BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Oakland Asian Cultural Center - ECPv6.17.5//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Oakland Asian Cultural Center X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://oacc.cc X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Oakland Asian Cultural Center REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Los_Angeles BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20250309T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20251102T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20260308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20261101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20270314T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20271107T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260425T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260425T140000 DTSTAMP:20260327T210412Z CREATED:20260326T233054Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260327T210412Z UID:23119-1777118400-1777125600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:The OACC 2026 Interactive Artist Showcase DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/oacc-showcase-26/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Interactive-Artist-Showcase-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260426T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260426T170000 DTSTAMP:20260331T223148Z CREATED:20260331T221747Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T223148Z UID:23139-1777208400-1777222800@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Tea & Tiles: A Sunday Social With 13 Orphans DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/tea-tiles/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tea-Tiles-FB-1080-x-1080-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260503T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260503T153000 DTSTAMP:20260428T193016Z CREATED:20260326T234447Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T193016Z UID:23126-1777813200-1777822200@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Strong Like Bamboo DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/strong-bamboo-26/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Strong-Like-Bamboo-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260514T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260514T203000 DTSTAMP:20260424T161947Z CREATED:20260423T222057Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T161947Z UID:23227-1778781600-1778790600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Celebrating Asian Voices in Children’s Media: a Talk With Nira Liu\, Eugenia Yoh\, and Elenor Mak DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/asian-kids-media/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Celebrating-Asian-Voices-in-Childrens-Media-FB-1080-x-1080-px-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260517T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260517T160000 DTSTAMP:20260413T185722Z CREATED:20260409T230626Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T185722Z UID:23171-1779026400-1779033600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Stories from the Edge of Sea: A Book Launch With Andrew Lam DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/andrew-lam/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Andrew-Lam-Book-Launch-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260522T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260522T210000 DTSTAMP:20260511T220439Z CREATED:20260422T214047Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260511T220439Z UID:23150-1779474600-1779483600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Queer Asian World Cinema: QWOCFF Satellite Screening DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/qwocmap/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Queer-Asian-Cinema-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260530T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260530T210000 DTSTAMP:20260417T001308Z CREATED:20260413T185348Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T001308Z UID:23198-1780167600-1780174800@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Celebrating Our HeART-Filled Heritage: Celebrating the Zither—Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/asian-zither/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Asian-Zither-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260612T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260612T200000 DTSTAMP:20260512T213817Z CREATED:20260511T201833Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T213817Z UID:23300-1781287200-1781294400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Opening Doorways for Belonging and Liberation: PARAMITA Film Screening and Healing Workshop with Kirthi Nath DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/paramita/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PARAMITA-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260624T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260815T170000 DTSTAMP:20260820T233203Z CREATED:20260603T011234Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T233203Z UID:23404-1782302400-1786813200@oacc.cc SUMMARY:From Ochazuke to Adobo: Care\, Memory\, and the Immigrant Kitchen with Julia LaChica DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/ochazuke-adobo/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Past Exhibitions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Julia-LaChia-FB-1080-x-1080-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260626T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260626T203000 DTSTAMP:20260602T214051Z CREATED:20260602T213826Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T214051Z UID:23397-1782498600-1782505800@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Pieces of Self: A Collage Workshop with Trisha Mah DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/trisha-mah/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pieces-of-Self-FB-1080-x-1080.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260712T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260712T160000 DTSTAMP:20260707T203510Z CREATED:20260529T223451Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260707T203510Z UID:23326-1783864800-1783872000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Musikang Kalipay: A Rondalla Concert with the Iskwelahang Pilipino DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/kalipay/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Musikang-Kalipay-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260723T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260723T190000 DTSTAMP:20260624T213605Z CREATED:20260623T195601Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260624T213605Z UID:23423-1784826000-1784833200@oacc.cc SUMMARY:1850-1882: A Chinese American Origin Story—A Book Talk with Veronica Li DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/veronica-li/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1882-Book-Talk-IG-1080-x-1080.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260801T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260801T160000 DTSTAMP:20260731T160946Z CREATED:20260703T014214Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260731T160946Z UID:23449-1785589200-1785600000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Our Stories in Our Voices: Oral History of Oakland Chinatown Organizing Across Generations DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/oral-history-chinatown/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Our-Stories-in-Our-Voices-FB-1080-x-1080.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260815T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260815T160000 DTSTAMP:20260730T155923Z CREATED:20260722T213418Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T155923Z UID:23476-1786802400-1786809600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Nest of Tongues: A Book Launch With Randy Ribay DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/nest-of-tongues/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Nest-of-Tongues-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260819T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260926T160000 DTSTAMP:20261005T164016Z CREATED:20260820T203416Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T164016Z UID:23575-1787148000-1790438400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:The Fragrance of Calligraphy and Ink: An Exhibition of Chinese Brush Paintings DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/chinese-brush-paintings/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Past Exhibitions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Fragrance-of-Ink-Preview-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260829T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260830T150000 DTSTAMP:20260818T154700Z CREATED:20260818T154657Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T154700Z UID:23564-1788012000-1788102000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Bilingual Chinese Storytime: Celebrating the Qixi Festival DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/bilingual-storytime-aug26/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Bilingual-Storytime-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260911T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260911T210000 DTSTAMP:20260910T193119Z CREATED:20260806T212924Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T193119Z UID:23528-1789153200-1789160400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Interweaving: Indo-Persian Exchanges DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/interweaving/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Interweaving-Indo-Persian-Exchanges-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260919T103000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260919T150000 DTSTAMP:20260818T004356Z CREATED:20260814T045103Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260818T004356Z UID:23549-1789813800-1789830000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Tea & Tiles: A Saturday Social With 13 Orphans DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/tea-tiles-sep2026/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Tea-Tiles-Sep2026-FB-1080-x-1080-2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260930T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261205T170000 DTSTAMP:20260926T172750Z CREATED:20260926T165741Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260926T172750Z UID:23752-1790769600-1796490000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Many Struggles\, One Fight: A Print Exhibition With SF Poster Syndicate and Ancestral Dreams Collective DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/many-struggles/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Exhibitions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Many-Struggles-One-Fight-PREVIEW-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261003T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261004T150000 DTSTAMP:20260916T003747Z CREATED:20260916T003547Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T003747Z UID:23638-1791036000-1791126000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Bilingual Chinese Storytime: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/bilingual-storytime-oct26/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/English-Mid-Autumn-Bilingual-Storytime-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261024T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261024T203000 DTSTAMP:20261010T032444Z CREATED:20261010T031541Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261010T032444Z UID:23837-1792863000-1792873800@oacc.cc SUMMARY:The 2026 OACC Gala: Holding Place\, Holding Space DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/2026gala/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Facebook-sized-post.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261027T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261027T200000 DTSTAMP:20261007T145237Z CREATED:20261001T212417Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261007T145237Z UID:23767-1793125800-1793131200@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Becoming Leaderful: Building the Communities We Want DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/leaderful/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Becoming-Leaderful-FB-1080-x-1080-px-2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261115T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20261115T140000 DTSTAMP:20261005T163057Z CREATED:20260916T014142Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T163057Z UID:23656-1794744000-1794751200@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Ecologies of Resistance: A Conversation with Authors Umi Vaughan\, Tiffany Yap and Robert Liu-Trujillo DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, May 30\, 20267-9 pmFREE  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Celebrating the Zither: Asian American Identity and Cultural Survival invites audiences into a powerful musical journey with accomplished musicians Shirley Muramoto and Winnie Wong\, where tradition becomes resilience and heritage becomes liberation. Through the luminous sounds of the koto and guzheng\, this program explores how cultural access is not just preservation—but survival—especially in the wake of histories like Japanese American incarceration and the ongoing shaping of Asian American identity.   Though visually similar\, the koto and guzheng carry distinct cultural lineages\, each echoing stories of endurance\, adaptation\, and belonging. In this concert\, they meet in collaboration and creative reimagining—bridging past and present\, individuality and shared experience.   This is a celebration of multiplicity: of holding many worlds at once\, of honoring what makes us unique while finding connection through sound. Through new works\, cross-cultural dialogue\, and bold reinterpretations\, Celebrating the Zither offers a space where music becomes a living testament to identity\, memory\, and the freedom to define what it means to be Asian-American. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Shirley Muramoto   Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto\, Koto musician\, teacher\, band leader\, filmmaker\, event producer\, has played the Japanese koto since a young child under the tutelage of her mother\, Kazuko Muramoto. She continued to study traditional Japanese koto and jiuta shamisen music with masters Chikushi Katsuko\, Kazue Kudo\, and Yoko Gates. Shirley plays the koto in various styles and genres\, expanding the repertoire of traditional music through collaborations\, arrangements\, and compositions.    Based in Oakland\, Calif.\, she received her Shihan koto teaching credential with Yushusho (highest) honors and her Dai Shihan master’s credential from the Chikushi Kai in Japan. This year is her official 50th anniversary since receiving her koto teaching certification. In 2012\, the Hokka Nichi Bei Kai inducted Shirley into the Bunka (Japanese cultural arts) Hall of Fame. In that same year\, the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program awarded her funding for the documentary film “Hidden Legacy: Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the World War II Internment Camps” (2014)\, culminating her decades-long research on this little-known part of U.S. history.    In 2024\, Shirley became one of the artists awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and Mellon Foundation for the inaugural Taproot Fellowship’s recognition of traditional artists and culture bearers across the U.S. in 2024. Shirley continues to talk to students and organizations about the history of music in the WWII camps\, and the importance of keeping cultural heritage practices in our lives. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n About Winnie Wong   Winnie Wong is a Hong Kong–born\, San Francisco–raised guzheng artist who began training at age four under virtuoso Weishan Liu and debuted publicly at five. Deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage\, she uses the guzheng not only to preserve tradition but to foster cultural connection and diversity within her community.   Over four decades\, Wong has built a distinctive artistic voice that blends Chinese classical and traditional music with jazz\, world music\, and improvisation. She is the founder of China’s Spirit Music Ensemble\, creating a nurturing space for students to develop both technical skill and cultural understanding. Expanding beyond tradition\, she performs as principal guzheng soloist with The Ultra World X-tet and collaborates in cross-cultural projects such as the Irish-Chinese duo Willow Stream and Asian zither collaborations.   Wong’s work is defined by storytelling through sound—her compositions weave imagery\, emotion\, and global influences into immersive musical experiences. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to bridging cultures\, inspiring new generations\, and redefining the guzheng as a dynamic\, contemporary instrument. She was honored with the “Musician of the Heart” award in 2016 for her cultural impact and artistic dedication.   URL:https://oacc.cc/event/ecologies-resist/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Ecologies-of-Resistance-Authors-in-Convo-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR