NAAP STATEMENT

Our mission has always focused our support on the performing arts, while also building a safe place in our community. In the wake of not just last week’s event, but the multiple horrible attacks in recent memory, we at NAAP want to reach out to our friends and members who are feeling anger, grief, confusion and experiencing various levels of trauma as a result of these horrendous and random attacks. It is further troubling to try to grasp the idea that this is happening due to an unprecedented and wildly inaccurate sourcing of misinformation targeted toward our ethnic origin. This pain and grief affect all of us and to have this happening during an historic and disastrous pandemic, makes all of this an even more heightened tragedy. Like any family, we encourage everyone to please take care of each other and look out for one another. We are asking that you make that extra effort to check in on friends, family, elders, and, please, don’t be afraid to use your voices and share your opinions and thoughts.”

 “Stay well, stay safe.

In loving spirit,”

Baayork Lee & The NAAP Team

www.naaproject.org

 —————————–

MY MAN KONO: Play

By Mabel Pais

PAN ASIAN REPERTORY THEATRE

PRESENTS VIRTUAL READING OF NEW PLAY

“MY MAN KONO”

PLAYWRIGHT: PHILIP W. CHUNG

DIRECTOR: JEFF LIU

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 AT 5:00PM (EST) ONLY

FREE

“A Stage for All the World of Asian –Americans”- Mel Gussow, The New York Times

 “I became fascinated by how this Asian American man who had somehow become the confidant to the most famous person in Hollywood could also end up imprisoned as a Japanese spy. As more Asian-American stories are being discovered, rediscovered, and amplified, the time feels right to share Toraichi Kono’s story and reclaim his place in Asian-American history.” = Philip W. Chung, Playwright

The Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (Tisa Chang, Founding Artistic Director), continuing their educational initiative, presents a reading of the new play, “My Man Kono” by Philip W. Chung.

Directed by Jeff Liu, the 8-member cast will feature David Dean Bottrell, Katie Lee Hill, Lily Holleman, David Lee Huynh, Zach Lusk, Jonathan Medina, Ron Nakahara, and Armin Shimerman. The FREE virtual presentation is set for Friday, April 2, 2021 beginning at 5:00PM (EST). Follow this Link to access the reading: cccforms.gle/43uwwRnatiM3QDHA8

“My Man Kono” is based on the life of Toraichi Kono, who worked as Charlie Chaplin’s personal valet for two decades before being arrested as an enemy spy during the anti-Japanese hysteria of World War II. “My Man Kono” was awarded second place in the East West Players’ Pacific Century Playwriting Competition.

Playwright Philip W. Chung shared this about his new play,” I had no idea Toraichi Kono existed until I attended a Charlie Chaplin retrospective at the L.A. County Museum of Art. “The Adventurer” was one of the shorts screened and I noticed an Asian man in the film playing the chauffeur of Chaplin’s character. I was surprised to see an Asian in a non-stereotypical role in a 1917 Hollywood production and wondered who this was.”

For additional information, email info@panasianrep.org

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, celebrating its 44th Milestone Season, is the most veteran Asian American theatre company on the East Coast. Tisa Chang founded Pan Asian Rep in 1977 at Ellen Stewart’s La Mama ETC with the vision to promote equity and access that Asian Americans artists can equally follow, focusing on stories of probing social justice issues with distinctive Off-Broadway Productions, Tours, National Outreach, and Community Service. To learn more, visit panasianrep.org

——————————–

CRAZY TALENTED ASIANS: Comedy

By Mabel Pais

FTH Presents

CRAZY TALENTED ASIANS & FRIENDS

JATIN CHHUGANI, VIVEK NETRAKANTI Among Performers

SATURDAY APRIL 17, 2021 AT 8 P.M. EST, FREE

Flushing Town Hall (FTH) this April goes all out with an incredibly diverse lineup of comedy events. As New York City slowly reopens, the cultural nonprofit continues to present its programs to an all-virtual audience while livestreaming small ensembles from its stage.

Audiences can enjoy “Crazy Talented Asians & Friends” and other programs.

Crazy Talented Asians & Friends – Live Comedy

On Saturday, April 17, 2021, Flushing Town Hall presents the return of “Crazy Talented Asians & Friends” with a new comedy show, “Triumphing Over Quarantine.” highlighting Asian American perspectives and experiences during the global pandemic, the virtual event kicks off at 8:00 PM (ET).  These rising East and South Asian American comedy talents will share their struggles and triumphs over the pandemic through the lens of sketch and stand-up comedy.

Flushing Town Hall will present this special, FREE event on its YouTube channel – youtu.be/wNa4dtfWoU4

Mr. Otter Lee, who plays Otter Lin on Stephen Colbert Presents: “Tooning Out the News,” returns to host this exciting event. He will be joined by ‘Overstep Comedy,’ whose Manhattan shows frequently sell out, and other talented comedians and special guests, including Jatin Chhugani, Patricia Dinglasan, Vivek Netrakanti, Becky Yamamoto, and Angel Yau.

The event will also pay a Memorial Tribute to Corky Lee, the legendary journalistic photographer who passed away due to COVID-19 in January 2021. Furthermore, the event will also feature the NYC Chinatown small business community and Patrick Mock, the manager of 46 Mott Bakery, which has been delivering meals to hospitals and the elderly since the onset of the pandemic.

Looking ahead, “Crazy Talented Asians & Friends” will continue in May with an evening of animated short films selected from several hundreds of submissions to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Flushing Town Hall via its redesigned website: flushingtownhall.org, remains a great source for information about the history and mission of the organization, as well as important contact and community engagement information.

DONATIONS

Most of Flushing Town Hall’s “FTH At Home!” (flushingtownhall.org/events) virtual programming is presented for free to the general public; however, donations (flushingtownhall.org/donate-now) in any amount are welcome and appreciated to support the artists and the nonprofit cultural organization as they continue to provide programming and entertainment across New York and the world. Currently all programs are being presented virtually.

 About Flushing Town Hall

Flushing Town Hall (FTH), a Smithsonian affiliate, presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens and New York City, in order to foster mutual appreciation. As advocates of arts equity since 1979, FTH supports local, immigrant, national, and international artists, developing partnerships and collaborations that enhance its efforts. It serves one of the most diverse communities in the world and strives to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined the community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657. To learn about Flushing Town Hall, visit flushingtownhall.org

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness)