Angry Asian Man 25th Anniversary Celebration at LAAPFF

Screening and Party - Saturday, May 2 in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles

Friends, if you're in Los Angeles, you're invited to the 25th anniversary celebration of Angry Asian Man, in partnership with the 2026 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

We're presenting a 40th anniversary screening of The Karate Kid Pt. II, featuring a fun live "Crane Kick Commentary" with star Tamlyn Tomita, myself, and some good friends. It's happening Saturday, May 2 at the Japanese American National Museum, followed by the Angry Asian Man 25th Anniversary Party at Far Bar. And for you, faithful supporter, use the discount code ANGRY25 to get 25% off your ticket price.

THE KARATE KID PT. II
Democracy Center @ JANM
May 2, 2026
7:30 pm
$25
Info/Tickets

This 40th anniversary screening, presented in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Angry Asian Man, will feature a live “Crane Kick Commentary” with star Tamlyn Tomita, and guest commentators Phil Yu, Jenny Yang, Jeff Yang, Dino-Ray Ramos, and Rebecca Sun.

Summoned by his dying father, Miyagi returns to his homeland of Okinawa, with Daniel, after a 40-year exile. There he must confront Yukie, the love of his youth, and Sato, his former best friend turned vengeful rival. Sato is bent on a fight to the death, even if it means the destruction of their village. Daniel finds his own love in Yukia’s niece, Kumiko, and his own enemy in Sato’s nephew, the vicious Chozen. Now, far away from the tournaments, cheering crowds and safety of home, Daniel will face his greatest challenge ever when the cost of honor is life itself.

ANGRY ASIAN MAN 25th Anniversary Party
Far Bar
May 2, 2026
10:00 pm
$25, (FREE for festival artists; RSVP required)
Info/Tickets

Celebrate 25 years of the Angry Asian Man Blog! Join us after the screening of The Karate Kid Part II to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Phil Yu’s blog, Angry Asian Man.

Come out and help me celebrate a quarter century of this blog and our community!

For info and tickets, go here. And remember: use the discount code ANGRY25 to get 25% off your ticket!

Sacred Book Honors Japanese Americans Incarcerated During World War II

The Ireichō is on display at the Japanese American National Museum.



Over the weekend in Los Angeles, the Japanese American National Museum invited the public to view and sign the Ireichō, a sacred book that records -- for the first time ever -- the names of over 125,000 persons of Japanese ancestry who were unjustly imprisoned in U.S. Army, Department of Justice, and War Relocation Authority camps during World War II.

Visitors were invited to view the names and use a special Japanese hanko to leave a mark for each person in the Ireichō as a way to honor those incarcerated during World War II. Community participation will "activate" it and rectify the historical record by correcting misspelled names or revealing names that may have been omitted from the record.

The Ireichō will be on display at JANM for one year. A companion virtual monument is available online.

More here: 'There’s our family name': Sacred book honors Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII

Building the Asian American Movement: Then and Now

Friday, July 12 at the Japanese American National Museum.



If you're in Los Angeles, check out this cool panel discussion, Building the Asian American Movement: Then and Now happening next week in Little Tokyo, co-presented by Visual Communications and the Japanese American National Museum...

Take a cross-generational look at the challenges and opportunities Asian American communities face as they continue to grow and engage in political action. Hear from a panel of Asian American activists who span the 1970s to the present. Learn about what motivated them to become politically charged and find what out what they believe it means to be an activist in today’s world and what issues continue to spur activism. The panelists have deep experience in student organizing, anti-gentrification campaigns, immigrant worker organizing, and other political campaigns.

Speakers include Sophia Cheng, immigrant workers organizer and lecturer at UCLA Asian American Studies Program; Tiffany Do, education and housing advocate; Frances Hyunh, tenant organizer with Chinatown Community for Equitable Development; Florante Ibanez, veteran organizer in the Filipino American community and lecturer in Asian American Studies at Pasadena City College; Miya Iwataki, veteran organizer in the Japanese American community around health care and redress/reparations and women’s issues; Sandy Maeshiro, veteran organizer with The Storefront in Seinan/Crenshaw and educational advocate; Jonathan Paik, Executive Director of the Korean Resource Center in Orange County and political empowerment organizer.

It's happening Friday, July 12 at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum. For further information, and to RSVP, go here.

At First Light: The Dawning of Asian Pacific America

May 25 - October 20, 2019 at the Japanese American National Museum.



If you're in Los Angeles, check out this exhibit opening this weekend at the Japanese American National Museum. At First Light: The Dawning of Asian Pacific America is a multi-media exhibition that explores and celebrates the emergence of a politically defined Asian Pacific American consciousness and identity.

The exhibition chronicles the transformation of the un-American categorization of “Oriental” to the political identity of "Asian Pacific American" that rejected racist stereotypes, stood up for human rights, recovered lost histories, and created new cultural expressions. The exhibition draws from hundreds of thousands of photographs and more than 100 videos in the collections of VC, the first Asian Pacific American media organization in the country, which formed in Los Angeles in 1970 to capture and cultivate the newfound unity that was Asian Pacific America. In the present-day climate of xenophobia and racial profiling, At First Light seeks to strengthen current resistance and resolve by evoking the legacy of Asian Pacific American activism.

At First Light: The Dawning of Asian Pacific America opens on Saturday, May 25 at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. For further information about the exhibition, go here.

Don't miss the World Premiere of 'Tales of Clamor'

February 1- March 3 at Aratani Theatre Black Box



If you're in Los Angeles, you don't want to miss the world premiere of Tales of Clamor presented by the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, in association with Nikkei Civil Rights and Redress.

Tales of Clamor by PULLproject Ensemble is a 7-person play centering around two artists debating cultural versus institutionalized silence. Utilizing ensemble storytelling, circus arts and archival footage from the 1981 Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians hearings, this piece explores what it means to show up for each other, speak out, and generate the collective clamor necessary for social change.

The show runs February 1 - March 3 at the Aratani Theatre Black Box in Little Tokyo.

The Comedy Comedy Festival: A Comedy Festival

October 12-14 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center



Hey, comedy fans! If you are in Los Angeles, and looking for some laughs this weekend, look no further than The Comedy Comedy Festival: A Comedy Festival. Co-produced by Disoriented Comedy and JACCC, in partnership with Asian AF, the 2018 edition of this epic 3-day event brings together the best of young, Asian American comedic talent from Hollywood, digital media, and live performance.

"America is not ready for us! We have hilarious and exciting voices," says writer, comedian, and Festival co-organizer Jenny Yang. "No one is waiting for Hollywood to catch up anymore. We have been building our community, strengthening our craft and creating our own platforms. This comedy festival is not just a festival. It's a movement."

This year's festival performers include Manila Luzon (VH1's RuPaul's Drag Race), Jenny Yang (E!'s Busy Tonight), Jake Choi (ABC's Single Parents), Sherry Cola (TNT's Claws), Aparna Nancherla (Comedy Central's Corporate, Late Night with Seth Meyers), Lilan Bowden (Disney's Andi Mack), singer-songwriter Megan Lee, and more. Events include stand up, sketch and improvised comedy, storytelling, and musical comedy.

It's happening October 12-14 at the Aratani Theatre and Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. Here's a rundown of Comedy Comedy Festival highlights:

See George Takei in the Los Angeles premiere of Allegiance

February 21 - April 1 at JACCC's Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo.



Los Angeles! Don't miss your chance to see the Broadway musical Allegiance, now on stage in Little Tokyo.

Inspired by true events, and starring George Takei, Allegiance is the story of the Kimura family, whose lives are upended when they and 120,000 other Japanese Americans are forced to leave their homes following the events of Pearl Harbor. An uplifting testament to the human spirit, Allegiance follows the Kimuras as they fight between duty and defiance, custom and change, family bonds and forbidden loves.

Presented by East West Players and the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, the Los Angeles premiere of Allegiance is running now through April 1 at JACCC's Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo, with the Opening Night performance and reception on February 28.

Recording Now! Podcast Panel, Q&A & Live Show with Potluck

Thursday, July 6 at OPodz in Little Tokyo



Podcast listeners of Los Angeles! You're invited to a special event featuring the creators and hosts of shows from the Potluck Podcast Collective, including Kollabcast, Saturday School, Drunk Monk, Asian Americana, They Call Us Bruce and the Korean Drama Podcast. The evening will include a panel discussion with the Potluck hosts and a live recording of They Call Us Bruce with a special guest.

It's happening Thursday, July 6 at OPodz in Little Tokyo. Here are some more details:

George Takei's 'Allegiance' is headed to Los Angeles

East West Players and JACCC will present the Los Angeles premiere of the Broadway musical in 2018.



Allegiance is coming to Los Angeles next year. East West Players and the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center will present the Los Angeles premiere of the Broadway musical Allegiance, with performances at JACCC's Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo. from February 21 to April 1, 2018. Previews will run from February 21-25, with the Opening Night performance and reception on February 28.

With music and lyrics by Jay Kuo and a book by Marc Acito, Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione, Allegiance is inspired by the true childhood experiences of actor, activist and social media icon George Takei. The original Broadway production played on Broadway from 2015-16 at the Longacre Theatre in New York City.

Allegiance tells the story of the Kimura family, whose lives are upended when they and 120,000 other Japanese Americans are forced to leave their homes following the events of Pearl Harbor. Sam Kimura seeks to prove his patriotism by fighting for his country in the war, but his sister, Kei, fiercely protests the government's treatment of her people. An uplifting testament to the power of the human spirit, Allegiance follows the Kimuras as they fight between duty and defiance, custom and change, family bonds and forbidden loves.

No Ban, No Wall: A Resistance & Solidarity Vigil

Thursday, January 26 at JACCC in Los Angeles



Trump is signing executive orders to ban access to USA for people from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen tomorrow. He is following through on his commitment to build a wall banning and deporting immigrants. The President and the Office continue to promote an agenda of hate and oppression.

If you're in Los Angeles, you're invited to join in solidarity with the #VigilantLOVE Coalition and South Asians for Justice - Los Angeles for a solidarity & resistance vigil against Islamophobia, state violence, and xenophobia.

It's happening Thursday evening, January 26 at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Little Tokyo. Here are some more details.

Who the f*ck throws eggs at a solidarity vigil?

Little Tokyo hosted a vigil and rally in support of Muslim Americans and other immigrants.


Photo Credit: Josie Huang/KPCC
On Wednesday night in Los Angeles, community members led a march through Little Tokyo on the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, calling for solidarity with Muslim Americans during this time of heightened of xenophobia and discrimination. We've been here before. We know where this leads. This is a community leading a literal march to make sure that America does not go down this road again.

Japanese-Americans stand with Muslims in wake of attacks

What this article does not mention is that as the vigil, a diverse gathering of about 200 community folk, made its way down 2nd Street, someone threw eggs at the crowd from a third floor balcony of the Hikari Apartments. According to several friends who were there, the eggs were thrown as vigil participants were chanting "Muslims are welcome here." Thankfully, nobody was hit. But it's definitely a reminder that there are some shitty people out there.

The way some friends tell it...

Visual Communications presents Uprooted From The Scenes

Thursday, July 28 at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum in Little Tokyo



If you're in Los Angeles, here's a cool screening event happening this week... Our friends at Visual Communications invite you to Uprooted From The Scenes, the latest installment for the Summer Intern Screening Exhibit. Curated by VC's summer interns, the screening event showcases works by Asian American and Pacific Islander filmmakers that were part of the 32nd Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

It's happening Thursday, July 28 in the Tateuchi Democracy Forum at the Japanese American National Museum. in Little Tokyo. Here are some more details about the screening:

#keepTNfree: Celebrating 18 Years of Art+Community

Support the oldest currently running Asian American open mic space in the country.



Tuesday Night Project is the Asian American grassroots and volunteer-based organization that presents Tuesday Night Cafe, one of the longest-running free arts and performance series in downtown Los Angeles, and the oldest currently running Asian American open mic space in the country.

One the first and third Tuesday of every month, in the Aratani Courtyard of the Union Center for the Arts in Little Tokyo, you will find a passionate, positive space that serves Asian American/Pacific Islander artists. Now in its 18th year, Tuesday Night Cafe is a community institution, fueled by blood and sweat and art and love.

And that's why we need to pitch in to #KeepTNFree. Tuesday Night Project is in the throes of its annual fundraising campaign to sustain another year of art+community and keep this incredible, valuable community operation going. They have a goal to raise $12,000 by July 31. Can you help them out?

Serve the People: Author Discussion and Activist Panel

Saturday, June 18 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles



If you're in Los Angeles this weekend, you are invited to join an author discussion and activist panel on the Asian American Movement, led by Karen L. Ishizuka, author of Serve the People: Making Asian American in the Long Sixties, featuring Warren T. Furutani, Mike Murase, Qris Yamashita and traci kato-kiriyama. It's happening Saturday, June 18 at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo.

Here are some more details about the event:

Asian American Child Actors Panel Discussion

Thursday, May 19 at the Japanese American National Museum



What's it like to be an Asian American kid working in television today? In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Japanese American National Museum invites you an Asian American Child Actors Panel Discussion featuring Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen of Fresh Off the Boat and Ashley Liao of the Netflix original series Fuller House.

It's happening Thursday, May 19 at the Japanese American National Museum. Here are some more details:

Join us for a live edition of Fresh Off The Show!

Special Screening with Cast & Crew, Tuesday, April 26 at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival



If you're in Los Angeles, and you're a super-fan of Fresh Off The Boat, I invite you to join us for a special live edition of Fresh Off The Show at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Film Festival. We'll be screening two brand-new episodes of the hit ABC comedy, followed by a Q&A and meet-and-greet with cast and crew from Fresh Off The Boat. I'll be moderating the evening, along my pal Jenny Yang.

It's happening Tuesday, April 26 at the Japanese American National Museum. Here are some more details:

C3: The Conference for Creative Content

Saturday, April 23 & Sunday, April 24 at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival



Hey, content creators! Visual Communications invites you to the sixth edition of C3: Conference for Creative Content, happening as part of opening weekend of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. It's this Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24 at the Japanese American National Museum in historic Little Tokyo.

The only event of its kind, the Conference for Creative Content brings together foremost media professionals in film, television, cable, digital, and transmedia to create a dialogue on the ever-changing media industry, share best practices, network, celebrate and build a collective vision for our community.

Whether you're a filmmaker still trying to get a studio meeting or a working actor looking to showcase your talent and boost your career to the next level, hear from influential, talented industry leaders who are changing the way we view, consume and create content.

Here a rundown of the conference schedule:

Tuesday Night Cafe kicks off its 18th season!

Tuesday, April 5 in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo



Hey, Los Angeles! Tuesday Night Cafe, the longest currently running Asian American mic series in the country, is a beacon for the Asian American performing arts community in Los Angeles, happening every first the third Tuesday in the heart of Little Tokyo. And they're back! TNC, presented by Tuesday Night Project, kicks off its 18th season with a bang this Tuesday, April 5 at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy.

Here are some more details:

2016 Los Angeles Community Day of Remembrance

Saturday, February 20 at the Japanese American National Museum



If you are in Southern California, the Japanese American National Museum invites you to join them for the 2016 Los Angeles Community Day of Remembrance, the annual commemoration of President Franklin Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forcible removal and incarceration of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II.

In light of recent events, this year's Day of Remembrance program will focus on Islamophobia and the backlash Muslim Americans have faced following terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernadino, exploring parallels between the experiences of those groups and that of Japanese Americans during World War II.

It's happening Saturday, February 20 at the Japanese American National Museum. Here are more details:

East West Players presents 'Criers For Hire'

February 11 - March 13, 2016 at the David Henry Hwang Theatre.



Los Angeles theater fans! East West Players, the nation's premier Asian American theatre, invites you to the world premiere comedy Criers for Hire by Giovanni Ortega and directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera.

In Criers For Hire, Aurora, Remedios, and Eugenia are three of the most sought-after professional funeral criers in Monterey Park. They are eager to welcome Aurora's 14-year-old daughter Ligaya (nicknamed Gaya) from the Philippines into their world and teach her their somber trade. However, they soon realize that Gaya has the opposite effect on people, making them laugh instead of cry.

Preview performances begin this week. Here are some more details: