What is the best (and possibly only) place to go in Los Angeles on a Tuesday? 

Particularly if you are API and love amazing API performers?

Why, none other than the Tuesday Night Café – in Little Tokyo, at the Aratani Courtyard.  Tuesday Night Café is an open mic and entertainment event that occurs the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of every month, for every season (except Winter, because the event is outdoors, and Winter rains in LA).

Tuesday Night Café is important to our community for so many reasons.  In the continual barrage of misrepresented API media and characters like The Last Airbender, it’s important to have a space where API talent can perform, put out their name, build a fan base, and grow their art.  It’s important to have a space where audiences from all backgrounds can come and experience the spectrum of API experiences and performance.  Particularly for API youth, it’s important to have a space where they can realize their own performance ambitions.

Tuesday Night Café has consistently drawn crowds of approximately 100 people each night, and shown that there is a demand and an interest in this work.  More importantly, Tuesday Night Café has shown there is a community, building around the strength and authenticity of these API works.  As the host JohnEric always tells his audience “Put a some money in the donation box, look at the person next to you, and say “You’re worth it.”

After all, the 5 dollars (or 500 dollars, hopefully) you’ve just donated to Tuesday Night Café isn’t really for Tuesday Night Café.  It’s for the person next to you.  It’s an investment in them, and an investment in the community you’ve built together.

So.  That being said.  Now is the time I ask you for money!  But wait!  This is one heck of an offer!

Tuesday Night Project is hosting their annual TN Party this Saturday, July 31^st!  It will be the biggest dance party performance blowout of the year – with DJs, live music, dancing, live artists, silent art auction, and a very special Video SuperCollider showcasing short film submissions from filmmakers all over the world! 

This is an important event – it is one of the main sources of revenue for Tuesday Night Café and allows it to continue growing and building our community.  It’s important that the API community recognize, and support, venues like TNC.  It is important for developing our consciousness, our community, our performers, and our politics. The upcoming TN Party is a great and fun way to do it if you’re in the Los Angeles area, please support this amazing event.

Tickets will be 20 dollars at the door.  This is a family event, children 12 and under will be free!  It is happening July 31^st, JACCC Plaza at 244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, from 5PM to 11PM.  Check out the website here: www.tuesdaynightproject.org.

Also, don’t forget to come out and enjoy the Tuesday Night Café if you’re in the area.  The next one will be August 3^rd, 2010 – 120 Judge John Aiso St, Los Angeles CA.  The event itself is free, but please remember to donate!