AsianWeek's Weekly A&E Calendar
Arts and entertainment around the country

Arts
1999 Art China Works by Ai Weiwei, Cai Jin, Chen Haiyan, Guo Jin, Guo Wei, Hong Hao, Lin Yan, Mao Yan, Shen Ling, Son Yonghon, Su Xinping, Wang Qingsong, Wang Yuping, Xin Haizhou, Yang Shaoban and Zang Hao are on exhibit through July 24. (LIMN Gallery, 292 Townsend St., San Francisco. 415-977-1300.)

An-My Le: Vietnam The first West Coast exhibit by this Guggenheim fellow shows works from the photographer’s most recent visit to her homeland. Through May 29. (Scott Nichols Gallery, 49 Geary, fourth floor, San Francisco. 415-788-4641.)

Art of Chinese Gardens Black-and-white photographs by Chung Wah Nan, which record the natural beauty and architecture of Chinese gardens, are on exhibit through June 27. (Chinese Culture Center, 750 Kearny St., San Francisco. 415-986-1822.)

Cauldron Rene Yung’s drawing-based installation, which explores the need for sustenance and sacrament in daily life through the symbol of the rice bowl, is on display through Saturday. (Hosfelt Gallery, 430 Clementina, San Francisco. 415-495-5454.)

Flying High: The Art of the Kite Japanese and American kites made from both paper and fabric are on display. Through June 14. (Ren Brown Collection, 1781 Highway One, Bodega Bay. 707-875-2922.)

Heroic Warriors: Chinese Hoopsters of the Past This exhibit features photographs and memorabilia tracing the history of the Hong Wah Kues and the San Francisco Saints, two Chinese American professional basketball teams. Rick Quan hosts the opening reception on Wednesday, 6 p.m. $20. (Chinese Cultural Center, 750 Kearny St., San Francisco. 415-421-6443.)

Kumi Yamashita Selections from two of the artists series are on exhibit starting Saturday. One series uses a light source to create silhouettes with wooden blocks attached to a wall. The other series is composed of large-scale portraits created with rubbings from her subject’s credit card. (Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., San Francisco. 415-978-2700.)

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 are on exhibit. (Gallery Piazza, Sausalito Piazza Building, 819 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415-331-6711.)

The Unending Path Twenty-three large-scale paintings by Hong Kong artist Harold Wong explore the artist’s stylistic transformation from traditional landscapes to abstraction. Ongoing. (Asian Art Museum, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. 415-379-8800.)

Visual Artists Critique Group Participants receive feedback on their works through this diverse group, which meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first Monday of every month. Call 415-821-7282 for more information.

Events
Asian Pacific Heritage Festival The Bay Area Discovery Museum presents its celebration, which includes Asian folk dancing and Chinese lion dancing, food, and arts and crafts demonstrations. May 29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds, Sausalito. 415-289-7297.)

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 Saturday, 6 p.m., AYPAL members will perform folk Cambodian, Polynesia and Mien dances, along with spoken work and hip-hop. On Sunday, 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.)

Himalayan Fair This fair feature Himalayan arts and crafts, music, dance, food and entertainment. $5 donation benefits Himalayan grassroots projects. Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Live Oak Park, Shattuck and Berryman, Berkeley. 510-869-3995.)

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, the Savage Dance Co. 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
American Sons Steven Okazaki films four actors who tell stories of interviews with Asian American men throughout the United States, presenting a painful and angry view of how racism shapes their lives. May 28 at 11 p.m., on KQED Channel 9 in San Francisco.

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 Monday, 9 p.m.; and on KQED May 28, 9 p.m.

Kelly Loves Tony Spencer Nakasako presents his documentary about a young Iu Mein refugee couple. May 27, 3:30 p.m. (De Anza College, Advanced Technology Building, Room 120, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. 408-864-8538.)

The Women Outside This documentary focuses on the sex trade surrounding U.S. military bases in South Korea. May 27, 7 p.m. For more information, e-mail oasisjk@leland.stanford.edu. (Old Union Clubhouse, Stanford University.)

Yellow Chris Chan Lee will be on hand to present a screening of his film, Yellow, a Korean American comedy about two friends trying to cover a robbery loss at a family convenience store. Today, 3:30 p.m. (De Anza College, Advanced Technology Building, Room 120, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. 408-864-6538.)

Music
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. Friday, 8 p.m. (Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth St., Suite 290, Oakland. 510-208-6080.)

Gamelan Sekar Jaya Balinese musician I Made Subandi directs the Bay Area-based Gamelan ensemble in presenting a variety of works from the gender wayang repertoire, the music that accompanies shadow puppetry. May 28, 8 p.m. $10. (Clarion Music Center, 816 Sacramento St., San Francisco. 415-391-1317.)

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. Saturday and May 29, noon-1 p.m. (Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth St., Suite 290, Oakland. 510-208-6080.)

Readings
Romulus Hillsborough The author of Ryoma: Life of a Renaissance Samurai presents his book today at 6:30 p.m., at Borders, 400 Post St.; June 3, 8 p.m., at Borders, 456 University Ave., Palo Alto; and June 5, 1 p.m., at Kinokuniya Bookstore, 1581 Webster, San Francisco.

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 Sunday. $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, 8 p.m., through May 30. $12, $10 seniors and children under 12. (Broadway Playhouse, 4010 El Camino Ave., Sacramento. 916-452-6174.)

Letters to a student revolutionary Elizabeth Wong’s play, directed by John Lim, culminates in the events of the student uprising in Tiananmen Square in 1989. May 27, 10 p.m.; May-28-29, 8 p.m.; May 30, 2:30 p.m. For tickets, e-mail smail@leland.stanford.edu. (Prosser Studio, behind Memorial Auditorium, Stanford University.)

Workshops
Chinese Exclusion Era Workshop The film producer and author Jeannie Lew discusses her multimedia project, Living Widows and Paper Sons, which explores the Chinese Exclusion Era, and genealogist Jeanie Chooey-Low discusses The Legacy of the Chinese Exclusion Era on Family History. Saturday, 2 p.m. (Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. 510-238-3818.)

Arts
Gods and Goblins: Japanese Folk Painting from Otsu Paintings of foolish monkeys, wrestling gods, playful goblins and humorous caricatures make up the first major West Coast exhibit of folk art from the Town of Otsu, Japan. Ongoing. (Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 626-449-2742.)

Grasslands of Mongolia Recognized as one of China’s 100 most outstanding living artists, Mongolian artist Hao YiQiang presents his first American exhibition, which features 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.)

In Search of Gold Mountain An exhibit about the photographic history of Chinese Americans in San Diego is on view. Ongoing. (San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, 404 Third Ave., San Diego. 619-338-9888.)

The Three Graces: Music, Painting and poetry in the Art of India Fifty-one works include 40 paintings personifying Indian ragas, or poeticized musical modes. Ongoing. (Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 213-857-6000.)

Walk in Splendor: Ceremonial Dress of the Minangkabau of Indonesia More than 250 magnificent textiles and silk garments comprise this exhibit celebrating the sophisticated weaving traditions of the Indonesian archipelago. Ongoing. (Fowler Museum, UCLA campus, west of Royce Hall, Los Angeles. 310-825-4361.)

Events
Art and Soul Festival Asian artists with disabilities showcase their talents at this festival promoting educational opportunities in the arts for people with disabilities. Featured artists include Hong Kong’s Kong Ho and Liu Tung Mui, Taiwan’s Meillian Hwang and the Hong Kong Theater of the Deaf. May 28-June 2. (Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles. 310-385-0297.)

Readings
Chen Chen The author, considered an ideological criminal during China’s Cultural Revolution, discusses her powerful memoir, Come Watch the Sun Go Home, a history that begins with the Japanese occupation of China and ends shortly after the events at Tiananmen Square. Sunday, 2 p.m. (Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 626-449-2742.)

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. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through June 6. $23-$33. (David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 N. Judge Aiso St., Los Angeles. 213-625-7000.)

Arts
Chinese Shadow Puppets A collection of Chinese shadow puppets collected in Beijing during the 1930s are on display. The collection includes 360 puppets dating from the 19th century. Ongoing. (Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect, Volunteer Park, Capitol Hill, Seattle. 206-654-3100.)

Woven Legacies Art and social history merge in this exhibit, which aims to illustrate the transition of traditional Asian clothing to Asian American clothing. It traces trends in Asian clothing from the upper classes to certain styles popular in Seattle. Ongoing. (Wing Luke Asian Museum, 407 Seventh Ave. S., Seattle. 206-624-5124.)

Arts
Alfred-Asia COnnection—Alfred-Asia Reflection This exhibition features contemporary ceramics by Mao-Chung Lee, Ka-Kwong Hui, Yien-koo Wang King, Fong Chow, Charles Fergus Binns, Val Cushing, Wayne Higby and Theodore Randall. Through June 18. (Taipei Gallery, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York City. 212-373-1854.)

A good place to land one’s feet An exhibit documenting Brooklyn’s new Chinese American community, based on oral histories and photographs, is on display. Ongoing. (Museum of Chinese in the Americas, 70 Mulberry St., New York City. 212-619-4785.)

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.)

Chinese Celadon Ceramics Forty-four glazed stoneware vessels made in China between the Western Han dynasty and the Qing dynasty are on display. Ongoing. (Smithsonian Institution, Freer Gallery of Art, Jefferson Drive at 12th St. S.W., Washington, D.C. 202-357-2700.)

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.)

Family Portraits Images of New York Chinatown’s diverse families are on display. Ongoing. (Museum of the Chinese in the Americas, 70 Mulberry St., Second Floor, New York. 212-619-4785.)

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 are 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.)

Events
Taiwan Arts Festival The National Arts Club presents three events celebrating Taiwanese art, dance, film, fashion, music and cuisine. On May 21, 7 p.m., the Peggy Wu Jazz Dance Co. performs White Snake, a mythical Chinese folktale at the Taipei Theater, 1221 Avenue of the Americas. On May 26, 7:30 p.m., acclaimed sculptor and fashion designer Chih-shein Tsai presents original designs, followed by a screening and discussion of Ang Lee’s Pushing Hands. Events will be held at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, New York City, unless noted otherwise. Reservations must be made. (212-475-3424.)