Brian May: “Amazing uke playing to be relished.”

Millions of fans around the world first discovered Jake through his now-famous YouTube clip performing George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”

Now it’s your turn!  Much like Jake’s rise to popularity, contestants will submit their own video playing one of Jake’s songs.

The winner will take center stage for an once-in-a-lifetime moment
and perform one song before Jake Shimabukuro.

That’s it!  Our panel of esteemed judges will then select five finalists for the final round of voting and that is when we turn to you, the YouTube community, on February 20-26, to help us choose the winner!

We’ll announce the winner on February 27, 2012. 

Good luck and start practicing!  Update:  Please attend and share our Facebook event “So You Think You Can Uke – Jake Shimabukuro YouTube Contest“

We are thrilled to kick off SFIAAFF30 with none other than WHITE FROG, the highly-anticipated new film by celebrated director, Quentin Lee. Last summer, the online media sphere was spinning with the curious and enticing question, “Who is the White Frog?” Well, join us on opening night to find out!

WHITE FROG
SFIAAFF 30 Opening Night Gala & World Premiere
THU MAR 8, 2012
7PM Film Screening @ Castro Theater
9:30PM Gala Reception @ Asian Art Museum

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

Early Bird Screening + Gala Non-Member Price: $55 ($60 after February 9)
Early Bird Screening + Gala CAAM Member Price: $45 CAAM Members ($50 after February 9)
Film only: $35
Gala only: $30

WHITE FROG boasts a spellbinding cast of some of the most influential and recognizable Asian American talent today, including Booboo Stewart (you know, rock-hard abs from The Twilight Saga),  Harry Shum, Jr. (the Asian dance machine from Glee), Kelly Hu (the badass sorceress from Scorpion King),  B.D. Wong (Law and Order: SVU), and Joan Chen (The Last Emperor, Mao’s Last Dancer). This much-buzzed about film is written by the mother/daughter team, Ellie and Fabienne Wen and executive produced by Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly).

The screening will be followed by a star-studded Opening Night Gala Reception at the Asian Art Museum, attended by many of WHITE FROG’s cast and crew. The Gala promises to be a red-carpet affair and will feature delicious treats from some of the Bay Area’s most popular restaurants, including Bushi-Tei, Chotto, Dosa, Serpentine, and Yoshi’s.

This is one event you don’t want to miss!

ABOUT WHITE FROG:
High-school freshman, Nick (Booboo Stewart), a young boy with Asperger’s syndrome is often neglected and misunderstood by his seemingly perfect family. When tragedy suddenly strikes, Nick is forced out of his comfort zone, and into finding the strength he needs to survive. WHITE FROG is a universal story about the power of family, friendship, and love.

Click here to view the trailer for WHITE FROG

RELATED LINKS:

Like us on Facebook:
http://facebook.com/asianamericanmedia

Follow us on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/caam

Watch us on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/caamchannel

Scope out our Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/centerforasianamericanmedia

CAAM Presents
WORLD PREMIERE OF THE JAKE SHIMABUKURO DOCUMENTARY
+ LIVE PERFORMANCE at SFIAAFF30!
WED MAR 14, 2012
CASTRO THEATER

6PM VIP Reception with Screening & Performance $175 // CAAM Members $150
7:30PM Screening with Performance $60 // CAAM Members $50

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

“If everyone played the ukulele, the world would be a better place,” says Hawaiian-born Jake Shimabukuro, who has captivated audiences across the globe with his jaw-dropping mastery of the ‘uke.’ His technical virtuosity and broad musical palette – including jazz, rock, original Hawaiian standards, and innovative pop covers – have fundamentally redefined how the seemingly limited instrument is perceived by millions of people. Shimabukuro has been featured on CNN, in Times and Rolling Stones Magazines, and has performed alongside musical giants such as Bela Fleck, Cyndi Lauper, and Yo Yo Ma. But beyond his technical skill, it is Jake’s infectious enthusiasm for the ukulele as the “instrument of peace” that has made him a leader in the rising popularity of the ‘uke’ among everyday strummers and long-time enthusiasts.

Directed by renowned Asian American filmmaker, Tadashi Nakamura, the CAAM produced JAKE SHIMABUKURO DOCUMENTARY follows Jake over the course of his 2010-11 musical season, capturing dynamic performances before sold out crowds, as well as intimate moments of life on the road and visits home to his native Hawai’i, where he has risen from local hero to international star. Along the way, this self-taught Japanese American musician gently disarms a series of stereotypes, for Jake’s music confronts clichés about the romance and frivolousness of Hawai’ian beach culture, and challenges commonly held audience perceptions that limit Asian American musicians to classical and jazz conventions.

Don’t miss the World Premiere of this captivating documentary – PLAYING ONE NIGHT ONLY! And the icing on the cake? JAKE SHIMABUKURO WILL BE IN THE HOUSE to give a mind-blowing ukulele performance that’s sure to knock your socks off!

VIP Reception + Screening + Live Performance:
Join us for a rare and intimate gathering just before the screening with rising star Jake Shimabukuro, director Tadashi Nakamura, and friends! Our VIP guests will be treated to delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks to celebrate this special event. Following the reception, guests will be able to view the film and a live performance by Jake from a premium seat at the historic Castro Theatre. Reception begins at 6pm in the Castro Mezzanine and will be followed by the screening and performance at 7:30pm.

“Shimabukuro is a monster musician and boldly takes the ukulele where no ukulele has ever gone before, dazzling listeners with his blinding speed, melodic invention, and open-ended improvisations of remarkable virtuosity” — All Music Guide

Learn more about Jake here:

Jake’s Website:
http://jakeshimabukuro.com

Watch Jake Play:
Bohemian Rhapsody on the Uke
On CNN

RELATED LINKS:

Like us on Facebook:
http://facebook.com/asianamericanmedia

Follow us on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/caam

Watch us on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/caamchannel

Scope out our Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/centerforasianamericanmedia

Photo: Michelle De Leon

CAAM presents
SFIAAFF Launch Party
Thursday, February 9, 2011
9PM – 2AM
@ 111 Minna Gallery
111 Minna Street (at 2nd Street), San Francisco CA 94105

On Thursday, February 9th 2012, the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF) gets its 30th year started with a Press Conference announcing an exciting program that celebrates the past, present, and future – not only honoring pioneers in Asian and Asian American media-making, but also new directions in digital and interactive media, sound and youth culture, and gaming.

After the Press Conference, what better way to kick things off than with a partaaay! Join us at 111 Minna Gallery to celebrate the official launch of the Festival! Come out, pick up your hot-off-the-press Festival Program Guide, and enjoy some of the Bay Area’s hottest DJs. Doors open at 9pm.

On the turntables:

Chicken Skratch
DJ Inkfat
Nerstylist
DJ Bluz

$10 Admission | 21+
$5 FOR CAAM MEMBERS

Learn more about CAAM membership
or email membership [at] asianamericanmedia [dot] org.

RELATED LINKS

RSVP on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/357371870958562/

Like us on Facebook:
http://facebook.com/asianamericanmedia

Follow us on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/caam

Watch us on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/caamchannel

Scope out our Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/centerforasianamericanmedia

111 Minna Gallery

http://111minnagallery.com

That’s right, folks. This year’s San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF) is coming soon, and we’re turning the big 3-0!

SAVE THE DATES

When: March 8-18, 2012
Where: San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose, CA

The SFIAAFF, presented by the Center for Asian American Media, is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films, annually presenting approximately 120 works in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Festival’s 30^th anniversary program celebrates the past, present, and future – not only honoring pioneers in Asian and Asian American media-making, but also new directions in digital and interactive media, sound and youth culture, and gaming.

So, keep your New Year’s resolution – get out into the community and learn more about the richness and diversity of Asian and Asian American experiences (Wait, that wasn’t on your list? Well, it should be!).

RELATED LINKS:

Like us on Facebook:
http://facebook.com/asianamericanmedia

Follow us on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/caam

Watch us on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/caamchannel

Scope out our Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/centerforasianamericanmedia

We hope you will be able to make it. This event is free with an RSVP via the Mini Movie Fest’s Facebook page.

Date: December 1st, 2011

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Location:
BlueLight Cinemas – Theater 5
21275 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014

ABOUT SOUTH BAY FIRST THURSDAYS
South Bay First Thursdays (SBFT) is a volunteer-run organization that holds events on every first Thursday of the month to discuss topics relevant to the Asian-Pacific Islander (API) community. Events consist of a panel of experts followed by facilitated group discussions. Beyond providing the community with knowledge, SBFT also provides a chance for young professionals to build networks and new friendships with people in the non-profit, for-profit, and government sectors.

RELATED LINKS:

SBFT Mini Movie Fest:
http://www.sbft.org/2011/11/03/248/

South Bay First Thursdays home page:
http://www.sbft.org/

SBFT Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/SBfirstthursdays

We at CAAM are excited to be unveiling the latest version of our interactive game and hope that you can join us on November 10th to celebrate the latest version of Filipino or Not?, CAAM’s game about race in the media on November 10th at the Mercury Lounge. Play the free app and challenge friends while enjoying happy hour drinks and eats. Co-hosted by our friends at the Mercury Lounge, 10% of all sales will be donated to CAAM as part of Mercury Matters. The event is free with RSVP.

Thursday, November 10, 2011
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Mercury Lounge
1582 Folsom Street, San Francisco CA

RSVP by Tuesday, November 8th to malegre [at] caamedia [dot] org
This event is co-hosted by our friends at the Mercury Lounge as part of Mercury Matters, where 10% of all food and drink sales will be generously donated to CAAM. See you at the event!

SEMSHOOK
Dir: Siddharth Anand Kumar
Siddharth Anand Kumar’s superbly crafted film takes us on a spiritual journey across the spectacular and breathtaking Himalayas as we accompany Tenzin, a young Tibetan artist raised in India, on a search for truth and freedom. His journey mirrors the Buddha’s search for enlightenment where he needs to lose himself in order to find his true self. SEMSHOOK be playing at the Roxie Theater on Friday, November 11th.

ASHES
Dir: Ajay Naidu
Ashes (short for Ashish) struggles to support himself and his mentally ill older brother. When a group of small-time gangsters on New York’s Lower East Side offers him an easy road to wealth, he is caught between familial duties and hardcore crime. A soulful debut from indie favorite Ajay Naid. ASHES will be playing at the Roxie Theater on Thursday, November 10th.

PATANG (THE KITE)
Dir: Prashant Bhargava

A gothic family drama set against the dynamic spectacle of India’s largest kite festival, Bhargava’s runaway hit at the Berlin and Tribeca Film Festivals is a sumptuous experience of light, color, and music, about a family coming to terms with its fractured past and fragile dreams. PATANG (THE KITE) will be playing at the Roxie Theater on Friday, November 11th.

DELHI BELLY
Dir: Abhinay Deo
Sexy, bawdy and riotously smart, this explosive comedy takes Bollywood in a whole new direction, doffing its cap to bad-boy films like Snatch and The Hangover. Expect rickshaw chases, upset stomachs, a riot of mix-ups and pursuits, and, of course, two glitzy dance numbers that pay homage to 80s Bollywood! A smashing success in India in spite—or perhaps because—of the “Adults Only” certificate the film received.

DELHI BELLY will be playing on November 12th at The Castro Theatre as part of Bollywood at the Castro

Kick off another MATCHA and the Asian Art Museum’s brand spankin’ new exhibition MAHARAJA in good taste!

You’ve seen him on TV, now you can see him at the Asian Art Museum. Top Chef Master Floyd Cardoz will give a demo and discussion on contemporary flavors in Indian cuisine.

Enjoy free food samples from Sukhi Gourmet Indian food, cocktails from cash bars, a new menu at our Cafe Asia, explore MAHARAJA: THE SPLENDOR OF INDIA’S ROYAL COURTS with the curator, go on a docent tour, and enjoy DJ JANAKA SELEKTA (of Dhamaal Sound System fame, and purveyor of classical Indian music blended with electronic beats). All for just $10. And CAAM fans, watch our Facebook page for a chance to win tickets to this event!

MATCHA: New Indian Cuisine
Thurs, Oct 27, 5-9 pm, $10 (includes entry to Maharaja)
Asian Art Museum

To purchase tickets: http://www.asianart.org/matcha2011/tickets.htm

RELATED LINKS
Asian Art Museum’s Maharaja exhibit: http://www.asianart.org/maharaja/

MATCHA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163376403751640

Chef Floyd Cardoz: http://www.cheffloydcardoz.com/

CAAM and the organizers from the South By Southwest Film, Interactive, and Music Festivals will be hosting a mixer for all of our Bay Area friends to get plans underway for SXSW 2012. The event will be held at the Phoenix Hotel on 10/27 and entry is free with RSVP.

WHEN:
Thursday, October 27
6:00pm – 7:30pm

WHERE:
Chambers Eat + Drink at the Phoenix Hotel
601 Eddy Street
San Francisco CA

RSVP by Monday October 24th to:
musicrsvp [at] sxsw [dot] com