and

 

conceptual theater

by Marcus Young

 

June 23-26

At the Red Eye Theater, 15 West 4^th Street, Minneapolis

Watch this space without us.

Watch this space without this building.

Watch this space without this time.

Watch this space without this space.

We know nothing.  Thank you.

                                                                   -excerpt from and

 

  and is conceptual theater that explores the performer-audience relationship.  An expression of Daoism translated for the state, it is quiet and amusing observation of what exists and reconsideration of what we know.  Reminiscent of the Book of Dao, the state text is poetic, simple, elusive, and profound.  Like the airy word itself, it is simultaneously nothing and inclusive of everything – excerpt from brochure

 

Marcus Young is a multidisciplinary conceptual artist.  He was born in Hong Kong and grew up in San Francisco and Des Moines.  He studied music at Carleton College and theater at the University of Minnesota.  As a theater artist, he has worked Penumbra Theater, Theater de la Jeune Lune, Children’s Theatre Company and Minnesota Opera.  His experimental video Phases has shown in festivals around the world.  A former Bush Artist Fellow, Marcus is currently developing site-specific work and writing poems for classified ads, fortune cookies, rubber stamps, and other unlikely places.

 

USCPFA is honored to be the Cultural Community Partner.  The activity is funded through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, through a appropriation  by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.  The Red Eye Theater offered support from Red Eye’s Isolated Acts Festival and Critical Core program.  

Marcus Young during the after-performance discussion 

with Kathleen Ryor, Associate Professor teaching Asian art history 

at Carleton College

                                                          ________________

USCPFA-MN hosted a Summer Picnic

On July 22, 2005, USCPFA-MN and CABAM hosted the largest group of Mingda Institute trainees ever to participate in a to participate in this program at the University of Minnesota China Center.  36 educators from China University of Mining and Technology located in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, attended a 20 day training program with the objective of learning more about higher education in Minnesota and the United States. To learn more about the university visit http://www.cumt.edu.cn/english/ .

 

A highlight of their visit was a summer picnic at Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton.  After a tough schedule of business and educational visits and U of M lectures, the group was ready for play time.  The warm summer afternoon, two canoes, sandy beaches and refreshing lake water put smiles on everyone's faces.  

 

 

USCPFA - MN 

co-sponsored with the 

The University of Minnesota China Center Friends 

a SPRING PICNIC on 

Sunday, May 15, 2005, 11 am – 2 pm, at Como Park, East Pavilion, St. Paul.

 

There was  traditional American style picnic foods and family friendly games, 

such as Frisbee, Jump rope contest, Hula Hoop contest, card games, volleyball, 

mini-soccer, Egg and Spoon race, and 3-legged race.

 

_____________________________

 

The Board of Directors

hosted a welcome dinner

for the newly appointed Consul for the Education Section

of the Consulate General in Chicago

Consul Bao Tongzeng

and his colleagues

Consul Xiong Sheng

Consul Zhu Hongqing

on Wednesday, March 30, 2005 

at the home of Mary Warpeha.  

Members were invited.

_____________________________

 

We welcomed the 

 

Year of the Rooster

 

with  

Members of CABAM,

the Chinese-American

Business Association of Minnesota

 

 

Sunday, January 30, 

5:00 Social, 6:00 Dinner, 7:15 Program

New Hong Kong Kitchen 

1192 Dale Street in St. Paul

 

Games, Drawings, and Entertainment 

___

Guest painting and calligraphy

of a Chinese ROOSTER with Bob Schmitt of Laughing Waters Studio

____

Chinese juggling sticks by Board member and juggler extraordinaire, 

Andy Edgar

______

15 members of the Minhua Chorus performed a wonderful medley

  of Chinese music popular during the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s in China

   

HARBIN #1 Middle School Visits South High School - Minneapolis

On a cold January evening, Board Members Jennie Hsiao, Roger Li and Mary Warpeha celebrated with the South High School of Minneapolis as they hosted students, teachers,  and administrators from the Sister School #1 Middle School of Harbin, Leilongjiang Province.  Students of South High and Harbin #1 Middle School were on the second phase of an exchange funded through the US China Discovery Exchange Initiative Project of the US State Department. South High students participated in an extended visit in the 2004 school year.   Mr. Dingman Yu, South High School Chinese language teacher, was the grant writer and facilitator or this wonderful exchange.  Harbin students lived in Minneapolis students' homes, attended classes, and lived a Minnesota student life for several weeks before leaving for a short tour of the United States.                         Students posing                           Board member,                Far right, South High Teacher, as students will                            Jennie Hsiao welcoming    Dingman Yu & Mary Warpeha for a camera                                the visitors                      with visitors

 

GOVERNMENT DELEGATION FROM MINNESOTA SISTER PROVINCE, SHAANXI PROVINCE

VISITS JANUARY 17-19, 2005

 

 

USCPFA-MN co-hosted with Global Volunteers seven delegates from Shaanxi provincial and county governments for a tour of the Twin Cites,  meeting with Bud Philbrook, President of Global Volunteers, meeting and lunch with China Center at the University of Minnesota, visit with legislators at the Minnesota State Capitol, visit to Green Institute and Clean Water Action Alliance.

 

Delegates were Bai Haochen, Vice Secretary General of Standing Committee of Shaanxi Provincial Peoples Congress, Mr. Zhong Gaoshi, Ms. Sun Guiran, Ms. Han Jing, Mr. Su Mingxi, Mr. Wang, Yunfei, Mr. Bai Titai, Mr. Zheng Jinsheng.

 

A Welcome Dinner was hosted by the Board of Directors of USCPFA-MN at the Szechuan Star Restaurant.

 

The Committee planning this event included:  USCPFA members, Bennett Dy, Andy Edgar, Mary Warpeha, and  Jim Swiderski:  Global Volunteer staff:  Jim Swiderski and Dawn Miller; China Center staff, Hong Yang and Yuedong Zhou; State Capitol contact, Sandy Keene; David Cheng and Shuxin Xu.

US - China Peoples Friendship Association of Minnesota seasonally publishes a newsletter entitled, THE BRIDGE.  The title of our publication aptly describes the role of USCPFA in relationships between countries and peoples of China and the United States.  

Since our founding in 1974, our efforts have been to bridge the many gaps between our countries.  This publication is a communication to our members in an attempt to keep members informed of current events and happenings in the Chinese and American communities.

The most recent edition of The Bridge was published in December, 2005.  The feature articles are presented below.

 

From Left:  Charles Lee, Connie Wang, Jean Wilhelm, Mary Warpeha, Michael Schumann, Jennie Hsiao, Governor Tim Pawlenty, Amyxu, Sophia Wang, Linda Mealey-Lohmann

USCPFA—Minnesota

President Reports on

Mission to China—2005

By Mary Warpeha

I participated in the Minnesota Mission to China – 2005 as President of USCPFA - Minnesota. The intent of the Board of Directors as they sent me forward was to raise awareness of USCPFA - Minnesota in the Minnesota Chinese community, the business and educational communities with interests in China, and the larger global community. USCPFA - Minnesota was the only participating cultural organization. Our mission of developing and strengthening friendship and understanding between peoples of the United States and China stood out boldly. “Network” was the directive given to me. Conscientiously I carried my USCPFA – Minnesota bilingual business card, a brochure of the organization and the garden, membership form, and willingness to share our message.

An early departure for Beijing allowed time to visit with design contacts of the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society at the Beijing Municipal Urban Planning Institute. Mr. Ma Liangwei and his colleagues took it upon themselves to assist me in walking off jet lag in the crisp, sunny air of gardens and parks. A highlight of this week was my accommodation in a boutique hotel in the Dongsi District. The traditional home with courtyard motif included a small garden, outside seating, huge red night lanterns, an imposing red gate which provided access off the tiny alley. Ask me about this delightful accommodation. I would be happy to provide a contact.

The Mission itinerary began with a trek up the Great Wall. It was inspiring to see dignitaries such as Governor Tim and First Lady Mary Pawlenty, University of Minnesota President Bob Bruininks, owners, executives, loyal employees of Minnesota educational and business enterprises accepting the challenge to tread the steep and uneven staircase – ascending and descending. We ended the day with a Street Market buffet in the Grand Hyatt Hotel talking to new and old acquaintances. This was the one and only day of leisure in what was a grueling schedule.

My compliments are extended here to Minnesota Trade Office Staff and especially Tony Lorusso for preparation and accomplishment of a remarkable Mission for 218 people attending 94 different events over six days. China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT0 was partner with the Minnesota Trade Office in planning and hosting this memorable mission.

As the program progressed, staff of the American Beijing Embassy and Shanghai Consulate gave informational presentations and fielded questions. The eight interest delegations had varying daily schedules which involved discussions on issues of intellectual property rights, finding business contacts and exercising due diligence to assure desirability/safety/profitability of relationships, learning of government legislative and enforcement in business in China, questioning how American businesses can operate when the visa process for Chinese counterparts is complicated and often futile.

As a member of the General Delegation, I toured the Shanghai Planning Museum, the Emerson Beijing Instrument Co., Ltd. and Seton Automotive Leather Manufacturing Facility. The two companies operate profitably with nearly total Chinese-national staffing. An astonishing figure of employee costs of $1-2 per hour including benefits brings reality to the threat/benefit of China in the world market. Minnesotans must be innovators to stay in the competitive market. Luncheons were working sessions for meeting resource people working in China as well as an introduction to the Chamber of Commerce which assists American businesses to thrive in a growing and relatively difficult economic environment.

At the request of USCPFA and Governor Pawlenty, the Minnesota Trade office invited officials of Minnesota’s Sister Relationships to attend a memorable evening banquet at the Great Hall of the People. Shaanxi, Harbin and Loudi sent large delegations. A private meeting, gift exchange, and photo session was provided for these groups by Governor Tim and First Lady Mary Pawlenty. Since USCPFA-Minnesota and its members have been instrumental in the formation and continuation of these relationships, our delegation was invited to participate.

USCPFA – Minnesota was well represented on the Mission. Full itinerary delegates included Linda Mealey-Lohmann who chaperoned students and introduced delegates to the Northern-style Chinese garden proposed for the Twin Cities, Hong Yang, Director of the University of Minnesota China Center, Amy Xu, Partner with Dorsey Whitney, LLP, Ruilin Li Corporate Attorney with Fredrickson & Byron PA, Jean Wilhelm, Partner in American Business Practices, Michael Schumann, Partner with Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson PC, Connie Wang, Attorney with Kelly and Fawcett PA. Many people joined the Mission for social events. USCPFA members at these events included Jennie Hsiao, Joan Brzezinski, Chang Wang, Sophia Wang, Ben Zhou, and Lili Pan. John Holden and Ma Liangwei were invited as guests of USCPFA – Minnesota.

In this issue, Linda Mealey-Lohmann and Jean Wilhelm share some of the highlights of their travels with the Minnesota Mission to China – 2005. As you may have noticed on the front page, a group of the delegates will be presenting a short skit during our Chinese New Year Banquet on January 15. Our special guests for this year will include delegates from the Mission. We have extended invitations to all the people and organizations involved. It should make for a very interesting evening of entertainment and conversation. Please join us!

 

Linda Mealey-Lohmann Traveled 

with Mission to China - 2005

Chaperone to Seven Minnesota Senior Students

Traveling to China with the Governor’s Mission was a new experience for me. Although this was my sixteenth trip to China, I still saw a side of China that I had not seen before. It was a flurry of five-star hotels and grand ballrooms, meetings with Chinese dignitaries and business people, luncheons featuring Governor Pawlenty as guest speaker, and networking receptions. Most interesting for me, however, was to see China through the eyes of the seven high school ambassadors who were selected to travel with the Mission. Their enthusiasm for China and the Chinese culture infected the entire delegation of 218 people and contributed much to the success of the trip.

Students contributed articles, photos, and videos to the Minnesota DEED website each evening during the trip. www.minnesota-china.com/Education. Each day the students were assigned to travel with one of the seven sub-delegation groups, which included IT, Environment, Medical, Education, Agriculture & Energy, Steel & Mining, and General. Based on what they had learned or observed that day, they wrote a journal entry about that designated topic. My job was to coordinate who was traveling with which sub-delegation each day and to make sure they completed their journal entries each evening. The students’ commitment was remarkable, sometimes staying up well past midnight to finish their submissions after rather long and hectic days.

I had the pleasure of traveling with students on special outings with the Governor or First Lady. One such memorable day I traveled with student Priya Sury to the First Lady’s meeting at the All-China Women’s Federation, a national organization dedicated to the advancement of Chinese women of all ethnic groups. We met with three key members of the organization, Ms. Zhao Shaohua, Ms. Zou Xiaoqioa, and Ms. Zhao Lirong. We had a very candid discussion about advancing women’s rights, empowering women by teaching basic skills, and balancing work and family. It was a very uplifting experience to learn that women have the same basic desires all across the globe.

Overall, I feel that it was very valuable to include the seven student ambassadors on this trip. At all times during the trip, the students exhibited a professionalism and genuine inquisitiveness that left a lasting impression on all who met them. All of the students had their eyes opened to our global community as they realized they are truly citizens of the world. They all agreed that this was a life-changing experience.

The future is in good hands if these students are representative of their generation.

Linda is Membership Chairperson & Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society Founding Board Member

 

The Trip

Reflections by Jean Wilhelm 

USCPFA - Minnesota Member, 

Partner in American Business Practices

There were long days, short nights, delayed flights, and few workouts that week but what an amazing trip! I felt so honored to be a part of the Governor’s Trade Mission to China in November and I continue to savor the moments. Following are some of the highlights for me:

The opportunity to see China – There is no amount of reading, talking, or seeing movies that can prepare a person for actually visiting China. It’s so big. The sheer masses of people, cars, and buildings is unbelievable and, when you start to think about the infrastructure that is needed to support all of this, well, that is simply overwhelming.

The other delegates – I learned as much from the other delegates as I did from the trade mission meetings and presenters. There was a lot of experience in that group and we had many opportunities to talk. What I particularly liked was that the various delegations mingled so well and people spent time getting to know one another. I have many new contacts and hope to work with several of them in the future.

The business resources – Each day offered new avenues for doing business in China. I hadn’t realized before the trip how much is available to us, much of it free to U.S. citizens. It will take me awhile to sift through my notes and determine if and how to use these resources.

The MTO staff – I have to acknowledge the effort made by the delegation coordinators and Tony Lorusso. It was clear that many hours and much work had been put into making this trip be the best it could be. I was always clear about the itinerary, the arrangements, and when the bus was leaving!

It took days to recover from this trip and to feel more like myself. I suppose it was as much from the months of anticipation and planning as from the jet lag itself. I am now following up with some of the contacts I made during the trip and with other delegates and look forward to the potential of these new relationships.

Regardless of what happens in the future, the trip for me was a big success and I will cherish the memories.

 

 

 

     If you would like to be informed of formal and informal opportunities to host visiting dignitaries, contact the USCPFA - MN Board of Directors by calling Mary Warpeha, 

at 651-638-0743 

or emailing USCPFA-MN  

     We often spend enjoyable evenings meeting new friends and learning about their careers and changes in modern day China.  

     PLEASE JOIN US!

******************

Committee planners, Linda Mealey-Lohmann and Margaret Wong challenge guests with triva questions and offer a wide array of gifts for correct answers

Board member Bennett Dy checks out the USCPFA T-shirt design held by Terri Seppala

Artist Bob Schmitt brought his calligraphy brushes and ink and offered guests an opportunity to draw a rooster character and silhouette 

Shaanxi delegation posing in the Minnesota Senate Chambers

Meeting with legislators

Visit with Hong Yang, Director of The China Center