Oakland Asian Cultural Center

SOLD OUT: Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage: Sounds of Greater Khorasan — Afghan and Tajik Poetry and Music
2025-01-12 12:30 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St. #290, Oakland, CA, 94607, United States
Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage: Sounds of Greater Khorasan
Afghan and Tajik Poetry and Music

Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025 1:30 PM Calligraphy Demonstration,
2 PM Concert
FREE
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

Join us for an uplifting afternoon of traditional music and poetry with master musicians from Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Featuring Homayoun Sakhi and Maruf Noyoft.

The concert will be preceded by a calligraphy demonstration by a master traditional Islamic calligrapher, Hakim Karimzada.

Register

Meet the Musicians

Homayoun Sakhi is an Afghan rubab maestro born in Kabul to a renowned musical lineage. From age ten, he immersed himself in mastering the national instrument, the double-chambered rubab, under his father’s tutelage in the traditional ustâd-shâgird apprenticeship.
In 1992, he and his family sought refuge in Peshawar, Pakistan, following the chaos of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. There, Homayoun’s exceptional talents gained recognition, making him a popular entertainer known for his diverse repertoire.
In 2001, he relocated to Fremont, California, home to the largest Afghan community in the US. There, he introduced his refined rubab style, quickly becoming a local musical leader and earning national and international acclaim as a performer, teacher, and composer.

Maruf Noyoft, a native of Badakhshan, Tajikistan, embarked on his journey into the world of traditional Central Asian music at the University of Art and Culture of Tajikistan. There, he honed his craft on the Badakhshani Setor while also mastering instruments such as the Rubab and Daf under the guidance of local virtuosos. Driven by a deep appreciation for poetry and a desire to uncover the layered meanings within mystical Persian verse, Maruf expanded his artistic repertoire by learning to sing these profound compositions, completing a harmonious fusion of music and poetry.

After immigrating to the United States, Maruf remained deeply committed to his art. For many years, he was the sole performer and vocalist representing Badakhshan’s mystical musical heritage, keeping its rich traditions alive and resonant in a new cultural landscape.
Calligraphy Workshop

Abdul Hakim Karimzada, born in Afghanistan, is a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) and master calligrapher with over 30 years of experience in different types of calligraphy and fine writing, such as traditional and modern scripts. He started calligraphy in the Herat Province of Afghanistan by learning different writing styles, including Nastaliq, Kofie, Naskh, and Thuluth scripts. He went on to create thousands of works by using these scripts. He also invented a new fine writing called Nilofar over the course of his calligraphy life.

Karimzada is a senior board member and trainer at the Herat Calligraphy Association.⁠ He has taken an active part in various calligraphy exhibitions inside and outside of Afghanistan and many solo exhibitions of his work. He has won numerous awards for his art and the collections of his calligraphy works.

Learn more about Karimzada’s work at hakimkarimzada.com.⁠

The March Fong Eu Story: An Authorized Biography of an Unauthorized Woman. Book Talk with Author Tim Vandehey and Editor Pattie Fong.
2025-01-18 13:00 - 14:30
The March Fong Eu Story: An Authorized Biography of an Unauthorized Woman

Book Talk with Author Tim Vandehey and Editor Pattie Fong
Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 | 1 PM | FREE
Join us for the release of The March Fong Eu Story: An Authorized Biography of an Unauthorized Woman, a biography celebrating the life of Asian American pioneer, political icon, and California’s Secretary of State, March Fong Eu.
March Fong Eu was the first woman and Chinese American in many arenas. She was head of a UCSF division, the Alameda County Board of Education, the California State Assembly, and the California Secretary of State. With deep roots in Alameda County, Eu rose from being born in the back of a Hanford hand laundry to non-English-speaking parents to serving as a United States Ambassador. This program will include individuals sharing memories of Eu’s passions and work.

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Meet the Speakers

Tim Vandehey, author of The March Fong Eu Story: An Authorized Biography of an Unauthorized Woman, is a native Californian, New York Times bestselling ghostwriter, and editor. He is also the co-author of Swipe: Why We Don’t Finish What We Start. Today, he lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with his wife, daughters, and an inappropriate number of beagles.

Pattie Fong, editor of The March Fong Eu Story: An Authorized Biography of an Unauthorized Woman, a retired deputy district attorney, is a niece of March Fong Eu, who, as a kid, spent summers in the Capitol “going to work” with Auntie March, accompanied her to the 1972 Democratic convention (Clinton’s first nomination), traveled with her and Henry Eu on their first trip to Micronesia for the ambassadorship and all the events and dinners in between. Fong is the book’s final editor.

From Chinatown to West Oakland: Community Portraits of Healing
2025-01-30 12:00 - 2025-05-01 17:00
From Chinatown to West Oakland: Community Portraits of Healing

Exhibition Dates:
Jan. 30, 2025 – May 1, 2025
“There is actually a collective historical trauma that we hold, and we carry… and that we are also trying to recognize and heal for our future generations…”

In this new photo exhibition titled From Chinatown to West Oakland: Community Portraits of Healing, Oakland community members share their experiences of pain and trauma, as well as their expressions of hope and humanity.

Join Asian Health Services and Baywell Health on Friday, February 21, 2025, for the opening reception of their new photo exhibition based on the Asian-Black Racial Healing Project. The two community health centers launched this project in 2021 in response to the heightened violence experienced by both communities. Over 1,000 Asian and Black Oakland community members engaged in interviews and delved into conversations on race, violence, and healing. This exhibition and event celebrates our communities and our collective desire for connection, safety, and healing across cultures.

Register for the opening reception

About Asian Health Services
Asian Health Services, founded in 1974, provides health, social, and advocacy services for all, regardless of income, insurance status, immigration status, language, or culture. Their approach to well-being focuses on “whole patient health,” which is why they provide not just primary care services but include mental health, case management, nutrition, and dental care to more than 50,000 patients in English and 15 languages.

Website: https://asianhealthservices.org/our-mission/
About Baywell Health
Founded by four African-American mothers fifty years ago amid the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, Baywell Health’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of its communities by providing the highest quality of health care and treatment for its diverse patient population throughout Alameda County. Each clinic’s health center strives to be a hub for health, compassion, engagement, and inspiration.

Website: https://westoaklandhealth.org/

Lunar New Year x Black History Month 2025: Celebrating Asian & African-American Solidarity
2025-02-01 11:00 - 16:00
Lunar New Year x Black History Month 2025: Celebrating Asian & African-American Solidarity
Saturday, February 1, 2025
11 AM – 4 PM
FREE

REGISTER

Join us on Saturday, February 1, 2025, as we partner with the Malonga Arts Residents Association (MARA), Eastwind Books of Berkeley, Marcus Books, and the Alameda County National Council of Negro Women for the Oakland Asian Cultural Center’s third annual Lunar New Year x Black History Month Community Celebration.
We are so excited to welcome our community back for another celebration of Asian and African-American solidarity through art, music, and dance, including an incredible lineup of Black and Asian martial artists, musicians, and dance groups, including Dimensions Dance Theater, Destiny Arts Center, Amihan, the Great Wall Youth Orchestra, and others.
In addition to a full day of performances, we are bringing back:
A local vendors’ marketplace
Children’s Zone with Eastwind Books of Berkeley and Marcus Books
An exhibition on Black and Asian solidarity
This event is part of OACC’s ongoing Open E.A.R.S. for Change initiative, which started in 2020 to build stronger relationships among local APIA and Black communities.
This event is funded by the CA State Grant for Stop the Hate (CDSS), the Zellerbach Family Foundation, and the City of Oakland’s Cultural Funding Program, and sponsored by Dr. Raymond L. Eng.
Getting to OACC:
There is an underground parking lot below the Pacific Renaissance Plaza. There are two entrances to the parking lot; one located on Franklin & the other on Webster. Parking is $3 per hour. To get to our suite, take the elevator to the 2nd floor. OACC is the first suite on the left when you leave the elevator.
The area has multiple bus lines, and we are within walking distance of 12th Street BART and Lake Merritt BART station.
There are also a few other parking lots nearby:
Aki Parking
435 8th St (4-minute walk to OACC)
$3 an hour, $10 for the day
East Bay Parking
726 Harrison St, Chinatown (8 minute walk to OACC)
$4 an hour
Douglas Parking Lot #475
420 Washington St Old Oakland (13-minute walk to OACC)
$4 an hour
PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Program Emcee

Miko Lee
Miko Lee is an activist, storyteller, and educator. She believes in the power of stories to amplify voices. Miko is the Director of Programs for Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality and is the lead producer of APEX Express on KPFA Radio, focused on AAPI activists and artists. She is also on the National Advisory Committee of Teaching Artists Guild. Miko’s career has been rooted in the nonprofit world, first as a theater actor, director and writer and then as an artistic director and an arts education leader.
Performer Spotlights

Photo by Edward Miller Photography
Dimensions Dance Theater (DDT)

Under the artistic leadership of co-founder Deborah Vaughan, Dimensions Dance Theater is one of the oldest contemporary dance companies in the U.S. At 52 years old, DDT has become widely recognized for its presentation of traditional dances and contemporary choreography drawn from African, Jazz, and Modern dance idioms. The diversity and inclusiveness of DDT’s repertoire are unique to the company and have contributed greatly to its reputation for innovative dynamism.

Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company (DAYPC)
Based in Oakland, California, the Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company (DAYPC) is a diverse group of teens collaborating with professional artists to create dynamic, original dance and theater productions.

Cal VSA Lion Dance
Cal VSA Lion Dance, founded in 2012 through the Vietnamese Student Association’s Culture Show, is UC Berkeley’s one and only student-run lion dance team. Earnestly serving the local Bay Area for the past 11 years, they’ve developed a tight-knit team of students and alumni connected by culture, passion, and camaraderie.

Photo by William Lee
Carla Service Dance-A-Vision Entertainment Group
Carla Service is a performer, choreographer, teacher, booking agent, and, for over thirty years, a mentor to Oakland youth. She helps them find empowerment through dance.
Carla’s Dance-A-Vision school is about more than steps, technique, choreography, and performance; it’s about positive relationships, fostering communication, and building confidence and self-reliance.

Voices Of A Dream (VOAD)
VOICES OF A DREAM (VOAD) stands as one of today’s most compelling a cappella ensembles, masterfully preserving and reimagining the profound legacy of African American spirituals under the dynamic leadership of Amikaeyla Gaston. VOAD creates an immersive tapestry of sound that honors the African American spiritual tradition while speaking powerfully to contemporary audiences. Their performances offer more than music – they provide a transformative journey through history, heritage, and healing.
Singers include Amikaeyla Gaston, Amber McZeal, Karen A. Smith, Elizabeth Sayre, and Rashida Oji.

The Great Wall Youth Orchestra
The Great Wall Youth Orchestra is part of the Purple Silk Music Education Foundation. They are an Oakland-based, non-profit organization that supports music education for youth. Their mission is to give students in their community the chance to learn from professional musicians, perform in public, and become skilled musicians themselves. Their program includes lessons from performing artists, teaching music theory, playing in a Chinese orchestra, and performing in the Bay Area and beyond.

Kkirikkiri
Kkirikkiri is a community-based Samulnori group. Samulnori is a performance practice based on traditional percussion music from farming communities in Korea. In addition to Samulnori, Kkiikkiri is dedicated to learning, sharing, and celebrating other Korean and Korean-American traditions and culture.

Amihan
Amihan (translates to harvest wind) is a self-taught poet, producer, and musician born & raised in San Francisco, reppin the Excelsior district. She was named after the peasant women’s organization based in the countryside of the Philippines. Rooted in their struggle for land and freedom, Amihan’s music fuses hip-hop & rnb flows with chants of the people.

Toishan Benevolent Association
The Toishan Benevolent Association has served the greater Bay Area community for the last 22 years with different cultural programs. They promote Chinese ethnic culture in different forms of performances: lion’s dance, dragon dance, traditional art dance, tai chi demonstration, kung fu demonstration, and youth kung fu.

VSCK Filipino Martial Arts
VSCK Filipino Martial Arts was created by the late and great ancestor, Maestro Sonny Umpad. The VSCK Global Oakland chapter is led by Guro Jay Jasper Pugao, a direct student of Maestro Sonny. Jay has been teaching and working with youth in the Oakland community, the greater Bay Area, nationally, and internationally since 2003, integrating martial arts for empowerment, culture, wellness, restorative justice, situational awareness, and self-defense.

"The Camps America Built" - Honoring Day of Remembrance 2025
2025-02-20 18:30 - 20:30
The Camps America Built – Honoring Day of Remembrance 2025

Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025
6:30 PM
FREE
Join us for the unveiling of The Camps America Built, an immersive portrait project exploring the resilience of Japanese Americans who were incarcerated in camps during WWII. Since 2022, photographer and National Geographic Explorer Haruka Sakaguchi has traveled to all 10 camps and photographed over 80 Japanese Americans as they made pilgrimages to their former camps to reflect on this dark chapter in U.S. history.
This special event will feature a live presentation introducing the project and a screening of the short documentary Loyal American (2025, 9 min.)—directed by Haruka and produced by National Geographic Society’s Impact Story Lab. A Q&A with Sakaguchi and the film’s protagonist will follow the screening.
This event is co-presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and the National Geographic Society.
In addition to an in-person event, we will be live-streaming this event. To receive the Zoom link, please register for this event and click the live stream option. We will email you the live stream link the week of the event.
*This event was formally titled “Campu: An American Story,” but it remains the same program despite the title change. We apologize for any confusion.

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Meet the Speakers

Haruka Sakaguchi (b. 1990) is a Japanese documentary photographer based outside of New York City. She was born in Osaka, Japan and immigrated to the U.S. with her parents when she was three months old. Haruka’s documentary work focuses on cultural identity and intergenerational trauma. Her clients include The New York Times, National Geographic, Time Magazine, ProPublica, The New Yorker, Smithsonian Magazine, BBC News, Bloomberg Businessweek, NPR, Newsweek and The Washington Post among other publications.

Henry Kaku’s (sansei) entire family was deported and sent to Japan after WWII. Although they were born in California, his family lost their U.S. Citizenship during this time. It was not until 1956 that Henry became a U.S. Citizen at 8 years old, and his family returned to California.
Henry is now the Speakers Bureau Chair for the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).

"The Memory of Taste": Book Release Event with Chef Tu David Phu
2025-03-01 14:00 - 15:30
The Memory of Taste Book Release Event with Chef Tu David Phu

Saturday, March 1, 2025 | 2 PM | FREE
Join us for a heartfelt community event as Chef Tu David Phu returns to Oakland, the place where his culinary journey began. In partnership with the Oakland Public Library and the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Chef Tu David Phu will celebrate the release of his new book, The Memory of Taste, with an insightful panel discussion centered around diasporic communities and their food, facilitated by Bryant Terry. Followed by a raffle with exciting prizes, including five copies of The Memory of Taste.
This event is a tribute to the vibrant Oakland community and its profound impact on Chef Tu David Phu’s life and career. Let’s come together to celebrate food, culture, and community in the heart of Oakland. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with a local culinary icon and take home a piece of his culinary artistry.
Purchase your copy of The Memory of Taste signed by Chef Tu David Phu and have a chance to meet him in person.
Eastwind Books of Berkeley will be selling copies of The Memory of Taste at this event, and the Oakland Public Library will have copies available to check out.
This event is co-presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and the Oakland Public Library.

Register

Meet Chef Tu David Phu

Chef Tu David Phu, a San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chef, embodies a culinary narrative deeply inspired by his heritage and the resilient spirit of his refugee parents. His journey from his mother’s Oakland garden to the pinnacle of culinary acclaim is a testament to his profound connection to his Vietnamese roots and culinary expertise. A two-time TEDx speaker and Top Chef alumnus, Chef Phu’s prowess extends beyond the kitchen to impactful storytelling, notably through his Emmy-nominated PBS film Bloodline. His forthcoming cookbook, The Memory of Taste, is eagerly anticipated as a homage to his family’s legacy, promising a collection of recipes and stories celebrating his birthright and culinary innovation.
Meet Bryant Terry

*Photo by Carlos Chavarria
Bryant Terry is a multidisciplinary artist, James Beard Award-winning chef, publisher, and author. His work is rooted in ancestral inspiration and encourages people to pursue a more healthful, just, and sustainable world. He has authored five highly acclaimed cookbooks, San Francisco Magazine recognized him as one of the 11 Smartest People in the Bay Area Food Scene and by Fast Company as one of “9 People Who Are Changing the Future of Food.” Regarding his food justice activism, Terry’s mentor Alice Waters says, ‘Bryant Terry knows that good food should be an everyday right and not a privilege.’ From 2015 to 2022, he served as the inaugural Chef-in-Residence at the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco, where he curated innovative public programming blending food, farming, health, activism, art, and culture.

Gumamela: An Intimate Preview. Florante Aguilar with Cascada de Flores and Special Guests Charmaine Clamor, Jorge Mijangos, and Greg Kehret
2025-03-07 19:00 - 21:00
Gumamela: An Intimate Preview. Florante Aguilar with Cascada de Flores and Special Guests Charmaine Clamor, Jorge Mijangos, and Greg Kehret

Friday, March 7, 2025
7 PM
FREE
Join us to experience a musical exploration of the Mexican-Filipino connection featuring Florante Aguilar with Cascada de Flores and special guests Charmaine Clamor, Jorge Mijangos, and Greg Kehret.

The Gumamela project is a collaboration born from the shared passion of Cascada de Flores and Florante Aguilar for the traditional music of their respective homelands, Mexico and the Philippines. This project celebrates the striking musical parallels that connect the two cultures—an unexpected discovery that began with a chance meeting between these artists.

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More about the Gumamela Project

Photo by Robert Lee
Gumamela, a hibiscus flower in Tagalog, flor de jamaica in Mexico, is an exploration of the musical connection between Mexico and the Philippines as envisioned by Florante Aguilar and the San Francisco Bay Area ensemble Cascada de Flores.

The Gumamela project is a collaboration born from the shared passion of Cascada de Flores and Florante Aguilar for the traditional music of their respective homelands, Mexico and the Philippines. This project celebrates the striking musical parallels that connect the two cultures—an unexpected discovery that began with a chance meeting between these artists.

These similarities trace back to the historic Manila Galleon trade, a Pacific shipping route that linked Manila and Acapulco for over 300 years. Under Spanish colonial rule, these ships carried not only goods but also culture, weaving together the musical traditions of two distant lands. Though the trade route has long since ceased, its cultural impact endures.

In Gumamela, the musicians begin immersed in the songs and danceable rhythms that the cultures share: the serenading Philippine haranas alongside the romantic danzas of Latin American, jotas, rondalla, and kumparsa paired with Mexico’s son and jarabe, and of course, the boleros!

As the project blossoms, so does the creativity of its arrangements and the inspiration of its compositions. Like its namesake, the hibiscus flower (Gumamela in Tagalog), the collaboration flourishes into a dynamic album and concert. The music is more than a celebration of shared heritage—it is a living testament to the enduring bonds of two cultures brought together across oceans and centuries. Even today, it inspires the creativity of its descendants here in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong." Book Release Event with Katie Gee Salisbury
2025-03-22 13:00 - 15:00
Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong

Book Release Event with Katie Gee Salisbury

Saturday, Mar. 22, 2025
1 PM
FREE
Set against the glittering backdrop of Los Angeles during the gin-soaked Jazz Age and the rise of Hollywood, Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong celebrates the first Asian American movie star, bringing an unsung heroine to light and reclaiming her place in cinema history. Join us on March 22, 2025, at 1 PM as we welcome author Katie Gee Salisbury for a book talk and signing highlighting this exciting new biography.

This event is presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and Eastwind Books of Berkeley.

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Meet the Author

Katie Gee Salisbury is the author of Not Your China Doll, a new biography of Anna May Wong, Hollywood’s first Asian American movie star. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Believer, the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, and elsewhere. She was a finalist for the Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship in 2021 and gave the TED Talk “As American as Chop Suey.” She also writes the newsletter Half-Caste Woman. A fifth-generation Chinese American who hails from Southern California, she now lives in Brooklyn.

All Mixed Up! A Mixer Celebrating Multi-Racial Identity
2025-04-11 19:30 - 21:30
All Mixed Up! A Mixer Celebrating Multi-Racial Identity

Friday, Apr. 11, 2025
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
$20 – $30
Join us on Friday, April 11, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM, for “All Mixed Up! A Mixer Celebrating Multi-Racial Identity,” a mixer celebrating the diversity, creativity, and unique experiences of multiracial individuals in the AAPI community and beyond. This 21+ event will feature:

A performance by Jamee of the band MICHELLE
Live DJ sets by DJ Del
Vendors including two-minute portraits by Oakland-based artist Cristina Edwards, live tarot reading with Seba, CLUB CHAZU, Sugar Cane Apparel, and more
Light food from Noor Indian Fusion Kitchen, Comal, Gus’s Fried Chicken, Asian Box, Sakura Bistro, Co Nam, and more
Drinks, including our signature cocktail, a Sake Lychee Martini
And meaningful conversations centered on multiracial identity
Whether you want to connect, share your story, or enjoy a fun night out, “All Mixed Up!” is a space to explore, celebrate, and build our multi-racial community.

This event is sponsored and facilitated by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC) and ASIAN, Inc., in partnership with Mixed Asian Media (MAM), Mixed Kids Meet Ups, Mixed Present, the Lunar Collective Bay Area, and ACE Next Gen Bay Area.

Ticket Prices:
$20 Ticket includes: Access to live music, vendors, a Photo Booth, and light food
$30 Ticket includes: Access to live music, vendors, a Photo Booth, light food, and one Sake Lychee Martini.

Get the Party Started Early!Join us next door at Sakura Bistro for our “All Mixed Up” Happy Hour Special before the mixer!
4:30pm – 7:30pm Sushi • Tapas • Beer • Wine • Sake

Show your “All Mixed Up” email confirmation to a Sakura staff member to receive a special discount off drinks and food. Come mix, mingle, and enjoy discounted delicious bites and drinks from a small Oakland business — the perfect warm-up before the main event!

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Meet the Performers

Photo by Matt Infante
Jamee
Jamee is a queer, Korean-American musician based in New York City. She has been a singer/songwriter in the indie-pop collective MICHELLE for over six years. Jamee has completed ten major tours with MICHELLE, both nationally and internationally, including four support tours for major artists such as Mitski, Arlo Parks, Still Woozy, and Gus Dappertons. Jamee has recently launched her solo artist project, releasing her debut single ‘Unfold’ off of her upcoming EP ‘Crawling Out the Deep End.’

DJ Del
Originally from NYC, Del is an Oakland based DJ legend. Her original interest in music was sparked by an older brother’s obsession with vinyl, and a mother who forced her into playing instruments at a young age. DJ Del’s sets are heavy with hip hop, club music, baile funk, tech house, garage, hard techno, and dubstep but are mainly influenced by whatever she got off soundcloud that week.

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/inebriatedfelon.

Visible Mending For Stains & Patches
2025-04-19 12:00 - 14:00
VISIBLE MENDING
FOR STAINS & PATCHES

Saturday, Apr. 19, 2025 |
12 PM – 2 PM
Join us for a mending workshop with the Mending Collective to cover stains and holes using stitching and patching.
• Registration is required.
• Bring only items that need repair.
• Translators are available upon
request.
• Class is free with a refundable $10 deposit.
This workshop is supported by Stop Waste. Stop Waste helps Alameda County’s businesses, residents, and schools waste less, recycle properly, and use water, energy, and other resources efficiently. They’re a public agency governed by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, the Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board, and the Energy Council. For more information, please visit Stop Waste’s website: https://www.stopwaste.org/about-stopwaste
加入我们的修补工作功，探索手工缝纲，这是一种对衣服，纺织品和我们自己进行 光 精心，而舒缓的修补方式，练习缝纲和修 补以遮盖污渍和破洞。
• 人数限制为20人。
• 前来我们的中心 进行登记。
•我们将提供修补工具，但请携带需要 修补的物品。
• 如果需要翻译，请于开放时间调(周三至周六，十二点至五点) 510-637-0455。 课程是免费的，但我们要求支付10美元，当你参加工作坊时将全数退还。

Register

Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage: "The Rebirth of Apsara: Beyond Genocide." A Performance by Charya Burt Cambodian Dance.
2025-04-19 15:00 - 17:00
Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage: The Rebirth of Apsara: Beyond Genocide

A Performance by Charya Burt Cambodian Dance

Saturday, Apr. 19, 2025
3 PM
FREE
The Rebirth of Apsara: Beyond Genocide is an adaptive multi-media dance and theatre work observing Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Day and the 50th Anniversary of the beginning of the Khmer Rouge Genocide. The piece will honor genocide survivors, the resilience of the Cambodian spirit, and how Cambodian arts have been, and continue to be, transmitted from generation to generation.

The Rebirth of Apsara: Beyond Genocide investigates the relationship between art and war, exploring how Khmer classical dance, particularly Apsaras, fabled female celestial beings, has embodied the essence of Cambodian culture from ancient mythology to its post-genocide resurrection.

Mirroring her own life’s journey as an artist to explore the impact Apsara has had on both Khmer civilization and Cambodian artists of today, Charya Burt sets her re-imagined classical dance gestures to music by renowned Cambodian-American composer Chinary Ung and traditional Khmer pin-peat. The performance is all tied together by a live soundscape by Marimba Lumina virtuoso Joel Davel and an engaging video backdrop designed by Hsuan-Kuang Hsieh.

Joining Charya’s tour de force performance on stage will be dancer Chakra Sokhomsan and select Bay Area Cambodian community dancers.

A talkback with the artists and genocide survivors will follow the performance, moderated by Mory Chhom.

OACC’s “Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage” Asian American & Pacific Islander performing arts series will provide a platform for local Asian and Asian Pacific Islander culturally relevant artists that inspire intergenerational and cross-cultural exchange. This program series is sponsored by Matson, the Bank of Marin, and Dr. Raymond L. Eng.

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Meet the Production Team
Charya Burt: Creator, Choreographer, Lead Performer

Charya Burt is an acclaimed master dancer, choreographer, vocalist, and teacher of Classical Cambodian Dance. After the Khmer Rouge genocide, Burt trained extensively with Cambodia’s foremost surviving dance masters, eventually joining the dance faculty of Cambodia’s Royal University of Fine Arts. The Rebirth of Apsara, her recent Hewlett 50 Arts Commission, premiered in 2024 at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center.

An inaugural Dance/USA and 2022 Americans for the Arts Johnson Fellow and Isadora Duncan Award recipient for Individual Performance, Burt has performed her original works nationwide at venues including Jacob’s Pillow, San Francisco Opera House, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and many others. Her recent choreographic works include Beautiful Dark (2024), about the relationship between colorism and perceptions of beauty, Silenced (2018), Of Spirits Intertwined (2018), and Heavenly Garden (2016).

A true culture bearer, Burt’s mission is to continue preserving and renewing her art form, elevating the professionalism of community dance groups, and creating innovative new works firmly rooted in tradition. She is the founding artistic director of Charya Burt Cambodian Dance, based in the San Francisco North Bay.
Chinary Ung: Composer
“Louk Kru” Chinary Ung was born in Cambodia and spent his early childhood in Prey Lovea, a small village surrounded by rice paddies. His first exposure to Western classical music was as a teenager, and he was so drawn to it that he came to New York in 1964 to study clarinet performance (at the Manhattan School of Music) and, later, composition with Chou Wen-Chung at Columbia University. During the Cambodian genocide, where nearly 2 million people died, Ung feared that the country would lose its precious musical heritage because the Khmer Rouge regime targeted artists. He devoted himself to learning the neat-ek, the Cambodian xylophone, and performing traditional pin peat music (the Cambodian gamelan ensemble) throughout the United States.
Kalean Ung: Writer
Performer and playwright Kalean Ung is an award-winning Cambodian-American multi-disciplinary theater artist whose professional career ranges from Shakespeare to experimental theatre to contemporary opera and solo performance. She has performed at The Kirk Douglas Theatre, Disney Hall, REDCAT, and The Getty Villa, among others, collaborating with critically acclaimed theatre and opera companies, including Critical Mass Performance Group, The LA Philharmonic, Rogue Artists Ensemble, Independent Shakespeare Company, and CalArts’s Center for New Performance. Kalean’s voice acting can be heard as the lead in Denis Do’s award-winning, animated feature about the Cambodian genocide, FUNAN.

For this adaptation, additional story development and text by Charya and Rob Burt.
Joel Davel: Musical Director/Performer

Joel Davel (Musical Director) is an accomplished percussionist whose performances and compositions range from classical to highly experimental. Davel is known for his many appearances in theatrical productions, for many performance collaborations with composer Paul Dresher and Vân-Ánh Võ and for his 20 year association with electronic music designer Don Buchla. Davel is the music director and composer for dNaga Dance Company and PCB designer for Buchla. He performs on the Marimba Lumina, an instrument he built and co-designed. Davel holds a Bachelor of Music from Northern Illinois University and MFA from Mills College.
Chakra Sokhomsan: Dancer

Born and raised to Khmer refugee parents, Chakra is an activist, artist, and educator. The Cambodian community in Chakra’s hometown, Long Beach, CA, helped develop his passion for the arts. He carries over ten years of Khmer Classical Dance training under Prumsodun Ok, Charya Burt, Sophiline Cheam Shapiro, and Reaksmey Lath. Recently, Chakra graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Dickinson College. He has also worked and performed with Alessio Trevisani, Sarah Skaggs, Pilobolus, the American Dance Festival, and more. Currently he is a teaching artist with the Modern Apsara Company in Long Beach, CA.
Rob Burt: Director

Rob Burt, Executive Director of Charya Burt Cambodian Dance, is a theatre director, producer, and educator. A theatre teacher for over 35 years, he directed and produced over 100 theatrical productions, many for his award-winning playwriting program at Elsie Allen High School in Santa Rosa, California. The school’s 350-seat theater was named in his honor in 2017. From 1990-1992, Burt taught playwriting at the University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, producing original plays with actors from Cambodia’s National Theatre. Here, he met his future wife, Charya, who was on the university’s dance faculty. In 1993, he helped Charya establish her U.S. dance company and has been her creative partner ever since.
Charya Burt Cambodian Dance Company:
Charya Burt
Chakra Sokhomsan
Hannah Chea
Baron Lim
Moragaut Souet Samounn
Sydnee Thy
Meet the Moderator

Mory Chhom is a Cambodian American and a dedicated public health leader with nearly 20 years of experience serving immigrant and underserved communities. Currently serving as the Director of Population-Focused Prevention and Early Intervention, she oversees culturally and linguistically responsive programs that promote wellness and equity. She serves on the board of the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants and the Editorial Board for Health Promotion Practice.

"Silencing the Drum: Religious Racism and Afro-Brazilian Sacred Music," a Book Talk and Dynamic Presentation with Author Dr. Umi Vaughan.
2025-04-27 14:00 - 16:00
Silencing the Drum: Religious Racism and Afro-Brazilian Sacred Music, A Book Talk and Dynamic Presentation with Author Dr. Umi Vaughan

Sunday, Apr. 27, 2025
2 PM
FREE
Join us on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 2 PM, for “Silencing the Drum: Religious Racism and Afro-Brazilian Sacred Music, a Book Talk and Dynamic Presentation with Author Dr. Umi Vaughan.” This talk will cover Brazil’s rich African legacy and troubling current events, punctuated by live Afro-Brazilian drumming and dance. A Q&A and book signing will follow the presentation.

Register

Meet the Author

Umi Vaughan is an independent artist and scholar who conducts research, creates photo-based visual art, performs music and dance, and publishes work that examines the evolution and meanings of music/dance traditions across the African Diaspora. He holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Michigan and was formerly a professor of Africana Studies at California State University Monterey Bay. He is the author of Carlos Aldama’s Life in Batá: Cuba, Diaspora, and the Drum (Indiana University Press) and Rebel Dance, Renegade Stance: Timba Music and Black Identity in Cuba (University of Michigan Press). To learn more, visit UMIART.ART.
Dr. Vaughan is proud to share his latest work, Silencing the Drum: Religious Racism and Afro-Brazilian Sacred Music (co-authored with Dr. Danielle N. Boaz).

Satr-e Rahayi: An Exhibition of Calligraphy Works by Hakim Karimzada
2025-05-16 12:00 - 2025-08-09 17:00
Satr-e Rahayi:
An Exhibition of Calligraphy Works by Hakim Karimzada

Exhibition available to view May 16, 2025 – Aug. 9, 2025, during OACC’s business hours
“Satr-e Rahayi” (Line of Liberation) is the title of this solo exhibition showcasing Hakim Karimzada’s latest collection of calligraphy works. The name was chosen because the pieces in this collection represent a fusion of traditional and modern calligraphy. The conventional boundaries and constraints of classical calligraphy have been intentionally broken, allowing for a freer, more expressive approach to the art.
This sense of freedom opens new realms for artistic exploration, making the creative process more natural and authentic. It invites the artist’s mind to expand and flow more openly, enabling the creation of a collection that is spontaneous and deeply emotional. The artist seeks to convey a vivid sense of passion and artistic feeling to the audience through dynamic curves and movements of letters and words.
In doing so, the works not only transmit emotional depth and beauty but also contribute to a broader atmosphere of artistic serenity—one that fosters peace, friendship, empathy, and a shared appreciation of culture. It’s a creative journey that aspires toward well-being, love, and a profound respect for the universal value of art in our contemporary world.
Art, by its very nature, belongs to all people, transcending borders and backgrounds. Every human being has the right to experience and enjoy artistic expression. Hakim is truly delighted that at this moment in time, in this beautiful space, he has the opportunity to share a glimpse of life through the lens of beauty and artistic reflection—with those who appreciate and cherish art.
This exhibition is available to view during OACC’s business hours (Wed – Sat, 12 PM – 5 PM).
About the Artist

Abdul Hakim Karimzada, born in Afghanistan, is a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) and master calligrapher with over 30 years of experience in different types of calligraphy and fine writing, such as traditional and modern scripts. He started calligraphy in the Herat Province of Afghanistan by learning different writing styles, including Nastaliq, Kofie, Naskh, and Thuluth scripts. He went on to create thousands of works by using these scripts. He also invented a new fine writing called Nilofar over the course of his calligraphy life.
Karimzada is a senior board member and trainer at the Herat Calligraphy Association.⁠ He has actively participated in various calligraphy exhibitions inside and outside of Afghanistan and many solo exhibitions of his work. He has won numerous awards for his art and the collections of his calligraphy works.
Learn more about Karimzada’s work at hakimkarimzada.com.⁠

"Daryo’s All-American Diner": An Anti-Asian Hate Play
2025-05-18 14:00 - 16:00
Daryo’s All-American Diner: An Anti-Asian Hate Play

Sunday, May 18, 2025
2 PM
FREE
Daryo’s All-American Diner is a full-length play that follows May Daryo, a struggling 40-something-year-old Asian-American diner co-owner whose life is transformed after a violent attack on her family during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Presented with natural comedy wit and heartfelt drama, and set in Fremont, CA, Daryo’s All-American Diner explores how something positive and hopeful can come from a traumatic act of violence.

Daryo’s All-American Diner is written by Conrad A. Panganiban and directed by Mallory Somera, featuring Joe Cascasan, Jake Fong, Jacinta Kaumbulu, Jamie Nallas, Mark So, and earLena Somera.

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About the Playwright

Conrad A. Panganiban (he/him/his) is an award-winning Filipino American playwright representing the San Francisco Bay Area. His plays include Daryo’s All-American Diner, Welga, and River’s Message. Conrad’s work has been performed around the world, including Bindlestiff Studio, CIRCA Pintig, and Silliman University in the Philippines.

Awards include: Best Play of 2023, Daryo’s All-American Diner (BroadwayWorldAwards Chicago), Susan Fairbrook Playwright Fund Awardee (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley), 2023 New Voices in Comedy Writing Fellowship (Killing My Lobster), and a National Ten-Minute Play Festival Finalist (Actors Theatre of Louisville).

Mending Circle
2025-06-06 12:00 - 14:00
Oakland Asian Cultural MENDING CIRCLE

Date & Time: Friday June 6, 2025 at 12pmAddress: 388 9th St. Suite 290Oakland, CA 94607
Cost: FreeBring: Items that need repair

Join us as we start an ongoing Mending Circle on Friday June 6, 2025 at 12pm. This group will meet on the first Friday of each month and is free to attend. There will be no instructor, but we will provide basic materials inlcuding thread, needles, a sewing machine and some patches will be available. Please bring items that you would like to repair.

[Cancelled] Celebrate Pride with OACC!
2025-06-07 19:30 - 21:00
Roots, Water, Bloom: A Queer Trans Asian Pacific Islander Experience Saturday, June 7 has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Roots, Water, Bloom: A Queer Trans Asian Pacific Islander Experience

Saturday, June 7
7:30pm – 9:00pm
Tickets: $15

*Masking required for this performance when not actively eating or drinking*
Featuring King LOTUS BOY, Piss E Sissy and DJ Del.

Drag performances with multimedia video projection, music, lip syncing and DJ set.

King LOTUS BOY is a transgender, unapologetically disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically illUSTRIOUS, Chinese-American drag king based in occupied Lisjan Ohlone Land. As an ANTI-disciplinary artist, LOTUS Boy explores gender fluidity, accessibility, sustainability, joy, and healing from trauma–through any medium. LOTUS BOY is on the Board of Directors for Oaklash, the Bay Area’s drag festival, and the SPM Disability Justice Fund which supports projects led by disabled BIPOC.

Piss E Sissy is a proud Indigenous performer, Kānaka Maoli (Native people of Hawai’i), māhū ((Third Gender in Native Hawaiian Culture), and drag hottie. Currently based in Huachin, he brings high energy, campy, slutty, slimy, and a perversely political act to stages around the Bay area.

DJ Del Originally from NYC, Del is an Oakland based DJ legend. Her original interest in music was sparked by an older brother’s obsession with vinyl, and a mother who forced her into playing instruments at a young age.

OACC Summer Showcase!
2025-06-14 13:00 - 15:00
Oakland Asian Cultural Center Summer Showcase

Saturday, June 14, 2025
1:00 – 3:00 PM
FREE
Oakland Asian Cultural Center invites you to our upcoming Summer Showcase! Our open house will feature 10 free performances and is an opportunity to learn about the classes offered at OACC year-round. Snacks and prizes will also be available.

Performances include:

Shabnam Bellydance School
DANCE-A-VISION with Carla Service
MPWRD Collective
Patty Chu’s Chinese Folk Dance Group
Kkiri Kkiri Samulnori
AYPAL Building API Community Power
Taekwondo with Master Sim
Chinese Music Lessons
Toishan Benevolent Association
Johnny Jang Martial Arts

Register

Changing Perspectives on Japanese American Incarceration
2025-06-21 09:00 - 17:00
CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON JAPANESE AMERICAN INCARCERATION
Oakland Asian Cultural Center
June 21st & 22nd
9am – 5pm, Doors open at 8am

Address: 388 9th St. Suite 290
Oakland, CA 94607
With speakers:
• David Inoue
• Alice Yang
• Frank Abe
• Satsuki Ina
• Andrew Leong
• Eric Muller
• Barbara Takei
• Mike Ishii
• Nancy Ukai
• Greg Robinson
…and many more

Cost: Free

Register

Changing Perspectives on Japanese American Incarceration - Day 2
2025-06-22 09:00 - 17:00

Taking Root: Southeast Asian Stories of Resettlement in Philadelphia film premiere and panel
2025-08-02 15:00 - 17:00
Saturday, August 23-5 pm
FREE
Join us for the premiere of Taking Root, a community-organizer produced documentary series. Taking Root amplifies the untold stories of Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian refugees who resettled in Philadelphia after the U.S. Wars in Southeast Asia (commonly known as the “Vietnam War”).

Directed by Oanh-Nhi Nguyen and co-produced by VietLead, the series unpacks the refugee experience, provides critical historical context for Southeast Asians in the U.S., explores the intergenerational impacts of the “Vietnam War,” and calls present and future generations to engage in racial and economic justice.

Although set in Philadelphia and told through the perspective of 15 Southeast Asian community leaders, these are universal stories of rebuilding roots after experiencing displacement. Many groups across the U.S. can connect their own lived experiences to these tales.

This event is presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC), the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI), New Light Wellness, and the Asian Prisoner Support Committee (APSC), and is sponsored by VietLead.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with VietLead’s co-executive director, Lan Dinh.

About the Panelists

Lan Dinh is the co-executive director of VietLead, and co-producer of Taking Root. At VietLead, she helps build leadership and power within Philadelphia’s Vietnamese and Southeast Asian communities through cultural celebration, youth organizing, and advocacy against deportation and displacement. Born in a Thai refugee camp and raised in West Philly, Dinh draws on her lived experience to center healing, land, and community in her work.

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She Isn't A Metaphor: An Exhibition of Mixed Media by Nimisha Doongarwal
2025-08-14 12:00 - 2025-11-01 12:00
On view: August 14 – November 1 (during OACC open hours)

Wednesday–Saturday, noon–5 pm
She Isn’t a Metaphor reimagines mythological women not as symbols or ideals, but as powerful, complex women. Drawing from Hindu mythology and other traditions, this series of mixed media by artist Nimisha Doongarwal challenges how women have been used as symbols—Sita for purity, Draupadi for sacrifice, or Medusa for fear—while their own voices have been erased.
Through layered collage, textiles, and paint, these figures are brought into the present, where they speak back. They are not here to uphold expectations. They are here to reclaim space, tell their truths, and offer new ways of seeing ourselves. This work isn’t just about the past, it’s about now. It’s a call to unlearn, to reimagine, and to find strength in stories told on our own terms.
The work asks the viewer, “What parts of the past do we still carry? What do we need to let go of in order to become whole?”
She Isn’t a Metaphor is for anyone who has felt unseen or unheard. It’s about more than reclaiming the past, it’s about reimagining the future. These figures aren’t just remembered, they are rewritten, reawakened, and ready to speak for themselves.
About the Artist

Nimisha Doongarwal is a San Francisco-based mixed-media artist originally from India. Her work explores identity, memory, and migration through layered compositions that blend traditional Indian textiles, painting, collage, and archival imagery. Rooted in South Asian craft and personal experience, her art challenges fixed notions of identity, offering instead a space of transformation and resilience.
Nimisha’s work has been exhibited at institutions including the de Young Museum, the San Francisco International Airport, and the Museum of Northern California Art. She has been featured in Forbes, ArtMarket, Suboart and Sfumato art magazines.
Find more of Nimisha’s work online at www.nimishart.com or on Instagram @nimishart.

Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage: Hawaiian Arts and Culture Day
2025-08-16 12:00 - 17:00
Saturday, August 1612 pm-5 pm
FREE

Photo Credit: Photo by William Lee

Join us for a rich celebration of Hawaiian culture with the Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center. Learn about Hawaiian culture through performances, lectures/demonstrations, and a vendor marketplace. Featured performers will include Kumu Kawika Alfiche, Steven Kanahe Espaniola, and Hālau o Keikiali`i.

SCHEDULE 12 pm: Vendor Marketplace opens12:45-1 pm: Lecture/Demonstration – Hula/Oli (dance/chant)1-1:45 pm: Hālau o Keikiali`I Hula Kahiko (Ancient Hula)1:45-2:15pm: Break2:15-2:30pm: Lecture/Demonstration – `Ukulele/Mele (Hawaiian Songs) 2:30-3:15pm: Steven Espaniola `Ukulele3:15-3:45pm: Break3:45-4pm: Lecture/Demonstration – Lei/Kup`e (Adornments)4-5pm: Hālau o Keikiali`i Hula `Auana (Modern Hula)

About the Performers

Kumu Hula Kawika Keikiali’ihiwahiwa Alfiche has dedicated 31 years to teaching hula and Hawaiian cultural arts. He is the Kumu Hula of Hālau o Keikiali’i and Director of the Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center in South San Francisco and Napa. He is a formal `Uniki of Kumu Rae Kahikilaulani Fonseca, who is an `uniki of Kumu George L. Naope. He is also a recording artist and composer with four CDs and six DVDs.

Steven Espaniola was raised in Aliamanu, Hawai’i, on the island of O’ahu, and now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Steven is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in ‘ukulele, Kī Hō’alu (Hawaiian slack key guitar) bass, and Leo Ki’e Ki’e (Traditional Hawaiian falsetto). In 2007, Steven’s musical efforts earned him the recognition of “New Artist of the Year” at the Hawai‘i Music Awards. In 2023, Steven’s original song “Sakura” was a finalist for the prestigious Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award in the Hawaiian Music Video category. He was recently featured on the cover of the 2024 Summer issue of Ukulele Magazine, a publication for which he has been a contributing editor and columnist for several years.

Hālau o Keikiali’i is a Hawaiian cultural and dance group based in South San Francisco. Since 1994, their goal has been to educate the general public about Hawaiian culture, its traditional customs, values, and protocols. Besides having regularly scheduled classes, they strive to perpetuate the rich culture of the Hawaiian people through presentations to the general public, including educational workshops, performances, and other cultural events. The hālau is comprised of both men and women, young and old, ranging from 5 to 85 years of age, and presents theatre productions highlighting hula in its many aspects. Following tradition, they share what they learn with different communities so that everyone can benefit from a better understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian culture.

Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center opened its doors in 2003 to offer classes, workshops, performances, and events for all who wish to learn about Hawaiian Culture, in all its aspects. In April 2021, the Center officially expanded with a two-acre retreat center in Napa Valley. The center’s ongoing events include an annual lu`au, a Hawaiian film festival, an arts and crafts gallery show, a kaliko keiki camp, hula gatherings, land cultivation, ‘ukulele classes, hula classes, and more.

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Celebrating Our HeART-filled Heritage: Ragas in Conversation
2025-09-06 19:30 - 21:00
With Arjun K. Verma, Anirudh Bharadwaj, Rohan Krishnamurthy

Saturday, September 6
7:30-9 pm
FREE
Indian classical luminaries Arjun K. Verma, Anirudh Bharadwaj, and Rohan Krishnamurthy come together in a new collaboration of Carnatic and Hindustani traditions. As Bay Area-based ambassadors of Indian music, the trio represents ancient Indian lineages at the frontiers of contemporary experimentation.

Performer Bios

Dr. Rohan Krishnamurthy is an Indian-American percussionist, composer, educator, and one of the leading voices of Indian classical and cross-genre music in the South Asian diaspora. Acclaimed as a “musical ambassador” by The Times of India, he received mridangam training from the legendary maestro, Sriman. Guruvayur Dorai, in Chennai. Distinguished as a soloist, composer, and collaborator, Rohan performed with legendary Indian classical musicians and Grammy Award-winning global artists.

Rohan leads The Alaya Project, an Indo-jazz-funk collective that has performed at prestigious jazz and global music festivals including SF Jazz, Joe’s Pub NYC, and Strathmore DC. The group’s recently released debut album has been praised by Jazziz Magazine, NPR, San Francisco Chronicle, and more. Rohan holds a Ph.D. in musicology from the Eastman School of Music and directs the RohanRhythm Percussion Studio with students from across the globe. Rohan is the recipient of international awards and grants, including commissions from the San Francisco Arts Commission, Zellerbach Foundation, and Goethe Institute (Germany). He has taught at renowned institutions, and his patented RohanRhythm drum tuning system is available worldwide.

Arjun K. Verma is an Indian-American sitarist and composer. Beginning with his father, Roop Verma, and continuing with the legendary Ali Akbar Khan and his son Alam Khan, Arjun’s meticulous training has imbued him with a rich musicality that encompasses both the profound majesty and the exhilaration of North Indian classical music. Hailed by the New York Times as a “fine sitarist,” Arjun shares the jewels of his cultural heritage in a manner that is fresh, modern, and relevant, while maintaining a high standard of traditional integrity.

Arjun has performed at international venues including the United Nations, the Fillmore, Prague Castle, and on the NBC TV network, collaborating with a diverse host of musicians including the London Symphony Orchestra, Swapan Chaudhuri, Alam Khan, Bob Weir (Grateful Dead), the St. Louis Symphony, and GRAMMY-winning pianist and arranger John Beasley. Arjun’s performance repertoire has stretched the limits of the sitar as an instrument, and his recording and composing work has applied Indian classical music effectively for TV, opera, and documentary film.

Arjun is the recipient of a Mosaic America commissioning grant (2020), a Creative Work Fund grant (2018—Haas Foundation), and a Shenson Fellowship (2007—San Francisco Foundation).

Anirudh Bharadwaj is a Carnatic flautist based in California. He is a student of Vidwan Delhi Sunderrajan and began his initial training under Srimati Akhila Krishnan and Sriman P.N. Krishnan. Anirudh has also received training in Hindustani classical music from renowned flute maestro Pandit Kailash Sharma of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Delhi. Residing in the Bay Area, he passionately teaches Carnatic flute and vocal music to students across the United States, Europe, and India.

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Panel Discussion: A History of Chinese Life Under American Racial Law (1850s-1960s)
2025-09-20 14:00 - 16:00
Saturday, September 20
2-4 pm
FREE

Join us for life stories of Chinese and Chinese Americans who endured racial violence and discrimination as second-class citizens during the 1850s to 1960s. Ground-breaking authors Michael Luo* and Fae Myenne Ng*, and Wong Kim Ark’s great-grandson Norman Wong, share the stories of Chinese lives under American racial laws enacted to exclude, deport, and deny their due process of law.

From the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act to the 1956 Immigration and Naturalization Service’s (INS) Chinese Confession program, the U.S. government scrutinized and separated families and communities, conducted raids in Chinese communities, and hunted for “illegal” paper sons. These stories echo the recent raids and terror enforced today against immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

In Strangers in the Land, Michael Luo illuminates the stories of racial violence and resistance of Chinese immigrants in the 19th century. Luo writes of early victims of anti-Asian violence, like Gene Tong, a Los Angeles herbalist who was dragged from his apartment and hanged by a mob during one of the worst mass lynchings in the country’s history, and of demagogues like Denis Kearney, a sandlot orator who became the face of the anti-Chinese movement in the late-1870s.

Fae Myenne Ng’s Orphan Bachelors is a memoir of San Francisco’s Chinatown and of a family building a life in a country bent on their exclusion. She writes, “exclusion and confession WERE, the two slamming doors of America … All his life, my father raged that the Exclusion Act was a brilliant piece of legislation because it was bloodless. He’d intone, ‘America didn’t have to kill any Chinese; her law assured none would be born.’”’

Norman Wong is the great-grandson of Wong Kim Ark. Wong Kim Ark fought a landmark Supreme Court case to claim his right as an American citizen. Writes The Washington Post: “In 1895, Wong Kim Ark returned from a visit to his family’s ancestral village in Taishan, in China’s Guangdong province, and was barred from reentering the United States. His three-year legal battle culminated in the Supreme Court’s ruling that the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment — which protects those born on U.S. soil who are “subject to the jurisdiction” of the government — affirmed his status as an American by birth.”

This event is sponsored by Eastwind Books, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Asian American Research Center (UC Berkeley), Center for Race & Gender (UCB), Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) East Bay, Asian American & Asian Diaspora Studies (UCB), Cal Alumni Association, Chinese Chapter (UCB); Center for Race, Immigration, Citizenship & Equality, (UC Law SF), History Department (UCB).

* Please note that Michael Luo and Fae Myenne Ng will join the panel virtually online.

Panelist Bios

Michael Luo is an executive editor at The New Yorker and writes regularly for the magazine on politics, religion, and Asian American issues. He joined The New Yorker in 2016. Before that, he spent thirteen years at the New York Times, as a metro reporter, national correspondent, and investigative reporter and editor. He is a recipient of a George Polk Award and a Livingston Award for Young Journalists. He is the author of Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America.

Fae Myenne Ng is the author of Orphan Bachelors, a Memoir, the bestseller and PEN/Faulkner Fiction finalist Bone, and the American Book Award winner Steer Toward Rock. She has been the recipient of fellowships from the American Academy of Arts & Letters, the Guggenheim, the Lannan Foundation, the NEA, the Radcliffe Institute, and the Rockefeller Foundation. She teaches creative writing and literature in UC Berkeley’s Department of Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies.

Norman Wong is the great-grandson of Wong Kim Ark, who fought a landmark Supreme Court case to claim his right as an American citizen in 1895, thereby affirming the 14th Amendment’s establishment of birthright citizenship for all born in the United States. Norman lives in the Bay Area, with his wife, Maureen and children.

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Oakland Ilokana Film Premiere
2025-10-04 15:00 - 16:30
Part of the “Rooted in Chinatown” Series

Saturday, October 4
3-5 pm
FREE
Celebrate Filipino American History Month at OACC! Join us for the premiere of Oakland Ilokana, an intergenerational documentary about legacy, ancestral memory, and the search for connection. Guided by the stories of her aging grandmother—who was one of the first Filipino American children born in Oakland—a filmmaker embarks on a personal journey to understand her lineage and the histories that shaped her family.

Directed by Elenita Makani O’Malley, the film weaves personal narrative with broader themes of displacement, resilience, and cultural inheritance. It explores what it means to remember and carry forward stories that are often left untold.

Oakland Ilokana speaks to universal stories of migration, survival, and the invisible threads that tether us across generations, across place, and across life itself.

This event is presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC) and the East Bay Community Foundation. Production of the film was additionally supported by the City of San Leandro and Balay Kreative.

About the Filmmaker

Elenita Makani O’Malley is a queer Filipina and Irish American storyteller from the Bay Area. With a background in anthropology, museums, and media production, she uses video to tell stories about ancestral memory, cultural inheritance, and the threads that tether us across time and place.

Elenita holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from Georgetown University and a Master of Arts in Museum Anthropology from Columbia University. By day, she works as a science communicator, crafting videos that demystify complex topics about our planet. Her video work has been featured in exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History, the California Academy of Sciences, and more.

Learn more at www.elenitamakani.com or www.instagram.com/elenita.sampaguita.

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"The Asian Elder Portrait Project:" an Exhibition of Drawings by Luke Sera-Tacorda
2025-11-05 - 2026-01-31
NOW EXTENDED!
On view November 5, 2025–January 31, 2026
FREE
31
The Asian Elder Portrait Project: The Heart of Chinatown as Seen through the Eyes of a Teen is Luke Sera-Tacorda’s first solo exhibition. Each portrait was drawn with graphite on paper, using a photograph reference of the subject taken by the artist.
Society often chooses not to see the senior citizens who have built and continue to be part of our communities. Collectively, we often fail to see their individuality or try to relate to them, and we all lose when those relationships are unformed. The Asian Elder Portrait Project aims to depict the vibrancy and unique qualities of each elder. Each smile line, glint in a pair of glasses, and shy expression conveys a unique and intriguing narrative.
American painter Georgia O’Keeffe (an inspiration to Sera-Tacorda on how to convey mood and emotion through art), wrote in 1968, “When I began to paint flowers, I was sure nobody would pay attention. So I thought, I’ll make them big and they’ll pay attention.” Through this project, Sera-Tacorda aims to magnify the joyous expressions of our elders and show Oakland and the greater Bay Area community why they are worth paying attention to.

About the Artist
Luke Sera-Tacorda is the seventeen-year-old artist behind the Asian Elder Portrait Project. As a child, his family recalls him doodling on notebooks, restaurant napkins, and church bulletins before he could talk. Unlike most young kids with an affinity towards visual art, though, drawing fantastical subjects never enticed him. Rather, before he had the language to describe it, he found joy in accurately depicting the smaller and unassuming details of everyday life: the subtle interplay of light and shadow, the dynamics of movement, the mechanics of perspective, and most of all, the emotional quality that drew him to his subjects in the first place. Thus, after years of experimenting with different forms of art, realism has proven to be his strongest and preferred form of self-expression. He hopes to continue his creative journey by pursuing architecture in college.

"Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America" book talk with Jeff Chang
2025-11-05 19:00 - 20:30
Wednesday, November 5
7-8:30 pm
FREE
Join us for a conversation and book signing with award-winning writer, critic, and cultural observer Jeff Chang as he brings fresh insight and humanity to the legendary Bruce Lee in Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America. Jeff will be in conversation with filmmaker Ursula Liang.

His new book is not only a sweeping, intimate biography of a global martial arts icon, but is also the untold story of the rise of Asian America.

Water Mirror Echo—a title inspired by Bruce Lee’s own way of moving, being and responding to the world—reminds us of his core essence. In the hands of author Jeff Chang, Bruce Lee’s story brims with the personal. Based on in-depth interviews with Lee’s closest intimates, newly available personal documents, and featuring dozens of photographs from Lee’s family archive, Chang reveals the man behind the iconography. Stirringly, he shows how Lee’s growing fame ushered in something even more enduring—the creation of Asian America.

This event is presented in partnership with Eastwind Books. They will be selling copies of Water Mirror Echo at the event.

Author Biography

Jeff Chang is an award-winning writer, host, and cultural organizer known for his keen observations on culture, politics, the arts, and music. His first book, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation, was named one of the best nonfiction books of the last quarter century. His other books include Who We Be: A Cultural History of Race in Post Civil Rights America), and We Gon’ Be Alright: Notes On Race and Resegregation. Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America, a sweeping cultural biography, is his newest release. He is also the host of the podcasts Signal Award-winning Edge of Reason, and KALW’s Notes From the Edge. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i of Chinese and Kanaka Maoli descent, he is a graduate of ‘Iolani School, the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of California at Los Angeles.

Moderator Biography

Ursula Liang (she/her) is an award-winning director and producer with 25 years of experience in storytelling. Her debut feature, 9-Man (2014), was broadcast on public television and called “an absorbing documentary” by The New York Times. Her second film, Down a Dark Stairwell (2020), had its premiere at True/False and was called “the most essential Asian American documentary in decades.” Her latest feature, Jeanette Lee Vs. (2022), is part of ESPN’s acclaimed 30 for 30 series while her most recent short, Two Strikes (2023), aired on the iconic PBS series Frontline. Her work has been supported by ITVS, Ford Foundation, Sundance Institute, Firelight Media, and the Center for Asian American Media. Before becoming a filmmaker, Ursula held staff positions at The New York Times Op-Docs, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, ESPN The Magazine, Asia Pacific Forum, and Hyphen magazine. She has also produced for television, including UFC Primetime and NBC Spartan Ultimate Team Challenge. Ursula is a member of Film Fatales, A-DOC, IDD, and is the Board Vice President of Brown Girls Doc Mafia. Originally from Newton, Massachusetts, she spent two decades in the Bronx, and currently works from Oakland, California.

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Arabesque: A Middle Eastern Dance and Music Concert
2025-11-08 19:00 - 20:30
Saturday, November 8
7-8:30 pm
FREE
Join critically acclaimed belly dancer Shabnam as she celebrates 20 years of her creative practice with a concert at OACC. She specializes in Orientale Bellydance, which blends ballet and Middle Eastern Dance. This dynamic approach is contemporary, yet honors the traditional roots of Middle Eastern Dance—a lineage that is thousands of years old. She will be accompanied by internationally acclaimed musicians Georges Lammam, Amina Goodyear, Khader Keileh and Susu Pampanin, each of whom bring passion and mastery to their practices of traditional Middle Eastern music.

This is event is free to attend, but registration is requested at the link below.

Register

Arabesque Belly Dance Master Class
2:30-4 pm | $50

The concert will be preceded by a special master class in belly dance with Shabnam. Learn to capture attention with unique, dynamic entrances in the classical style but with a twist. No drop-ins will be allowed. Register now for the class at https://www.shabnamdancecompany.com/classes-workshops/p/classicalbellydance

Exhibition: The Mystics of Dreams and Dance
November 5-December 6

Shabnam’s performance is in conjunction with The Mystics of Dreams and Dance, an exhibition of Shabnam’s paintings in the OACC hallway. She began drawing and creating artworks as a child, encouraged by her mom who enrolled her in arts classes at a young age. Her paintings and dance practice explore similar themes, and bring beauty to the viewer through harmonious palettes of movement. This exhibition will be on display from November 5-December 6.

To purchase, contact Shabnam at info@artofbellydance.org
About the Artists

Shabnam
Persian American dance champion Shabnam is one of the world’s most awarded belly dancers. She has performed at renowned stages in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond including Zellerbach Hall, Novellus Theatre and the Palace of Fine Arts. She is recognized for an approach to Middle Eastern Dance that bridges the artistic and traditional. She is also a instructor and choreographer who holds regular classes at OACC. She performs at special events throughout the Bay Area and Southern California. Find out more about Shabnam at www.artofbellydance.org

Georges Lammam
Georges Lammam was born in Beirut, Lebanon, of Palestinian descent. He is a violinist who exemplifies the Arab style of instrumental improvisation. A recording artist, composer, and artistic director for the Georges Lammam Ensemble, he is also a featured artist in several musical groups including Ancient Future, Wobbly World, Shabazz and the Pena Pacha Mama Group. Lammam’s music has supported the work of arts and philanthropic nonprofits that advocate for Palestinians’ rights. He brings Arab arts and cultural heritage to the fore in support of the people and culture of Palestine.

Amina Goodyear
Amina Goodyear is a pioneering dancer, musician, producer and cultural ambassador who has shaped the landscape of Middle Eastern performing arts in the U.S. for over six decades. Amina founded The Aswan Dancers and co-created ensembles such as the Cairo Cats, the Arabian Knights and Pasha Band. She is a decades-long member of Aswat and the Georges Lammam Ensemble. Continuing her passion for preserving the traditions of the dance and music by producing dance and music shows, dance videos and music albums, she is now currently working with musicians in Egypt to create new arrangements and original compositions.

Khader Keileh
Khader Keileh is of Palestinian and Jordanian descent. He is an in-demand, nationally recognized keyboardist specializing in the melodies of the Middle East.

Susu Pampanin
Susu Pampanin is a world-renowned master percussionist who specializes in Egyptian Classical and Middle Eastern styles. Daughter of prominent San Francisco belly dancer Amina Goodyear, Pampanin has studied under master drummers Vince Delgado, George Dabai, Yousef Mustafa El Effendi, and Nagib Al Bahri. Within the belly dance community she is especially recognized for her skills in collaborating with belly dancers and troupes, teaching and performing at many festivals and shows.

December Mending Circle
2025-12-05 12:00 - 13:00
Friday, December 5
12 noon–1 pm
FREE
Do 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, Dec 5, at 12 noon.
There 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.
For questions, email us at classes@oacc.cc

“The Empathizer" A Documentary About Vietnam Screening and Discussion
2025-12-05 19:00 - 21:00
Friday, December 5
7-9 pm
FREE
Stand-up comedian Fred Le hears the stories of a diverse range of young overseas-born Vietnamese who made their way back to the land that their parents left following the end of the Vietnam War. Le, who himself spent three years in Vietnam, conducts a series of interviews with these overseas-born Vietnamese to explore the allure of the motherland and what it means to “return home.” The Empathizer explores identity and the impact of trauma among Việt kiều (overseas-born) who grew up a generation removed from tragic events of the past, and their desire to experience a country that their parents still mourn.

This special community screening at OACC will feature English and Vietnamese subtitles. It will be followed by an in-person Q&A with documentary producer and director Fred Le, moderated by Professor Caroline Kieu Linh Valverde. For more on the film, visit www.empathizerdoc.com

It is co-presented by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, the Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network, the Center for Asian American Media, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, and Direct Message. This event is free, but registration is requested at the link below.

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About the Filmmaker
Fred Le is a stand-up comedian and filmmaker who was born in the Bay Area and currently lives in Los Angeles. After spending three years enjoying life in the country his parents had fled in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, he began focusing his creative output on exploring his own Việt kiều (overseas-born) identity. He is the co-creator of the all-Vietnamese comedy showcase Embarrassed by Night which continues to tour up and down California since 2022. His debut feature documentary, The Empathizer, is currently doing festival rounds after premiering at the Viet Film Fest 2024, where it was nominated for Best Feature. As a performer, he has earned invitations to showcase at major festivals such as Treefort, Boom Chicago! in Amsterdam, and San Francisco Sketchfest.
