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Rest In Peace Irene: May 17-18 at Bindlestiff Studio (SF)

Irene Tu is the selected Featured Artist for API Cultural Center- San Francisco's 22nd United States of Asian America Festival: Collective // Memories. “Rest In Peace Irene” premieres May 17-18 at Bindlestiff Studio in SF. 

https://www.apiculturalcenter.org/ripirene "Rest In Peace Irene" is a humorous look at one of life’s most serious topics: death. In this solo show, Irene explores what it means to grapple with your mortality while trying to live life to its fullest. Dark subject matter include: what to do in case of an apocalypse, preferred ways to die, how to grieve appropriately, and things to not say in front of your elderly grandparents. If you’re afraid of death, this show is for you. If you love death, see a therapist first, but this show is also for you.

Written and performed by Irene Tu Directed by Kat Evasco Funded by: SFAC, GFTA, Zellerbach Family Foundation Tickets: $15 online, $20 at the door https://ripirene.brownpapertickets.com

Flyer by Geoff Tice 

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Model Minorities Don’t Cry: May 18-19 at Bindlestiff Studio (SF)

The Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center (APICC) of San Francisco Presents “Model Minorities Don’t Cry” as part of the 21st Annual United States of Asian America Festival (USAAF): Regenerative Community. Model Minorities Don't Cry is a stand-up comedy show featuring Bay Area comedians Irene Tu and Andrew Orolfo. In it, Irene and Andrew separately tell jokes about their childhoods and current lives. They explore what it means to grow up Asian in America, living up to expectations of model minorities, and past trauma. By sharing their stories, they hope to start a conversation and dispel the stereotype that Asians and Asian Americans aren't allowed to show or talk about their feelings. 2 half hour sets (new material) from Irene Tu & Andrew Orolfo, a video sketch, and interview / Q & A after. All ages. 2 shows: May 18th & 19th. 8pm at Bindlestiff Studio. 185 6th St, SF

Tickets online: $10 until 5/3, $12 until 12pm day of show. $15 at door https://modelminoritiesdontcry.bpt.me

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Triple Minority: May 27 ONLY at Bindlestiff Studio (SF)

The Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center (APICC) of San Francisco Presents “Irene Tu: Triple Minority” as part of the 20th Annual United States of Asian America Festival (USAAF): Threading Resilience. In Triple Minority, Irene Tu explores what it is like being a triple minority (gay, Asian, woman) in America. This hour-long stand-up comedy show will make you laugh, think, and cry. Each show will include a special guest opener (also a triple minority). 2 shows: Sat May 27 8pm & 10pm at Bindlestiff Studio (SF) $10 Early Bird (ends 5/12) $12 General Admission $15 at the door Get tickets: bit.ly/tripleminority 

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I MADE THIS. Watch and share! 

#APIVoices

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Orange is the New Black: Who the F*ck is Chang? (SPOILERS)

First off, I’m obsessed with this show. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I finished the last episode of Season 1. (WTF, RIGHT?) I’ve been coping from withdrawal by reading articles about the show, not all of which I agree with but are interesting nonetheless. Most of them talked about the amazingly complex minority characters on the show, which is definitely something to celebrate on a television show since they’ve historically been rare or stereotypical. None have really talked about Chang, the Asian inmate.

 And that character is a disappointment.

Why is there only 1 Asian character? Why not more? Sure, maybe this is supposed to be a reflection of racial makeup in prison. I don’t pretend to know the statistics, so I’ll just assume that’s the case. It would’ve been cool to have more represented onscreen since this is such a great opportunity.

So Chang is the sole Asian character… and of course, she doesn’t English. Typical. But, you say, the show based on Piper Kerman’s memoir and her personal experience in prison. This character is based off one Asian inmate she knew and she didn’t speak English. Okay fine. But this is a TELEVISION SHOW, not a documentary. SPOILER: Alex and Piper didn’t hook up in real life. They do on the show. This isn’t a show completely reflective of reality! Just inspired by it. So why is it such a stretch that the Asian character could speak fluent English? OITNB has broken many barriers with its portrayal of minority & queer characters, so what’s with the stereotypical Asian woman? How many times have we seen movies and TV shows with an Asian character that speaks broken English? It’s tiresome by now. Accents are funny, but they’re a cheap, quick laugh and nothing new.  

She barely exists in the show, but at the same time, she’s significant because she’s noticeably the only Asian and she has a NAME. If she were a throwaway character she would’ve remained a nameless extra. I don’t know why Chang was included in the show. She just seems like a token Asian person. It would’ve been glaringly obvious if she hadn’t been included, since the prison is full of women of color. She was necessary. But if she’s an important character, I don’t see it right now because…

Chang barely speaks. She has maybe 2 minutes of screen time total and 5 lines. Even if she doesn’t understand English, she could still speak in Chinese (assuming given her last name). There’s that one lady who hides in a stall and yells things at her husband/boyfriend in a different language! They’ve already tried it on the show and it works, so why not Chang?   

In the context of the show, Chang is relatively quiet and invisible. At Tricia’s tribute, Chang doesn’t say a word but gives the group of prisoners a bag of oranges and then walks away quietly. COME ONNNN. Of course the Asian woman is quiet and unassertive and doesn’t cause any problems (this scene plus the office scene with Mr. Healy, Taystee, and Piper). Because Asian women are quiet, docile, and follow the rules. Except then, WHY IS SHE IN PRISON? She did something to get there and we have no idea what it is.  Chang is one of the only characters we didn’t see any flashbacks for. I would LOVE to see what got her in there.

Even without doing a flashback Chang has the potential to be a great and complex character that is more than meets the eye. They could pull a Norma. She didn’t say a word the entire season and then in the last episode it was revealed she has an amazing voice. UM AWESOME. Like maybe a little predictable, but still. She isn’t just a quiet old lady. Chang could have that other side to her too. Wouldn’t it be awesome if she were some badass who killed a man, like Miss Claudette? They’ve already created some amazing characters. Chang could be another one.  

I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHO THE FUCK CHANG IS.

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Movie Thoughts: Breakfast at Tiffany's

I'm starting a new thing where I watch a movie a day and my top 5 thoughts during/after the movie. Most of these will be classic movies everyone has already seen but that I haven't. 

Movie #1: Breakfast at Tiffany's

1. Holly Golightly is definitely an alcoholic. 

2. Holly and Paul's relationship is incestuous since Holly keeps insisting on calling Paul "Fred," her brother's name. 

3. How does Holly (Audrey Hepburn) pay for her Manhattan apartment if she doesn't have a job? She only gets $50 per "date" and $100 a week for talking to Sally Tomato. And she's somehow always in debt too. 

4. The cat is adorable and steals the show. 

5. The moral: Don't marry someone rich, just someone who is as attractive as you. And don't worry about money. Apparently rent in Manhattan is free because Holly never pays and Paul doesn't have 2E anymore and still lives there.

Conclusion: This movie makes no sense and the Asian landlord (questionable character-choice) is definitely getting swindled out of some rent money.