Oakland Asian Cultural Center Presents: Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival 2008

The Oakland Asian Cultural Center’s (OACC) annual Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Festival 2008 features hands on activities for families, a film screening, cooking workshops, and a culminating performance by OACC artists in residence. All events are OACC produced and will be held at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.

Asian Arts Together

A workshop for children and families to work together on hands on activities including Japanese paper dolls, Japanese daruma dolls, Cambodian theater masks, Korean kites, Lunar New Year Rats, and Vietnamese dragon mobiles.

May 10, 2008 1:30pm-4:30pm

Free and open to the public

National Dishes Workshops

May 10, 10:30am-12:30pm National Dishes Workshop “Korean Kimchee”

May 24, 10:30am-12:30pm National Dishes Workshop “Laotian Larb”

June 7, 10:30am-12:30pm National Dishes Workshop “South Asian Samosas”

June 21, 10:30am-12:30pm National Dishes Workshop“Chinese Pot Stickers”

When: 10:30 am-12:30pm

National Dishes is a four part workshop, each focusing on the national dish of an Asian country. The goal of this series is to preserve the passing on of culinary tradition and to foster the passing of knowledge and storytelling that only happens in the kitchen. Each workshop will be followed by lunch provided by OACC and featuring the freshly made featured national dish.

Free ($5-$10 donation to cover materials, no one turned away for lack of funds) register by calling (510) 637-0462, limited to 15 participants per workshop, registration on a first come first served bases, please register at least one week prior to workshop date, all materials provided.

Reception and screening of NEW YEAR BABY followed by Q and A with film maker Socheata Poeuv

Co-produced by OACC, Center for Asian American Media, and Independent Television Service

May 13, 2008, 6pm-8:30pm

Born in a Thai refugee camp on Cambodian New Year, filmmaker Socheata Poeuv grew up in the United States never knowing that her family had survived the Khmer Rouge genocide. In NEW YEAR BABY, she embarks on a journey to Cambodia in search of the truth and why her family’s history had been buried in secrecy for so long.

Free and open to the public

Asian Words, Asian Beats

Performances by the Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy and Leadership Cambodian Youth group, Word and Violin (O’Riain and Sundaralingam’s joint compositions explore a rich tapestry of sound from Indian raag to Irish ballads, from Bayou blues to gypsy jazz) and Karmacy (Using Hip Hop as a medium through which they communicate their thoughts, Karmacy transcends typical perceptions and ideologies appealing to music listeners in all corners of the world) premiering new works created during both groups participation in the Oakland Asian Cultural Center’s Artist in Residency Program.

May 31, 2008, 8pm-11pm

Free and open to the public, there will be a cash bar serving alcohol

The Oakland Asian Cultural Center believes that culture and heritage play a critical role in building and maintaining communities. The center showcases a wide range of cultural and artistic expression including dance, literature, music, and the visual arts. OACC serves as a resource for understanding the legacy of Asian and Pacific Islanders and their unique influences on the cultural identities and enrichment of our communities. The Oakland Asian Cultural Center commitment to quality programming and services is designed to promote our evolving cultures and ultimately build bridges of understanding among all communities.