Francis Wong’s “Diapsora Tales #2: 1969” 9/20, 7:30pm at the Berkeley Art Museum!
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Chinese Culture Center, and Asian Improv aRts present
Diaspora Tales #2: 1969
The Francis Wong Unit featuring saxophonist Francis Wong, bassist John-Carlos Perea,and guitarist Karl Evangelista with guests taiko (Japanese drums) artist Melody Takata, yangqin artist Yangqin Zhou, dancer/choreographer Lenora Lee, and rapper/performerAK Black.
Immerse yourself in Diaspora Tales #2: 1969, an invigorating multimedia work encompassing music, dance, spoken word, and video projection. Francis Wong, an acclaimed composer and jazz musician, tells the story of his Bay Area family living through turbulent times, touching on UC Berkeley’s Third World strike (which resulted in the establishment of ethnic studies programs at the University), the Black Panthers, drug culture, and other themes.
Friday, September 20th, 7:30pm
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
2626 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94720
For tickets and more info: www.bampfa.berkeley.edu, www.franciswong.net
San Francisco Dance Film Festival presents “REFLECTIONS” 9/14, 6:30pm!
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San Francisco Dance Film Festival presents
REFLECTIONS
A Short Film inspired by an interdisciplinary performance piece of the same name, Reflections addresses the struggle for dominance and survival.
by Lenora Lee & Olivia Ting
featuring Kei Lun Martial Arts & Enshin Karate, SSF Dojo
as part of the San Francisco Dance Film Festival Screendance Shorts IV
Saturday, September 14th, 6:30pm
Delancey Screening Room
600 The Embarcadero at Brannan
San Francisco, CA 94107
For tickets & more info: www.sfdancefilmfest.org, www.LenoraLeeDance.com
Don’t miss the premiere of “The Escape” and “Rescued Memories: New York Stories” 11/8 & 11/9!
Rescued Memories: NY Stories short from Lenora Lee on Vimeo.
The de Young Museum in collaboration with Asian Improv aRts, Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center, Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, and Donaldina Cameron House present the premiere of “The Escape” and “Rescued Memories: New York Stories” 11/8 & 11/9 at the de Young Museum!
These two new interdisciplinary works are companion pieces inspired by stories of women who had become vulnerable upon arrival into the U.S. during the early 20th Century. They seek to shed light on the experiences of these women in the context of the social history of the period for Chinese in America as well as for women in the society as a whole with the struggles and achievements of the 20th Century Women’s Movement, which took on such issues as child labor and human trafficking.
By Lenora Lee Dance in collaboration with Kei Lun Martial Arts & Enshin Karate, South San Francisco Dojo, featuring media design by Olivia Ting, music by Francis Wong, text by poet Genny Lim, lighting by Patty-Ann Farrell, and videography directed by Tatsu Aoki, filmed by Ben Estabrook, Eric Koziol, Heath Orchard, Joel Wanek, Zhuoyun Chen, and Joshua Chuck. Performed by Larissa Fong, Raymond Fong, Marina Fukushima, Chin-chin Hsu, Lynn Huang, SanSan Kwan, Wei-Shan Lai, Lenora Lee, Yukihiko Noda, Chia-Yi Seetoo, and the dragon dancers of Kei Lun Martial Arts.
Friday, November 8, as part of Friday Nights at the de Young
6:00 pm and 7:15 pm | Piazzoni Murals Room
Film Screening: The Escape (2013, 30 min.) by Tatsu Aoki
6:30 – 8:30 pm | Wilsey Court
Live Music by Francis Wong’s Trio SF performing jazz and creative music.
7:00-8:15 pm | Koret Auditorium
Performance: The Escape and Rescued Memories: New York Stories. Tickets are required.*
Saturday, November 9
8:00-9:15 pm | Koret Auditorium and Wilsey Court
Performance: The Escape and Rescued Memories: New York Stories. Tickets are required.*
de Young Museum
Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, SF 94118
*Events are free and take place at the de Young Museum unless otherwise stated. Tickets for The Escape and Rescued Memories: New York Stories are $15 general/$10 museum members and can be purchased at https://tickets.famsf.org/
For info: www.deyoungmuseum.org/artistfellows • email Lenora@asianimprov.org
The Escape & Rescued Memories: NY Stories are part of the de Young Artist Fellows project, which has been generously funded by the James Irvine Foundation’s Innovation Fund & the Institute of Museum and Library Services/Museums for America. Also supported by Zellerbach Family Foundation, San Francisco Arts Commission, WKK Donor-Advised Fund San Francisco Foundation, Asian/Pacific/American Institute at New York University, Puffin Foundation, Lighting Artists in Dance Award a program of Dancers’ Group, CA$H a program of Theatre Bay Area in partnership with Dancers’ Group, and Individuals. Community Partners include Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, Asian Women’s Shelter, Dancers’ Group, New York Asian Women’s Center, San Francisco Department on the Status of Women.
Much appreciation to all of those who have contributed this year…
A very special thanks to those who have contributed to the online campaign! We couldn’t have reached our goal without you…
Stella Adelman, Anne Bluethenthal, Elaine Chan-Scherer, James Q. Chan, Katie Chan, Leslie & Bob Chan, Sherman Chan, Demetria & Conant Chi, Louisa & Arthur Chin, Yoonmi Choi, Jennifer Chu, Christopher Chua, Jane & John Chung, Marjorie H Chung, David Dea, Doreen Der-McCleod, Grant Din, Sumio Enomoto, Linus Enriquez, Bonnie Fimbres, Larissa Fong, Raymond Fong, Shar & Al Hall, John Ho, Michael Holscher, Clinton Huey, Catherine Hung, Jonathan Iiyama, Glenda & Chris Jeong, Cynthia Joe, John Jung, Ed Kam, Derek Kim, Margot Knight, Masaru Koga, Wei-Shan Lai, Amy Lam, Derek Lang, Alson & JoAnn Lee, David & Kathy Lee, Karina Lee & Perry Howe, Kenneth Lee, Larry Lee, Shirley Lee, Judith Leff, Mary & Dayton Leong, Wendy Leung, Hanmin Liu & Jennifer Mei, Jean Liu, Jonathon & Janet Low, Linda Lucero, Audrey Lum, Mary McFadden, Belinda Mekdara, M Emily Onglatco, Alleluia Panis, Vinay Patel, Amoena & James Quan, Jeanne & Winchell Quock, Chia-Yi Seetoo, John Seto, Katherine Seto, Sabrina Gee Shin, David & Marcella Soohoo, Melody Takata / GenRyu Arts, Tisha, Van Tran, Michele & Binh Tran, Joel Wanek, Ben Wong, Francis Wong, Jones Wong, Bradford Woo, Joanne & Jerrick Woo, Lillian Woo, Michelle & Steven Ureta, Alisa Yee, Dot Yee, Le Yoeun, Connie Young Yu, Joanne & David Yu, Anonymous Donors
Much appreciation to those who have supported us earlier this year!
Jeanette & Low Chan, Leslie & Bob Chan, Mark Chung, Laura Hays, Mildred Hall, Michael Holscher, Phyllis Huey Tom, Jeanette Huie, Keith Jew & Pamela Jang, Cynthia Joe, Victor Clark Joe, Derek Lang, Larry Lee, Linda Lee & Harry Chuck, Thompson Lee, Winnie & Jenson Lee, Lianne & Terry Leong, Mary & Dayton Leong, Christina & Leonard Lew, Jean Liu & Terry Chea, May & Lawrence Lui, Jean & Richard Lym, Joan & George Louie, Victoria Marks, Jill Shiraki & Wilbur Obata, Benson Toy, Joanne & Jerrick Woo, Joyce Ashizawa-Yee & Bradley Yee, Sandra Yuen
7 DAYS LEFT… You can help us reach our goal before June 28th!
June 21, 2013
Dear Friends,
My deepest gratitude to the 57 donors who have contributed to the campaign so far helping us raise $5,375 online plus $1,325 through checks!
THERE ARE ONLY 7 DAYS LEFT TO RAISE $2,625
for Phase 2 of the “Rescued Memories: New York Stories” project!
We will be going to NYC in next month to film scenes in NYC Chinatown with dancers Marina Fukushima, Wei-Shan Lai, Lynn Huang, Juliet Ante, Chin-chin Hsu, Yi-Ting Hsu, martial artist Yukihiko Noda, and media designer Olivia Ting. We will also record the music for this piece with Francis Wong, NY artists Min Xiao-Fen, and Jonathan Chen and Chicago artist Tatsu Aoki. The project will premiere at the de Young Museum November 8 & 9 and in NYC spring 2014!!
Please consider supporting the project and the team of over 20 artists and collaborators involved in creating this work.
In gratitude,
Lenora
A very special thanks to those who have contributed to this online campaign so far!
Anne Bluethenthal, Elaine Chan-Scherer, James Q. Chan, Katie Chan, Leslie & Bob Chan, Demetria & Conant Chi, Louisa & Arthur Chin, David Dea, Doreen Der-McCleod, Grant Din, Sumio Enomoto, Linus Enriquez, Bonnie Fimbres, Raymond Fong, Shar & Al Hall, John Ho, Clinton Huey, Glenda & Chris Jeong, John Jung, Derek Kim, Margot Knight, Masaru Koga, Wei-Shan Lai, Derek Lang, Alson & JoAnn Lee, Karina Lee & Perry Howe, Lamam2, Mary & Dayton Leong, Wendy Leung, Hanmin Liu & Jennifer Mei, Linda Lucero, Mary McFadden, Belinda Mekdara, Amoena & James Quan, Jeanne & Winchell Quock, Chia-Yi Seetoo, John Seto, Katherine Seto, Melody Takata / GenRyu Arts, Michele & BinhTran, Ben Wong, Francis Wong, Jones Wong, Bradford Woo, Joanne & Jerrick Woo, Michelle & Steven Ureta, Alisa Yee, Le Yoeun, Connie Young Yu, Joanne & David Yu, Anonymous Donors
Much appreciation to those who have supported us earlier this year!
Jeanette & Low Chan, Leslie & Bob Chan, Mark Chung, Laura Hays, Mildred Hall, Michael Holscher, Phyllis Huey Tom, Jeanette Huie, Keith Jew & Pamela Jang, Cynthia Joe, Victor Clark Joe, Derek Lang, Larry Lee, Linda Lee & Harry Chuck, Thompson Lee, Winnie & Jenson Lee, Lianne & Terry Leong, Mary & Dayton Leong, Christina & Leonard Lew, Jean Liu & Terry Chea, May & Lawrence Lui, Jean & Richard Lym, Joan & George Louie, Victoria Marks, Jill Shiraki & Wilbur Obata, Benson Toy, Joanne & Jerrick Woo, Joyce Ashizawa-Yee & Bradley Yee, Sandra Yuen
DON’T WAIT… GET INVOLVED BEFORE June 28, 2013!
Dear Friends,
We are in the process of creating a new interdisciplinary performance piece “Rescued Memories: New York Stories” which will premiere along with its companion piece “The Escape” November 8 & 9 at the de Young Museum in San Francisco and in New York City Spring 2014. It is inspired by stories of women who sought refuge from human trafficking in the early 20th Century in New York City’s Chinatown, shedding light on the experiences of women in the context of the struggles and achievements of the 20th Century Women’s Movement. The project will connect these experiences with today’s fabric of organizations & individuals that are on the front line of the contemporary struggle against the exploitation of women in our communities.
As part of this project, we will be flying 12 dancers, collaborating artists, and crew to New York City this July to take part in a music recording for the piece and a week of film shoots in key historic locations within Manhattan Chinatown. The site-specific video mapped and projected on various surfaces during the premiere performances plays a crucial part in the sharing of these stories.
WE ARE TRYING TO RAISE $8,000 IN 30 DAYS AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!
I am here to ask for your support in creating these projects as our scale and scope become larger and more integrated into various communities and venues throughout the country.
WE ARE IN CRITICAL NEED OF FUNDING to create this new interdisciplinary work in which dance, martial arts, multi-screen video projection, text & music collide in a visual and aural landscape, a meditation on one woman being propelled into the unknown by courage and faith to risk her life and everything she has for freedom.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP
Audiences have been deeply touched by “The Escape”. We hope to bring forth more compelling stories and information to you through “Rescued Memories: New York Stories”.
We are greatly appreciative of your generosity and for being part of the team.
Please help us spread the word.
In gratitude,
Lenora
ImprovisAsians 2013! Re(al)liance: Music, Collaboration, & Resistance April 15th – 18th!
ImprovisAsians 2013!
Re(al)liance: Music, Collaboration, and Resistance
Sponsored by Asian Improv aRts in association with The Departments of Music and Dance and American Indian Studies at
San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CAThis twenty-fifth anniversary edition of Asian Improv’s annual series of workshops and concerts at San Francisco State University, ImprovisAsians! will explore the role of performance as a community-organizing method enabling “re(al)liance” through shared histories of music, collaboration, and resistance.
All events will take place on the San Francisco State University campus.
Admission is free and open to the public for all events.
Monday, April 15th
1:10-2pm, Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building, Room 132: Shiraz Quartet Reunion with James Norton and Hafez Modirzadeh (winds), joined by John Shifflett (bass) and Jason Lewis (drums)
2:10-3:25pm, Burk Hall 225 “The Art of Agency I”: a performance and discussion featuring Francis Wong (winds), Wesley Ueunten (sanshin – 3 string Okinawan lute), and Lenora Lee (dance).
Tuesday, April 16th
3:35-4:50, Creative Arts Building, Room 152: “The Art of Agency II”: a performance and discussion featuring John-Carlos Perea (bass, flute, voice),Wesley Ueunten, Francis Wong, and Lenora Lee.
5:30-7:30pm, Creative Arts Building, Room 152: Performing Re(al)liances: A roundtable discussion on the use of music in Chinese American, Native American, and Palestinian communities in relation to histories of occupation, relocation, and alliance building. Guests to include Dr Jess Ghanam (UCSF), Susan Greene (Break the Silence Media and Arts Project), Genny Lim (poet laureate), Francis Wong (AIR), and Dr John-Carlos Perea (AIS, SFSU).
Wednesday, April 17th
1:10-2pm, Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building, Room 132: John-Carlos Perea Trio with Masaru Koga and Karl Evangelista. Over the course of their careers AIR co-founders Jang and Wong have cited the important influence of Creek and Kaw saxophonist Jim Pepper on their artistic visions. This performance will feature Pepper’s compositions alongside indigenized versions of jazz standards arranged by Perea.
Thursday, April 18th
3:30-5:30, Creative Arts Building, Room 146: Creative World Ensemble Master class with Dr Hafez Modirzadeh, focusing on original student works to accompany live poetry by Avotcja from her newly published book, “With Every Step I Take”.
6:10-8:50, Creative Arts Building, Room 152: “Art, Entrepreneurship, and Activism”: A roundtable discussion with Jon Jang, Francis Wong, Lenora Lee, and Melody Takata.
For more information: www.asianimprov.org
Photo by Andy Nozaka
Thank you!
March 29, 2013
Dear Friends,
It is with my deepest appreciation that I thank you for your gracious support. We are writing to ask you to consider contributing to our 6th Anniversary Spring and Fall Seasons at the de Young Museum as we reach new and broader audiences with our work!
“I can’t think of any choreographer who has taken an approach as simultaneously intimate and large scale as Lenora Lee. In her work, the personal and the political intertwine inextricably.” – Rita Felciano, San Francisco Bay Guardian 2012
This year in San Francisco we will share two large-scale interdisciplinary works created with Kei Lun Martial Arts and Enshin Karate, South San Francisco Dojo, “The Escape”and “Rescued Memories: New York Stories”. Both are companion pieces inspired by stories of women who had become vulnerable upon arrival into the U.S. during the early 20th Century.
These projects seek to shed light on the experiences of these women in the context of the social history of the period for Chinese in America as well as for women in the society as a whole with the struggles and achievements of the 20th Century Women’s Movement, which took on such issues as child labor and human trafficking. They are commissioned works to be performed at the de Young Museum May 17th (“The Escape” & a new work by Francis Wong) and November 8th & 9th (both pieces) as part of their 2013 Artist Fellows program.
I have been conducting both historical and current day research for these works through the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, Cameron House, Asian Women’s Shelter, API Legal Outreach, the A/P/A Institute at NYU, and New York Asian Women’s Center, among other organizations. Stories of determination and courage in addition to the generosity of staff and advocates have been truly inspiring and humbling.
“Lee’s kaleidoscopic dance views on the Asian American experience can be visually arresting – her 2010 “Passages: For Lee Ping To” was nominated for an Izzie Award for its design – but it’s provocative storytelling around universal themes that forms the heart of many of her works, including her latest.” – Mary Ellen Hunt, San Francisco Chronicle 2012
Your support is invaluable and plays a critical role in realizing the development and sharing of this work in presentations and performances! You allow for people to witness history coming to life, in honoring the past and understanding how it impacts the present, so that we may have an empowered perspective in shaping our future.
Please consider contributing to the growth and expansion of this work and of our year round programming. We are ever so grateful for your support and generosity.
With much appreciation,
Lenora
GETTING INVOLVED
Lenora Lee Dance is fiscally sponsored by Asian Improv aRts, a non-profit tax-exempt organization. All donations are fully deductible to the extent allowed by law.
(“Donate”, Designate Purpose – “For Lenora Lee Dance”)
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR SUPPORT!
Jeanette & Low Chan, Mark Chung, Mildred Hall, Laura Hays, Michael Holscher, Jeanette Huie, Pamela Jang & Keith Jew, Victor Clark Joe, Derek Lang, Alson & JoAnn Lee, Karina Lee & Perry Howe, Larry Lee, Linda Lee & Harry Chuck, Lianne & Terry Leong, Mary & Dayton Leong, Christina & Leonard Lew, Joan & George Louie, Jean Liu & Terry Chea, May & Larry Lui, Jean & Richard Lym, Victoria Marks, Jill Shiraki & Wilbur Obata, Phyllis Huey Tom, Joanne & Jerrick Woo, Joyce Ashizawa-Yee & Bradley Yee, Sandra Yuen
Photos by Robbie Sweeny and courtesy of Cameron House
Miyoshi Sketches & The Escape – May 17th, 7pm at the de Young Museum!
Miyoshi Sketches is a new work by composer Francis Wong created with the support of Individual Artist Commissions of Cultural Equity Grants. This work features Tatsu Aoki and Chizuru Kineya, shamisen (Japanese 3 string lute), Yangqin Zhao on yangqin (Chinese hammered dulcimer), Jim Norton and Francis Wong on woodwinds, Wayne Wallace on trombone, Melody Takata on taiko, and Deszon Claiborne on multiple percussion. It memorializes the friendship that developed between Wong’s parents, immigrants from China, and John Miyoshi, a Japanese American World War II veteran in the post-World War II era in San Francisco. In addition to Miyoshi Sketches the ensemble will also perform two older compositions by Wong entitled La Chine Africaine (for my mother), and Dream. www.franciswong.net
The Escape by Lenora Lee Dance
with Kei Lun Martial Arts & Enshin Karate, South San Francisco Dojo.
featuring media design by Olivia Ting, music by Francis Wong, text by Genny Lim, lighting by Patty-Ann Farrell, and videography directed by Tatsu Aoki, filmed by Ben Estabrook & Eric Koziol
The Escape is an interdisciplinary performance piece inspired by stories of women who had become vulnerable upon arrival into the U.S. during the early 20th Century. The pieces seek to shed light on the experiences of these women in the context of the social history of the period for Chinese in America as well as for women in the society as a whole with the struggles and achievements of the 20th Century Women’s Movement, which took on such issues as child labor and human trafficking. www.LenoraLeeDance.com
Friday, May 17, 7pm, FREE
Koret Auditorium, de Young Museum
Golden Gate Park
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive • San Francisco, CA 94118
For more info http://deyoung.famsf.org/
Celebrating 25 Years of Asian Improv aRts – Saturday, May 11th, 1pm!
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, Asian Improv aRts, and API Cultural Center present
Celebrating 25 Years of Asian Improv aRts!
The Francis Wong Unit featuring saxophonist Francis Wong, bassist John-Carlos Perea, multiple percussionist Karen Stackpole, and guitarist Karl Evangelista with guests taiko (Japanese drums) artist Melody Takata, dancer/choreographer Lenora Lee, poet/performer Genny Lim, and other special guests TBA.
Saturday, May 11th, 1pm, FREE
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
760 Howard Street (between 3rd & 4th Streets)
San Francisco, CA 94103
For more info: http://www.ybgf.org/, www.asianimprov.org
Photo by John O’Donnell
Open process with de Young Artist Fellow Lenora Lee – beginning May 1st
Lenora Lee
The Escape and Rescued Memories: New York Stories
Presented with Asian Improv aRts, Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center, Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, and Donaldina Cameron House
The Escape and Rescued Memories: New York Stories are interdisciplinary companion performance pieces inspired by stories of women who had become vulnerable upon arrival into the U.S. during the early 20th Century. The pieces seek to shed light on the experiences of these women in the context of the social history of the period for the Chinese in America as well as for women in the society as a whole with the struggles and achievements of the 20th Century Women’s Movement, which took on such issues as child labor and human trafficking. Throughout the year, Lenora Lee and an ensemble of artists will develop these two new pieces, which will be presented as works in progress and final productions throughout her yearlong fellowship.
By Lenora Lee Dance
With Kei Lunch Martial Arts and Enshin Karate, South San Francisco Dojo
Featuring media design by Olivia Ting, music by Francis Wong, text by poet Genny Lim, lighting by Patty-Ann Farrell, and videography directed by Tatsu Aoki, filmed by Ben Estabrook, Eric Koziol, and Heath Orchard
RELATED EVENTS
May 1 – June 2, 2013 | Wednesdays–Sundays, 1-5 pm plus Friday Nights until 8:45 pm | Kimball Education Gallery/Artist Studio
Open process rehearsals by Lenora Lee Dance
Friday, May 10 | 6 pm | Kimball Education Gallery
Open rehearsal and panel discussion of The Escape with representatives from Cameron House, Asian Women’s Shelter, and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach
Saturday, May 11 | Kimball Education Gallery
Poem and etching activity based on the Angel Island Immigration Station experience, hosted by the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum
Friday, May 17 | 7 pm | Koret Auditorium
Live performance by composer Francis Wong, Miyoshi Sketches, and Lenora Lee Dance, excerpt from The Escape
Friday, May 31 | 6-8 pm | Kimball Education Gallery
Artist Reception and Lion dance by Kei Lun Martial Arts
November 8 and 9 | 7 pm | The Escape and Rescued Memories: New York Stories. Ticket info tba.
Kimball Gallery, de Young Museum
Golden Gate Park
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive • San Francisco, CA 94118
For more info http://deyoung.famsf.org/
All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise stated. Space is limited and first come, first served.
For more information, visit deyoungmuseum.org/artistfellows, call 415-750-3531, or e-mail amartin@famsf.org. Join us on Facebook and Twitter: de Young museum.
The Artist Fellows program is generously funded by The James Irvine Foundation’s Innovation Fund and the Institute of Museum and Library Services/Museums for America. Additional support is from Asian/Pacific/American Institute at New York University, Asian Women Giving Circle, California Arts Council, CA$H, a grants program administered by Theatre Bay Area in partnership with Dancers’ Group, Djerassi Resident Artists Program, Grants for the Arts/San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, San Francisco Arts Commission, WKK Donor-Advised Fund of the San Francisco Foundation, and Zellerbach Family Foundation.
Thank you also to our community partners: Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, Asian Women’s Shelter, Enshin Karate, South San Francisco Dojo, Kei Lun Martial Arts, New York Asian Women’s Center, and San Francisco Department on the Status of Women.
