New Stories From an Old Chapter Works by renowned Filipino artists Elmer Borlongan, Santiago Bose, Brenda Fajardo, Karen Flores, Mark Justiani and Noel Soler Cuizon are on display. (Pacific Bridge, 95 Linden St. #6, Oakland Calif. 510-451-8840.)

Painting Paradise: The Art of Ting Shao Kuang Prints by the renowned Chinese American artists are on exhibit to honor his contribution of the commissioned piece Beautiful Dreamer to the United Nations. Through May 30. (Main Library, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco. 415-557-4430.)

Resilient Images: Reflections on Internment Artworks by Katherine Aoki, Ellen Keiko Bepp, James Cline, Carolyn and James Grew-Sheridan, David Izu, Ken Kaji, Chiura Obata, Ruth Okimoto, Ben Sakoguchi, Jos Sances, Roger Shimomura, Henry Sugimoto, Gayle Tanaka, and Takeshi Yamamoto are on exhibit through May 31. (National Japanese American Historical Society, 1684 Post St., San Francisco. 415-431-5007.)

Shioh Kato Recent mixed-media, painting and calligraphy works by the artist will be on exhibit starting today. An artist’s reception, featuring San Francisco Symphony violinist Yukiko Kamei, will be held today, 6 p.m. (Gallery Piazza, Sausalito Piazza Building, 819 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415-331-6711.)

Dance
Darbar The Chitresh Das Dance Co. presents an impression of life in India’s historic courts through the storytelling tradition of classical Kathak dance. May 14-15, 7:30 p.m. $16, $18, $25, $50. (Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco. 415-441-3687.)

Gateway Asian American Dance Performances celebrates its 25th anniversary with works by Claudine Naganuma, Nancy Ng, Kimiko Guthrie-Kupers, Aileen Kim and Ching-Chi Yu. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m. $15-$18. (Cowell Theater, Fort Mason, San Francisco. 415-441-8831.)

Philippine Ballet Theater The resident dance company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines performs for the first time since 1996 in the Bay Area. May 16, 5 p.m. $10, $30, $40. (Paramount Theater, Oakland. 510-465-6400.)

Events
AYPAL The Asian and Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy and Leadership program presents a weekend celebration of dance, drama, visual arts and spoken word. On May 22 at 6 p.m., AYPAL members will perform folk Cambodian, Polynesia and Mien dances, along with spoken work and hip-hip. On May 23, 2 p.m., there will be a mural unveiling, book signing, and a video screening on the Korean American experience created by the Korean American Youth Alliance. (Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth St., Oakland. 510-208-6080.)

Min-Sok ‘99 Cultural Festival The Korean Center, Inc. and Intercultural Institute of California present this annual festival, which features presentations on Korean art, culture, food, as well as a forum of Korean studies scholars. Exhibits include traditional fan painting and calligraphy demonstrations by artist Song Ahm Kim Lee and contemporary artistJimin Lee. Panelists include Nathan Hesselink of the University of London’s ethnomusicology department and Kai Hong of the university’s philosophy department. May 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Korean Center, 1362 Post St., San Francisco. 415-441-1881.)

Multicultural Artists’ Celebration Renowned sculptor Ruth Asawa will be honored by the Multicultural Artists Organization. Performers include musicians Marcus Shelby and Michael Carvin, poet Jan Mirikitani and the world premiere of the Multi-Ethnic Symphony Ensemble. May 29, 8 p.m. $25-$50. (Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness, San Francisco. 415-392-4400.)

Film
Beyond Barbed Wire Terri Bono and Steve Rosen’s work about the Japanese veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated unit in American history, airs on KTEH May 24 at 9 p.m.; and on KQED May 28 at 9 p.m.

Mishima This astonishing film, featuring Ken Ogata, Toshiyuki Nagashima and music by Philip Glass, examines the life of the great Japanese author Yukio Mishima, which ended with a ritual suicide. The film screens May 16 at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. $6.50, $3.50 children and seniors, $4 matinee for first show. (Roxie Cinema, 3117 16th St., San Francisco. 415-863-1087.)

The Good Wife of Tokyo and Dream Girls The Pacific Film Archive screens two British films about Japan. The Good Wife of Tokyo tells the story of Kazuko Hohki, leader of a British rock band, who has returned to Japan to marry. Dream Girls is a fascinating portrait of the Takarazuka Music School and Theater in Japan, whose shows rival the glitter and romance of Las Vegas and Hollywood. Friday, 9:05 p.m. $7.50. (Pacific Film Archive, 2625 Durant, Berkeley. 510-642-5249.)

Music
China In the 20th century The San Francisco Gu-Zheng Music Society performs a musical retrospective under conductor Pei-Kun Xi. Members of the ensemble include Wei-Shan Liu, Xiao Feng Zhang, Xiao Chuen Bei, Zheng Wen Wu, Chad Runyon and Qi-Ren Lee. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. $20, $25, $50. (Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. 415-392-4400.)

Experiments in New Beats: Asian Hip-Hop Five Bay Area Asian American hip-hop and new music performers will gather for a night of experimental music, emceed by Anita “Reigh” Johnson of Youth Radio and Mingus Amungus. Performers include Overseas Artists, Resin, Ill Figgaz Lique, Zhaldee and Asian Crisis. May 21, 8 p.m. (Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth St., Suite 290, Oakland. 510-208-6080.)

Liu Qi-Chao A virtuoso on several traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu, suona and diza, Liu will demonstrate and explain the history and changes in Chinese music and instrumentation in a free series. May 15, 22 and 29, noon-1 p.m. (Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth St., Suite 290, Oakland. 510-208-6080.)

Pinoise Pop 2 This music festival highlights Filipino American music, from punk and rock to jazz and country. Proceeds benefit the Bindlestaff Studio. Today, 8 p.m., at Carmen Restaurant, Fourth Street at King Street, San Francisco. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m., at the Bindlestaff Studio, 185 Sixth St., San Francisco. $10, $8 students and seniors. (415-974-1167.)

Siqing Lu Gold medalist at the Paganini International Violin Competition performs with pianist Sheung-Tsz Ma. May 15, 7:30 p.m. $15, $25, $35, $50. (Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. 650-259-2100.)

Readings
Mako Yoshikawa The author of One Hundred and One Ways, an erotic tale of geishas, will present her book. May 14, 7:30 p.m. (A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness, San Francisco. 415-441-6670.)

Pramoedya Ananta Toer The renowned Indonesian author, the winner of the PEN Freedom-to-Write award and author of The Mute’s Soliloquy, will make a presentation. May 14, 6:30 p.m. Free. (USF Lone Mountain campus, Room 141, Turk Street between Parker and Masonic. 415-422-5984.)

Salman Rushdie The renowned author of The Satanic Verses will read from his new novel, The Ground Beneath Her Feet. Afterward, Rushdie plans to converse with Vijaya Nagarajan, who teaches Asian Religions at the University of San Francisco. Today, 7:30 p.m. $12. (Berkeley Community Theater, Berkeley High School. Allston and Milvia, Berkeley. 415-392-4400.)

Theater
Butcher’s Burden Harold Byun’s play tells the story of a butcher’s daughter in pre-war Korea. Directed by Kelvin Han Yee, the cast includes Tamlyn Tomita, Noel Benoza, Michael Chih Ming Hornbuckle, Genevieve Lee and Greg Watanabe. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.; through May 23. $16-$21. (SOMAR Cultural Center, 934 Brannan St., San Francisco. 415-440-5545.)

Dragonwings InterACT presents a play about a young boy sailing from China to San Francisco in the early 1900s to meet his father. The father and son grow to share a dream of building and flying an airplane. Sonny Alforque directs a cast including Kevin-Michael Chu, Brian Doan, Melinda Gee-Wong, A.M. Lai, Lawrence Lew, Simon Magsuci, Trina Powers and Beau Yep. Fridays and Saturdays, May 7-30, 8 p.m. $12, $10 seniors and children under 12. (Broadway Playhouse, 4010 El Camino Ave., Sacramento. 916-452-6174.)

The Nanjing Race Reggie Cheong-Leen’s cross-cultural drama about a gay Japanese American metals trader in Asia makes its West Coast premiere through May 8. $12 Wednesdays, $16 Thursdays and Sundays, $20 Fridays and Saturdays. (New Conservatory Theater Center, 25 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. 415-861-8972.)

Arts
Grasslands of Mongolia Recognized as one of China’s 100 most outstanding living artists, Mongolian artist Hao YiQiang presents his first American exhibition, featuring paintings inspired by the landscape and people of his homeland. Through June 20. (Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 626-449-2742.)

Events

Madame Hanae Mori The renowned fashion designer provides a rare glimpse into her ground-breaking work with a showing of her 1999 Spring/Summer Haute Couture Collection to benefit the Japanese American National Museum. May 15, 11 a.m. Reservations are necessary. (Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. First St., Los Angeles. 213-625-0414.)

Stan Sakai The creator of the popular comic book, Usagi Yojimbo, which chronicles the exploits of a 17th-century samurai rabbit, talks about his work and the steps of creating a comic book from idea to printed product. May 8, 1 p.m. Free. (Bruggemeyer Memorial Library, 318 S. Ramona Ave., Monterey Park. 626-307-1368.)

Theater

Beijing Spring Deborah Nishimura, Joel Iwataki and Tim Dang’s musical odyssey commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square demonstrations. The cast includes Brian Geli, Kimiko Gelman, Ai Goeku, Randy Guiaya, Alvin Ing, Brian Kawasaki, Michael K. Lee and Paul Wong. Thursday-Saturday, May 12-June 6, 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. $23-$33. (David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 N. Judge Aiso St., Los Angeles. 213-625-7000.)

Radiant Colors: Close and Affectionate Encounters This triple-bill of solo works features award-winning artist Jude Narita; Denise Uyehara, regarded as “One of the Hundred Coolest People in LA” by Buzz Magazine; and comedian Paula Weston Solano. May 13, 7 p.m. (State Playhouse, Cal State Los Angeles. 323-343-5247.)

Arts
Bamboo Masterworks The Asia Society presents the first comprehensive exhibition of Japanese bamboo baskets from the Lloyd Cotsen collection. One hundred exquisite baskets will be on display. Through May 30. $2-$4. (Asia Society, 725 Park Ave., New York. 212-517-ASIA.)

Crosscurrents of East Asian Art Symposium Eminent art historians and curators from Japan, Korea and the United States explore the aesthetic traditions and artistic practices of Asian art in comparative context. The panelists include Has Belting, School of New Media, Germany; Jonathan Best, Wesleyan University; James Cahill, UC Berkeley; Jonathan Hay, New York University; Amy Poster, Brooklyn Museum of Art; Robert Rosenbaum, New York University; Melinda Takeuchi, Stanford University; Nobuo Tsuji, Tama Art University, Tokyo; Wu Hung, University of Chicago; Mimi Hall Yiengpruksawan, Yale University; and Yi Songmi, Hongik University, Korea. May 15, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. $30, $15 students. (Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., New York City. 212-752-3015.)

Devi: The Great Goddess An exhibition of 120 paintings and sculptures of the Hindu goddess are on exhibit. Ongoing. (Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, 1050 Independence Ave., Washington, D.C. 2092-357-2700.)

Literati life in the 20th century Calligraphy works by the late Chinese scholar and artist Wang Fangyu as well as works from Fangyu’s personal collection by Bada Shanren, Qi Baishi and Zhang Daquin will on exhibit. Ongoing. (China Institute, 125 E. 65th St., New York. 212-744-8181.)

Where Is Home? Chinese in the Americas Artifacts and personal testimony documenting the Chinese diaspora—as it relates to women, faith, youth and home—are on display. Ongoing. (Museum of the Chinese in the Americas, 70 Mulberry St., Second Floor, New York. 212-619-4785.)

Film
Beyond Barbed Wire Pat Morita narrates this documentary about Japanese American World War II veterans, which airs May 17, 11 p.m., on WTTW Channel 11 in Chicago.

Music
Toshiko Akiyoshi The Toshiko Akiyoshi Big Band, featuring saxophonist Lew Tabackin performs every Monday, with sets at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. $15 cover. (Birdland, 315 W. 44th St., 212-581-3080.)

Readings
Lenore Look The author of Lova As Strong As Ginger will read from her children’s book. Artist Mary Ting will also hold a paper arts and crafts session. May 15, noon-4 p.m. $4, $2 children. (Museum of the Chinese in the Americas, 70 Mulberry St., Second Floor, New York City. 212-619-4720.)

Yoko Tawada The Akutagawa Prize-winning author of The Bridegroom Was a Dog will make a rare appearance in the United States and read poetry. May 20, 6:30 p.m. $10. (Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., New York City. 212-752-3015.)

Theater
The Joy Luck Club Susan Kim’s play based on Amy Tan’s novel makes its New York premiere. Opens April 22, 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. Through May 15. $35, $75 for opening night and party. (St. Clement’s Theater, 423 W. 46th St., New York City. 212-279-4200.)