2/4/10 Asian American Donors, Korean transracial adoptee, Babaylan Conference

This week on Apex Express, Jonathan Leong and Pawan Dhillon from the Asian American Donor Program join us to talk about their outreach to local API communities around stem cell and marrow donation. They are organizing a Hip Hop for Hope dance contest which will take place at the Palace of Fine Arts. The application deadline is Feb 7 extended to March 31!

Also, we speak with musician Amber Field about her life’s journey as a Korean transracial adoptee, and her work as a sexual health educator in Peru.

Finally, The Center for Babaylan Studies joins us to talk about their upcoming conference, where spiritual healers, activists and culture bearers from the Philippines and the US will be gathering.

1/28/10 South Korea, Labor rights, US militarism

This week on Apex Express, we explore the threat to media freedom in South Korea, labor rights in Asian countries and organizing against US militarism in Asian countries.

On tonight’s show, hosts Preeti Shekar and Amit Pendyal talk with Tammy KoRobinson about the threat to media democracy under the new right regime in South Korea. We also feature an interview discussion with Sanjiv Pandita, labor rights activist and organizer with the Asia Monitor Resource Centre, a labor rights group based in Hong Kong. And, Women for Genuine Security is an organization based on justice and respect for others across national boundaries, Deborah Lee and Erica Benton join us to talk about WGS’s mission and programs.

APEX Express – January 28, 2010 at 7:00pm

Click to listen (or download)

1/21/10 Angel Island, Apprenticeship Program, Utada

This week on Apex Express, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of Angel Island’s immigration station.

On January 21, 1910, 200 Chinese immigrants were shipped from the Chinese Detention Shed located at First and Brannan Street in San Francisco to open the Angel Island Immigration Station. About 500,000 immigrants passed through the island from 1910 to 1940.  Apex will bring you highlights of the commemoration ceremony which will be held at 10 A.M. at the Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco.

Also, we talk about the legacy of the KPFA Apprenticeship Program, a broadcast training program that has been bringing women and people of color into KPFA for over 25 years!  Tune in and learn how to connect to the stories of your community and be heard!

And win tickets to the SOLD OUT Utada show at the Filmore on January 24!

APEX Express – January 21, 2010 at 7:00pm

Click to listen (or download)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdlawsonphoto/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

1/14/10: Tariq Ali speech

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alisterb/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

This week on Apex Express, we bring you a speech by noted writer, journalist, and filmmaker Tariq Ali delivered at the Twelfth Annual Eqbal Ahmad Lecture at Hampshire College on November 17, 2009. His lecture is titled “Obama’s War in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

APEX Express – January 14, 2010 at 7:00pm

Click to listen (or download)

1/7/10: Report back from COP 15 convening in Copenhagen

Photo courtesy of APEN

This week on Apex Express, hear a report back from COP 15, the Conference of Parties Global convening that took place in Copenhagen, Denmark in early December. We will hear from a broad range of APIA movement leaders about their experiences in Copenhagen and their visions for climate justice.

We’ll hear about the waste pickers of India who recycle nearly 60 percent of the country’s trash for very little pay.

Also, The League of Young Voters Education Fund will talk about ways they empower young people to participate in the global discussion on climate change. Other organizations joining us will be the Movement Strategy Center, GAIA, and Asian Pacific Environmental Network.

APEX Express – January 7, 2010 at 7:00pm

Click to listen (or download)

Ring in the New Year with Apex Express

Apex Express comes to you live in the studio on New Years Eve. We will explore Oshogatsu, the Japanese New Year, with Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble and hear how a mother, daughter and granddaughter celebrate Japanese New Year in the Bay Area. We will also look back at some highlights of 2009 with an honoring of those Asian American pioneers who passed this year.

APEX Express – December 31, 2009 at 7:00pm

Click to listen (or download)

Mele Kalikimaka!: Apex Holiday Music Mix

Thursday, December 24:
7pm on KPFA 94.1 FM

Mele Kalikimaka! Tonight we bring you an Aloha! Apex Holiday Music Mix. We feature ukulele and slack key guitar players and singers including Keola Beamer, George Kahumoku Jr, Genoa Keawe, Charles Ka’upu and more. Tune in and bring some Aloha cheer and the sweet and beautiful music from Hawaii to brighten your evening!

APEX Express – December 24, 2009 at 7:00pm

Click to listen (or download)

Gina Hotta’s Public Memorial

Mama G and the Apex Crew

A public celebration of the life of Gina Hotta will be held on October 25 from 5-7pm, with a reception following. We will gather at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th street 2nd floor, in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza.

If you are interested in sharing your memories or music, please contact us by Friday, October 16. You can contribute photos or other small items to the Community Altar, or bring an appetizer for the reception. Please bring cranes to add to our 1,000 cranes installation in honor of Gina’s legacy.

Contact: Apex@kpfa.org
www.apexexpress.org
510-848-6767 x 464

To send condolences via snail mail:
Michael Yoshida
811 York Street Unit #103 Oakland, CA 94610

Here is a compilation of audio from speakers and muscians at Gina Hotta’s public memorial services held at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. With the Rev Mike Yoshii, Ann Hotta, Jeff Chang, Greg Morozumi, Brenda Wong-Aoki, Jon Jang, Dohee Lee and others. MC’d by Wayie Ly and Weyland Southen.

APEX Express – October 29, 2009 at 7:00pm

Click to listen (or download)

R.I.P. Gina Hotta

One of the original founders and main hosts of Apex Express, Gina Hotta passed away of a heart attack early this morning. She is our “Mama G”, as we would often call her. Gina was right there in the beginning, when right after 9-11, she and a small group of individuals, saw the need for a program on KPFA that brings news and culture from an Asian American point of view. She is a pioneer in that sense. She made the space and airwaves available for at least one hour a week for the voices of those speaking about Asian American issues and events to be heard.

She contributed her own time and funds to have an Apex Express website, knowing that it was imperative to be online, as well as on the air. She spent hours coordinating, setting up guests, conducting interviews, editing interviews, and working with many over the years to make Apex Express what it is today.

On behalf of all the volunteers past and present of Apex Express, we will send our condolences to Gina’s family.

Archive Apex: Sept 2009

Folks, if you want to hear past shows, just give us a hollar. (KPFA’s stuck with an on-line listening limitation.) To see more past listings go to: Apex Archive Spring Summer 2009. If you want a copy of a program just contact us. Also via phone 510-848-6767×464

September 23, 2009: Eroding of Ethnic Press or Evolution to Non-Profit? The Nichi Bei Times faces closure. The historic Japanese American newspaper early-on chronicled the Redress and Reparations movement and the Community’s struggle to save Japantown. Kenji Taguma, English editor of the NB Times, talks about the first-ever attempt to survive as a nonprofit newspaper and what may be lost if the Times closes.

September 10, 2009: A day before 9-11, comedy of color comes through the gate. Negotiating race & humor: Kabeezy Singh and Sammy Obeid of Ko Comedy on-air. And, strike/walkouts/teach”outs” hit UC campuses across the state. Students talk about what’s at stake and their fight to save Asian Language classes. Calendar Highlight: Joyti Mandir’s Odissi Dance performance.

Apex Express – September 10, 2009 at 7:00pm

Click to listen (or download)

September 3, 2009: Jazz giant John Coltrane and the music of India. Percussionist Anthony Brown’s pan-Asian, African American Orchestra talks of Coltrane’s music that encompassed the jazz tradition but explored the sound of India in the 1960’s. The Orchestra performs a birthday tribute to Trane and the Africa-India Connection at Yoshi’s SF.

Apex Express – September 3, 2009 at 7:00pm

Click to listen (or download)