Teaching Memoir and Writing with Style at WCC today!

Teaching today and next Saturday at Washtenaw Community College:  Jumpstart Your Memoir and Writing With Style. Come join us!

Jumpstart Your Memoir  ENG 4006  Start 11/30/13  Mandatory Fees: $0.00  Rm. LA 150 2 sessions  Sat  Tuition: $89.00  Location: Liberal Arts & Sciences Bldg   Instructor: Wang    Please read: Students will need to bring a notebook and ...More
Writing With Style  ENG 4004  Start 11/30/13  Mandatory Fees: $0.00  Rm. LA 150 2 sessions  Sat  Tuition: $89.00  Location: Liberal Arts & Sciences Bldg   Instructor: Wang

https://washtenaw.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassListing.ClassListingDisplay&int_category_id=3&int_sub_category_id=49&int_catalog_id=

Watch Kristina Wong in the most awesome TV interview ever

"Suck it, white ladies!" After this Kristina Wong video, my Thanksgiving is now complete. Leftover sticky rice 8 bao stuffing and Thanksgiving Gulab Jamin for breakfast. Now to the movies. Thanks to everyone in our Asian Pacific American media community for everything ♥ h/t Phil Yu Angry Asian Man (actually everyone)
Watch Kristina Wong in the most awesome TV interview ever

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Ha! Not bad for a vegetarian! Teriyaki turkey w sticky rice stuffing all but done and house passably cleaned too! Happy Thanksgiving's Eve!

More hula, day 2 of Makawalu at University of Michigan

More hula! Lectures today on Makawalu (Eight eyes/perspectives) at 10 am and 4 pm at University of Michigan Department of American Culture, 3512 Haven Hall.



https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=398567723578998&set=gm.477574962363449&type=1&theater

'Makawalu' to infuse Ann Arbor with Hawaiian culture, spirit - The Michigan Daily

from the Michigan Daily about tonight's concert:

The event is spearheaded by Amy Stillman and Susan Najita, who are both Asian/Pacific Islander Studies Program professors at the University.

“There is, to this day, a core of native Hawaiian knowledge and cultural practices and ways of being that have persisted,” Stillman said. “These two artists are two of the most consummate exemplars of a truly indigenous way of being in the 21st century.”

Kekuhi and Kaumakaiwa’s music style is a showcase of what native Hawaiian artists are about. Featuring dramatic melodies, passionate lyrics and ancient ‘oli chants, Stillman and Najita are confident that the concert will be worth seeing, even for those with little knowledge of Hawaiian culture.

“You are transported into a different reality (during their concerts),” Najita said. “People go to the movies for that.”

Directly translated, “makawalu” means “eight eyes” and encourages people to develop multiple perspectives. 

'Makawalu' to infuse Ann Arbor with Hawaiian culture, spirit - The Michigan Daily

Today: Makawalu: Hawaiian Hula Arts Concert and Lectures on Indigenous Ecology at UM Nov 25-26

Today! Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies at the University of Michigan is hosting a concert and lecture series with legendary hula artists Kekuhi Kealikanakaoleohaililani and Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole.

Concert: Monday, November 25, 7:00 pm, at University of Michigan Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Ann Arbor. Doors open at 6:30. Free.

Lectures: Tuesday, November 26, 10 am and 4 pm, 3512 Haven Hall.

Not to be missed. Seriously.

Sneak peak: Check out this awesome video of Kaumakaiwa performing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD2oGKVRhU0 
▶ Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole - "Ola'A" - YouTube

Details: Makawalu: Concert and Lectures on Indigenous Ecology of Hawaiian Hula Arts

Fundraiser for Stephanie Chang and Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood, Saturday, December 7, 2013.

Fundraiser for Stephanie Chang and Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood, Saturday, December 7, 2013.

Michigan International Festival

Michigan International Festival tonight, November 23, 5-9pm, at Saline High School, sponsored by Rotary Ann Arbor West

Rotary, MI International Festival

Don't Buy Miss Saigon

From my good friends Bao Phi and Julianne Hu Pegues in Minneapolis:

WHAT IS MISS SAIGON? WHAT’S WRONG WITH IT?

The musical Miss Saigon is launching in Minneapolis and several other cities, and the London re-staging broke the record for West End box office ticket sales, making 4.4 million pounds in one day. Many defenders of Miss Saigon, a play written by two white men based on a photograph they saw, insist that the play is “truthful” and “historically accurate.” What is especially problematic is that Miss Saigon is the longest running and most enduring pop culture representation of Vietnamese people in the Western world – and to a certain extent and by extension of racism, it presents a narrow lens through which all Asians are viewed.
While we recognize that there are many truths, we also see that institutional racism, sexism, and colonization continually reinforce shallow stereotypes of people of color, and the ‘truths’ that are most often lauded and supported are exploitative works that reproduce and validate harmful power structures and chauvinism that ultimately harms the people they claim to portray. Miss Saigon is such a spectacle: a big budget ode to colonialism that romanticizes war and human trafficking.

Don't Buy Miss Saigon

Encourage them to run George Takei's new musical, Allegiance, instead!

If 3 Little Girls Did This To My House, I'd Do Everything I Could To Get Them Full Rides To Stanford

Awesome girl power! Little Brother wants to build one too... :)

If 3 Little Girls Did This To My House, I'd Do Everything I Could To Get Them Full Rides To Stanford

Eight Greatest Hits from W. Kamau Bell’s ‘Totally Biased’ - COLORLINES

Will miss W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu! Just watched all 8 videos with the kids...my kids are going to grow up so warped...i mean awesome! :) thanks so much Colorlines.

Will have to make sure to show the George Takei video for my University of Michigan class next term on "Asian Pacific American Civil Rights: Journalism, Activism, and the Law."

http://colorlines.com/archives/2013/11/8_greatest_hits_from_w_kamau_bells_totally_biased.html

Eight Greatest Hits from W. Kamau Bell’s ‘Totally Biased’ - COLORLINES

▶ Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole - "Ola'A" - YouTube

Next Monday Nov. 25 7pm at the University of Michigan: Makawalu!

Sneak peak: Check out this video of Kaumakaiwa performing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD2oGKVRhU0
▶ Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole - "Ola'A" - YouTube

Diversity v Multiculturalism

Quote of the day: "Diversity is a lot of different people in a room, multiculturalism is when they talk."

http://wukiangclan.blogspot.com/2013/11/from-diversity-to-multiculturalism.html

OMG Helen Zia is reading my book today! Photo

OMG Helen Zia is reading my book today!



And you can, too! Purchase my chapbook, "Imaginary Affairs--Postcards from an Imagined Life," in person or from Blacklava.net today:  Blacklava - frances kai-hwa wang imaginary affairs chapbook 

Helen Zia at American Citizens for Justice / Asian American Center for Justice 30th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner Photos

Helen Zia! Photos from American Citizens for Justice / Asian American Center for Justice 30th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner.

Photos by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, not to be reproduced without permission.

American Citizens for Justice Fundraising Dinner Today!

Today! Come meet Asian Pacific American hero Helen Zia at American Citizens for Justice / Asian American Center for Justice fundraising dinner November 15, 2013, 6pm! (♥ swoon ) Corporate and nonprofit sponsorships available, as well as discounted student tickets.

Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel, 21111 Haggerty Road, Novi, Michigan 48375 http://www.rememberingvincentchin.com/2013/11/helen-zia-keynote-for-american-citizens.html

My Dinner with Helen Zia

Best Regards Advancing Justice Conference from American Citizens for Justice / Asian American Center for Justice and Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission Wish we could be there with y'all, but we're having dinner with Helen Zia!  swoon!

Tomorrow: Helen Zia will be the keynote speaker at American Citizens for Justice / Asian American Center for Justice fundraising dinner November 15, 2013, 6pm! (♥ swoon ) Corporate and nonprofit sponsorships available, as well as discounted student tickets. 

Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel, 21111 Haggerty Road, Novi, Michigan 48375http://www.rememberingvincentchin.com/2013/11/helen-zia-keynote-for-american-citizens.html

2013 Advancing Justice Conference » Civil Rights for the Next Generation: The Role of Arts, Entertainment, and Social Media

Go Go Angry Asian Man Phil Yu who is speaking on the opening plenary of the Advancing Justice Conference 2013 on Thursday Nov 14 in Los Angeles, Californnia. So sorry to be missing all the fun this year, but look forward to catching up with everyone soon... American Citizens for Justice / Asian American Center for Justice sends best regards!

2013 Advancing Justice Conference » Civil Rights for the Next Generation: The Role of Arts, Entertainment, and Social Media

Makawalu: Concert and Lectures on Indigenous Ecology of Hawaiian Hula Arts at UM Nov 25-26

Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies at the University of Michigan is hosting a one-night only concert and lecture series with legendary hula artists Kekuhi Kealikanakaoleohaililani and Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole Monday Nov 25 6:30 pm. See you there! 

Check out: Makawalu: Concert and Lectures on Indigenous Ecology of Hawaiian Hula Arts

Helen Zia Keynote speaker for American Citizens for Justice Fundraiser November 15

Come meet Asian Pacific American hero Helen Zia at American Citizens for Justice / Asian American Center for Justice fundraising dinner November 15, 2013, 6pm! (♥ swoon ) Corporate and nonprofit sponsorships available, as well as discounted student tickets.

Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel
21111 Haggerty Road, Novi, Michigan 48375
View Map · Get Directions

Badass Wheelchairs - Ann Arbor Observer

Check out this article I wrote for Ann Arbor Observer on today's event 3 pm at University of Michigan Crysler Arena. 6th Annual Army vs. Navy Wheelchair Basketball Game, sponsored by U-M Council for Disability Concerns. Fun!
Badass Wheelchairs - Ann Arbor Observer

MI Response To Hate: | Michigan Alliance Against Hate Crimes

This conference looks really cool:

MI Response To Hate: 2013A Conference Presented by The Michigan Alliance Against Hate Crimes
And The Michigan Department of Civil Rights
November 22, 2013MSU Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, East Lansing, MI

MI Response To Hate: | Michigan Alliance Against Hate Crimes

The Asian Invasion MYTH Symposium of change | APA Studies Program | Michigan State University

Today at the APA Studies Program | Michigan State University: The Asian Invasion MYTH Symposium of change, MSU Kellogg Center, November 8, 2013, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. with Dr. Shilpa Dave as keynote.

Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce Urban Economic Conference

Speaking today at the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce Urban Economic Conference in Detroit!

Infographic AAPIs and the Affordable Care Act

love this infographic! getting ready to speak tomorrow on AAPIs and the Affordable Care Act at the Urban Economic Conference sponsored by the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce 
http://www.michiganblackchamber.com/conference/?page_id=9

Stephanie Chang Birthday Fundraiser Tuesday November 12, 2013, 6:00-8:30 pm

Stephanie Chang Birthday Fundraiser Tuesday November 12, 2013, 6:00-8:30 pm

APACC Power Mixer B2B Showcase November 14 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti

APACC Power Mixer B2B Showcase, November 14, 2013, Mariott Eagle Crest, Ypsilanti

Students! Come meet Helen Zia for American Citizens for Justice!

NOW! Student Tickets available for $40! Come meet Asian Pacific American hero Helen Zia at American Citizens for Justice / Asian American Center for Justice fundraising dinner November 15, 2013, 6pm! (♥ swoon ) Corporate and nonprofit sponsorships available.

Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel
21111 Haggerty Road, Novi, Michigan 48375
View Map · Get Directions

Teaching Ethical Wills at WCC today: A Love Letter to your Family

Teaching a weekend writing workshop today and tomorrow at Washtenaw Community College:  Ethical Wills: Writing a Love Letter to Your Family. Come join us!

Ethical Wills: Writing a Love Letter to Your Family  ENG 4003  Start 11/02/13  Mandatory Fees: $0.00  Rm. LA 138 2 sessions  Sat Sun  Tuition: $59.00  Location: Liberal Arts & Sciences Bldg   Instructor: Wang
Coming up next: Jumpstart Your Memoir  ENG 4006  Start 11/30/13  Mandatory Fees: $0.00  Rm. LA 150 2 sessions  Sat  Tuition: $89.00  Location: Liberal Arts & Sciences Bldg   Instructor: Wang    Please read: Students will need to bring a notebook and ...More
Writing With Style  ENG 4004  Start 11/30/13  Mandatory Fees: $0.00  Rm. LA 150 2 sessions  Sat  Tuition: $89.00  Location: Liberal Arts & Sciences Bldg   Instructor: Wang

https://washtenaw.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassListing.ClassListingDisplay&int_category_id=3&int_sub_category_id=49&int_catalog_id=

“The 'Ha' (Breath) of Writing” weekend writing retreat in Chicago in February

I am very excited to have been invited by Hula Kumu June Ryushin Tanoue of Chicago's Halau i Ka Pono to do a reading and a writing and hula workshop with her, “The 'Ha' (Breath) of Writing,” February 21-23, 2014! in Chicago!

UPDATE: Extremely tentative schedule:
Friday night: Prose Poetry Reading and Hula Performance,
Saturday: Writing and Hula workshop,
Sunday: Talk about Writing, Buddhism, and Life.

More info about Hula Kumu June Tanoue: http://www.halauikapono.org/about.htm