Janice Mirikitani is recognized as a visionary, community activist, leader, poet, and editor. She’s the founding president of the Glide Foundation, and has developed programs that empower San Francisco’s poor and marginalized communities to make meaningful changes in their lives.
She was named San Francisco Poet Laureate in 2000 and has authored four books of poetry, including Love Works (San Francisco Poet Laureate Series), which is a premium for tonight’s show, and edited nine anthologies. She also served as a commissioner at the San Francisco Arts Commission.
In tonight’s interview, Mirikitani talks intimately about the development of her social consciousness, the role writing and story telling play in personal empowerment, and her experience as a survivor of incest.
Premiums
Premiums to people who donate to our show between 7 and 8 p.m. tonight include Love Works by Janice Mirikitani, tickets to catch Karsh Kale at Yoshi’s, and tickets to see 13 Assassins, an action film set at the end of Japan’s feudal era.
Community Calendar
First Voice Media, the apprenticeship program that many of us at Apex Express have gone through, is accepting applications to their intensive training program. The deadline for applications is June 10.
On Saturday, May 21, the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California will be cleaning up the Japanese cemetery in Colma from 11-1 p.m. The 3-acre cemetery is the final resting place for more than 5,000 people. Established with a grant from the Meiji Emperor of Japan in 1901, the Japanese Benevolent Society of California provides “for the relief of sick, disabled or destitute persons of the Japanese race” in California and “a suitable burial ground for deceased Japanese.” A light lunch will be served, so please RSVP to (415) 567-5505.
Also on Saturday, the Asian Art Museum participates in the Asian Heritage Street Fair. Events begin at 10 a.m. and the admission will be free all day. Highlights include a screening of features short films and music videos by local filmmakers, sponsored by the Center for Asian American Media from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and public art created on the front steps of the Asian by last week’s featured Leader in our Community, Nancy Hom.
Later that evening from 5 to 8 p.m., catch Eth-Noh-Tec’s Salon! You’re On! in Japantown at the Nihonmachi Terrace at 1615 Sutter Street. There will be an Asian American artisan market place, performances, and a reading by Chinese and Tibetan American writers.
Internationally renowed musicians June Kuramoto and Kimo Cornwell of the iconic jazz group Hiroshima and taiko master Kenny Endo will headline the entertainment at the 62nd annual Satsuki Bazaar and Arts Festival on the weekend of May 21-22 in Berkeley.
On Wednesday, May 25, Oakland Asian Cultural Center invites you to their spring fundraiser. From 6 to 10 p.m., enjoy performances by Asian Pacific Islander artists, dinner catered by a local business, and hear from journalist and historian Bill Wong and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan. Tickets are $65.
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