Visual Arts
Highlights
The Rainer Beach Art Walk takes place from 10 am – 6pm on Sat., Sept. 6th and artist Carina del Rosario makes her Passport Series interactive to all members of the community. This installation invites people to consider ways that race, nationality, gender and others categories are used to limit and divide people into unnatural categories. People can have their portrait taken and complete one of the artist’s application forms that resemble travel passports. They will be added to a library of assembled booklets that may be featured in an upcoming exhibition at the Wing. The artist say that “To move forward in addressing civil rights and discrimination, we need to have opportunities where people can wrestle with ideas about identity in a broader context. I want to provide a safe and creative space for people to reflect on their own struggles with identity, perhaps see things they have in common with someone completely different from them, and have an opportunity to present themselves in a more holistic way.” Meet the artist and participate in this project at booth number 13. Funding for this series is provided, in part, by the City of Seattle’s Office of Arts and Culture. For more details, go to http://cadelrosario.com or email carina@cadelrosario.com.
Art is where you find it and sometimes you have to go beyond the commercial galleries and look in the nooks and crannies of alternative spaces and public art locations. ”Art Interruptions 2014” is one such series. Ten emerging artists have created temporary art installations throughout the First Hill area for this project. The artworks will inhabit city sidewalks, parks and offer a brief interruption of your routine and who doesn’t need that? Each artist will develop their work for around ten weeks starting in august. Administered in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Parks and Recreation. Funded by SDOT, 1% for Art funds and managed by the Office of Arts & Culture. Some highlights include the following. Megumi Shauna Arai presents “A Tribute” which looks at certain events in the artist’s life. Her photographic series entitled “Hand History” is taken into an installation realm with large silk fabric prints and coinciding studio recordings that channel the small moments and conversations that make up a day. Jason Hirata’s performance piece entitled “I Hope To Do No Harm, Yet I Cause Harm” will find the artist on designated routes on Tues., Th. And Fridays doing his best to interact with crows all along the way over a period of a few months. Check Hirata’s website for details. “Kintsugi” is the ancient Japanese technique of repairing broken pottery with seams of lacquer, gold, or silver. It speaks to breakage and repair becoming part of the history and character of the object and thus adding to its beauty. The art team of Joana Stillwell & Yael Nov apply this philosophy to the streets as they try and “repair” the cracks and breaks in the sidewalks of First Hill with hand-made fool’s gold. Please refer to the map for various locations around First Hill. Go to http://www.seattle.gov/arts/publicart/temporary_projects.asp?project=art=interruptions-2014 for complete details.
Multi-media artist Paul Komada uses weaving, drawing, painting and the tactile feel of materials to integrate installations that cross over a variety of media. Saya Moriyasu is a multi-media artist that incorporates ceramic material into her whimsical installations. Maki Tamura is inventive, mischievous, detailed and precise in her work that incorporates various media and materials. All will create site-specific pieces as part of a public art series entitled “MadCampus” which will be found all over the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Inspired by their locations, from hidden nooks to well-frequented vistas, the selected artists will create new sculptures designed to be interactive. Ongoing from Sept. 13th to Oct. 25th of this year. There will be a MadCampus Art Walk on Sun., Sept. 28th from 11am – 3pm beginning at Red Square. (206) 499-5823 or email tim@madartsseattle.com for details.
Joana Stillwell is in a three-person show entitled “This Is The Way” now on view at ArtsWest Gallery through Sept. 27th, 2014. Her video installations are meditations on what she finds herself doing when she’s not doing anything. The images become thoughtful examinations of the medium of video itself. The feeling of playful boredom is transformed it into another place where we are reminded of the everything in nothing. 4711 California Ave. S.W. in West Seattle. Hours are Th. & Fri. from 1 – 7:30pm and Sat. from 1:30pm – 7:30pm.
It is a risk and struggle to create while reaching back to my whole lifetime – what it means to grow up in the city where one lives with all the dead bodies that lay below one’s feet” – so writes Hiroshima-born Japanese visual artist Yukiko Kawano, a third generation hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor) about her work in the show “Formation” which remains on display through Oct. 14th, 2014. At the Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery at 700 Fifth Ave. at 5th & Columbia on the Third Floor Lobby. For details, go to http://www.seattle.gov/ethnicartgallery/. For information on the artist, go to http://yukiyokawano.com. In addition, Kawano is in another show entitled “One Thousand Questions – Hiroshima to Hanford” with Seattle artist Etsuko Ichikawa at Columbia City Gallery from August 6th – Sept. 21st. 4864 Rainier Ave. S. (206) 760-9843 or go to www.columbiacitygallery.com.
“Act of Drawing” by Etsuko Ichikawa marks this artist’s debut with a new Seattle gallery. It presents the latest work from her series, “Glass Pyrograph and Aquagraph”, a series of drawings of fire and water charcoal stained on paper. Using molten glass above the surface of the paper, she creates marks of expressive gesture captured spontaneously in the act for her glass pyrographs. Her aquagraphs use water as a medium and the way it drops on the page, captured with scorched candle soot to reveal an x-ray of the very act of its’ imprint. Opening reception on Sept. 10th from 6 – 8pm with the artist. On view until Oct. 30th, 2014. Winston Wachter Fine Art at 203 Dexter Ave. N. in the South Lake Union area just off Aurora. Mon. – Sat. from 10am – 5pm or by appointment. (206) 652-5855 or go to www.winstonwachter.com.
KOBO Gallery at Higo in Japantown/International District has the following – Haejin Lee has a show of ceramic sculpture on view through Sept. 21st. Her work is known for twists and turns and unusual shapes. Artist Risa Salzberg and her show of drawings also remains on view through Sept. 21st as well. The 8th Simple Cup Show Invitational opens on Sat., Nov. 1st, 2014. Go to koboseattle.com for updates. 604 S. Jackson St. (206) 381-3000.
“Agong and Ye Ye: Joint Photography Show” shows the work of two landscape photographers from Taiwan, Yao Hwang, M.D. and Shiang Yu Lee, Ph. D. Show remains on view until Sept. 6th. At the Cultural Center of TECO at 1008, 140th Ave. NE, Suite 108 in Bellevue, WA. (425) 746-3602. Sponsored by KiangSu ChekKiang Association of Washington, Senior Taiwanese Association of Greater Seattle and Taiwanese Association of Greater Seattle.
Opening Oct. 2nd and on view Until Nov. 22nd is a group show entitled “LINEAGE UW Faculty & Students”. The work of Roger Shimomura and Patti Warashina is included. Seattle Artresource Gallery. 625 First Ave. #200. (206) 838-2695 or go to seattleartresource.com.
A pair of Japanese quilt exhibits take over the space at La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum through Oct. 5th. On view are “Wishes Through Our Hands – Japanese Quilts” and “Works of Junko Maeda”. For details, call (360) 466-4288 or go to www.laconnerquilts.com.
“Bellwether 2014: Connect” is Bellevue’s biennial sculpture exhibition featuring more than 30 sculptures and installations all within a three-quarter mile walking route from City Hall to Downtown Park. On view through Oct. 12th, 2014. Artists from the Northwest, Canada and the U.S. are included. Work by Canadian artists Junichiro Iwase, Connie Sabo, Geemon Xin Meng and Lisa Tzu-Ling are in this show. Free guided tours available for groups or eight or more by emailing mpbyme@bellevuewa.gov, put “Tour” in the subject line. A City of Bellevue Public Art Program.
Printmaker Romson Bustillo’s “Solo Exhibition” is up through Sept. 24th at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. His work is haunted by memories of a childhood in the Philippines and the artist’s travels from S.E. Asia to Spain and Mexico. His layered images capture the texture of folk textiles and a very real personal experience. 550 Winslow Way E. Just a ferry ride away from Seattle. (206) 451-4000 or go to biartmuseum.org.
The Friends of Asian Art Association also present a lecture on the current arts of Myanmar (formerly Burma) by Barry Broman who served for years in that region as a member for the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State. “Arts and Crafts in an Emerging Myanmar” takes place on Sun., Oct. 12th at 1pm at the Burke Museum on the “UW Seattle campus. Free parking. To pre-register for these events or for information, email FriendsOfAsianArt@earthlink.net.
New glass sculptures by Hiroshi Yamano on view through Sept. 4th – 27th. Opening reception is Sept. 4th from 5 – 8pm. 110 Union St. in Suite 200 downtown. (206) 587-6501 or go to travergallery.com.
“American Knockoff” was one of artist Roger Shimomura’s most sharply satiric shows with an autobiographical ring pitting himself against the world of Asian stereotypes and what it means to live as an Asian American in this “land of the free and home of the brave.” It was last seen in the fall of 2013 at Greg Kucera Gallery. Now an expanded version of this show with a new catalog opens with a reception on Sept. 18th from 6 – 8pm at the Museum of Art at Washington State University Gallery in Pullman. On view through Dec. 13th. Shimomura will talk about the show on Sept. 18th at 7pm. The documentary film, “Witness: The Legacy of Heart Mountain” is screened on Oct. 15th at 7pm in the CUB Auditorium. A performance of “Within the Silence” by Living Voices Theatre takes place on Nov. 13th at 7:30pm in the Jones Theater on campus. (509) 335-1910. This touring exhibit comes to Tacoma Art Museum and Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, Oregon in 2015.
In related news, Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, Oregon presents “Roger Shimomura: Works on Paper” which will open Nov. 8th and remain on view through Feb. 1, 2015. Organized by Director John Olbrantz to complement the travelling exhibit, “Roger Shimomura : An American Knockoff” which opens at the museum next January. The exhibition features 29 prints drawn from local and regional collections, including works from his “Minidoka Snapshots” and “Minidoka Identities” suites, both of which deal with internment camp issues. 900 State St. in Salem, Oregon and part of Willamette University. (503) 370-6855 or go to willamette.edu/arts/hfma.
“Labor: A Working History” is an exhibit following the path of workers’ rights locally and on a national scale beginning in the 1800’s with Hawaiian and Native-American laborers for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Through Dec. 31st, 2014 at Clark County Historical Museum at 1511 Main St. in Vanouver, WA.For details, call (360) 993-5679 or visit www.cchmuseum.org.
Liz Tran’s mixed media paintings explore the shapes of nature and the psychedelic colors of her imagination. SAM gallery presents a show of her latest work at TASTE next to Seattle art Museum downtown a show of her new work. On view until Nov. 9th. 1300 First Ave. For details, samgallery@seattleartmuseum.org.
Each summer, Kirkland Arts Center Gallery hosts the KAC Artists’ exhibition to showcase the creativity and talent of KAC’s community of artists. This year, the juror for the 2014 KAC Artists’ Exhibition, Michael Monroe, has selected work from 38 artists in a variety of media. Included in this show is the work of Sumithra Bhakthavatsalam, Vinaya Rao, Cheryll Leo-Gwin, Satoko Pettersson and Flora Ramirez-Bustamante. On view till Sept. 13th. Regular hours are Tues. – Fri. from 11am – 6pm and Saturdays from 11am – 5pm. 620 Market St. in Kirkland. (425) 822-7161.
Colorful paintings that have the patchwork brilliance of quilts by Irene Kubota on view now at Bryan Ohno Gallery in Japantown . Opens on Sept. 4th. 521 S. Main St. (206) 459-6857 or go to bryanohno.com.
SOIL Gallery at 112 Third Ave. S. Regular hours are Th. – Sun. from 12 – 5pm. For details, go to www.soilart.org.
“Journey” is the title of new work by Z. Z. Wei Sept. 4th – 30th. Opening reception is Sept. 4th from 6 – 8pm. Patricia Rovzar Gallery at 1225 Second Ave. downtown. Open daily. (206) 223-0273 or go to rovzargallery.com.
“A Cut Above” is a group show that explores hand-cut work in paper, wood, prints and sculpture. Continuing the focus of Asian-inspired art at The Lakeshore, this show presents unique contemporary works in a variety of mediums and perspectives inspired by traditional art practices. Co-curated by MalPina Chan. Includes the work of Betsy Best Spaden, Mia Yoshihara-Bradshaw, Julia Harrison, Laureen Iida, Naoko Morisawa and June Sekiguchi. On View till Sept. 14, 2014. 11448 Rainier Ave. S. For details, go to eraliving.com. In Oct, the show moves over to the City of Sammamish City Hall.
New and recent shows due to open at the Wing include the following – “Do You Know Bruce?” is a major new show on the personal, intimate story of martial arts artist and film star Bruce Lee and the significance of Seattle in his life. Opens Oct. 4th with the full support of the Lee Family. The Wing is the only museum in the world, outside of Hong Kong, to present an exhibition about Bruce Lee’s life. The Lee family has plans to eventually open a permanent museum on Bruce Lee’s life and legacy in the Chinatown-ID neighborhood. This show will make for a good initial introduction. “RESIST – Asian American Acts of Struggle” remains on view through Jan. 18th, 2015. Wing Luke also co-sponsors a new exhibition “Voices of Nisei Veterans” at the Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) Hall. Oral history testimonies and rare collections tell the story of Japanese American veterans before, during and after World War II. A new exhibit entitled “Puppet Power! Asian Traditions Come to Life” opens on Sat. July 19th. See innovative creations from Asian American puppet artists, video performances and hands-on puppet play. Created in partnership with the Northwest Puppet Center and the Valentinetti Puppet Museum. Opening August 24th from 6 – 8pm is “ART IN MOTION: The Evolution of Board Culture” From surf board to skate board, learn how Asian Americans have contributed to this thriving culture. Curated by Gabriel Goldman of Platform Inc. Includes the work of Wally Inouye, Nhon Nguyen, Nin Truong, Junichi Tsuneoka and Mike Yoshida. Free Family Fun Day activities coming up. – On Sat., Sept. 20th at 1pm, artist Liang-Yin Chen will show you how to make your own shadow puppet. Still on view is “#iconic: Power and Pop Culture” which explores how Asian American pop icons are made and what it means to look up to – or challenge – these figures. “Hometown Desi: South Asian Culture in the Pacific Northwest” is a semi-permanent display that opened Oct. 3. It will explore the history of South Asians in this area up to the present. On display through Oct. 19, 2014 is “Grit: Asian Pacific Pioneers Across the Northwest”. Stories of pioneers and trailblazers who persisted through challenges of natural disasters, racial discrimination and violence to carve out a home in this new territory. “Summer Camp @ The Wing” offers the following activities – August 11th – 15th is “Moving Art: The Journey” looks at art that moves with us from skateboards to kites and other things. A special exhibit on Bruce Lee and his connection to Seattle is in the planning stages and will open Oct. 4th. The Wing is at 719 South King St. (206) 623-5124 or visit www.wingluke.org. Closed Mondays. Tuesday – Sunday from 10am – 5pm. First Thursday of each month is free from 10am – 8pm. Third Saturday of each month is free from 10am – 8pm.
Currently on view at Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park – “Colored Vases” is the first work by Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei acquired by Seattle Art Museum. The artist took ancient earthenware vases and dipped them in buckets of industrial paint allowing them to drip dry. By covering the surfaces with a new paint, what is underneath – like history itself – is “no longer visible, but is still there.” The irony is that they play on the question on and question authenticity issues that the artist likes to raise in today’s market for Chinese Art. The first exhibition held outside Japan dedicated to Japanese Art Deco entitled “Deco Japan: Shaping Art and Culture, 1920 – 1945” is on view through Oct. 19th. The “Asia Talks” series continues with a program entitled “Kantha: Embroidered Textiles of Bangladesh” on Thurs. , Sept. 18th at 7pm. Niaz Zaman will introduce the katha textile form, design motifs, traditional meanings, and adaptation from domestic use to the global market. Reserve your free tickets online. On Sat., Sept. 27th , a new University Fall Series begins entitled “New Worlds of Science: The Heritage of East Asia”. Tickets go on sale in August for a series of 10 talks on Saturday mornings co-organized by Prof. Christopher Cullen, Needham Research Institute who will give the first two lectures. Topics range from ancient astronomy and cosmology to Chinese medicine and the modernization of Korea and Japan. On view until December 7th is “Ink. History. Media” by Chen Shaoxiong. The artist examines the history of protest as a universal political expression. He downloaded images of protest form around the world and did ink drawings from these images, turning them into a video installation. Another video installation consists of ink drawings of historic photos of major events in Chinese history during the 20th century. The artist was a founding member of “Big Tail Elephant Group”, a collective of Guangzhou-based conceptual artists in the 1990’s. Today he works independently and also collaborates as a member of an Asian artist collective known as “Xijing Men” and another Chinese collective known as “Project Without Space.” He is a multi-media artist using painting, photography, collage and conceptual art to realize his ideas.” Mughal Painting: Power And Piety” is up through Sept. 7th. The show features works of art made under the Mughals (1526-1857), the most expansive Islam empire in the history of the subcontinent. For complete information on all events, go to seattleartmuseum.org.
“Nature and Pattern in Japanese Design” is a related exhibition to “Deco Japan” in two parts that will be shown at Seattle Art Museum downtown. Part 2 begins August 16th, 2014 and continues till April 19th, 2015. “Modernism in the Pacific Northwest: The Mythic and the Mystical” looks at Northwest painters from the 30’s and 40’s whose work was influenced by an Asian aesthetic. Includes work by Paul Horiuchi and George Tsutakawa. Coming August 30th is “City Dwellers: Contemporary Art from India” which looks at the shift towards urban centers and the culture and arts of the city. Organized by SAM from the collection of Sanjay Parthasarathy and Malini Balakrishnan. Visit sam.org or call (206) 654-3100.
“Travelogue – Art Inspired By Travels Through Asia” is a group show including work by Kathy Liao. Opening reception is Wed., Sept. 24th from 4:30 – 6:30pm with artist talks set for 5:30pm. At Lakeshore located at 11448 Rainier Ave. S. Go to eraliving.com for details.
Bellevue Arts Museum presents the traveling exhibit “Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami” through September 21st. Though this art form originated in Japan, this exhibit reveals how that form has evolved through the participation of modern artists from around the world. Over 140 works from international artists takes this traditional art form and pushes it into the future. A series of related events throughout the run of the exhibition are planned. Festival Folding with PAPER takes place on Saturday from 1 – 3pm on September 13th. Opening July 3rd is “The Art of Gaman: Arts and Crafts from the Japanese American Internment Camps, 1942 – 1946”, A Smithsonian traveling exhibit curated by Delphine Hirasuna. Most of the work is by untrained artists stuck behind a barbed wire fence fending off boredom by putting creative hands and minds to use. But work by a few professional artists such as Ruth Asawa, Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani, Chiura Obata and Henry Sugimoto is included as well. The show runs from through Oct. 12th with many events planned. California-based installation artist and sculptor Wendy Maruyama gives a talk about Executive Order 9066 and her work on the subject in her “TAG PROJECT” on September 5th at 7pm. 510 Bellevue Way NE. Go to www.bellevuearts.org.
“Photographic Presence and Contemporary Indians: Matika Wilbur’s Project 562” is the first installment of Matika Wilbur’s ambitious project to capture contemporary Native American life by documenting people from all 562 federally recognized tribes in the US. The photography of Seattle photographer Chao-Chen Yang is included in a group show entitled “Northwest in the West: Exploring Our Roots”. This show explores the distinct identity of Northwest art and how it has adopted, adapted and reacted against its western roots. A theme particularly apt and timely since the museum is building a new wing to house their new collection of Western art. Both shows through the fall of 2015. Local artist MalPina Chan has work in the current show “Ink This! Contemporary Print arts in the Northwest” on view until Nov. 9th, 2014. Tacoma Art Museum is at 1701 Pacific Ave. (253) 272-4258 or go to TacomaArtMuseum.org.
Seattle artist Saya Moriyasu keeps busy with the following activities. In Portland she has work in the PDX Contemporary window with Tony Sonnenberg. Presented by Pulliam Fine Arts. Upcoming you can see her work in SAM Party in the Park and in the fall with Maki Tamura and Paul Komada at MadArt UW. Some of her functional work can be found at Sugar Pill behind Blick at 900 E. Broadway on Capitol Hill. She also has a new email at ArtSaayaa@gmail.com.
Puget Sound artist MalPina Chan has work in a group show entitled “Our American Stories: Asian American Artists Illuminate History, Culture and Identity” along with Seattle-raised Roger Shimomura, Susan Almazol, Salma Arastu, Jung Ran Bee, Karen Chew, Reiko Fujii, Kathy Fujii-Oka, Nancy Hom, MariNaomi, Pallavi Sharma and Scott Tsuchitani. On view through September 26th, 2014. Guest-curated by Judy Shintani. At City College of San Francisco’s Louise & Claude Rosenberg Jr. Library – Ocean Campus, 2nd floor, 50 Phelan Ave. in San Francisco. (415) 452-5541.
Congratulations to local artist Naoko Morisawa had her work featured at the 2014 Dublin Biennial recently. Morisawa also has work in a group show entitled “Boundaries”. Remains on view through Sept. 10th. At Twilight Art Gallery at 4306 SW Alaska St. in West Seattle. (206) 933-2444.
Seattle painter Kathy Liao keeps busy with the following activities. She has work in a group show entitled “Any Day: Artists on Death” at the Steele Gallery at Gage Academy of Art through Sept. 19th. 1501 – 10th Ave. E. Go to www.gageacademy.org. She has an artists’s residency at the Jentel Artist Residency Program in Sheridan, WY. From June 15th – July 15th in 2015.
Opening August 28th is “Mythscapes : Contemporary Art from the World’s Oldest Continuing Culture” which includes the work of indigenous artists from Australia including work by Sarrita King. Co-curated by the gallery and Ann Snell Gallery of Sydney. On Friday, Sept. 5th from 5 – 8pn (re-scheduled from “First Thursday because of a Seahawks game), there will be an opening reception and another walk through by Ann Snell from 5 – 8pm. Ann Snell will give a curator’s talk and slideshow on Sat., Sept. 6th from 1 – 3pm. Show remains on view through Nov. 22nd. ArtXchange Gallery at 512 First Ave. S. Open Tues. – Sat. (206) 839-0377 or go to www.artxchange.org.
The Portland Japanese Garden has announced their exhibitions set for 2014. “Urushi: Masterpieces of Lacquer Ware by Kazumi Murose, Living National Treasure of Japan”, on view Oct. 25th – Nov. 16th. For details, go to http://japanesegarden.com/pressroom/50th-anniversary-press-kit/.
“Cobalt Blues”, a regional and chronological variety of Asian Cobalt-glazed ceramics is on view through Oct. 19th taken from the museum collection and on loan from private collections. Portland Art Museum. 1219 SW Park Ave. (503) 226-2811 or go to portlandartmuseum.org.
The Museum of Contemporary Craft has the work of “artist-in-residence” Stephanie Syjuco in the group show, “Fashion Cascadia – The Social Life of the Garment”. This show looks at how the fashion industry shapes the regional identity of the Pacific Northwest. Through Oct. 11th. 724 NW Davis St. in Portland. (503) 223-2654 or go to mocc.pnca.edu.
“Meet Me at Higo” permanent exhibit- Part Two” presented and sponsored by the Wing is a multi-media presentation and self-guided tour that tells the origins and history of the store as a Japanese American five and dime. At Kobo at Higo, 604 South Jackson. E-mail info@koboseattle.com or call (206) 381-3000.
“The Human Touch” is a group show with selections from the BBC Wealth Management Collection. Art by international contemporary artists who explore creative interpretations of the human figure and celebrate people and diversity. Included in the show is work by Dinh Q. Le, Hung Liu, Roger Shimomura and Chen Quilin and others. On view till Sept. 14th at the University of Oregon Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. 1430 Johnson Lane in Eugene. (541) 346-3027 or visit jsma.uoregon.edu.
“Claiming Space: Voices of Urban Aboriginal Youth” is a group show that shows “contemporary, conceptual and Native art” that features 25 young artists across Canada, the US, Norway and New Zealand, “to define what it really means to be an urban Aboriginal artist today.” On view Through Jan. 4th, 2015 at Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, BC. On the UBC campus. 6393 NW Marine Dr. (604) 822-5087 or go to moa.ubc.ca.
“Forbidden City, USA – Chinese American Nightclub, 1936 – 1970” is a new exhibition curated by filmmaker Arthur Dong. The material was amassed by Dong as he prepared for his documentary film on the subject which aired in 1989. On view through July 6th. 2014 at Jewett Gallery in the San Francisco Public Library at Civic Center. For details, go to info@deepfocusproductions.com.
The Korean Artist Project plays an important role in promoting Korean artists overseas. Organized by the Korean Art Museum Association and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, it provides an archive of 75 artists from 27 galleries nationwide in both English and Korean. The directory is updated regularly. For details, go to www.koreanartproject.com.
Do Ho Suh is a Korean installation artist who has work locally in Seattle Art Museum’s permanent collection. Lehmann Maupin in New York presents a show of “Drawings” by the artist Sept. 11th – Oct. 25th, 2014 in two spaces in New York. The exhibition will highlight the significant role and varied forms drawing plays in Suh’s oeuvre. The artist will be at an opening reception on Thurs., Sept. 11 from 6 -8pm and a book launch on Sat., Sept. 13th at 540 W. 26thst from 4 – 6pm. Suh’s work will also be presented in a major solo exhibition at The Contemporary Austin opening on Sept. 20th, 2014. Lehmann Maupin is located at 540 W. 26th St. and 201 Chrystie St. Visit lehmannmaupin.com for details.
“The Artistic journey of Yasuo Kuniyoshi” is a major exhibition about this Japanese-born artist (1889-1953) who came to America as a teenager first landing in Seattle where he worked on the railroads. He came to New York and came to prominence in the 1920’s for his distinctive modern, figurative style. After stints in Paris, his work leaned towards moody portraits of women and still lifes with unusual objects. Classified as an “enemy alien” during WWII, he remained loyal to his adopted country, working with the Office of War Information to create artworks indicting Japanese atrocities. After the war, his work turned bitter and bright. Following his death, the artist’s work and reputation diminished. Some of the work in American collections were sold to foreign collectors and many to Japan where there is a museum in his honor in his home town. This will be the first overview of his work in over twenty-five years. Guest curator is leading Kuniyoshi scholar, Tom Wolf who is a professor of art history at Bard College. The show will be on view April 3rd – August 30th, 2015 at Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C., 1st floor West at 8th and F streets, N. W. For details, go to http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2015/kuniyoshi.
The Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) marked a period of China’s history full of economic strength and a dramatic flourishing of the arts. Two exhibits in Europe showcase this era. “Ming – The Golden Empire” is a collection of original artifacts from the Nanjing Museum that introduce key aspects of the dynasty, focusing on the remarkable cultural, technological and economic achievements of the period. On view till Oct. 19th, 2014 at the National Museum of Scotland. Chambers St. in Edinburgh. Go to http://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/. Coming to the British Museum from Sept. 18th to Jan. 5th, 2015 is “Ming: 50 Years that Changed China”. Five years in the making, the show focuses on the dynasty’s early years from 1400 – 50 when China explored the world. Go to britishmuseum.org for more details.
Lacquer has been used throughout Asia for over 7000 years. “Living Lacquer Traditions” explores that legacy and history. The exhibition explores how works are forms and the artistry involved in making each piece. Includes works from Japan, Myanmar, China, Korea, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. On view through Sept. 7th, 2014 at East-West Center Gallery, John Burns Hall, 1601 Eat-West Rd. in Honolulu, Hawai’i. For further information, go to http://arts.EastWestCenter.org.
The Aspen Art Museum in Colorado is the first American museum designed by innovative prize-wining Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. It opened in August in the new building in downtown Aspen. With a woven-wood screen surface, it has triple the exhibition space of its’ former home. Ban has won major awards for his work designing low-cost housing and public buildings in developing countries. Future shows here will include the work of Cai Guo-Qiang and Ban, himself. For more, go to aspenartmuseum.org.
Performing Arts
Highlights
Every fall the Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association presents “Aki Matsuri (Fall Festival)”, a 2 day program of Japanese cultural, educational, and fun events for all age groups. Sept. 6th hours are 10am – 6pm and Sept. 7th hours are 10am – 4:30pm. Guests include ceramic artist Kubodera Keizabura from Shikoku who will show his work and talk about it and Kita School Noh instructor Richard Emmert who presents an introduction to Noh Theatre and training sessions. Heiando American Inc. will have a display of Japanese lacquer works. There will also be a puppet show, performing arts, martial arts demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops, children’s games, bonsai displays, taiko, shakuhachi and a Japanese style flea market. Participants can dress up in summer kimonos known as yukata and have their pictures taken as well. On Bellevue College’s main campus at the gymnasium and Buildings C & R. 300 Landerholm Circle S.E. Go to http://wwwenma.org/ for details.
Hollis Wong-Wear, up and coming Seattle musician known for work with Macklemore/Ryan Lewis and her own group ventures is part of the CityArts In The Community Series. She gives a breakfast talk entitled “Elevate The Conversation” taking place at the Space needle on Sept. 16th at 7:30am. She will be talking about her experiences as a successful musician with a passion for the arts. $50 in advance or $55 day of the event. Purchase online at spaceneedle.com/elevate-the-conversation.
“TEDxRainier Salon: Cultures of Community” on Sat., Sept. 6th at 7:30pm downstairs at Town Hall Seattle (enter on Seneca St.). Join Pramila Jayapal and others in a salon-style event asking the question, “How is a culture that shapes a community created?” The Association for India’s Development presents “Articulate Ability, a visually impaired dance troupe that feature a variety of Indian dance styles in their repertory from traditional to folk and ritual dance. Sat. Sept. 13th at 7pm. In Town Hall Seattle’s Great Hall. (Enter on Eighth). Sept. 17th at 7:30pm brings “Environmental Perspectives: Cultural Diversity in the Environment” which is a moderated panel that will talk about the importance of increasing cultural diversity in fields like environmental education and conservation. For this event, enter on Seneca St. Town Hall Seattle is at 1119 8th Ave. (206) 652-4255 for tickets.
Night Markets are a bustling tradition in large cities all across Asia with vendors, food & snacks, children’s activities and performances. Seattle re-creates this tradition with Seattle’s Night Market set for Sept. 13th along the streets of the Chinatown-ID neighborhood. Expect the foodtrucks, an international market place, an all-ages dance party and a Japanese Beer Garden sponsored by Kirin. Go to nightmarketseattle.squarespace.com for details.
The Japan Arts Connection Lab (www.jaclab.org) and Cornish College of the Arts (www.cornish.edu/presents) give Seattle audiences a chance to hear masters of Japanese traditional music when they presents a series of musical events. First off, Japanese koto master Sawa Fujii presents a concert of “Contemporary Koto Music” on Fri., Sept. 19 at 7pm. Bainbridge Island Museum of Art Auditorium. Although admission is free, you must RSVP if you wish to attend by going to http://jaclab-koto.brownpapertickets.com. Hirokazu Fujii will lead a Jiuta Master Workshop on Sept. 20th at 1pm. This workshop is especially recommended for koto, shamisen & shakuhachi players. $35 admission and reservations are suggested. This all culminates in a final concert involving all these Japanese musicians entitled “Jiuta: Voice of Longing”, a shamisen, koto & Kokyu concert by Hirokazu Fujii & Ginmeikai Members. With Rosyu Kawase and Sawa Fujii. Sunday, Sept. 21 at 7pm. Cornish College of the Arts Poncho Auditorium. Tickets from $15 – $25. For tickets, go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/782749.
The Seattle Fringe Festival is a 5 day festival of live art from the raw and untested to completed productions in a variety of genres and styles. Each show runs an hour or less and tickets are affordable at $10 each. All performances are located within walking distance of each other. Sept. 17th – 21st. Venues are on Capitol Hill at Annex Theater, Eclectic Theater, the NW Film Forum and Calamus Auditorium at Gay City Arts. Produced by Theatre Puget Sound with Seattle Contemporary. For details, go to http://seattlefringefestival.org/.
Singer/songwriter Brenda Xu gained a following in the San Diego area before moving to Seattle. While there, she was nominated for “Best Acoustic Artist” in the San Diego Music Awards. Her voice and work has been liked to singer Aimee Mann. This concert takes place on Sept. 18th at 8pm at the Fremont Abbey is a new cd release party/concert for “For The Winter”, a new release. Singers Julia Massey and Shenandoah Davis will open. 4272 Fremont Ave. N. All ages. Doors open at 7pm. (206) 414-8325.
Kirkland Performing Center for the Arts presents a concert entitled “The Sarod Project” in which a family of Indian classical musicians play a repertory around that classical Indian instrument. Sept. 20th at 8pm. Kirkland Performing Center for the Arts at 350 Kirkland Ave. N. in Kirkland, WA. (425) 828-0422 or email info@kpcenter.org.
Bunka Gakuen University from Tokyo presents their annual “Fashion Show” showcasing the work of their fashion design students. On Sun., Sept. 21st from 1 – 3-m. Free. Seattle Central Community College’s Broadway Performance Hall at Broadway & Pine on Capitol Hill. (425) 483-5974 or go to fashion@ushomestay.com.
“The Beauty of Noh – Tomoe and Yoshinaka” offers Seattle audiences a rare chance to see classical Japanese theatre and also how that theatre collaborates with contemporary elements. In a double-bill. First off, “Tomoe” is a love story based on the “Tale of Heike” about a famous 12th century woman samurai warrior not allowed to die on the battlefield with her master. This will be performed by Munenori Takeda, one of Japan’s best-known Noh masters and the Takeda Noh troupe. Seattle composer Garrett Fisher’s “Yoshinaka” is a cross-cultural collaboration between the Fisher Ensemble with Noh master Munenori Takeda as directed by Tikka Sears. It invites audiences to re-imagine the contemporary world through the double lenses of myth and history. Stan Shikuma of Seattle Kokon Taiko is in this production. Performances on Sept. 26th at 7pm, Sept. 27th at 2pm & 7pm and Sept. 28th at 2pm. ACT Theatre in Seattle at 700 Union St. downtown. $35 tickets. For tickets go to http://www.nohandopera.com.
The 4th Annual Benefit for the Tibet Fund featuring former North American representative for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lobsang Nyandak and award-winning photographer Phil Borges as guest speakers takes place at 5pm on Sun., Sept. 27th at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at 4805 N.E. 45th in Seattle. Traditional and contemporary dance featuring Tibetan artists and internationally known musicians such as Tashi Tsering, Gary Stroutsos and Pamela Mortensen as well as emerging artists such as Lobsang Tsatultsang, Tenzin Dawa and Dhundup Dorjee. There will also be a dinner featuring Tibetan cuisine and silent & live auctions. To learn more about the Tibet Fund, go to Tibetfund.org. For tickets, visit Om_Zappy or call (206)-713-7325.
The Gardner Center presents their Saturday University Fall Lecture Series entitled “New Worlds of Science: The Heritage of East Asia” beginning Sept. 27th through Dec. 6th. All programs run from 9:30am – 11am. It’s a series of ten talks on the history of science in the region co-organized with Professor Christopher Cullen, Needham Research Institute of Cambridge, England who will give the first two lectures. Topics will range from ancient astronomy and cosmology, to Chinese medicine to modernizing Korea and Japan on historic scientific advancements. To purchase tickets online go to visitsam.org/gardnercenter.
The title of this year’s “Asia Talks” Series is “Celebrating Chinese Art at SAM”. SAM Director Emerita Mimi Gardner Gates along with Josh Yiu (Chinese University of Hong Kong and former SAM Chinese Art Curator) open this special program on Song dynasty painting (960-1279). Howard Rogers of Kaikodo Asian Art Gallery in new York will talked about “The Way of Muqi’s Paintings” (Famed Chinese Chan (Zen) painter) and Rof ermritus Richard Barnhart of Yale University will talk about “The Perils of Collecting Song Painting in the Early 20th Century”. Takes place on Sun., Sept. 21st from 4 – 5:30pm. Tickets are $10 general and $5 for SAM members. Tickets available in person or by calling (206) 654-3210.
Washington Hall has played a long-storied tradition in the lives, culture and fabric of Seattle’s many multi-cultural communities throughout the years. FANHS celebrates that with their event entitled “Growing Up Brown: Memories of Washington Hall” which celebrates the local Filipino American community’s participation in this theatre Oct. 3rd from 6:30 – 9pm. Robert Flor’s play-in-progress entitled “My Uncle’s Letters” has a scene in this hall from the 1930’s. This scene will be performed as part of the celebration. 14th Ave. & E. Fir Street.
The Northwest Tea Festival takes place Oct. 4th (10am – 6pm) & 5th (10am – 4pm) at Fisher Pavillion at Seattle Center. Numerous workshops and presentations on the art of tea will be available. For details, try logging on to http://www.nwteafestival.com/.
This fall brings the 26th Annual Earshot Jazz Festival. Oct. 10th – Nov. 11th at various sites around Puget Sound. Some welcome returning musical visitors include bassist/composer Linda Oh who will be performing with the Joe Lovano Dave Douglas Sound Prints Quintet. Also Korean American saxophonist/singer/composer Grace Kelly is guest artist with the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra. To find out the full line-up of this annual aural feast of great music, go to www.earshot.org.
Celebrate the thunderous energy of taiko or Japanese drums when “Bellevue World Taiko Festival 2014” explodes on the stage of Bellevue Performing Arts Center at Bellevue High School on Oct. 18th. For details, go to japantaiko.com.
The Hansberry Project presents “Represent!” – A Multicultural Playwrights Festival” in various theatre spaces (in the Bullitt Cabaret Oct. 1st and 5th and in the Eulalie Scandiuzzi Space Oct. 2nd – 4th) around ACT Theatre downtown in partnership with eSe Teatro, SIS, Pratidhwani, and ACT’s Central Heating Lab. A great opportunity to hear and see new work by playwrights of color. There will be an opening reception, readings of three full-length plays, and a local writers showcase. Oct. 1st at 7:30pm is a “Meet The Playwrights” night. Oct. 2nd at 7:30pm eSe Teatro presents “Upon the Fragile Shore” by Caridad Svitch. Oct. 3rd at 7:30pm Pratidhwani will present a production. On Oct. 4th at 7:30pm, the Hansberry Project presents “Zenith by Kirsten Greenridge. Oct. 5th at 2pm a “Local Writers Showcase” will take place presenting an excerpt of Robert Flor’s new play “My Uncle’s Letters” as directed by Eloisa Cardona. 700 Union St. (206) 292-7676.
A Children’s Mid-Autumn Moon Festival takes place this Fri., Sept. 5th at the International Children’s Park at 700 South Lane from 4 – 6pm in the Chinatown-ID area. Moon cakes, fun festivities and back to school giveaway’s are some of the activities.
Celebrate the revitalization of Japan Town with “Nihonmachi Nites”, an event set for Sept. 20th from 4 – 8pm. Extended shop hours, kids activities, live performances and traditional Japanese food will be available. At the corner of 6th Ave. S. & S. Main near the Chinatown/ID neighborhood. Go to www.nihonmachinites.com for complete details.
Don’t miss “Harvest Fest & Farm-To-Table Dinner”, a benefit for CDA’s Danny Woo Community Garden. Free activities. 12 – 3pm. Sat., Sept. 20th in the Garden, rain or shine. 620 S. Main St. There will be children’s activities, apple & Asian pear harvesting, cider pressing and a program entitled “Garden History & Stories” at 1:30pm. The “Farm-To-Table Dinner is from 5 – 7pm at $75 a person. Organic ingredients provided from the garden and local farms with a limit of 35 people. All proceeds benefit the Danny Woo community Garden. (206) 624-1802×10 or email Lching@interimicda.org for questions.
Jennifer Paz takes the lead role in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In The Heights – A Hip Hop Musical With a Salsa Beat” with performances scheduled for two venues presented by Village Theatre. Sept. 18th – Oct. 26th at Issaquah’s Francis J. Gaudette Theatre at 303 Front St. N. in Issaquah. (425) 392-2202 and Oct. 31st – Nov. 23rd at Everett Performing Arts Center at 2710 Wetmore Ave. (425) 257-8600.
Richard Nguyen Sloniker stars in the Strawberry Theatre Workshop production of “Black Comedy” by Peter Shaffer (“Equs”, Amadeus”). Through Sept. 20th. Erickson Theatre off Broadway. 1524 Harvard Ave. 1-800-838-3006 or go to black.brownpapertickets.com.
“A Journey Back in Time” is an event hosted by the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington. Featured guest speakers are Michel Michalak, former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam and Jan Johnson, owner of the Panama Hotel. Sept. 12th at 5:30pm.At the Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee Shop. 605 ½ S. Main St. (206) 374-0180 or go to http://jassw.org.
“Songs of Unsung Seattle” is a series of 2 programs presented around Seattle by the Steve Griggs Ensemble. “Panama Hotel Jazz” is a program with original narration and music written around Japanese American endurance of injustice during World War II internment. They perform at the following venues. Sept. 14th at 2pm at Green Lake Branch Library. Sept. 28th at 2pm at Columbia City Branch Library. Oct. 5th at 2pm at Ballard Branch Library. For details, call (206) 386-4636 or go to www.spl.org/jazz.
Seattle Center Festal – Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival takes place Sept. 7th from 11 am – 7pm at Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre and Fisher Roof. Free. Go to seattlecenter.com or call (206) 684-7200 for details.
“Arts Gumbo 2014: Experience Japan” is an event that combines Japanese music, dance and food. Sat., Sept. 13th at 6pm. Rainier Valley Cultural Center at 3515 S. Alaska St. Visit www.rainiervalleyculturalcenter.org for details.
ReAct Theatre, Seattle’s multi-ethnic and philanthropic theatre continues their 2014 Mainstage Season. Neil Labute’s “The Break of Noon” opens Sept. 5th and runs through Sept. 28th at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center on Deldridge. Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets or call (206) 364-3283 or go to http://www.reacttheatre.org for details.
“Luminata: Lantern Festival” celebrates the autumnal equinox on Sept. 21st with a lantern parade around Green Lake Park in Seattle. Brought to you by the Fremont Arts Council. Go to fremontartscouncil.org for details.
The Blue Scholars headline a show with Made In Heights on Friday, Sept. 12th at the Showbox At The Market at 1426 – 1st Ave. For tickets, go to axs.com or call 888-929-7849.
Kobe’s 2014 Jazz Vocal Queen Rie Takahashi performs in the “15th Sister City Jazz Day” on Mon., Sept. 15th at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley at 7:30pm. 2033 6th Ave. downtown Seattle. Free but suggested donations of $5 – $10 are recommended. For details, go to www.jazzalley.com.
The pioneer all women Japanese rock group Shonen Knife returns to Seattle for a show on Oct. 12th to Ballard’s Tractor Tavern. 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W. (206) 789-3599.
MONQUI presents singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata in a show on Oct. 20th at The Crocodile in Belltown. 2200 2nd Ave. (206) 441-4618.
The Undergraduate Theatre Society at UW will present a new production of David Henry Hwang’s play, “Yellow Face” as directed by Eliza Wu from Jan. 22nd – Feb. 1st, 2015.
Early warning for 2015. The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra with Myung-Whun Chung conducting and Sunwook Kim on piano take on Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 and Brahms Symphony No. 4 on April 21st at 7:30pm. Noted American cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs with Seattle Symphony on May 3rd at 2pm. At Benaroya Hall downtown at 3rd & Union. (206) 215-4747 or go to seattlesymphony.org.
The Wing hosts the following performances. On Sat., Sept. 6th at 8am, explore the history of early Japanese railroad workers who built the Great Northern Railway. Hike is ADA accessible and the tour is led by U.S. Forest Service guide. Transportation and lunch are provided. $75 general and $50 members. Also new tours starting in July in which you can “Rediscover the Chinatown-ID” neighborhood. Go to wingluke.org for details on all events and programs.
ACT Theatre has announced their 2014 season. Appearing Sept. 5 – 28th is “The Invisible Hand” by Ayad Akhtar. The story revolves around an American financial guru who is captured and held by a militant organization in Pakistan who must raise his own 10 million dollar ransom. To be directed by Allen Nause. For details on this play and the upcoming season, go to acttheatre.org/subscriptions or call (206) 292-7676. Food, live performances, activities for kids and much more.
Thai Festival 2014 takes place on Sat., Sept. 6th from 11am – 6pm at Northgate Mall Parking Lot. Free Admission.
Veronica Lee-Baik, Artistic Director of The Three Yells Dance Company has an exclusive open rehearsal on Sunday, Sept. 14th at Velocity Dance Center from 5 – 7:30pm. The open rehearsal is in anticipation of her new work “Moon Falling” which will premiere Nov. 7th & 8th at Velocity. This is her first work since reviving the company in 2014 after taking an extended hiatus to recharge personally and creatively. “Moon Falling” investigates the damage of society’s pursuit for perfection and convenience. Originally from Singapore, Lee-Baik studied dance and art at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and trained at the Royal Acdemy of Dance, the Martha Graham School and Cornish College of the Arts. To reserve your seat, you must RSVP at (206) 799-3887 or email the3yells@yahoo.com.
Town Hall Seattle kicks off their “Global Rhythms” series with a bang, opening with Arga Bileg, a group from Mongolia who mixes traditional Mongolian folk songs and instrumentation to contemporary, Western jazz techniques. A bold approach to sustaining traditional ideas in a changing world. Friday, Sept. 19th at 8pm. Go to townhall.org for details.
EnActe Arts presents “A Modern Vyasa and his Mahabharata”. Jean-Claude Carriere, famed French playwright, actor, director and film partner of Luis Bunuel – performs his recent version of India epic Mahabharata as a storyteller. His earlier work on this classic were made into films directed by Peter Brook. Sun. Oct. 19th at 4pm. Seattle Asian Art Museum auditorium. For tickets, visit enacte.org. Hosted by Sam’s Gardner Center for Asian Art and Ideas. (206) 442-8480 or email gardnercenter@seattleartmuseum.org.
Popular slack key guitarist/singer Makana makes a welcome return to Seattle as part of the “Live @ Benaroya Hall” series this fall on Nov. 20th. (206) 215-4747 for ticket information.
Local composer/performance artist Byron Au Yong was an “artist-in-residence” at the International Festival of Arts & Ideas in New Haven recently with fellow collaborator Aaron Jefferis where they are developing ideas for “Trigger”, a music/theater project based on the Virginia Tech tragedy. “The Orphan of Zhao” of which au Yong did the music ended its’ run at San Francisco’s ACT and opens July 8th – August 2nd at La Jolla Playhouse.
El Teatro Campesino is a theatre group directed by Luis Valdez that came out of the Farm Worker’s movement led by Caesar Chavez and is now considered a California theatrical treasure. Last year Valdez wrote a play entitled “Valley of the Heart”, a love story rooted in the Santa Clara Valley and the Heart Mountain, Wyoming concentration camp for Japanese Americans during WWII. It follows two families, one Japanese American and one Mexican American and how their relationships intertwine during this period of war. This production played to sold-out houses last summer and returns by popular demand. Performances are on Thursdays through Sundays now until Oct. 12, 2014. For complete information, go to www.elteatrocampesino.com or call 1-800-838-3006 for tickets. El Teatro Campesino is at 705 Fourth St in San Juan Bautista, CA.
YenFen Wang, originally from Shanghai plays the Chinese classical harp known as the guzheng. She will be opening “The Seattle Guzheng Studio” in September at 14950 S.E. Allen Rd., Suite #A in Bellevue. For details, go to http://www.seattleguzheng.com.
Celebrations of recently departed musicians are always a joyous life-affirming affair. Musicians are family and when they come to pay their respects to a fallen comrade, they come to play. That is why if you are going to be in the Bay Area anyway, I’d advise you not to miss these events. The late producer and revolutionary Asian American Musician, composer, lecturer, author and activist Fred Ho recently passed away from cancer in New York but he had friends on both coasts. “Words and Music, in Memoriam Fred Ho” is a concert by Royal Hartigan and Ben Barson performing with special guest Hafez Modirzadeh on Th., Sept. 4th at 4:30pm at the Poetry Center on the campus of San Francisco State University on Holloway Ave. Building HUM 512. Free. His legacy is again remembered and celebrated in a “Fred Ho Memorial Tribute Event – Struggle To Change The World!” on Sun., Sept. 7th from 2 – 6pm. The line-up reads like a veritable “who’s who” of the Asian American arts and free jazz movement. Expect people like ROVA, Ginny Lim, Hafez Modirzadeh, Francis Wong, Jon Jang, Brenda Wong Aoki, Mark Izu, Akira Tana and others. The family will be present and footage from the documentary film, “Fred Ho’s Last Year” will be screened. Oakland Asian Cultural Center at 388 – 9th St. #290 in Oakland,CA. Free admission. For more information, call (415) 863-9977 or email claude@freedomarchives.org.
Washington National Opera at the John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. presented “An American Soldier” back in June as part of their American Opera Initiative Program. This world premiere by Huang Ruo featured a libretto by David Henry Hwang. It is based on the true story of Pvt. Danny Chen, a Chinese American soldier who was found dead in Afghanistan, harassed and beaten to death by men in his own unit. Andrew Stenson starred as Pvt. Danny Chen and mezzo-soprano Guang Yang played his mother. Chen’s real-life mother has been instrumental in seeking justice for and keeping her son’s case alive. Most of the soldiers involved in Chen’s death were given paltry sentences and currently, the Army refuses to divulge any additional details in the case. The case of Pvt. Danny Chen has become the impetus for new legislation in the review of military hazing deaths. A road in New York City’s Chinatown was recently renamed Pvt. Danny Chen Way. Ruo also composed the music for a new opera “Dr. Sun Yat-sen” with a libretto by Hong-Kong-born playwright Candace Mui-ngam Chong that played at Santa Fe Opera in early August. His latest collaboration is with Houston Opera based on a true story about a Vietnamese immigrant student who works so many jobs to support her family that she is jailed for truancy for missing classes.
The results for jazz magazine Downbeat’s 62nd Annual Critics Poll are in and although rankings are composed of so many people’s likes and dislikes, it is heartening to see Asian American and Asian musicians making their mark in the world of music. In the “Established Talent” category, here are the results – pianist/composer Vijay Iyer placed second in the “Jazz Artist” category and also got a mention under the “Jazz Group” category as the Vijay Iyer Trio. Japanese trumpet player Natsuki Tamura got a mention in the “Trumpet” category. Uner the “Alto Saxophone” category, Rudresh Mahanthappa placed high. Under the “Baritone Saxophone” category, the late composer/musician Fred Ho got a mention. Under the “Piano” category, Vijay Iyer took first. In the “Keyboard” category, One-time child prodigy, Hiromi ranked high. Upcoming bassist/composer from Australia, Linda Oh got a mention in the “Bass” category. Under the “Violin” category, veteran New York-based Jason Kao Hwang got a mention as did Seattle’s Eyvind Kang. Under “Percussion”, one finds the names of Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurtu and Susie Ibarra. Under the “Composer” category, Vijay Iyer and Japan’s Satoko Fujii earn mentions. In the “Beyond Album” category, Ravi Shankar’s talented daughter Anoushka Shankar earned a mention for her “Traces Of You” dedicated to memories of her father. Moving on to the “Rising Star” category which designates up and coming new talent we find the following names – saxophonist/composer Jon Irabagon ranked high in the “Jazz Artist” category. Under “Trumpet”, the talented Taylor Ho Bynum and Takuya Kuroda from Japan both got mentions. Under the “Alto Saxophone” category, Korean American young talent Grace Kelly ranked high. Multi-reedist Ben Kono earned a mention under the “Flute” category. Under “Piano” we again see the name of Hiromi. Under the “Organ” category, two Japanese women placed – Akiko Tsuruga and Atsuko Hashimoto. Under the category of “Guitar”, the Paris-based Nguyen Le earned a mention. Seattle’s own Eyvind Kang took top honors in the “Violin” category. Under “Percussion”, Satoshi Takeishi got a nod. Under the wide-open “Miscellaneious Instrument” category, Okkyung Lee placed on cello, Min Xiao got mentioned for pipa and Dana Leong for cello. Our congratulations to all for keeping the flame of music burning brightly!
Film & Media
Highlights
Noted Nisei poet, playwright and actor Hiroshi Kashiwagi will read from his latest work entitled “Starting from Loomis and Other Stories”, a short story collection and memoir about his life in California and will also present the Pacific Northwest Film Premiere of “Infinity & Chashu Ramen” in which he plays a 400 year-old spirit who guides the lives of residents of San Francisco’s Japantown. Things get interesting when he takes on a young woman apprenctice. Two local reading/film screening events. On Sat., Sept. 6th, the reading begins at 3pm with the film screening at 4pm at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art on Bainbridge Island. 100 Ravine Lane NE (just a short walk from the ferry). (206) 842-4451 or go to www.biartmuseum.org. The Seattle event at Wing Luke Museum takes place on Sun., Sept. 7th with the reading at noon and the film screening at 1pm. Kashiwagi and the cast will be present with a Q & A session after each screening. 719 S. King St. (206) 623-5124 or go to wingluke.org. For details, go to infinityandchashuramen.com.
Mixed race Canadian filmmaker Jeffrey Chiba Stearns was surprised to see that since WW II, there was an increasing trend of