Amy Tan performs at the White House as part of a APA community heritage month celebration. She talk about her Asian American heritage and how it tied to the American dream. From her parents past to her book the Joy Luck Club, she shares how they intersect to create a truly Asian American heritage. You may relate to some of her own personal experiences in your life.
Amy Tan speech at the White House
Inspired by the outrageous variety shows popularized throughout Asia, ISA! features 10 celebrity contestants playing hilarious games and squaring off in head-to-head challengs. Contestants include Ted Fu, Jen (FrmHeadToToe), David Choi, Clara C, Ally Maki, Freddie Wong, Brandon Laatsch, Wesley Chan, Mike Song, and Anthony Lee. Hosted by Amy Okuda, Philip Wang, and gamemaster Yoshi (KevJumba), the first episode of ISA! begins by getting to know a little bit about each contestant in “Two Truths and a Lie.” After the intros, it’s off to the first game “Pass It On”. How will the phrases “Wizard of Oz” and “Harlem Shake” get transformed from one end of the line to the other end? Look for the pop up graphics just like on the Asian games shows to reveal what really goes through the mind of each contestant.
ISA! Variety Game Show : Episode 1
ISA! Variety Game Show : Episode 2
Behind the scenes of ISA!
Nearly 400 Asian American and Pacific Islanders from all walks of life gathered at the Department of the Interior for the White House Forum on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage, where we discussed ways the Department, especially the National Park Service, can better tell the story of the APA experience in America and the contributions this vibrant community has made to our country and its culture. During the forum, new Interior Secretary Sally Jewell pledged her support for the APA Theme Study. “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have long been leaders in every aspect of our social fabric – in government, business, science, medicine, the arts, education and our armed forces,” Secretary Jewell said. “From Angel Island where more than one million Asian immigrants arrived on these shores, to the Chinese immigrants who helped build the railroads across the country, to the Japanese American internment camps of World War II, these stories are all important threads in the great American tapestry.”
APA leaders from across the country discussed our community’s progress, and how our stories really constitute the fabric of the larger American story. They also discussed National Park Service’s efforts, over the coming months, to guide the theme study scholars in developing narratives that will connect tangible places to so many intangible stories. The Service’s National Historic Landmark program will use the theme study to guide future nominations of National Historic Landmarks and National Register properties.
2013 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Forum
In you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at the 2013 Asian Heritage Street Celebration (AHSC) on Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of the Asian Art Museum, leading up to the Little Saigon District in San Francisco. Street fair goers will have the chance to learn how to cook delicious pan Asian dishes at the AHSC cooking demonstration stage located at Ellis and Larkin Streets, by celebrity chefs including Martin Yan. The AHSC will also have a variety of scrumptious pan Asian delights with an estimated 20-30 food trucks and vendors in attendance. Shoppers will have the chance to purchase the best and most creative handmade arts and crafts items at the Arts and Crafts World Market. Other new features this year include a fashion show and an expanded Faces of Asia Cultural Procession with awards and prizes given to the best and most colorful contingents. The Asian Art Museum will once again offer free admission to all fair goers with activities all day. Performers will provide live entertainment continuously on two outdoor stages. For the fourth year in a row, the fair will also feature a health section entitled Healthy Living Pavilion. This area of the street fair will comprise of many community health groups and sponsor booths that will collectively promote health and wellness and include a Natural Medicine area. Go here for more details.
WHEN:
Saturday, May 18, 2013
11 a.m. — 6 p.m.
WHERE:
Civic Center/Little Saigon District
Larkin and McAllister Streets
San Francisco, CA
2013 Asian Heritage Street Celebration
In honor of contributions made by Asian-Pacific Americans, Macy’s celebrates Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month this May at select Macy’s locations nationwide. Macy’s will host the platinum-selling Far East Movement for a series of performances and appearances in six markets across the country geared toward highlighting and celebrating the unique influence of Asian-Pacific Americans on American culture and pop music. (also check out Far East Movement in the HTC One commercial)
Far East Movement, the phenomenon that exploded on the American music scene and broke barriers is coming to Macy’s! The group is the face of Macy’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration. They’ll be dropping by stores across the country to give a live performance and chat about how their culture has influenced their musical style. Come meet them at your local Macy’s! Don’t miss the excitment! they’ll be celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month all month long at a Macy’s near you. Come be a part of the movement and experience Far East Movement in their very own Macy’s listening party where they’ll perform their latest music!
| Store Name & City | Date & Time | Floor | RSVP Information |
| Metro Center Washington, DC |
May 9 @ 5:30pm | Lower Level | http://apahmmetrocenter.eventbrite.com |
| Union Square San Francisco, CA |
May 11 @ 2pm | Impulse on the 3rd Floor | N/A |
| First Colony Mall Houston, TX |
May 19 @ 2pm | Level 1 | http://apahmTX.eventbrite.com |
| South Coast Plaza Costa Mesa, CA |
May 22 @ 6pm | Level 2 | http://apahmOC.eventbrite.com |
| Herald Square New York, NY |
May 23 @ 6pm | Level 4 | http://apahmnyc.eventbrite.com |
| State Street Chicago, IL |
May 30 @ 12pm | Level 2 | N/A |
Turn Up the Love by Far East Movement
More about Far East Movement
Raised in Downtown Los Angeles, Cherrytree recording group Far East Movement (Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, and DJ Virman) embody the pulse of contemporary LA. They paid their dues at local clubs, expanding their fan base until they became city-wide stars in the wake of their first LA chart-topping pop hit, “Girls on the Dance Floor.” They made history on their debut album Free Wired when 2010’s multi-platinum selling single “Like a G6” became the first #1 Billboard Hot 100 song ever achieved by an Asian-American group. And followed with another Billboard Top 10 smash “Rocketeer.” Their sophomore album Dirty Bass features the international smash “Live My Life,” an anthemic all-night dance party featuring Justin Bieber, that reached Top 20 on Billboard and #2 on iTunes almost instantly. Their latest Dirty Bass single “Turn Up The Love” hit Top 10 in 10 countries and achieved over 50 million views on VEVO/YouTube.
Mr. Hyphen is a competition like none other. It offers a unique opportunity to celebrate and highlight four outstanding Asian American men who are serving their community and devoted to a cause. The contestants will showcase their skills and charisma in three rounds: Talent, Style and Q&A to see who will walk away with the coveted title of Mr. Hyphen and $1,000 for the nonprofit of his choice. This year’s the show is hosted by Mr. Hyphen 2011 Terry Park and Founder of RAMA Ryan Takemiya. Mr. Hyphen’s judging panel includes the following community movers and shakers: Tanzila Ahmed, Lisa Lee, William Nguyen, Tamiko Wong, and Eddy Zheng.
Mr. Hyphen 2013 Contestants:
Miguel N. Abad, Asian Students Promoting Immigrant Rights through Education (ASPIRE)
Niño-Pierre Galang, Mabuhay Health Center (MHC)
Tim Huey, Asian Law Caucus
Sean Miura, Tuesday Night Project
It all goes down this weekend
Date and Time: Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 7pm-10pm (Doors open at 6pm)
Venue: Brava! Theater Center
Address: 2789 24th St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Tickets: $15 online pre-sale, $10 student (w/current ID)
Mr. Hyphen 2013 teaser