Lia Chang: Meet the authors of the Pocket Chinese Almanac, Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith, Museworks, Ltd.

I caught up with musicologist Joanna C. Lee and veteran music journalist Ken Smith at the Longacre Theatre in New York, after the post-show talkback following the 100th performance of Chinglish, by Tony Award-winning and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright David Henry Hwang, which was recently named by TIME Magazine, Bloomberg Radio, NY1 and WNYC as one of the Top 10 Broadway shows of the year.

Chinglish playwright David Henry Hwang (center) is flanked by (l-r) his cultural advisors Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith, actors Johnny Wu, Christine Lin, Gary Wilmes, Angela Lin, Stephen Pucci, Jennifer Lim and Larry Lei Zhang after the 100th performance of Chinglish on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre in New York on January 5, 2012. Photo by Lia Chang

Smith and Lee were tapped as cultural advisors by the playwright when Chinglish, his play about an American businessman looking to land a deal in provincial China, had its world premiere at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Smith writes about their participation as resident Chinglish cultural advisors here.

Chinglish cultural advisors Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith at the opening night party of David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish at Brasserie 8 ½ in New York on October 27, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

The husband and wife team are co-authors of the Pocket Chinese Almanac and co-directors of Museworks Ltd., a Hong Kong-based cultural consulting company offering wide-ranging support, from production to translation and media services, for artists and institutions seeking links to and from Asia. Their clients include Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, the New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Opera, the YouTube Symphony Orchestra, Holland Festival, Habitat for Humanity, the Hong Kong International Film Festival and Sotheby’s HK.

Ken Smith, Hong Kong-based composer Eli Marshall (Ashes of Time Redux) and Joanna C. Lee after the 100th performance of David Henry Hwang's Chinglish in New York on January 5, 2012. Photo by Lia Chang

Lee, a pianist with a doctorate in musicology from Columbia University, was an Honorary Research Fellow of the Centre for Asian Studies, Institute of the Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong. Smith has covered arts and culture in Asia for the Financial Times since 2003. He is the author of Fate! Luck! Chance! Amy Tan, Stewart Wallace and the Making of The Bonesetter’s Daughter Opera. For the past seven years, he has served as advisor to the Western China Cultural Ecology Research Workshop, an NGO actively devoted to cultural preservation based in Guizhou province.

Goodman associate producer Steve Scott wrote an article entitled, “The Challenges of Chinglish,” that detailed Lee and Smith’s integral and invaluable contributions.

Translator Candace Chong (center) reviews the Chinese dialogue in the new script pages with Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith, Cultural Advisors for Chinglish in the Healy Room of the Goodman Theatre in Chicago on June 5, 2011. © 2011 Lia Chang

“Finally, to ensure that the complex social interactions of the play adhere to the rather more formal rules observed in China, consultants Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith became crucial members of the Chinglish production team. As the production’s “cultural consultants,” Lee and Smith were invaluable to the accurate creation of the world of Guiyang, China, and its inhabitants.

After a sold-out extended run at the Goodman Theatre last July, Chinglish, featuring Jennifer Lim, Gary Wilmes, Angela Lin, Christine Lin, Stephen Pucci, Johnny Wu and Larry Lei Zhang, opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on October 27, 2011. Hwang received Chicago’s 2011 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Play.

Asia Society Cultural Achievement Award winner David Henry Hwang (L) his cultural advisors for Chinglish Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith. (Lia Chang)

Meet Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith in Ann Arbor, Michigan, San Francisco, CA and in New York as they make a number of personal appearances for their Pocket Chinese Almanac 2012, and with Chinglish playwright David Henry Hwang.

ANN ARBOR,MICHIGAN
On Friday, January 13, 2012, the Confucius Institute at the University of Michigan is presenting CHINGLISH: A New Comedy on the Misadventures of Cross-cultural Communication, at the Michigan League – Vandenberg Room, 911 N. University in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 4pm-5:30pm. Playwright David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) will discuss his latest Broadway hit, with Joanna C. Lee and Kenneth Smith. Free and open to the public. All are invited to a reception following the talk.

NEW YORK,NY
On Saturday, January 21, 2012, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is presenting Lunar New Year Talk: Decoding the Chinese Almanac’s Predictions for 2012, at 215 Centre Street in New York, from 2:30pm – 3:30pm. To usher in the Year of the Dragon, co-authors Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith will decode the almanac’s predictions for 2012 and share a range of New Year’s traditions designed to protect your household. Admission is $15/adult, $12/student, free for children, MOCA members and seniors (65+). Each participant will receive a free copy of the Pocket Chinese Almanac (valued at $7). RSVP required to programs@mocanyc.org or 212-619-4785.

SAN FRANCISCO,CA
On Thursday, January 26, 2012, the co-authors will talk about the Pocket Chinese Almanac 2012, The Pocket Confucius, and The Pocket Tao at Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building in San Francisco at 6 p.m. Lee and Smith will translate and decode predictions for 2012. They’ll also dig beneath both the pop philosophy of Confucius and the scholarly interpretations to rediscover what the Master actually said about moral character and social order.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Financial Times Critic Ken Smith Discusses Western Opera’s Recent Success in China with the Three Chinese Tenors at The China Institute in New York on January 21, 2012
Asia Society Honors Chinglish Playwright David Henry Hwang and Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John C. Whitehead at the Waldorf Astoria on January 11, 2012
CHINGLISH Celebrates 100th Performance on 1/5/12 – Meet David Henry Hwang & the Cast After Post-Show Talkback
Photos: Maya Lin, BD Wong, David Henry Hwang, Yeohlee, Oscar L. Tang and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at MOCA Legacy Awards Gala
Click here for more articles on David Henry Hwang.
AALDEF Honors Parkin Lee, Jean Koh Peters, and CNN’s Fareed Zakaria with 2012 Justice in Action Awards in New York on February 8, 2012
Remembering Civil Rights Leader Gordon Hirabayashi,1918- 2012</a
Cindy Cheung Debuts SPEAK UP CONNIE…Her Solo Show at Stage Left Studio, January 17-25, 2012
Mu Daiko 15th Anniversary Concert and Minnesota Tour, February 9-19, 2012
Aaron Lazar, Kate Baldwin, P.J. Griffith, Raul Aranas Set for the Dallas Theater Center/Public Theater Co-Production of Giant at the Wyly Theatre, January 18 – February 19, 2012
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
DOGS LIE, Starring Samrat Chakrabarti, Frank Boyd and Ewa Da Cruz, Nabs ”Best Film (USA)” and ”Feature Film Audience Award” at 2011 ITN Distribution Film and New Media Festival
Photos: “How To Succeed” stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rose Hemingway and John Larroquette at Lord & Taylor for Windows Unveiling
Multimedia: Promises, Promises’ Stars Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes at Lord & Taylor Fifth Ave
Broadwayworld.com Photo Flash: Library of Congress’ IN REHEARSAL Exhibit
Photos: David Duchovny, John Earl Jelks, Amanda Peet, Tracee Chimo at Opening Night Party of Neil LaBute’s Break of Noon
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Subscribe to Backstage Pass with Lia Chang

Joanna C. Lee and Lia Chang at the Broadway opening night party of David Henry Hwang's Chinglish at Brasserie 8 1/2 in New York on October 27, 2011.

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com.

Lia Chang Photos: Maya Lin, BD Wong, David Henry Hwang, Yeohlee, Oscar L. Tang and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at MOCA Legacy Awards Gala

Photo by Lia Chang

The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) held its 32nd annual Legacy Awards Gala Benefit at Cipriani Wall Street in New York on December 12, 2011.

32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

This year’s Gala highlighted MOCA’s educational role in fostering understanding and bridging gaps between cultures and generations, while recognizing extraordinary individuals who have made substantial contributions to the legacy of Chinese Americans.

Actor BD Wong, artist and architect Maya Lin and Chinglish playwright David Henry Hwang at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Artist and architect Maya Lin, a Co-Chair of MOCA’s Board of Trustees, welcomed MOCA’s 2011 honorees, and special guests actor BD Wong, Chinglish playwright David Henry Hwang, fashion designer Yeohlee and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

Fashion Designer Yeohlee and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

The elegant soiree was hosted by CNBC correspondent Melissa Lee.

2011 Legacy Award honoree Pichet Ong, Mei-Mei Tuan and CNBC correspondent Melissa Lee at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

At the podium, Mayor Bloomberg said he wanted to attend the gala to personally congratulate his friend, philanthropist Oscar L. Tang, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award honoree.

Sara Judge McCalpin,President, China Institute, 2011 Lifetime Achievement honoree Oscar L. Tang and MOCA Trustee Anla Cheng, Partner, Sino-Century China Private Equity, L.L.C. at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Mayor Bloomberg introduced Ms. Lin, the architect/designer who transformed the site at 215 Centre Street in New York, a 14,000-square-foot former machine shop, into a bi-level exhibit and administrative center for the Museum of Chinese in America, a museum that celebrates the living history of the Chinese experience in America.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and artist and architect Maya Lin at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

“The move into our new home at 215 Centre Street just two years ago has inspired a burst of creative activity,” said Maya Lin, Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees. “And MOCA’s success relies on our growing circle of friends who contribute their time, money, and talent to strengthen our mission.”

2011 MOCA Legacy Honorees Pichet Ong, pastry chef and author of The Sweet Spot, Dominic Ng, Chairman, President & CEO of East West Bank, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient philanthropist Oscar L. Tang & David Liu, co-founder and CEO of XO Group Inc. at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Carley Roney, Co-Founder, Chief Content Officer and Editor-in-Chief, XO Group Inc. (formerly The Knot.com) presented the Legacy Award to her husband David Liu, Co-founder and CEO of XO Group Inc.

2011 Legacy Award honoree Dominic Ng and Lulu Wang. Photo by Lia Chang

Lulu C. Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Tupelo Capital Management L.L.C., presented the Legacy Award to Dominic Ng, Chairman, President & CEO of East West Bank.

(LtoR) 2011 Legacy Award honoree Pichet Ong, celebrated pastry chef and author of The Sweet Spot with Mei-Mei Tuan at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Mei-Mei Tuan, MOCA Co-Chair and Founding Partner, Notch Partner L.L.C., presented the award to Pichet Ong, celebrated pastry chef and author of “The Sweet Spot.”

2011 Legacy Award honoree Pichet Ong and his mom at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala Benefit at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

2011 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient with co-presenters Sara Judge McCalpin and Anla Cheng at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Sara Judge McCalpin, President, China Institute, and MOCA Trustee Anla Cheng, Partner, Sino-Century China Private Equity, L.L.C., presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to philanthropist Oscar L. Tang.

2011 MOCA Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Oscar L. Tang, his sister-in-law Jean Young and daughter Dana Tang at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Actor BD Wong and Chinglish playwright David Henry Hwang, at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Actor BD Wong, just back from shooting an episode of his new television show “Awake” in LA, was at the Gala to introduce Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang. Wong raved about Hwang’s sexy and hilarious new comedy now playing on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre, and recommended that everyone go see the play which has been named 3rd in Time Magazine’s list of Top 10 Plays and Musicals. As a teaser, Chinglish stars Jennifer Lim and Gary Wilmes performed an excerpt from the show.

Jennifer Lim and Gary Wilmes perform an excerpt from David Henry Hwang's new Broadway play Chinglish at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala Benefit at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Jennifer Lim and Gary Wilmes perform an excerpt from David Henry Hwang's new Broadway play Chinglish at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala Benefit at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Jennifer Lim and Gary Wilmes perform an excerpt from David Henry Hwang's new Broadway play Chinglish at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala Benefit at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Chinglish playwright David Henry Hwang, and his wife actress Kathryn Layng at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Team Chinglish cultural advisor Ken Smith, projections designer Shawn Duan and cultural advisor Joanna C. Lee at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Chinglish star Jennifer Lim and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

All proceeds go to advance MOCA’s vision and services, including the sponsorship of new exhibitions and the Trending Asian America Public Program series, the expansion of educational programs in partnership with local schools, and the preservation of the Collection and Digital MOCA.

(LtoR) MOCA Board of Trustee Co-Chairs Mei-Mei Tuan, Founding Partner, Notch Partner L.L.C. and artist and architect Maya Lin at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Paul Huang, CJ Huang Foundation and Cao O, Executive Director of AAFNY at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

American diplomat Nicholas Platt and his wife Sheila Maynard Platt at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

2011 MOCA Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Oscar L. Tang at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

About the Museum of Chinese in America
MOCA was founded in 1980 as the community-based New York Chinatown History Project, and has since grown to encompass the journeys of a wide range of Chinese American communities from around the corner and across the globe. Since late 2009, when MOCA moved into the newly designed space by Maya Lin, located at the crossroads of SoHo and Chinatown, its exhibitions, programs, and audiences have expanded considerably. This was made possible by a public-private partnership to rebuild Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of 9/11 as well as MOCA’s growing community of donors led by its Board of Trustees.

Museum of Chinese in America is located at 215 Centre Street. For further information about the Museum, please call (212) 619-4785 or online at http://www.mocanyc.org.

Actor BD Wong, at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Today, MOCA’s mission is to celebrate the living history of the Chinese experience in America, to inspire our diverse communities to contribute to America’s evolving cultural narrative and civil society, and to empower and bridge our communities across generations, ethnicities, and geography through our dynamic stories.

(L-R) Committee of 100 Members Arthur Liu, 2011 Legacy Award Honoree Dominic Ng, Maya Lin, Jenny Ming, Ted Wang, Lulu Wang, 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree Oscar L. Tang, Calvin Tsao, Alice Young and Anla Cheng at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

Subscribe to Backstage Pass with Lia Chang

Chinglish playwright David Henry Hwang and Lia Chang at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011.

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist.

Lia made her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden, and has since documented her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism as a photographer and videographer, collaborating with other artists, organizations and companies to establish their documentary photo archive and social media presence. Lia was featured as Joy in the Signature Theater Company’s revival of Sam Shepard’s 1965 Obie award winning play, Chicago directed by Joseph Chaikin at the Public Theater. She has appeared in Wolf, New Jack City, Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman, “As the World Turns,” “Another World,” and “New York Undercover”. Lia currently plays Nurse Lia on “One Life to Live”.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are now in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, Smartmoney.com The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Chinglish is Named in TIME Magazine’s Top 10 of the Year; Meet the Cast at Talkbacks after Select Performances in December
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Photos: Kathie Lee Gifford at the 2011 Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Christmas Windows Unveiling in New York
Photos: Fall Foliage at Devil’s Lake State Park
Portraits of New York Chinatown After 9/11 Featured in “Post 9/11”: Commemorative Display at Library of Congress Asian Reading Room, 8/30-9/15
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Broadwayworld.com Photo Flash: Library of Congress’ IN REHEARSAL Exhibit
Photos: A.B. Cruz III and Lillian Kimura Receive 2011 AALDEF Justice in Action Awards
Photos: David Duchovny, John Earl Jelks, Amanda Peet, Tracee Chimo at Opening Night Party of Neil LaBute’s Break of Noon
Museum of Chinese in America Programs in Jan.to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in NYC
AAJA & MOCA FREE Panel & Town Hall on covering Chinatown: “CHINATOWN, UNCOVERED”
Multimedia: AALDEF Celebrates 35 Years of Protecting and Promoting the Civil Rights of Asian Americans
Fred Korematsu, American Hero and Civil Rights Activist Dies at 86
Celebrating my mom – AN ACTIVE VISION: BEVERLY UMEHARA…LABOR ACTIVIST…1945-1999
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2012 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at lia@backstagepasswithliachang.com

Lia Chang: Oscar L. Tang, David Liu, Dominic Ng, Pichet Ong to Receive 2011 MOCA Legacy Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on 12/12; Performances by Chinglish’s Jennifer Lim and Gary Wilmes

Jennifer Lim and Gary Wilmes, currently starring in David Henry Hwang's Chinglish at the Longacre Theatre on Broadway, will perform a scene from the play. Photo by Lia Chang

The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), a museum that celebrates the living history of the Chinese experience in America, is having its 32nd annual Legacy Awards Gala Benefit on December 12, 2011, at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York. Hosted by CNBC Correspondent Melissa Lee, this year’s Gala highlights MOCA’s educational role in fostering understanding and bridging gaps between cultures and generations, while recognizing extraordinary individuals who have made substantial contributions to the legacy of Chinese Americans.

The festivities kick off with a cocktail party and reception at 6:30pm. MOCA will present a Lifetime Achievement Award to philanthropist Oscar L. Tang and Legacy Awards to David Liu, Co-founder and CEO of XO Group Inc.; Dominic Ng, Chairman, President & CEO of East West Bank; and Pichet Ong, celebrated pastry chef and author of The Sweet Spot, followed by dinner.

Highlights of the evening include a special presentation of Tony Award-winner David Henry Hwang’s new Broadway play Chinglish, featuring Jennifer Lim and Gary Wilmes, which is currently playing at the Longacre Theatre.

All proceeds go to advance MOCA’s vision and services, including the sponsorship of new exhibitions and the Trending Asian America Public Program series, the expansion of educational programs in partnership with local schools, and the preservation of Collection and Digital MOCA. “The move into our new home at 215 Centre Street just two years ago has inspired a burst of creative activity,” said Maya Lin, Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees. “And MOCA’s success relies on our growing circle of friends who contribute their time, money, and talent to strengthen our mission.”

This year’s Gala Co-Chairs include Anla Cheng, Partner of Sino-Century China Private Equity, LLC; Kevin D. Eng, Co-founder of Columbus Hill Capital Management LP; Lulu C. Wang, CEO of Tupelo Capital Management LLC; and Theodore T. Wang, Managing Director at Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Past honorees and presenters have included, among others: the Chao Family; Steven Chen, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Youtube; Tan Dun, Academy Award-winning composer; Ang Lee, Academy Award-winning director; Anita Lo, celebrity chef; T.C Hsu, Former President of The Starr Foundation; David Henry Hwang, Tony Award-winning playwright; I.M. Pei, world-renown architect; and Christine A. Poon, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors and Worldwide Chairman of Pharmaceuticals Group, Johnson & Johnson.

About Museum of Chinese in America
MOCA was founded in 1980 as the community-based New York Chinatown History Project, and has since grown to encompass the journeys of a wide range of Chinese American communities from around the corner and across the globe. Since late 2009, when MOCA moved into the newly designed space by Maya Lin, located at the crossroads of SoHo and Chinatown, their exhibitions, programs, and audiences have expanded considerably. This was made possible by a unique public-private partnership involving efforts to rebuild Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of 9/11 as well as MOCA’s growing community of donors led by its Board of Trustees.

Today, MOCA’s mission is to celebrate the living history of the Chinese experience in America, to inspire our diverse communities to contribute to America’s evolving cultural narrative and civil society, and to empower and bridge our communities across generations, ethnicities, and geography through our dynamic stories.

To reserve tickets or tables, call Terry Cooper at the 2011 MOCA Legacy Awards Gala Headquarters, (212) 997-0100 x238, or online at www.mocanyc.org/support_ moca/legacy_dinner.

Museum of Chinese in America is located at 215 Centre Street. For further information about the Museum, please call (212) 619-4785 or online at www.mocanyc.org.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Playwright David Henry Hwang Reading and Book Signing at The Drama Book Shop on 12/15
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Photos: Kathie Lee Gifford at the 2011 Lord & Taylor Fifth Avenue Christmas Windows Unveiling in New York
Photos: Fall Foliage at Devil’s Lake State Park
Photos: David Henry Hwang, Jennifer Lim, Leigh Silverman, Samuel L. Jackson, Kenny Leon, David Ives, Douglas Carter Beane and More at The Drama Desk & Fordham University Theatre Program’s “Anatomy of a Breakout” Panel
Photos: Backstage with the Cast of Chinglish and David Henry Hwang at the Longacre Theatre
Portraits of New York Chinatown After 9/11 Featured in “Post 9/11”: Commemorative Display at Library of Congress Asian Reading Room, 8/30-9/15
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Broadwayworld.com Photo Flash: Library of Congress’ IN REHEARSAL Exhibit
Lia Chang Theater Portfolio at Library of Congress Features Photos of Thom Sesma’s Makeup Transformation as Scar in Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas, Robert Lee and Leon Ko’s Heading East Starring BD Wong, David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish, and Samrat Chakrabarti and Sanjiv Jhaveri’s Bakwas Bumbug! on View Through August 2
Photos: “How To Succeed” stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rose Hemingway and John Larroquette at Lord & Taylor for Windows Unveiling</a.
OCA Awards Gala Photos: David Henry Hwang, Tamlyn Tomita, BD Wong, Dr. Bobby Fong & Tammy Duckworth
Dr. Bobby Fong, BD Wong & Honorable L. Tammy Duckworth to Receive Awards at National OCA Convention in NY on 8/6
Photos: A.B. Cruz III and Lillian Kimura Receive 2011 AALDEF Justice in Action Awards
Reverend Jesse Jackson & Beau Sia slated for 1st Annual Fred Korematsu Day Celebration at UC Berkeley
Photos: David Duchovny, John Earl Jelks, Amanda Peet, Tracee Chimo at Opening Night Party of Neil LaBute’s Break of Noon
Museum of Chinese in America Programs in Jan.to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in NYC
Sesame Street’s Alan Muraoka & Friends celebrate Lunar New Year at Metropolitan Museum of Art
AAJA & MOCA FREE Panel & Town Hall on covering Chinatown: “CHINATOWN, UNCOVERED”
Multimedia: AALDEF Celebrates 35 Years of Protecting and Promoting the Civil Rights of Asian Americans
Fred Korematsu, American Hero and Civil Rights Activist Dies at 86
Celebrating my mom – AN ACTIVE VISION: BEVERLY UMEHARA…LABOR ACTIVIST…1945-1999
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Subscribe to Backstage Pass with Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden. Lia currently plays Nurse Lia on “One Life to Live”. She has appeared in Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and “New York Undercover”.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are now in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com.

2011 Asian American International Film Festival Kicks Off with John Sayles’ AMIGO on 8/10 in NY; AAIFF’11 Lineup, 8/10-14

The 34th Annual Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF), presented by Asian CineVision (ACV) from August 10-14, 2011, kicks off on Wednesday, August 10th, with the New York Premiere of John Sayles’ AMIGO, which chronicles the forgotten events of the Philippine-American war in 1900. The cast of AMIGO features Joel Torre, Chris Cooper, Garret Dillahunt, Yul Vasquez, DJ Qualls and Arthur Acuna.

Over 70 films from 16 countries will be featured including 6 New York Premieres, 8 East Coast Premieres, and 3 which will be making their U.S. Premieres at AAIFF’11. AAIFF screenings will be at Clearview Cinemas, 260 West 23rd Street; at the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), 215 Centre Street; and Maysles Cinemas, 343 Lenox Avenue in New York.

On Thursday, August 11th, AAIFF is presenting a LGBTQ themed film line-up, in collaboration with community partners from the LGBTQ community, featuring the non-traditional romantic comedy WHEN HAINAN MEETS TEOCHEW, directed by Yew Kwang Han, and TALES OF THE WARIA, a documentary about the transgender community in Indonesia directed by Kathy Huang.

The Festival’s Centerpiece Presentation Stephanie Guager’s SAIGON ELECTRIC delves into lives of hip-hop dancers in Vietnam’s capital, and will screen on Saturday, August 13th. AAIFF will close with Christine Yoo’s WEDDING PALACE, a light hearted comedy featuring Brian Tee, Hye-jeong Kang, Bobby Lee and Margaret Cho.

Other highlights at the Festival include the New York Premiere of award-winning director Ramona Diaz’s new documentary film THE LEARNING, which follows four Filipino women teaching inner city kids in Baltimore.

AAIFF is the nation’s longest-running festival of its kind and a leading showcase for the best in independent Asian and Asian American film and video.

AAIFF’11 FILMS
AMIGO – Dir. John Sayles | Starring Joel Torre, Chris Cooper, Garret Dillahunt, Yul Vasquez, DJ Qualls, Arthur Acuna | USA
Caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American war, mayor Rafael (Joel Torre) falls under pressure to collaborate when American troops garrison his village. Meanwhile, his brother Simón (Ronnie Lazaro), head of the local guerillas, regards collaboration as treason. The fate of a nation unfolds in this lucid, compelling portrait of the turbulent times.

ANNA MAY WONG: IN HER OWN WORDS – Dir. Yunah Hong | Starring Doan Ly | USA
Transcending the silent era into sound film, the legendary Anna May Wong co-starred with the likes of Marlene Dietrich and Douglas Fairbanks. The first Chinese American movie star is captured through rich archival footage, interviews with studio colleagues, commentary by filmmakers, scholars and re-enactments of her letters and diary by actress Doan Ly.

ENFORCING THE SILENCE – Dir. Tony Nguyen | USA
Thirty years after the unsolved murder of Lam Duong, Vietnamese American journalists remain the largest group of immigrant reporters killed on US soil. Friends of Lam, federal investigators, and journalists speak out about the risks that Vietnamese Americans face for exercising their first amendment rights.

THE LEARNING – Dir. Ramona Diaz | USA
Award-winning director Ramona Diaz (IMELDA) follows four Filipino women (Dorotea, Grace, Angel and Rhea) on a challenging and emotional journey as they leave their homeland and loved ones to teach at inner city Baltimore schools. Each woman tells a unique yet universal tale of the lives of overseas Filipino workers around the world.

LIVING IN SEDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES – Dir. Ian Gamazon | USA
A young pregnant woman seeks revenge on a man who has done her wrong. In a secluded forest, she begins a series of games—each more twisted than the last—designed to make him confess his sins. A mix of mystery and psychological thriller, Filipino-American director Ian Gamazon warps and challenges viewers’ expectations, leading to a haunting climax.

THE LULU SESSIONS – Dir. S. Casper Wong | USA
More affectionately known as LuLu, the unconventional Dr. Louise Nutter—boisterous, dedicated, and master of profanity—finds out she has the very illness she researches: breast cancer. Best friend and filmmaker S. Casper Wong captures her last 15 months on video as they embark on LuLu’s last and most enlightening adventure.

MY HEART BEATS – Dir. EunHee Huh | Starring Dong-sook You | South Korea
In a desperate attempt to revitalize her monotonous life, Juri, a lonely English professor in her mid-30s, has decided to break into the porn industry. With the help of an estranged friend and porn producer, Juri is eventually cast in her first film. Now she must re-evaluate what it is that keeps her heart beating.

MY WEDDING AND OTHER SECRETS – Dir. Roseanne Liang | Starring Michele Ang, Kenneth Tsang & Pei-Pei Cheng | New Zealand
Love knows no boundaries… unless you are a New Zealand-born Chinese woman trying to convince your traditional Hong Kong parents to let you marry your Caucasian boyfriend. Emily struggles to hide her forbidden relationship but discovers that, unlike in the movies, love cannot thrive on optimism alone.

THE PIANO IN A FACTORY – Dir. Zhang Meng | Starring Qian-yuan Wang | China
Chen is in a nasty custody battle with his estranged wife. A man of little means, he struggles to obtain a piano to convince his daughter to stay with him. The harsh reality of his desolate life is intriguingly juxtaposed with the quaint score and dreamlike scenes.

RAKENROL – Dir. Quark Henares | Starring Jason Abalos, Glaiza de Castro & Matet de Leon |The Philippines
Odie and Irene are die-hard rock fans, so it’s no surprise when they decide to form a band. Teaming with a former rocker and an angry drummer, they become Hapipaks. To the Hapipakers, rock isn’t just a genre of music, but a lifestyle, as each tackles his or her personal challenges with what they learn on the stage.

RESIDENT ALIENS – Dir. Ross Tuttle | USA
After calling the US home for decades, former Cambodian refugees are deported for criminal offenses back to Cambodia, a motherland now foreign to them. This documentary follows three returnees as they struggle to survive with few language and job skills, and find redemption through their new lives.

SAIGON ELECTRIC – Dir. Stephane Gauger | Starring Van Trang & Quynh Hoa | USA/Vietnam
In the metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, Mai a traditional ribbon dancer from the countryside meets tough street dancer Kim and soon becomes captivated by the city’s vibrant underground hip-hop scene. Representing the struggles of Vietnamese youth culture, this energetic film showcases bold, fresh talent with dynamic choreography and heartfelt narrative.

STRAWBERRY CLIFF – Dir. Chris Chow | Starring Leslie-Anne Huff, Anthony Chaput & Eason Chan | Hong Kong
Kate possesses the power to predict death, and makes a pact with Jason, who is predicted to die; he will send a signal from beyond the grave to prove there is an afterlife. Shortly after Jason’s death, Kate receives a mysterious phone call. Does an afterlife really exist?

TALES OF THE WARIA – Dir. Kathy Huang | USA
In Indonesia, there lives a unique community of men who live openly as women. Known as Warias, these individuals must balance issues of identity, intimacy, and their Islamic faith. In this eye-opening documentary, four Warias tell the tales of their search for companionship and belonging.

WEDDING PALACE – Dir. Christine Yoo | Starring Brian Tee, Hye-jeong Kang, Bobby Lee & Margaret Cho | USA/South Korea
Jason is a 29-year-old advertising executive who must get married before his thirtieth birthday to avoid an ancient family curse. While on a business trip in Seoul, he meets Na-Young seems on track for the couple’s wedding—until Na-Young’s arrival in the U.S. falls short of expectation. Can true love overcome all obstacles?

WHEN HAINAN MEETS TEOCHEW – Dir. Yew Kwang Han | Singapore
An argument over a missing bra results in Ms. Teochew, a “womanly” man, having to move in with Hainan-boy, a “manly” woman. Not your typical romance, the unusual pair grows closer as they face an angry landlord, an estranged father, a sickly mother, and a crazy ex-girlfriend. Could this be the start of a beautiful relationship?

WHEN LOVE COMES – Dir. Tso Chi Chang | Starring Yijie Li | Taiwan
Lai-Chun is a free spirited young girl who must cope with her dysfunctional polygamous family. An unexpected pregnancy and the sudden collapse of her father’s health shift the balance of power at home. Lai-Chun begins to see her family in a new light as painful memories and profound regrets emerge.

Shorts Program: NEVER STOP BELIEVING
DREAM GIVER – Dir. Tyler Carter | USA
HENRY’S GLASSES – dir. Brendan Uegama | Canada
SOSEFINA – Dir. Tresa Ponnor | Australia
SAENG-IL – Dir. Jennifer Suhr | USA
BALLET OF UNHATCHED CHICKS – Dir. Shaun Seong-Young Kim | USA
BOYS & GIRLS – Dir. Chris Tipton King | USA
HEART – Dir. Erick Oh | USA
LUNCHTIME – Dir. Keo Woolford | USA
PLAY – Dir. Johnny Ma | USA
TOP SPIN – Dirs. Sara Newens & Mina T. Son. | USA

Shorts Program: LOVE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE
PRESCOTT PLACE – Dir. Peilin Kuo | USA
TU & EU – Dir. Edward Shieh | USA
SCUMBAG, PERVERT AND THE GIRL IN BETWEEN – Dir. Bruce Hwang Chen | USA, Taiwan
HITOMI – Dir. Manu Du Smet | Netherlands
GRANT STREET SHAVING CO. – Dir. Payal Sethi | USA
HOTEL 66 – Dir. Antony Chen | UK

Shorts Program: TIGER DADS
CROSSING SALWEEN – Dir. Brian O’Malley | Ireland
A SCENE AT THE SEA – Dir. Jaehee Lee | South Korea
FATAKRA – Dir. Soham Mehta | USA
MASALA MAMA – Dir. Michael Kam | Singapore
GRANDPA’S WET DREAM – Dir. Chihiro Amemiya | Japan
GRAVEHEART – Dir. Yin Jill Lei | China

Shorts Program: A DAY LESS ORDINARY
ONLY MEAL OF THE DAY – Dir. Shang Sing Gou | Thailand, Taiwan
CANOPY CROSSINGS – Dir. Gary Young | Thailand
I WANT TO BE A DESI – Dir. Allan Tong | Canada
V SOMETHING – Dir. Asako Ushio | USA
CLOSED – Dirs. Christopher Zou & Alex Chin | USA
THE POTENTIAL WIVES OF NORMAN MAO – Dir. Derek Nguyen | USA
AFTERSHOCK – Dir. George Billard | USA
ROOM #11 – Dir. Mansee Kong | USA

Shorts Program: FYBY: AGE AIN’T NOTHING BUT A NUMBER
THE LAND IS STALE – Dir. Gabriel Ho | USA
THIS IS THE STORY OF THE GIRL I LOVE – Dir. Christopher Zou | USA
WHERE’S MY BROTHER – Dir. Chang Xin Ye | Taiwan
MEDIA – Dir. Woojin Kang | USA
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW – Dir. Brian Brennan | USA
MUSICAL WARRIOR – Dir. Angel Gatus | USA
BREAKING EXPECTATIONS – Dir. Kevin Tran | USA
A SUSHI LOVE STORY – Dir. Mike Blaney | USA
MY COUNTRY IS TIBET – Dir. Namgyal Wangchuk Trichen Lhagyari | USA
MY NORMAL FAMILY LIFE – Dir. Jonathan Cheng | USA

Shorts Program: CUNY Shorts
COLORS, JOURNEY OF A DANCER – MASAMI ISHIBASHI – Dir. Yee K. Lam | USA
HOME – Dir. Seimi Kim | USA
TEACHING OUTSIDE THE BOX – Dir. Katharine Filardi | USA
CLUB FIZZ – Dir. Yosuke Hosoi | USA
PAPER CRANES – Dir. Solim Lee | USA
MY PIANO LIFE – Dir. Jiayi Wang | USA

Shorts Program: QUATTRO HONG KONG 2
PURPLE – Dir. Brillante Mendoza | Hong Kong
OPEN VERDICT – Dir. Yuhang Ho | Hong Kong
M HOTEL – Dir. Apichatpong Weerasethakul | Hong Kong
13 MINUTES IN THE LIVES OF… – Dir. Stanley Kwan | Hong Kong

Shorts Program: SUITE SUITE CHINATOWN
OVERTURE – Dirs. Howie Shia & Lillian Chan | Canada
LIPSYNC – Dirs. Howie Shia & Lillian Chan | Canada
PRETTY LUCKY – Dir. Serena Lee | Canada
AUNTIE – Dir. Heather Keung | Canada
UNCLES – Dir. Heather Keung | Canada
ELIZABETH STREET – Dir. Lesley Loksi Chan | Canada
PLASTIC FUTURE – Dir. Aram Siu Wai Collier | Canada
HOW TO PARTY – Dir. Joyce Wong | Canada
THE WARRIORS OF QIUGANG – Dir. Ruby Yang | USA

Check out www.aaiff.org/2011 for more information on how to order and pick up tickets.
There are no refunds and no exchanges. All tickets are general admission. Ticketholders must arrive 15 minutes prior to show time. Late ticketholders will not be guaranteed seating. All programs are subject to change, please check www.aaiff.org/2011 or call 212.989.0017 for changes and updates.

About Asian CineVision
The annual Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is produced by Asian CineVision (ACV), a nonprofit media arts organization devoted to the development, promotion and preservation of Asian and Asian American film and video. http://www.asiancinevision.org/aaiff/

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Ed Lin, Tina Chen, Ron Nakahara and Cindy Cheung Star in The Potential Wives of Norman Mao which screens during the 2011 AAIFF at Clearview Chelsea on August 12 & 13
Japan Cuts 2011: The New York Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema at Japan Society, 7/7-7/22
Meshach Taylor on Wendy Williams Show on May 17
11th Annual New York Indian Film Festival Winners: Sthaniya Sambaad, Aparna Sen, Konkona Sen Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, Bhopali
Photos: Samrat Chakrabarti, Soham Mehta and Shiva Shankar Bajpai at the New York Indian Film Festival
Click here for Film Articles Archive.
Photos: Rick Shiomi Checks out Performing Arts Playwrights Series in the Asian American Pacific Islander Collection of Library of Congress; Attends “Asian American Plays for a New Generation” Book Signing in NY
Lia Chang Theater Portfolio at Library of Congress Features Photos of Thom Sesma’s Makeup Transformation as Scar in Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas, Robert Lee and Leon Ko’s Heading East Starring BD Wong, David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish, and Samrat Chakrabarti and Sanjiv Jhaveri’s Bakwas Bumbug!
Photos:Alexander McQueen:Savage Beauty Extends at Met through 8/7, Met Mondays w/ McQueen begin 6/6
Photos: Christmas in June w/ Samrat Chakrabarti and Sanjiv Jhaveri’s “Bakwas Bumbug” at The Wild Project in NY-6/26
Photos: André De Shields leads the cast of Charles Smith’s Knock Me A Kiss at The National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, NC, 8/2-8/4
Photos: “How To Succeed” stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rose Hemingway & John Larroquette at Lord & Taylor Fifth Ave
My portrait of “New York actor Thom Sesma’s Makeup Transformation into Scar in The Lion King” on view in HHC’s New York City: IN FOCUS, Vol. 2- 7/14
Photos: Phylicia Rashad, Michael McElroy, Marva Hicks in Broadway Inspirational Voices “Wondrous Grace” Concert in NY
Photos: Playwright David Henry Hwang in rehearsal at the Goodman Theatre for World Premiere of Chinglish
Photos: Willie Reale, Frances McDormand, Lewis Black, Bela Fleck, Renee Goldsberry, Duncan Sheik, Lisa Benavides, Abigail Washburn, Tim Blake Nelson at The 52nd Street Project Benefit
Photos: David Duchovny, John Earl Jelks, Amanda Peet, Tracee Chimo
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden. Lia currently plays Nurse Lia on “One Life to Live”. She has appeared in Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and “New York Undercover”.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are now in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com.

AAJA & MOCA Nov. 4 Panel & Town Hall on covering Chinatown: “CHINATOWN, UNCOVERED”

On November 4, the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) is presenting an expert panel discussion and interactive Town Hall meeting exploring what’s working, and what’s not in mainstream media coverage of Manhattan’s Chinatown — the oldest ethnic Chinese enclave on the East Coast, and the largest community of Chinese in the Western hemisphere — and how ethnic, online and alternative media outlets have stepped up to fill the holes. The Museum of Chinese in America is located at 215 Centre Street in New York. FREE to the public, plus free all-day museum admission and complimentary refreshments courtesy of Starbucks from 6-7 pm. The panel discussion, which runs from 7-9, will be moderated by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning reporter Ti-Hua Chang, Fox 5 WNYW.

What stories go unreported in New York’s biggest immigrant ethnic enclave — and why? Join leading mainstream and ethnic journalists who cover Chinatown and Lower Manhattan for a roundtable discussion exploring the coverage of the news, culture, arts and politics of this dynamic and rapidly changing community.

Following the panel, AAJA — which has received funding for a journalism innovation pilot project via the McCormick and Ford Foundations — will lead a discussion on proposed solutions to help address these coverage gaps for feedback from the audience.

Confirmed Panelists include, John Bayles, associate editor, Downtown Express, Tony DeStefano, reporter, New York Newsday, Ed Litvak, editor of The Lo-Down, Cindy Liu, former reporter, Sing Tao Daily, Kirk Semple, reporter, The New York Times.

MODERATOR BIO
Ti-Hua Chang joined WNYW/Fox 5 in 2009 as a general assignment reporter from sister station WWOR/My9, where he had served as a general assignment and investigative reporter since 2008. Previously, Chang worked at WCBS-TV, WNBC, and WNYC, where he was host of his own talk show, New York Hotline. Before he began his on-air career, he was an investigative producer at ABC News. Among his awards and honors is the Peabody Award, a New York Press Club award, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and five Emmys. He has advocated for greater coverage of Chinatown and Asian American communities throughout his career and as a former New York chapter and national board member of AAJA.

SPEAKER BIOS
John Bayles is the associate editor of the Downtown Express, with primary responsibility for assigning and editing articles for Lower Manhattan’s largest community newspaper. He came to the Express from Long Island’s Sag Harbor Express, and before that, from New Orleans, where he lived for four years, only leaving after the city experienced the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Tony DeStefano is a staff reporter covering New York City legal affairs and criminal justice for Newsday newspaper. He was part of a team of New York Newsday reporters who won the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for spot news while covering the crash of a subway train at Union Square. Tony has covered a wide range of legal related subjects, specializing in organized crime, white collar crime and immigration. He is the author of numerous books, including King of The Godfathers (Citadel Press, 2008) and The War On Human Trafficking: U.S. Policy Assessed (Rutgers University Press, 2008).

Ed Litvak is editor of The Lo-Down, a news and arts web site covering the Lower East Side and Chinatown. He was executive producer of CNN’s American Morning and supervising producer at NBC’s Today Show. Ed has worked in broadcast/online journalism for more than 20 years.

Cindy Liu is a reporter for the Mandarin-language TV health and sustainable living program Better Body and Soul. Her experience with ethnic media started at the Sing Tao Daily, where she worked as a crime reporter; as a television correspondent, she has also covered sports for the Central China TV Station Sports Channel. She has also worked at USA Today’s Beijing bureau as a news assistant, covering Chinese domestic immigration, the drug trade, AIDS, education and finance.

Kirk Semple joined The New York Times in the spring of 2003; he has been a reporter on the paper’s foreign desk as a reporter in the Baghdad bureau, and for the past two years has covered the Metro desk’s immigration beat. Prior to joining The Times, Mr. Semple was a foreign correspondent reporting from Bogotá, Colombia, a general assignment reporter for the Durham Morning Herald, a reporter for the Associated Press, and a staff writer for the Miami New Times.

November 4, from 6 pm to 9 pm
(6-7 pm light refreshments; 7-9 pm roundtable)
Where: The Museum of Chinese in America
215 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013

Admission: Free! (November 4 is Target First Thursday, with complimentary museum admission all day.
http://www.mocanyc.org/visit/events/

RSVP REQUIRED; please email: education@mocanyc.org
Co-presented by the Asian American Journalists Association, this program is held in conjunction with MOCA’s Archeology of Change Project.

Museum of Chinese in America’s Archeology of Change Project explores issues of urban renewal facing Chinatowns across the country. Working with public artist Tomie Arai and writer/cultural worker Lena Sze in 2007, MOCA collected interviews with nearly 30 individuals of different ethnicities, occupations, ages, generations, and relationships to Chinatown. Their memories and perspectives provided an on-the-ground view of “Chinatown” and its role as a vibrant part of the city’s economic and cultural life.

In 2010, MOCA continues the conversation through a series of public programs, in collaboration with the Asian American Writers’ Workshop’s Open City, that invite community members, experts and leaders to tackle issues revealed through the oral history project, and to give the local a larger societal, environmental and political context.

In conjunction with the program series, Arai will explore the potential of the web as a public art space with Chinatown Re-Map — an online, interactive portal to “places that matter” in Chinatown. Mapped sites will be presented through the lens of neighborhood stakeholders through mixed media formats such as podcast videos, historical images, and soundscapes; and will offer alternative views of a community often naively consumed and stereotyped as an exotic, foreign, and sometimes criminal marketplace. The site can also serve as a place for shared dialogue on the changing physical and cultural landscapes of Chinatowns across the United States.

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com.

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space will become part of newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, VIBE, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog.