Events Calendar

On Friday, September 25, at 6 p.m., the Oklahoma History Center will screen the documentary New Wave. The film explores the young subculture of displaced refugees searching for an identity in Southern California by building a safe community space through 1980s Vietnamese American new wave music.

The subjects of the film experienced teenage rebellion, with mile-high hair, underground clubs, and listening to synthesized sounds, while coping with the bittersweet emotions of being far from home. In making New Wave, filmmaker Elizabeth Ai was on a mission to excavate an untold story of rebellious punks in the chaotic world of 80s Vietnamese New Wave until she uncovers a hidden past.

This film will be shown in conjunction with the Our Journeys traveling exhibit, presented by Vietnamese Boat People. This multimedia traveling exhibition will be on display at the Oklahoma History Center through January 4, 2027.