News Bites

By Sara Stokoe

Disney Brings Legends to Life in Asia

After five long years, Disney Channel Asia is finally airing its first animated short stories titled "Legends of the Ring of Fire." As a region that normally consumes U.S. produced Disney programming this is the first locally produced project by Disney Channel Asia. But Asian viewers won't be the only ones to view the series as it is being aired worldwide on international Disney Channels. The first five minute episode aired at the end of August and was titled "Why the Sun Chases the Moon." Each episode will be based on a different popular Southeast Asian folktale. "Given the rich diversity of cultures and folktales in Asia, each episode is individual but remains true to the Disney tradition of quality storytelling and family entertainment that are inherent in all of our product," said Ashok Miranda, executive producer of, WDTVI, South East Asia/Korea.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!

The Diversity Players theater group is currently showing their production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!" The play, as one might assume, is based on the classic comic strip series by Charles M. Schulz. This play features a multi-ethnic cast and is directed and choreographed by Ed LeBay with musical direction by Marc Macalintal. The production is playing from now until October 19th Thursday through Sunday.

For more information call (562) 868-7202 or visit www.geocites.com/diversityplayers.

Location:
Casa 0101
2009 E. First St.
Los Angeles, CA.
90033
(Boyle Heights)

Paper Son

Written and performed by Byron Yee, "Paper Son" is a autobiographical one man show about being raised in Oklahoma, moving to California, working as a stand-up comedian and then searching for his unknown heritage. On his journey to discover his roots, Byron discovers mysteries of his immigrant father's long forgotten past.

"Paper Son" has been performed in San Francisco, Toronto, New York and Edinburgh. It has been praised by the L.A. Times as "Hilarious…A winning performance…A touching funny show." "Paper Son" is playing now through November 2 at the Gascon Center Theater in Culver City.

For tickets and information call (310) 428-6502 or visit www.paperson.com

Location:
Gascon Center Theater
8737 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA.

A Journey to Enlightenment at LACMA

Tomorrow, October 11th from 7:30-9:30 pm the Shakti Dance Company entitled "From Prince to Buddha: A Journey to Enlightenment." The performance which was choreographed by Viji Prakash tells the story of Siddhartha, the young Indian prince, who through witnessing the suffering of his people decides to renounce mundane life and seek inner peace through meditation, compassion and kindness.

General admission is $35. Discounts are available. For tickets visit the LACMA box office or call 877-522-6225.

Location:
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Bing Auditorium
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA.
90036

Treasure Tibet!

"Tibet: Treasures from the Roof of the World," an exhibition of Tibetan art opens October 12th at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA. This landmark tour of rare art, never before seen in the Western world will feature over 200 objects drawn from collections in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa and from the Dalai Lama's exclusive collection at his winter and summer residences at the Potala and Norbulingka Palaces. Some art will also come from the recently established Tibet Museum.

The exhibit will include a variety of pieces, from sculpture to painting and textiles, to ritual Buddhist objects and even pieces made solely for Tibetan nobility.

In May 2004, the exhibit will leave Bowers to embark on a nation wide tour.

Location:
Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA.
www.bowers.org

Film Screening: Wu Yu

The UCLA Department of Film, Television and Digital Media will be presenting a free screening of "Wu Yu" (The Narrow Path) this Monday Oct. 13th as part of its 2003-2004 Guest Speaker Series. The screening will start at 5:30 and will include a discussion with director Cui Zi'en, who is often referred to as a "queer auteur," as he is one of the most avant-garde filmmakers in Chinese underground cinema. "Wu Yu" tells the story of a group of humans who kidnap four aliens from Venus, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto. This film was shot on July 2, 2003 from 4:00-7:30 am using two long takes which were then edited into 5 scenes.

Cui Zi'en is a director, film scholar, screenwriter, novelist, queer activist and scholar in Beijing. He has published nine novels, written six books on criticism and theory and is a columnist for four magazines.

Location:
UCLA
1422 Melnitz Hall
Los Angeles, CA
90095

Indian Classical Performance at UCLA

On October 18th from 6-8 pm The Society for promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture amongst Youth will present a night of Indian music at UCLA featuring renowned vocalist Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar. He will be performing one of the oldest and most profound styles of Indian classical vocal music known as Dhrupad. Dagarvani dhrupad is a genre that was nearly extinct a half a century ago but which is now thriving under the dedication of the Dagar family. Ustad's family has traditionally performed this music as a duet but Ustad has successfully created a solo performance from this unique musical style. He has had several very successful concert tours held at prestigious venues such as the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and at Harvard University.

For more information visit the website

Location:
UCLA's Tom Bradley International Hall
Los Angeles, CA
90095

Music and Dance of Korea

On October 26th from 12:30 pm to 3:15 pm, LACMA's Johnny Mercer Foundation will be presenting "Music and Dance of Korea" as part of its Family Music Days concerts. Wearing beautifully designed costumes, the Hiza Yoo Dance Company will perform traditional Korean folk dances. After the performance you can take a tour of the art from Korea in the gallery and then return to the stage to listen to Korean folktales. The entire event is free of charge.

Location:
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
East Times Mirror Central Court
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
90036

Wong's New Three Picture Deal

On October 6th Hollywood Reporter reported that Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai entered into a co-financing and co-distribution partnership with U.S.'s Fox Searchlight Pictures. They are set to develop a minimum of three English language films. The films will be produced by Wong and his Block 2 Films production company. The films are expected to take place in Asian settings but they may feature Western actors. The current goal is to get the first film under the agreement into production sometime next year. Wong is currently finishing post-production on two films, "2046" and "Eros," which is a three-part film in collaboration with Steven Soderbergh and Michelangelo Antonioni.

October 10, 2003