Daytime

Glenn Kaino: Aki’s Market is inspired by Akira and Sachiye Shiraishi’s small neighborhood market (1957–1970) in East Los Angeles. Created by artist Glenn Akira Kaino (Akira’s grandson and namesake), the exhibition explores the transgenerational trauma from the World War II Japanese American incarceration experience through the stories of Kaino, his family, and the community. It is also an interrogation of the American practice of displacement—collapsing almost 100 years of cultural subjugation into a spiritual, exploratory space from which the building blocks of peace might be discovered.

The exhibition draws from the life of Kaino’s grandfather, Akira Shiraishi, a legendary high school football player who was unable to realize his dreams of attending Occidental College when he was incarcerated at the Heart Mountain concentration camp in Wyoming. Upon returning to East LA after the war, he and Sachiye dedicated their lives to building their market on the corner of Blanchard Street and Geraghty Avenue—a multicultural anchor that served the Japanese and Hispanic communities.

Kaino only knew his grandfather through family stories. To recreate the market, he pulled from his artistic toolkit and used his skill of unlocking past memories through layered conversations (as in his work with historical figures like Olympian, Tommie Smith). He used this methodology to draw out family memories and paint a full picture of the place they called “The Store.”

Through a virtual reality recreation of the store and an installation of related works, Glenn Kaino: Aki’s Market is an exhibition about collective memory where the archival bleeds into the imaginary and where the most advanced technology serves the most personal past.

Explore living collections of orchids and camellias, a botanical conservatory, a fragrant rose garden, a children’s garden, and more, in 16 themed gardens spread over 120 acres. All visitors, including members, must reserve tickets online in advance.

Approximately 25 certified California farms, live entertainment, activities, and Main Street based retail vendors present a vibrant atmosphere where locals and visitors alike shop and spend the morning with friends and family.  

This market was established in 1995 and is a collaboration with the Main Street Business Improvement Association, Ocean Park resident group, the Victorian and the Heritage Museum.  Approximately 40 certified California farms, live entertainment, activities, and Main Street based retail vendors present a vibrant atmosphere where locals and visitors shop and spent the morning with friends and family.

The Main Street market is open Sundays from 8:30am to 1:30pm, rain or shine, and may be closed for selected holidays.

All four markets accept Cal Fresh EBT and WIC-Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks.

The Sunday Main Street and Saturday Pico markets also provide a Market Match program for Cal Fresh EBT customers.  Market Match is California’s healthy food incentive program that matches customers’ CalFresh nutrition assistance benefits at farmers markets.  The Main Street Market (in partnership with ARP) matches up to $20 and the Pico Market Match Program (in partnership with Hunger Action Los Angeles) matches up to $15 for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Stories and Voices from L.A. Chinatown is the first in the series Archive Alive, a new collaboration between The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens; the Library Foundation of Los Angeles; and the Los Angeles Public Library. Archive Alive activates historic photographs, documents, and maps drawn from the Huntington’s and LAPL’s vast collections through online exhibitions, site-specific installations and displays, and interviews with community members, whose personal reflections and connections bring the archives to life. You can explore these materials by theme below.

You can explore these materials by online or visit the outdoor exhibition in Chinatown at 942 N Hill Street.

Benita Bike’s DanceArt at the Lake View Terrace Library on April 6, 2024 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Libraries open up the world to us not only with books, but also with live presentations. So, it is natural for Benita Bike’s DanceArt, an LA-based modern dance company to share its passion for dance in this library performance space. Benita Bike’s DanceArt knows how to introduce the soul of dance to audiences. Join the Company for a unique and intriguing afternoon of dance! See wonderful dancers and tell us what you think!

Admission is FREE.