Past Events and Happenings
Sept 9, 2006 - GAPA-PALOOZA: An asian & Pacific Islander Performing Arts ShowMercy High School Auditorium
3250 19th Ave, SF
Across from Stonetown Mall
An evening of music, dance, and spoken word at Mercy High Auditorium. Featuring GAPA Men’s Chorus, Randy Kikukawa, Director, with appearances
by:
- Sean San Jose and Jonsen Vitug
- Asian American Theater Company
- Likha Rondalla Ensemble
- Nguyen Dance Company
- Amron Paul Yuwono
- Kunti
- Inggar
- Kompiang Metri Davis
- and other special guests
Tickets: $15 general / $25 Patron.
Send check to: GAPA, P.O. Box 421884, SF CA94142-1884
Tickets also available at the door, and online: http://www.gapa.org/
August 27 to September 4, 2006 Internatioanl Friendship Weekend
LYC-Pacific Friends is a social organization advocating friendship and cross-cultural understanding amongst gay Asians/Pacific Islanders, their partners and their friends. Founded in 1984 and then called as Pacific Friends of San Francisco, the club has grown to over 200 active members represented mostly by men residing in communities throughout Northern California. In January 2005, Pacific Friends became a charter member of Long Yang Club International.
Our current membership includes singles and couples of all ages and ethnicities sharing a common purpose -- friendship, respect and mutual support for one another.
From August 27 to September 4, 2006 (Labor Day Week Plus), this amazing city plays host to IFWiCON2006SF. The Long Yang Club Pacific Friends of San Francisco, International Friendship Alliance & Long Yang Club International invite everyone to be part of this exciting event.
Amron Paul Yuwono and Gecko Gecko are one of the biggest sponsors for this special week event. He will be also coreographing all male fashion show, dance with Bulan Trisna Djelantik at her "Topeng Sitaresmi", and also MC at the gala night.
August 12th, 2006 - GAPA Runway 2006 at Herbzt Theater
GAPA Runway Brings Out the Models
Mr. GAPA Astro Stud, MC Tita Aida, and Miss GAPA Cinderella. Photo by Rink.
 Runway is a unique annual showcase that plays on the glamour of traditional pageants, while pushing the outer boundaries of self-expression within a framework of camp and comedy. Mr. & Miss GAPA 2005 Wilson and Monica Spears crowned their successors in a night of beauty, comedy, and fantasy. Hosted by transgender activist and femcee extraordinaire, Tita Aida, the 18th annual Runway featured special performances and celebrity judges. Winners received a tiara, China-silk sash, $500 cash, and special opportunities for public appearances. Through fantasy and evening wear competitions, contestants were encouraged to celebrate their uniqueness and flaunt their innermost fantasies. Tita introduced the judges as follows: Rene Astudillo, executive director of the Asian American Journalists Association; Ben Fong-Torres, journalist, author, and broadcaster; Vanessa Hua, staff writer for San Francisco Chronicle; Tina Kim, comedienne who appeared on Last Comic Standing; Tamlyn Tomita, stage, television, and film actor (Joy Luck Club, to name one movie); Mag Wangsuwana, vice President of Union Bank of California; and Lawrence Wong, former GAPA co-chair, and trustee, San Francisco Community College Board...
Gecko Gecko is among the sponsors for this glamor event!
(Published: July 20, 2006By Sister Dana Van Iquity)
August 12, 2006 - Indo Day 2006 at Union Square San Francisco
Please watch "Janger Poco Poco" Dance by Bulan Trisna Djelantik and Amron Paul Yuwono as the Art Director. There are at least 30 dancers involved in this dance. A Dangdut Star from Jakarta, Ardhana Gumay will appear on stage. Amron Paul Yuwono and Julia Nugroho will be the MC for this whole day event.
June 22nd, 2006 - "Last Second" Movie Screening in SF & Berkely as part of the GBLT International Film Festival.
Detik terakhir
This first lesbian feature from Indonesia is a coming-of-age story about teenagers whose search for love is complicated by violence in the home, Gen-X angst, loneliness, and the ravages of opting for escape through drugs. The stories of Regi, Rajib and Vela provide a graphic glimpse into contemporary life among both rich and poor kids who seek refuge in friendships fueled by universal desires for tenderness and love. Unfortunately, these innocent desires too often become sullied by parallel needs for security and money.
Regi, the main character, is in a rehab center when a visitor brings news of Rajib, a mutual friend who is in prison. As Regi intimately reflects on the events of her tangled life, we recognize her individual story against the universal challenges facing families and youth around the globe. Last Second offers an anti-drug message that cannot be denied, yet is perhaps most valuable in its indictment of inadequate parenting and support services for victims of abuse or substance dependency.
Based on the novel Jangan Beri Aku Narkoba by Alerthiene Endah, Last Second is not for the faint-hearted. It makes a powerful statement about ignorance, apathy and codependent behavior that cuts across generations, socio-economic classes and cultures.
June 19th, 2006 Yogyakarta Earthquake Fundrasing at 2030 Union St.,
San Francisco, CA
"In response to the desperate need for assistance, former Yogyakarta residents Daniel Sudaryanto, chef at Betelnut Restaurant, and Amron Paul Yuwono, owner of Gecko Gecko Indonesian Art, held a Gala Dinner Earthquake Relief Fundraiser at Betelnut Fine Asian Cuisine Restaurant, 2030 Union Street, San Francisco 94123, on Monday, June 19, 2006 at 7:00 pm.
"Betelnut was closed to the public in order to host this fundraising event. Thirteen different dishes from Yogyakarta, Indonesia were served. Tickets for this event were priced at $150 per person. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event were funneled through Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org) under their disaster program to aid victims of this Yogyakarta earthquake. All donations were tax deductible."
Performers at this event included: One People Voice, Gamelan Bamboo Bali, Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Dancer - Bulan Trisna, Kompiang, and Michael Ogi, who performed Gatot Kaca.
Guests appearance: Carolyn Michaelis (Miss Asian California 2005 & Miss Asian America 2005), Ira Maya Sopha (Indonesian Legendary Actress & Singer, Sausan (The becoming model & actress in Indonesia), Ina Fabriana (Indonesian Olympic Taekwondo Championship), Larry Harvey (Founder of Burning Man) and many more...
June 10 & 11, 2006
Street Performance & Sale
Help support Earthquake Victims in YogyakartaCentral, Central Java, Indonesia.
You might have herad about the recent devasteting 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck Central Java, Indonesia on May 27th. More than 6000 peopla have died, and many more are missing or injured. Over than 65,000 homes have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of people are now left homeless and have little-if any-resources for food, water, and rebuilding. To add insult to injury, nearby volcano Mt. Merapi is threatening to errupt and cause even more damage to this already struggling area.
What you may not know is that this earthquake was in the town in which I grew up, Yogyakarta, and it's where most of my family, relatives and friends currently lives.
I feel compelled to do something to help my fellow people there, so I am making this weekend a fundraising event at our store.
Please enjoy your time here this weekend with food, drinks and entertainment. Thank you very much and may peace come to those across the globe who are suffering right now!
5% of all June & July sales at the store will be donated toward earthquake relief.
April 27th to May 3rd, 2006 - "Love for Share (Berbagi Suami)", Movie screening at the Tribeca Film Festival, New York
Directed and written by Nia Dinata (Indonesia) – International Premiere. Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world and polygamy is a deeply rooted and controversial tradition. This film addresses the tradition and its malcontents by interweaving the stories of three very different women, each of whom has developed her own living response to polygamy.
August 13th 2005 - KATON BAGASKARA US Concert
Katon Bagaskara, a local singer who is known for his mesmerizing pop ballads such as Yogyakarta and Tak Bisa Ke Lain Hati (Can't Turn Away) is expected to stage concerts in the United States.
On invitation from U.S. music promoter Gxremedy, Katon will stage a five-date concert in three cities in the U.S. -- New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles -- whose pop music scene is notoriously known as hard to crack. Amron Paul Yuwono will be the MC for the SF & LA Concert.
Backed by the Jamie Hunting Band, an outfit that once toured with heavy metal band Van Halen's former lead vocalist David Lee Roth, Katon will first perform at Union Square, San Francisco on Aug. 13 and the Independent club on Aug. 17 before making a two-night performance at the Los Angeles' Whiskey A-Go-Go, a famous music club on Sunset Boulevard.
Scores of rock legends such as the Doors, the Byrds and blues singer Janis Joplin have performed at the Whiskey A-Go-Go.
Wrapping up his U.S. tour, Katon is expected to stage a two-night show in the Big Apple at the Knitting Factory and a ballroom of a four-star hotel that is yet to be decided. (M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta)
August 2005 - Indo Day 2005 at Union Square, SF
"Color Me Ethnic" Theater Fashion Show
Designers: Dwi Iskandar (Bali), Ardiyanto Batik (Yogyakarta), Daud Wiryo Hadinegoro (Yogyakarta), Lyssandra Cox (New York & SF)
with 30 models from all over Bay Area
Guest stars: - Carolyn Michaelis (Miss Asian California 2005 & Miss Asian America 2005)
- Sasha Hoffman (Miss Teen Word 2005)
Coreographer & Conceptor: Amron-Paul Yuwono
Sponsor: Gecko Gecko
July 25th, 2005 - Bombay to Bali TRILOK GURTU Gamelan Sekar Jaya at Stern Grove World Music & Dance Festival.
For those of you who will be in the San Francisco Bay Area durig the
summer break, you may want to check-out the "Stern Grove Festival." It's
FREE and is a great way to spend a lazy Sunday summer afternoon! These
free concerts take place in San Francisco's "Stern Grove" located at the
corner of 19th Avenue and Sloat Blvd. (within easy walking distance of the
university) and are usually very popular (and as a result, very crowded!).
So, be sure to arrive early to get the best seats (seating is available on
a first-come, first-served basis) and bring a blanket or some folding lawn
or beach chairs to sit on. And have a great time!
Gamelan Sekar Jaya will perform with its 50 mucissians and dancers. Amron Paul Yuwono will be among them.
Friday, March 11th, 2005 : 8pm (Doors open at 7pm)
Saturday, March 12th, 2005 : 8pm
Sunday, March 13th, 2005 : 3pm (Doors open at 2pm)
 AN EXCLUSIVE EVENING WITH DIDIK NINI THOWOK & TSUNAMI FUND RAISING
Will be hosted by Timothy Leung, internationally renowned designer and photographer of Protégé TV in his very own residence gallery at Lafayette/Pleasant Hill.
(www.timothyleung.com)
1002 Grayson Road
Pleasant Hill, Ca. 94523
Guests will enjoy a relax but very exclusive and intimate evening with Internationally acclaimed Indonesian performance artist Didik Nini Thowok who will perform a few of classical and modern dance numbers. Be prepared to be hypnotized by all his fascinating double jointed body movements. You will be able to talk and chat with him closely that evening. Didik will be doing a mini workshop if times allowed.
Harsanari Dance School (www.harsanari.com) and a few members of Gamelan Sekar Jaya Orchestra (www.gsj.org) will accompany us. Gamelan Sekar Jaya, an internationally acclaimed group of musicians and dancers, has made the performing arts of Bali its specialty. Founded in 1979, the fifty-member group has presented hundreds of concerts throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Mexico, and Bali. This is a once in a lifetime experience, and definitely an evening not to be missed.
Didik Nini Thowok is one of the most popular, multi talented artists back home. He is a performance artist, choreographer, dancer, teacher, mime, actor, make-up artist, comedian and singer. His unique combination of classical arts of Central Java, West Java, East Java and Bali has propelled him to the forefront of Indonesian art. He is one of the few artist continuing the long tradition of cross-gender dancing; his impersonation of female characters and his skill in various dance tradition has, on occasion dumbfounded the audience in determining the gender of the artist. Didik Nini Thowok has performed for the highest dignitaries throughout the world, including the presidents of Vietnam and Namibia, the Prime Minister of Singapore and Japan, the chancellor of Germany and the Emperor and Empress of Japan, among others.
Please refer to:
http://www.amron-paul-yuwono.com
http://www.didikninithowok.info/
http://www.didikninithowok.info/TRANCEFORMATION/
http://www.yorku.ca/mediar/archive/Release.asp?Release=591
Bring your own pillow & blanket to sit. Food and drink are available for sale at the garden environment of Timothy’s gallery residence. Please dress appropriately, this event will be cover by the television station.
Donation of $20 (student), $30 (public), $40 (at the door) will be expected. Reservation is very advisable. Space is very limited. There will be a separate fundraising for the Tsunami victims in Indonesia in this event.
Please email us at playgecko@yahoo.com for additional info, questions & RSVP.
You can also contact us by phone at 415/701-1010, 415/505-4322 & 925/689-6865.
Hope to see everyone there and thank you in advance for your support!
December 17 until March
"My heart goes to my people in Indonesia and South East Asia"
 5% of all sales from the store and events during these months (or even more months if needed) will be donated towards the relief of the victims of the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Indonesia and South East Asia.
There is a donation box in the store for those who wish to give.
Friday, December 3rd, 2004
 Pre-Grand Opening of the Store and Hayes Valley Neighborhood Block Party. Come and take your pick of our halfway done store. Enjoy a 10 to 20 % discount on certaim items. All stores and cafes in the neighborhood will be open all day from 10am till 10pm.
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