As Mr. Hyphen 2010 approaches, we bring you a closer look at each contestant -- one each day, in no particular order -- for the entire week. Let the count-down begin!

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Ryan Takemiya

As Mr. Hyphen 2010 approaches, we bring you a closer look at each contestant -- one each day, in no particular order -- for the entire week. Let the count-down begin!

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Kilusan Bautista

Get the eligible Asian American men lined up. Hyphen's signature event returns for its fifth year in November, but the application deadline for the 2010 Mr. Hyphen is this Friday!

We all know one of the best feelings is anticipation and this one sure can make your skin tingle.  On November 6th, Mr. Hyphen returns for its annual celebration of Asian American men and there's plenty to be excited about!

June 4 is on the horizon and we have you on our minds.  As our release party approaches, the brains of our events teams continue to churn, combining efforts in order to bring to you a Hyphen event unlike any other.

The San Francisco release party for our Inside/Out issue is just around the corner and, after rummaging through our box of tricks and turning it inside out, we’ve got some exciting updates to share with you:

 You want to be there this Thursday when CAAM teams up with Locus@KSW for a partnership so lethal, they'd make Danny Glover and Mel Gibson sweat.  

At 111 Minna in San Francisco, the duo will gather and present the launch party that kicks off the 2010 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and the 3rd Annual DIY Music Video Contest. Pow-factors include music video screening, live performances and hot-off-the-printer program guides for the upcoming festival.  

It's winter again and this one is colder than ever. If you've got
a huge holiday shopping list, save some money by turning off
your heater at home and joining us tonight at
Lot 46 for our Holiday Happy Hour!

We've got the place all warmed up
for you, with drinks at the bar and hot, hot Hyphen stocking stuffers
for some last-minute gift ideas. Got a holiday sweater you’ve been
jonesing to wear? Do it! Then strut into our free photo booth,
courtesy of The Laugh Box, for some pictorial memories. So come celebrate the season with your favorite Hyphenators!

Mr. Hyphen 2009 contestant Danny Le will represent the APIA Spoken Word & Poetry Summit, a gathering of spoken word artists and enthusiasts. Since 2001, the summit has convened every two years in different cities across the United States and, in a span of four days, engages its participants in workshops, performances and discussions geared toward the awareness and progression of APIA arts and its activist community.

About Danny:

In 1989, Danny moved from Oklahoma to California and was welcomed with a BAM. It’s been 20 years since the Loma Prieta Earthquake, but Danny has never stopped being a mover and a shaker. As an avid promoter of the APIA culture and performer of the literary arts himself, Danny has always valued the importance of culture and community.

Mr. Hyphen 2009 contestant Amit Singh will represent Sikhcess, a community service based organization that connects people of all ages through the basic humanitarian principles of sharing, inclusiveness, community and public service. With thousands of volunteers across the globe, Sikhcess creates a network where people are brought together not just to inspire one another, but also to develop positive, sustainable change in where they live.

About Amit:

A 10 minute conversation with Amit will leave you charmed. Much like a certain cola brand, Amit comes with all the positive and inspirational taste, but with none of the fluff or greasiness that one would otherwise get with their local politician. A classic renaissance man, capable of filling the role of a venture capitalist, social entrepreneur, culinary aficionado or talented musician, Amit still strives to aim himself higher, working to achieve results on the “legendary” and “mythical” level.

Mr. Hyphen 2009 contestant Tony Douangviseth will represent Serve the People, an organization committed to addressing the inequalities that Asian Pacific Islander communities face, through political and cultural education, self healing, building unity and fighting for social justice for all people.  

About Tony:

It'll take a truck to pick up Tony’s resume. Since moving from the Tenderloin in San Francisco to Oakland after the 1989 quake, Tony wasted no time when it came to getting involved in his new community. In high school, he organized the creation of a youth center that focused on health and wellness, with a conflict-resolution program and additional academic support.

Hump Day comes and Hump Day goes, but the bridge into the weekend can feel seamless this time around with the help of the IndioBravo Filipino Film Festival.

From the east coast to the west, February brings opportunities to filmmakers everywhere.

With a record number of nearly 18,000 attendees last year, the San Diego Film Festival returns for its 10th year. Be part of the celebration of Asian American media by submitting your own shorts, animation, feature length, documentary or music videos. There's a minimum cash prize of $1,000 for the Jury Winner and all films are automatically entered into competition. Think about that: way better odds than the Lotto. The festival is in October, but the April 30th early deadline for entries is sooner than you think, so visit their website for more information.

Another deadline is right around the corner, and that's for the 9th Annual Slant: Bold Asian American Images in Houston, Texas. As a festival of short films, covering all kinds of genres, it will sure appeal to people who like to get to the good stuff quickly. It's also worth mentioning that the festival's curator is Hyphen's own founding editor, Melissa Hung! Deadline is February 23rd so do make sure you postmark accordingly. Follow this link to read up on more details, and act fast.

In New York, gears churn for the next Asian American International Film Festival. Their regular deadline is tomorrow -- but don't panic. The final deadline gives you until February 25th. With six categories currently accepting submissions, they are looking for films of different strokes to please the many different folks. Follow their submission guideline here, and take part in the first and longest running festival to recognize the works of Asian American filmmakers.

Your camerawork wants to fly. Set it free.

While Cupid sleeps, Locus Arts works. Pairing doesn't come more naturally as Locus Arts looks to team up Asian American artists again for the Second Annual DIY Music Video Night.

Live recording of shows from digital cameras are nice, but after a certain point enough is enough. Locus Arts will pair up musicians with directors to collaborate on music videos. The process will involve minimal, if any, budget. The result, however, will be as real as they get. The videos will premiere at a Locus event in February 2009, with the possibility of entry into a competitive event in March. The winner of last year's competition, a video featuring the Autonomous Region and directed by Jason Nou, screened at the 2008 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.

Visit Locus Arts or Kearny Street Workshop for more information about submissions. Got questions? brandon [at] locusarts.org ( Ask Brandon). You can also watch videos from last year's DIY event here. Just look under the "Locus Arts Do It Yourself Music Video Contest" tab.

Deadline to let them know you are interested is coming up on December 14, so make your move quickly!

Gardeners to the lyrical fruits of letters unite, as iLL-Literacy's Natural Electricity Tour hits Milk Bar in San Francisco this Sunday for a night of spoken words, hip hop and music.  It will feature iLL-Literacy with its full band, Hi-Lifes,  and a live performance from Bay Area hip hop band, The Getback.  Ruby Veridiano-Ching, the sole female member of iLL-Literacy, will also celebrate the debut of her poetry and short writing book, titled Miss Universe.  More, more, more!  MADE Jewelry will be showcasing the exclusive "Miss Universe Earrings" at the event as well.

iLL-Literacy is an internationally-acclaimed
spoken word collective based in Oakland, CA, consisting of members
Adriel Luis, Dahlak Brathwaite, Nico Cary, and Ruby Veridiano-Ching .  Stop by.  Check out this collective of poets and MCs that have been featured on HBO's Def Poetry and MTV.  Let them move you, let yourself be moved.  Sometimes words do speak louder than actions.

This event is 21+ only, since Milk Bar serves more than just milk.
Tickets are $8 each for pre-sale and $12 at the door.
The excitement starts at 8pm, 10/26.

Please visit iLL-Literacy's website and Brown Paper Tickets for more information and tickets. 

This is a weekend of visual bliss for the movie buffs, as the Austin Asian American Film Festival, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival and the San Diego Asian Film Festival are all opening this Thursday!

The 1st Annual Austin Asian American Film Festival promises to bring about the best Asian and Asian American cinema to a place that has supported one of the fastest growing Asian communities in the nation.  The festival features Hollywood Chinese and Still Life as the opening and closing night films, both will premiere for the first time in Texas.  Come enjoy this can't-miss event and a live, multimedia concert AAAFF will be hosting at Club de Ville.  The festival runs from October 9th to the 12th at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas.  For more information please visit their website at www.aaaff.org. 

Meanwhile, in Philly, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival will also be hosting their first annual film festival, running from the 9th to the 12th as well.  With their films the PAAFF will explore the Asian American identity and experience, thereby joining the ranks of other film festivals to bring about Asian American awareness in one of the largest cities nationwide.  Their opening night film, Far North, will premiere at the Bridge:  Cinema de Lux and followed immediately by a free reception at the Carriage House.  Please visit their website at www.phillyasianfilmfest.org for showing and ticket info.

Going on its 9th year now is the San Diego Asian Film Festival.  Running for over a week, from the 9th to the 16th, SDAFF will open with Ping Pong Playa, directed by the Academy Award winning director Jessica Yu, and close with Yamazaki Takashi's Always 2: Sunset on Third Street.  To get information on the 140-plus films they will be featuring from 17 different countries, along with schedules for their celebrity panel discussions, check out their website at www.sdaff.org.
  

You saw it in our calendar, you read about it in our email blast and now it's just a day away!

The Sikh International Film Festival will feature Ocean of Pearls, a story directed by Sarab S. Neelam about a young Sikh doctor struggling with the inequalities of the American Health System and ultimately his own identity.  The festival will also include four documentaries and 10 short/children's films, with an after party at Asia Socity's Leo Bar where you could mingle with all the festival guests. 

Mr.