Asian Avenue Magazine - April 2024

ASIAN AVENUE - PRESIDENT’S NOTE

Annie Guo VanDan, President

Asian Avenue magazine

Connect with us!

hello@asianavemag.com

@asianavemag

Join us on May 19 to celebrate this year’s Asian American Hero of Colorado awards ceremony to honor this year’s deserving recipients. More info: cacendenver.org.

As the presenting sponsor, Asian Avenue Magazine is excited to announce the second annual Mile High Asian Food Week. Our all-volunteer team invites you to join us from April 28 to May 4 to enjoy special deals and offerings across the Denver area. The goal of the food week is to elevate our community’s Asian-owned businesses and show them extra love as we kick off AANHPI Heritage Month in May. To see a list and map of participating vendors, visit milehighafw.com or follow @milehighafw.

Certainly local influencers, such as Aveeda with @eatdrinketc and Michelle with @itsnuwin will be enjoying the good eats and drinks of Mile High Asian Food Week. Follow them and other AANHPI Instagram creators in our area to stay in the know about the latest trends and hot spots in Colorado.

Congrats to Denver-based author Katerina Jeng for the publication of her new book Gospel of a Whole Sun. Pre-order on Amazon to get a poetic glimpse into her journey of self-discovery from grief and trauma to becoming whole again.

Lastly, did you know that Colorado currently does not have AAPI representation in our state legislature? If elected, Alyssa Nilemo, who is running for Colorado House District 44 in Douglas County, would be our state’s only AAPI representative! Learn more about her campaign at alyssa4colorado.com.

(Kaiseki Ryouri)

ASIAN AVENUE TEAM

Publisher & Founder

CHRISTINA YUTAI GUO

President

ANNIE GUO VANDAN Editorial Director

MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ

Graphic Designer/Videographer LIJIN ZHAO

Web Designer JASON ZHANG Staff Writer

JESSALYN LANGEVIN Staff Writer

PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG

on the cover

Celebrate this year’s Mile High Asian Food Week by supporting local Asian-owned businesses while enjoying their specials, discounts, and unique offerings from April 28-May 4.

Asian Avenue magazine (ISSN 1932-1449) reserves all copyrights to this issue. No parts of this edition can be reproduced in any manner without written permission. The views expressed in articles are the authors’ and not necessarily those of Asian Avenue magazine

Looking to promote your business? Asian Avenue magazine offers businesses a costeffective way to reach consumers in the Denver/Boulder metro areas and beyond. For more information, call 303.937.6888 or e-mail us at hello@asianavemag.com for our media kit and ad rates. Send story ideas to hello@asianavemag.com.

Asian Avenue magazine is in association with the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network.

IN THIS ISSUE

7 CU DENVER EVENTS

10 COVER STORY: Mile High Asian Food Week returns in its second year of celebrating Asian food and drink

14 FEATURE: Social media influencers and content creators share their local recommendations on hot spots

16 SPOTLIGHT: Japanese American Alyssa Nilemo sets outs to become Colorado’s only AAPI state representative in her run for State District 44 in Douglas County 10

ASIAN AVENUE MAGAZINE

P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222 Tel: 303.937.6888

E-mail: hello@asianavemag.com www.asianavemag.com

18 MUSIC: Jade Oracle is on stage for several upcoming performances to share their mystical music

20 BOOK: The Night of the Storm captivates readers with its murder mystery plot

21 BOOK: Local community activist and poet Katerina Jeng publishes first book Gospel of a Whole Sun

22 ON SCENE: International Women’s Day celebrates achievements of women

23 ENTERTAINMENT: Trailblazer Heroes game releases nationwide

MILE HIGH ASIAN FOOD WEEK RETURNS FOR SECOND YEAR WITH 100 PARTICIPATING VENDORS

From April 28 to May 4, 2024, the week-long event will celebrate Colorado’s growing AANHPI culinary scene with participating vendors offering specials, deals, and secret menu items at their establishments. Pop-up events and collaborations will also take place between businesses throughout the week.

Powered by Asian Avenue Magazine, Mile High Asian Food Week (MHAFW) returns in 2024 to celebrate Colorado’s growing Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) culinary scene.

During the food week, the local community can experience different AANHPI cuisines from participating businesses and receive insider perks including special discounts, secret menu items, and specialty menus.

“While Colorado’s AANHPI culinary scene may not be as top of mind as some of our counterparts on the coasts and larger cities, there are standout talents and hidden gems that truly make the state a great place to

enjoy diverse cuisine,” says MHAFW Founder Joanne Liu.

“Our mission at Mile High Asian Food Week is not only to put a spotlight on these AANHPI-owned food and beverage establishments but to celebrate their contributions which have added flavor and culture to the dining scene.”

MHAFW will take place at more than 100 participating locations across the state from Longmont to Castle Rock. See some of the vendors on the following pages and get the final list and a map on the MHAFW website at: milehighafw.com. Email milehighafw@gmail.com with any questions. Happy eating and drinking!

Adobo & MoonRise Garden Bar | Catch Adobo Food Truck for their Filipino-Mexican flavors and enjoy their famous chicken adobo or lumpia at MoonRise Garden Bar in Wheat Ridge, along with other featured food trucks.

Anise | The Capitol Hill restaurant is named after star anise, which is native to northeast Vietnam that is commonly used in savory dishes such as pho. Quyen Trinh, Anise’s owner and executive chef is passionate about showcasing the highly diverse food culture in Vietnam by introducing eclectic but extremely tasty Vietnamese dishes, like Gỏi Gá, Traditional Vietnamese chicken salad and Chả Cá Lã Vọng, a Hanoi fish dish with turmeric, galangal, and ginger served on a skillet with rice noodles.

Asian House of Pastries (AHOP) is a cottage bakery that specializes in traditional Asian desserts. Founder Melissa Chang opened AHOP after moving from NYC to Denver, longing for old school Chinese bakeries that made fragrant pastries from her childhood. Her hunt for these desserts led her to her own kitchen. All its desserts and pastries are made-toorder and available for porch pickup or shipping.

Coffee Sarap is a mobile beverage cart dedicated to sharing locally roasted coffee infused with gourmet flavors and cultural Filipino influences (think Pandan and Ube Lattes or Mestiza, Filipino-style Horchata). Owners Chelsey and Hannah started Coffee Sarap because of the lack of representation of Filipinos in the food and beverage industry in Colorado and saw their mobile beverage cart as an opportunity to share their culture through craft beverages.

Colorado Cocoa Pod was started in 2019 by Chocolatier Liane Pensack-Rinehart, who wanted to create beautiful and delicious bonbons that weren’t too sweet, and also encompassed Asian flavors of desserts she grew up eating. At almost five years old, Colorado Cocoa Pod not only makes bonbons, but other chocolate confections like tablets, hot chocolate neko spoons, dragees (chocolate covered malt

balls and dried fruits), and more! Everything is handcrafted and made with Fair Trade chocolate and quality ingredients. The chocolate-maker does not have a physical storefront but sells items online and participates in pop-ups and events throughout the year.

DABOBA opened in December 2022 in downtown Denver with the goal of creating a welcoming gathering space for the neighborhood. DABOBA offers artisanal Taiwanese boba along with unique and innovative espresso and tea-based beverages that always use the highest quality and freshest ingredients. Most items are made from scratch, from their house-made yogurt, delicious Crème Brule, fresh watermelon juice or Ube jam which starts with grated Ube, coconut milk and few other ingredients and then simmered down for an hour.

The Enchanted Oven is a Japanese-style bakery in Broomfield. Born and raised in Japan, owner Maki Fairbanks would visit her homeland with her daughter after moving to U.S., falling in love with Japanese custard buns. After their return, Maki began a decades-long study of baking, specifically Japanese-style cakes and pastries that are lighter, fluffier, and less sweet, while also acclimating to high altitude baking. The result is The Enchanted Oven, a labor of love.

HoneyBee Asian Bistro & Sushi

in Aurora opened in 2007, specializing in Chinese and Thai food. Co-owners Cindy and Helen have been best friends for over 15 years with Cindy manning the kitchen and Helen taking front of house duties. Everything at HoneyBee is made from scratch from the dumplings to the sauces. In 2023 the restaurant added sushi to their menu, led by Chef Felix who previously worked at famed restaurants such as Nobu and Nozawa Bar. At HoneyBee, Chef Felix expresses his creativity and passion for Japanese cuisine through food.

Kids Table is a mobile food business that provides plant-based versions of various childhood staples, allowing for more approachable vegan options. What started with homemade cheese sauce for mac and cheese and nachos has turned into more expansive dishes that highlight owner Melissa Mooney’s Filipino heritage (think tofu pancit and Beyond Lumpia) and gives Filipino vegans a taste of home.

Kokoro Restaurant - Arvada and Denver

This family-run restaurant started in 1986 with the goal of exposing Americans to traditional everyday cuisine. District Manager Mas Torito credits his Panamanian mother for much of the restaurant’s success, as both a hospitality professional and face of the restaurant. With a number of employees that have been with Kokoro for 20+ years, Kokoro continues to provide quick, healthy and delicious Japanese dishes, like curry bowls, ramen, and sushi to the greater public.

Lucky Noodles | Originally from Bangkok, Ploy Limpapath found that she was often homesick in Colorado, missing her grandmother’s delicious cooking. She opened Lucky Noodles in Northeast Denver as an homage to her grandmother’s recipes, with dishes like Khao Soi, Tom Yum Noodle Soup, and red and green curries, featuring some ingredients brought back from Thailand. Grandmother’s love can be tasted in each dish, as well as Ploy’s playful encouragement of each guest to finish their last bites—just four more bites and you’re done!

MAKfam opened last November and ever since the fine casual Chinese restaurant, in which Chef Kenneth Wan was a recent James Beard nominee, has taken the Denver dining community by storm. Step inside MAKfam and you’ll be transported to an ABC (American Born Chinese) cultural journey that Wan and his wife and co-owner Doris Yuen have curated, blending influences from Chinese pop stars and NYC culture. You’ll wonder if you stepped inside a Hong Kong noodle parlor—and you’ll want to stay for the Sizzling Spicy Noodles.

Milk T Boba House | Co-owner Van An Tran is part of the growing Denver AAPI food culture, curating a menu with modern takes on classic bubble tea, fresh ingredients, and specialty teas sourced directly from Taiwan.

Moge Tee | Originating from China, Moge Tee is more than boba. They offer authentic high quality loose leaf teas that are brewed fresh daily. Teas come in many forms and flavors so Moge Tee aims to introduce customers to its authentic flavors through their blends and a combination of fresh fruits.

Mukja is a Korean fusion food truck that puts a creative twist to traditional Korean flavors. The family-run operation, who also won Food Network’s Food Truck Prize Fight last year, serves up delectable creations such as Korean Street Cheese Dogs and TTPC (Taiwanese Tteokbokki Popcorn Chicken).

Olive & Finch is a “fine-casual” eatery, blending the chef-crafted quality and ingredients of a fine-dining kitchen with the convenience of a fast-casual café. From familiar favorites to globally influenced flavors, everything is made 100% from scratch with real, whole ingredients for a delightful, energetic, and refreshing experience. Olive & Finish has since grown to multiple concepts that now fall under the Olive & Finch Collective, a family of eateries such as Olive & Finch and cafés, Little Finch, featuring chef-crafted gourmet fare made fast and affordable. Olive & Finch is owned by Mary Nguyen formerly of Parallel Seventeen and Street Kitchen Asian Bistro who is a first generation Vietnamese American.

Pho King Rapidos (PKR) started as a food trailer in 2020 that has since moved into Avanti Food & Beverage in Lower Highland. When you head over to Avanti, make sure to try PKR’s pho. PKR walks the line of tradition and innovation by roasting the bones to provide an additional depth of flavor in its pho. From there, it’s additional touches are to fry the spices in beef tallow and add that tallow to the pho for a slight spiced fat content that adds a richness to the broth. Finally, is their use of brisket—a protein that blends Chef Long Nguyen’s American and Vietnamese influences.

RiceBoxx Denn is a pop-up/catering business that brings elevated Cambodian and Filipino dishes that co-owners Lariza Amon and Pannah Son grew up with. The duo also works at Pho King Rapidos on the management team. Thus it only makes sense that the two worlds will merge for Mile High Asian Food Week where both concepts will have collaborative featured items on their menus.

Rising Tiger | Chef and owner Devin Keopraphay describes Rising Tiger as an “Asian-ish” diner and deli with a focus on brunch (think items like Scallion Pancake with egg foo young patty and gruyere or Japanese waffles stuffed with seasonal offerings). Based in Longmont, Rising Tiger utilizes local farms and ingredients whenever possible and you can find them at farmer’s markets in Louisville, Longmont, and Boulder throughout the summer.

Roll It Up Sushi has been open for eight years servicing the city of Denver and beyond, specializing in quick and delicious sushi rolls. Every order is made fresh with plenty of gluten-free, vegan and non-dairy options.

Sesame Sandwiches opened in the Whittier neighborhood last December offering Bánh Mì and breakfast sandwiches. Unlike the traditional Bánh Mì bread, Sesame Sandwiches uses an artisan baguette that doesn’t crumble and offers up an enjoyable bite.

Sweet Daruma Tea Wagon is a family-run food truck specializing in soda, tea and boba/milk tea. Drawing from their Asian heritage, Sweet Daruma’s beverages are heavily influenced by traditional ingredients with a modern twist while prioritizing low sugar and low-lactose milk choices. Teas and milk teas are uniquely cold brewed, while their coffee is made from traditional Vietnamese drip methods.

Taeko-san Takeout is a pop-up and delivery service, which will also be at the City Park Farmer’s Market this summer, in Denver that creates Japanese Classics with new flavors specializing in fresh Japanese mochi. Named after Chef and Owner Madeline Dunhoff’s grandmother Taeko, her dishes use her grandmother’s recipes combined with Madeline’s pastry background to bring you unique mochi flavors such as Pistachio Cannoli, Fruity Pebbles, and Black Sesame Irish Coffee.

Teahee | Cat Doan has more than 20 years of experience in bubble teas and loose-leaf teas having learned from Taiwanese tea masters. She opened Teahee with a foundation of pure passion for artistry and premium, authentic tea leaves. This commitment to quality, from leaf to pearl, guarantees a tea experience that is reflective of the culture and delightful to the palate. The boba pearls are hand-selected to ensure optimal texture and consistency. The loose-leaf blends are mixed based on the recipes that Cat created throughout her career in tea.

Welton Room is a lounge restaurant that brings a sensual and elegant social space to Five Points and downtown Denver. Combining modern American small

plates and tapas with a global twist and imaginatively crafted libations, step inside the restaurant’s lush environment to enjoy cocktails with liquid nitrogen, mussels poached in chorizo butter and Chinese red belly bao buns.

Wild Taco Denver offers traditional Mexican fare with delicious classic tacos at its core, flavored with the unexpected Korean and other Asian influences such as Bulgogi Taco and Ahi Poke Nacho. Both locations, Governor’s Park and Berkeley, are participating in Mile High Asian Food Week.

Wong Way Veg is a food truck and catering business launched in 2014 with a passion to prove that plant-based food can be creative, fulfilling, and not at all bland and boring as it’s so often depicted.

Yomie’s Rice X Yogurt | Originating from Australia, Yomie’s Rice X Yogurt is one of the leading yogurt shop brands in Asia. Yomie’s yogurt is made fresh daily, ensuring only the finest quality of yogurt. Purple rice is another popular ingredient used, which offers a sweet, chewy texture, high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants.

Yonggung is a Korean and Chinese fusion restaurant in Aurora serving Korean soul food to Coloradans for the past ten years. When it comes to Korean soul food, think of items like Jjam Bong (spicy noodle soup with squid, shrimp, mussles, pork, shrimp and vegetables), Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork but Korean style), and Ja Jang Myeon (black bean noodles).

Please note this is not the full list. Visit milehighafw.com to see all of the participating vendors and their offerings for Mile High Asian Food Week (April 28 - May 4).

LOCAL INFLUENCERS UNVEILED: Instagram Accounts to Follow

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz @jeneverre

Success on Instagram can be defined in various ways depending on one’s goals, but generally, influencers hope to create content that their audiences engage with. Here are some practices that many Instagram creators advise:

Consistent Posting: Regular and consistent posting helps keep audiences engaged. This doesn’t mean to post multiple times a day, but having a predictable posting schedule can help maintain and grow your followers.

Quality Content: Posting visually appealing and high-quality content is crucial. This could include well-composed photos, eye-catching graphics, or engaging videos. This type of content depends on the niche or the message you’re hoping to convey.

Engagement with Followers: Responding to comments, messages, and engaging with one’s audience builds a sense of community. Interaction fosters a stronger connection between you and your followers, and it can also boost one’s content in the Instagram algorithm.

Storytelling: Instagrammers often tell a story through their content. Whether it’s through captions, images, or videos, a compelling narrative can captivate audiences and make content more memorable.

Follow @asianavemag to stay in the know!

Laura Young @newdenizen

Chinese American

After leaving New York and moving to Denver, Laura Young turned to Instagram to rebuild her network of friends and discover Denver’s dining scene.

“I also hoped it would be a way for me to connect with other people, who have similar interests,” she said.

In addition to her Instagram feed, she also began a blog, back in 2016, at newdenizen.com. While covering local restaurants, Young focused on BIPOC and women-led businesses.

“Additionally, I love sharing my story as a former New Yorker now living in Denver, reflecting on the experience of relocating,” she said. “I invest a lot of time and effort in creating original content and photography for my Instagram account and blog because I really want to offer something unique that you won’t find anywhere else.”

Moving forward into 2024, Young is highlighting restaurants, cooks, chefs offering unique dining trends in Denver, from fine dining to family-owned enterprises. Already, she has received

compliments from local chefs about her honest perspectives. Her newest discovery is learning more about zero proof cocktail programs.

“I don’t drink alcohol—I get Asian flush,” she confided, expressing excitement about the newest trend of non-alcoholic libations.

In a previous life, Young confessed to her former role as a music blogger. In addition to local restaurant feeds, she also follows Steve Birnbaum’s Instagram account @thebandwashere

“He delves deeply into the narratives behind some of music’s most renowned album covers and photos, tracking down the exact locations where the iconic images were captured,” she explained. “It is amazing work.”

Her other favorite social pages include: @thedenverurbanist and @asiangirlsignite.

In addition to creating content for her Instagram account, she also spends time managing a Facebook group called “I Moved to Denver.”

Creativity drew Kelsey Kawamoto to Instagram and TikTok.

“I absolutely love capturing, editing, and sharing my food, travel, and lifestyle content with my audience,” she said.

“I have met so many new friends and built relationships with small businesses and other creators in my city by posting on social media.”

She focuses on amazing food, new restaurants, events, and life in Denver. As a traveler, she also shares her lifestyle experiences and food. Her goal is

showcasing her personal, artistic perspective when creating content, building relationships within her community, and inspiring her audience to try new experiences.

Kawamoto encourages her audience to follow accounts that create content around food and lifestyle in Denver such as @kweenzo, @itsnuwin, and @kikiswirlzz

“We often create content together, which makes every experience even more fun,” she said.

In addition to Instagram, she also favors TikTok. “It’s a platform that can reach millions of people in an instance and you really find your niche there,” Kawamoto shared.

Her diverse background provides her room to create a variety of content. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, she enjoys her multi-racial ethnicity. “It is so special to be part of so many cultures in one family!”

In 2019, Aveeda Goodall began her social media feed when she left northern Virginia and moved to Colorado. Before she began her social media feed, she already was sharing photos with her family and friends. She wanted to explore restaurants and local business throughout Aurora, Denver, and neighboring suburbs. It started off sharing with her personal friends but expanded to welcoming the foodie community in Denver.

Her social feed included food, drinks, restaurants, and local businesses in metropolitan Denver.

“I also share fun new spaces and activities, and if I’m traveling, I’ll share some of my faves, too,” she said. “My focus is just to showcase all the wonderful local food

and small businesses that I come across in the area, especially in Aurora where I live.”

Goodall is focused on businesses that are not widely known, many of them are Asian or minority-owned popups and food trucks.

Her favorite Instagram feeds include: @VisitAurora and @OnHavanaStreet.

“If I can expose the rest of Denver to them, then I’m a happy gal,” she said.

Her advice to those curious about starting a social media feed is that it’s never too late. “You WILL find people out there who are just as excited about whatever it is that you are sharing, and it will be a beautiful thing.”

Aveeda Goodall, 41 @eatdrinketc

Kelsey Kawamoto, 31 @kelseykawamoto

Hapa (Japanese/Polish/Russian American)

Nicole McCoy Photography

From the Hip Photo

In April 2022, digital creator Michelle Nguyen created her social media feed as a way to overcome her homesickness for her country and living far away from her family. She pinpointed to also being far away from her Asian community.

“Denver felt different. For the first time, I found myself surrounded by people who didn’t quite look like me, or have the same lived experiences, sharing the same food or celebrating the same holidays,” she said. “For the first time, I was the minority.”

As an international student Nguyen navigated changes and moves numerous times before coming to Colorado. Growing up in Vietnam but then moving to California gave her a sense of comfort, as she moved into a new community that also had a strong Asian presence and influence.

With her Vietnamese comfort food, she learned to cope and make connections with friends. “For me, food was never just about sustenance, it was a

Michelle Nguyen, 25 @itsnuwin Vietnamese American

love language shared with my parents, intricately woven into my culture, tradition, and identity.”

She discovered restaurants in Denver, specifically on Federal Avenue and checked out Aurora during the weekends. She introduced her Asian food to her co-workers and convinced them to join her on her personal culinary journey around Colorado.

“For the most part, they loved everything that I brought back and were genuinely intrigued by what the Denver Asian food scene offered (to diners),” she said. “I began by sharing stories on my Instagram feed, and the responses poured in with questions like ‘where is this?’ and ‘how is it?’”

Through her discovery, she realized there was no shortage of Asian restaurants in Denver and Aurora. However, she also grasped that mainstream media did not cover the Asian restaurant scene adequately to her satisfaction.

“These places don’t have an allocat-

ed marketing budget,” she said.

Because of the concern, she began a TikTok channel, hoping to bring more awareness to the incredible Asian culinary scene of Denver and Aurora. When she first started her social feeds, she focused on hot pot. Her Instagram gained traction when followers realized she was the “hot pot girl.”

For the upcoming year, she is hoping to champion AAPI businesses, specifically those situated on Federal Boulevard. “Additionally, I’m excited about transitioning into more lifestyle-oriented content and sharing a little bit more about who I am outside of my passion for food,” she said. “I want to demystify Asian cuisine and create content that makes people feel more comfortable exploring the rich flavors and cultural diversity that it has to offer.”

She also enjoys reading, traveling, and curating playlists in her free time. She loves animals, confessing to having over 100 pets in her lifetime.

Alyssa Nilemo advocates for courageous leadership in Colorado House District 44

Alyssa Nilem, a fourth generation Coloradan who grew up in Jefferson County, is running for Congress House District 44. Her family arrived with the railroad and laid down roots to become farmers in the San Luis Valley.

“I spent my early career in the care industry working in early childhood education, hospice care and disability services,” said Nilemo.

“Even when I changed career paths into government administration I never lost sight of the people who make up the community and the importance of serving them.”

She would later work in a City Manager’s Office as an Aide and for the State of Colorado in higher education, which informed her belief in the importance of local governance.

Nilemo continued: “I know from experience that the government is meant to serve the community, and that this gets lost when we don’t put people before politics, distracting us from the local issues.”

“Seeing families struggle to afford childcare, working families pulling doubles to try and gain access to higher education and our elders getting lost in the healthcare system led me to return to school to pursue a degree in Political Science.”

Living in Douglas County with her husband Korey, she is running for Colorado House District 44. If elected, Nilemo would be the only Asian American in Colorado’s state legislature.

On March 23, the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community hosted a fundraising dinner for Nilemo.

Community leaders including Annie VanDan, Gary Yamashita, and Harry Budisidharta presented stories about Nilemo and why her run for office is significant to the AAPI community. Nilemo was revered for her decades long leadership and volunteerism in the Asian American and Japanese American community, which led to her receiving the Asian American Hero of Colorado Award in 2022.

Nilemo spoke to the guests about her passion to serve the Douglas County community and what she will be up against this election year. The primary will occur on June 25, 2024, and then the general election will be on November 5, 2024. Members of the Colorado House of Representatives serve twoyear terms.

Dr. Larry Chan, Alyssa Nilemo, Melly Kinnard, Linda Yip, and Jimmy Yip

Fundraiser hosts (from left): Annie VanDan, Patrick Walton, and Harry Budisidharta

Alyssa Nilemo shared why she decided to run for office and her plans for her district in Parker, Colo.

Soulful Alchemy of Jade Oracle: AAPI Fusion Band

Redefining Neo Soul in Colorado

In the heart of Colorado’s vibrant music scene, there exists a band that not only captivates audiences with their soulful melodies but also embodies the essence of diversity and inclusion. This eclectic ensemble, comprised of members from the 2SLGBTQ+ community, people of color, and femme-identifying individuals, weaves a tapestry of enchanting sounds that defy conventional genres. With each note, they transcend boundaries, creating a space where listeners are transported into a realm of mystical music.

In a world often plagued by division, Jade Oracle is testament to the power of unity and creative expression. Through their soulful, witchy jazz, they invite listeners to embrace their true selves and connect on a deeper level. With each performance, they not only entertain but also inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the Colorado music scene and beyond.

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Photo Credit: Kyla Fear

Jade Oracle is a bewitching potion of neo-soul, jazz, and siren songs to appease the Void. Led by the creative nexus of high priestess Coy Lim (Vox and Keys), synth sage Jake Alvarez (Guitar, MIDI Guitar), and dimension dealer Calvin Davis (Drums) their music has enthralled audiences across the US. Asian Avenue Magazine interviewed Lim, who is of Chinese-Filipino descent, about the creation of this musical troupe.

Tell us about Jade Oracle.

We call ourselves “Witchy neo-soul to appease the Void.” The Void for me, Coy, is the existential void I feel that we shout into releasing our music as independent artists.

For Calvin and Jake, the Void that they choose to appease is their sweet black cats, Meuki and Vulf. To us, music is alchemy. It’s the transfiguration of our pain, emotion, and lived experience into song and connection. We make music to feel each other and heal each other.

We’ve only been together as a band for almost two years, but it’s been such a great experience being able to make music we love with people we love. Because we are so diverse, and because we understand the power of community, we love to use our music to create communal space with the AAPI, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, musician, and artist communities.

Jade is a precious stone in Chinese culture (my ancestry) and symbolizes longevity, wealth, virtue, and eternity. Oracles are believed to divine the future from energetic clues given to them in

the present. Together, they are a powerful combination that symbolize many of our hopes for this band: To make music that is timeless, thoughtful, and transcendent. To make music that allows people to feel heard when they hear us, no matter the time or place.

Why Denver?

Many of our members have lived in Colorado for most of their lives, Zoe came here from Argentina for school, and I (Coy) moved here from Nebraska after college to find a place where I could sustain a living as a musician. The reasons many of us stay here include the vibrant music and arts communities, the gorgeous nature at our doorstep, and the beautiful history of the different cultures that have shaped the arts scene here and made this place special. Some of the best musicians we know live here, and we’re privileged to create with them at jam sessions, and to be able to collaborate freely with each other.

How are you different from other bands? How do you stand out?

Like many bands, making incredible music that comes from the heart is our main focus. However, even though we have been together only a short time, we have proven that we are community builders. Our shows are a welcome place for everyone, and a safe space for marginalized people and people of the global majority. We are one of Denver’s most diverse bands, Four of the six of us are members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community,

Upcoming Performances

May 4, 2024 at 100 Nickel in Broomfield | Our opener will be Liv Roumel, celebrating “May the 4th be with you” day with some of Colorado’s finest witchy women of neo-soul. Jade Oracle will have some intergalactic surprises during their set, and will get to play a full two hours, so you can hear all the sonic spells we’ve been brewing for our fans!

May 17, 2024 at Dazzle in the Denver Center of Performing Arts | We were one of the last bands to play their old space (on Lincoln Street) before they relocated last year, so we are excited to play at one of the finest jazz clubs in Colorado once again.

July 26 to 28, 2024 at Underground Music Showcase | We are excited to return here for a second year. We’ve only been a band since 2022, so it’s an honor to have been played at this iconic and historic festival, highlighting so many of Colorado’s most incredible musicians.

Learn more and get tickets at jadeoraclemusic.com.

and four of the six of us are people of color, and half of us are femme-identifying.

Being from such different backgrounds has allowed us to divine our own unique perspective and sound when we come together. Additionally, Coy, who the band was originally named after (we used to be Coy Lim and her Halo-Halo Band back in 2022) considers herself to be a “hedge witch” in the music community. She wasn’t trained like the rest of the members in a formal music education setting and learned almost everything on her own before attending college for music composition. Therefore, her writing process is rather unique, and has provided the framework for a large amount of the music the band has released.

Where can fans purchase your music?

The best place to purchase our recordings is from our website, but we also love it when folks support us on band camp! Additionally, we have special CDs and ritual candles that we are selling at our upcoming shows if fans want unique physical mementos of our work.

We will release our last single from our CD, called Talkin’ @ Ya, a feminist anthem for every person who is tired of superficial connection and attraction. Many of us grew up listening to this radio station jazz odyssey taught some of us what was really cool back when we were growing up, so this is a dream come true for us!

Follow Jade Oracle on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and BandCamp @jadeoraclemusic.

The Night of the Storm wraps up immigrant family drama in a murder mystery novel

From debut author Nishita Parekh, a fresh take on the classic locked-room thriller, about a multigenerational Indian American family marooned in a house with a murderer during Hurricane Harvey.

Hurricane Harvey is about to hit Houston. Meanwhile, single mom Jia Shah is already having a rough week: her twelve-year-old son, Ishaan, has just been suspended from school for getting in a fight. Still reeling from the fallout of her divorce—their move to Houston, her family’s disapproval, the struggle to make ends meet on her own—now Jia is worried about Ishaan’s future, too. Will her solo parenting be enough? Doesn’t a boy need a father?

And now their apartment complex is under a mandatory evacuation order. Jia’s sister, Seema, has invited them to hunker down in her fancy house in Sugar Land, and despite Jia’s misgivings—Seema’s husband, Vipul, has been just a little too friendly with her lately—Jia concedes it’s probably the best place to keep Ishaan safe during the hurricane. When Vipul’s brother and his wife show up on Seema’s doorstep, too, it’s a recipe for disaster. Grandma, the family matriarch, has never been shy about playing favorites among her sons and their wives. As the storm escalates, tensions rise quickly, and soon someone’s dead. Was it a horrible accident or is there a murderer in their midst?

With no help available until the floodwaters recede in the morning, Jia must protect her son and identify the culprit before she goes down for a crime she didn’t commit—or becomes the next victim.

Nishita Parekh was born and raised in Mumbai and now lives in Texas with her husband and toddler. She is an active member of International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers of Color, and Sisters in Crime, and is a #RevPit contest winner. The Night of the Storm, a national bestseller, is her first novel.

What compelled you to write this novel?

I was living in a second-story apartment in Houston when Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in August 2017. Several relatives living nearby ended up hunkering down at my place. One family was even rescued in a boat!

We were fortunate to sustain no damage from the hurricane and I had a good time with my family, but the experience gave me an idea of creating a locked room thriller about an Indian family trapped during a hurricane.

What do you hope the readers walk away with?

I hope readers learn about the life of immigrants in the United States and get insights into issues faced by women in Indian culture. Additionally, I hope that my South Asian community feels proud to see a narrative centered around Indians. Lastly, I wish this inspires and encourages other South Asian writers to try to publish their stories. Indian culture is not a monolith and I’m excited to read more stories about our lives.

Learn more about author Nishita Parekh at nishitaparekhauthor.com

What was the publishing experience like?

I signed with my wonderful agent Lori Galvin in 2022 and after going through a round of editorial revisions, we sold the novel to Penguin Random House at auction. The book published in January this year and it’s been a dream. It was so surreal to see the novel debut on the USA Today Bestseller list! But more rewarding than anything else has been the feedback from South Asian readers who love seeing themselves represented in mainstream fiction.

What are your favorite go-to novels for relaxation?

The Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella and the Bridget Jones series by Helen Fielding are my all-time favorite novels for relaxation.

Who are your favorite writers?

My favorite author is Gillian Flynn. Her novel Gone Girl is a perfect example of propulsive plotting mixed with insightful social commentary. I also love writers with a distinct voice like Kelleye Garett, Amina Akhtar and Parini Shroff.

What are your future goals?

I hope to keep writing more stories in the crime fiction genre and prove that there is a market for diverse narratives.

What do you do for inspiration and creativity?

I usually watch shows like Gilmore Girls on repeat to de-stress, and I’m often brainstorming story ideas or thinking about characters while doing chores like laundry and dishwashing.

Author, Katerina Jeng

From community activist and poet Katerina Jeng, a lyric exploration of the author’s journey back to her voice, her power, and the truest version of herself.

Gospel of a Whole Sun is a moving collection of poetry chronicling one woman’s journey of self-discovery over the course of three pivotal years. It documents the aftermath of a traumatic breakup, navigating anti-Asian violence during a global pandemic, coming out, and, ultimately, falling in love with life again.

A joyous and inspired debut from a gifted creator and healer, Gospel of a Whole Sun is a poignant look at the relationship of art-making to personal liberation.

Katerina Jeng’s poetry collection navigates her journey of selfdiscovery and healing

Gospel of a Whole Sun is available for pre-order and comes out on May 7, 2024. Follow Katerina’s author journey on Instagram @katerinajeng. Visit katerinajeng.com/gospel-of-a-whole-sun for pre-order links and book tour dates.

What was your writing journey like from start to publish?

I started writing Gospel of a Whole Sun in the summer of 2019 after a traumatic breakup. I opened up a blank page on my laptop and kept a long, scrolling document of whatever came through me—it was my way of making sense of what I was experiencing during a time that felt disorienting and groundless. After some time, I realized I was writing poems—a genre I’d never written in before. I now say that poetry found me.

Over the following three years, I kept writing as I moved through a challenging, beautiful, and powerful journey of self-discovery. I learned the intricacies of who I am, how I work, and the gifts I have to share with the world.

I awakened to my queer identity and limitless nature thanks to my queer friends, whom I consider to be my teachers. My heart was broken by the violence against our communities, and I wrote through this grief—using poetry as my path to self-actualization, love, and liberation.

My writing journey to publication has been organic and full of ease, which leads me to believe that I’m living out my soul’s true path and purpose. I know I endured the challenges in my life so that I could learn how to heal, and in turn, share this healing with the world.

What do you hope people get from the book/poems?

My hope is that the book is a blueprint for people to awaken to their own magic—the enormous power we all contain from being our authentic selves, shining our unique light, and living from a place of deep, revolutionary love. I was able to transform my grief, pain, and trauma into light, beauty, and art—and you can see this alchemy happen in real-time from the book’s start to finish.

I want people to know that we all possess this power to create new life from destruction and violence. And in fact, your ability to do this is urgently needed—it is the basis for building a new paradigm world where all living beings are protected and honored.

When you connect with your body, what brings you joy? And where does it hurt?

When I connect with my body, my true essence brings me joy. My spirit is pure love, joy, and gratitude for this life and the blip of time I have on Earth. I’ve come to learn that anytime I experience an especially dark type of fear or anxiety, it actually doesn’t belong to me—and writing as a conscious practice has helped me distinguish what is mine versus what isn’t.

There is an area in between my shoulder blades that carries pain. In my past life, my life was ended for speaking up, through wounds to my back and gut. My lineage also consists of matriarchs and healers (called babaylans, or pre-colonial Philippine priestesses) who weren’t able to speak their truths due to heteropatriarchy and colonization.

This ancestral pain lives here, in my back—but this area is also where I can access the strength and power of the thousands of ancestors who are protecting me, guiding my journey, and speaking through me with this book.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

The Colorado Nepalese Community in collaboration with Share Mission International celebrated an International Women’s Day event with Aurora’s international community on March 9 at Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club in Aurora.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 was “Inspire Inclusion.” It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women around the world. It’s also time to recommit to the work that lies ahead in forging an equitable, inclusive society and workplaces.

The event was inaugurated by Aurora Police Department Chief Heather Morris in a Nepalese style by lighting an oil lamp in front of Lord Ganesha. In Nepali culture, lighting a panas, or oil lamp, is a ritual element that represents good luck and successful endeavors.

The keynote speaker for the event was Ms. Muluye Hailemariam, owner of Kabod Coffee. She dedicated years of hard work to saving money to open her coffee business. “Every time someone lands at Denver International Airport, they bring their stories and dreams. Some people don’t bring very much, at all. “I came (with a) very small amount, under $100,” Muluye Hailemariam said.

The woman everyone calls Mulu came to Colorado from Ethiopia. She worked a minimum of 16 hours a day at DIA selling jewelry at a kiosk. Though she worked in an airport, she never took a vacation – for 11 years.

The event also featured guest speaker Tiffany Stasny Storrs, who is a tri-lingual actress, hearing health advocate and an author. During her speech, audience members were moved to tears to listen to her story of how she lost her hearing suddenly after the birth of her first child, while it took four years trying to conceive. Guests also bought signed copies of her book “Adaptability” at the event.

Minsoo Song, outreach coordinator of Office of International Immigrant Affairs, City of Aurora talked about the “significance of inspiring inclusion and diversity in the community.”

The entire event was focused on honoring women who have thrived against all odds. Speaker Purnima Voria, founder & CEO of the National US India Chamber of Commerce, shared her journey from India to the US, the adversities she faced during the process and how she came out as a winner during this time.

The event also showcased diverse performances: a traditional Nepali folk dance by Saru Lama; a classical Bharat Natyam dance by Shagun Shrestha; a Mongolian dance by Maral Gansukh; a Nepali folk dance and song by Aryana Amatya and Praayush Shrestha; and a national anthem by Siyona Amatya.

Founder of Colorado Nepalese Community Binisha Shrestha expressed her sincere gratitude to all of the sponsors, donors and the audiences for making the celebration a resounding success.

“We come together to celebrate the achievements of women and to reaffirm our commitment to gender equality and inspire inclusion,” said Shrestha.

“We are inspired by the stories of women who have broken barriers and made significant contributions to our society. We are grateful for the everyday contributions of women in our lives, who make our world a better place.”

At the end of the event, founder and president of Share Mission International Mr. Shyam Shrestha and his wife Ms. Shanti Shrestha, who have been long-time residents of Aurora presented a “Nepalese handcrafted plaque” token of love in appreciation to all the speakers and the guest of honor.

Colorado Nepalese Community and partners celebrate the achievements of women

In the wake of rising anti-Asian hate and the glaring gaps in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation, a team of graduate students from Columbia University announces the launch of Trailblazer Heroes, the first card game designed to share the rich and diverse histories of AAPI communities and inspire action against injustice.

Startling statistics indicate that 44% of Americans struggle to name a famous living Asian American, and anti-Asian hate crimes soared by 339% over 2021. Trailblazer Heroes aims to combat ignorance and foster understanding through engaging gameplay and immersive storytelling.

Trailblazer Heroes is a labor of love born from personal experiences of fear

Empowering Play:

Columbia University Students Launch Card Game to Share AAPI Culture and History

and discrimination faced by the developers, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With AAPI histories often excluded from mainstream education and societal discourse, the creators saw an urgent need to fill this critical gap.

“We believe that in times of fear and neglect, it’s crucial to uplift voices of hope and resilience,” said the developers. “Through Trailblazer Heroes, we strive to create a space where players of all backgrounds can come together in solidarity, dismantling stereotypes through collective responsibility.”

The base game features 20 trailblazing heroes across various fields, including celebrity actors, activists, educators, and journalists, with expansion packs planned to introduce more heroes and historic events.

The heroes range from well-known celebrities like Olivia Munn and Daniel Dae Kim to lesser-known youth heroes

such as Samaira Mehta and Ashlyn So.

Each card is designed with embedded knowledge content, ensuring players learn about positive AAPI role models and historical events while enjoying the game.

Trailblazer Heroes is not only designed for casual play but also for integration into classrooms, with accompanying lesson guides developed to support educators in teaching AAPI history and fostering critical thinking and empathy among students.

By sparking conversations about diverse AAPI histories, the game aims to empower individuals from AAPI backgrounds, educate allies, and inspire collaborative action against historic injustices.

Additionally, proceeds from game sales will be used to donate funds and copies of the game to organizations supporting AAPI advocacy and education for low-income learners.