Presented by Visual Communications, CENTERING THE MASSES is a series of free pop-up events and programs at 341 FSN, in the heart of Los Angeles Little Tokyo’s historic district. This nine-week series running from April 5th to May 30, 2019 will bring together artists, cultural workers, entertainment professionals, and civic personalities to celebrate and explore all the ways that motion pictures and media artworks impact our lives. Through intimate conversation, screenings, and visual art presentations, this project will be a space to address the current realities of a community that sits at the crossroads of shifting racial, generational, and economic conditions.

Unless otherwise specified all CENTERING THE MASSES events will be at 341 FSN (341 E 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012).

FREE ADMISSION. Capacity is limited. Informal seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

Click here for a downloadable calendar of all the events!

Out of the Shadows: Building Community Through the Arts

Curated from Visual Communications’ Photographic Archives, the exhibit celebrates VC’s use of media arts to engage with Angelenos living in and around Little Tokyo, as well as area visitors. Faces from VC’s first five decades are brought to light, as they create film, music, dance, theater, culinary, and graphic art works in these images. Two walls come alive with these photographs, while another is devoted to the impact of seminal Asian American print publication, Gidra. The exhibit is a preview of AT FIRST LIGHT: THE DAWNING OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICA, a multimedia exploration of the emergence of a politically defined Asian Pacific American consciousness and identity, co-produced by VC and the Japanese American National Museum (May 25-October 20, 2019 at JANM).

Monday Nite VC: Rewind

Join us for a provocative series of Monday sessions with filmmakers and artists as we gather to discuss what drives these individuals, something about their backgrounds and what has gotten them to their current place. We will review clips and memories with them as Walt Louie — veteran director/editor/educator — provokes them into penetrating conversation and storytelling in an intimate and casual setting. Click here to learn more.

Bull & Puppy: Curious Conversations with Storytellers

Edo artist Nagasawa Rosetsu painted the image of a small fluffy puppy resting on a gigantic bull, proving that two seemingly incongruous figures can co-exist in harmony. In the same way, these Tuesday book events will facilitate conversations between published writers who normally don’t sit together but actually have intersecting experiences. Moderated by author Naomi Hirahara, BULL & PUPPY will investigate what “uncommon” authors may have in common. A poetry reading will open each session, which will end with a quick writing prompt for all attendees. Click here to learn more.

Lucha La Mic

Visual Communications will partner with the APA-centric Potluck Podcast Collective to present a series of live podcasts featuring special guests in deep conversation around important issues of Little Tokyo and other communities. Imagined as a wrestling-styled “Square Circle” and slated for select Wednesdays, LUCHA LA MIC will engage podcasters from the Potluck Podcast Collective with compelling and sometimes divisive guests in front of a live audience. Click here to learn more.

Little Tokyo: Adjacent

Visual Communications will highlight its award-winning filmography of documentary, experimental, animated, and narrative films examining the relationship between APA peoples and communities. Looking at other communities of color adjacent to Little Tokyo, we will assemble a two-part program that celebrates all the aspects that make Little Tokyo a vibrant community. Moreover, we will examine the causes that threaten it. Click here to learn more.

My Favorite Things

On select Thursdays (and occasional Tuesdays), various friends of Visual Communications — individuals, filmmakers, activists, and stakeholders from Little Tokyo and various endangered communities — will screen feature-length films that have moved and influenced them, sparked their creativity, or prompted them into action. Click here to learn more.

Re-Scored: A Film and Music Performance

RE-SCORED celebrates the contributions and artistry of film composers in our community and, through a live performance setting, it is also an experiment in capturing that moment when music and image embrace into one, evoking emotions and creating indelible memories. A mixed-media event featuring groundbreaking composers, emerging talent, and legendary artists who will perform alternative live scores for short films from Visual Communications’ award-winning filmography. Click here to learn more.

Single-Day Programs

Click here to learn about the single day programs offered at 341 FSN.

Centering the Masses at LAAPFF 2019

Join us for the following CENTERING THE MASSES events during the 2019 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Click here to learn more.

Closing Event: Diggin’ in Little Tokyo

Diggin’ in Little Tokyo is a Sunday collab featuring DJ's Joel Quizon, Drew de Ramos, and Louie Mendoza spinning all vinyl sets of consciousness and good vibes. The ongoing photographic exhibit “Out of the Shadows: Building Community Through Arts” and the 50th anniversary Wall of Tribute to GIDRA will be on display throughout the evening. We thank one and all who have visited this important series, and invite everyone to join with us one last time in celebration and in defense of community. Click here to learn more.

Centering the Masses

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