Thursday July 9th -- NYC

Come out for a night of literature exploring themes of identity and migration. Nonfiction writers Nahid Rachlin and Minal Hajratwala read from Persian Girls and Leaving India. Poets Ching-In Chen and Kim-An Lieberman will read from their collections The Heart's Traffic and Breaking the Map.

7 pm
The Workshop
16 West 32nd St, 10th floor, New York
$ 5 suggested donation

How to Make a Film In Japan and Beyond Panel

This panel discussion with directors Kenneth Eng (Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball), Kazuyoshi Kumakiri (Non-ko, Freesia) and producer Keiko Kusakabe (Non-ko, Vital) will focus on international production, finance, and cross-border storytelling. Part of JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film. More info here.

7:30 to 9:30 pm
Japan Society
333 East 47th St, New York
$ 15 general/ $ 10 members, tickets here

Saturday July 11th -- NYC

(AC)2: The First Annual Asian American ComiCon

Comix Nerds Arise! Check out this landmark celebration of the unique role and contemporary and historical legacy of Asians and Asian Americans in the world of graphic fiction. Special guests from comics, literature, and academia include Derek Kirk Kim (The Eternal Smile), Greg Pak (Incredible Hulk), Misako Rocks! (Biker Girl) and many more. The event is divided into three tracks: Reading Comics, Making Comics, and Creator Spotlight, with in-depth workshops like "The Asianization of Pop Culture", The New Villians: Muslim Insurgents, Chinese Spies, North Korean Dictators", and "The Business of Comics". Complete schedule of events and guest list here.

10 am to 5 pm
Museum of Chinese in America
215 Centre St, New York
$ 25 adults / $ 15 students / $ 75 VIP; tickets here

Saturday July 11th -- San Francisco

Boogie Nights in J-Town

The Nihonmachi Street Fair will be throwing a dance party to raise funds for this annual grassroots community event. An all star-band of Bay Area musicians will make you boogie down 'til the break o' dawn.

8 pm to midnight
Hotel Kabuki
1625 Post Street, Japantown, San Francisco
$30 pre-sale (email grace(at)nihonmachistreetfair(dot)org / $ 40 door

Stand Up for APAture

Check out this comedy showcase featuring hoboFish Improv, Kamikaze Theory, and stand-up comedians Josef Anolin, Allan Manalo, and Edwin Li, plus musical parodies by Alexander Shen. Proceeds benefit Kearny Street Workshop's 11th Annual APAture Festival, the Bay Area's largest gathering of Asian Pacific American art.

7 to 9 pm
Kearny Street Workshop at PariSoMa
1436 Howard St, San Francisco
$ 5 - $ 15 sliding scale at the door

Tuesday July 4th -- NYC

Jammin' Asian Fundraiser

Laugh Lounge presents Jammin' Asian, a night of stand-up comedy, music and a magic performance. Featured artists include musician Debbie Chou and Asians Misbehavin's Daniel Kim. Procceeds will go towards the Asian American Writers' Workshop and the APA artist community it supports.  

8 to 11 pm
The Laugh Lounge
151 Essex Street, New York
$ 10 advance online / $ 15 door