FREE!

Los Angeles Art Association is proud to partner with Otis College of Art and Design on an essential screening of Otis’ time-based and new media artists. Part of Otis’ 90th Anniversary celebration, this screening will acknowledge and commemorate the many important video artists fostered at Otis. Curated by Erika Suderburg.

For more information, visit: www.laaa.org.

Tour our ongoing exhibition Common Ground: Heart of a Community with our experienced and knowledgeable docents.

This Fall 2008 Asian American Poetry and Writing (AAPW) and the Japanese American National are proud and excited to offer community-based creative writing workshops for aspiring and emerging writers. Our goal is to create affordable and culturally sensitive classes that allows writers the space to explore craft and theme in their work.

When:
October 4, 2008 - November 8, 2008 (Saturday mornings and afternoons)

Cost:
$150 for six sessions. $125 for JANM members (Minimum 5 participants, maximum 12)
Courses:

1. Stories Make us Real (1-3pm)
Introduction to Fiction with Noel Alumit

In this introductory class, we will read stories and then write our own. What are the elements of narrative? How do we utilize character, point of view, dialogue, plot, setting and tone? Through close reading and discussion, we will examine how others have created powerful fiction. We'll also workshop our own writing, helping each other to dig deeper and unearth the core of our stories and in the process--ourselves.

Noel Alumit's first novel "Letters to Montgomery Clift," has received many awards including the Stonewall Book Award (American Library Association), Violet Quill Award (Insight Out Books), the Global Filipino Literary Award (Our Own Voice), and the Gold Seal (ForeWord Magazine). He has also been nominated for the PEN Center USA West Literary award, the Lambda Literary Award, and the Asian American Literary Award. His second novel "Talking o the Moon" was published in 2007 and went on to become a Los Angeles Times Bestseller. He also teaches for UCLA Extension. He blogs at www.thelastnoel.blogspot.com

2. The World is a Poem (11am – 1pm)
Introduction to Poetry with Neil Aitken

There are moments in our lives that transform us or change the way we view the world around us. Something we see or feel moves us beyond where we've been. Often it's love or loss, the stories of how we got here or where we are going, or maybe just the way that something we've always taken as ordinary reveals itself as extraordinary or beautiful. What makes a poem a poem? How do we set down our thoughts and emotions in a more powerful way? This course will cover essential poetcraft including: imagery and figurative language, rhythm and sound, line and form, and lyric and narrative styles. Some discussion of poetry journals and publishing will also be provided.

Neil Aitken is the author of The Lost Country of Sight which won the 2007 Philip Levine Prize for Poetry and is due out from Anhinga Press in November 2008. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from UC Riverside and is currently pursuing a PhD in Literature & Creative Writing at USC. More information about Neil can be found on his website: www.neil-aitken.com

3. Claiming Your Voice (11am – 1pm)
A memoir/personal writing class with Naomi Hirahara

Have you always wanted to write, but are not sure quite how to put your thoughts and experiences on paper? How do you find your written "voice" and how do you nurture and sustain it? Instruction will include writing exercises that allow students to take creative risks in a safe and encouraging environment. Participants will learn how to remove obstacles that keep them from being truly free in their writing. Basic craft skills will also be covered.

* Please note: Naomi's class will run from Oct 4 - Nov 15 with Oct 25 off

Award-winning writer and former Rafu Shimpo editor Naomi Hirahara is a Los Angeles literary treasure. She is the author of the Edgar Award-winning Mas Arai mystery series, which includes Summer of the Big Bachi, Gasa-Gasa Girl, and Snakeskin Shamisen. Her website is www.naomihirahara.com

4. Lights, Camera, Write (1pm – 3 pm)
Introduction to Screenwriting with Koji Steven Sakai

For the cinephile who has the next great American Film within them, this six-week course will introduce you to the craft of screenwriting, where students will focus on story structure, scene development and dialogue. From plot-driven action to independent drama, students will write and workshop short scenes, basic outlines and short treatments.

Koji Steven Sakai is a graduate from USC's Masters of Professional Writing program. He co-wrote, Haunted Highway, which was directed by Junichi Suzuki and distributed by Lions Gate DVD. He has held several fellowships, starting with the most recent, which include: Film Independent's Project: Involve (2007), Visual Communication's Armed With a Camera (2006), and Screenwriting Expo 4 New Visions Fellowship award (2005). When he isnt' fighting crime or making movies, he is the Manager of Public Programs at the Japanese American National Museum.

Visit aapw-la.org for more information about each class and an updated schedule.

California Community Foundation Presents 20 Years Ago Today: Supporting Individual Artists in L.A. Exhibition Opening Celebration!

VIP reception by invitation only.

California Community Foundation Presents 20 Years Ago Today: Supporting Individual Artists in L.A. opens.

ADMISSION:
Free

In a joint effort to welcome diverse communities across Southern California, the Museum Marketing Roundtable announces the fourth annual "Museums Free-For-All" during the weekend of Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5, 2008. The twenty-four institutions listed below—exploring art, cultural heritage, natural history and science—will offer free admission to all visitors on one or both dates.

For information on exhibitions on view in early October, visit www.museumsla.org/ or the individual institutional websites below:

Armory Center for the Arts (BOTH DATES)
www.armoryarts.org/

Autry National Center (Sunday, October 5, only)
www.autrynationalcenter.org/

Bowers Museum (Sunday, October 5, only)
www.bowers.org/

California African American Museum (BOTH DATES)
www.caamuseum.org/

California Heritage Museum (Saturday, October 4, only)
www.californiaheritagemuseum.org/

California Science Center (BOTH DATES)
www.californiasciencecenter.org/

Craft and Folk Art Museum (BOTH DATES)
www.cafam.org/

Fowler Museum at UCLA (BOTH DATES)
www.fowler.ucla.edu/

The Getty Center (BOTH DATES)
www.getty.edu/

The Getty Villa -- advance ticket required -- (BOTH DATES)
www.getty.edu/

Hammer Museum at UCLA (BOTH DATES)
www.hammer.ucla.edu/

Japanese National American Museum (Sunday, October 5, only)
www.janm.org/

Los Angeles Fire Harbor Museum
(Saturday, October 4, only)
www.lafdmuseum.org/

Los Angeles Fire Museum & Memorial (BOTH DATES)
www.lafdmuseum.org/

The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (BOTH DATES)
www.moca.org/

Museum of Latin American Art (BOTH DATES)
www.molaa.org/

Museum of Tolerance (Sunday, October 5, only)
www.museumoftolerance.com/a>

Natural History Museum (BOTH DATES)
www.nhm.org

Norton Simon Museum (Sunday, October 5, only)
www.nortonsimon.org/

The Paley Center for Media (BOTH DATES)
www.paleycenter.org/

Petersen Automotive Museum (BOTH DATES)
www.petersen.org/

Santa Monica Museum of Art (Saturday, October 4, only)
http://www.smmoa.org/

Skirball Cultural Center (Sunday, October 5, only)
www.skirball.org/

Southwest Museum of the American Indian (BOTH DATES)
www.autrynationalcenter.org/

Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer authors of The True Patriot will lead a lively conversation on what constitutes “true” patriotism and how its pursuit can change politics in America.

For more information about the book, visit www.truepat.org/

Create fun Halloween and Thanksgiving cards for your friends and family.

$8 for National Museum members; $13 for non-members, includes Museum admission and supplies.

David Mura, author of Turning Japanese, will read from and discuss his new novel Famous Suicides of the Japanese Empire.

The novel explores the fate of a Japanese American family whose father was a No-No Boy during World War II. The narrator, Ben Ohara, is a sansei who grows up knowing little of his father's past.

Mura will talk about the continued relevance of the internment in the current debates on national security and upon the identity of Japanese Americans and Asian Americans.

9 pm to 1 am
Performances start at 10 pm

A live show featuring the best of Asian American/Pacific Islander hip-hop music and culture.

This concert features internationally known hip-hop legend Jin the MC from 106 & Park fame, as well as up-and-coming rapper Camino and R&B sensation Sheri. Future clothing and lifestyle giants, Teruo Artistry and Gas-d, will also be there for a special once-in-a-life-time hip-hop fashion show! Comedian Randall Park will serve as the MC for the night with a team of talented DJs ( DJ Soulspeak, DJ Linotype, DJ Spingineer).

$5.00 for Japanese American National Museum members; $10 for non-members. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance by calling 213-625-0414 or visiting the visitor center at the National Museum. Please note, on the day of the program tickets can be purchased with cash only.

Keep checking janm.org for more information and an updated program schedule.

FREE!

In conversation with John Nathan, Takashima Professor of Japanese Cultural Studies, UCSB

In his enthralling new novel, Buruma—an expert on modern Asia—uses the life of the starlet Yamaguchi Yoshiko as a lens through which to understand the contradictions and complexities of modern Japanese history.

This program will take place at the Mark Taper Auditorium at the downtown Central Library. To make reservations or for more information go to www.aloudla.org or 213-228-7025


JANM members recieve a 15% discount on Ian Buruma’s book for the ALOUD program on October 21st. To receive the discount, you must present a membership card.

Screening of 'Aleut Story'

In the turbulence of war, the Aleuts of Alaska would redefine themselves – and America. From indentured servitude and being put into concentration camps during World War II, to Congress and the White House, this is the incredible story of the Aleuts’ decades-long struggle for our nation’s ideals. Special guest author/poet Marie Huskey (Unangan/Aleut) to start the screening.

Bringing the Circle Together: A Native American Film Series

Sponsored in Association with the Japanese American National Museum, National Center for Preservation of Democracy, the Southern California Indian Center, Inc., and Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center

Bringing the Circle Together: A Native American Film Series is a FREE monthly film series located in downtown Los Angeles at the National Center for Preservation of Democracy. No reservations are needed and all screenings are open to the public. The film series was established to provide quality documentaries and films by and about Native Americans, and bring together a central gathering place where discussion and news can be shared with the community and its supporters.

The film series is held at the National Center for Preservation of Democracy located at 111 North Central Avenue, between 1st Street and Central Avenue, in downtown Los Angeles. The NCPD can be reached via train, bus, or parking in the area (pdf for directions). Films will begin at 7pm, and it is advisable to arrive at least 15-20 minutes prior for seating. Each film will include a raffle at the end of the screening, and may include guest speakers and performances when available. More information will be given, as it is determined.

The film series is hosted by Lorin Morgan-Richards and is sponsored by the following organizations:

The Japanese American National Museum

The National Center for Preservation of Democracy

The Southern California Indian Center, Inc.

Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center

For more information about the film series please visit www.myspace.com/nafilmseries
or by email at nafilmseries@aol.com

Relive history and learn about present-day Little Tokyo with National Museum docents.

$8 Members; $13 non-members, includes Museum admission. Comfortable walking shoes and clothes recommended. Weather permitting.

REDRESS REMEMBERED

During WWII, over 2200 men, women, and children of Japanese ancestry were kidnapped from 13 Latin American countries and interned in Department of Justice camps and Army facilities for the purpose of hostage exchange. Learn more about what they endured during WWII, their ongoing redress struggle to hold the US government accountable for war crimes, and lessons for present day challenges.

Presented in collaboration with Campaign for Justice: Redress Now For Japanese Latin Americans!, Japanese American Citizen's League–Pacific Southwest District, Discover Nikkei, Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress, and the National Museum.

Raymond Kobayashi is in the prime of his sansei life when he’s pulled up to Heaven. But when he finds out he’s been scheduled to return as a Japanese American again, Raymond flat out refuses. A comedy about an underachieving Asian who causes major havoc at the Reincarnation Station when he ixnays his Next Life.