The Japanese American National Museum will host its 2011 Annual Gala Dinner and Silent Auction at the J.W. Marriott Hotel. This year’s theme will be, “Continuing Family Stories: The Expanding Nikkei Community.” The gala dinner, the largest fundraising event for the National Museum, will highlight some of the contributions and stories of Nikkei in the post-World War II era, including those that arrived in America in the 1960s and 1970s and beyond. Two families will be recognized as part of the dinner program: the Noritoshi and Fusako Kanai family and the Jane Aiko Yamano family. Sansei illustrator/writer Stan Sakai, who was born in Japan, will also be honored for his cultural contributions. U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and former Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta are the Honorary Dinner Co-Chairs for the 2011 Annual Gala Dinner. Info: (213) 625-0414.