Sad news out of NYC about the monthly Sulu Series. After 5 years in NYC, the monthly Sulu Series draws to a close. The growth of the Asian American arts scene is making the monthly event less relevant in a good way. Read the message from Sulu Series founder Taiyo Na.:

Dear Sulu Series Artists & Supporters,

I’m writing to let you know about what the committee of folks who run the Sulu Series have recently decided about its future. Sulu Series as a monthly series at Bowery Poetry Club will end this upcoming September and then transition into a bi-annual or annual event after that. Our official last monthly date is Sunday, September 19 with special feature Bao Phi from Minnesota and many more friends. This last monthly show is also our 5th year anniversary and will be a benefit for the APIA Spoken Word & Poetry Summit in 2011 in Minnesota.

This August 15, we will have our second to last monthly Sulu Series featuring Marco Mercado, Crystal Leigh, Intalek, Jay Legaspi and Kilusan Bautista with host Koba

Some of us are saddened, but most of us understand that it’s time for a change. Since Sulu started in ’05, there’s a lot more going on right now for young Asian Americans in the arts in New York City than ever before, making Sulu in New York (not DC or elsewhere) less relevant and urgent, and in a good way. Over the years I’ve seen each artistic discipline – especially poetry, comedy and music – grow tremendously, with each discipline further carving out their unique communities to foster their intimate growth. From Ken Chen revitalizing the Asian American Writers’ Workshop in really inventive and beautiful ways, to the monthly Mouth to Mouth open mic Jen Kwok & Ed Lin host there, to Kollaboration NY being such a success, to Kundiman’s reading series and retreats pressing on and expanding, to the various youth-centered events at Project Reach fostering another generation of shakers, I really can stand back and say that this Asian American arts community in New York City is progressing.

I want to express how grateful we are for your support of Sulu through the years, whether near or far. Much thanks must go to the Bowery Poetry Club for hosting us all these years. Together as a community we have showcased hundreds of Asian American poets, comedians, musicians, theater artists and filmmakers. We’ve held benefits and raised awareness for and alongside dozens of organizations and causes. Our shows have served thousands of audience members, and we’ve helped to cultivate a canon of Asian American culture that is priceless in its worth and impact.

What all of us Sulu folks would really like to do now is to filter as much of our audience and network into the various mentioned events going on throughout New York City, as well as other events and groups across the country that deserve much attention. Please see the list below.

It’s been a great honor and pleasure to serve this community with you through Sulu. As mentor and Program Director of Project Reach Fay Chiang has told me, Sulu Series in New York City is “graduating.”

Keep keepin’ on.

Sincerely,
Taiyo Na

Taiyo Na interview with channelAPA.com earlier this year

LIST OF EVENTS & GROUPS ALLIED WITH THE SULU SERIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

NEW YORK:

Asian American Writers’ Workshop (AAWW)
http://www.aaww.org/aaww_events.html

Ed Lin & Jen Kwok’s Mouth to Mouth Monthly Open Mic @ AAWW
http://jenkwok.net/blog/
http://www.aaww.org/aaww_events.html

Kollaboration NY
http://kollabny.blogspot.com/

Kundiman Retreat & Reading Series
http://www.kundiman.org/

Project Reach NYC
http://projectreachnyc.org/

PHILLY:

-Family Style Monthly Open Mic Series @ Asian Arts Initiative
http://www.asianartsinitiative.org/programs/performances.php

BOSTON:

-Boston Progress Arts Collective (BPAC)
http://bostonprogress.org/

DC/MD/VA Area:

-SULU DC
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=155388419558

-Kollaboration DC
http://kollaborationdc.org/

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA:

-RAMA
http://www.gostudiorama.com/

SEATTLE:
-isangmahal arts kollective
http://www.isangmahal.org/

LA:
-Tuesday Night Cafe
San Fhttp://www.tuesdaynightproject.org/