Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms A comprehensive international exhibition that explores the artistic traditions of Punjab under Sikh rule from 1799 to 1839 is on view through Jan. 9. (Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. 415-379-8787).

Baju Wijono Oil paintings and an installation explore issues of movement, both kinetic and subliminal. Through Oct. 3. (Washington Square Gallery, 1821 Powell, San Francisco. 415-291-9255.)

Bay Area Award Show An installation by Joyce Hsu, New Langton Arts awardee for visual arts, is on exhibit through Saturday. (New Langton Arts, 1246 Folsom, San Francisco. 415-626-5416.)

Changming Meng A contributor to the groundbreaking 1989 avant garde exhibit in Beijing, Meng is exhibiting recent brushpaintings through Sept. 30. (Gallery on the Rim, 386 Ellis St., San Francisco. 415-771-7017.)

China: A Comtemplation of Place Paintings by Benoit Vermander and photographs by Fred Foley are on exhibit through Oct. 17. (Thacher Gallery, University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton St. 415-422-6401.)

Chang Dai-chien in California San Francisco State University presents an exhibition of more than 40 paintings by China’s most prolific 20th Century artist. Through Nov. 20. (1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, 415-338-6535.)

Funny Girlz A line-up of internationally, nationally and locally known female comics comees together for a celebration of women’s humor. The comics are a diverse mix, including Asian Americans, African Americans, Jews and lesbians. Oct. 2. (Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, 415-522-3737).

Genji and the 36 poets A large folding screen and small paintings recall the highly colored emaki illsutrations of late Heian (897-1185) and Kamakura (1185-1333) Japan. Through Oct. 24. (Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant, Berkeley. 510-642-0808.)

Hsin-Chuen Lin Contemporary ceramic works by Lin are on exhibit through Oct. 9. (Evolving Space, 536 Pacific Ave., San Francisco. 415-989-2992.)

Pancaroba Indonesia Works by Entang Wiharso, Tisna Sanjaya, Bramantyo, Isa Perkasa, Rachmat Janbaril, Popok Tri Wahyudi and Aris Prabowo reflect the current political and social transformation in Indonesia. Through Oct. 30. (Pacific Bridge, 95 Linden St., No. 6, Oakland. 510-451-8840.)

Vietnam Through the Eyes of Vietnamese Americans Photographic Images by Thinh Le and Alex Nguyen are on exhibit through Oct. 30. (Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 Ninth St., Suite 290, Oakland. 510-208-6080.)

The Berkeley Family, 1900’-98 The photo exhibit traces a century of personal histories of South Berkeley residents with a special focus on Asian American and African American families. Through Oct 15. (On display at the south branch of the Berkeley Public Library, 1901 Russel, Berkeley. 510-644-6860).

Repousse sculpture An exhibition of Robert Kuo’s decorative vessels and objects reflecting ancient and modern influences. From Oct. 4-16. (The Gallery at Gump’s, 135 Post Street, San Francisco, 415-982-1616).

The Prepared Photograph Photographer Jonathan Fung investigates the human figure through 13 photographs on view through Sept. 28. An artist’s reception will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday. (Trioton Museum of Art, 1505 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara. 408-247-3754.)

The Tibetans: A Struggle to Survive Photographs by Steve Lehman are on exhibit through Friday. (Freedom Forum, One Market St., San Francisco. 415-281-0900.)

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.)

dance

Gamelan Sekar Jaya The internationally recognized ensemble of 40 musicians and dancers will celebrate two decades of Balinese dance in honor of its 20th anniversary festival. Through Sunday. (Fort Mason Center’s Cowell Theater, San Francisco, 415-441-3687.)

detours: common ground II A world premiere collaboration between Dimensions Dance Theater and Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company, featuring African and Chinese trained dancers. Nov. 12 - 13. (Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission, San Francisco, 415-978-2787.)

lightscape Yoga Garden Dancers present the world premiere production set to postures of Hatha Yoga. Oct. 13-16. (Cowell Theater, San Francisco, 415-441-3687.)

flipsights ‘99 The third installment of Teatro ng Tanan’s annual event was conceived through a series of writing, acting and directing workshops. Through Sunday. (Bindlestiff Studio, 185 Sixth Street, San Francisco, 415-974-1167.)

Events

Storytelling for Children The Asian Art Museum Storytelling Corps offers story retellings through selected art works in small groups. Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, Gruhn Court. 1 p.m. Sundays. Free with admission.

FILM

Double Feature Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu’s film Early Summer will screen Oct. 2 along with Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s film Kasaba. (Fine Arts Cinema, 2451 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. 510-848-1366).

Old man and The river The National Japanese American Historical Society is sponsoring the Bay Are premeire of Cynthia Fujikawa’s film on Oct. 7. (AMC Kabuki 8 Cinema, 1881 Post, San Francisco, 415-921-5007.)

Regret to inform Barbara Sonnborn’s Sundance Award winning documentary portrays the devastation of the Vietnam War through the lives of widows. Through Oct. 24 at the Lumiere in San Francisco, the Towne Theater in San Jose, the UC Theater in Berkeley, the Sequoia in Mill Valley and the Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.

Earth Deepa Mehta’s second film in a trilogy of elements series portrays the effects of India’s division. Premieres Friday. (Albany Theater, Albany and Embarcadero Center Cinemas, San Francisco.)

Filipino ‘99 The 6th Annual Filipino American Cinema Festival and Competition will begin with the U.S. premiere of Fruto Core’s documentary IFUAGO: Mountains of Water. Through Oct. 30. (Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Main Library.)

readings

Book festival The San Francisco Book Council presents presents the 10th annual book council’s festival. It will feature poets and writers, including Ben Fong-Torres. Oct. 16 and 17. (Fort Mason Center, 415-487-4541.)

theater

capacity to enter Local writer and performer Canyon Sam’s new production premieres Oct. 15. (Yuygen/Noh Space, 2840 Mariposa, San Francisco, 415-621-7978).

arts

A winding river: the journey of contemporary art in vietnam Three generations of artists are represented in this exhibit, one ofthe first major cultural exchanges between the United States and Vietnam since the resumption of diplomatic relations. Through Oct 3. (Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 714-567-3600.)

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.)

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.)

Min sook yang Exhibition of paintings at the Sabina Lee Gallery. Through Sept. 29. (3921 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, 213-380-8789.)

The Three Graces: Music, Painting and poetry in the Art of India The 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.)

art and issues An exhibition of five Korean American and African American artists. Through Oct. 14. (Korean Cultural Center 5505 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, 323-936-7141.)

the ginko bed The Korean Cultural Center presents its monthly film series, featuring director Kang Jeh-kyu. Sept. 29 and 30. (5505 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, 323-936-7141.)

The art of 20th Century Zen The Los Angeles County Museum of Art presents Zen paintings and calligraphy from Japan. Through January 2. (5905 Wlishire Boulevard, Los Angeles, 323-857-6522.)

Chinese film festival The Motion Pciture Association presents six films from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2. (Zanuck Theater, 10201 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, 1-888-906-FILM).

arts

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.)

China: Fifty Years Inside the People’s Republic A new photography exhibit of the last 50 years in mainland China features 160 works by 33 photographers. From Oct. 8 - Jan. 2. (Asia Society, 725 Park Ave., New York City 212-288-6400).

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.)

Giving Life to the Clay Dai Ichi Arts’ exhibition and sale of extraordinary ceramics by Tadashi Kanai from Japan, and Randy J. Johnston from Wisconsin continues through October 31. (Gallery Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd., 24 West 57th St., New York. 212-262-0239.)

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.)

theater

Brotherly Loves Animated Theaterworks presents the premiere production of the its comedy Brotherly Loves written by Kyaw Tha Hla and Jeff Clinkenbeard and featuring Korean American actor Nick Bosco. Through October 2. (Sargent Theater 314 W. 54th St., New York. 212-757-5085).

Film

Louisville’s Second Asian Film Festival Five prominent films produced in Japan, the Philippines, China, and India will be shown throughout a weeklong festival ending Sept. 27. Discussions will follow. (Baxter Avenue Theaters, 1250 Bardstown Road, Louisville. 502-459-2288).