By Mabel Pais

“At Flushing Town Hall, we are responding to the recent rise in hate crimes as best we know how — through the arts. Our mission is to bring people together by presenting arts and culture from around the world. The Atlanta killings were widely understood to be driven by racism and misogyny.” – Ellen Kodadek, Executive & Artistic Director

“Among the eight victims of the recent tragedy in Atlanta, six of them were Asian women, including four Koreans — immigrants who courageously came to America for better lives. Motherland was the word that came to my mind. After many struggles and defeats, burdened lives are resting now. The souls are comforted in the loving arms of their motherlands.” – Jihye Lee, performer

“KAFSC (Korean American Family Service Center) is the Chinjung (Mother’s home) for hundreds of immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse that KAFSC serves every year. We join Flushing Town Hall, the Jihye Lee Quintet, and all the viewers in dedicating this performance to all those lost in recent tragedies. May they rest in power.” – Jeehae Fischer, Executive Director of KAFSC

 For the Asian/Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month of May, Flushing Town Hall on May 21 at 7 p.m. presents a special concert “Jihye Lee Quintet: Rest in the Arms of Motherlands,” honoring the victims of recent anti-Asian hate crimes.

The Jihye Lee Quintet will perform live from the stage at Flushing Town Hall for an all-virtual audience on Friday, May 21.  The GRAMMYs describe Jihye Lee’s music as “luminous and personal.” For any viewer who wishes to make a donation, Flushing Town Hall’s virtual event doubles as a fundraiser for the Korean American Family Service Center’s Rainbow House Shelter.

The livestream event honors Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and includes a special dedication to the women who were killed in the Atlanta, Georgia spa shootings in March.

“We are proud to present Jihye Lee’s all-female, Korean jazz quintet to share their message and music with our diverse audience,” says Ellen Kodadek, Executive & Artistic Director. “Flushing Town Hall will continue to bring people together through the arts and ensure that artists of all backgrounds and traditions have a home on our stage. We are very much looking forward to featuring Jihye Lee’s incredible talent. 50% of donation proceeds will go to support Korean American Family Service Center.”

The concert, titled “Rest in the Arms of Motherlands,” will feature Lee’s original compositions, as well as her arrangements of well-known songs. The quintet features Lee’s vocals alongside Hayoung Lyou (keys), Haeun Joo (piano), Jeonglim Yang (bass), Dayeon Seok (drums).

 “Among the eight victims of the recent tragedy in Atlanta, six of them were Asian women, including four Koreans — immigrants who courageously came to America for better lives. They innocently got killed, and left their loved ones behind,” says Jihye Lee. “Motherland was the word that came to my mind. After many struggles and defeats, burdened lives are resting now. The souls are comforted in the loving arms of their motherlands.”

PROGRAM

Friday, May 21 at 7:00 PM (ET)

Jihye Lee Quintet: Rest in the Arms of Motherlands

FREE with Suggested Donation in support of Flushing Town Hall and KAFSC Rainbow House Shelter

An all-female, Korean jazz quintet led by composer, arranger, and vocalist Jihye Lee performs a virtual concert live from the stage at Flushing Town Hall honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and featuring an elegy for the victims of anti-Asian hate crimes. To learn more visit flushingtownhall.org/event-detail.php?id=95

PERFORMERS

To learn more about the concert and the performers, visit flushingtownhall.org/event-detail.php?id=95

 TICKETS, DONATIONS

Flushing Town Hall’s event will be presented free of charge with a suggested, pay-what-you-can donation. Fifty percent of the funds raised will support the nonprofit, global arts presenter and fifty percent will be donated to the Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC) in support of their Rainbow House Shelter, which provides comprehensive and culturally competent services to women and children in crisis. Visit flushingtownhall.org for tickets or to donate in support of the nonprofit.

FLUSHING TOWN HALL

Flushing Town Hall (FTH) has a redesigned website: flushingtownhall.org. The new site improves access to online events, educational programming, artist services, and rental availability. As always, it remains a great source for information about the history and mission of the organization, as well as important contact and community engagement information.

A majority of Flushing Town Hall’s “FTH At Home!” virtual programming is presented for free to the general public but donations in any amount are appreciated to support the artists and the nonprofit cultural organization as they continue to provide programming and entertainment across New York and the world. To learn more about FTH, visit flushingtownhall.org

 ARTS ED NEWARK SUPPORTS #StopAsianHate

Life is precious

Love is Love

Racism is Racism

Message from Executive Committee Members:

“We know that racial and ethnic discrimination is not new, but we are now seeing dramatically increased violence against the Asian community, across the country.  Many of us who identify as Asian are often uncomfortable speaking out about our own emotions so you may not hear your Asian friends publicly talking about it.  But please know that we are angry.  We are scared.  We are tired.  We need healing.  It’s comforting to know that Arts Ed Newark stands together to condemn any acts of violence against any community.

Furthermore, we commit to protect, promote, embrace, and celebrate all of our differences.  This journey is both joyful and uncomfortable, but we believe that life is richer when experienced through the multi-faceted lens of a diverse community.

Will you join us in this commitment?”

“What can you do to help?

Ask yourself

Do I believe that all people are of infinite value?

Do I believe that I do not have the right to belittle or dehumanize a person, through words or actions?

Do I believe that a person’s uniqueness (be it physical, mental, cultural, spiritual or sexual) can never be used as a weapon against them?

Check-in with your Asian friends.  Many of us in the Asian community are uncomfortable speaking out about the troubles we face, but it is still helpful to be asked.  You may just get a deep sigh in response, but know that the fact you asked brought healing and comfort

Reject assimilation as the norm. Create an environment around you that makes it comfortable for your Asian friends to embrace their deep cultural histories (enjoy ethnic food, speak with a different accent, etc.)”

Watch this long but insightful video: youtu.be/14WUuya94QE

– Chiho Okuizumi Feindler & Jee-Hoon Krska, Arts Ed Newark Executive Committee Members

For more information and resources on education, donations, and mental health, visit: artsednewark.org/post/stop-asian-hate

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness)