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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (May 5, 2014)
Asian Heritage Issue Page 16 n THE ASIAN REPORTER May 5, 2014 Pacific Heartbeat film anthology honors heritage of Pacific Islanders Continued from page 12 seat to the 50th anniversary of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival along with perfor- mances and commentary from some of the contest’s first winners. The showcase was originally created to boost the spirits of the local community and attract visitors fol- lowing a devastating series of tsunamis that hit Hilo. It was named after King Da- vid Kalakaua, The Merrie Monarch, be- cause of his love and royal patronage of Hawaiian culture and the hula. Even- tually, the show morphed into a competi- tion. Halau Na Kamalei o Liliehua, the winner of the first men’s competition in 1976, recalled the experience fondly: “It was invigorating to be doing something that was new, but yet culturally rich.” A visual masterpiece, “Hula: The Merrie Monarch’s Golden Celebration” includes vintage footage and, of course, mes- merizing hula performances. “For the haumana, or students, of many schools of hula, the learning of hula is more than just the steps — leg, hand, and arm motions of the dance,” says the show’s host, Palani Vaughan. “Hula also encompasses the olelo, or the Hawaiian language, the crafting of costumes and implements, the skills of chanting, and a deep understanding of the kaona, or deeper meanings of the stories being told.” “Hula: The Merrie Monarch’s Golden Celebration” airs May 20 at 11:00pm on OPB with a repeat taking place May 27 at 8:00pm on OPB Plus. “Na Loea: The Masters” “Na Loea: The Masters” honors two of the gatekeepers of Hawaiian culture: Keone Nunes and Ed Wendt. Keone Nunes is a kumu hula (teacher of hula) and master of traditional kakau (tattooing). His perspective on honoring one’s elders reverberates throughout the film: “Whenever you speak with kupuna, everything that they share with you is something special.” The episode also features Ed Wendt, a pioneer in the taro restoration movement who has helped re-establish water rights ARTFUL DOCUMENTARIES. “Pure Caz: Music of the Brothers Cazimero,” an episode of the Pacific Heartbeat series, airs May 6 at 11:00pm on Oregon Public Broadcasting. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Islanders in Communications) for all traditional farmers in east Maui. Corporate interests have diverted much of the water on Maui for irrigation, domestic use, and commercial use resulting in many taro farmers leaving their fields fallow. Wendt hopes to change that. “Legends say this is our brother,” Wendt says, holding up a kalo plant and brushing mud gently from its large root. “Then why not take care of our brother? That’s how I look at it.” In one scene, Ed casts a fishing line into the ocean from a large rock on the beach and describes the water as an icebox, a grocery store of sorts, which makes it all the more important to preserve, particularly for native peoples. “For us, we are going to protect this place,” he says. “Na Loea: The Masters” airs May 27 at 11:00pm with a repeat May 29 at 4:00am; both shows are broadcast on OPB. For more information about the Pacific Heartbeat series, or to verify showtimes, call (503) 293-1982 or visit <www.opb. org>. To learn more, visit <www.pic com.org>. Event Schedule Continued from page 15 Third Floor Conference Center (3303 SW Bond Ave, Portland). Engage with community members and leaders, health professionals, students, and policymakers about health equity policy and community organizing at the State of Cultural Competency Community Forum, presented by the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon. For info, or to register, call (971) 340-4861 or visit <www.apano.org>. Papa Kuke May 17, 10am-noon, Ke Kukui Cultural Center (301 E McLoughlin Blvd, Suite D, Vancouver, Wash.). Join a Papa Kuke cooking class to learn how to make Filipino lumpia and pancit. The course includes a cooking demon- stration with some hands-on cooking. Partici- pants should bring a cutting board, knife, apron, and dish cloth. For info, or to register, call (360) 718-2100, e-mail <culturalworkshops@kekukui foundation.com>, or visit <www.kekukuifounda tion.org>. “A Glimpse of China” May 17, 11am-6pm, Seattle Center (305 Harrison St, Seattle). Learn about Chinese culture through art, music, and movement at “A Glimpse of China: Chinese Culture and Arts Festival.” Festival-goers partake in cultural traditions covering 5,000 years of China’s his- tory at the event, which features music, dance, food, activities, exhibits, and more. For info, call (206) 684-7200, or visit <www.seattlecenter. com> or <www.chinaartandculture.org>. Kodomo no Hi May 17, 11am-6pm, Peninsula Odd Fellows (4834 N Lombard St, Portland). Celebrate children or being a child at the Kodomo no Hi Children’s Day event. The family festival features arts; crafts; Hawaiian and Japanese food; and demonstrations of hula, drumming, martial arts, and more. For info, call David at (503) 922-2563. Chinese brush painting May 17, 3-5pm, Woodstock Library (6008 SE 49th Ave, Portland). Learn about the under- stated art form of Chinese brush painting at a workshop taught by artist Jean Choy. For info, call (503) 988-5399 or visit <events.multcolib. org>. CSO Spring Charity Ball May 17, 6pm-midnight, Portland Airport Holiday Inn Conference Center (8439 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland). Attend the Spring Charity Ball of the Cebuano Speaking Organi- zation of Oregon and Southwest Washington. The event, which features dinner and live music by the Manila Band, benefits the organization’s Paper & Pencil Project. For info, or to buy tickets, call Maricel at (971) 255-3255 or Marylyn at (360) 601-7239. Hindustani flute performance May 17, 7:30pm, First Congregational mentary, which features Olympic gold medallist Kristi Yamaguchi as host, explores both the endurance and frustration of survivors and the hope inspired by visitors. To verify showtimes, call (503) 293-1982 or visit <www.opb.org>. Church (1126 SW Park Ave, Portland). Attend a Hindustani flute performance by Ronu Mojumdar accompanied by Indranil Mallick on tabla. The event is presented by Kalakendra. For info, or to buy tickets, call (503) 308-1050 or visit <www.kalakendra.org>. “Hula: The Merrie Monarch’s Golden Celebration” Kumu Hina May 18, 12:30pm, McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland). Watch Kumu Hina, a moving portrait of Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu (Hina), a respected teacher of native Hawaiian culture who happens to be a proud Mahu (transgender person). In teaching tradi- tional Pacific Islander values and hula to young Hawaiians, Hina also challenges her students to question gender stereotyping. In attendance at the event are directors Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson. (USA & Fiji, 2013, Dean Hamer & Joe Wilson, 75 mins.) The film is screening as part of QDoc: The Portland Queer Documentary Film Festival (May 15-18). For info, call (503) 249- 3983 or visit <www.queerdocfest.org>. May 20, 11pm-midnight, Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB); repeats May 27, 8-9pm, OPB Plus. Watch “Hula: The Merrie Monarch’s Golden Celebration,” an episode of Pacific Heartbeat that gives viewers a front-row seat to the 50th anniversary of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. To verify showtimes, call (503) 293-1982 or visit <www.opb.org>. See story by Pamela Ellgen on page 12. “Na Loea: The Masters” Asian Kite Festival May 18, 2-5:30pm, Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School (250 Silver Lane, Eugene, Ore.). Watch a legion of colorful kites take to the skies at the Eugene/Springfield Asian Council’s annual Asian Kite Festival. The free event includes a kite competition, a kite exhibit, kitemaking, and performances. For info, call (541) 225-5982 or visit <www.asian council.org>. Mandarin storytime May 18, 3-3:45pm, Woodstock Library (6008 SE 49th Ave, Portland). Enjoy a storytime presented in Mandarin Chinese. The free reading is for children three to seven years old with an accompanying adult. For info, call (503) 988-5399 or visit <events.multcolib.org>. To Be Takei May 18, 7pm, McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland). Watch To Be Takei, a new documentary about actor and activist George Takei. The film follows Takei’s life, including his childhood experiences living with his family in a Japanese internment camp during World War II, his success as Mr. Sulu on the hit show “Star Trek,” his current activities fighting for marriage equality alongside his husband Brad, and more. In attendance at the event is director Jennifer Kroot as well as editor and co-director Bill Weber. (USA, 2014, Jennifer Kroot.) The film is screening as part of QDoc: The Portland Queer Documentary Film Festival (May 15-18). For info, call (503) 249-3983 or visit <www.queerdocfest.org>. See story by Marie Lo on page 10. “Plum Blossoms: Chinese Painting” May 19, 5-7pm, Rockwood Library (17917 SE Stark St, Portland). Learn to paint plum blossoms with ink and watercolor on rice paper at “Plum Blossoms: Chinese Painting,” a Anna May Wong: In Her Own Words, a documentary highlighting the life and career of Anna May Wong — the first Chinese-American movie star — airs May 28 at 11:00pm on Oregon Public Broadcasting. Pictured is an image of Wong taken in the 1920s. (Photo cour- tesy of the Center for Asian American Media) workshop taught by artist Cindy Lommasson. No art experience is necessary. For info, call (503) 988-5396 or visit <events.multcolib.org>. Kam Wah Chung May 19, 9-9:30pm; repeats May 21, 2-2:30am; Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). Watch Kam Wah Chung, an episode of Oregon Experience telling the story of herbal doctor Ing Hay and businessman Lung On, who practiced medicine and operated a general store at Kam Wah Chung & Co. in John Day, Oregon. To verify showtimes, call (503) 293-1982 or visit <www.opb.org>. “Stories from Tohuku” May 20, 7-8pm; repeats May 22, 4-5am; Oregon Public Broadcasting Plus (OPB Plus). Watch “Stories from Tohuku,” an episode of the “Japanese American Lives” series that chroni- cles stories of courage and resilience by survi- vors of the devastating 2011 Tohoku earth- quake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis. The docu- May 27, 11pm-midnight; repeats May 29, 4-5am, Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). Watch “Na Loea: The Masters,” an episode of Pacific Heartbeat about people who are considered masters in Hawaiian culture: Keone Nunes, a kumu hula (teacher of hula) and master of traditional kakau (tattooing), and Ed Wendt, a pioneer in the taro restoration movement. To verify showtimes, call (503) 293-1982 or visit <www.opb.org>. See story by Pamela Ellgen on page 12. Anna May Wong: In Her Own Words May 28, 11pm-mighnight; repeats May 30, 4-5am; Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). Watch Anna May Wong: In Her Own Words, a documentary highlighting the life and career of Anna May Wong — the first Chinese-American movie star — who was both an architect and a victim of her times. See story by Josephine Bridges, “Breaking ground: Anna May Wong: In Her Own Words,” (AR, May 6, 2013) at <www. asianreporter.com>. To verify showtimes, call (503) 293-1982 or visit <www.opb.org>. Hina & The Eel June 7, 6pm, Skyview High School Concert Hall (1300 NW 139th St, Vancouver, Wash.). Attend Hina & The Eel: Tahiti’s Beauty & The Beast, a performance featuring the Ora Nui Tahitian Dance Troupe that benefits the Ora Nui scholarship fund. For info, or to buy tickets, call (360) 991-8548 or visit <www.oranui dance.com>. Submit your Asian-related calendar listings to: The Asian Reporter, Attn: Events Calendar 922 N Killingsworth St, Suite 1A, Portland, OR 97217 News Department e-mail: news@asianreporter.com w Fax: (503) 283-4445 Submission Format: List event title, date, time, location with address, 2 to 3 brief sentences describing the event, and a contact phone number (required) that can be published. High-resolution photos, if available, may also be included. Submission Deadline: Monday prior to the next issue date. ***