Be part of the organization that brought you the Cleveland Asian Festival! With 10,000 people attended in 2010’s one day event expanded to two days of 31,060 people attendees in May 2011 and 42,240 people in 2012!
OCA Cleveland Chapter has been servicing the Northeast Ohio since 1983 serving the continually growing Asian Pacific American community and working closely with other organizations and communities to promote ethnic awareness and cultural diversity.
OCA Cleveland Chapter (formerly known as the Organization of Chinese Americans of Greater Cleveland – OCAGC) is a non-profit, non-partisan civil rights and educational organization. OCA Cleveland Chapter is part of the National OCA, with over 84 chapters and affiliates within the United States. We are dedicated to promoting cultural heritage, active participation in civic and community affairs, securing justice, and equal treatment and equal opportunity for all Americans of Asian Pacific Islander descent.
OCA – “Embracing the Hopes and Aspiration of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States”
OCA Cleveland Members will receive numerous discounts at local businesses.
Cleveland, OH – The girl who Cee Lo Green dubbed, “the next power singer of our generation,” will be appearing at the 2013 Cleveland Asian Festival on May 18 and 19, 2013.
Cheesa rose to stardom when she turned heads during the second season of The Voice with her powerful range and colorful personality. Her promotional single, I’m Not Perfect (feat. Charice) hit #1 in Asia and #12 on the U.S. iTunes chart. In the past year, Cheesa’s talent has taken her overseas. She recently appeared as a guest mentor on Simon Cowell’s X-Factor: Philippines and has been a fixture in the Philippine media.
Cheesa just released an R&B/pop track with an infectious dance beat, Fall Again, as her up-tempo sophomore debut. It is an anthem about growing up and letting go – a love song without reservations. Cheesa’s full-length album, Naked, will drop on April 30, 2013.
About the Cleveland Asian Festival
The Cleveland Asian Festival has been called the Best New Ethnic Festival and in only its 3rd year, drew over 42,000 visitors in 2012. The 2013 Cleveland Asian festival will be held May 18th & 19th, 2013 on Payne Ave between East 30th and East 27th Street in Cleveland. Admission is free.
The Cleveland Asian Festival features modern and traditional performers on two main stages as well as a food area with dozens of restaurants featuring various Asian foods. The entire family will find something to enjoy including a new Educational Children’s Activity Area, Sushi and Egg Roll Eating Competitions, inflatable sumo wrestling, Free AsiaTown Trolley Tours and more. The Health Pavilion will once again offer free screenings on both days of the festival.
Cleveland Asian Festival is sponsored by: Consolidated Graphics Group, Inc., Horseshoe Casino, Lakefront Lines, Cleveland Public Power, Third Federal, ImageLab Media, Asia Plaza, Cleveland City Council, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Institute of Art, City of Cleveland, Ohio Housing Finance Agency, AARP, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, US Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Keybank, State Farm Insurance, Ace Taxi, Anago, Ariel International Center, Asian Services in Action, Basement Beauties, Chinese Professional and Entrepreneur Association, Cleveland Chinese Women Association, Cleveland Contemporary Chinese Cultural Association, Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland Photographic Society, ClevelandPeople.com, Cleveland State University’s Confucius Institute, County of Summit Developmental Disabilities Board, Creative House Studios, Cuyahoga County Public Library, DJ Alex Alarcon, Dumpling Magazine, East 30th Cafe, Erie Chinese Journal, Federation of India Community Associations of Northeast Ohio, First Federal of Lakewood, FreshWater Cleveland, Friendship Foundation of Vietnamese American, Yacht-Land Limo Service, George Kwan and Kwan Lion Dance, Global Cleveland, Home Depot, Humana, India International Newspaper, International Services Center, Japanese Americans Citizens League Cleveland Chapter, Koko Bakery, Korean American Association of Greater Cleveland, Li Wah Chinese Restaurant, Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network, Margaret Wong and Associates, Media Design Imaging, MetroHealth, MotivAsians for Cleveland, Miega Korean Barbeque, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, OCA Cleveland Chapter, Ohio Valley Supply & Maintenance Co., Philippine American Society of Ohio, Proforma Joe Thomas Group, Rumpke Waste & Recycling Services, Sampson/Carnegie Serious Brand Strategies, St. Clair Superior Development Corp., Stream of Music, The Collection Auto Group, TV20 Cleveland, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP., Tyler Village, University Hospitals, Vietnamese Community of Greater Cleveland, Warwick Communications, WCPN 90.3FM, WKYC TV 3, Yelp! Cleveland
The City Council recently approved a redisribution of wards and starting 2014, AsiaTown Neighborhood will become part of Councilman TJ Dow ward (7). We have worked very hard with our current Councilman Jeffrery Johnson and we wish things has not been changed, however, new councilman maans new challanges, we are looking forward working with Councilman Dow deligently for our community while wishing Councilman Johnson our best onward.
Plain Dealier interevewered OCA President Johnny Wu on the importance of being visible and not passive anymore, here’s the complete article. Published 3/31/2013 featured in Pulitzer Prize nominated columnist Phillip Morris’ column in Plain Dealer
Mention Johnny Wu and get the tickets at $8/each instead of $15.
Stocker Arts Center will host a group from Bali, the village of Pengosekan to be more specific, on April 6 at 7:30 p.m. Çudamani will perform a vibrant, technical, and free-spirited program of music and dance that will transport you to Indonesia! Çudamani is the last group to perform at Stocker as part of the Arts Midwest World Fest. We have been fortunate to be the host site for the past two years for groups from all over the world.
The regular ticket price is $15, but we would like to offer you and your community a special price of $8 per ticket. Just tell folks to mention your name, Johnny Wu , and we will give them the $8 ticket price. This price is available through the box office only. The phone is 440-366-4040. The box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 6:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to performances.
Stocker Arts Center is on the campus of Lorain County Community College, 1005 N. Abbe Road, Elyria. Attached is a postcard that gives a little more information about the group and the performance.
OCA_Cleveland_2012For Immediate ReleaseMarch 19, 2013 CONTACT: Johnny K. Wu, President, OCA Cleveland, www.ocagc.org
OCA Cleveland Calls on Advocates to Stand in Solidarity with Oberlin College Following Racial Vandalism, Harassment, Physical Attacks and Hate Speech
Cleveland, Ohio) OCA Cleveland, one of the 84 chapters and affiliates of OCA national organization dedicated to advancing the political, social and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), calls on advocates to stand in solidarity with Oberlin College following race and hate related incidents on campus.
There have been reports of a small group of perpetrators defacing, harassing and physically attacking students with racial, anti-Semitic and homophobic epithets in recent months, particularly during the Black History Month, including a report of an early-morning sighting of someone wearing a Ku Klux Klan-like garb on campus prompting cancelation of classes. These series of incidents have received national news media attention and prompted the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate these incidents. Students and staff at Oberlin College have organized numerous events of unity throughout the college drawing more than one-third of the school’s 2900 students. These incidents also prompted the college to further review on campus safety and policies according to the Oberlin Review.
“We are saddened that such racially motivated incidents are happening at Oberlin College, a college which was one of the first to admit black students, which brings diversity” said OCA Cleveland President Johnny Wu, “we applaud the quick action taken by the college administration and are encouraged by the many students and staff putting together events which help continue to educate about diversity and unite the community.”
Let us work as a community of advocates to dispel hate and cultivate a culture of tolerance for all.
OCA Cleveland Chapter is the proud community partner for 37th Cleveland International Film Festival’s film Fallen City.
Fallen City is a documentary directed by Zhao Qi, it talks about the devastating earthquake that hit China in 2008.
In May 2008 a devastating earthquake hit China, killing over 20,000 people. This powerful documentary spans the three years between the total destruction of the city of Beichuan and the building of a new one. It focuses on three families, all of whom lost relatives. As we follow their struggles to move onwards, the film artfully juggles many elements. We see beautifully elegiac footage of the devastated city, to which survivors are sometimes permitted to return to honor the dead. There is disturbing footage of the quake itself. We see the survivors as they share their thoughts and pain and ponder what sort of future they may have. Finally, we see the government’s response: the building of the new Beichuan, the organization of this new city, and the slow and controlled effort to resettle a huge displaced population. By using this intimate approach to a tragedy of such monumental scope, FALLEN CITY never allows the human element to be overlooked. It is not just a document of loss, but one of courage and hope. (In Mandarin and Sichuan with subtitles) – C.R.
Screening of film is on Monday, April 8 at 2:25pm and Tuesday April 09 at 8:45pm.
Starting in February, to kick off with the Lunar New Year, the Asian community in Northeast Ohio will have a voice on radio! To listen online visit OCA Image TV. OR
Every Sunday, WJCU’s 88.7FM will air from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. the AsiaTown Voice — An hour long program to share about the AsianTown community and it’s culture.
The show is hosted by Yin Tang and Johnny Wu, and it will have many guest hosts through each programming:
Feb 3 – FICA President Asim Datta to talk about Indian Community
Feb 10 – MotivAsian’s co-presidents Jennifer Luu and Rachel Ng will gives us insight on their organization
Feb 17 – Live broadcast directly from WJCU!
Feb 24 – St. Clair Superior Development Corp’s Executive Director Michael Fleming will talk about the future of AsiaTown.
March 3 – FICA president Asim Datta and renown dancer/choreographer Chung-Fu Chang.
March 10 – Guests including Chinese Women Association of Cleveland
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Parade – Off
March 24 – OFF
March 31 – Guests including DJ/Performer Alex Alarcon
April 7 -Composer Aryavarta Kumar and Sapna Reddy-Kumar talks about music, weddings and traditions!
Aprl 14 – Asian Services in Action’s Executive Director Michael Byun
Aprl 21 – Jason Nguyen, WKYC TV3 Reporter
April 28 – TBA – Asian American Bar Association of Ohio with Deborah Yue and Barbara Lum
May 5 – Lisa Wong, to talk about her involvement in the Asian American community and Cleveland Asian Festival
Stay tuned and listen in! AsianTown Voice is a not for profit one hour programming. To listen online visit OCA Image TV.
AsiaTown Voice is on WJCU 88.7FM every Sunday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Many Voices – Many Choices
Want to get involved? All you have to do is to use your smartphone (with an app to record voice) and record the following:
I’m (your name) and I listen to AsiaTown Voice on WJCU!
Then email it to us via this link. You will help us to promote our radio hour, and you may hear your voice on WJCU’s 88.7FM!
This page will contain different dates and locations of where you can join for the Year of the Snakes Lunar New Year Celebration, we will be updating this list until Feb 9, 2013.
The College Club of Cleveland is having a traditional Chinese New Year celebration. Enjoy a scrumptious buffet of Braised Beef, Mixed Seafood, Sweet & Sour Chicken, along with Cabbage, Egg Rolls, Noodles, Dessert, and Tea.
Saturday, February 2, 2013 6:15-9 pm
$35 per person
6:15 – Wine and passed appetizers
7:00 – Buffet dinner
8:00 – Kung Fu/Tai Chi demo by John Lee & his “Triple Balance Students”
Paid reservations must be received by Wednesday, January 30th. Call 216-231-1683
Catered by The Catering Company and Pearl of the Orient
Wine courtesy of member Rose Wong
The College Club of Cleveland
2348 Overlook Rd
Cleveland, OH 44106-2398
Asia Plaza’s Lunar New Year Celebration
2999 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114
February 9, 2013 10 a.m. till 5 p.m.
Cultural and Informational Tables
Performances include Kwan Family Lion Dance, Chinese Music Instruments, Martial Arts Demonstrations, Cultural dances, Chinese Bingo, and many others.
Scheduled program:
10:30am Kwan Family Lion Dance
11:00am Shaolin Kungfu Institute
11:30am JACL Shojoji Dancers
12:00pm T’shaka Brown Kung Fu School
12:30pm CPEA
1:15pm CSU Chinese Group
1:30pm Chinese Music Group
2:00pm CCCCA
2:30pm Team Kixxx Karate Team
3:00pm Rising Star Acrobatics
3:30pm Chinese Bingo
4:00pm Alison Jin
4:30pm Mame Daiko Taiko
Celebrate Lunar New Year at Asian Town Center
3820 Superior Avenue (main entrance on E. 38th Street)
February 9 & 10, 2013, 11 a.m. till 5 p.m.
A FREE event featuring cultural performances, martial art demonstrations, exhibitors, and food!
Saturday Performances
11:00 a.m. Young Lion Dance & Welcome
12:00 p.m. Yume Daiko Japanese Drumming
12:30 p.m. Paj Tawg Tshiab (Blooming Flower) Hmong Dance
1:00 p.m. Rising Star Acrobatics 明日之星
1:30 p.m. Cleveland Aikikai
2:00 p.m. Shaolin Kung Fu Institute
2:30 p.m. Sho-jo-ji Japanese Dancers
3:00 p.m. Talent Show Contest
3:30 p.m. Eating Contest
4:00 p.m. Team KIXXX (Karate Institute of Mentor)
4:30 p.m. CCCCA Solon Chinese School
Sunday Performances
11:00 a.m. Chinese Music Group
11:30 a.m. Mame Daiko Japanese Drumming
12:00 p.m. Kwan Family Lion Dance
12:45 p.m. Talent Show Finalists
1:00 p.m. Duet by Jialin Wang & Kayoko Miyazawa
1:15 p.m. Cleveland Aikikai
2:00 p.m. Westlake Chinese School
2:30 p.m. CEPA Great Wall Enrichment Center
3:15 p.m. Karen Dance Group
3:45 p.m. Okinawan Karate of Cleveland
4:15 p.m. Raj Bollywood Dance
4:30 p.m. Thank you & Closing
Food Options: Umami Moto (food truck), Flavors of India, Miega Korean BBQ, Siam Cafe, and Pho 99.
The Year of the Snake Lunar New Year Celebration is also sponsored by Margaret Wong & Associates, Asia Foods, Siam Cafe, Collection Auto Group, John Carroll University, Hudec Dental, Negative Space Gallery, Erie Chinese Journal, and Asian Town Center.
Free Parking: Lots A (E. 38 & Superior), B, & C (E. 38) and overflow parking at Tyler Village (E. 36 just north of Superior).
Westlake Chinese School Chinese New Year Celebration
Performance Art Center and Cafeteria Westlake High School
27830 Hilliard Blvd Westlake, OH 44145
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Dinner/Performance Ticket: $10 adult, $5 child under 10
The program begins at 5:00 pm with a delicious Chinese buffet dinner, followed by dancing, kungfu and Chinese art and cultural programs by the children. The evening generally ends at about 9:00 pm with traditional Chinese lion dance.
7 p.m. Performance Only Ticket – FREE
Parking by Doors #8 & #9
Lunar New Year Dinner with MotivAsians
Please join MotivAsians for Cleveland on Sunday, February 10th, 2013, as we celebrate Lunar New Year 2013, the year of the Snake. MotivAsians will be having its annual dinner at Li Wah this year, complete with a ten course meal and lion dance. Just for our members,the dinner will be provided at a discounted rate.
Time: 5-8pm. Arrive at 5pm- food will be served at 5:30pm, followed by a lion dance.Please be on time!
Where: Li Wah ( 2999 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114)
Cost: $30 per person (includes tax and gratuity)
RSVP through this link: http://bit.ly/MotivAsianslunar2013 (Paypal option for payment is highly encouraged). RSVP today- seats are limited!
Chinese New Year Celebration Vegan Buffet Feast
Wednesday, February 13, 2013, 7:15 PM
Peking House Restaurant
2 W. Main St Norwalk OH
Norwalk, OH 44857
The buffet is $9.95 for adults and I think $6.95 for kids and includes a full course meal, soup, entrees, dessert and tea. The house in the past has thrown in the first magnum of plum wine as well. Everything will be prepared without sugar or MSG. Some of the dishes will be traditional Chinese New Year Celebration vegetarian things not found in most Chinese restaurants in this country.
Please RSVP if you can. It helps our hosts plan properly, but it’s not mandatory; it’s a restaurant and they always prepare plenty. The feast will be vegan and include brown rice. There will be many noodle dishes, lots of tofu prepared in interesting ways and some strange & wonderful vegetable dishes you may not have had before. the arrival time is any time before 7:00, but that’s for hanging, socializing, and maybe having a drink if you like. The food will likely be planned for 7:15 and will be up and available through 9 or later,so don’t worry if you can’t get there right at 7:00 it’s a buffett! Email or call with questions or for directions ( 419-668-1010 ). Gung hay fat choy and stuff. Peace.
Emperor’s Palace is located on Rockwell Ave. near the Plain Dealer. Rockwell Ave. is between St. Clair and Superior Ave. at E. 21st St. ~~There is a large parking lot across the street.
Celebrate the year of the Snake
The snake signifies wisdom, transformation, and renewal
The Emperor’sPalace is truly a palace; elegant with ornate gold walls and intricate carved doors from China. This restaurant serves many vegan entrees, and the owner is a 30 year vegan so we can be sure the food is prepared properly. Many of the items are organic, including the rice, which is a mixture of brown, red, and black rice. No MSG, tofu is also organic, non-GMO. You will find many (over 26) vegan selections here, including dim sum,..
For details, go to: http://www.meetup.com/vegans-367/events/103639122/
Asian & Friends Cleveland’s 18th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday, Feb 16, 6pm at the Emperor’s Palace.
Ring in the new Lunar New Year – Year of the Snake, in Cleveland’s historic Old Chinatown, at the Emperor’s Palace Restaurant (2136 Rockwell Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114).
A delicious multi-course Chinese banquet will be served followed by an entertaining cultural show.
A cash bar serving beer & wine only will also be available.
Tickets are $35 for paid 2013 AFC members, $40 for non-members.
After January 31, 2013, all tickets are $45 based on availability.
Purchase your tickets soon, as there is a limit of only 120 tickets! Contact Cindy for more information.
is hosting their fifth annual Lunar New Year Gala on 2/24/2013.
Enjoy great Chinese culture performance by local artists and children
Taste delicious Chinese cuisine catered by Siam Cafe
Participate in traditional Chinese holiday games
Meet old friends and make new friends
Find yourself a Chinese name
Try Chinese painting and calligraphy
Learn to make Chinese handcraft
For the last two years, we have over 600 people attending the event.
Location:
CSU Main Classroom Building (MC) Auditorium and Student Center (SC)
2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115
Driving: Take Euclid Ave, Turn North on East 22nd Street, Turn right into Parking Lot G.
Take Elevator to first floor of MC building.
Date & Time: February 24th, 2013 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Activities:
4pm – 5:30pm: Performance, Main Classroom Auditorium
5:30pm – 7pm: Dinner and Lion Dance, Student Center
7pm – 10pm: Professional DJ and Dance, Student Center Third Floor Ballroom
Music and Games, Student Center First Floor Atrium
CSU Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs
CSU Chinese Students and Scholars Association
CSU Center for International Services and Programs
CWRU Chinese Students and Scholars Association
Asian Town Center
Chinese Professional and Entrepreneur Association. www.cpeaus.org, 330-256-3357, PO. Box 391025, Solon, OH 44139
OCA Cleveland Chapters members Margaret Wong, Lisa Wong and Johnny Wu all were awarded honorees on December 1st, 2012 in Columbus for the 2012 Ohio Asian Leaders Award Gala.
Ms. Margaret Wong was recipient of the Ohio Asian Leaders Legends award, while Ms. Lisa Wong and Mr. Johnny Wu, both board members of OCA Cleveland Chapter, received the 2012 Ohio Asian Leaders Honoree Awards for their ongoing civic support for Cleveland Asian Community.
UPDATE (11/03/12) According to NYTimes, the take out box was made by inventor Frederick Weeks Wilcox in Chicago on Nov. 13, 1894.
UPDATE (11/05/12) WKYC covered the story with with responses from Renacci’s people
UPDATE (11/05/12) several websites and blogs already covering this news and petition (sign it not!) has been made. (a google with
UPDATE (11/06/12) Several communities members have now received a new mailer from Renacci’s campaign with new images: a grocery shopping cart. Although he yet to place an apology.
OCA Open Letter
November 1, 2012
Ohio Republican Party
211 South Fifth Street
Columbus, OH 43215
To Whom It May Concern:
OCA, a national organization dedicated to advancing the political, social, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), is deeply concerned and disappointed in the recent distribution of a xenophobic flyer mailed by the Ohio Republican Party to voters prior to the upcoming election. We ask for a pledge to end the use of xenophobic rhetoric as well as an immediate apology for the offensive materials distributed.
The recent circulation of the “Betty Sutton is taking our jobs to go” flyer is inappropriate and demonizes Asians, specifically those of Chinese descent. While it has been common practice to attack China in this electoral cycle, capitalizing on xenophobic rhetoric for political gain has long term implications that negatively affect the APA community.
The cultivation of hostility toward Asians has had a ripple effect in the past as exhibited by the death of Vincent Chin. Chin, a Detroit-born Chinese American, was beat to death by two laid-off auto workers who held strong animosity towards a booming Japanese auto industry. His death resulted as a product of fear mongering for political gain at the expense of racial understanding.
Elections should be issue-focused without resorting to unfair and inaccurate comparisons. Demonizing a specific class of people using fear tactics based on broad political and economic generalizations or predictions should not be tolerated by the community at-large. We call upon political parties to promote an environment that welcomes the inclusion of diverse perspectives and urge political candidates from using racially charged language and imagery related to all forms of discrimination and bias.
It is our hope that in the future the Ohio Republican Party will engage in a productive dialogue rather than the production of xenophobic rhetoric that targets a specific group of individuals.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Johnny Wu
OCA-Cleveland President
Register to Vote
Asian Services In Action needs your help to spread voter information guides in several languages for our communities in Ohio.
Please share this information with your colleagues and members, post it to your website, and distribute it to anyone you know who needs it. The page link is http://www.tinyurl.com/asiagotv
Asian Services In Action needs your help. We are a non-profit, non-partisan, cultural and social organization dedicated to the welfare of Asian & Pacific Islander Americans in Ohio. We are reaching out in hope that you will help us spread the word about the availability of voter information guides in several languages for our communities in Ohio. I don’t need to remind you what an honor and privilege it is to vote. However, it may be difficult for limited English speaking citizens to simply go out and vote.
We know you don’t have time to waste, so we have placed voter guides in seven Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese, Karen, Korean, Mon, Punjabi and Vietnamese) and other voter information all in one place that explain everything one needs to know in order to vote.
Please share this information with your colleagues and members, post it to your website, and freely distribute it to anyone you know who needs it. The page link is www.tinyurl.com/asiagotv
On behalf of Asian Services in Action, we thank you.
Get Out To Vote! Banner
Please use the banner (below) on your website to link viewers to http://www.tinyurl.com/asiagotv. Right click and choose Save image as…
Participants: President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney
Moderator: Jim Lehrer (Host of NewsHour on PBS)
The debate will focus on domestic policy and be divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes each on topics to be selected by the moderator and announced several weeks before the debate.
The moderator will open each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a discussion of the topic.
Presented by the OCA Cleveland Chapter in partnership with ASIA Inc., and APIA Vote
OCA Cleveland Chapter recently was awarded the 2012 Chapter Excellence Award Local Community Involvement First Place during the 2012 OCA National Convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
OCA Cleveland Chapter has been a co-founder organization for the Cleveland Asian Festival and within three years, it has helped establishing Cleveland AsiaTown as the next vibrant community to watch for.
The Cleveland Asian Festival is an annual celebration of Asian American Heritage month in May the weekend before Memorial Weekend in Cleveland’s Asiatown neighborhood.
Cleveland Asian Festival’s Mission is to:
• Strengthening the identity of AsiaTown
• Educating and promoting Asian culture and traditions
• Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
From 10,000 people on a day event in 2010 to the current 3rd year’s 2 events of 42,240 attendance, the Cleveland Asian Festival has won numerous community awards and is the fastest growing outdoor festival in Northeast Ohio.
2013 Cleveland Asian Festival is planned for May 18-19, 2013 from 11am to 7pm both days, for sponsorships, performing or vendor booth information forms will be available at the end of this year. Check out videos and pictures from previous years at www.ClevelandAsianFestival.org
(July 27, 2012, Cleveland, OH) OCA Greater Cleveland Chapter was awarded a $25000 grant from the Cleveland Foundation’s City of Cleveland’s Cable Television Minority Arts and Education Fund (MAEF) to help finance one season of its multi-media, educational and cross-cultural initiative – OCA IMAGE TV OHIO. OCA IMAGE TV OHIO is a 30 minutes television programming that aims at brining awareness, advancing diversity, and educating Greater Cleveland residents about the vitality of Asian Pacific American cultures and businesses in the Greater Cleveland and the surrounding regions.
OCA IMAGE TV, a multiple award-winning program, focuses on the local Asian Pacific prospective in economic, social, arts and cultural development throughout Cleveland’s historic neighborhoods. The program aims to communicate a better understanding of the 60,000+ Northeast Ohio residents of Asian/Pacific culture and ethnicity. Each episode includes segments offering a variety of diverse topics related to business, education, culture, traditions, leadership, food, health and beauty, fashion, sports, arts and entertainment, news, and current issues as well as spotlighting local events spotlighting the AsainTown area within the St. Clair Superior Neighborhood.
The Cleveland Foundation’s MAEF grant will help support OCA IMAGE TV OHIO’s and OCA’s objectives which include bridging the gap between Eastern and Western culture through cultural awareness and education; engaging participation across differences within the Asian and local community; informing about local diverse leaders and events; advancing community building; and foster cultural heritage through a multi-media programming.
The Cleveland Foundation’s MAEF grant will help seed the initial production of IMAGE TV OHIO in the hopes to become a self-sustained program. The grant provides OCA funding to reach new geographic locations by utilizing the “new media” technology to maximize exposure. OCA IMAGE TV episodes are currently available on Time Warner Cable Channel 20, downloadable free from iTunes, or online at OCAGC Website. Additional sponsorships are needed to further our outreach objective.
The City of Cleveland’s Cable Television Minority Arts and Education Fund (MAEF) is a donor of the Cleveland Foundation. MAEF was established in 1994 to provide planning, preparation, production, and/or presentation of cultural, educational, and scientific programs and projects, which promote and benefit Cleveland’s minority populations. The MAEF is an endowed fund with assets of approximately $3.6 million providing grantmaking in the local community from investment income. The Board of Directors is comprised of two appointees by the Mayor of the City of Cleveland, two appointees by the Chair of City Council, and five appointees by the Cleveland Foundation.
OCA Cleveland Chapter was founded in 1983 with the mission of promoting cultural heritage, active participation in civic and community affairs, securing justice and equal treatment and equal opportunity for all Americans of Asian/Pacific Islander descent. The organization is a non-profit, non-partisan civil rights, cultural and educational organization and is part of a National Organization (founded in 1973) with over 84 chapters and affiliates across the United States. Our goal is to embrace the hopes and aspirations of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. For more information about OCA Cleveland Chapter and the OCA Image TV please visit http://www.ocagc.org
In 1982, Vincent Chin was the victim of a hate crime murder in Detroit. Thirty years later, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue to face discrimination and bullying. In light of recent tragedies like the extreme hazing and subsequent death of Pvt. Danny Chen and the continuing effects of 9/11, what can Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders do to stand up against racism and discrimination?
Viewing parties have been organized in more than 30 cities and individuals can tweet in questions at #VC30.
Cleveland Location: Media Design Imaging, 1419 East 40th Street, Cleveland, OH 44103
Albany • Atlanta • Austin • Binghamton, NY • Boston • Charlotte • Chicago • Cleveland • Columbus • Corvallis, OR • Denver • Detroit • Fremont, CA • Gainesville • Grand Rapids, MI • Hartford • Honolulu • Houston • Irvine, CA • Ithaca, NY • Los Angeles • Lowell, MA • Morgantown, WV • New Orleans • New York • Philadelphia • Portland, OR • Raleigh • Sacramento • Saint Paul • Salt Lake City • San Francisco • San Jose • Seattle • St. Louis • Washington • Wichita and more.
National Town Hall Presented by Asian Pacific Americans for Progress
Cleveland Viewing Party hosted by the OCA Cleveland Chapter
Cleveland Community Partners: MotivAsians for Cleveland, Chinese Professional and Entrepreneur Association, Cleveland Contemporary Chinese Culture Association, Federation of Indian Community Associations, Asian Services in Action, Inc., Asian American Bar Association of Ohio and Philippine American Society of Ohio.
National co-sponsors (in formation): Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA), Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Southeast Asian Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
42,240 people attended the 2012 Cleveland Asian Festival!
THE fastest growing festival in Northeast Ohio!
Survey Result:
70% were very satisfied with
the overall experience
90% vendors of all kind had
generated high sales
volume
72% would visit AsiaTown in
the near future outside
of CAF
76% would be returning for
next year’s CAF
May 18-19, 2013
83% believed the festival
would benefit
Greater Cleveland
18% first time visiting
AsiaTown
85% stayed more than
2 hours at the festival
75% spent over $20 at CAF
28% were 22-35 years old
29% were 36-45 years old
15% were 46-55 years old
14% were 56+ years old
The 3rd annual Cleveland Asian Festival ended with a bang with more than 42,240 people attending on Saturday and Sunday of May 19-20, 2012. They enjoyed the festival and its beautiful weekend weather along with several other events downtown.
Attendees enjoyed over 40 performances from local, regional, and national performing groups including this year’s headliner, MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew: Instant Noodles. Marine Brigadier General Daniel Yoo graced the stage and provided an opening remark. Many enjoyed Asian cuisine from over 20 different restaurants throughout the day. The success of the festival caused several food vendors to sell out and close early. The World Market was filled with merchants of Asian themed products while sponsors had informational displays at their tent.
The Health Pavilion was busy with people waiting for free screenings, information, and advice on their health. The children activities area was filled with laughter in the “bounce house” and inflatable sumo wrestling area. They played Dance Dance Revolution and grooved on the X-Box Kinect while enjoying many other games.
The Lolly the Trolley tour was a hit once again. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the history and different businesses of the AsiaTown neighborhood. Those who were brave and hungry enough to enter into sushi wasabi roll and egg roll eating competitions walked away with some great prizes. It was a delightful event.
We were excited to have some great TV personalities who helped emcee along with our CAF members. They engaged the audience and made them a part of the performances as they participated and cheered.
The Cleveland Asian Festival has continued to become the fastest growing festival in Northeast Ohio. Many groups came from surrounding cities such as Columbus, Pittsburgh, or Akron, while a few came as far as New York, Florida, and even Italy. Surveys were conducted at the festival with results proving that not only it helps shape AsiaTown, but it brought an economic boost to the area, as well.
We thank you for your patronage and supporting the festival. A special shout out to the 190+ volunteers that worked nonstop to make it possible, the committee chairs and their members who made sure all logistics were covered, the safety personnel that helped it a very safe environment, and the sponsors who believe in our efforts and mission statement… You are the ones who made this successful. On behalf of Cleveland Asian Festival’s Executive Committee Chairs, we thank you!
Now what?
You’ve witnessed the success of 2012 Cleveland Asian Festival. You’ve experienced the excitement and the impact the festival has brought to City of Cleveland. This festival brought an economic growth (an estimated of more than $2 million was spent at the festival during the two day event). Several food vendors ran out of product due to the high sale volume along with several merchant vendors! And finaly, 12,000 CAF Program Booklet were distributed at the start of the week and throughout the festival.
With a surplus of vendors and performers on this year’s waiting list, we felt it is very important that you should act now to be involved in 2013!
Dates for 2013 have been planned for Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, 2013. Vendors, performers, program booklet advertisement, and banner placement forms will be readily online starting January 2013. Sponsorship and media sponsor packages will be available shortly in a few months.
Don’t miss out in 2013! Be part of Cleveland’s diversity and celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month at Cleveland Asian Festival!
Peforming first in Cleveland: Instant Noodles Dance Crew
MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew
Performing live on stage at the 2012 Cleveland Asian Festival on May 19 and 20, 2012. Performance times is now online at the website. Originating from Taipei, Taiwan Instant Noodles was founded in Rowland Heights, California. The group gained great recognition on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew in Season 6 and finished in the top five. Instant Noodles also guest starred on Disney’s “Shake it up” and several top Taiwanese variety shows. Instant Noodles has also appeared as featured dancers in music videos for Jennifer Chung and DANakaDAN from Afterschoolspecial. Competitively, Instant Noodles has entered several international competitions and finished in the top spots against the best dance crew from all over the world.
The B-boys of Instant Noodles aim to build a distinctive, entertaining dance style, fueled by character, musicality, creativity, and the companionship of each other. They pay tribute to their roots, aspire to innovate, and always remember to not take life too seriously.
Special Guest Brigadier General Daniel D. Yoo to help kick off the festival on Saturday!
Brigadier General Yoo currently serves as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University in 1984.
In March 1985, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant following completion of Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation from The Basic School and the Infantry Officers Course, General Yoo reported to the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California, in April 1986. He was assigned duty with 2d Battalion, 9th Marines and served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Heavy Machine Gun Platoon Commander, Weapons Company Executive Officer, and a Rifle Company Commander.
Brigadier General Yoo has served at all levels of the Marine Corps and has been stationed all across America and overseas in Okinawa, Japan. In July 2009, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Commander, Regional Corps Advisory Command Central (RCAC-C) 3-7, 201st Corps, Afghan National Army. After redeploying from Afghanistan in April 2010, he relinquished command of 4th Marines and Camp Schwab. General Yoo then served as the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Military Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City.
His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Gold Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is a Marine Combatant Diver, a Military Freefall Parachutist, and a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School.
TV Personalities Emceeing at the Festival!
In addition to our Master MC Mr. Wayne Wong, we also have a variety of MCs helping out at the festival, come and see them on stage!
Returning as the Festival Master of Ceremonies is Wayne Wong. Wayne was raised in Cleveland and is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University. He is helping to develop future high efficiency space power systems as a technology project manager at the NASA Glenn Research Center and was awarded the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for his work. Wayne is also an artist and in the past, pursued his artistic passion as a comic book illustrator. He currently enthusiastically volunteers his time and energy to further the goals of the Cleveland Asian Festival. Joining Wayne to host the Festival at the two stages are a number of talented local media personalities.
Jason Nguyen comes back home to Cleveland from Fort Myers, Florida. He works at WKYC-TV as a Multi-Media Content Producer. Everyday Jason goes out and reports on the daily news you watch on Channel 3. Jason grew up in Cleveland and went to the University of Toledo, where he graduated with a degree in Communications with a focus in Broadcast Journalism. He’s excited to be back in the area and experience everything Cleveland has to offer. You can follow Jason and everything he does on Facebook, Jason Nguyen WKYC, or Twitter @FollowWIN
Melissa Reid joined the FOX 8 News team 2011 as a reporter in April, 2011. Before coming to FOX 8, Melissa worked at WTRF in Wheeling, WV and KDKA in Pittsburgh, PA as a reporter and producer, respectively. Melissa was born and raised south of Pittsburgh. She attended Bentworth High School and went on to study at Bethany College where she majored in broadcast journalism. She says her love for news came at an early age and lives to cover breaking news, as well as tell the unique and quirky stories. Melissa says that in her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Billy, and their dog, Miss Sophie Charlotte. She is also active in sports, including volleyball, golf, tennis, and softball. She also admits to having a mean shopping habit. Melissa is on Facebook and Twitter! Click on the links below to drop her a line and say hello!
Returning to the Cleveland Asian Festival is WKYC Channel 3 Weekend Evening Anchor Lynna Lai. Lynna was a guest MC during the inaugural Cleveland Asian Festival in 2010. Lynna Lai, brings 18 years of broadcasting experience to WKYC Channel 3. She began her career at WMDB Channel 31, the CBS affiliate station in Peoria, Ill. She soon jumped to KGW Channel 8, the NBC affiliate in Portland, Ore. Her first Cleveland stint was at WJW Channel 8, where, in 1994, she became the first Asian-American reporter at a Northeast Ohio television station. She left Channel 8 to work as an anchor and reporter at WTSP Channel 10, the Gannett-owned CBS affilliate in Tampa, Fla., and WSB Channel 2, the ABC affiliate in Atlanta, Ga. She also has been a freelance correspondent for ABC News and the BBC. She joined Channel 19 as an anchor and reporter in 2001. The hiring of Lai was announced just a week after weekend news anchor Eric Mansfield confirmed that he is leaving Channel 3 after Memorial Day to become the executive director of university media relations at Kent State University. Mansfield has been with the station for 18 years. “Lynna brings a wealth of experience to the table and will be a great asset to our news team,” Channel 3 news director Rita Andolsen was quoted saying in the Channel 3 statement. “She has strong anchoring and reporting skills and is passionate about telling the stories of our community.” Lai has received Associated Press awards for news writing and feature reporting, and, in 2004, won an Emmy for spot news reporting. Born in Chicago, Lai grew up in Louisiana. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University, where she was the recipient of the LSU Honor Scholarship and a National Merit Scholarship Award. But Lai says she has considered Cleveland her home since her parents moved here when she when she was a college freshman.
Stephanie Coueignoux became part of the Channel 3 news team in October 2011. Before joining WKYC, Stephanie was a reporter for Central Florida News 13, the 24 hour-cable station in Orlando, Florida. There, she covered major stories like the Casey Anthony trial, the retirement of the shuttle program, and of course every tropical storm! Stephanie has also worked as an anchor in both Wisconsin and Nebraska. Stephanie started her broadcast journalism career back in college as an intern for WHDH in Boston. A curious person by nature, she knew a career that allowed her to ask questions for a living, was the one for her. Stephanie says her favorite part of her job is being able to make a difference with each story she tells. Stephanie credits her adventurous spirit to her upbringing. She was born in France, but soon after moved to Colorado, then California, and finally Massachusetts. She also spent a year living in Australia. Now, Stephanie calls Cleveland home and is embracing everything the city has to offer. Stephanie is a graduate of Wellesley College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In her spare time, Stephanie loves to cook, travel, and stay active. Stephanie wants to hear from you, whether it’s just to say ‘hi’ or to share a story idea.
Complete schedule is now online!
Visit Cleveland Asian Festival site and check out the complete schedule! Including the 80-page thick Program Booklet that is also available for download. 15000 of the booklet will be distributed throughout the two days event! You can grab a copy before the festival at Asia Plaza.
We thank our sponsors!
Without your support, our festival wouldn’t be successful! Please click here to see the list of our sponsors whom made this festival one of the fastest growing festival in Northeast Ohio!
(March 26, 2012, Cleveland, OH) Instant Noodles, a top five finalist on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, will be performing live on stage at the 2012 Cleveland Asian Festival on May 19 and 20, 2012. Performance times will be announced at festival’s website as it draws closer. Festival organizers are excited about this addition to its weekend lineup – Instant Noodles brings a nationally recognized Asian dance crew to Cleveland.
The 2011 Cleveland Asian Festival drew over 31,000 attendees with comedian Dat Phan as the featured act. Attendees enjoyed live cultural performances, martial arts, games, competitions, Asian cuisine, free health screenings, merchant booths and many others. Building on the momentum of the 2011 festival, the Cleveland Asian Festival organizers wanted to raise the bar for the 2012 festival. “The inclusion of the Instant Noodles dance crew for 2012 would allow us to attract teens and young adults to the festival,” says Yin Tang, Executive Committee Co-chair for the festival and Performing Committee Chair. “They will be engaged and experience cultural diversity while celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month with regional and national talents over the weekend of free and healthy fun.”
Originating from Taipei, Taiwan Instant Noodles was founded in Rowland Heights, California. The group gained great recognition on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew in Season 6 and finished in the top five. Instant Noodles also guest starred on Disney’s “Shake it up” and several top Taiwanese variety shows. Instant Noodles has also appeared as featured dancers in music videos for Jennifer Chung and DANakaDAN from Afterschoolspecial. Competitively, Instant Noodles has entered several international competitions and finished in the top spots against the best dance crew from all over the world.
The B-boys of Instant Noodles aim to build a distinctive, entertaining dance style, fueled by character, musicality, creativity, and the companionship of each other. They pay tribute to their roots, aspire to innovate, and always remember to not take life too seriously.
The third annual Cleveland Asian Festival will be held on Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20, 2012, in Cleveland’s AsiaTown neighborhood at the Asia Plaza shopping center and surrounding streets (Payne Avenue and East 30th Street). The Cleveland Asian Festival is a collaborative effort by many organizations and communities in Greater Cleveland. It is coordinated by volunteer leaders within the Asian Pacific communities to foster, educate, and promote Asian culture and traditions, while celebrating Asian Heritage Month. Please contact Johnny Wu to schedule an appearance with Instant Noodles while in Cleveland.
Check out the video compilation from MTV’s ABDC Season 6 – Instant Noodles Dance Crew:
On April 4, 2012 through April 7, 2012 Cirque du Solei with its production Dralion will be in Cleveland at the Wolstein Center. Discount tickets are available when you mention “OCA Cleveland” when speaking with sales associate Allyson Boal at216.687.5579. The prices are:
Premium $88.50 (originally $98)
Cat 1 $59.25 (originally $78)
Cat 2 $44.25 (originally $55)
Cat 3 $29.25 (originally $38)
Dralion is Cirque du Solei’s newest production. Itis the fusion of ancient Chinese circus traditions and the avant-garde style of Cirque du Soleil. The name Dralion (pronounced “Drah-lee-on”) is drawn from its two main symbols: the dragon, representing the East, and the lion, representing the West. Dralion derives much of its inspiration from Eastern philosophy with its perpetual quest for harmony between humankind and nature. To learn more about the event including show times, visit the Wolstein Center website at: http://www.wolsteincenter.com/event-details.aspx?eventid=361.
IX Indoor Amusement Park Features Cirque Shanghai
The IX Indoor Amusement Park’s newest family event is Cirque Shanghai; a fusion of some of the most thrilling acts on Earth. Watch acrobatics, high wire acts, and motorcycle stunts. Each act is said to have been hand picked from some of the finest performers in the world. Cirque Shanghai has been reviewed well by audiences and critics. Take a look at what people were saying on Yelp! when Cirque Shanghai came to Chicago: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cirque-shanghai-chicago.
The IX Indoor Amusement Park runs from March 23, 2012 to April 15, 2012. Regular price tickets are $24. Coupons and discounts are available. Feel free to ask me. Tickets for children three and under are free! Many different events including a meet and greet with Spiderman and Captain America, tiger shows, and a La Fiesta Latina weekend. Events change sometimes so visit ixamusmentpark.com for an updated list.
Come See Our Sponsored Films at CIFF
We would like to remind everyone to check out the 36th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival which will be held March 22, 2012 through April 1, 2012. OCA Cleveland Chapter and MotivAsians will be sponsering two great Asian films at the festival. OCA Cleveland Chapter will be sponsoring Buddha Mountain (Guan Yin Shan) and MotivAsians will sponsor Sacrific (Zaoh Shi Gu Er). Mention code “OCAGC” for discounted tickets. Check out clevelandfilm.org for more info.
OCA Coffee Hour
The next OCA Cleveland Chapter’s Coffee Talk has been scheduled for Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 10:00 in the morning to noon. The topic will be about investments. The special guest speaker will be Don Permadi from Merrill Lynch Investment. Seats are limited and we will send out RSVP invites shortly.
Anyone who would like to be a sponsor, vendor, and advertiser please submit your forms soon.March 31, 2012 is the deadline for all submission forms. Forms can be found at http://clevelandasianfestival.org/2012/?page_id=22. We have different links for the various ways you can get involved. Find the link that pertains to you and follow the instructions on that page. All forms can be sent online or through mail. The address should be located on the form for anyone using the postal service.
Mythic Creatures on Exhibit at CMNH
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will display mythic creatures from cultures all around the world from March 3, 2012 until June 1, 2012 in Kahn Hall. Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids traces the natural and cultural roots of some of the world’s most enduring mythological creatures from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and beyond. This amazing exhibition includes eye-popping models, paintings, and textiles, along with other cultural objects from around the world that bring to light surprising similarities and differences in the ways people everywhere have been inspired by nature to envision and depict these strange and wonderful creatures. For more details on this exhibit and all things CMNH visit http://www.cmnh.org/site/Index.aspx.
CSU Celebrates Asian Awareness Month
All through April Cleveland State University will be celebrating Asian Awareness Month with several events and lectures. On April 5, 2012 Professor Brant T. Lee of th University of Akron will hold a lecture, “Secrets and Lies: Misperceiving the Asian Next Door,” starting at noon in the Moot Court Room of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law building. Also, on April 19, 2012 Magdalen Hsu-Li will be in the Main Classroom auditorium from 5:30 to 7:00 in the evening to tell her story of growing up in the rural south as an “out” Asian American woman. For more information on CSU’s celebration check out csuohio.edu. For more information, pleae call Robert C. Chavez, Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, 216.687.9283 or email.
Celebrate Holi!
On Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 6 in the evening the Federation of India Community Associations of Northeast Ohio will celebrate Holi at Laurel School in Shaker Heights. There will be a cultural program, dinner, and dancing. Tickets are $70 for a family, $10 for children under 10, and $20 for an individual adult ticket. Discounted tickets are available for members. Please be sure to make your reservations by March 10, 2012. For further Information and reservations, please contact:
Parul Jain • 216-526-6134/parulsjain@yahoo.com
Kathy Ghose • 440-785-5940/kghose50@yahoo.com
Mona Alag • 440-256-3247/monaalag@yahoo.com
April 20, NYC Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers – See Jeremy Lin in action Asian Heritage Night at the Quicken Loans Arena
You can get special discounted tickets for April 20th games with Dan Maret, 216.420-2058, mention you heard it from OCA
Regular Price – $24 Discount Price – $19 (ages 3 & under are FREE)Tickets are Good Any Day
Entertainment to include (all entertainment is subject to change)
NEW! Cirque Shanghai– Flawless feats of acrobatic brilliance, featuring pageantry, beauty and incredible skills -performing several 45 minute shows daily
Cirque Shanghai is a fusion of some of the most thrilling acts on Earth. Watch acrobatics, high wire acts, and motorcycle stunts. Each act is said to have been hand picked from some of the finest performers in the world. Cirque Shanghai has been reviewed well by audiences and critics. Take a look at what people are saying on Yelp! when Cirque Shanghai came to Chicago: http://www.yelp.com/biz/cirque-shanghai-chicago.
COME MEET Spider-Man (March 24) and Captain America (March 25)
Christian Family Weekend – March 24-25 La Fiesta Latina Weekend – April 14-15
For detailed show information, additional entertainment features, plus hours of operation visit www.ixamusementpark.com
Spanning over more than 20 acres, the I-X Indoor Amusement Park is jam-packed with over 150 rides, games, and attractions for guests of all ages….and it is all INSIDE! Pay one price and ride all day! Come join the fun!
For questions please contact: Cyndee Young – Group Sales Manager
I-X Center One I-X Center Dr.
Cleveland, OH 44135
PH 330-262-9790,
VOICEMAIL: 216-265-2657
On Firday March 24th at 5pm the Chinese Women Association will celebrate International Women’s Day at Li Wah restaurant (2999 Payne Ave.).Tickets are $20 for food, entertainment, and a raffle. CWA website: http://chinesewomencleveland.org/2011/.
OCAGC is the proud Community Partner for the 36th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival’s Chinese Film: Buddha Mountain (Guan Yin Shan)
BUDDHA MOUNTAIN is a brilliantly acted film about aimless youth confronting grievous loss. Nan Feng is a tough girl who works as a club singer to send money home to the provinces, where her alcoholic dad is beating her mom. Ding Bo is a handsome motorbike delivery boy who can’t accept the new marriage of his deadbeat father. Fei Zao is a constant eater and a childish Michael Jackson fan. After these three slacker friends are evicted from their apartment, they find new digs with Madam Chang, an old-fashioned devotee of the Peking Opera who runs a tight ship. The young people bait their new landlady, taking her money and “borrowing” her car for joyrides through the countryside. But not long after they stumble across a mountaintop Buddhist temple dedicated to the goddess of compassion, they realize that Madam Chang’s rigidity actually masks a deep unhappiness. Veteran Taiwanese actress Sylvia Chang’s portrayal of the grief-stricken landlady is heartbreakingly convincing. (In Mandarin with subtitles) – B.B.
Showtimes: Friday, March 30th, 5:00pm
Saturday, March 31st, 9:00pm
*Use the code “OCAGC” for a $2 discount on ticket prices!
How to redeem a $2.00 discount for a 36th CIFF ticket purchase 36th Cleveland International Film Festival
March 22 – April 1, 2012
Tower City Cinemas
Online: Use the code “OCAGC” when purchasing tickets at www.clevelandfilm.org (available 24 hours a day). Phone: Use the code ” OCAGC” when calling the Ulmer & Berne Film Festival Box Office at 877.304.FILM (3456). In-Person: Use the code ”OCAGC” at the Ulmer & Berne Film Festival Box Office in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas.
Ticket prices (before discount): $10 Cleveland International Film Festival Members
$12 Non-members
$10 Students and Seniors (day of show only)
This discount is good for any Festival film screening. Restrictions may apply.
Tickets are available at the Ulmer & Berne Film Festival Box Office in the lobby of Tower City Cinemas (230 W. Huron Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113).
Visit www.clevelandfilm.org for Film Festival program updates and comprehensive information about the 36th Cleveland International Film Festival.
As many of you know, Jeremy Lin, the first American NBA player of Chinese/Taiwanese descent, is a great point guard with NY Knicks and will be in town on April 20th to play against the Cleveland Cavaliers. We have managed to obtain some group rates for the night!
Please click here, to obtain event information and whom to order tickets with. Please distribute this flyer to your group (as this was created to be generic).
Another benefit from this group rate is that you can watch Jeremy practice CLOSE UP before the game!
2012 is an election year, and many politicians are placing campaign ads all over the country. They’re trying to discredit their opponents and making themselves look like the resolution of all misfortune.
Some are using the concept of “Trolling the Media” (intentionally making a sensationalistic or offensive remark to attract a lot of media/news coverage). Trolling the media isn’t anything new. It has been used throughout history for marketing.
Although it is effective in getting coverage (besides the usual negative comments or responses from the public), it encourages an “act-before-you-think” attitude. This often promotes old and creates new stereotypes that can hurt the development of diversity.
The United States is a mosaic of individuals that makes a rich and culturally diverse country. Besides the Native Americans, we all are immigrants. We came here to seek a better life for ourselves and future generations. We have created a melting pot of all cultures and races. No matter where you are from, the color of your skin, what you look like, or who you love; we are the people that make America great. We are the pride of the United States.
However, when politicians or influential leaders start trolling the media, it puts a different perspective on our individualism. Maybe we aren’t as united as we thought because of our personal agenda, personal bigotry, or jealousy.
Our most recent example is the news coverage of an emerging superstar, Jeremy Lin. Lin is a basketball player born in Los Angeles. He is an underdog but an exceptional player and is now an overnight media sensation. Many have downplayed his success even though he has worked hard to reach his dream and become the first American player to be of Chinese or Taiwanese descent.
Because Jeremy Lin looks differently, controversy erupted shortly after a few great performances that put the New York Knicks in people’s radar. First, heavy weight boxer Floyd Mayweather tweeted: “Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he is Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise”. Then, Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock had to apologize for his tweet which insulted Lin’s sexual ability, using a negative stereotype about Asians. Also, Madison Square Garden showed a fan’s video of Lin’s head popping out of a fortune cookie. Fans have taken to calling him “Yellow Mamba,” allegedly a play on Kobe Bryant’s nickname of “Black Mamba”.
Probably the worst of it happened early morning on February 18. ESPN commentator and the ESPN mobile website used the phrase “Chinks in the Armor” regarding the Knick’s loss to the Hornets that Friday night. Although it was pulled immediately, it was read and distributed throughout the Internet. The website writer was fired and the commentator was suspended for 30 days. Lin stated that ESPN has apologized and he is fine with it.
Should he be? Stereotyping is hurtful. We’ve all grown up with it. No matter whom you are, we’ve all endured being mocked and stereotyped. It sets us back in social situations and affects our image.
Ultimately, the effect of stereotyping can change the way we live, work, interact, or do business with others. On an even larger scale, it can play a great role in business deals that include diversified markets and communities. Stereotypes can destroy confidence and the ability to work and function successfully.
Stereotyping is hard to avoid. Certain nuances and attributes are attached to cultures and become engrained in our minds whether we believe them or not. But, it’s not difficult to understand and learn to be sensitive to the manner. When you work with a community and you’re building a relationship you need to understand the cultural and social difference. Help reduce the stereotype by learning.
The most powerful way to diminish stereotypes is by education and it starts now. Don’t wait for an incident to happen.
Businesses should start educating its staff to be aware of the damage stereotypes can do. Businesses who wish to work with diversified communities should get involved and understand cultures and social structure of such communities before entering into a business agreement.
The more you know, the less stereotypes will become a stigma in everyone’s life. So, read, attend a seminar or class, and expand your knowledge of the people around you. We need to foster a strong world of diversity for us and our kids.
On February 18, 2012, OCA Cleveland Chapter hosted two events:
1. OCA Coffee Hour: Estate Planning and How to Get Rich Slowly, an informal discussion with Harold Hom Co., LPA. The small get-together was held at Koko Bakery from 10am to 11am. It was very informative. Mr. Ray Hing, a participant that morning, later stated:
“Hi Harold;
Thanks for your GREAT informal and candy talk on “PROTECTING YOUR LEGACY” – AN OVERVIEW OF ESTATE PLANNING FOR OHIO RESIDENCE.
You cleared up many of my concerns/questions that have been in my mind for a long time, particularly on the complexity and most importantly protecting our hard earned assets:
1. WILLS – WHEN IS IT A GOOD FOR US TO PLAN
2. PROBATE – INS AND OUTS OF VARIOUS PROBATES
3. ESTATE PLANNING
4. HEALTHCARE ISSUES
5. LIVING TRUST – THE PROS AND CONS
6. STATE AND FEDERAL TAXES
We very much appreciate you taking your time this morning and your patience for going over one of the very important topics of our lives.
Also, thanks for sharing your thoughts on “HOW TO GET RICH SLOWLY”, particularly on this down cycle……
I am in agreement that we, Chinese, Chinese American and Asian American, don’t really have such concepts in bedded in our minds and culture.”
——————–
2. The APIAVote’s New Faces of Leadership Speaker Series held a meet-and-greet event with California Congresswoman Judy Chu. The event was hosted by our gracious member Margaret Wong in her office.More than 60 people attended the one hour event.
Attendees learned the importance of getting involved, stepping up, and speaking out against racism. The audience was very engaged and participated a lot. Later, Congresswoman became the focal point of a short OCA Image TV interview.
Finally, she joined some of the community business leaders for a delicious, ten course meal prepared by East 30th Café. The dinner event was sponsored by Radhika Reddy of Ariel International. Pictures of the event is available at OCA Cleveland Chapter’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OCACleveland.
The next OCA Cleveland Chapter’s Coffee Hour has been scheduled for Saturday, June 2nd from 11am to 2pm. The topic will be about investments. The special guest speaker will be Don Permadi from Merrill Lynch Investment. Seats are limited and we will send out RSVP invites shortly.
OCA of Greater Cleveland would like to welcome our newest board member, Deborah Yue. Deborah joined the board in January of this year. She is very active in the community and is a member of MotivAsians where she is on the management team and is VP of Professional Development. She is on the executive community board for the Cleveland Asian Festival sitting in the finance chair. Deborah is also a partner at Gallagher Sharp where she concentrates her practice on insurance and general liability litigation. Deborah has a lot of experience and is very knowledgeable in the non-profit field. OCAGC plans to grow greatly this year and we are certain that she will help us reach our goals. We’re very excited to welcome her and are enthused to have her on the board.
OCA Cleveland Chapter is one of the recipient awardees of the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) approved 88 grants, totaling $1,029,164 for the 2012 Project Support cycle.
The grant will be used for 2012 Cleveland Asian Festival, the 3rd Annual Asian Festival has recently recognized as“2010 Best New Ethnic Festival” by Cleveland Scene Magazine, listed as one of “Cleveland’s Best Festivals” by The Plain Dealer 5-19-2011, and recently won the “2011 Excellence in Neighborhood Marketing Award” with Live Cleveland!
This festival features authentic food and merchandise vendors, local and national performing artists, a children’s activities area, games, competitions, and a health pavilion that focuses on free screenings and education.
Educating and promoting Asian culture and traditions
Celebrating Asian Heritage Month
OCA Cleveland Chapter is one of the main organization that helps coordinate and put together the annual festival. 2012 Cleveland Asian Festival will be on May 19-20, 2012!
The OCA – Cleveland Chapter is pleased to join Margaret W. Wong & Associates in welcoming Congresswoman Judy May Chu (D-CA) to Cleveland. Join us for an hour with the Congresswoman to discuss AAPI civic engagement. Seating is limited to 100 guests, so register today: http://tinyurl.com/75kyvh3
Saturday, February 18, 2012
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Margaret W. Wong & Associates
3150 Chester Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
*Light refreshments will be served. Donations will be accepted at the door for the non-partisan Ohio Asian Civic Engagement Fund to send seniors, youth and others to the 2012 Asian American Legislative Day at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.
Congresswoman Dr. Judy Chu was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for California’s 32nd District in July 2009. She immediately got to work representing the interests of her constituents, voting on several environmental bills and working through the night on her first day in office, during a marathon debate on important healthcare reform legislation as part of her first assignment on the House Education and Labor Committee, where she served on the Subcommittees on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education and Healthy Families and Communities.
In the 112th Congress, Rep. Chu serves on the House Judiciary Committee, where she is a member of the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security and the Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet subcommittees. She is also a member of the House Small Business Committee, where she is leading the Contracting and Workforce Subcommittee as the Ranking Democrat and serves on the Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access and Agriculture, Energy and Trade Subcommittees. In 2011, she was elected as the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).
Co-Sponsored by: APIA Vote, Asian Services in Action, Cleveland Chinese Women Association, Cleveland Contemporary Chinese Culture Association, Chinese Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association, and MotivAsians for Cleveland
OCA members Lisa Wong and Johnny Wu were on WCPN today at noon for Around Noon with Dee Perry show to celebrate 2012 Year of the Dragon. Click here to listen to the recording.
in celebrating the Year of the Dragon, here are some clips of our AsiaTown community in Cleveland. More episodes are available at the OCA Image TV link
For a list of events celebrating 2012 Year of the Dragon, visit this page.
Here are some traditions and customs that you might be interested to know (or do it with your entire family with fun):
BEFORE NEW YEAR’s EVE:
The celebration actually starts on New Year’s Eve with the reunion dinner. By New Year’s Eve, you should have done the following:
Clean the entire home to get rid of all the things that are associated with the old year.
Put away all brooms and brushes.
Pay all your debts.
Resolve differences with family members, friends, neighbors and business associates.
Buy the following:
- red money envelopes
- oranges and/or tangerines
- circular candy tray
- flowers (especially plum blossom, peach blossom, water lily)
- a new set of clothes and shoes for children, preferably something red or orange.
Get new dollar bills from the bank. Insert the new dollar bills into the red envelopes. Now the red envelope is called a lee see or lucky money envelope.
(note: Very few modern families follow all the “cleaning” traditions.)
ON NEW YEAR’s EVE:
Get together with close family members (not including married daughters and their families) for the “reunion” dinner.
Pay respect to ancestors and household gods. Acknowledge the presence of ancestors because they are responsible for the fortunes of future generations.
Open every door and window in your home at midnight to let go of the old year.
Put a fresh and big round Apple or Orange next to your children’s pillows, so they would sleep in peace and wakes up with the fresh aroma of the fruits.
ON NEW YEAR’s DAY:
Decorate your home with symbols of good fortune. Here are some suggestions:
- Colors: Bright red (happiness); gold/orange (wealth & happiness).
- Fruits: Oranges and tangerines (good health & long life); tangerines with leaves intact (long lasting relationships; fruitful and multiply as in having children); persimmons (happiness and wealth).
- Circular candy tray (candy for sweet and circular for togetherness).
- Flowers: If flowers bloom on New Year’s Day, it will be a prosperous year.
- Red banners or couplets with New Year wishes and symbols of good fortune in gold.
Here are some suggestions for food:
- Jai - a combination of food that represents good fortune. Jai comprises of ginkgo nut, black moss, dried bean curd, bamboo shoots, vermicelli and scallion.
- Fish and chicken represent prosperity. Always present the fish and chicken as a whole. Do not cut them in pieces. The head, tail and feet (for chicken) must be presented to symbolize completeness.
- Noodles represent longevity. Again, they should not be cut.
- Desserts include oranges, Chinese New Year cake (ni gao) and prosperous cakes (they look like golden nuggets).
Wear all new clothing (from socks to shirts) to welcome the new year with a clean start.
DO’s & DON’Ts on NEW YEAR’s DAY:
- Greet others with “Gung Hey Fat Choy” which means “Wishing You Prosperity and Wealth”.
- Give two lee see’s to each child. Because happiness comes in two’s, do not just give one. This is your way of passing good luck to the next generation. Business owners also givelee see’s to employees and associates.
- Wear brand new clothes – preferably in red. Children should wear new clothes and new shoes.
- Don’t wash your hair.
- Don’t sweep the floor.
- Don’t greet people who are in mourning.
- Don’t drop your chopsticks.
- Don’t say the number ‘four’ (Chinese homonym for death) or mention death.
- Don’t borrow or lend money.
As you prepare for this important holiday, think of the changes you want to make in your life … perhaps spend more time with your family, reduce your credit card debts or pursue a new interest. Gung Hey Fat Choy … and Happy New Year!
Although the video below is dated, but the celebrations is still carries yearly:
Year of the Dragon falls on January 23, 2012, it is our Lunar New Year Celebration, below are a list of events happening around town:
- Saturday, February 4, 2012 at CSU Student Center, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland.
Chinese Professional and Entrepreneur Assoc. (CPEA) Chinese New Year Celebration with Chinese Cultural performances starting at 5pm, then Lion Dance and games, dance, socials at 8pm. $5 for CPEA member, $10 for non-member, $5 for children under 10. For more information email cpea.usa@gmail.com.
Kwan Family Lion Dance Performances:
1/20/2012
Pad Tai Hudson 630pm
1/20/2012
Pad Tai Fairlawn 730pm
1/21/2012
Asia Plaza 1030am
1/21/2012
E.30Cafe 1130am
1/21/2012
Pearl Orient 1pm
1/21/2012
BoLoong 6pm
1/21/2012
Asia Bistro 730pm
1/22/2012
Boloong 12pm
1/22/2012
Hunan Fairlawn 3pm
1/22/2012
Hunan Solon 5pm
1/22/2012
LiWah 630pm
1/22/2012
E.30 Café 730pm
1/23/2012
LiWah 11am
1/23/2012
John Carroll 1230pm
1/23/2012
Hunan Medina 530pm
1/24/2012
China Gate 5pm
1/25/2012
Hunan Akron 6pm
1/27/2012
Asian Bistro 7pm
1/28/2012
LiWah 11am
1/28/2012
E.30 Café 12pm
1/28/2012
Gold Dragon 4pm
1/28/2012
Hunan Solon 530pm
1/28/2012
Boloong 6pm
1/28/2012
Asian Friends 830
1/29/2012
Imperial Dragon 2pm
1/29/2012
Hunan Falls 430pm
1/29/2012
LiWah 6pm
2/3/2012
Gold dragon 5pm
2/4/2012
Dragon Gate 12pm
2/4/2012
CSU 630pm
2/5/2012
Gold Dragon 3pm
2/5/2012
Pad Tai Hudson 8pm
2/11/2012
Dragon Gate 12pm
2/11/2012
KingWah 3:30pm
2/11/2012
Gold Dragon 530pm
2/12/2012
Imperial Dragon 2pm
2/12/2012
Imperial Dragon 630pm
2/18/2012
Rotary Club
2/19/2012
Imperial Dragon 2pm
2/19/2012
Imperial Dragon 630pm
Pearl of the Orient
19300 Detroit Rd.
Rocky River
440-333-9902
King Wah
20668 Center Ridge Rd.
Rocky River
440-331-0330
Asian Bistro
139 Crocker Park Blvd
Westlake
440-871-2888
Mark Pi’s China Gate
32730 Walker Rd.
Avon Lake
440-930-2623
Dragon Gate
6681 West 130th St.
Parma Heights
440-743-0800
BoLoong
3922 St. Clair Ave.
Cleveland
216-391-3113
LiWah
2999 Payne Ave.
Cleveland
216-696-6556
East 30th Café
2999 Payne Ave.
Cleveland
216-515-1111
Imperial Dragon
8310 Tyler Blvd.
Mentor
440-974-8838
Hunan By the Falls
508 E. Washington St.
Chagrin Falls
440-247-0808
Hunan Solon
6050 Enterprise Pkwy.
Solon
440-248-8836
Golden Dragon
5871 Mayfield rd.
Mayfield Hts.
440-449-8710
House of Hunan Fairlawn
2717 West Market St.
Fairlawn
330-864-8215
House of Hunan Medina
18 Public Square
Medina
330-7221899
House of Hunan Akron
12 East Exchange St.
Akron
330-253-1888
Pad Tai Hudson
5657 Darrow Rd.
Hudson
330-650-9998
Pad Tai Fairlawn
3545 Brookwall Drive
Fairlawn
330-668-9981
- Saturday, January 21, 2012 – Asia Plaza’s Chinese New Year Celebration, 2999 Payne Avenue, Cleveland 44113. Click here for Chinese flyer, click here for English flyer.
Starting from 10am till 5pm, with 14+ cultural booths/tables and 12 performances throughout. Scheduled performances include:
Time Scheduled
Performers
10:30am – 11
Kwan Family Lion Dance
11am – 11:30pm
JACL Shojoji Dancers
11:30am – 12pm
Daiko Icho Taiko Drummers
12pm – 12:30pm
T’shaka Brown Kung Fu School
12:30pm-1pm
Chinese Academy of Cleveland
1pm – 1:30pm
Connie Zhang Chinese Cultural Dance
1:30pm – 2pm
Chinese Music Group
2pm – 2:30pm
CCCCA Cultural Performances
2:30pm-3pm
A-PoPhasis
3:pm-3:30pm
Phillippines Kali Martial Arts
3:30pm-4pm
Alison Jin Chinese Instrument
4pm-4:30pm
CPEA Cultural Performance
4:30pm – 5pm
Westlake Cleveland Chinese School
- Saturday, January 21, 2012 – Asian Town Center’s Chinese New Year Celebration, 3820 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114
Performances and table display throughout the day
“YEAR OF THE DRAGON” CHINESE NEW YEAR SCHEDULE 2012
TIME: 时间 PERFORMANCE: 表演
11:00 AM HIP HOP LION DANCE and FIRE CRACKERS: 舞獅和爆竹
11:50 AM INTRODUCTION: 簡介
12:00 PM COLLECTION OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL DANCE AND MUSIC BY CCCCA 中國傳統舞蹈及音樂表演: 克里夫蘭當代中國文化協會
12:30 PM ASIAN HIP HOP BY A-POPHASIS 新潮街舞
1:00 PM GAME 1 游戏
1:30 PM MENTOR KARATE
2:00 PM CHINESE TRADITIONAL DANCE BY WESTLAKE CHINESE SCHOOL
2:30 PM ICHO DAIKO FEATURING OBERLIN TAIKO – 日本鼓
3:00 PM CHINESE FOLK DANCE BY CPEA GREAT WALL ENRICHMENT CENTER
3:30 PM EATING CONTEST: 競食大賽
4:00 PM SINGING PERFORMANCE
4:10 PM KUNG FU DEMONSTRATION BY SHAOLIN INSTITUTE
4:40 PM URBAN ELEMENTS: 新潮街舞
5:00 PM THANK YOU AND CLOSING: 闭幕
- Sunday, January 22 – MotivAsians @ Asia Plaza
Join MotivAsians for a traditional Lunar New Year Feast celebrating the year of the Dragon!
Li Wah Chinese Restaurant
Asia Plaza
2999 Payne Avenue
Cleveland,OH44114
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Registration at 4:30pm
Dinner Service Start: 5:00pm
Lion Dance: 6:30pm
Cost: $26 for MotivAsians member (email list subscriber) / $30 for non-member
Fee will be collected on site. Exact cash is greatly preferred, checks are also acceptable
RSVP early as this event will be limited to the first 50 people and will sell out.
Confirmed Guests will receive an email confirmation on Friday, January 20, 2012.
Special Lunar New Year Menu will include:
1. BBQ Combination Platter
2. Minced seafood and fish maw soup
3. House Panfried Noodles
4. Baby bok choy with black mushroom
5. Shrimp in honey walnut sauce
6. Crispy Whole Fried Chicken with crispy garlic
7. Double Lobster / with Ginger Scallion sauce
8. Pan seared flounder with ginger and scallions
9. Chinese Sausage and Diced Vegetable Fried Rice
10. Tapioca
- Monday, January 22, 2012 – LIVE on TV Fox8 Morning News – Starting at 7am, check out Li Wah’s Chef Danny Auyueng, OCA’s Johnny Wu and Lisa Wong talks about Chinese New Year celebration with performance by Icho Daiko Taiko Drummers.
- Saturday, January 28, 2012 – Asian & Friends Cleveland New Year Banquet & Lion Dance @ East 30th Street Cafe (inside of Asia Plaza, 2999 Payne Avenue)
Tickets (Advance up to 1/1/2012) $35 member, $40 all others. Regular Tickets (1/1/2012 to 1/19/2012) $45/each, Late tickets (based on availability) $55/each. More information at www.afcleveland.org or email Cindy Yu for information.
Lunar New Year Celebrataions around Northeast Ohio
Come celebrate Lunar New Year starting on Jan 21, 2012! Click on this for a list of different Year of the Dragon celebrations around Northeast Ohio!
2012 is THE Year of the Dragon with Cleveland Asian Festival!
According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, which begins from January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol of power, prosperity and good fortune. Bringing good luck, good fortune, and master of authority to those throughout the year – the beginning of a great success in this economy.
Cleveland Asian Festival is now in its 3rd year, and we will celebrate Asian Pacific Americans Heritage Month and Year of the Dragon with a big bang. Your support and participation will foster relationship building with the many ethnic groups involved while seizing the opportunity to introduce your brand to festival attendees.
The Cleveland Asian Festival is all about North East Ohio’s Asian Culture, however, it is not exclusively Asian. It is organized and operated by volunteers from the community at large with ethnic diversity encompassing virtually all races and nationality. This makes the festival unique among ethnic festivals. It is successful as well, winning numerous awards for its branding and marketing strategies. Within two years, the Cleveland Asian Festival went from 10,000 participants in a one-day event to 31,060 participants over a two-day event in year two. Social Media Branding and Marketing along with Sampson/Carnegie’s Dynamic Multicultural Branding strategies played a big role in achieving this goal.
The Cleveland Asian Festival has positioned as an “authority” of the Asian Cultural Voice, and supporters, like you, showed us that there is a market readily to be explored.
And this is just the beginning of a wonderful relationship building for you and the festival goers. To further develop a long term brand strategy in Northeast Ohio, you may want to consider implementing our Dynamic Multicultural Branding strategies, which has demonstrated increased success with sustainability and accountability results.
Year of the Dragon is a big year. We believe it will bring great success and participation as we are projecting that over 50,000 people will attend the 2012 Cleveland Asian Festival. As a whole, the steering committee members, the volunteers, the performing organizations, sponsors and donors all believe this number is achievable.
So now it is your turn! Get yourself or your business involved with the 2012 Cleveland Asian Festival! Do not miss out the opportunity and a bright part of the Cleveland’s future. The 2012 Cleveland Asian Festival website http://www.clevelandasianfestival.org has all the information you will need!
Be a sponsor; Be a vendor; Advertise in our program guide; Participate as a volunteer or Sign up as a group to perform on one of our stages… Your involvement is the first step to bridge cultural differences between East and West!
In the era of social media, marketing and branding must become engaging. 66% of adults within the United States are using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter for a variety of purposes like interacting with families and friends or discussing their hobbies and likes. The most actively engaged of all social media users are individuals who are from diverse ethnic groups. Creating a social media strategy that is culturally sensitive while being engaging is fundamental in any marketing campaign.
Expertise in understanding diverse cultural essence is the key to making your brand relevant to ethnic communities here in this city. The sound of the name of a product, the colors used in a brand and how ad copy plays within the message will be the difference between success and failure when doing a dynamic multicultural branding initiative seeking to gain market share within these ethnic communities.
OCAGC’s OCA Image TV was awarded the 2012 Pixie Gold Award, an award to honor and recognized outstanding work in the fastest-growing area of the moving pixels industry on Motion Graphics, Effects, and Animations for TV, Web, Media or Films.
The Pixie Awards is sponsored by the American Pixel Academy. David E. Carter is the Executive Director of the academy; he is the founder of the Telly® Awards and American Corporate Identity, and edited the Creativity Annual.
OCA IMAGE TV is a self-sustain High energy Television show. It will be a Magazine Show with a focus on local Asian-American culture, traditions, customs and their influences. The show will include 30 minutes of programming that will provide Ohioans with a better understanding of the various Asian cultures in our area. Each episode will include segments on a variety of diverse topics related to education, culture, traditions, food, health and beauty, fashion, sports, arts and entertainment, news, and current issues as well as upcoming events.
OCA Image TV is supported by organizations such as Margaret Wong and Associates, Media Design Imaging, Neighborhood Connections, Creative House Studious, Smile Dental, City Council Ward 8, MotivAsians and many others.
OCA Image TV is aired on Time Warner’s Cable TV20 and it is also available online and via iTunes as a podcast. Visit OCA Image TV page for more information.
We need you to help us design a great save-the-date postcard! Submit your design and have a chance to be selected as our official 2012 Cleveland Asian Festival’s Postcard!
Over 30,000 postcards will be distributed throughout Ohio!
Click here and download the Rules and Entry Form and submit your design now before November 15, 2011!
Please use this logo as part of your design, click it to get the higher resolution version!
This past May 21-22, 2011, OCA along with several other Asian organizations in Northeast Ohio, put together our 2nd Cleveland Asian Festival, with over 31,060 people attended the two days festivities.
Mark your calendar for 2012 Cleveland Asian Festival, May 19-20, 2012. Check out the video below for 2011 Cleveland Asian Festival’s Highlights. For more information about the festival, you can visit Cleveland Asian Festival’s site.
Here are several videos that features OCA members and our work. From being one of the organizations that spearheaded the Cleveland Asian Festival to our call for support for victims in China to our OCA National Board Meeting.
For more videos of OCA in the media, click here or browse the the link below. (iPad users should use the link instead).
Northeast China, the early 1990s. Facing the end of their planned economy, laid-off workers are looking for ways to repurpose their crumbling former work places — and their lives. THE PIANO IN A FACTORY is the enormously entertaining tale of a quirky band of brothers who unites one last time to pursue a common goal. Chen is an ex-steel factory worker with twin passions for his young daughter and music. He makes great sacrifices and goes to hilarious lengths to keep the girl taking piano lessons. Chen’s absent wife suddenly appears, demanding custody of the child. A product of the new mercenary China, the girl says she’ll go with whichever parent can provide her with a piano. Now the hustle is on! In an effort to keep his beloved daughter, Chen rustles up a motley crew to help him construct a piano from scratch in the old factory building. This upbeat film provides many surprises, including toe-tapping Russian folk tunes and eye-catching camerawork. (In Mandarin with subtitles) –B.B.
Celebrate Lunar New Year 2011 (Year of the Rabbit)
FYI, more events will be available shortly and we will have it distributed,
here are some events happening in town to Celebrate Year of the Rabbit (2011):
Feb 5 – Asia Plaza Lunar New Year Festival – from 11am to 7:30pm, 2999 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113,
with Cultural Booths, Cultural performances, martial arts performances, acrobatic performances, Lion Dance (twice), (click here for flyer) etc. Presented by OCAGC and Asia Plaza. http://www.asiaplazacleveland.com/ or http://www.ocagc.org
Scheduled performances include Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Kungfu, and Ping Pong Exhibition.
Feb 5 – MotivAsians Lunar New Year Celebration at Li Wah Chinese Restaurant.
Join MotivAsians for a traditional Lunar New Year Feast celebrating the year of the Rabbit!
Li Wah Chinese Restaurant, Asia Plaza, 2999 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114
Dinner Service Start: 5:00pm
Lion Dance: 7:00pm
Cost: $25 (Fee will be collected on site. Cash is greatly preferred, checks are also acceptable)
Yes, it will take 2 hours for us to make it through the 10 course meal!
RSVP early as this event will be limited to the first 50 people and has sold out in past years.
Special Lunar New Year Menu will include:
1. BBQ Combination Platter
2. Minced seafood and fish maw soup
3. House Panfried Noodles
4. Baby bok choy with black mushroom
5. Shrimp in honey walnut sauce
6. Crispy Whole Fried Chicken with crispy garlic
7. Double Lobster / with Ginger Scallion sauce
8. Steamed Whole fish
9. Chinese Sausage and Diced Vegetable Fried Rice
10. Tapioca
Feb 5 – Asians & Friends Cleveland’s 16th annual Lunar New Year Celebration, 6pm at Hunan Gourmet Restaurant – 3614 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. It will include a banquet-style dinner, a cultural/cabaret show and a dance. We are celebrating the year of Rabbit! Ticket price is $45. After January, 31, it will be $60!! Buy your tickets at our website& click on Payment Center.
Feb 5 – Case Western Reserve University,Chinese Students and Scholars Association(CSSA),
6:00 pm-11:00pm at CWRU, Thwing center Ball room & 1914 Lounge(2F), for more information, please visit http://cwrucssa.org/spring2011/CSSA-spring2011/Welcome.html
Feb 6 – CCCCA Lunar New Year Celebration, more info will be available soon. http://www.cccca.org/
Feb 12: The Vietnamese Community in Greater Cleveland, Inc. Lunar New Year Celebration, Year of the Cat,
at 6:00 P.M. starting, at the Sachsenheim Hall, 7001 Denison Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102.
For more information: 216-857-0200.
Feb 12: 2011 Ohio Chinese Festival
Location: Westerville Central High School, school’s address is 7118 Mount Royal Ave, Westerville, OH 43082
Time: Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Feb 13 – Columbus’ Lunar New Year Celebration, more info will be available soon.
Feb 19 – CPEA Lunar New Year Celebration, 5 pm to 11pm, CSU Student Center,
2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-2214, Chinese Culture Performance at CSU Auditorium, Multination Buffet Dinner at New Student Center Cafeteria, Dance, Open bar, and Social at New Student Center Ballroom, Children games at New Student Center common area, email Hao Zhou for more information.
Feb 20. Tzu Chi Cleveland Chinese New Year Blessings Ceremony, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at
Tzu Chi Cleveland Office, 1076 Ford Road, Highland Hts., OH 44143.Contact: 440-‐646-‐9292
Kwan Family Lion Dance 2011 Performance Schedule:
Performances are being added daily – Contact George Kwan 216-408-0667
Pearl of the Orient
19300 Detroit Rd
Cleveland, OH
Saturday January 29, 1pm
Li Wah
2999 Payne Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
February 2, 7pm
Asian Bistro Crocker Park
139 Crocker Park Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44145-6987
February 3, 6:30pm
Asian Bistro Crocker Park
139 Crocker Park Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44145-6987
February 4, 7pm
Li Wah
2999 Payne Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
February 5, 11am & 7pm
Hunan Solon
6050 Enterprise Parkway
Cleveland, OH 44139-2762
February 5, 4:30pm
Li Wah
2999 Payne Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
February 6, 11am
Imperial Dragon
8310 Tyler Boulevard
Mentor, OH 44060-4221
February 6, 2pm
House of Hunan Fairlawn
2717 West Market Street
Fairlawn, OH 44333
February 6, 4:30pm
Bo Loong
3922 Saint Clair Avenue Northeast
Cleveland, OH 44114
February 6, 6pm
Golden Dragon
5871 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland, OH
February 11, 7pm
Pad Tai Hudson
5657 Darrow Road
Hudson, OH 44236
February 12, 6:30pm
Pad Tai Fairlawn
3545 Brookwall Dr
Fairlawn, OH
February 12, 7:30pm
Hunan Solon
6050 Enterprise Parkway
Cleveland, OH 44139-2762
February 12, 430pm
Golden Dragon
5871 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland, OH
February 13, 3pm
Hunan by the Falls
508 Washington Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022-4448
Fenruary 13, 4:30pm
Bo Loong
3922 Saint Clair Avenue Northeast
Cleveland, OH 44114
February 13, 6pm
King Wah
20668 Center Ridge Road
Rocky River, OH 44116
February 19, 3:30pm
Golden Dragon
5871 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland, OH
February 19, 4:30pm
Imperial Dragon
8310 Tyler Boulevard
Mentor, OH 44060-4221
February 20, 2pm & 6:30pm
Imperial Dragon
8310 Tyler Boulevard
Mentor, OH 44060-4221
February 27, 2pm & 6:30pm
Columbus, Ohio Listing of Lion Dance Performances
With Tony Brown Kungfu School email : February Lion Dance:
Thursday 3rd – Limited Brands , Broad Street, (Lunch)
Saturday 5th – Sunflower Resturant, (Noon)
Columbus Chinese Academy (1PM)
Sunday 6th – Sunflower Restaurant, (Noon)
Saturday 12th – Taiwan/American Society (7:30 PM)
Thursday 17th – American Electric Power (11:30AM)
Tuesday 22nd – Cardinal Health, (3:00PM)
To Be Announced … Worthington Elementary School
Columbus, Ohio Listing of Lion and Dragon Dance Performances
by Wah Lum Kung Fu Schools: 614.860.0055
Cleveland’s OCA Image TV Ohio receives OCA’s 2010 Chapter Excellence Award for Communications
Cleveland, OH: The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), announced Saturday, June 19 that Cleveland’s OCA Image TV has received OCA’s 2010 Chapter Excellence Award for Communications.
OCA, a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans, has over 84 chapters and affiliates across the United States. This year at the annual OCA National Convention held in Houston, TX, Chapter Excellence Awards were presented for the categories of membership, economic development, programs & projects, local community involvement, advocacy, and communications.
OCA Image TV also was nominated for Program and Projects Category but we didn’t win,
however, here’s our prepared acceptance video: (IOS users click here)
China – Hong Kong – India – Indonesia
Japan – Korea – Laos – Philippines
Singapore – Sri Lanka – Taiwan
Thailand – Vietnam
“Success is the result of steadily taking action on our most important goals.
When we consistently focus our energies and our efforts upon what matters most, we can’t help but be successful”.
or get a copy on DVD for $15 (to help cover cost and as donation to the initiative)
IMAGE TV OHIO is a self-sustain High energy Television show. It will be a Magazine Show with a focus on local Asian-American culture, traditions, customs and their influences. The show will include 30 minutes of programming that will provide Ohioans with a better understanding of the various Asian cultures in our area. Each episode will include segments on a variety of diverse topics related to education, culture, traditions, food, health and beauty, fashion, sports, arts and entertainment, news, and current issues as well as upcoming events. (click here for the 1 page flyer)
IMAGE TV OHIO will cover topics of interest to Asian Pacific Americans in Northeast Ohio and surrounding areas and will include cultures from China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
IMAGE TV OHIO will be shot on High Definition in Downtown Cleveland. Currently, we plan to air up to 13 – Thirty minute episodes each year. Commercial spots up to 8 minutes per episode and sponsorship packages (main underwriter, segment sponsor, product placement, product feature/demonstration) are available.
Each IMAGE TV OHIO episode will also be available online for viewing at numerous websites through one web link or embedded video (excluding Commercials). Sponsors are encouraged to have the show linked at their website as well.
OCAGC has commissioned Creative House Studios, Inc. a locally owned video production studio facility located in downtown Cleveland along with the participation of OCAGC members to help with show production and marketing.
Be part of the organization that brought you the Cleveland Asian Festival! With 10,000 people attended in 2010’s one day event expanded to two days of 31,060 people attendees in May 2011 and 42,240 people in 2012!
![fallencity[1]](http://ocagc.mdifilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/fallencity1.jpg)
Starting in February, to kick off with the Lunar New Year, the Asian community in Northeast Ohio will have a voice on radio! To listen online visit 
(July 27, 2012, Cleveland, OH) OCA Greater Cleveland Chapter was awarded a $25000 grant from the Cleveland Foundation’s City of Cleveland’s Cable Television Minority Arts and Education Fund (MAEF) to help finance one season of its multi-media, educational and cross-cultural initiative – 
Join us for a Nationwide Town Hall Panel discussion with leading civil rights leaders from around the country via Google Hangout at 
Special Guest
Mythic Creatures on Exhibit at CMNH
Celebrate Holi!
BUDDHA MOUNTAIN is a brilliantly acted film about aimless youth confronting grievous loss. Nan Feng is a tough girl who works as a club singer to send money home to the provinces, where her alcoholic dad is beating her mom. Ding Bo is a handsome motorbike delivery boy who can’t accept the new marriage of his deadbeat father. Fei Zao is a constant eater and a childish Michael Jackson fan. After these three slacker friends are evicted from their apartment, they find new digs with Madam Chang, an old-fashioned devotee of the Peking Opera who runs a tight ship. The young people bait their new landlady, taking her money and “borrowing” her car for joyrides through the countryside. But not long after they stumble across a mountaintop Buddhist temple dedicated to the goddess of compassion, they realize that Madam Chang’s rigidity actually masks a deep unhappiness. Veteran Taiwanese actress Sylvia Chang’s portrayal of the grief-stricken landlady is heartbreakingly convincing. (In Mandarin with subtitles) – B.B.
A quick update: Jeremy Lin may not be playing in Cleveland due to a surgery?
OCA of Greater Cleveland would like to welcome our newest board member, Deborah Yue. Deborah joined the board in January of this year. She is very active in the community and is a member of MotivAsians where she is on the management team and is VP of Professional Development. She is on the executive community board for the Cleveland Asian Festival sitting in the finance chair. Deborah is also a partner at Gallagher Sharp where she concentrates her practice on insurance and general liability litigation. Deborah has a lot of experience and is very knowledgeable in the non-profit field. OCAGC plans to grow greatly this year and we are certain that she will help us reach our goals. We’re very excited to welcome her and are enthused to have her on the board.
Year of the Dragon falls on January 23, 2012, it is our Lunar New Year Celebration, below are a list of events happening around town:
OCAGC’s OCA Image TV was awarded the 
Showtimes for The Piano in a Factory:
