Today is last day for online viewing of music doc FINDING HER BEAT

Finding Her Beat
Directed by Dawn Mikkelson and Keri Pickett
United States, 2022, 89 minutes

Laungauges: English, Japanese

Finding Her Beat is a very special music documentary feature film. Today, Sunday, November 27th is the last day that it will be available for audiences in the U.S. and U.S. territories to watch online as part of DOC NYC’s virtual screening experience.

Music is the driving beat of cultural and individualist expression for people of color around the globe – offering sanctuary in times of uncertainty and a sense of family/community, helping those to survive and often thrive. Finding Her Beat was made by a predominantly female/nonbinary, largely Asian-American and LGBTQ filmmaking team and cast, when marginalized gendered and people of color are severely underrepresented in film.

For thousands of years women have been locked out of Taiko drumming. Not any more, since thousands of groups now perform throughout North America and worldwide. In the dead of a Minnesota winter just before the world shut down for a global pandemic, Asian drumming divas from around the world met to perform and smash gender roles and redefine power on their own terms.

Finding Her Beat dives into the rhythms and struggles that lead to an electrifying historic performance that changes everything.

Godzilla Legend - Music of Akira Ifukube - live performance at Japan Society NY reviewed

Special guests Charan-Po-Rantan and Makigami Koichi (center) performed in Godzilla Legend—Music of Akira Ifukube at Japan Society on April 28, 2017. The concert was conceived and arranged by Inoue Makoto (far left) and performed by the band Hikashu and other special guest musicians. Photo by Ayumi Sakamoto. 

Last Friday, April 28th, I had the extremely good fortune of having a press seat at Japan Society's presentation of Godzilla Legend - Music of Akira Ifukube, a live performance by the innovative and talented Japanese band Hikashu, which was founded in 1978, and several guest artists.

The Godzilla Legend project leader was Inoue Makoto, a founding member of Hikashu, who plays synthesizer. Although he left the group in 1991 to pursue other projects, he still performs with them for the Godzilla Legend concerts. He arranged several Ifukube compositions for Hikashu's debut concert and has been involved in several other Ifukube-related projects, as well as serving as score manager on the Shin Godzilla film (2016). At Friday night's performance, he also provided brief introductions to the event's six sections.

The current members of Hikashu include:

- Makigami Koichi (vocals, theremin, gong); a co-founder and now the current leader of Hikashu
- Mita Freeman (lead guitar)
- Sakaide Masami (bass guitar)
- Shimizu Kazuto (piano, synthesizer)
- Sato Masaharu (drums)

Appearing as guest artists were:

- Tatsumi Kogoro (trumpet)
- Goto Atsushi (trombone)
- Yoshida Ryuichi (baritone sax)
- Charan-Po-Rantan, a sister duo comprising vocalists Momo and her older sister Koharu, the latter who also plays accordion

If you are familiar with Frank Zappa and his group the Mothers of Invention, and can imagine him as a Japanese musician in love with Ifukube's Godzilla music, you'll have some idea of what the performance was like. If I had to use one word to describe the evening, it would be "spectacular."

After performing the planned program of music from various Godzilla movies, including the 1954 original, Rodan (1956), Mothra (1961), and others, the band came back onstage for  two-number encore. A vocal number was followed by an incredible version of the original Godzilla theme that built to a rousing crescendo.

I didn't see anyone still in their seat after this final number ended, but if anyone was, I'm sure it must have been due to a medical infirmity.

It was one of the best concert's I've ever attended, and I've seen Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and other great musicians perform live.

Free screening of C'EST SI BON this Tuesday at Asia Society NY

Korean Cultural Service NY and Asia Society NY

co-present

Korean Movie Night New York's

Summer Edition

C'est Si Bon / Sae-si-bong

Directed by KIM Hyun-suk

Starring: KIM Yun-seok, JUNG Woo, HAN Hyo-joo, KIM Hee-ae

South Korea, 2015, 119 minutes

In Korean with English subtitles

When: Tuesday, July 14, 2015, 6:30pm

Where: Asia Society 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NYC

Map

Free Admission; all seating is first come, first served.

Doors open @ 6 pm

It is 1960s Seoul. OH Geun-tae (JUNG Woo), a country boy with a booming baritone voice, is discovered by aspiring singer-songwriter Lee Jang-hui and thrust into the bustling world of Seoul’s iconic folk music café C’est Si Bon. He unwittingly becomes the third member of the yet-to-debut “C’est Si Bon Trio” and the begrudging buffer between two rivals in the band—the vocal genius Song Chang-sik and the heartthrob Yun Hyeong-ju. One day, aspiring actress Min Ja-young (HAN Hyo-joo) enters the picture and the young men are completely bewitched. Will their muse inspire them to create legendary music or wreck the band before they even begin?

“This reassessment of the golden years of South Korea’s Western-style folk music scene follows a trio of musicians through the turbulent era... Realistically showcasing the interior of C'est Si Bon, with its devoted coterie of youthful, enthusiastic music fans and rotating roster of idolized performers” – Hollywood Reporter

CJ Entertainment released C'est Si Bon in select theaters in the U.S. and Canada this past February.

TOUCH OF THE LIGHT is available today on DVD from Well Go USA

Well Go USA

Entertainment

presents

 Touch of the Light / Ni guang fei xiang 

Directed by CHANG Jung-chi
Starring HUANG Yu-Siang, Sandrine Pinna,
LEE Lieh, and HSIEH Kan-chun

Taiwan, 2012, 110 minutes

Touch of the Light, Taiwan filmmaker CHANG Jung-chi's  award-winning feature film debut, becomes available today on DVD  and digital from Well Go USA Entertainment.

The film is an expanded remake of CHANG's 37-minute short The End of the Tunnel(2008). Both films were inspired by the true story of HUANG Yu-siang, a blind piano prodigy, when he leaves the security of his family -- mother (played touchingly by LEE Lieh), father, and younger sister -- to attend the music program at a university in Taipei. There he befriends Jie, a young woman who works in a menial service job but wants to become a dancer. In both films HUANG plays himself and Sadrine Pinna portrays Jie.

HUANG's mother drives him from their rural village to the university and helps him learn to navigate the campus.  His roommate CHU Tze-ching (HSIEH Kan-chun), a somewhat portly phys-ed major, arrives and proves to be a true friend.

The film depicts the difficulties HUANG encounters, not just those from his being blind, but even more so those arising from the negative way he's regarded and treated because of his blindness. We also learn about how some such negative encounters in his past have shaped his attitudes towards both his blindness and, to a degree, towards others.

In this poster, HUANG is center left with Pinna next to him. LEE Lieh is at lower left.

The film has an almost documentary feel about it. Partially this comes no doubt from its being derived from real life events. But also it stems from the extensive - perhaps exclusive -- use of natural light throughout. All four of the main actors, HUANG, Pinna, LEE, and HSIEH give lovely, natural performances. Also worth noting is the editing, which is exceptionally outstanding in a sequence near the end of the movie when HUANG and Jie are separately auditioning.

Touch of the Light won Best New Director for Chang at the Golden Horse Awards, one of six awards it has received, in addition to another ten nominations. It was also selected as Taiwan’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 85th Academy Awards®.

Disc Stats:

Audio: Mandarin Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0

Subtitles: English/Off

Extras: Trailer; previews of other Well Go USA Entertainment releases

Touch of the Light is a very special film, both touching and life affirming.

AsianCineFest Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars, very highly recommended.

Taiwan's TOUCH OF THE LIGHT is coming to DVD & Digital on Nov 25th

Well Go USA Entertainment

presents

Touch of the Light / Ni guang fei xiang
Directed by CHANG Jung-chi
Taiwan, 2012, 110 minutes
DVD SLP: $24.98

Based on an inspiring true story, the award-winning and crowd-pleasing musical drama Touch of the Light will debut on DVD & Digital November 25th. The film is about blind pianist (HUANG Yu-siang, playing himself) who leaves his rural home to attend college in Taipei. There he befriends Jie (Sandrine Pinna), a young aspiring dancer, and encourages her to follow her dream.

A heart-warming tale based on HUANG Yu-siang's actual life, the first feature film by director CHANG Jung-chi (Partners in Crime) is a remake of his 37-minute short The End of the Tunnel (2008), which starred the same two leads. The critically-acclaimed film won Best New Director for Chang at the Golden Horse Awards, as well as being selected as Taiwan’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 85th Academy Awards®.

Synopsis:
A blind piano prodigy. A waitress who dreams of being a dancer. A story of passion, determination, and believing in yourself. Touch of the Light fictionalizes the amazing true story of HUANG Yu-Siang and the journey of discovery from his rural village to a prestigious university where he must find his own way among the other, sighted students. Jie (Sandrine Pinna) chases love and a career in the face of poverty and adversity. Their unlikely friendship provides inspiration and courage, resulting in a joyous final performance that will inspire the heart.

ACF 2100: Raje Shwari releases GET YOUR LIFE, her first solo song & video

Timbaland Protégé Raje Shwari Releases First
Solo Song & Video, “Get Your Life,”
An Urban-Flavored Dance Number
Now Available for Download on I-Tunes

Known as the Indian princess of R&B and Hip-Hop, Raje Shwari, who has collaborated with the likes of Timbaland, Jay Z and Pharrell, launches her solo career with the release of “Get Your Life,” a single that encourages people to be comfortable in their own skin and stand up for their beliefs, no matter how different they might be from the norm. Released by BollyHood Records, the new single, produced by newcomer Lectriq, is now available for download on I-Tunes and the video, directed by Paul Coy Allen (known for his work with Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Kate Perry, Drake), can be viewed above and on the artist’s web site.

"Get Your Life" is an innovative, urban-flavored dance number that kicks off with a driving dhol (Indian drum) beat and sitar (Indian musical instrument) riff, quickly fusing with contemporary dance and pop, while summoning cultures to collide and throw a worldwide party together. The music video is a colorful visual feast, highlighting a cast of characters from diverse backgrounds. “Raje’s undeniable star quality pops on the screen in each and every shot,” said director Allen. “By capturing flashes of the Indian culture, a small narrative element and some cool performance set-ups, this video is the most colorful of all my projects. Where there is color, there is energy, and this video is just that. With Raje's hypnotic music as the backdrop, this entire package is really something fresh and new for the global audience.”

Born and raised in America in a traditional Indian household, Raje’s identity as a global citizen drives her choices as a musician. Inspired by the likes of Madonna, Prince and Beyonce, Raje considers her music to be a movement in the making, a phenomenon she proudly calls ‘Bollyhood.’ “Anything that brings people together is always going to be my mission. There’s no better platform than music to send a bigger message that we are all in this human experience together.”

"As a producer who has worked with every kind of artist, I always look for something new to inspire me. Raje's definitely that type of artist, she was that from the first day we met,” said music producer Timbaland. “She's unique for sure, and I'd even go so far to say that her sound is really her own. There’s probably no one out there who can duplicate it, maybe just try to imitate it, but she's the original."

Rajé launched her music career as Timbaland’s protégé and is credited as the first artist to usher in the Hip-Hop Desi flavor that has become a mainstay. While under the tutelage of Timbaland, Rajé was featured on what are now considered to be cult, Hip-Hop classics like “Indian Flute” and Jay Z’s “The Bounce” (The Blueprint 2). She also caught the attention of Pharrell Williams, who later featured her w/ Nas on “The Flyest,” as heard on the soundtrack for Charlie’s Angels II: Full Throttle.

ACF1694: I AM: SMTOWN Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden

CJ Entertainment

Proudly Presents

I AM.: SMTOWN Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden

These days if one mentions K-Pop, PSY and Gangnam Style immediately come to mind. But K-Pop has been around for quite awhile. (I ran a post about Korean songstress BoA here at AsianCineFest in March, 2009.) But on October 23, 2011, an incredible sold-out concert by several enormously popular K-Pop acts took place at New York's Madison Square Garden. It was the first time Asian artists performed at The Garden and recorded a sold-out show.

The groups are part of SMTown, a segment of SM Entertainment, an independent Korean record label, talent agency, producer, and publisher of pop music That concert and other footage will be available tomorrow, Tuesday, November 6, 2012 in an incredible 4 -disc DVD release from CJ Entertainment. (It will also be available on Blu-ray.) KANGTA, BoA, TVXQ!, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, SHINee & f(x) are the featured performers.

Disc 1 is an approximately 2-hour documentary movie about the groups and the tour. It was originally released in May, 2012. For me one of the most interesting things was seeing footage of some performers auditioning when they were in the fifth grade! Many trained for five years or so before joining one of SMTOWN's groups. I was truly impressed by the hard-work and dedication that these talented young people have put into their careers.

Disc 2 consists of ten DVD extras. Only nine are listed on the back cover of the DVD slipcase, either because of one of those oversights that occur from time to time (Criterion's 2 disc Godzilla release had a similar problem) or because the tenth extra was added after the slipsheets had already gone to press. In any case that additional extra is "SMTown Fan Meet Up Special," a segment of the Hello Pop! TV show related to a concert in Anaheim California. Total running time for the extras is approximately 45 minutes.

Discs 3 and 4 present the full-length, sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden. It runs approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. The exciting, high-energy concert was magnificently captured and edited.
 
All I can say is that if you're already a fan of K-Pop, I AM.: SMTOWN Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden is an absolute must-have. The regular DVD version, which I had for review purposes looked terrific. I can't even begin to imagine how great the Blu-ray version probably looks.

And if you're not all that familiar with K-Pop? Well, this release is almost certain to make you an enthusiastic fan.

I AM.: SMTOWN Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden is great entertainment and a great value. It gives consumers more "pop" for your buck than any release I can think of. My ACF over-all rating of the concert footage, documentary movie and additional extras is 3.5 out of 4 stars; very, very highly recommended.

ACF 880: Cellist Se-Doo PARK performing at The Korea Society tomorrow night

The Korea Society welcomes award-winning cellist Ms. Se-Doo Park, a 2010 Orchestre symphonique de Montréal Standard Life Competition laureate. Ms. Park, a masters candidate at the famed Juilliard School, will perform the prelude and sarabande from Bach’s Suite No.6 in D major, the 3rd movement from Cassadó’s Suite, Chan Ka Nin’s Soulmate, and Piatigorsky’s Variations on a Paganini Theme. Ms. Park’s violoncello performance is part of a series at The Korea Society celebrating Korea as a center of excellence for classical music. The performance concludes with a Q&A session and meet-and-greet with this rising star.

When: Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 at 6:30 PM

Where: The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY
(Entrance on 57th Streeet, Sout-West corner)

$10 (Members/Students); $20 (Guests)
(Walk-in registration will incur an additional charge of $5)
BUY TICKETS

About the Performer
Ms. Se-Doo Park has taken grand prizes at the National Music Competition of Korea, the Korean TV-Radio Competition, Kiwanis Music Competition, Academy Symphony Orchestra Competition, and Indiana University Cello Competition. Her performances have been broadcast nationally in Canada. Since her orchestral debut with the In-Eum Symphony Orchestra at 15, Park has appeared as a soloist with the Indiana University Concert Orchestra, Academy Symphony Orchestra, and Oakwood Symphony Orchestra. Park has appeared at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival, the Sarasota Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Banff Music Festival, Meadowmount School of Music, Centre d'arts Orford, and Le Domaine Forget. An avid chamber musician, Park is a founding member of Ensemble Sine Qua Non and has performed in England, Germany, and Scotland, where the ensemble will again perform in 2011.

Born in California, Park grew up in both Korea and Canada, and started playing the cello at age 8. She has studied at Indiana University, the Royal Conservatory of Music of Canada, and Seoul Arts High School. Park is pursuing her master's at Juilliard School under the tutelage of cellist Timothy Eddy. Her mentors include Bryan Epperson, Miriam Fried, Rafael Figueroa of The Metropolitan Opera, Menahem Pressler, and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi. Park is an artist in Music & Arts at Trinity Wall Street for the 2010-2011 season, and returns the summer to the prestigious Ravinia Music Festival.

ACF 736: Free concert featuring violinist Brian Bak at The Korea Society

Juilliard @ The Korea Society
An Evening of Bach, Ysaye and Paganini
Thursday, October 21
6:00PM Refreshments
6:30PM Performance

The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue@57th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY
Building entrance is on 57th Street
at the South-West corner of the intersection

Free Admission, but registration required. Register here.

About the Performer:

Born in 1986 in Seoul, Korea, Brian Bak began studying violin at 7 after immigrating to the United States. Brian has performed as a soloist with the Tampa Bay Symphony, Central Florida Philharmonic, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Boca Raton Symphony, Florida Young Artists Orchestra, and Sewanee Festival Orchestra. An avid chamber musician, Brian has under the direction of notables Earl Carlyss, Tobey Appel, Jerome Lowenthal, Seymour Lipkin and Rohan De Silva. Brian is an active volunteer and member of Lincoln Center's Community Outreach Program.

ACF 703: "Autumn Leaves" performance piece at The Korea Society, October 7th

Park Sang-Won

Autumn Leaves in Stone Gardens: A Musical Journey

Autumn’s arrival, the splendor of leaves awash in color, and Resting Stones, Standing Stones on exhibit at The Korea Society Gallery inspire this evening of contemplative strings and flute. Kayagǔm master Park Sang-Won joins Chung Chang-Young on haegǔm and flautist Park Jung-Bae on tanso to perform several works. Master Park opens with Youngsan Hoesang, a Buddhist vocal piece that developed into a purely instrumental work in the early Chosǒn period. Kayagǔm Sanjo, an improvisational solo piece, offers a contemplative take on Korea’s most beloved folk song, Arirang. View Resting Stones, Standing Stones prior and after the performance, as well as traditional teas and sweets.

Thursday, October 7, 2010
- 6:00PM Refreshments
- 6:30PM Performance

The Korea Society is located at 950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor. The entrance is on 57th Street.

$10 for members and students; $20 for nonmembers
(Walk-in registration will incur an additional charge of $5)

For more information or to register for the program, please contact Heewon Kim at 212-759-7525, ext. 355.

About the performer:

Sang Won Park is a master of the kayagǔm, a Korean 12 stringed zither dating back to the 5th century. Park's repertoire ranges from traditional music to contemporary and improvisational music. He studied at Seoul National University. He was a member of the Traditional Music Orchestra of Seoul and a researcher at the Academy of Korean Studies.

He made his western debut at Carnegie Recital Hall in 1979. He then tourned the U.S. and Europe's leading institutions. Les Amis De. L'Orient and Sono Disc in Pris have produced an album entitled Le kayagǔm de Park Sang Won.

ACF 680: Screening of 77 Boadrum is part of special nightly J-Pop events in S.F.

The 77 Boadrum performance at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in Brooklyn, NY

NOISE POP MEETS J-POP IN A MUSICAL SCREENING OF 77 BOADRUM AS A SPECIAL WEEK OF NIGHTLY EVENTS CONTINUES AT NEW PEOPLE

J-Pop Week Offers 5 Nights Of Pop Culture Inspired Film, Fashion, Music
And Anime Events That Culminate In J-Pop Summit Festival
On Saturday September 18th

Still more news about J-Pop Festival in San Francisco. I love being in New York, with all the Asian film and cultural events it offers, but what's been coming out about this festival has really made me wish I could be there. Lucky for all you who can make it.

NEW PEOPLE teams up with Noise Pop, organizers of the leading independent music festival in the Bay Area, for a special theatrical presentation of 77 Boadrum today, Thursday, September 16th at 7:30pm at VIZ Cinema. A pre-screening reception begins at 6:00pm, hosted by Shochu distiller Haamomii.

77 Boadrum is a documentary of the Japanese free-rock group the Boredoms’s astounding concert that took place July 7th, 2007 at 7:07pm in the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in Brooklyn, NY and featured 77 drummers performing simultaneously. The film will be preceded by a music video screening of Cornelius’ Synchronized & Sensurround. General admission tickets for the film screening are $10.00.

Boredoms founder Eye Yamataka

The Boredoms are one of Japan’s most iconoclastic experimental musical acts. Formed in Osaka in 1986 by Eye Yamataka, along with frequent collaborator Yoshimi, the Boredoms acknowledge no limits of genre or form, there are no boundaries, and no ceiling on the possibilities of experience and expression. For more than 20 years, the band has redefined the concept of noise and experimentation within pop, punk, and psychedelic music.

For a pre-event reception beginning at 6:00pm, NEW PEOPLE will offer J-Pop gift bags and present inventive spirits and beverages provided by Bay Area Shochu distiller, Haamonii. Haamonii is a new low calorie Japanese spirit created from over 400 years of tradition that mixes like vodka but with far less calories and a very smooth, floral-inspired taste. Haamonii, which means harmony in Japanese, also won a gold medal from the Beverage Tasting Institute.

J-Pop Week continues at NEW PEOPLE every night through Friday, September 17th with a variety of events celebrating Japanese and Asian film, anime, fashion design, music and other forms of pop culture. Special gift bags containing a variety of fun premiums will be given to all ticket holders each night. Check www.J-Pop.com for a complete list of nightly events.

The J-Pop Summit Festival 2010 takes place Saturday, September 18th in San Francisco’s Japantown and will present a variety of fun Japanese pop-inspired attractions including fashion shows, a theatrical film premiere, live art performances, and mini-concerts by some of Japan’s hottest bands. Innovative artists and companies from the Bay area and Japan will join in with an array of products for sale in open air displays on both sides of Post Street and a food court highlighting Japanese cuisine will further complement the celebration. Complete details are available at: www.J-Pop.com.

VIZ Cinema is the nation’s first movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime. The 143-seat subterranean theatre is located in the basement of the NEW PEOPLE building and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX®-certified sound system.

About Noise Pop

Established in San Francisco in 1993, Noise Pop started as a yearly festival of independent music that featured the best local bands the city had to offer. Over the last 16 years it has grown into a widely respected brand. Noise Pop prides itself on bringing exposure to emerging artists, many of whom have gone on to widespread acclaim, including the White Stripes, Modest Mouse, The Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie, The Shins, Bright Eyes, The Donnas, Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco) and Silversun Pickups. More info at: www.noisepop.com.

About NEW PEOPLE

NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: www.NewPeopleWorld.com.

ACF 670: Upcoming events at Asia Society

©CANDY-NIPPON

Five very interesting events, several co-sponsored by New York-Tokyo, are coming to Asia Society starting tomorrow, September 9th, 2010:

ART: ASIA SOCIETY MUSEUM EXHIBITION

Yoshitomo Nara is one of the leading artists of Japan's influential Neo Pop art since the 1990s. Asia Society presents his first major New York exhibition Yoshitomo Nara: Nobody's Fool (September 9, 2010-January 2, 2011) featuring more than one hundred works. More info here.

DESIGN: SEPT. 9th - Asia Society Fall 2010 program co-presented with New York -Tokyo

Fashionable trends on the streets of Tokyo have inspired many across the globe. For the New York Fashion Week, TOKYO! LOOK! highlights some of the latest styles and their cultural significance with a talk panel by Yuniya Kawamura (Professor of Sociology, F.I.T.), Dan Bailey (Co-founder, TOKYODANDY) and others. The panel will be followed by a party featuring fashion showcase by CANDY, with live music, photo collections, and happy hour. We have a special promo code for our readers. Use discount code "asia725" to buy tickets at Asia Society member rate ($10) online. More info here.

MUSIC: SEPT. 25th - Asia Society Fall 2010 program co-presented with New York -Tokyo

The Japanese all-women trio Shonen Knife has built a solid worldwide following with their Ramones meets the Beatles brand of sticky-sweet punk-pop. Shonen Knife will be performing a unique concert at the Asia Society in conjunction with and inspired by Yoshitomo Nara art exhibition. (Their album "Happy Hour" art is by Nara). More info here.

GAMING: OCT. 9th - Asia Society Fall 2010 program co-presented with New York -Tokyo

Celebrating the upcoming launch of CAPCOM's CAPCOM® SENGOKU BASARA™ SAMURAI HEROES on PlayStation®3 and Wii®, NYT will host a special hands-on event three days prior to its street release. Enjoy the game's new features, gift prizes, and also the great atmosphere at Asia Society Museum! More here. (Admission is free, but you must R.S.V.P. This link takes you to a web page with info about all the events. Scroll down to the Game section to fill out and submit the R.S.V.P. form.)

FILM: OCT. 29 - Asia Society Fall 2010 program co-presented with New York -Tokyo

Tokyo's reputation as a media saturated hub for global information and cutting edge innovation makes it the perfect sample for addressing a new outlook on music culture. "Live from Tokyo" is a documentary by Lewis Rapkin that takes the viewer through the back streets and alleys of Tokyo to explore the innovative musicians who create this multi-faceted artistic culture. More info here.

ACF 437: "Ear To The Ground: Tokyo" - Free, Legal 18 Track Music Download

LimeWire Store and New York – Tokyo Present:

EAR TO THE GROUND: TOKYO

I learned about this in an email from New York-Tokyo. It's not only a free, legal download of 18 tracks, but a damn fine one. A terrific offer you should take advantage of.

Here's the basic info:

Ear To The Ground: Tokyo is an exclusive collaboration between LimeWire Store and New York – Tokyo. LimeWire Store’s Ear To The Ground series of FREE digital music compilations spotlights a different city for each release, and Ear To The Ground: Tokyo is the series’ 15th installment! New York – Tokyo has selected a group of artists that represent the current progressive music scenes of Tokyo. They are the tastemakers within their scenes: from their fashions to the artwork on their album covers, these creative artists are making an effort to stand out in the crowded urban setting of Tokyo.

And here's the link to the LimeWire website for Ear To The Ground: Tokyo.

ACF 066: Dawn of Japanese Animation

Japan Society is presenting a four part program of Japanese animations from the 1920s-40s, plus live-action add-ons for each program.

Part 1 : Chambara Action & Adventure
- Twelve animations and Fighting in Ashura Town (Program approximately 95 min.)
- Live benshi narration of some animations!
- Reception to follow screenings!
- Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00 PM

Part 2: Horror & Comedy
- Six animations and Kid Commotion (Program approximately 80 min.)
- Live benshi narration of some animations!
- Thursday, February 14 at 7:00 PM

Part 3: Propaganda
- Eleven animations and Mother of the Nation (Program approximately 75 min.)
- Live benshi narration of some animations!
- Friday, February 15 at 7:00 PM

Part 4: Music & Dance
- Nine animations and Singing Lovebirds (Program approximately 115 min.)
- Saturday, February 16 at 5:00 PM

Special Screening - Orochi (1925, 75 min.)
- An epic film about an innocent samurai falsely accused of a crime
- Live benshi narration in English by New York-based theater director & actor Leon Ingulsrud!
- Saturday, February 16 at 7:30 PM

All screenings will be at Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017

For further information or to order tickets online, go to www.japansociety.org/film, or call 212.715.1258.