Indie Comics Profile: Shawn Cheng of Partyka
Shawn has indie-arts cred: no trust fund, no lavish studio, and, for now, no publisher. Shawn and Partyka are DIY at its best.
Shawn has indie-arts cred: no trust fund, no lavish studio, and, for now, no publisher. Shawn and Partyka are DIY at its best.
I don’t claim to be dead. But I do feel a bit Ghost of Christmas Future, cropping up to show you your options -- because if you’re the person I’m trying to reach, then this future is an afterlife you don’t believe exists.
Not so many years ago, I spent a few long seconds on a railing of the Golden Gate Bridge, then a few long days in mandatory hold at the county hospital.
Tuesday November 9th to Monday November 15th -- Toronto
Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival
The 14th Annual Toronto Reel Asian Film Fest showcases contemporary cinema from the Asian diaspora in a wide range of genres. Complete schedule, venues, and tickets here.
Wednesday November 10th -- NYC
Museum of Chinese in America Young Professionals YPX Gala
Almost 400 eager folks packed the Brava! Theatre last Saturday night to ogle and root for five Mr. Hyphen contestants and the nonprofits they represented: Jeremy "Kilusan" Bautista (United Playaz), Kyle Chu (Center for Asian American Media), Anthony Kim (Korean Community Center of the East Bay), Antonio Moya (Mabuhay Health Center) and Ryan Takemiya (National Asian Pacific American Womens' Forum).
I'm at The Rally To Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington DC, an event promoted by Comedy Central stars Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. But I cannot see anything. Nothing. It's giant heads for miles around, and for a brief moment I'm seething, imagining myself a modern-day Vlad the Impaler, sticking them on pikes so that my sight line will no longer be obstructed.
One of my college friends works for the Foundation for the National Archives -- which, just by the way, is like the coolest job on earth, because she basically spends all day looking at pictures of history. Knowing my fascination with Asian American history and culture, my former suitemate will often send me images that she thinks I’d be interested in. This has been going on for several months, and it occurred to me that other people might be interested in them, too.
Asian American dancers, designers and others who’ve made careers for themselves in the arts were celebrated this week at a benefit and awards gala held by the Asian American Arts Alliance in New York.
And anyone with parents who may have preferred a doctor, lawyer or investment banker for a child might agree that success in the arts despite discouragement is cause for celebration. After all, breaking the mold of the model minority is no easy task.
Congratulations to Kyle Chu, our new Mr. Hyphen for 2010. Kyle wins $1,000 for his cause, the Center for Asian American Media.