Asian American Heritage Celebration presents Chinese dance, music

Grand Valley’s annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration will continue February 12 with cultural performances by people from the West Michigan Chinese American community. It will take place from 4-5 p.m. in the Cook DeWitt Center.

Sponsored by Grand Valley’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, the celebration features activities and events through March 22. The events are free and open to the public.

“Hafu” documentary showing
February 13, 6-7:45 p.m., room 2215, Kirkhof Center
The documentary is about the journey of multi-race Japanese people and their experiences in modern day Japan. Jeremy Robinson, associate professor of East Asian Studies and Japanese, will facilitate the conversation with filmmakers Megumi Nishikura and Lara Perez Takagi.

Listen
February 18, 6-7:30 p.m., room 2215, Kirkhof Center
Carissa Woodwyk, a licensed counselor and marriage and family therapist, will discuss adoption and the feelings and experiences that come with it.

Bread-Loving Japan: Changes Across the 20th Century
February 24, 1-2 p.m., Pere Marquette Room, Kirkhof Center
Jason Herlands, assistant professor of Japanese, will give a presentation about U.S. involvement in financing the spread of wheat products in Japan and the cultural ramifications.

R.I.C.E. Conference: Realizing and Addressing Issues in our Culture and Education
March 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center
The theme is “Linking Generations: Incorporating the Past, Present and Future,” and faculty, community leaders and students will present a variety of workshops. It is free and open to the public; breakfast and lunch will be provided. Register by emailing [email protected].

Supporting sponsors of the celebration include Grand Valley’s Area Studies, Asian Student Union, Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Chinese Language Culture Club, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, East Asian Studies, Inclusion and Equity Division, Geography and Planning, Japanese Culture Association, Liberal Studies, Modern Languages and Literatures, Political Science and WGVU Public Media.

For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/oma.