Colorado State University Presents 17th Annual Asian Fest

Colorado State University’s Asian/Pacific American Student Services Office will present the 17th annual Asian Fest celebration with arts, crafts, lectures, food and entertainment April 19-29 on campus.

This year’s theme, "Expressing Ourselves," aims to share the diversity of Asian/Pacific American culture through a variety of educational, social and interactive programs. Programs will highlight the careers of successful Asian/Pacific Americans, educate the community about issues impacting Asian/Pacific Americans and entertain community members with popular Asian/Pacific American talents.

Events kick off with Food Fest I from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. April 19. Teriyaki beef sticks and sticky rice will be sold for $3.50 on the Lory Student Center Plaza.

New York comedian Eliot Chang will perform April 20 from 7-8 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Theatre. Chang, a stand-up comedian from Harlem, has made numerous appearances in both television and film. The event is free and open to the public. Immediately after his performance, Chang will conduct "Asians in the Media," an interactive, one-hour discussion on how Asians have been portrayed throughout the history of television and film. The workshop will run from 8-9 p.m.

On April 22 from 3-6 p.m., the annual Community Jam will feature Asian/Pacific American cultural activities in the Lory Student Center Commons. Asian arts and crafts, snacks and children’s games will surround the main stage, with martial arts demonstrations, poetry reading, skits and cultural dance performances taking place on the main stage.

Following the Community Jam, the Japanese Student Association will host "One World Taiko," a Denver group performing Taiko drumming. The event is free but space is limited. The "Dialogue Series" for Asian Fest 2001 on April 23 will feature a presentation by Colorado State University student Kary Ann Moniz, who has taken a strong interest in her grandfather’s service during World War II with the American 442nd combat unit. Moniz will share the research she has done on the all-Japanese American military unit at noon in Room 228 Lory Student Center.

Colorado Sen. Stan Matsunaka will speak April 24 in the Cherokee Park Room in the Lory Student Center from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Matsunaka received a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Colorado State University in 1975. Matsunaka went on to receive a master’s and J.D. degree from the University of San Diego. He is a civil attorney in private practice in Loveland. Matsunaka is a member of the American, Colorado and Larimer County Bar Associations.

On April 25, Food Fest II will feature Korean Beef Bulgogi and sticky rice in the Lory Student Center Plaza from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. This popular Korean barbecue will be sold for $3.50 per plate.

The film "Yellow," a popular Asian American movie, will be featured in the Lory Student Center Theatre from 7-9:30 p.m. April 26. The film explores the life of a group of Asian American teens in Los Angeles. The movie is sponsored in part by the Associated Student Activity Programming Council of Colorado State and the Administrative Professional Council. The cost is $3 for non-students and $2 for students. Bring a canned food item to this event and receive $1 off admission.

Asian Fest culminates with the 16th annual Lu’au Celebration, which will be held in the Lory Student Center Ballroom from 5-9 p.m. April 29. The event will feature hula dancing, live Hawaiian music and traditional Hawaiian dance. Tickets are available at the Lory Student Center Information Desk. Admission is $18 for non-students, $15 for students and $12 for children between the ages of 2-12.

Event sponsors include Asian /Pacific American Student Services, Administrative Professional Council, Asian American Student Association, Association for Student Activity Programming, Associate Students of Colorado State University, City of Fort Collins-Fort Fund, Cultural Resources to Educate and Empower, First National Bank, Fort Collins Library, Hui ‘O Hawaii, Japanese Student Association, Lory Student Center Diversity Grant, Monji Family and the Office of Vice President for Student Affairs.

For more information, call (970) 491-6154.