2001 Calendar
of Events:
First
Quarter: January-February-March 2001
Major events:
1. Oshogatsu: New
Year Family Celebration
January 7, 1-4p.m.
Celebrate the New Year at the National Museum with family and friends
by enjoying a fun-filled, festive afternoon learning about Japanese
American New Year "good luck" traditions. Discover unique foods such as
ozoni, a special New Year soup filled with mochi (pounded rice cakes)
that ensures good luck throughout the year. While you're there, enjoy
the tales of renowned storyteller Nanci Nishimura and Argyle Bunny.
You'll also have the chance to join a variety of workshops and decorate
a "tree of cranes." Don't miss out on other New Year activities planned
throughout Little Tokyo. Bring your friends - admission is free!
2. Children's Concert in Historic Sites
January 27, 1:30p.m.
Kids and adults alike are invited to explore the richness of Japanese
American history with a special Children's Concerts in Historic Sites
event. Sponsored by The Da Camera Society of Mount St. Mary's
College and coinciding with the exhibition Allen Say's Journey: The Art
and Words of a Children's Book Author, the concert features stories and
music from the Japanese American tradition. Storyteller Denise
Iketani and the Taiko ensemble Japanese Festival Sounds, led by drummer
Johnny Mori, team up for a high-energy, richly visual
performance. Kids leave with Japanese American sweets and a
special toy!
Concert
is recommended for children age 4 and above. Tickets ($18 for
adults, $12 for children, $48 for a family package of two adults and
two children) also admit you to the National Museum on the day of the
concert and can be purchased by calling 310.954. 4300.
3. Little Tokyo Walking Tour
February 10, 10-11:30a.m.
The Little Tokyo community in Los Angeles was once the residential,
business, and cultural center of the largest Japanese American
community in the United States until World War II. Relive history
and learn about present day Little Tokyo with National Museum
Docent, Bill Shishima on this historical walking tour through the
Museum's neighborhood. Comfortable clothes and shoes are
recommended. Members $5, non-members $11 includes National Museum
admission.
4. 2nd Sunday for Families
Art on the Courtyard: Explore, Imagine, Create February 11,
1-4p.m.
Join the National Museum for a Sunday of Art on our Children's
Courtyard to celebrate the upcoming exhibition Henry Sugimoto: Painting
an American Experience. Learn about different techniques such as
pastels, print making, water colors, and mixed medium collage used by
this important American artist. Try your hand at one or all of
these techniques at a variety of art stations on our Children's
Courtyard - you'll even have the chance to paint your own experiences
on a large wall mural. Music and taiko performances will accompany
you! Invite your friends - admission is free!
5. Day of Remembrance - Community
Event February 17, 2-4p.m.
Day of Remembrance (DOR), the community's annual commemoration of
President Roosevelt's signing of EO 9066 and the World War II exclusion
and internment of Japanese Americans and Japanese Latin Americans, will
be held at the Japanese American National Museum. The 2001 DOR
marks the 20th Anniversary of the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress
(NCRR), formerly known as the National Coalition for Redress &
Reparation. The National Museum, the Pacific Southwest District
JACL, and other community organizations join with NCRR in
reflecting upon the 20+ year journey for redress and justice, and the
continuing efforts for a vibrant and strong community.
6. An Afternoon with the Nishikawa Ensemble
February 24, 4-5:30p.m.
Featuring a special presentation of To-shihun (Tu Tze-chun): A Musical
Drama narrated by George Takei
Co-Sponsored by Yamaha Corporation of America and the Japanese American
National Museum
Join us for a performance by the Nishikawa Ensemble, an acclaimed
Japanese chamber music group. Led by Kohei Nishikawa, one of
Japan's most accomplished players of both Japanese and western flutes,
the group will perform a program that uniquely incorporates both
traditional Japanese instruments such as the shinobe, nokkan, biwa,
with Western instruments such as the flute and piano. Thirteen
year-old Yamaha student, Jonathan Takahashi, will also perform his
original composition with Mr. Nishikawa.
The
second half of the concert will feature the musical drama, To-shishun
(Tu Tze-chun), an ancient fable of one man's journey to personal
happiness. Narrated by actor George Takei, this gripping tale
will unfold against a live soundtrack performed by the Nishikawa
ensemble. Please call 213.625.0414 for reservations. Members $5,
non-members $8, includes National Museum admission. Seating is
limited.
7. A Sentimental Journey,
Japanese American National Museum 2001 Annual Dinner
& Silent Auction March 3
At the Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, California
8. 2nd Sunday for Families
How Does Your Garden Grow? March 11, 1-4p.m.
Whether you plant pansies or petunias, roses or radishes, this month's
Second Sunday is filled with hands-on workshops and demonstrations that
will introduce the joys of gardening to children and adults alike.
Gardeners and artists will share how color, texture and light can work
together to produce wonderful results. Come dressed in your gardening
gear and create your own garden! This program highlights the National
Museum's display For a Greener Tomorrow: Japanese American
Gardeners in Southern California. Admission is free!
For more information, please call 213.830.5659.
9. Gardening 101
A Day with Professional
Gardeners March 17, 10a.m.-4p.m.
Do you look longingly at the beautiful garden photographs in
magazines? Are you ever overwhelmed when you visit a nursery?
Confused about which plants thrive in sunlight and which do not? And,
how do you get rid of those pests? Experts, including representatives
from the Southern California Gardeners' Federation will cover a range
of gardening topics from plant selection and lawn care to landscape
design and container gardening will gather at the Museum to help you
solve your gardening problems. In conjunction with For a Greener
Tomorrow: Japanese American Gardeners in Southern California currently
on display, the Museum will host an interesting and informative day of
question and answer roundtable discussions.
Please
call 213.625.0414 for reservations. Members $15, non-members $20 in
advance, $25 at door, includes National Museum admission.
10.
After America...After Japan
Film screening and discussion March 18. 1 - 3 pm
After America...After Japan will examine the challenges and triumphs
experienced by Americans who have lived in Japan and Japanese who have
lived in America. Based on the underestimated power of culture,
how have these individuals been changed by their experiences in each
country? Can it be said that their lives and personalities are
now a blending of two cultural identities, neither completely American
nor completely Japanese?
Regge
Life, the film's executive producer/director conducted more than 300
interviews with individuals from both countries who continue to face
challenges in determining their new cultural identity. Life has
also produced two other widely acclaimed documentaries "Struggle and
Success: The African-American Experience in Japan" and "Doubles: Japan
and America's Intercultural Children". Both were broadcast
nationwide on NHK and PBS nationwide. Life will lead a discussion
of his film following the screening.
11.
Premiere of "Henry Sugimoto:
Painting an American Experience" March 24,
12p.m.-5p.m.
The new exhibition "Henry Sugimoto: Painting an American Experience"
opens at the National Museum