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Join us in our new location on Polk Street and Golden Gate Avenue,
dubbed as “the most diverse, colorful and entertaining
stage during SF PRIDE” , the Asian & Pacific Islander
Stage will be making its 6th year of entertainment, HIV education
and commitment. We'll be showcasing the best of the best Asian
& Pacific Islander talents from all over the country. The
rostrum of stars is headed by queer hiphop artist JenRO, mega-
famed hiphop dance groups, singer Sharyn Maceren, CULTURE SHOCK,
FUTURE SHOCK and the infamous MINI SHOCK, Chi Chi Palace, Funkonometry
SF, Heiwa Taiko, Team Elite, Danny Nguyen Dancers, Freeplay
Clark Bolivar Jr. Hula Halau and many more! Meet them all at
the A&PI Pavilion and get free CDs and giveaways!
Esera Tuaolo
Celebrity Grand Marshal
Born in Oahu, Hawai’i, the youngest of eight children,
Esera lived with his family on the island through the middle
of his high school years. He then went to live with relatives
in Chino, Calif.
During his senior year, he received an athletic scholarship
to Oregon State University for football. He was then drafted
by the National Football League’s Green Bay Packers in
the second round.
One of Esera’s career highlights in professional football
was playing in the 1999 Super Bowl XXXIII with the Atlanta Falcons.
After 10 years, playing for the Packers, the Minnesota Vikings,
the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina
Panthers, Esera retired to pursue a career in acting and singing.
Since then, he has appeared in numerous musicals and successfully
developed a robust recording career. Esera is now making his
mark as a talented vocalist and gregarious personality, representing
Pacific Islanders throughout the world.
His most recent Chili’s commercial has made him a household
name and familiar face to everyone.
He has gained popularity in the LGBT community by serving as
a grand marshal for several pride parades throughout the U.S.
He comes to San Francisco as a celebrity Grand Marshal and major
headliner for the A&PI Pride stage.
Esera stopped time and downtown traffic with his most recent
appearance at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco
on May 19, 2005, to mark the first annual National Asian &
Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, part of the Banyan
Tree Project, a campaign fighting HIV-related stigma in A&PI
communities across the U.S.
Esera rounded out a powerful panel program, "Family Trees:
Rooted in Acceptance," (featuring A&PI luminaries such
as Greg Louganis and Russell Wong), with a moving performance
of an anti-stigma song from the Broadway musical "Hairspray."
Later that evening at the agency’s eighth annual fundraiser,
MIX '05, Esera unleashed a rendition of "Superstar"
by the Carpenters that left the crowd absolutely speechless!
www.eseratuaolo.com
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JenRO
JenRO is a queer hiphop female rapper whose ethnic descent is
Salvadorean and Filipino. A local celebrity in the Bay Area,
she has graced the SF PRIDE Main Stage last year as a featured
performer. She has been featured on VH1’s show, “
My coolest Years” and is currently completing her debut
album, “The Revelation!”
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Alec Mapa
Celebrity Grand Marshal
Alec Mapa, together with critically-acclaimed actress Amy
Hill, took time out of their schedules to share their comedic
gifts with us in San Francisco on May 19, 2005, as emcees
of MIX '05 a part of A&PI
Wellness Center's commemoration of the First Annual National
Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
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Sharyn Maceren
Sharyn Maceren glided onto the music scene when she was just
a teen releasing her first single, “Hard
to Get” (the S Factor). As both the sole vocalist
and songwriter of the infectiously catchy record, it was one
of her greatest accomplishments when it landed on BILLBOARD®
charts. On her purposeful and steady climb, Sharyn subsequently
released another self-composed single titled, “One
and One”, (this time under her own name) and once
again received support from major radio stations, including
one of San Francisco’s top stations, WiLD 94.9 FM. With
two solid singles under her belt and an impressive lineup
of shows and appearances, Sharyn proves to be an artist who
has the potential to be in the game for the long run. http://www.sharyn.net.
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Chi Chi Palace
Drawing on very diverse musical tastes, influences and backgrounds
the chi chi's have spent the last three years developing a
sound intended solely to get asses shaking and hearts breaking
all over the city. Driven only by a true love of music, the
girls have played countless benefits for every imaginable
local SF cause at clubs like El Rio and the CoCo Club.
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Bento
Bento, like most aspiring bands, began as a side project.
Just a guy with an acoustic guitar, who liked to cover his
favorite songs. Though cover songs made those around him happy,
they were not enough to fuel Scott’s ambition. A sense
of urgency, spontaneity, and creativity was missing. So Scott
did what seemed most natural. He wrote song after song and
recruited a team to help fulfill a vision of making sincere
music.
Angelito Mesina was a high school friend who Scott asked to
play bass in the band. Drummer Jamie Quon was a childhood
friend who played baseball with Scott when they were in grade
school. Elvin Reyes, a co-founder of Classified Records and
producer of artists such as Jocelyn Enriquez, Pinay, and Julieplug
was the final piece of the puzzle. With this lineup, it seemed
that this vision and dream was within reach.
After two years of writing and recording Bento’s debut
album, “Absent Without Leave" is born.
Armed and ready, comfortable in their sound and its execution,
Bento is ready for the world. "Alternative, Modern, Indie"...label
them at your peril. These guys write songs, first and foremost.
And after all the hype has died down, you'll still be quietly
singing along to their sweet melodies. Bento is composed of
Alvin, Scott, Ang and Jamie. bentomusic.com
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IMMIJ
immij (pronounced "image") consists of four eclectic
Filipino-American females who have different backgrounds,
styles, and personalities, that all have the same passion
for music. Through their love for the Lord and a childhood
bond, this R&B singing group emerged. Since 2000, they
have been performing at various high schools, colleges, festivals,
and clubs throughout the San Francisco region. They have recently
begun to make their mark with continuous return performances
in the Los Angeles area this past Fall 2002. immij's original
songs and performance style is not only capturing audiences
but also is catching the eye of the media. with publicity
from online magazines, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles
newspapers, and The Filipino Channel's "Stateside",
immij's fan base has grown from their church population to
a widespread city to city audience. This is yet only the beginning,
with their debut album "Destined" released, touring
will soon take place for this emerging singing group. Doris,
Kris, Lyn, and Mei, as immij, hope to page the way for other
Asian-American artists and share their music with the rest
of the world. www.immijladies.com
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Transformers
The Tranformers, Jay Blue, Billy the Kid, Charleston Chu,
Anthony Da Guido, Drew Montana, and Tin Hardware have vowed
to bring their love of pop music glitter,
and boybands to the bay area. The reigning SF dragkings will
make you swoon with their handsome good looks, hot costumes,
and smooth moves.
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DowneFX
DowneFX Dance Company's mission is to provide continuous education
of urban performance arts as a tool to promote empowerment,
creativity and social awareness for downe, gay, bisexual,
lesbian communities of color. DowneFX has recently been established
as a non-profit 501(c)(3) community-based grassroots organization
in March 2005!
In 2001, DowneFXbegan with five original core members to promote
community awareness of gay men's health issues in San Francisco.
Today, DowneFX has become one of the premier queer performance
arts organization in California with chapters in Los Angeles
and the Bay Area. For more visit www.downefx.org.
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Clark Bolivar Jr & The Ladies of
Moani ke `ala o ka mailelauli`i and The Men of Ka iho makawalu
a ka ua Kipu`upu`u
"Hula is an art that only comes alive in those who truly
wish to learn the essence of Hawaiian culture. Students must
learn to live the hula, until it becomes an art that directs
your heart toward aloha spirit, an art that you become."
Born in San Mateo, California, Clark Jr. first began to appreciate
and love hula from his lovely mother, Babs Kananimalamalama
Bolivar, who directed "Babs Polynesian Band" with
her father Albert Pabilona, in Hilo, Hawai`i.
Clark Jr. studied under Hula Halau 'O Ku`uleinani, led by
Kumu Hula Esther Ku`uleinani Correa, from mid-summer of 1982
through spring of 1992 in San Mateo, California. As an Alaka`i,
or leader, of her Halau, he trained her advanced Wahine (women)
and advanced Kane (men) classes for several prestigious hula
competitions and festivals including Ia `Oe E Ka La in San
Jose/Hayward, Ka La O Ho`okuku in Las Vegas, and the Merrie
Monarch in Hilo, Hawai`i. Through his training and choreography,
the Wahine class earned the prestigious 1st place honors in
the kahiko (ancient) division in 1984, 1986, and 1991 and
1st place honors in the Kane division in 1985 at the Ia `Oe
E Ka La Hula Festival which takes place presently in Pleasanton,
California.
In May of 1992, Clark Jr. founded The Ladies of Moani ke `ala
o ka mailelauli`i and The Men of Ka iho makawalu a ka ua Kipu`upu`u
in San Carlos and Sunnyvale, California. This well respected,
award winning halau, continues to participate in many community
functions, competitions and festivals throughout the state
of California, Washington, and Hawai`i.
Our main goal is to share and especially to love, not just
our culture, dance and language, but all of our many other
hula brothers and sisters that exist within the walls of other
Halau and organizations that are willing to accept aloha.
Our Halau is made up of many ethnic backgrounds, shapes, colors,
and sizes, and no one is turned away because they do not "look"
the part or "fit the mold" of a hula student or
a hula dancer. All races are encouraged and accepted.
Halau Philosophy: Akahai — Kindness, to be expressed
with a feeling tenderness, Lokahi — Unity, to be expressed
with a feeling of harmony, `Olu`olu — Agreeable, to
be expressed with a feeling of Pleasantness, Ha`aha`a —
Humilty, to be expressed with a feeling of modesty, Ahonui
— Patience, to be expressed with a feeling of perserverance
= ALOHA
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UTOPIA
United Territories of Polynesian Islanders Alliance (UTOPIA)
will perform two Tahitian Welcoming Dances this year: Otea
and Apo Rima. UTOPIA was formed to provide support to the
Polynesian Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community
consisting of members from Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, Tahiti and
Fiji. UTOPIA hopes to strengthen its alliance by recruiting
members from all of Polynesia. www.polyutopia.com
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Danny Nguyen Dancers
DNDM is a multicultural performance troupe of dancers and
musicians who present contemporary, traditional, and non-traditional
dance styles from different countries for audiences of all
ages. The troupe embraces ballet, modern, jazz, ballroom,
and theatrical styles to tell stories or describe social issues
in the United States and Vietnam.
Our two primary activities are performance and educational
programs that present dance and music as interdisciplinary
art forms bringing drama, music, dance and storytelling together
to make a unique whole. DNDM is a gateway arts experience
for those who are new to dance. We are primarily committed
to serving communities with little or no access to the arts.
We perform for communities, after school, and private concerts.
We also develop education programs for children and teens
in public schools. www.dannydancers.com
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Metamorphosis Girls
The Metamorphosis Girls are
a unique and talented group of A&PI Wellness Center's
peer educators who promote positive images of the Asian and
Pacific Islander Transgender community. They not only strutt
to the latest dance moves but also work to empower their community
to love and protect themselves.
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CULTURE SHOCK FAMILY(Future, Mini)
Culture Shock was started in 1993 by Angie Bunch, a professional
dancer, international presenter and Nike Fitness Athlete.
Starting the concept as a way of teaching herself how to dance
hip-hop, Angie gathered together a professional performing
troupe of dancers, and by the end of the year, Culture Shock
San Diego was born. In the next few years Culture Shock would
expand to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York.
With each addition of a troupe, the Mission Statement's concept
evolved into a non-profit, youth outreach and community service
program that is fueled purely by volunteerism.
In San Francisco, troupe members donated time to starting
a free dance and performing group concept known as Future
Shock. These troupes made up of young people from 8-17 years
old, are our direct link to the community. By offering free
dance instruction, a safe place in which to learn and play
and a performing outlet, they found that the youth were more
receptive to our drud healthy lifestyle message. www.cultureshockdance.org
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FREEPLAY
Freeplay is a hip hop dance group with Chinese, Korean and
Filipino dancers whose members boast over forty years of dance
experience including gigs ranging from the San Francisco Ballet
to hip hop fitness instructors at Crunch, Golds and 24 Hour
Fitness.
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FUNKONOMETRY SF
Funkanometry San Francisco Dance Company is a community-based,
diverse group of individuals tied together by their love for
dance expression. Funkanometry San Francisco was established
in October 2002 as the sister company to the original Funkanometry
Dance Company, hailing from Southern California. Founded by
dancers and directors Kyle Wai Lin and Emerson Aquino, "FUNKS
SF" was established in response to a desire for more
professional hip-hop dance companies in Northern California.
In its early stage, the group was a mix of invite-only dancers
who had no idea what was to become of the group, blindly trusting
the directors with direction and choreography. Hailing from
all over the Bay Area, Funks SF has emerged as a team that
mixes various dance styles and backgrounds together.
Funkanometry SF made their debut performance at the "Episode"
showcase in March 2003 in Alameda. They've performed at the
"Burnt" showcase, "Fiesta Filipina" in
San Francisco, "Kababayan Fest" at Six Flags Marine
World in Vallejo, "Hip-Hop Dance Fest 2003" in San
Francisco and at the "Monsters of Hip-Hop" showcase
in Burlingame - just to name a few.
Promoting a positive image, FUNKS SF has set out to redefine
the art form through consistency and a unique style of funk
and hip-hop that sets them far apart from others. They share
their talent and passion through performances and company
classes, giving other dancers an opportunity to learn from
and dance with some of the Bay Area's best. Funkanometry SF
prides itself on being a company in which all members contribute
to its production and success, creating leaders of every member.
Funkanometry SF's dedication to dance and to each other helps
create a unique energy that shines on stage and off, providing
them with the charisma that they have become known so well
for in their short time together.
Funkanometry SF has come a long way from its humble beginnings
and will prove to go even further in the coming years.
For more information on Funkanometry San Francisco Dance Company,
please visit www.funkanometrysf.com
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