Asian Cultural Festival - Newton, 2014

Tonight 7:30 at West Newton Cinema (1296 Washington Street, Newton) being screened: Mrs. Judo: Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful

Winner of the 2013 Best Documentary Award, “Mrs. Judo: Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful” tells the inspirational life story of Keiko Fukuda, a world-renowned judo master who threw thousands of years of tradition to the wind and chose to follow her own destiny and become the highest ranking woman in the history of the sport. She passed away in San Francisco on Feb. 9, 2013 at the age of 99. This trailblazer's lifelong journey spans four continents, nine decades and two distinct cultures to break barriers, overcome adversity and ultimately transform into a living legend.

Today’s Special (2009 Comedy) 1 hr 39 min
Will be played on May 14th, 7:30PM, West Newton Cinema. With post-screening discussion hosted by Susan Chinsen, Director of Boston Asian American Film Festival.

Winner of “Best of the Fest Award” at the 2010 Palm Springs International Film Festival

Samir (Aasif Mandvi, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, THE LAST AIRBENDER), a sous chef at an upscale New York restaurant, becomes frustrated with his boss and quits. His dreams of studying French cooking in France are shattered after his father becomes ill and he must take over his family's Indian restaurant, Tandoori Palace. Samir's relationship with his parents and his heritage is immediately put to the test. He has been estranged from his father since the death of his older brother, and his mother Farrida, (played by legendary cookbook writer and actor, Madhur Jaffrey), is consumed with finding a wife for her remaining son. Samir's knowledge of Indian cooking is limited until he meets the larger than life gourmet chef and taxi driver Akbar (Naseeruddin Shah), who inspires Samir and teaches him to trust his senses more than recipes, to stop measuring his life, and to start truly living it. With Akbar's guidance, Samir has a chance to rediscover his heritage and his passion for life through the enchanting art of cooking Indian food.

1st Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration and Film Festival in Newton...

Born out of the success of Chinese Cultural Festival in March, 2013 and the Oodles of Noodles festival in November, 2013, Asian Cultural Festival would be the first, largest, and most exciting event of its kind in the Greater Boston area. Newton, the Garden City, is the host city. More details about the October 11, 2014 weekend event will be upcoming.

Afternoon performance schedule on March 9, 2013 --

2013 Newton Chinese Culture Festival

1) Chinese Waist Drum (腰鼓队）: “Happiness Drums”

By Boston Chinese Drum Troupe

2) Chorus:“ Farewell Cambridge” “ Rhythm of the Youth”

BY Boston Eastern Heritage Choir （东方合唱团）

3) Tibetan Dance （藏族舞蹈）: “Xuan Ge Liu Liu”

By The Cambridge Center for Chinese Culture

4) Chinese Martial Arts （功夫表演）: “Choy Lee Fut”

By Kevin Chan Martial Arts

5) Chinese Dance: “Jasmine Blossom” （茉莉花舞蹈）

By Boston D**g Fang Dance Troupe

6) Dancing with Rhythm: “Amazing Cultural Style” （韵律舞蹈）

By Boston Chinese Drum Troupe

7) Chinese Martial Arts （中国功夫）: “Tai-Chi” “Shaolin Gong Fu”

By Grand Master, Anlin Wang, Gold Medalist of the World Traditional Wushu Competition

8) Mongolian Dance （蒙古舞蹈）：“Horses on the Prairie”

By The Cambridge Center for Chinese Culture

9) Erhu Solo （二胡独奏）：“Racing Horses ” & Jinghu Solo: “ Deep in the Night”

Performer: The XYY Ensemble, Hongwei Gao

Flute Solo （笛子独奏）：“ The Song of the Ranchers”

Performer: The XYY Ensemble, Dehua Zhen

10) Xinjiang Uygur Dance （新疆维吾尔舞蹈）: “Spin, Spin, Spin”

By Boston D**g Fang Dance Troupe

11) P**a Ensemble （琵琶合奏）: “ A Rose for You”

Performers: Yun Xia, Lucy Lu, Ying Chen, Dehua Zhen, Decheng Wang

Dulcimer Solo （扬琴独奏）: “Poetry Scenery of Tianshan Mountain”

Performer: Yamei Huang

12) Chinese Dance （中国舞蹈）: “Red Choral”

BY Harvard CSSA Mulan Arts Troupe

13) Chinese Ensemble: “Radetzky March” “A Blessing Year”

By The XYY Ensemble （喜洋洋乐队）

14) Chinese Dance （黄老师舞蹈团）: “Joyful Rhythm”

By Newton Chinese Language School

15) Chinese Dance: “The Dance of the Lotus” （莲花舞）

By Newton Chinese Language School

16）Dulcimer Duo （扬琴协奏）: “ Azalea”

By Newton Chinese Language School

17）Chinese Dance （中国舞蹈）: “ Harvest of the Grapes”

By Newton Chinese Language School

18) Chinese Dance: “You and Me”

By Newton Chinese Language School

19) Chinese Dance: “Blessing of the Dunhuang Drums”

By Angel Dance Company （天使舞蹈团）

20) Chinese Dance: “Bamboo”

By Angel Dance Company （天使舞蹈团）

21) Flute Solo & Hulusi Solo

By Angel Dance Company （天使舞蹈团）

22) Chinese Dance: “Harvest Time”

By Angel Dance Company （天使舞蹈团）

23）Dulcimer Solo

By Angel Dance Company （天使舞蹈团）

24) Dai Dance: “Peacock Dance”

By Angel Dance Company （天使舞蹈团)

25) Chinese Dance: “Simple Elegant”

By Angle Dance Company （天使舞蹈团）

26) Chinese Dance: “I Believe” （天使舞蹈团）

By Angel Dance Company

27) Chinese Dance: “Sizzling Cultural Fashion” （天使舞蹈团）

By Angle Dance Company

28) Chinese Yo Yo：Dancing of the Golden Snakes （抖空竹）

By Newton Chinese Language School Chinese YoYo Group

29) Chinese Dance: “Vivid Dunhuang “

By Huaxin Chinese Language School （华心中文学校）

30) Chinese Dance: “Muo Li Hua” （茉莉花）

By American Chinese Art Society

Performer: Jamie Yang

31) Chinese Dance: “Chinese Knot” （舞蹈中国结）

By American Chinese Art Society

Performer: Shirley Hu

32) Chinese Dance: “The Little Jasmines”

By American Chinese Art Society

33) Mongolian Folk Dance: “Galloping Across the Grassland”

By American Chinese Art Society

34) Miao Dance: “Beyond the Mountain”

By American Chinese Art Society

Chopsticks Taboo: Don’t Stab Your Rice! -
Chinese dining etiquette is built on tradition, not dexterity.

"No doubt you once thought that as soon as your skills were honed, you’d become the chopstick-wielding version of Edward Scissorhands, embarking on a masterful two-pronged exploration of China’s culinary culture.

Well, not quite."

5 Chinese eating habits explained Why shouldn't you stick your chopsticks in the rice? How do you politely snip off noodles? Myths and superstitions of Chinese dining unraveled here

Chinese Culture Taboo #1 on the Chinese Culture Taboos List - Things to Avoid While in China - based on observations of westerners living in China: Take credit for achievements

One of the first things most foreigners in China learn about cultural differences is how to reply to compliments. In America the response to a compliment is "Thank you". But that would be considered boastful in China and raise eyebrows. For example, you are visiting someone's new house and think that some positive remarks are expected: “It is spacious.” “The lighting is great.” “The floor is beautiful.” “No, it is small.” the host would respond, “The lighting is not very good, especially in the afternoons.” “A lot of noise drifts up from the street.” You are never supposed to directly accept the praise.

[To Be Continued: the other Chinese culture taboos]

Newton Mayor Setti Warren will join members of his cultural affairs staff tomorrow to kick off a series of "heritage festivals" to be held in the city over the next two months.

Thanks to the local businesses and organizations that give generous support to the Newton Chinese Cultural Festival!

Primary Sponsor - Newton Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs
Gold Sponsors - Whole Foods Market, First Common Bank
Silver Sponsors - Newton Cultural Council, Newton Chinese Language School
Bronze Sponsors - Wi******er School of Chinese Culture

All is welcome to the FIRST citywide Chinese Cultural Festival at the Newton Cultural Center at 225 Nevada Street on Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 9:30am to 5pm, with fun and exciting activities for everyone. Rich Chinese heritage and traditions will be showcased through a kaleidoscope of exhibits, live performances, costumes, and cultural presentations.

Details on the two morning panel discussions -
Panel #1: "Healing, Clarity, and Inner Peace -- Wellness Through the Chinese Art of Living" 9:30AM - 11AM
Moderator: Lei Reilley
Panelists:
* "Nature's Way of Healing: Demystifying the Chinese Herbal Medicine" (Dr. Weidong Lu)
* "Acupuncture: Moving Qi with Needles" (Abby Kessler)
* "The Ancient Wisdom of Feng Shui: Balance the Energy Around You and Bring Fortune to Everyday Life" (Lidong Yu)
* "Tai Chi: More Than Exercise -- It Is An Attitude, and A Tango With the Universe" (Tai-Chun Pan)
* "Healing Ancient Music of Guqin: Cultivate the Harmony in Mind, Body, and Spirit"

Panel #2: "Being American, the Chinese Way" 11:10AM - 12:30PM
Moderator: Dr. Alan Moy Sooho
Panelists:
* "Recognizing and Appreciating Chinese Values in America" (Dr. William Wei)
* "Raising A Confident and Happy Child" (Dr. Anping Shen)
* "This Land is My Land: Growing Up ABC (America Born Chinese)" (Ald. Greer Tan Swiston)
* "Bridging the Cultural and Racial Gap: Getting to Know the Adoption Community" (Katie Jae Naftzger, LICSW­­­­)

Seating is limited. Registration for both panels is available online at
http://newtoncommunitypride.org/china-festival.html

China Festival Healing, Clarity, and Inner Peace – Wellness through the Chinese Art of LivingModerator: Lei ReilleyTopics: Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture, Feng Shui, Tai Chi, Healing Ancient Music of GuqinPanelists: Dr. Weidong Lu, Abby Kessler, Lidong Yu, Tai-Chun Pan, Steve Chen