FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 8, 1999

PRESS CONTACTS:

Raúl Vasquez - rvasquez@janm.org - 213-625-0414

JANM

"We Tell Stories" Performs an Original Japanese American Tale at Japanese American National Museum May 8


The Japanese American National Museum presents another performance by the talented production troupe We Tell Stories on Saturday, May 8 at 1 p.m. Scheduled for its world premiere performance is the orginal story American Hiro, created by We Tell Stories and inspired by traditional Japanese and American folk tales and the Common Ground exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum. This unique event is free with admission to the Museum and promises to be highly entertaining.

We Tell Stories is a group of dedicated, talented entertainers who write, produce, and perform their own stories at the Japanese American National Museum and elswhere. Their original story, American Hiro, was inspired from a long line of folk tales that came from Japan and the United States. It was also strongly influenced by the inaugural exhibition in the Museum’s new Pavilion, Common Ground, which examines and represents poignant moments in the entire span of Japanese American history.

The performance of American Hiro (total performanc time 45 minutes) has been made possible by grants from Sony Pictures, Union Pacific Enterprises, The City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, and the City of Culver City. The Japanese American National Museum is located at 369 East First Street in Little Tokyo, downtown Los Angeles. Admission to the Museum is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students and children 6-17 years of age, and free for Members and children under 5. For reservations call the Museum at 213.625.0414.