Introducing the multi-talented Korean-Australian singer songwriter, Dami Im

Dami Im is a Korean-Australian singer and songwriter, who was born and raised in South Korea. When she was nine years of age, she and her family moved to Brisbane, Australia while her father stayed in Korea to support them.

Dami started learning the piano at the age of five; taught herself how to sing by imitating professional singers and having her mother as an opera singer must have influenced her musically since an early age.

Dami began studying at the Young Conservatorium of Music program at Griffith University from the age of eleven. She was a national finalist in the Yamaha Youth Piano Competition, winning the Nora Baird Scholarship and the Queensland Piano Competition several times.

In 2009, Dami graduated from the University of Queensland with first class honors with a Bachelor of Music and completed her Masters of Arts degree in contemporary voice at Griffith University.

Dami Im is probably best known for winning the fifth season of The X Factor Australia in 2013, and she was signed to Sony Music.

Dami was a music and piano teacher before auditioning for The X Factor and also had a brief career as a gospel singer in Korea.

After winning The X Factor, Dami released her debut and winner’s single “Alive”, which debuted at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart.

Her self-titled second album also debuted at the top of the ARIA Albums Chart and became certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association.

Dami is currently the first X Factor Australia contestant to follow up a number one single with a number one album on the ARIA Charts.

Dami has cited K-pop music as an inspiration to her passion for music and she says that BoA, Lee Juk and Kim Dong-ryool are her favorite artists.

We would like to give a special thank you to Dami’s management for allowing us to share this interview. We wish Dami a ton of success at the Eurovision song contest that is due to be held from May 10^th.

 

Interview with Dami Im

As an introduction to this interview, how would you describe yourself as a person and an artist?

I want them to know that I’m an ordinary girl who is so passionate about singing, playing piano and connecting with my audience and I can’t wait to perform for them!

 

Apart from singing, can you tell us about your interests?

I love to eat! Haha…I really like to cook in my spare time, especially Korean food. I love baking, but I’m not very good at it! Really enjoy spending time with my husband and exploring some of Queensland’s beautiful beaches.

 

What are some of the highlights of your career?

I began my musical journey playing classical piano when I was young, then started singing in my bedroom when I was 13! My biggest break came as a singer when I won The X Factor Australia 2013, and another highlight was touring Australia with John Legend as his support act… that was incredible.

 

Who are your musical inspirations?

The beautiful songs of The Carpenters, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, the amazing voices of Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Adele to name a few.

 

What would you like to say to your fans?

I cannot wait to meet fans and all of the other contestants very soon! You are all incredibly inspiring. I hope that I can bring you some excitement and amazement from Down Under!!

 

What does it mean for you to represent your country at the Eurovision Song Contest?

I am so thrilled and honored to be representing Australia at Eurovision this year in Stockholm. I’m really excited to be following in the footsteps of Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy who have both graced the Eurovision stage before me on behalf of Australia.

I have always had such respect and admiration for the Eurovision Song Contest and to be representing my country is such an honor for me. This is by far the biggest experience of my life and I am going to give it my very best shot and enjoy it!

 

 

What can we expect to see on stage for the Eurovision performance?

I want my performance to be interesting and spectacular to watch for the viewers, but also want to ensure I connect with the audience in an intimate way. I am working with a team of amazing people to help me create that through stage design, movements and costume. Stay tuned!

 

What is the message behind Sound of Silence? Tell us about the writing process for the song.

‘Sound of Silence’ is about the loneliness you feel being away from someone you love. It’s also about feeling disconnected because these days we live in a world where it is easy to be connected every minute of the day but along with this connection you can feel alone and isolated.

The first time I heard ‘Sound of Silence’ I knew it was the perfect song for me to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest and I can’t wait to showcase it live in Stockholm!

‘Sound of Silence’ was written by Australian hit makers DNA Songs (David Musumeci and Anthony Egizii) who have written for some of the biggest names in pop music, including Ricky Martin, Jessica Mauboy, Nathaniel, Delta Goodrem and The Veronicas.

 

Tell us about the inspiration behind the official music clip for Sound Of Silence.

We really tried to communicate the core message in the song, with the irony in how chasing your dreams can sweep you up in a wild rollercoaster ride and take you away from those closest to you. It is quite an emotional song, so working on the treatment for the video was an interesting process with lots of different ideas. In the end we decided to focus on movement, lighting and camera angles to create more impact. I really loved working on the styling for it, especially since we used Australian designers!

 

Can you tell us a bit about the outfit you’ll be wearing on stage?

I absolutely love fashion so I’m very much looking forward to showcasing my outfit! I can’t give too much away yet, but I am in discussions with some incredible Australian designers and I know it will be beautiful and unique.

 

What are you most looking forward to when visiting Sweden for Eurovision?

I’m looking forward to being in the amazing city of Stockholm during a warmer climate. Last time I was there for a song writing trip and it was in the middle of winter – absolutely freezing!! So it will be interesting to see it in a different climate and be able to spend some more time outside 😉 I’m also looking forward to some traditional meatballs!

 

Please tell us about your future plans.

I’m releasing a tribute album this year in April full of The Carpenter’s songs. I’ve always loved their music which is timeless and so beautiful; this is a very special project for me. I will then commence my first national Australia tour in July which I am so excited about!  If you are in Australia you must come and say hello!

 

—J. Chung

What About A.CIAN?

A.CIAN are a South Korean boyband, who debuted in October, 2012, under the company ISS Entertainment. Their name is a combination of ”Ace of Asian” and ”Magician”, A.CIAN can also mean ”Asian Musician”, which is meant to represent the best singers of the Asia continent. Their fandom name is called A.URA., their fans are the light that shines for them. Even though, they don’t have much success in South Korea, their song ”Ouch” gained some recognition both nationally and internationally.

A.CIAN was originally formed with seven members, however, many of them have left, including their original leader. Some new members were added too. As of now, they are four: Hyeok Jin (Lead Vocal), Jung Sang (Rapper, Choreographer), Jin.O (Main Vocal), Sang Hyeon (Lead Vocal). Their past members are: Seul Gi, Se Hee, Crooge, Lo-J (Ex-Leader) and Chan Hee.

Their discography includes two mini-albums: ”Stuck”, released in 2012 and repackaged as ”Hit”; and ”Ouch”, released in 2014. Both albums were promoted by its title-tracks. ”Stuck” is the group’s debut single. A.CIAN also has two single-albuns titled ”Love At First Sight” (2013) and ”RelAcian” (2015). Throughout the past two years, the group released digital singles: “So Happy Together” (2014), “Somebody To Love” (2015), “Magic Girl” (2015), “Driving” (2015), “Just Leave” (2015), “Mixed-Up” (2015). They made a comeback this year as a quartet with the song, ”Touch”.

If having members problems wasn’t enough, A.CIAN also had drama with their companies, changing two times. During their rookie years, A.CIAN was promoted under ISS Entertainment however, with the leaving of members, they changed it to Mono Music Korea. Mono Music is a famous music label from Thailand, known to promote Thai-Pop groups such as Candy Mafia, Evo9, G-Twenty, CupC, among others. Unfortunatly, Candy Mafia and Evo9 disbanded recently. A.CIAN seemed happy with their partnership with Mono Music, but since their ex-leader left, they changed again to Wings Entertainment.

With this new comeback, the boys wanted to rebirth, creating new social media accounts so they could start over again, leaving the past behind them. It’s a new era for the boys. Their new song ”Touch” has a very vibrant and colorful theme, it’s an uptempo catchy pop tune in the likes of B1A4. I hope that this year they can gain a lot of success.

 

Are you happy to see A.CIAN’s comback?

—-Ped Ruh

After Time Away, B.A.P Still “Best, Absolute, Perfect” in Chicago

In 2014, B.A.P came to Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana for their Chicago leg of their Attack! world tour. Back then, they put on a great show that was lively and energetic. While it was expected they would come back in 2015, a lawsuit between them and their company– TS Entertainment– over poor treatment, pay, and contract issues put a halt to those hopes for a year while the two parties worked out their issues. During this time, some fans left the fandom while the faithful held their breath. This past November, B.A.P stepped back into the industry with Matrix before following up with Carnival and their Japanese release, Best Absolute Perfect, in February and March of this year.

Fast forward to April 23, 2016: B.A.P were back in Chicago at Rosemont Theatre for the fifth stop of their Live on Earth (LOE) 2016 Awake world tour. Armed with a live drummer, their music mixer, and several confetti cannons, B.A.P managed to top their Attack! tour in amazing fashion.

Walking into the theatre, fans were greeted by a graphic asking “Where are you now?” The simple saying appears to reference their last song prior to the lawsuit “Where Are You? What Are You Doing?” alluding to how Awake is a symbol of their rebirth.

The Show

As the show opened, the rebirth theme became clear as the text graphic gave way to a child and a child’s voice asking “who are we?” and “why are we here?” before introducing Awake and welcoming fans to the fun party atmosphere they were about to experience.

After the intro, B.A.P opened the show with their debut single, “Warrior.” As they appeared out of the rainbow of strobe lights, the crowd exploded with cheers and dance, so much so that the floor in the pit area shook; so much so that many needed to grab the chairs in front in order to remain steady. Even pit security had to take a seat due to the small quake fans caused.

Then came fan-favorites “What the Hell” and the rock-heavy head-banger “BangX2.” Both songs helped amp the crowd. While “What the Hell” helped introduce more of B.A.P’s rock and hip-hop fusion, “BangX2” served as the shot of adrenaline fans needed to boost the boys up higher as they thrived on the cheers. There were a few times when Daehyun’s voice sounded strained, but he quickly recovered, while Himchan’s grittiness came alive. It’s apparent how much B.A.P enjoy performing “BangX2” as plenty of passion shown through before heading into “No Mercy.”

The arrangement for “No Mercy” was an interesting one. The remix felt slightly off and didn’t match the tempo of the lyrics as well as it could have due to excessive guitar riffs. The chorus portion was on-point before the remixed arrangement came back to almost drown out B.A.P’s singing in the remaining verses. However, incorporating some of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” added a unique flavor toward the end.

Next, it was time for a solo; it should be noted that each tour stop had a different solo set. For the Chicago show, Himchan performed his solo, S.N.S.” Dressed in a suit, Himchan sang well while showing his classy side. Yongguk backed him up beautifully, but this was Himchan’s time to shine. Even with slippery confetti, he held his own and won over the Chicago crowd.

The other soloists, Daehyun and Jongup, showed off their signature smoothness. Daehyun performed a soulful version of “Shady Lady,” while Jongup performed “Now.” Daehyun did well getting fans to calm down, sit, and listen, while Jongup had an opportunity to let his sweet voice be heard while impressing with his slick dance moves. Both provided lovely moments for fans.

From Himchan’s solo, fans were greeted by an introduction featuring the boys as spies before leading to “Spy.” “Spy” always gets fans pumped, and this time wasn’t any different. Like with Attack, Awake’s “Spy” featured the dance battle that made everyone excited. Seeing it up close this time made it even better.

One of the highlight songs was definitely the cheery, goofy anthem hit “Be Happy.” Once again, fans managed to make the floor shake to the point where one of the security personnel looked queasy. He remained seated for the majority of the show following this point.

“Be Happy” was greeted with plenty of loud singing from the fans, which the boys fed off of as the performance moved forward. The colorful images on the screen were enhanced by the goofy dance that still looks like drunk dads at wedding but with slightly more finesse. It’s hard not to feel happy with the song’s effervescent quirkiness radiating throughout the theatre. Given the fan response, there was no surprise when it was the encore song later in the evening.

Continuing with the joyous theme, “Feel So Good” and “Carnival” kept the fun alive. Like with “Be Happy,” “Feel So Good” was greeted with plenty of joyous singing, while B.A.P used “Carnival” to garner more fan involvement by getting the crowd to sing the first few lines to open the song. The ground never stopped moving.

Following Daehyun’s “Shady Lady,” the party atmosphere became alive once more with the remixed versions of “Hurricane,” “Badman,” “Dancing in the Rain,” and “Crash.” The way the songs were remixed enhanced the flow and kept energy high. However, when “Dancing in the Rain” comes on, it’s clear the halfway point of the show arrived and saying “goodbye” comes sooner rather than later.

After Jongup’s solo, B.A.P, being the socially conscientious souls they are, provided the audience with some sobering information regarding war, and it’s scary to think how volatile and violent the world truly is. Prior to heading into “One Shot,” a plea to end war was greeted with cheers. “One Shot” provided a spirited performance by both B.A.P and the crowd. Looking at Yongguk, it was clear he was pleased by the reaction.

Another highlight of the night was the Korean version of their latest single “Kingdom.” While it was a bummer the narration was provided by the backtrack, the actual performance was solid and hard-hitting. Seeing the dance for “Kingdom” live was spectacular, and Daehyun was feeling it! The stage didn’t need lights due to his mega-watt smile, and it was hard to not feel the song. Even the two blasé gentleman alongside me managed to crack a smile or two, breaking the stoicism they maintained all night.

Then, Jongup emerged and peered into the crowd before striking his iconic pose to begin “1004.” Once again, the crowd erupted, the floor moved, and the fans’ singing—a cross between yelling, shouting, and actual singing—lifted the boys, especially Himchan who allowed the crowd to sing a few of his lines before taking over. For fans, “1004” has special significance since it was the boys’ first win on a music program.

Following “1004,” there was a brief talk session where Daehyun assured fans they didn’t have to worry any longer and that they [B.A.P] and the fans should be happy before he led everyone in a heartfelt, moving rendition of “With You.” There were plenty of teary-eyed fans with some commenting that even Daehyun cried. Out of the whole night, this was the most beautiful, memorable moment.

Finally, after a brief break, it was time for the finale. “Young, Wild, & Free” was performed with full energy. The following ment brought many laughs with Daehyun running across the stage with a slice of pizza before leading into the bombastic, in-your-face “Excuse Me” and wrapping up with the encore of “Be Happy.” As the boys said goodbye, “BABY” piped through the theatre as a perfect evening came to an end.

Pros

• As expected, B.A.P were on fire! Listening to accounts from other shows, it was clear that a great show was coming Chicago’s way. During prior shows, there were concerns that Himchan didn’t seem quite right, but that could have been due to jet lag. For the Chicago show, he was bright and cheerful, as were the other members. Yongguk, especially, had his signature gummy smile on display except for the talk sessions where he wore his serious leader hat well. In terms of health and energy, B.A.P were strong and better than ever.
• The remixed songs, for the most part, were spectacular.
• A shout out has to go to the graphics department that designed the screen images for the show. The text aspects were clear and easy to read, and the colors were in vivid HD, making the screen POP! This element helped to enhance the show. Engrish moments were non-existent this time.
• A.P’s backup dancers and the stage crew were also incredible. The dancers provided a lot of energy and fun and didn’t detract from the show. They had personality without being over-the-top, so it’s clear B.A.P have an awesome support system behind them during the shows.

Similarly, the stage crew did well keeping the stage free of debris (i.e., tons of confetti), picking up speakers (Yongguk knocked over a few), and keeping the show flowing. All of these people are really the unsung heroes of any concert regardless of who is performing, but they really make a difference. Given how much confetti fell; one wrong move could have been disastrous.

• Fan-service! B.A.P are excellent at giving fans a great show and memorable interactions. Throughout the concert, whether it was taking pictures using fans’ phones, dancing, or getting up close and personal for pictures and hand-holding, B.A.P did it all. For those in front, they truly had a night to remember.
• A.P had a great mix of new songs and old favorites. This helped keep everyone engaged.
• The overall performance aspect improved since Attack! The high energy, non-stop action made the show even more incredible. The more mature image and personalities helped with stronger professionalism and performance.
• While the talking portions are nice and enjoyable, the fact that there were fewer talk sessions for Awake made for an even more enjoyable experience. For over two hours, it was nonstop music making the concert well worth the price of admission.
• Also recognized are the fans in attendance. The fandom was well represented, and there were plenty of people who went out of their way to be warm and welcoming. From random conversations, to people bringing extra light sticks and goods for people who couldn’t afford any or just didn’t bring anything along, to the #ForeverBAPsBABYz group collecting food donations for a local food bank, the fandom had many good people show up.
• Most people were respectful of distance of personal space.
• The age-range for fans was incredible. While the majority of fans were in their 20s to 30s, there were some teens and middle-aged people in attendance. A familiar face from LOE 2014—the little senior lady with her B.A.P hat, vest, pins, and t-shirt who said “Bang Yongguk is a fine gentleman and a nice role model”— was also spotted, making for a neat memory.

Cons

• Rosemont Theatre’s acoustics were terrible in the pit. At times, it was difficult to hear the music and the boys. Looking at fan cams, the further back people were in the theatre, the better the sound quality.
• There were a few “fans” that shouted at Himchan to lose weight. This was unnecessary and rude. With this, there were a few fans calling the boys “daddy,” which was just creepy and weird given some of its slang meanings.
• Powerhouse wasn’t the easiest of promoters to deal with. There was a lot of disorganization and issues ranging from how ticketing was handled, issues with orders, perks, and communication. On the communication front, it was common for emails to go unanswered (or answered weeks later) and calls to be disconnected. Miscommunication was also an issue regarding photo privileges, perks, and ground rules. In comparison, their handling of the Attack! tour was slightly better. However, this is not a slam on the reps in attendance during the Chicago show because they were nice, courteous, and helpful.
• Rosemont staff earns mixed reviews too. There were a handful of ushers and security who were spectacular at handling the show and the people. There were others who were a bit curmudgeony when it came to answering questions and handling the crowd. Misinformation was also an issue here, especially with Hi-Touch when it was announced before the show that Hi-Touch holders should go to the lobby without mentioning that this was for after the show. There were some people who left before ushers in the back clarified the information.
• Picking up pre-orders was a mess, especially if you were in the back of the line all the way by the shopping mall. The reps collected people with pre-orders and told them to get their pre-orders in the theatre, which resulted in a very long walk. Then, Rosemont staff shouted at those with pre-orders to go to the back of the line again after making the initial journey. At least there was a free workout involved.
• Hi-Touch felt rushed. Of course, the line needs to keep moving, but it’s a special moment with fans and the group. This is a system that needs work.

Speaking of Hi-Touch…

Hi-Touch is a magical experience. If you go to a K-Pop concert and you’re lucky to get a Hi-Touch pass, you realize how special it really is. Standing in line waiting to meet the group brings on some anxious feelings.

“Are they who I imagined?”

“Are they nice?”

“How do I look?”

These are questions that do come up when the magical moment arrives. Then, as you turn a corner, there they are! It’s almost overwhelming.

B.A.P are as nice as they appear to be. They come across as truly grateful for their fans. Youngjae was the first in line, and he is definitely handsome. He comes across as shy and reserved, but he’s welcoming.

Daehyun was second in line. He never stopped smiling! He thanked fans for coming and didn’t mind some hand-holding. Daehyun, like Youngjae, is quite handsome with flawless skin, but his kindness and warmth were the most noticeable aspects about him.

Yongguk was third. He was more reserved and stoic as he thanked fans in Korean. When I came up to him, I lingered and held his hand a little, causing him to grin his gummy smile. He is really sweet. While he comes across as a tough guy on stage for some of the numbers, he is a loveable softy.

The moment I waited for arrived when I met Himchan. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t awe-struck because I was. I literally froze before holding his hand and telling him he was my favorite. I would be lying if I said I didn’t turn beet red when he smiled at me and thanked me—my hand still in his—before I had to move to Jongup. Those few seconds with my ultimate bias will live within me forever. I was so giddy I almost missed my hi-five with Jongup—he being quiet and polite—and Zelo, who complimented my Himchan shirt before smiling and gently shaking my hand.

Even Hi-Touch exceeded expectations, but it ended too soon.

Overall

LOE 2016 Chicago Awake was a night to remember. While there were a few low points, B.A.P’s energy and the magic of the night made everything worthwhile. Awake is definitely a tour to remember.

—-Joelle Halon

Top Songs for March 2016

March 2016 is now history, and now it’s time to look forward to April and beyond. March had a few interesting songs that stood out in the steady stream of releases. In no particular ranking, here are some of March’s standouts.

Dasoni “Only You” | March 3

While they’re penned as SoljiHani for “Only You,” people will still call this EXID sub-unit by the name they were originally given. Solji and Hani have rich vocals that are among two of the most recognizable in the current industry. The pair combine well to create a song that has emotion and brightness. While it’s a song about waiting for someone, the fact the MV advertises social media and a phone just makes things a tad bit weird.

KNK “Knock” | March 3

For a debut song, “Knock” is a solid tune for KNK. It has the successful components to be a dance hit that could stand up as memorable come the end of the year. The chorus is easy to sing along to, adding to the strengths. The only issue as of right now is that KNK’s vocals are not that distinct, but that could change with time.

Billion “I Have You” | March 7

Since debuting in 2014, Billion has stayed under the radar thanks to poor promotions. While they’re not the strongest girl group, they steadily improved since “Dancing Alone.” “I Have You” features vocals that are more stable and suitable for their vocal range. It’s not the most memorable song, but it’s cute and summery with a good beat and a cheery vibe. The song earns a nod on this list because Billion is a decent girl group that deserves more love than they receive.

Snuper “Platonic Love” | March 8

The 1980s are alive! “Platonic Love” is a song that Snuper needed to help set them apart a little. The ‘80s sound suits them so well that it’s like being transported in time. The song is cute to boot! If Snuper continued to channel the past, we doubt many would complain because they could carve themselves out a successful niche.

FIESTAR “Mirror” | March 9

“Mirror” is, perhaps, FIESTAR’s best to date. The song is effortlessly sexy while be strong-yet-subtle. The composition fits the girls’ vocals well, and the song content provides the right amount of maturity FIESTAR needs. It came close to winning on The Show a few times in March with fans voting them on top a few times. Sadly, they’ve yet to notch a music show win. They should have with this song as it shows off their vocals and growth better than songs before it.

Lee Hi “Hold My Hand” | March 9

While “Breathe” was the favorite from Seoulite, “Hold My Hand” is the star of the show. Its smooth Motown sound fits perfectly with Lee Hi’s vocal range. Lee Hi has a soul about her that fits the lyrical content and old-school vibe that ranks her up there with other “old soul” singers across the globe. This issue lies in whether she’s used properly and if she will ever develop stage presence. If the latter two improve, Lee Hi could be a global star.

Red Velvet “One of These Nights” | March 17

“One of These Nights” showcases the velvet side of Red Velvet. Many prefer the velvet side because RV do have some incredible vocals that they should be allowed to showcase. The song does promote their vocal abilities, but the tempo is dull, making the song a literal sleeper. It is incredibly beautiful with an artsy video to boot, but their comeback could have been more lively.

GOT7 “Fly” | March 21

While vocals are rough in places, GOT7 finally earned some coveted music show wins with “Fly.” The chorus is the bright spot of this song, so that helps overpower some of the less savory elements such as random sound effects, static, and overuse of vocal distortion. The song makes it onto the list solely because it earned GOT7 some music show recognition. “If You Do” was the song that should have earned them those honors.

Girls Girls “Girls Girls” | March 27

One of March’s surprises was Girls Girls’ self-titled track. While there are some AOA Jimin and 4Minute HyunA vibes in the song, Girls Girls rocked it with a strong balance of swag, rap, and musicality. When they debuted in 2015 with “Deal,” there were some hints that could become something, but their debut was so under-the-radar, they went unnoticed. The MV isn’t that Korean public-friendly, so it might be a while before they gain any recognition, but the song and maknae rapper Miso did earn some international attention. Here’s to hoping they experience more growth because they are surprisingly refreshing!

Oh My Girl “Liar Liar” | March 28

OMG return with a refreshing sound that comes complete with an addictive chorus and a memorable composition. “Liar Liar” has joy laced through it even though it is a song about betrayal. The song’s catchy addictiveness makes up for the age-old trope of everyone in the same group falling in love with one love interest.

BtoB “Remember That” | March 28

“Remember That” earned BtoB some music show wins for good reason: it appears the group finally found their niche! Their smooth vocals that is complete with a solid falsetto. The highlight of the song is the storytelling involved in it. While many loved the fun side to BtoB, this genre suits them strongly.

Jun Hyoseong “Find Me” | March 28

From an international perspective, Hyoseong is one of the goddesses of K-Pop, especially among the male audience. She is pure aesthetics, so that surely helps her case. “Find Me” sports decent lyrics and some of Hyoseong’s strongest vocals. The dance-beat heavy track has a nice cha-cha beat mixed in with some retro sound to create something fresh and new. TS Entertainment has gems in her and Jieun if used correctly as soloists.

Block B “A Few Years Later” | March 28

“A Few Years Later” presents a more mature side to Block B. While the fun, in-your-face sound is their signature, R&B and ballads are a pleasant surprise that enhances what Block B can do. It’s great to see them try different things to help enhance their footing. The grown-up image suits them well, adding another layer to their legacy.

 

What were some of your favorites of the month? Let us know!

 

—Joelle Halon

Teen Top recently finished up their U.S Red Point tour and we were able to sit down for a short interview with the boys at the Dallas date of their tour.  The group was very excited to be performing in Dallas for the first time.

 

 

Q: How did you come up with the fanclub name?

Chunji: We asked all of our fans to send in name suggestions and out of everything sent in we all like Angels the most.

 

 

Q: What kind of music do you listen to in your free time?

CAP: I like Jazz and Hip-Hop

L. Joe: Classical Music

Ricky: I listen to general Kpop and I like to listen to the Korean National Anthem before I sleep.

Niel: Recently, I’ve been listening to a lot of Jay Park’s music

Chunji: I enjoy listening to ballads.

Changjo: One Direction, Jay Z and a lot of the popular music in the US.

 

 

Q: Which member is the most fun in the group?

Niel: Everyone agrees that CAP is the funniest member in the group because he makes a lot of funny faces and likes to joke around a lot.

 

 

Q: Do you have any thing you would like to say to your fans?

CAP: We hope that our fans will continue listening to our music and showing us support. We hope to continue to supply fans with good music and come back with a better album. Thank you US fans for supporting us.

 

 

Thanks to Teen Top, Studio PAV M &C, and Kpoplive.tv for making this happen!  Keep an eye out for our full concert review and more photos from the show.

 

A-Daily is a Korean girl group that made its debut in December of 2014 as the first girl group formed under D.K Entertainment.

The quartet are said to be named as ‘A-Daily’ to indicate that the members will thrive to spend each day in the best way as they can. The A-Daily members consist of Sena, Ziu, Jay and Young Bi.

A-Daily have so far released two mini albums, with ‘If You Don’t Tell Me,’ ‘Spotlight’ as their promotional singles.

A-Daily members have not achieved any notable breakthrough in their pop career as of yet, however we think there is a good chance of them making a significant change this year when they return with a full length album. Their fan club named, ‘Edelweiss.’

Over the last year, there have been some vast changes in the members, Jay and Young Bi were newly added to the group. Ziu and Young Bi are still in their late teens while Sena and Jay are 21 years old – and the girls have just begun.

We interviewed the members of A-Daily to ask about their passion for music, what it means to be in the spotlight, who they admire the most as artists and much more.

We’d like to thank the group for giving us a great interview and we wish them all the best in their career. We hope the readers will also enjoy reading.

 

Interview with A-Daily

 

Hello, A-Daily members! Thank you very much for taking the time out for a KCRUSH interview. Please introduce yourselves to our readers.

Sena: Hello, my name is Sena the leader of A-Daily.

Ziu: Hi! This is Ziu who does the rap, dance and vocal for A-Daily. It’s so nice to meet you all!

Jay: Hello! This is Jay, who is in charge of the dancing in A-Daily. It’s great to meet you all. ^ ^

Young Bi: Hello. I’m Young Bi, the maknae of this group…

 

We are curious to know how you became the members of the group.

Sena: I auditioned to join the group myself, after seeing a post advertised and that’s how I became an A-Daily member.

Ziu: It was always my wish to become a singer since I was very young, so when I found out online that A-Daily were recruiting for members, I was able to pass the audition and become the member of this group.

Jay: I was searching online to take auditions and I got to find out about our current company and after taking the audition, I got in.

Young Bi: I was doing a performance at school and was casted by the company staff. I joined the group right after an audition.

 

 

Tell us about your other interests outside of music.

Sena: Cooking and baking! 

Ziu: I majored in acting while I am attending Art High school so I am very interested in acting and really hoping to get to act if given the chance. Naturally, singing, acting, dancing and musicals are some of my interests.

Jay: My father runs a Taekwondo center so I was able to learn the martial art from an early age. I haven’t been in practice for ages but I am a third degree black belt on Taekwondo, second degree black belt on Hapkido and I also hold a license for second level bodyguard martial arts. 

Young Bi: I like to draw, although I am not sure if I have a lot of talent in art and acting but they are definitely some of my interests for sure.  

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Sena: I like going around to different places to browse and tour. I love travelling.

Ziu: I love movies and video games. I especially like to watch romantic comedies, crime thrillers. I like both the computer and the mobile games but I prefer the computer games a bit more. I usually play Sudden Attack or other kind of shooting games. 

Jay: I love going to cinemas to watch movies and I love hanging out with my friends so much that my usual routine is to go see the flicks with them and meet up for a long chat, go eat something nice. I also love to travel and I mostly use up my free time this way.

Young Bi: I usually enjoy the everyday cultural activities, go shopping or invest in myself. I meet up with my friends and hang out with them.

At home, I like to lie down a lot so I usually spend the time lying down, practically attach myself to the bed.

 

We usually don’t leave this question out. Can you name your favorite food or beverage?

Sena: My fav food is Ttukbbokki and tacos and for beverage I like chocolate milk.

Ziu: My all-time favorite food is Budaejjigae and I love yoghurt smoothies! I can eat any kind of food.

Jay: I am into anything related to meat! I can’t take down spicy or hot foods very well so other than those kinds I can eat almost everything. I also like to yoghurt, orange juice and carbonated drinks.

Young Bi: I was always into the foods that adults eat even when I was very young, so I like to eat foods that taste spicy, salty and stimulating. I don’t have a favorite dish set but I think Korean food is the best for me.

 

 

Please name one song you’ve been listening to frequently or a movie you’ve watched that inspired you.

Sena: I usually listen to Taeyeon sunbaenim’s songs and I’ve recently watched the movie, The Intern which I was impressed by.

Ziu: I listen to TheArk’s song called, “Light” and in the song there is a part where it says in the lyrics, “Don’t give up and take my hand” so when I am down, the song really gives me strength. The song has really encouraging lyrics.

Jay: I like listening to upbeat songs so I tend to listen to that kind of music frequently and the movie that I was inspired by was The Intern which is about an elderly gentlemen in his 70’s who goes back to work as an intern. That movie made me think to myself that I want to age like that and still be able to put in my all for work.

Young Bi: The Disney movie, Ratatouille and the Intern are the movies that I love.

 

Who would be the musicians/artists that you like the most?

Sena: Girl Generation’s Taeyeon and Yunha sunbaenim.

Ziu:  I think the powerful sound that comes from someone who is built very petite is so cool. The songs are all so cool as well.

Jay: I really like BoA sunbaenim! I grew up listening to BoA and following her dance moves. She has such great songs and she is one spectacular dancer. She’s so good at live performances as well, I have a lot of respect and admiration for her and want to be a great artist just like her!

Young Bi: There is a musician who goes by the name, Gyuseon Sim, a.k.a Lucia and her voice is impossible to describe into words. You’ll all agree once you hear her voice. She is the singer that I love and respect the most.

 

Regarding your second single – Spotlight – What does it mean to be in the spotlight as a group and personally as individuals? What are the goals you want to achieve in the music business?

Sena: Being under the spotlight and getting the attention would mean that you can be the one that someone idolizes and that’s a great thing for a singer and entertainer. I’d like to become a singer that produces music that the public can relate to.

Ziu: To me, having the people’s attention would tell me I am doing my job well that also gives me a sense of relief that people are taking interest in me. It makes me very grateful and exhilarated when I am on stage and I believe that feeling ultimately becomes the driving force for me to work even harder.

The No. 1 goal we want to achieve as a group is to reach the top of the music charts. Other goals would be to shoot commercials which we haven’t gotten the chance to do yet and I would love to do concerts with other artists.

Most of all, I wish that more people will get to know A-Daily and get to really like us for our music.

Jay: I think being in the spotlight as a singer is just the best kind of feeling. Because it means people are concentrating and interested in us and every time we get into the spotlight, I feel really proud and good at the same time. And that is one of the reasons why we are doing this.

We want to become No. 1 on the music charts as A-Daily, and eventually hold our very own concert to perform in front of a massive audience!

Young Bi: When I get in to the spotlight, I feel that I’m being loved. I want to spend my life doing music and gain more experience to later venture into doing solo activities as well. We want our group to be known for good singing and musical abilities – become singers who can relate and share happiness and sadness with other people through music.

 

 

What kind of music can the fans expect from A-Daily’s new music due to be out soon?

Sena: The kind of music that will show you the everyday life of A-Daily.

Ziu: The new music will be completely different from our previous tunes. The new music will be very fast and upbeat that people can dance to. I hope the fans will respond well to the music and dance along with us. 

Jay: This time the music will not be like the stuff we did previously. We’re coming back with something that both the female and male audience can enjoy and I hope they would naturally want to dance while listening to us.

Young Bi: We are coming back with something that is totally different from our previous songs so we ask for your support and love please! We will be back soon with exciting and upbeat songs.

 

Where would you like to perform the most in the world?

Sena: I would love to perform in New Zealand and also at the Berklee College of Music?!

Ziu: First, I would love to perform at the major stadiums like the main Olympic Stadium in Seoul in front of a large audience. It would also be fabulous to perform at Japan’s Tokyo Dome. We even have big dreams for a world tour as well.

Jay: Tokyo Dome based in Japan. I was in Japan several times as a tourist and I’ve never seen a concert hall that huge in size. Only few artists get to perform there so I would love to perform there.

Young Bi: Would love to do a show in the U.S, U.K and France.

 

Do you own any object or ornament that you regard as the most precious? 

Sena: The wallet that I bought with the first wage that I earned from my first proper job.

Ziu: I keep and collect all the hand-written letters I get from my family and friends that are very precious to me.

Jay: The mobile phone is something that has a lot of my happiest memories and you can practically do anything these days. I can also see the faces of people whom I miss very much, so the phone is very precious to me.

Young Bi: I have a photo album of myself as a baby. That portrays a lot of happy times and I can see faces of people that I miss dearly, so this makes it so precious.

 

 

Let us know what you want 2016 to be like for A-Daily, plus a shout out to the A-Daily fans out there. Thank you so much for the great interview.

Sena: We want to spend the last days of this year at the broadcasting station on stage. We use the public transportation often, so we would love it if some of the people would acknowledge and recognize us at times. Thank you very much for all your love and support!

Ziu: This year, we expect to get more on the air with various types of broadcasting activities and we are in hope that our music will be played a lot publicly as well.

We hope that more people would get to know about our group, A-Daily and we want to perform at the end of the year award ceremonies and appear on major broadcasting stations. We want our fans, Adel Weiss to know that we are so grateful for the letters and gifts they’ve sent us. You are our driving force to do this again and each and every one of you is so precious to us.

A-Daily members are going to put in the most of our efforts to make you proud of us and return the love that you’ve shown us. Again, we express our gratitude.

Jay: We want to become a group that many people will know and recognize and what we really want is to win awards at ceremonies!!

And to our dear fans, we are able to have the strength to do our work because of your existence. ^^ Thank you so very much and please show us love and support in the future as well~! We’re going to work harder to develop ourselves into a better group. Thank you. ♡

Young Bi: A-Daily debuted in December of 2014 but we are still not very well-known to the public. This time around, things can overturn but we want people to hear our songs and even recognize us as a group. We want to enhance ourselves to become a great group than ever before.

We haven’t got that many fans at present, but we would like to thank our fans who have been supporting us from the very start.

Thank you for being with us and for the love for A-Daily. We will make sure that we return the love we’ve received. Love you all. ♡

 

 —-J. Chung

Hit Point, the creators behind the hit game Neko Atsume, teamed up with Sega Toys for a new app game that could potentially gain the following its predecessor has.

Spoon Pets, released March 16, 2016, features cute, hamster-esque critters instead of adorable, smiley kitties. Besides hamsters, players can collect puppies, kittens, birds, and sheep. The pets are really cute and have that recognizable chibi-charm that many Japanese characters have. While playing, thoughts of Hamtaro come to mind because the characters have similar cuteness.

The game functions the same way as Neko Atsume: Players place toys and food in the yard and house, then they collect different pets, take their pictures, and figure out how to keep them coming back while attracting new pets. Like Neko Atsume, players can check the game periodically throughout the day, so they do not have to play for long periods, making the game perfect for children.

Like Neko Atsume, players have to purchase toys and different food to attract pets via the shop. Instead of fish, players use silver and gold spoons to purchase what the pets need. What’s funny about the shop items is that they go outside the scope of realism, a big departure from Neko Atsume. In Neko Atsume, cats eat typical cat foods, but with Spoon Pets, candy, pancakes, and cake are part of a balanced diet for bringing all the pets to the yard.

Since the game is new, there aren’t a lot of toys to purchase yet. Right now, there are a handful of tables, houses, balls, and swings for the critters, but as the game updates and increases in popularity, more is expected to be added.

One positive departure from Neko Atsume is how the Spoon Pets walk around and interact with the toys. The pets dance, sleep, show that they’re happy, and even get cranky if they’re roaming around the yard too long without interacting with something or without a player interacting with them. To interact with pets and place them near toys, you can scoop them up with a spoon located in the upper right hand corner of the screen. It’s funny to watch how the pets react when scooped up by the spoon: Some are relaxed, others flail, and some cry.  Hit Point gets credit for giving the critters emotions for this game, just like they earn credit for giving the animals an ability to walk around.

 

 

There are other positives for Spoon Pets as well. For example, players can play two mini games that can help them earn gold and silver spoons. The mini games involve capturing the pets with the spoons and matching them up to a picture. While it sounds easy, the critters do move around quickly, so it’s not as easy as it looks.

Like with Neko Atsume, as play continues, players earn more spoons or they can purchase spoons using real money; players can wait until they have enough spoons or “cheat” and buy some to level up quickly.

Additionally, mementos from the pets can be used, which differs from Neko Atsume. For Spoon Pets, the creatures give the players different hats and accessories; which, in turn, the player can use to accessorize their pets.  Mementos are earned based on how often an animal visits as well as if the player keeps favorite toys and food available to attract them, just like Neko Atsume.

While the game is adorable and has some refreshing changes, Spoon Pets lacks some of the charm Neko Atsume has. The animation isn’t as sharp, and this is especially noticeable when taking pictures of the pets since some turn out blurry. And while the animated creatures add an aww-factor, it seems like the animation was used in place of higher quality colors and appearance.

The toys also appear to be lacking. The pets can lounge on a macaroon cushion or bed, take a shower, or play around on a swing, wheel, or house, but that’s it in terms of variety. There are also tongs, but this toy is more mean than cute since the little pets struggle to try to get out of them. There’s also not a lot of space to place toys, so a player is limited on what they can put out. There is a yard expansion available, but it costs 280 gold spoons.

Another issue is that the collection portion of the game can be completed too quickly. Within the first four days of play, my catalog was already full as all the pets showed up in my yard. With Neko Atsume, strategizing and playing around with different food/toy combinations made the game more worthwhile and more involved. With Spoon Pets, there isn’t a lot of work involved to get animals to appear. This makes the game slightly underwhelming and disappointing. One saving grace is that it appears that the animals do give players multiple mementos, so it’s worth playing to see how that plays out.

As the game grows, these elements might be fixed.

For English-speaking players, the game is currently only in Japanese because it is a Japan release. However, since the menus are similar to Neko Atsume’s, they are easy to navigate and figure out. There shouldn’t be any issues with game play.

Another aspect to note about Spoon Pets is that the game is based on the toys with the same name that have been released in Japan (and available on Amazon stateside). The toys were released a few years ago in all their adorable glory, so creating an app game based on them makes sense as young people familiar with the toys will play while those who enjoy Neko Atsume will gravitate toward it due to similar gameplay. For Sega Toys and Hit Point, this is an interesting and potentially successful marketing strategy.

As a whole, while Spoon Pets is an adorable game with potential to be a mega-hit, it doesn’t have the charms Neko Atsume has due to some weaknesses in game play and style. As the game updates, perhaps it will improve, but right now, it’s a solid 2.5/5.

Spoon Pets is currently only available for iOS.

 

—-Joelle Halon

 

Asian and Asian American Festival Events: A State-by-State Guide

Here is a state-by-state guide featuring upcoming confirmed and tentatively scheduled Asian-interest festivals and events for the remainder of 2016. Press CTRL+F to search for your state. Upcoming events that are known to be happening like K-Con have not been listed yet as dates or months haven’t been cemented yet.

Kcrush America would like to thank the organizations and sponsors who put together these events for their time during phone calls, email, and social media correspondence to determine if these events are confirmed or potentially upcoming.

Alabama

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 9, 2016	10:30am-4:00pm Local Time	Alabama Asian Cultures and Food Festival- For the 8th annual AACF Festival, begins with a traditional opening ceremony and a performance by a children’s choir. Guests can take the time to learn how to make Nepalese Rangoli, play cricket, learn about Indian film, create Japanese art, and learn about Asian fashion all while listening to taiko drum performances by Matsuriza, who are known for their Disney EPCOT performances. Also featured will be dance performances from Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Nepal, China, and India. The festival bazaar will also have art, books, and collectibles from the different countries represented, and children can take part in multiple kid-friendly activities. Guests can also try different Asian dishes at the festival’s “food court.”   Admission: $8 for adults over the age of 18 and $5 for teens, college students, active military and veterans. Children under the age of 12 are free.   More Information: https://www.facebook.com/alabamafestival	Zamora Shrine Temple 3521 Ratliff Road Irondale, AL 35210

Alaska

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 15-17, 2016	8pm Local Time Friday and Saturday 4pm Local Time Sunday	The Mikado- A play that surrounds West-meets-East set in Imperial Japan and Victorian England. This satire has music and a “happy ending.”   More Information: http://www.anchorage.net/event/the-mikado/35176/

 

Arizona

Date	Time	Event	Location
October 2015	TBD	Phoenix Arab American Festival- A two-day festival celebrating Arab culture. Experience the best the Middle East has to offer with a Hookah lounge, folk dancing, arts and crafts, food, and Middle Eastern music and performances.   Admission: $5; children free   More Information: http://arabamericanfestival.com/	Steele Indian School Park 300 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ
November 6, 2016	Noon-6pm Local Time	West Valley Island Cultural Festival- Eating contests, steel drums, fashion shows, and folk dancing top off this one-day event designed to help preserve Polynesian culture.   More Information: http://www.wvislandculturalfest.com/	Glendale Adult Center 5970 W Brown St Glendale, AZ
December 2016	TBD	Arizona Asian Festival- A three-day event celebrating food, culture, and dance. Kids can try their hand at paper crafts in designated kid zones. Admission: $10; children 15 and under free More Information: http://aaaa-az.org/	Mesa Arts Center 1 E Main St Mesa, AZ
February 2017	TBD	Arizona Matsuri- Celebrate the traditions and art of Japan during this festival. Engage in cosplay and manga contests, watch archery, and goof off while karaoke singing.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://www.azmatsuri.org/	Heritage Square Park 115 N 6th St Phoenix, AZ
March 2017	TBD	Arizona Aloha Festival- Polynesian culture comes to life! Come see traditional Polynesian clothes, dancing, and experience traditional food.   More Information: http://www.azalohafest.org/	Tempe Beach Park Mill Ave & Rio Salado Pkwy Tempe, AZ

 

Arkansas

Date	Time	Event	Location

 

California

Date	Time	Event	Location
March 2016	Varies	Ramen Street Festival- Throughout March, check out delicious ramen dishes from restaurants across San Francisco. This festival is truly “ramen or nothing!”   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/ramen-street-festival-san-francisco-ca	Post Street in Japantown Post St & Buchanan St San Francisco, CA
March 2016	Varies	Ramen Yokocho Festival- Like the Ramen Street Festival in San Francisco, the Arcadian festival celebrates all things ramen. Enjoy different ramen dishes and walk around the park full and happy.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/ramen-yokocho-fest-multi-city	Santa Anita Park 285 West Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA
March 26, 2016	11am-3:00pm Local Time	RANA Bay Area Holi Celebration- The Bay area’s chapter of Rajasthan Association of North America celebrates the colorful Indian festival of renewal. The event features Indian cuisine, chai tea, music, dancing, and art as well as the famously fun color throwing.   Admission: Non-RANA members: $18 RANA members: $15 Non-RANA Children: $13 RANA Children: $10 SAFA: $15   More Information: http://rana.org/	Cardoza Park N Park Victoria Dr & Kennedy Dr Milpitas, CA
Mar 26-27, 2016	Saturday: 11am-2:30pm Local Time   Sunday: 3pm-6:00pm Local Time	Shreemaya Krishnadham Holi Celebration- An event celebrating Holi.   More Information: http://bayvp.org/	Shreemaya Krishnadham 25 Corning Ave Milipitas, CA
April 6-10, 2016	7pm- Midnight Local Time	Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles- The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles presents a chance to see films from India while “promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora.” The festival provides opportunities for Indian filmmakers and performers while showing off their craft.   Admission: $75 ; festival passes range from $100-$1,200   More Information: http://www.indianfilmfestival.org/	ArcLight Cinema Hollywood 6360 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA
April 9-10, 2016		Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival- Entering its 49th year, the NCCBF welcomes over 200,000 people in one of California’s more storied Asian-culture celebrations. Parades, food vendors, and a marketplace for goods welcome guests to come celebrate the blooming of trees, friendship, and the start of spring. In addition to these activities, learn more about Japanese doll-making, origami, and even Hello Kitty!   Admission: Free; food vendors will charge More Information: http://sfcherryblossom.org/	Japantown San Francisco, California 94115
April 15, 2016	TBD	Stockton Cambodian Buddhist Temple New Year Celebration- Get a taste of Cambodia during the new year celebration. Experience some of Cambodia’s spiritual ceremonies and practices and try some home-cooked meals. See some of Cambodia’s traditional dances and art and experience some of the country’s traditional sound.   More Information: http://www.watdhammararambuddhist.org/home0.aspx	Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple 3732 Carpenter Rd Stockton, CA
April 21-28, 2016	Varies	Los Angeles Asian-Pacific Film Festival- Screen different films from all across Asia and take part in seminars and panels to learn more about Asian-Pacific film.   Admission: Price varies by location   More Information: http://festival.vconline.org/	Multiple Venues in Los Angeles
April 23-24, 2016	April 23: 10am-11pm Local Time April 24: 10am-6pm Local Time	Kraken Con- For the otaku, this cosplay, anime, and manga convention has everything you need to get your dose of Japanese pop culture. Take in some panels and browse merchandise counters. This year’s guests include voice actress Carrie Karanen, Korean-American actress Michaela Dietz, voice actress Colleen Clickenbeard, artist Svetlana Chmakova, and comedian David Studebaker.   Admission: $20-$40   More Information: http://www.krakencon.com/	Oakland Convention Center 550 10th St Oakland, CA
April 30, 2016	1pm-5pm Local Time	K-Pop Day- Celebrate all things K-Pop through music, dance, food, and a Running Man game show!   More Information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/k-pop-day-tickets-22592148725?aff=es2	Northside Branch Library – 695 Moreland Way, Santa Clara, CA
April 2016	TBD	Festival of the Silk Road- Enjoy performances from China, India, and the Middle East. Dance workshops and activities set up at the venue.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/festival-of-the-silk-road-san-jose-ca	Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater 1700 Alum Rock Ave San Jose, CA
April 2016	TBD	Stockton Nagar Kirtan- A parade, traditional food, and Sikh traditions make up this festival. While it’s one of the largest Sikh gatherings in the country, the public can join.   More Information: http://www.stocktongurdwarasahib.org/	Gurdwara Sahib Stockton 1930 S Grant St Stockton, CA
May 1, 2016	TBD	Nikkei Matsuri- Folk music, kimono demonstrations, flower arranging, and bonsai demonstrations are all part of Nikkei Matsuri. In addition to these activities, enjoy shopping, aikido demonstrations, and musical performances in a day full of fun and culture.   More Information: http://www.nikkeimatsuri.org/	San Jose Japantown
May 7, 2016		Korea Times Music Festival- Hallyu comes to the West Coast at this annual festival. See performances by some of today’s biggest K-Pop stars as well as traditional performances. This year’s lineup includes Red Velvet, Wax, SHINee, Yoon Mi-Rae, Tiger JK and Bizzy, FTIsland, AOA, The Barberettes, and Wheesung, with many other Korean celebrities in tow.   Admission: $30-$300   More Information: http://ktmf.koreatimes.com/	Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Ave Los Angeles, CA-
May 7, 2016	10am-6pm Local Time	Asian Cultural Festival of San Diego- May is Asian American History Month, and what’s a better way to celebrate than to visit the Asian Cultural Festival of San Diego? Learn more about Asian-Pacific islanders and the Chinese zodiac while enjoying anime art showcases, martial arts, food trucks, and live stages. This year brings new activities including a beer garden, video game tent, and an anime booth.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://asianculturalfestivalsd.com/#&panel1-1	Mira Mesa Community Park 8575 New Salem St San Diego, CA
May 7, 2016	9am-5pm Local Time	San Diego Dragon Boat Festival- Celebrate traditional dragon boat racing on water, while absorbing Asian and Pacific Islander traditions on land.   More Information: http://www.sdalliance.org/index.php?section=1	Tecolote Shores North Park 1740 E Mission Bay Dr San Diego, CA
May 12, 2016	5:30pm-9pm Local Time	Dragon Boat Festival Celebration- Sacramento’s Chinese-American community celebrates the Double Fifth summer solstice holiday with performances. There is also an annual youth writing competition.   More Information: http://www.ocasacramento.org/DragonBoatFestivalCelebration	DoubleTree by Hilton 2001 Point West Way Sacramento, CA
May 14, 2016	10am-5pm Local Time	Irvine Korean Cultural Festival- Crafts, performances, art, and music come together to show off Korean culture.   More Information: http://irvinekoreanfestival.com/	Irvine Civic Center 1 Civic Center Plaza Irvine, CA
May 14, 2016		Pacific Rim Street Fest- Asian and Pacific Islander communities come together to embrace their cultures through art demos, performances, and martial arts demos.   More Information: http://www.pacificrimstreetfest.com/	Downtown Plaza 1100 Front St Sacramento, CA
May 21, 2016	TBD	Locke Asian Pacific Spring Festival- This yearly festival celebrates Chinese culture with a traditional lion dance, martial arts, food, and even calligraphy demonstrations. While it’s a small festival, it is family-friendly.   Admission: Free More Information: http://www.locke-foundation.org/events/festivals/	Along Main Street 13916 Main St Walnut Grove, CA
May 21, 2016	All Day	Asian Heritage Street Celebration- This festival celebrates contemporary and traditional Asian art ranging from street art to folk art. Enjoy food and performances while browsing what the festival has to offer.   More Information: http://www.asianfairsf.com/	Civic Center Plaza Larkin St between Fulton & Grove St San Francisco, CA
May 27-28, 2016	TBD	Sacramento Asian Pacific Film Festival- View films of “cultural significance” by Asian and Asian American film artists. Discuss the films and talk to the creators to learn more about the films’ creations and backgrounds.   More Information: http://www.sapff.org/	Guild Theater 2828 35th Street Sacramento, CA
May 2016	TBD	Taiwanese American Cultural Festival- An annual event, the Taiwanese American Cultural Festival invites people from the Bay Area and all over the world to learn more about Taiwanese culture. Get to know the Taiwanese people, ask questions, and explore what the culture has to offer.   Admission: Varies   More Information: http://tafestival.org/	Union Square 333 Post St San Francisco, CA
June 4, 2016	11am-6pm Local Time	Santa Cruz Japanese Cultural Fair- One of California’s largest Japanese communities come together to promote and celebrate traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through zen, kimonos, art, and food.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://www.jcfsantacruz.org/	Mission Plaza Park 103 Emmett St Santa Cruz, CA
June 2016	TBD	Filipino Fiesta of Sacramento- This festival and carnival brings together the Filipino community every year. Witness a parade, beauty pageants, career and health fairs that bring together and help the Filipino community.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/filipino-fiesta-of-sacramento-sacramento-ca	Jose Rizal Community Center 7320 Florin Mall Dr Sacramento, CA
July 1-4, 2016	Varies	Anime Expo- One of the US’ busiest and most popular anime expos, lovers of Japanese culture come to engage in cosplay, panels, art, and share their love for anime and manga.   Admission: $25 (children)-$375   More Information: http://www.anime-expo.org/	Los Angeles Convention Center 1201 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA
July 15-17, 2016	Varies	Sacramento Japanese Film Festival- This exclusively Japanese film festival features animation, short films, documentaries, and feature films by Japanese film directors.   More Information: http://www.sacjapanesefilmfestival.net/
July 22-24, 2016	TBD	San Francisco J-Pop Summit- Since July 2009, San Francisco has celebrated Japanese pop culture with this summit. The summit celebrates J-Pop, Japanese fashion, anime, manga, art, games, technology, film, Japanese travel, food, and the latest trends in Japan. Enjoy cosplay and dance contests as well as food and sake tastings. For an Otaku, this is the equivalent of a Japanese pop culture Disney World!   More Information: http://www.j-pop.com/	Fort Mason Center San Francisco, CA
July 2016	TBD	Bay Area Naadam Festival- A celebration of Mongolian culture experienced through Mongolian-style wrestling, archery, tug-of-war, song, dance, and traditional cuisine.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/bay-area-naadam-festival-san-francisco-ca	Hellman Hollow at Golden Gate Park 50 Overlook Dr San Francisco, CA
August 5-6, 2016	TBD	Nihonmachi Street Fair- The talents of the Japantown’s locals are put on display during this festival.   More Information: http://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/	Japantown 201 Jackson Street San Jose, CA
August 13, 2016	11am-5pm Local Time	Pistahan Parade and Festival- A parade of traditional Filipino costumes, decorations float down the street while vendors sell Filipino goods.   More Information: http://www.pistahan.net/	Yerba Buena Gardens 750 Howard Street San Francisco, CA
August 13-14, 2016	3pm-10pm Local Time	Gardena Buddhist Church Obon Festival & Bon Odori- Take part in the Buddhist tradition of honoring the dead then celebrate during this event.   More Information: http://www.gardenabuddhistchurch.org/events/	Gardena Buddhist Church 1517 166th Street Gardena, CA
August 13-21, 2016	Varies	Nisei Week- Many activities are on display during this weeklong event that includes World Gyoza Eating Championship, a ball, car show, Taiko drummers, martial arts, and a fashion show among other family-friendly fare.   More Information: http://www.niseiweek.org/	Little Tokyo 301-345 East Temple Street Los Angeles, CA
August 2016	TBD	San Diego Korean Film Festival- Korean films are on display during this multi-day festival. Take part in a Q&A and enjoy the wonders of K-Cinema.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/san-diego-korean-film-festival-san-diego-ca	UltraStar Mission Valley 7510 Hazard Center Dr San Diego, CA
August 2016	TBD	Stockton Obon Odori & Cultural Bazaar- Stockton’s Buddhist community and traditions are celebrated during a two-day event featuring a parade, traditional music, food, performances, and crafts.   More Information: http://stocktonbukkyotaiko.org/	Stockton Buddhist Temple 2820 Shimizu Drive Stockton, CA
August 2016	TBD	Samahan Philippine Cultural Arts Festival- The Filipino community comes together to show off their culture while preserving their unique traditions for youths. Learn Tagalong and the national dance of the Philippines, Tinikling.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/samahan-philippine-cultural-arts-festival-san-diego-ca	Balboa Park 1549 El Prado San Diego, CA
August 2016	TBD	Japan Film Festival of San Francisco- See Japanese films and talk to Japanese actors and film creators and learn more about the rich Japanese film scene.   More Information: http://jffsf.org/	NEW PEOPLE Cinema 1746 Post Street San Francisco, CA
August 2016	TBD	Japanese Food & Cultural Bazaar- Experience Taiko drums, tea ceremonies, Ikebana, and odori during this bazaar.   More Information: http://www.buddhistchurch.com/events/Bazaar.htm	Sacramento Buddhist Church 2401 Riverside Boulevard Sacramento, CA
August 2016	TBD	Stockton Filipino Barrio Fiesta- During this two-day affair, authentic cuisine, dancing, and Filipino designers and models come together to show their stuff and have fun.   More Information: http://www.visitstockton.org/events/annual-events/	Filipino Plaza 1 East Market Street Stockton, CA
August 2016	TBD	San Francisco Festival of India & Parade- An annual celebration of Indian culture and heritage features a parade, health booths, food, dancing, and music.   More Information: https://www.fogsv.org/	Fremont Central District 24010 Walnut Avenue Fremont, CA
August 2016	TBD	Oakland Chinatown Street Festival- Celebrate and embrace China’s historical past and bright future during this festival. Experience some of China’s traditions while browsing booths from over 200 vendors.   More Information: http://www.oaklandchinatownstreetfest.com/	Oakland’s Chinatown District between Broadway and Harrison Street from 7th to 11th Streets 399 9th Street Oakland, CA
September 25-26, 2016	TBD	Pacific Islander Festival- Celebrate Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia’s traditions and culture during a two-day festival filled with music, dance, and hand-crafts.   More Information: http://www.pifasandiego.com/	Ski Beach at Mission Bay Park 1499 Vacation Road San Diego, CA
September 2016	TBD	San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival- See over 120 dragon boats race for victory!   More Information: http://www.sfdragonboat.com/	Treasure Island 852 Avenue D San Francisco, CA
September 2016	TBD	Cambodia Town Film Festival- See films from Cambodian and Cambodian-American filmmakers.   More Information: http://cambodiatownfilmfestival.com/	Art Theatre of Long Beach 2025 E 4th St Long Beach, CA
September 2016	11am-6pm Local Time	San Francisco Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival- The Chinese and Vietnamese communities come together to celebrate the harvest moon. Experience nearly 1000 years of tradition to celebrate autumn.   More Information: http://www.moonfestival.org/	Grant Avenue in Chinatown 798 Grant Avenue San Francisco, CA
September 2016	TBD	OACC Harvest Moon Festival- Celebrate autumn’s arrival with performances and stories from Indonesia, Pacific Islands, and North India.   More Information: http://oacc.cc/	Oakland Asian Cultural Center 388 9th St Oakland, CA
October 7-16, 2016	Varies	Arab Film Festival- This year, the Arab Film Festival turns 20. This grand event allows viewers to see films from and about the Middle East.   More Information: http://www.arabfilmfestival.org/	Multiple Locations in San Francisco
October 2016	TBD	Pacific Asia Museum Festival of the Autumn Moon- Entering its 39th year, artisans and donors come together to welcome the harvest.   More Information: http://www.pacificasiamuseum.org/index.aspx	Pasadena Convention Center 300 E Green St Pasadena, CA
October 2016	TBD	Filipino American International Book Festival- Celebrate literacy and Filipino talents in art and literature. Entering its fourth year, guests can take part in book signings and attend film screenings.   More Information: http://pawainc.com/filbookfest/	San Francisco Public Library 100 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA
November 2016	TBD	San Diego Asian Film Festival- Films from across Asia and from Asian Americans are featured.   More information: http://festival.sdaff.org/2015/	Multiple Locations in San Diego
November 2016	TBD	SCCF Asian Performing Arts Festival- Held by the Sacramento Chinese Cultural Foundation, the festival promotes Chinese culture and performance for all to see. Enjoy Kung Fu, face painting, and traditional Chinese dancing.   More Information: http://www.sccfsac.org/	Crest Theatre 1013 K St Sacramento, CA
November 2016	TBD	IASJC Diwali Celebration- Celebrate Diwali in Stockton with authentic cuisine and performances.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/iasjc-diwali-celebration-stockton-ca	Ronald E. McNair High School 9550 Ronald E McNair Way Stockton, CA
November 2016	TBD	Stockton Hmong New Year- Folk dancing, traditional and modern music, and arts and crafts from the Hmong community are on display.   More Information: http://lfcempowerment.org/shny/Home/tabid/591/language/en-US/Default.aspx	San Joaquin County Fairgrounds 1658 S Airport Way Stockton, CA

 

Colorado

Date	Time	Event	Location
March 25-27, 2016	Varies	Animeland Wasabi- Lovers of Japanese pop culture converge to enjoy cosplay, anime, games, and manga. Artist alleys and panels are also part of the event that has a lot to offer!   More Information: http://animelandwasabi.com/	Ramada Plaza Denver 10 E 120th Ave Northglenn, CO
June 2016	TBD	Hello Kitty’s Supercute Friendship Festival- A traveling theater show that celebrates Hello Kitty and friendship rolls into Colorado.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/hello-kitty-s-supercute-friendship-festival-multi-city	Denver Coliseum 4600 Humboldt St Denver, CO
September 4-6, 2016	Varies	Nan Desu Kan- Otakus come to enjoy this anime and manga convention. Enjoy dance parties, panels, art, and gaming tournaments.   Admission: Start at $40   More Information: http://ndkdenver.org/	Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel 1550 Court Place Denver, CO
November 2016	TBD	Colorado Springs Diwali- The Hindu “Festival of Lights” celebrates the good over evil. Join in the celebration while enjoying different aspects of Indian culture.   More Information: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/	McHugh Commons at Colorado College 1090 N Cascade Ave Colorado Springs, CO

 

Connecticut

Date	Time	Event	Location
August 20, 2016	TBD	Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival- Enjoy 60 teams racing for glory while guests enjoy food and fun on land.   Admission: Free   More Information: https://www.facebook.com/Riverfront-Dragon-Boat-Asian-Festival-575040369277411/?fref=nf	Mortensen Riverfront Plaza Hartford, CT

 

Delaware

Date	Time	Event	Location
March-December 2016	10:am-5pm Local Time	Made in the Americas: The New World Discovers Asia- Discover how Asia influenced Colonial American art.   Admission: $50-$20; children under 2 free   More Information: http://www.winterthur.org/madeintheamericas	5105 Kennett Pk (Rt 52) Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library Wilmington, DE

 

Florida

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 30, 2016	TBD	Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races- Teams from around the world race in traditional-style dragon boats.   More Information: https://www.panamdragonboat.com/	Garrison Channel Tampa, FL
April 2016	TBD	Miami International Dragon Boat Festival- Miami celebrates the time-honored tradition of dragon boat racing with a modern-day twist. Teams race Hong Kong-style boats while spectators cheer them on.   Admission: Free for spectators   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/miami-international-dragon-boat-festival-key-biscayne-fl	Miami Rowing Club 3601 Rickenbacker Causeway Key Biscayne, FL
April 2016	TBA	India International Film Festival Tampa Bay- This three-day event features films from India including animation, documentaries, and short films. Discussion panels provide insight on the world of Indian film.   More Information: https://www.facebook.com/IndianFilmFest/	Muvico Centro Ybor 20 1600 E 8th Ave Tampa, FL
October 8, 2016	10am-5pm Local Time	Experience Asia- Traditional and contemporary dance and musical performances as well as arts and crafts are on display for this one-day festival.   More Information: http://www.asiantlh.org/	Lewis and Bloxham Parks 299 East Park Avenue Tallahassee, FL
October 15, 2016		Morikami Museum Lantern Festival- The festival celebrates the souls of ancestors. See the floating lanterns and enjoy different elements of Japanese culture.   Admission: $9-$15   More Information: http://morikami.org/cultural-programs/lantern-festival/	Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens 4000 Morikami Park Rd Delray Beach, FL
October 2016	TBD	Wasabicon- Cosplay, anime, video game, comic book, paranormal, and science fiction fans call this convention home during the two-day event. The convention is entering its fifth year.   More Information: http://www.wasabicon.com/	Jacksonville Marriott 4670 Salisbury Rd Jacksonville, FL
November 2016	11am-10pm Local Time	Tampa Bay India Festival- Celebrate India Bollywood style! Local Indian chefs share authentic cuisine, while performers dance and sing during this colorful party.   Admission: $10; children 10 and under $5   More Information: http://www.indiafestivaltampa.com/	Florida State Fairgrounds 4800 US Hwy 301 N Tampa, FL

 

Georgia

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 2-3, 2016	April 2: 10am-7pm Local Time April 3: 11am-6pm Local Time	Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival- While the festival is still fairly new, there is still plenty to do! Enjoy the beauty of the sakura trees while enjoy family-friendly activities, a 5K, and an arts and crafts market.   More Information: http://www.brookcherryfest.org/	Blackburn Park Atlanta, GA
April 23-24, 2016	April 23: 11:00 am – 7pm Local Time   April 24: 12:00 pm – 6 pm Local Time	Atlanta Arab Festival- Join the festivities celebrating Arab culture. Listen to poetry, get henna tattoos, eat authentic cuisine, and enjoy lively dancing and performances during the two-day event.   Admission: $5; children under 12 free   More Information: http://www.alifinstitute.org/index.php/events-programs/atlanta-arab-festival	ALIF Institute 3288 Marjan Dr Atlanta, GA
May 7, 2016	9am-5pm Local Time	Uptown Columbus Dragon Boat Festival- Dragon boat racers compete against each other while raising money for local organization.   More Information: http://www.uptowncolumbusdragonboat.com/	Chattahoochee RiverWalk 701 Front St Columbus, GA
May 26-29, 2016	Varies	Momocon- Anime, gaming, and comic book fans come together to share enjoyment of their hobbies.   Admission: $42-$70   More Information: http://www.momocon.com/	Georgia World Congress Center 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW Atlanta, GA
May 2016	TBD	Panihati: A Festival of Bliss- Witness a glorious parade with chariots and glitz, then marvel at Indian handicrafts and vegetarian Indian food.   More Information: http://www.iskconatlanta.com/	ISKCON Atlanta Hare Krishna Temple 1287 S Ponce De Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA
September 29-October 2, 2016	Varies	Anime Weekend Atlanta- One of the country’s largest anime conventions features cosplay contests, game rooms, retail space, panels, workshops, and a ball.   Admission: $45-$60   More Information: http://awa-con.com/	Multiple Locations in Atlanta 206 Washington Street Southwest Atlanta, GA
October 6-22, 2016	TBD	Atlanta Asian Film Festival- Called the “largest festival of its kind in the South East,” the Atlanta Asian Film Festival is several days of films and documentaries from Asian filmmakers. Enjoy films and live performances during this weeks’ long event.   Admission: Tickets go on sale in July   More Information: http://atlaff.org/	Multiple Locations in Atlanta 206 Washington Street Southwest
October 2016	TBD	Atlanta Korean Fest- Korean and Korean-American heritages are on display featuring traditional food, performances, and comedy among other activities.	Suwanee Town Center Park 330 Town Center Avenue Northwest Suwanee, GA

 

Hawaii

Date	Time	Event	Location
June 10-12, 2016	TBD	Pan-Pacific Festival- Performances from different Pan-Pacific cultures across the Pacific Rim including Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Filipino delight fans. These cultures and Hawaiian cultures combine for a unique experience.   More Information: http://www.pan-pacific-festival.com/	Multiple Locations on and around Kalākaua Avenue Kalākaua Ave & Kaʻiulani Ave Honolulu, HI
July 1-3, 2016	TBD	Tahiti Fête- Celebrate the traditions of Tahitian dance through lively performances and competition.   More Information: http://www.tahitifete.com/	Hilo, HI
July 2016	TBD	Korean Festival Hawaiʻi- The festival celebrates the Korean community living in Hawaii. Folk dancing, K-Pop performances, and authentic Korean food help top off the event.   More Information: http://www.koreanfestivalhi.com/en/	Magic Island 1365 Ala Moana Blvd Honolulu, HI
September 2-4, 2016	9am-8pm Local Time	Okinawan Fest- Okinawan, Japanese and Hawaiian cultures combine for three days of performance, cultural awareness, calligraphy, and fun.   More Information: http://www.okinawanfestival.com/	Kapiʻolani Park 2738-2778 Monsarrat Avenue Honolulu, HI
October 2016	TBD	UH Hilo Barrio Fiesta- The University of Hawaii’s Hilo campus throws this annual event to celebrate Filipino Heritage Month.   More Information: http://hilo.hawaii.edu/	Campus Center Plaza at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 200 West Kawili Street Hilo, HI
November 2016	TBD	Pacific Island Arts Festival- 100 artists come together to share their artwork and sell pieces to the public.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/pacific-island-arts-festival-honolulu-hi	Kapi’olani Park 2748 Monsarrat Ave Honolulu, HI

 

Idaho

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

Illinois

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 1-14, 2016	TBD	Foundation for Asian American Independent Media Asian American Showcase- Since 1995, the FAAIM Showcase allows Asian American artists a chance to showcase their cinematic pieces to help further the voice of the Asian American community. Watch movies, engage in a Q&A session with the artists, enjoy exhibits, and view concerts while helping these artists realize their dreams.   More Information: http://www.faaim.org/showcase-2016/	Gene Siskel Film Center 164 N State St Chicago, IL
April 15, 2016	7:00 PM to 10:30 PM local Time	Club K: K-Pop Dance Party Spring 2016- Hosted at Columbia College Chicago by Hangook, Columbia’s Korean student organization, and Chinese Student and Scholars Association, this dance party is a K-Pop fusion open to the public.   Admission: $6.27; Columbia College students free with valid ID   More Information:	The HAUS – 623 S Wabash Ave First Floor, Chicago, IL
April 16-28, 2016	Varies	Chicago Palestine Film Festival- Palestinian filmmaking and storytelling take the spotlight during this multi-day film festival featuring feature films, documentaries, and short films.   More Information: http://palestinefilmfest.com/	Gene Siskel Film Center & Moraine Valley Community College Fine Arts Theater Building 164 N State St Chicago, IL
May 20-22, 2016	10am May 20-8pm May 22 Local Time	Anime Central- The Midwest and Chicago’s largest anime convention welcomes anime fans for two days of gaming, cosplaying, and fun.   More Information: http://www.acen.org/	Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, Illinois
May 2016	TBD	Eye on India- This festival features the best of Indian literary, visual and performing arts.   More Information: http://eyeonindia.com/	Multiple Locations in Chicago 300-310 South Federal Street Chicago, IL
July 2016	TBD	Chinatown Summer Fair- Enjoy a traditional lion dance procession, a petting zoo, live music, dancing, and food. The event attracts nearly 50,000 guests a year.   More Information: http://www.chinatownspecialevents.org/	Chinatown 255 West 23rd Street Chicago, IL
August 12-14, 2016	Varies	Ginza Fest- Experience master Waza crafters and purchase kimonos, dry goods, origami, and jewelry while enjoying different aspects of Japanese culture.   More Information: http://ginzaholiday.com/	Midwest Buddhist Temple 435 W. Menomonee St. Chicago, IL
September 2016	TBD	Kriti Festival- Speakers, theatre, film, and vocal performances are on display during the event focusing on Southern Asian culture.   More Information: http://kritifestival.org/	University of Illinois at Chicago 750 S Halsted St Chicago, IL
September 2016	TBD	Chicago South Asian Film Festival- Films focusing on the South Asian diaspora are shown during the event.   More Information: http://www.csaff.org/	Showplace ICON Theater, Evanston Public Library, & Gallery Bar 1011 South Delano Court Chicago, IL

 

Indiana

Date	Time	Event	Location
September 23-25, 2016	TBD	Ramencon 2016- Northwest Indiana’s anime and manga convention returns for more fun and excitement. Guests include Jad Saxon, the Harp Twins, and Samurai Dan and Jillian. Featured artists include Ranefea, Sanzaki Kojika, and Toxic Star Studio. Panels, gaming, and screening rooms available.   More Information: http://www.ramencon.com/	Radisson Holiday Star Plaza 800 E 81st Ave Merrillville, IN
September 2016	Noon-6pm Local Time	Indianapolis Chinese Festival- Learn about and enjoy Chinese culture while taking part in this lively festival. See traditional Chinese outfits, dances, and even dragon and lion dancers. Additionally, enjoy authentic moon pies in celebration of the Chinese Moon Festival.   More Information: http://www.indianapolischinesefestival.com/	American Legion Mall 700 North Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN

 

Iowa

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 16, 2016	8pm-11pm Local Time	Bollywood Ball- Live sitar performances, Bollywood fashions, and Indian food come together for a night of fun and passion. Guests are encouraged to wear Bollywood fashion to the event.   Admission: $80 (ticket plus parking)   More Information: http://www.cultureall.org/bollywood-ball.aspx	100 Locust Street Des Moines, IA 50309

 

Kansas

Date	Time	Event	Location
October 2016	TBD	Wichita Asian Festival- Crafts, performances, and food top this festival that celebrates different Asian backgrounds. Everyone is invited to come and talk to performers and vendors to learn more about different cultural backgrounds.   More Information: http://indoasian.org/	Century II Convention Hall 225 W Douglas Ave Wichita, KS

 

Kentucky

Date	Time	Event	Location
June 25-26, 2016	Varies	Fiesta Filipina- Commemorating Philippine Independence, Fiesta Filipina showcases Filipino culture, food, music, and games.   More Information: http://www.filipino-association.org/calendar/showevent.asp?_id=65	Filipino Cultural Center 9810 West 79th Street Overland Park, KS
July 8-10, 2016	Varies	Anime Festival Wichita- A three-day event celebrating all things anime. Game tournaments, dancing, anime films, and vendors alike celebrate this con’s 11th year.   Admission: $12-$45   More Information: http://www.afwcon.org/	Hyatt Regency 400 West Waterman Street Wichita, KS
August 2016	TBD	Kansas City India Fest- Celebrate the history and culture of India with vendors, art, and performances.   More Information: http://iakc.org/	Overland Park Convention Center 6000 College Blvd Overland Park, KS
October 2016	TBD	Kansas City Japan Festival- Learn about and engage in Japanese culture through tea ceremonies, sumo, anime, music, and martial arts.   More Information: http://www.kcjapanfestival.org/	Johnson County Community College 12345 College Boulevard Overland Park, KS

 

Louisiana

Date	Time	Event	Location
October 2016	TBD	New Orleans Japan Festival- This highly interactive festival brings Japanese culture to life through origami demonstrations, performances, meditation, and cosplay.   More Information: http://www.japansocietyofneworleans.org/	The New Orleans Museum of Art Collins Diboll Circle New Orleans, LA

 

Maine

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

Maryland

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 3, 2016	9:30am Local Time	Holi for All- Celebrate Holi and watch a 5K among other fun activities.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://holiforall.com/	Howard County Living Farm 12985 MD-144 West Friendship, MD
April 9, 2016	11am-5pm Local Time	Holi DC- Enjoy simple fun and forget who you are at Holi DC. Celebrate life, love, friends, family, and food and get lost in the family-friendly atmosphere while celebrating color, spring, and renewal.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://holidc.com/	10310 Oaklyn Dr Potomac, MD
May 2016	TBD	Rathyatra – Chariot Festival- This event honors Lord Krishna with chariots representing Lord Jagannatha, Lady Subhadra and Lord Balarama. The chariots are pulled through the streets in this grand affair.   More Information: http://iskconbaltimore.org/rath-yatra	McKeldin Square on the Corner of Pratt & Light Streets Light St & E Pratt St Baltimore, MD
August 2016	TBD	ASET Muslim Food Fest- Enjoy Muslim food from top chefs and foodies during this event. Experience a chicken wing eating contest and a Guinness Book of World Records attempt at the largest kabob.   More Information: http://muslimfoodfest.com/	Islamic Society of Baltimore 6631 Johnnycake Rd Windsor Mill, MD
September 2016	TBD	Janmashtami Mela & Expo- Indian culture is on display through lively performances and chats. The event also provides the community a chance to showcase goods and services.   More Information: http://www.baltimorefest.com/news/28-janmashtami-mela-expo-2015	Meadowbrook Athletic Complex 5001 Meadowbrook Lane Ellicott, MD

 

Massachusetts

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 24, 2016	11am-6pm Local Time	Japan Festival Boston- As New England’s largest Japanese festival, don’t expect to be disappointed. Engage in a cosplay contest, have Japanese snacks, and learn more about bon-odori. Come have fun and enjoy a taste of Japan!   More Information: http://www.japanfestivalboston.org/	Boston Common 139 Tremont St Boston, MA
August 2016	TBD	August Moon Festival- A dragon parade, authentic cuisine, and performances help usher in the August moon.   More Information: http://quincyasianresources.org/event/august-moon-festival/	Hancock Street by Quincy Center 1223 Hancock Street Quincy, MA
September 2016	TBD	New England Indonesian Festival- Since 2013, this festival celebrates Indonesian heritage. Enjoy fashion, music, and dance from the nation.   More Information: http://www.neindofest.com/	Copley Square 560 Boylston Street Boston, MA
October 20-23, 2016	TBD	Boston Asian American Film Festival View a range of films by Asian and Asian American film makers and take the time to learn more about Asian culture.   Additional Information: http://www.baaff.org/	Multiple Locations in Downtown Boston

 

Michigan

Date	Time	Event	Location
November 3-6, 2016	8pm November 3-6pm November 6 Local Time	Youmacon- Detroit’s anime and manga convention returns for another year. Considered one of the fastest growing conventions, Youmacon invites fans to enjoy Japanese pop culture as well as other pop culture geekery!   More Information: http://www.youmacon.com/	Cobo Center and the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

 

Minnesota

Date	Time	Event	Location
July 9-10, 2016	10am-5pm Local Time	Dragon Festival- Ceremonial and theatrical dancing as well as other performances take the stage for two days.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://www.dragonfestival.org/	Lake Phalen and Lake Phalen Park, Saint Paul, MN

 

Mississippi

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

Missouri

Date	Time	Event	Location
August 19-21, 2016	August 19: 6pm-10pm  Local Time   August 20: Noon-10pm Local Time   August 21: Noon-6pm Local Time	Kansas City Ethnic Enrichment Festival- Different cultures and communities come together to celebrate their backgrounds and heritages during the three-day event.   Admission: $3; children under 12 free   More Information: http://eeckc.net/events/ethnic-enrichment-festival/	Swope Park 7800 Oldham Road Kansas City, MO

 

Montana

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

Nebraska

Date	Time	Event	Location
October 2016	TBD	Autumn and Japanese Ambience Festival- Japanese horticulture and soothing traditional music welcome guests to see chrysanthemums on display.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/autumn-and-japanese-ambience-festival-omaha-ne	Lauritzen Gardens 100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE
October 2016	TBD	Omaha Ramen Fest- Drink beer and enjoy jazzed up ramen dishes.	Turner Park 3101 Dodge St Omaha, NE

 

Nevada

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 3-5, 2016	11am-Midnight Local Time April 3 & 4 11am-10pm Local Time April 5	Pinoy Pride Celebration Filipino Festival and Carnival- Celebrate Filipino heritage with this rockin’ festival that features food, fun, and music. The Pinoy Pride Celebration brings guests closer to Filipino culture while getting a chance to meet and greet different celebrities. See performances by Natalie Kalei, New Age Tribe, Junior Rupley, De Dios Sisters, Sophia Ramos, and many more! Admission: April 3: $10 general admission; $8 seniors, active military, children, and veterans; children 5 and under free   April 4: $15 general admission; $12 seniors and military; $8 children. Children under 5 free. VIP tickets $99.   April 5: Free admission   More Information:  http://www.pinoypridelv.com/	200 S. 3rd St. and Carson Ave. Las Vegas, NV
April 14-17, 2016	April 14-15: 5pm-Midnight Local Time   April 16: Noon-Midnight Local Time   April 17: Noon-10pm Local Time	Pure Aloha Festival- Enjoy the colors and party atmosphere of Polynesian cultures during this four-day event filled with music, food, and fun Las Vegas-style!   Admission: $8; $6 for children ages 5-10, military, and senior citizens   More Information: http://vizzun.com/	Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino 3700 W Flamingo Rd Las Vegas, NV
April 23, 2016	10am-4pm Local Time	Festival of Colors- Celebrate India through the Festival of Colors. Not only do you get to participate in Holi events, but enjoy live stages from Tk & Nam Rock Band, Malini, and Dharma Beats among other main stages available during the festival.   Admission: $5   More Information: http://www.festivalofcolorsusa.com/festival-of-colors/festival-colors-las-vegas-nv/	Sunset Regional Park 2601 E Sunset Rd Las Vegas, NV 89120
April 30, 2016	11am-9:30pm Local Time	Las Vegas Indian Food & Cultural Festival- Experience the vibrancy of Indian culture through celebrity interaction, food, performances, and community outreach.   Admission: $5; children 12 and under free   More Information: http://www.lasvegasmela.com/	Clark County Ampitheater 500 S Grand Central Pkwy Las Vegas, NV
May 7, 2016		Springs Preserve ‘Ohana Festival- Usher in Asian, Asian American, and Polynesian Heritage Month with hula dancing, music, a luau, and a tiki beer garden.   Admission: $5; children under 2 free   More Information: https://www.springspreserve.org/apps/event/details.cfml?id=480	Springs Preserve 333 S Valley View Blvd Las Vegas, NV
May 2016	TBD	Las Vegas Fiesta Filipino- The goal of Las Vegas Fiesta Filipino is to bring Nevada’s large Filipino community together through food, fun, and joy. One of the goals is to teach Filipino traditions to younger generations.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/las-vegas-fiesta-filipino-las-vegas-nv	Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza, Lorenzi Park 720 Twin Lakes Dr Las Vegas, NV
October 7-9, 2016	TBD	Las Vegas Lebanese American Festival- Traditional food and dance as well as raffles make this evening for everyone.   More Information: http://www.lebaneseamericanfestivallv.org/	St. Sharbel Catholic Church 10325 Rancho Destino Road Las Vegas, NV
October 8-9, 2016	TBD	Rose Regatta Dragon Boat Festival- Watch dragon boats race while guests and participants raise money and support breast cancer research.   More Information: http://www.roseregatta.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1154105	Lake Las Vegas Resort & Marina 30 Strada Di Villaggio Henderson, NV
October 14-15, 2016	TBD	Final Fantasy XIV Festival- Engage in panels with game designers, cosplay, and play your favorite game series.   More Information	Paris Las Vegas 3655 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV
October 2016	TBD	LUCKYRICE Las Vegas Night Market- Top chefs create contemporary Asian food and cocktails to share the many flavors of Asian cuisine.   More Information: http://luckyrice.com/	Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan 3708 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV

 

New Hampshire

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

New Jersey

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

New Mexico

Date	Time	Event	Location
May 1, 2016	10am-4pm Local Time	New Mexico Festival of Asian Cultures- There is a lot of activity crammed into this one-day event. Learn about and explore Chinese, Japanese, Cambodian, Hawaiian, Filipino, Lao, Korean, Indonesian, Thai, Nepali, and Vietnamese cultures through food, dance, music, and art.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/abq365/events/detail/Festival-of-Asian-Cultures/25227/	New Mexico Veterans’ Memorial Park 1100 Louisiana Blvd SE Albuquerque, NM
September 2016	TBD	New Mexico Aki Matsuri- Modeled after Japan’s traditional fall festivals, Aki Matsuri has a car show, cosplay events, music, food, and other entertainment.   More Information: http://www.nmjacl.org/	National Hispanic Cultural Center 1701 4th Street Southwest Albuquerque, NM

 

New York

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 8-10, 2016	TBD	6th Old School Kung Fu Fest- Gather friends and spend three days watching classic Hong Kong Kung Fu films during this action-packed festival. Persians and Iranians celebrate “nowuz,” or “new day” to welcome spring.   Admission: $15; $12 for children and seniors   More Information: http://www.subwaycinema.com/oldschool16/	Metrograph 7 Ludlow St New York, NY
April 17, 2016	Noon-2pm Local Time	New York Persian Parade- Different cultures and people of Persian descent come together to celebrate Persian pride.   More Information: http://nypp.org/	Madison Avenue between 38th and 26th Streets Madison Ave & E 32nd St New York, NY
April 30, 2016		NYC Holi Hai- Commemorate the Hindu holiday of Holi by enjoying colors and celebrating good over evil.   Admission: Free   More Information:	One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza 2nd Ave & E 47th St New York, NY
April 29-May 4, 2016	Varies	US Kadampa Festival- Listen to the teachings of Buddha Vajrapan during this spiritual guidance retreat.   More Information: http://www.kadampafestivalus.org/	Kadampa Meditation Center New York City 127 W 24th St New York, NY
May 7-14, 2016	Varies	16th Annual New York Indian Film Festival-Films from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan are represented during this annual film festival. For five days, a variety of films will keep viewers entertained.   Admission: TBD   More Information: http://www.iaac.us/NYIFF2016/index.htm	Multiple Locations
June 19, 2016	Noon-4pm Local Time	Egg Rolls, Egg Creams and Empanadas Festival – Chinese, Spanish, and Jewish cultures collide in this unique event. Learn Chinese calligraphy and see Chinese acrobats while learning Yiddish and making Puerto Rican masks among man other events.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://www.eldridgestreet.org/events/	The Museum at Eldridge Street (Eldridge Street Synagogue) 12 Eldridge St New York, NY
June 22-July 9, 2016		New York Asian Film Festival- View films from Pakistan, India, and East, and Southeast Asia. Listen to guest speakers and learn more about the films that highlight elements of Asian culture.   More Information: http://www.subwaycinema.com/	Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center 144 West 65th Street New York, NY
July 14-24, 2016	TBD	Japan Cuts- A celebration of modern Japanese filmmaking including avant-garde films. Enjoy snacks and drinks between films.   More Information: http://www.japansociety.org/page/programs/film/japan-cuts-2016-coming-soon	Japan Society 333 East 47th Street New York, NY
September 2016	TBD	New York Muslim Day Parade- A parade, bazaar, and a food festival are all part of a da celebrating Muslim cultures from Asian, Africa, and across the globe.   More Information: http://muslimdayparade.com/	Madison Avenue Starting from 38th Street 248 Madison Avenue New York, NY
September 2016	TBD	MOCA Mid-Autumn Moon Festival- Held in observance of Vietnamese and Chinese harvest celebrations. Make different crafts, appreciate art, and enjoy moon cakes.   More Information: http://www.mocanyc.org/	Museum of Chinese in America 215 Centre Street New York, NY
September 2016	TBD	New York City Dumpling Festival- A food fest featuring dumplings of all shapes and sizes hailing from Israel, Japan, China, Poland, and the Southern US. The event plays host to a dumpling eating competition each year.   More Information: http://www.dumplingfestival.com/	Sara D. Roosevelt Park 10 Stanton Street New York, NY
October 16, 2016	TBD	Diwali at Times Square- The celebration of lights and new beginnings is back in Times Square this year. Bollywood stars, Indian cuisine, and lights highlight the one-day event.   More Information: http://diwalitimessquare.com/	Times Square
October 2016	TBD	New York Korean Day Parade- Modern pop music, traditional music, and a traditional Korean percussion ensemble celebrate New York’s annual Korean Day.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/new-york-korean-day-parade-new-york-ny	Manhattan Mall Ave of the Americas & W 32nd St New York, NY
November 2016	TBD	Asian Music Festival-  This one-day fest focuses on today’s hot Asian music. Korean hip-hop and rap usually take center stage.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/asian-music-festival-new-york-ny	Stage 48 605 W 48th St New York, NY
November 2016	TBD	Other Israeli Film Festival- Films from Israel’s minority groups are on display. Watch movies, listen to panels, and take part in a Q&A with the film makers. More Information: http://otherisrael.org/	Multiple Locations in New York
November 2016	TBD	New York Arab-American Comedy Festival- A celebration of Arab-American comedians, playwrights, filmmakers and actors.   More Information: http://www.arabcomedy.org/	Gotham Comedy Club 208 W 23rd St New York, NY
November 2016	TBD	South Asian International Film Festival- Films from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal play. A Q&A session with casts and crews also planned.   More Information: http://saiff.org/2015/	SVA Theatre 333 W 23rd St New York, NY

 

North Carolina

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 16, 2016	11am-4pm Local Time	East Meets West Food Festival- Cultural performances and cuisine shine during this festival celebrating Asian and European cultures.   More Information: http://eastmeetswestmorrisville.org/	Town Hall Drive in Morrisville 260 Town Hill Dr Morrisville, NC
April 23, 2016	11am-7:30pm Local Time	North Carolina Persian Festival- Iran’s cultural heritage is celebrated via vendor booths, performances, Persian rugs, and historical films.   More Information: http://www.ncpersianfestival.com/	Kerr Scott Building, North Carolina State Fairgrounds 1025 Blue Ridge Rd Raleigh, NC
April 2016	TBD	Charlotte Bon Odori Festival- Celebrate and learn about the ancestral customs of the Japanese Bon dance. See dancers perform and learn moves of your own while enjoying authentic cuisine, drum circles, tea ceremonies, aikido.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://www.geocities.jp/jaclttest/eindex.html	Wells Fargo Atrium Plaza 301 S Tryon St Charlotte, NC
May 14, 2016	8am-5pm Local Time	Charlotte Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Festival Race- Asian food, arts and crafts, a beauty contest, and boat racing cap off this event celebrated by the Carolinas.   More Information: http://www.charlottedragonboat.com/	Ramsey Creek Park 18441 Nantz Rd Cornelius, NC
September 17, 2016	TBD	Triangle Area Dragon Boat Festival- The event embraces Chinese culture with dragon boat racing, cuisine, and different land activities.   More Information: http://dragonboatnc.wix.com/festival	Koka Booth Amphitheatre 8003 Regency Parkway Cary, NC
September 17-18 2016	September 17 Noon to 8pm Local Time   September 18 Noon to 7pm Local Time	Charlotte Festival of India- A two-day celebration of Indian art, culture and cuisine. Check out Charlotte Indian Idol that features Indian singers and Bollywood performances.   Admission: $5 (online price); $7 (at festival); children under 10 free More Information: http://indiafestival.iacofcarolinas.org/index.php/home/the-20th-festival-of-india	Knight Theater 422 South Tryon Street Charlotte, NC
September 2016	TBD	Cary Eid Festival- This event covers two of the Muslim faith’s most celebrated holidays– Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha—with art, performances, a food drive, and film screenings. The event is open to all backgrounds and faiths.   More Information: http://www.nceidfestival.org/	Cary Arts Center 101 Dry Ave Cary, NC

 

North Dakota

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

Ohio

Date	Time	Event	Location
May 14-15, 2016	TBD	Cincinnati Asian Food Festival- Entering its sixth year, the Cincinnati Asian Food Festival celebrates all things Asian food. Enjoy different vendors and try new things.   Admission: Free admission; vendors vary More Information: http://www.asianfoodfest.org/	Washington Park 1230 Elm St Cincinnati, OH
May 28-29, 2016	May 28: 10am-8pm Local Time May 29: 10am-6pm Local Time	Columbus Asian Festival- As one of Ohio’s biggest Asian festivals, the Columbus Asian Festival provides family-friendly fun and excitement if you’re willing to fight the crowds. The festival features a welcoming gala, dragon boat races, performances, a health pavilion, cultural exhibits, and ping-pong. There’s plenty to see and do that will keep you engaged during the two-day event.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://asian-festival.org/	Franklin Park 1755 E Broad St Columbus, OH
June 2016	TBD	A Taste of Lebanon- Experience traditional, home-cooked Lebanese food such as  falafel, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and kibbe.   More Information: http://www.staparish.org/	St. Anthony of Padua Church 2530 Victory Pkwy Cincinnati, OH
August 2016	TBD	India Festival- Discover more about India through this fun festival that promotes cultural awareness. This is the largest Indian festival in Ohio.   More Information: http://www.indiafestival.org/	The Celeste Center at the Ohio Expo Center 717 East 17th Avenue Columbus, OH

 

Pennsylvania

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 11-17, 2016	Varies	Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia- See the cherry blossoms in full bloom while enjoying the sights in the City of Brotherly Love. The week-long festival features a 10K, arts and crafts booths, martial demonstrations, and live music.   Admission: Varies per event and location; check brochure for information   More Information: http://subarucherryblossom.org/documents/2016cbfbrochure.pdf	Multiple Locations
June 25-26, 2016	10am June 25-10pm June 26 Local Time	KPOP-alypse-KON 2016- A convention celebrating Korean pop culture including music, film, and TV. Engage in karaoke and visit many vendors during the two-day event.   Admission: $15-$70   More Information: https://www.facebook.com/kpopalypsekon/info/?tab=page_info	International House Philadelphia Conference Center 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA
June 2016	TBD	Islamic Heritage Festival- Celebrate Islamic culture from Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa in an event that involves, performances, food, games, and a parade. This event is part of Philadelphia’s diversity and acceptance initiative.   More Information: http://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/	Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing 139 North 2nd St Philadelphia, PA
June 2016	TBD	Korean School Music Festival- The Dasom Korean Academy and Korean School Teachers Association of Philadelphia presents a festival starring their students.   More Information: http://www.philadasom.org/	Dasom Korean Academy 11047 Bustleton Ave Philadelphia, PA
September 2016	10am-10pm Local Time	Lantern Moon Festival- Welcome fall by celebrating this Chinese and Vietnamese festival of lights to show thanks for a bountiful harvest.   More Information: http://www.leeway.org	Washington Avenue between 4th and 6th Streets Washington Ave & 5th St Philadelphia, PA
October 1, 2016	Starts at 8am Local Time	Philadelphia International Dragon Boat Festival- Colorful dragon boats dot the water and race for bragging rights.   More Information: http://www.philadragonboatfestival.com/	Fairmount Park 2098 North 33rd Street Philadelphia, PA
November 2016	TBD	Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival- Asian and Asian-American filmmakers come together to share their crafts with the public.   More Information: http://www.phillyasianfilmfest.org/	Multiple Locations in Downtown Philadelphia

 

Rhode Island

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

South Carolina

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

South Dakota

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

Tennessee

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 9, 2016	Cherry Blossom Walk: 9am-10am Local Time Festival: 10am-5pm Local Time	Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival: The festival celebrates the friendship between Japan and the United States every year. The goal is to plant 1,000 sakura plants across the Nashville area. Enjoy the Taste of Japan food vendors, Ginza Marketplace, and J-Funland, or just walk among the blossoms for a scenic tour.   Admission:   More Information: http://nashvillecherryblossomfestival.org/	Nashville Public Square 1 Public Sq Nashville, TN

 

Texas

Date	Time	Event	Location
March 26, 2016	Noon-5pm Local Time	Houston HOLI: Festival of Colors- In India, Holi celebrates rebirth and the emergence of spring as well as love between family and friends. Celebrate Holi Texas style! The Houston Holi event is the largest in the United States. Now heading into the sixth year, the Houston festival “symbolizes good over evil.” Listen to music and dance while throwing colored powder with friends, family, and strangers. Indian crafts will be available and food will be served throughout the day, and a traditional bonfire will light the way.   Admission: $10; Children under 7 are free   More Information: http://www.houstonholi.com/	Houston Farm & Ranch 1 Abercrombie St Houston, TX
March 26, 2016	3pm-8pm Local Time	Rang Barse Holi Rain Festival- Take part in Holi and the Holi Rain Dance during this event. Authentic Indian food will be served. The event features a live DJ and children’s activities to keep everyone engaged.   Admission: Early Bird: $5 for adults and children 13 and older; children under 13 are free Day-Of: $10   More Information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rang-barse-holi-rain-dance-tickets-20873201307	Elizabeth Milburn Park Cedar Park, Texas 78613
March 26, 2016	Noon-9pm Local Time	Holi Mela- Celebrate Holi at the Austin Hindu Temple. The festival will feature music, colors, food, and cultural programs.   More Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1544207129243467/	Austin Hindu Temple & Community Center 9801 Decker Lake Rd, Travis, Texas 78724
April 9, 2016	11am-8pm Local Time	South Asian New Year Festival- This festival, or “Pohela Boishakh” as it’s also known, is now in its 15th year. The festival features live dancing and music as well as activities that celebrates the flavors of South Asia. Stop by, get a henna tattoo or taste ethnic food or try ethnic clothing.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://www.sasianfest.com/ https://www.facebook.com/events/332223780234544/	Hillside Theater at Zilker Park 2201 Barton Springs Rd Austin, TX
April 14-16, 2016	April 14 7pm-11pm Local Time   April 15 11am-11pm Local Time   April 16 11am-5pm	Vietnamese Martyrs Crawfish Festival- Traditional Vietnamese song and dance performances, basketball competitions, a talent show and a chicken wing eating contest round out a festival that celebrates crawfish eating.   More Information: http://www.vnmartyrs.net/	Vietnamese Martyrs Church 10610 Kingspoint Rd Houston, TX
April 15-17, 2016	6pm April 16-10pm April 17 Local Time	Indie Meme Film Festival- In its inaugural year, the Indie Meme Film Festival is the “first South Asian film festival in Austin, Texas.” The festival features short films, feature films, and documentaries from India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and promises fun for both families and mature audiences.   Admission: Members: $36 Non-Members: $45   More Information: http://www.indiememe.com/imffaustin.html	The Marchesa Hall & Theatre 6226 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, Texas 78752
April 16, 2016	10:30am-4:30pm Local Time	TaiwanYES Houston- Designed to help promote Taiwanese culture, TaiwanYES offers food, fun, and culture to the Houston area to show what Taiwan and its people are all about.   More Information: http://www.taiwanyeshouston.com/	Taiwanese Association of America, Houston Chapter 5885 Point W Dr Houston, TX
April 16-17, 2016	All Day	Houston Japan Festival- Bring your cosplay gear and celebrate Japan at the Houston Japan Festival. Take part in a tea ceremony, watch martial arts, and see what different vendors have to offer. The festival is considered an outreach event, so go out and make some friends! This year’s headliner is J-Pop star Chii Sakurabi.   More Information: http://www.houstonjapanfest.org/	Hermann Park Conservancy 6201 Hermann Park Dr Houston, TX
April 30-May 1, 2016	9am-4pm Local Time	Dragon Boat Festival- Japanese, Chinese and Hawaiian cultural dances, and Asian games and food are part of an event celebrating the traditional activity of dragon boat racing.   More Information: http://www.atxdragonboat.com/	Festival Beach at Lady Bird Lake 5 Chicon St Austin, TX
May 7, 2016	10:30am-5:00pm Local Time	Plano AsiaFest- Cultures from Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal collide for this celebration of all the flavors Asia has to offer. Besides food, vendors, and martial arts, learn about Asian medicines and Asian writing and languages   More Information: http://www.asianamericanheritage.org/default.asp	Haggard Park 901 E 15th St Plano, TX
May 7-8, 2016	8:30am-4:00pm Local Time	Houston Dragon Boat Festival- Enjoy this annual boat-racing tradition while experiencing Asian and Asian-American culture.   More Information: http://www.texasdragonboat.com/	Brooks Lake at Fluor 1 Fluor Daniel Dr Houston, TX
May 14, 2016	11am-6pm Local Time	Dallas Asian Festival- This event celebrates over 20 different Asian cultures through food, dance, music, and shopping. Take the time to enjoy Asian culture in your own home town.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://www.asianfestdallas.com/	Fair Park 1121 1st Ave Dallas, TX
May 15, 2016	8:30am-6:00pm Local Time	DFW Dragon Boat, Kite and Lantern Festival- Boat teams sprint 250-meters to glory in an event honoring Chinese tradition. Following the boat races, fly kites and lanterns to top off a fun day.   More Information: http://dfwdragonboatfestival.com/	Lake Carolyn at the Las Colinas Urban Center 600 Las Colinas Blvd E Irving, TX
June 3-5, 2016	Varies	Project: A-Kon- An annual Japanese pop culture convention that embraces anime, manga, and gaming culture. Meet and greets, panels, vendors, and music artists help create a fun and memorable experience. This year, Steam-Powered Giraffe, Season of Ghosts, and Yousei Teikoku perform. This is the oldest running anime convention in the United States.   Admission: $20-$60 More Information: http://www.a-kon.com/	Hilton Anatole Hotel 2201 N Stemmons Fwy Dallas, TX
June 2016	TBD	Himalayan Festival USA- One of the United States’ only festival celebrating Himalayan heritage. Food, music, games,  pageants, and art are showcased during the event as well as the crowning of Miss Bhutan.   More Information: http://www.himalayanfestivalusa.com/	Crowne Plaza Hotel 8686 Kirby Drive Houston, TX
July 14-21, 2016	TBD	Asian Film Festival of Dallas- See films created by Asian and Asian-American filmmakers. This award-winning festival returns for its 15th year.   More Information: http://www.asianfilmdallas.com/	Angelika Film Center 5321 East Mockingbird Lane Dallas, TX
August 12-15, 2016	Varies	Anime Fest- A convention celebrating anime, manga, and other Japanese pop culture. Chikashi Kubota will be the Guest of Honor this year.   Admission: Starts at $40 More Information: https://animefest.org/	Sheraton Dallas Hotel 400 N Olive St Dallas, TX
September 2016	TBD	Dallas Fort Worth Japanese Fall Festival- An enrichment festival filled with entertainment, food, and music to welcome in the fall.   More Information: https://www.everfest.com/e/dallas-fort-worth-japanese-fall-festival-dallas-tx	Dallas Japanese Association South Side Parking Lot 4100 Alpha Rd Dallas, TX
October 2016	TBD	Lebanese Food Festival- Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church invites you to enjoy three days of traditional Lebanese food and culture.   Admission: Free More Information: http://ourladylebanon.com/	Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church 719 University Place Lewisville, TX
October 2016	TBD	El Paso Indian Food Festival- Discover India through this festival that places the spotlight on food, art, dancing, and music.   More Information: http://epindianfoodfestival.com/	Cleveland Square Park 510 N Santa Fe St El Paso, TX
November 4-6, 2016	10am-5pm Local Time	Japanese Garden Fall Festival- Walk the gardens while viewing sword demonstrations, martial arts, and tea ceremonies during this two-day event.   Admission: $8; children 4-12 $5; children under 3 free More Information: http://www.fwbg.org/events/	Fort Worth Botanic Garden 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd Fort Worth, TX
November 2016	TBD	Austin Asian American Film Festival- Designed to entertainment and educate, the Austin Asian American Film Festival welcomes the public to view films by Asian Americans.   More Information: http://aaafilmfest.com/	Marchesa Hall 6406 N. IH 35 Austin, TX
November 2016	TBD	Diwali San Antonio- An Indian celebrate commemorating good over evil featuring a parade, crafts, and fireworks.	Alamo Plaza 300 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, TX

 

Utah

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

Vermont

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

Virginia

Date	Time	Event	Location
May 2016	TBD	BuddhaFest- A four-day celebration promoting peace, compassion, and spiritual awareness through meditation, talks from spiritual leaders, and promoting a healthy mind and life.   More Information: http://www.buddhafest.org/	Artisphere’s Spectrum Theatre 1611 N Kent St Arlington, VA
September 2016	TBD	Arabfest- Food, music, and dance showcase the beautiful aspects of Arab culture. The all-ages festival has plenty of food and performances to keep everyone full and happy.   More Information: http://arabfest.org/	Bull Run Regional Park 7700 Bull Run Drive Centreville, VA

 

Washington

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 22-24, 2016	TBD	Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival- Since 1976, the Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival celebrates the Pacific Northwest’s rich Japanese community. Besides cherry blossoms, martial arts, and traditional music, guests can view films, see traditional Japanese drama performances, have fun with puppets, take in origami contests, and hear lectures.   More Information: http://www.cherryblossomfest.org/	Seattle Center 305 Harrison St Seattle, WA
May 27-30, 2016	TBD	Northwest Folklife Festival- Performances represented by different cultural groups from Asia, Europe, and Africa come together to show off their abilities.   More Information: http://www.nwfolklife.org/festival2016/	Seattle Center 305 Harrison St Seattle, WA
June 4-5, 2016	TBD	Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival- The event celebrates Philippine independence. Traditional music and dance are on display, and the public can interact with different people and exhibits to learn more about Philippine culture.   Admission: Free   More Information: http://www.festalpagdiriwang.com/	Seattle Center 305 Harrison St Seattle WA
July 16-17, 2016	TBD	Seattle Dragon Fest- Seattle’s Pan-Asia community comes together for a weekend-long festival. Enjoy food from Chinatown and listen to Japanese Taiko drums among other family-friendly activities.   Admission: $2 food walk   More Information: http://cidbia.org/events/dragon-fest/	Chinatown-International District 409-499 Maynard Avenue South Seattle, WA
July 16-17, 2016	July 16 4pm-10pm Local Time   July 17 3pm-8pm Local Time	Seattle Betsuin Bon Odori Festival- Guests are encouraged to wear Japanese attire like kimonos in order to observe Odon customs.   More Information: http://seattlebetsuin.org/index.php/bon-odori-festival/	Seattle Buddhist Church 1427 South Main Street Seattle, WA
July 30, 2016	9am-5pm Local Time	Seattle Dragon Boat Festival and Race-  Live music and hands-on activities are part of this annual dragon boat racing event.   More Information: http://seattledragonboatfestival.net/	South Lake Union Park 860 Terry Avenue North Seattle, WA
July 2016	TBD	Chinatown-ID JamFest- Live musical performances from local artists, a food fest, and karaoke are just a handful of offerings for this third-Thursday event.   More Information: http://www.wingluke.org/jamfest	Multiple Locations in Seattle 909 5th Avenue Seattle, WA
August 2016	TBD	Seattle Tibet Fest- Games, Tibetan cuisine, dancing, educational opportunities, and herbal remedy workshops are the focus of the festival celebrating and embracing Tibetan culture.   More Information: http://tibet.washingtontibet.org/	Seattle Center 305 Harrison Street Seattle, WA
August 2016	TBD	Washington Arab Festival- Arab Americans and African, Asian, and Middle Eastern Arabs come together to celebrate their culture and background. Take the time to learn more about Arabian culture.   More Information: http://arabcenterwa.org/?page_id=377	Seattle Center 305 Harrison Street Seattle, WA
September 2016	TBD	Bellingham Chinese Culture Festival- This classy affair celebrates Chinese music and songs with performances by a symphony orchestra.   More Information: http://chineseculturefestival.org/	Bellingham High School 2020 Cornwall Ave Bellingham, WA
September 2016	TBD	Thai Festival Seattle- The Thai community comes together to celebrate their culture and share it with the public.   More Information: http://www.thaiwashington.org/	Northgate Mall Parking Lot 401 Northeast Northgate Way Seattle, WA
November 2016	TBD	Seattle Hmong New Year Celebration- Ring in the Hmong New Year during this event. The Hmong community from Laos, China, and Thailand invite you to a marketplace to enjoy shopping, food, and fun.   More Information: http://hmongofwa.org/	Seattle Center 305 Harrison St Seattle, WA

 

Washington DC

Date	Time	Event	Location
March 20-April 17, 2016	All Day	National Cherry Blossom Festival- In 1912, Tokyo City Mayor, Yukio Ozaki, gifted sakura trees to Washington DC as a symbol of positive relations between the US and Japan. That gift blossomed to over 3,000 trees in 2016. Walk around the DC area to see the trees in bloom. Enjoy balloons, parades, marching bands, fashion shows, and sushi and sake during the event.   More Information: http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/	Throughout Washington, DC
April 2, 2016	10am-4:30pm Local Time	Blossom Kite Festival- Celebrate cherry blossom season by flying colorful kites and watching Rokkaku battles.   More Information: http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/blossom-kite-festival/	Washington Monument 2 15th St NW Washington DC
April 16, 2016	10:30am-6pm Local Time	56th Annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival- Coinciding with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Sakura Matsuri Street Festival features live Japanese dance and musical performances, Japanese crafts, and martial arts. One of the highlights includes learning how to make simple Japanese dishes at home.   Admission: $10 Children under 12 free More Information: http://www.sakuramatsuri.org/	Capitol Riverfront Neighborhood M St SE & New Jersey Ave SE Washington DC
May 21-22, 2016	8:30am-2:30pm Local Time	Washington D.C. Dragon Boat Festival- Sponsored by the sponsored by the Chinese Women’s League, this boat racing competition celebrates Chinese culture and heritage.   More Information: http://www.dragonboatdc.com/	Thompson Boat Center 2900 Virginia Ave NW Washington DC

 

West Virginia

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

Wisconsin

Date	Time	Event	Location
April 3-21, 2016	Varies	Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival- Films about Muslim heritage and the countries from which the Muslim faith dominates. Talk to filmmakers during a Q&A and learn more about the films and the countries from which they hail.   More Information: http://mmfilmfest.com/	Milwaukee Art Museum – Lubar Auditorium 700 N Art Museum Dr Milwaukee, WI
July 30, 2016	TBD	Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival- An event that embraces Chinese culture and traditions through boat racing and special activities.   More Information: http://www.milwaukeedragonboatfest.org/	Veterans Park 1010 North Lincoln Memorial Drive Milwaukee, WI

 

Wyoming

Date	Time	Event	Location
No Asian-interest festivals listed at this time.

 

 

TEEN TOP 틴탑 are headed on their Red Point tour very soon! KPOPLive.TV have released special deals on tickets!

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Use the promo code ‘4TEENTOP’ when checking out to get 25% discount on the purchase of 4 tickets or more
Available only for the specific ticket grades (Not Available for P1
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Check out these deals and come see TEEN TOP in your city! For more information on the concerts, check out www.kpoptickets.com

 

—-Ke’Anna Bullard

One of the reasons fans stan B.A.P is due to their charitable spirits and aim to make Earth a better place. B.A.P’s leader, Bang Yongguk, has even been nominated for the Shorty Awards two years in a row thanks to his activism. On several occasions, Yongguk points out how he and B.A.P support different charitable organizations including UNICEF, One Love Disabled Infant Care, World Vision, and Save the Children.

With the Live on Earth 2016: Awake tour about to get underway, the excited BABY fandom is doing what they can to prepare for B.A.P in the United States. Besides buying, selling, and trading tickets and buying merchandise ahead of time, some B.A.P fan groups decided to put their enthusiasm toward charitable initiatives.

One such group, #ForeverBAPsBABYz (#FBB), is currently seeking food bank donations for several of the US stops, specifically Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York with Atlanta pending.

#FBB began on Facebook in August 2015. The group’s focus is to unite B.A.P fans while working toward helping others in the community. Since the group’s founding, #FBB has made donations to the Global Hope Network International as well as libraries and children’s hospitals through special B.A.P-member birthday projects.

Admins and volunteers help decide and set up projects. They, along with other #FBB group members, collect items and monetary donations and “pay-it-forward” to those in need.

From now until the end of the US tour, #FBB hopes to spread the word about their food ank donation initiative so they can continue to help others.

“We’ve always been passionate and inspired by B.A.P to give back in any way we can and we hope this will be a good way for us to make a positive impact within our communities,” Lyndsay Ludlow, #FBB’s founder and one of the administrators behind the donation drive, said.

According to Feeding America, 48.1 million people lived in “food insecure” homes in 2014. Included in that statistic are households with children.

Even a small donation helps the #FBB food drive and can help positively impact those in need and could even help a child not go to bed hungry.

For the food drive, #FBB hopes to collect non-perishable items to donate to food banks within the cities B.A.P visit. Items the group hopes to collect include canned fruits and vegetables, instant mashed potatoes, ramen, cereal, peanut butter, pudding cups, pasta, rice, and crackers. If it isn’t fresh, frozen, or something that needs placed in the fridge, it can be accepted as long as it is not close to the expiration date or already expired. While not mentioned initially, do not donate recalled foods either.

On concert days, fans can bring donations to the venue to drop off at assigned donation locations and can do so until 45 minutes before the venue doors open. #FBB staff and volunteers will have nametags identifying themselves so they can be spotted easily.

Even if you cannot attend any of the concerts, you can still donate. A few of the cities, especially Chicago, have an online link where donations can be made for the food drive. Even if it’s one can of mushrooms or a jar of peanut butter, your donation counts.

In addition to the food drive, #FBB and B.A.P Yessir (BYS) are teaming up for a banner project. Currently, they have a GoFundMe set up to help pay for fan-created banners to be used at B.A.P concert venues to help show support for the boys. Each donation will make it possible for banners to be available at each US concert location.

For both initiatives, specifically the food drive, the hope is that the Baby fandom will come together for a great cause. Of course, this kind gesture isn’t limited to Babyz, but to other K-Pop fandoms as well. Together, we can help fight hunger! Earth needs you!

For more information about the food drive, contact #ForeverBAPsBABYz at foreverbapsbabyz@yahoo.com or join #ForeverBAPsBABYz on Facebook.

 

—-Joelle Halon

Spring and summer will be bringing many K-Pop concerts to the United States. There will be plenty to look forward to with AOMG, B.A.P, TEENTOP, K-Con, and GOT7 upcoming. It’s exciting to go to concerts and prepare for them, but it’s also stressful! For those who find concert prep stressful or you’re new to whole thing, here are some tips to help you prepare for the wave of K-concerts or any other concert you wish to attend now and in the future.

Preparations

Your favorite group just announced their tour and they’re coming to your city: Everyone rejoice! What do you do now?

The first instinct is usually to panic. Do you have enough money? Will you have enough money? Do you have transportation? Who are you going with? What do you wear!? So much stress!

Tickets

First, you don’t need to buy expensive seats to enjoy a concert. There have been times where people have skipped paying bills to go to concerts. Don’t do that!

While more expensive seats bring you closer to the action and may possibly have perks depending on the promoter, it doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Find a ticket that fits within your budget. You’re still guaranteed a good time no matter the cost. Also, don’t fall into scalper temptation! There are people who buy up seats just for the purpose of reselling them for a higher price.

Merchandise

Many venues have merchandise tables before and after the concert. Goods are expensive! There are two choices here: Purchase concerts goods prior to the event through retailers like K-Pop Town or YesAsia since some companies do release goods. Depending on retailer, sometimes goods are less expensive.

If you want to purchase goods at the venue and you’re worried about funds, save up prior to the concert. Collect change in a jar and convert it to paper currency prior to concert day. Save five dollars a day I f possible. If it’s 45 days before a concert, that’s $220 you saved without having to dip into your savings.

Travel and Lodging

While saving money and prepping for a concert, consider travel costs as well. If you’re traveling from far, you’ll need to budget for gas, plane tickets, or car rental costs. All of this varies depending on travel company and state. Also, if you’re driving, have change with you at all times because of those pesky tolls!

If you are traveling from out of state, let’s look at places to stay. Hotels inside big cities like Dallas or Chicago tend to be more expensive than lodging just outside city limits. If you’re looking to save money and don’t mind additional travel, look for lodging just outside the cities.

However, if you’re set on staying in the city, you could opt for lower tier lodging or sharing a room with other concert-goers as long as everyone pays their share (for this, we recommend setting up a contract). Check different concert groups for each tour stop to see if people are looking for roommates. Of course, exercise caution and common sense! Don’t throw your common sense out of the window just to save a few dollars while wanting to see your favorite band. Research your accommodations. Get to know potential roommates, too. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it!

Dress Your Best!

Now for one of the most important questions: What to wear?

This one is simple: Dress comfortably! Wear comfortable shoes just in case the venue allows you to stand. Jeans or shorts are more than acceptable, as are hoodies, t-shirts, tank tops, or a lightweight blouse. Concert venues can get hot, so don’t overdo it with layers, heavy fabrics, or even cosplay outfits just to look cool. People are at the concert to watch their favorite group, not to look at you, so be casual. Be comfortable. You’ll be happy you were at the end of the end of the night!

Things to Consider

Now with some main elements out of the way, there are some minor important details to go over. Sometimes, these are details people overlook.

Prepare for Emergencies

Emergencies happen. You may not experience one, but they do happen. As a just in case, we recommend having the following, especially if you’re driving to a venue (or anywhere).

• Have a phone charger handy: Portable chargers are available at many retailers. Have a charged one with you just in case your phone dies.
• Have a car battery charger: While this sounds ridiculous, if you have an older car or one that runs on a lot of electronics, it’s a good idea to have a portable charger ready. There are large car chargers on the market; but there are also smaller, more compact ones like the Halo Bolt that may come in handy.
• Have flashlights or flares just in case of car trouble: In addition to this, keep a tire gauge, tow rope, snow shovel and kitty litter (winter travel), drinking water, and a rain poncho.
• Have an old-fashioned phonebook in your car: Just in case you can’t access the Internet, an old-fashioned phone book can get the job done. If you think the Internet will never fail you, have a phone book app installed.
• Keep blankets in your car: These are handy just in case you stall out and it’s cold.
• Always keep emergency funds in your wallet: My dad always told me to keep an extra $50-$100 in my wallet just in case. You never know when you’ll run short or if you’ll need gas or a tow. With this, keep a debit card or a prepaid card with emergency money on it just to be safe.

At the Venue

While attending the show, it’s nice to keep a few items handy for you and others (the latter is optional, of course).

• Keep aspirin on-hand: Concerts and crowds get LOUD! You may need these heading home.
• Ear Plugs: While people want to attend a show, sometimes the noise may be too much. Ear plugs help lessen the blow and make the concert more enjoyable.
• Tampons and Pads: For the ladies out there, these are a must! Even if you aren’t expecting your cycle, others might. Be a good person and have some on you just in case.
• Condoms: Face it, some people do hook-up at concerts.
• Have RFID protection for credit cards and IDs: There are bags and inexpensive sleeves available on the market to help protect your credit cards and IDs from skimming. Keep your identity safe!
• Band-Aids: Injuries and blisters happen.

While many of these items in the consideration section seem excessive, keep in mind you do not have to adhere to everything. Mostly, these items are just to help you consider possible emergencies and issues.

Have Fun!

Of course, the number one thing is to have fun at a concert. Otherwise, what would be the point? Be safe. Be wise. Enjoy!

 

—-Joelle Halon

It can be extremely hard for a trainee of any company to reach debut and stay popular enough that disbandment isn’t always a possibility. It seems like many companies have fallen into a pattern of letting the fans decide who makes it into a group. Many have called these sorts of competitions cruel; YG’s ‘Mix & Match’ made iKON, then known as Team B, consider a complete line up change despite losing to WINNER (Team A) in ‘Win: Who is Next?’ previously. Fans get attached to people they may never see a stage again after an elimination from one of these types of shows and these young musicians and dancers have a potential stain on their blossoming careers.

‘Produce101’, for those who don’t know, is an elimination show with a few key differences than regular survival style shows. For one, the number of girls competing is way larger than any other show yet: 101, all from different agencies in and outside of Korea. The top 11 girls will be recruited for a group and release music for one year under CJ E&M before returning to their companies. Some of the girls have already debut under their company, like D.I.A while others have been trainees for many years.

Fans have already seen that there is a bias towards certain girls from more established companies. Somi, a JYP trainee and fan favorite from JYP’s ‘Sixteen’ survival show, is already a front runner for winning and the same could be said for MBK and Jellyfish Entertainment’s girls.   A local news source, Ilgan Sports, obtained a copy of the contract between the agencies and CJ E&M and found that there can be no legal action taken against CJ E&M for anything like malicious editing or negative outcomes from the show. Fan voting is a part of the elimination process and not all girls of the girls’ performances are shown on television. The girls are also not being paid for their appearances. So the question is, Why do these girls and their companies do this?

There are a variety of answers. Many of these girls faced the reality of potentially never debuting under their company or debuting and quickly disbanding because of a lack of interest. With their television appearances on ‘Produce 101’, trainees get an opportunity to showcase their talents and develop a much needed following. The advantages of an already debuted group like D.I.A appearing on the show is that they are getting much needed screen time they might not otherwise get in front of a large audience. Girl groups are much harder to market as well and this is a way to play the field with a potential group.

Companies may also want to see where they measure up in comparison to other companies or if the trainee is even marketable. Letting a panel of both musicians and fans vote is also another good way of deciding the trainee is worth investing in further.

Is it perfect? Definitely not. Is it being handled differently because it is girls? Probably, and we will be able to compare very soon because a boy version called ‘Boys24’ (already better chances as there will only be 24 competitors) is in the works. But I think that this show, or at least the premise, is a very good idea. It’s when all of the extra things that are done to make the television show more interesting are added that it begins to seem a lot worse.

What do you think about this show? What would you do differently or keep the same?

Photo Credit: MNET

 

—-Ke’Anna Bullard

Seoul Station is one of those locations that can’t be missed when you’re visiting Korea. It serves as a gateway, located at the center of Seoul.

Many tourist sites, hotels, shopping areas can be found nearby and the station’s location is not far from City hall, Myeong-dong, Namdaemun and other tourist-attracting regions in Seoul.

On site, you would easily notice that there are two stations very close to each other; the older Seoul station which is no longer in service and the new one which is currently actively on operation with a daily average of 100,000 passengers.

The former Seoul Station is currently no longer in service for transportation, after serving as a route for nearly a century, since the year of 1900.

After Korea regained independence from the Japanese colonial rule, the title of the station was changed from ‘Gyeongseong Station’ to ‘Seoul Station’.

During the Korean War that broke out in 1950, the station was partially destructed and later had to be restored to be accessible to the public.

In 2004, the new Seoul Station (located just a few meters away from the old station) was built for transport and KTX – Korea Train Express which offers a high-speed rail service would save hours of travel time, provide comfort and efficiency to its users than the conventional train or other public transportation.

From 2010, AREX express trains began providing service to Gimpo Airport and Incheon International Airport. An express (non-stop train) train from Seoul Station and Incheon International Airport would take approx. 45 minutes, which would be saving a lot of time versus traveling on the road. It takes less than two hours and a half to travel from Seoul station to the furthest southern coastal city, Busan.

The new station is spacious enough to accommodate many restaurants, gift shops, shopping mall where you can do your last minute shopping before taking off to your destination. This Seoul Station acts as the main terminus for KTX and express service to reach other cities in Korea.

After the restoration was completed in August of 2011, the older Seoul Station has been utilized well in its own way, even though they no longer provide the transportation service.

The station has since been used as a cultural and historical exchange complex, with waiting rooms, locker rooms, VIP lounge and got renamed as the ‘Culture Station Seoul 284’ once it was restored to its original structure.

—J. Chung.

Choi Han-Bit has joined a girl group.

Gaon Entertainment’s three-membered group, Mercury, debuted March 6, 2016 with their single “Don’t Stop,” an electro-dance track produced by OTHANKQ. In addition to Choi, the group consists of Sehee and Hyena. The group’s concept is that all three girls have “model-like bodies.”

Between 2006 and the group’s debut, Choi has found success and has even released solo work. She’s also appeared on MNET’s Dancing 9 in 2013. Choi also happens to be a model; in 2012, she appeared on Korea’s Next Top Model, Cycle 3.

Choi’s also known as a groundbreaker in the Korean entertainment industry.

Choi Han-Bit is transgender and is legally recognized as female in South Korea.

Born Choi Han-Jin in 1987, Choi underwent male-to-female reassignment surgery in 2006 according to The Korea Herald. According to the source, Choi had her parent’s blessing.

In an interview with The Korea Times, Choi said, “I’ve come to have a female body through a painful surgical operation and been recognized as a woman by a court. Instead of staying behind closed doors, I ventured out to expose myself and enjoy life as a woman.”

Being a member of the LGBTQ community isn’t illegal in South Korea; but as many in the community point out, it’s still stigmatized. Members of the community often keep quiet about their status out of fear of rejection in society and the workplace. For LQBTQ individuals in South Korea, the need to be closeted stems from the country’s conservative stance.

Furthering this feeling, Planet Transgender stated that “a 2013 Gallop poll of Korean citizens determined that only 39% of Koreans think that LGBTQ people should be socially accepted.” However, younger generations feel there should be more acceptance, indicating some hope for LGBTQ people.

Choi Han-Bit hopes to help lead the charge for acceptance, picking up the gauntlet that her contemporaries– model, author, actress, and singer Harisu and the former members of the mid-2000s transgendered idol group Lady— tried to throw down.

Choi told The Korea Times, “…I have found many sexual minorities who distanced themselves from society to avoid public exposure. I would like to advise them that not to hide and come out. With a fear of public attention, it’s all but impossible to change people’s attitude toward us.”

Being an LBGTQ celebrity takes guts as it goes against societal norms. While Lady failed to gain an audience, Harisu became a well-known model, most notably for Dodo Cosmetics. Harisu’s presence and acceptance show that the transgender community can gain ground in South Korea.

In addition to the handful of celebrities, in 2006, the Korean Supreme Court announced that trans individuals can legally change their sex as it “is the best choice to alleviate the suffering of transsexual people at a time when any tangible legislative measures to protect their rights is most likely a long time coming.”

However, as transgendered individuals on Reddit and other Korean information sites suggest, South Korea still has a long way to go in terms of accepting those outside conservative beliefs. While some have had positive experiences in the country, others still suggest hiding their identities out of safety concerns.

Choi’s venture onto the idol scene could help foster conversation between what is acceptable and what should be acceptable in a conservative country, especially among young people. While it’s yet to be seen how successful Mercury will be, hopefully it’s just enough to help get the ball rolling with Choi and her fellow Mercury members leading the way.

 

—-Joelle Halon

For Kit-Kat lovers, Japan is a place to order from since they have so many different varieties ranging maccha green tea, strawberry cheesecake, baked sweet potato, and hazelnut. In February 2016, Nestlé Japan added a new limited time flavor to the Japanese Kit-Kat roster: Sake.

According to Nestlé Japan spokesperson Takuya Hiramatsu, sake Kit-Kat bars have an “elegant taste of sake, wrapped in the gentle sweetness of white chocolate” with “mellow, full-bodied flavor, and a refreshing aftertaste of sake.”

With the taste description, Hiramatsu points out that the Kit-Kat bars have a .08 alcohol content, so he advises against eating the chocolate with actual sake, and he advises that children and light-weight drinkers should avoid the chocolate altogether.

Sake Kit-Kat Bar are not available in the US, but can be purchased through online retailers and even eBay. Upon the release of the candy, we had an opportunity to taste-test them and provide a review.

Presentation

The Kit-Kats arrive in a cute little white and pink sakura box with a sake bottle on the cover. On the back, a “to” and “from” graphic takes up the upper left corner. The packaging looks like a Valentine’s gift, so this is a nice attention to detail. Once the candies are removed from the box, the packaging has the same sakura theme; but instead of a bottle, sake shot glasses appear on the wrapper. The presentation is definitely better than buying any old Kit-Kat bar in the United States, so it actually looks like the receiver is getting something worthwhile.

First Impression

Upon opening the foil, the scent of alcohol hits like running into a steel wall at a high speed. For people who don’t like the smell of liquor of any kind, the chocolate is a total turn-off because the scent is overwhelming and somewhat nose-burning. Within a couple of minutes, my work area smelled terribly of alcohol, almost like I went to a bar and spilled down the front of me. It’s really unpleasant and a complete departure from the adorable packaging.

The strong scent is surprising considering that the candy has a white chocolate coating. Other white chocolate Kit-Kats have a pleasant, sweet, sugary scent: Not this. This is definitely a departure from the statement Hiramatsu provided regarding the “gentle sweetness of white chocolate.” Gentle isn’t the word I would use for anything at this moment.

Taste

Before biting into the whole candy, the white chocolate coating needed to be nibbled first. Despite the smell, the chocolate has a distinct sweet, sugary white chocolate taste, but with a layer of something else that enhances the flavor. This is surprising considering how the whole treat smells overwhelmingly like a drinking party in candy form.

The whole candy tastes no different than white chocolate Kit-Kats initially. The wafer tastes like a regular Kit-Kat, making the whole moment where the candy touches the tongue a disappointment. However, the sake flavor kicks in as the candy is swallowed. When the bits reach the back of the throat, there is a slight burning sensation, and the scent of sake fills the mouth and tickles the inside of the nose. A strange warming sensation also erupts to let you know that, yes, sake is present in the candy. The slight burning sensation feels a little different than a sake, but more like something that has a hint of vodka.

The layers of flavor and how it unfolds is what makes trying sake Kit-Kat bars a different experience.

Overall

Opening the package of these Kit-Kats is an unpleasant experience unless you enjoy the smell of alcohol. The scent alone can be a turn-off, but the taste isn’t that bad until swallowed. This isn’t a candy that can be enjoyed all the time, not just because of the taste, but because of the .08 alcohol content, so don’t eat a lot. Sake Kit-Kat bars are definitely… different.

Bottom-Line: Good for the person who likes unique candy that smells like an alcohol-fueled brothel, but definitely not for everyone. They earn a score of 2/5.

 

—-Joelle Halon

The wintery cold is starting to melt as February’s K-Pop scene started to thaw the musical doldrums. There were plenty of great songs to choose from this month, but only ten could stand out as some of the best. Here are some of our choices for February’s top songs.

10. Winner | “Sentimental” | YG Entertainment | February 1

YG Entertainment finally let Winner out of the closet to release an album. “Sentimental” has a nice, summery, tropical feel that’s light and airy. The song is fun and highlights Winner’s vocals nicely. The beat and composition help make “Sentimental” different and memorable. The one downfall is that Nam Taehyun is basically a G-Dragon clone in look and sound for this song. That made “Sentimental” a little weird, but it’s still a catchy tune.

9. Jo Kwon | “Crosswalk” | JYP Entertainment | February 15

Dripping with sadness and regret, “Crosswalk” has beautiful lyrics and soul. Jo Kwon’s vocals are quiet and strong, adding believability to the story. The song is unique because it has two interpretations with wanting to get back together with a lover or just completely parting ways and looking back on the memories with sadness. Its dual purpose is what makes “Crosswalk” a standout.

8. Yoon Mirae | “ALWAYS” | OU Entertainment, Music&New | February 18

Yoon Mirae delivers a heart-felt performance in “ALWAYS” for the Descendants of the Sun OST. Her vocals have a raw, imperfect feeling while carrying a sense of realness that make it easy to get lost in the song. Yoon’s vocals touch the heart in such a glorious way that it’s easy to see why many consider her a queen in the OST circuit.

7. Ladies’ Code | “Galaxy” | Polaris Entertainment | February 24

There was a lot of curiosity surrounding Ladies’ Code’s comeback: Will they do well as three? How will they handle performances? Is it still too soon? “Galaxy” put all those questions to rest. With its smooth jazziness, unique and memorable chorus, and subtle ebbs and flows in the beat, Ladies’ Code proved they are still capable vocalists. While it’s sad to see them without EunB and RiSe, the subtle nods to the fallen members show they are far from forgotten. Even if Ladies’ Code never return to their usual bubbly, happy concepts, jazz definitely suits them and sets them apart from other groups.

6. Kim Jaejoong | “Love You More” | C-JeS Entertainment | February 16

Rock is a severely underutilized genre in the Korean music scene. “Love You More” utilizes rock beautifully with a nice balance of percussion and guitars. Jaejoong’s vocals suit the rock genre because the pitch layers well with the somewhat harder tones. The song didn’t make a lot of waves, but it should have.

5. Taeyeon | “Rain” | SM Entertainment | February 3

“Rain” was released as part of an SM project, but it didn’t matter because it still chalked up some wins for Taeyeon. Her vocals are almost sultry here while still playing up some of her adorable charms. “Rain” is somewhat generic, but call it the SNSD Effect or the Taeyeon Effect: In recent months, Taeyeon can do no wrong musically.

4. Mamamoo | “You’re the Best” | Rainbow Bridge World | February 26

Mamamoo quickly emerged as a cult favorite group thanks to their personalities and vocal abilities. In “You’re the Best,” there is plenty of both to go around. The song is high energy and fun while maintaining the quirks that make Mamamoo endearing domestically and internationally. Before you know it, the girls will be notching a few music show wins!

3. B.A.P | “Feel So Good” | TS Entertainment | February 22

B.A.P did a 180 from their usual bad boy motif to give us the bright, cheerful “Feel So Good.” While many cringed at the idea, the concept worked for them as it still had hints of the bad boy flavor. The best part about “Feel So Good” is how the boys showed their goofy sides to make them more relatable. “Feel So Good” felt so good, and it was the perfect lead single to a good mini album.

2. Double S 301 | “Pain” | CI Entertainment | February 16

Even though the song is grammatically incorrect, “Pain” brings out the SS501-feels and plenty of nostalgia of an era gone by. Double S 301, a subunit of SS501, but it still has that familiar SS501 feel. While the lines that go “going away” sound awkward, the chorus and addictive melody make the song a worthwhile winner thanks to the nostalgia-factor.

1. Taemin | “Press Your Number” | SM Entertainment | February 23

Taemin is one of the stronger, more capable idol singers today, and he’s able to hold his own as a soloist without any problem. Taemin is a colorful performer and singer and tends to be a chameleon with his ability to switch between sexy bad-boy to the Korean Michael Jackson to smooth ballad singer. “Press Your Number” shows one of Taemin’s many personas. The chorus is one of his better, more stable ones singing-wise, showing more growth. The verses of the song have a good flow from beginning to end. The overall composition highlighted Taemin’s strengths to make “Press Your Number” the top song of the month.

What were some of your favorite songs from February? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook!

 

—-Joelle Halon

 

 

AweSomeBaby (a.k.a Awe5omeBaby or Awesome Baby) is a five-member Korean girl group signed under TN Nation Entertainment. The group was created by the CEO of the company, Tony An, who is the founding member of the biggest boyband in Kpop’s history, H.O.T.

Jaeduc Kim, who was the member of the rival band, Sechs Kies, is also under the label as the main producer who helped to launch AweSomeBaby.

Consisting of five talented members ranging in age from 19 to 21, AweSomeBaby were considered individually skilled in their craft, all the members were already winning or performing in national contests even before they were formed into a group. After being put into the group, the members did over a hundred live street performances together, busking in numerous places in Korea.

AweSomeBaby officially debuted on June 19, 2015 to perform their debut single “Why Should I” on KBS Music Bank.

June, who is the leader and the oldest member, is the beatboxer. Sumin and Dahee are vocalists and Yechan is the lead vocalist. The youngest member, Lina is in charge of the rapping.

This group only released one single, but you’ll realize by just listening to their debut single, ‘Why should I’ that’ they have more talent hidden than they’ve shown and I’m very curious to know what kind of music they will be releasing in the future.

If they sound this harmonic and in sync at the start of their career, they definitely have the potential to become top acts in a matter of time.

 

KCRUSH Interview with AweSomeBaby

 

Hello AweSomebaby members! Thank you so much for taking your time out to take a KCRUSH interview! Could you start by briefly introducing yourselves, please?

June: Hi, I’m June who is the leader of AweSomeBaby, and I am in charge of the beatboxing in the group!

Sumin: Hi! This is Sumin, I’m a vocalist with an attractive voice and a bright smile.

Dahee: Hello! This is Dahee who is a vocalist and the smallest member in AweSomeBaby.

Yechan: It’s nice to meet you! My name is Yechan and I am the lead vocalist of AweSomeBaby!

Lina: Hello! This is Lina, a rapper with a twist and the youngest member of AweSomeBaby at 19 years of age. It’s so nice to meet you all!

 

What has changed the most for you as individuals after your debut as a group?

June: I feel we are getting more responsible as we continue on forward. What’s changed the most after the debut is that we’re now at a stage where we are starting to think we have to put in more work and effort.

Sumin: It’s only been a short while since we hit our debut, so I am not sure whether the changes have been much, but I think our thoughts and the whole mindset in general have changed. These days, I tend to become more aware and think before I speak so I don’t make any mistakes. Taking more responsibility comes with that too, I guess.

Dahee: What’s probably changed the most is the mindset in my opinion. Instead of being anxious and just trying to relentlessly work hard, we are now putting in most of our effort in all the work we do with responsibility.

Yechan: It’s probably obvious but just being able to learn and perform on stages have changed the most for us after making our debut last year.

Lina: I think our mindset has definitely changed the most. We were all about working for our debut, but nowadays we’re starting to learn from our seniors and other artists when they’re on stage trying to figure out and research how we can add to make our next comeback stage much better and enhanced.

 

Are there any genres or type of sounds that you would like to try for the upcoming album? Please let us know your reasons as well.

June: I would really like to cover Hip-Hop for our next record. I am also interested in electronic sound so if given the opportunity, I’d like to try that out as well.

Sumin: I felt that the concept and the overall feel of our first single, “Why should I” was in a way slightly dark. So for our next record, I want to release music that is bright and fitting to our age group and less depressing.

If the sound can also promote Beatpella as a genre, that would be even more awesome.

Dahee: I feel that we didn’t show enough Beatpella as much as we could have, so for our new music, instead of releasing of a different genre of music, I’d like to stick to showing more of Beatpella to our audience.

Yechan: I would like to try out all different types of music so right at this moment; I can’t really select which genres to pick even. We are currently practicing and working on diverse music because we want to do and try out different types of genres.

Lina: If you look at the K-Pop performances that became massive hits, the addictive dance moves people can join in with cannot be excluded, so I am thinking how we could release a great dance track by also showcasing Beatpella more elaborately for our next record.

 

Your first single, “Why should I” played a big role in differentiating yourselves from other girl groups with its unique sound with Beatboxing and Acapella. What makes AweSomeBaby’s members sound so in sync?  

June: I think we practice a lot to become more harmonized with each other’s sounds. Because we do beatboxing and acapella together, there is no other way than to practice diligently as a group.

Sumin: Personally, because I have a large tone of voice, there have been many times when practicing within the group was very difficult. When you are harmonizing in a group, you can’t have one person’s voice standing out too much and the balance has to be right.

As we continued to practice, I learned ways to adjust to things like, “I need to hold my mic a little further in these kind of situations,” and as we put more hours on practicing, I found myself steadily developing and becoming better as a singer.

The members are always trying to listen out for others in the group which helps us to harmonize well.

Dahee: I think the reason our sounds all blend well together is because we were doing a lot of busking and other musicals activities together before we debuted.

Yechan: Whenever we are together in a car to go to some event or somewhere, someone starts humming quietly and the rest of the members just build up the sound into a harmony. To get our voices to balance well with one another, we have to spend a lot of hours practicing together, and the members all seem to have the harmony in mind in everyday lives.

Lina: We usually practice as much as we can because harmonizing can go wrong even if just one of the members is off key and that could ruin the whole sound. When we are scheduled to go on an event to perform we practice in the car all the way to the location until we can get the perfect harmony.

 

What kind of songs are you listening to these days and have you watched any movies that inspired you?

June: The song I am listening to the most these days is “How Would It Have Been – 어땠을까” by Nayoung Kim sunbaenim, and the film I watched recently that inspired me is The Himalayas.

Sumin: The song I am into is “Queen” sung by Jeff Bernat. I usually love listening to Jeff Bernat’s songs because of his honey smooth voice. His songs are great to listen to before going to bed, when I am out walking by myself.

I really recommend that you try listening to his songs, if you haven’t already!

The most recent movie I watched is Goosebumps because Lina kept saying it was really fun to watch and recommended it. I like watching fantasy movies and because the actor Jack Black was in the movie with a bunch of animals, it was super fun and truly the best! It seems that they will be a sequel movie out soon, so when it comes out, I will be the first to go and see the movie.

Dahee: The song I am listening to often is Zico sunbaenim’s “I Am You, You Are Me” because the song is simply so sweet!

The movie which inspired me to the point of crying my eyes out for a long time is the Korean movie, The Great Tiger.

Yechan: I listened to Super Junior’s Ryeowook sunbaenim’s song “The Little Prince” for the first time few days ago; I’m currently listening to it repeatedly for days. I think the lyrics are in particularly so pretty!

Lina: I love going to see the movies so much that I often go to the cinema by myself. I recently watched Goosebumps featuring Jack Black, which is a comedy/horror movie and because it had so many interesting episodes and elements/ I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen and didn’t know the time had gone by so quickly. I strongly recommend you guys to watch it!

 

Do you have any countries or certain stadiums you’d especially like to perform in?

June: The one country I’d like to visit the most is probably the U.S.A! The concert halls and other venues all hold massive events at the end of the year, so we’d love to do a concert there!

Sumin: I’d love to visit every country in the world but our concert in Japan got cancelled a while ago, so unfortunately we weren’t able to attend. If given the chance again, we would love to perform in Japan!

Also, I’m currently learning to speak a little Chinese to debut in China soon, even though I am still a beginner and can only do as much as introducing myself, I would like to visit China and say my greeting in Chinese.

The place to perform can be just anywhere we can do busking in. Right now, we just want to meet as many people and perform in front of them.

Dahee: I would like to go anywhere to perform if we could. Because we aren’t that well known in Korea yet, we are ready to go out and preform at any time. And if possible, we’d love to meet the KCRUSH America Magazine readers as well!

Yechan: I haven’t had the chance to go abroad yet. I want to visit the countries near Korea, like China and Japan. I’d also love to travel to America as well as countries in Europe.

Lina: I’d like to perform in Korea! It would be really cool if we could perform in arenas like Jamsil Main Stadium and Sang-am Worldcup Stadium!

KC: The CEO and the main producer of your company used to be legendary idol group members at one point, what kind of advice or encouragement do they give you?

June: Yes, they tell us what to be cautious of and a lot of advice when we get on air.

Sumin: They are indeed both great and legendary seniors to us. One of the things they advised us was “Make a lot of effort to greet others.” They also advise us on certain things before we get onto the stage and the advice they’ve given us has been an immense help. They’re always great and treat us like real family.

Dahee: They advise us on important stuff right until we get on stage for a show or a music program. Instead of ordering and instructing us on what to do, they tend to tell us to enjoy ourselves.

Yechan: They tell us what it was like for them and what they experienced when they were active in a band, and they can only be resourceful advice for us.

Lina: Yeah, because our CEO is also a senior to us in this business, he tells a lot of advice before we hit the stage to perform, and frequently lets us know about the things we aren’t aware of about the media and so on.

 

Do you have any preference to a certain color? Which colors suit you the most in your opinion?

June: Uhm…black? I like black the most, haha.

Sumin: I have always been into the color yellow since I was young! I don’t know the reason how I began to like yellow so much, but I think it’s because the color gives out such warmth and the feeling you get is somewhat bright and shimmering!

Dahee: I personally like the colors pink, black, or white!

Yechan: Since I was very young, all the stuff I owned used to in blue because I loved the color so much. There isn’t a particular reason behind my liking but I like anything if it’s blue.

Lina: I like the color pink! And especially hot pink out of all the types of pink. I started collecting things that are pink and now I’ve ended up owning everything in pink.

 

What hobbies or talent do you have other than the music-related?

June: I am interested in DJing and would love to get real training in the future.

Sumin: These days, my hobbies are watching TV dramas. I watched Oh My Venus recently and felt satisfied from the series.

I share a room with the youngest member of AweSomeBaby, and when I was watching the drama with my earphones on and she heard a sound of sobbing coming from somewhere and it was me crying because I got emotional. Lina was looking at me with pity, hahaha. But those were such happy and sweet times for me.

I like to be sociable with other people so I consider myself to be good with others. I don’t know if that would be thought as a talent, but I would consider a great trait that I have.

Dahee: My hobbies are reading, which wouldn’t necessarily seem like an interest that suits me. I also like to visit places. And I tend to have a very bright personality and I smile a lot!

Yechan: I love cooking and eating. And the people around me to tend to eat what I cook for them well and regard it tasty.

Lina: My hobbies are dancing, cooking, watching movies, doing nail art, window shopping, etc. I’m quite talented in dancing, cooking and doing make-up.

 

Please let us know what your goals and wishes are for 2016 and we want to let you know that we hope you achieve everything you put your minds to.

June: We will work hard on our next album and hope for the best when it comes out! I wish our family members and all everyone at our company would always be healthy and be well! Happy Lunar new year to you!

Sumin: I hope nobody gets sick and that everyone stays healthy and safe. I hope AweSomeBaby and myself, Sumin, will enhance and given more chance to let our presence be known to more audience in the future! Hope everyone the best of luck in the Lunar New year and may the year be filled with happiness!

Dahee: I wish AweSomeBaby will be able to get to connect with the public more this year and personally hope that myself – Dahee- will be known as well!

Yechan: I wish things go well for AweSomeBaby and nothing bad comes our way this year. Our goal is to become better in our art so more people will tune into our music. I hope the readers of KCRUSH America Magazine a very happy new year and that you will experience a lot of great things. Thank you!

Lina: 2016 will hopefully be a year that AweSomeBaby will make a comeback with brand new music and get more recognition, because we will be working so hard to come back in a better form. Please show us lots of love and support, and for myself- Lina- as well! To the readers of KCRUSH America Magazine, have a great 2016!

 

There is more to music than cute choreography and catchy rhythm, and that’s more or less what we’ve been seeing from the new girl groups that have emerged in the K-Pop scene lately. It is refreshing to listen to music that showcases a good balance of beatboxing and acapella. We want to show our appreciation for the great interview from the AweSomeBaby members and wish them all the best in the future!

 

 

J. Chung

 I came across ‘Vluesy’ the Korean ‘Dynamic Soul’ indie band for the first time when I was at a mini fan meeting for Michelle Lee, sometime last year.

Vluesy members were there to perform their songs on the same day, at the same location, but I was not expecting to be blown away by the female guitarist who sang her own songs along with Michael Jackson’s hit, ‘Bille Jean.’

Personally, I had never really encountered many females who played the guitar so skillfully at such ease, so I was naturally very impressed by the performance, the singer’s voice, the energy and how she engaged with the audience.

Vluesy, the band consists of two members; the founding member called, ‘Eunyoung’ is the vocalist and guitarist. Murphy is currently the drummer that joined her band recently and they hit it off musically from day one.

I was curious about the band’s name and how it was formed. The name ‘Vluesy’ was named that way because they wanted to cover blues music and because there were so many bands and terms related to ‘Blues’ starting with a letter ‘B’ – it was decided that the band was named with a ‘V’ instead.

Some people seem to be of an opinion that indie bands aren’t very within mainstream in terms of their sound and theme because only certain people can enjoy listening to them.

However, Vluesy’s sound and music is not in any way mediocre or drowsy like some Korean indie bands’ music that may have slightly stereotyped the genre. Even Vluesy’s cover versions of songs are very entertaining and will brighten up a gloomy day for those who need it.

A massive ‘thank you’ goes out to the two members of Vluesy for an interesting interview about being a band working independently in Korea, what got them started doing music and which artist are their influences.

 

Vluesy’s ‘I am Vluesy’

Please introduce us to your band, Vlusey.

EY: Hello, my name is Eunyoung Cha (I don’t usually tell people my real name, but here you go…) and I’m a singer-song writer, main vocalist and guitarist of a dynamic soul band, ‘Vluesy.’

I also work as a coach for vocal training and teach students how to play the guitar. I connect to a lot of people that way, although I am still lacking I do believe I’m skilled in music and teaching.

Murphy: I go by the name ‘Murphy’ and I work at the appliance store, do various jobs on construction checking for safety measures. My major was related to computer programming but my real love was for music.

I also write songs of various genres, from ballads to dance music and my ultimate goal is to become a notable artist one day.

 

How and when did you get into playing the guitar and music in general?

E.Y: In my case, I was really absorbed in my studies until I was a freshman in High school and I was able to be a top student in the school but then I suddenly fell in love with music.

Back in those days, the rock group ‘X-Japan’ got me so deeply hooked on their songs so I wanted to start learning the electric guitar.

I realized then that how music can affect people to that extent. I was quite serious with playing the instrument because I recall playing for hours and hours on end, practicing over ten hours a day.

The love of music got me spending less time on school studies, but I got into a university in Seoul to major in Music. I worked to pay for my education and started performing in live stages, since I didn’t trust anyone I tried to do everything myself. But luckily for Murphy, the new member has me as a mentor for him.

Murphy: I learned to play the drums when I was in sixth grade in elementary school and I began playing at church when the drummer had to go abroad so I had to replace him. I played drums to hymns and later practiced on Western pop music since I was pretty much into pop.

I came to live in Seoul only few months ago for work and I was able to join this band after getting approval by the founding member.

The instrument I play in the band is called, ‘Cajon’ which is a box-shaped percussion instrument originated from Peru. You can play it by tapping the front or rear faces with the hands, fingers or sticks. I usually use my hands and fingers to play and adjusting to ways to reduce the straining on the hands when playing for a long time.

 

How did you guys meet to team up as a band?

E.Y: I was playing in a live session in Hongdae area and Murphy, after watching me perform came up and expressed that my sound would be more enhanced if there was a drum beat with it.

We tried out our sound by playing Michael’s ‘Billie Jean’ together and I felt we sounded good and complete which put me in a good mood. So here he is as the new band member of Vluesy.

Murphy: I am usually an introvert so I wouldn’t have normally gone up to a musician and offer to play with them, but at that time I was just very excited by her guitar playing and that got me in the band that very day.

 

Who are your biggest musical influences?

E.Y: Michael Jackson is probably my all-time favorite, I love performing his songs.

The Korean artist I like is San Ae Kang, who is a folk rock musician.

I believe we have the same tone of voice and style; his songs are very Korean styled blues music. I especially like his lyrics because they are so free and unbounding. Murphy and I are both into songs by Bruno Mars as well.

Murphy: I like to listen to music by Korean singer songwriters like Kwangseok Kim, JongShin Yoon, Lee Juck, Jinyoung Park and many others.

 

What is it like to be an independent band in the Korean music industry?

E.Y: There seems to be mainly two ways of being a musician in the music industry in Korea, with nothing in the mid-way. Either you get into a big firm that manages all your work or become an independent musician on your own.

I don’t think the system of the music industry in Korea is particularly stable if you look at it from a bigger picture. When you’re an indie artist, you have to do everything yourself from the music, managing, promoting and doing reservations for venues yourself. But it’s good to work independently since I get to control the music and what to work on. You do have to work extra hard.

On the other hand, the burdening and difficult part of being in an independent band is that I have to cover and plan all the financial side of things in order to write, produce and record music.

I think so much of our current Kpop culture relies on popularity and the mass media that do not always guarantee good quality music, fit to be considered as art. I used to be signed to a record label few years, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do in the long run.

I am presently content in making music independently and my wish is to produce and perform ‘til my last day.

 

What do you do for leisure to get away from stress or tension? Where do you like to go for vacation in Korea?

E.Y: I like taking photos for leisure. But I’m not really the type to get stressed over anything, whether it is related to work or anything else in general.

I like travelling to one of the most beautiful places in Korea that I would recommend for people to visit is Jeju Island.

There is a walking trail in Jeju called ‘Olle-gil~ 올레길’ that is splendid to travel in and there is a sandy beach with rocks, that makes Jeju Island definitely a must location to visit.

Murphy: I also like travelling and I’d also recommend Jeju Island as well. There is so much to see and discover there, the island is great for tourism.

 

What are your goals as a band for the future?

E.Y: Like I mentioned a little earlier in the interview, I would love to be doing music until the end of time. I think I was born to do music and that’s where my passion lies and it always will.

I would like to make music for our audience, and expand the horizon a bit more, learn along the way to become a better musician and produce songs that really touch people’s lives.

Murphy: I would like to do some things as a solo artist once I have enough experience and practice, because I know right now I don’t have the exact quality to be a solo artist yet. I also want to hear my songs or the ones I wrote playing in public. Whether it is a ballad or a dance genre, I want people to sing along to our songs.

 

—-J. Chung

 B.A.P released their new mini album Carnival February 22, 2016. The album consists of six songs that show a different side of B.A.P that has won praise from the Korean public. Their turn toward brighter music is met with mixed reviews internationally, but it’s mainly due to fans who wish B.A.P would only do darker concepts. B.A.P, however, are a jack-of-all-trades group and explore different aspects of themselves even if that exploration is met with mixed reviews. Carnival definitely is a fresh approach. As a whole, the album has more of an anime OST-feel than something typical of B.A.P, but is that necessarily a bad thing?

The album kicks off with “Today,” a percussion-heavy track that has an epic quality. The instrumentals swell to consume the listener with feeling. The vocals are soft compared to the instrumentals to create an interesting dynamic. B.A.P’s harmonious chorus furthered the epic feeling. The song is only an opening, but it feels like it should have been much more! The track feels like it could be an opening to a TV show too, so it has some versatility.

“Carnival” is the second track that has a strong party vibe. With a name like “Carnival,” the assumption is that the song is going to be cute and cheerful. It is cheery, but it doesn’t have the cute vibe that’s expected. This fun track has a solid beat that definitely makes the listener want to sway along. In fact, dancing is a strong probability and highly involuntary! The chorus is addictive and one that even non-Korean speakers can sing along to with ease. The lyrics are simple too, covering traveling and how performing has a carnival vibe. What’s cool about the song is that B.A.P sounds more like choir boys than an idol group, presenting a different style than what’s expected for a song like this.

The title track, “Feel So Good,” is the perfect way to kick off the spring and summer season. “Feel So Good” is perfectly retro with strong rap performances from Bang Yongguk and Zelo. Daehyun’s vocals brim with personality, while Jongup, Himchan, and Youngjae all show better control over their vocals. The song has adorable lyrics that speak of awkward cuteness and love, but they also hint at a double entendre meaning. The strong elements are in the bridge and chorus because they help make the song more memorable. “Feel So Good” feels so right for B.A.P’s vocal abilities as it feels more tailored to each member’s strengths. This is a definite go-to song for a bad day!

“Go” continues the feel-go theme with a perky, almost whistle-like opening. The interesting element of “Go” is how the tempo shifts throughout the song. The quicker moments provide catchiness, while slower moments draw the listener in to pay attention to the lyrics. The lyrics cover wanting to be with a person and wanting to go anywhere with them. It’s a charming song that, like “Feel So Good,” highlights some of B.A.P’s vocal strengths. The “party, party rock” portions feel a little out of place considering the song’s theme, especially since these lines are shouted. With that taken out of consideration, “Go” is a solid song.

The fifth track, “Albatross,” sounds way different in the audio preview TS Entertainment released. This song has anime OST written all over it thanks to its rock beat and affirmative message. The chorus has this hopeful sound like “I can do anything!” In fact, “Albatross” is a positive song about soaring above negativity. B.A.P’s songs with a positive message often resonate well with fans, so this song should be no exception. For some, the beat may sound familiar as it almost sounds like Good Charlotte’s “The Anthem.” The songs could be sibling songs; or if you know someone who likes Good Charlotte and they don’t know B.A.P, “Albatross” could be a great introduction song. However, while “Albatross” is an ear-catching song, it’s not wholly original.

The album wraps up with “My Girl.” “My Girl” is a nice way to end the album. It has beautiful, romantic instrumentals that make the song feel as lovely as the lyrics. Like with “Albatross,” it’s not a 100 percent original sound although, like the other songs on Carnival, it fits B.A.P’s vocal range. Every member plays a role in making the song great. The soft nuances from Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae, and Jongup add romance while Zelo and Yongguk remind us that the song is, indeed, by B.A.P with their somewhat harder-sounding raps. Everything comes together nicely to make “My Girl” shine.

Although there are originality issues and some anime OST feels, Carnival is a strong album for B.A.P as they continue to branch out and try new things. It’s great that they don’t pigeonhole themselves. This album may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for the diehard fan, it’s a nice addition to the B.A.P discography. Carnival earns a 3.5 out of a possible 5.

 

 

—-Joelle Halon

The 4^th annual KPOP Night Out at SXSW has been officially announced. This year’s lineup was anticipated particularly after last year’s showcase that featured Crayon Pop, Hitchhiker and Epik High. This year’s lineup includes MAMAMOO, Dean and Zion.T with The Session.

MAMAMOO was announced late last year as a SXSW artist alongside Illionaire Records. MAMAMOO are a 4-member girl group whose vocal talents have brought them much attention worldwide. Their song “Piano Man” reached 41 on Gaon’s digital chart in 2014 despite their status as rookies.

Zion. T with The Session and Dean were both recently announced by SXSW and fans are very excited. Zion. T is a well-known R&B artist who is sure to pull in a large crowd. Zion. T charted many times last year both solo and for his collaboration with artist Crush. His solo song, Eat, won Best Vocal Performance by a Male at the Mnet MAMA awards.

Dean has been making waves the last year after releasing music of his own. Dean, also known as Deanfluenza, is responsible for writing and helping produce many popular KPOP hits like EXO’s “Black Pearl” and “Unfair” and the song VIXX got their first win with, “Voodoo Doll.” His first release as Dean, “I Love It” feat. Dok2 was well received and his follow up song “Pour Up” feat. Zico charted in the Top 30 on the MelOn’s digital charts.

Alongside these performances will be Rock and Metal groups Bye Bye Badman and Victim Mentality, the latter of which is a SXSW veteran. Electronic groups Love X Stereo and Haihm are also bringing more variety to the event. KPOP Night Out is known for bringing more than just KPOP to the music capitol of the world and this year’s lineup definitely did not disappoint.

Check out the full line up below and stay tuned for more announcements from SXSW!

7:30PM – 8:00PM – Bye Bye Badman

8:20PM – 9:00PM – Victim Mentality

9:20PM – 10:00PM – Love X Stereo9

10:20PM – 11:00PM – MAMAMOO

11:20PM – 12:00AM – Haihm

12:20AM – 12:40AM – DEAN

1:00AM – 1:50AM – Zion.T with The Session

 

—-Ke’Anna Bullard

On February 15 and 16, 2016, New York City’s Madison Square Garden hosts one of the grandest dog galas, The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (WKC). This year, the show celebrates its 140^th year with thousands of dogs vying for group honors. For each group—herding, sporting, non-sporting, hound, terrier, toy, and working—around 30 dogs compete to be among the seven vying for Best in Show honors.

The dogs in the show not only represent their breeds and groups, but also different countries. Westminster is definitely a global affair! With that in mind, there are several breeds representing their Asian roots. Keep your eyes open for these dogs during this year’s show.

 

Afghan Hound | Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran | Hound Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Two (1957, 1983)

Originating in the region now known as Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, the Afghan Hound—due to its speed and agility—was used primarily for hunting gazelle, antelopes, and even leopards. The dog was cherished as an independent thinker, which helped hunters since the dogs could act without direction.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Afghan Hound in 1926. Known as a sight hound, the dog is recognized by its long, flowing fur, hooked tail, tall stature, and bouncy gait as well as it’s cheerful, independent, but goofy personality. Many with a fondness for the breed call it an “aristocrat dog” given its royal look.

Afghan Hounds may not be for everyone as they are high-energy dogs that require lots of space to run. They also require plenty of grooming thanks to their long coats.

According to the AKC in 2015, the Afghan Hound is the 95^th most popular dog breed in the United States. The dog is also known as one of the oldest dog breeds and is possibly the dog portrayed in Egyptian art dating back to around 4000 B.C.

 

Akita | Japan | Working Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

The Akita dog may date back to the 15^th Century, but records and skeletal remains may date the dog back 5000 years. The Akita originated in the Akita prefecture in Honshu, Japan, and was thought to be a companion dog for Japanese warriors and named a national treasure in 1931. In 1972, the Akita was recognized by the AKC.

The Akita is a large dog with moderate energy. The dog is known to be dignified, sometimes aloof, and courageous; most of all, it’s known for its unwavering loyalty to its owners. The most famous example of the dog’s loyalty is Hachiko, the dog who waited for his owner, Professor Ueno, at the Shhibuya train station for ten years after Ueno’s death. A statue of Hachiko stands in his memory.

Akita dogs need moderate exercise according to the AKC. For grooming, the AKC considers the Akita as “cat-like” in that they like to clean themselves.

In 2015, the Akita was considered the 45^th most popular dog in the United States.

 

Anatolian Shepherd | Turkey | Working Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog’s roots start in what is now known as Turkey. The dog’s purpose was to herd and guard livestock and were revered for their abilities and gentle handing of sheep and goats. The dogs were so important to shepherds that if one was killed, the killer had to pay in grain.  The dogs were rarely kept as pets.

In addition to their herding abilities, Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are used in cheetah sanctuaries in Africa as protection for the big cats. So they are more than herders!

This large-sized, medium-energy dog is calm, loyal, but possesses an independent spirit. They are highly intelligent and require activities that keep them mentally stimulated. They are not apartment dogs and need space. Grooming-wise, a weekly brushing may suffice.

The AKC recognized the Anatolian Shepherd in 1996. As of 2015, they are the 92^nd most popular dog in the US.

 

Black Russian Terrier | Russia* |Working Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

High-energy, loyal, protective, intelligent, and powerful, the Black Russian Terrier was recognized by the AKC in 2004. The AKC reports it’s the 121^st most popular dog.

History suggests the Black Russian Terrier was developed by the Soviet Union and used as a military breed. The dog is meant to be a utility dog that could adapt to its environment. It’s a highly intelligent breed that excels in agility and needs mental stimulation and socialization. This dog is not for first-time dog owners.

Despite being called a terrier, the Black Russian Terrier is not a true terrier. It’s believed to developed from the Newfoundland, Airedale Terrier, Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer, and the Ovtcharka. It looks close to the French Bouvier des Flandres.

 

Borzoi | Russia*, Kyrgyzstan | Hound Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

Agile and graceful, the Borzoi looks like it’s in motion even when standing still! Like the Afghan Hound, the Borzoi is a sight hound that’s built to be fast and agile for catching small prey and even wolves.

The Borzoi has a storied, noble history starting with how one Borzoi, Tasha, is said to be the “pedigree ancestor of most British Borzoi bloodlines,” according to Desiree Scott. In popular culture, the Borzoi appears in art as well as several books, anime, and movies including Lady and the Tramp, The Hunger Games, War and Peace, and Medaka Box among others.

While Borzois can be energetic, they are considered a low-maintenance dog. Beware, as some like to chew! They don’t require a lot of grooming: Just an occasional brush and trim makes them happy.

The Borzoi, which is the 99^th most popular dog breed, is one of the oldest AKC-recognized dogs as it was recognized in 1891.

Update: On Tuesday February 16, watch Lucy compete in the Best-in-the-Show final for the WKC dog show. She won the Hound Group on Monday February 15, 2016.

 

Canaan Dog | Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria | Herding Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

Hailing from Israel, the Canaan Dog has been around for thousands of years. In its early years, it wasn’t recognized as a pet but as a feral dog. The dog didn’t start to become a domesticated animal until the 1930s when Dr. Rudolphina Menzel wanted to use them as guard dogs due to their high trainability. Dr. Menzel once wanted to use them as guide dogs, but because of their independent natures, this project—save for a few—was unsuccessful.

Canaan Dogs are intelligent, often learning tasks quickly. However, they do not like repetition and need new activities to keep them stimulated. Because of this, they excel in herding, agility, and obedience activities. They do require space and plenty of exercise to keep them happy. With this, they love their families and aren’t aggressive, but they are defensive, especially when strangers are introduced. They are alert, confident, and vigilant according to the AKC, so they still make excellent guard dogs.

The AKC recognized the breed in 1997. It’s the 170^th most popular dog as of 2015.

 

Chinese Crested | China | Toy Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

The Chinese Crested comes in two varieties: Smooth and powder puff. The smooth variety looks like a small Clydesdale horse with a “mane” and fur at its feet. The powder puff variety has a full coat.

This friendly, cheerful, small dog has roots in China, but research into the dog shows they have connections in Mexico and Africa. The Chinese variety dates back to the 13^th Century where records show the dog was used as a companion and to kill rats on ships. As time progressed, breeders, including burlesque actress Gypsy Rose Lee, helped to increase the breed’s popularity into Europe and the United States.

Both varieties of Chinese Crested require care. The powder puff version does need plenty of brushing, while the smooth variety is prone to sunburns and dry skin and need care for those issues. As with many other toy dogs, health issues—specifically with the eyes—may crop up. With these negatives aside, their cheery and affectionate natures make them great with children. They are energetic and work well on the agility circuit.

The 63^rd most popular dog breed was recognized by the AKC in 1991.

 

Chow Chow | China | Non-Sporting Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

Famous for its recognizable blue tongue, the Chow Chow is the notable dog of choice by Martha Stewart. The AKC’s 68^th most popular dog is a serious, dignified dog that may be aloof.

While there is information missing about the dog’s history, the Chow Chow is traced to China where it served as a hunting dog for nobility. When imperial hunts ceased, pure bloodlines of the dog were kept at monasteries and by the wealthy. The Chow’s spread into Europe was helped due to them coming over on cargo ships. Queen Victoria was a Chow fancier, helping their popularity increase.

Despite their size, Chows can be lazy and make surprisingly well-adapted apartment dogs. Don’t expect them to be too playful either. They do require plenty of grooming as their fur can become matted. With proper care, the Chow resembles a lion. It’s a protective dog, but shy around strangers.

The AKC recognized the breed in 1903.

 

Japanese Chin | China, Japan | Toy Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

Recognized in 1888, the Japanese Chin is another dog with a long history with the AKC. Affectionate and charming, the Japanese Chin—which doesn’t originate in Japan—was kept by Chinese aristocrats. There are three different stories regarding how the Chin made its way into Japan, with some stories suggesting zen Buddhists brought the dogs to Japan in the 500s A.D., or a Korean prince bringing the dog into the country in the 700s A.D. Another story suggests a Chinese emperor brought the dog to Japan and gifted it to an imperial family. No matter the story, the dog was kept as a lap dog and became a symbol of luxury before Portuguese sailors brought the dog to Europe in the 16^th Century.

The Chin was once known as the Japanese Spaniel and was once larger than its present form. Animal Planet reports the dog may have been mixed with toy spaniels in order to give it its modern height and appearance.

The 91^st most popular dog is known to be clown-like with its people, but reserved around strangers. With regular grooming, the dog is soft and silky. Unfortunately, due to its buggy eyes and pushed face, the Chin is prone to breathing and eye issues. It does like to play, so it is an energetic pup.

 

Lhasa Apso | Tibet | Non-Sporting Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

Cute, fluffy, smart, and confident, the Lhasa Apso was once the dog of Buddhists. The sacred, revered dog’s history is wrapped in Buddhist beliefs of reincarnation as it’s believed the souls of Buddhist lamas entered the dog’s bodies upon death. The dogs were also used to guard Buddhist temples.

Introduced in Europe in the late 1800s to early 1900s, the Lhasa was originally known as a Lhasa Terrier even though the dog is not a terrier. Records suggest, however, that the dog did not arrive into the Western world until 1930 when the Dalai Lama gave the Lhasa as a gift. It was later recognized by the AKC in 1935.

Lhasa Apsos are the 65^th most popular dog breed. Don’t be fooled by its long hair: This dog is known to be a clown, especially around its family. It’s a happy, energetic breed that performs well on the agility field, but it’s also happy lounging with its family. If the hair is kept long, it will require plenty of brushing to avoid tangles.

 

Pekingese | China | Toy Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Four (1960, 1982, 1990, 2012)

Regal, affectionate, and loyal, the Pekingese was recognized by the AKC in 1906 and is currently the 80^th most popular dog breed in the United States. Many consider the dog to be an animated ottoman, and they may not be far off given its low stature, rolling gait, and push-face.

Lamaist Buddhists in China helped develop the dog thousands of years ago and were bred so they resemble a small lion. From 700 A.D. to 1000 A.D, the Pekingese were considered royal dogs and even had their own servants. Perhaps this is why they’re still regal and aloof to this day.

In the late 1800s, some of the dogs were stolen from wealthy Chinese and brought back to England where Queen Victoria helped their popularity. Soon, more dogs were needed and their popularity grew, but they were still only for the rich. Today, Pekingese dogs are popular pets, but they’re mostly known for their show abilities.

True to their natures, Pekingese aren’t very energetic, but they are high maintenance, requiring hours of grooming. The dog has an overcoat and an undercoat, so the two often become tangled if not cared for properly. The dogs are great for children and are perfect lap dogs for a family who desires a companion.

 

Pug | China, Tibet | Toy Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: One (1981)

The Pug is one of the world’s oldest dog breeds with records indicating it’s been around since before 400 B.C! While small in stature, it’s believed to be a descendent of the Mastiff, making it a large dog in a compact package.

The Pug was a favorite dog of Buddhists because of its calm personality. The Chinese adored it because of its wrinkles and dignified look. In fact, one of the wrinkles on the dog’s face is said to resemble the Chinese character for “prince.”

In the 1500s, the Pug made its way to the West via ships and, perhaps, the Dutch East India Trading Company. From here, the dog grew in popularity.

Today, the Pug, first recognized by the AKC in 1885 and currently the 32^nd most popular dog, is a charming, low-maintenance, loving family pet. They look strong and athletic, but are perfectly happy on a lap or in the arms of children.

 

Saluki | Saudi Arabia | Hound Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

Stunning and graceful, the Saluki embodies art in motion. Evidence of the Saluki’s existence date to before Christ. They were used to hunt gazelle, rabbits, and foxes. The Saluki was also the only dog accepted in the Muslim region and was referred to as the “noble one.”

The Saluki has one of the purist bloodlines of all the dog breeds as it was kept from breeding with other dogs. The Saluki we see today resembles the Saluki from thousands of years ago, so it’s like watching living history.

Naturally athletic, the Saluki requires exercise as well as a tall fence since they like to jump. For those who want to put forth the time and effort, it may be worth training a Saluki for agility.

On the flip side, these dogs are gentle and loving, making them good with children. They do have an independent spirit, so they require patience when it comes to training. When it comes to grooming and care, they do not shed much and the AKC considers them to be generally healthy dogs.

In 1929, the AKC recognized the breed; they are the 128^th most popular dog breed.

 

Samoyed | Russia* | Working Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

Known for its “Samoyed smile,” this snow-white dog has a sunny disposition and a gentle soul. Hailing from Siberia, the Samoyed watched over reindeer, towed boats, were a “nanny dog” for children, and occasionally hunted bear making the dog a jack-of-all-trades.

In the 1800s, the Samoyed came to England as a gift to Queen Alexandria. She championed the dog, helping it gain traction. At the turn of the century, the Samoyed landed in America as a gift from Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia. Around this time, the Samoyed was found to be a formable sled dog and had the honor of joining the expedition to the South Pole. With the expedition, the dog’s popularity grew favorably in the United States.

Today, the Samoyed is the 66^th most popular dog breed. It was recognized by the AKC in 1906. Known as a loving family member, many consider the Samoyed to be a kid in a dog suit thanks to its jovial personality. It is a highly active dog that requires space to run or a job to do; the AKC suggests a fenced in exercise area to help it burn off energy. Furthermore, it needs weekly grooming to prevent mats; during shed season, it will require more grooming.

 

Shar-Pei | China | Non-Sporting Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

As far as records suggest, the Shar-Pei dates back to the Han Dynasty around 200 B.C. However, the dog’s records have been lost over time, starting when China became a Communist nation. What is known about the dog is that it was a popular breed among the peasant class as it was a strong hunter and protector.

In the 1960s, the Shar-Pei almost became extinct due to them being killed off in China. The breed survived and was later revived thanks to a number of dogs that were smuggled into Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Shar-Pei was then brought to America when, in the 1970s, it almost went extinct again. Enthusiasts of the breed worked to breed the dog and develop the breed, saving it from extinction once more. Today, the Shar-Pei thrives and was recognized by the AKC in 1992.

Like the Chow Chow, the Shar-Pei also has a distinctive blue tongue, so it is believed they share a common ancestor. Besides the tongue, Shar-Pei’s are mostly recognized by their distinctive wrinkles. These calm dogs are known to be loyal to their families while maintaining a sense of independence. They also make good watch dogs. They don’t like to be groomed, so they will need to be trained from a young age to accept the grooming process.

As of 2015, the Shar-Pei is the 52^nd most popular dog according to the AKC.

 

Shiba Inu | Japan | Non-Sporting Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

In recent years, the Shiba Inu has been made famous thanks to Internet memes. Today, the Shiba Inu is the 46^th most popular dog breed thanks to its Internet fame, foxy appearance, jovial nature, and attentiveness. While it was only recognized by the AKC in 1992, the Shiba Inu, a Japanese dog, may date back to 300 B.C. where it was used as a small game hunting dog.

In Japan, there were three types of Shiba Inu named after the different prefectures from which they hailed: The Shinshu Shiba (Nagano Prefecture), Mino Shiba (Gifu Prefecture), and the Sanin Shiba (from Northeast Japan). The three types played an important role in developing today’s Shiba Inu after the dogs were nearly wiped out following WWII and a plague of distemper. The blending of the breeds became one dog that soon came to the US in 1954.

Shiba Inus love play! So much so, they require it daily to keep them active and healthy. They thrive on play that’s vigorous and keeps them on their toes. They are alert dogs, so owners also find them to be easily distracted. They will need a family that is willing to work with them and socialize them.

 

Shih Tzu | China, Tibet | Toy Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

Known as the “Lion Dog” or the “Chrysanthemum Dog” in China and Tibet, the Shih Tzu, most recognized by its flowing locks, is one of the dogs most closely related to wolves; a surprise given its small stature.

The Shih Tzu may date back to before 800 B.C. when it started to appear in Chinese art, but the AKC states it may be later than that due to art found in the 600s A.D. Another favorite dog of Buddhists, the Chinese loved the breed due to the connection. In the 1600s, Tibetans viewed the Shih Tzu as a holy dog, and it was celebrated as such. However, the dog didn’t gain outside attention or its modern appearance until the late 1800s thanks to China’s Empress Dowager Tzu-hsi (Qing Dynasty).

The Shih Tzu wasn’t its own distinct breed until the 1930s. Prior to take, it was lumped as a Llasa Terrier with Lhasa Apso dogs. The dogs were later separated due to their distinctions.

The Shih Tzu made its way to the United States in 1940s, but didn’t grow popular until the 1960s. Its popularity could be in part thanks to its playfulness, outgoing personality, and affections it has toward its people. Because of its growing popularity in the 1960s, the Shih Tzu became AKC-recognized in 1969. Today, it’s the 17^th most popular breed.

Update: For this year’s WKC dog show, all hopes fall on Panda, the winner of the Toy Group that advanced to Tuesday’s Best-in-Show ring. If Panda wins, he will become the first Shih Tzu to win at Westminster.

 

Siberian Husky | Russia* | Working Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: One (1980)

Developed to be a sled dog by the nomadic Chukchi people, the Siberian Husky can trace its roots to Northeast Asia before making its way to Alaska (which wasn’t a state at the time) during the All-Alaska Sweepstakes. However, the Siberian Husky, while useful and hardworking, didn’t earn love and acclaim until 1925 during the Alaskan diphtheria outbreak where sled teams were credited for saving Nome. From this event, Balto, a black and white Siberian Husky, became the most famous Husky and even has a statue in Central Park in New York City. After the dogs’ heroic efforts, Canadians and Americans started a love affair with the breed, causing it to be AKC-recognized in 1930.

The Siberian Husky played an important role in WWII, serving as a search and rescue dog for the US Army. This, too, helped the dog earn more popularity. In 2015, the AKC ranked it as the 13^th most popular breed.

The Siberian Husky is considered to be friendly, loyal, and somewhat mischievous, so it needs an owner that can keep up with it. Since it was bred to haul sleds and run, it needs a lot of exercise to keep it happy. In the summer months, air-conditioning is a must. Potential owners should be aware that Huskies shed a lot and need weekly grooming.

 

Tibetan Mastiff | China, Tibet, The Himalayas, Nepal, India | Working Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

Large and somewhat intimidating, the Tibetan Mastiff is a calm, reserved, independent dog that has majestic beauty.

Like many ancient dogs that come from China and Tibet, much of their history is lost, but it is believed the dogs date back to 1100 B.C. What is known is that the Tibetan Mastiff– or some form of today’s Tibetan Mastiff– were the dogs of choice by Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan. Nomads living in the Himalayas loved the Tibetan Mastiff and used it as protection as well as to guard flocks. Eventually, it became a guard dog for villages and monasteries. The dog mostly did not exist past these regions until the 1800s when a dog was sent to Queen Victoria by the Viceroy of India.

In the 1950s, the dog was endangered thanks to China’s invasion of Tibet. The dog became “misplaced” according to Animal Planet. As a preservation tactic, some took the dogs and fled, while the Dalai Lama sent two to US President Eisenhower; no one knows what happened to Eisenhower’s dogs. Luckily, breeders from India and Nepal preserved the breed, which started its re-emergence in the 1970s.

Following its recognition as an AKC breed in 2007, the Tibetan Mastiff surged in popularity in China where people were paying millions of dollars just to own the prized dogs. However, this led to misuse and breeding abuse as well as a lack of attention, care, proper handling. Owners of the dogs began abandoning them and prices dropped. The mishandling of the breed has led dog lovers and representatives from different dog-related groups to head to China in an attempt to educate people on proper care and keeping of Tibetan Mastiffs and other dogs.

While large, Tibetan Mastiffs are not an active dog, only requiring moderate exercise. As an added bonus, while they do require weekly brushing, they only shed once a year. They are a protective dog, but they love their families. While their popularity declined in China, it is improving in the US where it’s the 129^th most popular breed.

 

Tibetan Spaniel | Tibet | Non-Sporting Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

Lamaist Buddhists called the Tibetan Spaniel “little lion dog” due to its close resemblance to the Buddhist lion symbol. Buddhists bred these small dogs and considered them sacred; in return, Tibetan Spaniels guarded monasteries and alerted Buddhists if predators or other people were near. In addition, the spaniels were considered prayer dogs and assisted in turning prayer wheels.

Tibetan Spaniels made their way to England in the 1800s, but they didn’t have a specific breed standard until the 1920s. In the 1960s, the breed made its way to the US thanks to two dogs that were imported from a Tibetan monastery.

While it’s called a spaniel dog, the Tibetan Spaniel is not a spaniel. The dog is made up of several toy breeds and does not fulfill the job description a spaniel has which involves hunting and flushing birds. Instead, the dog may get its name because of its resemblance to spaniels.

Smart, loyal, affectionate, and playful, the Tibetan Spaniel was recognized by the AKC in 1983. It’s currently the 116^th most popular dog breed. The have a lot of curiosity and may find themselves engaging in mischief, so plenty of play is required. They do have a double coat that requires brushing to keep it from tangling. However, the Tibetan Spaniel makes a happy, well-adjusted family dog.

 

Tibetan Terrier | Tibet, India | Non-Sporting Group | WKC Best-in-Show Wins: Zero

Despite its name, the Tibetan Terrier is not a true terrier. Europeans called the dog a terrier because it resembled other terrier breeds.

Like other Tibetan dogs, Buddhists considered the Tibetan Terrier—the Tsang Apso—a holy dog. Unlike other breeds, this dog wasn’t revered for a lion-like appearance, but for the lucky qualities they possessed. While they watched over livestock, these dogs were kept mostly as companions because Buddhists believed they brought good fortune. If anyone mistreated a Tsang Apso, bad luck would befall the monastery and village.

Before its spread to the West, the dog became popular in India after a physician, Dr. Grieg, was given a dog. His love for the dog led to promotions and steady growth in India where it became a recognized breed. In the 1930s and 1940s, Europeans began a love-affair that later spread to the United States. By 1973, it was an AKC-recognized breed.

During its time in Buddhist monasteries, Buddhists considered the dogs to be “little people” because of their companionship. To this day, they are known for their loving natures and companionship. Depending on the dog’s personalities, it is known to be a barker. The Tibetan Terrier is an active dog, so exercise is required. Over the years, it has succeeded as an agility dog. If you’re high energy and want a companion that can equal your energy, this dog may be right for you. Currently, it’s the 86^th most popular breed.

Of course, never adopt a dog without proper research into the breed or an evaluation of your lifestyle. Always act responsibly when looking for a new furry member of your family. Many of these dogs are dumped into shelters or rescues each year due to improper research into the dog and its needs, inability to care for the dog, or different life situations that may get in the way of giving a dog the love and attention it deserves and requires. Check sources like PetFinder.com or a local rescue or shelter to see if any of these breeds need a loving home.

 

For further reading, check out the references used for this article at AKC, Animal Planet, Your Dog Advisor and Westminster Kennel Club.

Watch the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on CNBC and USA Network February 15 and 16, 2016. If these channels are unavailable, the show is available online.

*Russia is included in the article as it spans across Europe and Asia (Eurasia).

All photos provided by Wikipedia Commons.

 

 

—-Joelle Halon