Benefit Program
GALA DETAILS
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Vibiana Los Angeles Downtown and live-streamed on YouTube
Join us for a special evening!
Light up the night with us as we honor Duncan Ryuken Williams and Sunyoung Lee of the Irei project and David Ono of Defining Courage, with performances by Kishi Bashi and East LA Taiko.
The evening will also include the selection of the 2024 Lexus Opportunity Drawing winner and the Bid for Education.
If you’re unable to join us in person, watch the Benefit program livestream on JANM’s YouTube channel.
Honorees
DUNCAN RYUKEN WILLIAMS & SUNYOUNG LEE
We are delighted to honor Duncan Ryuken Williams and Sunyoung Lee for their pioneering work on the Irei project, a monumental initiative that honors Japanese American World War II incarcees and promotes global peace. Their dedication to cultural preservation and education shines a light on our shared history and guides us towards a more enlightened future.
DAVID ONO
We are honored to recognize David Ono for his dedication to storytelling and community advocacy and his exceptional work on Defining Courage, which has broadened the understanding of Japanese American history with its national reach. His commitment to illuminating the paths of history with integrity and passion makes him a beacon of inspiration in our community.
Featured Performers
KISHI BASHI
Kishi Bashi is the pseudonym of singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Kaoru Ishibashi. He has recorded and toured internationally with diverse artists such as Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche, and of Montreal. Ishibashi’s recent album and documentary Omoiyari (a Japanese word that means to have sympathy and compassion towards another person) is a musical journey about World War II Japanese American incarceration and postwar assimilation that explores how empathy—and a lack of it—shapes the quest for social equality.
EAST LA TAIKO
East LA Taiko, led by Maceo Hernandez, is renowned for its dynamic world rhythms. With a thirty-nine-year legacy of global performances, they blend latin-rock-punk with traditional taiko, embodying the vibrant spirit of Los Angeles. Their performances are not just music; they are cultural experiences that celebrate diversity and unity, making them a pivotal part of our community and an exciting highlight of the 2024 Benefit.