Highlights
Wing Luke Asian Museum opens yet another new exhibition entitled “Paj Ntaub – Stories of Hmong in Washington State” on view from March 5 – Oct. 17. Family photos, cultural artifacts, first person stories uncover their history and culture in Washington state. Exhibition opening reception for members and invited guests on March 4 from 5:30 p.m. RSVP at (206) 623-5124 or e-mail [email protected]. To become a member, call 623-5124×126.
Zakir Hussain is a world-renowned master of percussion noted for his virtuoso tabla playing and his ability to be open to music in all its’ various forms from the classical Indian tradition to improvisation, world music and jazz. So when a musician of his stature curates a concert entitled “Masters of Percussion”, music lovers should take note. Some of the best musicians from South Asia will be joining Hussain on stage for a wonderful evening of music making. March 4 at 8 p.m. at the Moore Theatre. Presented by STG. Visit STGPRESENTS.ORG or call (206) 315-8054.
SIS Productions presents the northwest premiere of “Ching Chong Chinaman” by Lauren Yee. What happens when the son of a modern Chinese American family decides to hire an indentured Chinese servant to help him with his homework? “An exhilarating send-up” of the American dream. Opening night gala reception & opening night party after the 8 p.m. show on March 26. Post-play discussion after each show. March 26 – April 24. Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. Richard Hugo House at 1634 – 11th Ave. on Capitol Hill.
Online radio station Hollow Earth Radio presents their 3rd annual month-long Magma Festival. An eclectic array of underground musical sounds is promised. At various sites. Highlights include – Singer/songwriter THAO of the band Get Down Stay Down will perform solo on March 5 at the Vera Project located at Warren Ave. N. & Republican. Violinist Eyvind Kang joins others in a concert on March 20 at Shafer Baillie Mansion. (206) 956-8372.
Novelist & political essayist Arundhati Roy reads from her latest, “Field Notes on Democracy: Listening to Grasshoppers” on Monday, March 29 at Town Hall Seattle. Co-presented by Seattle Arts & Lectures and Elliott Bay Book Company. Lectures.org or (206) 621-2230.
Rudresh Mahanthappa, one of the most innovative jazz musicians/composers working today appears at Kirkland Performance Center on March 12 at 8 p.m. with his band. Expect challenging, inspiring music that uses some Indian elements in his exploration of jazz and improvised music. Also worth noting is Delhi 2 Dublin on March 13 at 8 p.m. A fusion of celtic/Indian/world music. Log on to www.kpcenter.org or call (425) 893-9900 for details.
Peter Nathaniel Malae is an exciting new talent with a new novel out entitled “What We Are” (Grove Press). In this book, Malae tells the story of his Samoan American protaganist who looks at the sprawling landscape of San Jose’s malls, freeways and dot.com headquarters and finds refuge with family, sinister old friends and cranksters until he can de-code what he needs to believe in to survive. Malae reads in Seattle on March 18 at the Seattle Public Library, Rainier Beach Branch. Co-presented by Washington Center for the Book and Elliott Bay Book Company. Elliott Bay also brings noted writer Chang-Rae Lee to Seattle on March 15 to read from a new book entitled “The Surrendered” about the trials of a Korean war refugee. This reading at the Microsoft Auditorium of the Down town Seattle Public Library at 1000 Fourth in downtown Seattle.. Call (206) 624-6600 for details.
Ukelele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, who can literally play anything on his small island instrument makes a welcome return to the area with a concert on March 12 at Edmonds Center for the Arts at 410 Fourth Av. N. in Edmonds. (425) 275-9595 or www.edmondscenterforthearts.org.
Visual Arts
Tina Koyama’s work is included in “New Perspectives – Novel Interpretations”, a group exhibition of fiber art on view through June 13. Opening reception is Feb. 25 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. University House Wallingford at 4400 Stone Way N.
The work of Bo Young Choi is included in a group show entitled “Paper Weight” on view through March 27. The show includes the work of six artists who work with paper. Choi makes woven sculptures made of pages taken from the Bible’s Old Testament. Catherine Person Gallery at 319 Third Ave. S. (206)763-5565. Or visit www.catherineperson.com.
“Farewell” is a group show that explores personal moments of leave-taking and the public ramifications of migration. Artists include MalPina Chan, Diem Chau, Annie Han + Daniel Mihalyo (Lead Pencil Studio), Paul Kikuchi, Tiffany Lin, June Sekiguchi and Ying Zhou. Curated by composer/performer Byron Au Yong. Held in conjunction with Spectrum Dance Theatre’s “Farewell: A Fantastical Contemplation on America’s Relationship with China” In the Guest Gallery of Columbia City Gallery. 4864 Rainier Ave. S. (206) 760-9843 or visit www.columbiacitygallery.com.
The work of Jason Hirata will be in a show at James Harris Gallery at 312 Second Ave. Through March 27. (206) 903-6220 or visit jamesjharrisgallery.com.
A group exhibition based on the book, “Speak For The Trees” includes paintings, sculpture, photography, glass and conceptual art. The work of Yoko Ono and Lynda Lowe is included. Previews begin on March 25 with an opening reception planned for April 1. Friesen Gallery 1200 & 1210 Second Ave. in Seattle. (206) 628-9501 or visit speakforthetreesbook.com to learn more about this project.
“The Colors & Cultures of SE Asia” is the title of a photo exhibit by Ian Mackie that reflects his experiences traveling through Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. On view through the end of March. Globe Gallery. (206) 612-7655 or visit www.globegalleryseattle.com.
“New Old and New New: Recent Acquisitions of Asian Art” is a new show that responds to recent interest in contemporary Asian art showcasing new acquisitions from the museum’s growing collection. The show presents the work of Asian and Asian American artists such as Miwa Yanagi, Tomoko Takahashi and Joseph Park. A concurrent exhibition of new acquisitions of Chinese painting and calligraphy is also on view. Through July 4. Also a 60-minute tour on the “Arts of Asia” is given every Sat. & Sun. at 1 p.m. starting at the Fuller Garden Court. Free with museum admission. Seattle Asian Art Museum. 1400 E. Prospect. (206) 654-3100 or log on to seattleartmuseum.org.
“Cultural Transcendence is a new group show at Wing Luke Asian Museum curated by Lele Barnett that “explores the importance of technology in our modern experience and technology’s influence on contemporary installation art.” Features the work of Robert Hodgin, Eunsu Kang, Heidi Kumao, Horatio Law and Brent Watanabe. Show continues through June 19, 2010. Extended hours on this day are 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. www.wingluke.org or call (206) 623-5124.
KOBO at Higo presents the following. An exhibit entitled “Modern Porcelain and Stoneware” by Michael R. Hughes opens March 6 from 6 – 8 p.m. and stays on view through March 26. To celebrate Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival), a display of Japanese Chiyogami dolls by Kuniko Takahashi Mancini will be on display through March 6. 604 S. Jackson . Ikebana class with Megumi Schacher on March 28 from 1 – 3 p.m. Reservations are required. (206) 381-3000 or [email protected].
Wing Luke Asian Museum presents a new exhibit entitled “Return Home From War- Remnants of war through recent Asian Pacific American veterans’ perspective.” Show is on view through August 15. “Yellow Terror: The Collection and Paintings of Roger Shimomura” is ongoing through April 18, 2010 in the Special Exhibition Hall. 719 King St. (206) 623-5124. More information at www.wingluke.org.
Roger Shimomura has a show of “Recent Work” from his “Internment Camp” series through March 27. Greg Kucera Gallery at 212 Third Ave. S. (206) 624-4031 or visit www.gregkucera.com.
Performing Arts
Manuel Cawaling, formerly with Northwest Asian American Theatre performs “A One Man Miss Saigon”, a parody of the famous Broadway musical in which he performs the play in less than ten minutes The performance is part of the Solo Performance Festival. March 3 & 16 at 7:30 p.m. Theatre Off Jackson at 409 Seventh Ave. S. in Seattle’s ID. (206) 340 – 1049 or visit www.theatreoffjackson.org.
The Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Contest takes place on Monday, March 22 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley on 2033 6th Ave. (206) 619-1951 or e-mail [email protected].
Rock band, “Acid Mothers Temple” led by guitarist Makoto Kawabata plays March 28 at the Sunset at 5452 Ballard Ave. (206) 784-4880.
The Indian pop band, “Manooghi Hi plays the Triple Door on March 30. 216 Union. (206) 838-4333.
Jacky Cheung is one of Chinese pop’s biggest stars known for his sappy love ballads. Now he has shocked the Asian music world by recording a jazz album entitled “Private Corner”, his first Cantonese album in five years. Ironically the pop star’s stature and mass appeal worked to his advantage in that it has given him protection from commercial pressures. He admits wanting to record jazz songs in the past but always junked the idea if he felt the particular song did not translate into an instant hit that would be popular in karaoke bars.
Film/Media
Bong Joon-ho, South Korean director of the 2006 monster film hit, “The Host” is back with a new thriller entitled “Mother” in which a rural housewife goes to great lengths to protect her mentally handicapped son after he is accused of killing a village girl. Opens shortly at a Seven Gables Theatre in Seattle.
“SMAK” (See movies at Kane) is a free world film series screening every Thursday night at 7pm through March 18. March 4 brings the animated feature based on “The Ramayama” entitled “Sita Sings The Blues”. March 11 brings the Indonesian film entitled “Love For Share”. At Kane Hall 210 on the UW Seattle campus.
Noted author/ historian and university professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr hosts a documentary series entitled “Faces Of America” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KCTS 9. The program delves into the cultural roots of such noted figures as Yo Yo Ma, Kristi Yamaguchi and many others.
“Kid Flicks” is an Asian film series for children as part of Free First Saturdays programs at the Seattle Asian Art Museum. An art making activity for kids happens between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. as well. March 6 brings Hayao Miyazaki’s “Kiki’s Delivery Service.” Free. 1400 E. Prospect St. in Volunteer Park. Visit seattleartmuseum.org/Learn/YouthFamily for details.
The Written Arts
Japanese author Jisho Shizuka, a former Seattle Koyasan Buddhist Church Reverend, will have a book signing event on March 14 from 2 – 5 p.m. at Panama Hotel Tea & Café House. 607 S. Main. Free. (206) 623-0100.
The Daesan Culture Foundation of Korea gave Seattle couple, Bruce & Ju Chan Fulton their Translation Award for a translation of “There A Petal Silently Falls: Three Stories by Choe Yun (Columbia University Press, 2008). For decades, the Fultons have collaborated with each other and others to produce volume after volume of superb translations of Korean literature from Korean to English. On March 29 at 7 p.m., they will read from their latest translation entitled “Red Room: Stories of Trauma in Contemporary Korea” (University of Hawai’I Press). University Book Store at 4326 University Way NE. (206) 634-3400.
Art News/Opportunities
Seattle’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation seeks an artist to create a three-dimensional permanent outdoor artwork for the Chief Sealth Trail. Open to established professional northwest artists. Deadline is March 16 at 11 p.m. (PST). Go to http//www.seattle.gov/arts/publicart/calls-for-art.asp.
