Calendar of Events
Check out the programs being presented by the various partners from December 1–17, 2023.
Friday, December 1
Conversations on Race: Opening the Dialogue
Japanese American National Museum (JANM)
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
FREE, registrations required
This opening summit will convene speakers for discussions on the topics of Race and Wealth, Race and Wellness, and Race and Arts. Participants are invited to explore the exhibition The Bias Inside Us, an interactive project about the science and history of bias and what people can do about it.
Speakers include:
- James E. Herr, Director of the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy at JANM
- Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Public Health Director
- Leticia Rhi Buckley, CEO, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
- Dr.Deborah Mack, Director of Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past
- Karen Mack, Executive Director, LA Commons
- Dr. Robert K. Ross, CEO and president, The California Endowment
Friday, December 1 - Sunday, December 17
Exhibition: Broken News
Chinese American Museum (CAM)
10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Thursdays–Sundays)
FREE ADMISSION
Broken News uses historic newspaper articles to detail the rise of anti-Chinese sentiment in Los Angeles in the late 1800s. The exhibition examines how sensationalized headlines were used to enforce stereotypes, resulting in discrimination and violence against disenfranchised populations.
On October 24, 1871, over 500 Los Angeles residents entered Chinatown and killed 18 Chinese men. Considered to be one of the bloodiest massacres against Asians in the United States, the Chinese Massacre of 1871 was the culmination of growing anti-Chinese sentiment, which led to racially motivated violence. With the recent rise in anti-Asian hate, the exhibition exposes how dangerous rhetoric can result in deadly consequences.
This exhibition was developed by Adit Dhanushkodi.
Sunday, December 3
American Latinos in Hollywood: Struggles and Achievements in the Film and TV Industry
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (LA Plaza)
1 p.m.
FREE
A panel of American Latino filmmakers and film artists will discuss their careers within the business of Hollywood and the creation of culturally impactful on-screen representations in the multi-platform media age. Moderated by Luis I. Reyes, scholar, author and lecturer who specializes in the history of Latinos in the Hollywood film industry.
Guest speakers:
- Dr. Alma Martinez, actor, professor and member of the Academies of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
- Rafael Agustín, TV writer (Jane The Virgin), author (Illegally Yours), and Board Member of the National Film Preservation Board at the Library of Congress
- Angel Manuel Soto, filmmaker, Director and Producer of Blue Beetle
- Nancy de los Santos, writer, producer, and director with extensive experience in television production, film production, theatre, and print media.
Cross Cultural Cuisine: The Art of Bringing People Together
Japanese American National Museum (JANM)
2 p.m.
FREE
An afternoon of good conversation and food with restaurateurs, chefs, entrepreneurs, and culture commentators that will explore cross-cultural influences on ethnic cuisine in America. Speakers include Curtis Chin, author of Everyhing I Learned I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant, and Johneric Concordia, Chef and Co-Founder of The Park’s Finest restaurant in LA's historic Filipinotown.
Co-presented with Search to Involve Pilipino Americans
Thursday, December 7
Plática y Prueba: From China to Mexicali
LA Cocina de Gloria Molina, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (LA Plaza)
7 p.m.
$40
The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Baja California at the end of the 19th century. Why? And how did Chinese immigration contribute to Mexicali’s social, economic, cultural—and of course, gastronomic—development? Discover the answers to these questions and more in an informal platica with Maite Gomez-Rejón of ArtBites. After the talk, enjoy Chinese/Mexican appetizers.
Friday, December 8
Film Screening: Backstreet to the American Dream
Japanese American National Museum (JANM)
7 p.m.–9 p.m.
FREE
Join Director and Producer Patricia Nazario for a screening of her film Backstreet to the American Dream (2021, 90 minutes) and a conversation on the classic American Dream through food trucks. Nazario will be joined by Dr. Alvaro Huerta, Religion and Public Life Organizing Fellow at Harvard Divinity School and Associate Professor at Cal Poly Pomona, and June Berk, a JANM Volunteer and WWII US concentration camp survivor, for a lively conversation around food, race, and Los Angeles.
Saturday, December 9 – Sunday, December 10
Symposium: LA 1871
Chinese American Museum (CAM)
Saturday: 10:30 a.m.– 2:30 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
FREE; registration is required
This two-day symposium explores the history of the Chinese Massacre of 1871 and its long-lasting impact to Los Angeles. Special guest speakers will delve deeper into the historical implications of the tragedy to reckon with our racial past and drive positive social change in the future.
Sunday, December 10
Never Forget: 1871
Chinese American Museum (CAM)
12:30 p.m.
FREE; Registration is required.
A special musical performance by award-winning composer, Nathan Wang, that invites audiences to experience the history behind the Chinese Massacre of 1871. Entitled “Never Forget,” the composition is a musical re-telling of the story of the Chinese Massacre of 1871, which combines an ensemble of western and Chinese instruments accompanying voices in this premiere, all Chinese American cast.
Sunday, December 17
Our Shared Future Family Day
CAM, JANM, and LA Plaza
FREE ALL DAY
Enjoy a day of free admission and cultural activities for all ages! Explore the rich history of Los Angeles and honor the city’s diversity. Families are encouraged to visit all three museums for multicultural art-making workshops, storytelling, music and dance performances, and more.
See below for specific site details.
Our Shared Future Family Day
Japanese American National Museum (JANM)
12 p.m.-4 p.m.
FREE
Enjoy a day of free admission and cultural activities for all ages! Join JANM for a live reading and signing with Maggie Tokuda-Hall, an interactive origami activity, and musical performances on the plaza. Explore the new family friendly, interactive exhibition, The Bias Inside Us organized by the Smithsonian, and experience Aki’s Market, a virtual reality recreation of a corner store that served a multicultural community in East LA ca. 1957, created by Los Angeles artist Glenn Akira Kaino. Be sure to visit booths from our special guests, the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and the Museum of Latin American Art.
Mi Los Ángeles Family Day Celebration
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (LA Plaza)
12 p.m.–4 p.m.
FREE
Celebrate the diversity of historia, arte y cultura de Los Ángeles at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes! This special day will encourage families to explore the rich cultural history of the City of Angels.
Participate in an immersive and interactive Son Jarocho performance with Los Cambalache. Let your inner artist shine with hands-on art workshops. Listen to a special storytime with Katherine Trejo, author of Yefferson, Actually / En realidad, es Yefferson and join Latinx bilingual children’s book company, Lil’ Libros for interactive activities. Be sure to also explore the untold and overlooked stories of Los Angeles in LA Plaza’s exhibitions.The first 150 children (K–12 grade) to complete an activity guide on the event day will receive a free copy of Vámonos a Los Ángeles, signed by Illustrator Ana Godinez.
Art Workshops
- Mi Los Ángeles Adventure Book
Los Ángeles has so much to offer! From música en vivo (live music), food, movies, and sports at local parks. Each experience is an adventure and memory to write and draw about. Record the excitement of your family’s adventures throughout Los Ángeles by crafting your own adventure book. Bind your book together to make a special keepsake that captures the magic of your adventures throughout Los Ángeles.
- My City, Los Ángeles Flag
Palm trees, city scrapers, fresh pan dulce, yummy elotes, sunny days, and sweet memories with your familia; Los Ángeles is made of many things that make it extra special to everyone who calls it home. What does Los Ángeles mean to you? Design your own LA flag that reflects what you love most about Los Ángeles. Share your finished design with others by waving your flag with pride.
CAM Birthday Celebration and Family Day
Chinese American Museum (CAM)
FREE
Live entertainment featuring cultural performances will be scheduled throughout the day and will take place at the Kiosko Plaza. The event will also include celebrating the Chinese American Museum turning 20 years old to cap off the week of collaboration and education with the Smithsonian. Friends and families will have the opportunity to join us for cake and a special cheer at El Pueblo.