The Bowers Museum presents the North American debut of “Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form,” running Mar. 9-Sept. 8. The “Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form” exhibition is curated and organized by the Barbican Centre and features renowned creators like Osama Tezuka and lesser-known artists like Abhishek Singh and Miki Yamamoto. 

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Month by learning the history of origami and some of its benefits. Then practice some mindfulness tips and create an origami crane. For tweens and teens, ages 12 – 18.

Los Angeles theater survives and thrives on community collaboration now more than ever. In conjunction with AAPI Heritage Month, Chalk Repertory Theatre will present the world premiere of “PANG SPA“ directed by Reena Dutt in collaboration with EST/LA’s world premiere production of “TWO STOP” directed by Tracey A. Leigh. Penned by David Johann Kim, these two world premieres are companion pieces centered around themes related to the 1992 L.A. Uprising. 

Both plays will be presented during AAPI Heritage Month between May 2 and June 9, 2024, at Atwater Village Theatre. This collaboration is a part of Center Theatre Group’s L.A. Artist Residency program, a division of the new CTG:Forward initiative.

“TWO STOP” takes place on the verge of the ’92 L.A. Uprising. A Korean market. A murder scene. A store owner and a neighborhood teenage girl face off. When her wild card mother arrives, secrets from the past explode in this tiny store. History and histories go head-to-head as L.A. starts to burn. Together they reach back decades and across the globe through war, strife and love, finding connection and even hope.

In “PANG SPA,” Daniel Pang returns home to L.A.’s Koreatown stepping into an unexpected life. Twenty years after the L.A. Uprising, the family business is gone, his brother is gone, and his parents are disappearing with dementia. As Daniel juggles his parents’ care and idiosyncratic neighbors a flinty young army vet arrives on a mission forcing him to confront his past. PANG SPA is a Los Angeles, K-town dramedy celebrating family, memory and identity through a journey of healing.

In the Korean American community, the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising is remembered as Sai-i-gu (April 29 in Korean). Also known as the 1992 Los Angeles Riots or the 1992 Rodney King Riots, the L.A. Uprising was a major outbreak of violence, looting and arson that began on April 29, 1992. The L.A. Uprising was a response to two events: the acquittal of four white L.A. policemen on all but one charge connected to the severe beating of Rodney King, an African American motorist in March of 1991; and the fatal shooting of African American teenager Latasha Harlins by Korean convenience shop owner Soon Ja Du thirteen days after the beating of Rodney King. Korean Americans suffered extremely high economic losses as 2,300 Korean American businesses were looted or burned and suffered over $400 million in property damages. During the L.A. Uprising, Korean Americans received very little aid or protection from police authorities due to disparities in social status and language barriers.

“TWO STOP” runs May 2 (opens May 4) through June 9, with performances taking place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. on May 5, 12, 19 and June 2; and Sundays at 7 p.m. on May 26 and June 9. There is a Hapa Night performance on May 17, and an AAPI Day celebration performance on May 26. To purchase tickets and for more information please visit https://www.estlosangeles.org.

“PANG SPA” runs May 16 (opens May 19) through June 9, with performances taking place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. on May 26 and June 9; and Sunday at 6 p.m. on May 19 and Sunday at 7pm on June 2. There is a Hapa Night performance on May 17, and an AAPI Day celebration performance on May 26. To purchase tickets and for more information please visit https://www.chalkrep.com.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May with a multi-week lineup spotlighting AAPI artists and featuring dance, music, film and more! Bring the whole family for free artistic offerings on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, including Friday movie nights, Polynesian dance lessons (Tuesday Night Dance), and Live on Argyros Stage concerts.

On May 3, enjoy a free screening of “Past Lives,” preceded by a festive evening of music, food, and free activities for all! Enjoy fun photo ops, local food trucks, and artmaking activities led by OCAPICA’s Well(ness)essity team, along with a filmmaker Q&A led by Some Folks Productions.

Starting at 6:30 p.m. enjoy food trucks, artmaking, and more. Filmmaker Q&A is at 7:30 p.m., followed by the screening at 8 p.m.

Delicious Little Tokyo returns for a full day of fun including self-guided walking and tasting tours featuring small businesses, History of Little Tokyo your led by the Little Tokyo Historical Society in partnership with the Japanese American National Museum, J-Town Bingo neighborhood exploration activity for all ages and more.

In Japan May 5th is Kodomo no Hi (子供の日), or Children’s Day, which is celebrated throughout the country. JACCC embraces this holiday by presenting an exciting celebration that weaves together Japanese and Japanese American traditions into a fun-filled day event for children of all ages.

Immerse yourself in Japanese flavors, games, performances, and traditions, and make this an unforgettable experience for you and your family.

JACCC’s Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) Celebration is held in collaboration with Kizuna, the Little Tokyo Service Center’s Terasaki Budokan, Faith-Ann Kiwa Young, co-mrkt, and Tanoshii Project as part of Go Little Tokyo’s initiative to celebrate the 140th Anniversary of Little Tokyo. The Little Tokyo Service Center’s Terasaki Budokan will have its annual Kibō Nobori Children’s Day Festival on the same day as JACCC’s Celebration.

This Children’s Arts + Music Festival is free and open to the public and fun for all ages! The festival has art installations, activities, sports/games, music performances, a karate demo, marketplace and snacks. 

Sawtelle Japanese Association hosts a free fun-filled afternoon at the West LA Buddhist Temple in celebration Children’s Day.

DIESEL, A Bookstore welcomes Megumi Inouye as she discusses her new book, “The Soul of Gift Wrapping: Creative Techniques for Expressing Gratitude, Inspired by the Japanese Art of Giving.” 

With a combination of inventive wrapping designs, inspiring personal essays, and step-by-step techniques, Megumi Inouye invites readers to transform the act of wrapping into a gratitude practice. Drawing on the gift-giving traditions of her Japanese heritage, Inouye explores how the act of giving a thoughtfully wrapped gift can be a creative, caring act for both the giver and the receiver. Using recycled and repurposed materials, Inouye’s approach inspires readers to think intentionally about the presentation of every gift, whether it’s a tip for an unseen hotel housekeeper, a simple gift of fresh fruit for a neighbor, or a special birthday gift for a beloved family member. Detailed step-by-step photos teach Inouye’s artful approach to every aspect of wrapping—including tape-free folding, paper and fabric bows, clever message tags, and one-of-a-kind approaches for odd-shaped items—and guide readers in creating their own unique gift presentations. 

Every month from April through September, join us on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza to learn a new style of dance taught by an expert local instructor. Tuesday Night Dance is fun, upbeat, and designed for all ages and abilities–all are welcome, no dance experience required. This month, we’re welcoming back Tupua Productions for a month of Polynesian dance. Enjoy new steps, new friends, and live drums!

Tuesday Night Dance is part of the Center’s celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, featuring a multi-week lineup spotlighting AAPI artists in dance, music, film and more! Bring the whole family for free artistic offerings on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, including Friday movie nights, Polynesian dance lessons (Tuesday Night Dance), and Live on Argyros Stage concerts.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May with a multi-week lineup spotlighting AAPI artists and featuring dance, music, film and more! Bring the whole family for free artistic offerings on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, including Friday movie nights, Polynesian dance lessons (Tuesday Night Dance), and Live on Argyros Stage concerts.

On May 10, join Segerstrom for a screening of “Funny Money” (2013), preceded by a festive evening of music, food and free activities for all! Enjoy fun photo ops, local food trucks, and artmaking activities along with a filmmaker Q&A led by the Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association (VAALA).

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. enjoy food trucks, artmaking, and more. At 7:30 p.m. filmmaker Q&A with “Funny Money” director Thien Do, followed by the screening at 8 p.m.

Let the music move you at Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Spring Fling Silent Disco. Whether you’re into pop, hip-hop, or electronic tunes, there’s something for everyone at this silent soirée. Everyone gets their own pair of light up headphones, you just gotta bring the moves!  

Silent Disco is part of the Center’s celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, featuring a multi-week lineup spotlighting AAPI artists in dance, music, film and more! Bring the whole family for free artistic offerings on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, including Friday movie nights, Polynesian dance lessons (Tuesday Night Dance), and Live on Argyros Stage concerts. 

On Saturday, May 18, the museum is hosting a family-friendly celebration in honor of its new mural, “A Momentous Moment in Time of Passage and Landing,” created by artist Dave Young Kim. The event will feature cultural dances and performances, crafts, food trucks, an artist talk, and more.

Artist Dave Young Kim’s mural for USC PAM visually encapsulates the profound impact of migration from Asia and the Pacific Islands in shaping the distinctive cultural fabric of Los Angeles. The mural portrays 41 birds in harmonious flight, each representing a sovereign Asian or Pacific Islander nation and its official national bird. The collective imagery symbolizes the universal search for home, a commonality that connects all humankind and all species. 

The perfect primer for kids ages 8-12, “A Child’s Introduction to Asian American and Pacific Islander History” is packed with remarkable stories, groundbreaking events, and inspirational people, that have made a lasting impact on the history and culture of the United States.

The latest entry in the award-winning Child’s Introduction series is an inspirational and essential look at the impact and influence that AAPI peoples have made to the culture of the United States. The book is packed with profiles of dozens of AAPI trailblazers from from all walks of life, including political activist Grace Lee Boggs, Vice President Kamala Harris, actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and dozens of others who have made contributions to music, food, sciences, technology, and more. Kids will learn key terms like “Asian American” and “Pacific Islander,” how to pronounce common Asian names, and the discrimination members of the community have faced (and continue to face). They will be introduced to a wide variety of traditions, from Diwali to Lunar New Year and signature dishes, like poi and pho, all giving greater visibility to Asian Americans for young learners.

Featuring charming illustrations and a lively design, as well as a pull-out poster, “A Child’s Introduction to Asian American and Pacific Islander History” is much-needed addition every home library and classroom. (Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers)  

Celebrate the month of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage at the Segerstrom Center with a multi-week lineup spotlighting AAPI artists with dance, music and film features. On May 24, join for a screening of the hit Disney movie “Moana.” Enjoy fun photo ops, local food trucks, and artmaking activities designed for young movie fans. The movie begins at 8 p.m.

Children’s Book World & TeachAAPI present this story time and book party with author Shay Fan, and illustrator, Tara Hân-Trần Johnson, featuring a creative art activity. Order personalized copies below for pickup at the bookstore or shipping anywhere in the U.S.

 Ezra is a seven-year-old boy who likes cheese-flavored ice cream, flying off the couch with his superhero cape, and peeling dried glue off his fingers. And he LOVES making art. Every day at Braddock Elementary, he doodles, draws, paints, and crafts with abandon. When he makes something, the entire world melts away, his heart feels warm, and his entire body wants to wiggle. But there is one problem. Even though he loves making it, no one understands it. In this heartwarming picture book, little Ezra questions whether he should continue to make art when his parents, teachers, and classmates don’t seem to get, or even like, his creations. “What in the World Is Ezra’s Art” explores the question: Can he feel good about his art when no one else does?

Author Shay Fan writes family-friendly comedic adventure stories featuring Asian American protagonists that want to change their world. She has consulted for technology and healthcare companies including YouTube, Microsoft, Roche, and AbbVie. She is passionate about advocating and uplifting marginalized communities and has started a blog series about the revision process of published authors. This is her first book. She lives with her family in Los Angeles.

Illustrator Tara Hân-Trần Johnson is a Vietnamese American designer working in animation. She has worked in prop design, dolor design, and visual development at studios such as Disney Television Animation, Nickelodeon, and Oddbot. Inspired by nature, anime, and all things cute and creepy, she loves playing with shapes and color in her work. When she’s not catching up on her media backlog or spending time with family, you can find her bullet journaling with a cup of milk tea and various let’s plays in the background.

Author Eric Toda is a tech executive who has held brand and digital marketing leadership roles at Fortune 100 companies including: Gap Inc., Airbnb, Snapchat, and Nike. His work has garnered Cannes Lions, Webbys, Clios, Shortys, and other awards for marketing and business excellence. Eric’s inspiration for this book was his personal experience of being discouraged from creativity when his artistic ability left something to be desired, and he wanted to tell a story that encourages children, including his own, to be creative without fear of judgment. He lives with his family in the Bay Area.

TeachAAPI is a group of LA-based parents who are building a community to foster awareness and education for AAPI-related cultural and racial issues within our schools.

Celebrate the month of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage at the Segerstrom Center with a multi-week lineup spotlighting AAPI artists with dance, music, and film features! On May 31, join for a special event exploring Black music in anime and Japanese jazz. This brand-new musical venture will be part anime screening, part concert and part discussion that highlights the dynamic fusion of two cultures. Enjoy fun photo ops and local food trucks at the beginning of the event.