A Message From AIISF’s Executive Director

The past month has been filled with an amazing slate of emotional performances inspired by Angel Island. Del Sol Quartet kicked off their quarterly concert series on Angel Island in March and will be performing there again in June (as well as at our upcoming gala on April 20). This weekend, the Oakland Ballet Company continues their Dancing Moon Festival with 3 pieces choreographed to Huang Ruo’s Angel Island Oratorio and performed by the Del Sol Quartet. Also, you have until April 14th to see the Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s production of Lloyd Suh’s The Far Country directed by Jennifer Chang.

Kudos also to the team who produced Larry The Musical. Larry Itliong was a Filipino American labor leader. He didn’t come through Angel Island, but he is one of the Asian American heroes featured in our Animated AANHPI History series. See the video here.

I hope that you will join us for our Annual Gala on April 20. Not only is it one of our main fundraisers during the year, but it’s also a meaningful opportunity for our community to come together. This year, we are honoring Assemblymember Phil Ting for his support in raising over $4 million dollars to support as well as Jose Antonio Vargas for his work to uplift the experiences of undocumented immigrants. We are also excited to recognize Him Mark Lai (posthumously) and Genny Lim with the Spirit of Angel Island Award for their visionary efforts to translate the Chinese poems in the detention barracks.

Interspersed between the delicious 5-course, family-style meal by Le’s Kitchen Catering, we’ll be treated to performances by Del Sol Quartet, vocalist Christine Adiaz, and the newly-formed Bay Area Independent Chinese Dancers. AND our gala guests will have a special opportunity to preview our newest travelling exhibit A Cage Built of Jade (shown in the image above) which recreates one of the rooms in the detention barracks.

Ticket sales close on April 10 so be sure to reserve your tickets now at www.aiisf.org/gala2024.

Stay safe and dry, and we hope to see you at the gala and out on Angel Island!

Edward Tepporn

AIISF Executive Director

Gala 2024

Saturday, April 20 | The Conservatory at One Sansome | 6 - 9 pm

Our annual Gala is coming up this month! Join us on Saturday, April 20th at The Conservatory at One Sansome in San Francisco for an elegant evening of delicious cuisine, memorable performances, and the chance to mix and mingle with AIISF’s extended network of friends, supporters, and community partners.

The last day to buy tickets is April 10.

Upcoming Events

Gateways in Dialogue Part II: Dining in Detention

Wednesday, April 10 | 5 - 6 pm PST | On Zoom

Join us on Zoom on April 10 for the second event in our ongoing collaborative series with the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. This time we'll be discussing food and dining experiences at the Ellis Island and Angel Island immigration stations. What kind of food was served and by who? Where did people eat and how much did they spend on meals?

This event is free but pre-registration is required.

Del Sol Quartet on Angel Island

Saturday, June 15 | 11:30 am and 1:30 pm

We are thrilled to welcome the Del Sol Quartet back to Angel Island on Saturday, June 15th. They will be performing American Postcards - Picture Brides by Takuma Itoh.

There will be two performances: one at 11:30 am and one at 2:30 pm.

$10 tickets include reserved seating for the show and free admission to the Detention Barracks Museum.

Partner Events

The Far Country

March 8 to April 14 | Berkeley Repertory Theater

Following a critically acclaimed debut in New York, Pulitzer Prize finalist Lloyd Suh and Obie Award-winning director Eric Ting brings The Far Country back to its roots in a triumphant West Coast premiere.

The cast and creative team of The Far Country recently visited Angel Island for a tour with AIISF — read more in this article from the SF Chronicle.

Thank you to Berkeley Repertory Theater for offering a discount to AIISF supporters. Use the code "AI20" to receive a 20% discount (except for March 13 opening night).

OBC's Dancing Moons Festival

March 13 - 16 | April 5 - 6

This year, Oakland Ballet Company (OBC) and Oakland Asian Cultural Center are hosting their Dancing Moons Festival again this year.

They will reprise Layer Upon Layer by Caili Quan, Ballet de Porcelaines by Phil Chan and highlights from Exquisite Corpse by Elaine Kudo, Seyong Kim and Phil Chan.

They are also presenting several works in progress based on Huang Ruo’s Angel Island Oratorio.

Thank you to the Oakland Ballet Company for offering a 15% discount on tickets for supporters of AIISF. Use the code "DMF15" at checkout.

Taken From Their Families at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose

March 28 - June 23 | Opening Reception March 30 at 10 am

AIISF's travelling exhibit Taken From Their Families: Japanese American Incarceration on Angel Island During World War II is on view at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose from March 28 to June 23, 2024.

Community Events

Telling the Stories of Mexican California: Real Life & Myth Making (California Historical Society)

April 7 – June 2 | Tuolumne County Historical Society, Sonora, CA

This traveling exhibition broadly outlines California’s history leading up to statehood as a backdrop to the factual and fictional stories that emerged after the US takeover. It considers individuals and families of Spanish Mexican descent who told their stories, and looks at some of the early narratives that helped create an enduring California mythos. More information here.

Larry the Musical (Brava Theater)

March 27 - April 14

Larry The Musical follows the story of Larry Itliong and the Filipino American farmworkers who started the 1965 Great Delano Grape Strike, one of the most significant social justice movements in history that led to the merging of the predominantly Filipino union, Agriculture Workers Organizing Committee, with the Mexican Association, National Farm Workers Association, to create the United Farm Workers in 1966. The musical is based on the book "Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong" written by the late Dr. Dawn Mabalon and Gayle Romasanta who served as Writer and Co-Executive Producer. Bryan Pangilinan served as composer and Co-Executive Producer.

What's Your Real Name?

Thursday, Apr 11 | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Clarion Performing Arts Center

Join an intergenerational conversation about the impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act, and the historical, political, social context of our times which contributed to the formation of our identities.

Experiences range from the daughter of a “paper son” and “paper daughter” to an immigrant whose family arrived in the U.S. in 2006. We represent 1.5, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th generation Chinese Americans. Video clips and artwork by the panelists will be shown. What do we share in common? What’s different?

Join in the conversation with the esteemed speaker panel!

Partner Events in May

Children's Day Festival in Japantown

Saturday, May 4 | Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California

Join us at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center as we celebrate children’s day! Celebrate what it means to be a kid and do some fun activities with us. There will be performances games and more! There will also be stamp rally so make sure you see every booth!

Children are encouraged to dress up in traditional Japanese clothing such as kimono or yukata.

This event is free and open to the public from 11:00-4:00 on May 4th.

Lincoln Summer Nights

Thursday, May 9 | 5pm - 8pm | Lincoln Rec Center, Oakland

Starting May 9th we’ll be joining Lincoln Summer Nights, a fun and free community event hosted in Lincoln Square Park.

We’ll be doing a variety of activities related to the island's history and the stories of the people who came through the immigration station. There will be performances and a wide variety of other community organizations coming as well so don’t miss out!

Lincoln Summer Nights will happen every second Thursday from 5pm-8pm starting May 9th and ending October 10th.