Montaigne, Beyond Shangri-la, A Podcast Interview

In "Montaigne, My Father, and the Art of Living," an essay in Catapult Culture/Books, I explore what I learned from my father--and Montaigne--about how to live well.

In other news, my interview with Oxford professor Clare Harris, "Beyond Shangri-la," appears in the Winter 2020 issue of Tricycle magazine. We discussed Harris’s work on Tibet and photography, and how Tibetans are taking control of the camera.

It was an honor to speak with alum Dr. Anita Gupta on her Health Logic podcast about my experience of serious illness. I read from "Traveling in Bardo," my AGNI essay about the illness and how it related to my Tibetan family history; we then talked about ways the patient perspective can impact the COVID-19 crisis as well as future directions in health care.

Montaigne, My Father, and the Art of Living Essay: https://bit.ly/3foH9e8

Beyond Shangri-la Essay: https://bit.ly/3lXha0a

Health Logic Podcast: https://apple.co/2HnmWZK

AGNI Essay: https://bit.ly/3pQYp0E

Other Website: http://www.anntashislater.com

Stillwater premieres December 4 on Apple TV Plus

Apple TV Plus has unveiled its newest children’s programs, including “Stillwater,” an animated series based on the Scholastic book series “Zen Shorts” by Jon J. Muth.

Produced by Gaumont and Scholastic Entertainment, the series centers on three siblings who have a wise panda, Stillwater, for a next-door neighbor. The show will premiere globally with the first six episodes available on the streaming service on Dec. 4.

Through stories and humor, Stillwater the panda helps provide “children a deeper understanding of their feelings, as well as mindfulness tools that help them face their own day-to-day challenges,” according to Apple TV Plus. The wise panda also “brings newfound fun and adventure for the three, opening their eyes to the quiet wonders of the world around them, and guiding them to their place within it.”

I was lucky to work on this incredible series and write episodes that will be in the next drop!

Other Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz1GkcvkT1g

Producer Hub launches to serve theater practitioners across the industry!

Incubated by Octopus Theatricals, and stewarded by Ronee Penoi 07', Adam Hyndman '12, and Sophie Blumberg, Producer Hub is a one-stop center for theater makers across our community that are looking for a whole host of services and resources.

The mission of Producer Hub is to provide an online resource that showcases and supports the wide variety of producing models that exist in the world of live performance through shared business and educational resources and networking. Producer Hub will offer a range of services to support the work of those independent producers, theatre makers, and organizations who are looking to engage with our community. The program offerings of the Producer Hub were developed based on market research, and consist of the following arms: Shared Business Resources, a Library of Practical Resources, Educational Resources, Networking, Mentorship, and EDI/Social Justice training.

To access information, resources, and events visit:

Website: www.producerhub.org

TISG forms to create a new pathways to support and develop commercial theater!

The Industry Standard Group, the first completely BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) commercial theatre investment and production organization, is proud to announce the launch of their new company today. Focusing on increasing the presence of BIPOC investors and producers in the field, The Industry Standard Group is breaking new ground by expanding the access and opportunities granted to BIPOC communities within the industry.

The founding members of the groundbreaking group are Rashad V. Chambers, Miranda Gohh, Adam Hyndman '12, Toni R. Isreal, Rob Laqui, Sammy Lopez, Ronee Penoi '07, and Cynthia J. Tong.

As the first of its kind, The Industry Standard Group’s (TISG) mission is to give existing and potential BIPOC investors, producers, artists and theater makers opportunities to participate in the financing and producing of projects, and to promote and invest in work that reflects the diversity of its membership. Therefore, fostering more equitable, diverse, and inclusionary representation in the commercial industry of the arts & entertainment.

The Industry Standard group believes that the current make-up of commercial producing and investment isn’t reflective of the diversity in projects being produced due to systemic denial to access. The group’s aim is to amplify their presence in major projects through various media, including Broadway and other commercial theater ventures.

For more information, please visit our website.

Website: www.TheIndustryStandardGroup.com

Two new documentary shorts about the secondary impacts of neighborhood gun violence

Nora Gross, PhD recently produced two short documentary films connected to her ongoing research and current book project about the secondary impacts of urban gun violence. The first film, Our Philadelphia, made in collaboration with several youth, explores the way the deaths of friends impacts Black adolescent boys and young men. It can be viewed on YouTube. The second film, Club With No Name, tells the story of three Black mothers of gun violence victims their efforts to turn their pain into purpose. The film will screen on Facebook Live on December 4th at 7pm followed by a community conversation. More information about both films can be found at http://www.noragross.com/film.

Website: http://www.noragross.com/film.

Our Philadelphia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPmz6DYnzMg&feature=youtu.be

Club With No Name:  https://www.facebook.com/WomenOfValor74

New Podcast for Writers

I've launched a new podcast called Writerly Bites. The podcast aims to give quick, bite-sized tips for making your creative writing and your writing life better. New episodes appear every Tuesday, and we're searchable on Apple Podcasts. I'll interview fellow authors to get their favorite tips, too. Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcasts are much appreciated to help the podcast grow!

New, Unique Peace Corps Book Published

Randy Hobler, an RPCV from Libya 1968—1969, has released a highly-praised book, 101 Arabian Tales: How We All Persevered in Peace Corps Libya. It is remarkable in that he interviewed 101 of his fellow RPCVs in depth for the book. Former Ambassador to the Comoros and Cameroon Niels Marquardt (who was a volunteer in Zaire and Rwanda) wrote: “Randy Hobler has written the best memoir of a Peace Corps experience that I have ever read. His amazingly detailed book instantly grips the reader by putting Libya in its properly rich and unique historical perspective.” The book is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle form.

Website: https://www.101arabiantales.com

Other Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3587631417914624

Prospect Theater Company's VISION Series Music-Theater on Film

Prospect’s VISION Series is a new initiative launched in 2020, to continue the company's mission of creating and presenting original musical theater works, while public gatherings are on pause. Three original short films were released in October 2020 - now streaming on our YouTube Channel or viewable at www.ProspectTheater.org. THE BAND AT THE END OF THE WORLD, LADY LAWYER LOCKWOOD RIDES HER TRICYCLE and UNRAVELL'D.

Location/Venue Address: 520 8th Ave, Ste 307, New York, NY 10018 US

Ticket Website: http://www.ProspectTheater.org

Other Website: http://www.YouTube.com/ProspectTheaterCo

Alissa Hsu Lynch '90 joins American Ballet Theatre Board of Trustees

Alissa Hsu Lynch '90 was recently appointed to the Board of Trustees of American Ballet Theatre--America's National Ballet Company. Alissa earned her A.B. in English and spent countless hours during her undergraduate years dancing with Expressions Dance Company and at 185 Nassau with the Theater and Dance Department. She now lives in the Seattle area and works for Google leading MedTech Solutions for Google Cloud. In recent years, she's enjoyed visiting campus to watch her youngest son Liam Lynch '21 perform with DiSiac Dance Company.

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/alissa-hsu-lynch-full-circle-ballet-to-business-and-back-to-ballet/

New work in Catapult and a talk about exploring our family histories

I have a new piece, "How a Tibetan Turquoise Pendant Keeps Me Close to Home," in the "Darjeeling Journal" series of my Catapult column. It's about the meaning of home and continuity between generations. (https://bit.ly/3jtH5KO)

And on October 26, I gave a talk--"What Our Family Histories Can Teach Us About Ourselves"--sponsored by Princeton Women in Media and Technology and hosted by Caroline Coleman '86. I discussed my journey from Princeton to Darjeeling to Tokyo, how I reconnected with my Tibetan roots, and how we can explore our family histories. (https://bit.ly/2Tq6Gty)

Other Website: http://www.anntashislater.com

It's a Beautiful Day in "Sister Roger's Gayborhood!"

Best friends and collaborators Roger Q. Mason '08 and Lovell Holder '09 are thrilled to announce the launch of their new podcast "Sister Roger's Gayborhood!" Join Roger and Lovell as they sit down with some of the most influential LGBT folx from across every industry, learning how their guests' queer identities and connections to community have informed and guided their careers, goals, and professional lives. Guests include actor Garrett Clayton and drag icon Miss Peppermint - and don't miss out on appearances from fellow Princetonians Heather Rae Martin '08, Jordan Kisner '09, and Alex Bisignano '09. https://sister-rogers-gayborho.captivate.fm/

Other Website: http://sister-rogers-gayborho.captivate.fm/

Slime Queen '17's debut album SLIME SEASON 2020 out now on SoundCloud, Spotify, and other major platforms

Slime Queen is Julie Chen '17, a Brooklyn poet/writer who started making pop music on her laptop in May 2020. Her 10-track debut album, SLIME SEASON 2020, is out now on SoundCloud (https://soundcloud.com/sssslimequeen/sets/slime-season-2020), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/3yqBXTqTabhRkwf8nEELPB?si=FVTeZ_nCTUyEXh3hRISfLg), and other major platforms.

The album features excruciatingly honest lyrics à la Lorde over electronic sounds and hooks influenced by Charli XCX, PC Music, and K-pop. It was a true labor of love with other alumni collaborators: Josh Chen '14, Michelle Navis '17, Joy Li '17, and Simon Wu '17, who photographed the album art and designed the lyrics zine (https://juliechen.neocities.org/slime_season_2020_zine.pdf). Keep up with Slime Queen's burgeoning pop career on SoundCloud and Instagram @sssslimequeen.

Instagram URL: http://instagram.com/sssslimequeen

Other Website: http://soundcloud.com/sssslimequeen/sets/slime-season-2020

Other: https://juliechen.neocities.org/sssslimequeen.html

My New Book is Available for Pre-Order on Amazon and being released on November 17th in e-book and paperback!

Stress got you down during these challenging times? Then check out my book, "Don’t Mess with Stress™--A Simple Guide to Managing Stress, Optimizing Health, and Making the World a Better Place," available now for Pre-Order on Amazon and being released in e-book and paperback on November 17th!

The Little General: The Graphic Novel by Mark Lerer '81

What happens when three eighteen-month-old babies plot, scheme, and intrigue against each other? Funny, sharp, and beautifully rendered in a new full-color edition, Mark Lerer's satirical graphic novel, based on an inspiration by Andrew Coe, doesn't simply bemoan the tragedy of all wars-- it shows how the damn things get started in the first place.

Available as "The Little General in Full Color" on amazon.com.

Yale Cabaret’s Innovative Virtual Season

For the Yale Cabaret’s historic entirely socially distanced 53rd season, the Cab Company (Co-Artistic Director Maeli Goren, ‘15) will produce 15 groundbreaking works of theater that attempt to answer the essential question: what does it mean for theater to be “live,” now? The season also features several ongoing live projects including the food-centric Cab Potluck series and Spark Factory, workshops in innovative theatrical technologies. We encourage bold explorations of new media and works that remind us how theater can connect us in a time of separation. The only limits are our imaginations! 

Alongside the live season, we look forward to featuring installations, visual art, film works, sound compositions, and other pre-existing or pre-recorded works of art in the new virtual Cab Gallery throughout the season. Any artist is welcome to submit work for this space.

In all that we do and make this year, we are committed to leading with actions for justice and liberation. Visit our website to view our commitments to the Black Lives Matter movement and our dedication to centering Black joy, artistry, and storytelling as well as uplifting the voices of Indigenous artists and other artists of color.

Ticket Website: http://cabaret-tickets.yale.edu/events

Facebook: http://facebook.com/yalecabaret/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/yalecabaret/

Other Website: www.yalecabaret.org

My debut novel, HYSTERIA, is out in the world!

In August, my debut novel, HYSTERIA, came out from Unnamed Press! I've worked on this book for years and am so excited to see it out in the world. HYSTERIA follows a troubled young woman living in modern-day Brooklyn who becomes convinced her Brooklyn bartender is Sigmund Freud. As one does. It's available to order from Amazon, your local bookstore, or Bookshop.

Other Website: https://bookshop.org/books/hysteria-9781951213121/9781951213121

San Francisco Ballet Off Stage

SF Ballet’s popular Off Stage classes and seminars have returned—only this time, they’re virtual! From panels to lectures, interactive events to artist talks, we offer so many ways to learn more about the artists who make magic on stage and to brush up on your ballet history. Fall classes include a chance to learn the basics at Ballet Basics, to dive deep into national styles at Ballet Insights, and to learn all you ever wanted to know about Nutcracker at Ballet Talk. These events are curated and often hosted by Jennie Scholick '09.

Location/Venue: Online

Ticket Website: http://www.sfballet.org/events

Courtyard House featured in print and online in Wall Street Journal: "Keeping It In The Family"

Courtyard House featured in print and online in Wall Street Journal: "Keeping It In The Family" 

"After Andrew Heid finished presenting a final project at Princeton University's School of
Architecture in 2005, his father approached him with a comment.
'That's the house I want you to design for me one day,' he told his son.

Links:

https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/an-architect-designed-this-oregon-home-for-two-crucial-clients-his-parents-142628

https://www.wsj.com/articles/keeping-it-in-the-family-11599749648

www.noarchitecture.com

Location/Venue: 176 Elizabeth Street, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10012 United States

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/noarchitecture

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/noarchitecture/

Other Website: http://www.noarchitecture.com

Marisol Rosa-Shapiro '07 Joins Clowns Without Borders USA's Board of Directors

Marisol Rosa-Shapiro '07 has recently been appointed to the Board of Directors of Clowns Without Borders USA (CWB). CWB aims to build resilience through laughter and to reinforce agency through play amongst all persons, especially children, living in areas of crisis. The organization's volunteer performers and educators serve in refugee camps, conflict zones, areas recovering from natural disaster, and territories in states of emergency. Learn more about Clowns Without Borders USA at www.clownswithoutborders.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clownswithoutborders.usa

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clownswithoutborders/?hl=en

Other Website: http://www.clownswithoutborders.org

Short play published

"The Bechdel Group -- Prop Plays: An Anthology of New 10 Minute Plays" is available on Amazon. It contains the play, "Princeton in the Nation's Service", by Selma Thompson '80. The comedy takes place on campus during Reunions.

Other Website: http://www.amazon.com/New-10-Minute-Plays-Prop/dp/198346189X