Latest news with #Hmong-American
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
The Democracy Center Presents 'Breaking the Frame: Two Solo Shows on Art and Identity' From August 21–23
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (Democracy Center) at the Japanese National Museum (JANM) presents Breaking the Frame: Two Solo Shows on Art and Identity from Thursday, August 21 through Saturday, August 23, 2025, in the Tateuchi Democracy Forum. A post-show Q&A panel with the artists will follow the matinee performance on August 23. Tickets are $20 and are available at In the wake of recent 'yellowface' accusations on Broadway, Hmong-American actor Bee Vang of Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino and local-born actor and opera singer Kurt Kanazawa deliver emotionally charged and satirical indictments of two Western art forms Share Breaking the Frame: Two Solo Shows on Art and Identity explores what happens when two Asian American solo performers fall deeply in love with Western mediums—movies and opera—only to discover that they both may be in too deep. In the wake of recent 'yellowface' accusations on Broadway, Hmong-American actor Bee Vang of Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino and local-born actor and opera singer Kurt Kanazawa deliver emotionally charged and satirical indictments of two Western art forms that continue to harm Asian Americans and BIPOCs, today. The performance is directed by Jeff Liu (East West Players) and co-directed by Kalina Ko (Hedgerow Theatre Company), with lighting design and assistant direction by Josh Bennett. Opening the program is Vang's solo show, Your Movie Guide to Life (2025), where the actor and lifelong cinephile delves into the shaping power of cinema, Hmong history, his anti-war activism, and his leading role in Gran Torino. This forty-five-minute solo performance weaves together existential horror in films with Bee's inherited histories—both personal and geopolitical. Closing the program is Kanazawa's solo show, L'OPERA! (2024), about a fun-loving, Japanese and Filipino-American opera singer who gets into The Juilliard School…then loses his voice. A funny, multilingual fifty-two-minute solo performance that travels through the streets of New York City, Southern Italy, Hollywood, and Beijing, and features live performances of songs, including originals, L'OPERA! is anything but Euro-centric classical. About the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) Established in 1985, The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) promotes understanding and appreciation of America's ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience. Located in the historic Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles, JANM is a center for civil rights, ensuring that the hard-fought lessons of the World War II incarceration are not forgotten. A Smithsonian Affiliate and one of America's Cultural Treasures, JANM is a hybrid institution that straddles traditional museum categories. JANM is a center for the arts as well as history. It provides a voice for Japanese Americans and a forum that enables all people to explore their own heritage and culture. Since opening to the public in 1992, JANM has presented over one hundred exhibitions onsite while traveling forty exhibits to venues such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Ellis Island Museum in the United States, and to several leading cultural museums in Japan and South America. JANM's Pavilion is closed for renovation; programs will continue on the JANM campus, throughout Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Southern California, and beyond from early January 2025 through late 2026. For more information, visit or follow us on social media @jamuseum About the Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (Democracy Center) The Democracy Center is a place where visitors can examine the Asian American experience, past and present, and talk about race, identity, social justice, and the shaping of democracy. It convenes and educates people of all ages about democracy to transform attitudes, celebrate culture, and promote civic engagement; educates and informs the public and public officials about important issues; creates strength within and among communities to advocate for positive change; and explores the values that shape American democracy. The Democracy Center looks for solutions that engage communities in self-advocacy, explore the evolving idea of what it means to be an American, and result in actions that bring everyone together. JANM's Pavilion is closed for renovation; Democracy Center programs will continue on the JANM campus, throughout Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Southern California, and beyond from early January 2025 through late 2026. For more information, visit or follow us on social media @democracyjanm. Details for Calendar Listings ' Breaking the Frame: Two Solo Shows on Art and Identity ' WHAT: The Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy (Democracy Center) at the Japanese National Museum (JANM) presents Breaking the Frame: Two Solo Shows on Art and Identity. Bee Vang's Your Movie Guide to Life (2025) and Kurt Kanazawa's L'OPERA! (2024) explores what happens when two Asian American performers fall deeply in love with Western mediums, only to discover that they both may be in too deep. Following the Saturday matinee performance will be a special Q&A with the artists in the Tateuchi Democracy Forum. WHO: Written by Bee Vang and Kurt Kanazawa Directed by Jeff Liu and Kalina Ko Featuring Bee Vang and Kurt Kanazawa A presentation by the Democracy Center WHEN: Aug. 21 through Aug. 23 at the Democracy Center: Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Japanese American National Museum The Democracy Center 100 N. Central Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012 PARKING AT THE DEMOCRACY CENTER: Japanese Village Plaza Parking Garage at 115 S. Central Ave. SP Plus, Parking Lot 753 at 414 E. Temple St City of Los Angeles. Parking Lot 7 at 140 N. Judge John Aiso St City of Los Angeles Lot 2 at 300 E. Temple St. TICKET PRICES: $20 at The Democracy Center website $10 for JANM members, only RSVP: RSVP at or call (213) 625-0414
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Filipino restaurant Kultura beginning new guest chef series in April
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A celebrated Filipino restaurant in downtown Charleston is starting a new guest chef series this April. 'Sama-Sama,' which means together, will kick off on Apr. 23 and feature James Beard finalist and Chopped winner Nikko Cagalanan collaborating with Michelin-starred Chef Johnny Curiel. Each communal dining experience will feature two seatings, 5:30 p.m., and 7:45 p.m., with tickets at $110 each. Drinks will be a la carte. For the May experience, Chef Nikko and Kultura will host Chef Yia Vang, who 'tells the Hmong-American story through every dish he creates.' Next up in June will be Comfort Kitchen, and to close out in July, Chef Sophina Uong from Mister Mao will visit, bringing her 'tropical roadhouse' flavors along. Kultura sits on Spring Street in the Cannonborough Elliotborough neighborhood. All events will take place on the patio, weather permitting. Tickets for each event are currently available through Resy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Family of Milwaukee mother deported by Trump to Laos launches fundraiser to bring her home
The family of a Milwaukee woman who was deported to Laos by the Trump administration earlier this month is raising funds to bring her back home to her five children. Ma Yang, a 37-year-old Hmong-American, has been living in a government facility near the Laotian capital of Vientiane since arriving in the Southeast Asian country in the first week of March. Yang claims to have never been to Laos or known anyone from the small landlocked Southeast Asian country, nestled between Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and a world away geographically, culturally and linguistically from the United States' midwest. Her longtime partner, Michael Bub, has launched a GoFundMe to bring Yang in what he described to be a "beloved mother, daughter, sister and fiancée back home where she belongs". Yang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand but gained legal status as a permanent US resident until she pleaded guilty to cannabis-related charges and served 30 months in a federal prison. Having taken a plea deal mistakenly believing that her green card would not be at risk, she is now one of the "millions and millions" of people Donald Trump pledged to kick out of America during his re-election campaign. Activists supporting Yang's family in Milwaukee said Yang was "shaken" by the deportation and the prospect of starting her life from scratch in a new country but was "doing OK for the most part". Mr Bub in a post on the fundraising website said Milwaukee is the only home Yang has ever known after arriving in the US at eight months old. "She built her life in Milwaukee, working hard as a nail technician and receptionist while raising five children, ages 6 to 22," he wrote, adding that she recently welcomed her first grandchild. He added that Yang's 12 siblings were all born in the US after her parents fled the Vietnam war. "...the fact that she was born in a refugee camp made her a victim of 'stupid' birth circumstances". Mr Bub added that the financial burden has been "overwhelming" and the family was raising money to cover her legal fees to "fight for her return home, her health care and medical expenses". Yang has been living in Laos for the past weeks without any direct legal representation, The Independent has learned. According to immigration lawyer Jath Shao, even if is successful in overturning her deportation through the US legal system, she would most likely not be allowed back until at least the 2040s. Yang told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the Trump administration had "sent me back to die." "How do I rent, or buy, or anything, with no papers?" Yang said. "I'm a nobody right now." It is not immediately clear why Laos accepted Yang's deportation despite her not being from the country. The Laos national assembly is in the process of debating changes to the constitution to formally recognise the Lao diaspora, thereby strengthening ties with those who have acquired foreign citizenship after leaving the country during historical migrations. Though still at the draft stage, it could offer Yang a route to documentation in Laos at least.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Family of Milwaukee mother deported by Trump to Laos launches fundraiser to bring her home
The family of a Milwaukee woman who was deported to Laos by the Trump administration earlier this month is raising funds to bring her back home to her five children. Ma Yang, a 37-year-old Hmong-American, has been living in a government facility near the Laotian capital of Vientiane since arriving in the Southeast Asian country in the first week of March. Yang claims to have never been to Laos or known anyone from the small landlocked Southeast Asian country, nestled between Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and a world away geographically, culturally and linguistically from the United States' midwest. Her longtime partner, Michael Bub, has launched a GoFundMe to bring Yang in what he described to be a "beloved mother, daughter, sister and fiancée back home where she belongs". Yang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand but gained legal status as a permanent US resident until she pleaded guilty to cannabis-related charges and served 30 months in a federal prison. Having taken a plea deal mistakenly believing that her green card would not be at risk, she is now one of the "millions and millions" of people Donald Trump pledged to kick out of America during his re-election campaign. Activists supporting Yang's family in Milwaukee said Yang was "shaken" by the deportation and the prospect of starting her life from scratch in a new country but was "doing OK for the most part". Mr Bub in a post on the fundraising website said Milwaukee is the only home Yang has ever known after arriving in the US at eight months old. "She built her life in Milwaukee, working hard as a nail technician and receptionist while raising five children, ages 6 to 22," he wrote, adding that she recently welcomed her first grandchild. He added that Yang's 12 siblings were all born in the US after her parents fled the Vietnam war. "...the fact that she was born in a refugee camp made her a victim of 'stupid' birth circumstances". Mr Bub added that the financial burden has been "overwhelming" and the family was raising money to cover her legal fees to "fight for her return home, her health care and medical expenses". Yang has been living in Laos for the past weeks without any direct legal representation, The Independent has learned. According to immigration lawyer Jath Shao, even if is successful in overturning her deportation through the US legal system, she would most likely not be allowed back until at least the 2040s. Yang told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the Trump administration had "sent me back to die." "How do I rent, or buy, or anything, with no papers?" Yang said. "I'm a nobody right now." It is not immediately clear why Laos accepted Yang's deportation despite her not being from the country. The Laos national assembly is in the process of debating changes to the constitution to formally recognise the Lao diaspora, thereby strengthening ties with those who have acquired foreign citizenship after leaving the country during historical migrations. Though still at the draft stage, it could offer Yang a route to documentation in Laos at least.
The Independent
24-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Family of Milwaukee mother deported by Trump to Laos launches fundraiser to bring her home
The family of a Milwaukee woman who was deported to Laos by the Trump administration earlier this month is raising funds to bring her back home to her five children. Ma Yang, a 37-year-old Hmong-American, has been living in a government facility near the Laotian capital of Vientiane since arriving in the Southeast Asian country in the first week of March. Yang claims to have never been to Laos or known anyone from the small landlocked Southeast Asian country, nestled between Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and a world away geographically, culturally and linguistically from the United States' midwest. Her longtime partner, Michael Bub, has launched a GoFundMe to bring Yang in what he described to be a "beloved mother, daughter, sister and fiancée back home where she belongs". Yang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand but gained legal status as a permanent US resident until she pleaded guilty to cannabis-related charges and served 30 months in a federal prison. Having taken a plea deal mistakenly believing that her green card would not be at risk, she is now one of the "millions and millions" of people Donald Trump pledged to kick out of America during his re-election campaign. Activists supporting Yang's family in Milwaukee said Yang was "shaken" by the deportation and the prospect of starting her life from scratch in a new country but was "doing OK for the most part". Mr Bub in a post on the fundraising website said Milwaukee is the only home Yang has ever known after arriving in the US at eight months old. "She built her life in Milwaukee, working hard as a nail technician and receptionist while raising five children, ages 6 to 22," he wrote, adding that she recently welcomed her first grandchild. He added that Yang's 12 siblings were all born in the US after her parents fled the Vietnam war. "...the fact that she was born in a refugee camp made her a victim of 'stupid' birth circumstances". Mr Bub added that the financial burden has been "overwhelming" and the family was raising money to cover her legal fees to "fight for her return home, her health care and medical expenses". Yang has been living in Laos for the past weeks without any direct legal representation, The Independent has learned. According to immigration lawyer Jath Shao, even if is successful in overturning her deportation through the US legal system, she would most likely not be allowed back until at least the 2040s. Yang told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the Trump administration had "sent me back to die." "How do I rent, or buy, or anything, with no papers?" Yang said. "I'm a nobody right now." It is not immediately clear why Laos accepted Yang's deportation despite her not being from the country. The Laos national assembly is in the process of debating changes to the constitution to formally recognise the Lao diaspora, thereby strengthening ties with those who have acquired foreign citizenship after leaving the country during historical migrations. Though still at the draft stage, it could offer Yang a route to documentation in Laos at least.
