January 2, 2019—Arts Etc.

Visual Arts

Seattle Central Community College’s M. Rosetta Hunter Art Gallery, Pinoy Words Expressed Kultura Arts and the Filipino American National Historical Society will host “Aming mga Pangitain” (Our Visions), an art exhibit featuring Northwest artists Raphael Laigo, Lisa Castillano Szilassy, Jeanneatte Tiffany, Sam Rodrick Roxas-Chua and Beija Flor. Feb. 4 – Feb. 28, 2019. An opening reception will be hild on Wed., Feb. 6 from 5 – 7pm in the gallery. A group poetry reading by Sam Roderick Roxas-Chua, Desiree Gomez and Louie Vital will take place as well as a concert of courting songs from the heartlands and barrios of the Philippines as performed by Roger Rigor and the Barriotiques. Both reception and exhibit are free to the public. The gallery is located inside Seattle Central Community College across from the dining hall. 1701 Broadway. Gallery # and website are 206-934-4379 or http://seattlecentral.edu/artgallery/. For additional information, call 206-696-1114 or email [email protected].

“Open When You Forget”, the title taken from the artist’s eight year old daughter’s note to herself is the name of the show by local multi-media artist Tuan Nguyen on view through Jan. 26, 2019 at the Specialist Gallery. Open on Saturdays from 12 – 4pm. 300 Washington St. Go to https://specialistgallery for details.

The hand-cut paper works of Lauren Iida are on view in the North Gallery of ArtXchange Gallery through Jan. 26, 2019. 512 First Ave. S. 206-839-0377 or try [email protected]

“Sanctuary: Design for Belonging” looks at dozens of ideas from architects and designers on how their profession could help support immigrants and refugees. The show runs through Feb. 23, 2019. Mayumi Tsutakawa, one of the research writers for this exhibit will lead a tour of the show on Jan. 24, 2019. AIA Seattle at 1010 Western Ave. 206-496-4278.

The Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts is run by the Puyallup School District. Their current exhibit up until mid-January 2019 is Legacy Washington Exhibit Korea 65: The Forgotten War Remembered” which is a story about the Korean War as seen through many lens. The story of Patsy Surh O’Connell, founder of the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma is part of this exhibit. 309 4^th  St. NE in Puyallup,WA. 253-841-8748 or go to https://karctr.puyallup.k12.wa.us.

“PERSON OF INTEREST” is the title of a group show that features a variety of interpretations and mediums focusing on the human figure. Includes work by artists Carina A. del Rosario, Jim Kurihara, Miya Sukune and many others.  The show  is curated by June Sekiguchi and remains on view through Feb. 8, 2019. At University House Wallingford, 4400 Stone Way N. in Seattle

“Yahaw – Together We Lift The Sky” is a year-long indigenous community-based project culminating in the inaugural exhibition at Seattle Office of Arts & Culture’s ARTS at King Street Station which opens in Jan., 2019.  “Yahaw” will feature the work of 200+ Indigenous creative at over 20 sites across Seattle and beyond. Curated by Tracy Rector, Asia Tail and Satpreet Kahlon. Learn more at Yehawshow.com.

“Invocation of Beauty: The Life and Photography of Soichi Sunami” is the first in-depth study of this photographer who got his start in Seattle in the studio of Ella McBride where he worked with Wayne Albee. Through the studio’s association with Cornish School, Sunami had the opportunity to photograph and interact with important modern dancers who visited such as Anna Pavlova, Ted Shawn and Martha Graham. Sunami also won many prizes in the highly thought of Frederick & Nelson salons before re-locating to New York in 1922. Here he opened a studio and began collaborating with Martha Graham. For almost forty years, he was the chief photographer for the Museum of Modern art. Like another Seattle photographer Frank Matsura, he became known for his iconic images of modern dancers. There is a silky sophisticated elegance to his style. Supplementing this exhibition will be a selection of paintings and drawings by his Seattle  art instructor Fokko Tadama (1897-1948) and contemporaries such as Sumio Arima, Mabel Lisle Ducasse, Kamekichi Tokita and Kenjiro Nomura. On view through Jan. 6, 2019.  Museum hours are Wed. – Sun. from 11am  – 6pm. Art Walk Edmonds takes place Third Thursdays from 5 – 8pm and is free. 190 Sunset Ave. Edmonds, WA. 425-336-4809.

Hosekibako is JCCCW’s (Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington) thrift store and Japanese Resale Shop. It’s the perfect place to pick up Japanese arts & crafts at affordable prices. Items are 100% community donated and selection is constantly updated. Open Th., Fri. & Sat. from 10 am – 3pm. It is located in the East Building on the JCCCW campus. If interested in donating, call in advance at 206-568-7114 or email [email protected]. 1414 South Weller.

For fans of Seattle photographer Dean Wong, the ongoing exhibit of his work at Tai Tung restaurant has just been changed  with a new round of work by the photographer, himself. So the next time you’re there ordering a bowl of noodles, look up and you’ll see a Dean Wong photograph. 655 S. King St. in the CID. 206-622-7372.

A  JCCCW Exhibition entitled “Genji Mihara: An Issei Pioneer” is  ongoing. Mihara was an Issei first-generation Japanese immigrant leader who helped to build Japanese culture and community in Seattle. Open M – F from 10am – 5pm. Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington is at 1414 S. Weller St. Free. For details, go jcccw.org.

“Endangered Species – Artists On The Front Line of Biodiversity” curated by Barbara Matilsky is at Whatcom Museum until Jan. 6, 2019. This exhibition presents the work of sixty artists from around the world who convey both the wonder and fragility of life on earth through five interconnected themes spanning two hundred years, the show reflects the vital relationship between art and natural science. Includes work by Macoto Murayama, Yang Yongliang and many others. 250 Flora St. in Bellingham, WA 250 Flora St. 360-778-8930.

A non-profit, the Portland Chinatown History Foundation has opened the new Portland Chinatown Museum to the public. A new version of “Beyond the Gate: A Tale of Portland’s Historic Chinatowns”, an enormously popular national exhibit held at Oregon Historical Society two years ago will be permanently installed in Dec., 2018 followed by a gala celebration. The museum hopes to stir up interest in preserving what’s left of the community as gentrification strips away vestiges of the original community.    127 NW 3^rd Ave. 503-224-0008.

“Group Therapy” is a group show that  addresses  themes of healing and self-care and comments on and/or adapts strategies  of alternative medicine, psychotherapy and wellness practices. Includes work by Maryam Jafri and Cindy Mochizuki. On view through Jan. 6, 2019.  Frye Art Museum at 704 Terry Ave. 206-622-9250.

Asia Pacific Cultural Center has a show every month of a local Asian American artist every month in their gallery.4851 South Tacoma Way in Tacoma. 253-383-3900  or asiapacificculturalcenter.org.

Seattle Art Museum has the following – “Pure Amusements: Chinese Scholar Culture and Emulators”, an installation of Chinese works ranging from prints to sculpture and furnishings to ceramics. The focus is on objects created for, and enjoyed during the intentional practice of leisure. Ongoing.  “Noble Splendor: Art of Japanese Aristocrats” is on view through March 3, 2019 on the 3^rd floor  John McCone Gallery. It explores how the imperial court nobility and the military elite significantly shaped their country’s art history.   “Walkabout:The Art of Dorothy Napangardi” opens May 5, 2018 and is ongoing. Third Floor Galleries. This Aboriginal artist was born in the Tanami Desert of Australia. Her work is a spiritual map of walking with her family across ancestral land. “Peacock in the Desert: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India”  remains on view through Jan. 21, 2019.  Seattle Art Museum is located at 1300 First Ave.  206-654-3210  or try www.seattleartmuseum.org.

A new series of “Conversations with Curators” (for SAM members only) takes place on Wednesdays from Jan. 9 – June 19, 2019 at Seattle Art Museum downtown. Doors open at 6:30pm with talks beginning at 7pm. In the SAM auditorium. First in the series are the following – Chinese art curator Ping Foong and Associate Conservator Geneva Griswald uncover the history of a 14^th century Chinese Buddhist sculpture on Jan. 9th. Feb. 20 brings Japanese/Korean curator Xiaojin Wu who looks at “The Journey of a Korean Royal Seal” and the issues of collecting and provenance. March 20 brings Deputy Director and Curator of European Painting & Sculpture Chiyo Ishikawa and Chief Conservator Nicholas Dorman who will look at three women artists and what they reveal in “There is Also, as in All Gangs, A Woman”.

Henry Art Gallery has a group show entitled “Between Bodies” through April 29, 2019. It includes sculpture, augmented reality, video, and sound-based works that delve into intimate exchanges and entwined relations between human and more-than-human bodies within contexts of ongoing ecological change. Candace Lin and Patrick Staff are among the participating artists. Located on the UW Seattle campus at 15^th Ave. NE + NE 4lst Street. 206-543-2280 or try henryart.org.

STG presents “Re:definition-Celebrating 90 Years of Community, Culture and Space”, a group show in the lobby of the bar in the Paramount Theatre guest curated by Jean Alonzo Rodriguez, Tracy Rector and Tariqa Waters to help celebrate that cultural institution’s 90^th birthday. Included is work by Junko Yamamoto, Kenji Hamai Stoll and others. 911 Pine in downtown Seattle. 206-682-1919.

Pacific Bonsai Museum shakes up this Japanese tradition with LAB (Living Art of Bonsai), an experimental collaborative for bonsai innovation This project is a re-sequencing in the order of influence between the bonsai artist, ceramicist and stand maker. The project kicks off in 2018 and continues through 2020. A video trailer from a film about this new process can be viewed at http://www.bonsaimirai.com. For more information, go to http://www.pacificbonsaimuseum.org. The Pacific Bonsai Museum is at 2515 S. 336^th St. in Federal Way, WA. 206-612-0026 for information.

Portland Art Museum has the following –Sara Roby championed realism and works of art founded in the principles of form and design.  A group show entitled “Modern American Realism: Highlights from the Smithsonian’s Sara Roby Foundation Collection” includes the work of Yasuo Kuniyoshi and many other great American artists and it remains on view through April 28, 2019. “The Map Is Not The Territory” on view until May 5, 2019 is a reconsideration of the art of the northwest region. This group show includes the work of  Rob Rhee and Henry Tsang among others. It covers the Eastern edge of the Pacific including Oregon, Wasshington,Vancouver, BC and Alaska. Curated by Grace Kook-Anderson.  A group show entitled “Poetic Imagination in Japanese Art” taken from the May & Cheney Cowles Collection will be on view through Jan. 13, 2019.  View a new body of work by Portland-based artist Avantika Bawa as part of PAM’s “APEX” series. Looking at a singular Portland architectural structure, Bawa presents her ongoing series of drawings, prints and paintings of Veterans Memorial Coliseum. On view through Feb. 10, 2019. “Three Masters of Abstraction – Hagiwara Hideo, Ida Shoichi And Takahashi Rikio” looks at some Japanese modern abstract artists. Through May 5, 2019. 1219 S.W. Park Ave. 503-226-2811 or try [email protected].

KOBO  at Higo at 604 South Jackson features many small arts & crafts/textile shows and activities inspired by Asia or work by Asian American artists. There is another branch of KOBO on Capitol Hill at 814 E. Roy St. 206-726-0704.

New and recent shows /activities at the The Wing   include the following – “Blast Off To Beyond” is the new KidPLACE exhibit which explores the field of aerospace and the Asian Pacific Americans that play a huge role in space exploration and technology. On view through  Jan. 6, 2019. “Lore Re-Imagined: Shadows of Our Ancestors” is curated by Chieko Phillips. It brings together three artists who make work that engages the cultural traditions of previous generations. Satpreet Kahlon uses the embroidery and textile techniques passed on by her mother and grandmother to create soft works with strong cultural subtexts. Alex Anderson uses his ceramic studies in China to probe the moral and physical decay behind seemingly flawless facades. Megumi Shauna Arai’s “Unnamed Lake” uses sashiko (Japanese hand-stiched embroidery) to reflect on the physical, mental and emotional applications of mending. Remains on view  through April 14, 2019. “Wham! Bam! Pow! – Cartoons, Turbans & Confronting Hate” opens May 4, 2018 and remains on view through Feb. 24, 2019. This is an exhibition of work  by New York-based cartoonist Vishavjit Singh who wields art and humor to fight intolerance and challenge stereotypes. “A Dragon Lives Here”, part 4 of the ongoing Bruce Lee exhibition series has just opened.  This concluding part hones in on Bruce Lee’s Seattle roots and how this region played a key role in shaping Lee and his groundbreaking career.       Toddler Story Time set for Thursdays at 11am always has events centered around a kid’s book and an art activity afterwards.   A new addition to The Wing’s daily Historic Hotel Tour is “APT 507” which is the story of Au Shee, one Chinese immigrant woman who helped build Seattle’s Chinatown. Her living room is interactive with objects meant to be felt, opened  and experienced.  NOW let’s look at future shows The Wing is planning this fall and into 2019. “Worlds Beyond Here: The Expanding Universe of APA Science Fiction” is a show that remains on view through Sept. 15, 2019. From onscreen actors to behind-the-scenes writers, creators, artists and animators, learn about the impact Asian Pacific Americans have had and continue to have in science fiction. A mix of literary and pop culture works helps viewers to see how science fiction reflects the times they were written in. It addresses issues related to identity, immigration and race, technology, morality and the human condition. Curated by Mikala Woodward. Includes work by Tamiko Thiel, Simon Kono, June Sekigiuchi, Stasia Burrington, relics from George Takei’s Sulu character on Star Trek, clips & stills from the film, Arrival” based on Bellevue writer Ted Chiang’s story and much more. A group show tentatively titled “Open Housing” shows how community members across the Central Area, Chinatown-ID and Southeast Seattle gather to explore how racial restrictions on where people could live shaped the Seattle we know today and set a vision for those neighborhoods for the next 50 years. March 8, 2019 – Feb. 16, 2020 in the New Dialogues Initiative area. Carina del Rosario curates an exhibit entitled “Wide Angle/Close up: A Self Portrait of the Asian Pacific Islander American Community” from May 10, 2019 – April 19, 2020. Includes photography, video, and photo-based installations by photojournalists that document the community from the inside out. Set for the George Tsutakawa Gallery. “Chinatown in the 1970s” recreates Seattle’s Chinatown in the 1970’s and explores the values and customs that continue to shape the neighborhood today. July 20, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020 in the KidPLACE Gallery. The Museum is located at 719  South King St. (206) 623-5124 or  visit www.wingluke.org. Closed Mondays. Tuesday – Sunday from 10am – 5pm. First Thursday of each month is free from 10am – 8pm. Third Saturday of each month is free from 10am – 8pm.

New work by Thuy-Van Wu and Samantha Scherer betray their quiet beauty in subtle ways. On view through  Jan. 12, 2019. G. Gibson Gallery at 104 W. Roy St. 206-587-4033.

Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park is now closed for what is projected to be a renovation and extension that will take several years.

“Key to the Collection” is a group show that opened Dec. 22, 2018 and it lets TAM show off some of the treasured gifts from their collection including their legacy of Japanese woodblock prints and various other items.  “Places to call Home: Settlements in the West“ is a group show through Feb. 10, 2019 that includes representations of Western cities throughout their history and development featuring immigrant or immigrant-descended artists such as Kenjiro Nomura and Mian Situ. Familiar Faces & New Voices: Surveying Northwest Art”  stays on view through the summer of 2019. This group show is a chronological walk through of Northwest art history, illustrated with the works of noted artists from each time period as well as lesser-known but just as important figures. Different works will be displayed throughout the run of this show. Includes the work of Patti Warashina, Roger Shimomura, Joseph Park, Alan Lau (full disclosure, that’s me)  and many others. Tacoma Art Museum at 1701 Pacific Ave. 253-272-4258 or email [email protected] or go to www.TacomaArtMuseum.org.

Threshold Gallery at Mithun shows the work of Phirak Suon & Jacob Foran in a show entitled “3D Printed Ceramics” in which they strive to straddle the fine line between sculpture, pottery and décor. On view through  Feb. 5, 2019. 1201 Alaskan Way #200. 206-623-3344 or email [email protected]

“Land of Joy And Sorrow: Japanese Pioneers of the Yakima Valley” is an ongoing exhibit that traces the story of the Japanese families who settled in the Yakima valley. Yakima Valley Museum at 2105 Tieton Dr. in Yakima, WA. 509-248-0747.

Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center presents the following – “Oregon Nikkei: Reflections of an American Community – ongoing. Also A’misa Chiu shows her watercolor paintings in a show entitled “mirror images/mere images: (re)remembering the generations through family photographs” on view through Feb. 3, 2019. The exhibit is based on photos of her family and includes two images per generation.  Beginning this year, visitors can see artifacts of the collection up close as the stacks will be open to see as the staff does filing. 121 NW Second Ave. in  Portland. 503-224-1458 or go to www.oregonnikkeir.org.

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art located on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene has the following – “Reframing the Fragments: The Best We could Do” is on view through Feb. 17, 2019. It includes works made since 2000 by artists from the Vietnamese diaspora such as Binh Danh, Dinh Q. Le and Ann Lee. Embodies the complex sensations related to remembering and forgetting, tradition and innovation and trying to make sense of fragments of memory and history. “Graceful Fortitude: The Spirit of Korean Women” is on view through May 5, 2019. It includes art created by, for and/or about Korean women in all media from the twelfth to the twenty-first century. “Reflections of the Cosmic Web: Intricate Patterns in Daoist Art” remains on view through April 7, 2019. “Vibrance and Serenity: Art of Japanese No Traditional Theatre is on view through August, 2019. It covers the history and performance of No theatre using selected prints by Tsukioka Kogyo (1869 – 1927). 1430 Johnson Lane in Eugene, Oregon. 541-346-3027.

Portland Japanese Garden has some interesting shows planned for this year. “Manga Hokusai Manga” is on view through Jan. 14, 2019. This is the only venue in the U.S. in which viewers can see the world famous manga woodblock prints by Katsushika Hokusai displayed alongside work by top modern manga artists. 611 South Kingston Ave. 503-223-1321  or try japanesegarden.org.

“Remembering a Patron – Asian Art Donations from Dr. Judith Patt” is a group show honoring the legacy of this woman who generously donated Asian works of art to the AGGV for over 40 years. The show includes important Chinese and Japanese paintings to a variety of Japanese prints from the 18^th to 20^th century. On view until  January 7 2019. Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is at1040 Moss St. in Victoria, BC, Canada. 250-384-4171 or go to aggv.ca.

Vancouver Art Gallery –  “Guo Pei: Couture Beyond” is the first Canadian exhibition devoted to the work of China’s preeminent couturiere.  On view through Jan. 20, 2019. This mid-career survey features more than forty complete looks from Pei’s most iconic runways from 2006 to 2017. Her work combines contemporary aesthetics, production methods and materials with ancient tradition, evoking Chinese history and mythology in her craft techniques, fabric selection and imagery. Organized by the Vancouver Art Gallery  in collaboration with SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film curated by Diana Freundl, Associate Curator, Asian Art and Stephanie Rebick, Associate Curator. Vancouver Art Gallery is at 750 Hornby St. in Vancouver, BC Canada. 604-662-4719 or  vanartgallery.bc.ca.

“IN/FLUX: Art of Korean Diaspora” is a group show of Vancouver-based Korean Canadians who make traditional arts compellingly contemporary. Through Jan. 6. 2019. Museum of Vancouver at 110 Chestnut St. Go to [email protected] for details.

The Bau-Xi Gallery has paintings by Michelle Nguyen on view from Jan. 12 – 26, 2019. 3045 Granville St. at 14^th Ave. Vancouver BC, Canada. 604-733-7011 or try www.bau-xi.com.

Z Gallery Arts presents Ran Zhou’s “The Diary of Destroying a Map” which looks into the artist’s attempt to see the obscurity of the present through the gap between two incomplete cultures, histories and self-resistance. On view through Jan. 31, 2019. 102-1688 W. 1^st Ave. 604-742-2001. Vancouver, BC Canada. Go to zgalleryarts.com for details

Nikkei National Museum presents the following – The museum  has numerous online exhibits as well as offsite exhibits. Check their website for details. The Nikkei National Museum is at 6688 Southoaks  Crescent in Burnaby. 604-777-7000 or go to nikkeiplace.org.

Chinese Cultural Centre Museum has the ongoing exhibit “Generation to Generation – History of Chinese Canadians in British Columbia.” 555 Columbia St. Vancouver, BC. 604-658-8880.  Admission by  donation.

An ongoing exhibit entitled “Call for Justice: Fighting for Japanese Canadian Redress (1977-1988)” is on view at Nanaimo Museum at 100 Museum Way in Nanaimo, Canada. 250-753-1821 or go to nanaimomuseum.ca.

“Vision Exchange: Perspectives from India to Canada” is a group show on view at the Art Gallery of Alberta on view until Jan. 6, 2019. This exhibition presents work in film, video and the plastic arts by 20 contemporary artists of Indian ancestry from both India and Canada. 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square in Edmonton, Canada. 780-392-2468or youraga.ca.

Asian Art Museum, San Francisco has the following. Coming soon  to the Larkin St. steps in front of the museum is a giant white sculpture that turns a puppy into the size of an elephant. “Your Dog” will be waiting for you and your selfie. Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara’s style blends cute, creepy and vulnerable into an appealing blend.  “Kimono Refashioned” is a major exhibition on the evolution of the Japanese kimono created by the Museum in collaboration with the Kyoto Costume Institute. It runs from Feb. 8, 2019 – May 5, 2019. 200 Larkin St. 415-581-3500.

SFO Museum at San Francisco International Airport has on view through Jan. 6, 2019, “Isamu Noguchi: Inside And Out” which is an installation of interior and exterior landscapes drawn from sheetmetal kirigami, combined with his Akari lanterns.

The De Young Museum has the following – “Contemporary Muslim Fashions” is the first major museum exhibition to explore the complex, diverse nature of Muslim dress codes worldwide. The exhibition examines how Muslim women – those who cover their heads and those who do not – have become arbiters of style within and beyond their communities, and in so doing have drawn mass media attention to contemporary Muslim life. On view until  Jan. 6, 2019. “Ranu Mukherjee: A Bright Stage”. This contemporary artist explores drawing, painting, animation and choreography to create hybrid installations that blur the line by imbuing each with qualities of the other. It is installed in one of the museum’s public spaces so no admission fee is required to see it. In Golden Gate Park at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. 415-750-3600.

“Islam and the Classical Heritage” is the current show on view at the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. On view  through Jan. 27, 2019. Located in Lincoln Park at 100 – 34^th Ave. 415-750-3600.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) presents the following – “Art And China After 1989: Theater of the World”. Bracketed by the conflicts associated with Tiananmen Square in 1989 and the celebratory moment of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, this survey of Chinese contemporary art looks at the bold movements that anticipated, chronicled and agitated for the sweeping social transformation that brought China to the center of the global conversation. On view through Feb. 24, 2019. 151 Third St. 415-357-4000 or try  [email protected].

“Then They Came For Me” is a group show of black and white photography that documents the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. It includes work by Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake and many others as well as videos, drawings by Mine Okubo and documentary material of the era.  Organized by Alphawood Exhibitions of Chicago, the show has also shown at ICP in New York. A Bay Area version of this show will be on view Jan. 18 – May 27, 2019 at the “Futures Without Violence” Building located in The Presidio at 100 Montgomery St.

LACMA or Los Angeles County Museum of Art  has “The Jeweled Isle: Art from Sri Lanka” through June 23, 2019. This is the first comprehensive survey of Sri Lankan art organized by an American museum. 5905 Wilshire Blvd. 323-857-6010.

Ai Weiwei has new shows opening in Los Angeles. His first solo institutional show in the area is at Marciano Art Foundation’s Theater Gallery through March 3, 2019. The main piece here is entitled “Life Cycle” and looks like an inflated raft crammed with human figures with animal heads of the Chinese zodiac meticulously crafted in bamboo using Chinese kite-making techniques by craftspeople. It reflects his concern with the global refugee crisis. 4357 Wilshire Blv. 424-204-7555  or try www.marcianoartfoundation.org. “Ai Weiwei: Zodiac” is at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery Through Jan. 5, 2019. It includes new and historic work such as “stools” which includes nearly 6,000 antique wooden stools collected from Northern China. 925 N. Orange Dr. in Hollywood, CA. 323-925-3000 or try www.deitch.com.

The Broad has had a Yayoi Kusama infinity room entitled “The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away” in their permanent collection for some time. Now they have added a second one entitled “Longing For Eternity” to their collection. Visitors can see it on view beginning March 17, 2018. For tickets, go to [email protected]

The Japanese American National Museum has the following shows  – “Kaiju vs heroes: Mark Nagata’s Journey through the World of Japanese Toys” feature artist Mark Nagata’s monster’s and superheroes doing battle in an exhibit sure to captivate little and big kids everywhere. On view  through March 24, 2019. Limited edition facsimiles of characters in this show fashioned in the sofubi (soft vinyl) method in Japan will be on sale in the gift shop. “Common Ground: The Heart of Community.” This overview exhibit of Japanese American history is ongoing.100 N. Central Ave. in Los Angeles. 213-625-0414 or go to http://www.janm.org.

The Huntington Library Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens is home to The Garden of Flowing Fragrance (Liu Fang Yuan), one of the largest Chinese-style gardens outside China in the Suzhou style. 1151 Oxford Rd. in San Marino, CA. 626-405-2100.

The USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena is one of the few U.S. institutions dedicated to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. It closed its 1924 building for more than a year for a seismic retrofit and a makeover of its galleries. The museum has now re-opened to the public. “Ceremonies And Celebrations: Textile Treasures from the USC Pacific Asia Museum Collection” is on view from through Jan. 6, 2019. 46 N. Los Robles Ave. 626-449-2742 or email [email protected].

The Los Angeles Art Show returns to the LA Convention Center Jan. 23 – 27, 2019. For its 24^th year, the event will have a special focus on ink painting from the Pacific Rim including work by the late  Japanese legend, Yu-ichi Inoue and contemporary works by South Korean abstract landscape artist Chuni Park. Other artists represented from China and Japan include Bian Hung, Li Huichang, Fan Peng, Li Zhihong, Yu Qiping, Shiro Tsujimura, Morihiro Hosokawa, Mizuho Koyama, Reiko Tsunashima, Shoen Tominaga and Miwako Nagaoka. For details, try www.LAArtShow.com.

“Chiura Obata: An American Modern” is the first retrospective of this noted Bay area artist whose work reflected the glories of the American landscape from the Grand Canyon to Yosemite. His influence could also be felt at UC Berkeley where he had a distinguished teaching career. He also helped found art schools in internment camps during WWII.  Curated by ShiPu Wang with a catalogue. The exhibition travels to the following sites. Jan. 18 – March 10, 2019 at Okayama Prefecture Museum of Art in Okayama, Japan (the artist’s hometown), June 23 – Sept. 29, 2019 at Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento.

“Gannenmono – A Legacy of Eight Generations in Hawai’i”  is a new exhibit that honors the 150^th Anniversary of the arrival of the first plantation workers in Hawai’i from Japan known as “Gannenmono.” It will use first-hand accounts, historic illustrations and authentic cultural objects to tell the story of the 150 Japanese workers who crossed the Pacific to Hawai’i and how their trials, perseverance and victories shaped the history of both Japan and Hawai’i. The Bishop Museum. 1525 Bernice St. in Honolulu, Hi. 808-847-3511 or [email protected].

“Okagesama De: I Am What I Am Because Of You” is a newly renovated permanent exhibit that tells the cultural story of the incredible legacies and values passed on from generation to generation starting with the first wave of Japanese immigrants to Hawai’i up to the present day. On view  at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i. 2454 South Beretania St. 808-945-7633 or try [email protected]

Denver Art Museum  has the following – Next in a series of exhibitions featuring contemporary artists that the museum feels should have fuller exposure in the region in the Logan Gallery and FuseBox in the Hamilton Building’s fourth floor features work by Native American visual artist Julie Buffalohead and Japan-based conceptual artist Shimabuku. Both artists use the depiction of animals as a vehicle to explore both familiar and unfamiliar narratives related to their personal heritage and the world around them. Buffalohead uses metaphors, iconography and storytelling narratives to describe the emotional and subversive American Indian cultural experience. Shimabuku showcases a video entitled “do snowmonkeys remember snow mountains?” in which a group of Japanese snow monkeys are transported from their natural habitat of snow-capped Japanese mountains to a Texas desert sanctuary. Shimabuku uses these Texas primates as a surrogate for humans to explore ideas of migration, environmental adaptation and memory. Featured at the 57^th  Venice Biennale in 2017. Both installations  on view through Jan. 20, 2019. 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway in Denver, CO. Call 720-865-5000 or go to www.denverartmuseum.org.

The Freer/Sackler Gallery on the Smithsonian Mall shows you how religion and art mix in “Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice Across Asia through Nov. 29, 2020. 202-633-1000 or go to FreerSackler.si.edu for details.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has the following – “Seeing the Divine: Pahari Paintings of North India” through July 21, 2019.  “The Poetry of Nature: Edo Paintings from the Fishbein-Bender Collection” through Jan. 21, 2019.   “Crowns of the Vajra Masters: Ritual Art of Nepal” through Dec.16, 2018. “Japanese Arms and Armor from the Collection of Etsuko and John Morris” through Jan. 6, 2019. “Streams and Mountains Without End: Landscape Traditions of China” through Jan. 6, 2019. Coming Nov. 19, 2018 – Oct. 27, 2019 is  a major sculpture exhibition from  the 18^th & 19^th century era in the Pacific Islands entitled “Atea: Nature And Divinity In Polynesia.”1000 Fifth Ave. New York, New York. Go to metmuseum.org for details.

The Met Breuer uncorks a retrospective that looks at the possibilities and history of large-scale abstraction. “Epic Abstraction: Pollock To Herrera”  Includes  Inoue Yuichi’s ink splattered works and paintings by Gutai member Kazuo Shiraga. Opens Nov. 28, 2018. Go to metmuseum.org for details.

The Japan Society presents a retrospective on the work of photographer “Yasumasa Morimura: Ego Obscura” opening Oct. 12, 2018. The show highlights the artist’s 30-year-long career of excavating “the self” layers of art history, Japanese postwar history, and personal history. A group show entitiled “Japanese Radicalism” curated by Reiko Tomii and based on her book from 2016 throws light on the global web of correspondences that influenced Japanese modern artists borrowing from conceptualism, mail art and happenings. March 8 – June 9, 2019. 333 E. 47^th St. 212-832-1155.

The Rubin Museum of Art has the following shows –  “The Second Buddha” through Jan. 7, 2019. “The Sacred Buddha – Master of Time” through Jan. 7, 2019. “A Lost Future” by Shezad Dawood – The Otolith” through Jan. 28, 2019. “Tibetan Buddhist Art” gets a full survey including offerings from the museum’s own collection and objects from the Musee Guimet in Paris, the Cleveland Museum of Art and other institutions. Feb. 1, 2019 – July 15, 2019. 150 W. 17^th St.  New York, New York. 212-620-5000×344 or go to rubinmuseum.org.

The Museum of Chinese in America has the following – “Radical Machines: Chinese in the Information Age” looks at the technologically crucial Chinese typewriter and the role it played in modernization and communication. Through March 24, 2019. “Interior Lives: Photographs of Chinese Americans in the 1980’s by Bud Glick” documents the street life of New York’s Chinatown during a time of major changes. Through March 24, 2019. 215 Centre St. New York, NY. 855-955-MOCA or go to mocanyc.org.

The Asia Society Museum in New York presents the following – “The Progressive Revolution: Modern Art for a New India” through Jan 20, 2019. It looks at the emergence of a modern art movement in India via The Progressive Artist’ Group which formed in Bombay (now Mumbai) in the aftermath of independence. The show is comprised of works by the group’s core founders as well as later names affiliated with the group. Organized by Dr. Zehra Jumabhoy and Boon Hui Tan. There will be a series of programs held in conjunction with this show. To find out more, go to AsiaSociety.org/NY. 725 Park Ave. New York City, New York. 212-327-9721 or go to www.asiasociety.org for more details.

The Noguchi Museum has the following show through Jan. 27, 2019. “Akari – Sculpture by Other Means” looks at how Noguchi’s paper lanterns can create and transform space in different warp through installation. 9 – 01 33^rd Rd, Long Island City, NY. 718-204-7088.

“Art of the Mountain: Through the Chinese Photographer’s Lens” is a group show looking at how Chinese photographers perceive landscape. Now through Feb. 17, 2019 at China Institute Gallery  at 100 Washington St. (visitor entrance is at 40 Rector St . on the 2^nd floor) in New York. 212-744-8181 or go to www.chinainstitute.org.

Masayuki Koorida – An extensive survey & the artist’s first major exhibition in the U.S. with large scale works in marble and granite as well as smaller, playful works in stainless steel & acrylic as well as drawings. Remains on view through March17, 2019.  Tallur L. N. is an Indian sculptor who combines Indian craft traditions and novel sculptural techniques to infuse ancient iconography with contemporary meanings. “Multiplicity”  is a show that has around thirty works in a variety of mediums, from carved stone and wood to cast bronze and concrete to found objects. May 5, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020. Grounds for Sculpture at 80 Sculptors Way  in Hamilton, New Jersey.609-586-0616 or [email protected] for sculpture.org.

“The Fabric of India” put together by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London comes to Cincinnati Art Museum through Jan. 6, 2019. A survey of that country’s unique textile  design from 17^th century Gujarati cotton to contemporary fashion. Go to cincinnatiartmuseum.org for details

Wrightwood 659 is a new exhibition space dedicated to architecture and socially engaged art. It sits in a former apartment building in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood and was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning , self-taught, Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Ando often works with reinforced concrete and is known for his mastery of light. 659 W. Wrightwood Ave. 773-437-6601.

Pakistani-born artist Huma Bhabha’s rugged style of figurative sculpture working with a variety of material from clay  and Styrofoam often evokes science-fictional imagery like the aliens currently on the roof of the Met. This large retrospective allows us to see the range of her interests in all phases of her career from masks to photographs and drawings. March 20 – May 27, 2019. Institute of Contemporary Art,  25 Harbor Shore Dr. in Boston, MA. 617-478-3100

Museum of Fine Arts Boston has the following –  “Hao Jingban: Beijing Ballroom” uncovers a Chinese tradition. Through Jan. 21, 2019. 9300 Avenue of the Arts. 465 Huntington Ave. Go to mfa.org or call 617-267-9300.

The Peabody Essex Museum presents “Empresses of China’s Forbidden City”, the first major international exhibition to explore the role of empresses in China’s Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Includes many works never seen before in the U.S. Through Feb. 10, 2019. 161 Essex St. in Salem, MA. 978-745-9500 or go to pem.org. This show moves on to the Freer/Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian Mall in Washington D.C. March 30 – June 23, 2019.

“Beyond The Pedestal: Isamu Noguchi and the Borders of Sculpture” is on view through Jan. 6. 2019. Portland Museum of Art at 7 Congress Square in Portland,Maine. 207-775-6148 or try [email protected]

The Minneapolis Institute of Art has the following.  “Love Affairs: The Tale of Genji in Japanese Art” through March 10. 2019. “Without Boundaries: Fiber Sculpture & Paintings by Women Artists” featuring work by Yayoi Kusama through July 21, 2019. “Emblems of a Prosperous Life: Women’s Robes of Late Imperial China (1700s-1800s) through June 30, 2018. Minneapolis  Institute of Art. 2400 Third Ave. S. Call toll free at 888-642-2787.

“Ruth Asawa: Life’s Work” features almost eighty sculptures, drawings and collages  of this Bay Area treasure with the highlight being a ten-foot wire piece she did for her friend and former teacher, Buckminster Fuller and her origami-like sculptures made of paper often used as models for public art commissions. Through Feb. 16, 2019.  Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington Blvd.,  St. Louis, Missouri. 314-754-1850.

Asia Society Texas Center in Houston presents the debut of Japanese artist Ayomi Yoshida’s large scale installation that looks at investigations of time, life cycles in nature and sensory memory. The piece includes video projections, vinyl applications on glass, hard carved and painted wall installations and a scrim complemented by intricate silkscreen-printed paper suspensions hung from the ceiling. The work is also inspired by Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi’s design. On view  through Jan. 13, 2019. Free and open to the public. 1270 Southmore Blvd. in Houston. 713-496-9901 or go to asiasociety.org.

“Lee Ufan: Relatun – Stage” on view through Jan. 27, 2019. Hito Steyerl looks at the relationship between networked technologies, image distribution and societal control. In this new commission for Serpentine Galleries, she works with technology to create a neural network that generates novel imagery and connections. Serpentine Galleries in London from March – May 2019. Kensington Gardens. 020-7402-6075.

Indonesian-born, Amsterdam-based filmmaker Fiona Tan mixes found and original footage in her work to blue categories. Here, she uses color advertising footage from Agfa to explore notions of authenticity and normalcy in West Germany. May 4 – August 11, 2019.  Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany. Heinrich-Boll-Platz, 50067 Koln, Germany. +49 221-221-26165 or [email protected].

“Resistance of Fog: Fujiko Nakaya” is at Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower in Mito through Jan. 20, 2019. Nakaya is considered the first artist to use fog as a medium in art during the 1970’s and continues to work in that medium. Her environmental sculptures are part-installation, part performance and explore the relationship between humans and nature. 1-6-8-Goken-cho, Mito, Ibaraki at Mito Station. Go to www.arttowermito.or.jp/gallery_en/gallery01.

Tokyo Opera city Art Gallery has the following shows. “Naoki Ishikawa: Capturing the Map of Light on This Planet” is a survey of this Japanese photographer’s work on view from Jan. 12 – March 24, 2018. 3-20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo,Japan. +81- (0) 3-5353-0756.

Fukuzawa Ichiro was one of many Japanese artists who traveled extensively abroad in the early twentieth century with a seven year stint in Paris where he was influenced by Max Ernst and other Surrealists. In his painting and writing, he was a vigorous supporter of avant garde movements on his return. Almost ninety works in this retrospective attest to his transcultural range full of social critique and humor. National  Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. March 12 – May 26, 2019. 1-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan. +81 3-5777-8600.

“New Wave: Japanese Contemporary Art of the 1980’s” on view  through Jan. 20, 2019. The National  Museum of Art, Osaka. 4-2-55 Nakanoshima,  Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. +81-3-3212-2485.

Kichizaemon Raku is the 15^th head of the respected Raku family of tea bowl craftsmen. He found a kindred spirit and inspiration in the  work of the eccentric abstract painter Wols. His work is featured alongside some of the work by Wols that inspired him. The result are artworks as tea bowls rather than artistic tea bowls. “Raku Kichizaemon x Wols” on view through March 31, 2019 at the Sagawa Art Museum. Go to www.sagawa-art-museum.or.jp for details.

“Mingei: Another Kind of Art” is a group show showing objects of the Japanese folk art movement accompanied by videos of production processes and interviews with their creators. Through Feb. 24, 2019. 21_21 Design Sight: Tokyo Midtown Garden. Go to www.2121designsight.jp for details.

“Make A Joyful Noise” is a permanent exhibit where you can view, hear, touch and play instruments from around the world. Hamamatsu  Museum of Musical Instruments. 3-9-1 Chuo, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. O53-451-1128.

Dogo Onsen 298 is in its fourth edition and is on view through Feb., 2019. It’s a public bath in Matsuyama that allows artists to make installations within its walls and is considered one of Japan’s “three ancient hot springs” dating as far back as the 8^th century Man’yoshu. With works by Chie Matsui, Aquirax Uno and Naho Ishii. 6 – 8 Dogo Yunomach, Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. 089-907-5930.

The merry pranksters of the Tokyo art collective known as Chim Pom are at it again at Anomaly, a contemporary art gallery jointly started by three modern art galleries that occupy the fourth floor of Terada Art Complex. Entitled “Grand Open”, the show consists of stacks of concrete whose meat is meter-high piles of random junk scavenged from a building demolition. Through Jan. 26, 2019. 1-33-10 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagaw-ku, Tokyo. 03-6433-2988.

“The Breathing of Maps” is a group show on view through March 3, 2019 co-curated by Mark Teh of Malaysia. This show bings together artists and scholars from Southeast Asia and Japan to examiner history, culture and politics through the unique prism of maps. With lectures, workshops and performances. Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media at 7-7 Nakazone-cho, Yamaguchi, Japan. +81-83-901-2222.

“Shiro e no dokei” (Longing For White) showcases the work of one of Japan’s major quilt artists, Mutsuko Yawatagaki at the Izumo Museum of Quilt Art. One is surprised to learn the popularity of quilting in Japan stems from Japanese seeing it done on the American TV series, “Little House on The Prairie” back in the 70’s. Housed in a 200-year-old traditional residence, each quilt is presented as part of an installation and complemented by imaginative flower arrangements. The artist works only from fabric salvaged from antique kimonos and obi. 330 Fukutomi, Hikawa-cho, Izumo, Shimane Prefecture. Through Feb. 26, 2019. 0853-72-7146.

“teamLab*Borderless” houses works by this hi-tech art group in the Mori Building Digital Art Museum. With computer-graphic projections of animals, plants and objects from nature to  light sculptures and a forest of lamps. On view indefinitely. Aomi Station, Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan. 03-6406-3949.

Nicole Awai is one of the artists chosen for “New Monuments for New Cities”, a group show that reimagines the idea of public monuments. The exhibition will travel to five cities.

Chinese police have confirmed that prominent Chinese photographer Lu Guang (missing for more than a month) has been arrested according to his wife. His work focuses on the harshest realities of life in today’s China. He won first prize in the World Press photo contest for a series on poor Chinese villagers who became infected with HIV after selling their own blood. Xu, who lives in New York was arrested while traveling in Xinjiang in early November. A written notice of the charges against him have not yet been made public.

Performing Arts

The annual Japanese new years tradition of Mochi Tsuki or mochi pounding takes place at several places around the Puget Sound area. On Jan. 5, 2019 from 11am – 3pm, you can join the Mochi Tsuki Celebration on Bainbridge Island at Woodward Middle School at 9125 Sportsman Club Road NE. There will be a performance by Seattle Kokon Taiko along with origami folding and a new BUAC history game with prizes. A display of “Kodomo-No Tameni – For the Sake of the Children” that documents 100 years of Japanese American history on Bainbridge Island. Go to bijaema.org for details.  On Sun., Jan. 27, 2019, the Fukuoka Kinjinkai has a Mochitsuki celebration at Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington located at 1414 South Weller St. from 11 – 3pm. The event promotes Japanese culture and offers information on on Mochitsuki history and traditions. 5$ donation. [email protected]

Indigo Mist is  a band composed of some of the UW Music faculty’s finest musicians including Cuong Vu on trumpet. They present a concert with special guest, guitarist Bill Frisell in a program of all new compositions. Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019 at the UW Studio Theatre at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20. Below the stairs at the NE corner of Meany Hall. 4100 15^th Ave. NE  or try https://artsuw.org/venue/meany-studio-theatre.

“3X3” presents local choreographer Zoe Scofield, Yin Yue, founder of New York’s YY Dance company and Whim Whim director Olivier Wevers as they conjure up some dance magic for dancers to move to. Jan.18 – 26, 2019. Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center. $30 – $55. 201 Mercer St.  206-726-5163.

Seattle International Dance Festival’s “Winter Mini-Fest” brings to Seattle  Shura Baryshnikov from Russia, Danny Tan from Singapore and Gabriel Forestieri from New York City as they join Seattle’s Khambatta Dance Company for two weekends of inspired international dance performances. Starts Jan. 19, 2019. Erickson Theatre Off Broadway. $23 – $30. 1524 Harvard Ave. across from SCCC. 206-329-1050.

Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra present a concert entitled “From Spain to India – Contemporary Instrumental Masters” in which Radhika Iyer, Fareed Haque, Jason Everett and Trey Gunn play the music of Manuel de Falla, Ravi Shankar, Jason Everett and Anoushka Shankar. Feb. 2 at 8pm at the Chapel Performance Space in Seattle located at 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. Try [email protected] for details. They perform again on Feb. 3, 2019 at 4pm Vashon Center for the Arts on 19600 Vashon Highway SW on Vashon Island. 206-463-5131. Tickets at smcomusic.org.

The Triple Door presents “Masters of Hawaiian Music: George Kahumoku Jr., Nathan Aweau & Kawika Kahiapo in a two evening concert of slack-key, side guitar, ukulele and songs from the traditional and contemporary Polynesian tradition. Feb. 22 & 23 at the Triple door at 8pm.216 Union St. 206-838-4333 or try thetripledoor.net.

UW music professor/violinist Melia Watras celebrates her new recording entitled “Schumann Resonances” with fellow musical heavyweights Richard Karpen, Cuong Vu and husband and colleague, Michael Jinsoo Lim. Wed., Feb. 6, 2019 at 7:30pm. Brechemin Auditorium in the UW Music Building on the Seattle campus. Free.

The Meany Center For The Performing Arts – Looking forward to the 2018/2019 season, look out for the following. Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq returns to Seattle on Feb. 8, 2019. Her vocal improvisations bridge traditional roots with contemporary culture, stirring in punk, metal and electronics. Time for Three is a ground  breaking string trio that transcends tradition as well by mixing elements of pop and rock into their classical foundation. They perform on April 18, 2019. Yekwon Sunwoo won the Gold Medal at the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He makes his Seattle debut in a program of Schumann, Liszt, Beethoven and Schubert. One performance  only on Sat.,  May 4, 2019  at 7:30pm.  All tickets now available as part of a Meany Center subscription package and remaining single tickets go on sale on August 1, 2018. You can order online at meanycenter.org or call 206-543-4880 or visit the ticket office at 41st Street between University Way  NE & Brooklyn Ave. NE. tickets available via FAX too at 206-685-4141.

Local singer/songwriter Brenda Xu joins singer/songwriter Joan Osborne in a concert entitled “Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan” at the Triple Door from Feb. 17 – 19 at 7:30pm. Tickets from $35 – $45. 216 Union St.  Try thetripledoor.net for details.

Seattle Opera helped to commission a new contemporary opera entitled “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs”, Apple founder. Adam Lau plays the role of Kobun Chino Otogawa. Plays McCaw Hall from Feb. 23 – March 9. Tickets vary from $25 – $335. 321 Mercer St. in Seattle Center. 206-389-7676 or try [email protected].

Indonesian teenage wunderkind jazz pianist Joey Alexander plays Jazz Alley with his trio from Feb. 28 – March 3, 2019. $41.00. 2033 6^th Ave. 206-441-9729 or try  jazzalley.com for details.

UW Music instructor and trumpet player Cuong Vu leads the Studio Jazz Ensemble and UW Modern Band in innovative big band arrangements and original compositions on Mon., March 11, 2019 at the Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater at 7:30pm. $10. 4001 University Way NE.

The UW Wind Ensemble with  Seattle Symphony guest clarinetist Ben Lulich present a program of new music which includes a composition by Tian Zhou and others. Tuesday, March 12 at 7:30pm at the Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater. $10 tickets. 4001 University Way NE.

Conductor Ludovic Morlot ends his 2018/2019 tenure with the Seattle Symphony with a varied and stimulating series of concerts. Some highlights include the following – The annual “Celebrate Asia” concert is back on Jan. 27, 2019 at 4pm in Taper Auditorium. The theme this year is Korea. The orchestra will be led by highly touted conductor Shiyeon Sung known for finding the right balance between dynamic passion and even handed music making. Pianist Seong-Jin Chao won the Gold Medal at the Chopin International Competition and has never looked back. He will be a featured soloist. Soprano Kathleen Kim is a regular guest at New York City’s Metropolitan Opera and will grace the stage with her beautiful voice. The program consists of work by John Adams, Rachmaninov, Narong Prangcharoen, Unsuk Kim and traditional Korean folk songs. Taper Auditorium. The Silk Road Ensemble (featured in a documentary film) returns with the world premiere of Kinan Azmeh’s clarinet concerto, composer/pianist Vijay Iyer’s “City of Sand”, Edward Perez’s “Latina 6/8 Suite” and a world premiere by noted composer Chen Yi. Wed., Feb. 6 at 7:30pm in the Taper Auditorium. Pianist Jessica Choe performs with Seattle Symphony with a live score performed with the screening of the film “Amadeus” on Feb. 22 at 8pm and Feb. 23 at 8pm. Avi Avital is a mandolin virtuoso who leads a group with Jessica Choe on piano through a fresh interpretation of Vivaldi and Telemann on Friday, May 3 at noon & 8pm and Sat., May 4 at 8pm.  A Family Concert Series program entitled “Carnival Of The Animals” takes place on Sat. May 4 at 11am , 2018 with Pablo Rus Broseta conducting and Hannah Song on violin, Kristy Park on cello, Jessica Choe on piano and Elizabeth Morgan on piano. A Brahms Concerto Festival 1 takes place on Thursday, May 9 at 7:30pm featuring Zee Zee on piano. All concerts at Benaroya  Hall in downtown Seattle. Go to seattlesymphony.org for details.

Seattle Pro Musica specializes in the performance and promotion of modern and ancient choral music under the direction of artistic director Karen Thomas.  They present a concert entitled “Pacific Voices – Choral Music by Asian and Asian American Composers” on Sat., March 9, 2019 at 7:30pm at Seattle First Baptist Church at 1111 Harvard Ave. in Seattle and again on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 7:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Church at 6215 196^th St. WW in Lynnwood, WA.  Composers performed are Hyo-Won Woo, Sungji Hong, Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Budi Susanto Yohanes, Victor Paranjoti and A. R. Rahman of “Slumdog Millionaire” fame. Advance tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets or you could get them online at seattlepromusica.org.

Marginal Consort is a Japanese collective improvisation group founded by members of East Bionic Symphonia, an outfit assembled from students of Fluxus artist Takehisa Kosugi’s (who worked with choreographer Merce Cunningham) class at the radical Bigaku School of Aesthetics in Tokyo in the 1970s. Meeting once a year since 1996 to collaborate, they discuss nothing beforehand, preferring to gather as a collective of horizontally organized independent solos rather than a cohesive goal-oriented ensemble. On Jan. 25 – 26, 2019 they gather in Seattle as part of The Sound Histories Festival (Jan. 24 – 27). They have a performance set for Fri., Jan. 25 and then a workshop set for Sat., Jan. 26, 2018. Times will be announced in the Fall of 2018. Organized in collaboration with PUSH Festival in Vancouver and Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA). Seattle appearances will be at On The Boards (OTB). 100 Roy St. For information on the entire OTB season, go to ontheboards.org/1819-season. For tickets, call the Box Office at 206-217-9886×1019. Hours are Tues. – Fri. from 12 – 4pm.

“The Three Yells: A Crack in the Noise” choreographed by Veronica Lee-Baik deals with the humanitarian crisis of refugees. Performed on Feb. 1 & 2 at 7:30pm. $25. Cornish Playhouse at Seattle  Center. 206-726-5163  or try http://cornish.edu/playhouse.

“Beyond Ideas” is the title of ArtsWest’s 2018-2019 season. Some highlights include David Henry Hwang’s “M. Butterfly” set for January 24 – Feb. 17, 2019, Julia Cho’s “Office Hour” May 2 – May 26, 2019 and Justin Huertas’s musical, “The Last World Octopus Wrestling Champion” June 20 – July 28, 2019. Learn more details about the entire new season at artswest.org. ArtsWest is located in West Seattle at 4711 California Ave. SW.

“In The Heart of America” is Naomi Wallace’s Obie-winning play about love and war. Characters include a Palestinian woman, her marine brother and American lover and the ghost of a Vietnamese mother whose infant daughter was killed at My Lai. Directed by Amanda Friou and stars Asialani Holman as the Vietnamese mother.  Plays March 6 – 17 at the Jones Playhouse on 4045 University Way NE. $10 & $20.  206-543-4880 or try artsuw.org. Tickets can also be purchased in person at ARTSUW Ticket Office located at 1313 NE 41^st  St.

Zakir Hussain makes his annual visit to Seattle with his always  compelling “Masters of Percussion” ensemble featuring some world-class musicians. Set  for April 2, 2019 at the Moore Theatre. Presented by STG Presents. 206-812-1114.

The “Monterey Jazz Festival On  Tour”  with vocalist Ceceile McLorin Salvant headlining makes a stop in Seattle on April 7, 2019 at the Moore with a top roster of diverse, international talent including Yasushi Nakamura on bass. 206-467-5510.

Canadian playwright Ins Choi’s award-winning family comedy “Kim’s Convenience” (CBS television adaption was recently added to Netflix) comes to Taproot Theatre’s 2019 season titled “Family Ties”. On Stage May 15 – June 22, 2019 as co-directed by Scott Nolte and David Hsieh. A Korean Canadian family learns to live with their own faults, get along and forge ahead in this heartwarming comedy about the foibles and blessings of family. Go to taproottheatre.org for tickets. 204 N. 85^th St, in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood. 206-781-9705.

Indian composer Reena Esmail presents compositions merging Western techniques with traditional Hindustani instrumentation and musical themes. She brings a newly commissioned piano trio composition with Joshua Roman, David Fung and Kristin Lee. May 21, 2019 at 7:30pm.1119 Eighth Ave. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Closing Café Nordo’s 10^th Season of supper-club musicals is “7^th & Jackson” written by the multi-talented Sara Porkalob and set for July, 2019. Three Seattle friends haunt the speakeasys listening to jazz before WW II and share a dream to open a night club of their own. When the bombing of Pearl Harbor and rising WWII tensions tear apart homes, the friends separate but never lose sight of their dreams. Café Nordo is at 109 South Main. Go to www.cafenordo.com to find out more about their new season and how you can get tickets.

Edmonds Center for the Arts has the following set for 2019. Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company performs live with the Ahn Trio on stage, “Red Firecrackers: The Legend of the First Chinese New Year” on Feb. 23 at 11am and again on Feb. 23 at 7:30pm. Sitar virtuoso  Anoushka Shankar performs on April 24, 2019 at 7:30pm. 410 Fourth Ave. N. 425-275-9595.

Broadway Center for the Performing Arts in Tacoma presents the following events at various venues. Their info # is 253-591-5894. Ukelele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro plays Pantages Theatre at 901 Broadway on Sat., Feb. 2, 2019 at 7:30pm. Symphony Tacoma presents “Beyond The Silk Road” on Sat., Feb. 23, 2019 at 7:30pm at Pantages Theatre. Broadway Center presents sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar on Sun., April 28, 2019 at 7:30pm. Also at the Pantages Theatre.

In Portland, catch these acts from Asia in 2018/2019. The Silkroad Ensemble plays the Newmark on Feb. 4, 2019 at 7:30pm. KODO, the exciting taiko group from Japan plays Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on Feb. 5, 2019 at 7:30pm. 909 SW Washington. 503-228-1353 or try [email protected]. The Beijing Modern Dance Theater founded in 2008 by Wang Yuanyuan bring Chinese modern dance to the stage on Feb. 20, 2019 at 7:30pm at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall at 909 SW Washington.

Pork-Filled Players has two projects coming up. “Unleashed – New Pulp Stories For the 21^st Century” features new genre plays from playwrights of color in an ongoing series of staged readings throughout the year.

Macha Theatre Works announces their 2018-2019 season of fearless female theatre. The final production is the World Premiere of “Sheathed”, written by local playwright Maggie Lee and directed by Macha Artistic Director Amy Poisson. A tale of an unlikely friendship texted by the bonds  of honor and the terrible price of forgiveness. Movement Choreographer Alyza Delpan-Monley and Fight Choreographer May Nguyen Lee complete the production team. “Sheathed” runs from March 8 – 23, 2019 at  Theatre Off Jackson at 409 – 7^th Ave. S.  For tickets and information, go to www.machatheatreworks.com/tickets or call 608-909-1252 or email [email protected].

Get ready for the world premiere of local playwright Susan Lieu’s performance piece “140 LBS”. A daughter investigates a mother’s death on the operating table while undergoing plastic surgery and uncovers painful truths. Set for Feb. 7-9, 11, 14-16 at 7:30pm and Feb. 10 & 17 at 2pm at Theatre Off Jackson in Seattle’s CID. Go to https://theatreoffjackson.org/event/4778/140-lbs/ or details.

Abbey Arts presents Seattle singer/songwriter Tomo Nakayama who headlines a bill with Lenore on Feb. 15, 2019. Fremont Abbey at 4272 Fremont Ave. N. Go to www.fremontabbey.org/artsconnect.

Degenerate Art Ensemble’s latest performance of dance, theater, live music and cinematic video entitled “Skeleton Flower” premieres its first full production at Seattle’s Erickson Theater (across from Seattle Central Community College) from Feb. 13 – 16, 2019. Also released at the same time will be the audio cd and a virtual reality film made with VR filmmaker Mischa Jakupcak and Zoo Break Productions. Shows at 7pm with a 9:30pm show added on Friday and Saturday. The story is autobiographic and draws on the dancer’s experience as a survivor of personal and ancestral trauma and how art becomes the healer. 1524 Harvard Ave. For more details, go to http://www.degenerateartensemble.com.

“Devi” is a new adaptation by Northwest South Asian theatre company Pratidhwani conceived with over 40 actors and dancers in partnership with ACT Theatre’s ACTLab set for April to May, 2019 in The Allen Theatre at ACT. Go to www.acttheatre.org or call 206-292-7676 for details.

Some of the upcoming concerts Earshot Jaz is planning for 2019 include the Japanese pianist/composer/multi-instrumentalist Satoko Fujii & her Trio and New York-based guitarist/composer Miles Okazaki and his group “Trickster”. Okazaki grew up in Port Townsend. For more information on future concerts, go to earshot.org for details.

Vancouver’s City Opera has commissioned award-winning novelist Madeleine Thien (“Do Not Say We Have Nothing”) who hails from Vancouver and grew up in Chinatown to write to the libretto for a new opera entitled “Chinatown” set for its debut in late 2021.

Chinese police have confirmed that prominent Chinese photographer Lu Guang (missing for more than a month) has been arrested according to his wife. His work focuses on the harshest realities of life in China. He won first prize in the World Press photo contest for a series on poor Chinese villagers who became infected with HIV after selling their own bkood. Xu, who lives in New York was arrested while traveling in Xinjiang. A written notice of his charges have not yet been made public.

Prumsodun Ok is a Cambodian American who studied Khmer court dance in the US and ultimately in Phnom Penh. He is now artistic director of Natyarasa, Cambodia’s first LGBTQ dance company. They perform traditional dances in gender-fluid form as well as new original works around the country.

After receiving a MacArthur Fellowship in October of 2018, Vjay Gupta has chosen to leave his position as first violin in the Los Angeles Philharmonic to focus his efforts on social justice and his non-profit group Street Symphony who plays on the streets, in hospitals and shelters around the city.

Sono Osato, one of the last surviving members of Colonel de Basil’s Original Ballet Russe Dance Troupe that thrilled audiences around the worl for decades has died. The daughter of a Japanese father and an Irish-French Canadian mother, Osato faced many challenges of racism and prejudice in her professional life as a dancer/performer/actress. After Ballet Russe, she later joined the American Ballet Theatre in 1940. She played the role of “Premiere Dancer” oin Kurt Weil’s “One Touch of Venus” choreographed by Agnes de Mille. Her biggest highlight was the role of Ivy “Miss Turnstyles” Smith in Leonard Bernstein’s Broadway musical “On the Town.” In films, she starred with Frank Sinatra in “The Kissing Bandit”. She married Moroccan-born architect and property developer Victor Elmaleh and they had two sons. Osato’s memoir entitled “Distant Dances” was published in 1980.

Film & Media

The Southeast Asia by Seattle Film Festival takes place on Jan. 10, 2019 at 5pm at Thomson Hall # 101 on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington. Free. Go to [email protected] for details.

The Seattle Asian American Film Festival presents a free screening of “Allegiance”, a film of the musical about a Japanese American family forced to leave their homes for internment camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Sat., Jan. 12, 2019 at 4pm at the NVC Memorial Hall at 1212 South King St. in Seattle.

“Houses for Peace: Exploring the Legacy of Floyd Schmoe” is an NHK documentary film that centers on how Floyd Schmoe, a Quaker and lifelong pacifist, organized a diverse interracial/interfaith team of American and Japanese volunteers on a mission of peace to build houses for families who survived the WWII atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With a discussion and Q & A to follow after the screening. Free. Sun. Jan. 13, 2019 at Kane Hall at 2pm on the Seattle campus of the University of Washington. Go [email protected]

“Cocktails & Karoke” is the title of a fundraiser benefiting the Seattle Asian American Film Festival set for Jan. 17, 2019 from 7 – 11pm at the Kona Kitchen. There will be previews of the film line-up, raffles and of course, singing. Free. Come early for dinner. The Kona Kitchen is at 8501 – 5^th Ave. NE. 206-517-5662 or try [email protected]. The Seattle Asian American Film Festival takes place Feb. 21 – 24, 2019 on Seattle’s Capitol Hill at Broadway Performance Hall and Northwest Film Forum. Opening night party with Ruby Ibarra and Jyun Jyun at Washington Hall. For complete details, go to seattleaaff.org.

“Shoplifters”, Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film about a family of misfits living on the margins of contemporary Tokyo opens Dec. 14, 2018 at SIFF Uptown. It won the Palme d’OR at Cannes and is nominated for a Golden Globes Award. 206-324-9996.

Upcoming films at Northwest Film Forum include the following – A series of films celebrating the golden age of the Shaw Brothers films-Other Shaw Brothers classics include “Come Drink With Me” on Jan. 9, 2019, “Golden Swallow” on Jan. 16, 2019 and “One-Armed Swordsman” on Jan. 23, 2019. Go to nwfilmforum.org for advance tickets. “On Her Shoulders” by Alexandria Bombach is a documentary film about Nadia Murad who survived Yazidi genocide and sexual enslavement by ISIL in Iraq. It is co-presented with Seattle Documentary Association and screens Jan. 4 – 10, 2019 with discussion events planned. Wang Bin’s 8 hour documentary epic “Dead Souls” deals with the Communist Party’s Anti-Rightist Campaign of 1957 where the party imprisoned thousands of people they deemed “undesirable” in the Jiabiangou and Mingshue Reeducation Camps in the Gobi Desert. Many starved to death. The director meets the survivors of these camps to find out who these persons were, the hardships they were forced to endure, and what became their destiny. Co-presented with the Yellow Fish Durational Performance Art Festival. A special $16 General Admission/$13 NWFF Member ticket will be valid for both days with in and out privileges and free popcorn refills for all. Screens on Sat., Jan. 12 & Sun., Jan. 13 starting at noon. “All that Passes by Through a Window that Doesn’t Open” is a documentary film by Martin Diciccio of men (young & old) working to build a new railroad between Azerbaijan and Armenia that’s yet to be completed. This film captures time suspended and the thoughts of daily routine and a meditation on labor’s role in life. Screens Jan. 18 at 7pm and Jan. 19 & 20 at 8pm.  Northwest Film Forum is located at 1515 12^th Ave. on Capitol Hill. 206-329-2629.

A rare early Indian film by Himansu Rai and Franz Ostan entitled “A Throw Of Dice” in which two kings gamble for a woman was shot in 1920s Rajasthan. It screens on Sun., Jan. 13 at 2pm with a new music score. Seattle Art Museum  auditorium downtown. $10 or  SAM members, $5.

M. Night Shyamalan, the master of the surreal science fiction story returns with a new film entitled “Glass” that looks at conditions at a repressive mental hospital and the efforts of inmates to escape. Stars Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Sarah Paulson and James McAvoy. It is a sequel to “Unbreakable” and “Split”, two previous films by the director. Opens Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 with a wide release at various local theatres.

Central Cinema brings back an anime classic from Japan. “Akira” looks at a futuristic Tokyo where a Godzilla-like creature and gangs roam the streets in this cyberpunk animated feature. Jan. 25 – 29. 1411 21^st Ave. 206-328-3230.

Grand Illusion Cinema has the following – Opening Jan. 24, 2019 is Kore-eda’s 2018 Cannes prize-winner “Shoplifters”. On Jan. 30 and Feb. 1 & 3, 2019, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung’s “Blade of Fury”, a Golden Harvest film from 1993 that is a martial arts thriller that looks at Blade” Wang Wu. Another Sammo Kam-Bo Hung feature “Pedicab Driver” from 1989 has a poor pedicab driver who must avenge the death of friends by a gangster and fight for the girl he loves. Screens Feb. 6, 8, 10 & 14. Mamoru Hosoda’s latest animated film “Mirai” screens Feb. 8 – 14. 1403 NE 50^th St. 206-523-3935.

The 14^th annual “Children’s Film Festival Seattle” returns Jan. 24, 2019 – Feb. 9, 2019 to the Northwest Film Forum. More than 150 films from 40+ countries will be screened. Highlights include Priya Ramasubban’s “Chuskit” (India) in which a feisty paraplegic girl rebels against family and village traditions in a Himalayan village to fulfill her dreams of going to school and a program of all Japanese-language shorts presented in association with Tokyo’s KINEKO Children’s Film Festival. Full festival schedule and ticket links will be posted after Dec. 5, 2018. Go to www.childrensfilmfestival.org for details.

GKIDS and Fanthom Events announce the U.S. debut of the animated anthology “Modest Heroes: Ponoc Short Films” which include “Kanini & Kanino”, “Life Ain’t Gonna Lose” and “Invisible”.   The first film is directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi (“When Marnie Was There”, “The Witch’s Flower”). The second film is directed by  oshiyuki omose, key animator for Isao Takahata’s films at Studio Ghibli. “Invisible” is the directorial debut of AkihikoYamashita, another Studio Ghibli animator. The film screens on Jan. 10, 2019 at 7pm (English dubbed version) and again on Jan 12, 2019 12:55pm (Japanese version). For local venues, go to www.FanthomEvents.com or www.ModestHeroesFilm.com.

ELEVEN Arts and Fanthom Events present the return of director Naoko Yamada’s animated coming-of-age drama centered on a deaf girl in “A Silent voice” set for Jan. 28 (in original Japanese with subtitles) and Jan. 31, 2019 (dubbed in English) at 7pm at various local theatres. Based on Yoshitoki Oima’s manga of the same name, it tells the story of a deaf girl bullied by a popular boy in class. The boy in later years tries to find her and make amends. For tickets, go to www.FanthomEvents.com.

A new cyberpunk film from Director Robert Rodriguez, produced and co-written by James Cameron  entitled “Alita: Battle Angel”  based on the manga “Gunnm” by Yukito Kishino tells the story of a female cyborg discovered in a scrap yard by a scientist who has no memory of her past life but possesses incredible martial arts skills. It gets a wide release in local theatres on Feb. 14, 2019.

SIFF Uptown hosts a Saturday Morning Cartoon program with coffee & donuts and a post film discussion, All ages welcome. Some films to look forward to in this series include the following – Award-winning anime director Mamoru Hosoda is back with his latest feature “Mirai” in which an older sister and younger brother must journey through time and the future to reunite. Feb. 23, 2019. With voices by John Cho and Daniel Dae Kim.  “Window Horses: The poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming” is a story that tells what happens when a young Canadian poet of Iranian/Chinese ancestry leaves her sheltered Vancouver BC home to perform at a poetry festival in Iran. It’s her first trip abroad and what will she discover. Screens  March 30, 2019. Voices provided by Sandra Oh, Ellen Page and and Shohreh Aghdashloo. 511 Queen Anne N. 206-324-9996.

Director Park Chan-Wook’s first TV project is his adaptation of John Le Carre’s spy thriller “The little Drummer Girl” for BBC 1. It stars Florence Pugh, Alexander Skarsgard and Michael Shannon and has been garnering good reviews.

In the 1970’s, photo journalist/photographer W. Eugene Smith with his wife Aileen documented a case of mercury-poisoning that affected thousands of people in Southern Japan. The area was devasted by pollution caused by mercury-tainted water dumped into the sea by chemical maker Chisso Corporation. Their book on the subject alerted the world to this crisis. Now there will be a movie made on this subject by Andrew Levitas. American actor Johnny Depp has signed to play the role of Smith. Production will start in Japan and later in Serbia come January.

Makoto Shinkai who directed the animated 2017 smash hit “Your Name” (“Kimi no Na wa”) has announced his new film. “Weathering With You (“ Tenki no Ko”) will hit screens in Japan in July of 2019 with world-wide distribution to follow. The film features a girl who has the power to stop rain and clear the sky. Masayoshi Tanaka who worked on “Your Name” will once again serve as character designer. Actors Kotaro Daigo and Nana Mori will supply the voices for the main characters.

Chinese government censors have issued new regulations for content that “exaggerates the dark side of society” deeming homosexuality, extramarital affairs, one night stands and underage relationships as all illegal to portray on the screen.

Prize-winning Japanese filmmaker Naomi Kawase (“Suzaku”, “Sweet Bean”, “Still the Water”) has been selected to make a documentary film about the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Oscar-winning Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki’s animated feature “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Win” will be adapted into a kabuki production next year, a first for one of his films. Kabuki acotor Kikunosuke Onoe V came up with the idea and will star as Nausicaa with Shichinosuke Nakamura II as Princess Kiushana. It is set for December 2019.

“Warrior” is a new Cinemax series set in 1878 San Francisco with a largely Asian cast.

Pixar Studios Director Domee Shi who did the short film “Bao” is now working on a feature length film for the same studio.

The Written & Spoken Arts

Sharon H. Chang speaks about her book “Hapa Tales and Other Lies” on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019 at 7pm. The book looks at colonization in Hawai’i and Native sovereignty stereotypes of Hawaii and & Hawaiians, Asian American & mixed race identity and activism. Free. Third Place Books in Seward Park. 5041 Wison Ave. S. 206-474-2200 or try http://www.thirdplacebooks.com/sewardpark.

Elise Hooper talks to Danya Kukafka about her new book entitled “Learning to See: A Novel of Dorothea Lange, The Woman Who Revealed the Real America” (William Morrow). In her long career as a documentary photographer, Lange covered the incarceration and removal of Japanese Americans to internment camps during WW II. Free. On Friday, Jan. 25. 2019 at  7pm. Third Place Books in Ravenna. 6504 – 20^th Ave. NE. 206-525-2347.

Hong Kong remembered esteemed poet/activist Meng Lang who died at 57 of lung cancer. He co-founded the Independent Chinese PEN Centre and campaigned for the release of the late jailed Nobel Laureate poet Liu Xiaobo. An evening of poetry readings and music was held in his memory in Hong Kong

Noted modern classical conductor Kent Nagano whose book “Erwarten Sie Wunder” was published in German will have an English version out on McGill-Queen’s University Press next year. The English title is “In Classical Music: Expect the Unexpected” and it recalls the conductor’s own deeply personal engagement with the masterpieces and great composers of classical music he had encountered in his illustrious career.

Open Books has the following events –

A group reading with poets Geneve Chao, Wendy Chin-Tanner, Sarah Mangold & Jane Wong is set for March 17, 2019 at 4:30pm. Open Books is a poetry only bookstore located in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood at 2414 N. 45^th St. 206-633-0811.

Elliott Bay Book Company continues to sponsor readings in their Capitol Hill bookstore as well as co-producing events all over the city. Below you will find a partial listing of some of their events. Events are at the bookstore located at 1521 Tenth Ave. unless otherwise noted. Tasveer Reads South Asian Lit Festival presents a comprehensive look at South Asian authors in events planned all over the city. Starting off Amitava Kumar reads from “Immigrant, Montana” (Knopf) with a discussion moderated by Alka Kumar at Hugo House located at 1634 – 11^th Ave. Free. Jan. 11 at 7pm Go to www.tasveer.org for details. On Jan. 12, at noon at Elliott Bay Book Company, Amitava Kumar, Fatima Farheen Mirza and Sharmila Sen do a panel discussion on “Race, Gender & U.S. Publishing”. Moderated by Radhika Govindrajan. Sonora Jha, Fatima Farheen Mirza, Sharmila Sen and Pramila Venkateswaran participate in readings and a talk on Sat. Jan. 12 at 3pm at Elliott Bay. Moderated by Nalini Iyer. Free.  Go to www.tasveer.org for details. Sasha Duttchodhury, Minal Hajratwala and S. J. Sindu discuss “Aspects & Angles of Queer South Asian American Identity” on Sat., Jan. 12 at 5pm at Hugo House 1634 11^th Ave. Tasveer presents “StoryWallahs” in which both youth and adults get to tell their stories around the notion of name and identity. Free. Jan. 12 2019. Youth storywallahs start at 7pm and adult storywallahs go on at 8pm. Also at Hugo House at 1634 – 11^th Ave. Huda Al-Marashi reads the  memoir “First Comes Marriage: My Not-So-Typical American Love Story” (Prometheus) in which the author seeks a balance between traditional Muslim values and romantic fantasies from American media  on Thurs., Jan. 17 at 7pm at Elliott Bay. Tasveer presents a Hugo House Creative Writing Workshop with noted Northwest author Indu Sundaresen on Thurs., Jan. 17 at 7pm. Moderated by Darshawa Shanbhang. Free. 1634 -11^th Ave. Tasveer South Asian Literary Festival presents Young Poets Group Reading set for Friday, Jan. 18 at 7pm at Hugo House. With Ananya Garg, Malvika Nair and Aziura Tyyabji. Moderated by Shankar Narayan. Free. For more information, go to www.tasveer.org. On Sat. Jan. 19 at 10am in the Seattle Art Museum auditorium, Saturday University’s “Roots of Culture:Winter Plants of Asia” lecture series kicks off with pianist/educator/botanist Jovino Santos Neto who talks about and plays piano around the theme, “ The Harmonic Forest: Musical structures Heard as Trees.” Tasveer Reads South Asian Lit Festival presents Sohrab Homi Fracis who discusses his novel “Go Home” (Knut House) which was adapted into a screenplay with Allan Marcil. Moderated by Shahina Piyarali. Free. Jan. 19 at 1pm. At Seattle Art Museum at 1300 First Ave. downtown. More info. at www.tasveer.org. Tasveer’s lit fest. continues with Ak. Asif, Shobha Rao and Chaitali Sen, three fiction writers in a talk moderated by S. Charusheela. Free. Jan. 19 at 3pm. Seattle Art Museum at 1300 First Ave. Elise Hooper is the author of a new historic novel on photographer Dorothea Lange who documented the evacuation and incarceration of Japanese Americans at Tanforan and Manzanar during WWII entitled “Learning to See: A Novel of Dorothea Lange, the Woman Who Revealed the Real America” (William Morrow) on Tues., Jan. 22 at 7pm at Elliott Bay. Noted writer/poet Ha Jin returns to Seattle on behalf of two new books. “The Banished Immortal” is a narrative biography of the great Tang dynasty poet Li Bai (Li Po) and “A Distant Center” (Copper Canyon), a new book of poems. On Thurs., Jan. 24, 2019 at 7pm at Elliott Bay. On Jan. 24 at 7pm  you will find Ramon Isao, Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum, Becky Mandelbaum, Corinne Manning and E. Lily Yu who participate in “Short Story Form and Function: Five Seattle Short Fiction Writers in Conversation”. Moderated by Kirsten Sundberg Lundstrum. At Hugo House. Free. 1634 11^th Ave. Go to www.hugohouse.org for details. At Seattle Art Museum on Sat., Jan. 26, 2019 at 10am catch Anand Yang, UW History Professor talking about “The First Satyagraha: Gandhi’s Campaign Against Indigo Plantations in Early 20^th Century India.” It’s part of the Saturday University “Roots of Culture: Essental Plants of Asia” Winter Lecture Series. 1300 First Ave. Go to www.seattleartmuseum.org or call 206-654-3210. Madhuri Vijay reads from his fiction debut entitled “The Far Field” (Grove) on Sun., Jan. 27 at 3pm. A young woman travels through India to uncover a lingering family secret. At Elliott Bay presented with Tasveer. Rabeah Ghaffari’s “To Keep The Sun Alive” (Catapault) is a novel by this film editor/screen writer about the Islamic revolution’s effect on one family. On Mon., Jan. 28 at 7pm at Elliott Bay. Noted Asian American activist/author Helen Zia comes to town on behalf of her new book “Last Boat Out of Shanghai – The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution” (Ballantine). Tues., Jan. 29 at 7pm at Elliott Bay.

Hugo House, that venerated Northwest center for writers and poets re-opens in brand-new digs with expanded space but in the same location. Catch their readings and celebrate their new space. Bay Area writer Vanessa Hua, author of the novel “A River of Stars” and a short story collection, “Deceit And Other Possibilities” comes to Seattle to read as part of the Hugo Literary Series with an all-star line-up of Benjamin Percy, Keetje Kuipers and Sassy Black on Sunday, March 10, 2019. She will also be teaching a class at Hugo House entitled “How to Fund Your Writing Habit” starting on March 16, 2019. Also with the opening of the new Hugo House, the writing center rolls out a new series of classes/workshops with a varied number of subjects taught by a talented group of writers like Nisi Shawl, Sonora Jha, R. O. Kwon, Anne Liu Kellor, Michelle Penaloza, Richard Chiem, Diana Xin, Anglela Garbes, Lora Shinn, Aimee Bhausar and Shankar Narayan.   1634 – 11^th Ave. Go to hugohouse.org to find out more.

Seattle Arts & Lectures returns with their always stimulating series of writers, poets and a new journalism series. As part of the “Women You Need To Know” series, award-winning writer & director of the Women’s Media Center Speech Project, Soraya Chemaly comes on Jan. 31, 2019 to speak about her new book entitled “Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger.”   As part of the Poetry Series, acclaimed poet Kimiko Hahn will come April 25, 2019 for a program entitled “Poems For The Planet” which will include her and a group of friends. It’s a celebration of both Earth Day & National Poetry Month with eco-poetics as a mode of creative resistance. Visit or call for more information at 206-621-2230×10 or lectures.org.

Sigrid Nunez’s book “The Friend” about a woman grieving the loss of her literary mentor as she inherits his mourning dog took the Fiction Award at the National Book Awards. Yoko Tawada’s “The Emissary” as translated by Margaret Mitsutani won in the new category of “Best Translated Literature”. It is set in Japan after a mysterious disaster. Seattle’s own Karen Maeda Allman of Elliott Bay Book Company served on the jury for this new category.

UW Press will reprint and reissue “Aiiieeeee!”, the groundbreaking anthology of Asian American literature in 2019 on its 45^th anniversary along with an e-book version. There are plans for a digital website of “Aiiieeeee!” archival material as well by University of Oregon Professor Tara Fickle.

“Convenience Store Woman” (Grove Atlantic) by Suyaka Murata as translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori topped the “Best Books of 20198” list in the New Yorker. It tells the story of a Japanese woman who is a part-time staffer at a typical convenience store. It won the akutagawa Prize and the Naoki Prize in Japan in 2016.

Below is a partial list of new books by or about Asian Americans and new titles on Asia. If you are interested in reviewing any of them, please let us know –

“Anna Wong: Traveller On Two Roads” is an exhibition catalog for this late Canadian artist and documents a recent Burnaby Art Gallery exhibition. The life of this master printmaker was spent in various places including Hong Kong, Vancouver BC, New York and China and the work reflects that. Available for $40 from Burnaby Art Gallery at 604-297-4422.

“ESL or You Weren’t Here” (Nightboat Books) by Aldrrin Valdez is a debut book by this poet/artist about growing up queer in Manila with its wonder, humor, imagery, confusion and nostalgia as navigation tools for the constant negotiations between Tagalog and English and the process of omission and possession.

“Budosho shinshu – Essential Tachings on The Way of The Warrior” (Shambhala) by Daidoji Yuzan as translated by William Scott Wilson is considered one of the most influential books on samurai philosophy written by a Confucian scholar and samurai.

“A Houseboat on The Ganges & A Room In Kathmandu” (Chin Music) by Northwest writer/artist Marilyn Stablein details the life of travels and studies immersed in Eastern spiritual and artistic traditions in the 1970’s she discovered going overland through India, Nepal and Tibet.

“The Stolen Bicycle” (Text Publishing) by Wu Ming-Yi was long-listed for the Man Booker International Prize in 2018 and is an intimate portrait of a Taiwanese family, a history of bicycles and a complex weaving of magical tales and places. Translated by Darryl Sterk.

Two new translations into English for the first time of noted Japanese writer Yukio Mishima have surfaced. “The Frolic of The Beasts” (Vintage) as translated by Andrew Clare tells the gripping story of an affair gone wrong during WWII. “Star” (New Directions) as translated by Sam Bett is a penetrating study of a celebrity coming apart at the seams the longer he stands in the spotlight.

“The Yin-Yang Sisters And The Dragon Frightful” (Putnam) by  Nancy Tupper and illustrated by Andrea Offermann tells the children’s story of two sisters who save their village from a dragon.

“Returns of War – South Vietnam and the Price of Refuge Memory” (NYU) by Long T. Bui considers how the historical legacy of a nation that only existed for twenty years is being kept alive by its dispersed stateless exiles.

“A Life of Adventure and Delight” (Norton) by Akhil Sharma is a book of short stories that looks at its Indian protagonists at home and abroad as they wrestle with belonging, tradition and temptation.

“Door” (Chronicle) by Ji Hyeon Lee is a magical tale of an unexpected world that lies just behind a door.

“World-Making – Race, Performance and the Work of Creativity” (Duke) by Dorinne Kondo looks at the theatre and how race-making occurs backstage and continues on stage through economic forces institutional hierarchies, hiring practices, ideologies and aesthetic form.

“The Tale of Cho Ung” (Columbia) as translated by Sookja Cho was one of the most widely read books in Choson-period Korea. It tells the story of a warrior set in medieval China.

“The Day The Sun Died” (Grove Atlantic) by Yan Lianke as translated by Carlos Rojas is a satiric novel that looks at China’s policy of forced cremation and how it affected a small rural town.

“Family Trust” (William Morrow) by Kathy Wang is a sharp and comedic family drama set against the backdrop of Silicon Valley wealth and pretentions.

“Hong Kong Noir” (Akashic) edited by Jason Y. Ng & Susan Blumberg-Kason has fourteen of that city’s authors explore the dark heart of this city in stories of depravity and despair.

“Balance The Birds” (Abrams Appleseed) is a delightful picture book by Susie Ghahremani that examines weight, size and logic through the use of birds on a branch.

“The April 3^rd Incident” (Pantheon) by Yu Hua as translated by Allan H. Barr covers early stories in the career of this Chinese author with a surrealistic, humorous bent.

“The Souls Of Yellow Folk” (Norton) by Wesley Yang is the national magazine award-winning writer’s debut collection of incisive, stylish essays on race and gender.

News/Opportunities

The November 2018 issue of Seattle Met magazine gave their “Restaurant of the Year” award to Mutsuko Soma and her Kamonegi Restaurant famous for her hand-made soba buckwheat noodles. It also featured restaurant entrepreneur I-Miun Liu.

The Seattle Genealogical Society presents a “Japanese Genealogy Seminar” on Sat. & Sunday on February 2-3, 2019 presented by Linda Harms Okazaki. Okazaki says “As I became interested in genealogy I started asking a lot of questions. It’s a complicated story, but most Japanese American stories are complicated. As I learned more about my children’s history, I wanted to help other Japanese Americans discover their stories, too. I am enmeshed in the Japanese American culture and that is what’s important.” Register for the seminar at www.seattlegenealogicalsociety.org. Each session lis limited to 40 registrants. For more information, contact Jill Morelli at [email protected]. Held at Seattle Public Library at 1000 4^th Ave. in Seattle. Main doors on 4^th Ave. will open at 8:45am for check in. Workshops offered will be “Exploring our Nikkei Genealogy”, “Japanese American Research for Genealogists” and “Ask a Genealogist”. Box lunches are available for $15 each. Registration online is encouraged. Mail-in registration is based on postmark date and is first-come, first- served. Send to SGS PO Box 15329 Seattle, WA 98115-0329. Form must be received by Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. For cancellations, email [email protected]

A Mellon Gateway Postdoctoral Fellowship in Visual Art is being offered to a young or emerging artist from “Historically Underrepresented Groups” by Brown University. The recipient will be given significant financial support for two years with a teaching commitment of only one course a year, allowing them time to build their career. After two years, they will start in an Assistant Tenure track position in the Visual Art Department, teaching foundational and upper-level courses to undergraduate students. If interested, try apply.interfolio.com/55258.

Brenda Wong Aoki and Center for Asian American Media have received a 2018 Hewlett 50 Arts Commission grant in the “Musical Theatre and Spoken Word” category. It will allow Wong Aoki and composer/musician husband Mark Izu time to create one of their most elaborate, multi-media productions in San Francisco tentatively titled “J-Town, Chinatown, Our Town”, a work about personal and community history in the Bay Area. Other recipients of this grant include musician/performer/composer Dohee Lee who will present a mythological performance ritual and composer Huang Ruo who will work with the Del Sol String Quartet to compose work inspired by Chinese immigrant poetry in a piece entitled “Angel Island Oratorio”.

Friends of Asian Art Association is an all-volunteer organization that connects its members and the community to educations, cultural and social events tied to Asia and its diverse art forms and culture. Enjoy year-round activities and meet new friends who share similar interests by becoming a member. All are welcome to the activities but members get special discounts and perks. Go to [email protected] for details.