Wednesday June 17th -- San Francisco

APAture Happy Hour

Kearny Street Workshop (KSW) is now accepting submissions for APAture 2009, an annual festival showcasing the work of emerging APA artists. Join KSW for APAture Happy Hour, where artists are invited to drop off their submissions for free, grab some food and drink, and mix it up with APAture staff and organizers. All submissions hand-delivered, postmarked, or internet time-stamped on June 17 will be waived of the $10 fee. More info and submission guidelines here.

7 to 9 pm
PariSoMa
1436 Howard Street, San Francisco

Thursday June 18th -- San Francisco

MATCHA: Kampai! Sake + Tea

MATCHA, the Asian Art Museum's evening mixer series, returns with a quenching sake and tea-themed event. Sake sommelier and True Sake manager Mimi Wong, gallery viewings -- like Lords of the Samurai -- and a multi-media presentation by Kirsten Shilakes will also be a part of the evening. Observe a matcha Japanese tea ceremony and take a crack at preparing your own. Tunes spun by DJ Mezuki.

Thursday June 18th -- NYC

Power of Place: Joe Tsujimoto & Xu Xi Book Reading

Award-winning author Joe Tsujimoto will read from his memoir Morningside Heights: New York Stories, which navigates his coming of cage in the multiculti borough of Manhattan. Xu Xi, one of Hong Kong's foremost English language writers, will read from her book of essays Evanescent Isles: From My City-Village, exploring the dynamics of Hong Kong post-Communist handover.

7 pm
The Workshop
16 West 32nd St, 10th floor, New York
$ 5 suggested donation
 
Asian American International Film Festival '09 Meet Up

Come to the Asian American International Film Festival's first party of the year to mingle with the festival organizers and the announcement of the 2009 lineup. Those interested in volunteering during the festival can find out more and meet other volunteers. Plus, drink specials!

6 to 9 pm
MIXX Lounge
84 7th Ave South, New York

Friday June 19th -- San Francisco

Wine Tasting with APA Community Groups

Simultaneously satisfy your community service and wino needs with 50+ wines from a multitude of wineries and retailers, including Alejos Cellars, Eden Canyon, and J. Lohr (sorry no Franzia boxed wine). Fifteen APA community groups such as Hyphen, Asian American Theater Company, and Chinese for Affirmative Action will also be there for you to explore ways to volunteer and support. Cheese Plus and Marcel et Henri pate will also be provided to help soak up the booze. More info here.

6 to 9 pm
The Green Room at the War Memorial Veterans Building
401 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco
$ 20 advance tickets here; $ 25 at door

Saturday June 20th -- Seattle

19th Annual Walk for Rice

Each year, the Walk for Rice 2.5 mile walk and fun run raises money for the Asian Counseling and Referral Service food bank. This event brings together over 1,000 communty members united to fight hunger. More info and registration here.

8 am to 1 pm
Seward Park
5902 Lake Washington Boulevard South, Seattle

Spam*O*Rama with Pork Filled Players

The Pork Filled Players (PFP), Seattle's oldest sketch comedy group, welcomes summer with a new late-night Spam*O*Rama show. PFP teams up with the University of Washington improv group The Collective, and will feature a cabaret extravaganza.

10:30 pm
Theatre Off Jackson
409 7th Ave South, Seattle
$ 6 tickets here

Third Annual Iranian Festival -- Seattle

Come down to the Seattle Center for a day of festivities and an evening of celebration. Includes Persian music, Rumi poetry readings, dance, children's activities, and of course -- Iranian food! Organized by the Iranian American Community Alliance.

11 am to 11 pm (food served noon to 8 pm; all ages dance party 8 to 11 pm)
Seattle Center House
305 Harrison Street
FREE

Sunday June 21st -- NYC

Sulu Series APIA Spoken Word Summit Benefit

This edition of Sulu Series, a monthly showcase of APIA artists, is a special fundraiser for the 2009 APIA Spoken Word and Poetry Summit. The Summit is a biannual gathering of spoken word artists, writers, musicians, and activists throughout the country to engage in workshops, performances, and discussion to uplift the APIA arts and activism community. This year's Summit will take place in the Bay Area. Show your support at this month's Sulu and enjoy performances by Koba, Kelly Tsai, Magnetic North, and more. Music by DJ Boo.

8 to 11 pm
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery (between Houston and Bleecker)
$ 8 general / $ 5 students

Tiananmen 20 Years Later Book Reading

Join editor and human rights activist Bao Pu as he discusses his bestselling volume Prisoner of State: The Secret Journal of Premier Zhao Ziyang. Published on the recent 20th year anniversary of the Tiananmen protests, the book compiles secretly recorded interviews and reveals divides within the Chinese Communist Party's highest ranking members, including the dissent expressed by General Secretary Zhao Ziyang regarding military mobilization against students.

2 pm
The Workshop
16 West 32nd St, 10th floor, New York
$ 5 suggested donation

Monday June 22nd -- NYC

Ali Wong Presents What's Crackin' NYC?

Ali Wong, recently selected by SF Weekly as "Best Comedian" of 2009, will be producing her first NYC show with an all-star lineup of comedians who've inspired her. Ali will perform her set, along with Hari Kondabolu,  Rob Cantrell, Louis Katz, Sean Patton and surprise guests. More info and reservations here.

8 pm
Gotham Comedy Club
208 West 23rd St, New York
$ 12 plus two drink minimum

Tuesday June 23rd -- NYC

Asian American International Film Festival '09 Fundraiser & Kick-Off

Join Asian CineVision for an evening of cocktails with friends and fellow filmmakers at the kick-off fundraiser for AAIFF '09.

6 pm (VIP reception) 7 pm (Kick-Off)
BLVD
199 Bowery, New York
VIP Reception & Kick-Off: $ 30 advance / $ 35 door; tickets here
Kick-Off only: $ 20 advance / $ 25 door;  tickets here