2008 Gala Dinner & Silent Auction
Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel

When President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 into law on August 10, 1988, providing an official apology and reparations to thousands of Japanese Americans unconstitutionally forced to leave their homes by their own government during World War II, it meant more than just vindication for those whose rights were violated. It represented a triumph of American democracy, a coming together of diverse groups and individuals, political organizations and elected officials, who supported this cause simply because it was the right thing to do.

The Japanese American National Museum's 2008 Annual Gala Dinner will recognize some of the key players who helped to turn what was considered an impossible dream into the law of the land and why it is so important for all Americans today.

Visit the Annual Dinner page for more information >>

Chado celebrates its opening in the Paul I. and Hisako Terasaki Garden Café with a tea-tasting presentation by noted author James Norwood Pratt, followed by a full afternoon tea.

$30 Members; $40 non-members. To purchase tickets, call 213.625.0414, ext. 2313, for details.

Living Flowers: Ikebana and Contemporary Art
Exhibition Opening Celebration

7:30 PM, Remarks

3–6 Thursday–Sunday • Denver, Colorado

Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, the National Conference examines connections between the WWII Japanese American experience and historical and contemporary issues surrounding democracy and civil rights.

For more information, visit janm.org/projects/ec/

Glorious Excess (Born): Paintings by Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda Opening Celebration!

FREE!

Mike Shinoda will be signing from 8 to 10 PM

Please Note:

No RSVPs accepted

Admission based on a first come, first served basis

Linkin Park fan club members will have priority for autographs

Maximum occupancy will be strictly enforced

Join the Symposium at the Japan Information and Cultural Center in Washington D.C. for a special presentation by Dr. Mitch Maki. Reception to follow.

Presented by The Japanese American Network of Greater Washington (JANOGW), the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Washington D.C. (JCAW) and facilitated by the Japanese American National Museum (JANM).

Dr. Maki will discuss the Japanese American political experience, from the rise of the internment redress movement of the 1970s and 1980s to the current state of Japanese American political involvement, including political representation in Washington, D.C. and unifying issues. He will also explore possible political roles the Japanese American community may take in the future, including thoughts on whether Japanese Americans may play a more significant role in US – Japan relations and the ramifications in Japan of having Japanese Americans involved in politics here in the United States.

Dr. Maki is the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at California State University, Dominguez Hills in Los Angeles. He is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked for the County of Riverside's Department of Public Social Services, El Centro Human Services, and the Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital. He is the lead author of the award-winning book, Achieving the Impossible Dream: How Japanese Americans Obtained Redress, a detailed case study of the passage of the 1988 Civil Liberties Act. This critically acclaimed book documents the development of the redress movement from its earliest roots during World War II, through the formal introduction of the idea during the 1970s, and the judicial and legislative battles of the 1980s and 1990s. In December 2000, the book received the Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Award, which is given to books addressing the study of bigotry and human rights in North America.

RSVP via email to JANOGWRSVP@gmail.com with your name and number of attendees.

Japan Information and Cultural Center Galleria at Lafayette Centre III
1155 21st Street, NW (Gallery Level)
Washington, DC 20036

Kip Fulbeck's new book project is MIXED KIDS ... a photo portrait book about multiracial/multiethnic kids!  We're having an open shoot Sunday, October 12th. Here are the details:

MIXED KIDS PHOTO SHOOT / L.A.

OPEN CALL

This is an open call for mixed kids 12 and under ... multiracial, biracial, mestizo, Hapa, etc.  Any ethnic mixture is welcome!  Approximately 100 children will be picked for the book.

DETAILS

1.  Release forms must be signed by parents/legal guardians.  If you are bringing children that aren't your own, please print out this release form and have it signed.  Kip will not photograph anyone without a signed release.

2.  Please have your child wear their typical clothes.  We'd like them to look as everyday (and beautiful!) as they normally do, as opposed to having them look "dressed up."  

3.  Please do not have your child wear all white.  Kip shoots on a white backdrop, so white jackets, t-shirts, etc. bleed into the background.  The less white clothing, the better.

4.  Let your child know this is a fun project.  Kip is great with kids, and he'll joke around with them, show them their pictures and give them stickers.  But anything you can do to get them in a fun frame of mind is appreciated.  Please make sure they're well-fed and have gotten their sleep!  :)

5.  Depending on crowds, the whole portrait process can usually be completed in 10-20 minutes.  

6.  INDIVIDUAL STATEMENTS:  Your child will be given the opportunity to write about themselves on a piece of paper (similar to Kip's other books) ... the basic question is "Who are you?" but they can take it wherever they want.  They can write as many statements as they want, but they must finish it at the shoot before you leave -- i.e. no sending it in by mail later.  Kids are pretty good at coming up with their own genius ideas here!  Scribbling for the younger kids is fine.

7.  If they'd like to practice, make sure to have them write/draw in a 7"x7" box with black ink.  They'll probably have to re-do a statement on premises to keep the project uniform.

8. If your child is really into a hobby or activity, you can bring a prop for them to hold/play with (sports equipment/ball, musical instrument, paintbrush, stuffed animal, blanket, toy, doll, book, etc.) Also, if they participate in a sport, feel free to have them come in their uniform, gi, etc. PLEASE NOTE: THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE REGULAR CLOTHES AS A BACKUP... Just so we have the option of shooting either.

FAQS
What are my child's chances of getting in the book?
It all depends on how many people we shoot and what the publisher pics.  For 100% Hapa, Kip photographed 1200 people for 120 images.  For Permanence, he photographed 400 people for 120 images.  We are planning to photograph approximately 300-400 kids for Mixed Kids.

How do I increase their chances of getting picked?
This is a hard one, as we don't make the final decision, but usually the more original the statement, the better.  Humor, drawings, and poignancy are always good.

Can we get copies of the pictures?
Sorry, but we cannot forward original pictures.  If you are interested in purchasing an image, we can send you a sample copy.  Please contact me (Lindsay) at info@thehapaproject.com to inquire about purchasing signed prints.

Come hear Dr. Gordon Sato from The Manzanar Project speak about his work fighting global poverty around the world.

The Manzanar Project is named after the concentration camp Dr. Sato was in during World War II and is dedicated to the eradication of poverty and hunger and to relieving global warming. The approach adapted comes from my long experience as a scientific researcher and my experience in the Manzanar Desert trying to relieve the tedium of meal after meal of canned spinach and spam.

The Manzanar Project has won two prestigious awards: the 2002 Rolex Award and the Blue Planet Prize of 2005 in Tokyo. It was very gratifying to win these awards and they have given the Project credibility in the wider world but my ambition is not to win awards but to achieve the objectives of the Manzanar Project.

For more information about Gordon's work, visit http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/manzanar/default.htm.

FREE!

A night of performances and videos by a selection of CCF fellowship recipients in one of LA's historic theaters, now converted into an arts center that is home to CCF fellow Sara Velas' recently completed panoramic painting installation, The Efflugence of the North.

Please note, Vaudeville Night will take place at The Velaslavasay Panorama, which is located at: 1122 W. 24th St. Los Angeles, CA 90007.

Join us to celebrate the opening of the special engagement of Dreams to Dreams, the first custom vinyl toy show in a museum presented by the Japanese American National Museum in association with Dacosta of Chocolate Soop.

Just in time for the holidays, over 40 artists will customize Chocolate Soop’s DCTO (Dream Come True Object), a futuristic vinyl version of a traditional Japanese New Year’s folk toy. Artwork will be on display and on sale at the Museum from December 1, 2008 through January 4, 2009. Pieces from this show will also be available for sale online in December.

Meet Dacosta and other artists participating in the show!