Thursday July 29th -- Los Angeles

ComedyZen: Jokes of Death

This edition of the ComedyZen showcase features comedians Eliot Chang, K.T. Tatara, Aiko Tanaka, and the hawt doods from Just Kidding Films. Hosted by Rajiv Satyal. More info here.

8 to 10 pm

Japanese American National Museum

369 East 1st St, Los Angeles

$20; tickets here

Thursday July 29th -- San Francisco

Emeryville Taiko

As part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, the Consulate General of Japan presents Emeryville Taiko. Emeryville Taiko is focused on developing new directions in taiko, teaching students, and promoting performances throughout the Bay Area.

12:30 to 1:30 pm

Yerba Buena Gardens

Mission St b/w 3d & 4th Sts

FREE

Thursday July 29th to Sunday August 1st -- Washington DC

uNAVSA Conference

The 7th Annual uNAVSA (Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations) Conference -- with the theme "Uncommon Power for the Common Voice" -- is an annual gathering dedicated to uniting and developing young, emerging leaders within the Vietnamese community. More details and registration here.

Friday July 30th -- Oakland

A Village Called Versailles Screening

Eastside Arts Alliance and Vet Unity present a free screening of A Village Called Versailles as part of its "Final Fridays Films of Resistance and Solidarity" Series. The film documents a group of Vietnamese Americans in New Orleans who overcame obstacles to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, only to have their homes threatened by a government-imposed toxic landill.

7 pm

Eastside Cultural center

2277 International Blvd, Oakland

FREE

Friday July 30th -- San Francisco

David Choe Book Signing

Notorious muralist and graphic artist David Choe will be giving an appearance and book signing at Giant Robot SF.

6 to 8 pm

Giant Robot SF

618 Shrader St, San Francisco

Saturday July 31st -- Seattle

Juice! Dance Party

Check out Juice!, a dance party featuring dance music from around the world, with DJs Derek Mazzone of KEXP (Seattle) and DJ Rhythma of WNYE (New York). Proceeds will benefit the Asian Pacific Islander Leader Foundation and Giant Magnet, which seeks to presents global performing arts to insprire and engage audiences of all ages.

9 pm doors

Rebar

1114 Howell St, Seattle

$ 10; 21+

Saturday July 31st -- San Francisco

Party for a Cause: Vietnamese Youth Development Center

Come enjoy youth performances, a screening of Emmy Award-winning film A.K.A Don Bonus, appetizers, and dancing -- with proceeds benefitting the Vietnamese Youth Development Center (VYDC). VYDC serves and empowers a diverse population of SE Asian immigrant youth through case management, academic support, and other preventive programs. More info here.

Performance Mixer: 7 to 10 pm

After-party (21+): 10 pm to 3 am

Suite 181

181 Eddy St, San Francisco

$25 for mixer + after-party / $10 after-party only; Tickets here

Saturday July 31st -- Los Angeles

The TN Party

The TN Party is an annual benefit for the Tuesday Night Project, which celebrated its 12th year of bringing together community around performance, music, poetry, and film through it's bi-weekly series in Little Tokyo. The TN Party will also feature DJs, a silent art auction, live music and painting, and a video projection. Perfomances will include: Mista Cookie Jar, Dawen, Bambu, and more. More info here.

5 to 11 pm

JACCC Plaza

244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles

$15 Presale/Students/Seniors / $20 general & at door

Tuesday August 3rd -- New York

Danny Katz CD Release Concert

'80s-flavored folk-pop musician Danny Katz is back from Tokyo for a few days to play a full band show for the release of his new CD Japanese Satellites. Catch him while you can!

7 to 8 pm

The Duplex

61 Christopher St, New York

$10; RSVP here

Tuesday August 3rd -- Berkeley

Rafe Bartholomew Reading

Rafe Bartholomew, author of Pacific Rims -- which is the first book that attempts to illustrate basketball's history in Philippine society -- will be giving a reading of his new book. More info here.

6:30 pm

Eastwind Books

2066 University Ave, Berkeley

RSVP here

                                                 Opportunities

San Diego Asian Film Foundation REEL IN THE VOTE Contest

The SDAFF is launching a national video contest called REEL IN THE VOTE, to help increase voter participation amongst APIA and independent voters for the 2010 elections. $2,000 will be offered to the top three videos. More info and submission guidelines here. Deadline: August 31, 2010.