A Special Evening with George Takei
George Takei is a civil rights activist, social media superstar, Grammy-nominated recording artist, New York Times bestselling author, and pioneering actor whose career has spanned six decades. He has used his success as a platform to fight for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and marriage equality. His advocacy is personal: during World War II, George spent his childhood unjustly imprisoned in US incarceration camps along with more than 125,000 other Japanese Americans. This experience inspired the musical Allegiance, in which George made his Broadway debut in 2018, and again in London, where it was staged anew in 2023.
Over the years he has appeared in TV series ranging from The Twilight Zone, The Big Bang Theory and Will & Grace to Psych and Ridley Scott’s The Terror in 2019 - in addition to his legendary work on Star Trek. His rich baritone has provided narration for the Ken Burns / PBS series The National Parks, while his voiceover work has ranged from The Simpsons to the animated feature, Mulan.
Winner of numerous awards and conferred with Honorary Doctorates by universities around the globe, George Takei now serves as Chairman Emeritus and a member of the Japanese American National Museum’s board of trustees. George served on the board of the Japan–United States Friendship Commission and, in 2004, was given the Gold Rays with Rosette of the Order of the Rising Sun by the emperor of Japan for his contribution to US-Japan relations.
Film Screening:
To Be Takei. From outer space to Capitol Hill, from the silver screen to YouTube, the legendary George Takei has blazed his own trail while conquering new frontiers with a beaming trademark grin. Oh, my! To Be Takei is a look at the many roles played by this eclectic actor and activist. His wit, humor and grace have helped him to become an internationally beloved figure and Internet phenomenon with 7-million Facebook fans and counting. Those testifying to Takei’s charisma include Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, Senator Daniel Inouye, Dan Savage, Howard Stern, and George and Brad Takei themselves. The film offers unprecedented access to the daily life of George and his husband/business partner Brad and chronicles George's fascinating personal journey from Japanese American internment camps to his iconic and groundbreaking role as Sulu on Star Trek, and his rise as a pop culture icon. (USA, 2014, 94 mins. | Dir. Jennifer Kroot)
George Takei’s new book:
My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story, is the moving, beautifully illustrated true story for children ages 6 to 9 about growing up in Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II - from George Takei, the iconic Star Trek actor, activist, author, world-renowned social influencer and tireless educator. Published lovingly in hardcover - and a pleasure for adults as well - Takei’s heartfelt account will make an important and enlightening gift for the children in your lives. Takei looks back at his own memories to help children today understand what it feels like to be treated as an enemy by your own country. Featuring powerful, meticulously researched watercolor paintings by Michelle Lee, this is a story of a family’s courage, a young boy’s resilience, and the importance of staying true to yourself in the face of injustice.
Cost: $60 Member | $75 Public
Tickets include film screening, interview with Q&A, a copy of My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story, & gala book signing reception
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