052015: Another Awesome Launch for Last Boat to Yokohama

The second launch celebration of LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA: The Life and Legacy of Beate Sirota Gordon was an extraordinary affair, set against the backdrop of ancient statues, paintings and tapestries of Himalayan Asia in the gorgeous Rubin Museum in the Chelsea area of Manhattan. 

Six speakers/performers included authors Nassrine Azimi and Michel Wasserman, Beate's son and daughter Nicole Gordon and Geoffrey Paul Gordon, Rubin Museum trustee Richard Lanier, and Japanese performance artist/dancer Eiko. The event was followed by a reception in the very cool Rubin cafe on the first floor, with authors signing books to the sounds of live Nepalese musicians. Enjoy the photos from the event!

Peter Carlaftes, Three Rooms Press co-director, introduces Last Boat to Yokohama.

Carlaftes continues his introduction,

Richard Lanier, Rubin Museum trustee, speaks.

Richard Lanier.

Author Nassrine Azimi explains how she became interested in Beate Sirota Gordon.

Author Nassrine Azimi shares a story of Beate.

Author Michel Wasserman explains his part in the project.

Michel Wasserman shares moments from the authors interviews with Beate.

Nicole Gordon, Beate's daughter, offers memories of her mother.

Nicole Gordon.

Japanese performance artist/dancer Eiko (of Eiko and Komo).

Niko's dance, performed for the first time.

Eiko concludes her dance.

Playwright/actor Geoffrey Paul Gordon, Beate's son.

Geoffrey Paul Gordon, Eiko, and Nicole Gordon.

Authors sign books following the presentation.

At the book signing.

Signing copies of LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA.

LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA authors Nassrine Azimi and Michel Wasserman.

What a Great Event!: Last Boat to Yokohama Inaugural Launch 5/19/15 at Cornelia Street Cafe

Amazing launch celebration last night for the extraordinary book LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA: The Life and Times of Beate Sirota Gordon. As a lifelong feminist, I'm very proud to have published this book about such an incredible woman! If you have never heard of her, start here. Then consider having a look at this wonderful new book on Amazon.  Many thanks to authors Nassrine Azimi and Michel Wasserman who traveled from Japan for this event. We're having a second launch tonight at The Rubin Museum. A few tickets are still left. Get them here.

Here are some photos from this moving and compelling event.

Last Boat to Yokohama authors Michel Wasserman and Nassrine Azimi 

Beate Sirota Gordon's daughter Nicole Gordon and son Geoffrey Paul Gordon

Nassrine Azimi, Nicole Gordon, Geoffrey Paul Gordon and Michel Wasserman

At the after party with Nassrine Azimi and Michel Wasserman

Author Nassrine Azimi explains how Beate Sirota Gordon inspired her.

Author Michel Wasserman discusses interviewing Beate Sirota Gordon for Last Boat to Yokohama.

Composer and musicologist Raphael Mostel shares personal memories of Beate Sirota Gordon.

Music archaeologist Allen Evans reveals how he uncovered original of famed classical pianist Leo Sirota, Beate's father.

Prominent attorney and teacher Nicole Gordon shares memories of her mother, Beate Sirota Gordon.

Three Rooms Press co-director Peter Carlaftes describes how Three Rooms Press became involved in publishing Last Boat to Yokohama.

Actor/playwright Geoffrey Paul Gordon reads a moving elegy to his mother, Beate from Last Boat to Yokohama

5/17: Noir at the Bar--Dark City Lights Authors NYC Reading

Shade Bar welcomes Three Rooms Press on Sunday May 17 @6pm with 9 contributors from the Noir anthology DARK CITY LIGHTS: New York Stories edited by famed mystery and detective author Lawrence Block. Readers include Jill Block, Tom Callahan, Jane Dentinger, Annette Meyers, Peter Hochstein, 3RP Co-Directors Peter Carlaftes, and Kat Georges, plus  Noir at the Bar host Thomas Pluck. There will be books available for purchase and a few to giveaway for lucky audience members in the bar. So come and here New York tales from DARK CITY LIGHTS. 

Admission is free. Shade Bar is located at 241 Sullivan Street on the SE corner of W. 3rd. Reading begins at 6pm. See you there!

5/20: LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA Launch Celebration at The Rubin Museum

 

On Wednesday, May 20, at 6:30 pm, join Three Rooms Press as we celebrate the release of LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF BEATE SIROTA GORDON by Nassrine Azimi and Michel Wasserman, with a reading and Q&A in the galleries at the Rubin Museum. A book signing in the shop will follow the reading. 

In 1946, a remarkable woman secretly helped create Japan’s new constitution, writing an article that mandated equal rights for all women in Japan. Few could imagine that Article 24 was the work of a 22-year-old Vienna-born, naturalized American woman of Ukrainian-Jewish descent who had grown up in Japan. Her name was Beate Sirota, and to this day she remains an idol for generations of Japanese women. This extraordinary biography includes a foreword by Beate, an in-depth look at her father, the world-renowned classical pianist Leo Sirota, personal diaries from the World War II era by her mother, Augustine, as well as a detailed overview of Beate’s life, including the ongoing impact of her contributions to the Japanese constitution, as well as her personal impact on world ­culture fostered by four decades of dedication to introducing authentic dance, theater, and music of the Far East to American audiences. 

Speakers include: 

• Nassrine Azimi, author, LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA; founder of the Green Legacy project 
• Michel Wasserman, author, LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA; professor, College of International Relations, Ritsumeikan University 
• Richard Lanier, founding trustee and president of the Asian Cultural Council; trustee, Rubin Museum 
• Eiko Otake, performance artist (Eiko & Koma) 
• Nicole Gordon, attorney and teacher; daughter of Beate Sirota Gordon 
• Geoffrey Paul Gordon, playwright and actor; son of Beate Sirota Gordon 

Admission is $15. Tickets available on the Rubin Museum website.

High Praise for LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA and Beate Sirota Gordon

"All of us have a lot to learn from Beate Gordon—a woman with the courage to match her convictions." —Yoko Ono 

"An important book. Every woman on both sides of the Pacific should know about Beate Sirota Gordon and what she did for the women of Japan." —Martha Burk, Money Editor, Ms. Magazine; Director, Corporate Accountability Project, NCWO; Equal Time with Martha Burk, KSFR 

"LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA is a necessary addition to myriad of books written about World War II. It is complementary to Beate Sirota Gordon’s memoir The Only Woman in the Room and deserves a place in any school, public or personal library.” —Anne Lee, Shojo Power

"Anything about the remarkable Beate Gordon is interesting. And that's too mild an adjective.  Nassrine Azimi and Michel Wasserman continue this tradition in their splendid new book, LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA.  I was lucky enough to know Beate and my admiration for her is unlimited. You must get a copy for yourself. I will not lend mine." —Dick Cavett, talk show host, actor and writer 

"Beate Gordon was an amazing woman who was a pioneer in many ways. What she did as a woman in helping to create Japan’s new constitution is historic. She introduced to me Suzushi Hanayagi. We collaborated on 15 major works for opera and theatre. Suzushi changed my life. It was the wisdom of Beate to bring us together. Few women of the 20th century have had her courage and vision. She did in the 20th century what Admiral Perry did in the mid 19th century." —Robert Wilson, experimental theater director and playwright 

"An inspiring book about an inspiring woman." —Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore; and Chairperson, Water Leaders Summit 

"A fascinating book about an extraordinary woman." —BookPleasures 

“[Beate Gordon’s] contribution in drafting language about women's rights for the new constitution was instrumental in effecting significant cultural change.  Later, she would pursue a career in the performing arts in New York, where through her work at the Japan Society she brought the very essence of what was precious in Japanese culture and art to America. Read LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA and be inspired by her remarkable life." —Yo-Yo Ma, cellist

5/19: LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA Inaugural NYC Launch at Cornelia Street Cafe

 

Three Rooms Press cordially invites you to attend the inaugural launch of the extraordinary biography LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF BEATE SIROTA GORDON, Tuesday, May 19, 6 pm, at Cornelia Street Cafe. 

The event will feature readings by authors Nassrine Azimi and Michel Wasserman, a special presentation by composer/musician and Beate associate Raphael Mostel, and readings by Nicole Gordon (attorney, teacher and Beate's daughter) and Geoffrey Paul Gordon (playwright, actor and Beate's son). Admission is $8, which includes a free beverage. Books will be available at the event for signing and purchase. 

In 1946, a remarkable woman secretly helped create Japan’s new constitution, writing an article that mandated equal rights for all women in Japan. Few could imagine that Article 24 was the work of a 22-year-old Vienna-born, naturalized American woman of Ukrainian-Jewish descent who had grown up in Japan. Her name was Beate Sirota, and to this day she remains an idol for generations of Japanese women. This extraordinary biography includes a foreword by Beate, an in-depth look at her father, the world-renowned classical pianist Leo Sirota, personal diaries from the World War II era by her mother, Augustine, as well as a detailed overview of Beate’s life, including the ongoing impact of her contributions to the Japanese constitution, as well as her personal impact on world ­culture fostered by four decades of dedication to introducing authentic dance, theater, and music of the Far East to American audiences.

High Praise for LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA and Beate Sirota Gordon

"All of us have a lot to learn from Beate Gordon—a woman with the courage to match her convictions." —Yoko Ono 

"An important book. Every woman on both sides of the Pacific should know about Beate Sirota Gordon and what she did for the women of Japan." —Martha Burk, Money Editor, Ms. Magazine; Director, Corporate Accountability Project, NCWO; Equal Time with Martha Burk, KSFR 

"Last Boat to Yokohama is a necessary addition to myriad of books written about World War II. It is complementary to Beate Sirota Gordon’s memoir The Only Woman in the Room and deserves a place in any school, public or personal library.” —Anne Lee, Shojo Power

"Anything about the remarkable Beate Gordon is interesting. And that's too mild an adjective.  Nassrine Azimi and Michel Wasserman continue this tradition in their splendid new book, LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA.  I was lucky enough to know Beate and my admiration for her is unlimited. You must get a copy for yourself. I will not lend mine." —Dick Cavett, talk show host, actor and writer 

"Beate Gordon was an amazing woman who was a pioneer in many ways. What she did as a woman in helping to create Japan’s new constitution is historic. She introduced to me Suzushi Hanayagi. We collaborated on 15 major works for opera and theatre. Suzushi changed my life. It was the wisdom of Beate to bring us together. Few women of the 20th century have had her courage and vision. She did in the 20th century what Admiral Perry did in the mid 19th century." —Robert Wilson, experimental theater director and playwright 

"An inspiring book about an inspiring woman." —Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore; and Chairperson, Water Leaders Summit 

"A fascinating book about an extraordinary woman." —BookPleasures 

“[Beate Gordon’s] contribution in drafting language about women's rights for the new constitution was instrumental in effecting significant cultural change.  Later, she would pursue a career in the performing arts in New York, where through her work at the Japan Society she brought the very essence of what was precious in Japanese culture and art to America. Read LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA and be inspired by her remarkable life." —Yo-Yo Ma, cellist 

For more information about this event or LAST BOAT TO YOKOHAMA, please email Three Rooms Press at info@threeroomspress.com