On Saturday, July 26, Viet Voices is hosting its inaugural one-day performance art festival, which features the works of fellows selected for the first AAPI Emerging Artist Fellowship, co-founded by Viet Voices and local artist and curator hamsa fae. the land we carry will take place at El Salon, a repurposed Catholic church in San Ysidro near the U.S.–Mexico border. A meditation on the intersections of diasporic memory, queerness, and spiritual inheritance, artists will express live and non-live performances that offer portals to worlds re-imagined–where the subconscious reveals truth for community activation. hamsa fae, who will also be offering a performance workshop during the festival that engages the audience in creative expression, shared some insight into what we can look forward to this upcoming weekend. 

francene rouelle writes pop songs like personal letters—vulnerable, emotionally layered, and steeped in reflection. Based in Austin and signed to indie Asian American label mhart, her work blends confessional songwriting with moody, stylized visuals that feel equal parts stage production and diary entry. With her upcoming sophomore release off the carousel, she delivers her most cohesive and self-assured statement yet: a body of work that lives at the intersection of heartbreak and healing.

Constance Tsang’s directorial feature debut is a collection of intimate, swaying close-ups and static, long uninterrupted shots which together paint a tender picture of the Chinese migrant community in Flushing, Queens. The world is big, but this community is tight-knit. Blue Sun Palace follows Didi (Xu Haipeng) and Amy (Wu Ke-Xi) who both work at the same massage parlor.

Festivals like the Pacific Arts Movement’s San Diego Asian Film Festival offer a beautiful space that connects local audiences with minority-created independent films. With the space to create stories that challenge the typical box office narratives, they present an opportunity to share narratives that minority audiences resonate deeply with. In our generation, young creatives are challenging stereotypes by aiming for authenticity and creating work that sparks dialogue and pushes us to understand different experiences, with stories of celebration, adversity, and more. Many of these young filmmakers are exploring complex themes, niche narratives, and novel techniques that push the cutting edge. 

When you turn on the tap for a glass of water, do you think about where it comes from? Or when you take a nice, toasty shower on a cold day? In the spirit of our upcoming Q2 issue, Healing, and in celebration of Earth Month, we’re sharing a community project in San Diego that aims to bring our water supply local. This carries major implications for the City of San Diego, making it less vulnerable to droughts, climate change, and natural disasters. Healing the Earth, on a policy level, is important, too.

Viet Voices is thrilled to announce an open call for San Diego’s first AAPI Emerging Artist Fellowship, a transformative program designed to support and nurture early-career Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) artists. This unique fellowship offers a platform for AAPI artists to engage deeply with their cultural identities and express their creative voices through a professional and developmental lens.

The impending ban of TikTok has Gen Z searching for an alternative--and they may have found one in RedNote (XiaoHongShu), another Chinese-owned app.

Now in its 22nd year, the Unforgettable Gala has hosted yet another magnificent night of celebration of outstanding Asian and Pacific Islander influencers and leaders in media, entertainment, and culture. With cross-generational attendance of longtime trailblazers and young talent breaking into the scene to carry the torch, it was moving to see so many stages of evolution in API representation in one room. For almost a quarter-century, the gala has created a space for our community, and it has seen its own fair share of evolution, too, and has now made its way to broadcast television, inspiring young AAPI people across the nation like us. 

Featuring: JOYN

Heading into the holidays, we may find ourselves consuming more of that liquid joy…but for some of us, that joy comes with a certain glow. Not the kind that you work for with your 10-step skincare routine, but one you can’t really help. And then the comments start flowing in–you’ve probably heard them all. “Wow, you match your shirt.” “Are you alright? You’re looking a little red…” Why does this happen?!

A young boy, Minato, begins to exhibit strange behavior, prompting his mother to search for answers from the school he attends. However, as the story is told again through the perspective of one of the teachers and of Minato, the truth challenges the audience to think about who or what the “monster” really is.

Two brothers struggling in the undocumented population of Kuala Lumpur find ways to survive together - until one of the commits an unspeakable act. The film takes the audience on a journey to consider what it means to love unconditionally, especially under such dire circumstances with limited choice.

Hulu presents - Quiz Lady, a comedy about two estranged sisters on a road trip together to appear on a TV game show. Awkwafina plays Anne as the grounded and dull corporate employee, alongside Sandra Oh who plays Jenny as the outgoing and irresponsible older sister. Two very unique roles for two well-known actresses that echo a Freaky Friday comedy in every twist and turn that will surely keep you guessing on what will happen next.

Last week, the 24th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival hosted by non-profit media arts organization Pacific Arts Movement wrapped up its 10-day run. Lotus Magazine attended for the first time, experiencing what has now become the largest exhibition of Asian cinema on the West Coast. 160+ films from more than 30 countries and in more than 30 languages were included in the impressive lineup that ran from November 2-11, 2023.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, or 中秋節 (zhōng qiū jié), is one of the most well-known traditional Chinese festivals, and is considered the second most important event behind the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year). The celebration occurs on the 15th day of the 8th moon on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This year, it takes place on September 29, 2023.

Shortcomings made us chuckle at its dry and relatable humor, shake our heads at the plight of the protagonist, and reflect on some of the themes surrounding the Asian American experience and its role in recent media. Read our full review here!

Vegan Richa is the award-winning recipe developer, blogger, and creator behind VeganRicha.com. Try some of the recipes that she has kindly shared with us! Here you will find recipes for her Vegan Matar Tofu and Carrot Halwa Coconut Burfi Bars, which you can learn more about directly on her blog.

For Tina Xia, her passion for fashion has always worked hand-in-hand with her artistic talents ever since she was little. Years later in 2022, she launched Maison Mikumo, a sustainable clothing brand.