I caught up with musicologist Joanna C. Lee and veteran music journalist Ken Smith at the Longacre Theatre in New York, after the post-show talkback following the 100th performance of Chinglish, by Tony Award-winning and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright David Henry Hwang, which was recently named by TIME Magazine, Bloomberg Radio, NY1 and WNYC as one of the Top 10 Broadway shows of the year.

Chinglish playwright David Henry Hwang (center) is flanked by (l-r) his cultural advisors Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith, actors Johnny Wu, Christine Lin, Gary Wilmes, Angela Lin, Stephen Pucci, Jennifer Lim and Larry Lei Zhang after the 100th performance of Chinglish on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre in New York on January 5, 2012. Photo by Lia Chang

Smith and Lee were tapped as cultural advisors by the playwright when Chinglish, his play about an American businessman looking to land a deal in provincial China, had its world premiere at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Smith writes about their participation as resident Chinglish cultural advisors here.

Chinglish cultural advisors Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith at the opening night party of David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish at Brasserie 8 ½ in New York on October 27, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

The husband and wife team are co-authors of the Pocket Chinese Almanac and co-directors of Museworks Ltd., a Hong Kong-based cultural consulting company offering...

December 17, 2012

American war hero and distinguished Senator Daniel Inouye has died at the age of 88 of respiratory complications at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

"Tonight, our country has lost a true American hero," said President Barack Obama. Senator Inouye was the second longest serving senator in the U.S. and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his World War II heroics.

He was a member of the U.S. Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated unit in U.S. history. 

For the full story click here

December 27, 2012

New York City

Hideki Matsui announced his retirement at age 38 on Thursday in Manhattan. Known as "Godzilla" to baseball fans in Japan and U.S., the 6 foot 2 inch, 210 lb. athlete has had an illustrious career in both countries. 

He was named World Series Most Valuable Player in the U.S., and three times was named the Central League Most Valuable Player Award in Japan. He played seven seasons from 2003-2009 for the New York Yankees, and ten seasons for the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.

He had a $52 million dollar four year contract with the New York Yankees through 2009. Matsui helped the New York Yankees win the World Series, defeating the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies earning him the World Series Most Valuable Player Award. At the end of 2009, Matsui agreed to a one-year $6.5 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

In addition, Matsui played one year stints with the Oakland Athletics, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Tampa Bay Rays. He was a basebal outfielder and designated hitter, batting left-handed and throwing right-handed. 

For the full story click here.

by Angi Ma Wong

FenSShui Lady ® Predictions for the

Year of the Water Snake 4711  

Currently Angi is scheduled to appear at an event called "The Chinese in America Interactive" with storytelling, displays, music and a surprise at the end!

Wednesday May 29, 2013
4:40pm
Live Oak Library
4153 E. Live Oak Avenue
Arcadia, California

You can order her feng shui books and kits at www.AngiMaWong.com                                              

GENERAL FORECAST

            During the Year of the Water Snake, the element of water sits on top of the fire element so they are in conflict. The Snake represents the month of May, a time of vigorous plant growth and signaling the oncoming zenith of summer, the hottest time of the year, possibly sparking revolution, change, violence and conflict. In recent times, the attack on Pearl Harbor fall of the Berlin Wall as well the Soviet Union, Tiananmen Square and 9/11 all occurred during Snake years. It is likely that there will be accidents and disasters involving air and sea, trains and ships, tornadoes and hurricanes, explosions and fires.  Children continue to be at risk.

                  In contrast to last year’s Dragon, the most yang of the twelve...

Feng Shui expert and author Angi Ma Wong provides your Year of the Monkey astrology forecast.

The Year of the Wood Monkey begins on January 22, 2004, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year.

It will be a year to be imaginative, innovative, creative, resourceful, clever, and observant - all attributes that will lead to sure success.

Don't take yourself so seriously that you become stressed out or uptight. This is not the year for confrontations, but rather to exercise your wit and good humor in the face of anything getting in your way. Those who are eager to learn and are flexible, even unconventional are those who will come up with the best new ideas, innovations and inventions.

Thirteen days after the Lunar New Year begins, the Chinese solar year begins with a major shift in energy, heralding a new 20-year period of 8.

If you have used feng shui in designing your home, be aware that a major shift in energy takes place on that day and the areas of both good luck and troubles shift dramatically in your home and office. It's time for a feng shui tune-up!

Click here for my predictions of your Chinese Zodiac sign>>