thank you for supporting the wing luke museum!

Thank you for joining us! We’re so excited to share that through your efforts and support, we have raised over $560,000 in support of the Wing Luke Museum’s youth and public program offerings! Thank you for investing in the next generation of our future storytellers, leaders and visionaries.

Auctioneer: David Silverman

Throughout his forty-eight-year career David Silverman has entertained people as an actor, standup comedian, singer, dancer, choreographer, director and emcee. A familiar face to northwest audiences on stage or on T.V., he has a long list of credits including winning the first Seattle Laugh-off in 1980. David has become one of the most sought-after charity auctioneers in the Seattle area. His ability to entertain and raise money make for a very different auction experience.

Emcee: Brady wakayama

Brady Wakayama holds a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and is currently a multi-skilled journalist and reporter at KING 5. His passion for journalism and storytelling sparked while serving the Seattle and greater King County communities through various local nonprofit organizations that include: the Seattle Foundation, United Way of King County, the Wing Luke Asian Museum, and the Asian Counseling and Referral Services. In the true “Weaving Generations” spirit, Brady is also the son of fellow Wing Luke Museum Trustee, Gloria Wakayama!

Reader: Aya Sumika

Aya Sumika Koenig began her quest in the performing arts at an early age. She would then go on to graduate as a Juilliard dance major, which eventually lead into a career in acting. After landing series regular roles on network television, including the hit series Numb3rs on CBS, she and her Husband, Trevor John then saw the opportunity to purchase her mother’s successful, high-end Ribbon and Gift Wrap company, Midori Inc. (Yes, Wing Luke Museum Trustee Midori Matsui!) Aya continues to dream big, looking forward to seeing her background in the performing arts and experience in business continue to thrive.

Speaker: Henry Jensen

Henry Jensen is a senior at Summit Sierra and is a YouthCAN Lead at the Wing Luke Museum. He joined the YouthCAN program as a sophomore looking for a way to deepen his connection to community and culture. Henry’s next step after graduation is heading off to college at Willamette University where he plans to major in Business and Psychology.

Performer: Halau Hula Ke Liko A’e O Lei Lehua E Kapuaokalani

Kapuaokalani (Kapua) Quenga is the Kumu Hula, or instructor, for Halau Hula Ke Liko A’e O Lei Lehua E Kapuaokalani. The halau has been very active in the Hawaiian community along with other community events and have been in the Pacific Northwest for 48 years now. Originally from the island of Kaua’i, the family owned halau was founded by Kapua’s mother and father, Claire and Cliff Cortez. Kapua currently teaches at 3 locations: Kent, Tacoma, and Olympia. The goal of Halau Hula Ke Liko A’e O Lei Lehua E Kapuaokalani is to share with others the traditions of the Polynesian culture and people through song and dance.

Performer: Sara Porkalob

CLICK HERE to view Sara Porkalob’s performance for the 2022 WLM Dinner & Auction!

Sara Porkalob (she/her) is an award winning artist-activist, cultural worker, and creator of the DRAGON CYCLE, a trilogy of matrilineal musicals about her Filipino American gangster family; one play for each generation built around a central female protagonist. DRAGON LADY premiered at Intiman Theatre and was the recipient of three 2018 Gregory Awards (Outstanding Sound/Music Design, Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Outstanding Musical Production). DRAGON MAMA premiered at American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) and was the recipient of two 2019 Elliot Norton Awards (Best Original Script and Best Solo-Performance). A.R.T. has commissioned the third play, DRAGON BABY; it will premiere on their stage. She will be playing Edward Rutledge in the official Broadway revival of 1776.

Performer: Champagne Honeybee

click here to view champagne honeybee’s performance for the 2022 wlm dinner & auction!

Champagne Honeybee is singer-songwriter Rani Weatherby, her trusty ukuleles, and talented backing band. They have performed their unique blend of jazz, blues, funk, and ukulele soul across the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, East Coast, and India. Champagne Honeybee has been featured on Band in Seattle, King 5 Morning News, Evening Magazine, The Bob Rivers Show on KJR radio, and Audioasis on KEXP. Rani is a member of the 4 Culture Touring Arts Roster, a workshop instructor for Rain City Rock Camp, and an endorsed artist with Lanikai Ukuleles. Champagne Honeybee has released 2 EPs of original music in 2014 and 2016, and are currently recording a full-length studio album.

artist statement by Britney Jae Lujan Kingsbury

 If I’ve learned anything about community, is that it’s vital. It comes alive in times of celebration, joy, growth, but even in times of sadness, grief and hardship. Holding us close, even while we’re at a distance. Weaving closely the wisdom and knowledge of our ancestors across generations, bringing us together and making us who we are. I was very much inspired by the idea that our connections to one another are often intentional, but at the same time can occur under unseen circumstances – that the community we build and the connections we make span beyond what we might even be aware of. And that from the oldest of us to the youngest of us, we all have a significant part to play and ideas to share in these connections. 

I am proud to share my vision of community [re]connection as a Pacific Islander, and more specifically as a CHamoru artist because we are so strongly a people of community who have endured, persevered and are continuing to make waves.