Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Playlist Tuesday 26th February 2008



  • Good Ways - Sizzla
  • Japanese title - Mizuhara Hiroshi from Seishun uta nenkan '61 BEST (1960's J-Pop)
  • I Yi Yi Yi - Carmen Miranda
  • Pirate Jenny - Nina Simone
  • Fire Bun - Louie Culture
  • Pickin' Off Peanuts - Seven Foot Dilly and his Dill Pickles
  • Japanese title - Nagai Frank from Seishun uta nenkan '62 BEST
  • Three of These Things - Susan from Funk Soul Sisters LP
  • Japanese title - Ai George Seishun uta nenkan '65 BEST
  • Shotgun Wedding - Roy C
  • Passion Flower - The Peanuts (Japanese girl duo, pictured)
  • Old Black Magic - Louis Prima & Keeley Smith
  • You Can Have Him - Nina Simone
  • Kitty, Stop Meowing - Beijing Angelic Choir (played whilst eating dim sum lunch box - Chinese peanut satay and Chinese chicken livers, recipes to follow....)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

East Asian Artists Wanted

LONDON CHINATOWN - PUBLIC ART COMMISSION OPPORTUNITIES

As part of the Chinatown Arts Festival 2008: Five Circles, London based arts organisation Chinatown Arts Space (CAS), and Chinatown’s principal landowner, Shaftesbury PLC, are working in creative partnership to commission two major new pieces of exciting public art for London's Chinatown.

HORSE & DOLPHIN YARD : MURAL COMMISSION
WHO: East Asian* artists born or resident in the UK are invited to submit proposals
VALUE: £6,000
WHAT: Create a vibrant contemporary artwork suitable for external display for 2 years.

WARDOUR STREET : SCULPTURE COMMISSION
WHO: All East Asian* artists worldwide are invited to submit proposals
VALUE: £20,000
WHAT: Create a permanent eye-catching three-dimensional artwork in any medium that is
suitable to withstand the elements.

NOTE THE DEADLINE HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED:
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: 28th MARCH 2008



Full entry details of the requirements for submission of proposals, and the specifics of each site, can be downloaded from www.chinatownartsspace.com. For more information, please contact Parker Harris on T. +44 (0)1372 462190 or E. cas@parkerharris.co.uk

*East Asia includes: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, North Korea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and their diasporas

Dragon Tongue Squad

The DTS came on last week's Lucky Cat radio show and 'mashed it up' with their freestyling! I was very impressed with their skills and later I found out that J-Fever is the freestyle champion of China. Thanks to DJ Geko for providing an excellent selection of beats for Dragon Tongue Squad. I went to see the performance at the Royal Opera House which was pretty good but I think having them on the show freestyling was a better experience, I hope you all enjoyed listening. If you missed the show I will be putting it online in an archive soon. To be notified of when this happens or to join the Lucky Cat mailing list please email me luckycatzoe@gmail.com.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Photos of Catch the Rat party


Fifi has put up some photos of the Chinese New Year party at Scooterworks, view them all here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scooterworks/sets/72157603923829315/

I think I was dancing in the pic shown so looks like there is no DJ!

The next party will be for Thai New Year (Songkran) on 12th April. Email me at luckycatzoe AT gmail.com to join the Lucky Cat mailing list for updates.

Dragon Tongue Squad on Lucky Cat tomorrow!


I am delighted to announce that I will be joined by China's premier Hip Hop crew Dragon Tongue Squad live in the studio tomorrow night! Join me for Lucky Cat Tuesday 19th February at 10pm on Reosnance FM - 104.4FM in London or online anywhere at www.resonancefm.com

The DTS are playing this Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd February at Linbury Studios, The Royal Opera House along with Kevin Quan (DJ Phat) and Suki Mok. Tickets: 020 7304 4000

Playlist Tuesday 12th February 2008



  • Are You Tired of Me Already? - Thongmark Leacha (from Molam vol 2, pictured)
  • Glad to Be Unhappy - Billie Holiday
  • Teaching the Daughter - Thongmark Leacha
  • All Out To Get You - The Beat
  • Cry about the Radio - Mary Weiss
  • Ladies, Let's Dance! - Pairin Pongpiboon
  • Yuge, Songs of the Fishermen - Guqin Music of Liang Mingyue
  • Asking For Her Hand in Marriage - Group Singsiri
  • Stick By Me - John Holt

Molam: Thai Country Groove From Isan Vol. 2 is available to buy on CD from: www.sublimefrequencies.com

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Playlist Tuesday 5th February 2008



  • The Dum Dum - Tajai
  • Audio clip of DJ Phat (scratching) & Suki Mok (Spanish guitar)
  • Flowers and Juveniles - 12 Girl Band Shanghai
  • Talk of the Town - Rita and Sakura
  • Youlan, Lonely Orchid - Guqin Music of Liang Mingyue
  • Love's a Dangerous Game - Mary Weiss
  • Do I Make Myself Clear - Etta James & Sugarpie De Santo

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

David Tse, Suki Mok and Kevin Quan on tonight's show

On tonight's Lucky Cat radio show on Resonance FM I will be joined live in the studio by David Tse of China Town Arts Space, Spanish guitarist Suki Mok and DJ/scratch artist Kevin Quan (aka DJ Phat).
Suki Mok and Keving Quan will be performing with the Beijing rappers Dragon Tongue Squad at the Royal Opera House later this month as part of the Five Circles Arts Festival.

Show starts at 10pm tonight (Tuesday) and is repeated at 2pm on Friday on 104.4FM in London or online at www.resonancefm.com

www.chinatownartsspace.com

Monday, February 04, 2008

Lap Cheong Fried Rice


Serves 4-6 people

Pack of Wing Wing Brand Chinese Sausages (Lap Cheong)
4 Eggs - scramble and set aside
1 Large onion - chopped
2 cloves garlic - minced
2" knob of ginger - chopped finely
Handful of dried shrimp - soak in boiled water 30 mins
3 teaspoons preserved/pickled vegetables
2 dessert spoons pickled turnip
Mustard Greens - chopped
Fennel chopped
8-10 baby sweetcorn, chopped roughly
Pre cooked rice
Cider Vingar
Soya Sauce
Black Pepper

The great thing about fried rice is you can add anything you want and it's a good dish for leftovers. I used fennel as I thought it would go well with the lap cheong, I have had it with chorizo before and the aniseed flavour compliments the pork sausage. I used Cider vinegar for a change as I am always using rice wine and I thought the apple vinegar taste would also compliment the pork. I was very pleased with the results.

The most important thing is to have all your ingredients ready before hand. First fry the chopped lap cheong (chop on the diagonal) in a small amount of oil. Remove and place on paper. Add a little more oil to the wok and hea, then add the onions. Followed by garlic, preserved veg, pickled turnip, fennel, mustard greens, baby sweetcorn, rice and lap cheong. Keep stirring so it all gets really mixed in. Flavour with cider vinegar, soya sauce and black peppper.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Playlist Tuesday 29th January 2008



  • Pussy Cat Bite Me - Prince Buster
  • Rats - The Tiger
  • Turtle's Song To The Wolf - The Mice and the Bad Angel
  • Frightened Billows - Cantonese Mental Music LP
  • Hey There - Sammy Davis Jnr, Rat Pack Live
  • I Can't Give You Anything But Love - Dean Martin, Rat Pack Live
  • Too Marvellous For Words - Frank Sinatra, Rat Pack Live
  • Pennie From Heaven - Frank Sinatra, Rat Pack Live
  • A Foggy Day in London Town - Frank Sinatra, Rat Pack Live
  • I Love Cha Cha - Siao Fong Fong
  • African Jazz Cha Cha - Ginger Folorunso Johnson
  • Cha Cha Cha De Las Secretarias - Monchito and his Mambos Royals
  • Cha Cha Merengue - Ed Daniels & The Seasiders

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Playlist Tuesday 22nd January 2008



  • Laziest Gal in Town - Nina Simone
  • Jauh Jauh - Jimmy Boyle (from Malaysia in Modern Mood LP)
  • I've Got a Feelin' - Big Maybelle
  • Jackie Chan - The Toasters
  • Kick Ass (No Trouble) - Jackie Chan (from the Rush Hour soundtrack)
  • Endless Love - Jackie Chan and Kin Hee Sun (from The Myth soundtrack)
  • Fist of Fury - Prince Jammy
  • Karate Boogaloo - Jerry-o
  • Flowers on the Mountain - Wong Chin
  • A Wa Do Dem - Eek a Mouse
  • Mulan - Jackie Chan (theme from the Disney movie)
  • Valley of Green - Jackie Opel


This week's dim sum lunchbox containes a favourite cake of Jackie Chan's:
Smashed Oreo cookie cake. Go here for the recipe:
www.jackiechankids.com/files/Smash_Cake_Page.htm

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Lucky Cat Night @ Scooterworks


I am throwing a party to celebrate the Year of the Rat. I will be cooking some dim sum lunch box recipes and playing my usual mix of East Asian & Western music. Expect Etta James, Anita Mui, Thai Molam, Toots and the Maytals, Betty Chung, Lee Dorsey and Rita Chao (pictured). Scooterworks is a lovely cafe/bar on Lower Marsh, SE1, just 3 mins walk from Waterloo station.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

She likes smarties and she can kick your arse

Here's the trailer for the new Prachya Pinkaew (Thai director of Ong Bak, Tom Yum Goong/Warrior King) movie Chocolate

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Dragon Tongue Squad - Beijing Hip Hop comes to London

I am very excited about this event: Chinatown Arts Space presents an evening of East/West musical collaboration with a live performance from Beijing Hip Hop crew Dragon Tongue Squad and UK scratch master DJ Phat (Kevin Quan) and Spanish guitarist Suki Mok. There will also be a dance performance from Blazian.

When?
Thursday 21 & Friday 22 February 2008, 8pm
Where?
Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House
How much?
£12 Adults, £8 Students & ROH Access List, £5 Standing

links:
www.chinatownartsspace.com
www.roh.org.uk

I hope to have Dragon Tongue Squad come on my Resonance FM show, watch this space. . .

Bitter Melon Recipe


An acquired taste, the bitter melon aka bitter gourd, draws out the sweetness of other flavours creating a harmonious balance.
I recently had a very nice Surinamese bitter melon dish in Amsterdam, unable to find the exact recipe but it was similar to this recipe for Steamed, stuffed bitter melon with black bean sauce.

For all things bitter melon see the National Bitter Melon Council's web site:
www.bittermelon.org

Stephen Chow's CJ7

Chow's alien comedy CJ7 will be released here in the UK on 21st March. You can watch the trailer here:
www.sonypictures.net/movies/cj7/
Looks entertaining. Wonder if the alien will be a big merhcandise money spinner? It is quite cute...

Friday, January 11, 2008

Playlist Tuesday 8th January 2008



  • You Do Something to Me - Marlene Dietrich
  • Quand L'amour Meurt - Marlene Dietrich
  • The Great Pretender - Miss Yao Lee
  • Medley - Irma Thomas (from A Woman's Viewpoint LP)
  • W.O.M.A.N - Etta James
  • Perfidia - Phyllis Dillon
  • Lady Lan Hua Hua - Wong Chin
  • Una Saratio Tokyo - Wong Ling
  • Mystery Train - Elvis
  • Don't Be Cruel - Laurel Aitken
  • Mal Hombre - Lydia Mendoza (RIP 21/12/2007)

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Dad's Tamarind Chicken

You will need either a whole chicken cut up or chicken pieces. Six
pieces to serve four people.

chicken
4 oz tamarind pulp
8 cups boiling water
six cloves garlic
finely chopped
6 shallots finely chopped
6 oz palm sugar- or any dark brown sugar will do..
1 cup dark soya sauce
good handful toasted coriander seeds ( roast in dry skillet )
salt and freshly ground black pepper

you can add a little chilli too if you like it hot

Put tamarind pulp in a bowl- pour on boiling water. Mash it
thoroughly and after five mins strain into a larger bowl
Throw in garlic , shallots , sugar and soy sauce.

Add chicken pieces. Rest the marinade either overnight or AT LEAST
FOUR HOURS.

put the chicken and marinade into a large pan on top of the cooker.
Sprinkle over the coriander.
Cover and simmer for 40 minutes- until chicken is tender and the
liquid is reduced.
This is quite a dry dish so if you have too much liquid at this
stage- spoon some off and reserve for later use.
most of the sauce should be absorbed by the chicken pieces.
Season with salt and pepper
Serve with coconut rice and a spicy coconut and pineapple sambal

Friday, December 14, 2007

Playlist Tuesday 11th December 2007



  • We Met in A Dream - Poon Sow Keng
  • It is Passed Like the Dream - Anita Mui
  • No More Sweet Potato - The Big 3 Trio
  • Mash Potato Girl - Girl Satchmo and the Swinging Brothers
  • Mashed Potato - The Crystals
  • Potato Chips - Slim Gaillard
  • Mash Potato Party - Link Wray and his Raymen
  • I Wanna Be a Bond Girl - Leroy Holmes
  • Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! That Cigarette - Tex Ritter

  • Zither fight scene from Kung Fu Hustle (The still above is from the film Lord of the Lute which is referenced in this scene in Kung Fu Hustle.)
  • Harry Lime theme - Anton Karas

Yuen Qiu (pictured) images and an interesting article about the cinematic influences of Kung Fu Hustle can be found on:
www.hkcinemagic.com

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Playlist Tuesday 4th December 2007



  • Birth Control - Lloyd Terrell
  • Beautiful Town - Mar Mar Aye
  • Racist Friend - The Special AKA
  • The Entertainer - Tony Clarke
  • Fearless Hyena - clips from the Jackie Chan film
  • Infernal Affairs - Tony Leung and Andy Lau
  • Talk of the Town - Rita and Sakura
  • Ace in the Hole - The Griffin Brothers feat. Margie Day
  • Follow - Pat Kelly
  • Laughing and Clowning - Sam Cooke
  • How Long - Pat Kelly