National Museum of Asian Art presents Illuminasia Bruce Lee Night w/Jeff Chang & DJ 2-Tone of Shaolin Jazz
Washington, DC 20004 United States
May 22, 2026
5:00-9:15pm
Asian Art Museum, West Building
Register in advance to get the best experience. On the evening of the event, join the standby line for remaining seats. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis for patrons without tickets.
A story about Bruce Lee is a story about Asian America. Celebrate this global icon with an evening of literature, film, and music to kick off our IlluminAsia BookCon for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
First, Jeff Chang discusses his new book, Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America, with Theo Gonzalves, curator at the National Museum of American History. Purchase a copy and get it signed before the talk.
Then, catch a film screening of The Big Boss accompanied live by DJ 2-Tone Jones in another of Shaolin Jazz’s popular Can I Kick It? events. This time he spins with the film that proved to be Bruce Lee’s big breakthrough, launching him to instant superstardom and setting a new standard for kung fu heroics.
5 p.m.: Book sales start
6 p.m.: Book signing with Jeff Chang
6:30 p.m.: Conversation with Jeff Chang and Theo Gonzalves
8 p.m.: Screening with Live DJ Accompaniment: The Big Boss
More about The Big Boss
Bruce Lee commands the screen with his gravitas and explosive physicality in the role of a Chinese immigrant working at a Thai ice factory and sworn to an oath of nonviolence. When he discovers that the factory’s ruthless higher-ups are running a secret heroin ring and offing their own workers, his commitment to pacifism is put to the test. With his undeniable charisma and fluid, lightning-fast martial arts style, Lee is a revelation, streaking across the screen with a speed and power the likes of which had never been seen before. Description adapted from Janus Films.
Director: Lo Wei (Hong Kong). Released: 1971. Length: 100 min. Format: DCP. Language: English.
Continue the fun at IlluminAsia BookCon Day 2 with panel discussions, author meet and greets, and more!