Vivid colors, samples of ethnic foods, music and traditional dances will highlight the Asian New Year Festival at Grand Valley State University and kick off events for the Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration.
The festival, including a performance of the dragon dance, is scheduled for Thursday, February 8, from 6-9 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room on the Allendale Campus. Representatives from China, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines will talk about their traditions and how they celebrate the New Year.
Connie Dang, interim director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said community groups from the Grand Rapids area, including Chinese Association of Grand Rapids, Asian Center, and Filipino Cultural Group of Michigan, will participate in the program.
Other Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration events follow. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call (616) 331-2177.
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Ethnic Settlements in U.S. Counties
Friday, February 9: 3-4 p.m., Kirkhof Center, rooms 204
Gang Xu, assistant professor of geography and planning, will present on his study of the growing presence of Asian ethnic groups in the United States and their effect on the country's cultural landscape, demographics, labor market, technological innovations and global connections. Using the U.S. Census, this study investigates the geographic patterns and spatial dynamics of Asian ethnic groups across 3,136 U.S. counties.
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Asian Adoptee Journey
Monday, February 12: 6-7:30 p.m., Kirkhof Center, rooms 215/216
Take a journey with Carissa Woodwyk, an Asian adoptee, and see how the dynamics of being a person of color and an adoptee affect one's identity. Specific issues regarding parenting and healthy adoptee identity will be highlighted and personal stories encouraged.
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Diversity Theatre -- Inside the Model Minority
Tuesday, February 13: noon-1:30 p.m., Cook-DeWitt Center, Allendale Campus
Hosted by Kennedy Management Resources Inc. The dreams of religious freedom, economic prosperity, and opportunity have historically driven immigrants to the United States. Audience members will laugh and cry when they meet these Asians and they share their experiences in their pursuit of the American Dream.
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Asian Success Stories: We the People
Thursday, February 15: noon-1 p.m., Kirkhof Center, rooms 215/216
Three Asian community leaders will share their journey of ingenuity, perseverance and achievement. Panelists are Bing Goei, owner of Eastern Floral, chairman of the board of Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce; Susan Im, attorney and Gov. Jennifer Granholm's appointee to the Asian Amercian Council; and Alice Kennedy, president of Kennedy Management Resources Inc.
