COLETTE IKEMI PERFORMS FOR SOLD OUT UCSF BENEFIT
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - It was a night of reminiscing and paying tribute to one of the most popular groups from the 70’s by one of Japantown’s own. Colette Ikemi performed ‘Yesterday Once More…Remembering The Carpenters’ to a sold out audience at UCSF’s Cole Hall last month. Ikemi, who was born and raised in San Francisco’s Japantown, performed all of the Carpenters many hits and even some that were not as well known, such as ‘Now’ which was Karen Carpenter’s last recording before her untimely death in 1983. She even performed the popular Carpenter’s tune, ‘Sing’ in Japanese and brought down the house with her rendition of ‘Close To You’ for an encore. Ikemi was backed by her musical director, Carey Huang on keyboards, Billy Shen on guitar, Derrick Tong on bass, Arthur Wong on drums and background singers, Cris Garcia and Lani Parker.
The concert benefited the UCSF Asian Pacific American Systemwide Alliance (APASA). “The UCSF APASA group is grateful to Colette and her band for performing such a great show to benefit our organization” said Joey Convento, APASA member and UCSF Arts & Events producer. “Her performance brought back so many memories and moved many in the audience to tears hearing those songs again. She truly did the Carpenters proud.” The concert was part of UCSF’s Annual Asian Pacific Heritage Celebration with proceeds benefiting leadership development programs for Asian Pacific Islanders at UCSF.
Ikemi began singing professionally at 16 years of age. Her early singing career included being part of a vocal group singing with the Edwin Hawkins Choir and she has performed with the Asian fusion jazz band, Hiroshima. She performed at the 1st Annual Nihonmachi Streetfair singing with a group called, Lady Red and will be appearing at this year’s 35th Annual Nihonmachi Streetfair. Throughout the late 80’s, until recently she has been with the acclaimed Bay Area Top 40 band, Pulse. Today, Ikemi is focusing on a solo career, singing Jazz, R&B and contemporary Hawaiian music, appearing locally throughout the Bay Area.
UCSF PRESENTS 'YESTERDAY ONCE MORE' 5/10/08
UCSF APASA (Asian Pacific American Systemwide Alliance) presents a special benefit performance featuring Bay Area vocalist Colette Ikemi in Cole Hall, 513 Parnassus Avenue. Colette will perform a special concert showcasing music by The Carpenters.
Colette was born and raised in San Francisco’s Japantown. Her early singing career included being part of a vocal group singing with the Edwin Hawkins Choir and she has performed with the Asian fusion jazz band, Hiroshima. Throughout the late 80’s, until recently she has been with the acclaimed Bay Area Top 40 band, Pulse. Today, Colette is focusing on a solo career, singing Jazz and R&B, appearing locally throughout the Bay Area.
Colette’s is a versatile singer, which can be attributed to her early singing influences, which included Broadway Musicals and female vocalists such as Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield and of course Karen Carpenter and has always wanted to perform her music. She is grateful to UCSF for giving her this opportunity and brings you the music of The Carpenters, 'Yesterday Once More...'
Tickets donations are $20 each and must be purchased before May 7th. Tickets may be purchased at the Millberry Union Central Desk, 500 Parnassus Avenue. There will be a post reception with cake and coffee. For more information, call 476-2675.
COLETTE IKEMI TO HEADLINE BERKELEY ARTS FESTIVAL
Satsuki Arts Festival and Bazaar in Berkeley 5/19-5/20
BERKELEY — A variety of Bay Area artists, including San Francisco Japantown’s renowned singer Colette Ikemi and long-time Asian American artist-musician Charlie Chin, will headline the entertainment at the Satsuki Arts Festival and Bazaar on May 19 and 20 at Berkeley Buddhist Temple, 2121 Channing Way (near Shattuck).
The event, an annual fundraiser for the temple, will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 12 noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The free entertainment will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on May 20.
Ikemi, born and raised in San Francisco's Japantown, has been singing professionally since the age of 16. Her early musical influences include her late father, Shoei, who is in the Ukulele Hall of Fame, and her late mother, Leilani, a noted hula dancer and instructor. Her other major influence has been show tunes from Broadway musicals.
Her early singing career included being part of a vocal group singing with the Edwin Hawkins Choir. She also began singing rhythm and blues and jazz and was the lead singer with the noted Asian American jazz fusion band Hiroshima. She has performed at numerous Japantown community events, including the Nihonmachi Street Fair and the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Ikemi will be performing at the Satsuki Arts Festival and Bazaar with special guests Mana.
Chin, who has played in folk, rock, jazz and Asian American music venues during his professional career, began in 1962 as a guitar and banjo player in New York City’s Greenwich Village. By 1970, he joined other musicians, including Nobuko Miyamoto and Chris Iijima, to form A Grain of Sand, a 1970s landmark Asian American band.
He currently works as the artist-in-residence for the Chinese Historical Society of America in San Francisco and is the founder and director of the Peninsula Tai Chi Chuan Club. He has served as the emcee of the Satsuki Arts Festival and Bazaar in recent years.
In addition to Ikemi and Chin, other performers will include Panic, an English rock band featuring Dii Lewis, this year’s master of ceremonies and a member of Berkeley Buddhist Temple; the Nisei jazz group Toru Saito Quartet; the Genyukai Okinawan dance troupe; and a tai chi group.
The event will also feature various Japanese foods, clothing and arts and crafts, as well as American fare and games for children. Buddhist literature and accessories will be on sale, in addition to a silent auction.
A portion of the festival’s proceeds will go to the Buddhist Churches of America’s Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Ave. in Berkeley. The facility includes the Center for Jodo Shinshu Studies; the Institute of Buddhist Studies; and branches of Nishi Hongwanji-ha, headquarters of the Jodo Shinshu sect, and Ryukoku University in Japan, which offers courses on Buddhism.
For more information about the Satsuki Arts Festival and Bazaar, call Berkeley Buddhist Temple at (510) 841-1356 or go on-line to www.berkeleysangha.org/bazaar1.htm.
ASIAN AMERICANS BRING BROADWAY TO THE BAY
From the Nichi Bei Times Weekly October 19, 2006
By LESLIE TOKIWA
Nichi Bei Times
In the hilarious (and occasionally controversial) musical comedy “Avenue Q,” one of the main characters is a Japanese immigrant named Christmas Eve. Her character’s phonetically challenged song, “The More You Ruv Someone,” was one of the featured selections at “Asian Americans on Broadway: Opening Doors.”
The true irony being, of course, that Christmas Eve is a therapist whose hideous command of English and forceful demeanor is one of the central comical elements of the production ? is easily among the most stereotyped representation of Asian Americans in any Broadway production.
“Asian Americans on Broadway” opened to a full house this past weekend for a three-show engagement at the Brava Theater in San Francisco. The aim of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) production was to highlight the growing Asian American talent on the theatrical stage.
From the reminiscences of 50-year stage veteran Alvin Ing to the performances of 14-year-old Sophie Oda, the musical showcased the incredible talent of the Asian American community of the past and present. But while the performances were unquestionably spectacular, it became apparent from the common curriculum vitaes of the actors and limited roles such as “The More You Ruv Someone” that Asian Americans still have a way to go to break down the portrayal of Asians in theater.
Between musical performances the cast discussed the Asian American presence in theater when they entered the industry and their roles in various productions. While there was a fair amount of representation among the group in musicals that were not directly Asian-related, many of their major roles had been awarded in Asian-centric productions such as “Pacific Overtures,” “Miss Saigon” and “Flower Drum Song.”
For the JCCCNC production, the cast generally stayed away from their so-called “Asian” roles in theater. The exceptions were the “Avenue Q” song and two popular ballads from “Miss Saigon” (one of which, “Why God Why” in an intriguing surprise, was sung half in Korean by Michael Lee).
The playbill included selections from “She Loves Me,” “Wicked,” “My Fair Lady,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and more, ending with a punchy half-hour of hits from Stephen Sondheim classics such as “West Side Story,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Follies.”
A surprise addition to the performance was a beautiful song and video tribute to late Japanese American actors Pat Morita and Mako, who both passed away within the past year. While stills of many of the two’s film and voiceover characters played on a large screen over the stage, the cast sang “One Song Glory” and “Seasons of Love” from “Rent.”
The caliber of talent for the evening was unquestionably exceptional as all of the main players had participated in national tours on Broadway and off, and held nothing back for this production. They were joined by local vocal luminary Colette Ikemi, who performed an alto version of “I Could Have Danced All Night” from “My Fair Lady” and “Send in the Clowns” from Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music.”
Oda, a local rising star and finalist on TV’s “Star Search,” also put in two performances, singing “Popular” from “Wicked” and “Broadway Baby” from “Follies.” While in past performances Oda has absolutely shined, unfortunately she appeared to have a cold, but gamely sang on.
At “Asian Americans on Broadway,” the tremendously talented cast of actors stood as proof that in the theatrical realm Asian Americans have definitely been “opening doors” in the past few decades. But with many Asian actors still being funneled into ethnic-specific roles, there is still work to be done, and we can only hope that special productions such as these one day won’t even be necessary.
“Asian Americans on Broadway: Opening Doors” was directed by Alan Muraoka with musical direction by Edward G. Robinson and choreography by Francis Jue. The cast included Muraoka, Alvin Ing, Christine Toy Johnson, Michael K. Lee, Hazel Anne Raymundo and Kim Varhola with local talent Colette Ikemi and Sophie Oda. The band consisted of Robinson on piano, Dwight Okamura on synthesizer, Akira Tana on drums and Michael Zisman on bass. Recordings of the live performance are available on DVD or VHS for $20. For more information, contact the JCCCNC at (415) 567-5505.
BAY AREA DIVA SITS IN AT JAZZ MINDS
November 2006
Jazz Minds Art & Cafe - Honolulu, HI
Jazz is known for hot musicians sitting in with their friends to "jam." The tradition beats strong at Jazz Minds. Late November saw Colette Ikemi of San Francisco dropped in to sing with her friend Wednesday, guitarist Dave Yamasaki. What a voice! She was born in San Francisco, but her mother and father are originally from Hawaii and used to play with Eddie Kamae. Colette has also performed with the jazz fusion group, Hiroshima and is currently performing around the greater Bay Area
'STAY CLOSE TO ME' RE-RELEASED
December 2003
J-Town Records is proud to present the re-release of the legendary album 'Stay Close To Me' which features San Francisco Bay Area vocalist Colette Ikemi. 'Stay Close To Me' which came out on J-Town in 1989 captures the essence of Colette Ikemi's truly soulful and romantic style of singing. The CD features the songwriting of Paul Anderson with some outstanding performances and very spiritual spaces indeed.
ASIAN AMERICANS ON BROADWAY: OPENING DOORS
PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Susan Haramoto, sharamoto@jcccnc.org
Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California
1840 Sutter Street - San Francisco, CA 94115
415.567.5505 - www.jcccnc.org
Asian Americans on Broadway: Opening Doors
Broadway's Top Asian American Talent Perform in "Opening Doors"
SAN FRANCISCO (August 30, 2006) – Broadway and television’s leading Asian American performers are coming to San Francisco’s Brava Theatre on October 13th and 14th in ASIAN AMERICANS ON BROADWAY: OPENING DOORS. Alan Muraoka (television’s Sesame Street, Broadway's Miss Saigon and The King and I) directs and performs with six other Asian American Broadway veterans: Christine Toy Johnson (The Music Man, Bombay Dreams, and Flower Drum Song), Deborah Lew (The Threepenny Opera), Hazel Anne Raymundo (Pacific Overtures), Michael K. Lee (Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Pacific Overtures) and Alvin Ing (Flower Drum Song) along with special local guest appearances by 14 year-old sensation Sophie Oda (Star Search, Annie) and Japantown’s legendary diva Colette Ikemi singing songs from such classic shows as West Side Story, Miss Saigon, Follies, Les Miserables, Rent, Wicked, and Avenue Q. The concert proceeds will benefit the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California cultural arts programs for children and youth in the community. Directed by Muraoka, the show will be Musical Direction by Edward G. Robinson, and choreography by Francis Jue.
This concert performance is the return of the "Salute to the Stars" performers from last year's gala event which honored the lifetime achievements of some of the greatest Japanese American performers to grace the silver screen and Broadway stage. This New York produced 90-minute concert will feature Broadway's biggest hits over the years with personal anecdotes from the performers on how these songs have influenced or inspired them on their path to success in theater. These talented Asian Americans are traveling from New York exclusively for this JCCCNC production. Don't miss this latest segment of the "Salute to the Stars" series, the JCCCNC's tribute to live theater and performers from our community.
Asian Americans on Broadway: Opening Doors is a presentation sponsored by Citibank. Other corporate sponsors include: Gold Level: Union Bank of California; Silver Level: Comcast; Bronze Level: The Seligman Family Foundation. Also sponsored by Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation and 3D Investments.
Tickets are now on sale online at Ticket Web at www.ticketweb.com. Single tickets are $50 and $30. Group discount tickets are available for groups of 15 or more. VIP tickets are only available for the Friday show and also include a post-show cocktail reception with the performers. The Friday performance will also include a pre-show silent auction featuring autographed memorabilia from the performers. For more information, or to purchase VIP tickets or group discount tickets, please call JCCCNC at 415.567.5505.
About JCCCNC
Envisioned by the Japanese American community, JCCCNC will be an everlasting foundation of our Japanese American ancestry, cultural heritage, histories and traditions. The JCCCNC strives to meet the evolving needs of the Japanese American community through programs, affordable services and administrative support and facilities for other local service organizations. The JCCCNC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community center based in San Francisco.
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