naoko Ogigami's much-anticipated follow-up to the cult favourite and critically acclaimed Kamome Diner (also screening in this year's program).
The line-up also includes Funky Forest, a hilarious and bizarre trip to other worlds co-directed by Katsuhito Ishii (The Taste of Tea); Adrift in Tokyo, by director Miki Satoshi; and Yayoi Kusama: I Love ME and Traveling with Yoshitomo Nara, exceptional documentaries on two very different yet equally compelling visual artists.
There's also an animated entry, but, in keeping with our unconventional or non-traditional theme, we feature a stop-motion animated film rather than the anime typically associated with the Japanese animation industry. Komaneko: the Curious Cat, screening as a Sunday matinee on July 5, is an adorable and child-friendly movie that is also clever enough for adult audiences. Making up for the absence of more "mature" anime films in the rest of the program is the fact that several of the festival's features contain wonderful animated sequences.
Fresh, fun and original, full of the beauty -- and, often, the insanity -- of everyday life, these provocative works have a knack for turning the uneventful into the resonant, the highly odd into the endearing, the over-the-top into the poignant.
More than half the films in the schedule have never before screened in Vancouver.
More: Kibatsu Cinema @ Pacific Cinematheque |
Posted by Tamiko | June 23, 2009 | Comments (0)
Mixie & the Halfbreeds | Theatre Play + Events | June 18-28 | Vancouver
In partnership with the Powell Street Festival Society, the world premiere of the play Mixie & the Halfbreeds by Adrienne Wong and Julie Tamiko Manning will premiere in Vancouver on June 18-28, 2009.
Synopsis: "Then Bowie says, 'Iggy would have loved you my little china girl.' And I say, 'shhh...' and throw my drink in his face. 'I'm Japanese you moron!' Then I wake up."In Neworld Theatre's Mixie & the Halfbreeds, two estranged neighbours are not as different as they think. Haunted by peroxide teeth and blondissima hair, Mixie and Trixie tackle a question that has plagued mankind through the ages: do blondes really have more fun?
Funny, biting, fantastical, and profound, the new play by Julie Tamiko Manning and Adrienne Wong revolves around two Asian Canadian women of mixed race who approach their cultural dualism in very different ways.
Mixie & the Halfbreeds invites its audience to explore complex and relevant issues of culture, identity, and race, and tackles questions of mixing in contemporary Canadian society and popular culture. Where does culture come from? How do we mix cultures without losing our whole sense of self? What does it mean to be mixed race? "I am the sum of my parts and when some of my parts are ignored, I feel like I'm not seen at all," confesses Mixie.
A no-holds-barred identity throw-down, Mixie and the Halfbreeds is an optimistic tale for a remixed nation.
Mixie & the Halfbreeds | June 18-28, 2009
Directed by Maiko Bae Yamamoto
The Vancity Culture Lab at The Cultch @ 1895 Venables Street.
Tickets available through Ticketmaster or 604-280-4444
Performances: Wed - Sat, 8:00pm | Free Preview June 18, 8:00pm
PWYC Matinees Saturday June 20 & Sunday June 28 @ 2:00pm
Tickets $20/$18, plus applicable service charges
Ancillary Events
Post Show Talkback with Adrienne and Julie: Thursday June 25
Stay after the show for a chat with the cast.
Afternoon Discussion: Saturday June 20, after the matinee
Presented in partnership with the Powell Street Festival.
A discussion with mixed race artists of different disciplines about how identity informs artistic practice and creative process. Marcus Youssef moderates with panelists Julie Tamiko Manning (theatre), cellist Cris Derksen and Jay Hirabayashi (Kokoro Dance).
Ukulele Sing-A-Long: Sunday June 28, after the matinee
Guido Heistek leads a post show jam. Novice and experienced strummers welcome. Bring your own ukulele or borrow one of ours.
Silent T shirt auction: local artists and crafters create unique designs inspired by MIXING. Featuring work by Natalie Purschwitz (huntandgather.ca), CBC diva Margaret Gallagher, Adrienne Wong, Ruthie Sumiko Tabata and Kirsty Munro. Shirts are on display in the lobby throughout the run.
More: Interview with the playwrights @ The Japanese Canadian Bulletin | Play @ Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre
Posted by Tamiko | June 16, 2009 | Comments (0)
Give SALAMAT this Friday | June 12, 2009 | Vancouver
POSTED June 10, 2009 BY Boon Kondo on vancouverisawesome.com:
No, it's not a try-out for Canada's Best Dance Crew or Canadian Idol but there will be 20 Pinoy/Pinay DJs, dance performances and even a little kali-stick fighting at SALAMAT, a celebration event for Filipino independance day, this FRIDAY at Century House.This is the 3rd year running for Salamat and it's brought together by SAMMIE JO PRODUCTIONS, SPECTRUM EVENTS and PROFILIC ENTERTIANMENT GROUP. This year's event will also be a fundraiser for the ENSPIRE FOUNDATION.
See this Filipino news CLIP to see what the Vancouver-based Enspire Foundation is all about.
SALAMAT - 3rd Annual Filipino Independence Day Party
Friday, June 12th, 2009 | Heist Lounge (Century House) 432 Richards | 9 PM - 3 AM | $10
OFFICIAL AFTER PARTY: BOX STUDIOS 2am-7am
DJ Hedspin | DJ Johnny Cee (Calgary) | DJ Goldenchild (Montreal) | DJ Skilla | DJ OJ | DJ Shaunik | DJ Hustle | DJ Euphmatik | DJ Jtraxx | DJ Adlib | DJ Bles-sed | DJ P-Luv | DJ Ricco Colinares | DJ OMG | DJ Marky Skyline | DJ Tropic | DJ Joi-zee | DJ Rolo | DJ Mike Santos | DJ Tad | DJ Yeppa | DJ Sean La-La (Trini-Pino) | DJ 11:11 | DJ France | DJ Nina Mendoza
FULL EVENT DETAILS here or on FaceBook.
Schema Interviews the cast of Flower Drum Song
Jimmy: First of all, this performance shows Vancouver audiences that there are lots of talented Asian performers in town. Secondly, I think it can be a way of encouraging other Asians to try acting or letting their children be more involved in the arts. I know this is a generalization, but Asian families have a tendency to push their kids into "real" jobs even if they are meant for the stage. Hopefully, seeing Asians performing on stage will encourage these parents to accept their kids' passion to pursue a career that will likely require them to wait on tables and take on other odd but flexible secondary jobs, just so they could go out on auditions. Their kids may barely pay their rent and live on ramen noodles, but they'll be "happy".
Read the exclusive interview in Schema InDepth's People to Watch.
Posted by Alden | June 11, 2009 | Comments (0)
Bollywood Under the Stars, SRK on his way
POSTED June 8, 2009 BY Boon Kondo on vancouverisawesome.com
If you've never watched a Bollywood flick before, here's a chance this coming SATURDAY, JUNE 13 at the Lumberman's Arch in Stanley Park at the Bollywood Under the Stars event in which they will not only play the huge B-Wood hit Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (aka The Brave Heart will take the Bride), have tons of Indo music performances and food, of course, none other than Mr. Bollywood himself, Shah Rukh Khan will also make an appearance. Its hard to really describe how ubiquitous this guy really is in India. His face is (and abs, lol) are like Gretzky's to here, Beckham to the UK, T-Pain to hip-hop/r&b cameos. Ashwarya Rai may be more known outsde India but having been to India myself, I can say this guy's face (and them those abdominals) were simply inescapable. Im guessing the rest of the Lower Mainland will hear the scream over every Indo-Canadian Vancouver female resident come June 13.... (read the post at vancouverisawesome.com)
Official Russell Peters After-Party | June 17 | Vancouver
Soundministry & Valkrie Entertainment celebrates the sold-out Canadian tour of Russell Peters with an official after-party with Peters DJ-ing a live set.
Official Russell Peters After-Party | Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Where: The Boss, 1320 Richards St, Vancouver
Host: Russell Peters
DJs: DJ Spinbad from NYC; DJ Nap; Russell Peters.
Time: Doors open at 9.:00pm
For tickets: 604.616.3987 or online HERE.
If you don't live in Vancouver, check My Bindi for details for your city.
More: (source) My Bindi West
Why I love Canada | Canada Place | Vancouver
Canada is a country defined by its differences in landscape, language, and cultures. As the clock ticks down to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the focus on Canada is more potent than ever, and many are asking just what's so great about Canada anyway? Many Canadians would have problems giving a definitive answer beyond the cliches of universal health care, beer, and hockey, but we all know Canada is more than that!
Until June 21, the people at Canada Place are asking for your submissions to the question: "Why do you love Canada?" Enter your answers online, or via text, and your answer could be among those chosen on July 1 as the best definition on what it is to be a proud Canuck!
More: via Miss604 | offical site
Symbiosis by Jelte van Abbema | A Biodesign Project | the Netherlands
Art can certainly be thought-provoking and able to emote some of those feeling you thought you never had. Ever heard of art that could endanger your health? Probably not. But it exists and it's called Symbiosis, a series of E coli growing posters produced by Dutch visual artist Jelte van Abbema.
Using petri dish techniques as a model, van Abbema placed papers of E coli on agar and cellulose into advertising boards with temperature and humidity controlled to ensure the bacteria grew into images of letters.
While the incorporation of E coli pushes the limits of artistic mediums, it also puts the public at risk of such diseases as meningitis, pneumonia, and septicaemia. Symbiosis was considered so hazardous that the Museum of Modern Art in New York only displayed it on its online exhibition.
Van Abbema's innovative project is apart of the biodesign movement, where products are being made to mimic biological growth processes. How these processes are recreated varies. Some biodesigns borrow concepts of growth patterns, while some others (like Symbiosis) actually grow biological matter. Whatever the case biodesign, according to conceptual artist David Kremer, asserts that "we are rapidly moving from a civilization based on the manipulation of inanimate objects to a civilization based on the generation of living organisms".
More (links in English): Van Abbema's official website | Icon Magazine article Design and Biology | Sica Magazine article The Phenomenon of the Enterprising Designer
Be & D Handbags | Fashion
The world is a global village. No man is an island. At no other time do these two phrases ring so true. Everything we own and much of what we eat came, wholly or partly, from somewhere else. The very computer you're on right now may contain parts from places unknown. In the world of fashion, this international focus is reflected in the materials used, its construction, and design influences.
International designers are coming to the foreground from countries outside the traditional fashion capitals of New York, London, and Milan. One pair out of New York are designers Be Invathong and Steve Dumain of Be & D Handbags. Both have travelled extensively, and with Be being of Laotian descent, their bags reflect that international flavour. The Garbo, their first hit designer handbag, was even inspired by a trip to Beirut.
Considered a celebrity favourite, Be & D handbags are timelessly chic and modern pieces, designed for the fashion brave, yet accessible for all ages. Recently, the design duo relaunched their line and expanded from handbags out to accessories and shoes. These young designers are definitely one to watch!
More: via Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy | interview with Be & D | official website
Posted by Jordana Mah | June 1, 2009 | Comments (0)Tags: Fashion
Unfine Dining | The Modern Toilet Restaurant
Hey...this isn't a washroom...
Believers of the common phrase "don't sh*t where you eat" will be left gasping for fresh air when they first hear about Modern Toilet - a popular toilet-themed restaurant situated in Taiwan.
Originally named "Marton Restaurant", it was decided that the name should be changed to the more delicious-sounding "Modern Toilet". Customers who have the privilege of dining in this enormous washroom will get to sit on their very own toilet seats while eating out of their very own mini toilet-shaped bowls.
Modern Toilet has had craptacular success since 2006, so it's no surprise that they've expanded to open many more of their toilet-themed diners throughout Taiwan.
Disclaimer: This all sounds like something you could do on your own for free on a lonely Friday night in the comfort of your own washroom, but this approach is highly unhygenic, and thus, not recommended.
More: Video of Modern Toilet under the cut | Modern Toilet Official Site | FunFever Blog (w/ plenty of pictures!) | (photo source) Yeinjee.com
Posted by Matthew Tsang | June 9, 2009 | Comments (0)Tags: Funnybone, Technology
Orientelle | Online Community for the Modern Asian Canadian Women
Orientelle is Canada's first online community for Asian women - even its name is a fusion of "Orient" with "Elle" ("she" in French). Although we've always thought "Orient" is a socially-constructed word used by the colonial power elite, and should only be used to describe vases and carpets....but we'll let it pass.
Orientelle was created by Theany Chan as a place where Asian Canadian women could communicate and identify with each other. Her in words:
"Asian women are under-represented in the media and are under-served in the marketplace. We are hoping to change that and of course, have fun at the same time!"Orientelle features a Fashionista section with beauty tips for Asian women; latest street styles; and Fabulous Finds; a Brain Power section with articles for career development and inspiration; and a Discussion Forum to exchange ideas and communicate.
Wonders of wonders, Orientelle is based out of Montreal! Not Vancouver, not Toronto.
More: Orientelle | Orientelle Blog | Orientelle's Channel on Youtube | Orientelle Twitter
Posted by Tamiko | June 4, 2009 | Comments (0)Tags: Beauty
Flower Drum Song | Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre | May 29 - June 14
Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre (VACT) is staging Rodgers & Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song from May 29 to June 14 at The Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island. Directed by Vancouver-based writer and actor, Rick Tae, the Tony Award winning play will feature full Asian Canadian cast: Isaac Kwok, Rosie Simon, Jimmy Yi, and the incredibly talented singer-performer, Lannette New as Linda Low; along with an Asian Canadian production team that includes choreographer Raphael Wong, set designer Janice Chiu, costumer designers Joyce Chung and Jeannine Sheares-Moon, and producer Joyce Lam.
Rodgers & Hammerstein's FLOWER DRUM SONG
The Waterfront Theatre | 1412 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
May 28: Preview | May 29, 30, 31, June 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
• Nominated for 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Synopsis:
The generation gap is given the Rodgers & Hammerstein treatment in this colourful approach to the age-old conflict. In San Francisco's Chinatown of the late '50s, nightclub owner Sammy Fong's traditional family has ordered him a picture-bride from China, hoping to end his pursuit of an enticing dancer. Mei Li arrives, shy and at sea in a world she doesn't understand, and it's clear that she's the wrong gal for the totally assimilated Sammy. However, she may be just the ticket for Sammy's buddy, whose traditionalist father is fighting a losing battle with his kids against rock 'n' roll, baseball, sports cars and the typical trappings of the modern American life-style. Full of intrigue and comedic moments, through song and dance, the story of families, friendships, and romance are conveyed in this timeless Asian American musical.
For more information, including cast and crew bios, please visit http://www.vact.ca
Posted by Alden | June 2, 2009 | Comments (0)Subscribe to our Feed
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Shepard Fairey | Civil Dis-OBEY-dience
Vancouver International Soccer Festival | June 27, 2009
Caribbean Days Festival | North Vancouver | July 25-26, 2009
The Lady Obama Lipstick | Khuraira Make Up Line
Kibatsu Cinema | July 2-23 | Pacific Cinematheque Theatre | Vancouver
Celebrate National Aboriginal Day on Schema
CBC Celebrates National Aboriginal Day | June 21 | Atisookaan: The Art of Storytelling
Jimmy Choo x H&M collaboration | Autumn 2009
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