Asian Art Museum: Wake Up Your Thursday Nights with Matcha
WHERE ART, PERFORMANCE, & MUSIC MOVE WITH FLAIR
First Thursdays
5:00–9:00 pm
June–November 2007
FREE with museum admission ($5 after 5:00 pm)
Asian Art Museum's popular series returns with Japanese hip-hop, Astro Boy interpretations, the
supernatural, tea tasting, stargazing, East/West music, fashion, and more
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, MAY 3, 2007 – On Thursday, June 7, from 5:00 pm to 9:00
pm, the Asian Art Museum will kick off the second season of MATCHA, a popular
monthly series that merges culture with the cocktail hour. Named after the vibrant
Japanese powdered green tea renowned for its high quality, MATCHA mixes art,
performance, music, mingling, and more all under one roof. Strong and bold or
smooth and subtle, each session has a refreshing and distinctive flavor – it's the
perfect way to start the post-work evening and indulge in a healthy dose of the arts.
MATCHA is presented on the first Thursdays of each month, beginning in June and
running through November. It features a cash bar and is FREE with museum
admission, only $5 after 5:00 pm on Thursdays (when hours are extended till 9:00
pm). For more information, please call (415) 581-3500 or visit
www.asianart.org/matcha.htm.
This season's MATCHA inaugural event on June 7 features DJ Tonk, one of
Japan's most reputable hip-hop producers/DJs. In this rare stateside appearance, he
will be at the decks laying down his fierce blend of fresh beats, and will be joined by emcee Othello.
Their infectious grooves will serve as a stimulating soundtrack to the evening's schedule: special guided
tours of the exhibitions Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga and Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales, hands-on art
activities, and more.
Within the walls of the Asian Art Museum––where past and present co-exist––MATCHA is an
engaging multi-sensory experience that strives to present the collection and special exhibitions in a
contextualized, cohesive, and fun package. Guests can enjoy original productions by artists and
organizations (such as Live Action Cartoonists, Sherwood Chen/Plaza Dance Ensemble, Urasenke
Foundation, and Adorno Ensemble), travel through time by exploring the museum's galleries, embark on
tours of special exhibitions led by the curators themselves, sit in on enlightening informal talks given by
local experts and educators, create art––from woodblock prints and lanterns to pinhole cameras––
inspired by what's on view, catch up with friends old and new over cocktails, or simply decompress (or
energize) to the eclectic musical offerings spun by DJs. Like the refined tea, MATCHA stirs your senses.
MATCHA is sponsored by American Express. Media sponsors: SF Chronicle and SFGate.com. Complete
schedule follows.
MATCHA 2007 SCHEDULE:
June 7: Japanese Hip-Hop (and it don't stop)
MATCHA makes a fierce second season comeback with a special guest: DJ Tonk,
one of Japan's most reputable hip-hop producers/DJs. In this rare stateside
appearance, he will be laying down his unique blend of fresh beats, accompanied by
emcee Othello. As he spins infectious grooves at the decks, guests are invited to step
into the world of manga and anime in the museum's Manga Lounge, participate in
special guided tours of Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga and Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales,
create manga (Japanese comic), listen to a brief talk on manga, and more.
July 5: Live Action Remix
Armed with drawing, music, and video mixing, the Live Action Cartoonists will
perform highlights from SCIENCE (FICTION), an experimental production that re-
interprets Tezuka Osamu's Astro Boy – beloved icon of Japanese pop culture. Guests
can step into the world of manga and anime in the museum's Manga Lounge, view
Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga and Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales, make a woodblock
print, sway to indie pop and new wave sounds by DJ Nako, and meet Yoko
Woodson, curator of Japanese art.
August 2: Strange & Supernatural
Choreographer/performer Sherwood Chen will lead the dance ensemble Plaza in
creating site-specific performances, using the vibrant imagery from the exhibition
Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales to explore spine-tingling, provocative themes of the
spooky and strange. Guests can step into the world of manga and anime in the
museum's Manga Lounge, explore Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga, join Yoko
Woodson, curator of Japanese art, on a special tour of Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales, and
craft a lantern in honor of obon, a Japanese Buddhist "festival of the dead" that
welcomes the return of ancestral spirits.
September 6: Tea
Learn about tea and its many traditions from East Asia and South Asia. Guests can
concoct matcha with local tea school Urasenke, observe elegant demonstrations (with
authentic tools and vessels) by tea masters, stop at stations for sips and snack
samples, sit in on a talk on yixing pottery given by Terese Tse Bartholomew, curator
of Chinese decorative arts, and get an overview of the Japanese tea ceremony and the
museum's tea house, introduced by educator Deborah Clearwaters. This will also be
the last chance to view Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga as well as step inside the
Manga Lounge.
October 4: Heaven & Earth
With the museum's permanent collection lending a pan-Asian theme to the evening,
guests can experience East/West classical music by Adorno Ensemble, view Jupiter
and its moons with hand-made telescopes by the Sidewalk Astronomers, discover
Chinese astronomy in the galleries with astronomer Kenneth Frank, and take a brief
docent tour that highlights Asian cosmology.
November 1: Photography, Fashion, & Film
In celebration of two special exhibitions, Hiroshi Sugimoto: History of History and
Stylized Sculpture: Contemporary Japanese Fashion from the Kyoto Costume
Institute, the November MATCHA will zoom in on photography, fashion, and film.
Guests can whet their visual appetite with a presentation curated by The Center for
Asian American Media, catch a lively discussion between Melissa RIN-NE, assistant
curator of Japanese Art, and Deborah Clearwaters, museum educator, as they explore
the dynamics between contemporary Japanese artists and their predecessors, and
make a pinhole camera to capture the rest of the night (materials-fee required, limited
seating).
About the Asian Art Museum:
The Asian Art Museum is a public institution whose mission is to lead a diverse global audience in discovering the
unique material, aesthetic, and intellectual achievements of Asian art and culture. Holding nearly 16,000 Asian art
treasures spanning 6,000 years of history, the Asian Art Museum is one of the largest museums in the Western world
devoted exclusively to Asian art. Once located in Golden Gate Park, the museum now resides at its new, expanded
facility at Civic Center Plaza. An architectural gem featuring a dynamic blend of beaux arts and modern design
elements, the museum's new home is the result of a dramatic transformation of San Francisco's former main public
library building by renowned architect Gae Aulenti (designer of Paris's Musée d'Orsay) into a showcase for the
museum's celebrated collection and exhibitions.
• Information: (415) 581-3500 or www.asianart.org
• Location: 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
• Hours: The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours
Thursdays until 9:00 PM. Closed Mondays.
• Admission: $12 for adults, $8 for seniors (65 and older), $7 for college students with ID, $7 for youth 13–
17, and Free! for children under 12 and SFUSD students with ID. Admission on Thursdays after 5 pm is just
$5 for all visitors (except those under 12, SFUSD students, and members, who are always admitted Free!).
Admission includes a complimentary audiotour of the museum's collection galleries (offered in English,
Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese).Target Tuesdays: The museum offers FREE admission to all on the
first Tuesday of every month, courtesy of Target Stores.
• Access: The Asian Art Museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information regarding access, please
call (415) 581-3598; TDD: (415) 861-2035.
First Thursdays
5:00–9:00 pm
June–November 2007
FREE with museum admission ($5 after 5:00 pm)
Asian Art Museum's popular series returns with Japanese hip-hop, Astro Boy interpretations, the
supernatural, tea tasting, stargazing, East/West music, fashion, and more
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, MAY 3, 2007 – On Thursday, June 7, from 5:00 pm to 9:00
pm, the Asian Art Museum will kick off the second season of MATCHA, a popular
monthly series that merges culture with the cocktail hour. Named after the vibrant
Japanese powdered green tea renowned for its high quality, MATCHA mixes art,
performance, music, mingling, and more all under one roof. Strong and bold or
smooth and subtle, each session has a refreshing and distinctive flavor – it's the
perfect way to start the post-work evening and indulge in a healthy dose of the arts.
MATCHA is presented on the first Thursdays of each month, beginning in June and
running through November. It features a cash bar and is FREE with museum
admission, only $5 after 5:00 pm on Thursdays (when hours are extended till 9:00
pm). For more information, please call (415) 581-3500 or visit
www.asianart.org/matcha.htm.
This season's MATCHA inaugural event on June 7 features DJ Tonk, one of
Japan's most reputable hip-hop producers/DJs. In this rare stateside appearance, he
will be at the decks laying down his fierce blend of fresh beats, and will be joined by emcee Othello.
Their infectious grooves will serve as a stimulating soundtrack to the evening's schedule: special guided
tours of the exhibitions Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga and Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales, hands-on art
activities, and more.
Within the walls of the Asian Art Museum––where past and present co-exist––MATCHA is an
engaging multi-sensory experience that strives to present the collection and special exhibitions in a
contextualized, cohesive, and fun package. Guests can enjoy original productions by artists and
organizations (such as Live Action Cartoonists, Sherwood Chen/Plaza Dance Ensemble, Urasenke
Foundation, and Adorno Ensemble), travel through time by exploring the museum's galleries, embark on
tours of special exhibitions led by the curators themselves, sit in on enlightening informal talks given by
local experts and educators, create art––from woodblock prints and lanterns to pinhole cameras––
inspired by what's on view, catch up with friends old and new over cocktails, or simply decompress (or
energize) to the eclectic musical offerings spun by DJs. Like the refined tea, MATCHA stirs your senses.
MATCHA is sponsored by American Express. Media sponsors: SF Chronicle and SFGate.com. Complete
schedule follows.
MATCHA 2007 SCHEDULE:
June 7: Japanese Hip-Hop (and it don't stop)
MATCHA makes a fierce second season comeback with a special guest: DJ Tonk,
one of Japan's most reputable hip-hop producers/DJs. In this rare stateside
appearance, he will be laying down his unique blend of fresh beats, accompanied by
emcee Othello. As he spins infectious grooves at the decks, guests are invited to step
into the world of manga and anime in the museum's Manga Lounge, participate in
special guided tours of Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga and Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales,
create manga (Japanese comic), listen to a brief talk on manga, and more.
July 5: Live Action Remix
Armed with drawing, music, and video mixing, the Live Action Cartoonists will
perform highlights from SCIENCE (FICTION), an experimental production that re-
interprets Tezuka Osamu's Astro Boy – beloved icon of Japanese pop culture. Guests
can step into the world of manga and anime in the museum's Manga Lounge, view
Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga and Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales, make a woodblock
print, sway to indie pop and new wave sounds by DJ Nako, and meet Yoko
Woodson, curator of Japanese art.
August 2: Strange & Supernatural
Choreographer/performer Sherwood Chen will lead the dance ensemble Plaza in
creating site-specific performances, using the vibrant imagery from the exhibition
Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales to explore spine-tingling, provocative themes of the
spooky and strange. Guests can step into the world of manga and anime in the
museum's Manga Lounge, explore Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga, join Yoko
Woodson, curator of Japanese art, on a special tour of Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales, and
craft a lantern in honor of obon, a Japanese Buddhist "festival of the dead" that
welcomes the return of ancestral spirits.
September 6: Tea
Learn about tea and its many traditions from East Asia and South Asia. Guests can
concoct matcha with local tea school Urasenke, observe elegant demonstrations (with
authentic tools and vessels) by tea masters, stop at stations for sips and snack
samples, sit in on a talk on yixing pottery given by Terese Tse Bartholomew, curator
of Chinese decorative arts, and get an overview of the Japanese tea ceremony and the
museum's tea house, introduced by educator Deborah Clearwaters. This will also be
the last chance to view Tezuka: The Marvel of Manga as well as step inside the
Manga Lounge.
October 4: Heaven & Earth
With the museum's permanent collection lending a pan-Asian theme to the evening,
guests can experience East/West classical music by Adorno Ensemble, view Jupiter
and its moons with hand-made telescopes by the Sidewalk Astronomers, discover
Chinese astronomy in the galleries with astronomer Kenneth Frank, and take a brief
docent tour that highlights Asian cosmology.
November 1: Photography, Fashion, & Film
In celebration of two special exhibitions, Hiroshi Sugimoto: History of History and
Stylized Sculpture: Contemporary Japanese Fashion from the Kyoto Costume
Institute, the November MATCHA will zoom in on photography, fashion, and film.
Guests can whet their visual appetite with a presentation curated by The Center for
Asian American Media, catch a lively discussion between Melissa RIN-NE, assistant
curator of Japanese Art, and Deborah Clearwaters, museum educator, as they explore
the dynamics between contemporary Japanese artists and their predecessors, and
make a pinhole camera to capture the rest of the night (materials-fee required, limited
seating).
About the Asian Art Museum:
The Asian Art Museum is a public institution whose mission is to lead a diverse global audience in discovering the
unique material, aesthetic, and intellectual achievements of Asian art and culture. Holding nearly 16,000 Asian art
treasures spanning 6,000 years of history, the Asian Art Museum is one of the largest museums in the Western world
devoted exclusively to Asian art. Once located in Golden Gate Park, the museum now resides at its new, expanded
facility at Civic Center Plaza. An architectural gem featuring a dynamic blend of beaux arts and modern design
elements, the museum's new home is the result of a dramatic transformation of San Francisco's former main public
library building by renowned architect Gae Aulenti (designer of Paris's Musée d'Orsay) into a showcase for the
museum's celebrated collection and exhibitions.
• Information: (415) 581-3500 or www.asianart.org
• Location: 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
• Hours: The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours
Thursdays until 9:00 PM. Closed Mondays.
• Admission: $12 for adults, $8 for seniors (65 and older), $7 for college students with ID, $7 for youth 13–
17, and Free! for children under 12 and SFUSD students with ID. Admission on Thursdays after 5 pm is just
$5 for all visitors (except those under 12, SFUSD students, and members, who are always admitted Free!).
Admission includes a complimentary audiotour of the museum's collection galleries (offered in English,
Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese).Target Tuesdays: The museum offers FREE admission to all on the
first Tuesday of every month, courtesy of Target Stores.
• Access: The Asian Art Museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information regarding access, please
call (415) 581-3598; TDD: (415) 861-2035.
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