BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Oakland Asian Cultural Center - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Oakland Asian Cultural Center X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://oacc.cc X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Oakland Asian Cultural Center REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Los_Angeles BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20250309T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20251102T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20260308T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20261101T090000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0800 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:PDT DTSTART:20270314T100000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0800 TZNAME:PST DTSTART:20271107T090000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260626T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260626T203000 DTSTAMP:20260809T153342 CREATED:20260602T213826Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T214051Z UID:23397-1782498600-1782505800@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Pieces of Self: A Collage Workshop with Trisha Mah DESCRIPTION:Friday\, June 26\, 2026\n6:30-8:30 pm\nFREE\n \nIn this workshop\, we’ll explore identity\, connection\, and sharing who you are. We’ll make cards that hold the parts of yourself you want to share with others—maybe a memory that matters to you\, something you’re proud of\, a blessing you want to give\, or just a quiet truth that feels important.  \n  \nWe’ll work with collage–choosing pieces of paper\, images\, and colors\, to make something whole—like how we’re all made up of different parts\, and we get to choose what we share when we connect with the people we care about.  \n  \nThis is about being present\, not making something perfect. No prior experience required—just bring your curiosity and an open mind. All materials will be provided: papers\, images\, supplies\, and some gentle prompts to help you think about what you want to create and share.  \n  \nWe’ll explore:  \n– What feels meaningful to you right now?  \n– Who you want to connect with and why?  \n– How to let your cards tell your story?  \n  \nWhat You’ll Leave With: A handmade collage that feel like you—ready to give to someone as a small appreciation\, or to keep as reminder of the wonderful human you are.  \n  \nCome as you are. Leave with something to share. This event is free to attend with registration at the link below\, but space is limited. \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \nABOUT THE ARTIST \n \nTrisha Mah (she/they) is a Chinese-Japanese American collagist and taiko artist from the Bay Area whose work explores cultural identity\, intergenerational memory\, and liberation. Their collage work—featured in East Bay Open Studios’ 2025 Emerging Artist Program—layers analog techniques with emotion and lived experience. Trisha teaches beginner taiko at Berkeley Buddhist Temple and performs with Queer Taiko and Club Hachijo. Grounding her artistry in 15+ years of community education and social justice work\, she holds an MS in Leadership in Community Education from Boston University. Trisha embraces art as ancestral inheritance\, fostering spaces where creativity\, healing\, and collective imagination intersect. Learn more about their work at trishamah.com URL:https://oacc.cc/event/trisha-mah/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pieces-of-Self-FB-1080-x-1080.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260710T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260710T130000 DTSTAMP:20260809T153342 CREATED:20260706T234615Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260706T234711Z UID:23459-1783684800-1783688400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:July Mending Circle DESCRIPTION:Friday\, July 10\n12 noon–1 pm\nFREE\nDo you have socks that need repair? Are you curious about visible mending? Do you like keeping clothing out of landfills? If you answered yes to any of these\, or just want company while you sew\, join us for our next Mending Circle at OACC on Friday\, July 10\, at 12 noon. \n  \nThere will be no instructor\, but we will provide basic materials including thread\, needles\, a sewing machine and some patches. Please bring items that you would like to repair. No registration is necessary. \n  \nFor questions\, email us at classes@oacc.cc URL:https://oacc.cc/event/july-mending-circle/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mending-Circle-Evergreen-Preview-White-Background.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260712T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260712T160000 DTSTAMP:20260809T153342 CREATED:20260529T223451Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260707T203510Z UID:23326-1783864800-1783872000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Musikang Kalipay: A Rondalla Concert with the Iskwelahang Pilipino DESCRIPTION:Sunday\, July 12\, 2026\n2-4 pm(Palengke/Market from 1-4 pm)\nFREE\n \nJoin us for a joyful musical expression of Filipino American identity in two acts\, from the Iskwelahang Pilipino Rondalla of Boston. Act One is a concert version of Kalipay & Gamay: The Musical\, with narration and songs from the full show. Act Two is Rondalla Mixtape\, a celebration of traditional and popular music over 5 decades of this Philippine folk music tradition. \n  \nKalipay & Gamay 
the Musical was first staged in 2024 in Boston\, and expands upon the storyline of the beloved children’s book\, Kalipay and the Tiniest Tiktik\, written by Oakland-based author Christina Newhard and published by Sari-Sari Storybooks. It further explores the story’s themes of Filipino mythology and folklore\, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)\, bullying and friendship\, and finding joy in differences. \n  \nRondalla Mixtape is an energetic performance of reimagined traditional songs\, popular music medleys\, and original compositions from the US and Philippines. It combines singing and dancing with instrumental music and features a unique feature of the IP Rondalla\, choreography while playing.  \n  \nA Palengke/Marketplace of Filipino small businesses will open at 1 pm\, an hour before the concert. Come early to shop and support Remagination Farm\, Ingat Cafe\, Picture Paper Mama\, Ina Sol\, and Sama-Sama Cooperative. \n  \n🍮 Special partner offer from Tita Becca’s: Attendees of “Musikang Kalipay” can redeem their registration for a free leche flan at Tita Becca’s (400 15th St\, Oakland) with purchase of any meal. Offer expires 7/19/26. \n  \nPresented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center in partnership with the Iskwelahang Pilipino and Sari-Sari Storybooks\, with support from PAWA (Philippine American Writers and Artists)\, Bindlestiff Studio\, Sama-Sama Cooperative\, Palaka Music\, and Tita Becca’s. \n  \nThis event is free to attend\, but registration is requested at the link below. \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \n \nAbout the Iskwelahang Pilipino and Iskwelahang Rondalla Ensemble \n  \nFounded in 1976\, Iskwelahang Pilipino (IP) is a volunteer-run Filipino cultural school dedicated to strengthening Filipino American children\, families and community. Our decades of service earned the 2006 Banaag Award from the Office of the President of the Philippines for contributions to the global Filipino community. Learn more at home.ipbahay.org. \n  \nThe IP Rondalla Ensemble\, established in 1986 under the tutelage of world-renowned Filipino virtuoso Michael Dadap\, bridges generations through music by bringing together the fresh energy of young musicians with experienced mentor musicians who together perform Filipino folk\, pop\, and contemporary Fil-Am compositions. Over the years\, the rondalla has been fortunate to perform for three Philippine Presidents\, release two albums\, share the stage with Filipino artists such as Rachel Alejandro\, Jon Joven\, Celeste Legaspi and Jim Paredes; and to be featured at the United Nations\, the Cultural Center of the Philippines\, and the U.S. Mission to NATO. Past tours have taken us to Canada\, the Philippines\, and Europe\, proudly blending music\, dance\, and storytelling that reflect the richness of the Filipino American experience.  \n \nAbout Sari-Sari Storybooks \n  \nSari-Sari Storybooks is an independent press based in Oakland\, California\, which publishes bilingual Filipino children’s books in Philippine mother tongues. These stories of kindness\, courage\, and magic celebrate the rich diversity of the Philippines with young readers in the motherland and diaspora. The press was founded by Christina Newhard in 2012\, with the first three titles published in 2017: Melo the Umang-Boy\, Kalipay and the Tiniest Tiktik\, and Amina and the City of Flowers. Sandangaw followed in 2018\, and most recently\, Jalal and the Lake in 2023. These books are bilingual in Ivatan\, Cebuano\, Chavacano\, Waray\, and Meranaw\, with a board book scheduled for release in 2026. \n  \nSince its founding\, Sari-Sari Storybooks has reached thousands of readers with their quirky\, beautiful\, uniquely Filipino storytelling. Learn more at sarisaristorybooks.com. URL:https://oacc.cc/event/kalipay/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Musikang-Kalipay-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260723T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260723T190000 DTSTAMP:20260809T153342 CREATED:20260623T195601Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260624T213605Z UID:23423-1784826000-1784833200@oacc.cc SUMMARY:1850-1882: A Chinese American Origin Story—A Book Talk with Veronica Li DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, July 23\, 2026\n5-7 pm\nFREE\n\nJoin author Veronica Li for a timely discussion of her new book\, 1882: A Gold Mountain Odyssey. In this historical novel about the first wave of Chinese immigrants to the U.S.\, we follow their journey through the gold rush\, building the U.S. railroad system\, and the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. Through this story\, we will learn about the courage and resilience of these early Chinese Americans\, and their assertion of belonging in the United States. \nVeronica will be joined by Sue Lee to discuss Chinese American history\, political advocacy\, the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act\, and the ongoing impact this “origin story” has on current immigration policy today. \nThis event is co-presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural\, the 1882 Foundation\, and Eastwind Books. \n\nRegister for Free Tickets\n \nABOUT THE AUTHOR\n \nVeronica Li immigrated to the U.S. from Hong Kong as a teenager. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California\, Berkeley\, and her master’s degree in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins University. She has worked as a journalist and a World Bank project officer\, and is currently a writer. Her three previously published titles are: Nightfall in Mogadishu\, Journey across the Four Seas: A Chinese Woman’s Search for Home\, and Confucius Says: A Novel. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and coauthor of 1882: A Gold Mountain Odyssey\, Sverrir Sigurdsson. You can find her online at www.veronicali.com. URL:https://oacc.cc/event/veronica-li/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1882-Book-Talk-IG-1080-x-1080.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260801T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260801T160000 DTSTAMP:20260809T153342 CREATED:20260703T014214Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260731T160946Z UID:23449-1785589200-1785600000@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Our Stories in Our Voices: Oral History of Oakland Chinatown Organizing Across Generations DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, August 1\, 2026\n1-4 pm\nFREE\n \nOur Stories in Our Voices: Oral History of Oakland Chinatown Organizing Across Generations is a community program celebrating the people\, organizations\, and movements that helped shape Oakland Chinatown’s rich history of advocacy\, leadership\, and community building. \n  \nThrough oral history\, personal storytelling\, and intergenerational dialogue\, this program will explore Oakland Chinatown’s historical legacy with a special focus on Asian American youth organizing\, leadership development\, social services\, and the struggles for social justice and equality during the transformative decades of the 1960s and 1970s. \n  \nThe program will feature a keynote presentation by Gregory Yee Mark\, who will share reflections on his family’s historic legal legacy\, including the Byron Mark laundry case\, as well as the founding of the East Bay Chinese Youth Council and other pioneering community initiatives that helped transform Oakland Chinatown during a period of significant social change. \n  \nFollowing the keynote address will be a panel featuring community leaders\, historians\, and longtime organizers Wilfred Lim\, Doug Wong\, Aimee Eng\, Josephine Hui. Moderated by Cheryl Ho\, panelists will share stories from organizations and institutions that have contributed to Oakland Chinatown’s growth and resilience across generations. Topics will include youth programs\, community advocacy\, family histories\, social services\, cultural preservation\, and neighborhood organizing. \n  \nThe event will also feature twelve interactive information and oral history tables representing individuals\, families\, and organizations that have played important roles in Oakland Chinatown’s development\, including the East Bay Chinese Youth Council\, East Bay Asian Community Association\, Chinese American Citizens Alliance\, Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council\, Asian Health Services\, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation\, Lincoln Recreation Center\, the Wa Sung Club\, OACC’s Oral History Project\, the Fong Wan family legacy\, the Shoong family\, Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce\, and others. \n  \nCommunity members are encouraged to bring historical photographs and materials for scanning and preservation as part of ongoing efforts to document and share Oakland Chinatown’s collective history. \n  \nBy bringing together elders\, organizers\, families\, and younger generations\, Our Stories in Our Voices creates an opportunity to honor the voices that built Oakland Chinatown and to inspire future generations to continue its tradition of community leadership and social change. \n  \nProgram Schedule  \n1:00 pm: Opening and acknowledgments \n1:15 pm: Keynote by Greg Yee Mark \n2:00 pm: Speaker panel featuring Wilfred Lim\, Josephine Hui\, Douglas Wong\, Aimee Sueko Eng\, and Greg Yee Mark\, moderated by Cheryl Ho \n2:45 pm: Mixer with Oakland Chinatown Oral History tables  \n \n Register for Free Tickets\n \nABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS\n \nGregory Yee Mark was born in Oakland\, CA and raised in Berkeley and Oakland.  In 1969\, while a student at University of California\, Berkeley\, Greg organized the first Asian American conference\, Asian Experience In American: The Yellow Identity Symposium.  Also\, at Berkeley\, he was a student striker to create Asian American Studies in which he has taught for over 55 years. \n  \nIn spring 1969\, he founded the Lincoln School Tutorial Program.  The Program provided academic assistance for hundreds of immigrant students and expanded the tutorial/counselling program to Westlake Junior High and Oakland Tech High School. \n  \nIn August 1969\, Greg Played a major leadership role in developing the East Bay Chinese Youth Council and served as its founding President.  The Youth Council established a number of community based programs and worked with organizations such as the Chinese American Citizens Alliance\, the Chinese Presbyterian Church\, the Oakland Public Schools\, and the Suey Sing Benevolent Association. \n \nWilfred Lim was born and raised in Oakland\, and attended Oakland public schools through high school. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Criminology\, and a Law degree from UC Davis. Wilfred worked as an attorney with the Office for Civil Rights and Department of Education for over 30 years. He was active in EBCYC and EBACA from 1970 through 1973\, and has been active with Chinese for Affirmative Action\, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation\, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach\, and Asian Law Caucus at different times since law school. Both of his parents immigrated from Toisan\, China – his dad in 1933\, his mother in 1948. \n \nJosephine Hui is a longtime community leader in Oakland Chinatown. She was one of the grassroots organizers who led the campaign to secure the Oakland Asian Cultural Center as a cultural force in Oakland Chinatown. She served as OACC’s first Executive Director\, where she helped establish the organization as a cultural and community resource for Oakland. She currently serves as Vice President of the Toishan Association\, and has served on the boards of numerous community organizations such as OACC and OCIC. She also previously served with the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. Through decades of leadership and volunteer service\, Josephine has worked to strengthen Oakland Chinatown\, preserve Chinese cultural heritage\, and support future generations of community leaders. \n \nDouglas Wong is the current President of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance\, he is also involved in the Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council. Doug worked in Chinatown in the 60’s and 70’s at the Chevron Gas station located at 10th and Webster st. He also worked part time at Center Auto Part during that time period. Doug is a Vietnam Veteran serving 1966-1968. After his service he participated in the Miss Chinatown pageant and the Lunar New Year Parade as a volunteer assisting his dad and the Lodge as needed. Doug has watched Chinatown thrive and become a depressed business area and seen it revive again. He was employed by the Contra Costa Fire Protection District for thirty years and retired as a fire engineer. Doug was the first Chinese hired by the district. He was recently honored for being a Red Cross volunteer for 65 years. He volunteers for many organizations\, from food pantries\, church\, and government and is honored to be asked to serve on this panel \n \nAimee Sueko Eng is a philanthropic leader and former public servant with over 15 years of experience in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors\, primarily focused on children\, youth\, and families. Aimee’s passion is to ensure that philanthropy strategically leverages its resources to improve systems and services for our community’s most under-resourced populations. Most recently\, Aimee was the Director of Strategy and Education Partnerships at the California Children’s Trust\, where she supported school districts\, county agencies\, and community organizations to leverage Medi-Cal funding to expand the children’s behavioral health safety net. Aimee is also on the board of Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream\, a literacy non-profit in the Bay Area and Hawaii\, and is a co-founder of the Hella Heart Oakland Giving Circle. Aimee holds a B.A. in American Studies from Wesleyan University and a M.A. in Education Policy\, Organization\, and Leadership Studies from Stanford University. Aimee proudly lives in Oakland\, California\, where six generations of her family have lived. In her spare time\, Aimee can be found at her local farmer’s market\, chasing her two toddlers around the playground\, and harvesting chestnuts on her family’s farm. \n \nCheryl Ho is the youngest niece of Dr. Gregory Mark. Born and raised in Oakland\, she attended Chinese Presbyterian Church in Oakland Chinatown throughout her childhood and teenage years. During high school\, Cheryl served on the Asian Youth Services Committee Board and volunteered with the Chinatown StreetFest\, demonstrating an early commitment to community service. \nA dedicated advocate for Oakland’s Chinatown community\, Cheryl has served on the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce Board for the past six years. She is also a member of the Wa Sung Community Service Club. Professionally\, she works in Public Engagement at the Port of Oakland\, where she has also been involved with the Asian Employees Association for many years. \nCheryl and her husband\, Dennis Ho\, are proud parents of three daughters. Their daughters attended Lincoln Elementary School and participated in the Lincoln Explorers’ Program\, reflecting the family’s strong ties to the Oakland community. URL:https://oacc.cc/event/oral-history-chinatown/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Our-Stories-in-Our-Voices-FB-1080-x-1080.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260807T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260807T133000 DTSTAMP:20260809T153342 CREATED:20260722T202453Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T204519Z UID:23472-1786104000-1786109400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:August Mending Circle DESCRIPTION:Friday\, August 7\n12 noon–1:30 pm\nFREE\nDo you have socks that need repair? Are you curious about visible mending? Do you like keeping clothing out of landfills? If you answered yes to any of these\, or just want company while you sew\, join us for our next Mending Circle at OACC on August 7\, at 12 noon. \n  \nThere will be no instructor\, but we will provide basic materials including thread\, needles\, a sewing machine and some patches. Please bring items that you would like to repair. No registration is necessary. \n  \nFor questions\, email us at classes@oacc.cc URL:https://oacc.cc/event/aug2026-mending-circle/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mending-Circle-Evergreen-Preview-White-Background.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260815T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260815T160000 DTSTAMP:20260809T153342 CREATED:20260722T213418Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T155923Z UID:23476-1786802400-1786809600@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Nest of Tongues: A Book Launch With Randy Ribay DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, August 15\, 2026\n2-4 pm\nFREE\n\nJoin us for a conversation with National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author Randy Ribay about his newest YA novel\, Nest of Tongues\, a story about Filipino American teenage siblings/manananggals trying to survive as they’re hunted down by a legendary Filipino monster slayer. \nThis event will begin with a preview of filmmaker Ara Chawdhury’s Marichin Marukoy: Mangayo Ko’g Asin/Can I Ask For Salt\, an animated series about a baby shapeshifter\, born into a world shaped by ancient Visayan animism. She must navigate monsters\, memory\, and mistrust to discover the true power of being different—and the fragile magic of her disappearing homeland. \nPresented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center in partnership with East Wind Books and Sama-Sama Cooperative. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free to attend\, but registration is requested. \nPraise for Nest of Tongues \n“A riveting\, unputdownable contemporary take on Filipino folklore with a deliciously sharp bite.” —Kirkus Reviews\, starred review \n“It’s a page-turning murder mystery anchored by a heartwarming portrayal of siblinghood.” —Publishers Weekly\, starred review \n“Ribay delivers an utterly unique take on Filipino folklore…a riveting crash course on Filipino mythology and history.” —Booklist\, starred review \n“A horror story about vampires\, relationships\, friendship\, and protecting your community that lovers of the paranormal will deeply enjoy.” —School Library Journal \n\nRegister for Free Tickets\n \nABOUT THE AUTHOR\n \nRandy Ribay writes stories for young people and the young at heart. He’s the author of Patron Saints of Nothing; Everything We Never Had; Avatar\, the Last Airbender: The Reckoning of Roku; and more. He’s a two-time National Book Award nominee\, a co-winner of the Michael L. Printz award\, and a recipient of the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association book award and the Boston Globe-Horn Book award. His books have appeared on the New York Times\, Indie\, and USA Today best-sellers lists. \nPhoto by Leopaldo Macaya \nABOUT THE FILMMAKER\n \nAra Chawdhury is a Bisaya Bengali immigrant translator\, filmmaker\, and theater maker. Her film Miss Bulalacao screened at the YBCA’s 2016 Best of Philippine Cinema program in San Francisco. She staged a devised multimedia play\, Maldisyon\, in San Jose for the More Mas Marami company and self published the Cebuano English children’s book\, Marichin Marukoy\, Mangayo Ko’g Asin (May I Have Salt) which she is currently adapting into a stop motion film. URL:https://oacc.cc/event/nest-of-tongues/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Nest-of-Tongues-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260911T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260911T210000 DTSTAMP:20260809T153342 CREATED:20260806T212924Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260806T214324Z UID:23528-1789153200-1789160400@oacc.cc SUMMARY:Interweaving: Indo-Persian Exchanges DESCRIPTION:A concert of Indian\, Persian and Afghan classical music featuring Arjun K. Verma\, Pezhham Akhavass\, Mazdak Alipour\, and Eman Hashimi \n  \n— \nFriday\, September 11\, 2026\n7-9 pm\n$40 General Admission\n \nInterweaving brings together four virtuoso musicians from the Indian\, Persian\, and Afghan musical traditions in a rare meeting of some of Asia’s richest classical musical cultures. Featuring sitar\, kamancheh\, tabla\, daf\, and tombak\, this performance explores the deep historical connections and living dialogue between these traditions through improvisation\, virtuosity\, and collaborative creation. The very name of the Indian sitar is derived from Persian seh-tar (“three strings”)\, hinting at the centuries of artistic exchange between the Indian subcontinent and Persia.  \n  \nBuilding on this shared heritage\, the musicians weave together intricate rhythmic cycles\, expressive melodic modes\, and spontaneous improvisation\, revealing both the common threads and distinctive voices of these musical lineages. Interweaving invites audiences into a shared sonic landscape where rhythm\, melody\, and improvisation transcend geography\, honoring centuries of cultural tradition and exchange\, while creating something entirely new in the moment.  \n  \nInterweaving is presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, made possible through the Musical Grant Program\, administered by InterMusic SF\, and supported by the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation and the Hewlett Foundation.  \n  \n \n Reserve Tickets\n \nABOUT THE ARTISTS\n \nArjun K. Verma is both a tradition-bearer and innovator in the world of North Indian Classical music. With over three decades of performance experience at venues including the United Nations\, the Fillmore\, and Prague Castle\, Arjun has emerged with a unique voice on the sitar – both within the tradition of North Indian Classical Music\, and through innovative cross-genre collaborations.  \n  \nHailed by the New York Times as a “fine sitarist\,” Arjun shares his cultural heritage in a manner that is fresh and modern\, while maintaining high standards of traditional integrity. His work is influenced by his upbringing as an Indian Classical musician in the West\, trained by Maestro Ali Akbar Khan. Arjun’s performance repertoire has stretched the limits of the sitar\, and his recording and composing work encompasses TV\, opera\, film\, and video games. He has recorded with artists including the London Symphony Orchestra\, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri\, Sri Alam Khan\, and Grammy-winning jazz arranger and pianist John Beasley.  \n  \nLearn more at arjun-verma.com  \n  \n \nPezhham Akhavass is an accomplished musician\, percussionist\, multi-instrumentalist\, educator\, music director\, producer\, Voting Member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMY)\, and instructor known for his mastery of the tombak (Persian goblet drum)\, and daf (Persian frame drum). His exceptional talent and unique rhythmic approach have distinguished him as one of the most notable musicians of his generation.  \n  \nBorn in Iran in 1980\, Pezhham embarked on his musical journey under the guidance of his renowned father\, Mostafa Akhavass. He began studying tombak at age five with the esteemed Ostad Naser Farhanghfar\, later continuing with Mr. Saeid Roudbary. He holds BA and MA degrees in music from San Francisco State University\, and began studying tabla with Ustad Zakir Hussain in 2011.  \n  \nPezhham’s career includes performances at prestigious festivals and concert halls across Iran and internationally with renowned vocalist Shahram Nazeri\, and collaborations with Ostad Hossein Alizadeh and Ustad Zakir Hussain.  \n  \nLearn more at www.pezhham.com  \n  \n \nMazdak (Moslem) Alipour is a visionary Kamancheh player\, vocalist\, and composer\, with a distinguished career spanning over 30 years. Born into a musical lineage in Khorramabad\, Iran\, he began his journey under the tutelage of his father\, the legendary maestro Faraj Alipour.  \n  \nMazdak is a celebrated artist on the global stage\, earning prestigious recognition for innovation in Persian music:  \n  \n• Global Music Awards: Silver and Bronze Medals \n  \n• Silk Road Project: Featured soloist conducted by Academy Award-winning Tan Dun \n  \n• UNESCO: Distinguished performer at “Mozart Day” in France \n  \n• UCLA: specialized performances and cultural initiatives \n  \nBased in Los Angeles\, Mazdak’s mastery of musical fusion blends ancient Persian heritage with contemporary global genres. With over 20 albums and the publication of “Taal” (a seminal book on Lori music)\, he continues to influence the world music scene through film scoring\, international tours\, and advanced music education.  \n  \nLearn more at MazdakAlipour.com  \n  \n \nEman Hashimi\, one of today’s most sought-after Afghan percussionists\, is widely recognized as the future of Afghan tabla. Born into the celebrated Hashimi musical family of Kabul’s historic Kharabat quarter\, he is the son of legendary maestro Ustad Toryalai Hashimi\, a pioneer of Afghan tabla.  \n  \nA child prodigy\, Eman gave his first concert at age nine alongside his father\, later studying under world-renowned Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri\, with whom he became one of the youngest tabla players to perform in duet. His artistry bridges Afghan classical and folk traditions with the Punjab Gharana of tabla.  \n  \nEman has performed at the Kennedy Center\, San Francisco World Music Festival and beyond\, collaborating across genres. He also serves as founder and Director of Percussion at PACA\, preserving and promoting Afghanistan’s musical heritage at a time when music is banned in its homeland.  \n  \nLearn more at emanhashimi.com URL:https://oacc.cc/event/interweaving/ LOCATION:Oakland Asian Cultural Center\, 388 9th St. #290\, Oakland\, CA\, 94607\, United States CATEGORIES:Featured,Upcoming Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://oacc.cc/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Interweaving-Indo-Persian-Exchanges-FB-1080-x-1080-px.png ORGANIZER;CN="Oakland Asian Cultural Center":MAILTO:programs@oacc.cc END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR