2005
Banana Paradise: Taiwan Through Film September-October
In conjunction with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, the Center presents Banana Paradise: Taiwan Through Film, a retrospective of films that reflect the unique history and culture of Taiwan. Selections include veteran filmmaker Wang Toon's award-winning classics on the lives of everyday people during the post-war era (STRAWMAN, HILL OF NO RETURN, RED PERSIMMON), emerging filmmaker Chen Yu-hsun's comic portrayal of a boy's life and fantasy (TROPICAL FISH) and two recent animated features, Wang Shaudi's GRANDMA AND HER GHOSTS and Wang Toon's FIREBALL (US premiere).
Special guest: Wang Toon, filmmaker will be on hand opening night (September 29th) to receive the 2005 Center for Asian Arts and Media Distinguished Artist Award Recipient
The Char Siu Bao Boy (October 22, 2005)
Chicago Tourism Center, 72 E. Randolph St. Co-presented by the Chicago Cultural Center, The Char Siu Bao Boy is a puppet show based on the book by Sandra Yamate about a Chinese boy who loves char siu bao and must contend with taunts from his American friends.
Dragon Boat Race for Literacy (July 2005)
The Center co-sponsored this annual event, which raises funds for Chicago Public Schools, with the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. The Center also sponsored a face-painting table
and craft table for kids, where together with our great volunteers, they made dragon flags and masks. Sadly, the Center's team, Mushu, made up of Columbia College Chicago staff, faculty, students, and their friends, did not make the quarterfinals this year. On to next year!
In conjunction with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, the Center presents Banana Paradise: Taiwan Through Film, a retrospective of films that reflect the unique history and culture of Taiwan. Selections include veteran filmmaker Wang Toon's award-winning classics on the lives of everyday people during the post-war era (STRAWMAN, HILL OF NO RETURN, RED PERSIMMON), emerging filmmaker Chen Yu-hsun's comic portrayal of a boy's life and fantasy (TROPICAL FISH) and two recent animated features, Wang Shaudi's GRANDMA AND HER GHOSTS and Wang Toon's FIREBALL (US premiere).
Special guest: Wang Toon, filmmaker will be on hand opening night (September 29th) to receive the 2005 Center for Asian Arts and Media Distinguished Artist Award Recipient
The Char Siu Bao Boy (October 22, 2005)
Chicago Tourism Center, 72 E. Randolph St. Co-presented by the Chicago Cultural Center, The Char Siu Bao Boy is a puppet show based on the book by Sandra Yamate about a Chinese boy who loves char siu bao and must contend with taunts from his American friends.
Dragon Boat Race for Literacy (July 2005)
The Center co-sponsored this annual event, which raises funds for Chicago Public Schools, with the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. The Center also sponsored a face-painting table
and craft table for kids, where together with our great volunteers, they made dragon flags and masks. Sadly, the Center's team, Mushu, made up of Columbia College Chicago staff, faculty, students, and their friends, did not make the quarterfinals this year. On to next year!
Woman Warrior Festival (April-May 2005)
A bi-annual event, the WWF celebrates the accomplishments of women of Asian and Pacific Islander descent through the presentation of lectures and workshops, as well as artistic programs in visual, literary, performing and media arts.
This year’s theme was Starting from Scratch: Celebrating Creativity and focused on how women use their creativity to assert and articulate their visions and voices to change, transform, and further their lives. Highlights included a staged reading of Velina Hasu Houston’s latest play Calling Aphrodite with a Q&A with the playwright afterwards, a lecture on performing Asian masculinity by Portland drag king Johnny Mozzarella, and a drumming performance featuring Taiko drummer Patty Adachi and the Korean all-woman percussion group OO-RI SO-RI.
The Woman Warrior Award honors Asian an Asian-American women who have made a great contribution to the Asian community. This year’s recipients honored a distinguished group
of women.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Oscar nominated filmmaker and Chair of the Graduate Film and Television Department of New York University, Christine Choy. Best known for her groundbreaking documentary, Who Killed Vincent Chin?, Choy is an internationally know documentarian who has made more than 50 films since 1972.
Other honorees included:
Community Service
Libby Lai-Bun Chiu, Executive Director of Urban Gateways, a non-profit organization that provides multicultural performing, visual, and literary arts programs for children, teachers, and parents in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Business
Julia Zhu, Assistant Vice President of Citibusiness Banking, Citibank. A former broadcast journalist for Mid-American Chinese TV, Julia was the first Asian to serve on the Commission on the Status of Women in Illinois. She is co-owner of Oysy restaurant and a model.
Creative Arts
Yoko Noge is the leader/singer/pianist of the acclaimed Yoko Noge and the Jazz Me Blues Band. An amusing entertainer, Yoko has successfully blended African-rooted music and the music of Japan in traditional and original compositions.
Number 1: The Helen Fong Dare Story (April 2005)
Making its debut at the Woman Warrior Festival, Number 1: The Helen Fong Dare Story, marks the directorial debut of Center founder Nancy Tom. Originally conceived to chronicle the immigrant experience in the Midwest, the documentary traces the journey of Helen Fong Dare, Tom's mother, from China to Chicago, as she negotiates racism and sexism to establish herself and her family in this country.
The 10th Annual Chicago Asian American Showcase (April 2005)
In conjunction with the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM), the Center presented “A Conversation with Lauren Tom” honoring the career of one of Chicago’s biggest talents and her work in theatre, television, and film. Lauren also appeared at Lakeview High School, where
she discussed her career and answered questions from students.
China Through Her Own Eyes: A Journey Through Film (March 2005)
Through the generous cooperation of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, the Center presented the American premieres of selected features and shorts that reflect the breadth and scope of Chinese cinema over the past twenty years.
Mulan 2 Screenings
The Center started the year off with a bang, hosting two screenings of the long anticipated sequelto Disney’s beloved animated feature, Mulan, one at the brand new Film Row Cinema at Columbia College Chicago and the other at the Frank G. Wells Theatre in Los Angeles. Adults and children alike enjoyed the continuing tale of a brave girl who takes on a secret mission to save her country.
The 10th Annual Chicago Asian American Showcase (April 2005)
In conjunction with the Foundation for Asian American Independent Media (FAAIM), the Center presented “A Conversation with Lauren Tom” honoring the career of one of Chicago’s biggest talents and her work in theatre, television, and film. Lauren also appeared at Lakeview High School, where
she discussed her career and answered questions from students.
China Through Her Own Eyes: A Journey Through Film (March 2005)
Through the generous cooperation of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, the Center presented the American premieres of selected features and shorts that reflect the breadth and scope of Chinese cinema over the past twenty years.
Mulan 2 Screenings
The Center started the year off with a bang, hosting two screenings of the long anticipated sequelto Disney’s beloved animated feature, Mulan, one at the brand new Film Row Cinema at Columbia College Chicago and the other at the Frank G. Wells Theatre in Los Angeles. Adults and children alike enjoyed the continuing tale of a brave girl who takes on a secret mission to save her country.