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Despite the periodic warnings of cultural doomsayers, poetry is alive and kicking in the United States, says Assistant Professor of English Warren Liu, who is just finishing his first year on the Bryn Mawr faculty.

"People have been talking about the decline or demise of poetry for decades," Liu says. "But I recently read a study saying that the audience for poetry is actually increasing. Slam poetry, performance poetry, and rap are clearly increasing in popularity. The problem isn't that students don't like poetry—it's that there's an unfortunate gap between the varieties of poetry that occur in our culture and the kind of poetry that tends to be studied."

"In the academy, it's traditional to view poetry as separate from and untouched by commodity culture or the polluting demands of the marketplace. But anybody who's ever tried to publish poetry knows very well that there is a market; it's just a market that hides its own operations," explains Liu, ...

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Plans are under way to create an Asian and Asian-American center to serve Cornell University's largest ethnic community, officials said Sunday.

A committee of students, staff and faculty has been meeting for the past several weeks to prepare a report of recommendations for President David Skorton regarding planning for the center.

“It would be a gathering place, meeting place, and a hub for supporting Asian and Asian-American student organizations and connect Asian and Asian-American students to organizations and the broader community as well,” said Kent Hubbell, dean of students at Cornell and chair of the committee preparing the recommendations for Skorton.

The committee Hubbell chairs is charged with creating a program definition for the center, define the resources, programming and staff that would be at the center, identify a space for the center, and develop a budget for the center and a timeline for the project.

The center would connect students to support systems an...

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The largest gathering of Asian Pacific Americans in the nation is back and bigger than ever, featuring Asian American artists, DJs, martial arts, today's Asian pop culture, j-cars, a Muay Thai kickboxing ring, scrumptious food, a karaoke contest, arts and crafts, anime, free community health screenings and exciting prizes! The 4th annual Asian Heritage Street Celebration will be held Saturday, May 17 in San Francisco’s Japantown.

Comedian Margaret Cho has been called fierce, fearless and even notorious.

But over the phone, Cho isn't so brash. In fact, she sounds like somebody else, answering questions in a quiet voice.

Yet she brings her self-described "raunchy" comedic show, called "Beautiful," to Seattle's Paramount Theatre Saturday night. Opening for her is Liam Sullivan, known for his YouTube Valley Girl alter-ego Kelly.

The Seattle Times talked to Cho while she was on tour, from Minneapolis.

Q: You're known to be bold, even fearless, but how would you describe yourself?

A: Well, I guess I am fearless, but I don't really know. I just don't really care what people think anymore. I just do what I want, and I just enjoy myself.

Q: You're a strong advocate on many issues. What inspires you?

A: I've been inspired by the Victory Fund and their effort to put homophobic messages out ...

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I'm a bit nervous about interviewing graphic novelist Gene Yang because we have mutual friends. And we're both Christian. How can I write anything negative about him? What if he turns out to be a jerk?

We first met in 1992, when Yang had just finished his freshman year at Cal and I was entering my junior year of high school. We were friends of friends, and I don't remember much, except that he was built like a lamppost and we barely spoke to each other.

We connect again on a recent bright afternoon in front of the Asian branch library in Oakland. Yang greets me cheerfully and we head to Juice-A-Go-Go on Ninth Street, where I buy a pearl milk tea and Yang orders nothing. We settle into the flimsy, plastic chairs, and chat under the cheesy melodies of Cantopop. Yang coughs into the sleeve of his gray Gap fleece, reminding me of an unpretentious college kid. He has a big, dimpled smile, and is dressed in an outfit purchased by his wife: a blue-and-white striped Ralph Lauren shirt, k...

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UNION CITY — Asian culture will be celebrated during the 15th annual Asian American Heritage Festival, an all-day event scheduled for Saturday.

The free festival — from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church, 32975 Alvarado Niles Road between Dowe Avenue and Hop Ranch Road — will include live music, dancing, displays and food.

Promoting unity by celebrating differences is the goal of the festival, said John Hsieh, chairman for the Asian American Federation of California. He encouraged everyone in the Tri-City community to attend.

The strongest part of the program is the entertainment the festival provides. "It's six hours with no breaks," Hsieh said.

Three groups from Taiwan will perform at the event including a 46-member orchestra, opera singers and a dance team. In addition, Filipino, Polynesian and Indian dance will be on display.

Those who love food can take their pick from Japanese, Thai, Filipino and other Asian cuisines.

Ther...

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In just three years, the Asian-American film festival called Silk Screen has established itself as a savory spring fling for movie lovers looking beyond the superheroes and special effects of the multiplex.

The festival will open Friday with a 7 p.m. movie at the Harris Theater and an 8 p.m. red-carpet gala Downtown that promises to be "the most colorful and exotic party of the year." The wardrobe certainly will be, with partygoers invited to wear saris, kurtas, sarongs, cheongsams, hanboks and kimonos, although traditional garb is welcome, too.

The gala, scheduled to last until midnight, will be held at 121 Seventh St. (on the sixth floor) above Bossa Nova, Downtown. Exotic dishes and drinks from Asian restaurants will be served, and the entertainment -- disc jockeys plus Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Mongolian, Indian and Indonesian music, performances or dance -- will reflect the international flavor of the festival.

Gala tickets are $75 and can be purchased in adv...

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ATLANTA, GA: The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), through its Chairman Ashwin "Ash" Patel, Vice Chairman Tarun S. Patel, Secretary ChandraKant "C.K." Patel, attended an exclusive, invitation-only event with President George W. Bush in the East Room of the White House May 1, along with approximately 250 of the most recognized Asian/Pacific American leaders in the United States.

The gathering was to kick-off the beginning of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, which the President announced by Proclamation on April 29. "It is with great pride that, as the Chairman of AAHOA, I was invited to meet with President Bush and represent our 8,700 Asian American members for this special event," said Chairman Patel. "As a result of their hard work, commitment to the community, and family values, our members are living the American dream, and this month we can celebrate their extraordinary successes."

Vice Chairman Tarun Patel added, &...

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NEW YORK—(U.S. ASIAN WIRE)— Bruce Feffer, Senior Attorney at the law firm of Bruce Feffer & Associates, LLC, has announced the launch of a speaking tour providing legal information and assistance to Asian American business and real estate professionals.

Feffer, an attorney for 25 years, serves an extensive Asian-American clientele as well as overseas clients in Hong Kong, China, and Europe. The law firm of Bruce Feffer & Associates is engaged primarily in the areas of Real Estate and Business Law.

“The community of Asian American business and real estate professionals is rapidly growing and along with that trend comes an increasing demand for legal information,” said Feffer. “In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I felt this is the right time to launch this speaking tour.”

For over 25 years, Feffer has represented clients in a wide variety of businesses, including garment manufacturing, construction, restaurants, food distribution, property managemen...

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By Leslie Rieder
May 2, 2008

As the 11th annual Asian American Awareness Week wound down Thursday night, the Asian American Association held its second "Make a Move!" Variety Show.

Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union was transformed into a theater, complete with a sound system, stage and special lighting.

"We use the variety show as a way to display a mixture of talents that break the stereotypes of Asians," said Kha Ly, the AAA vice president of internal affairs.

"Make a Move!" featured dance tributes to Michael Jackson, singers, pianists, guitarists, comic skits and a fashion show that showcased traditional outfits from countries including India and China.

Sophomore Meghan O'Hara said she came to watch a friend sing.

"I came to the show last year too," she said. "I think the event is very entertaining and eye-opening for me about different Asian cultures."

The dance crew OFFICIAL also performed at the variety show....

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