15th Annual Asian Fest Celebrates Unique Heritage of Asian Americans with Music, Theater, Arts, Crafts and Native Cuisine

Colorado State University’s Asian/American Student Services is celebrating its 15th annual Asian Fest Celebration April 16-28 with music, theater, arts, crafts, lectures, food and other entertainment.

This year’s theme, "Shattering the Silence: Beyond the Surface of Appearances," will explore the many diverse and complex issues that face Asian/Pacific Americans. Often portrayed as a trouble-free community, or a "model minority" population, Asian Fest 1999 hopes to break some of the typical misconceptions. The festival also will showcase the diversity of the many different cultural groups that make up Asian/Pacific Americans.

Highlight of this year’s festival is the California-based, 10-person Asian American theater performance group, "hereandnow." The nationally acclaimed ensemble is making its Fort Collins debut and will focus on an array of Asian American issues through a series of vignettes using song, dance, drama and comedy. There will be only one performance from 7:30-10 p.m. April 23 in the Lory Student Center Theatre. The performance is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and advance-seating tickets will be available through the A/PASS office. Additionally, the cast will be conducting a diversity workshop using theatre games and also will give a lecture on their experiences growing up as Asian/Pacific Americans and going into the acting profession.

The Distinguished Leaders Program has invited the Tibetan monks to participate in this year’s events. They will spend several days creating the Mandala Sand Painting in the Lory Student Center Art Lounge and from 7:30-10 p.m. on April 22, the public is invited to share an evening with the monks as they share some of "The Mystical Arts of Tibet." General admission to the event is $5.

Other events open for the public to enjoy include Food Fest, Community Kickoff Jam, various panels and discussions on current Asian/Pacific American issues, two film presentations by Akira Kurosawa and the annual Lu’au celebration sponsored by the Hui ‘O Hawai’i. The Lu’au features a dance program, Hawaiian foods and a live Hawaiian band. Admission for the Lu’au is $18 for adults, $15 for students and $6 for children under 12.

Closing Asian Fest 1999 is a presentation by Binh Rybecki, founder of the non-profit organization Children of Peace International, who will present "The Status of Women and Children in Vietnam: One Woman’s Journey Home." The presentation is part of the Women At Noon series and will be held April 28 beginning at noon in Room 228 Lory Student Center.

The following is a full listing of events taking place during Asian Fest 1999. All events are on the Colorado State University campus and are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Every weekday from Friday, April 16 – Friday, April 23, 1999 Flea Market: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Lory Student Center Flea Market. Asian Fest shirts, cookbooks, and specialty arts and crafts. All proceeds go to support Asian Fest 1999. Cultural History Timeline: Each weekday in the Lory Student Center, Asian/Pacific American groups will be featured through a display next to the A/PASS office in the Duhesa Lounge. Friday 4/16 – Hawaii/Laos, Monday 4/19 and Tuesday 4/20 – Tibet, Wednesday 4/21 and Thursday 4/22 – Samoan/Vietnam, and Friday 4/23 – Asian Americas.

Friday, April 16, 1999 Food Fest I: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Lory Student Center Plaza and Commons. Teriyaki beef sticks and rice will be sold. Live entertainment featuring Asian cultural dances and performances. All proceeds go to support Asian Fest 1999, $3 per/plate.

Sunday, April 18, 1999 Community Kickoff Jam: 4-6 p.m. in the Lory Student Center North Ballroom. Asian cultural dances and music displayed within an array of vignettes presented by student actors, along with Asian American snacks, Chinese calligraphy, arts and crafts, and games.

Monday, April 19, 1999 Mandala Opening Ceremonies: Lory Student Center Art Lounge. Tibetan Monks will begin work on the Mandala Sand Painting. Painting will be open to public every day until April 23. Recognition Reception: 7-8:30 p.m. in the Cherokee Park Room of the Lory Student Center. Celebration of accomplishments of graduating Asian/Pacific American students and honoring of two staff/faculty who have made significant contributions to Asian/Pacific Americans at CSU.

Tuesday, April 20, 1999 Food Fest II: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Lory Student Center Plaza and Commons. Korean barbeque and rice. $3 per/plate. Discussion Series: 2-5 p.m. in Room 210 at the Lory Student Center. Three-one hour sessions are scheduled to focus on topics that directly relate to the Asian/Pacific community. 2-2:50 p.m. "The Amerasian Experience: The Multiracial Asian American" by Kyle Funakoshi. 3-3:50 p.m. "The World of Adopted Asian Americans" by Tanya Dommel. 4-4:50 p.m. "Images of Asian/Pacific Americans in the Media" by Dr. Jun Xing and Jeffrey Ho.

Thursday, April 22, 1999 Talk Story with "Hereandnow": 3-5 p.m. in rooms 220-222 in the Lory Student Center. Cast members of "Hereandnow" will share experiences of growing up as Asian/Pacific Americans and becoming actors/actresses. Distinguished Leaders Program presents The Mystical Arts of Tibet: 7:30-10 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Theatre. Tibetan monks will share their culture. Free admission for CSU students with I.D. card and $5 for general admission.

Friday, April 23, 1999 Lunch with "Hereandnow": 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Durrell Center. Free for residence hall students and $6.25 for non-residents. Mandala Closing Ceremonies: Noon – 1:30 p.m. starting in the Lory Student Center Art Lounge and ending at the Vietnam Memorial Bridge. Closing ceremonies of the Mandala sand painting. Workshop with "Hereandnow": 2-2:30 p.m. in rooms 213-215 of the Lory Student Center. Diversity workshop utilizing theater games. "Herandnow": 7:30-10 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Theatre. Ten-person Asian American Theater group from California will focus on Asian American issues through an array of vignettes filled with drama, comedy, song and dance. Event is free, but advanced seating is required. Contact the Lory Student Center Information Desk at 970-491-6444 for ticket information.

Saturday, April 24, 1999 Cinema CSU: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Lory Student Center Theatre. Akira Kurosawa’s film "Dreams." Admission is $2.50 students / $3.50 non-students.

Sunday, April 25, 1999 Lu’au: 5-9 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom. Hui ‘O Hawaii’ presents its annual Lu’au celebration: "Me Ke Aloha Mai Na Mokunpuni ‘o Hawaii" or "With Love from the Islands." CSU students perform various dances and music from Hawaii. Authentic Hawaiian dishes will also be served. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for CSU students, and $6.50 for children ages 2-12. Contact the LSC Information Desk at 970-491-6444 for ticket information.

Wednesday, April 28, 1999 Women @ Noon: Noon in room 228 of the Lory Student Center. Binh Rybecki, founder of the non-profit organization, Children of Peace International, will present, "The Status of Women and Children in Vietnam: One Woman’s Journey Home," utilizing slides and personal stories. Cinema CSU: 7 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Theatre. Akira Kurosawa’s 1951 "Rashomon," a black and white Japanese film that received an Oscar for best foreign film will be shown.

Parking permits are available to community members who wish to attend events during the day (excluding Colorado State students, staff and faculty). For more information, call Asian/Pacific American Student Services at (970) 491-6154 or visit the A/PASS Web site at http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/APASS.