Holding the Heat and the Heritage: The Pepper Sauce Refusing to Water Down Its Culture

West Indies Peppa Sauce: The Story Behind the Brand. A conversation with founders Randy Pulayya and Shauna Vo Pulayya. By Tina Trinh.

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The art of vertical micro videos by Richard X Bennett and Paula Jeanine Bennett

Richard X Bennett and Paula Jeanine Bennett are a couple based in Brooklyn, known for their work as artists, musicians, composers, and performers. Richard, who is also an independent filmmaker, has created various recordings featuring modernistic, jazzy, and soulful music with a distinctive sound. Paula, a multidisciplinary artist, possesses a deep commitment to her creative pursuits. As a composer, musician, lyricist, visual artist, and movement artist, she frequently undertakes projects that integrate her diverse skill set.

Stirring Up a Second Act: The Sweet Rebirth of a First-Time Jam Artisan

A Conversation with Gian Marco Heilmann, CEO of Les Collines, at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. Written and photographed by Tina Trinh.

Inside BOStempeh: The Original Tempeh Crafted in the USA

A few months ago, I received an order for tempeh through the BOStempeh online network, shipped from Boston to New York. The tempeh was neatly packaged in an artistic and beautiful package design, reinforcing the brand's positioning. Once cooked, the tempeh was incredibly savory and delicious. Even when eaten with rice or combined with chili sauce, this American-made tempeh tasted authentic and reminded me of home-made tempeh in Indonesia.

Zeke Khaseli, A Journey Through Film Scoring, Band, and Solo Work

He is a well-recognized figure in both the film community and the independent music scene across Asia, especially in Indonesia. His work in film scoring has reached international audiences, with projects showcased at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, and Berlin. In New York, indie film enthusiasts became familiar with his compositions through "Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts", an Indonesian thriller drama which was featured at the IFC Center in West Village. Most recently, his music for the psychological thriller "Smothered", produced by Joko Anwar ("Nightmares and Daydreams") and directed by Rafki Hidayat and Kevin Rahardjo, is now available for a global audience to stream on Netflix starting this month.

Deera Abayas, meaningful modest fashion inspired by Balinese heritage

New York fashion has always told a story shaped by culture. Whether it’s for professionals, city workers, artists, or streetwear lovers, what people wear in New York is closely tied to comfort and identity. Clothes here don’t just change how you look, they can influence how you speak, think, and carry yourself like a true New Yorker. But Deera Abayas brings something even deeper to that idea.

Tenunalus Maura: Heritage, made modern fit for New Yorkers

Founded in Bali in 2023, Tenunalus MAURA bridges the gap between traditional Indonesian artistry and global contemporary style. By reimagining Balinese woven textiles, the brand creates pieces designed for the modern rhythm of life equally at home on the streets of Jakarta, the shores of Bali, or the avenues of New York.

Behind the Turntable: DJ MVNS's Journey Through Rare Vinyl and Global Sounds

A few weeks ago, I was invited to attend as a guest, by DJ mvns, at a popular independent radio station in the Greenpoint area of Brooklyn. The LOT Radio. It was an exciting opportunity that I truly enjoyed, especially since mvns, whom I know, is one of the DJs in New York who plays a selection of non-mainstream songs, ranging from psychedelic and indie to experimental and alternative music. His collection of original vinyl albums and cassettes from various music genres and different parts of the world, in his music library, is extraordinary.

A Musician Couple, One Sound: Talkwith Yagull from New York to the World

Over lunch at a cozy Italian café, at Forest Hills in Queens, Sasha Markovic shared how his musical background and personal music references rooted in ’70s ‘80s rock, blues, and world music has shaped Yagull’s songs and sound. He talked about his music creation and collaboration with his wife, Kana Kamitsubo, a pianist whose classical and Japanese music influences add balance and depth to their music. Together, their contrasting unique styles come together naturally, creating a sound that resonates across world cultures.

Rubina Returns with New Single “Let Me Know When You Get Home”

A singer-songwriter Rubina has just released her new single, “Let Me Know When You Get Home”. The song was officially launched last night at Arlene's Grocery in Manhattan, marking an exciting moment in her growing music journey in New York.

Sandflower Takes You on a Genre-Bending Dance Journey with “The Radiant Explorer"

Independent and international artist Sandflower is bringing a sound that pulses with an irresistible attitude that has an unmistakable New York City edge. Her latest LP, The Radiant Explorer, invites listeners into a spectrum-blending journey with sophisticated pop, funk, electro and disco-inspired beats. Produced by the multidimensional David Sisko (known for his work with Roxy Music, Theophilus London, Sprayground and Academy Award Winning Director Nickson Fong) and Mastered by Mike Tucci (Wu-Tang Clan, Kanye West, Tyler Dollar Sign, Living Colour & Jason Derulo) the LP promises to deliver music that's both sonically fresh and filled with heartfelt energy.

Florante Coronel : The Story Behind The Jaguar’s Pact

The Jaguar's Pact: A Covert Alliance, is a storybook by New York author Florante Coronel, who originally comes from the Philippines. The book has successfully captured the attention of readers who are fans of docudrama and history-based stories, especially those living in New York City within the Asian American community, particularly Filipinos. The Jaguar's Pact is a haunting political thriller set on Mindanao Island, spanning from the late 1970s to the early 2000s. The story interrogates the price of survival, the weight of inheritance, and the perilous dance between loyalty and justice. We managed to get an exclusive interview with Flo, amid his busy schedule as a professional in family care and senior service company in Queens, New York.

David Sisko: Inside the Creative World of New York Music Producer

Not many musicians in New York are able to produce music as a producer, composer, remixer, mixer, sound designer, and artist. David Sisko is an award-winning, New York City–based creator behind various productions for global brands such as Netflix, Sega, Lions Gate Film, Universal, NBC, and Sprayground. Sisko have collaborated with many music clients from Roxy Music and Academy Award–winning director Nickson Fong to major museums (The Metropolitan Museum of Art), poetry legends (Allen Ginsberg), and BandLab (Sound Design). He has worked across pop, EDM, indie, rock, and even music for meditation. He is also behind the voice over recording of video games like Silent Hill 2, Top Gun Hard Lock and Alien Breed. Sisko is a graduate with a Master of Music Technology degree from New York University with a focus on Artificial Intelligence, who is also a founder and owner of Arena 01, an independent record label, and Min Max Studios in New York City.

Brooklyn's Daly City: Short Film Selected for 2026 Oscar Consideration

Daly City is an autobiographical film by Nick Hartanto, a Brooklyn-based filmmaker. The story follows the humorous and memorable childhood experiences of Nick and his mother, who were caught up in the cultural divide and discrimination against immigrants in San Francisco. It all started with chicken and a potluck, where takeout chicken from a Chinese restaurant was chosen as the best dish in a church potluck competition. To bridge the divide between locals and immigrants, Nick's mother admitted that the chicken was her own dish.

Passport to Broadway: Amy Weinstein on Bringing Theatre Education to Students Worldwide

While Broadway is known worldwide as a symbol of excellence in theatre, not everyone understands what it represents or how it works. That’s why Broadway education both in the U.S. and abroad is becoming increasingly important and in high demand. Meet Amy Weinstein, the Creator/Executive Producer and CEO Artistic Director of StudentsLive, Inc. and Passport to Broadway(®), New York.

Level Up Your K-Dance Form with FODI, a conversation with Jujin Jeong (CEO)

Meet FODI, an AI-based K-Dance training platform that’s changing how people learn to dance and move, whether you’re a street dancer, a choreographer, a member of K-Pop group or just a K-Dance fan. FODI’s smart system makes practice more structured, fun, creative, and professional. FODI is a short for Formation Director in My Hand. Let's have a creative talk with Jujin Jeong, the Founder and CEO of Saeheureum Inc., the company behind the K-Dance training system FODI.

Times Square Cheers for Believe the Movie: 3 Awards, No Cap

For the first time, the Asian military action film was recognized at the 2025 Urban Action Showcase International Action Film Festival (UASIAFF) held at Regal Cinema in Times Square, New York. Last Saturday in October, Believe: The Ultimate Battle, a film produced by Celerina Judisari, a producer originally from Indonesia, won three category awards: Best VFX (Visual Effects), Best Action Sequence, and Best Military Action Movie.

Huntr/x Takes NYC: Inside the K-Pop Demon Hunter Brooklyn House

If you're a fan of K-Pop Demon Hunter, the animated musical urban fantasy film on Netflix, this one-of-a-kind creative house is your dream destination. Located at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the house was specially designed for K-pop lovers visiting KOOM 2025, the Korean Startup and Culture Festival in Brooklyn New York. Hundreds of fans lined up to enter this immersive pop-up, featuring the animated faces of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey members of the fictional K-pop girl group Huntr/x, the latest demon-hunting trio trained by legendary hunter Celine.

Indonesian Coffee Finds a Home in London

Ngopi UK is the first independent Indonesian coffee shop in Birmingham, opening in 2018 with a simple mission—to introduce and celebrate Indonesian coffee and cuisine in the UK. After building a loyal following through events like the London and Birmingham Coffee Festivals, Ngopi UK now has a second branch in London, bringing the familiar aroma of home even closer to Indonesians abroad.

The Faces Within: Exploring Modomatic’s Solo Exhibition

For people living in New York City, Modomatic isn’t a new name. You’ve probably seen his work somewhere, maybe splashed across a street corner mural or brightening up a subway tunnel or in commercial areas with bursts of color and wild imagination. His expressive curves, fearless bright color choices, and unique sense of absurdity have made him one of the city’s standout contemporary artists.

Korean Festival Took Over West 32nd, Manhattan

Saturday, the first week of October '25. K-Town wasn’t just Korea-inspired, it became Korea. West 32nd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenue, transformed into Seoul Town for the annual community Korean Festival in Manhattan. And after years of living in the Big Apple, my wife and I finally decided to experience it for ourselves.

Warna Sepadan: Indonesian Artisan Collections in America

Warna Sepadan, founded by Alda Hamid and Laksmi Duhita, is a platform that showcases the work of Indonesian designers while helping small and medium-sized businesses expand into the U.S. market. By connecting artisans with a wider audience, it brings Indonesia’s rich fashion heritage to life in a modern, accessible way.

Light, Camera, Bali! 5 Films That Captured the Island’s Magic

Bali isn't just a paradise Island for tourists from many countries, but Bali has also caught the eye of Hollywood producers and filmmakers. With its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and exotic vibe, the Island of the Gods has become more than just a backdrop; it’s often a character in the story itself.

Saphira Adya Drops “Lelah” A Tender Pop Ballad for the Overthinkers

There’s something quietly powerful about music that speaks your thoughts before you even know how to name them. That’s exactly what singer-songwriter Saphira Adya manages to do in her newest single, "Lelah" a gentle, emotionally rich track that dives into the honest feeling of simply... being tired.

Premium T-Shirt Brand The Senoia Group Caters to Growing Market of Dog Enthusiasts

Dog lovers are a unique community with specific interests and values.Dog lovers are a unique community with specific interests and values. Specialty Retail Company Offers Quality Apparel That Celebrates Human-Canine BondJeudygirl (https://jeudygirl.com) has positioned itself as a premium t-shirt company dedicated exclusively to dog lovers, offering high-quality apparel that allows customers to wear their passion proudly.

Unlock World Expo 2025, right at your fingertips

When my mom told me we were going to the Osaka 2025 World Expo, I could hardly contain my excitement. I’d dreamed of attending for years—a place where cultures converge, countries showcase their visions of the future, and innovation meets imagination. Among the pavilions I visited was Indonesia’s, which struck a perfect balance between tradition and modernity. Visitors were greeted by hundreds of unpainted wooden masks from across the archipelago, creating a sleek yet cultural aesthetic.

Finally, a Press Release Book That Gets It

Finally I found one! “Your Press Release is Breaking My Heart – A Totally Unconventional Guide to Selling Your Story in the Media”—a really cool and simple book title. I’ve been keeping the book close whenever I have my reading time on the sofa or in bed.

From Jakarta to Maryland: 32 Years Waiting for Metallica

After 32 years, I had the experience to see Metallica concert again in Maryland but this time the experience was totally different than back in Indonesia

Invisible Universe Launches Invisible Studio, an AI-Powered Platform for Short-Form Video Content

As the demand for quality short-form video content increases, Invisible Studio aims to address the bottlenecks of traditional animation and inconsistent GenAI tools.

Java Jazz International Festival Makes Its New York Debut

For the first time ever, the annual Java Jazz International Festival was held in New York City, United States, last weekend. This special event marked the 20th anniversary of the festival and was part of the "Java Jazz On The Move" series—a lead-up to the main Java Jazz Festival happening at the end of May.

A Former Radio City Rockette Transforms Career Redirecting Concussion #1 Best Selling Spiritual Memoir

This recent publication marks a significant addition to the literary world, offering readers a compelling journey into the realms of self-empowerment and spiritual growth.

150 Looks. One Designer. Couture Creates Big Buzz in Arizona

Asian American fashion designer Natalia Yaya is making waves in the American fashion scene with her unique blend of Eastern tradition and Western modernity.

Lincoln Center's Summer for the City Returns

The 2025 festival offers a bold lineup of multidisciplinary performances across the Lincoln Center campus, including world and New York premieres, participatory events, and more

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