- The Beverly Arts
- Jun 9
Updated: Jun 14
Douglas Ivanovich, LABA Board member, Master Jiumei, founder and chairman of InLight Foundation, Sandra Costa, CEO of Sandra Costa Design Group, and Harrison Engle, LABA Board member
Los Angeles, California, USA. 3rd June, 2025. Master Jiumei, formerly known as Zhang Xiaomei, is the founding chairman of the Inlight Foundation https://www.inlightzen.org/en, and visited the Los Angeles headquarters of the Los Angeles Beverly Arts. (LABA) to discuss opportunities with her organization. She met with LABA board members Harrison Engle, Douglas Ivanovich, Sheri Determan, Sandra Costa, CEO of Sandra Costa Design Group, and TV host Joey Zhou, founder of LABA to discuss how her foundation can carry out public welfare, charity, art, meditation, and other activities in the Los Angeles area. Master Jiumei is a best-selling author and also the founder/chairman of the Inlight International Meditation Center.
Master Jiumei (Zhang Xiaomei) at a younger age in China (Photo is courtesy Master Jiumei)
Master Jiumei grew up in China and is well-known for her success and achievements in the fashion industry. As an industry leader, she led a significant fashion revolution in China, standardized and developed the fashion industry, published national fashion textbooks, and created jobs for millions of people. She has written more than a dozen best-selling books, including "The Cultivation of Charming Women" and "New Feminism", which have attracted millions of readers. She also founded the influential journals "China Beauty and Fashion News" and "New Humanity", and successfully held the "China International Beauty and Fashion Week" for many years. Master Jiumei became a fashion icon for a generation of Chinese elites, and while her career has taken a new direction, she is still deeply respected by all walks of life in Chinese society.
TV host Joey Zhou, founder of LABA, Master Jiumei with her LABA Icon Award, Harrison Engle, LABA Board member and Princess Karen Cantrell
She has won many awards during her career, including the United Nations World Young Entrepreneur Outstanding Achievement Award and the LABA Icon Award for her accomplishments in humanitarian and public welfare causes. After her fashion career, Master Jiumei studied and practiced Taoism, Buddhism and ancient yoga, and traveled around the world to explore the true meaning of life. Her spiritual journey has taken her to China, the United States, India, Nepal, Bhutan, the Mayan region of Mexico, Japan, Thailand, Peru and Myanmar. Her teachings and practices have inspired thousands of people, including celebrities, scholars, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Master Jiumei
In 2016, Master Jiumei trained at the Cameron Retreat Center in the United States for four years of deep study, and successfully obtained the advanced practitioner certification. For the past ten years, Master Jiumei has been teaching InLight yoga, breathing adjustment, and meditation. Most recently, she has developed new educational courses including "Light Fasting", "Silent Meditation", "Zen Tea", "Zen Incense", "Youth Meditation", "Urban Life Zen," and "International Study Tour."
As a leader in contemporary spiritual practice, Master Jiumei specializes at conveying profound wisdom with clear and concise teachings, and exploring grand themes such as the meaning of life. She has a deep understanding of the challenges and bottlenecks faced by modern people, and teaches the way to a calm, healthy, wise and joyful life. For decades, with her broad mind, she has influenced and led thousands of people to embark on a more effective and productive path of spiritual growth, realizing the transformation of new life.
In 2022, the InLight Foundation expanded its teachings to the United States and established an international meditation center at the world-famous Mount Shasta. InLight also initiated an in-depth discussion on contemporary spiritual growth at Stanford University. At the same time, InLight held many classes, meditation camps, youth camps, international courses, and meditation tours across the United States.
Douglas Ivanovich, LABA Board member, Peter Wu, CEO of XAVVI, Master Jiumei, founder and chairman of InLight Foundation, Sandra Costa, CEO of Sandra Costa Design Group, Harrison Engle, LABA Board member, and TV host Joey Zhou, founder of LABA
During Master Jiumei's visit of LABA Los Angeles Headquarters offices, she also visited the XAVVI Group headquarters in downtown Los Angeles to learn about how the XAVVI Group manages AI and operates a global e-commerce platform. Peter Wu, president of XAVVI's global e-commerce platform, gave a detailed introduction of XAVVI's ecommerce operations and an overview of their Los Angeles offices in the United States. Master Jiumei was impressed with his presentation and hopes to formulate a cooperation plan with her organization in the future. In conjunction with LABA's 2025-2028 art exhibition to welcome the Los Angeles Olympic Year, Master Jiumei hopes to participate with LABA to create a harmonious partnership for her organization and to find a meaningful way to contribute spirituality, art, and humanitarianism to all of mankind.
TV host Joey Zhou, founder of LABA, Douglas Ivanovich, LABA Board member, Master Jiumei, founder and chairman of InLight Foundation, and Harrison Engle, LABA Board member at LABA Headquarter offices in Los Angeles
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by MDSUN, XAVVI, BYC International Holdings, InLight Foundation, Cynthia Clarté, Jiannan Huang Art Institute, and The Beverly Arts Foundation
- The Beverly Arts
- May 31
Updated: Jun 14
Members of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Beverly Hills Chapter: Masa Baba, Yukiko Minami, John Cronin, Bailli (President) Sir Laurent Khaiat, Joey Zhou, Akemi Nakata Khaiat, and Chloe Kelly
Beverly Hills, California, 25th May, 2025. The Beverly Hills Chapter of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gathered at the elegant Gravitas in Beverly Hills to celebrate an evening of culinary excellence and camaraderie. Gravitas is a private members’ club offering luxurious amenities, world-class service, and exceptional dining experiences. The evening featured a four-course dinner specially curated by the chefs at Gravitas for the members of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, with each dish reflecting their commitment to quality and providing a sophisticated culinary experience.
Bailli (President) Sir Laurent Khaiat and Sophie Gayot as she uses a saber to open a bottle of champagne
The special guest of the evening was world-renowned food critic, Sophie Gayot, president of Gayot (gayot.com), who kicked off the festivities by opening a bottle of champagne with a saber - while blindfolded! Founded by her family over 55 years ago, Gayot has been a trusted guide to "The Good Life," and attracts millions of readers who turn to Gayot’s worldwide expert reviews on dining, wine, drinks, events, and more. The Gayot Guide focuses on the top 40 restaurants and each year Gayot publishes its list of the “Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.” highlighting the nation’s best restaurants.
TV host Joey Zhou, founder of the Los Angeles Beverly Arts, holding a gift of calligraphy by LABA Blue-chip artist Jiannan Huang, Bailli Sir Laurent Khaiat, and food critic Sophie Gayot
Table setting in the private room at Gravitas
The highlights of the menu:
Hors D’oeuvres Reception
• Pedro’s Grilled Cheese with Tomato Jam
• Grilled Steak Skewers with Chimichurri
• Garlic and White Wine Mushroom Skewers
First Course
• Shaved Spring Vegetables with Pecorino, Filberts, Arbequina Olive Oil, Champagne Vinaigrette
Mid Course
• Trottole Pasta with Fava Beans, Morel Mushrooms, and Pea Tendril-Mint Pesto
Main Course
• Crispy Duck Confit with English Peas, Creamy Nora Mills Grits, and Spring Onion-Green Garlic Jus
Dessert
• Strawberry Shortcake
Guests enjoyed a selection of wines that were paired with the menu selections
The Beverly Hills Chapter of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs continues to shine as a beacon of hospitality and culinary distinction. The evening was a testament to the chapter’s enduring passion for fine dining and meaningful connection, honoring tradition, embracing excellence, and celebrating life through food and fellowship. Vive La Chaîne!
Members and guests pose for a photo with Bailli Sir Laurent Khaiat (L)
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by MDSUN, XAVVI, BYC International Holdings, InLight Foundation, Cynthia Clarté, Jiannan Huang Art Institute, and The Beverly Arts Foundation
- The Beverly Arts
- May 29
Updated: Jun 14
Pasadena, California, USA. 24th May, 2025. In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Elite Performing Arts Group USA proudly presented the original musical stage play The Three Golden Flowers on May 24th at the AGBU Cultural Center in Pasadena. The production features three moving stories that blend theater, music, and stagecraft to depict the lives of three iconic Chinese cultural pioneers. At the conclusion of each segment, a Golden Flower Award ceremony was held to honor these luminaries. The event drew distinguished guests from the artistic, academic, and political communities of both China and the U.S., bearing witness to this East-West cultural exchange and paying tribute to three individuals who have left a lasting mark on modern Chinese art and culture.
Scene from The Three Golden Flowers
Scene from The Three Golden Flowers
The Golden Flower Award was established to honor individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to cultural heritage and original artistic creation. More than a symbol of honor, the award serves as a vital platform connecting Eastern and Western traditions, the past and present, and domestic and global communities. It aims to rekindle public appreciation and love for traditional culture, allowing the “golden flowers” to take root and bloom in people’s hearts. The award upholds the principle of “innovation with integrity,” encouraging artists to remain rooted in their cultural identities while bravely exploring creative expression in a multicultural world.
The performance was met with enthusiastic acclaim, and the concert hall was filled to capacity.
The first Golden Flower Award was presented posthumously to renowned Chinese American playwright C.Y. Lee, whose classic work Flower Drum Song marked a milestone as the first Broadway show about Chinese Americans. Veteran filmmaker Woody Mu brought two rare editions of Into Broadway to the ceremony and spoke about the historical importance of Lee’s works. The awards were presented by Michael Berry, UCLA professor and Golden Horse Awards jury member, and Richard Anderson, Oscar and Emmy-winning producer. The award was received by Elaine Thomas, president of the Joy Luck Club Association, on behalf of C.Y. Lee’s children, Angela and Jay Lee.
Presenters shows photo of playwright C.Y. Lee, best known for the "Flower Drum Song" - he was honored posthumously with an award
TV host Joey Zhou, founder of the Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA) narrates the beginning of the play.
The second award honored pioneering Chinese female artist Zhou Lianxia, known for her delicate bird-and-flower paintings and her work in integrating poetry, calligraphy, and painting. A founding supporter of China’s first female painters’ association, Zhou remains a key figure in modern Chinese art history. The award was presented by Sun Xiaohua, president of the North American International Calligraphy and Painting Institute, and acclaimed overseas Chinese painter Situ Mian. Zhou’s son Xu Yuzhong, grandson Xu Yin, and great-grandson Xu Zili accepted the award in her honor.
Honorees and presenters gather on the stage
Honoree walks on stage to accept his award
The third honoree was Huang Zi, a foundational figure in modern Chinese music. He introduced Western harmonic systems and composition techniques into Chinese music, created the country’s first symphonic work, and pioneered a style of art songs fusing Eastern and Western sensibilities. The award was presented by former Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and received by Huang Zi’s grandson Huang Weiand nephew Huang Ertao. Also present were Huang Wei’s wife Guo Xiaohong, and Huang Ertao’s wife, noted architect Zhang Kequn, both of whom joined the performance alongside the West Sunset Men’s Choir.
In a special highlight of the evening, Michael Antonovich also presented a California State Assembly honorary certificate on behalf of Dr. Phillip Chen to recognize the production team, including Golden Horse-winning director Yang Dunping (Executive Producer), Sheng Yili (Producer), Luo Xinghua (Director), Gu Shanshan (Drama Consultant), Peng Nanlin
(Executive Producer), and Yi Huang (Artistic Director).
Michael Antonovich, former Los Angeles County Supervisor (3rd left) with honorees of of certificates of recognition he presented
Also in attendance were former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Dr. Zhang Manjun, documentary filmmaker Harrison Engle (who has directed the Oscars seven times), Emmy-winning Broadway/Hollywood actress Grace Field, actors Hu Huiling, Karen Hahn, three-time Oscar winner Paul Ottosson, producer Lindsay Hadley, Oscar-winning VFX artist Brian Connor, designer Sandra Costa, filmmaker Michelle Pangborn, actor Richard Grieco, singer Blanca, designer Katherine Lu, martial arts choreographer Li Jing, producer Joshua Azali, host and architect Zhuo Lei, linguist Wang Ling, poet Shen Meiying, director Jia Yiping, painter Katherine Arion, and producers Pete Allman, Joss Gome, and Lin Cong. Additional honored guests included former Writers Association president Bei Ao, president of the Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce USA Lin Guang, founding president of the Yunnan Association Huang Jing, and U.S. Public Affairs president Zhou Kai. The presence of Hollywood writers, directors, and producers highlighted the success of Chinese-American cultural exchange.
Presenters on the stage introduce the next awardee
Award presentation on the stage
According to producer Angela Sheng, Three Golden Flowers was intensively rehearsed over a six-week period, but the concept had been carefully developed over a much longer time. Debuting during AAPI Month, the play featured over 90 artists in three casts and integrated music, dance, and theater. Despite the tight rehearsal schedule, the performers' passion successfully portrayed a rich cultural panorama. The show opened with a performance by the Jiaxin Creative Dance Group, led by five-time U.S. Latin Dance champion Roman Kutskyy. Historical figures such as Zhou Lianxia, Xu Beihong, Lu Xiaoman, Zhang Daqian, and Xu Zhimo were portrayed by trained actors to authentically recreate the intellectual milieu of 1930s China. The C.Y. Lee scenes featured performers with strong music backgrounds, while Huang Zi’s story included live renditions of his art songs by XiYangHong Choir and Horizon Choir.
Executive producer Angela Sheng
Angela Sheng emphasized her hope that the play would help audiences remember those who advanced cross-cultural understanding. Following its Pasadena premiere, the show will tour Orange County and Irvine later this year, bringing Chinese art history to more diverse communities. She also called for support from corporations and institutions to sustain and promote such cultural initiatives. Co-organizers included the College Alliance Arts Club, North American International Calligraphy and Painting Institute, Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce USA, Ziyi Foundation, XiYangHong Choir, Horizon Choir, Joy Luck Club Association, and California Creative and Performing Arts Center.
Earlier in the day, the North American International Calligraphy and Painting Institute co-hosted an art exhibition featuring works by Sun Xiaohua, Situ Mian, Zhou Xiaosong, He Niandan, Miao Qing, Shi Yuqing, Liang Biwei, and Meng Ruiyuan, enriching the cultural experience of the event. Zhou Xiaosong created a portrait of Huang Zi for the play, inspired by his work Words of the Western Wind. Actress Meng Ruiyuan, who portrayed Huang Zi’s classmate in the play, also painted an artwork titled Spring Thoughts following her rendition of the song Spring Thoughts.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Katherine Barger, on behalf of Mr. Wu Zhongguo, presented a County Honor Certificate to the organizing team and production staff of the Golden Flower Awards and Three Golden Flowers.
Cast and production members pose for photo
After the performance, the entire cast and production team gathered for commemorative photos. Key personnel included: Stage Director: Ai Huang, Stage Manager: Hong Chen, Golden Flower Awards Emcee: Joyce Lin, Choreographer: Ri Yue, Sound Director: Xiaolu Sun, Guest Actor: Joey Zhou (Zhou Zheng), Movement Coach: Vivian Xu, Sound Engineer: Shufeng Li,Props John Mou and David Liu, Lighting: Guanlin Liu，Styling: Yun Jiang，Makeup: Bingbing and Kiki，Set Design: Captain Huang, Subtitle Translation: Vincent Guan
Cast and production members, presenters, and guests pose for a photo after the performance
Cast and production members pose for a photo after the performance
Lead Cast Members:David Ye, Lei Fang, Aunisa Xiu, Dingyi Shen, Yi Huang, Franky Feng, Peter Phung, Jenny Liu, Jack Yang, Mary Antonovich, Charlie Kuang, Pinki Chen, Ling Ding, Weihua Wang, Yuxi Chen, Yixin Wang, Feng Tan, Bei Wan, Nancy Xu, Cindy Wang, Lucy Zhu, Lily Li, Glenn Boggs, Peng Peng, Ling Li, Haohu Xue, Xin Li, Yalin Zhao, Mengqi Huang, Lin Nan, Paul Lo, Norbert Csati, Hong Chen, Weili Sun, Jaden Tran, Eric Yang, Ruiyuan Meng, Angela Sheng, Songlin Pan, Sean Jiang, Xiaolu Sun, Vivian Xu, Lily Zhang, Yuehua Yu, Zhaofeng Cong, Tiffany Li, Riyue, Ivy Huang, Jessica Yan, Harper Wang, Nan Huang, Bingxin Zhao, Tiffany Nie, and Raymond Lim.
Joyce Lin, Norbert Csati, Peter Phung, Jack Yang, Peter Trump, Joey Zhou, Angela Sheng, Woody Mu, Captain Huang, Nanlin Peng, Harrison Engle, and Amy Huang
Amy Huang, TV host Joey Zhou, executive producer Angela Sheng, and director/filmmaker Harrison Engle
Nearly a hundred people gathered at the Pasadena theater, creating a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere. The play was a special presentation for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, paying tribute to three luminaries of Chinese culture and honoring their contributions with the Golden Flower Awards.
TV host Joey Zhou and actress/singer Grace Field
TV host Joey Zhou with timeline of honoree Zhou Lianxia
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by MDSUN, XAVVI, BYC International Holdings, Cynthia Clarté, En Guangzhi Art Studio, Xiuwen Wang Art Studio, and The Beverly Arts Foundation