Los Angeles Premiere of Mele Murals

The Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) and Visual Communications (VC) proudly present MELE MURALS, a film by Tadashi Nakamura. The Los Angeles premiere screening will be on Friday, August 5 at 8:00 p.m. at the Aratani Theatre.

MELE MURALS (melemurals.com) is an hour-long documentary on the transformative power of modern graffiti art and ancient Hawaiian culture for a new generation of Native Hawaiians. At the center of the story are two renowned street artists – Estria Miyashiro (aka Estria) and John Hina (aka Prime) – a group of Native Hawaiian youth, and the rural community of Waimea.

“VC is excited to be working with JACCC to showcase Tad Nakamura’s stories about Native Hawaiians and how the arts can impact communities.” said Francis Cullado, Executive Director of Visual Communications. “Through MELE MURALS, we hope that our local community will be inspired by the efforts of Native Hawaiians to educate youth, preserve culture, and build communities.”

The event schedule will be as follows:
6:30 p.m. – Intimate Garden Concert with popular Hawaiian artist PAULA FUGA (VIP ticket holders only)
8:00 p.m. – Film Screening of MELE MURALS
9:30 p.m. – Q&A with filmmakers and featured street artists ESTRIA and PRIME

Tickets are available at: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10099520. VIP ticket ($40) holders will enjoy an intimate 6:30 p.m. concert in JACCC’s James Irvine Japanese Garden with Paula Fuga and reserved theater seating. For general admission ($20), attendees will see the 8:00 p.m. screening, a shortened performance by Fuga and Q&A with the film’s cast and crew. For groups of 10 or more, tickets are $15 each person.

MELE MURALS will be screened on Friday, August 5 at 8 p.m. (6:30 p.m. VIP reception) at the Aratani Theatre at JACCC, 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The closest parking lot is Joe’s Auto Parks or Sho Tokyo Garage on 350 E. Second Street. Parking is also available at Judge John Aiso Parking Lot, located at 101 Judge John Aiso Street. Several pay lots and metered street parking are also available in Little Tokyo.