Upcoming Appearances by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

Spring 2008

Sunday, June 8, 7:30 pm Channel 18
Tues., June 10, 5:00 pm
Thurs., June 12, 10:00 am
Community Television Network (CTN) broadcast of
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Talk at Ann Arbor District Library on January 23, 2008
"On Becoming Chinese American"
Or view video here: http://www.aadl.org/video/view/152

Growing up the child of immigrants, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang was both part of and slightly outside of Chinese culture and mainstream American culture. What does it mean to be Chinese American? Ms. Wang's discussion will touch on issues raised by this year s theme, China and America: Bridging Two Worlds, and the selected book, The Eighth Promise: An American Son's Tribute To His Toisanese Mother, by William Poy Lee. As acting editor of IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, Ms. Wang has written extensively on issues of identity and culture as process rather than simply one moment in time. She will share the stories of the different ways she has wrestled with identity and
culture through her life, including during childhood, as a young adult, and as a parent.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008, 11:30-12:30 (Postponed until fall)
Michigan Roundtable on Diversity and Inclusion "Lunch and Learn"
525 New Center One, 3031 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI

Saturday, June 14, 2008
Moderator for Mamnon Mentorship Picnic (members only)
Plymouth, MI

Community Television Network (CTN) airing of "On Becoming Chinese American" Talk by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang at Ann Arbor District Library from January 23, 2008. 
Dates and Times TBA

Friday, March 28, 2008, 8:10-9:00pm
Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan, Northside School, Ann Arbor
Facilitator for Parent Discussion Group
"Raising Happy and Confident Asian Pacific American Kids in the US."

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 12:00 pm
Hatcher Library Gallery, Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library, University of Michigan "Becoming Asian Pacific American...in the Midwest?"

Light refreshments will be provided (first things first) 
 
Growing up in California, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang grew up both part of and slightly outside of Chinese culture and mainstream American culture. Then she came to the Midwest for graduate school and was completely culture-shocked into an activist Asian Pacific American identity. As Acting Editor of IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, Ms. Wang has written extensively on issues of identity and culture as process rather than simply one "Aha" moment in time. Ms. Wang will share funny and lyrical stories of the many different ways she has wrestled with identity and culture--as a child, as a college and graduate student, as a parent, and as an activist--bringing some of the themes of both The LSA China Theme Year and the Ann Arbor-Ypsi Reads straight to life in today's Ann Arbor. Sponsored by University of Michigan Libraries and Library Studies
 
 
Friday, April 4, 2008, 8:10-9:00pm
Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan, Northside School, Ann Arbor
Facilitator for Parent Discussion Group
"Raising Happy and Confident Asian Pacific American Kids in the US."
 
Sunday, April 6, 4:00-5:00 pm
Lion Dancing at
Festifools 2008
Downtown Ann Arbor, Main Street between Washington and William
 
Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 11:30 am-12:30 pm
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Employees only)
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Program
"Becoming Asian Pacific American...in the Midwest?"
 
Growing up in California, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang grew up both part of and slightly outside of Chinese culture and mainstream American culture. Then she came to the Midwest for graduate school and was completely culture-shocked into an activist Asian Pacific American identity. As Acting Editor of IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, Ms. Wang has written extensively on issues of identity and culture as process rather than simply one "Aha" moment in time. Ms. Wang will share funny and lyrical stories of the many different ways she has wrestled with identity and culture--as a child, as a college and graduate student, as a parent, and as an activist--bringing some of the themes of both The UM LSA China Theme Year and the Ann Arbor-Ypsi Reads straight to life in today's Ann Arbor.

Friday, May 16, 2008, 11:30-1:00
New Detroit Cultural Exchange Network
New Center One Building, 3031 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI
 
Wednesday, May 21, 2008, 6:00-8:00pm
Canton Public Library, Canton, Michigan
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Program
with Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan Lion Dance Troupe
 
Sunday, May 25, 2008, 2:00pm
Detroit Institute of the Arts, Detroit, Michigan
"Masks of China - Lions, Dragons and Painted Faces!"
Collaboration with Carol Stepanchuk of University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies and Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan Lion Dance Troupe
 
May Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Programs (Tentative)
Emerson School, Ann Arbor, MI
Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary School, Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan, Northside School, Ann Arbor, MI

Winter 2008

"On Becoming Chinese American" Talk by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang
Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 7:00-8:30 pm
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads "China and America: Bridging Two Worlds"
Ann Arbor District Library, Main/Downtown branch
343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Growing up the child of immigrants, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang grew up both part of and slightly outside of Chinese culture and mainstream American culture. What does it mean to be Chinese? What does it mean to be Chinese American? How does one who does not "look the part" become fully American? Who am I in spite of all these labels? As acting editor of IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, Ms. Wang has written extensively on issues of identity and culture as process rather than simply one "Aha" moment in time. She will offer a brief introduction to Asian American history and share the stories of the many different ways she has wrestled with identity and culture--as a child, as a young adult, as a parent, etc.--bringing some of the themes of
The Eighth Promise straight to life in today's Ann Arbor.

January 31, 2008 (King families only)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School International Night, Ann Arbor
300 kids, 25 performances, 30 countries/cultures--all in an hour in a half--and simulcast into the gym for an audience of 1000. How cool is that?

Saturday, January 26, 2008 (open to the public)
Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan Lunar New Year's Celebration

Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor
(Opening MC, with Lion Dancers, and hosting visiting author William Poy Lee)
PHOTOS BY ANN ARBOR NEWS HERE: http://www.mlive.com/aagallery/galleries/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/mlive/view_gallery.ata?g_id=6779

Saturday, February 2, 2008, 8:00am-8:00pm
University Musical Society Educators China Immersion Day
"Introduction to Chinese Lunar New Year's Traditions" with AACCOM Lion Dancers

Thursday, February 7, 2008
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School--Cancelled
University of Michigan Medical Center Children's Center Glazier Way--Cancelled

Community Chinese New Year's Celebration
Saturday, February 9, 2008, 2:00-3:30pm (open to the public--come! Great for kids!)
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads "China and America: Bridging Two Worlds"
Ann Arbor District LibraryMain/Downtown branch 
343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Chinese Lunar New Year's Day signifies the beginning of spring and is celebrated by ethnic Chinese and Taiwanese in many countries around the world, including Taiwan, China, Singapore, and America! Come celebrate the Year of the Mouse with Frances Kai-Hwa Wang and Ann Arbor's own Chinese American community with dance, music, martial arts, stories, crafts, and Yo-Yo! with performances by Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan, Ann Arbor Chinese Dancing School, Ann Hua Chinese School, and Ann Arbor Traditional Chinese Music Ensemble.
 
Saturday, February 9, 2008, 6:30pm
Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of Greater Detroit Banquet
AACCOM Lion Dancers

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 4:00-6:00pm  (FCC members only)
Ann Arbor Area Families with Children with China Lunar New Year's Celebration
Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor
"Chinese New Year's Stories and Traditions"
with performances by Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 6:30 pm
University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies Banquet
Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan Lion Dance Troupe

Three Fires Middle School, Howell, Michigan, World Cultures Day
Thursday, February 14, 2008
"Chinese Lunar New Year's Traditions" with Ribbon and Umbrella Dancing

Masks of China - Lions, Dragons and Painted Faces!
Sunday, February 17, 2008, 2:00-3:00pm (open to the public--come! Great for kids!)
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads "China and America: Bridging Two Worlds"
Ann Arbor District LibraryMain/Downtown branch 
343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Talk by Carol Stepanchuk of University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies, with Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan Lion Dance Troupe

University of Michigan Children's Center
Monday, February 18, 2008
"Chinese Lunar New Year's Traditions" with AACCOM Lion Dancers

Emerson School, Ann Arbor
Monday, February 18, 2008
"Chinese Lunar New Year's Traditions" with AACCOM Lion Dancers

Tuesday, February 19, 2008, 7:00-8:30pm
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads "China and America: Bridging Two Worlds"
Ypsilanti District Library, 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti, MI 
"ChinaNOW: Why China? Why Now? Why Me? and How am I to Bridge Two Worlds?"
In a global society, China s growing global reach means we Americans need to bridge the cultural gap between our countries. Come join us for a highly informative look at what we can do to create understanding and tolerance between these two super powers with speaker Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, acting editor for www.IMDiversity.com, Asian American Village.

Friday, February 22, 2008 7:00-9:00
Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan Conversation Class
"Chinese Lunar New Year's Traditions" with interactive stories, songs, lion dancing

Thursday, February 28, 2008, 6:30-8:30 pm (members only)
Cub Scout Pack 77, Shelby Twp., Macomb County 
"Chinese Lunar New Year's Traditions"

Friday, February 29, 2008, 6:30-8:00 (members only)--Cancelled
Cub Scout Pack 395, Pinckney, Hamburg
"Chinese Lunar New Year's Traditions"

Community Television Network (CTN) Access Ann Arbor (Channel 17)
Moderating Book Discussion Group for William Poy Lee's The Eighth Promise
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads "China and America: Bridging Two Worlds"
Airing February 24, 26, 27, 28, 29; March 1, 2, 4, 5, 7

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang on Michigan TV?
Professional Journalist at Work: We are not sure, but you might possibly be able to see our own Frances Kai-Hwa Wang (or perhaps just her hand) on
Michigan TV running the microphone for the Q&A on this Public TV broadcast of University of Michigan Professor Ken Lieberthal's UM ChinaNOW Theme Year Center for Chinese Studies Public Lecture of February 12, 2008, "US China Relations"
Michigan TV Channel 22 (Comcast cable channel 22)
dates TBA or
click here.

Fall 2007

Friday, October 26, 2007, 5:30-8:00pm (Open to the public)
University of Michigan Ecumenical Center and International Residence (ECIR)
47th Annual Dinner and Talk on UM Theme Year "ChinaNOW: Why China? Why Now?"
First United Methodist Church, 120 S. State Street at Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI
Call 734-662-5529 to reserve a place at dinner, featuring delicious food from La Shish Middle Eastern Restaurant. $2 students/ $12 friends of ECIR.
www.ecir.org

September 28, 2007, 6-8PM (Mamnon and FCC families only)
Mam Non Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
Plymouth Cultural Center, 525 Farmer, Plymouth, MI 48170
RSVP Debbie Carr-Taylor at debsuecarr at comcast.net or 734-667-4075.
$5 admission
Storytelling by Asian American writer, Frances Wang. Incredible Inflatable Planetarium Presentation. Ribbon Dance and Bamboo Dance. Chinese and Vietnamese Lantern and Papercutting crafts. Food available for sale includes mooncakes, Vietnamese banh mi  sandwiches, and Chinese desserts. Cooking Demonstration - Vietnamese salad rolls and Korean kimbap. Breakdancing Performance. Lantern Parade. mamnon.org

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang on Michigan TV?
Professional Journalist at Work: We are not sure, but you might possibly be able to see our own Frances Kai-Hwa Wang (or perhaps just her hand) on Michigan TV running/holding the microphone for the Q&A on this Public TV broadcast of University of Michigan Professor Nicholas Howson's UM ChinaNOW Theme Year Center for Chinese Studies Public Lecture of December 7, 2007, "China's Stock Exchanges and Domestic Capital Markets--Boom, Bust, and Bellwether?"
Michigan TV Channel 22 (Comcast cable channel 22)
Friday, December 21, 2007, 9:00 pm
Saturday, December 22, 2007, 2:00pm
or click here.

Winter/Spring 2007

February 1, 2007 (King families only)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School International Night, Ann Arbor, MI
300 kids, 25 performances, 30 countries/cultures--all in an hour in a half--and simulcast into the gym for an audience of 1000. How cool is that?

February 10, 2007 (open to the public)
Ann Arbor Pan-Asian Lunar New Year's Celebration
Greenhills School, 850 Greenhills Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Sponsored by
Michigan Taiwanese American Association, Greenhills School, Mam Non Organization, IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, and University of Michigan Center for Chinese Studies. 
Highlights include the Jia Ho Chinese Yo-Yo Troupe from Taiwan which is currently touring the United States and the Chanh Tam Vietnamese Lion Dance Troupe from Grand Rapids. Local performances from Greenhills School, King School, Ann Arbor Chinese Dancing School, Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan, University of Michigan--will include Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Indian, and Thai dance, music, martial arts, and storytelling.  Food from local restaurants will be offered, as well as games, arts and crafts projects, and a variety of demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Admission: $5. For more information: (734) 205-4091, gwolkoff@greenhillsschool.org, and www.mitai.org.
Click here for photos link.

February 17, 2007 (open to the public)
Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan Lunar New Year's Celebration

Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI

(I'll be with the Lion Dancers!)

Time: Show: 4:00-6:00 pm.

         Dinner: 6:15-8:30 pm.

         Movie: 7:45-9:00 pm. (Ice Age 2 - meltdown)

 Ticket price:  $10 for Adult.  $6 for Kids (age 5 and up).

 

February 18, 2007 (FCC members only)
Ann Arbor Area Families with Children with China Lunar New Year's Celebration

Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI
"Lunar New Year's Stories and Traditions"
with performances by Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan and Ann Arbor Chinese Dancing School: Lion Dance, Chinese Dance, Chinese/Taiwanese Yo-Yo
Click here for photos link.

Saturday, February 24, 2007 (open to the public)
Chinese American Society of Ann Arbor Charity Carnival Celebration, Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI
(I'll be with the Lion Dancers and dancing girls)
Carnival games for children, dance, pipa, choir, lion dance, and Chinese Yoyo performances. Box dinner at 5:30, Performances 7:00. Admission for members and for pre-paid tickets is $8/person and non member or tickets at the door can be purchased for $10/person. Proceeds will be donated to the Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti.

March 27, 2007, "The World" BBC radio program
OK, technically, this is not a appearance by Frances, but by her daughters. Mango and Hao Hao were interviewed on "The World," a BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) radio program. The BBC was interviewing Roland Kelts, the hapa author of JapanAmerica--How Japanese Pop Culture has Invaded the US, and some other Japanese pop culture experts at a bookstore in Boston, and there were the girls, sitting on the floor, reading a stack of manga as tall as they were. The BBC asked them what they liked about manga. I was not there, so I do not know what they said. I will be listening, too.

Saturday, March 17, 2007 (open to the public)
Eastern Michigan University Colors of Harmony International Night, Eastern Michigan University Student Auditorium, 7 pm
(I'll be with the Lion Dancers, yoyo kids, and dancing girls)

Saturday, May 19, 2007 (open to the public)
Ann Arbor Book Festival, 1:00-1:30
Bringing AACCOM Lion Dancers to Carol Stepanchuk's talk at International tent

 

 


 

 

Note: Frances will be in Vancouver in January, in Kalamazoo in April, and on Big Island June through August for family events and will be available to speak at those locales at the discounted "family rate"--email fkwang AT aol.com if you are interested!

Past Appearances

2006

January 16, 2006
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Seminars for Canton Public School Teachers, Canton
"Multicultural Toolbox--Bringing Culture(s) into the Classroom"

January 27, 2006
Emerson School, Ann Arbor, MI
"Lunar New Year's Stories and Traditions"

January 29, 2006
Ann Arbor Area Families with Children with China, Washtenaw Community College
"Lunar New Year's Stories and Traditions"
with performances by Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan and Ann Arbor Chinese Dancing School

January 30, 2006
University of Michigan Children's Center, North Campus, Ann Arbor, MI
"Lunar New Year's Stories and Traditions"
with performances by Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan

Febrary 2, 2006
Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School International Night, Ann Arbor, MI
organizer and MC

February 4, 2006
Mamnon Organization, St. Paul's Lutheran School
"Lunar New Year's Stories and Traditions"
with performances by Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan and Ann Arbor Chinese Dancing School

February 21, 2006
Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School PTO Seminar, Ann Arbor, MI
"Multicultural Toolbox--Raising our Children with Culture(s)"

March 18, 2006
Families with Children with China Metro Detroit, Bloomfield Hills, MI
"Multicultural Toolbox--Raising our Children with Culture(s)"

May 31, 2006
White House Presidential Asian Pacific American Commission Site Visit, UM North Campus, Ann Arbor, MI
presenter, organizer, and MC

October 7, 2006
Mamnon Organization and Families with Children from China Moon Festival, Plymouth
"Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Traditions and Stories"
with performances by Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan

October 13, 2006
Michigan Taiwanese Association and Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan, Northside Elementary School, Ann Arbor, MI
Community Forum on Proposal 2

November 17, 2006
Emerson School, Ann Arbor, MI
"Asian Pacific American History and Heroes--from the Transcontinental Railroad to the 11th Sexiest Man Alive"

December 13, 2006
New Beginnings Academy, Ypsilanti, MI
Officiate/Witness at New Beginnings Academy's attempt to get into Guiness Book of World Records for world's largest simultaneous reading of a single passage, in this case, Charlotte's Web.

2005

March, 2005
Midwestern Asian American Students Association (MAASU), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Conference
"Hawaii of the Mind--Virtual Communities"

September 17, 2005
Mamnon Organization and Families with Children from China Moon Festival, Canton
"Moon Festival Traditions and Stories" and interactive Moon Lady Play
with performances by Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan and Ann Arbor Chinese Dancing School

October 1, 2005
Family Crossings, Windsor, Canada
"Multicultural Toolbox--Raising our Children with Culture(s)"

October 28, 2005
Ann Arbor Chinese Center of Michigan and UM Group in Asian American Studies
"Moving Beyond the Hate," Community Forum on Asian Pacific Americans in Michigan
presenter, organizer, MC
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/aapha/files/10_28forum.pdf

November 2, 2005
Greenhills School, Ann Arbor
"Asian Pacific American History and Heroes--From the Transcontinental Railroad to the Matrix"

November 2, 2005
Ann Arbor Academy, Ann Arbor
"Moon Festival Traditions and Stories" and interactive Moon Lady Play

December 10, 2005
Council of Asian Pacific Americans, Southfield, MI
"Multicultural Toolbox--Raising our Children with Culture(s)"

 

 

copyright Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, 2006