Tales of Little Tokyo
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Japanese American National Museum
Tateuchi Democracy Forum
2PM & 7PM
Tales of Little Tokyo is a live theatrical reading of memories drawn from over 50 interviews with L.A. residents about their relationship to the oldest and largest Japanese American community in the United States. Today this 135+ year old landmark of Japanese American history faces serious threats to its existence as the relentless forces of gentrification bear down on its ever-shrinking geography.
Why are communities and the cultural history they embody important? What do we stand to lose? What have we lost already? How can a community respond intelligently and effectively to seemingly conflicting issues of preservation and development? Tales of Little Tokyo speaks to those questions and more through the stories of those who have been part of its history and who continue to cherish it as a community.
Originally created by award-winning performance artist Dan Kwong for the 2018 +LAB Artist Residency sponsored by Little Tokyo Service Center, Tales of Little Tokyo will include new interviews as well as a multimedia component. Read/performed by Kwong and veteran actress Takayo Fischer, dozens of recollections will come to life with the help of exquisite archival photos, family snapshots and period music. Together they will convey the rich history of Little Tokyo and what it means to its stakeholders.
And even if you are not Japanese American or have no relationship to Little Tokyo, the idea of people fighting for something that has symbolized "home" for generations resonates loud and clear: the heart and soul of a city is found in the collective experience of its people.
Your donation will help support basic production expenses for Tales of Little Tokyo such as actor fees, technical crew fees, and video documentation. This will allow us to offer the show at an affordable price for general admission and a very low price for Seniors.
We believe Tales of Little Tokyo will show the true significance of this unique community and inspire more people to fight for its survival.
Thank you for your support!
~ Dan Kwong
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Japanese American National Museum
Tateuchi Democracy Forum
2PM & 7PM
Tales of Little Tokyo is a live theatrical reading of memories drawn from over 50 interviews with L.A. residents about their relationship to the oldest and largest Japanese American community in the United States. Today this 135+ year old landmark of Japanese American history faces serious threats to its existence as the relentless forces of gentrification bear down on its ever-shrinking geography.
Why are communities and the cultural history they embody important? What do we stand to lose? What have we lost already? How can a community respond intelligently and effectively to seemingly conflicting issues of preservation and development? Tales of Little Tokyo speaks to those questions and more through the stories of those who have been part of its history and who continue to cherish it as a community.
Originally created by award-winning performance artist Dan Kwong for the 2018 +LAB Artist Residency sponsored by Little Tokyo Service Center, Tales of Little Tokyo will include new interviews as well as a multimedia component. Read/performed by Kwong and veteran actress Takayo Fischer, dozens of recollections will come to life with the help of exquisite archival photos, family snapshots and period music. Together they will convey the rich history of Little Tokyo and what it means to its stakeholders.
And even if you are not Japanese American or have no relationship to Little Tokyo, the idea of people fighting for something that has symbolized "home" for generations resonates loud and clear: the heart and soul of a city is found in the collective experience of its people.
Your donation will help support basic production expenses for Tales of Little Tokyo such as actor fees, technical crew fees, and video documentation. This will allow us to offer the show at an affordable price for general admission and a very low price for Seniors.
We believe Tales of Little Tokyo will show the true significance of this unique community and inspire more people to fight for its survival.
Thank you for your support!
~ Dan Kwong
Organizer
