Two Upcoming Events

Photo by Matt Hadley

There's been a bit of radio silence around here while I finish a draft of my dissertation, but I'm going to be sharing some of the fruits of those labors at two upcoming talks. 

The first is in Chicago at the "Cinematic Diasporas" conference. My talk is Saturday April 14th at 9:30am at the University of Chicago's Film Studies Center, Cobb Hall, Rm. 307 and 310. I'll talk about M.anifest, "Suffer," and the digital diapsoric networks on which our respective music and videos circulate through. 

The second is at the University of Minnesota on Thursday April 19 at 5pm in Nicholson Hall, room 275. It's part of the interdisciplinary Moving Image Studies (MIMS) discussion group. This longer talk will be an overview of the dissertation, and will serve as a trial-run of my dissertation defense, which I plan on completing in September. 

Come out if you can! And, if you haven't yet, follow the film on Twitter and like it on Facebook. (Both can be done with a simple click to the right.)

Last, but certainly not least

Visiting the Hmong villages in northern Thailand was the last trip of "We Rock Long Distance," but was most definitely not the least.

Tou and I had an incredible experience there. I shot about 18 hours of footage, but have stories that can take up many more hours than that. We interviewed and filmed both traditional and contemporary poets and musicians, experienced a number of Hmong New Year festivals throughout the region, saw the Mekong from both high up a mountain and on its shores, and spent most of the month riding around in the back of a pickup truck. 

I want to thank all of my new friends in Thailand who I hope to see again very soon, this time with the completed "We Rock Long Distance" in my bag. 

Now, off to the edit suite!

One week from today

This is where Tou and I will be. 

Minneapolis to Tokyo. Tokyo to Bangkok. Bangkok to Chiang Rai. Then a drive through the mountains to a Hmong village you can't find on a map. 48 hours (or so) of travel, the fun begins. Internet will be limited, but follow along over at Facebook and Twitter as I try to post updates and media whenever I can. 

We Rock Long Distance in Thailand - 11/11/11

Please join Tou SaiK, myself, and many of our artistic friends at CoCo in St. Paul on Friday November 11 (11/11/11) for a fundraiser to support the trip to Thailand. 

The line-up features spoken word artists, b-boys + b-girls, Hmong qeej dancers, and an appearance by Fresh Traditions, Tou SaiK's amazing collaboration with his grandmother, Youa Chang.

Here's what you need to know: 

What: We Rock Long Distance in Thailand Fundraiser
Where: Coco – 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul, MN 55101 | Map
When: November 11, 2001 - 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Cost: $10 Adults | $5 Youth 16 and Under | Free admission for Elders 60 and above

Please help send Tou and myself off right to Thailand!

Big news! DVDs + Bracelets now for sale!

I'm happy to announce that there are now DVDs for sale of Travel in Spirals, the documentary about Tou SaiKo's trip to Thailand in 2008 that screened at both the Qhia Dab Neeg Film Festival and the Twin Cities Film Fest this year. 

I'm also selling these amazing hand-made bracelets, which were crafted in the kente style by my friend Kamal Deen in Accra during my visit there in October. In the week I've been back, without even much advertising, I've already sold more than 100 of them, so get yours before they're gone! 

Most importantly, all the money goes to helping Tou SaiK and I travel to Thailand for the last trip of We Rock Long Distance. 

You can click on the button below to purchase the DVD for $15, the WRLD bracelet for $8, or both for $20. These prices include shipping! If you can't access the payment options through PayPal, please email me and we'll figure out how to get 'em to you. 

Items

"Travel in Spirals" DVD $15.00 "WRLD" Bracelet $8.00 Both DVD + Bracelet $20.00