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Chopsticks. Lots and lots of chopsticks. Courtesy of http://www.well.com/user/indigo/donna/waribashi/mainpage.htm
October 6, 2005: News Bites
A Hero's welcome for Zhang Yimou, Chop-suey as an art, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in the big apple, University of Michigan radio show in hot water and much, much more in this edition of News Bites.
Sun Ming Ming’s Giant Surgery
China’s budding basketball star, Sun Ming Ming, underwent surgery on September 26 to remove a life-threatening tumor from his pituitary gland. At the age of 21, Sun, who towers over 7’8" and who weighs a solid 360 pounds, has been dubbed the next Yao Ming of the NBA. He has officially declared for the 2005 draft and has a good chance of entering next season because of his sheer size. However, the towering asset which has made him famous is now endangering not only his dream but his life. Sun did not know that he had the medical condition acromegaly, more commonly known as “gigantism," until after he moved to the United States in 2005 to pursue dreams of basketball stardom. Medical testing concluded that the tumor in his brain, which suppresses testosterone and surrounding brain tissue, is the cause of Sun’s frequent headaches and high susceptibility to fatigue. Donations from supporters helped to raise half of the $100,000 Sun needed for this life-saving surgery.
The surgery, performed at Cedars Sinai, was successful, and he will now be able to live a normal life. However the money donated by supporters was only able to pay for the down payment of Sun’s surgery. He is now in financial debt and has worked out a payment plan with the doctor to pay out the rest of his medical bills while he works to rebuild his strength and his dream to play in the NBA. -- Queenie Pang
For more information about Sun or to make a donation, visit: http://www.savesunmingming.com/
“Hero” Director Receives Special Honor in Hawaii
Zhang Yimou, the famed director of To Live, Hero, and House of Flying Daggers, will be attending this year’s Louis Vuitton Hawaiian International Film Festival as a guest of honor. This year marks the 25th anniversary of LVHIFF. As part of the celebration, two-time Academy Award nominee Zhang Yimou will be presented with the LVHIFF’s first ever Lifetime Achievement Award. An entire evening will be dedicated to commemoration of Zhang’s work and its embodiment of LVHIFF ‘s mission to unite East with West through film. “An Evening With Zhang Yimou” will take place on October 19th. Festivities consist of a screening of Not One Less, a master’s class, and an intimate discussion followed by a question-and-answer session with Zhang. -- Queenie Pang
For more information visit: http://www.hiff.org/prog-front.php
Filipino American History Month
To commemorate Filipino American History Month this October, San Francisco’s Bindlestiff Studio is hosting a special production tour of Rodolfo Carlos Vera’s Alamat. The play traces the lives of three different generations of Filipino men dating back to the 1904 St. Louis World Exposition in Missouri. A story of myth, history, and folklore, Alamat is a vibrant celebration of Filipino heritage which rejoices in self-identity and culture. The play will be directed by Louie Pascasio and performed by resident Bindlestiff Players. It will run from October 6-8 and October 21-22, making stops in three different Bay Area theaters.
-- Queenie Pang
For more information, show-times, and tickets visit: www.bindlestiffstudio.org
Chopstick Art
Berkeley artist Donna Keiko Ozawa takes disposable chopsticks, known as waribashi, out of the kitchen, out of the trash cans, and into the galleries. The “Waribashi Project” is an environmental art exhibition which seeks to raise public awareness to the detrimental effects of wasteful consumerist habits like disposable utensils. With the help of restaurants throughout San Francisco, Ozawa collected over 180,000 used waribashi, sanitized them, and turned them into works of art. Ozawa scupltures will be exhibited from September 10 through October 22. The Project includes several free events for the public, from hands-on art and science workshops to artist talks, receptions and a work-in-progress demonstration. A catalog of the project will be available in the fall. To further the project’s goal of a more environmental future, portable chopsticks sets will be available for $5 each at the exhibition, with proceeds going back to the project. -- Queenie Pang
For more information on the “Waribashi Project” visit: http://www.well.com/user/indigo/donna/waribashi/mainpage.htm
Korean pre-teen sensation turns pro
The golf world shifted its attention to six-foot tall golfing prodigy Michelle Wie who announced her decision to turn professional at the age of 15 on Wednesday, October 5. Michelle's Korean heritage is expected to earn her many fans and recognition in Asia. She begins her professional career as the richest female golfer in the world, earning an estimated $10 million a year from endorsements by Nike and Sony. Michelle will make her debut at the Samsung World Championship in Palm Desert, California beginning October 13. -- VanLin Chan
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
Conducted by Yan Huichang, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra -- a world-renowned ensemble of classical Chinese instruments -- will be providing an intriguing evening of music for concertgoers at New York City's Lincoln Center on October 12. The orchestra's repertoire is a blend of experimental and classical cultural music featuring premieres by four distinguished native-born Chinese composers. Zhao Jiping's "Silk Road Fantasia Suite" and Tan Dun's "Fire Ritual" are just two of the highly anticipated pieces in the evening's program. Audience members may attend a pre-concert buffet at 5:30 pm before the concert starting at 8 pm. Ticket prices range from $35-$68. -- VanLin Chan
See www.lincolncenter.org for more information.
DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival
October 6-16 APA (not us, of course) Film is hosting the 6th Annual Asian Pacific American Film Festival in Washington, D.C. as part of their campaign to raise public awareness of Asian media arts. The festival features an impressive lineup of over 100 narratives and documentaries, short films, special events, musical performances, receptions, and parties. Opening night showcases a 2005 Sundance Film Festival selection, The Motel, starring Sung Kang from Better Luck Tomorrow. A highlight is the United States premiere of Asia's highest grossing film, Initial D, on October 11. Festival attendees can also look forward to a special concert by Jin after the showing of his documentary feature No Sleep Til Shanghai. All screenings are open to the public and most will have free admission; venues include the Smithsonian Institution, the AFI Silver Theatre, and Landmark's E Street Cinema.
Showing of Initial D and No Sleep Til Shanghai do require tickets.
-- VanLin Chan
For more information, tickets, and a full program go to www.apafilm.org.
University of Michigan radio under fire
A local radio station, 101.1 WRIF, in Detroit has been accused of using racial slurs by Asian student groups at the University of Michigan during its September 23 segment. The station's "Drew and Mike in the Morning" show inserted audio clips that said "Me no speak Chinese" and "I must go toilet" in phony Chinese accents. The United Asian American Organizations and the Asian American Association responded with a letter demanding the release of the show's audio tape and a meeting with WRIF management. WRIF deny the intent of promoting racism and defends the show's use of the clips, while the Asian student representatives await response to their letter.
-- VanLin Chan
For more details see www.michigandaily.com.
Date Posted: 10/6/2005