
Calendar of Events — January 2014
All programs are free for JANM members and included with admission for non-members, unless otherwise noted. Events are subject to change.
Reservations are recommended for most programs; you may use the links below. You may also RSVP by emailing rsvp@janm.org or calling 213.625.0414 at least 48 hours in advance. Please indicate the name, date, and time of the program, as well as your name and the number of people in your party.
For all ticketed events (classes, workshops, food tours, etc.), pre-payment is required to hold your space. Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance or no refund will be issued.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Private Tours of Collections

Upper Level President’s & Chairman’s Circle Members are invited to experience a behind-the-scenes tour of the world’s largest collection of Japanese American artifacts. Your on-going support helps maintain this unique collection that chronicles over 130 years of Japanese American history.
Contact Charlien Church at cchurch@janm.org or 213.830.5676 to reserve a personalized tour for you and 5 guests.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
1:00 PM
Common Ground Exhibition Tour

In conjunction with the exhibition Common Ground: The Heart of Community
Sunday, January 5, 2014
11:00 AM—5:00 PM
Oshogatsu Family Festival

HIGHLIGHTS:
Check janm.org/oshogatsufest2014 for more details.
Check out our other fun and free Family Festivals!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
6:30 PM—8:00 PM
POSTPONED: Anti-Asian Bias in Academia, Is it a Problem?

The public is invited to join a live taping of the radio forum, Critical Issues Seminars, held by KPCC and Community Advocates.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
2:00 PM
Starting from Loomis and Other Stories by Hiroshi Kashiwagi

Dr. Lane Ryo Hirabayashi presents a memoir by accomplished writer, playwright, poet, and actor Hiroshi Kashiwagi. Edited with an introduction by Tim Yamamura, the book chronicles Kashiwagi’s confinement at Tule Lake, the stigma of being labeled a “No-No Boy,” and the traumas of racism.
Q&A with Kashiwagi and Yamamura to follow. This program is co-sponsored by the Aratani Endowed Chair, UCLA Asian American Studies.
Click here to read an article with Hiroshi Kashiwagi on Discover Nikkei>>
Saturday, January 18, 2014
4:00 PM
Infinity & Chashu Ramen by Kerwin Berk

The universe unfolds a little differently in Japantown. It operates in a way you couldn’t possibly comprehend. But there is a method to its madness and for the most part it runs as smoothly as a Tokyo train station. However, every once in a great while, it needs a little help.
Meet Tenshi.
He’s an obnoxious 400-year-old spirit from old Japan who has a foul mouth and a propensity for petty theft. He’s been charged with watching over the residents of Japantown, which he does with all the grace of a drunken sumo wrestler singing karaoke. Despite this he’s able to keep things running on course most of the time but it’s always a challenge, never easy. And, complicating matters today, is his new apprentice.
Meet Lucy.
She’s a naïve woman wearing a red dress who stepped right out of the 1940s into the modern world. She’s unsure of the year, her surroundings and her new role in the universe but she’s got a good heart and is a quick learner. Unfortunately, Tenshi is her only teacher.
Together, these two unseen spirits will wander in and out of the lives of Japantown residents, trying to keep the universe in order. Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they fail but no matter what they will irreparably change and connect the lives of dozens of people – whether they like it or not.
Directed by Kerwin Berk. Q&A with cast and crew to follow.
OUR STORIES
Things Aren’t Always as They Seem
It’s Lucy Yamaguchi’s first day on the job and her mean old boss is giving her a hard time. Things just don’t seem to be going according to plan – or are they?
Hiroshi Kashiwagi and Wendy Woo
Feels Like Old Times
A chance encounter between a couple after 20 years apart and it’s just like old times – which isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Sandra Young and Todd Nakagawa
Waiting for Akira
Who knew that camping out for a midnight movie could be more entertaining than watching the film.
Carolyn Hu, Rey Taira, Nishea Andolong, Nan Suphari, Rafe Biggs and Ricky Wang
Words Can’t Say
There are times that words are meaningless – no matter what language.
Jean Franco and Anna Jones
Sisters
A resident of a nursing home gets a surprise visit.
Chizuko Omori
Some Things Never Change
A father and his son deal with aging, dating and a pair of gossipy old farts.
Randall Nakano, Kevin Khoi Tran, Henrietta Gard, Larry Kitagawa and Ben Arikawa
Everyone Goes to Benkyodo
The lives of a cantankerous waitress, a put-upon cook and a new employee are on a collision course in Japantown.
Suz Takeda, Kallan Nishimoto and Koichi Sugiyama
Their Hands Were Fast as Lightning
From kung fu to kamaboko, everything in life can be a metaphor – even a bowl of ramen.
Naomi Quinones and LJ Batinas
Purchase tickets at infinityandchashuramen.com. $10 advance tickets; $12 at door; $8 for members. Will be checking membership card for member ticket purchases.
Watch the trailer for the LA premiere here>>
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Museums Free-For-All
FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY!
Come join us as the Japanese American National Museum participates in the Museum Marketing Roundtable's ninth annual “Museums Free-For-All,” where museums across Southern California open their doors and invite visitors free of charge.
More information visit museumsla.org
The Museum Marketing Roundtable unites the diverse museums of Southern California in joint marketing and communication efforts to increase visitation and membership in museums in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Museum Marketing Roundtable leverages the museums’ collective strengths, working together to reach current and potential museum goers.
Come join us as the Japanese American National Museum participates in the Museum Marketing Roundtable's ninth annual “Museums Free-For-All,” where museums across Southern California open their doors and invite visitors free of charge.
More information visit museumsla.org
The Museum Marketing Roundtable unites the diverse museums of Southern California in joint marketing and communication efforts to increase visitation and membership in museums in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Museum Marketing Roundtable leverages the museums’ collective strengths, working together to reach current and potential museum goers.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
10:15 AM—12:15 PM
Little Tokyo Walking Tour

Saturday, January 25, 2014
2:00 PM
Issei: The First Generation

Digitally restored after 30 years, this documentary features the candid stories of the Japanese men and women who immigrated to the West Coast of the United States at the turn of the century. Directed by Toshi Washizu. Introduction by Dr. Lane Ryo Hirabayashi. Q&A with Washizu and Hirabayashi to follow screening.
This program is co-sponsored by the Aratani Endowed Chair, UCLA Asian American Studies.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
7:00 PM
The Crumbles by Akira Boch

This film is an indie rock slice-of life tragicomedy about Darla, an overly serious musician whose stagnant life is shaken up when her long lost best friend Elisa shows up and crashes on her couch…indefinitely. Free-spirited Elisa has just moved back to Los Angeles after a devastating break-up, and no one else in their funky group of friends is willing to help her out. She is charming and musically gifted, making her the perfect partner in the band that Darla has long wanted to start up. But when the band gets rolling, insecurity, heartache, and oversized egos all work against them. While they both share dreams of rocking the globe, it becomes a monumental struggle just getting out of the garage.
Featuring music by Grammy winner Quetzal Flores. Directed by Akira Boch, the National Museum’s own Media Arts Specialist. Q&A with filmmakers to follow screening. http://www.thecrumbles.com/
Check out their trailer here>>
See the blog post here>>