April Comedy Lab

Asiansploitation opened our April 26 Comedy Lab at Kapisanan with a 20-minute peek into some of our newer sketches, before unveiling our super sexy poster for Asiansploitation: The Text Generation – the first glimpse with the public of our all new sketch-comedy show (June 12-15).

Then we turned our focus to the Comedy Lab participants, who were out to try their hands at laughs. After a 30-minute breakout session with Franco, James, and Darrel, we turned the spotlight to the freshest and rawest stories this side of Augusta: from Akhil’s Oman days to some of Manny’s angst in high school. With the hot lights on, the rest of the group did some cool onstage competition à la “Questions Only”, which ended with about 50 questions between Luke and James exploring a dark cave; and “Who is Doing the More Interesting Activity?”, where Mamoru had a very watchable scene holding in his diarrhea outside a locked bathroom. We then wrapped up with Dr. Know-It-All, hosted by Darrel and Ulysses, while Ace and James explained with alternating words, how snakes can wash washrooms. A fun night by all!

Click here for more info on our next monthly Comedy Lab: Friday May 17th 6:30pm

A Holiday Message from Lana…

Over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of a band that plays with a Hula School (in Hawaiian, a school is called a “HÄ lau”). This particular school’s name is HÄ lau Kaleiu’iokalani, and I’ve had the privilege of becoming friends with its dancers and band members – some of the most genuine, positive, talented people you’ll ever meet.

Some of them also happen to be HUGE Asiansploitation fans! Check this pic out. They bought our signature tees after our last show (Asiansploitation Goes Back …to Crack You Up). Now that’s going the extra mile!! Love it:

In this pic with me are Ryan, Joanne, Michelle and Byron. As you can see, we were attempting to emulate the “Sears Family Portrait” pose. Yes?

Anyway, here’s a little ditty I recorded with some of the members of our band. We are affectionately known as “A Tribe Called Vamp”. Something sexy about that. =)

Please enjoy our rendition of “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve”, ukelele-style. Oh, and try to ignore the background noise!

Happy Holidays, Y’All!! Let’s make 2013 rock!!!

-Little L

Darrel Invites YOU

Reel Asian Short Film: “Magical Coincidence” with Asiansploitation’s James, Franco & Gene (Nov 7)

Come see three of your favourite Asiansploitation performers, Gene Abella, James Cheng and Franco Nguyen as they light up the big screen in the world premiere of the short film, Magical Coincidence by Keith Lock. It is part of the program “Once Lost, Now Found“.

MAGICAL COINCIDENCE
Two lonely souls are brought together by strange and fateful occurrences. Ostensibly a romantic comedy, the production of this film is unique; using a coin toss to dictate specific creative decisions including writing, casting, and production. Winner of Reel Asian’s 2011 So You Think You Can Pitch? Competition.

Born in Toronto, Keith Lock holds an MFA in Film from York University. He received a Gemini Award nomination for Best Short Drama for A Brighter Moon in 1987, as well as Best GTA Filmmaker Award at Reel Asian for The Dreaming House. Lock’s second feature film, The Ache premiered at Reel Asian 2009.

DISCOUNT
As an Asiansploitation supporter, you will receive a 25% discount through this link. Enter “community16″ when it asks for a the promo code and select ‘community partners’! See you there.

Also, see Asiansploitation perform at the Reel Asian events at the Monarch Tavern on 12 Clinton Street on November 10 (4-5PM), or November 11 (5-6PM). In addition to seeing us perform some comedy, we’ll be selling discounted tickets to our upcoming show, Asiansploitation Goes Back…to Crack You Up!

NOW Magazine: Critic’s Pick

NOW Magazine has been supportive of Asiansploitation since as long ago as 2007, when Glenn Sumi interviewed the troupe to promote our performance at Harbourfront Centre’s Dim Sum Festival.

In 2010, NOW Magazine’s Debbie Fein-Goldbach gave Asiansploitation Spanks the Tiger “NNNN” and said “The writing is tight” and that “The cast handles physical scenes exceptionally well”.

This weekend, NOW Magazine listed Asiansploitation Goes Deep as a “Highly Recommended” “Critic’s Pick” and we are so appreciative of NOW Magazine’s ongoing support!

Read more Asiansploitation Reviews

I Love Food! And Discounts!

It’s no secret amongst the troupe that I always want to eat. Franco and I are notorious for “nibbling” on other people’s meals, dipping everything in sauce, and to James’ dismay: using our personal utensils in communal dishes. But what can I say… we love eating.

That makes Asiansploitation’s latest partnership extra special – because it’s with a restaurant!!!

barkada Restaurant in Scarborough – yep, I’m from Scarborough – is GOING DEEP with Asiansploitation from June 6-9. So along with Carillo Cupcake‘s Front Row Sweets, barkada is offering Turon, Chicken Adobo Empanadas, and Mango Juice (*drool* descriptions below…), available during intermission AND before the show – so come early!

But if you want to get a head start on the eating, for this weekend only, you can get $2 off your meal with each ticket to Asiansploitation Goes Deep that you buy directly from the restaurant, dining in or taking out. There’s no limit, so the more tickets you buy, the more you save! Or the more you can eat…

James hooked us up with this partnership and he’s our resident food critic, so here’s what he had to say about barkada:

Lechon Kawali (Photo by Jennifer Uy)

There aren’t a lot of choices when it comes to sit-down Filipino food in Toronto. Barkada is one of the few that’s opened up in northern Scarborough at the SE corner of Steeles & Middlefield. This place was done up nicely and all new (opened in March 2012), and the higher end food matched the decor.

I tried the Sizzling Sisig (tasty pork jowl mixed with a sauce of various complimentary flavours and textures) along with fried pork belly in 3 different sauces.

If you’re a fan of bacon (and you know I am), then you have to try the fried pork belly (it’s called lechon kawali). Really good and worth trying with the different sauces. Check out the pic!

And these are James’ descriptions of the food that will be at the show:

1) Turon: Think banana spring rolls – banana pieces rolled in a mini wrap, deep-fried then drizzled with a sweet sauce. Delicious!
2) Chicken Adobo Empanada: This is a nice savoury snack that is a creation of Barkada. Normally, Chicken Adobo (chicken with a sweet/salty sauce) is served on it’s own, while the empanada contains pork and some other flavourings. These empanadas were designed as something that we think will appeal to the Asiansploitation audience. A nice intermission snack.
3) Mango Juice.

More info on barkada’s FB invite to Asiansploitation Goes Deep
Click here for barkada Restaurant’s website

Please excuse me, I have to go eat something now.

The DEEP Poster

Hey Asiansploitationers!

The troupe would like to thank and welcome on board, David Chiu! He’s the designer of our latest show poster.

Initially, I was amazed and overwhelmed that the creator of the clothing company, Nautica, would have the time to design posters. It took some explaining ’till I realized David Chu and David Chiu are two different people. Funny how one letter makes a difference. I should’ve learned my lesson when I learned my barber was Tom Cruz…

David did a great job with the poster. David was also very patient, receiving numerous e-mails from us about getting the right shade of blue and asking for different shades… okay so, the e-mails were just from me. Thanks for being understanding, David!

That’s all for this week’s blog!! See you guys, June 6-9!!!

Check out David Chiu’s Stuff!