ASIAN AMERICAN STORYFEST!

"Once upon a time…" and still true to this day, sojourners and immigrants from the Asian world have transformed the American world since the 1700’s bringing with them their rich heritages of myth and folk tales as well as weaving their new stories spun from their experiences in the American world.

Now, 300 years later, imagine a stage filled with other nationally recognized, professional Asian American storytellers, weaving traditional and contemporary stories that celebrate Asian culture through their stories!

Come the FIRST, an Asian American Storyfest happening in the SF Bay Area! We’re always making history!

A CONSTELLATION OF STELLAR ASIAN TELLERS!

Witness the humor and pathos of Arif Choudhury; the heroic WWII Japanese American soldier stories, and tales from Hawaii from Alton Takiyama Chung; pan Asian tales and myths through movement, music and the spoken word from Nancy Wang and Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo of Eth-Noh-Tec; tales of humor and delicacy told with Motoko's words and mime movements; the various Asian tales impeccably told by Anne Shimojima; and the fantastical Asian world tales of Brenda Wong-Aoki.

PLUS! The debut performance of Eth-Noh-Tec's newly formed ENSEMBLE: featuring NEXT Generation Asian American movement theatrer storytellers: Tatiana Chaterji, Radhika Rao, Julia Ajin Choi.

FESTIVAL SHOWS

GENERAL AUDIENCE CONCERTS FRI. MAY 9 & SAT. MAY 10: : Come hear the stories from within barb-wire concentration camps, to beyond the lofty Himalayan mountains, from myths that echoed in palaces of ancient India and China, to the tales from the streets of urban Asian America. These storytellers will conjure many worlds… stories of insight and imagination, both real and unreal, a listening journey with a panoramic view sweeping from Asia to Asian America. (appropriate for adults and mature youth) NOTE (3 different shows, All Different Stories!):

FAMILY MATINEE "An Asian Occasion" - This fun-filled afternoon of delightful Asian folk tales and myths is set in the world of your imagination where all things are possible! A world where there are Wise Fools and Foolish Kings, Clever Tricksters and wistful forest spirits! Come here the stories of laughter and caution, wisdom and wit through traditional stories from cultures of China, Japan, Korea, and more. Great for families of all ages (age approrpiate for K-5 grades and families; one show only at OACC). Featured tellers: Motoko, Arif Choudhury, Eth-Noh-Tec & The Ensemble SAT. MAY 10, 1:30 pm ((Oakland Asian Cultural Ctr; 388 9th Street #290, Oakland)

FISHBOWL CONVERSATION: “Why me? Why Storytelling?” (only at OACC). A school librarian? a social worker, a dancer, oceanographer, … how did these ordinary people enter the extraordinary world of professional storytelling. Like the reluctant hero and heroine in Joseph Campbell’s “Power of Myth”, each of these artists set out on a journey, unbeknownst to them they would find along the way a sense of Asian American identity, a sense belonging to community, a gift of service, and a place called home, where the Art of the narrative joins compassion. Come hear the many voices…and these stories. Location: OACC.SAT. MAY 10: 7:00 pm FREE! (Oakland)

FESTIVAL DATES, TIME & LOCATION:

MAY 9: FRI. "Pan Asia Fantasia" GENERAL AUDIENCE CONCERT; All Featured Tellers, Mission Cultural Center, 2868 Mission Street, SF, (One night only: 8:00 pm- 10:00 pm).

MAY 10: SAT. "An Asian Occasion" FAMILY MATINEE, Featured tellers: Motoko, Anne Shimojima, Eth-Noh-Tec & The Ensemble (1:30 pm- 3:00 pm) Oakland Asian Cultural Center 388 9th Street #290, Oakland.

MAY 10: SAT "From the Voice of the Heart" GENERAL AUDIENCE CONCERT, Featured tellers: Alton Takiyama Chung, Arif Choudhury, Brenda Wong Aoki, Eth-Noh-Tec (3:30 pm- 5:00 pm) Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th Street #290, Oakland.

MAY 10: SAT. "Why Me? Why Storytelling?" FREE PANEL DISCUSSION (7:00 pm), All Featured Tellers: All Tellers Oakland Asian Cultural Center (FREE), 388 9th Street #290, Oakland.

MAY 10: SAT. "Mythos, Message and Mirth"GENERAL AUDIENCE CONCERT, All Featured Tellers: All Tellers (8:00pm) Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th Street #290, Oakland.

TICKET PRICES:

Single Show Cost - $15 Adult (door $20); $10 Child under 12 (door: $15)

Full Festival/ All Shows: $50 Adult (door $80); $40 Child under 12 (door: $60)

Special/ All shows: "Tribe of Ten" (Group of 10 or more): $13 per person *

*("Tribe of Ten": minimum 10 people; adults only)