If you don't see an event here in the newsletter, be sure to check our Calendar online -- it's updated as we receive announcements. Submit your Asian community event information with a brief description to calendar@cdbf.org .
ONGOING
APDC needs food donations for refugee communities
The APDC is collecting food items donations for refugee clients (especially at their behavioral health clinic) who have been struggling to get by. These clients include people from the Bhutanese and Burmese communities. They have been running out of food for their families and are in HUGE need of food donations. Any items such as rice, oil, ramen noodles, soy sauce, canned fish, canned fruit or vegetables will be extremely helpful for the families. Donations can be dropped off at either APDC office, or, for questions or inquiries, please call either office:
York office - 1825 York St. Denver, CO | 303.393.0304
Elmira Office - 1544 Elmira St. Aurora, CO 80010 | 303.365.2959 x 102
Film Festival: Masters of Studio Ghibli
When: August 17 - October 4
Where: Denver Film Center, 2510 East Colfax, Denver, CO 80206 (in the Lowenstein CulturePlex)
Cost: Per showing - $9.75 non-member, $7.25 Senior/Student, $7.00 DFS member;
Festival Pass (all 15 films) - $100 GA, $75 DFS members
Over the next month, the Denver Film Society will be celebrating the magic of Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and other masters of the famed Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli. Experience an enormous retrospective of their greatest works presented in 15 BRAND NEW 35mm prints. Whether you're an old fan or new to Studio Ghibli films, these are not to be missed! All films are presented in Japanese with English subtitles unless denoted. For more information, visit http://www.denverfilm.org/filmcenter/detail.aspx?id=24978 or contact 303.595.3456.
*Dubbed in English only
** Limited screenings Dubbed in English.
Aug 17 - 23: My Neighbor Totoro** / Whisper of the Heart / The Cat Returns
Aug 24 - 30: Castle in the Sky / Kiki's Delivery Service
Aug 31 - Sept 6: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind / Pom Poko
Sept 7 - 13: Princess Mononoke** / Ocean Waves
Sept 14 - 20: Spirited Away
Sept 21 - 27: Porco Rosso / My Neighbors the Yamadas
Sept 28 - Oct 4: Howl's Moving Castle* / Ponyo* / Only Yesterday
AUGUST
An Epic Journey: Aurora Asian/Pacific Communities
When: August 14-November 4, T-F 9am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm
Where: Aurora History Museum, 15051 E Alameda Parkway, Aurora CO 80012
Cost: Free
The Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership presents an exhibit highlighting the history and diversity of its Asian/Pacific communities with stories shared through cultural objects, photographs, and personal interviews. For more information, please contact admin@auoraasian.org or 303.326.8695. For films screening during festival, see below.
ifCON Denver 2012
When: Thurs. August 30 - Mon. September 3
Where: Hyatt Regency at Colorado Convention Center, 650 15th Street Denver, CO 80202
Cost: $275
Since 1990, the International Friendship Alliance has hosted their annual gathering every Labor Day weekend in cities including Washington, DC, NYC, London, Paris, and Toronto. This year, Denver is proud to host the 2012 International Friendship conference, which promotes camaraderie between Asians, as well as those interested in Asian culture. This is an opportunity to not only celebrate cultural diversity, but also meet people from across the US. Join ifCON Denver for a weekend of dining, dancing, and new friendships! Register at http://www.afdenver.net/ifcon/2012registration.php or visit http://www.afdenver.net/ifcon/2012about.php for more information about this conference.
SEPTEMBER
Film Festival: Masters of Studio Ghibli
When: August 31 - September 6
Where: Denver Film Center, 2510 East Colfax, Denver, CO 80206 (in the Lowenstein CulturePlex)
Cost: Per showing - $9.75 non-member, $7.25 Senior/Student, $7.00 DFS member
Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind - "The debut film from Hayao Miyazaki, NAUSICAA is considered by many to be his masterwork - and there are few films, animated or otherwise, of such sweeping scope and grandeur. Set in a devastated future world decimated by atmospheric poisons and swarming with gigantic insects, NAUSICAA is the story of a young princess, both brave and innocent, whose love for all living things and passionate determination to understand the processes of nature lead her into terrible danger, sacrifice, and eventual triumph." Director: Hayao Miyazaki; 1984, 116 min. running time
Pom Poko - "In this brilliant and often overlooked Studio Ghibli masterpiece, the forests are filled with groups of magical tanuki, mischievous raccoon-like animals from Japanese folklore that are capable of shape-shifting from their standard raccoon form to practically any object." Director: Hayao Miyazaki; 1994, 119 min. running time
Film Festival: Masters of Studio Ghibli
When: September 7 - 13
Where: Denver Film Center, 2510 East Colfax, Denver, CO 80206 (in the Lowenstein CulturePlex)
Cost: Per showing - $9.75 non-member, $7.25 Senior/Student, $7.00 DFS member
Princess Mononoke - "While defending his village from a demonic boar-god, the young warrior Ashitaka becomes afflicted with a curse that grants him super-human power in battle but will eventually take his life. Traveling west to find a cure or meet his destiny, he journeys deep into sacred depths of the Great Forest where he meets San (Princess Mononoke), a girl raised by wolf-gods who is waging battle against the human outpost of Iron Town, on the edge of the forest. The girl Mononoke a force of nature - with blood smeared lips, riding bareback on a great white wolf, doing battle with both gods and humans, she is as iconic a figure as any from film, literature, or opera.
Please note: The film includes violent battle scenes and frightening fantasy creatures that may be too intense for younger viewers." Director: Hayao Miyazaki; 1997, 134 min. running time
The Ocean Waves - "Rarely seen outside of Japan, OCEAN WAVES is a subtle, poignant and wonderfully detailed story of adolescence and teenage isolation. Taku and his best friend Yutaka are headed back to school for what looks like another uneventful year. But they soon find their friendship tested by the arrival of Rikako, a beautiful new transfer student from Tokyo whose attitude vacillates wildly from flirty and flippant to melancholic. When Taku joins Rikako on a trip to Tokyo, the school erupts with rumors, and the three friends are forced to come to terms with their changing relationships." Director: Tomomi Mochizuki; 1995, 72 min. running time
Channel of Hope: Moon Festival & Fundraiser
When: Fri. September 14, 7:30pm
Where: Regis University Student Center, 3333 Regis Boulevard Denver, CO 80221
Cost: Free admission, Donations welcome
The Moon Festival has been celebrated for thousands of years all over Asia. This year, Channel of Hope will be celebrating this tradition with a fundraiser for sick and disadvantaged women and children in Vietnam. Come enjoy traditional performances, hip hop and dance battles by local crews, artwork from famous Vietnamese artists and women with polio, opportunities to buy merchandise, and delicious free food! Admission to this event is free, but all donations and merchandise purchases go towards a great cause.
Visit http://www.facebook.com/events/267767273338951/permalink/268388353276843/ for more information about this event. For questions, please contact Peter Pham at 720.490.2368 or pham057@regis.edu.
Nan Desu Kan Anime Convention
When: September 14-16, events all day and night
Where: Marriott Denver Tech Center, I-25 & Bellview
Cost: $40 online registration, $50 at the door
Nan Desu Kan (a Japanese pun translating loosely to 'what is it?') began its life in 1997 at the Tivoli Student Union as a small, fan-run convention with just 200 or so attendees. These days, several hotels and more than a decade later, NDK is still a fan-run convention. And with a total weekend attendance of more than 21,000 (over 7,000 people per day), it's now the largest convention in Colorado and 14 surrounding states (excluding Texas), as well as one of the top ten largest anime conventions in the country. Full schedule of events including panels, workshops, speakers, musical concerts, screenings and cosplay contests is online: http://ndkdenver.org
Denver Art Museum presents Face of the Samurai: The Spectacular Armor of Feudal Japan
When: Wed. September 19, 12:00-1:00pm
Where: Denver Art Museum, Lower-Level Lecture Room,
100 West 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver CO 80204
Cost: $10, $7 DAM members, $5 Teachers & Students, Free for Asian Art Association members
"The Samurai are legendary: ruthless and sophisticated - they built an empire that lasted for four hundred years. How did these lords dress themselves for battle, and how did they appear to their adversaries and vassals? Samurai armor expert Barry Ellsworth will introduce the battle garb of the samurai, where exquisitely crafted russet iron, lacquer, silk and gilt filigree combine to create the ferocious mien of the samurai warrior." No reservations necessary. For more information, please contact
blittle@denverartmuseum.org or call 720.913.0040.
Lecture Series - Asian Art Treasures: Highlights of the Denver Art Museum's Asian Collection
When: Thursdays, September 20 - October 11, 1:30-3:30pm
Where: Denver Art Museum, 5th floor Asian Art galleries & Lower-Level Lecture Room,
100 West 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204
Cost: $65, $50 Asian Art Association members, teachers, and students
The Asian Art Association, working with the Education department at the Denver Art Museum, presents a four-week special lecture series. "Beyond-the-ordinary, docent-led, gallery tours exploring the Asian collection. Eight presentations (2 topics/session, 4 sessions) by docents who have done in-depth research into the many faces and forms of Asian art. Explore treasures from Imperial China, Japan in war and peace, Buddhist art, tantric art of India, Southwest Asian folk art, and contemporary art of all Asia. (You may even find out why the naked man lies face down on Martin Plaza!)" Reservations are required by September 24. Visit DAM Automatic Ticketing or call Central Reservations at 720.913.0130. For further details, please contact
blittle@denverartmuseum.org or call 720.913.0040.
Pi'ilani Lu'au
When: Sat. September 22, 4:30pm
Where: Holiday Hills Village, 2000 W 92nd Ave, Denver CO 80260
Cost: At the door $35, Adults and children 12 years+ $30, 3-11 years $15, Under 3 Free
The Pi'ilani Hawaiian Civic Club of Colorado presents their First Bi-Annual Lu'au dinner and show. The menu includes kalua pig, chicken long rice, lomi salmon, shoyu chicken, poi, rice, assorted salads and desserts, haupia (coconut milk pudding), fresh pineapple, fruit punch, tea, water, and coffee. Come and support Pi'ilani in their vision of weaving community spirity by promoting aloha and educating the public about Hawaiian culture and values. For tickets, please call 303.638.3834 or email
piilanihcc@yahoo.com.
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival by OCA Colorado
When: Sat. September 29, 6pm
Where: Super Star Asian Cuisine, Alameda Square Shopping Center, 2200 West Alameda Avenue, Denver CO 80223
Cost: $25/person
OCA is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans. Join their local Colorado chapter in celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival with games and a 12 course seafood dinner, including Lobster with Egg Noodles, Golden Crab Claws, and Emperor Seafood Soup. Please send your RSVP o
r any questions to Hing Ryder at 303.241.4203 or OCAColorado@gmail.com.
Lecture Series - Asian Art Treasures: Highlights of the Denver Art Museum's Asian Collection
When: Thursdays, September 20 - October 11, 1:30-3:30pm
Where: Denver Art Museum, 5th floor Asian Art galleries & Lower-Level Lecture Room,
100 West 14th Ave Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204
Cost: $65, $50 Asian Art Association members, teachers, and students
The Asian Art Association, working with the Education department at the Denver Art Museum, presents a four-week special lecture series. "Beyond-the-ordinary, docent-led, gallery tours exploring the Asian collection. Eight presentations (2 topics/session, 4 sessions) by docents who have done in-depth research into the many faces and forms of Asian art. Explore treasures from Imperial China, Japan in war and peace, Buddhist art, tantric art of India, Southwest Asian folk art, and contemporary art of all Asia. (You may even find out why the naked man lies face down on Martin Plaza!)" Reservations are required by September 24. Visit DAM Automatic Ticketing or call Central Reservations at 720.913.0130. For further details, please contact
blittle@denverartmuseum.org or call 720.913.0040.
Art of Japanese Garden Design Workshop: In Search of Wabi-Sabi in the Rockies
When: Thurs. October 11, 8:30am - 9:30pm
Where: Peaceful Valley Ranch, 475 Peaceful Valley Road, Lyons CO 80540
Cost: $97/person, includes hot lunch buffet and roundtrip charter bus to Peaceful Valley Ranch
Join the the North American Japanese Garden Association for a full day workshop in the Rocky Mountains. It will begin with introductions and a film viewing of In Full Circle: The Japanese-Style Garden as a Work of Art in Progress with remarks by film creator David Slawson. With expert curators from the Denver Botanic Gardens and the Portland Japanese Garden as your guides, you are invited on a journey in search for "the essence of Japanese aesthetic design" through design exercises and a group discussion. Discover the beauty of Japanese gardens in the the "natural settings of flowing streams, waterfalls, rock compositions and a variety of vegetation." For registration, contact
info@najga.org or call 503.222.1194. Full workshop schedule:
http://www.najga.org/cfm/Connections_Schedule.pdf (This workshop is part of the 2012 NAJGA Conference, but is open to the public.)
NAJGA Conference 2012
When: Fri. October 12 - Sun. October 14
Where: Denver Boatnic Gardens, 909 York Street, Denver CO 80206
Cost: $425 or $361.25 NAJGA member - includes 3 day conference, lunch with roundtable discussions, Japanese garden tour, and free shuttle bus to and from Sheraton Denver Downtown
The North American Japanese Garden Association will be hosting their annual conference in Denver at the beautiful Denver Botanic Gardens. This conference brings hundreds of people and representatives from Japanese Gardens throughout North America. Speaker presentations include a Japanese tea ceremony demonstration, a workshop on Japanese garden photography, lectures on the business side of gardens, their therapeutic and educational application, and in depth instruction on caring for your own garden. For registration, prices, special discounts on flights and hotels, and other conference inform
ation, visit http://www.najga.org/cfm/meetingEvents.cfm. Full conference schedule: http://www.najga.org/cfm/Connections_Schedule.pdfWorld Film Premiere: Evoking Native Landscape Using Japanese Garden Principles
When: Fri. October 12, 7:30 - 9:30pm
Where: Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, 1550 Court Place, Denver CO 80202
Cost: $22, includes dessert reception
As part of their annual conference, the North American Japanese Garden Association presents the world premiere of David Slawson's second film creation. Slawson, PhD, studied under Kinsaku Nakane in Kyoto, Japan from 1971-72. He has spent the past 40 years bringing Japanese garden design to North America. His other creative works include the book Secret Teachings in the Art of Japanese Gardens and his first film In Full Circle: The Japanese-style Garden as a Work of Art in Progress. After the film, there will be an opportunity to hear Slawson's professional insights during a Q&A session. For tickets, contact NAJGA at 503.222.1194 or email info@najga.org. Visit
http://www.najga.org/cfm/NAJGAFilmPremiere.pdf for more information on the film. (You do not need to attend the conference to see the film.)
