SFIAAFF30 closes this weekend with “Viette,” Mye Hoang’s feature debut about a young Vietnamese woman’s coming of age

Based on events from filmmaker Mae Hoang's life, "Viette" is the first feature film from a Vietnamese American female perspective addressing issues rarely discussed in Asian American culture. The film screens at SFIAAFF30 this weekend. Image courtesy: SFIAAFF

The 30th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF30)  closes its ten day run on Sunday with “Viette,” Mye Hoang’s poignant fature debut about a young Vietnamese-American woman who feels the pull of forbidden love and her parent’s pressure to stay close to her Vietnamese heritage.  Viette screens on Sunday, March 18 at 5:20 pm at San Jose’s Camera 3 Cinemas.  SFIAAFF30 is showcasing 102 of the very best new Asian American and Asian films and videos from around the globe, with 10 films making their global premieres.   The festival, a presentation of the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM,) is the largest of its kind in North America and offers many new sights and sounds, including cutting edge dramas, unflinching documentaries, innovative short films and videos, and special retrospective and revival programs.  Stay tuned to ARThound for an interview with Mye Hoang.

Festival Ticket Information:  Excluding special events, panels, galas and special screenings, advanced general admission tickets are $12. Students, seniors (65+) and disabled adults are $11 (Limit 1 per program with ID Only!). Tickets for Center for Asian American Media members are $10 (Limit 2 per program per ID). There is a $1.50 service charge for all tickets purchased online.

“Bouquets to Art”— Fabulous Flowers at San Francisco’s de Young Museum, through Saturday, March 17, 2012

“Bouquets to Art” is a glorious annual exhibition and fundraiser at San Francisco’s de Young Museum featuring floral arrangements created by leading designers in response to artworks in the museum’s permanent collection. Photo: courtesy FAMSF

As an avid gardener and art lover, I find endless inspiration in the de Young Museum’s annual Bouquets to Art, a five day extravaganza which transforms the museum’s hall and galleries into a fragrant and sensual display of blooming color and creativity.  This year, over 140 of the Bay Area’s most innovative and sought after floral designers have gathered to create a spectacular array of floral arrangements in the museum that respond to artworks in the museum’s permanent collections. Designs range from the stunningly simple to the elaborately complex, making this the museum’s most highly attended event.  In the 28 years since its inception, Bouquets to Art  has drawn over 650,000 visitors and raised nearly $5 million in net proceeds.  Proceeds from Bouquets to Art 2011 were used to fund, in part, Masters of Venice: Renaissance Painters of Passion and Power from the Kunsthistoriches Museum, Vienna, which was on view at the de Young through February 12, 2012.  Bouquets to Art also features engaging floral demonstrations by noted local, national and international floral designers, and luncheons and afternoon teas catered by McCalls that complement the flower-bedecked galleries and public spaces in the museum.  The event concludes on Saturday, March 17, with a raffle drawing of deluxe prizes that include jewelry, travel packages and other luxury items.

Schedule for the Rest of the Week:

Thursday, March 15: 

10 a.m: Floral Demonstration by Ron Morgan, East Bay floral designer, Koret Auditorium: 10 a.m. Tickets: $35 each; includes general admission to the museum.

9:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m: Floral exhibits

Noon:  Take a quiet break over a seated lunch or afternoon tea, catered by  McCalls in the Piazzoni Murals Room. Advance reservations are required as space is limited Lunch service at noon; individual tickets $55.  Tea service at 3 p.m.; individual tickets $35.

6 to 8 p.m:  Museum members only night

Friday, March 16:

9:30 am–8:45 pm: Floral exhibits

Saturday, March 17:

9:30 am–5:15 pm: Floral exhibits, raffle drawing

Visiting the de Young: Address: Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive San Francisco, CA 94118 (See Map)  Hours: Tuesday–Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 9:30 am–5:15 pm Friday: 9:30 am–8:45 pm; closed on Monday.

Bouquets to Art 2012 Ticketing: 

General admission allows access to all floral exhibits and special exhibition galleries. Tickets: $20 adults; $17 seniors; $16 youth 6-17; free children 4 and under & FAMSF members.  General admission tickets may be purchased in advance either online or in person at the museum box office during regular museum hours.  Advance tickets are required for the opening night gala, luncheons, floral demonstrations and afternoon teas. For more information and to order tickets, go to www.bouquetstoart.org.