News
&
Events
News & Reviews 2024
“The Fire Pit,” an excerpt from The Forest for the Trees, is now available for your reading pleasure online in Mochi Magazine’s current issue.
Blended (Harmony): The Kim Loo Sisters had its world premiere in the Twin Cities, MN, on May 4, 2024. Co-produced by Theater Mu and History Theatre, the musical tells the story of the Kim Loo Sisters, the first Asian American act to star in Broadway musical revues. The play is inspired by my documentary The Kim Loo Sisters and its companion book Just Us Girls.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune called Blended Harmony an “elegant new musical” with “clever writing, catchy songs and strong performances.”
Minnesota Public Radio said that the character Jenée “is given some of the most well-written and detailed musical numbers — including an exquisite traditional fan dance in act one that shows both her deep respect for her ancestry and why she is so hurt when it is betrayed.”
Broadway World wrote “”Blended Harmony” brings to life the captivating tale of the Kim Loo Sisters, a quartet of Chinese-Polish Americans from Minneapolis who journey to Broadway and Hollywood during the vibrant swing music era of the 1930s. Set against the backdrop of friendship, family, and self-discovery, this production delves into the challenges and triumphs of the sisters as they navigate their way through an era defined by its unique cultural tapestry.”
Past News & Reviews
The Kim Loo Sisters documentary is one of the five finalists at The Paley Center for Media’s Doc Pitch, New York City, 2015.
My hybrid novel The Forest for the Trees wins the 2023 Big Moose Prize for Fiction, July 2023.
My short story “Shirley in the Bardo” is published in Adanna Literary Journal, Issue 13, Fall 2023.
My personal essay “Pavel, Paris, Prague” is published in the online zine Dorothy Parker’s Ashes, February 2023.
Music critic Carl Wilson highlights the Kim Loo Sisters in his recent article for Slate magazine, September 2023.
Current Events
Book Event: “Talking Books: Asian American Authors in Conversation—Leslie Li discusses her new book The Forest for the Trees.” Chatham Square Library, 33 East Broadway, New York City, Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 6 – 7 PM
Book Event: Meet & Greet/Signing for The Forest for the Trees at Yu & Me Books on Sunday, September 22, 2024, 1:00—2:00pm.
Panelist: The Second Conference on Chinese American Women in History sponsored by 1882 Foundation, Washington, DC. “The Kim Loo Sisters: From Kiddie Reviews to the Hollywood Screen.” October 5-7, 2023.
Interview: Asian American History 101 Podcast. Season 3, Episode 5. I’m in conversation with Gen and Ted Lai about The Kim Loo Sisters documentary and its companion book Just Us Girls. February 3, 2023
Talk: Asian American History 101 Podcast. Season 3, Episode 3. Gen and Ted Lai present “The History of the Kim Loo Sisters.” February 1, 2023
Past Events
Interview: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Recovering Early Asian American Voices In American Popular Music: Two Girl Groups—The Kim Loo Sisters and the Kim Sisters.” March 16, 2022.
Interview: Chinese Historical Society of America. “Though An Asian Gaze, Briefly: The Kim Loo Sisters.” Musicologist Eric Hung interviews me about the Kim Loo Sisters. July 24, 2021.
Interview: Philly Asian American Film Festival. “The Kim Loo Sisters: From A Midwest City to Chinatowns and Broadway.” Musicologist Eric Hung interviews me about The Kim Loo Sisters documentary. November 8, 2020.
Panelist: The Kim Loo Sisters documentary is featured at a Talk Story Event, sponsored by 1882 Foundation and the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Washington, DC, October 2017
Interview: KFAI “Minneculture” Radio. Diane Richard interviews me about The Kim Loo Sisters documentary, 2017.
Interview: New York Foundation for the Arts. I am interviewed for NYFA Newsletter about both The Kim Loo Sisters documentary and my written work. September 29, 2017.
Interview: Marc Myers, Wall Street Journal journalist, interviews me about the Kim Loo Sisters for his online JazzWax column, May 27, 2015
Interview: Lani Nelson of Sinovision TV interviews me about The Kim Loo Sisters documentary, 2015.
Interview: Cathy Wurzer of Minnesota Public Radio interviews me about The Kim Loo Sisters documentary, January 31, 2014.