Features
AHSC has something for everyone…scroll down for the entertainment line-up, children’s corner, anime street pavilion, kick boxing, J Cars, karaoke, After-party.
Must See Entertainment Line-up
The Asian Heritage Street Celebration showcases the diverse talent of the Asian American community from comedians to hip hop performers and rock bands, to dance groups and spoken word artists, there will be something for everyone all day at the Peace Plaza Stage and Sutter St. Stage. Here’s a look at some this year’s entertainment.
APL.DE.AP
Allan Pineda Lindo, better known as apl.de.ap, is a hip-hop musician, record producer, and member of the Grammy Award winning group, The Black Eyed Peas. He is planning to release a solo album of his own, incorporating traditional Filipino instruments into his songs and recently disclosed in an interview that he would be collaborating with fellow Filipino-American Chad Hugo of The Neptunes and Illmind from G-Unit. Through his music, he intends to help link the Philippines with the rest of the world, opening the door to the recognition of the talent and voice of his people, as well as the beauty of his culture.
ANIMEMYU
Renown for their “Sailor Moon Musical,” Animemyu is a non-profit Japanese animation performance group. Formed in 2007, their goal is to introduce children to Japanese pop culture. This year Animemyu will go to Mexico as special guests representing the United States.
CALISUS
Calisus is a high energy, alternative rock band whose live performances have inspired the trademark tag line, “Some bands just have to be seen live… “© Influenced by classic rock, modern rock, contemporary pop rock, hard rock, grunge, progressive rock and reggae, their diversity attracts a similarly diverse audience ranging from ages 18 - 50. With success captured in a new live DVD/CD set and sellouts of prestigious venues such as Northern Virginia’s Jammin’ Java, the band is on an amazing trajectory.
DJ CHICKEN SKRATCH
As a San Francisco native, DJ Chicken Skratch began his career in 1994 during the Gold Era of hip-hop. He has appeared in hundreds of events and since then, he has continued to DJ between one to five times a week. His veteran experience, ear for good music, friendships among SF’s best DJ’s, and positive attitude have led him to a successful working DJ. As a proud AAPI, he continues to be a dedicated student and teacher of the arts in hip-hop culture.
LIL JORDAN - 2:53pm
Born Jordan Eugenio, Lil Jordan, 10, is increasingly becoming America’s favorite personality. The Ambassador of Junior Golf and Hip Hop has been seen on FOX’s Best Damn Sports Show Period, Good Morning America, CNN, ESPN, Nickelodeon, Golf Week, The Golf Channel, and more. He’s been featured in many commercials and print ads (AT&T, PGA, Save Mart, Mervyn’s) coming upon feature-length films and television series (Lil Jordan’s Golf Adventure, Mad Dash) releasing in 2008.
JASON MATEO
Born in San Francisco, Jason Mateo is an internationally recognized poet, performer, arts organizer, and activist. Mateo’s proudest achievement has been working for Youth Speaks - a San Francisco-based literary art non-profit, where he is Program Director. Through Youth Speaks, Mateo has visited hundreds of schools throughout the country, profoundly affecting thousands of High School students by encouraging voice, leadership, and creative energy.
JEREMY TAGLE BAUTISTA
Jeremy Tagle Bautista aka “KILUSAN” is an independent performance artist, youth empowerment worker and community organizer. He has performed on some amazing stages such as: Power to the Peaceful Festival in San Francisco in 2006 & 2007; Kimball’s East in Oakland, 2005; UC Santa Cruz’s Rainbow Theater, 1999-2002; and the Bay Area Hip Hop Theater Festival at Yerba Buena Center in SF, 2005.
NATE KROOKS
DJ & producer deedot (Melina Jones, Public Radio), a third-generation Chinese-American, and Kazwell, a second-generation Japanese-American, are the hip-hop duo NATE KROOKS. Bay Area natives, Nate Krooks released their 15-song debut album entitled Still True in February - an homage to positive lyrics, jazz and soul sample-based production from the 1990s but with a new school sound.
NATIVE ELEMENTS
With a myriad of musical influences ranging from classic R&B soul to the deepest tradition of Jamaican and English dub, San Francisco’s own Native Elements delivers a dynamic sound that appeals to all music lovers. They have been nominated for a San Francisco Weekly, Local Music Award (Wammie) and BAM Magazine’s, Bay Area Music Award (Bammie) for Outstanding World Beat/Reggae Club Band.
http://www.native-elements.com/
NITYA VENKATESWARAN
Immersed in Bharatanatyam (South Indian Classical Dance) since the age of 4, Nitya Venkateswaran has dazzled audiences in the Bay Area and India with her athleticism, grace and charming stage presence. She has performed in the prestigious Music Season and Shivarathri Festivals in India and was featured as a soloist in San Francisco’s 2005 Ethnic Dance Festival.
NGUYEN DANCE COMPANY
The Vietnamese Performing Arts Group, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is proud to present its premier performance troupe, Nguyen Dance Company (NDC). Throughout the year, NDC performs at over 50 community events, produces up to 3 original shows, and teaches more than 120 free classes throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
ODESSA CHEN
Described as intelligent, subtle, and haunting, Odessa Chen’s pure, ethereal voice and finger-picking guitar style has attracted international attention. Chen has been interviewed on NPR, MTV and KRON4’s Pacific Fusion TV, and her work has appeared in independent films, compilations, and on radio stations.
RANDOM NINJAS
This American heavy rock/fusion band has a sound that utilizes the usual western rock instruments like guitars, bass, and drums with a combination of diverse languages, traditional Asiatic instruments, and random humor. Founded in 2004 by their guitarist, Full Metal Ninja, this ethnically diverse group is a neo-cultural expression of a global lifestyle, and their diverse fan base is dedicated and growing. Often people try to box them away with the rising J-rock trend, however, anyone who knows J-rock will tell you these guys can’t quite fit their distinctly Asian American big sound in the J-rock cubby hole that’s mostly full of rehashed punk, 80s glam, and pop rock from America and Europe.
REN THE VINYL ARCHAEOLOGIST
Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist’s True Skool events won the “Best of the Bay” in the SF Bay Guardian in 2000. As a DJ, he has shared bills with world-renowned artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Jazzy Jeff, Q-Bert, Wu-Tang Clan, and Lyrics Born to name a few.
RON PUA
Ron (Pua) Patrocinio was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. He comes from a family of hula dancers and musicians, and started dancing the hula at the age of 4. He currently teaches at the JCCCNC in Japantown has over 65 students, ages ranging from 4 to 70.
Pua’ has danced hula for over 40 years.
THOSE KIDS
Goofy, crazy, and awesome entertainers, the Carvajal Kids aka “Those Kids” began performing at family gatherings and have been entertaining ever since at many community events, festivals, and shows throughout California, Nevada, and Hawaii. Those Kids consist of two sisters Caite and Ciara, and their brother Daric. www.myspace.com/thosekids916
TRACY CRUZ
For over 15 years, Tracy Cruz has been capturing the hearts and ears of many with her powerful vocals, emotional stage presence, and unique, soulful music. She has performed at several prestigious music events and venues around the Bay Area including the 102.9 FM KBLX Soul Music Festival, Juneteenth Festival, Nihonmachi Street Festival, Temple Bar, Agenda Lounge, and many more.
www.myspace.com/tracycruzmusic
THE SLANTS
This band has everyone screaming for some “Chinatown Dance Rock.” The Slants were formed and began playing in mid-2007 and their self-recorded, self-produced, and self-released record quickly caught media attention, with press from AsianWeek, the Asian Reporter, Willamette Week, Shojo Beat, and more.
SAMBASIA SF
SambAsia SF is an award winning multi-ethnic multi-generational escola de samba (community-based samba school) modeled after those in Rio de Janeiro and the Bloco Afros of Salvador Bahia. In Brazil, these ensembles are the centerpiece of the neighborhood community where they serve as the hub of social activity, and represent strong neighborhood pride, support and commitment in the face of economic and socio-political hardship. SambAsia’s theme of “One World Awareness, Building Cultural Bridges” was born out of SambAsia’s founder Jimmy Biala’s observations of the separation that continues to exist between different areas of San Francisco despite the diversity of our city. Currently directed by Masaru Koga and Gary Ceralde, SambAsia is an annual and highly anticipated participant in San Francisco’s Carnival Parade since their debut at the 25th Anniversary of the San Francisco Carnaval in 2003.
EMCEE T
Emcee T, self-proclaimed “The Chinese King of the Bay”, is a hip-hop musician, producer, and television host for East Bay independent channel, Pushin’ the Bay TV. For over a decade, Emcee T has been writing and publishing music independently while performing at nearly every major national city for crowds of all skin color. Through his music, his influence on Asian youth to realize they can achieve their career goals while having fun through positive hobbies is realized; Case in point, Emcee T has a pair of bachelor degrees and a Masters in architecture. T’s upcoming debut album, “Underestimated”, features Bay Area hip-hop legends, Rappin’ 4-Tay (multi-platinum recording artist), and Ray Luv (recorded with 2Pac Shakur and Mac Dre).
JAMES LONTAYAO (Actor/Comic)
This San Francisco native has performed with Bay Area production companies such as Asian American Theatre Company and Bindlestiff Studios. Watch him in action over at Lexationships.com and this Summer you can catch him in the new online mini-series Eve, Beauty and The Blade on Veoh.com. Right now you can see James on Direct TV, where he is a VJ for MYX TV.
ROCKSON YAN
Tandem lead by Rockson Yan, Ed Yuen and James Szeto started performing together as a group last year after Rockson won first prize in Sing Tao’s Chinese Singing Contest. In their first performance, they debuted at Union Square, SF Chinatown Street Fair and Portsmouth Square Association Dinner all in one day. Starting out with cover songs, Tandem has started writing songs together and have debuted their first song called “I know….It’s Goodbye.”
NICOLE MAXALI (producer/writer/actor/comic)
Nicole quit her job as a News Producer and began her journey as a working artist/non-profit humanitarian in 2005. During that time she has found her calling through her first stand-up comedy workshop under Kevin Camia. Since July 2007, Nicole has been bringing the funny at the following shows: Bindlestiff’s Hot Lunch Comedy Show, Bindlestiff’s 2007 Midnight Mass Sketch Comedy Show, Speech Therapy’s Bombshells, SFSU’s Asian Comedy Night and SJ Improv’s Slanted Comedy Night. She is currently Co-Producing a musical for Bindlestiff Studio under PMS Through Art. You can also watch her as “Esther” in the SciFi webseries, Eve: Beauty & the Blade, premiering this summer on Veoh.com.
GOOD ASIAN DRIVERS
The Good Asian Drivers Tour with Kit Yan and Melissa Li, aims to increase exposure for queer Asian-American performers. The Tour will empower audiences nationwide and provoke dialogue on gay rights, transgender issues, the marginalization of minorities, and feminism. Kit Yan is a trans Hawaii boi, who has won the world’s largest slam, competed in the Individual World Poetry Slam, landed a spot at the Lizard Lounge poetry slam team, and featured with nationally-recognized poets all before the age of 21. Melissa Li is a lesbian singer-songwriter, filmmaker, and composer, who has won the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation award for composing her debut musical “Surviving the Nian”, received accolades for many of her films, and performed her music in the Boston area for over 7 years, mostly notably at the main stage at Boston Pride
KEITH O
Keith O - started up in the mobile dj crew Just 2 Hype started up in 1989 with former member such as “the World Famous Dj Shortkut,Dj Derrick D & GMLC & Has a annual Keith O Kids day with partners Dj Q-bert & San Quinn giving free bowling to the kids in the community & free performance & giveaways by other Bay Area stars & he has been lucky enough to have a shirt company create a Bowling Bobble head in his likeness which 144 bobble heads have been sold & all profits goes towards the Classic Junior Bowling Program & last he is changing the style of bowling @ Classic Bowling Center in Daly City (www.classicbowling.com) which he adds djs,rappers & giveaways to create a new hotness of bowling & he is also Lucky enough to have the owners of Classic name the newly remodeled Sports bar & night club after Keith O (CLUB KO) Check him out @ www.classicbowling.com-www.myspace.com/keithofanclub
- compiled by Christine Padilla
Children’s Corner
Not just for kids. We’ll have mountains to conquer, inflatables to dive into and hands-on activities.
Mobile Mountain is proud to be part of the Asian Heritage Street Celebration. Take the challenge and climb the 25ft rock wall. The wall is for kids of all ages – those young in age as well as those young at heart. www.mobilemountain.com.
Anime Street Pavilion by eigoMANGA
Toon in to the Anime Street Pavilion
By Austin Osueke
San Francisco comic book publishing company eigoMANGA will produce the Anime Street Pavilion at the 4th Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration, in celebration of otaku (anime fan) culture in the Bay Area.
Anime fans are invited to have an exciting, daylong program that includes Japanese rock performances, live anime drawing demonstrations, and an anime “cosplay” masquerade.
For the first time, the Anime Street Pavilion also will feature exhibits from three leading anime and manga publishing companies in North America: VIZ Media, TOKYOPOP and Dark Horse Comics.
San Francisco-based VIZ Media is an anime, manga and Japanese entertainment company founded in 1986 and now owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation (Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. [ShoPro Japan]). This makes VIZ Media the reigning leader in publishing Japanese manga in North America, and a global licensor of Japanese animation. Through Viz Media, anime titles such as Dragonball Z, Naruto, Pokemon and Death Note have become recognizable household names in mainstream American.
TOKYOPOP is a leading giant in North American manga, focusing on streamlining Japanese manga to the mainstream. The company, founded by an avid anime fan in 1997 in Los Angeles, now publishes manga for 40 countries in 30 languages, with offices in the UK, Germany, Australia, China, and Japan. TOKYOPOP is also a major publisher of American-created manga.
Dark Horse Comics ranks number three among the “Big 3″ comic book publishers in North America, alongside publishers Marvel Comics and DC Comics. For 20 years, Dark Horse has remained one of the first companies to release Japanese manga to American audiences, who now revere titles such as Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo and Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira as comic book classics.
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Austin Osueke is the founder and CEO of eigoMANGA.
Muay Thai Kickboxing by World Team USA
Mixed Martial Arts Exhibition Hits the Street Celebration
By Amber Hsiao
This year’s Asian Heritage Street Celebration promises an action-packed, in-your-face, Bay Area martial arts round-up featuring students of all backgrounds.
The exhibition, put together in part by San Francisco’s World Team USA, is expecting a turnout of more than 100 participants and 500 spectators.
“The event will feature students who wish to exhibit their striking skills in the ring,” said Kru Sam (Chilaphanh) Phimsoutham, the chief instructor and owner of World Team USA. Participants will be matched up with other students of the same skill level, age, weight and experience.
The event organizers are hoping for at least 25 bouts, using muay thai (Thai Boxing) rules: two 2-minute rounds, with a 1-minute break in-between. Participants will dress in full gear - shin guards, gloves, body gear, head guards, mouthpieces and cups for the guys. While that sounds more like going to war than just an exhibition, no winners or losers will be named, to keep things light-hearted and fun.
“We’ve invited people from all around the Bay Area - some as far as Fresno and even Los Angeles,” said Kenneth Giang, a staff member at World Team USA. “This is going to allow the crowd to just see a little bit of what martial arts is all about.”
Various styles of martial arts also will be featured, including san shou, kung fu, MMA (for mixed martial arts), karate and jiu-jitsu.
Given the rise in popularity of martial arts, especially muay thai, as seen in mainstream media such as the Oxygen Network’s Fight Girl, Phimsoutham hopes to further highlight their strengths by showcasing the “striking arts and its beauty, simplicity and effectiveness.”
“Mixed martial arts, muay thai and other striking arts have been given much attention,” Phimsoutham said. “However, the martial arts side of this practice has gotten lost. We want to bring it back into the picture and remind everyone how beneficial these arts are as a hobby and as a way of life, even for a non-professional fighter.”
This exhibition marks World Team USA’s second year in a row holding the event at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration, where they usually feature at least 20 of their own participants.
“Muay thai and the striking arts have gotten even more popular since last year, and as a result draw more attention to the cultural side of where these arts come from,” Phimsoutham continued. “For example, Thai culture for muay thai and Chinese culture for san shou. We just want to show the community at large that muay thai and other striking arts like it remain beautiful, effective, respectful and fun. We want it to continue to grow and be a positive way of life for anyone who participates in it.”
The exhibition will begin at noon and is expected to end around 5pm.
J Cars by JDM Theory
J-Cars Kick Some Asphalt
By Bradford Low
Are they fast? Without a doubt. Are they furious? In the hands of the right driver, these street machines will fill the desires of any aspiring speed demon.
The Asian Heritage Street Celebration aims to embrace all aspects of Asian American culture, and it would not be complete without a razzmatazz of the sexy and dangerous nightlife that so many young Asian Americans have helped mold.
The J-Cars of jdmtheory will be back at the Fourth Annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration on Saturday, May 17 in the heart of San Francisco’s Japantown. Returning for their third time in the street celebration’s four-year history, jdmtheory (jdm stands for Japanese Domestic Market) plans once again to showcase approximately 50 cars, ranging from top models like the Infiniti G35 to well-known favorites: Acura Integras and Honda Civics.
Giving back to the Asian American community is the primary reason for bringing the J-Cars out to Japantown this year, says Geoff Gabriel, founder of jdmtheory. Only the best of class make the cut for this year’s Asian Heritage Street Celebration, reflecting jdmtheory’s top-grade Japanese inventory and selection.
The “suped-up” prototypes come from modifying typical, usually Japanese automobiles with high-quality parts and accessories, such as body kits, lowered suspension, wings, rims, and spoilers, all of which can be purchased directly from jdmtheory’s San Francisco-based online warehouse.
Karaoke by EVC Entertainment
Come Sing at the Karaoke Contest
By Steve Liu
The karaoke contest became an attraction at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration two years. Judged and hosted by Ed Villa Carlos of EVC Entertainment and his DJ friends, the contest has attracted a variety of people with different musical tastes, from amateurs to professionals.
In 2006, after Carlos heard that Mayor Gavin Newsom would be passing the karaoke stage, he got the Mayor to sing Tony Bennett’s classic, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”
This year there will be no contest; anyone who musters up the courage to karaoke in front of fellow fairgoers can, and Carlos will make sure the stage stays alive with singers.
“I’ll be trying to pick people out of the streets to get them to come up and sing,” said Carlos, adding that a T-shirt or a small gift will go to those who participate.
Look for Carlos and the karaoke stage at the AHSC this year at the Sutter Street Stage 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
After-Party by Beyond and VisionShockSF
Street Celebration After Party: Beyond and VisionShockSF host bash at Suede Nightclub
By Irene Aranya
SAN FRANCISCO — After a day of performances by Asian American artists, stuffing yourself with Asian food and enjoying the diversity of Asian cultures at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration, what better way to end it than by dancing the night away?
The After Party, hosted by Beyond and VisionShockSF at Suede Nightclub, offers a chance to meet and mingle with street celebration attendees. Beyond and VisionShockSF, two of the biggest Asian American promoting productions in San Francisco, welcome all guests of the street celebration to free admission before midnight with a AHSC flyer.
Beyond and VisionShockSF have been throwing some of the most talked-about parties for years and promise great music, a vibrant crowd and a safe environment.
“We like working with the AsianWeek Foundation because we love the positive energy they always bring,” said Jay Chen, the founder of Beyond, adding that this will be the second year of hosting the AHSC After Party.
Chen said Beyond and VisionShockSF are glad to be a part of a celebration that represents Asians in America.
“There will be tons of people traveling from all over the Bay Area to the street fair, and we’re glad to have the opportunity to be a part of it and provide a place for them to enjoy a fun night in San Francisco,” Chen said.
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The After Party will be May 17 at Suede Nightclub, 383 Bay St., San Francisco, from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. To RSVP for the guestlist, please send your first and last name to: irenenaranya@yahoo.com