PRESS
Vietnamese Americans Seek Artistic Expression in Santa Ana
Orange County Register (Aug. 1, 2013)
By Alejandra Molina
SANTA ANA – One Thursday a month, crowds of young Vietnamese Americans gather at a space on Broadway to recite and listen to poetry dealing with everything from coming-out experiences to facing stereotypes. No topic is off-limits. [Read More]
Orange County Register (Aug. 1, 2013)
By Alejandra Molina
SANTA ANA – One Thursday a month, crowds of young Vietnamese Americans gather at a space on Broadway to recite and listen to poetry dealing with everything from coming-out experiences to facing stereotypes. No topic is off-limits. [Read More]
Asian American Arts and Culture in Orange County
diaCRITICS (Sep. 3, 2010)
By Thuy Vo Dang
Orange County, California has often been dismissed as a dead zone for music and other expressive cultural forms. This goes for mainstream, alternative, underground, Asian American, etc. Stereotyped as bland suburbia relative to its hipper, edgier northern neighbor (I’m talking about Los Angeles for those geographically-challenged readers), OC hardly makes it on anyone’s radar for an evening of culture and entertainment, unless you are of the retired set. In fact, not too long ago, I was assured by colleagues at Cal State Fullerton that a hip music scene can be experienced with a quick Amtrak ride up to LA. What about OC, I asked? [Read More]
diaCRITICS (Sep. 3, 2010)
By Thuy Vo Dang
Orange County, California has often been dismissed as a dead zone for music and other expressive cultural forms. This goes for mainstream, alternative, underground, Asian American, etc. Stereotyped as bland suburbia relative to its hipper, edgier northern neighbor (I’m talking about Los Angeles for those geographically-challenged readers), OC hardly makes it on anyone’s radar for an evening of culture and entertainment, unless you are of the retired set. In fact, not too long ago, I was assured by colleagues at Cal State Fullerton that a hip music scene can be experienced with a quick Amtrak ride up to LA. What about OC, I asked? [Read More]
Opportunity, Empowerment, Growth: Orange County's Little Saigon Turns 25
KCET (June 7, 2013)
By Elson Trinidad
Orange County, with its flat terrain, coastal breezes, ultra-wide streets, and low-density sprawl, represents the epitome of SoCal suburbia, and, arguably, our region's closest semblance to Middle America -- both aspects of which are as celebrated as they are mocked. But traveling east along Bolsa Avenue from the 405 Freeway, the median suddenly turns into a lush linear garden, the architecture looks a bit more exotic, the air wafts with the aroma of noodle soup, and business signs bear familiar Roman characters, albeit adorned with unfamiliar accent marks. You've reached Orange County's Little Saigon community, centered in Westminster -- not merely the heart of Southern California's Vietnamese community, but the cultural, spiritual and commercial capital of the Vietnamese diaspora. [Read more]
KCET (June 7, 2013)
By Elson Trinidad
Orange County, with its flat terrain, coastal breezes, ultra-wide streets, and low-density sprawl, represents the epitome of SoCal suburbia, and, arguably, our region's closest semblance to Middle America -- both aspects of which are as celebrated as they are mocked. But traveling east along Bolsa Avenue from the 405 Freeway, the median suddenly turns into a lush linear garden, the architecture looks a bit more exotic, the air wafts with the aroma of noodle soup, and business signs bear familiar Roman characters, albeit adorned with unfamiliar accent marks. You've reached Orange County's Little Saigon community, centered in Westminster -- not merely the heart of Southern California's Vietnamese community, but the cultural, spiritual and commercial capital of the Vietnamese diaspora. [Read more]