BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Oakland Asian Cultural Center - ECPv6.15.18//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:20240310T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20241103T090000 END:STANDARD 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:20250516T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250809T170000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250409T223815Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250625T180524Z UID:21237-1747396800-1754758800@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Satr-e Rahayi: An Exhibition of Calligraphy Works by Hakim Karimzada 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/satr-e-rahayi/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Current Exhibitions,Featured ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Satr-e-Rahayi-Exhibition-thumbnail-2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250606T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250606T140000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250529T003050Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250529T004555Z UID:21577-1749211200-1749218400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Mending Circle 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/mending-circle/ 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/2025/05/Mending-Circle-Flyer-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250607T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250607T210000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250511T031215Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250527T215315Z UID:21473-1749324600-1749330000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:[Cancelled] Celebrate Pride with OACC! 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/celebrate-pride-with-oacc/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Pride-2025-flyer.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250614T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250614T150000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250518T195746Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250518T200256Z UID:21539-1749906000-1749913200@oacc.cc SUMMARY:OACC Summer 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/summershowcase/ 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/2025/05/Summer-Showcase-Flyer-Page1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250621T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250621T170000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250529T004151Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T002107Z UID:21583-1750496400-1750525200@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Changing Perspectives on Japanese American Incarceration 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/changing-perspectives-on-japanese-american-incarceration/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2-CP-Conf-NBN-Ad.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250622T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250622T170000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250529T004707Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250530T002110Z UID:21588-1750582800-1750611600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Changing Perspectives on Japanese American Incarceration - Day 2 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/changing-perspectives-on-japanese-american-incarceration-day-2/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2-CP-Conf-NBN-Ad.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250802T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250802T170000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250708T090041Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T231934Z UID:21700-1754146800-1754154000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Taking Root: Southeast Asian Stories of Resettlement in Philadelphia film premiere and panel 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/taking-root/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Taking-Root-WebPage-Square.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250814T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251101T120000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250724T221909Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251030T164429Z UID:21799-1755172800-1761998400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:She Isn't A Metaphor: An Exhibition of Mixed Media by Nimisha Doongarwal 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/she-isnt-a-metaphor/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Current Events,Current Exhibitions,Featured ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/She-Isnt-a-Metaphor-1080-x-1080-px.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250816T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250816T170000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250716T204802Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250721T184440Z UID:21768-1755345600-1755363600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage: Hawaiian Arts and Culture Day 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/hawaiian-day/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Hawaiian-Day-2025-Web-1080x1080-v2.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250906T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250906T210000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250812T221942Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250822T184819Z UID:21840-1757187000-1757192400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage: Ragas in Conversation 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/ragas-conversation/ 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/2025/08/Ragas-in-Convo-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:20250920T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250920T160000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250721T061943Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250916T200256Z UID:21777-1758376800-1758384000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Panel Discussion: A History of Chinese Life Under American Racial Law (1850s-1960s) 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-author-panel/ 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/2025/07/UPDATED-Chinese-Author-Panel-Web-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251004T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251004T163000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250807T182331Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250820T214833Z UID:21818-1759590000-1759595400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Oakland Ilokana Film Premiere 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/oakland-ilokana/ 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/2025/08/Oakland-Ilokana-Preview-1080-x-1080.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251105 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260201 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20251028T175531Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T195915Z UID:22574-1762300800-1769903999@oacc.cc SUMMARY:"The Asian Elder Portrait Project:" an Exhibition of Drawings by Luke Sera-Tacorda 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-elder-portrait/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Current Exhibitions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Luke-Sera-Tacorda-1080-x-1080-PREVIEW.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251105T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251105T203000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20250927T170106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T034601Z UID:22386-1762369200-1762374600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:"Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America" book talk with Jeff Chang 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/jeff-chang-bruce-lee/ 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/2025/09/Jeff-Chang-Bruce-Lee-Book-Launch-Preview-1080-x-1080.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251108T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251108T203000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20251008T150709Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251105T011128Z UID:22466-1762628400-1762633800@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Arabesque: A Middle Eastern Dance and Music Concert 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/arabesque/ 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/2025/10/Arabesque-Preview-1080-x-1080.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251205T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251205T130000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20251119T172208Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251119T173414Z UID:22663-1764936000-1764939600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:December Mending Circle 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/mending-dec2025/ 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/2025/11/Mending-Circle-Evergreen-Preview-White-Background.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251205T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251205T210000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20251107T213211Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251201T201421Z UID:22621-1764961200-1764968400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:“The Empathizer" A Documentary About Vietnam Screening and Discussion 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/empathizer/ 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/2025/11/Empathizer-Preview-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:20260109T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260109T130000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20251216T062046Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260106T195717Z UID:22737-1767960000-1767963600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:January Mending Circle 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/mending-jan2026/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mending-Circle-Evergreen-Preview-White-Background.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260110T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260110T180000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20251212T053126Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251212T183728Z UID:22709-1768060800-1768068000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Chinese Couplets: A Film by Felicia Lowe 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-couplets/ 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/2025/12/Chinese-Couplets-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:20260111T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260111T143000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20251030T163029Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251216T052106Z UID:22603-1768136400-1768141800@oacc.cc SUMMARY:From Ally to Activated: Breaking Barriers to Community Action 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/activated/ 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/2025/10/Redesigned-Get-Activated-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:20260125T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260125T160000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20251229T212949Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251229T213238Z UID:22767-1769349600-1769356800@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Reparations: A Film by Jon Osaki 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/reparations-film/ 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/2025/12/Reparations-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260204 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260315 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20260114T160348Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T185220Z UID:22798-1770163200-1773532799@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Topaz Toddlers Exhibition: Children’s Art from an American Concentration Camp 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/topaz-toddlers/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events,Upcoming Exhibitions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Topaz-Toddlers-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:20260207T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260207T160000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20251225T030557Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T212416Z UID:22758-1770462000-1770480000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Lunar New Year x Black History Month 2026: Celebrating Asian & African-American Solidarity 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/lny-bhm-2026/ 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/2025/12/Celebrating-Asian-African-American-Solidarity.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260213T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260213T130000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205530 CREATED:20260121T225442Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T225727Z UID:22841-1770984000-1770987600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:February Mending Circle 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/mending-feb2026/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mending-Circle-Evergreen-Preview-White-Background.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260222T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260222T160000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205531 CREATED:20260120T072722Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T042457Z UID:22815-1771768800-1771776000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Honoring Day of Remembrance: Children’s Art from an American Concentration Camp 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/day-of-remembrance-2026/ 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/2026/01/Topaz-Toddlers-FB-1080-x-1080-px-v2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260228T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260228T130000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205531 CREATED:20251218T155311Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T203515Z UID:22743-1772280000-1772283600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Bilingual Bike Commuting Basics Workshop (Cantonese and English) 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/bike-basics/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bike-Commuting-Feb-28-English-1080-x-1080.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260306T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260306T130000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205531 CREATED:20260303T201924Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T202235Z UID:22986-1772798400-1772802000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:March Mending Circle 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/mending-feb2026-2/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mending-Circle-Evergreen-Preview-White-Background.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260315T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260315T150000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205531 CREATED:20260219T084830Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T084959Z UID:22932-1773579600-1773586800@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Tales of the Tofu Goddess: A Tribute to the Artful Life of Flo Oy Wong 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/tofu-goddess/ 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/2026/02/Tofu-Goddess-Preview-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260318 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260524 DTSTAMP:20260420T205531 CREATED:20260226T194319Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T224303Z UID:22956-1773792000-1779580799@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Our Language\, Our Story: Photos by Joyce Xi 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/joyce-xi/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events,Upcoming Exhibitions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Joyce-Xi-Exhibition-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:20260320T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260320T210000 DTSTAMP:20260420T205531 CREATED:20260227T233159Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T194052Z UID:22970-1774033200-1774040400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage: Nowruz with the Persian Classical Trio 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/persian-classical/ 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/2026/02/Nowruz-2026-Preview-1080-x-1080-px-1.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR