Celebrate Korean American heritage at HoMA ‘Songs of Love’ cinema concert
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - January 13 marks National Korean American Day, which celebrates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the U.S. That first group landed in Honolulu in 1903.
To celebrate, the Honolulu Museum of Art hosted a special encore cinema concert at the Doris Duke Theater Saturday with documentary filmmaker Jinyoung Lee and internationally acclaimed concert violinist Chee-Yun.
Lee is director and executive producer of “Songs of Love from Hawaii,” which captures 122 years of Korean immigration to Hawaii through music and explores themes of cultural identity, resilience, and immigration.
The HoMA event includes a screening of Songs of Love, a live classical performance by Chee-Yun, who is featured in the film, and a discussion with Jinyoung Lee, Gary Pak, Chee-Yun and Jonathan Korth. Tickets are $15, and free for attendees 18 and under.
“I’m honored to be a part of this incredible project. The storytelling in the film is moving, and performing alongside it adds a special dimension to the experience. Music has the power to bring people together, and I’m excited to contribute my performance to complement the film,” Chee-Yun said.
“While enjoying Songs of Love and the performance, I would be so happy if our audience could reflect on their own roots,” Lee said.
Songs of Love features rare archival footage, stories like that of picture bride Lim Ok Soon, accompanied by a performance by Grammy-winning violist Richard Youngjae O’Neil, and stirring renditions of “Aloha Oe” by virtuoso violinists Ignace “Iggy” Jang and Chee-Yun, and slack-key guitarist Keola Beamer.
For more information, visit therainbowwords.com/songs-of-love.
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