Asian American / Asian Research Institute

Play - Mother Russia & Playwright Meet & Greet (AANHPI Night)
2026-02-04 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Signature Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036
Join Potluck Asian America for AANHPI night for a preview performance of Mother Russia, the newest play by acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Lauren Yee, and meet the playwright herself!
The setting of Mother Russia is St. Petersburg, 1992: the Soviet Union has collapsed, McDonald’s has risen, and Evgeny, a young man at a loss, stumbles into a job working surveillance with his old friend Dmitri. Their target: Katya, a former pop singer with questionable allegiances and a mysterious past. As their lives riotously intertwine, Evgeny finds himself falling in love and losing his bearings, all while grappling with the taste of freedom (and fast food) along the way. Lauren Yee’s savvy, off-kilter tale of identity, espionage, and the cost of capitalism makes its New York premiere in this razor-sharp dark comedy.

Sangjaru
2026-02-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY, 10003
Sangjaru is a captivating Korean folk fusion band that merges the energy of traditional Korean music with the infectious rhythms of gypsy swing, funk, rock, and improvisation.
The name “Sangjaru” originates from the combination of two Korean words, “sangja” (box) and “jaru” (sack). While a box retains a fixed form, a sack adapts to its contents. Inspired by this analogy, the band aspires to infuse new creativity into the rich traditions of Korean music. Through a blend of diverse musical influences, Sangjaru creates innovative cultural expressions that are both distinctive and exhilarating.
As the winner of the prestigious Sori Frontier 2019 competition, part of the Jeonju International Sori Festival, Sangjaru has been recognized for their exceptional talent and unique approach to traditional music. The competition aims to promote promising Korean artists to the global music scene, solidifying Sangjaru’s reputation as one of Korea’s most exciting emerging bands. Through their eclectic musical influences, Sangjaru creates captivating cultural expressions that captivate and delight audiences worldwide.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: https://publictheater.org/performances-jp/2026/s/sangjaru/

2026 SoloDuo Dance Festival
2026-02-05 - 2026-02-06 | Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie St, New York, NY, 10002
WHITE WAVE presents the 10th Anniversary SoloDuo Dance Festival featuring 34 exceptional dancemakers from the New York Metro area, across the United States, and around the world—including artists from China, Israel, Korea, Mexico, and Poland. Participating artists were selected by a distinguished panel of presenters and dance professionals.
The program celebrates the unique art of the solo and duet—formats often favored by early-stage choreographers as their companies begin to find their paths within the dance world. The Festival creates new opportunities to display the latest work of both emerging and mid-career choreographers, offering vivid experiences for audiences with the goal of discovering and nurturing young talent. Dixon Place exemplifies a one-of-a kind intimate venue that is particularly well-suited to showcase the artistry of solo and duet performances.
The SoloDuo Festival invariably receives the most enthusiastic audience response. Viewers are taken by the consistently artistic excellence across such a diverse range of performers and styles.
To learn more about the event, please visit below: https://whitewavedance.org

Play - Chinese Republicans
2026-02-05 - 2026-04-05 | Laura Pels Theatre, 111 West 46th Street, New York, NY
Coming to Roundabout this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew.
Three high-powered businesswomen meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.
Shifting between sharp-tongued humor and the harsh realities of modern capitalism, this world premiere production explores themes of assimilation, intergenerational conflict, and gender politics in the workplace—all with unflinching wit and empathy. Chinese Republicans is a new play from a thrilling new American voice, and tells a truly American story.

Digital Safety and Best Practices for Journalists
2026-02-05 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
nstructor: Danielle Meah, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Hearst
In today’s fast-changing digital environment, journalists and community media professionals are increasingly exposed to online threats such as hacking, phishing, doxing, surveillance, and identity theft.
A single security lapse can compromise sensitive sources, disrupt publishing systems, or erode audience trust. This 90-minute virtual training aims to equip community journalists with essential cybersecurity knowledge and practical tools to safeguard their data, communications, and digital presence.

Book Signing and Book Talk: Seonbi Country Korea, Seeking Sagehood
2026-02-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Korean Cultural Center NY, 122 E 32nd St, New York, NY, 10016
Join us for a special Meet & Greet with Pulitzer Prize–winning photojournalist and author Hyungwon Kang. Discover his new book Seonbi Country Korea: Seeking Sagehood and engage in an inspiring conversation about the timeless Seonbi Spirit—honor, courage, wisdom, and leadership.

City Teaching Alliance NYC Launch
2026-02-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Fund for the City of New York, 121 Avenue 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10013, United States
Join us for a panel moderated by Dr. Lisette Nieves, President of the Fund for the City of New York, featuring Dr. Rahesha Amon, Dr. Tequilla Brownie, Dr. Gisele Castro, and Dr. Cassandra Herring. Together, they will explore the challenges facing districts today and the opportunities to build sustainable, diverse educator pipelines through collaboration among school systems, higher education institutions, and community organizations.

Insun Park & Generals: Live from the Bridge
2026-02-05 19:30 - 21:30 | The Bridge Studio
Step into a rare, live-recorded session with Insun Park & Generals – all the way from South Korea – where ancestral rhythms meet modern rock energy, led by master mask-dancer and vocalist Insun Park. Insun is one of the few female masters of the Gangnyeong Mask Dance, and her artistry transforms tradition through fearless reinvention.
Joined by a powerhouse ensemble on guitar, taepyeongso/flute, bass, and drums, Insun Park & Generals fuse Korean traditional music, mask-dance rhythms, and contemporary rock to create a vibrant, boundary-blurring sound.
This intimate in-studio concert will be recorded live by The Bridge Studio’s esteemed engineers — giving you the chance to witness and support the creation of new music that bridges cultural heritage and modern expression.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: https://www.bridgerecordingstudio.com/livefromthebridge/insun-park

Opening Reception: The Red Envelope Show
2026-02-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Pearl River, 452 Broadway, New York, NY, 10013
In its 11th year, the Red Envelope Show features artists from across the country and their interpretations of that integral Lunar New Year tradition, the red envelope. Albert Chau, the show’s curator, hands out the same envelope to the artists (about 100 this year) but all are encouraged to create their own vision. Some celebrate the artists’ personal loves, such as cats, favorite foods, and space exploration, but most center on this year’s Chinese zodiac animal, the horse.

GLOBAL MASHUP: The George Gee Swing Orchestra Meets the Arturo O'Farrill Afro-Latin Octet (Ballroom Dance Meets Mambo)
2026-02-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY, 11354, United States
Get ready for a high-energy, pan-Jazz experience for a GLOBAL MASHUP between the George Gee Swing Orchestra and the Arturo O’Farrill Afro-Latin Octet. On February 7, these master musicians play together for the first time, igniting the stage with their signature sounds.

An Urgent Talk on Origins of ICE and Mass Deportation
2026-02-09 16:00 - 18:00 | NY
Where did ICE and mass deportation come from? Join us for an urgent talk on this by the eminent historian of immigration, Columbia University’s own Mae Ngai, Lung Family Professor of Asian-American Studies and History and prize-winning author of multiple books on the topic. The talk is at 4 PM EST, February 9th, Monday. To register, use the QR code in poster below or click the link below:
Register: https://tinyurl.com/ngai2026

NYC Council Lunar New Year Celebration 2026
2026-02-09 17:30 - 20:00 | City Hall Council Chambers, City Hall, New York, NY, 10007
Join Speaker Julie Menin and the New York City Council for a festive celebration of the Lunar New Year as we welcome the Year of the Horse. This event is hosted in collaboration with Council Members Susan Zhuang, Sandra Ung, Julie Won, Linda Lee, Phil Wong, and Shekar Krishnan, along with numerous other council colleagues and the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus.

International Migration Studies MA Program Virtual Open House
2026-02-09 18:00 - 19:30 | NY
Join us for the Virtual Open House of the M.A. Program in International Migration Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City—an opportunity to explore how migration shapes societies, cities, and policies around the world.

Storied Women: Asian American Playwrights in Conversation
2026-02-09 18:30 - 20:00 | 725 Park Avenue, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10021, United States
New York City welcomes a bountiful gathering of Off-Broadway stage productions this Spring, focusing on sisterhood, motherhood, and family: Chinese Republicans (Alex Lin, Roundabout Theatre), Meat Suit (Aya Ogawa, Second Stage Theater), and JESA (Jeena Yi, Ma-Yi Theater in residence at the Public Theater), among others. This panel discussion, moderated by Carolina Đỗ, celebrates talent, community and hard work, delving deep into fascinating tales of Asian America and the creative minds and lives behind them.
This program is presented by Asia Society in association with the Asian American Arts Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Asian American artists and cultural groups through resource sharing, promotion, and community building.

Naoko Tosa: Sound of Ikebana—Four Seasons Fashion Show
2026-02-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street, New York, NY, 10017, United States
Timed during New York Fashion Week, Japan Society hosts Japanese new media artist Naoko Tosa for her Sound of Ikebana / Four Seasons fashion show.
The fashion show consists of four segments, each themed around one of the four seasons. Using Tosa’s art, it showcases expressions of Japan’s traditional seasons and how they merge with Western interpretations.

Exhibition - LEGENDS: Athleticism in Asian/American Art
2026-02-10 - 2026-05-14 | Queens College – Godwin-Ternbach Museum, 65-30 Kissena Blvd - 405 Klapper Hall, Flushing, NY, 11365
LEGENDS: Athleticism in Asian/American Art explores the intersection of art and sports through the work of contemporary Asian and Asian American artists. While often considered distinct fields, this exhibition highlights how sport and artistic expression serve as interconnected arenas. Featuring artists and collectives across a wide range of artistic media, LEGENDS examines how artists of Asian descent engage with the shared language of art and sport to reflect identity, nationalism, the body, and performance.
The first exhibition to specifically focus on the relationship between art and sports within contemporary Asian and Asian American art, LEGENDS will debut works by The Chinatown Basketball Club, Kaarina Chu Mackenzie, and Astria Suparak.

Navigating Uncertainty & Building Confidence: Part I
2026-02-10 15:00 - 16:30 | Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10065
There is so much we are all juggling -schoolwork, jobs, family, friends, and the state of the world. Oftentimes, we don’t always know for sure what is going to happen to that assignment, that internship application, our family member’s health, or even our own neighborhood or home countries. How do we deal with how scary the uncertainty can be? And how do we build confidence in ourselves despite not always being perfect and sometimes just not totally knowing what will happen? In this two part series, we will address these questions.
In Part I, we will hear from an intergenerational and multi-cultural panel about their experiences and strategies for dealing with uncertainty.
This program is open to Hunter College students of all identities and backgrounds. Attendance at both events is not required to sign up.

State of AANHPI Charitable Giving
2026-02-10 15:00 - 17:00 | NY
Join AAPI Data, AAPIP, Asian Pacific Community Fund, Asian Pacific Fund, and Korean American Community Foundation for this funder briefing on the State of AANHPI Charitable Giving.
This briefing will share the latest insights from the most comprehensive survey sample of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, administered by AAPI Data and AP-NORC. Specific findings will include the reasons why AANHPIs choose to give to charitable causes, demographics, and what the future of giving will look like for the coming generations.

ICE Brutality: State Violence and the Machinery of Fear
2026-02-10 18:30 - 20:30 | 47-49 E65th Street
Roosevelt House is pleased to present an urgent, timely panel discussion–co-hosted by both the Roosevelt House Policy Program and the Roosevelvet House Human Rights Program-on the rapid expansion of immigration enforcement and its consequences for cities across the country.

Luck and Romance in the Year of the Horse
2026-02-10 18:30 - 21:00 | NY
To celebrate both Lunar New Year and Valentines Day, Potluck Asian America invites you to a special, intimate conversation with Joanna Lee and Ken Smith, who will present their Pocket Chinese Almanac, a must-have treasure trove of Chinese cultural knowledge. Joanna and Ken will discuss the centuries-old traditions of the Almanac as well as predictions for the year of the horse, which symbolizes vitality, freedom, speed, and perseverance. Find out what might lie ahead regarding romance, peace, and prosperity in the coming year!
The evening includes a buffet dinner, a copy of the 2026 Pocket Chinese Almanac, and lots of good vibes!

Book event: Patmeena Sabit: Good People with Prachi Gupta (Hybrid)
2026-02-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Books Are Magic Montague, 122 Montague Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11201
Event guidelines:

Each ticket will include either a copy of the featured book or a $10 Books Are Magic gift card.
Additional copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.
A signing will follow the talk.
Home address is collected for contact tracing purposes; it will not be used otherwise.
The event will also be livestreamed for free here: https://youtube.com/live/18pKigEfvV8
As a reminder: If you are not feeling well, please do not come to the event, even if you have a ticket; email us and we’ll work it out.

If you have any questions regarding these guidelines or to request accessibility accommodations, please contact eventhelp@booksaremagic.net.

Zorah Sharaf could do no wrong. Zorah Sharaf brought shame upon her family. What’s the truth? Depends on who you ask.
The Sharaf family is the picture of success. Prosperous, rich, happy. They came to this country as refugees with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. And now, after years of hard work, they live in the most exclusive neighborhood, their growing family attending the most prestigious schools. Zorah, the eldest daughter, is the apple of her father’s eye.
When an unthinkable tragedy strikes, everyone is left reeling and the family is thrust into the court of public opinion. There is talk that behind closed doors the Sharafs’ happy household was anything but. Did the Sharaf family achieve the American dream? Or was the image of the model immigrant family just a façade?
Like a literary game of ping-pong, Good People compels the reader to reconsider what might have happened even on the previous page. Told through a kaleidoscope of perspectives, it is a riveting, provocative, and haunting story of family—sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, and the communities that claim us as family in difficult times.

Patmeena Sabit was born in Kabul a few years after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. When she was a month old, her family fled the conflict and became refugees in Pakistan, joining the millions of other Afghans that had sought refuge there. They later moved to the United States and she grew up in Virginia. She currently lives in Toronto.

Prachi Gupta is an award-winning journalist and former senior reporter at Jezebel. They Called Us Exceptional was longlisted for a PEN/Open Book Award. She won a Writers Guild Award for her investigative essay “Stories About My Brother.” Her work was featured in The Best American Magazine Writing 2021 and has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post Magazine, Marie Claire, Salon, Elle, and elsewhere. She lives in New York City.

Korean Through K-Pop Workshop
2026-02-10 19:30 - 21:30 | NY
Dive into the K-pop songs as authentic materials to learn Korean grammar, expressions, and culture. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we will explore love-themed songs and talk about dating culture in Korea. Lyrics will guide us in uncovering everyday language, cultural references, and advanced grammar patterns.

Golden Blessings: Discovering Korean Cultural Heritage
2026-02-11 - 2026-02-14 | Korean Cultural Center NY, 122 E 32nd St, New York, NY, 10016
Presented for Seollal, Korea’s Lunar New Year, this program highlights the richness of Korean cultural heritage.

Putting the ‘Rec’ Back in NYC Parks and Recreation
2026-02-11 08:00 - 11:00 | The Greene Space, 44 Charlton St, New York, NY
For decades, NYC Parks was known as the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, and recreation once accounted for nearly one-third of the agency’s budget. Today, most New Yorkers think of the agency primarily as steward of the city’s public parks, while recreation represents barely 5 percent of its expense budget—and years of underinvestment have left the system struggling to realize its full potential, with fewer programs than before the pandemic, staffing shortages, and aging rec centers, field houses, pools, and athletic facilities in need of major upgrades and expansion to meet demand. With New Yorkers spending more time indoors and struggling with health challenges—from obesity to social isolation—it may be time to put the Rec back in Parks & Rec.

Learning Lab: Narrative Change for Racial Equity
2026-02-11 13:00 - 16:00 | NY
The stories we tell, the perceptions that take root in our minds, and the clichés we repeat all play a significant role in shaping our worldviews and, ultimately, the policies, practices and systems we support. Together, we can have the narrative power to imagine and bring forth a just, multiracial democracy where we all have what we need to ensure our families and neighbors thrive.
Over the past 60 years, there has been a coordinated, well-resourced effort by people and organizations, who desire to maintain power and wealth for a few, to popularize a set of harmful narratives that foster fear and division, limit democracy, and institutionalize racial inequities. In recent years, we have witnessed attacks on our bodies, attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools and workplaces, and attacks on our human, civil, and political rights. But, these attacks do not have to determine our fate; we can live in a society where we, along with our neighbors and government institutions, make collective policy decisions, co-create programs to meet community needs, and ensure public policies and programs are implemented effectively and fairly.
To make our vision of a just, multiracial democracy a reality, we must seed and spread new narratives that show what is possible when we join together to end systemic racism and create a better future for all. We do this, together, by reaching millions of different people, over time, across many voices, and across a variety of mediums.
This is what we call “narrative change”.

Committee of 100 Conversations – Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes - BD Wong
2026-02-11 18:00 - 19:00 | NY
We are pleased to invite you to attend the tenth Committee of 100 Conversations – “Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” event on that will feature BD Wong, the famed and versatile American actor and activist.

William Pao and Nobel Laureate Harold Varmus Fireside Chat
2026-02-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Cushman & Wakefield New York City, 1290 6th Avenue, Manhattan, NY, 10104, United States
Presented by: Yale Life Sciences Alumni Association | Association of Asian American Yale Alumni |Harvard Asian American Alumni Alliance

Breakthrough, by William Pao, MD, PhD
‘A must read.’ Siddhartha Mukherjee, bestselling author of The Emperor of All Maladies
What does it take to create a new medicine? The trajectory from laboratory to your neighbourhood pharmacy rarely runs smooth. Drug hunting demands radical leaps of imagination, the expertise of many… and a hefty dollop of luck. Unsurprisingly, ‘eureka’ moments come few and far between – but, when they do, they change lives.
Charting the discovery of eight revolutionary drugs, Dr William Pao cuts to the innovative heart of biomedical research and celebrates the tireless work of the scientists, doctors, patients and families fighting for better medical care. For each of these medicines, whether a potentially life-saving new treatment for cancer, or something as commonplace as paracetamol, there stands a cast of characters and a wealth of stories. Documenting these fascinating journeys, Breakthrough grants a privileged, behind-the-scenes look at the medicines that improve – and very often save – our lives.
Foreword by Nobel Prize-Winner Harold Varmus

Claypot Rice: A Taste & Talk Workshop w/ Jon Kung
2026-02-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Think!Chinatown Studio, 1 Pike Street, New York, NY, 10002
Think!Chinatown is excited to welcome Chinese-American chef Jon Kung to our kitchen studio for a cooking demo! Learn how to make the iconic Cantonese dish, Taro and Black Bean Spare Rib Claypot Rice with chef Jon Kung. This hearty dish is great for family meals in the winter and could be a new addition to your LNY celebrations.
T!C Kitchen Programs Lead, Anna Ye, will chat with Jon about claypot rice, the traditions around the dish, and Chinatown neighborhood shops to buy ingredients for claypot rice.
After the session, we’ll send you off to our favorite claypot rice spots in the neighborhood for a Chinatown dinner.

The Future of the United Nations: Navigating Geopolitical Strain and Institutional Uncertainty
2026-02-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY, 10007
A high-level discussion on the future of the United Nations at a moment of profound geopolitical strain and institutional uncertainty. The conversation will bring together current Permanent Representatives and former senior UN officials to examine both the prospects and constraints of meaningful Security Council reform.

MOCA TALKS with Heather Guo: Cheongsam as Modern Icon
2026-02-11 18:30 - 19:30 | Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre Street, New York, NY, 10013
Presented during New York Fashion Week, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) invites you to an evening exploring the cheongsam, also known as the qipao, as a powerful symbol of modernity, femininity, and cultural exchange. Fashion curator and designer Heather Guo will trace how this iconic garment evolved during a period of profound social, political, and aesthetic transformation, as Chinese women navigated new ideas of identity, cosmopolitanism, and self expression at home and abroad.
