Leaves Scratching Across Pavement
When one sees the leaves falling off the branches and scratching across the sidewalk, you know that autumn has arrived and so has a new arts season. Even a dreary economy hasn’t managed to slow down the creativity as this new arts season promises nothing if not variety. Go out and enjoy! Best, Alan Lau – Arts Editor for IE
P.S. An * denotes events of potential interest worth checking out.
Visual Arts
Brent Watanabe’s multimedia installation, “This Heavy Load” is on view through Oct. at Gallery4Culture. Opening reception is Oct. 6 from 6 – 8pm. 101 Prefontaine Place S. in Seattle. (206) 296-8674 or go to www.4culture.org
The work of Minh Carrico and Kevin Uehara is included in “Rock, Paper, Scissors”, Columbia City Gallery’s 6th annual juried exhibit. On view through Nov. 20. 4864 Rainier Ave. S. (206) 769-9843.
The Meito Shodo-kai Calligraphy association celebrates its 15th Anniversary with a show of members work from Oct. 8 – 10th. In the Olympia Room at Seattle Center. Master calligrapher yoshiyasu Fujii gives a calligraphy demonstration on Oct. 8 at 2pm. 305 Harrison St, (206) 786-3382.
ARTSCRUSH 2011* is a Puget Sound-wide celebration of the arts all throughout the month of October. Highlights include SIS Productions performing immigrant voices, readings by writers Harold Taw & Donna Miscolta, “American Kamikaze”, a performance of Japanese ghost stories by NYC’s Temporary Distortion, multi-media arts performance by Filipino Community Seattle – Kultura, activities by artists Romson Bustillo & Frederic Wong, Chinese & Japanese tea ceremony and much more. For complete details, call (206) 770-0370 or go to http://ARTSCRUSH.org
The work of Minh Carrico is included in the “Visual Arts Faculty Exhibit” at Lynnwood Convention Center through Dec. 10. Reception is Oct. 6 from 5 – 8pm.
“Luminous: The Art of Asia”* showcases the jewels of SAM’s Asian art collections. Opens Oct. 13 and remains on view till Jan. 8, 2012. Fresh from a tour of Japan, the show includes Chinese bronzes, Japanese lacquers, Korean ceramics and Indian sculpture. Noted contemporary artist Do Ho Suh who created SAM’s famous “dog-tag” sculpture will create “Gate”, a new multimedia installation that responds to the collection and explores the movement of objects and people from the past to the present. Activities surrounding the show include the following – Enjoy tours of “Luminous” W. – F. at 1pm & 3pm and Sat.-Sun. at 11am, 1pm & 2pm all on the Fourth Floor. Exhibition curator Catherine Roche worked in close collaboration with Do Ho Suh on his new installation for the show and will talk about the process of working with him on this project. Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 in the SAM auditorium. Free with museum admission but registration is required. Donna Strahan, Conservator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will explore how history and authenticity shape the way Asian art objects are understood in American museums on Wed., Nov. 4 at 11am in the SAM auditorium. A “Luminous Family Festival” is set for Sat., Nov. 12 from 10am – 3pm at SAM. Celebrate the Asian art collection with art making, games, kids tours, dancing and live music. On Fri., Dec. 2 at 11am in the SAM auditorium, exhibition curator Catherine Roche and Liz Brown, SAM Associate Curator will discuss highlights of the collection with tea served afterwards. On the third floor, explore a new show entitled “The Seattle Art Museum & Seattle Artists in the 1930’s and 1940’s” which celebrates the work of Northwest artists whose careers were fostered by the director and patrons of the museum. Includes work by Mark Tobey, Morris Graves and Emilio Amero. SAM Next series is Seattle Art Museum’s contemporary art exhibition program intended to shed light on cutting-edge contemporary young artists and the work they are doing. Selected sixth in the series is New York-based multi-media artist Mika Tajima. Tajima combines painting, sculpture, design, performance, video and sound to create immersive installations that expand the possibilities of each medium. On view through June 17, 2012. Also check out the group show entitled “Seattle as Collector: Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs Turns 40” on view through Oct. 23, 2011. This show celebrates the diverse collection of art owned by this city institution. Work by Dhawa Dhondup, Victor Gardaya, Paul Horiuchi, Etsuko Ichikawa, Frank Okada, Joseph Park, Roger Shimomura, Akio Takamori, George Tsutakawa, Patti Warashina, Kina Watanabe and many others is included in this show. More activities include the following – Tea Ceremony demonstrations on the Third floor galleries take place Oct. 16, Oct. 20, Nov. 17 and Nov. 20 at various times. Registration required, visit website calendar to reserve times. Deputy Director & Curator of European Painting & Sculpture, Chiyo Ichikawa will talk about “Baroque Light and Dark: Color in Three Paintings” on Nov. 16 at 7pm in the SAM auditorium. Yukiko Shirahara, Chief Curator at Nezu Museum and former SAM Asian Art Curator will talk about Chinese subjects popular in Japanese painting on Sat., Dec. 3 at 2pm in the SAM auditorium.SAM is located at 1300 First Ave. in Seattle. Call (206) 654-3100 or go to www.seattleartmuseum.org for details. For advance tickets, go to (206) 654-3121.
Kamla Kakaria and Romson Regarde Bustillo* are both respected print instructors at Pratt but they are also talented artists in their own right. They share a show at Shift Collaborative Studio opening Oct. 6 from 5 – 8pm. Kakaria’s series entitled “Inbetween” focuses on simple accordion books often made in between projects. These books mirror her visual thinking. Bustillo’s “New Works” are mixed media prints that shift between a floating surface and a deep field of detail that mirrors the subconscious. 306 S. Washington #105. On view through Oct. Open weekends from 12 – 5pm or by appointment. Email [email protected] or go to http://www.shiftstudio.org
Seattle photographer Virna Haffer was part of the Seattle Camera Club, a mostly Japanese American group of photogrpahers at the turn of the century interested in exploring “pictorialism” as a theme for their work. Haffer was not only a member but a major photographer in her own right and a retrospective selection showcasing the impressive variety of her work is on view in “A Turbulent Lens: the Photographic Art of Virna Haffer” at Tacoma Art Museum through Oct. 16. Also on view through Jan., 2012 is “The Safeco Gift And New Acquisitions: Collecting for the Future”. The work of Tram Bui, Dim Chau, Fay Chong, Saya Moriyasu, Norie Sato, Chang-ae Song and Chao-Chen Yang are included in this show.1701 Pacific Ave. (253) 272-4258 or go to www.tacomaartmuseum.org.
“North, South, East, West” is a group show curated by June Sekiguchi at University House in Wallingford that looks at the multi-cultural fabric of America as exemplified by Seattle with artists from Ethiopia, Poland, Vietnam, Iraq etc. Includes work by photographer Carina del Rosario and artist Minh Carrico. Opening reception is Oct. 20 from 4:30 – 6:30pm. The show will be on display till Feb. 13, 2012. 4400 Stone Way N. at N. 45th. (206) 545-8400
“Masters Behind The Lens”* is a show featuring works by master photographers Ansel Adams and Johsel Namkung. Through Oct. 15. Woodside/Braseth Gallery. 2101 Ninth Ave. Call (206) 622-7243 or go to www.woodsidebrasethgallery.com.
“Buoyancy”* is a new installation by Jay Antherton and Cy Keener on view through Dec. 16. Suyama Space, 2324 Second Ave. Call (206) 256-0809. Or go to www.suyamapetersondeguchi.com/art.
A new video installation by Minh Carrico sparks reflection on 9/11. “States of Demise” is an installation on view through September at IDEA Odyssey Gallery. The gallery is a newly formed art collective formed to provide cultural diversity, community and economic development in the ID. On Oct. 6 from 5 – 8 p.m. there will be an opening reception for a members exhibition featuring Star Rush and Valentina Vitols. IDEA Odysssey Gallery, 66 S. Jackson. Go to [email protected] or www.ideaodysseygallery.com.
Opening Sept. 15 as part of the art galleries at The Seattle Design Center is a group show of artists associated with ArtXchange Gallery. The building will show a sampling of work from eight art galleries. Oct. 8 will be an ArtCrush Festival event with live demonstrations by featured artists. Open till 8 p.m. on Third Thursdays. Regular hours are M – F from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. [email protected] for more details.
“Works on Paper” is a show of new work by Kyoto, Japan-based artist Joel Stewart at Azuma Gallery through Oct. 8. On Oct. 8, come in for a Chinese tea tasting by McIntosh Tea, an ArtCrush event. Azuma Gallery, 530 First Ave. S. Call (206) 622-5599.
“Game Theory” is a group show that examines chance, strategy, participation, and play in art practices. Inspired by the inquiries of Cornish legends, the show features work by Jason Hirata, Brent Watanabe and others. Continues on view through Oct. 19. 1000 Lenora St. Call (206) 726-2787 or go to www.cornish.edu.
Tina Koyama has work in a group show entitled “CIRCLES: Artistic Interpretations of this Universal Shape. On view through Oct. 16, 2011. University House Wallingford is located at 4400 Stone Way N., Seattle.
“Chado”* is a show by Miya Ando, a Japanese Russian American artist who was raised among sword smiths-turned Buddhist priests in a Buddhist temple in Okayama, Japan. Her work uses burnished sheets of rolled steel in a “post-minimalist” style. Remains on view throughout the month. Also architect Chris Ezzell constructs a teahouse made of recycled materials inside the gallery. Enjoy tea ceremony with Seattle Urasenke Foundation in the teahouse while in the gallery artist Frederic Wong leads a workshop in non-action painting using tea and ink on various materials inspired by John Cage on Oct. 8. An ArtCrush event. Additional tea ceremony events on Oct. 15 and 22 . Reservations must be made for the tea ceremonies. $20 donation. Email [email protected] for RSVP. “Paintings from Vietnam” is a group show of five artists in today’s Vietnam. Work by Phong, Hai & Thanh, To Duy and Bui Cong Khanh. Opening Nov. 3 from 5 – 8pm. Remains on view till Dec. 23. On Jan. 5, “New Work”* by sculptor June Sekiguchi inspired by a 4-Culture-supported residency in Laos. Modular collaborative body of scroll-cut wood sculpture , and a 3-D and wall hung sculpture and an immersive sound and light collaborative installation (done with Rob Mills and Spar Wilson). ArtXchange Gallery, 512 First Ave. S. For more information, call (206) 839-0377 or go to www.artxchange.org.
A group show entitled “Sen-nin-bari: 1000 stitches” follows the tradition of Japanese women who stitched red thread on cloth for soldiers as protective amulets as they were going off to war. This is a group show by local Japanese & Japanese American women artists with 10 percent of sales going to a Japanese charity. Remains on view through Oct. 9. On Oct. 15 from 5 – 7 p.m. is the opening reception for Seattle ceramic artist George Rodriquez’s show of new work inspired by his round the world travels. “3 Jewelry Artists” features work inspired by nature and diverse materials from Jennifer Bennett, Iris and Micki Lippe. This show runs Oct. 1 – 29 with opening on Oct. 1 from 5 – 7pm. A show of new illustrations by Junichi Tsuneoka runs from Nov. 5 – Dec. 3 with opening on Nov. 5 from 5 – 7pm. The artists teaches at Cornish and has received numerous awards from Print magazine. The 6th Annual Simple Cup Show showcases over 200 cups from the Northwest & Japan. Nov. 12 – Dec. Opening Nov. 12 from 6 – 9pm.Co-sponsored by Seward Park Clay Studio. This year, a portion of the profits go to benefit the potters at Mashiko who lost kilns/studios during the recent earthquake. Also on Dec. 3 from 12 – 6pm, don’t miss a Trunk Show with Karazi Design. KOBO Gallery at Higo, 604 S. Jackson. Call (206) 381-3000 or www.koboseattle.com.
The Cullom Gallery specializes in Japanese prints and modern artists influenced by them. Opening for a run through Oct. 15 is a show entitled “Paper Cuts”. Seattle favorite, Tokyo artist Ryohei Tanaka joins guest artist Qiao Xiaoguang of Beijing in a showcase of new work stretching in contemporary directions the traditional art of folded and cut paper. Themes of urban life global warming, Japanese monsters, Chinese folklore and underground culture are some of the subjects. Located at 603 S. Main Street. Call (206) 340-8000 for more information or e-mail [email protected].
The work of Roger Shimomura is included in a large group show entitled “Mars vs Venus: Images of Male and Female” which opens Oct. 6 from 6 – 8pm and remains on view through Nov. 12. Greg Kucera Gallery, INC at 212 Third Ave. S. (206) 624-0770 or go to www.gregkucera.com
Ajay Garg’s contemporary Indian miniature paintings are on view. Also the work of Hibiki Miyazaki is included in a group drawing exhibition entitled “Blurring The Lines”. Both shows open on “First Thursday” Oct. 6 from 6 – 8pm and remain on view through Oct. 29. Oct. Vijay Garg will talk about his brother’s art on Sat., Oct. 15 at 1:30pm. In Nov., there will be a show of new work by portrait artist Eunice Kim. Davidson Galleries, 313 Occidental Ave. S. Call (206) 624-7684 or go to www.davidsongalleries.com.
Local artist Thuy-Van Vu* is in a two person show with Joann Verburg entitled “New Work” from Oct. 14 – Nov. 19. Opening reception is on Nov. 3 from 6 – 8pm. Vu has a perceptive eye that takes on abandoned buildings and gives them life through her use of line and color. Both artists will talk about their work on Nov. 5 at 2pm. British photographer Michael Kenna has a new series on Huangshan Province in China which will be up from Nov. 25 – Jan. 7, 2012. There will be a reception/booksigning at the gallery on Dec. 1 from 6 – 8pm. Kenna also gives a lecture at Tacoma Art Museum on Dec. 3 at 2pm. Saya Moriyasu* is in a group show entitled “Small Works” with Gala Bent and Rachel Maxi from Nov. 25 – Jan. 7, 2012. All shows at G. Gibson Gallery at 300 S. Washington St. (206) 587-4033 or go to www.ggibsongallery.com
Cambodian-born artist Sopheap Pich* immigrated to the US with his family to escape the Khmer Rouge and attended art school here, earning an MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After a few years of meaningless jobs less than conducive to making art, he returned to his home country where he transitioned to sculpture using rattan and bamboo which suggests Cambodia’s basket-weaving tradition. He comes to Seattle’s Henry Art Gallery to construct an installation entitled “Compound” open for view in the East Gallery from Nov. 10 – April 1, 2012. Pich will give a talk entitled “A Sculptor in Cambodia” on Thurs., Nov. 10 at 7pm. Free to members but you must reserve at henryart.org/tickets. If you’re not a member, visit henryart.org/general membership. 15th Ave. NE & NE 41st St. (206) 543-2280 or visit henryart.org
A new show opening Oct. 22 is “Painting Seattle: Kamekichi Tokita & Kenjiro Nomura”*. The show remains on view till Feb. 19, 2012.In the 1930’s these two artists documented the landscape of the city and the farmland on weekends and ran their day job of signpainting on the weekdays. You can still find evidence of their daily labor in signs around Japantown and ID/Chinatown from the “Blue Funnel Line” sign on a door near the Wing to the curtain of painted ads of neighborhood businesses once in the Nippon Kan and now in the Wing’s little theatre. But their own painting of cityscapes and landscapes won recognition in the 1930’s as well. Tokita died too young from poor health after getting out of internment camp but Nomura would live long enough to see his work turn abstract and receive the honor of being the first Seattle artist to get a one-person show at Seattle Art Museum. The opening celebration for this show takes place Oct. 22 from noon – 5pm with a tour by curator/art historian Barbara Johns at noon and a 2pm lecture and book signing. Tours of the show will begin Oct 29 on weekends at noon starting at the Fuller Garden Court.“Modern Elegance: The Art of Meiji Japan” remains on view through Oct. 9. Coming March 15 and on view till August 5, 2012 will be a show entitled “Colors of the Oasis, Central Asian Ikats” which features 40 colorful robes created during the 19th century using the labor intensive process known as ikat. All at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 Prospect Ave., Seattle. For more information, call (206) 654-3100 or visit www.seattleartmuseum.org.
Opening Oct. 13 from 6 – 8pm is the long-awaited “From Fields to Family: Asian Pacific Americans and Food”* which explores the traditions, techniques and mouth-watering stories of food through cultural traditions and cooking techniques passed on thorugh home and restaurant over the years. Eat and learn in a special “Combination Plate Dinner” *set for Oct. 20 with a 5:30pm registration and 6pm dinner. This is no dull museum lecture but a “learn as you eat” experience as you join Maxine Chan in making and eating a Chinese American dinner. Learn how the dishes came about and evolved. Call (206) 623-5124 to purchase your tickets today. A new exhibit entitled “Schooled” is an interactive exhibit that explores education within the Asian Pacific American communities and how it continues to be a diverse and varied experience. “Vintage Japantown through the lens of the Takano Studio”* (see related story in this issue) is another show which looks at portrait photography from one studio active from the 1930’s to the early 40’s. Studios like this once thrived in the neighborhood and captured the everyday life of its’ inhabitants. Through Feb. 12, 2012. Another new exhibit is “Epic Tails: Legendary Animals and Creatures” through Dec. 23. “Dual Nature – Contemporary Glass and Jewelry”* with work by Cynthia Toops, Vina Rust, Midori Saito, Ron Ho, Boyd Sugiki, Jeffrey Sarmiento, Masami Koda and Eunsuh Choi continues on view through January 15, 2012. Family Fun Day takes place on Oct. 15. Create janseung, Korean guardian spirit poles with Matthew Benuska from the Korean American Historical Society. From 1 – 3pm.The Wing’s Third Annual Mix It Up! Event* provides a chance for Asian Pacific American artists, curators and arts professionals to network in a relaxed setting and see current exhibits. On Thurs., Oct. 27 from 5:30 – 7:30pm. Admission is $10 for individuals and $7 for members. Free admission with purchase of a new membership by Oct. 27. For details, call (206) 623-5124x20X. First 25 to RSVP get a free bag. For details on all of the above, go to www.wingluke.org or call (206) 623-5124.
“Hungry Planet, What the World Eats”* opens Jan. 28 and remains on view through May 10, 2012 at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture on the UW Seattle campus. The show is based on the book by Peter Menzel and Faith D’Alusio in which families around the world are photographed surrounded by a week’s worth of groceries. 30 families from 24 countries including China, Japan, Mongolia, Bhutan and the Philippines are represented in this fascinating document. 17th Ave. NE @ NE 45th. (206) 543-5590.
Had a chance to see the Chinese Garden in Seattle yet? If not,, there are activities to check out such as weekend workshops, mixed media workshop, chrysanthemum Festival and docent tours. Go to http://www.seattlechinesegarden.org/index.php?p=Events/Classes&s=149.
“The Fragile Skin” is a group show curated by Michael Endo, Steve Klein and Bullseye Gallery that explores the theme of the human form in kiln-formed glass. Through Oct. 15. Schack Art Center, 2921 Hoyt Ave. in Everett. Call (425) 259-5050.
Coverage of early Japanese American history in the region is included in the permanent exhibit at White River Valley Museum, 918 “H” St. S.E. in Auburn. Call (253) 288-7433 or go to www.wrvmuseum.org.
Portland Art Museum has a large collection of over 2500 Japanese prints dating from the late 17th century to the present day. In “The Artist’s Touch, The Craftsman’s Hand: Three Decades of Japanese Prints from the Portland Art Museum” *on view from Oct. to Jan. 22, 2012, viewers can see the first major show of this extensive collection. 1219 SW Park Ave. (503) 226-2811 or go to www.portlandartmuseum.org/
Portland artist Robert Dozono* has had a long and varied career and helped found the artist collective gallery known as Blackfish Gallery, a city institution. Now we have an opportunity to see a retrospective of his work throughout the years. “Accumulation – New and Old Works” features oil paintings, oil on garbage paintings and watercolor and charcoal on paper. Oct. 4 – 30. 420 NW 9th Ave. (503) 224-2634 or go to www.blackfish.com
The Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center preserves the history and culture of Japanese Americans in the area. Their permanent exhbit is “Oregon Nikkei: Reflections of a Community”. “Kip Fulbeck: Part Asian, 100% Hapa” is a photo show on mixed race people on view through Dec. 31. Forthcoming shows will be “Kokeshi: From Tradition to Tools”, “Coming Home: Japanese Americans in Portland After WWII” and “Roger Shimomura: Shadows of Minidoka”. 121 Nw 2nd Ave. in Portland. (503) 224-1458 or email [email protected]
The Portland Japanese Garden offers the serenity of a Japanese garden plus numerous classes, art shows and workshops year around. 611 S.W. Kingston Ave. (503) 233-1321.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene has the following exhibits. On view now till Dec. 31 is “Xiaoze Xie: Amplified Moments, 1993 – 2008”.* Born in Guangdong China, Xie is a prominent Chinese contemporary artist teaching at Stanford. His ink wash paintings focus on news images buried under the immersion of time and memory. Also on view till Jan. 15 is a group show of Chinese artists who merge Eastern and Western visual languages entitled “East-West, Visually Speaking”. Coming next spring is a show entitled “Visions of the Orient: Western Women artists in Asia, 12900 – 1940”. 1430 Johnson Lane. (541) 346-3027.
“Hiroshima: Photographs by Miyako Ishiuchi”* on view Oct. 14 – Feb. 12. This noted Japanese photographer chose the objects she photographed from more than 19,000 personal effects left behind by those who perished in the bombings. Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, B.C. 6393 NW Marine Dr. (604) 822-5087 or go to www.moa.ubc.ca
“Bhangra me: Vancouver’s Bhangra Story” on view through Oct. 23. This interactive exhibit chronicles Bhangra music, dance and politics in Vancouver. Museum of Vancouver at 1100 Chestnut St. in Vanier Park. (604) 736-4431 or go to www.museumofvancouver.ca
“Renay Egami: Piecework” *on view till Nov. 14 at Kelowna International Airport in Kelowna, BC. This major textile piece measures over 20 feet and speaks to the invisible labor of marginalized women in a highly globalized garment industry and reflects the experience of her mother, a seamstress who worked during the 1950’s. Go to www.kelownaartgallery.com for details.
“ Waterscapes: Migration along the Vancouver Island, Fraser and Yangzi Rivers” * by Gu Xiong on view till Jan. 7. This is the work of a Vancouver-based mixed media and installation artist originally from China. During the Cultural Revolution, he was sent to the countryside for “re-education”. In the shadow of Tianamen, he fled China. As a former refugee, Xiong address questions of identity and mixed-culture paradoxes generated by globalization. Nanaimo Art Gallery (Campus Gallery) at 900 Fifth St. (250) 740-6350 or go to www.nanaimoartgallery.com
“Collected Resonance: Shelly Bahl, Sarindar Dhaliwal and Farheen HaQ” brings together the work of three prominent Canadian artists who have created multi-media installations that explore their South Asian traditions and the mythologies of their Punjabi, Sikh and Muslim cultures. On view through Jan. 8, 2012. Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. 1040 Moss St. (250) 384-4171 or go to www.aggv.ca for details.
Seattle born and raised, artist Roger Shimomura is in the following exhibits. “Hiding Places: Memory in the Arts at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, WI through Dec. 2011. “Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter” on view through Oct. 14, 2012 at National Portrait Gallery – Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. For more information on this show, go to: www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/encounter/index.html. To see a BBC news clip in the exhibit, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14501196.
Performing Arts
Multi-talented actor Don Darryl Rivera shows his range by not only adapting Crockett Johnson’s classic storybook to the stage but starring in it as well. Catch him in the Seattle Children’s Theatre production of “Harold and the Purple Crayon” Through Oct. 30. At Seattle Center. Thurs. – Sundays. (206) 441-3322 or go to www.sct.org
“Take Me America” (see preview story in this issue) is a musical about seven refugees from various countries seeking political asylum in the U.S. and the agents who measure the worthiness of their claims. When read at Village Theatre’s Annual Festival of New Musicals in 2009, it received a standing ovation. Plays Sept. 14 – Oct. 23 in Issaquah and again from Oct. 28 – Nov. 20 in Everett. Both are produced by The Village Theatre. Call (425) 257-8600 or go to www.villagetheatre.org.
The 23rd Earshot Jazz Festival* takes place Oct. 14 – Nov. 6 in venues all over the Puget sound bringing the best in international, national and local talent from the world of jazz, improvised and global music. Some highlights include – Emi Meyer’s Japan Trio on Oct. 16 at Tula’s. This Kyoto-born, Seattle-raised pianist /vocalist won the Seattle – Kobe Jazz vocalist competition in 2007. Her recordings have topped the Japanese jazz charts and she appears here with her regular working trio from Japan. Seattle’s multi-horn threat Jay Thomas appears with NY based Japanese trumpet great, Shuno Ohno with a Seattle line-up on Oct. 22 & 23 at Tula’s at 8pm. Grace Kelly appears with her quintet. This 19 year old sax player/vocalist has gotten advance praise from the likes of Phil Woods and Monty Alexander. She appears at Tula’s on Nov. 2 and 3 at 7;30pm. On Oct. 28, SCRAPE ( a 16 piece string orchestra) co-led by trumpeter/composer Jim Knapp and viola player /composer Eyvind Kang perform with Jay Clayton as guest vocalist at Cornish College’s Poncho Concert Hall at 8pm.For complete details on this festival, call (206) 547-6763 or go to www.earshot.org
SIS Productions present Michael Golamco’s play entitled “Year Zero”* (see related story in this issue) directed by Mike Premo. What do you do if you’re a bright Cambodian American teenager that is beat up by Black and Latino kids in the neighborhood and even fellow Cambodian kids that think you’re not “Cambodian” enough. And how do you face the challenge of being the first Cambodian American daughter in your family that will go to college? These are issues that playwright Golamco navigates in this family comedy. Through Oct. 22. Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. Richard Hugo House, 1634 – 11th Ave. For tickets, call (800) 838-3006 or go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/185586.
Pork Filled Players bring another hilarious selection of sketch comedy from all over the country including LA/ Vancouver BC/ Chicago & Grand Rapids, Michigan in their “SketchFest 2011 set for Oct. 6 – 8. Go to http://bit.ly/pcsoDO for details.
The Seattle Symphony’s* new season comes with a new conductor , Ludovic Morlot and some surprises. Some highlights include the following –UW Jazz instructor plays trumpet with the symphony in a program entitled “Sonic Evolution” that includes compositions by Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones and Nirvana. Oct. 18 at 7:30pm. Han-Na Chang guest condusts the symphony and plays cello in Haydn’s Cello Concerto on Oct. 20 & Oct. 22. Mei Ann Chen guest conducts the symphony in the annual “Celebrate Asia” program with guests Jie Ma on pipa, Hahn-Bin on violin and Cuong Vu on trumpet. Feb. 24 at 7:30pm. Jennifer Koh is violin soloist on March 22, 24 & 25 performing Brahms’ Violin Concerto under the baton of Morlot. On April 16 at 7:30pm, Myung-Whun Chung and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra come into town with Wu Wei on sheng performing a mix of Eastern and Western compositions.For a complete schedule, call (206) 215-4747 or go to seattlesymphony.org.
NANDA is a live performance arts group that blends ninja acrobatics with juggling, humor, video and more. Catch them performing their action comedy, “The Jacket” Thurs. – Sundays Oct. 6 – 9, 13 – 16 & 20- 23 at Broadway Performance Hall at 1625 Broadway on the Seattle Central Community College campus. For ticket information, go to www.thejacketshow.com/tickets or www.nandatown.com
ACRS’s Annual Benefit Gala, “A Culinary Journey” takes place on Sat., Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. Westin Bellevue at 600 Bellevue Way N.E. Call (206) 695-7551 or visit www.acrs.org/gala for more information.
Noted By Area jazz pianist Jon Jang * performs a solo piano recital Oct. 13 at 5:30pm at Seattle Art Museum’s Brotman Forum. Free with museum admission. Part of the activities connected to SAM’s show, “Luminous – The Art of Asia.” Go to seattleartmuseum.org for details.
Two promising young woman singer/songwriters come to town. Borneo-born Malaysian singer/songwriter Zee Avi is just 25 but already has two recordings under her name. She is on tour on behalf of her new CD entitled “Ghostbird”. Her ukulele strummed songs coupled with a sweet effortless voice has critics calling her a cross between “Billie Holiday and Doris Day” (what?????) and a breath of fresh air. See for yourself when she plays the Crocodile on Oct. 10. 2200 2nd Ave. For tickets, go to STGPRESENTS.ORG or try [email protected] True West presents LA based singer Priscilla Ahn at the Triple Door on Sun. Oct. 16 at 8pm touring on behalf of her new recording of originals entitled “WhenYou Grow Up”. Ahn is a multi-instrumentalist with a warm voice. 216 Union St. downtown. (206) 838-4333 or go to thetripledoor.net
Cornish brings two composers to Seattle. Bay Area-based composer/pianist Jon Jang * presents a performance/talk entitled “Traditions in Transformation: Modernizing Chinese Folk Music Into Western Music” on Oct. 12 at 1pm. On Oct. 19 also at 1pm, California-based composer Ken Ueno presents selections and talks about his works for extended vocals and rock band. Gamelan Pacifica presents a concert of traditional and new works for gamelan on Dec. 3 at 8pm. All concerts at Cornish School’s Poncho Concert Hall/Kerry Hall at 710 E. Roy. (206) 726-5011.
WSAME presents the last in a series entitled “Cross-Cultural World Music Experiences”. Catch David Baylor on Native American flute, Irish Low Whistle with James Jennings on Shakuhachi and Tony Faber on Didgeridoo. Thurs., Oct. 13 at 7pm. Concert is free with museum admission. NW African American Museum at 2300 S. Massachusetts St. (206) 522-5438 or go to [email protected]
“Skirmish”* is a performance by two of Seattles brightest lights in dance/performance. Haruko Nishimura pairs with Christain Swenson in a series set for Oct. 22 (7pm & 8pm) and Oct. 23 (7pm) at Theatre Off Jackson located at 406 Occidental between Jackson & King. This special collaboration highlights dancer/performer Haruko Nishimura of Degenerate Art Ensemble with Christain Swenson known for his unique physical vocal act “Human JAZZ” who combine their talents into a program of amusing, disturbing dance –theatre pieces with mysterious vocal accompaniment. $15 tickets at the door or go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/202356
Party Indian-style by celebrating “Diwali, India’s Festival of Lights at SAM!” Sat., Oct. 23 at 7:30pm. With DJ Aanshul, music by Das Dhoom, Rhythms of India and Indian taps, henna, fortune telling and more. $75 per person. Age 21 or over only.All funds benefit SAM’s artistic and outreach programs. To purchase tickets, visit seattleartmuseum.org/diwaliball or call (206) 654-3184.
Come help celebrate the late, great writer Carlos Bulosan’s (”American is in the Heart”) 100th Birthday* on Oct. 24 at 5pm. At the Filipino Community of Seattle. With art by Romson Bustillo, author Dr. Greg Castilla, performance artist Ben Gonio and composer Apellanes Gonio. Call (206) 722-9372 for details.
Join Japanese pop group Miyavi in their “What’s My Name? World Tour 2011” when they stop in Seattle on Mon., Oct. 24 at 8pm. Showbox at the Market at 1426 First Av. All ages. Go to (800) 745-3000 or www.showboxonline.com for tickets.
Comedian Margaret Cho* comes to Tacoma and performs on Fri., Oct. 28 at 7:30pm. Broadway Center for the Performing Arts/ Pantages Theatre. 901 Broadway. (253) 591-5980.
The Nisei Veterans Committee Foundation will sponsor two of six East Coast Swing dance lessons on Oct. 7 and 21 at NVC Memorial Hall, 1212 S. King St. To register e-mail Bev Kashino at [email protected].
For years, Spider Kedelsky at Town Hall* has curated a wonderful world music series. Now he picks and showcases some of his favorites in “Global Rhythms: Celebrating The First 10 Years”, a concert with Chirgilchin throat singers, Correo Aero’s traditional and original music of Venezuela, Mexico and Argentina and vocalist/ney virtuoso (reed flute) Hossein Omuomu. On Sun., Nov. 13 from 1 – 4:30pm will be the Third Annual Seattle Slack Key Festival which promises much fun and wonderful Hawaiian music. Jan. 13 at 8pm brings singer and hula master Kaumakaina Kanaka’ole. The Seattle Chinese Orchestra performs April 20 at 8pm.Town Hall at 119 – 8th Ave. (206) 625-4255 or go to www.townhallseattle.org
YMCA presents their 2nd Annual Globa Celebration set for Th., Oct. 13 from 5 – 7:30pm. 2011 Global teens and volunteers will share presentations and cultural performances from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Columbia, Korea and Senegal. Enjoy delicious dishes from the countries represented. RSVP by calling Monica Quill Kusakabe at (206) 382-4362. At Mercer Island Community & Event Center (Mercer Room).
SAM REMIX presents a late night creative explosion of performances, talks, dancing and more in response to the show, “Luminous: The Art of Asia”. Friday, Oct. 28 from 8pm – midnight. Special rates for students and members. At Seattle Art Museum downtown. Go to seattleartmuseum.org/tickets or any SAM Ticketing Desk.
Washington Center for Performing Arts present violin virtuoso Hahn Bin as part of their 21st Century master Series on Oct. 26 at 7:30pm.
Ragamala Dance perform on April 30, 2012 at 7:30pm. 512 Washington St. SE in Olympia,WA. (360) 753-8586.
Bob Antolin’s jazz group, The Killerbees continue to hold forth at Waid’s every Thurs. night at 8:30pm. 1212 E. Jefferson. Also Jazz in the City Café Series presents a special engagement with the Killerbees at Red Lion Hotel’s Grand Terrace Room on the fifth floor at 1415 Fifth Ave. with two shows at 8pm & 10pm. Friday, Oct. 7. $20 cover with free Killerbees CD included.Go to www.jazzinthecity.com for details.
Two of the most talented young jazz pianists in the “Bop” tradition from both Coasts get together for a duo performance. Art Hirahara originally from the Bay area but now based in New York plays with Seattle talent Victor Noriega in a round of piano duets. Sun., Oct. 30 at 4pm. At The Amadeus Project located at 1209 Cornwell Ave. in Bellingham,WA Go to http://www.jazzproject.org/ for details.
Ragamala presents the following concerts. A Hindustani classical vocal concert by Pt. Raghunandan Panshikar with Shri Niranjan Lele on harmonium and Pt. Bharat Kamat on table takes place on Sat., Oct. 22 at 7:30pm at UW’s Music Building in the Brechemin Auditorium on the Seattle campus. A Hindustani classical instrumental concert with Purbayan Chatterjee on sitar and Anubrata Chatterjee on table takes place on Sat., Nov. 5 at 7:30pm. East Shore Unitarian Church at 12700 S.E. 32nd St. in Bellevue. For ticket and concert series information, go to http://ragamala.org
Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down perform at Heineken City Arts Fest 2011, a city wide celebration of arts and music. Nguyen will perform on Sat., Oct. 22 at the Crocodile at 10:30pm. Also on Thurs., Oct. 20, DK Pan and NKO of Free Sheep Foundation will curate Heineken City Arts Fest’s Culture Club with a show inspired by transgression. Congratulations to Pan who won a Stranger Genius Award this year! Go to www.cityartsfest.com for complete details.
Don’t miss the 21st Annual Cultural Crossroads Festival Nov. 4 – 6 with performances from 35 ethnic music and dance groups and an international bazaar filled with handmade crafts. Produced by the Ethnic Heritage Council. At the corner of 156th Ave NE & NE 8th St. in Bellevue. Go to crossroadsbellevue.com for details.
Debi Prassad Chatterjee performs on sitar with Ravi Allbright on tabla in an evening of North Indian music. Nov. 10 at 7pm. Seattle Asian Art Museum Fuller Garden Court. Free with museum admission. 1400 E. Prospect in Volunteer Park. (206) 442-8480 or go to www.seattleartmuseum.org/gardnercenter
“O(PA)PERA”* is a live music installation that combines displaced musicians, handmade paper, flashing lights, seismic waves and a supermoon in a magical/musical/mystical experience. Co-created by composer/performer Byron Au Yong and director/conceptual/installation artist Roger Benington. A musical/performing response to the show, “Luminous: The Art of Asia” and the chaos of natural disasters around the Pacific Rim. Friday, Jan. 6 at 7pm and 8pm. The Arnold Board Room in Seattle Art Museum downtown. For tickets, go to seattleartmuseum.org/tickets or at any SAM Ticketing Desk.
Regina Yeh plays piano with Tacoma Symphony in a concert of Barber, Chopin and Mendelson on Feb. 26, 2012 at 2:30pm. Rialto Theatre at 900 Broadway #600 in Tacoma. (253) 272-7264.
Seattle musician/songwriter Tomo Nakayama will be part of the March 16, 2012 program at Hugo House entitled “The End of the Line”, the always stimulating series mix of artist from literature and the arts. Please go to www.hugohouse.org for details.
Film/Media
“Saigaon Electric”, a crowd favorite from this year’s SIFF opens Fri., Oct. 7 at AMC Southcenter 16. The film tells the story of a ribbon dancer from the country who becomes friends with a hip hop dancer from the city when they meet in Saigon. Go to http://www.saigonelectric.com for details.
Tasveer presents the 7th Seattle South Asian Film Festival* set for Oct. 7 – 9th at SIFF Cinema located at 321 Mercer St. This is the only place where you can see so many films (from feature-length to documentaries and shorts) from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan with guest appearances from directors and cast. Some highlights include an appearance by Director Deepti Naval on opening night with her film, “Two Paise for Sunshine, Four Annas for Rain” and a screening of “Love Crimes of Kabul”. Go to www.tasveer.org or call (206) 324-9996 for all the details.
Rebecca Haimowitz & Vaishali Sinha’s documentary film, “Made in India” is part of the 2011 Tacoma Film Festival set for Oct. 7 – Oct. 13. (253) 572-6062 or go to www.GrandCinema.com
The 16th Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Fest takes place Oct. 14 – 23 at various sites around the Puget Sound with international, national and local films screened. For details, call (206) 323-4274 or try [email protected]
Opening soon at a Landmark Theatre in Seattle is a new film by Gus Van Sant (“Good Will Hunting”) entitled “Restless” about a teenage girl with terminal cancer (Mia Wasikowska) who enters into a relationship with a depressed outsider (Henry Hopper in his debut, son of the late actor/director Dennis Hopper). Produced by actress/producer Bryce Dallas Howard, the script comes courtesy of her college classmate Jason Lew. Intrigued by his short story, she asked him to develop it into a script. Break out performance by Japanese actor Ryo Kase who plays the ghost of a young kamikaze pilot who talks to the young man. Completely bi-lingual, Kase has northwest roots having lived in Bellevue in his youth when his father ran a business here. Filmed in Portland. Opens Oct. 7 at the Landmark Varsity. 4329 University Way NE. (206) 781-5755.
“Bunraku” is an action film about a samurai and a cowboy who take on a village despot. Directed by Guy Moshe with Woody Harrelson. September release.
“The Road To Freedom” tells the story of journalist Sean Flynn (son of the actor Errol) who disappeared in Cambodia back in 1971. Directed by Brendan Moriarty with Fredric Smith. Set for September.
“Surrogate Valentine” tells the story of a television actor who hires a musician to teach him how to play guitar for a role. Chadd Stoops as the actor and Goh Nakamura as the guitarist. Directed by Dave Boyle.
“1911” is an epic historical saga about the Chinese revolution of 1911 starring big stars such as Jackie Chan and Joan Chen. Directed by Chan along with Zhang Li. Coming to the Regal Meridian and Parkview Plaza theatres Oct. 7. Go to www.1911movie.com for clips.
“Journey From Zanskar” is a documentary film by Frederick Marx about the efforts to preserve Tibetan Buddhism in the Himalayan district of Zanskar. Set for September release.
“In Search of God” is another documentary directed by Rupam Sarmah about an Indian American woman who leaves the U.S. to find her family’s ancestry homeland in India in search of enlightenment. Set for September release.
Set for October release is “Short Term Shaadi”, a Bollywood romance comedy about an architect whose relationship with a hairstylist loosens him up. Directed by Shakun Batra with a cast of Imran Khan and Randhir Kapoor.
Also due in October is “My Friend Pinto”, another Bollywood comedy directed by Raghav Dar. A naïve musician from Goa tries to make a career in Mumbai. With Prateik Babbar.
Will Yun Lee is part of the cast in “OKA!”. An American ethnomusicologist befriends Bayaka Pygmies in Central Africa in a confrontation with logging developers bent on destroying their forest home. Directed by Lavinia Currier. Set for October release.
“God’s Land” tells the story of a fundamentalist from Taiwan who leads his flock to Garland, Texas where they wait for the end of the world. Written and directed by Preston Miller with Jodi Lin, Shing Ka and Matthew Chiu in the cast. Out end of October.
Also set for late October is Jennfer Fox’s documentary film entitled “My Reincarnation” about the conflict between a Tibetan Buddhist master and his Italian-born son.
November brings Alexander Payne’s (“Sideways”) new film “The Descendants”* starring George Clooney as a father and descendant of missionaries who own large holdings of land in Hawai’i.
“Sita Sings the Blues”* is an animated feature by Nina Paley that uses shadow puppets in an interpretation of the Indian epic Ramayama. Nov. 26 at 1pm. Seattle Asian Art Museum auditorium. 1400 E. Prospect in Volunteer Park. (206) 442-8480.
Sam Fuller’s “The Crimson Kimono”*(1959) gets a rare screening as part of a new series entitled “Heart of Darkness: The Film Noir Cycle”at Seattle Art Museum downtown. Two detectives, one caucasian and one Japanese American (James Shigeta) fall in love with a key witness while investigating a complicated case in L.A.’s Japantown. The film is significant in its’ treatment of interracial romance. In the end, Shigeta gets the girl and the film ends with them sharing an on-screen kiss. Nov. 10 at 7:30pm. The films are sold as a series but single tickets may be available at the door on a first-come, first served basis. Go to seattleartmuseum.org/tickets or any SAM Ticketing Desk.
Coming in November is another Harold and Kumar sequel, this one entitled “A Very Harold And Kumar 3-D Christmas” John Cho and Kal Penn return to reprise their roles as our heroes bent on finding the perfect Christmas tree. Also stars Bobby Lee, Patton Oswalt, Neil Patrick Harris and a host of others. Look for corny 3-D effects.
Also in November is “Immortals”, Greek mythology done in 3-D by director Tarsem Singh (“The Fall”). With Freida Pinto and Mickey Rourke.
Takeshi Kitano returns to the genre in which he became known when he directs and acts in “Outrage”, his new film about a war between two clashing yakuza clans. Set for December.
And finally in March, 2012 comes John Madden’s new film (“Shakespeare in Love”) entitled “Best New Exotic Marigold Hotel” about a group of British retirees who decide to journey to Bangalore, India and outsource their retirement in an economic home for the elderly. A stellar British cast of Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and Maggie Smith with Dev Patel in the role as the young entrepreneur of the home. Fox Searchlight Pictures.
At Seattle Asian Art Museum they offer a unique program for kids and family that combine kids activities with a movie. “Free First Saturday + Kids Flicks”* happen on first Saturdays of each month Oct. 1 – Dec. 3 from 11am – 2pm. Oct. 1 is “Dazzling India” which has a pre-celebration of Diwali (festival of lights) with Indian music, dancing, fashion shows and art making combined with a 1:30pm screening of Shekhar Kapoor’s “Mr. India”, in which a man saves India from a villain with Bollywood musical interludes. . Nov. 5’s “Buddha Poses” program lets kids take a tour of the galleries to sketch Buddha in all his different poses with a 1:30pm screening of Khyentse Norbu’s “The Cup” about the anticipation of a world soccer match set in Tibet. Dec. 3’s program “Family Treasures” gets kids to sketch from paintings by Japanese American artists Tokita and Nomura in the galleries and then screens Yoichi Higashi’s “Village of Dreams” about twin brothers encountering mysterious spirits in a Japanese village. Free and open to the public with no registration required.
“Asian Light: Films Traditional and Modern”* is a movie series that compliments the Asian exhibition “Luminous: The Art of Asia” at Seattle Art Museum. Screens Sundays at 1:30pm in the SAM auditorium. Wong Kar-Wai’s “In the Mood for Love” set for Nov. 13 finds two lonely married neighbors drawn to each other. Nov. 20 has Tran Anh Hung’s “The Scent of Green Papaya”, a sensitive meditation about a Vietnamese village girl who grows up in Saigon. The rituals of peeling fruit never seemed so poetic. Dec. 4 brings Japanese director Seijin Suzuki’s surrealist twist to the gangster-thriller in “Branded to Kill.” You can buy the series at seattleartmuseum.org/tickets or any SAM Ticketing Desk. Single tickets available at the door when available.
Another hit of this year’s SIFF was Tsui Hark’s “Detective Dee And The Mystery of The Phantom Flame”*. Stars Andy Lau as an exiled detective who must use his wisdom and martial art skills to save an empress-to-be’s dynasty from ruin. This epic thriller is inspired by the incredible true story of a famous Tang Dynasty official. Opens Sept. 23 at the Varsity Theater, 4329 University Way N.E. Call (206) 781-5755.
The Written Arts
On Oct. 6 at 6pm, hear a reading of “PAMANA III, the Bayanihan Legacy of the Filipino community of Seattle, 2000-20009. Free. At The Wing. 719 S. King St. (206) 623-5124 or go to www.wingluke.org
Harold Taw, author of “Kaoroke King” reads with JT Stewart on Oct. 10 at 8pm at Hugo House at an ArtsCrush event. 1634 – 11th Ave. He also reads in the Lion Rock Visiting Writers Series at Central Washington University in Ellensburg on Oct. 11 at 7:30pm. Email [email protected] for details on all his literary activities.
Elliott Bay Book Company ushers in fall with a rich abundance of varied readings from authors around the world. Join Seattle native Brian Komei Dempster as he returns to Seattle from the Bay Area to introduce his newly edited anthology”Making Home From War”*, an oral history of Japanese American internees returning to the West Coast with contributors to the book on Sat., Oct. 8 at 5pm. David Hsieh’s ReAct Theatre presents a staged reading of Chay Yew’s “A Language of Their Own” on Sun., Oct. 23 at 5pm. The play tells the story of four men who come together and drift apart in a series of innerconnecting stories. Part of EB’s Twelveth Annual Staged Play Reading Series. Suggested donation of $5 at the door. For details, go to www.reacttheatre.org Ever wondered what contemporary Canadian novelists were up to? Well if you go to the Canadian Writers Group * reading on Oct. 24 at 7pm, you’ll have a fair idea. Come hear Suzette Mayr, Kevin Chong, Dennis E. Bolen and Jen Sookfong Lee all read excerpts from their latest books. There will be a special midnight on-sale opening for 1Q84 (Knopf)*, the new novel by Haruki Murakami. At over 900 pages, this book promises to be his epic tale. Murakami fans, stay up and be the first on your block to read this novel. Come down to the store on Mon., Oct.24/Tues., Oct. 25. Also please note that Murakami translator Jay Rubin will discuss the book and the creative task of translating on Nov. 14. Noted Vietnamese American novelist Monique Troung comes Oct. 29 at 2pm to read from her new novel, “Bitter in the Mouth” (Random House) in which her protagonist finds she “expresses words as taste”. Troung’s reading co-presented by Hedgebrook & the Women’s National Book Association Book Group Month. Meeru Dhalwaala* from Vij’s Rangoli Restaurants in Vancouver will give a talk on that most Indian of drinks, “Chai” on Nov. 6 at 2pm. One wonders if there will be free samples? R. Zamora Linmark* reads from his new novel “Leche” (Coffee House Press) about a gay man’s return to the Philippines and his new book of poetry entitled “Drive By Vigils” on Nov. 9. Former Seattle-resident Prof. Garrett Hongo* comes up from Eugene where he teaches at the University of Oregon to read from his long-awaited new book of poems about his immigrant ancestors in early Hawai’i entitled “Coral Road” (Knopf) on Nov. 9. 1521 – 10th Ave. (206) 624-6600 or go to www.elliottbaybook.com.
“Making Home From War”* was an oral history project led by poet/teacher and Seattle native Brian Komei Dempster in a workshop he taught in San Francisco’s Japantown. It consists of memories of Japanese Americans trying to settle down after their release from the concentration camps of WWII. Produced by the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California. Participants/writers of this project originally lived in the NW and California prior to WWII and retun to tell their stories in this special presentation. Speakers include Editor Brian Komei Dempster,, Book Production Manager Jill Shiraki and writers Florence Ohmura Dobashi, Sato Hashizume, Toru Saito, Harumi Serata and Michi Tashiro. Below are locations for their readings .Fri., Oct. 7 at 7:30pm at Blaine United Methodist Church at 3001 – 24th Ave. S. (206) 723-1536. Sat.,Oct. 8 at 5pm at Elliott Bay Book Company at 1521 – 10th Ave. (206) 624-6600. Sun., Oct. 9 at 2pm at Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center at 121 Northwest 2nd Ave. (503) 224-1458. For details on book events, contact Jill Shiraki at (510) 277-2164 or [email protected]
Seattle Arts & Lectures presents the following lectures – Khaled Hosseini, noted novelist from Afghanistan and author of the international bestseller, “The Kite Runner” will be interviewed by Nassim Assefi on Tues., Oct. 11 at 7:30pm at Benaroya Hall at 200 University in downtown Seattle. Noted Indian author Amitiav Ghosh* reads at Kirkland Performance Center at 350 Kirkland Ave. on Oct. 17 at 7:30pm and again on Oct. 18 at Town Hall Seattle at 1119 – 8th at 7:30pm. Ghosh also reads for the India Association of Western Washington on Oct. 17 at noon at UW’s Kane Hall/ Walker-Ames Room on the Seattle campus. (206) 547-8027 for details. Noted poet and Chinese translator Bill Porter* (Red Pine) joins Peter Cole and Nikolai Popov in an stimulating discussion entitled “Translators on Translation” set for Sun., Nov. 6 at STG Neptune Theatre at 1303 NE 45th in the University District. For tickets and details go to (206) 621-2230 or [email protected]
Shiro Kashiba,* owner of Shiro’s in Belltown will read from his memoir, “Shiro: Wit, Wisdom And Recipes from a Sushi Pioneer” (Chin Music Press) on Nov. 19 at 4:30pm. A booksigning, sushi demonstration and tasting will follow. At the Wing. 719 S. King. (206) 623-5124 www.wingluke.org
Noted novelist Amy Tan will speak on Jan. 17 at 6:30pm at UW’s Kane Hall 130 on the Seattle campus as part of the Graduate School Public Lecture Series. Her new novel “The Valley of Amazement” is due out in 2012 on Ecco books. (206) 543-5900 or go to http://www.grad.washington.edu/events.
Nijay Gupta gives a talk entitled “The Edge of the Sword and the Tree of Shame” on Oct. 20 at 12:30pm in the Seattle Pacific University Library Reading Room. For details, email [email protected]
Town Hall does the valuable service of providing a forum for discussion on current events or relevance to us all. Witness the following readings. Kenneth Ballen*, author of “Terrorists Speak – The Real Lives of Islamic Radicals” who spent time talking to insurgents will open a window to their thought process on Oct. 20 at 8pm. Sponsored by World Affairs Council. Steve Inskeepi will read from “The View From Karachi” giving insight on our Middle East ally, Pakistan on Oct. 27 at 7pm. Noted Harvard Professor Ezra F. Vogel* reads from his ambitious new book entitled “Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China” (Belknap/Harvard University Press) on Mon. Oct. 31 at 7:30pm. $5 tickets at the door starting at 6:30pm. Co-presented by Town Hall Center for Civic Life. Shi-Ling Hsu reads from “The Case For a Carbon Tax” in which he argues that such a tax would help curb Co2 emissions. Dec. 7 at 7:30pm.All events at Town Hall Seattle at 1119 Eighth. Go to www.townhallseattle.org for details.
David F. Martin & Nicolette Bromberg, authors of the catalog that accompanied an exhibition recently seen at Henry Art Gallery entitled “Shadows of a Fleeting World: Pictorial Photography and the Seattle Camera Club” (UW Press) will give a talk about this unique group of first generation Japanese Americans Japanese photographers in Seattle. Oct. 20 at 7pm. Internationally acclaimed author Michael Ondaatje* reads from his new novel entitled “The Cat’s Table” (Knopf) on Oct. 24 at 7pm. Microsoft Auditorium in Seattle Public Library downtown. Co-presented by the Washington Center for The Book at The Seattle Public Library & Elliott Bay Book Company. 1000 Fourth. (206) 386-4636 or www.spl.org
The Gardner Center for Asian Art & Ideas present the series “Expressions of Emotion: Asian Literature and Arts”*. The Saturday University Lecture Series component brings three lectures each on China, Japan & India. Every Sat. from Oct. 1 through Dec. 3 from 9:30am – 11am. Co-sponsored by the Jackson school of International Studies at UW and Elliott Bay Books.On Oct. 8, SAM Associate Chinese Art Curator Josh Yiu talks about “Expressions in Chinese Art”. On Oct. 15, Stanford Associate Professor Haiyan Lee talks about “Woman, Sacrifice, and the Limits of Sympathy” found in characters from stories by Lu Xun and Shirley Jackson. Columbia University Professor Haruo Shirane talks about the “Tale of Genji and Japanese Culture” on Oct. 22. Harvard University Professor Melissa McCormick talks about “The Arts of Genji on Oct. 29. On Nov. 5, UBC Professor Josh Mostow talks about “Genji & Popular Culture. Nov. 12, University of Iowa Professor Phil Lutgendorf talks about “Looking Through the Lens of the Ramayama”. On Nov. 19, Laura Weinstein, Curator of South Asian Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston will talk about “The Ramayama in Indian Art”. The series wraps up with UW Professor Heidi Pauwels who will talk about “Sita in Bollywood: Film Ideals of Conjugal Love’ on Dec. 3. Tickets on sale from the SAM Box Office at (206) 654-3121 or visit tickets.seattleartmuseum.org/public.
Art News/Opportunities
Applications for Jack Straw Artist Residencies are due by Oct. 31, 2011. Go to www.jackstraw.org/programs/asp/2012/2012_apps.shtml for details.
The SOIL Art Collective has their annual auction fundraiser on Oct. 21 at Seattle Design Center. Come join in on the fun and bid on some cool art. Go to http://soilart.org for details.
“Is Multicultural Education Obsolete?” is the topic for Washington State Association for Multicultural Education’s 17th annual fall conference set for Sat., Oct. 22 at North Seattle Community College. 9600 College Way N. To register, go to [email protected] or call (206) 232-7576.
Congratulations to two local poets who were nominated for the 2011 Washington State Book Awards in the poetry category. Don Mee Choi for “The Morning News Is Exciting” (Actions Books) and Oliver de la Paz for “Requiem for the Orchard” (University of Akron Press).
Seattle artist Joseph Park now represented by Rena Bransten Gallery in San Francisco creates scenes that haunt because they evoke familiar images from childhood, art history and culture gone awry. Now his work has been reproduced into a postcard book entitled “I Am Yours” (Chronicle Books). Available in shops and bookstores nation-wide and locally at The Wing’s Marketplace. Go to http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/i-am-yours.html
Vashon Island musician /composer Eyvind Kang who plays viola was one of the eight finalists for the 2011 Arts Innovator Award sponsored by Artist Trust. He was one of four winners. Congratulations, Eyvind!!!
The Photo Center NW* works to advance the study, practice, and appreciation of fine art and documentary photography through education, exhibitions, access to photographic facilities, and public programs. Support this valuable arts resource by attending their 2011 Photo Center NW Auction Benefit entitled “PHOTOlust” on Oct. 22. Go to www.pcnw.org/photolust for details. For information on their classes and activities, go to pcnw.org.
Tickets now on sale for AKICON 2011, the annual fall conference for those interested in Japanese Anime and manga. Activites include Anime viewing, arcade and table top gaming, contest, a manga library, vendors room, artist alley, martial arts demos and more! Oct. 7 – 9 at Bellevue’s Hilton Hotel. Tons of contests prizes. Go to www.akicon.org for details.
The city of Auburn and White River Valley Museum are seeking submissions to their international juried show entitled “Small Works,Big Presents: The Gift of Art”, Wanted are small and mini artwork of all media. Deadline for submissions is Oct. 9, 2011. For a prospectus & entry form call (253) 931-3043 or go to www.auburnwa.gov.
Seattle Center plans to renovate the mural designed by the late Japanese American artist Paul Horiuchi, thanks to a grant from 2010 Partners in Preservation Initiative. The mural composed of Venetian glass was made for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair and sits at the base of another Seattle icon, the Space Needle. It is hoped that Horiuchi’s mural will be fully restored by 2012 when “The Next Fifty”, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Horiuchi passed away in 1991 after a lifetime devoted to art. For details, go to www.seattlecenter.
