Janaki Ranpura in Stories of the Crash.

Janaki Ranpura debuts Stories of the Crash at The Third Place Gallery, Saturday, Feb. 18. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the performance starting at 7 p.m., followed by discussion, ping pong and karaoke. Suggested Donation: $5 to $10.

“We are excited to have Janaki Ranpura debut her original work Stories of the Crash, a series of episodes about accidents,” said Wing Young Huie, curator.

A small city will be the stage for illustrations, illuminations, and projections about how we see ourselves in relation to the economic and political developments of our world. Janaki created this piece in response to time spent in October at the Occupy Wall Street protest in New York City.

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Blues, Gospel, Reggae and Afro-pop will fill the Ordway’s Music Theater when the Playing for Change band brings its musical message of peace to Saint Paul on February 12, 7:30 p.m. at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington Street, St. Paul, MN 55102.

Playing for Change is part of the Ordway’s 2011-2012 Target World Music and Dance Series. Performance. Tickets start at $26, contact the Box Office at 651-224-4222 or visit ordway.org.

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AAP staff report

Approaching 40 years in the US, there are many Lao Americans who love science fiction, fantasy, horror, myths and legends.

Now several Lao American writers are looking your stories and art for the very first full-length anthology of Lao American speculative art and literature. Their goal is to publish it later this year.

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Mu Daiko taiko performers, Emma Valentine, left, Jennifer Weir, front, Jeffrey Ellsworth, back center, and Gregg Amundson, back right. (Mu Daiko photos)

By Mary Tan
AAP Staff Writer

An Expression of Japanese Culture

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Chinese Acrobatics – a daily act in Wuqiao, China. (Photo Courtesy: Wuqiao Acrobatic Troupe)

Led by Asian Media Access, collaborated with East Culture Center, Pan Asian Arts Alliance and Twin Cities Chinese Dance Center, a unique Chinese acrobatic performance – “Fenmo – The Beauty of the Acrobatics” was presented by the Wuqiao Acrobatic Team during the holiday season at Burnsville Performing Arts Center and the St. Paul Great Hall.

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Hmong Tiger Tales at the Walker (Photo by Charissa Uemura)

Walker Art Center’s January Free First Saturday Program is Fables & Fairytales.

The January 7 event includes a performance of Hmong Tiger Tales by Mu Performing Arts at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Walker Cinema. Gallery admission is free for everyone on the first Saturday of each month.

Families can enjoy live performances, films, gallery adventures, and hands-on art-making from 10 am–3 pm. Activities recommended for ages 6–12. Jumble your favorite bedtime tales and storybook adventures! These workshops, performances, art-making activities, and films are designed to expand your imagination and tickle your funny bone.

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Mu Performing Arts presents “A Very Asian Christmas”, written by Randy Reyes with music direction by Anita Ruth, on Sunday, Dec. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Jasmine 26, located at 8 E. 26th St. Minneapolis, MN 55404.

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Chinese Acrobatics – a daily act in Wuqiao, China. (Photo Courtesy: Wuqiao Acrobatic Troupe)

Celebrate the holiday season with a performance of “Fenmo: The Beauty of the Acrobatics” to be presented Dec. 16-17, 7:30 p.m. at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville.

Fenmo Series 1 of 4 is jointly presented by the two top-rated performing groups from China, Jiangsu Performing Arts Group and China Wuqiao Acrobatic Troupe, the birthplace of the Chinese acrobatics. The show will include a lion dance, bench stacking, juggling, air acrobatics, flower pot stacking, changing faces, rolling lanterns, straw hat juggling, hoop jumping and martial arts.

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Keiji Tsukamoto and Sachie Yamaguchi

By Mary Tan
AAP Staff Writer

Sachie Yamaguchi and Keiji Tsukamoto are bringing the magic of Disney On Ice to Minnesota. They are ready to captivate audiences and stir the childhood imaginations that remain part of us all.

This season’s Disney “Treasure Trove” show has been called “an action-packed ice adventure” that takes audience members through several Disney animated favorites such as Peter Pan, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin and Alice in Wonderland.

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Mu Performing Arts is producing their 20th annual New Eyes Festival from December 1-4 and December 10, 2011 at Dreamland Arts, 677 Hamline Ave. N., St. Paul MN 55104.

The Festival will showcase six readings written by local playwrights and artists that will be featured as full productions in the 2011-2012 season. The audience will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the actors and writers during a post show discussion after each piece.

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