VACT's Etch-YOUR-Sketch-OFF presents new teams for new Asian-Canadian sketch comedies!
special to www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com
by Michael Brophy
Thursday night I attended an event put on by Vancouver Asian
Canadian Theater which is organized by Joyce Lam. She is the original
creator and producer of the Etch-YOUR-SketchOFF comedy show who has
recently been honored with the BC Community Achievement Award for her
work in shaping our provinces theatrical community.
Host of the show, Tom Chin, related his witty observations on the
lifestyles of the stereotypical aspiring Asian lawyer, dentist, or
doctor and disclosed "what happens to Asians that don't make it to med
school". With a piercing "Aiyya!" Tom introduced the first group SFUU
MAN CHU which promised the most value for ones dollar during these hard
economic times by presenting "one sketch for every dollar spent".
Banana Drama, winner of this years People Choys Awards, began with a
sketch bringing light to our North American dependence on all things
made in China by stripping a young man of all his Chinese made clothing
until left wearing only a skimpy man-kini -- more male nudity ensued as
a comedic theme of the night.
New teams to the sketch-off scene include
Beef Noodle Soup, a two man group that presented bi-curious characters
wanking to an image of Gordon Campbell, had the audience cringing with
muffled laughter. Asians Bleed Red, also a new addition to the theater,
did a well choreographed dance to the tune of "Domo Arrigato, Mr.
Robato".
One of my personal favorite groups this year and a 2008
recipient of the Rice Bowl Prize had Simon Yang of The Yangtzers
performing a contemporary dance with a hoover vacuum revealing the
eroticism between one man and his servile machine. Other gut-busting notables Angry Asian
Men and Laughing Make Mind Damage helped make it clear that Asian North
Americans have come a long way in comedy from the likes of William
Hungs short lived career as an entertainer.
My night with the V.A.C.T.
crew was capped with an after-party that took place at Earls in
Yaletown which had members of the audience and actors in the sketch-off
socializing well past midnight. I would highly recommend attending if
you haven't in the past years. This annual event is always brimming
with a culturally diverse humor that resonates the funny bone with
gratuitous displays of raunchy buffoonery.
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Welcome to GungHaggisFatChoy.com
Home to my passions for my inter-cultural adventures, Gung Haggis Fat Choy: Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner event. Historic Joy Kogawa House Society, Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dragon Boat team, Find what you are looking for by 1) scroll the categories links (below), 2) use the search function ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Search
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Saturday, May 1
Review: Etch-YOUR-Sketch-OFF
by
Todd
on Sat 01 May 2010 11:28 PM PDT
Tuesday, May 26
Tailor Made documentary about Wong family tailor shop is re-broadcast on Knowledge Network
by
Todd
on Tue 26 May 2009 09:34 PM PDT
Watch "Tailor Made - the last Chinese tailor shop in Vancouver Chinatown" 'Tailor Made' is being broadcast again in BC on Knowledge Network on the following dates: http://tvschedule.knowledgenetwork.ca/knsch/KNSeriesPage.jsp?seriesID=101539&seriesTitle=tailormade "Tailor Made"is a wonderful documentary about the last tailor shop in Vancouver Chinatown. It opened in 1913. It made most of the zoot suits in Vancouver during the 1940's. Sean Connery's picture is there with the tailors Bill and Jack Wong. It's a Chinatown success story, that mirrors the history of Vancouver Chinatown, as the original tailor had to pay a head tax to come to Vancouver, as his two sons fought for Canada during WW2 when Chinese weren't allowed to vote, as his sons were unabled to get hired as UBC graduated engineers due to still prevailing racist sentiments, and how the youngest son became one of Vancouver's leading philanthropists and cultural leaders. Bill Wong the tailor loves to attended the Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner. His son Steven paddles on our Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team. This is a wonderful documentary that received a standing ovation at the Whistler Film Festival.  Bill
and Jack's younger brother Milton Wong is one of Vancouver's important
figures, and former chancellor of SFU, and known as the "grandfather of
dragon boat racing" in Vancouver. Both Milton and Steven were
interviewed for a German public television documentary addressing
multiculturalism in Vancouver. The Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat
team was featured too!Check out: http://wstreaming.zdf.de/z My own family has known the Wongs for many year, my aunts and uncles went to school with many of the Wong family members. My uncle Laddie works as a tailor at Modernize Tailors. In 2004, both the "Wong Way" dragon boat team and the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team participated in a workshop to carve dragon boat heads at the Round House Community Centre. 
Check the Modernize Tailors Website: http://www.modernizetailors.blogspot.com/ Tuesday February 12, 2008 at 10pm ET/PT on CBC Newsworld TAILOR MADE  A naïve apprentice and a hot, young master tailor are both interested in taking over a legendary tailor shop in Vancouver's Chinatown, but they'll have a hard time convincing the hard-working Wong brothers to retire.Modernize Tailors opened in 1913, and in the 1950s Bill and Jack Wong took over from their father. Over the years, they've created suits for all occasions and for customers from all walks of life-from lumberjacks and new immigrants to movie stars like Sean Connery and politicians like Sam Sullivan, then Mayor of Vancouver. Now, a newer generation is looking to make their mark and take over the Modernize Tailors legacy. But will the 85-year-old Wong Brothers ever stop working? Tailor Made was directed by Len Lee and Marsha Newbery, and produced by Marsha Newbery of Realize Entertainment Inc. It was commissioned by CBC Newsworld. Knowledge Network: Tailor Made http://tvschedule.knowledgenetwork.ca/knsch/KNSeriesPage.jsp?seriesID=101539&seriesTitle=tailormade
Friday, May 30
explorASIAN Family Day Saturday at Vancouver Museum
by
Todd
on Fri 30 May 2008 06:32 PM PDT
(Vancouver) explorASIAN celebrates the end of Asian Heritage Month in Metro Vancouver with an exciting day of family friendly activities. This free community event includes live music concerts, magic shows, dance performances, arts and crafts, community booths, and free giveaways. The community is invited to enjoy this FREE multicultural event and meet the talented Asian Canadian artists and diverse cultural and community groups.
Event: explorASIAN Friends & Family Day
Location: Vancouver Museum, 1100 Chestnut Street (Vanier Park)
Date: May 31, 2008 Saturday
Time: 11am - 5pm
Cost: Free event | Free parking more »
Wednesday, May 30
DADAWA is playing at the Chan Centre to wrap up the explorASIAN festival
by
Todd
on Wed 30 May 2007 01:42 PM PDT
Dadawa is an internationally recognized musical performer that only a few people are aware of in Vancouver. She has currently been an artist in residence at UBC. explorASIAN executive director Don Montgomery has been telling me stoked he is that Dadawa is performing in Vancouver.
The Chan Centre has really gone all out to bring in interesting cross-cultural and inter-cultural artists to create a wonderful program this year. This should definitely be a show to watch this week! more »
Wednesday, May 23
REVIEW: Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre's Sketch-Off Competition
by
Todd
on Wed 23 May 2007 05:45 PM PDT
Harvey Liu attended this year's annual Sketch-Off Competion, hosted by Vancouver Asian Comedy Theatre. Here is his review - special to www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com
Each year, Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre offers an “Annual SketchOff* Competition.” Now for those of you who are wondering what this is, just try and imagine Russel Peters x 6, minus the brown, mixed in some yellow, and voila! (groups of Asian comedians, in case you didn’t catch my drift) . For some background information, VACT was made to promote and increase Asian actors on stage, and what better way to do this than with laughter? more »
Friday, May 18
Hip and Hapa and Happening for May 18-21, 2007
by
Todd
on Fri 18 May 2007 12:11 PM PDT
'Too Asian to be American, too American to be Asian' - May 15 to 18;
Etch-Your-Sketch SKETCHOFF!#$%!!
8th Annual Asian Comedy Night; Vietnamese Water Puppets - May 15, 16, 18, 19, 20; The A-list Comedy Tour 2007 - May 19 - 8pm more »
Thursday, May 17
8th Annual Asian Comedy Night - May 18 & 19 - 8pm
by
Todd
on Thu 17 May 2007 12:56 PM PDT
It's comedy night time again and this year, we have 6 new sketch groups competing for the coveted Vancouver Rice Bowl. Etch-YOUR-Sketch SKETCHOFF!#$%!! - 8th Annual Asian Comedy Night is happening on Friday, May 18th and Saturday, May 19th. The first night, the teams are judged by people in the industry and on the 2nd night, the audience is the judge with their applause and measured with a decibel reader. Teams have a chance to win up to $350!
With names like Slant Eyed Peas, Sfuu Man Chu, Bananadrama, Yangtzers, Lick the Wax Tadpole and Disoriental, it surely will be a night full of laughs. more »
Wednesday, May 16
Centre A - Limits of Toderance: Re-framing the Multicultural State Policy
by
Todd
on Wed 16 May 2007 12:48 PM PDT
Here's an interesting art presentation at Centre A, the Vancouver International Centre for Contempory Art. They always have rotating presentations as well as special one-off presentations that make for an exciting vibrant Pan-Asian-Canadian and Canadian arts culuture. Check it out! more »
Saturday, May 12
Veterans fought for Respect - recognizing the contributions of Chinese Canadians
by
Todd
on Sat 12 May 2007 12:23 PM PDT
On Monday (May 14), the 73-year-old Richmond resident will join other army, navy, and air-force veterans at a proclamation ceremony at Vancouver City Hall at 10:30 a.m. The day marks the 60th anniversary of the repealing of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 (the Exclusion Act) in 1947, after many Chinese Canadians had fought in the Second World War on two fronts–to defeat the spread of fascism and to be recognized as equal citizens in Canadian society.
"I joined in peacetime, 10 years after the war," Ing told the Georgia Straight. "When they [Chinese Canadians] went to war, part of their aim was to show they were worthy citizens. When they came back, they would take up the task of lobbying to get us the franchise, which they did. Most of us who weren't around and weren't of age to do anything are grateful to these guys. We're very aware that it's 62 years now since the end of the Second World War." more »
Friday, May 11
Chinese Canadian Veterans dinner May 12 - celebrating 60th anniversary of Canadian Citizenship
by
Todd
on Fri 11 May 2007 02:20 PM PDT
This Saturday I have organized a table for the Chinese Canadian Veterans celebrating 60th anniversary of Canadian Citizenship.
Yes... it has been 60 years since Chinese Canadians actually have citizenship and voting rights - largely due to the lobbying and enrollment of Chinese Canadian veterans of WW2.
Please join me in recognizing the achievements of the vets for our community. more »
Thursday, May 10
explorFILM workshop with Mina Shum and Greg Chan for Asian Heritage Month
by
Todd
on Thu 10 May 2007 12:07 PM PDT
This sounds like a fun workshop for Asian Heritage Month. I loved Mina's films Double Happiness. This message is from Don Montgomery, executive director of explorASIAN.
http://www.explorasian.org/Program%20Guide%202007/May%2012/explorfilm.html more »
Saturday, May 5
Evening of Poetry with Evelyn Lau and Indran Amirthanayagam - Monday!
by
Todd
on Sat 05 May 2007 11:40 PM PDT
Check out this exciting evening of poetry for Asian Heritage Month. I have met Evelyn a number of times, and even booked her for Asian Heritage Month events when I helped to program events for explorASIAN. Evelyn is an exciting reader with thoughtful penetrating words and images.
An Evening of Poetry with Evelyn Lau and introducing Indran Amirthanayagam (poet)
http://www.explorasian.org/Program%20Guide%202007/May%207/lau_amirthanayagam.html more »
Wednesday, May 2
Beyond Multiculturalism: check out film screenings of "In the Shadow of Gold Mountain" at Rhizome Cafe
by
Todd
on Wed 02 May 2007 11:58 PM PDT
The following notice was sent to me from No One Is Illegal -Vancouver, as they celebrate Asian Heritage Month with the screenings of two incredible films. I reviewed and wrote about "In the Shadow of Gold Mountain." Check out these previous stories and interviews.
In the Shadow of Gold Mountain - Vancouver Premiere: I meet film maker Karen Cho
Karen Cho interview about her NFB film "In the Shadow of Gold Mountain" more »
Sunday, April 29
May is Asian Heritage Month... all across the country
by
Todd
on Sun 29 Apr 2007 11:46 PM PDT
From Halifax to Vancouver... and everywhere in-between... Asian Heritage Month will be celebrated.
Here are the websites for Asian Heritage celebrations in more »
David Suzuki: The Autobiography... wins the BC Bookseller's Choice Award
by
Todd
on Sun 29 Apr 2007 07:36 PM PDT
This is a great book! I received it as a gift from my friend Ian for my birthday last year. Suzuki details many aspects of his life. His time spent in the Japanese-Canadian internment camps is discussed in the chapter "My happy childhood in racist BC." more »
Vancouver Sun: Dancer's Search for Cultural Identity - features Alvin Erasga Tolentino
by
Todd
on Sun 29 Apr 2007 11:25 AM PDT
I first met Alvin Erasga Tolentino about 6 years ago at the Vancouver Public Library. Alvin was starting up his new dance company Co. Erasga Dance and he would use the computers in the Central Branch computer lab where I worked at the time. We hit it off, and he invited me to some of his shows... and over the years, I have both attended and reviewed some of his works (see Alvin Tolentino's "She Said" - featuring vibrant contemporary Dance)
He is considered one of the top Asian-Canadian dance choreographers.
This weekend he is featured at the Telus Studio Theatre in the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC, on both Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. more »
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2010 GUNG HAGGIS FAT CHOY Dinner
January 31, 2010 Contact Firehall Arts Centre: phone 604.689.0926 2010 prices SINGLE TICKET $60 + $5 service charge = $65 Student price is $50 + $4.50 = $54.50 (must show student high school or university ID) Children's price is $40 + $4.00 = $44 (ages 13 and under). Reservations for tables of 10 $600 + lower service charge WHAT: GUNG HAGGIS FAT CHOY: Toddish McWong's Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner - 12th Annversary Dinner, celebrating 251st Anniversary of Robert Burns' birth + incoming Chinese New Year of the Tiger. WHEN: 6PM January 31 2010, SUNDAY doors open 5pm, Dinner 6pm WHERE: Floata Chinese Restaurant, #400-180 Keefer St. Media Inquiries Call Gung Haggis Productions / Todd Wong direct: 778-846-7090 email: gunghaggis at yahoo dot ca CULTURE: Our Performers create something special for us every year with traditional and contemporary performances featuring everything in-between and beyond! FOOD: A quirky fusion/mix/buffet of Scottish Canadian and Chinese Canadian culture 10 course Chinese banguet dinner 2004 - The debut of Gung Haggis Won-Ton 2005 - Haggis lettuce wrap! 2007 - Haggis dim sum appetizer buffet 2008 - Scotch tastings! + debut of Gung Haggis parade dragon! 2009 - debut of Gung Haggis Fat Choy Pipes & Drums band + auction of 37 year old special edition Famous Grouse whisky + scotch tastings of Famous Grouse, The Macallan and Highland Park. Watch for more surprises in 2010! Description of 2009 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner co-hosted with CBC News anchor Gloria Macarenko and Media colunist Catherine Barr featuring performers: bagpiper Joe McDonald and Mad Celts, Silk Road Music's Qiu Xia He and Andre Thibault, Opera Soprano Heather Pawsey and DJ Timothy Wisdom, BC Book Prize winner Vancouver poet Rita Wong + poet traslator Tommy Tao, Playwright Adrienne Wong and a scene from "Mixie and The Half-Breeds" Description of 2008 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner co-hosted with Media colunist Catherine Barr featuring performers: , celtic band Blackthorn, bagpiper Joe McDonald and Brave Waves, Ji-Rong Huang on erhu, Film maker Ann-Marie Fleming, Vancouver poet laureate George McWhirter, Playwright Grace Chin and a scene from "The Quickie" Description of 2007 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner co-hosted with CBC Radio's Priya Ramu, featuring performers: Silk Road Music, Heather Pawsey, Brave Waves, Leora Cashe, No Luck Club, Dr. Ian Mason (Burns Club of Vancouver) Lensey Namioka - Author "Half and Half" Margaret Gallagher, "Twisting Fortunes" (sneak preview of play) Description of 2006 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dinner with co-host with CityTV's Prem Gill featuring performers: Rick Scott & Harry Wong, The Shirleys, Joe McDonald & Brave Waves, Sean Gunn, author Joy Kogawa, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dragon Boat team for lots of summer fun, fitness and friendship. We are a social team full of cultural vigor, that likes to eat. We have been featured on television, local, national and international. We have a unique and internationally famous fundraiser dinner event. We practice starting March Sunday 1:30 pm -3:30 pm Tuesday 6pm-7:45pm We meet at Dragon Zone clubhouse - just south of Science World in Creekside Park above the Aquabus and dragon boat docks. Our coach Todd Wong has 15+ years of experience including novice, recreational and competitive levels, and both community and corporate teams. Our 2008 season took us to races in Burnaby, Vancouver, Vernon, Vancouver Taiwanese race, UBC, Ft. Langley. It was our strongest team ever and we are proud of our race performances. For more information: Click on Gung Haggis Fat Choy Dragon Boat team information phone: 778-846-7090 e-mail: gunghaggis at yahoo dot ca ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sponsors
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