27th Annual Gala - Oakland Asian Cultural Center

THE DETAILS

October 14, 2023
Door opens 5:30 PM, Program Starts 6:30 PM
Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres Reception
Dress Code: Dressy Casual or Semi-formal, Cultural Wear Optional

Tickets & Sponsorship

Sponsorships and tickets for the Celebrate Our Stories Gala are now available. Purchase your tickets today and take advantage of the Early Bird Special (ends September 15)!.

keynote speaker

Dr. Anne Huang

Dr. Anne Huang is a seasoned arts executive, and a highly regarded, culturally specific capacity building consultant and resource equity advocate. In 2019 Anne was appointed the first person of color, immigrant and San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival artist to lead World Arts West. Under Anne’s equity and inclusion focus, World Arts West has embarked on a new horizon.

Anne is the former Executive Director of OACC, where she transformed it from a struggling arts organization into a leading cultural institution. Anne led the OACC in large-scale innovative partnerships, and OACC’s partnership with KALW and StoryCorps produced the first and only full-length audio documentary about the history of Oakland Chinatown.

Anne has served in leadership roles for National Dance Project’s Regional Dance Development Initiative, New York Foundation for the Arts’ Immigrant Artist Program, and the City of Oakland’s Mayoral Arts Task Force. She is the Board Chair of Dance/USA Board of Trustees.

entertainment

Ryan Takemiya – MC

Ryan Takemiya is a writer, community leader, and Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Consultant. He is the founder of Rama, an Asian American creative community, where he also runs an Asian American men’s support group and an Asian American storytelling open mic night. He is devoted to empowering AAPIs and their allies with the agency to tell their stories, transform themselves, transform their workplaces, and transform society at large. You can find out more about him at www.ryantakemiya.com

Gamelan Sekar Jaya

Gamelan Sekar Jaya is a performing arts organization devoted to advancing artistic exchange between Bali and the United States through residencies, workshops, performances, and the creation of innovative new works for music and dance. Founded in Berkeley, California in 1979, Sekar Jaya has been called “the finest Balinese gamelan outside of Indonesia” by Indonesia’s Tempo Magazine and has performed in venues ranging from remote village squares in Bali to LA’s Hollywood Bowl.

Shabnam

Shabnam is a critically acclaimed dance artist, choreographer and one of the most awarded Bellydancers in the world. She is dedicated to presenting contemporary programs of Near Eastern dance while still honoring its roots. Her resume includes critically acclaimed dances that unite storytelling, traditional movement with modern staging. Her performances have appeared at numerous stages across the Bay Area that included the Palace of Fine Arts, Zellerbach Hall, Sacramento Memorial Auditorium and Novellus Theatre. As dance instructor she has coached many students to title status and is dedicated to helping women of all ethnicities find vitality and health with the art of bellydance.

Toishan Senior Dance Troupe

Senior Dance Troupe from The East Bay Toishan Association performs a Chinese cultural dance “Praise Song”. This traditional dance is intended to be performed for the Emperor on a happy joyous occasion, to praise the peace of the World and to wish for a happy life for everyone.

Gala Sponsors

CHANGEMAKER SPONSORS