APICC is proud to feature and present resident artist, composer, pianist and music director, Jon Jang as part of the 24th annual United States of Asian America Festival: Forging Our Futures - SoMa & Chinatown. Jon Jang will give a virtual residency exploring what it is to be ‘Alien’, ‘American’ and ‘Asian American’. In collaboration with poet, writer, performance artist and educator, Paul S. Flores, the series will culminate in a performance of Jon Jang’s new work, Never Again Now!, featuring the Jon Jangtet and Paul S. Flores!

EVENTS IN THE SERIES

BROWN DREAMS featuring Paul S. Flores

Thursday, May 6 @ 7-9PM PST

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Paul S. Flores presents a dynamic introduction to and spoken word presentation about Latino movements for liberation and solidarity. The evening will feature Flores performing new spoken word pieces addressing the internment of Latino immigrants and the impact of family incarceration and separation on the greater Latino community. Flores will also invite two artists from the Latino and Asian community to join his performance and present their work on Latino Asian solidarity. 

A Conversation between Jon Jang and Paul S. Flores

Wednesday, May 19 @ 7-9PM PST

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Join Jon Jang and Paul Flores in conversation about the creative process of Never Again Now!  They will explore the historical struggles their communities face have faced and the power of art to lead us through the challenges of today.

Never Again, NOW! at Portsmouth Square

Sunday, May 30 @ 3:30-5:45PM PST

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ABOUT THE ARTISTS

For nearly four decades, composer and pianist Jon Jang give a musical voice to a history that has been silent. A majority of his works represents a chronology of Chinese American history in San Francisco such as Island: The Immigrant Suite No. 2 for the Kronos Quartet.

Paul S. Flores’ deep dive into themes of transnationality and citizenship comes at a crucial time in contemporary history. Flores creates plays and oral narratives that spur and support societal movements that lead to change. Flores’s recent play “On The Hill: I Am Alex Nieto” brought San Francisco communities together divided by gentrification and police violence. Flores’ ability to paint a vivid picture of bi-cultural Latino experience is shaped by growing up near the Mexican border. As a San Francisco artist of Mexican and Cuban-American heritage, Flores has built a national reputation for interview-based theater integrating Latino and indigenous healing practices to tell the stories of real people impacted by immigration and systemic inequalities. His comprehensive body of work touches on the immigrant story in all its complexities: from the violent—forced migration, gang life, war, incarceration and separated families—to intergenerational relationships and preserving important cultural values.

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Header image alternative text: A red-orange paper textured event graphic with text that reads Never Again, NOW! A conversation with Jon Jang & Paul S. Flores. To the right are head shot images of Jon Jang and Paul S. Flores.