Connectopod™

Chinatown Oral History Project-Eugene Moy pt. 2

 Eugene Moy  had so much knowledge to share that the Teen Council of the Chinatown Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library created 2 episodes!  A past president of the Chinese Historical Society of SoCal and long time advocate for the Chinese community, Eugene shared his personal history growing up in LA as the son of immigrants, the history of Chinatown , and the challenges faced to today in a Chinatown that is a hotbed of gentrification. The great resources he shared in the interview with Malia Mahelona-Janilkarn, Caleb Leong, Qihao Huang, and Zhangyang Wu are listed below. Here is a link to Eugene Moy Pt. 1 ICYMI!
 
1) Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Gum Saan Journal V. 29, N.1 2006 : Chinese Grocery Edition 2006
2) Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Gum Saan Journal V. 35, N.1 2013 : Three Enduring Legacies: Castelar School, Chinese American Museum, and Far East Cafe
3) Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Gum Saan Journal Special Edition 2004 : Delbert Wong: First Chinese American Judge by Marshall Wong
4) Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Gum Saan Journal V. 40, N.1 2018: 80th Anniversary of Chinatown
5) Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Gum Saan Journal V. 36, N.1 2014 : Voices of Chinatown 
6) The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California 2005 Annual Spring Dinner Celebrating Chinese American Pioneers in Law
7) Roads into and out of Chinatown by Annie  Chin Siu, D. D. S.
8) Images of America: Chinatown in Los Angeles by Jenny Cho and the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
 

Chinatown Oral History Project- Eugene Moy Pt.1

Malia Mahelona-Janilkarn, Caleb Leong, Qihao Huang, and Zhangyang Wu, members of the Teen Council at the Los Angeles Public Library-Chinatown branch, conducted an interview with Eugene Moy, a longstanding activist and the President of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California for the years 2022 to 2023. Having been engaged in the branch's grocery delivery program for the past 18 months, these teenagers directly observed the difficult living conditions experienced by the seniors they were assisting. These elderly individuals, living below the poverty line, are grappling with the effects of gentrification occurring in Chinatown, which is forcing them out of their homes. The teenagers have taken it upon themselves to document and share the personal narratives of these seniors, as well as to advocate for the rights of the immigrant community they represent. The inaugural episode of the Teen Council's Oral History Project serves as a foundational exploration into the history of Los Angeles Chinatown and an examination of the contemporary challenges faced by its long-term inhabitants.
 
 
 
 
 
  
 

Sound it Out! Love Burns

Lena Sage returns to Connectopod with a story of unrequited of fiery love. Take a look at her photos for her Abandoned Spaces episode as well!
Created in a workshop series at the Canoga Park Library
session 1: created perform and record a character or narrate a story 
session 2: create a collage image of the story or character
artists: Betsy Foldes Meiman (audio), Lois Keller (collage), Joe Foldes (sound design

Sound it Out! The Drama of Rebecca

Isabella Wu channels influencer Rebecca-can she even recognize real life?
Created in a workshop series at the Canoga Park Library
session 1: created perform and record a character or narrate a story 
session 2: create a collage image of the story or character
artists: Betsy Foldes Meiman (audio), Lois Keller (collage), Joe Foldes (sound design

Sound it Out!-O380 in Area 51

Celina Sandoval living her best Alien life!
Created in a workshop series at the Canoga Park Library
session 1: created perform and record a character or narrate a story 
session 2: create a collage image of the story or character
artists: Betsy Foldes Meiman (audio), Lois Keller (collage), Joe Foldes (sound design

Sound it Out!-The Luck of Bernardo

Max Garcia inspires us to dream big with the story of Bernardo and the billion dollar bathroom. 
Created in a workshop series at the Canoga Park Library
session 1: created perform and record a character or narrate a story 
session 2: create a collage image of the story or character
artists: Betsy Foldes Meiman (audio), Lois Keller (collage), Joe Foldes (sound design

Sound it Out!-Ahma-The Female Samurai

 
Mahek brings us the story of Ahma, the female Samurai, protecting the life and honor of her master.
 
Created in a workshop series at the Canoga Park Library
session 1: created perform and record a character or narrate a story 
session 2: create a collage image of the story or character
artists: Betsy Foldes Meiman (audio), Lois Keller (collage), Joe Foldes (sound design
 
 

Sound it Out!-A Princess Story

Ixchel Lopez brings us the story of Shelly, the plain princess. Where does true power lie? You can also hear Ixchel in Tree and K-68
Created in a workshop series at the Canoga Park Library
session 1: created perform and record a character or narrate a story 
session 2: create a collage image of the story or character
artists: Betsy Foldes Meiman (audio), Lois Keller (collage), Joe Foldes (sound design
 

Sound it Out!-the Love Story of Stuart William Smith

Just in time for Valentines Day, Candy Cortes tells the story of Stuart William Smith and his case of puppy love...for John Cena!
Check out Stuarts Eyes.
 
Created in a workshop series at the Canoga Park Library
session 1: created perform and record a character or narrate a story 
session 2: create a collage image of the story or character
artists: Betsy Foldes Meiman (audio), Lois Keller (collage), Joe Foldes (sound design
 
 

Changing the Narrative 4- Tree by Isabella Saeedy

Connectopod reporter Isabella Saeedy lost her battle with cancer this past summer at 17. She never told any of us about her illness and her dynamo energy gave us no clues. She led her team on the Connectopod/Los Angeles Public Library/CSUN Strength United collaboration -The Domestic Violence Awareness Project, which culminated in a published graphic novel and three podcasts.    
She wrote the screenplay-Tree. We thought the best way to honor Isabella was to celebrate her talents and her energetic will to create in the service of making the world a better place. 
 
In this fast-paced screenplay with a cast of quirky characters, Catherine, an environmental studies major at Columbia battles power, money, and hypocrisy to save the life of a neglected tree in Central Park who is slated to be cut down. All while struggling to finish her dissertation in time to graduate.
Isabella imagined a college experience that she would never get to have. This production has three elements that we hoped would add to the imagined college experience for Isabella. 
Our group here includes Connectopod peers, professional actors and audio producers,  a professional director who is also a USC professor,  and some of his students. 
We thought about this project as a gift to Isabella's memory and to her family.  But in the end, it was her gift to us. 
So thank you, Isabella.
 Rest in peace.
 
Cast- Andrea Sogliuzzo (Tree), Lexy Cavinchey (Catherine), Trevor VanAuken (Matteo), Bob Bailey (Dr. Ankel)  Betsy Foldes Meiman (Michelle, Elder tree, stage directions), Christopher Geutig (Hamza), Allen Keller (Clarence, Jorge, Janitor), Anjelica Benitez (Thea, Woman, Tree 4), Victoria Benitez (Nanny, Jess, Tree 3), Ixchel Lopez (Toddler, Cashier, Demolition Worker, Tree 5), Rowan Bailey (Moto the Bird, Woman 1), Karina (Bad Girl, Jogger, Woman), Andrea Lopez (Mom)
We recorded at Literati Audio with the sound engineer John Kavorek
The production was directed by Robert Bailey and produced by 
Betsy Foldes Meiman.  
Post-production and sound design were done by Joe Foldes.  
Changing the Narrative is funded by The California Arts Council