Hyphen magazine - Asian American arts, culture, and politics

Thursday January 5th -- Seattle

Lion Dog Dance & Visit from Daikoku

The shishi-mai or lion (dog) dance is often seen at temple and shrine festivals at New Year's in Japan, when performers visit each home in the neighborhood to cast charms against evil spirits and diseases while receiving offerings. Join the Wing Luke Musuem for a visit from Seattle Choeizan Enkyoji Nichiren Buddhist Temple's shishi-mai and Daikoku (the Deity of Good Fortune). Oranges will be offered in thanks.

3 pm

Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience

719 South King St, Seattle

FREE

Friday January 6th -- Oakland

Back to the Roots Celebration

Join this New Year celebration with Back to the Roots (which grows gourmet mushrooms entirely on recycled coffee grounds -- read Hyphen's "Hustle and Grow" story on Back to the Roots here). With food, a Johnnie Walker whiskey tasting, and good music. Mushroom growing kits, t-shirts and soil amendment will also be for sale, with all proceeds going to the Whole Planet Foundation. More event info here.

6:30 to 9:30 pm

Back to the Roots Mushroom Farm

2935 Adeline St, Oakland

RSVP here

Saturday January 7th -- Los Angeles

Hito Hata: Raise the Banner Screening

Join this screening of a newly restored 16mm print of the cinematic landmark Hito Hata, the first feature film produced by and about Asian Americans. Oda, an elderly bachelor living in Little Tokyo, chronicles the stories of the Japanese American community from the turn of the century to the 1970s. Director Robert A. Nakamura will be present for a Q&A following the screening. More info here.

2 pm

David Henry Hwang Theater

Union Center for the Arts

120 Judge John Aiso St, Los Angeles

FREE

Graze Little Tokyo Walk

A food-centric cultural exploration of Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. This walk will provide opportunities to sample local Asian food -- from lotus root to pounded rice -- while learning about the history of the neighborhood. Wear comfortable walking shoes. More info here.

10 am to 2 pm

Meet at the Japanese America National Museum

369 East 1st St, Los Angeles

$15 Members, $20 non-members, includes museum admission.

Sunday January 8th -- San Francisco

SF Ethnic Dance Festival

As part of Mayor Lee's Inauguration festivities, a series of dance performances will take place -- including Chinese dance from Leung's White Crane Lion and Dragon Dance Association, Balinese dance and music by Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Mexican folkloric dance by Ensambles Ballet Folklórico, and many more.

10 am to 11 am

San Francisco City Hall (Mayor's Inauguration Ceremony will begin at 11 am)

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco

Sunday January 8th -- Los Angeles

Oshogatsu Family Festival

Ring in the New Year and the Year of the Dragon with arts and crafts, food, and cultural activities and performances for the whole family. Learn how to make onigiri rice balls, watch world-renowned candy artist Shaun Ichiyanagi make a candy dragon sculpture, see a taiko performance by Kinnara Taiko, and much more.

11 am to 5 pm

Japanese American National Museum

369 East 1st St, Los Angeles

FREE Admission all day

Monday January 9th -- NYC

Lunar New Year Arts & Crafts

Every Monday in January until Lunar New Year day, swing by the Museum of Chinese in America's Family Arts & Crafts table and create your own Zodiac Animal Puppet. Based upon the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, participants will work with an array of materials, from beads to colored paper. Ages 6 and up. All supplies are provided.

 2 to 4 pm

Museum of Chinese in America

215 Centre St, New York

Free with Museum admission