TUESDAYS AT THE CAFE

Visibility, Voice and Impact: AAPI Artists in Performing Arts and Film

The San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center presents its new lunchtime series, TUESDAYS AT THE CAFÉ, with a panel celebrating AAPI Heritage Month. On May 5th, 2026, 12-1pm, join us for "Visibility, Voice and Impact: AAPI Artists in Performing Arts and Film."

Our panel includes:

· Michelle Meow, the Bay Area media host and producer of The Michelle Meow Show at the Commonwealth Club will moderate the panel. Michelle is on the boards of San Francisco Pride and the Commonwealth Club. She has interviewed a who’s who of leaders and changemakers, from Dolores Huerta and Steph Curry to Margaret Cho and Gavin Newsom. She leads conversations on social justice, LGBTIQA+ issues, amplifying diverse voices and fostering dialogue across communities.

· Oakland Ballet's Resident Choreographer Phil Chan is a recognized cultural advocate known for advancing equity and representation in ballet. He is an award-winning artist and subject of the documentary About Face, which will be screened at the CAAMFest. Phil is currently a professor at Harvard University, and you can catch his choreography at Oakland Ballet's upcoming "Double Happiness" and "Angel Island" programs. Both works are part of OBC’s Dancing Moons Festival, presented April 30-May 2 at the Great Star Theatre, San Francisco and May 5, 8-9 at the War Memorial & Performing Arts Center’s Herbst Theatre.

· Valerie Soe is a filmmaker, writer, and artist whose work has won awards and exhibited at venues worldwide. Her documentary, LOVE BOAT: TAIWAN (2019) won the Audience Award at the Urban Nomad Film Festival in Taipei and played at festivals across North America and in Taiwan. Her new documentary, THE AUNTIE SEWING SQUAD RESISTANCE PLAYBOOK has its Bay Area premiere on May 10 at CAAMfest in San Francisco. Valerie is a professor at San Francisco State University. CAAMFest, the leading festival of films from Asian America and beyond, returns to San Francisco in its 44th year, May 7-10.