The Women's Center & the Asian American Association at University of Missouri-Columbia totally kicked ass last week! So hospitable and so supportive of my work. Spoke half the time on my mixed blood Pinay background in America experience, and the other half was spoken word. Some seemed challenged by my frankness, but others seemed to really enjoy it.

This Thursday I'll be performing once again, this time in D.C. And it's for a good cause. Come on by!

National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum
D.C. Chapter
Presents
Creative Explosion II: The Spirit of API Feminism through Performance

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23RD
All Soul’s Church, Pierce Hall • 1500 Harvard St., NW • Washington, DC
Closest Metro Station: Columbia Heights – Green Line

TICKET PRICES: $30 (regular) and $20 (for first 20 students/low-income individuals who inquire)
E-mail Michelle Abrenilla at mtabrenilla@yahoo.com, call (202) 829-7063

Reception featuring the DJ, “Pinstriped Rebel,” and Silent Auction (6-7 pm)
Performances (PG-13) (7-9 pm)
Light food and drinks will be available. The Silent Auction showcases the artwork of talented API women, including drawings, paintings, photographs, jewelry and more. Bids must be paid with CASH or CHECKS.

AFTERPARTY: And, join us afterwards at the Blue Room Lounge located at 2321 18th Street, N.W.!!

ISHLE PARK has aired nationally on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, FOX, the NAACP Image Awards, and Gotham TV. Her work appears in over 20 publications including The Best American Poetry of 2003. She has taught creative writing in schools, prisons, and community centers throughout New York & San Francisco and currently works as the California Arts Council Writer-In-Residence at the Youth Speaks Literary Arts Center.

SABRINA MARGARITA ALCANTARA-TAN is the editress of the 'zine Bamboo Girl which she founded as a tool to deal with the racism, sexism, and homophobia that women of color face. Through community activism, lectures, spoken word and performance art she addresses zinemaking, the exoticizing of API women, feminist issues, queer consciousness, multiracial identity, martial arts/self defense, and more.

KAYHAN IRANI’s recent work, “We’ve Come Undone,” a series of monologues inspired by stories of women in Arab American, Muslim and South Asian communities that explores the silent struggles and injustices that result from changing US policies, INS Special Registration, detention and deportation.

AVELYNN MARIANNE MARIANO MITRA, a local singer and acoustic guitar player whose music addresses cultural, racial, sexual identity and political issues. She has played at Lotus Roots in Vancouver, and performs often for the queer Asian community in Washington, DC.