Little Tokyo Night
7/29 Little Tokyo Night Full Schedule
*You must be RSVP'd for this event.
Check in
8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sheraton Universal registration area, next to the Expo Hall.
We will be checking you in for the event all day at our registration counters at the Sheraton Universal. Please stop by so you don't have to wait in line later for the buses or at the theater.
Snacks!
5 p.m. - 6 p.m. or until supplies run out, Sheraton Universal Ballroom Circle area
We have banh mi for you! Stop by the Sheraton Universal's Ballroom Circle area (where we had the Opening Reception) to get yours. You must be checked in to receive one. We will not be bringing them to the JACCC.
Buses
5:30 - 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Universal Ballroom Circle
Buses from Sheraton Universal to JACCC will depart on a first-come, first-served basis. Buses leave from the Ballroom Circle (where we had Opening Reception) and NOT by the lobby entrance. You can line up from 5 p.m.
If you don’t make it to the bus on time: Take the Metro B Line (Red) from Universal City to Civic Center/Grand Central Station, followed by a short walk. Google Maps says it’s 50 minutes door to door.
David Ono's Defining Courage
6:30 p.m. Doors open
7:30-8:50 p.m. Show
The presentation takes place at JACCC's Aratani Theatre. You must be credentialed. If you are getting there on your own, here is the address:
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
244 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Explore Little Tokyo - optional
9 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Explore Little Tokyo on your own. There is a small reception at Sake Dojo on a first-come, first-serve basis. We have volunteers around Little Tokyo to guide you to the venue.
Return bus
11 p.m. at the JACCC
Buses back to the Sheraton Universal (or the Marriott if you are with our student group) depart at 11pm from in front of JACCC--the same place where the bus dropped people off. If you miss this bus, you are on your own! Have a safe night :) Buses will return to the Sheraton around midnight.
Join Us in Little Tokyo!
Members of the host chapter for this year’s convention, AAJA-LA, and our Presenting Sponsors The Walt Disney Company, ABC News, ESPN, and ABC Owned Television Stations invite you to a special off-site event Friday night, in Little Tokyo! First, let award-winning filmmaker and ABC7 News Anchor David Ono take you on a gripping and emotional journey to the World War II battlefields of Italy, France, Germany and Japan, where a segregated unit of Japanese Americans known as the 100th/442nd fought in some of the most incredible yet little known battles. Immerse yourself in this multimedia presentation at the JACCC, that includes stunning cinematic photography, live music composed by David Benoit, historical footage, and interviews with veterans. Then, explore Little Tokyo for a few hours and enjoy this charming neighborhood. This is an RSVP-only event.
UPDATE JULY 22, 2022: There is currently a waitlist for both Little Tokyo Night and the Gala. If you are already registered for Little Tokyo Night, our bus capacity is limited so please arrange private transport to get there.
Please bear with us as we sort thru overwhelming demand. We are overbooked and are trying to accommodate as many of you as possible. We are blown away by such a great response and will reach out next week.
Little Tokyo Night is an offsite event that includes attendees outside of #AAJA22. AAJA is not confirming the others’ vaccination status, and we are not requiring them to follow AAJA’s COVID-19 Policy. Please attend at your own risk.
DEFINING COURAGE
How do you find your inner courage? Who inspires you and gives you strength when you need it? "Defining Courage" is a gripping and emotional journey into the legacy of the Nisei Soldier, a segregated combat team of Japanese Americans considered the greatest fighting unit in American military history, yet most have never heard of them. Join filmmaker and ABC7 News Anchor David Ono, and world renowned composer David Benoit, as they immerse you into the horrifying yet uplifting world of these heroes who fought prejudice at home and the enemy abroad. You’ll fly onto the World War II battlefields in Italy, France, Germany and Japan, in an immersive, multimedia presentation that includes stunning cinematic photography, live music, historic film and interviews. This masterpiece of innovative storytelling allows you to see, hear, and especially, feel their incredible heroics. This is not a history lesson. It’s a demonstration about inner strength as we all go forward and deal with our own search for courage in today’s world.