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VAYA Co-Presenting ‘Sweet 20’ (Em Là Bà Nội Của Anh)

VAYA Co-Presenting ‘Sweet 20’ (Em Là Bà Nội Của Anh)

The Vietnamese-American Youth Alliance is proud to co-present the Vietnamese hit film, Sweet 20 (Em Là Bà Nội Của Anh) at the sixth annual Pacific Arts Movement Spring show.

The film will be showing at the UltraStar Mission Valley at 6:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 2016.

UPDATE: Due to popular demand, a 9:30 p.m. showing as been added.

As a co-presenter, VAYA has 10 free tickets to the 6:45 p.m. showing for members. Please reserve the tickets by emailing info@vayasd.org. Members may also buy discounted prices from VAYA. (Reg. price $12, VAYA price $10).

ABOUT THE FILM

Sweet 20 (Em Là Bà Nội Của Anh)
Sweet 20 (Em Là Bà Nội Của Anh)

Sweet 20 was first known simply as the Vietnamese remake of the Korean film Miss Granny. But millions of fans and countless accolades later, it’s earned a spot of its own as a bonafide sensation and the biggest hit of Vietnam in 2015. The story, also remade in China in 2015, has become the perfect fantasy-comedy of contemporary Confucianism: a grandmother neglected by her family becomes magically reborn as her 20-year-old self and wins back the hearts of her bratty descendants, a senior center suitor, and indeed an entire nation.

Beyond simply transplanting the story to Vietnam, director Phan Gia Nhat Linh gives it new soul, tapping emotionally into pre-1975 nostalgia for pop songs and a version of pre-socialist commercialism that seems unrecognizable today. Indeed, the film gestures with hilarity and a giddy spirit to the healing power of remembering as a way to reconcile family.

And even as it nods to the past, Sweet 20 looks forward to the bubbly possibilities of Vietnamese pop cinema to come. The USC-trained Linh directs the film with a nice balance of hijinks and feeling, and with a keen sense of how international stories can find meaning locally. But we should all brace ourselves for singer-turned-actress Miu Le in a tour-de-force physical performance, conveying granny sass through any number of squats and facial contortions.

— Brian Hu/PacArts

VAYA Seeking Nominations for E-Board and Staff Positions

VAYA Seeking Nominations for E-Board and Staff Positions

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“Leadership is not about the next election, it’s about the next generation.” — Simon Sinek

Are you a young professional or student who wants to better serve your community?

The Vietnamese-American Youth Alliance is currently seeking nominations for individuals to serve on its executive board.

Nominations are open until April 19, 2016. Voting will be on May 1, 2016. A two-year term for the newly-elected board members will start in June 2016.

We are also looking for new volunteer staff to help lead the organization to new heights.

Learn more about the e-board, including current members, officers and election process as well as submit a nomination at the following links:

 

Annual Vietnamese New Year Festival Celebrates ‘Spring of Love’

Annual Vietnamese New Year Festival Celebrates ‘Spring of Love’

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Mira Mesa – Love is in the air as the Vietnamese-American Youth Alliance presents the Spring of Love, a free city-wide Tết festival of games, prizes, food, and entertainment.

This year’s Tết festival falls on Valentine’s Day weekend, Feb. 12-14, 2016, and will emphasize the different kinds of love that we all share. For the New Year 2016, folks are celebrating the unifying love of the Vietnamese people, culture, and legacy. Following the Valentine’s theme, visitors can wish for eternal love at the spectacular wishing tree, capture photos with a romantic photo set, or purchase special roses for loved ones.

2016 preview posterFor the adventurous, there will be an authentic monkey bridge and other historical sets to take in. The Tết festival will be a host of enough interactive fun and entertainment for everybody!

“VAYA started from a group of young adults attempting to reconnect with their seemingly distant homeland. This passion grew into loving their local San Diego community and wanting to spread the rich traditions and culture that Vietnam has to offer as well as social awareness,” VAYA President Andy Nguyen said. “Since then it has become our mission to give San Diegans and Americans a culturally rich experience that expresses the love and efforts of the people. Everything we do reflects this mission and the values that make it possible.”

The festival, which attracts around 20,000 people each year, promises fun for the whole family with such activities as carnival rides and games, authentic Vietnamese food, lion dancing and firecrackers.

Free entertainment programs, such as high-quality musical acts, the Miss Vietnam of San Diego Pageant and a Cultural Village allows for direct immersion into Vietnamese culture.

Festival Dates and Hours are: Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Keep Tết Free!

Keep Tết Free!

Keep Tet Free

Can you believe that a young group of high school and college students are known to host the BEST Asian Lunar New Year’s (Tết) Festival in San Diego?!

This is our 10th anniversary, so expect it to be HUGE for San Diego! Our festival has proven to be one of the largest three-day cultural festivals in San Diego, attracting more than 25,000 people every year! This upcoming year, the 2015 San Diego Tết Festival falls on the weekend of Feb. 20-22 at Mira Mesa Community Park. Best of all, it’s free to attend.

In order to make this festival BEYOND successful, we need your help and support. We are hosting an exciting fundraising banquet to the public! This fun semi-formal event will cost $30 per person (tickets are avilable now!)

It will include:

  • Buffet-Style Dinner: Spinach Butter Salmon, Coconut Shrimp, Teriyaki Chicken, Traditional Vietnamese Springrolls, Solmen Salad, Green Salad, Chocolate dessert dipping fountain… etc.
  • Silient AND Live Auction: Variety of Services as well as Rare/Unique/Limited Items that you can not get anywhere else! There will be at least 10 services and 10 items to auction!
  • Raffles: Lots of valuable priceless items that can be yours if you are feeling lucky
  •  Entertainment: Live performances, music, and singers on our main stage to give you a night to remember

That’s just some of things we have planned for the banquet. The rest is kept secret as a surprise for you.

Remember that the San Diego Tết Festival is hosted by a group of young students who not only have school, part-time jobs, but also are overexerting themselves to give the city an amazing fun-filled festival. So please come out and support the cause!

Help Keep Tết Free for San Diego!

Halloween Warehouse Party!

Halloween Warehouse Party!

Wishing that the Halloween Party never end? Then come on out to continue the party the day after Halloween! 

There will be awesome EDM and Hip Hop music, Costume Contest and Raffle!
It is an 18+ party and 21+ to drink

Current ticket price: $10*. Purchase your tickets now before the price increases!!!*There is $1.00 transaction fee for using Paypal.


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