Friday Favorites: 'Rock the Boat' Podcast, Novel 'Spirits Abroad,' and More
Friday, April 24, 2020
Asia Society at Home
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Discover your newest binge and get to know our staff a little better with the Asia Society Texas Center's team favorite ways to stay entertained indoors! Each week, we'll share our picks for what to read, watch, listen to, and more.
Album: Wu Fei and Abigail Washburn
Recommended by Stephanie Todd Wong, Director of Performing Arts and Culture
"A new Smithsonian Folkways recording with the collaborative duo that showcases the similarity of folk music through two very different cultures. It simultaneously connects me to my present work and reminds me of home, growing up in the bluegrass hills of Kentucky."
Find it on: Smithsonian Folkways Recording | YouTube ("The Roving Cowboy" music video)
Artist: Mitski
Recommended by Alauna Rubin, Production Manager
"Mitski is probably one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful performers in music these days, and sad people should unite and dedicate a depression day to listen to her. She also has a gut-wrenching NPR Tiny Desk performance that everyone should see at least once.
Find it on: Mitski's website | YouTube (NPR Tiny Desk Concert)
Podcast: Rock the Boat
Recommended by Matt Benton, Manager of Special Events and Stewardship
"The Rock the Boat podcast is unfiltered, vulnerable, and hilarious! This collection of conversational stories and thoughtful interviews digs deep into the journey of what it means to navigate professional careers and interpersonal lives filtered through the lens of Asian American heritage and experience. Hosts Lucia Liu and Lynne Guey offer real insights into the lives of prominent Asian American figures who have dared to Rock the Boat. Enjoy!"
Find it on: Rock the Boat website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Documentary: One Child Nation
Recommended by Chris Dunn, Marketing and Communications Manager
"This heartbreaking, fascinating, daring documentary explores the impacts of China's one-child policy. Harrowing interviews with local government officials, midwives, and families that were torn apart are interwoven to show the policy's broad, personal, and lasting repercussions."
Find it on: Amazon
Novel: The Vegetarian by Han Kang
Recommended by Kaitlyn Ellison, Performing Arts and Culture Manager
"A deeply unsettling look at women's lives and how they're controlled, Han Kang viscerally depicts the journey of a woman to autonomy in her own family and society. Wonderfully written and engaging, but a very dark read."
Find it on: Penguin Random House (with links to purchase)
Novel: Spirits Abroad by Zen Cho
Recommended by Mei Qi, Business and Policy Manager
"Occasionally ghastly, often charming, sometimes familiar and sometimes strange, this is my favorite collection of short stories from one author, which combines modern and fantastical supernatural elements of Southeast Asian myth and lore with very human characters and relationships."
Find it on: Zen Cho's website (with links to purchase)
Videos: Peaceful Kitchen
Recommended by Liz Nguyen, Production Technician
"Relaxing, aesthetic, and meticulous are three words to describe these cooking videos. Ryoya Takashima cooks with such a cool ease that he makes boiling water interesting. All his recipes are vegan; I am not, but two of his dishes are in my meal prep rotation: Tofu Hot Pot and Hummus Pasta."
Find it on: YouTube (Channel | Tofu Hot Pot | Hummus Pasta)
Business and Policy programs are endowed by Huffington Foundation. We give special thanks to Bank of America, Muffet Blake, Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Nancy Pollok Guinee, United Airlines, and Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsors of Business and Policy programs; Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, and Leslie and Brad Bucher, Presenting Sponsors of Exhibitions; Dr. Ellen R. Gritz and Milton D. Rosenau and Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsors of Performing Arts and Culture; and Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Presenting Sponsor of the Japan Series. General support of programs and exhibitions is provided by The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Hearts Foundation, Inc., Houston Endowment, Inc., the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, McKinsey & Company, Inc., National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, Vinson & Elkins LLP, and Mary Lawrence Porter, as well as Friends of Asia Society.
About Asia Society at Home
Though Asia Society is temporarily closed, we are dedicated to continuing our mission of building cross-cultural understanding and uplifting human connectivity. Using digital tools, we bring you content for all ages and conversations that matter, in order to spark curiosity about Asia and to foster empathy.
About Asia Society Texas Center
With 13 locations throughout the world, Asia Society is the leading educational organization promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among the peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and West. Asia Society Texas Center executes the global mission with a local focus, enriching and engaging the vast diversity of Houston through innovative, relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, education, and community outreach.