Thursday November 19th -- NYC

Chinese Bodies, Their Parts, and Their Markets

In the basement of the Yale University Medical Library are some 80 portraits of the patients of Dr. Peter Parrker, the American founder of the first Western hospital in China. Join Eric Hayot, the Director of the Asian Sudies Program at Penn State, as he discusses their meaning and the intersection of biological, cultural, economic, and political exchanges between China and the West, as expressed through the Chinese body and the contemporary exhibits that put them on display. More info here.

12:30 pm
20 Cooper Square, Room 471
FREE

Stuck Elevator Workshop Reading

Prompted by the real-life story of Ming Kuang Chen, Stuck Elevator is an operatic solo performance about a Chinese deliveryman trapped in an elevator for three days. Music by Composer Byron Au Yong, words by spoken word artist Aaron Jafferis, performed by Steven Eng.

4:30 pm
Pearl Studios
500 8th Ave, 4th floor, New York
FREE, RSVP here

Korean Ghost Stories: Classic Korean TV

Since 1977, the TV show "Korean Ghost Stories" has thrilled Korean audiences with tales of the supernatural. The Korea Society presents a series introduction by Professor Heinz Insu Fenki and screening of the episode Nine-Tailed Fox,(starring Park Min-young, Kim Hae-eun, and Kim Tae-ho). More info and tickets here.

6:30 pm
Korea Society
950 3rd Ave, 8th floor, New York
$ 15 general / $ 10 members

"Asefeka of the Unmalosa" Exhibit

Check out this solo exhibition of Samoan visual artist Andy Lelei'siuao, inspired by animal extinction at the hands of human pollution: "the enigmatic creatures and ambiguous iconography of 'Asefeka of the Unmalosa' offer a canvass-sanctuary with narratives and dialogues tainted with alofa (love), peace, supoprt, hope and frienship."  Exhibit runs through December 8, 2009. 

Artist reception 6 to 8 pm
Kips Gallery
511 West 25th St, 2nd floor, New York

Thursday November 19th -- Oakland

Enter the GREEN Dragon: APIs Winning Environmental Justice

The Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) presents its 15th Anniversary celebration, featuring keynote speakers, special performances, and an art auction. Proceeds will help support APEN's work around organizing low-income communities for environmental reform. 

6 to 9 pm
Oakland Rotunda
300 Frank Ogawa Plaza
$ 75 and up, more info and tickets here

Friday November 20th -- NYC

LGBT LEO Bar at Asia Society

Asia Society,  Asian & Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS (APICHA), and Gay Asian and Pacific Islander Men of New York (GAPIMNY) present Leo Bar. Enjoy cocktails, mingling, and art exhibitions at the museum. Free docent-led tours include the exhibits "Hanging Fire: Contemporary Art from Pakinstan", "Devotion in South India: Chola Bronzes", and "Yoshihiro Suda: In Focus".
 
6 to 9 pm
Martini & bellini drink specials 6 to 7 pm
Exhibition tours at 7 and 7:30 pm
Asia Society
725 Park Avenue, New York
Free admission, cash bar

Friday November 20th -- Los Angeles

Mr. Sadman Screening & Release Party with Goh Nakamura

Mr. Sadman, written and directed by Patrick Epino, is a dark comedy about Mounir, an impressionable Saddam Hussein body-double in 1990 who loses his job and moves to LA to get a fresh start.  But once the real Saddam invades Kuwait, Mounir attempts to shed his Saddam personae forever. Unfortunately, he doesn't know how to be anyone else. Film is also available for purchase here, and a dollar from every purchase will be donated to Philippine typhoon relief.  Film runs through November 26th at the Downtown Independent Theater.  

7 pm: Open bar reception
8:15 pm: Live performance from Goh Nakamura
9 pm: Film Screening
11 pm: Rooftop party with music from C.J. Pizarro
Downtown Independent Theater
251 South Main St, Los Angeles
$ 5 / $ 10 tickets here

Friday November 20th -- Philadelphia

Family Style with Kelly Tsai and Yellow Rage

The Asian American Arts Initiative presents Family Style -- a new family-friendly open mic series hosted by Michelle Myers and Catzie Vilayphonh of Yellow Rage. This show will highlight national and local anti-violence initiatives, and features Def Poet Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai.

7:30 pm

Asian Arts Initiative

1219 Vine St, Chinatown, Philadelphia

$ 5 to $ 10 sliding scale

Friday November 20th to Saturday November 21st -- San Jose

Ninth Annual Asian Comedy Night with 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors

Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS) welcomes Los Angeles sketch comedy troupe 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors for it's Annual Asian Comedy Night. The Emmy Award-winning Warriors, now in their 15th year, will bring old faves and new tricks for their only appearance in Northern Cali.

Opportunities

Mavericks of Asian Pacific Islander Descent (MAPID) Writer's Group

MAPID, the producer of Breaking the Bow, announces its new API Writers Group, to meet in Studio City, CA. Focus is on new and emerging writers, but all are invited to apply. The group will be limited to 10 and will be formed by application process. The group will explore varied forms of written expression including but not limited to playwriting, screenwriting, short story and long form. The group will concentrate on individual and collective writings with a possible project arising fro production at Breaking the Bow 2010. Send a brief bio/resume and a narrative one page or less that includes reasons and objectives for joining the writers group with subject header "MAPID Wriers Group" to ken(at)mapid(dot)us.

Rooftop Films -- Call for Submissions

Rooftop Films, a summer film series in New York City dedicated to showcasing new, independent film and emerging bands in unique outdoor locations  and was viewed by over 25,000 people last season. Rooftop is currently accepting film submissions for the 2010 season. Films of all genres, formats, and lengths are shown. More info and submission info here. Earlybird deadline: $ 9 -- December 5, 2009. Regular deadline: $ 15 -- January 15, 2010.