BERKELEY — An evening with Lawson Inada and Judith Kajiwara, a J-Sei special event, will be held on Friday, Feb. 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. at J-Sei Senior Center, located at Berkeley Methodist United Church, 1710 Carleton St., Berkeley.
Inada was named Oregon’s fifth poet laureate in 2006. His book “Legends from Camp” won the American Book Award in 1994. His other books include “Drawing the Line” and “Before the War.” He is the editor of “Only What We Could Carry: The Japanese American Internment Experience” and co-editor of “Aiiieeeee!,” a collection of Asian American literature.
Inada is well-known throughout the country for his poetry and is a major voice in contemporary letters. He is also a leading figure in the field of education and serves as a multicultural consultant for schools and agencies throughout the nation.
Social hour begins a 6 p.m., followed by a talk by Inada at 7 p.m. Judith Kajiwara, artist-in-residence at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, will perform butoh dances based on Inada’s poems at 8 p.m.
A $5 donation is appreciated; however, no one will be turned away.
Attendees may pre-order (deadline: Feb. 22) a J-Sei sushi bento box for $9 by contacting Musashi Restaurant at (510) 843-2017. Only pre-paid bentos will be distributed at the event.
To RSVP, email jseievents@gmail.com or call (510) 848-3560.