THE LARGEST ASIAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL ON THE EAST COAST!

Date: Sunday May 4th 2008
Location: Union Sq Park North (NYC)
Time: Noon to 6pm

Imagine yourself surrounded by over a hundred information tables of all kinds - advocacy groups, arts organizations, social clubs, professional associations, social service agencies, vendors, food stands, arts & crafts tables, even fortune tellers and Mhendi tatoo artists.

A children's program is going on in one corner, and a mini-film fest is screening in a tent in another. At one end of the park is a demonstration area where martial artists are exhibiting their skills. On the other end is a performance stage where traditional and contemporary musicians and dancers are putting on a show. And all around you are thousands of people sharing and celebrating their culture and heritage.

If you can picture this, then you are at the Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival.

Festival Programs
Throughout the day, various programs are presented to highlight Asian Pacific American Heritage. These include Martial Arts demonstrations, Arts & Crafts tables, a Children's Program, a Theme Exhibit, a Performance Stage, a Mini-Film Festival and Information Booths from a over a hudred different organizations.


History of the Heritage Festival
In 1979, the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Week was proclaimed by President Jimmy Carter. Following this was the creation of the Coalition of Asian Pacific American Associations, organized to: promote cooperation and understanding among Americans of Asian Pacific descent and among their representative organizations; foster friendship among Americans of Asian Pacific descent and others in the community; promote, represent, and advocate the interests of Asian Pacific American communities; and provide a conducive environment for encouraging Asian Pacific Americans to utilize their history, culture and art to foster self-esteem and respect for their heritage.

The Coalition established as its principal activity the celebration of an annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival during the first week of May, now expanded to Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.


Beginning in 1979 with only 25 organizations participating, the Festival has grown to over a hundred booths featuring Asian foods, exhibits and information. The more than 20 stage performances scheduled throughout the day have in the past included traditional Korean, Chinese, Indian, and Filipino dancing, taiko (Japanese drumming), Vietnamese and Polynesian music and dance, modern dance, and jazz, folk, classical and rock music. In recent years, the Festival has honored the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans in specific fields of endeavor, including music, literature, film and sports. The Coalition has successfully held Festivals both at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park and at Union Square Park.


Volunteer Now!
We are currently looking for volunteers to help out on the day of the festival. It's a great way to get to know the community and to make new friends! Contact Bibs Teh for more info: volunteer@capaonline.org

Watch the movie its really cute http://www.capaonline.org/sponsor.htm

I wish I had the money to put a PROAZN logo there LOL!

Ok that does it.. I am moving to NYC. It seems all these festivals happen up there.

__________________
ProAzn.com on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/ProAznCommunity

Wiki-ABOUT US
http://www.aboutus.org/Proazn.com