“Pioneers to Prodigy: Pioneering Asian Dancers on Film” will be presented on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave. (at First Street) in Little Tokyo.
Discover the power of dance with screenings of the documentaries “Michio Ito, Pioneering Dancer-Choreographer” (2012, 22 minutes) and “Ten Times Better” (2024, 30 minutes) and a short film featuring the Music Center’s Spotlight Award winner, Lex Ishimoto.
Jennifer Lin, director of “Ten Times Better,” will be joined in conversation with Nancy Kwan, star of the film version of “Flower Drum Song.” Learn about the dancers who broke through racial discrimination and the dancers of today who are making important contributions to Asian Americans in the performing arts.
Plus enjoy a special performance by singer Yuka Takara, star of the national touring revival of “Flower Drum Song.”
The program is presented by the Daniel K. Inouye National Center for the Preservation of Democracy at JANM and the Nikkei Women Legacy Association, Los Angeles.
Tickets are $20 general, free for members. Reservations: https://www.janm.org/events/2024-09-08/pioneers-prodigy-pioneering-asian-dancers-film