DC Premiere at The Smithsonian

(Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)

The Washington DC premiere of Life on Four Strings was presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) and Pacific Islanders in Communication (PIC). All partners of the film came to D.C. for this special event including Leanne Ferrer from PIC (Honolulu) and Stephen Gong from CAAM (San Francisco). Jake added an extra day to his East Coast tour so he could attend the event.


The day started early with a special visit to Eastern High School where Jake talked about the ukulele and demonstrated it’s power. The students requested he play his cover of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”…twice!


We then headed over to the National PBS Headquarters in Arlington, VA.


PBS staffers crowded in the lobby to see Jake perform. Department meeting or free concert, which one would you pick?


Don Young (Producer of Life on Four Strings) and I took Jake to experience Shake Shack for the first time. It's hands down my favorite burger joint and Jake was not disappointed. When I first met Jake he was a gluten free health freak and now look at him.




People packed the theater at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. There was a great energy in the room the whole night, the DC crowd was one the most lively audiences we have had so far. The film was followed by a wonderful performance by Jake and a Q&A session moderated by CAAM board member Christine Chen.
(Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)


Director of the Smithsonian Asian and Pacific American Center Konrad Ng (who also happens to be President Obama’s brother-in-law) welcomed the audience.
(Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)


Leanne Ferrer from Pacific Islanders In Communication introduced the film. (Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)


Following the film, Jake broke out his uke and his vest for the audience. (Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)



CAAM Board member Christine Chen moderated a real fun Q&A. I thought it might rain on stage so I wore my waterproof vans, Jake wore his waterproof pants.  (Photo by Smithsonian APA Center)