May 16, 2008
Asian Heritage Street Celebration's Must-See Entertainment
By: Christine Padilla
The Asian Heritage Street Celebration showcases the diverse talent of the Asian American community. From comedians to hip-hop performers and rock bands, to dance groups and spoken-word artists, there’s something for everyone in the all-day extravaganze at the Peace Plaza and Sutter Street Stages. Check out this year’s entertainment (visit asianfairsf.com for the complete lineup).
APL.DE.AP
Allan Pineda Lindo, better known as apl.de.ap, is a hip-hop musician, record producer, and member of the Grammy Award-winning group, the Black Eyed Peas. He is planning to release a solo album incorporating traditional Filipino instruments, and recently he disclosed he would be collaborating with fellow Filipino- American Chad Hugo of the Neptunes and Illmind from G-Unit. Through his music, he intends to help link the Philippines with the rest of the world, opening the door to the recognition of the talent and voice of his people, as well as the beauty of his culture.
www.apldeap.com
ANIMEMYU
Renowned for their "Sailor Moon Musical," Animemyu performs Japanese animation to introduce children to Japanese pop culture. Formed in 2007 as a nonprofit group, Animemyu will travel to Mexico this year as special guests representing the United States.
www.animemyu.org
CALISUS
Calisus is a high-energy, alternative rock band whose live performances have inspired their trademark tag line, "Some bands just have to be seen live ..." © Influenced by classic rock, modern rock, contemporary pop rock, hard rock, grunge, progressive rock and reggae, their diversity attracts a similarly diverse audience ranging from ages 18 to 50. With success garnered by a new live DVD/CD set and sellouts at prestigious venues such as Northern Virginia’s Jammin’ Java, the band appears on an amazing trajectory.
www.calisus.com
DJ CHICKEN SKRATCH
A San Francisco native, DJ Chicken Skratch began his career in 1994 during the "Golden Era" of hip-hop. He has appeared in hundreds of events since then, and has continued to DJ between one and five times a week. His veteran experience, ear for good music, friendships with S.F.’s best DJs, and a positive attitude have led him to success. As a proud AAPI, he remains a dedicated student and teacher of the arts in hip-hop culture.
www.imeem.com/chickenskratch
LIL JORDAN
Born Jordan Eugenio, Lil Jordan, 10, increasingly is becoming America’s favorite personality. The Ambassador of Junior Golf and Hip-Hop has appeared on FOX’s Best Damn Sports Show Period, Good Morning America, CNN, ESPN, Nickelodeon, The Golf Channel, as well as in numerous commercials and print ads (AT&T, PGA, Save Mart, Mervyn’s) and upcoming feature-length films and television series (Lil Jordan’s Golf Adventure, Mad Dash) releasing in 2008.
www.liljordan.com
JASON MATEO
Born in San Francisco, Jason Mateo is an internationally recognized poet, performer, arts organizer and activist. Mateo’s proudest achievement has been working as program director for Youth Speaks, a San Francisco-based literary arts group. Through Youth Speaks, Mateo has visited hundreds of schools throughout the country, encouraging voice, leadership, and creative energy among thousands of high-school students.
www.youthspeaks.org/staff_jason.html
JEREMY TAGLE BAUTISTA
Jeremy Tagle Bautista (aka KILUSAN) is an independent performance artist, youth empowerment worker and community organizer. He has performed at "Power to the Peaceful Festival" in San Francisco in 2006 and 2007; Kimball’s East in Oakland in 2005; UC Santa Cruz’s Rainbow Theater from 1999 to 2002; and the "Bay Area Hip Hop Theater Festival" at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center in 2005.
NATE KROOKS
DJ and producer deedot (Melina Jones, Public Radio), a third-generation Chinese-American, and Kazwell, a second-generation Japanese American, make up the hip-hop duo NATE KROOKS. The Bay Area natives recently released their 15-song debut album, Still True, in homage to positive lyrics, jazz and soul sample-based production from the 1990s, but with a new-school sound.
www.cdbaby.com/cd/natekrooks
NATIVE ELEMENTS
With a myriad of musical influences ranging from classic R&B soul to the deepest tradition of Jamaican and English dub, San Francisco’s own Native Elements delivers a dynamic sound that appeals to all music lovers. They have been nominated for a San Francisco Weekly Local Music Award (Wammie) and BAM magazine’s Bay Area Music Award (Bammie) for Outstanding World Beat/Reggae Club Band.
www.native-elements.com
NITYA VENKATESWARAN
Immersed in Bharatanatyam (South Indian Classical Dance) since the age of four, Nitya Venkateswaran has dazzled audiences in the Bay Area and India with her athleticism, grace and charming stage presence. She has performed in the prestigious Music Season and Shivarathri Festivals in India and was featured as a soloist in the 2005 "San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival."
www.nityav.com
NGUYEN DANCE COMPANY
The Vietnamese Performing Arts Group, a public benefit organization, proudly presents its premier performance troupe, Nguyen Dance Company. Throughout the year, NDC performs at over 50 community events, produces up to three original shows, and teaches more than 120 free classes throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
www.dannydancers.com
ODESSA CHEN
Described as intelligent, subtle, and haunting, Odessa Chen’s pure, ethereal voice and finger-picking guitar style has attracted international attention. Chen has been interviewed on NPR, MTV and KRON 4’s Pacific Fusion TV, and her work has appeared in independent films, compilations and radio programs.
www.odessachen.com
REN THE VINYL ARCHAEOLOGIST
Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist’s True Skool events won the "Best of the Bay" Y2K in the San Francisco Bay Guardian. As a DJ, Ren has shared bills with world-renowned artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Jazzy Jeff, Q-Bert, Wu-Tang Clan, and Lyrics Born, to name just a few.
www.trueskool.com
RON PUA
Ron (Pua) Patrocinio was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, by a family of hula dancers and musicians. He started dancing the hula at the age of four, and has carried on for more than 40 years. Pua currently teaches more than 65 students ranging in age from four to 70, at the JCCCNC in Japantown.
THOSE KIDS
Goofy, crazy, and awesome entertainers, the Carvajal Kids (aka "Those Kids") began performing at family gatherings, and never stopped. Venues have included many community events, festivals, and shows throughout California, Nevada, and Hawaii. Those Kids consist of two sisters, Caite and Ciara, and their brother, Daric.
www.myspace.com/thosekids916
TRACY CRUZ
For over 15 years, Tracy Cruz has captured the hearts and ears of many with her powerful vocals, emotional stage presence, and unique, soulful music. She has performed at several prestigious music events and venues around the Bay Area, including the KBLX 102.9 FM Soul Music Festival, Juneteenth Festival, Nihonmachi Street Festival, Temple Bar, Agenda Lounge, and many more.
www.myspace.com/tracycruzmusic
THE SLANTS
This band has everyone screaming for some "Chinatown Dance Rock." The Slants began playing in mid-2007 and their self-recorded, self-produced, and self-released record quickly caught media attention, including press from AsianWeek, The Asian Reporter, Willamette Week, Shojo Beat, and more.
www.theslants.com