BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Oakland Asian Cultural Center - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH 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:20190310T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20191103T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20200308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20201101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20210314T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20211107T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20220313T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20221106T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20230312T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20231105T090000 END:STANDARD 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 END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20200715T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241231T120000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113804 CREATED:20230720T075150Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250510T202247Z UID:14537-1594814400-1735646400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Open E.A.R.S. for Change 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/open-ears-for-change/ LOCATION:CA CATEGORIES:Ongoing Programs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Screenshot-2023-07-05-at-6.10-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240918T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241109T170000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113804 CREATED:20240819T204131Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240922T220659Z UID:19431-1726660800-1731171600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:AAPI Voters Have Power Exhibition 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/aapivotershavepower/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Current Exhibitions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/thumbnail-10.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241012 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241109 DTSTAMP:20260421T113804 CREATED:20241001T225318Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241002T001600Z UID:20042-1728691200-1731110399@oacc.cc SUMMARY:OACC Co-Presents: Kearny Street Workshop's "APAture 2024: Return" 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/apature2024/ LOCATION:CA CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/apature-2024.png ORGANIZER;CN="Kearny Street Workshop":MAILTO:info@kearnystreet.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241109T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241109T150000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113804 CREATED:20241104T185535Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241117T175322Z UID:20438-1731157200-1731164400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:POSTPONED: Visible Mending For Stains & Patches 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/visiblemending/ 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/2024/11/postponed-2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241114T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250118T170000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113804 CREATED:20241112T181725Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250107T184419Z UID:20475-1731585600-1737219600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Celebrating Asian American Artists from Creative Growth Exhibition 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/celebratingasianamericanartistsfromcreativegrowth/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Current Exhibitions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/creative-growth-exhibit-flyer.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250112T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250112T163000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113804 CREATED:20241211T205434Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250107T001256Z UID:20553-1736685000-1736699400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:SOLD OUT: Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage: Sounds of Greater Khorasan — Afghan and Tajik Poetry and Music 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/cohh-sounds-of-greater-khorasan/ 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/2024/12/thumbnail-2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250118T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250118T143000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20241204T204954Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250306T184235Z UID:20520-1737205200-1737210600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:The March Fong Eu Story: An Authorized Biography of an Unauthorized Woman. Book Talk with Author Tim Vandehey and Editor Pattie Fong. 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/themarchfongeustory/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Past Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/march-fong-eu-thumbnail-2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250130T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250501T170000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20250127T230357Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250904T211915Z UID:20701-1738238400-1746118800@oacc.cc SUMMARY:From Chinatown to West Oakland: Community Portraits of Healing 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/from-chinatown-to-west-oakland-community-portraits-of-healing/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Past Exhibitions ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screen-Shot-2025-03-31-at-4.01.18-PM.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250201T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250201T160000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20250107T012150Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250306T184213Z UID:20651-1738407600-1738425600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Lunar New Year x Black History Month 2025: 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/lnybhm2025/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Past Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/LNY-x-BHM-2025-thumbnail-2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250220T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250220T203000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20250116T011202Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250306T184144Z UID:20843-1740076200-1740083400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:"The Camps America Built" - Honoring Day of Remembrance 2025 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/campuanamericanstory/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Past Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NEW-FLYER.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250301T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250301T153000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20240822T180423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250308T024424Z UID:19513-1740837600-1740843000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:"The Memory of Taste": Book Release Event with Chef Tu David Phu 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/thememoryoftaste/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Past Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/thumbnail-NEW-DATE-2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250307T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250307T210000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20250207T210449Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250210T183132Z UID:20947-1741374000-1741381200@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Gumamela: An Intimate Preview. Florante Aguilar with Cascada de Flores and Special Guests Charmaine Clamor\, Jorge Mijangos\, and Greg Kehret 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/gumamela-an-intimate-preview/ 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/2025/02/thumbnail.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250322T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250322T150000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20250207T212331Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250225T195915Z UID:20948-1742648400-1742655600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:"Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong." Book Release Event with Katie Gee Salisbury 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/notyourchinadoll/ 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/2025/02/thumbnail-2.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250411T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250411T213000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20250306T190554Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T173148Z UID:21030-1744399800-1744407000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:All Mixed Up! A Mixer Celebrating Multi-Racial Identity 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/all-mixed-up-a-mixer-celebrating-multi-racial-identity/ 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/2025/03/UPDATED-THUMBNAIL.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250419T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250419T140000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20250308T004351Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250308T004716Z UID:21081-1745064000-1745071200@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Visible Mending For Stains & Patches 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/visiblemending-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/2025/03/visible-mending-flyer.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250419T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250419T170000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20250305T175246Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250331T201340Z UID:21018-1745074800-1745082000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage: "The Rebirth of Apsara: Beyond Genocide." A Performance by Charya Burt Cambodian Dance. 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/the-rebirth-of-apsara-beyond-genocide/ 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/2025/03/Charya_Burt_1080x1080_thumb.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250427T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250427T160000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20250326T194249Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250326T194416Z UID:21124-1745762400-1745769600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:"Silencing the Drum: Religious Racism and Afro-Brazilian Sacred Music\," a Book Talk and Dynamic Presentation with Author Dr. Umi Vaughan. 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/silencing-the-drum-religious-racism-and-afro-brazilian-sacred-music/ 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/2025/03/Silencing-the-Drum-thumbnail.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250516T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250809T170000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 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:20250518T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250518T160000 DTSTAMP:20260421T113805 CREATED:20250326T203839Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250513T002001Z UID:21128-1747576800-1747584000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:"Daryo’s All-American Diner": An Anti-Asian Hate Play 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/daryos-all-american-diner/ 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/2025/03/DARYOs.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:20260421T113805 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:20260421T113805 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:20260421T113805 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:20260421T113805 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:20260421T113805 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:20260421T113805 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:20260421T113805 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:20260421T113805 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:20260421T113805 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:20260421T113805 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:20260421T113805 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 END:VCALENDAR