A Conversation With Kevin Kwan: Lies, Weddings, and Crazy Rich Stories [SOLD OUT]

UPDATE (May 26, 2024) — This program is sold out. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Schedule

Friday, May 31, 2024
7 p.m. Author Talk
8 p.m. Champagne and Sushi Social

Asia Society Texas is thrilled to welcome Kevin Kwan, the iconic author of the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, for a conversation about his extraordinary career, including his new book Lies and Weddings, working in Hollywood, and growing up in the Houston suburbs.

Lies and Weddings is an outrageous comedy about what happens when a forbidden affair erupts amid a decadent tropical wedding. From the black sand beaches of Hawaii to the skies of Marrakech, and the glitzy bachelor pads of Los Angeles to the inner sanctums of England's oldest family estates, Kwan unfurls a hilarious and thrillingly plotted story of love, money, murder, sex, and the lies we tell about them all.

All tickets include a signed copy of Lies and Weddings. Enhanced tickets include access to a Champagne and Sushi Social with Kevin Kwan following the talk.

About the Author

Kevin Kwan is the author of Crazy Rich Asians, the international bestselling novel that has been translated into 40 languages. Its sequel, China Rich Girlfriend, was released in 2015, and Rich People Problems, the final book in the trilogy, followed in 2017. For several weeks in 2018, the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy commanded the top three positions of the New York Times bestseller list — an almost unprecedented single-author trifecta — and the film adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians became Hollywood's highest-grossing romantic comedy in over a decade. Sex and Vanity, his most recent novel, hit the New York Times bestseller list in its first week of release and is being adapted into a feature film by Sony Pictures. Kevin has been named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

About the Moderator

Cornelia Guest is an actor, decorated equestrian, philanthropist, fashion designer, and author. She is known for her roles in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Stories, and Emrhys Cooper’s The Shuroo Process, and most recently ﬁnished shooting Paul Schrader’s latest ﬁlm Oh, Canada. In 2016, Cornelia founded Artemis Farm Rescue, a miniature horse and donkey rescue in Ancramdale, New York. Through Artemis, over 100 horses were rescued from slaughter and other inhumane situations, rehabilitated, and adopted to loving forever homes. In 2011 she launched Cornelia Guest Handbags, a collection made of eco- and animal-friendly alternatives to traditional materials. To date, Cornelia has written two books: The Debutante’s Guide to Life, a peek into the world of coming-out balls, and Cornelia Guest’s Simple Pleasures (2012), which shares the joy of seasonal eating with delicious plant- based recipes and timeless tips for eﬀortless entertaining. Cornelia has been a lifelong equestrian and is a national show jumping champion. She continues to love and implement this thread in many aspects of her life.

Kevin Kwan Lead Sponsor

Nancy C. Allen

Kevin Kwan Program Sponsors

Margie van Elten and Joe Blommaert
Tripp Carter
Skye Chao | Brooke Bentley Gunst | Carolyn Sabat
Rose Chen, Bank of Houston
Lily Chen and Charles C. Foster
Mandy and William Kao
Pitsami Norm, PS Affairs
Janae and Ken Tsai

Champagne and Sushi Social Sponsor

Donna Fujimoto Cole

Performing Arts and Culture programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Syamal and Susmita Poddar. Major support comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, The Brown Foundation, Inc., the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, The Clayton Fund, Houston Endowment Inc. Generous funding also provided by The Anchorage Foundation of Texas, The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, and Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Wortham Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing exceptional programming to Asia Society Texas.

Performing Arts and Culture Presenting Sponsors

Syamal and Susmita Poddar

Performing Arts and Culture Program Sponsors

About APAH Month at Asia Society Texas

Beginning in 2021, Asia Society Texas has celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the Houston community and beyond through a curated calendar of events for 31 ways to celebrate over the 31 days of May. Spotlighting the traditions, talents, and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans, the calendar highlights the month's key Asia Society programming, providing a platform to showcase local artists, performers, educators, and leaders who contribute to the vibrant, multicultural tapestry of Houston while also featuring staff recommendations for our favorite music, books, movies, and more by Asian and Asian American creatives.

At Asia Society Texas, APAH Month is an opportunity to celebrate and honor Asians and Asian Americans and to uplift their stories to a broader audience as part of our goal to inspire our larger community to better understand one another through culture, conversation, and connection. For information about sponsoring APAH Month and other projects like this one, please contact Saleena Jafry at [email protected] or 713.496.9939.

Presenting Sponsor of APAH Month at Asia Society Texas

Sponsors of APAH Month
Comcast
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Media Sponsor

APAH Month 2024 Calendar

Digital Calendar Interactive/Printable PDF

Past APAH Month Calendars

2023: Highlights | Details
2022: Highlights | Details
2021: Details

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.