Lucky Mango » Music

Tupulaga 2008 fundraiser at Carson High

Mickey — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:40:28 +0000

I had the pleasure to attend the annual recital fundraiser for Tupulaga today. Tupulaga is a Polynesian dance team based in Los Angeles, California. The group was founded in 1990 with 10 members who practiced in a garage in Carson. The group currently has a group of 25 dancers and musicians who participate regularly in community activities and cultural festivals. Tupulaga performs dances from Tahiti, Hawaii, Tonga, Fiji and New Zeland and specializes in dances from Samoa.

This was my second year in attendance and it was fantastic. (Thank you to Melin and Melani for inviting me) Tupulaga literally means “generations” in the Samoan language. It’s is commonly used to describe younger generations. Tupulaga’s mission is to preserve and perpetuate the Polynesion tradition and culture through dance and music. They strive to educate their students about their history and ancestry.

I purchased a Tupulaga CD. The CD sales go towards supporting the dance team. Most of the songs on this album are songs that they have used in the “Our Voyage through Polynesia” performance.

I encourage you to see for yourself how gifted and dedicated these folks are. For more information you can contact Dr. & Mrs Kurene Ma’o at tupulaga2003@hotmail.com or your can check out the Tupulaga myspace page. Send them blessings as they journey to Tahiti this summer!

Pinay Pride

Mickey — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:34:08 +0000

I have been an avid American Idol fan since Season 1. My daughter and I have our favorites, sometime we agree and sometimes we don’t. More times then not, my husband always votes for the underdog and is proud of that fact. This season I am very proud that a beautiful and talented singer named Ramiele Malubay is representing Asian Americans in the US as well as the Philippines. Too bad the Philippine fans cannot vote. Ramiele may be petit in stature but can sure belt out a tune. I can say our household will be watching and voting for our favorite, Ramiel Malubay. We love you Ramiel! Mabuhay and good luck!

Mixed Asian Identity and the Creative Arts

Mickey — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:10:52 +0000

WHEN:Monday, February 11, 2008

WHERE:Chinese Culture Center
Chinatown Hilton Hotel
750 Kearny Street, Third Floor
San Francisco, CA

COST:$5 Asia Society/Co-sponsor Members/Students
$10 Non-members$5 Asia Society/Co-sponsor Members/Students
$10 Non-members

This program brings together a range of artists of mixed Asian descent — a musician, a visual artist, a filmmaker and a writer — in a panel discussion moderated by noted mixed Asian scholar Dr. Wei Ming Dariotis.

Is there a collective mixed Asian community? What kinds of experiences define it? How do mixed Asian artists relate to loaded labels like Hapa, Eurasian, Afroasian, Amerasian, etc.? How is art used to express mixed Asian identity? How does artistic expression help to create a mixed Asian community? Though the panel is diverse in terms of artistic disciplines and ethnic identities, the discussion will focus on the common experiences and creative interpretations that help hold the mixed Asian community together.

Co-sponsored by the Chinese Culture Center and Hyphen magazine.

Debut album from Maja available now…

Mickey — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 03:57:36 +0000

Â The long awaited album from Maja is now available at:Â http://tinyurl.com/3bdxay

Maja has described his music as fusion.Â Keeping it real and never, ever taking your eye off the prize.Â Good things come to those who wait and this album is no exception.Â This talented artist’s music is as original as they come.

Buy this album and I promise it will not dissappoint you.Â Listen to his lyrics, nod your head to the beat and take a glimpse into Maja’s world.Â He is changing the face of hip-hop one rhyme at a time

To find out more about Maja, visit www.myspace.com/newschoolhiphop

Stephanie Yanez, Singer is a rising Star!

Mickey — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:08:39 +0000

I have attended Anime Expo for the last five years and I can tell you that each year it gets bigger and better. But this year was special to me because I was privileged to see Stephanie Yanez perform on stage at the Ani-Matsuri. This girl can sing!!! She is a consummate performer.Â She rocked the house.Â “Tumbling Falling” and her version of “Ningyo Hime” are my favorite songs!

Here is a little bio on Stephanie from her official website:Â Stephanie Yanez has been singing ever since she can remember. Music has always been a big part of her life. Her mother used to say how Stephanie would just sing and dance around the house.Â She was also introduced to Japan Animation at an early age of four. Even though she didn’t know what it was at the time!

At age 18 she performed at many clubs and bars throughout Orange County and LA County with a top 40’s cover band. Also at the same time she was making her own music with her friend Mike Bergen who produced the songs while she wrote the lyrics. She would also perform all over Orange County with her own songs hoping somehow she would be heard.

Everytime Anime Expo (a convention which is held yearly to celebrate Japan Animation) comes around, Stephanie felt it was her getaway. Somewhere to have fun and learn about the Anime she loves and also where she could showcase her talent. First she tried the Karaoke contests. Not making it to the finals her first year, she decided to come back the following year with more determination and passion to achieve her goal. The magical moment came in 2003, when she placed first in the Karaoke contest. AX Idol, a new contest which was held for voice actors and singers who get the opportunity to perform in front of industry judges took place that same year. She tried. She came up empty. But once again Stephanie didn’t let that get her down. She was so passionate and practiced her voice to improve herself as a singer and a performer planning to win Ax Idol 2004. Sure enough Stephanie did win the contest. Walking away feeling very happy she once again achieved this goal without giving up.

Then the greatest opportunity for Stephanie came. Geneon contacted her saying that they wanted to record her version of Ningyo Hime from Chobits. The song that she won Ax Idol 2004 with.Â Now that Stephanie has recorded her songs (Shift, Sabaku no Yuki, Ningyo Hime) which are featured on the CD ANIME KARAOKE COLLECTION, she was given the chance to come back and perform her songs at AX Idol once again. The CD made it’s big debut at Anime Expo and is now being sold at many major record stores and media outlets.

Stephanie’s future is extremely bright.Â SheÂ truly loves performing and that comes through to her fans when she is on stage.Â I enjoyed watching her rock the mic.Â I cannot wait to see her perform again, hopefullyÂ I won’t have to wait too long.Â I can tell you fromÂ corresponding with herÂ through email, Stephanie is as gracious as she is talented.Â She was soÂ kind toÂ respond to my emails and supply me with pictures for my article.Â Â I can’t wait to hear more of herÂ music.Â

Please support her and enjoy the music by downloading legally!

www.steph-idol.comÂ andÂ Â www.myspace.com/stephmusicÂ Â