Past Events

Events

Hong Kong to Hollywood: The World of Nancy Kwan

The Chinese American Museum is excited to host award-winning actress and trailblazing icon, Nancy Kwan, on Tuesday, June 17 at 6:30pm. The event will celebrate the release of her highly anticipated memoir, The World of Nancy Kwan: A Memoir by Hollywood’s Asian Superstar.

The captivating memoir traces Kwan’s journey from rising star to cultural icon and offers an in-depth look at her life, career, and legacy. The World of Nancy Kwan tells the story of her resilience, transformation, and advocacy for inclusion, and charts her triumphant rise in Hollywood against historical and cultural challenges.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Nancy Kwan and special guest moderator, filmmaker and writer, Arthur Dong, as they discuss Nancy’s experiences navigating discrimination within the entertainment industry and the barriers she shattered to pave the way for greater Asian representation in Hollywood. RSVP today at camla.org/nancykwan.

About Nancy Kwan:

Nancy Kwan is a Chinese American actress best known for her groundbreaking performances in The World of Suzie Wong and the beloved musical Flower Drum Song. Kwan is also an accomplished filmmaker and a dedicated political activist. Her contributions to film and representation have been recognized with numerous honors, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asian Hall of Fame.

About Arthur Dong:

Arthur Dong is an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker and Peabody and Sundance awardee whose work spans film, literature, and curation. His acclaimed documentaries include Coming Out Under Fire, Forbidden City, USA, and Hollywood Chinese. As an author, he received the American Book Award and the Asian Pacific American Librarians Award for his books on Chinese American history in film and nightlife. Dong has curated for institutions such as the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the Criterion Channel, and his contributions have been honored by the Chinese American Museum, OUT Magazine, and others. A Guggenheim and Rockefeller Fellow, he served on the National Film Preservation Board and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors. He is currently a founding member of the Academy Museum’s Inclusion Advisory Committee. More at DeepFocusProductions.com and @arthurdongfilm.

Kids’ Storytime

This month’s Kids’ Storytime with Ms Rita from the Los Angeles Public Library’s Chinatown branch takes place on on Tuesday, May 27, at 4pm PDT. Ms Rita will be reading Mighty Mara by Carino Ho and Jesse Byrd, and illustrated by Mónica Paola Rodríquez.

This book is suitable for ages 4-8, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision. The program is held virtually over Zoom. RSVP at camla.org/storytime.

Carina Ho is a music producer, professional dancer, and author based in the Bay Area. Driven by a passion for inclusion and accessibility, Ho is often merges her experience in music and dance to support people with disabilities. She also produces electronic music under the moniker ONIKHO. Mighty Mara is Ho’s debut book, written in the hopes of inspiring young readers to embrace inclusive values.

Jesse Byrd is an award-winning children’s book author and the youngest African American to serve on the NPR Foundation Board. He started his career in technology but later decided to pursue his passion of storytelling with his debut novel, King Penguin. Beyond traditional publishing, he has collaborated with non-profits, and even an NBA athlete, to develop original stories for young readers.

Mónica Paola Rodríquez is an illustrator born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where her love for art and storytelling led her to pursue a BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design. She has illustrated children’s books for various publishers and has been exhibited at the Smithsonian National American Latino Center.

Kids’ Storytime featuring Asian American Authors is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library.

Spring Tea Tasting at Wing Hop Fung

Join the Chinese American Museum and Wing Hop Fung for an afternoon dedicated to the art and appreciation of tea on Saturday, May 31st. Guided by tea experts from Wing Hop Fung, participants will enjoy hands-on demonstrations of time-honored techniques and traditions that have been cherished for generations.

Each ticket will include a 45-minute guided tea session at your chosen time (1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, or 4:00 pm), a thoughtfully curated gift to take home, and a 20% discount on loose leaf tea purchases at Wing Hop Fung’s Arcadia location (400 S Baldwin Ave #2185, Arcadia, CA 91007). All proceeds from ticket sales support future exhibitions and programming at the Chinese American Museum. Tickets are available for purchase at camla.org/springtea.

Don’t miss this chance to deepen your tea knowledge and immerse yourself in an afternoon of tradition. Reserve your spot today and join the Chinese American Museum and Wing Hop Fung for a delightful journey into the world of tea.

Breaking Barriers: The Legacy of March Fong Eu

CAM invites you for an evening dedicated to the extraordinary life and legacy of March Fong Eu (1922-2017) on Thursday, May 29th at 6:30 PM. This is a hybrid event that will be hosted both in-person at the historic Pico House (424 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012) and online via Zoom.

March Fong Eu was the first woman and first Asian American elected to Secretary of State in California. In that position, she modernized voting systems, championed equal rights, and left behind an enduring legacy that continues to inspire future generations. RSVP at camla.org/marchfongeu today.

This event will feature guest speakers and friends, including Pattie Fong, Judge Linda Sun, and author Tim Vandehey. This event also marks the release of her highly anticipated biography, The March Fong Eu Story: An Authorized Biography of an Unauthorized Woman, co-written by author Tim Vandehey and Secretary of State Communications Manager Caren Daniels-Meade. This compelling biography chronicles her journey as a trailblazer, a groundbreaking advocate, a pioneer, and a political icon.

Copies of the books will also be available to buy, in-person, at the event.

(Be)Spoken: Poems from Our Asian American Voices Opening Reception

CAM is hosting the opening reception of our newest exhibition, (Be)Spoken: Poems from Our Asian American Voices, on May 15, 2025. The exhibition is co-curated by rapper and poet, Jason Chu. The opening reception will start at 6:30 pm until 9 pm. CAM members are invited for a sneak peak at 5:30 pm.

This dynamic show spotlights spoken word artists by blending their poetry, performance, and storytelling into bold imagery and installation. (Be)Spoken dives into stories of identity, resilience, justice, and community. With each voice, the exhibition shines a light on the complex, evolving narratives of Chinese American and AAPI communities—past, present, and future.

This event is free to the public and no RSVP is required.

Spring Fest 2025

The Chinese American Museum and El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument celebrate the Year of the Snake with our annual Spring Festival on Saturday, April 26th from 12 – 5 pm. Kick off Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) month with an exciting day of multicultural performances and family friendly activities!

The event is FREE to the public and no registration is required.

Advancing Equality: United States vs. Wong Kim Ark

Join us at the Chinese American Museum on Wednesday, April 16th, from 6:30 PM to 8:45 PM for Advancing Equality: United States vs. Wong Kim Ark. This event will explore the landmark 1898 Supreme Court case that solidified birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment, as well as the lasting impact of the case and its continued relevance in shaping civil rights protections today.

The evening will feature a panel of experts, including activist and author Helen Zia; Dr. Linda Trinh Vo, Professor Emeritus at UC Irvine; Connie Chung Joe, JD, Chief Executive Officer of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL); and Professor Hiroshi Motomura, Faculty Co-Director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA Law. The program will also feature special guest Norman Wong, great-grandson of Wong Kim Ark. Together, the program will discuss the crucial role of equal protection under the law in driving meaningful change in the United States.

The event will take place in person at the historic Pico House, located at 424 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. For those who cannot attend in person, a live stream will be available. Interested participants can RSVP at camla.org/wongkimark.

This event is part of CAM’s ongoing series, Advancing Equality: Conversations on Civil Rights Protections, co-presented by the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past initiative, as part of their National Conversation on Race series.

Unmasking: The Toll of the Sea

Join the Chinese American Museum on Thursday, April 3rd at 6:00 pm at the historic Pico House (424 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012) for a special, colorized screening of The Toll of the Sea (1922). The film, directed by Chester M. Franklin and produced by Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation, features Anna May Wong at just 17 years old in her first leading role. Despite being a silent film, Wong’s emotive and expressive nature has led many to consider The Toll of the Sea as her breakout role in the film industry.

Featured alongside the film screening will be an exclusive commentary and a post-screening discussion courtesy of Anna Wong, niece of Hollywood star Anna May Wong, and Katie Gee Salisbury, author of Not Your China Doll.

RSVP today at camla.org/thetoll to join us in watching Anna May Wong shine in her first leading role and explore her life and enduring legacy through insightful conversations with experts on the iconic figure.

About the Guest Speakers:

Anna Wong grew up mere miles from Hollywood, where her aunt, iconic film star Anna May Wong, made an unforgettable mark on cinematic history. Inspired by the cultural impact and inclusiveness that her namesake strove to achieve, Anna has been dedicated to raising awareness of Asian Americans issues and advancing the cause of equality. She also serves on the board of directors for the Friends of the Chinese American Museum.

Katie Gee Salisbury is a fifth-generation Chinese American writer and photographer based in Brooklyn whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Believer, the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, and more. She authors Half Caste Woman, a newsletter dedicated to sharing research and ruminations about Anna May Wong, and, in 2024, released her debut biography Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong.

*Be sure to visit Unmasking Anna May Wong, CAM’s latest exhibition that honors film legend Anna May Wong. Currently on view until April 27th, 2025, the exhibit showcases Wong as a trailblazer that fought racism, discrimination, and stereotyping in the film industry. The exhibit features a variety of objects, ranging from Wong’s personal effects to memorabilia from her films. Learn more about who Anna May Wong was behind the silver screen — from her childhood in LA Chinatown, to her iconic fashion sense, and her social activism outside of Hollywood.

Beyond the Page: Dark Soil

Unearth the hidden histories of places big and small with Dark Soil!

Join the Chinese American Museum on Thursday, March 27th, at 6:30 pm for a discussion on Dark Soil: Fictions & Mythographies, an anthology that digs deep into the racial and ecological landscapes of America and its borderlands. Tune in to hear contributing book authors Karen Tei Yamashita, Ronaldo V. Wilson, Sesshu Foster, and Angie Sijun Lou explore the power of storytelling, highlight the importance of amplifying marginalized voices, and seek ways to reckon with America’s past.

Bonus: Buy a signed copy of Dark Soil at the event!

About the Panelists:

Karen Tei Yamashita is the author of nine books, including I Hotel, a National Book Award finalist, and Sansei and Sensibility, both published by Coffee House Press. She is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation, the John Dos Passos Prize for Literature, and a U.S. Artists’ Ford Foundation Fellowship. Yamashita is a professor emerita of literature and creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Ronaldo V. Wilson is an award-winning poet, interdisciplinary artist, academic, and the author of six collections that blend poetry, fiction, hybrid theory, performance, and visual art. He is a Professor of Creative Writing and Literature at UC Santa Cruz.

Sesshu Foster is a poet, teacher, and community activist from East Los Angeles. His recent works include City of the Future and ELADATL: The History of the East Los Angeles Dirigible Air Transport Lines, a novel co-authored with artist Arturo Ernesto Romo. Foster is the 2024 winner of the George Drury Smith Award in Poetry from the Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center.

About the Moderator:

Angie Sijun Lou is a Kundiman Fellow and a Ph.D. candidate in literature and creative writing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her essays and criticism have been published in the American Poetry Review, the Georgia Review, and Amerasia Journal. She currently lives in Oakland.

Kids Storytime

Join the Chinese American Museum and Miss Rita from the Los Angeles Public Library’s Chinatown branch for this month’s Kids’ Storytime on Tuesday, March 11th, at 4pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading Slippery, Spicy, Tingly: A Kimchi Mystery by Choi Yangsook.

This book is suitable for ages 4-8, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

This program is hosted virtually on Zoom. Register today at camla.org/storytime.

“Kids’ Storytime featuring Asian American Authors” is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library.

About the book:

Keo is a young boy that LOVES kimchi. Keo also loves his grandmother Halmoni.

One day, Halmoni surprises his family with a visit. That night, Keo discovers Halmoni burying something in the backyard – Could it even be Halmoni’s secret treasure? Curious, Keo becomes determined to solve this mystery!

About the author:

Yangsook Choi is an author and illustrator from Korea. She discovered her love for drawing at the age of four. She later moved to New York where she pursued her passion for art. She has since written and illustrated numerous books for young readers and has been widely recognized, earning accolades such as the “Best of the Best” by the Chicago Public Library, and the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award. Beyond her creative work, Choi enjoys traveling and learning invaluable lessons from the international communities she works with.

Choi holds an MFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and splits her time between New York and Seoul.

Kids’ Storytime

Join the Chinese American Museum and Miss Rita from the Los Angeles Public Library’s Chinatown branch for this month’s Kids’ Storytime on Tuesday, February 18th, at 4pm PST. Miss Rita will be reading Mad at Dad by Janie Hao.

This book is suitable for ages 2-6, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

This program is hosted virtually on Zoom. Register today at camla.org/storytime.

“Kids’ Storytime featuring Asian American Authors” is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library.

About the book:

When a little girl gets REALLY mad at her dad, she stomps around the room and slams doors around the house. She soon realizes that being mad doesn’t feel very good and tries everything she can think of to calm down—counting numbers, taking deep breaths, and even drawing pictures. But letting go of her anger is SO hard! After a day of holding in her anger, the little girl is left exhausted, worn out, and sad. Strangely enough, when she’s feeling sad, her dad turns out to be pretty great at cheering her up.

About the author:

Janie Hao is a mixed-media illustrator and author based in Toronto. Hao received her degree in Illustration from Sheridan College and her work has been featured in several publications including Professionally Speaking Magazine, CBC Toronto, Peer Magazine, THIS Magazine, ArtWorksTO, Feathertale, and more. Hao is inspired by positive storytelling and learning other people’s stories. She enjoys exploring different forms of media and trying out new hobbies.

Unmasking: The Toll of the Sea

**An important message from the Chinese American Museum:

Due to concerns regarding the ongoing wildfires and unpredictable weather conditions affecting Los Angeles, the screening of The Toll of the Sea, originally scheduled for January 16th at 6:00 pm, is postponed. This decision was made with the safety and well-being of our attendees, staff, and the community as our highest priority.

We are currently working to reschedule the event and we will announce the new date as soon as possible. Please check your email or visit camla.org/upcoming-events for event-related updates. If you have any immediate questions, feel free to contact us at info@camla.org.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this challenging situation. Our thoughts are with those impacted by the wildfires, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and informed during this time.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to hosting Unmasking: The Toll of the Sea on a later date.

————————————————

Join the Chinese American Museum on Thursday, January 16th at 6:00 pm at the historic Pico House (424 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012) for a special, colorized screening of The Toll of the Sea (1922). The film, directed by Chester M. Franklin and produced by Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation, features Anna May Wong at just 17 years old in her first leading role. Despite being a silent film, Wong’s emotive and expressive nature has led many to consider The Toll of the Sea as her breakout role in the film industry.

About the Guest Speakers:

Anna Wong grew up mere miles from Hollywood, where her aunt, iconic film star Anna May Wong, made an unforgettable mark on cinematic history. Inspired by the cultural impact and inclusiveness that her namesake strove to achieve, Anna has been dedicated to raising awareness of Asian Americans issues and advancing the cause of equality. She also serves on the board of directors for the Friends of the Chinese American Museum.

Katie Gee Salisbury is a fifth-generation Chinese American writer and photographer based in Brooklyn whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The Believer, the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, and more. She authors Half Caste Woman, a newsletter dedicated to sharing research and ruminations about Anna May Wong, and, in 2024, released her debut biography Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong.

*Be sure to visit Unmasking Anna May Wong, CAM’s latest exhibition that honors film legend Anna May Wong. Currently on view until January 26, 2025, the exhibit showcases Wong as a trailblazer that fought racism, discrimination, and stereotyping in the film industry. The exhibit features a variety of objects, ranging from Wong’s personal effects to memorabilia from her films. Learn more about who Anna May Wong was behind the silver screen — from her childhood in LA Chinatown, to her iconic fashion sense, and her social activism outside of Hollywood.