Last modified: Thursday, March 25, 2004
Lecture, Taste of Asia to highlight IU Bloomington's celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Vickie Nam, a vibrant voice for young Asian women and editor of a book of essays, Yell-Oh Girls!, will speak at Indiana University Bloomington on April 7 as part of its observance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
May is officially Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, but the IU Bloomington campus and its Asian Culture Center celebrate it in April each year to increase student participation.
Nam, who has chronicled the Asian experience in America for Web-based Asian Avenue, A magazine and several national newspapers, will speak at 7 p.m. in Whittenberger Auditorium of the Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. 7th St. Union Board is co-sponsoring her lecture.
Yell-Oh Girls! Emerging Voices Explore Culture, Identity and Growing Up Asian American (Quill, 2001) is an anthology of thoughts, reflections and short stories told by Asian American women across the United States. It has been described as a study in the struggle to manage the two cultures, old and new. Although the book primarily appeals to young Asian American women, its focus on the work of establishing identity makes it relevant to young women of all ethnic backgrounds.
"Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage month has become one of the rich cultural traditions of IU," said Melanie Cullather-Castillo, director of the Asian Culture Center. "The activities and programs lined up reflect this year's theme, which is 'Emerging Together.' They speak about understanding the history and contributions of Asian Pacific American people that are part of our American heritage."
Another highlight of the month will be the Asian American Association's "Taste of Asia" event on April 23 in Alumni Hall of the IMU. The family-oriented event will feature performance of musical styles from throughout Asia and samples of food. More details will become available as the event draws nearer. The Ateneo College Glee Club from the Philippines will perform a concert in Bloomington on April 26 as part of its U.S. tour.
As a kick-off event, the ACC will host the opening reception and a panel discussion on Asian American experiences on April 2 in the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, 275 N. Jordan Ave.
The calendar of events also includes film showings, an Indian festival, a lunch with Asian business leaders, a Vietnamese "Pho Night," a cooking demonstration and a gathering of the IU Asian Alumni Association. Two community-based events -- a reception with local Asian artists and an Asian festival at the Bloomington Community Farmers Market -- will be held in May.
What follows is a list of other activities to commemorate Asian Pacific Heritage Month:
-- Film showing and discussion of Searching for Asian America on April 1 at 7 p.m. in the Eigenmann Formal Lounge, located at the corner of 10th and Union streets.
-- Pho Night by the Vietnamese Student Association, on April 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Asian Culture Center, 807 E. 10th St.
-- Holi Festival, also known as the Festival of Colors, on April 3 at Binford Elementary School, 315 N. Drive. Time to be announced. Sponsored by the Indian Student Association.
-- Film showing and discussion of Death of a Shaman on April 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Collins Formal Lounge, Collins Living/Learning Center, at 10th Street and Woodlawn Avenue.
-- Asian Alumni Association Social, on April 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Virgil T. DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E. 17th St. Co-sponsored by the IU Asian Alumni Association.
-- Lunch Forum with Asian Business Leaders, on April 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Meeting Room C of the Monroe County Public Library, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. Co-sponsored by the Diversity Committee, the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and the Asian MBA Association.
-- Cooking demonstration of Singaporean cuisine, on April 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Asian Culture Center.
-- A concert by the Ateneo College Glee Club on April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. The Ateneo College Glee Club will perform varied choral literature including international sacred and secular songs, Filipino folksongs and contemporary tunes. The event is part of a concert tour that also includes performances in Indianapolis and Terre Haute. The concert is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by the Asian Culture Center and the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.
-- An Afternoon with Local Asian Artists, on May 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Mathers Museum, 601 E. 8th St.
-- Asian Festival at the Bloomington Community Farmers Market, on May 22 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Showers Plaza, Bloomington City Hall. Co-sponsored by the Community and Family Resources Department, Bloomington Parks and Recreation, Safe and Civil City Program.
