Warm Welcome to Year 4701
Happy Year of the Ram, and may all your days be filled with bleating over good times in a peaceful world. For all of you born in 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979 and 1991, my lil’ old AsianWeek horoscope says your lucky numbers are 5 and 8, so here’s to good fortune (and lotto winnings) coming to you, which I also hope you will share with your favorite columnist — ahem!
CONGRATULATIONS: Bouquets are due for the fine work of the Asian Pacific Fund (APF), which in 2002 awarded over $418,000 in grants and scholarships with private donors — their largest annual distribution ever. In these hard economic times, they delivered more than $140,500 to programs helping Bay Area families struggling to survive following job losses, and funded $74,500 for citizenship and naturalization classes to help immigrants gain citizenship. Plaudits to the APF Board and Director Gail Kong, the guiding light for the organization’s fine work.
Recognition is also in order for a relatively new group, Vision New America, a nonprofit grassroots organization formed to promote the civic participation of underrepresented ethnic groups. Under the capable direction of Anna Wang, an Asian Pacific American Youth Leadership Development Training and Summer Public Policy Internship Program will be held March 1–2 for those young people interested in government internships as an introduction to public service. For information call 408-941-0888 or e-mail awang@visionnewamerica.org.
BAY AREA WHIRL: When 1960s pop star Frankie Avalon (moment out to hear some senior sighs) came to town to sing “Teen Angel” in Best of Broadway’s stage show Grease, even the Examiner’s movie critic Jan Wahl went on stage to join the twist/swing dance contest preceding this upbeat nostalgic show.
Three young Chinese boys thrilled the crowds at Cirque du Soleil’s new production in San Jose, Varekai, as they whirled ropes with metal meteors attached to the ends high above their heads. Handling those ever-moving ropes with rare agility, artists He Bin, Li Siguang and Yang Junping performed impressive acrobatics at the same time. Children and adults alike will thrill at the artists’ mastery, costumes and skills in this wonderful production, so bring the whole family to this unique circus. For tickets call, 800-678-5440.
Another great family show was all-time favorite Sound of Music, which audiences at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts gave standing ovations. American Musical Theatre of San Jose outdid itself in this production with its outstanding sets, and I know it will rock the town with its upcoming production of Swing, opening Feb. 18. If you like Latin dance, hip hop, country or West Coast swing, this show is for your tapping feet. For information go to www.amtsj.org.
In San Francisco, San Francisco Ballet featured Chi-Lin by composer Bright Sheng, in which Chinese mythological characters representing good omens — the unicorn, tortoise and dragon — unite in a stirring ballet.
FEBRUARY FAMILY FUN: This may be a short month, but it will not be a dull one. Chinese New Year celebrations abound, and I hope you will use this occasion to gather the family around to renew old customs and revive family togetherness. Don’t miss seeing the new Miss Chinatown U.S.A. at the Coronation Ball on Feb. 14, and the world-renowned Chinatown parade on Feb. 15.
In addition, here are some ideas for nights out on the town. Foothill Music Theatre will present Tony award-winning On the Twentieth Century at the Los Altos Hills’ Foothill College Studio Theater, Feb. 21–March 16. For serious music lovers, Opera San Jose brings Il Trovatore to Silicon Valley for its company premiere at the downtown Montgomery Theater. And if you like something outrageous and larger than life, the Mexican Elvis, El Vez, will headline the ever-popular Teatro ZinZanni in its magnificent antique Spiegel tent, now a permanent feature on San Francisco’s waterfront. Teatro combines a five-course gourmet dinner with a show, blending feats of skill and circus artistry, comedy and theatrical antics for fun-loving audiences.
NEW YEAR’S DOINGS: Opening up the New Year’s celebration, William and Dolores Joe threw a gourmet dinner at their San Francisco restaurant, Gold Mountain, for 40 celebrating friends. Dr. Adolphus and Tami Wong hosted their annual Chinese New Year lunch for over 80 people at their home, with buffet dishes ranging from Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese to Japanese delicacies. Chi Am Circle members opened up the New Year with their annual Taste and Tell event, where over 50 dishes prepared by members lined the buffet tables.
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