Colorado State University and Fort Collins Community Celebrate Asian Fest April 17-30

Colorado State University’s Asian/Pacific American Student Services will bring the 16th annual Asian Fest to the community with entertainment, discussions, displays, arts and crafts and Asian foods.

Events run April 17-30 on the Colorado State campus, and aim to show the diversity of the cultural groups that make up Asian/Pacific Americans, as well as to challenge misconceptions about Asian/Pacific American cultures. The theme, "Centuries of Pride: A New Sun Rising," recognizes achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Americans.

Highlighting Asian Fest 2000 is a performance by pop singer Jocelyn Enriquez at the Lory Student Center Theater April 27. Enriquez is one of the most popular international young stars in the world of pop music. She reached the pop billboard’s number one slot for five weeks in a row and was recently named one of "A. Magazine’s" 100 most influential Asian Americans of the decade. African American comedian Alonzo Bodden will open for Enriquez as part of a national tour. The University Programming Council will sponsor Bodden’s performance.

Following Bodden is the Asian American Student Association’s multicultural hip hop dance group, PhantAsia. The event is free to Colorado State students with valid identification card. General admission is $7 and seating is limited. Tickets are available at the Lory Student Center Box Office or by calling (970) 491-6444.

In conjunction with other offices and student organizations on campus, Asian/Pacific American Student Services will present a talk and performance by Chinese American singer Magdalen Hsu-Li. Hsu-Li will speak at the Women At Noon series from noon-1 p.m. April 19 in Room 228 of the Lory Student Center. Her talk will focus on the past, present and future of Asian women in the arts. She will perform later that day at 7 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Commons Area in the lower level.

On April 22, Asian Fest features the annual Community Kick-Off Jam, featuring an array of dancing, martial arts, crafts, and games from different Asian/Pacific American cultural groups. After the Community Kickoff Jam, the Japanese Student Association will present "One World Taiko Drum Team" at the Lory Student Center Theatre.

For the Asian Food Fest, teriyaki beef sticks will be on sale on the Lory Student Center Plaza April 21, and Chamorro barbecue will be on sale April 25.

The annual Discussion Series April 25 will feature four, one-hour presentations on current Asian/Pacific American issues.

On April 30, the Hui O Hawai’i presents its annual Lu’au celebration featuring a dance program, Hawaiian foods and music. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for students and $6 for children under 12. Tickets are available at the Lory Student Center Box Office.

From April 17-30, T-shirts, cookbooks and arts and crafts will be on sale at the Lory Student Center flea market. A traveling exhibit honoring influential Asian Americans and Pacific Americans also will be on display throughout campus.

All events take place on the Colorado State University campus and are free to the public unless otherwise noted. Parking permits are available to community members who wish to attend events during the day. For more information, call Asian/Pacific American Student Services at (970) 491-6154 or visit the Web site at http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/APASS

A schedule of events follows.

April 17-28

  • Asian Fest Market; T-shirts, arts, crafts, multicultural cookbooks and more available 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Lory Student Center Flea Market.

April 17-28

  • Asian American/Pacific American biographies display; 11-3 p.m., Lory Student Center.

April 19

  • Performance artist Magdalen Hsu-Li speaks on "Redefinition of Identity" as part of the Women at Noon series; noon-1 p.m., Room 228 Lory Student Center.
  • Concert by Magdalen Hsu-Li; 7:30 p.m., Lory Student Center Lower Level Commons.

April 21

  • Food Fest I; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., teriyaki beef sticks and rice on the Lory Student Center Plaza.

April 22

  • Community Kickoff Jam Festival; live performances, arts, crafts, games, free calligraphy posters, skits, Asian snacks and more; begins at 4 p.m., Sutherland Sculpture Garden, west of the Lory Student Center north of the theater.

April 22

  • Japanese Student Association presents the "One World Taiko Drum Team;" 6:30 p.m., Lory Student Center Theater.

April 25

  • Discussion Series, Room 228 Lory Student Center, noon-4 p.m.
  • Noon-12:50 p.m., "Asian American Acculturation: The Role of Asian Cultural Values," by Bryan Kim.
  • 1-1:50 p.m., "Native Hawaiian Voting Rights," Eric Shibuya.
  • 2-2:50 p.m., "The Status of Asian Pacific American Student Services at UNC Greeley," student panel from Colorado State and University of Northern Colorado.
  • 3-3:50 p.m., "I Hate My Tummy, I Hate My Thighs, I Hate My Slanty Asian Eyes…," Lynn Chang.

April 26

  • Food Fest II, a taste of Guam and Chammoro barbecue; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Lory Student Center Plaza.

April 27

  • Jocelyn Enriquez concert with opening act by comedian Alonzo Bodden and dance team PhantAsia; 6:30 p.m., Lory Student Center Theatre. Tickets available at the Lory Student Center Box Office. Free to Colorado State students with valid identification; non-student admission is $7.

April 30

  • Hui O Hawai’i presents "Jivin’ in the Islands" Lu’au; Hawaiian dinner, music and hula dancing; 5-9 p.m., Lory Student Center Main Ballroom. Admission: $18 adults, $15 students, $12 children ages 2-12 (children under 2 are free).