DISCOVER 5 MORE AAPI CULTURE IN LOS ANGELES

East West Players

Los Angeles is home to some of the largest Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) enclaves outside of their native countries. Generations of AAPI immigrants and Asian Americans have helped make LA one of the most diverse cities in the country. From cultural institutions to landmark buildings, World War II monuments and more, explore the rich cultures and vital histories of the AAPI community in Los Angeles.

1) EAST WEST PLAYERS

120 N. Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles 90012
213-625-7000
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East West Players (EWP) was founded in 1965 by nine Asian American artists who wanted roles beyond the stereotypical parts they were offered in mainstream Hollywood. Since then, EWP has become the nation’s longest-running professional theater of color and the largest professional producer of AAPI theatrical work. EWP’s main stage is the David Henry Hwang Theatre, housed in the historic Union Center for the Arts on Judge John Aiso Street.
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2) EDDIE VAN HALEN MURAL

7425 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046
323-874-1060
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After Eddie Van Halen died in October 2020, many were surprised to learn that the legendary guitarist was of Asian descent. Eddie and his older brother Alex were born in Amsterdam to Dutch musician Jan Van Halen and Indonesian-born Eugenia Van Beers. In 1962, the Van Halen family relocated to the U.S. and settled in Pasadena. Eddie and Alex went on to found Van Halen, and tens of millions of albums later, the rest is rock 'n roll history.

On what would have been Eddie's 66th birthday, Guitar Center Hollywood unveiled a massive tribute mural by Robert Vargas. Titled "Long Live the King," the 17' x 105' mural depicts Eddie playing his iconic "Frankenstrat" guitar. Eddie's handprints are part of Guitar Center's RockWalk, and several of his instruments are on display inside the store.
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3) EVERGREEN MEMORIAL PARK & CREMATORY

204 N. Evergreen Ave., Los Angeles 90033
323-268-6714

Evergreen Memorial Park & Crematory

Visitors can trace LA's history throughout Evergreen Memorial Park & Crematory, which was established in 1877 and is the city's oldest cemetery. Located in Boyle Heights, the 67-acre park is the final resting place for prominent Angelenos like Biddy Mason, John Strother Griffin (founder of East LA), Isaac Newton Van Nuys, and several former mayors. A non-denominational cemetery, Evergreen never banned African Americans from being buried there.

A 9-acre parcel known as Potter's Field was devoted to Chinese Americans and dates to the Gold Rush. In 1888, the Chinese community erected a large shrine that includes two 12-foot burners, an altar, and memorial stone. In the center of the park, a monument honors the Japanese Americans of the 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team who fought in World War II - the unit was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Obama in 2010.
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4) FILIPINO AMERICAN WWII VETERANS MEMORIAL

227 N. Lake St., Los Angeles 90026
213-485-5572
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Located at Lake Street Park, the Filipino American World War II Veterans Memorial is the first monument dedicated to the 250,000 Filipino and 7,000 Filipino American soldiers who fought for the U.S. in WWII. Unveiled in November 2006, the monument features five slabs of polished black granite and commemorates the history of the Filipino veterans, from WWII to immigration to their subsequent fight for equality. Inscribed in the front of the memorial is a quote by Faustino “Peping” Baclig: “Bataan was not our last battlefield. We are still fighting for equity.” In October 2017, Filipino veterans of WWII were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor.
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5) FORMOSA CAFÉ

7156 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood 90046-5802
323-850-9050
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Best known for its appearance in LA Confidential, the landmark Formosa Cafe reopened in June 2019 after a two-year, $2.4 million restoration. The revamp included a newly-built back room called Yee Mee Loo, named for a historic bar in Chinatown. Like the Formosa's main bar, there are black and white celebrity headshots in Yee Mee Loo - but there's a notable difference. Beginning with Marion Wong, who directed the earliest feature film by an Asian American in 1917, the 60 photos displayed on a beam trace a timeline of pioneering Asian American film, TV, stage and radio performers. The timeline was curated by filmmaker and historian Arthur Dong. The back room also features Hollywood Chinese at the Formosa, an exhibit of photos and lobby cards from Dong's collection of movie memorabilia centered on the depiction of Chinese in American feature films.
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