VAALA CURRENT NEWSLETTER

Behind the Brand  Note: James seems to thinks this picture is too formal - read on to catch a glimpse of the "real" James Dinh   As an organization, VAALA recently decided to update its brand image to reflect the times, the direction in which the organization would like to proceed, and to express its re-worked mission, "To connect and enrich communities through Vietnamese arts and culture."The redesign of the existing logo was deemed especially important, for a logo is a succinct expression of an organization's philosophy. It is oftentimes the first thing that a person sees and reacts to, without the benefit of any textual explanation.    As the graphic designer, I knew from the outset that a pictorial logo would not suffice, for the vast majority of icon-type logos that populate our already visually cluttered environment are easily forgettable. Catchy and mellifluous, the acronym VAALA was the perfect foundation for a new logo. As the organization is much about building and fostering community bridges, cultural connections, and artistic creativity, I began by dissecting each letter in the acronym to its essential "constructive" component....(Click here to read more of Behind the Brand) Top 5 Highlights of VAALA's Holiday Concert and Fundraiser   Hello, hello! Giana here, one of the newest additions to the VAALA Board of Directors. I've been actively engaged (and by engaged I mean full-blown committed) with VAALA since October 2011. And let me tell you...being a board member is no walk in the park! You better work!    I could go on, but for now, I'll focus on our Holiday Concert & Fundraiser. Here are my Top 5 Highlights, everything that made the experience exhausting, exhilarating, and endearing. .... [read Giana's Top 5] Common Ground Open Mic Series    I was introduced to common ground about a year and a half ago, at a crucial moment in my life. I had taken the first step toward recovering from my identity crisis: admitting I was Vietnamese American. Putting words to the frustrations and experiences I'd never been able to before was painful at first; that, mixed with a sometimes paralyzing crowd anxiety-- even attending common ground was a big second step. But I did it. And it was amazing...[read more] Cycles of Life   March 17 - April 1, 2012 Opening Reception  March 17, 4pm-7pm   Much of life is premised on cycles.  As humans, we are born, grow up, and eventually die. During this process, we give birth to other human beings who perpetuate the genes that we ourselves had inherited.  Even the heights of the Himalayas will one day become piles of sand, and the process begins again.  This art exhibition presents how visual artists of Vietnamese descent have addressed the theme "Cycles of Life" in their work.  .... [more]  Featured Sponsor: Calvin Tran   Calvin Tran is a force to be reckoned with.  His no-limits, fashion consciousness has won him many followers and fans.  After earning his BFA from the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago and years of honing his talent apprenticing for Carolina Herrera and later as the Creative Director at Zabari, New York, Calvin launched his fashion line in 2000 with the opening of his flagship boutique, Calvin Tran, in the SOHO neighborhood of New York.  Today, Calvin operates boutiques in New York City and Chicago. ...  [more]         Past Present |  Future Imperatives:  Queer Space Time   Tick Tock. Dick meets Jane. Dick marries Jane. Dick and Jane raise kids. Kids leave home. Dick and Jane die.    Time after time, the story goes on. Or does it? This standard story imposed by ticking biological clocks is not the only model of time.What is queer time? What is colored people's time? And queer people of color time? This art exhibition featuring Việt L√™, Erin O'Brien, Jai Arun Ravine, and Tina Takemoto explores different views of time, race and sexuality. At the opening party, the special guests-the all-star queer Asian American One Night Band-proves we all beat to different drummers. [more]    VAALA's Voice & Children's Art Classes Begin in February    Interested in taking art and music classes to enrich your life?  What about your children?   Sign-up for VAALA's  12-week classes!  Classes are tuition-based and intimately-sized (no more than 15 students per class) and taught by qualified professionals.   -Children's Arts & Crafts -Adults Voice 1 -Adults Voice 2 -Children's Guitar   Please contact:   VAALA (714) 893-6145 or email info@vaala.org  for more information. ...  [more]    SHARE THE VAALA LOVE     Support VAALA by sharing our all-occasion greeting cards with your family  and friends for any occasion, all year round!  Each card is adorned with artwork  from one of the many VAALA artists.   Frame each of your meaningful messages with a touch of VAALA!     Order these beautiful cards now by downloading this form or contact info@vaala.org.    UPCOMING ARTS EVENTS  February 23, 2012  LAC SU    Author of I Love Yous are for White People   Talk & Book Signing   Humanities Instructional Building 100   University of California, Irvine   2:00-3:20pm    Free and Open to the Public  *VAALA is a community sponsor of this event*  For more information, contact: volt@uci.edu        March 4 to March 20, 2012   Ann Phong & Lori Lipsman Art Exhibition   LA ARTCORE Gallery    120 Judge John Aiso St. Los Angeles, CA 90012   Opening Reception: Sunday, March 4, 2012, 3pm-5pm   Gallery Hours: Wed-Sun, 12pm-5pm   More information: LA ARTCORE Website   March 13 to March 18, 2012  Images of Vietnam (1969-1970)    An Exhibition of Photographs by Michael Burr         Nguoi Viet Community Room   14771 Moran St.,Westminster, CA, 92683  Receptions: March 17 and March 18, 2012   Website: Michael Burr Photography     March 16, 2012 (Orange County) Touch Opens in Theatres Touch, an independent film written and directed by Minh Duc Nguyen, is slated for release in selected cities, starting with San Jose on March 9th and Orange County on March 16th, showing exclusively at AMC Eastridge 15 and AMC Block 30.   Touch was the Choice Award for Best Feature Film at Vietnamese International Film Festival; Best Actress, Best Story Line, and Best Cinematography at Boston International Film Festival; Best First Feature at Santa Rosa International Film Festival; Jury Award at Atlanta Asian Film Festival.  Visit Touchthemovie.com.      March 17 to April 1, 2012   VAALA's Cycles of Life Exhibition   Stay tuned for artist' information and programming    Interested in volunteering?  Email volunteer@vaala.org       April 22, 2012   VAALA & VNLC Present: Cinema Symposium 6  Shifting Scenes  Location: UCLA     Do you have an arts event you'd like to include in our Arts Calendar?  Email us at info@vaala.org Click here to find out how you can support VAALA  The mission of VAALA is to connect and enrich communities through Vietnamese arts and culture    Current Editor: Julie Vo Banner Designer: James Dinh Graphic Designer: Yen Phan Contributors: James Dinh, Ysa Le, Giana Nguyen    Cara Van Le. Viet Le, Chris Hearle, Julie Vo     www.vaala.org      Make art. Create Community.

PAST NEWSLETTERS

FALL 2011 Executive Director's Welcome WE DID IT! VAALA Supporters Raise $5,680 through Kickstarter Campaign VAALA's Makeover-in-Progress Marvelous Metaphors: Art as Visual Poetry Attracts Orange County Community Vietnamese Cinema Night at 2011 OC Film Fiesta Layers of Paint VAALA's Hat Boi Troupe Pays Tributes to the Patron Saint of the Performing Arts Pham Anh Dung's Tinh Yeu Len Ngoi Album Release Concert Upcoming Events Calendar/Listing

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