Great Leap celebrates 25 years of innovative multicultural programming with its 25th Anniversary Reception and Auction on Saturday, September 13, 2003 in West Los Angeles.

The event will be a gathering of friends and artists, some of whom have watched Great Leap flower from its inception in 1978 as an Asian American dance company, to a nationally recognized organization bringing theater, dance and music to diverse communities all over the country.

"Despite the devastating cuts to the arts in California, this year marks a tremendous milestone for Great Leap, and for the resiliency and spirit of the pioneering artists and staff that have helped the organization reach its 25th anniversary. We hope people will come and experience the tastes, sounds and art of Great Leap," said Donna Hokoda Ebata, President of Great Leap’s Board of Directors.

This year’s honorary co-chairs are actress/writer Amy Hill, and actor Mathew St. Patrick. Hill performed with Great Leap’s ensemble as part of "A Slice of Rice," a festival of Asian American solo artists that was popular in the early 90s. St. Patrick, is an actor who plays "Officer Keith Charles" on the groundbreaking HBO series, "Six Feet Under," and is an avid supporter of Great Leap.

In addition, the afternoon will feature performers from Great Leap’s most recent community residency, "To All Relations: Memories of Boyle Heights." Poet Ruben Guevara will perform his pieces, "Brooklyn and Soto" and "The Soul of Boyle Heights." Emerging Latina artists, aurora anaya-cerda and Jo Anna Mixpe Ley will perform "Bridges" about their experiences growing up in Boyle Heights and attending an exclusive private school in Pasadena.

Shishir Kurup, a long-time Great Leap artist who was part of the "A Slice of Rice" ensemble along with Hill, will perform a new piece, "Sharif Don’t Like It," a humorous, but not-so-funny look at the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

Finally, Nobuko and Friends will share an original new song and Japanese obon folk dance entitled "Ichigo Ichie," which translates from Japanese to English as "this moment, but once in a lifetime." This new song premiered at Senshin Buddhist Temple’s obon festival this summer and is part of Great Leap’s upcoming "To All Relations 2004" project working with the Japanese, Mexican and Muslim communities.

Another highlight of the afternoon will be an Live Auction emceed by Michael Paul Chan and Barry Shabaka Henley. Before playing roles in such films as "The Joy Luck Club," "Thousand Pieces of Gold," and "The Goonies," Chan performed with Great Leap in "Chop Suey" in the 80s. Henley, also an actor, is part of Great Leap’s family, as he is married to Great Leap artist Paulina Sahagun, who performs in its popular touring show, "A Slice of Rice, Frijoles and Greens." Both Chan and Henley were regulars in last year’s CBS series, "Robbery. Homocide. Division.," and will reprise their roles as auctioneers in this year’s fundraiser.

The live art auction will feature the artwork of over 25 Angelenos, with unique items ranging from the beautiful gourds of African American artist Patricia Boyd and auction curator/artist, Howard Swerdloff to a wide variety of silkscreened prints and original artwork.

Also up for bidding will be a range of eclectic items for the mind, body and soul. Some of the items include yoga classes from Krishna Kaur and YogaWorks, spa treatments, jewelry from Earth Monkey Designs and buddhayashi, a photo session from FSC International, "Six Feet Under" memorabilia, interior design consultation from Espace Design & Construction, and more.

Refreshments will be catered by Gira Nakamoto, with delicious chicken wings made famous by Floyd Henderson. The event will include live music by the Riviera String Quartet.

Founded in 1978 by Artistic Director Nobuko Miyamoto, Great Leap’s mission is to create, produce and present works that give expression to the Asian American and multicultural experience through performances and residencies. Great Leap is dedicated to using the arts to cross cultural borders as a powerful force for positive social change.

Great Leap’s touring production, "A Slice of Rice, Frijoles and Greens" brings the multicultural experience to college audiences across the country, as well as to upwards of 30,000 children in Southern California schools each year. Great Leap’s residency workshops in communities across the country from Detroit to Watts and Boyle Heights have brought together diverse constituencies through theater, performance and storytelling to promote a better understanding of how we can nurture a sense of appreciation for our unique diversity.

The 25th Anniversary Reception and Auction, sponsored in part by Warner Bros. Record, Inc., is open to the public and will be held in the courtyard of Nakatomi & Associates, 2013 Beloit Avenue, West Los Angeles, CA 90025. Click here for directions. The event will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The minimum suggested donation is $50 per person.

For more info about Great Leap’s 25th Anniversary Reception, auction items or to RSVP, please go to www.greatleap.org orcontact Erica@greatleap.org or call (213) 250-8800 for more info.

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