My family is dealing with a strong case of Linsanity and we got together to discuss the causes. In this edited version of a longer conversation, author William Wong (my dad), student Brian Weller (my cousin) and me go over the epic rise of Jeremy Lin, the first Asian-American NBA superstar and overnight celebrity. We talk about the effect that his ascension has had on our community and on our basketball watching habits. While Jeremy Lin’s journey is still unfolding, there is no question that seeing a popular public figure with an Asian face has brought us together to root for the New York Knicks. #Linning.
Urban games are taking over! In this hour of radio programing, I explore the importance of play in our everyday lives. This show features a piece about San Francisco’s mysterious Jejune Institute, a sound collage about Dodgeball in San Jose brought to you by the World Dodgeball Society, a vox pop about play from 4 Square of the East Bay, sounds from San Francisco Bike Polo and a conversation with gamers from Urban Capture the Flag, Mosswood Kickball, Underground Dodgeball and 4 Square of the East Bay. Take a listen and have some fun! The audio below is the entire show.
THE JEJUNE INSTITUTE
I took my cousin and her husband on a mystery trip to San Francisco. They only knew that they were going to be inducted into the “Jejune Institute.” I followed them around the city as they discovered just what that meant.
WHY IS PLAY IMPORTANT?
Why is play important? Adults playing 4 Square in a parking lot in Oakland have the answer.
DODGEBALL RULES AND ADVICE
The World Dodgeball Society is a dodgeball league for adults that started in LA and has spread across the country. I attended the first WDS game in Northern California, specifically in San Jose. This piece outlines the rules and gives listeners some dodgeball advice from experts.
SOUNDS FROM SF BIKE POLO
To close out the show, I put together some sounds from the vibrant scene of San Francisco Bike Polo. Bike Polo is polo on bikes (exactly like it sounds) and is huge with players around the country and the world. Enjoy and remember to wear a helmet.
This show was part of my final project for First Voice Media, a radio apprenticeship at KPFA. All material was originally aired on July 29th, 2011 as part of Full Circle on KPFA 94.1 FM.
This is a segment that I put together for a First Voice Media class. It’s all about tattoos and includes tattoo music, a quick history of tattoos and an interview with three folks who have tattoos. Check it out, it’s fun and informative!
Many high schools do their best to teach (or at least review) the basics of math, reading and science, but how many schools actually teach intangible skills like communication and critical thinking that are needed to survive day to day life? At Leadership High School in San Francisco, CA students are not only taught how to find these skills in the themselves, but how to apply what they learn to real life. I visited the city’s first charter high school during senior exhibitions to see what people think about this new approach to education.
In West Oakland, there is a unique after-school program that trains kids to be clowns. Through circus arts the Prescott Circus Theater teaches physical skills as well as life skills. I took an afternoon to hang out with the clowns as their rehearsed for their big spring showcase and talked to them about the circus. This piece takes listeners on a short trip through a rehearsal as well as interviews with the Artistic Director, a teaching artist, former students and current clowns.
The folks of the KPFA Apprenticeship Program (producers of the show Full Circle) were asked to submit radio pieces that was a geographical reflection of a place they had been. While most of the group chose to cover locations outside of the United State, my mind couldn’t stop thinking about the first place I like to go when returning from a trip. In this piece, I reflect on how the view from the Lawrence Hall of Science has welcomed me back home to the Bay Area and has helped remind me about what I love most about this place.
This piece originally aired on March 25th, 2011 as part of the program Full Circle on KPFA 94.1 FM.
I’ve trained in Kajukenbo Kung-Fu since the age of 10. I started out at Destiny Arts Center and have continued in my adulthood with my teacher, Sifu Kate Hobbs, at Oakland Kajukenbo Kwoon. When growing up, Sifu Kate taught us The Warrior’s Code, a code of ethics revolving around how martial artist relate to the world around them. As I began working for Oakland Kajukenbo Kwoon, I interview some of the students asking them to recite The Warrior’s Code and tell me what it means to them.
This piece originally aired on October 8th, 2010 as part of the program Full Circleon KPFA 94.1 FM.
On January 30th, 2011 I went to Oakland’s Chinatown to gather sounds from the Lunar New Year Bazaar. As I was recording, Mayor Jean Quan showed up and gave me a quick interview about the different Asian communities in Oakland. The day featured cultural performances in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza and booths by local vendors and companies and marked the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit.
I had a chance to talk to some of the folks who work at the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse about what they do. The East Bay Depot is a non-profit retail store located in Oakland, CA that focuses on diverting reusable items from the dump and selling them to teachers, artists and community members at low prices. It has an area where people can donate pretty much anything that they want to get rid of but don’t want to throw away. The East Bay Depot gives things that we have used up a new lease on life with someone else. Visit them at 4695 Telegraph Ave at 47th St in Oakland between the hours of 11am and 6pm to either donate or browse the selection.
This piece originally aired on January 21st, 2011 as part of the program Full Circle on KPFA 94.1 FM.
Shaolin B-Boy Productions 