Friday February 10, 2006 SGN.org |
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Volume 34 Issue 06 |
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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
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Asian Pacific Islander and Fabulous: A night unlike any other |
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| Asian Pacific Islander and Fabulous: A night unlike any other | ||
| by Paulo Pontemayor
- Special to the SGN
On January 28, the eve of Lunar New Year, many assembled in the Broadway Performance Hall to enjoy a night unlike any other. Chinese Lion Dance, Talented Performers, and Community came face to face at this yearly event. Aptly titled, "A & F: Asian Pacific Islander Fabulous," the event was put on by API International, a group founded by JJ Temple-Ho, Shaka Kwan and Teriyaki Temple "to empower and promote the unique cultures of LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander identified individuals." Composed of a volunteer network made up of dedicated individuals within the API community, the show was the product of weeks of preparation. By the end of the evening, the audience was treated to a show of dazzling spectacles that showcased the diverse and very different traditions of Asia and the Pacific through the five contestants. After a fierce battle and a remedied technical difficulty in tabulating scores it was Marisa Rachinee and Melvin Foifua who were crowned as the new representatives of API International, where they were scored highly in the categories of national costume, talent, swim wear, evening gown and interview. Regina King was named the second runner up for Miss. As winners of the competition they will represent API International in the Imperial Court of Seattle, as well as within the LGBTQ community's many large events. In between these, were song and dance numbers by the talented Aleksa Manila, Miss Gay Seattle XL; Gia Manila, Miss Gay Seattle XIVII, Nina Maxwell Miss Gay Seattle XIVI, as well as the organization's founders Teriyaki Temple and Shaka Kwan. Taking part in their last appearances as API Internationl Mr and Miss II, were Kalika Fuiva and JT Temple, who completed their tenures with performances. In addition to the show itself, Leaving Silence, an award-winning exhibit, was featured in the foyer. Created in 1996, it was fitting for it to be unveiled once more as a ten-year tribute. It features profiles of leaders who paved the way for API LGBTQ's, and was loaned for the evening from the Asian Counseling and Referral Services organization, another one of the show's community sponsors. A & F, was a success not only in show but also socially as it allowed an invisible segment of the LGBT population-Queer Asians, South Asians, and Pacific Islanders a space to express and celebrate their unique culture in a respectful and safe format free from exploitation through diverse community partnerships. It permitted as Shaka Kwan said during the show, "Us to combat stereotypes [of APIs] that we are not quiet, submissive, and small& people you think who pick up after you." Already in its planning stages, the fourth API International show will prove to be huge! If you are interested in participating please email Teriyaki Temple at teriyakitemple@aol.com. Also if you would like to be informed of what is happening in the API LGBTQ community, join our list serve at nwqapi@yahoogroups.com. |
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