on Spectrum News 1, April 8, 2019

NIC CHA KIM

LITTLE TOKYO, CA – On opening night of Tuesday Night Cafe there is a standing crowd at the Aratani Courtyard in Little Tokyo. Held every 1st and 3rd Tuesday during the spring and summer months, artists like musicians, dancers, DJs and poets are invited to share their talents on stage.

“Like liberation, like restoration. I mean, what’s queerer than being free,” asks poet Jenevieve Ting in front of an adoring audience.

“Don’t come running back to me,” sings musician Enny Owl as she strums along on her guitar.

Tuesday Night Cafe was co-founded by artist and activist Traci Kato-Kiriyama 21 years ago. Back then, Little Tokyo wasn’t quite the destination it is today and she wanted to do something that could highlight the changes happening within her community.

“Tuesday Night Cafe is a public art series,” explains Traci Kato-Kiriyama. “It is an art and community gathering space for Asian-American and local LA artist and community and we are also a very passionate entry point for Little Tokyo itself.”

Tuesday Night Cafe is held on the front steps at the East West Players, which shares the courtyard with LA Artcore and Visual Communications, three long-running Asian-American arts organizations.

“To us, this space is very LA,” says Kato-Kiriyama. “This space to us is like, us creating a version of home, making LA a home that makes sense to us. A home that fulfills our needs to gather and to help each other go through things. This space is also about letting us have Little Tokyo be a home for many.”

“Welcome to the first show of the 21st year of Tuesday Night Café,” said Tuesday Night Café curator Sean Miura.

Performers range in age and genre, but there is a commonality, which the community-driven audience greatly appreciates.

“I think it's really important for people of any group to feel they have a community and this is a really great place,” says supporter Raina Guthrie. “And it’s also a great place where we get to see art from all different people and just in a place that’s very peaceful. Yeah, I’m always surprised by the talent that I see here showcased.”

Between poets, musicians, DJs and dancers, it is no wonder community driven art brings people together.