Spring time is party time, Asian style

by Lori:

Spring is here, and it’s traditionally a time for getting back out into the world after being cooped up all winter, as well as a season for new beginnings. Here at 8 Red Gates, this blog is one small new beginning for us in the online Asian community. We’ve been doing a lot of work behind the scenes all of last fall and winter to get the main website ready to launch, and there is much more still to do. As a little teaser, let us point you to a few events of interest coming up this spring around the globe. 

Spring is the start of festival season, and first up is the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAPFF), running this year from April 28 through May 7. Get all the details here. Several other Asian film festivals will be coming this summer, for example those in New York and Dallas, so check the cities near you. Supporting independent Asian film makers is a great way to strengthen the community while learning more about it through an enjoyable entertainment medium.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May) is commemorated each year with Fiesta Asia 2011, the U.S. national Asian heritage festival held in Washington DC. The main all-day street fair party is scheduled for May 21 this year. There are also several sub-events at other locations around the DC metro area, including a film festival and fashion show. More info here. 

It’s not just the major U.S. coastal metropolises holding Asian festivals during May; there are similar celebrations going on in Cleveland, Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Houston, Texas, to name just a few. Check to see if events exist within traveling distance of your town – you might be surprised, once you start looking. Canada celebrates Asian heritage month in May as well, with festivities in Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, and of course Vancouver. 

There also celebrations being held outside of North America this spring. For example, there’s the annual Hi Seoul festival in South Korea, running May 5-10. The schedule includes performances by musicians, dancers, tight-rope walkers, and mimes, plus parades, art displays, and sub-events such as the Cheonggyecheon Festival. Although it’s not spring but fall in Australia, the 11^th annual Japan Festival is being held in Victoria on May 15 (Japanese language site, or info in English). 

The advent of spring’s warmer weather and longer days invites us to get out and celebrate, and for those interested in Asian cultures there are plenty of opportunities to combine fun with support of the community. Besides the festivals mentioned above, the season brings concerts by Asian musicians, gallery exhibits featuring Asian artists, or even chances for us to host our own Asian-themed barbecue or block party. Look for events in your area -- or create your own -- to start meeting and networking with others of similar interests. Maybe you’ll find a new beginning yourself this season.