Teaching at Washtenaw Community College Winter 2014

I will be teaching these courses at Washtenaw Community College Winter 2014. Sign up today!

English Special Workshop- Dare to Dream  ENG 4055  Start 02/18/14  Mandatory Fees: $0.00  Rm. LA 160 2 sessions  Tue Thu  Tuition: $49.00  Location: Liberal Arts & Sciences Bldg   Instructor: Wang Facing a big change or opportunity in your life? Terrified or thrilled out of your wits? Not sure if you trust that you know what you know? Learn simple but powerful methods to get the ideas out of your head and onto the page in order to write your way through this challenge. Part journaling, part business plan, lots of short writing exercises, this course aspires to create the space in your head and the courage in your heart to take those first dizzying steps as you dare to dream. Bring a notebook and pen.
Writing With Style  ENG 4004  Start 02/24/14  Mandatory Fees: $0.00  Rm. LA 272 2 sessions  Mon Wed  Tuition: $49.00  Location: Liberal Arts & Sciences Bldg   Instructor: Wang Discover your inner voice through writing. Students will gain hands on experience on how to begin the writing processes and discover and explore their creativity.

(Note: dates of Writing with Style may change)

Chinese 1  CHN 4000  Start 01/08/14  Mandatory Fees: $10.00  Rm. TBD 10 sessions  Wed  Tuition: $189.00  Location: Main Campus   Instructor: Wang
Chinese 2  CHN 4005  Start 03/12/14  Mandatory Fees: $0.00  Rm. LA 163 10 sessions  Wed  Tuition: $189.00  Location: Liberal Arts & Sciences Bldg   Instructor: Wang

(Note: dates of Chinese 2 may change to March 26 to May 28)

American Citizens for Justice Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fundraiser December 5

Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fundraiser and Happy Hour Thursday, December 5, 2013, 5:30pm to 8:30pm, MEX, 6675 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, 48301. Sponsored by American Citizens for Justice / Asian American Center for Justice, Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association and South Asian Bar Association of Michigan. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1395439180699677/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

RIP Frances Kathryn Pearson Korematsu 1921-2013

Our thoughts are with Karen Korematsu and family.
http://korematsuinstitute.org/2013/11/in-memory-of-frances-kathryn-pearson-korematsu-1921-2013/

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

How Not To Be Racist on Halloween - Speakeasy - WSJ by Jeff Yang

If you want to make sure your costume is not racist, check out Jeff Yang of the Wall Street Journal's Tao Jones' amazing Simple Costume Racism Evaluation and Assessment Meter, or SCREAM, flowchart to test whether or not your costume is racist (complete with alternative mask in case you don't pass the test). Awesomeness! (My joy in Halloween has been restored just in the knick of time!)
How Not To Be Racist on Halloween - Speakeasy - WSJ

The Ann Arbor stop of Tom Peek's "Daughters of Fire" North American Book Tour

A great few days with Hawaii friends during the Ann Arbor stop of Tom Peek's "Daughters of Fire" North American Book Tour. Thanks to Professor Susan Najita for putting this all together, Auntie June Ryushin Tanoue for blessing our events with moving Pele chants, Catherine Robbins for sharing her artwork with us, and Tom Peek for leading the adventure! It was great to be a part. Feel so grounded and real.

Thanks also to our hosts at the University of Michigan Department of American Culture Program in Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies, Nicola's Books, and the Ann Arbor District Library.

More information at http://koabooks.com/ and http://daughtersoffire.com/. Catch Tom in California next!

 

Special thanks to our good friends at TK Wu Fine Chinese Cuisine Restaurant http://tkwu.com, Eastern Flame Restaurant http://www.neweasternflame.com/, and Tuptim Thai Cuisine http://www.tuptim.com/ for always taking such good care of our family.

Meet Author Tom Peek (Daughters of Fire) | Nicola's Books

Tonight! Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 7:00 pm at Nicola's Books. Can't get enough of Tom Peek!

Meet Author Tom Peek (Daughters of Fire) | Nicola's Books

Reading today at AADL "Hawaii: Deep Beauty and Volcanic Power" with Tom Peek 7pm

Today:  I will be reading with Tom Peek at Ann Arbor District Library on Tuesday October 29, 2013, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, "Hawaii: Deep Beauty and Volcanic Power."

This program is themed around Hawaii and our romance with volcanos, but it is really about writing about place, culture(s), environmental and development issues. Here's the agenda:

• Introduction by Susan Najita of the University of Michigan Department of English and Department of American Culture Program in Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies 
• Hula kumu June Yoshiko Kaililani Ryushin Tanoue of Halau i Ka Pono hula school in Chicago will do a Pele (volcano) chant
• Artist Catherine Robbins will discuss her painting and photography
• I will be reading from my new chapbook, "Where the Lava Meets the Sea--Asian Pacific American Postcards from Hawaii."
• Tom Peek will be reading from his new novel, "Daughters of Fire."
• Q&A Panel Discussion
• Book Signing! And snacks!

Bios at: http://www.franceskaihwawang.com/2013/09/aadl-talk-tuesday-october-29-2013-700.html

Events | American Culture | University of Michigan

From Department of American Culture:

Hawaii: Deep Beauty and Volcanic Power

Oct
29
2013

Add to Cal

• Host Department: American Culture
• Date: 10/29/2013
• Time: 07:00PM - 08:30PM
  
• Location: Multi-Purpose Room Ann Arbor Public Library, Downtown Branch
  
• Description:
  Look beyond the idyllic tourist image of Hawaii and explore the deeper beauty and sacred heritage of Hawaii and its volcanoes through its cultural traditions, history, literature, music, and art with authors Tom Peek and Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, and artist Catherine Robbins. The program will include author readings, cross-cultural discussion, nature photography, and volcano-inspired art. Light Hawaiian snacks will be served. The event features:
  • Hawaii-based writer Tom Peek, who will read from his new novel, "Daughters of Fire," a gripping story of interracial and intercultural romance, political intrigue, myth and murder, set atop the volcanoes of the Big Island of Hawaii and filled with complex characters that reveal the true heart of Hawaii.
  • Ann Arbor-based writer Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, who will read from her new chapbook, "Where the Lava Meets the Sea—Asian Pacific American Postcards from Hawai‘i," in which she explores the natural wonders, many cultures, and interesting characters of Big Island as she searches for home in Hawaii, and instead discovers an Asian Pacific American sense of belonging.
  • Hawaii-based artist Catherine Robbins, who will discuss her volcano-inspired paintings and artistic practice.

Events | American Culture | University of Michigan

Author Tom Peek on Campus | UM Events | University of Michigan

from umich.edu:

Author Tom Peek on Campus
Readings and DiscussionTom Peek, visiting author and Winner of Benjamin Franklin Silver Medal for Popular Fiction from the Independent Book Publishers Association, 2013 for 'Daughters of Fire' to speak at a series of readings and discussions on October 29-30.

TOM PEEK: READING & DISCUSSION Tuesday, October 29 10-11:30 am Hatcher Graduate Library, Gallery, Room 100

HAWAII: DEEP BEAUTY AND VOLCANIC POWER Featuring: Tom Peek, Artist Catherine Robbins, and Poet Frances Kai-Hwa Wang Tuesday, October 29 7-8:30 pm Ann Arbor Public Library, Downtown Branch Multi-Purpose Room
Look beyond the idyllic tourist image of Hawaii and explore the deeper beauty and sacred heritage of Hawaii and its volcanoes through its cultural traditions, history, literature, music, and art with authors Tom Peek and Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, and artist Catherine Robbins. The program will include author readings, cross-cultural discussion, nature photography, and volcano-inspired art. Light Hawaiian snacks will be served. The event features:
• Hawaii-based writer Tom Peek, who will read from his new novel, "Daughters of Fire," a gripping story of interracial and intercultural romance, political intrigue, myth and murder, set atop the volcanoes of the Big Island of Hawaii and filled with complex characters that reveal the true heart of Hawaii.
• Ann Arbor-based writer Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, who will read from her new chapbook, "Where the Lava Meets the Sea—Asian Pacific American Postcards from Hawai‘i," in which she explores the natural wonders, many cultures, and interesting characters of Big Island as she searches for home in Hawaii, and instead discovers an Asian Pacific American sense of belonging.
• Hawaii-based artist Catherine Robbins, who will discuss her volcano-inspired paintings and artistic practice.

TOM PEEK: READING & DISCUSSION Wednesday, October 30 7-8 pm Nicola's Books

Multiple locations and times.

SPONSOR:  http://lsa.umich.edu/ac  Department of American Culture

Author Tom Peek on Campus | UM Events | University of Michigan

Hawai'i: Deep Beauty and Volcanic Power | Ann Arbor District Library

From AADL.org:

Hawai'i: Deep Beauty and Volcanic Power

Tuesday October 29, 2013: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Look beyond the idyllic tourist image of Hawaii and explore the deeper beauty and sacred heritage of Hawaii and its volcanoes through its cultural traditions, history, literature, music, and art with authors Tom Peek and Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, and artist Catherine Robbins. The program will include author readings, cross-cultural discussion, nature photography, and volcano-inspired art. Light Hawaiian snacks will be served. The event features:

• Hawaii-based writer Tom Peek, who will read from his new novel, "Daughters of Fire," a gripping story of interracial and intercultural romance, political intrigue, myth and murder, set atop the volcanoes of the Big Island of Hawaii and filled with complex characters that reveal the true heart of Hawaii.

• Ann Arbor-based writer Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, who will read from her new chapbook, "Where the Lava Meets the Sea—Asian Pacific American Postcards from Hawai‘i," in which she explores the natural wonders, many cultures, and interesting characters of Big Island as she searches for home in Hawaii, and instead discovers an Asian Pacific American sense of belonging.

• Hawaii-based artist Catherine Robbins, who will discuss her volcano-inspired paintings and artistic practice.

Hawai'i: Deep Beauty and Volcanic Power | Ann Arbor District Library

Ann Arbor Natural Awakenings – October 2013 : Calendar Of Events

Ann Arbor Natural Awakenings – October 2013 : Calendar Of Events

re October 29:

Hawaii: Deep Beauty and Volcanic Power 7-8:30pm.Look beyond the idyllic tourist image of Hawaii and explore the deeper beauty and sacred heritage of Hawaii and its volcanoes through its cultural traditions, history, literature, music, and art with authors Tom Peek and Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, and artist Catherine Robbins.Downtown Library, 343 S Fifth Ave.327-4555.AADL.org.

and from CatherineRobbins.com:

On October 29, Catherine will participate in a panel discussion, “Hawaiʻi: Deep Beauty and Volcanic Power” http://www.aadl.org/node/232882 at the Ann Arbor District Library in Michigan. Catherine will show slides of her Hawaiʻi inspired paintings and discuss her artistic practice. Frances Kai-Hwa Wang will read from "Where the Lava Meets the Sea—Asian Pacific American Postcards from Hawai‘i", a collection of her essays, prose, poems and short stories, and Tom Peek will read from his award-winning novel, Daughters of Fire. Dr. Susan Najita, Professor of English at the University of Michigan, will moderate the discussion. Light Hawaiian snacks will be served. Tuesday, October 29, 7:00 p.m., Ann Arbor District Library Multipurpose Room, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, Michigan.

News | catherinerobbins.com

Poetry, Prose, Painting, Photography, and Pele with Tom Peek at the AADL Tues. Oct. 29, 7:00 pm

Sorry about the alliteration, but we're finalizing the program today for Tuesday's reading with Tom Peek at Ann Arbor District Library on Tuesday October 29, 2013, 7:00 pm, "Hawaii: Deep Beauty and Volcanic Power."

Hawai'i: Deep Beauty and Volcanic Power | Ann Arbor District Library

This program is themed around Hawaii and our romance with volcanos, but it is really about writing about place, culture(s), environmental and development issues. These issues are not limited to Hawaii and our speakers can discuss these issues as they apply here in Michigan and the Midwest. Tom Peek will be reading from his new novel, "Daughters of Fire," and I will be reading from my new chapbook, "Where the Lava Meets the Sea--Asian Pacific American Postcards from Hawaii." We will be joined by hula kumu June Yoshiko Kaililani Ryushin Tanoue of Halau i Ka Pono hula school in Chicago who will do a Pele (volcano) chant, and by artist Catherine Robbins who will be discussing her painting and photography. Susan Najita of the University of Michigan Department of English and Department of American Culture Program in Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies will be moderating.

More info http://www.franceskaihwawang.com/2013/09/aadl-talk-tuesday-october-29-2013-700.html

Both Tom's and Frances' books will be available for sale, thanks to our friends at Nicola's Books, and the program will be followed by a book signing.

And snacks!

Tom Peek will be doing three readings in Ann Arbor, each with different content! Make sure to catch his reading at Nicola's Books, Wednesday, October 30, 7:00 pm. http://www.nicolasbooks.com/event/meet-author-tom-peek-daughters-fire

Or if you are on campus, at Hatcher Graduate Library, Tuesday, October 29, 10-11:30 am.

Moving Detroit Forward: A Special Fundraiser for Stephanie Chang...in LA November 16!

Hey LA folks! and folks attending the Advancing Justice conference!

My good friend Stephanie Chang (who I have been watching since she graduated from college at the University of Michigan) is running for Michigan State Representative of District 6, DETROIT!, and she is having a special fundraiser after the Advancing Justice conference on Saturday, November 16, 6-9 pm, at the Far Bar in LA's Little Tokyo, right next door to the Japanese American National Museum (JANM).

You don't want to miss this opportunity to support one of our community's bright young activists and you certainly don't want to miss the opportunity to hear about all the great cool things happening in Detroit.

Michigan folks: Lots of opportunities to meet and support Stephanie Chang, stay tuned.

Jeff Chu reading tonight at Nicola's Books, October 22, "Does Jesus Really Love Me?"

The very cool and stylish Jeff Chu, author of "Does Jesus Really Love Me?: A Gay Christian's Pilgrimage in Search of God in America" and an editor at Fast Company, will be reading tonight at Nicola's Books, Tuesday, October 22, 7:00 pm.

Does Jesus Really Love Me?: A Gay Christian's Pilgrimage in Search of God in America (Hardcover)

By Jeff Chu

$26.99

ISBN-13: 9780062049735
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Harper, 3/2013 

From Nicola's Books:

In this timely work--part memoir, part investigative analysis--a prize-winning writer explores the explosive and confusing intersection of faith, politics, and sexuality in Christian America. 

When Jeff Chu came out to his parents as a gay man, his devout Christian mother cried. And cried. Every time she looked at him. For months. As a journalist and a believer, Chu knew that he had to get to the heart of a question that had been haunting him for years: Does Jesus really love me? 

The quest to find an answer propels Chu on a remarkable cross-country journey to discover the God "forbidden to him" because of his sexuality. Surveying the breadth of the political and theological spectrum, from the most conservative viewpoints to the most liberal, he tries to distill what the diverse followers of Christ believe about homosexuality and to understand how these people who purportedly follow the same God and the same Scriptures have come to hold such a wide range of opinions. Why does Pastor A believe that God hates me, especially because of my gayness? Why does Person B believe that God loves me, gayness and all? 

From Brooklyn to Nashville to California, from Westboro Baptist Church and their god hates fags protest signs to the pioneering Episcopal bishop Mary Glasspool, who proclaims a message of liberation and divine love, Chu captures spiritual snapshots of Christian America at a remarkable moment, when tensions between both sides in the culture wars have rarely been higher. Both funny and heartbreaking, perplexing and wise, Does Jesus Really Love Me? is an intellectual, emotional, and spiritual pilgrimage that reveals a portrait of a faith and a nation at odds.

Meet Author Jeff Chu (Does Jesus Really Love Me?: A Gay Christian's Pilgrimage in Search of God in America) | Nicola's Books