Events at the Wang Center
Spring 2025
No more programs for Spring 2025. Please check back later for Fall 2025 programs.
Past Programs
Film
Tales of the Night
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Theatre
(2011 | 84 minutes | Animation | Directed by Michel Ocelot)
Tales of the Night marks renowned animator Michel Ocelot’s stunning debut in 3D animation. A hit at the Berlin Film Festival, the film builds on the shadow puppet style of Ocelot’s 2000 film Princes and Princesses, featuring silhouetted characters set against dazzling, kaleidoscopic Day-Glo backgrounds. The subtle 3D effect enhances the visual splendor, creating a magical diorama-like experience.
The film weaves six enchanting fables set in diverse locales—Tibet, medieval Europe, an Aztec kingdom, the African plains, and even the Land of the Dead. Dragons, werewolves, sorcerers, and talking bees fill these visual stories as history meets fairytale, each ending with a delightful twist.
© 2011 Nord-Ouest Films • Studio O • StudioCanal
Performance
Celebrating Lunar New Year with Sangjaru: Korean Folk Gypsy Swing
Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Theatre
Join us for an unforgettable Lunar New Year celebration featuring Sangjaru, the dynamic Korean folk fusion band that masterfully blends traditional Korean music with the vibrant rhythms of gypsy swing, funk, rock, and improvisation. The band’s name, “Sangjaru,” combines the Korean words “sangja” (box) and “jaru” (sack), referencing their mission to infuse new creativity into the rich traditions of Korean music. The winner of the prestigious Sori Frontier music competition in 2019, Sangjaru is recognized for its exceptional talent and unique approach. Experience the innovative and exhilarating cultural expressions of Cho Sungyoon on guitar, Kwon Hyochang on janggu (hourglass drum) and kkwaenggwari (small gong), and Nam Seonghun on ajaeng (bowed zither). Don’t miss this captivating Lunar New Year event!
The performance is presented with the support of the Center for Korean Studies at SBU.
Film
Napping Princess
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Theatre
(2017 | 110 minutes | Animation | Directed by Kenji Kamiyama)
Just days before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Kokone Morikawa finds herself caught between reality and a vivid dream world of fantastical machines. When her father, a skilled mechanic, is kidnapped over stolen technology, Kokone and her friend Morio must unravel the mystery. As they journey through dreams and reality, they uncover clues to her father’s disappearance and a startling truth about her family.
© 2017 “Ancien and the Magic Tablet” Film Partners
Lecture
Glazed Realities: A Journey in Clay
By Sunkoo Yuh
Friday, March 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Theatre
Explore the transformative artistry of Sunkoo Yuh, a celebrated ceramicist and professor of art at the University of Georgia, Athens, whose works are exhibited in esteemed institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Best known for his intricate groupings of forms—plants, animals, fish, and human figures—Yuh’s sculptures are reflections of “stacked histories,” drawing deeply from personal experiences, cultural background, and daily encounters.
In this lecture, Yuh offers a rare glimpse into his creative journey, exploring the inspirations, relationships, and concerns that shape his art. He will discuss his symbolic language, his vibrant and innovative use of high-temperature glazes, and his distinctive approach to crafting three-dimensional narrative sculptures that weave themes of identity, spirituality, and the human experience. The lecture concludes with the opening reception of Yuh’s solo exhibition, providing an opportunity to engage further with his transformative work.
About the presenter
Sunkoo Yuh is professor of art at the University of Georgia, Athens. He earned his MFA at New York State College, Alfred University, and his BFA at Seoul’s Hongik University. He has held residencies at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana; at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin; and at the Clayarch Gimhae Museum’s Ceramic Creative Center in South Korea, to name a few. His work has been exhibited at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Alabama; the Seoul Museum of Art; and the Clayarch Gimhae Museum, among many other venues. Yuh has also participated in France’s 2016 International Biennale of Vallauris and the Renwick Craft Invitational 2009 held by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. He was awarded the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters and Sculptors Grant in 2005 and won the Grand Prize at South Korea’s 2nd World Ceramic Biennale 2003, among many other awards.
Workshop
The Elegant Craft of Japanese Flower Arrangements (Ikebana)
By Toyomi Sobue
Friday, March 28, 2025
Skylight Gallery
Session 1: Ikebana Essentials: Discover the Art of Japanese Flower Arrangement
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Session 2: Ikebana Mastery: Elevating Technique and Creative Expression
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
The Charles B. Wang Center is proud to again offer a series of ikebana workshops led by Toyomi Sobue. These hands-on sessions invite participants to explore the fundamental principles and techniques of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. Designed for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners, these workshops provide a serene and creative space to delve into this timeless art form.
Each session includes all necessary materials, enabling participants to craft their own unique floral arrangements to take home. Guided by Toyomi Sobue’s expertise, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the elegance, simplicity, and mindfulness inherent in ikebana. Perfect for those seeking to explore new artistic expressions or unwind in a peaceful environment, this workshop series offers an opportunity to infuse your life with the beauty of floral artistry.
Join us regularly to nurture your creativity and bring a touch of Japanese elegance to your surroundings!
About the presenter
Toyomi Sobue was born and raised in Nagoya, Japan, and started practicing ikebana while she was in college. She subsequently became a certified ikebana instructor. Sobue moved to New York in 1990 and has been spreading Japanese culture in the New York area ever since. In 2007, Soube founded the Long Island Japanese Culture Center (www.lijcc.org) in Port Washington to introduce Japanese culture to both Americans and Japanese. She offers ikebana and Japanese tea ceremony workshops in many colleges and special events.
Film
Robot Dreams
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Theatre
(2023 | 102 minutes | Animation | Directed by Pablo Berger)
In bustling 1980s Manhattan, DOG, weary of solitude, builds a robot companion to share his days. Their bond grows strong, set against the vibrant rhythm of the city. Together, they explore life’s joys. But one fateful summer night, DOG is faced with a heartbreaking decision and must leave ROBOT behind on the beach. However, their friendship is forever etched in the sands of time.
Will they ever meet again?
Lecture
“Mama, Are we Black or White?” and Other Intergenerational Conversations for Freedom
By OiYan Poon
Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Theatre
Dr. OiYan Poon, a nationally recognized scholar on race and education, will discuss how answering her daughter’s questions about race inspired her book Asian American Is Not a Color: Conversations About Race, Affirmative Action, and Family. Recognizing that even young children seek to understand complex issues, Dr. Poon emphasizes the importance of nurturing curiosity about race, gender, and oppression.
Amidst nationwide debates and restrictive policies targeting educators and librarians, Dr. Poon reflects on the challenges of parenting and teaching in this current political climate. She advocates for fostering intergenerational conversations about how communities and leaders resist marginalization and advance social justice. Her talk underscores the critical role of education in cultivating knowledge and understanding in a diverse society.
Presented in partnership with the AAPI Heritages Committee.
Co-sponsored by the Department of Asian & Asian American Studies, University Libraries, and the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Intercultural Initiatives.
About the presenter
Dr. OiYan Poon, the co-director of the College Admissions Futures Co-Laborative, researches Asian American racial politics, education access, and affirmative action. Her book Asian American Is Not a Color (2024) explores race relations and education policy through personal narratives and interviews. She is also the co-editor of Rethinking College Admissions (2022), which examines systemic inequities in admissions. An award-winning scholar, her work has been featured in the New York Times, NPR, and other media publications. Born in Massachusetts to Hong Kong immigrants, Dr. Poon lives in Chicago with her family, and enjoys baking, reality TV, and lakefront strolls.
Festival
Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom Festival
Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Rain or Shine)
Charles B. Wang Center
Click below to view and download the program schedule
Admission includes all film viewings, workshops, and theater presentations.
Welcome spring to Long Island with the blooming of sakura (cherry blossoms), the sounds of taiko drums, and a wondrous array of Japanese cultural exhibits at the Wang Center! The Wang Center will provide many exciting activities, including koto plays, Japanese traditional dances, martial arts demonstrations, bonsai workshops, calligraphy workshops, ikebana flower arrangement, tea workshops, manga drawing, origami paper folding, kimono dress-ups, and cosplay (costumed role-play of a Japanese manga character) for all ages. Please join us in your favorite manga character costume!
This festival is co-produced by the Japan Center at Stony Brook University and the Ryu Shu Kan Japanese Arts Center and supported by AARP Long Island.
Workshop
The Art of Bonsai
By Robert Mahler
Friday, May 2, 2025
East Hall
Session 1: Bonsai Basics: Cultivating Your First Tree
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Session 2: Mastering Bonsai: Advanced Techniques and Artistic Refinement
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
The Charles B. Wang Center is thrilled to welcome back Robert Mahler, the renowned bonsai master, for our seasonal bonsai workshops in collaboration with the Long Island Bonsai Society. Building on the success of his previous sessions, Mahler returns this spring to guide both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts through the art and science of bonsai. Through expert instruction and engaging hands-on demonstrations, participants will gain the knowledge and techniques necessary to nurture and shape their own bonsai creations. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best and embark on your own bonsai journey in a supportive and inspiring environment!
Co-presented by the Long Island Bonsai Society
About the presenter
Robert Mahler is the president of the Pennsylvania Bonsai Society. He also oversees the bonsai exhibit at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s annual Philadelphia Flower Show. Mahler discovered his passion for bonsai early in life and apprenticed under the exclusive direction of the world-renowned bonsai artist Susumo Sudo. He previously served as the curator of bonsai at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (1994–2005) and currently runs Kifu Bonsai. He consults for various horticultural institutions.
Film
Genius Party
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Theatre
(2007 | 85 minutes | Animation | Directed by Atsuko Fukushima, Shōji Kawamori, Shinji
Kimura, Yoji Fukuyama, Hideki Futamura, Masaaki Yuasa, and Shinichirō Watanabe)
From the visionary animation house STUDIO 4°C, creators of MFKZ and Children of the Sea, comes Genius Party, an anthology celebrating the limitless creativity found in Japanese animation. Featuring an all-star lineup of animators given full artistic freedom, this is an extraordinary collection of stunning and imaginative short films. Each piece is a unique journey through fantastic worlds and showcases diverse storytelling and groundbreaking animation styles.
© Genius Party