Willie began a 50-year career in animation in 1953, working on Disney’s iconic spaghetti-kissing scene in Lady & The Tramp. He later worked at other studios, including Warner Bros., Looney Tunes features (Bugs Bunny, Coyote & Road Runner, and One Froggy Evening with J Michigan Frog); Hanna-Barbera (Jetsons, Flinstones, Scooby Doo, Yogi Bear); Bob Clampett Productions; Beanie & Cecil; and back at Disney (Wuzzles and Gummy Bears). He retired from Disney in 1998 as the Director of Character Art International. Willie has illustrated three children's books, "Hello Maggie!", "A Boy From Heart Mountain," and "Lucy: Mascot of the 442nd RCT Medics. In 2025, he produced and released his first animated short film, Hello Maggie!, based on the book of the same name. He is a recipient of the prestigious Windsor McCay Award from the Annies, Comic-Con's Inkpot Award, and a Cartoonist of the Year Award from the Nemo Academy in Florence, Italy. He also holds two Lifetime Achievement Awards: one from Animation Magazine and one from Spark Animation in Vancouver, Canada. Please visit willieito.com for more information about the life and career of Willie Ito.

Doors open at 6:30 PM, event at 7 PM at The 418 Project, 155 South River Street, downtown Santa Cruz at the Dragons Gate. Suggested Donation $10 at door.