June Aochi Berk at the Nisei Week Parade in 2018.
In commemoration of the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which authorized the World War II concentration camps for Japanese Americans, Centenary United Methodist Church will host “Day of Remembrance: Stories of Incarceration Through Media and Art” on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 12:30 p.m.
A screening of the short film “Misadventures of a Nisei Week Queen,” featuring former Nisei Week Queen June Aochi Berk, will be followed by an insightful talk with her as she shares her experiences of being placed at Santa Anita Assembly Center and the Rohwer concentration camp in Arkansas. In addition, she will also discuss Presidential Proclamation 2525 and the Tuna Canyon Detention Center.
In addition to the film and discussion, an exhibition of selected paintings by the late renowned artist Masato “Eddy” Kurushima will be available for viewing and a performance by the Centenary Chikara Taiko drummers will round out the event followed by a reception.
The program is open to the public and there is no cost to attend.
Centenary UMC is located at 300 S. Central Ave. at Third Street in Little Tokyo. For more information, contact the church office at (213) 617-9097 or connect@centenaryDTLA.org.