AFC Blog

Asians and Friends Chicago has many plans for this goulish month. First, Halloween Party at Omar’s! We’ll be headed out to the suburbs again the weekend before Halloween for Omar’s annual Halloween party (Sat. Oct. 24). It’ll be at 205 Brittany Trail Road in Elgin. Anyone needing a ride from the city, please call our hotline at (312) 409-1573, as we’ll be organizing a car pool from Thai Classic, 3332 N. Clark. We’ll meet there at 6 p.m. for a light dinner and move out around 7-ish.

Then for whoever is interested, we’re trying to gather eight Asians to play Jon and Kate Plus Eight for the Halsted Street Halloween Parade and subsequent visit to clubs throughout the night. We have three so far and need five more to dress up as little boys and girls. If you’re interested, call (312) 409-1573. We’ll need commitments by October 18.

Passing this along – go and vote!

Rich Kiamco

I am a queer Filipino American theater artist/comic/writer/entertainer. I am currently entered in this
contest for MTV/Logo’s “The Big Gay Sketch Show.” My audition involves submitting videos and blogs and then having people hit the MTV/Logo website and voting for me.

http://biggaycasting.com/people/richkiamco

I would greatly appreciate you support, VOTE every day, yes every day, I am in the TOP 25 and currently I am the only API in the top 50. It would be great to get more Asian representation in the media -oh and
I’m funny and talented too!

Please check out the link and see my submission, and please vote, and share with friends. I am only going to get there with votes, tons of them -and I am hoping there is a grassroots of APIs that can come through for me.

Thanks tons
Rich Kiamco

Facebook group: Click here

Rich’s website: http://www.richkiamco.com

We have uploaded some pictures to our online gallery from the Chinese New Year Dinner.

You can access the dinner gallery directly here or you can just vist the entire picture gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Pug bar on Broadway north of Lawrence in Chicago.

Just a note from some of us who attended the Wild Pug’s first “Gaysian” night. DJ Oskar presented a public face for an event that was supported by advertising in the local, gay magazines and staffed by Asian bartenders and go-go boys. It seemed that at least half of the crowd (35 out of 60 or so?) were Asian men of varying ages, tending to be in their 20s and 30s. Many of them came as groups, already knowing each other. Oskar said he had also invited his following, which certainly aided in the overall success of the night.

AFC Board members are discussing our group’s continuing role with the event. The current view is that it’s an opportunity to outreach and expand membership and that any establishment interested in supporting the positive, sexual image of gay, Asian men should be validated. While we are sensitive to the fact that an Asian-themed night, especially one that does use feminine images in its advertising might be suspect, our initial view of the evening and the club’s approach is that it presents a respectful outreach to an underserved audience. The imagery on the ads also portray a strong, masculine, Asian man–which balances the diversity of our demographic.

At this point, the Board members present at the first of what will be a monthly event (the last Thursday of every month), support the work of Wild Pug, 4810 N. Broadway in Chicago, and hope you all take advantage of their imaginative drink specials and of course, DJ Oskar’s lively mix of old and new school.

Here’s our AFC interview with film director Toby Ross on his latest film, “Moon Over Hong Kong,” in which several AFC members appear. The premiere was held at the Portage Theater in Chicago. To watch the interview, click on the link below.

Asians and Friends interviews film director Toby Ross on Moon Over Hong Kong

About 20 AFC members attended the premiere last Saturday (1/10/09) and enjoyed the trademark humor that Ross weaves into his films. As an added bonus, Ross and the lead “spy”/actor from the film, Johnny Carvajal, will be joining AFC for our Chinese New Year’s dinner (see entry below) on Sat. Feb. 7. Ross will have copies of the DVD on hand for a special AFC price, with a portion of the proceeds going to Asians and Friends!

Kevin, Angel, Dat and Harry at the Chicago premiere.

Chinese New Year’s Dinner 2009 – Year of the Ox. Join Asians and Friends Chicago members for our annual gathering on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Phoenix Restaurant, 2131 South Archer Avenue in Chicago. Start time, 7 p.m.; dinner served at 7:30 p.m. With a scenic view of the Chicago skyline, the evening will include a Chinese dragon dance, the retelling of the tale of the Ox, a traditional multi-course dinner and an appearance by actors in Hornbill Productions’ “Moon Over Hong Kong.” This year, we ask members to bring memorabilia from years past, as we will begin preparations to celebrate AFC’s 25^th anniversary year at our Chinese New Year’s celebration in 2010. All photos, newsletters and other pieces will be labeled and carefully stored so that a commemorative media piece can be developed.

Tickets are $40 presale until January 28, 2009 or $45 at the door. Soda and tea included; Cash bar. To attend this year’s dinner, you must RSVP by January 28, 2009 by leaving a message on our hotline (312) 409-1573—even if you wish to pay at the door. To secure your seat, you must either pay by PayPal via our Web site www.afchicago.org or mail a check by January 28, 2009 to Asians and Friends Chicago, P.O. Box A-3916, Chicago, IL   60690-3916. We cannot guarantee your seat if we do not receive your payment. Thanks and see you all for a wonderful 2009 gathering!