By Stephen Stirling
The festival, now in its third year at QTIP, will run from April 23 to April 27 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and will feature nearly a dozen acts. The festival's director, Vivian Chiu, said the five-day program will have an array of performances that reflect both the diversity of Queens and the idiosyncrasies of the Asian-American arts and entertainment scene.”While the programming for the festival focuses primarily on the young, second-generation Asian community, it also offers programming for first-generation Asians and their families,” Chiu said. “Many of the performers, such as comedian Henry Cho, pop-rock band Seriously and cabaret and Broadway performer Christine Toy Johnson, will also appeal to Queens Theatre's general audiences, who have come to appreciate the 'shared community' experience they receive at Queens Theatre in the Park.”The festival will open April 23 with Dulsori, a high-energy Korean percussion group that blends traditional music with contemporary showmanship. Kang Eun II, one of the world's most acclaimed artists on the Haegum, a traditional Koream fiddle, perfoms April 24. She is best known for crossing over into non-traditional genres, performing with such world-renowned singers as Bobby McFerrin and Luciano Pavarotti. The meat of the festival will be highlighted by the performances of pop-punk rockers Seriously, who will take the stage April 25 at 8 p.m. While the Diamond Bar, Calif., rockers are young – their oldest member is just 22 – their producer, Woody Pak, believes they are lightning in a bottle and expects their American rock, R&B and Britpop-influenced songs will take them far.”We really believe that they can be the next Asian America, maybe the first Asian-American rock band that really can hit the mainstream,” said Pak.For the theatergoer seeking out the quieter side of things, comedian Henry Cho will look to bring the house down with his unique take on the cultural fabric of America.”I'm an Asian with a Southern accent,” Cho said. “To a lot of people, that right there is funny.”Cho is a second-generation Korean-American who was born and raised in Tennessee and has translated his unique upbringing into a successful comedy career that has taken him from the Tonight Show with Jay Leno all the way to the White House, where he was invited to perform for President George W. Bush.For a full schedule of performances and ticket information, call 718-760-0064 or visit www.queenstheatre.org. If You Go:Asian Cultural FestivalLocation: Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona ParkFor More: 718-760-0064 or www.queenstheatre.org¥ Dulsori: Binari, The Spirit of the Beat – Traditional Korean drumming, high energy performance.When: Wednesday, April 23, 8 p.m.Where: Main StageCost: $35-$20¥ Kristina Wong: Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest -A serio-comic portrayal of mental illness among Asian-American women.When: Thursday, April 24, 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 27, 3 p.m.Where: Studio TheaterCost: $10¥ Kang Eun Il: Remembering the Future – One of the world's most acclaimed Haegum artists. When: Thursday, April 24, 8 p.m.Where: Main StageCost: $24-$12¥ Qui Nguyen's Lost Accents – The third play in his ambitious work, “A Gook Story Trilogy.” When: Friday, April 25, 8 p.m.Where: Studio TheaterCost: Free, call for reservations¥ Seriously – A young band with K-pop, Britpop and American rock influences.When: Friday, April 25, 8 p.m.Where: Main StageCost: $10¥ Ragamala Music and Dance Theater: From Temple to Theater -Classical and contemporary Indian dance. When: Saturday, April 26, 3 p.m.Where: Main StageCost: $24-$12¥ Henry Cho – The Korean-American, Tennessee-born comedian performs.When: Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m.Where: Main StageCost: $35-$20¥ An Evening with Kevin So – Songs from his acclaimed CD “A Brighter Day,” and upcoming musical “Victor Woo: The Average Asian American.” When: Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m.Where: Studio TheaterCost: $10¥ Christine Toy Johnson: Things I Love – The stage and screen vet gives an upbeat autobiographical portrait-in-song of her husband, her dog, coconut cake and, of course, her favorite Broadway shows.When: Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m. & 10 p.m.Where: Cabaret CafeCost: $20¥ Eth-Noh-Tec: Asian Treasure Bag – Children's tales brough to life with spoken word, music, modern dance technique and traditional Asian instruments. When: Sunday, April 27, 3 p.m.Where: Main StageCost: Free
