About 50 people came out to see the debut of the latest GAM-TV websiode, "Break-up King: It's Not You, It's Me" at the @mosphere Bar in Chicago. After an update from director Angel Abcede on the background of the webisode (an entry into Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's "Project Greenlight" reality show--which did not advance, unfortunately) and on the activities of Asians & Friends Chicago (and its hosting of the national Asians & Friends conference in 2016), the debut went on without a hitch. Afterwards, Angel gave actor John Breen a "Miss Piggy" award for being a standout actor.

GAM-TV's Angel Abcede has written and directed another webisode with a debut party set for Sat., Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at @mosphere, 5355 N. Clark in Chicago. The story is of an average gay, Asian male looking to make the biggest transition of all--one involving not one, not two but three major breakups. While sounding like a heavy topic, the lead character's upbeat persona and quirky partners make for an awkwardly hilarious series of unhappy endings.

The webisode Premiere Party for Panda II: Rise of a Gay Asian Bear is set for Sat., May 10 in Chicago, at Downtown Bar, 440 N. State at 7 p.m. $5 donation to School Street Arts Movement, an AIDS-awareness charity. Cash bar. In this sequel to "Panda I: Tale of a Gay Asian Bear," (2013), the main character, Tim, is still trying to get over a hard break-up. As he bumps from dates to a threesome to a general dating slump, he soon spirals into an underground world of drugs, leather and the darker side of the bear scene. Will he rebound?

At this GAM-TV webisode debut party, it's time for gay, Asian graphic designer Sean to introduce his boyfriend Rob to his mom and sisters. Rob's practiced some Chinese phrases--which as a musician, he's memorized by singing--but everyone's nerves are still on edge. But the wild card is Sean's sister Mia. As the black sheep of the family, what craziness will she stir? Come see the latest installment to GAM-TV's "Pink Underwear" series.

How celebrity is born is a mysterious and capricious process. Chicago designer Kevin Vong created the kind of spark that kindles celebrity by creating a unique dress fashioned from popcorn that he wore in the 2013 Gay Pride Parade in Chicago. It garnered much attention that even grew to a national level. But with the spotlight of celebrity also comes the flicker as the light dims. This documentary webisode captures the rise and fall of an unexpected celebrity: The Popcorn Dress. (Click on GAM-TV's webisode tab to download the documentary.)

A showing of GAM-TV's "Panda: Tale of a Gay Asian Bear" will occur in Los Angeles, on Thurs., Nov. 14 at Oil Can Harry's, 11502 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, Calif. The fun will start at 6:30 p.m. with the showing to begin at 7 p.m. Happy hour at Oil Can Harry's, with the viewing free to the public.

GAM-TV is set to host a webisode viewing party in Atlanta at Burkhart's, 1482 Piedmont Ave. NE at 6:30 p.m. (7 p.m. showing). Admission is free. We will show the newest webisode, "Panda: Tale of a Gay Asian Bear." GAM-TV hosted a similar party in 2012 at Burkhart's and extends its deepest appreciation for the hospitality the establishment has shown us again this year. It's the start of Gay Pride weekend in Atlanta as well, so come one, come all!

GAM-TV is set to transform itself in the coming months, having initiated discussions with members of Asians and Friends who have themselves started online efforts to strengthen the brotherhood of gay, Asian males. Over the coming weeks you will see GAM-TV blog entries entailing the incorporation of other websites, blogs, social media pages/members, meeting sites and other means to generate larger local and national communities. The content you've grown used to seeing here on GAM-TV will expand, but will also incorporate free elements delivered via sources such as YouTube and Facebook.

GAM-TV is doing a mini-feature on Asians and Friends Chicago's long-time member and supporter, fashion designer Kevin Vong, who created and will debut a dress made from 10,000 single puffs of popcorn, each individually glued on over the course of an entire month.

The dress design, which blends his Laotian roots with the glamor of a 1940s and ‘50’s ball gown is the centerpiece of AFC’s “Gayflower” float, a high-masted ship that is set to sail as entry No. 19 in this year’s Chicago Gay Pride Parade.

[Editorial note: As GAM-TV grows further in its vision, we will begin linking to other blogs and content sources produced by gay Asian men in the United States, and in some cases, internationally. Ben, a food blogger based in San Francisco, will be our first regular contributor. Lifestyle contributions will appear here on our home page with their bios and resources on our LIVE tab.]

Focus - Snap - Eat
Review of Gjelina in LA’s Venice Beach
By Ben On April 3, 2013 · Dining, Travel