Events at the Wang Center
Fall 2026
Film
Evangelion Film Series
Join us for a special screening series exploring the world of Evangelion, one of the most influential anime franchises of all time. Blending spectacular action, psychological drama, and philosophical reflection, these films trace the evolution of Hideaki Anno’s visionary saga from a modernized retelling of the original 1995 television series to entirely new storylines and endings. Whether you are a longtime fan or new to Evangelion, each film offers a compelling cinematic experience while contributing to a larger epic narrative.
Admission: $5 per film (General/Students/Seniors 65+)
$15 for the complete four-film series
EVANGELION: 1.11 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Theatre
(2007 | 81 minutes | Rated PG-13 - Science Fiction / Action | Directed by Hideaki
Anno)
The first film in the Rebuild of Evangelion series is a modernized, condensed remake of the opening episodes of the landmark 1995 anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. Retaining much of the original story while enhancing its visuals, animation, and action sequences, the film follows teenager Shinji Ikari as he is recruited to pilot a giant mech (called an Evangelion) and defend humanity from mysterious beings known as Angels.
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EVANGELION: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Theatre
(2009 | 148 minutes | PG-13 - Science Fiction / Action | Directed by Hideaki Anno)
Though drawing inspiration from the middle episodes of the original television series, Evangelion: 2.22 begins to chart a dramatically different course. Introducing new characters, including the enigmatic pilot Mari Illustrious Makinami, the film expands the Evangelion universe beyond a simple remake. As familiar events give way to unexpected developments, the story evolves into a bold reimagining that reshapes the future of the saga.
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The End of Evangelion
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Theatre
(1997 | 90 minutes | Rated R - Science Fiction / Drama | Directed by Hideaki Anno)
Widely regarded as one of the most important animated films ever made, The End of Evangelion serves as an alternative ending to the original Neon Genesis Evangelion television series, reimagining its final two episodes on an epic scale. As NERV faces its final confrontation and humanity stands on the brink of transformation, the film explores identity, despair, and human connection through some of the most powerful and unforgettable imagery in anime history. For many fans, it remains the definitive conclusion to the original Evangelion story.
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EVANGELION:3.0＋1.01 THRICE UPON A TIME
Wednesday, December 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Theatre
(2021 | 155 minutes | Rated R - Science Fiction / Drama | Directed by Hideaki Anno)
The fourth and final installment of the Rebuild of Evangelion series presents an entirely original story not found in the original television series. The film follows Shinji and his fellow pilots as they confront the consequences of the past and the possibility of a new future. Combining stunning visuals with emotional storytelling, it brings Hideaki Anno’s twenty-five-year Evangelion project to its long-awaited conclusion.
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Lecture
Gareth Fuller on Travel, Memory, and Mapping the Human Experience
By Dr. Gareth Fuller
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Theatre
Free Admission
Internationally recognized artist Gareth Fuller discusses the evolution of his craft, tracing how years of travel and exploration have informed his intricate hand-drawn maps. Combining storytelling, cartography, and personal reflection, Fuller offers a unique perspective on the relationships between place, memory, and identity.
About the presenter
Gareth Fuller is a British artist whose intricate hand-drawn maps transform walking, memory, and observation into compelling visual narratives. Drawing on decades of travel, he creates richly layered works that explore the relationships between place, history, culture, and personal experience. His work is held in many major collections, including the Geography and Maps Division of the U.S. Library of Congress.
Festival
CommUniversity Day
Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Charles B. Wang Center
Free Admission
Discover Stony Brook University through the Charles B. Wang Center! During CommUniversity Day, visitors are invited to join a guided tour of the Wang Center's current exhibition while learning about the Center's mission of fostering intercultural understanding through the arts. This interactive tour will introduce the vision of founder Charles B. Wang, explore the Wang Center's unique architecture and garden, and uncover the stories and cultural connections behind the artworks on view. Visitors will also enjoy our current exhibition and gain insight into the artist's creative process. Suitable for all ages, the tour offers a unique opportunity to experience one of Stony Brook University's premier cultural institutions.
Workshop
The Way of Tea: A Japanese Tea Experience
By Yoshitsugu Nagano
Sunday, October 4, 2026
East Hall
Session 1: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Session 2: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Admission:
$20 (General) per workshop
$15 (Students/Seniors 65+) per workshop
Fee includes all materials.
Limited to 30 people per session. Advance reservation is required.
Experience the refined artistry of Japanese tea with the master tea instructor Yoshitsugu Nagano. This workshop introduces participants to the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility at the heart of Japanese tea culture. Through guided demonstrations and hands-on practice, attendees will learn essential techniques for preparing and appreciating high-quality Japanese tea. Whether you are new to Japanese tea traditions or seeking a deeper understanding, this session offers a serene and thoughtful immersion into a timeless cultural practice.
About the presenter
Yoshitsugu Nagano is a tea master and educator specializing in the 400-year-old Ueda Soko School of samurai tea ceremony. He is the youngest person to achieve the school's highest level of certification and serves as an instructor of the tradition. Since moving to New York in 2019, he has actively shared the aesthetics, mindfulness, and philosophy of Japanese tea culture through demonstrations, workshops, and educational programs.
Performance
Whispers of Japan: Music for Strings
Presented by Masayo Ishigure, Risa Arianna, and the Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble
Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 3:00 PM & 4:00 PM
Theatre
Admission:
$20 (General)
$15 (Students/Seniors 65+/Children ages 6–12)
FREE for children ages 5 and under
Experience the beauty of traditional Japanese string instruments in a concert featuring the koto (thirteen-string zither) and shamisen (three-string lute), performed by acclaimed musicians Masayo Ishigure, Risa Arianna, and the Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble.
Founded by koto performer Masayo Ishigure, Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble brings together musicians from the renowned Sawai Koto Academy, blending traditional and contemporary styles through innovative performances. The program will feature beloved works such as “Spring Sea (Haru no Umi),” creative arrangements of familiar melodies including “Sakura” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” and contemporary compositions that showcase the expressive possibilities of Japanese music.
Lecture
Every Fourteen Minutes: Architecture, Urbanization, and Memory Politics in Postwar North Korea
By Cheehyung Harrison Kim
Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Theatre
Free Admission
The birth of North Korea after the Korean War—centered on state authority and work culture—is distinctly represented in architecture. Architecture was divided into two interconnected types: monumental structures symbolizing the utopian vision of the state and vernacular structures instrumental to the regime of production. Architecture was also part of North Korea’s urbanization efforts through efficiency, prefabrication, and speed. “One apartment every fourteen minutes” was the motto born on the construction sites of Pyongyang. The memory of this postwar urbanization, which involved an immense level of international cooperation, began to fade in the 1970s. Yet this great built environment still stands today. Dr. Cheehyung Harrison Kim will discuss this postwar boom and drive toward construction in this lecture.
About the presenter
Dr. Cheehyung Harrison Kim is an associate professor in the Department of History at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. His research and teaching focus on socialism, labor, industrialism, everyday life, and urbanism in the context of East Asia and North Korea. He is the author of Heroes and Toilers: Work as Life in Postwar North Korea, 1953–1961, published by Columbia University Press. He is also the editor of the journal Korean Studies: Global Research and Critique.
Workshop
Sekimori: The Guardian Stones of Japan
By Gerard and Hiroko Senese
Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
East Hall
Admission for each session:
$20 (General)
$15 (Students/Seniors)
Fee includes all materials.
Advance reservation is required.
Create your own sekimori-ishi, a traditional Japanese "barrier stone" used in tea and temple gardens to gently mark a path as closed or indicate that an area is private. In this workshop, participants will learn how to wrap a natural stone with decorative twine knots using traditional techniques as well as explore the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi (finding beauty in nature, imperfect and incomplete), where simple materials convey a strong yet subtle message of respect, intention, and boundary.
Once completed, your sekimori-ishi can be repurposed as a decorative object, paperweight, doorstop, bookend, or mindful reminder in your home or garden. All materials will be provided.
About the instructors
Gerard and Hiroko Senese have been dedicated supporters of Japanese arts and culture on Long Island for more than two decades. As longtime co-organizers of the Wang Center's annual Cherry Blossom Festival, they have helped introduce thousands of visitors to Japanese traditions through cultural demonstrations, performances, and hands-on activities. Together, they also lead a Japanese martial arts practice, bringing a deep appreciation for discipline, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage to their teaching. Their passion for community engagement and Japanese culture has made them valued ambassadors of cross-cultural understanding.
Coming Spring 2027
Festival
Lunar New Year Festival
Saturday, February 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Rain or Shine)
Charles B. Wang Center
Early Bird Admission:
*Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, as tickets may sell out in advance.
$30 (General)
$20 (Alumni & Seniors 65+)
$15(SBU Students)
$10 (Children ages 6–12)
Free for children aged 5 and under
Admission includes all performances, including traditional music and dances, dragon and lion dances, fireworks, craft workshops, cultural activities, and festive snacks and treats.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a vibrant afternoon of cultural programs, performances, hands-on activities, and festive foods from across Asia! Widely celebrated in Brunei, China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, Lunar New Year marks a time of renewal, family gatherings, and hopes for prosperity, health, and happiness. This family-friendly festival highlights both the shared customs and unique traditions that unite communities across the region.
Enjoy traditional music and dance performances, a magic show, martial arts demonstrations, cultural exhibits, arts and crafts workshops, calligraphy, traditional costume dress-up, and activities for all ages. Sample festive foods, learn about Lunar New Year traditions from different countries, and create holiday-themed mementos to take home. The celebration concludes with a spectacular outdoor fireworks finale, illuminating the winter sky as we welcome the Year of the Goat together with family, friends, and community.
This festival is co-produced by the Office of Diversity, Intercultural & Community Engagement and the Charles B. Wang Center, with support from community partners and sponsors including Orientation and Transition Programs (OTP); the Undergraduate Student Government (USG); Student Engagement and Activities (SEA); Campus Residences; the Stony Brook University Alumni Association; the Auxiliary Services Association (ASA); the Office of Global Affairs (OGA); SBU Libraries; the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Committee; Diversity, Inclusion, and Intercultural Initiatives (DI3); and the Center for Korean Studies.
Performance
Magic Q’s Lunar New Year Spectacular
Presented by Masayo Ishigure, Risa Arianna, and the Miyabi Koto Shamisen Ensemble
Saturday, February 6, 2027 at 2:00 PM & 3:00 PM
Theatre
Admission:
Included with Lunar New Year Festival Admission above
Step into the Year of the Goat with Magic Q in this special Lunar New Year celebration filled with illusion, laughter, and wonder! Symbolizing harmony, creativity, and good fortune, the Goat inspires a performance that blends dazzling magic with festive fun for the whole family. Experience Magic Q's signature humor and astonishing tricks as tradition and imagination come together on stage. Join us in welcoming 2027 with joy, prosperity, and a touch of enchantment.