Thursday July 14th -- NYC

Queer Border Crossings: Ching-In Chen, Rahul Mehta, Ronaldo Wilson, Kit Yan

The queer body remains a point of contention in public policy and literature. In writing the queer body, its desires and representations, literary borders manifest themselves not only as gender, sexuality, and race, but also voice, form, and genre. Ronaldo Wilson, Rahul Mehta, Kit Yan, and Ching-In Chen will share their work and discuss queer approaches to writing. Followed by a Q&A discussion moderated by Trevor Lee. More info here.

7 pm

The Asian American Writers’ Workshop

110-112 West 27th Street, 6th Floor, New York

$5 suggested donation

NY Asian American International Film Festival Launch Party

Come celebrate with friends, supporters, interns, volunteers and staff for the launch the of 34th edition of the NYAAIFF. The festival will take place August 10-14th in Chelsea and Chinatown with community screenings Aug 15-20th throughout the tri-state area.

6 to 9 pm

21+

Thursday July 14th -- Los Angeles

Year of the Labbit Custom Show Opening

In conjunction with the exhibition Year of the Rabbit: Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo, a gathering of artists will work their creative magic on Frank Kozik’s Happy Labbit toy. A special surprise work by Frank Kozik, creator of the Happy Labbit, will be part of the show.  Join in celebrating the opening of the Year of the Labbit Custom Show and have an opportunity to meet many of the artists -- including Stan Sakai, Kip Fulbeck, Christina Conway, Kathy Yoshihara, and Edwin Ushiro. Exhibit runs through Septeber 11, 2011. More info here.

6:30 to 9 pm

Japanese American National Museum

369 East First St, Los Angeles

FREE

Thursday July 14th to Sunday July 17th -- Los Angeles

Little Tokyo Design Week

Bringing together the worlds of graphic design, architecture, art, anime, manga, fashion, urban design, robots and more, Little Tokyo Design Week (LTDW) promises to be a broad and colorful survey of the latest in Japanese visual culture. LTDW celebrates the power and energy of cutting edge design and technology emerging from Japan and its intersection with current trends, and engages local and interational designers and artists. More info and schedule here.

Little Tokyo, Los Angeles

FREE

Friday July 15th -- NYC

Mouth to Mouth: MOM Mic

                                     Kate Rigg

In response to the recent media coverage on Amy Chua's polarizing Tiger Mom, Mouth to Mouth: MOM MIC will feature the real stories and voices of Asian American moms. With Kate Rigg, who blends comedy, spoken word, hip hop, and electronica, and actress, writer, and comedian, Natalie Kim. Hosted by Jen Kwok and Ed Lin. Come early to sign-up to share your own mom-inspired stories. More info here.

8 pm

The Asian American Writers’ Workshop

110-112 West 27th Street, 6th Floor, New York

$5 suggested donation / Free admission if you are a mom or bring your own mom

Saturday July 16th -- Seattle

Chinatown-ID Jamfest

                          Miho and Diego Duo

JamFest takes place the third Saturday of every month in Seattle's Chinatown-International District. In its second year, JamFest presents music to carry on the legacy of the neighborhood's rich musical traditions -- from historic jazz clubs on Jackson to Cantonese opera performances in Chinatown. With Miho and Diego Duo, Manghis Khan, and more. Attendees can also explore restaurants, shops, and galleries.  More info and walking map here.

6:30 to 9:30 pm

Chinatown-International District, Seattle

$5-8

Saturday July 16th -- Los Angeles

Imprisoned in Paradise Book Reading

Come learn about the Kooskia Internment Camp, an obscure and virtually forgotten World War II detention facility that was located in a remote area of north central Idaho. Kooskia held men of Japanese ancestry who were termed "enemy aliens," even though most of them were long-time U.S. residents, denied naturalization by racist U.S. laws. A conversation on the book Imprisoned in Paradise: Japanese Internee Road Workers at the World War II Kooskia Internment Camp by Priscilla Wegars. More info here.

2 pm

Japanese American National Museum

360 East 1st St, Los Angeles

Saturday July 16th and Sunday July 17th -- Seattle

Bon Odori Festival

Bon Odori is a traditional summer festival honoring ancestors who have passed on and celebrating their ongoing presence in our lives. Also known as Obon, the main event is traditional music and dancing in the street, and many festival-goers dress in Japanese kimono or yukata. The event also features Japanese food booths and refreshment, taiko and martial arts performances, and craft exhibits and demonstrations. More info here.

Saturday 4 to 10 pm

Sunday 3 to 8 pm

Seattle Buddhist Temple 

1427 S. Main St, Seattle

FREE

Sunday July 17th -- Oakland

Reading to Benefit Serve the People

This reading will feature prose, poetry, and music -- with author Dickson Lam reading a sneak peak from his upcoming memoir, poet David Maduli, and youth from the grassroots organization Serve the People (STP). Art will also be displayed, and all proceeds will benefit STP, which is committed to the liberation of Asian Pacific Islander communities by organizing to address the inequalities through political and cultural education, self healing, building unity, and fighting for social justice for all people. More info here.

4 to 6 pm

Coffee Mill

3363 Grand Ave, Oakland

FREE (donations appreciated).

Sunday July 17th through Saturday July 30th -- San Diego

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Live

The cult hit Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog is now a fan-made live stage adaptation. The show is directed and produced by Andy Lowe, and adapted from the musical created by Josh Whedon. Singer/songwriter Jane Lui plays Penny. More info here.

10th Avenue Theatre and Arts Centre

930 10th Ave, San Diego

$35 door / $30 online presale; tickets and showtimes here

                                                               Opportunities

Casting Call for Hep B 2010 Calendar

Enthusiastic and passionate female and male Asian American models wanted for a 2012 Hepatitis B awareness calendar that will encourage the public to "be a hero and see a doctor who tests for Hepatitis B." Ages 25 to 65 and a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area preferred. A pregnant mom is also sought. Date: August 2011, One full day (8 hour) commitment. If interested, send in: 3-5 photos (include a head shot and full body shot); a brief statement about how you are a Hep B Hero or would encourage others to be Hep B Heroes; age, ethnicity, and whether you are a Hep B carrier or know someone who has Hep B to: Angela Pang at apang(at)asianweek(dot)com, with the subject "CALENDAR -- Your Name". Deadline: August 5th, 2011.