The City of Orinda is hosting a Pan-Asian Arts Festival this Memorial Day weekend. The two-day celebration, part of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, is free of charge and features programs for all ages. All performances will be held at the Orinda Community Center and the Orinda Library on Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27.
The festivities include a Chinese lion dance, Asian art exhibits, Bollywood dancing, Japanese animated films, Henna hand painting, martial arts demonstrations and Chinese acrobats.
The Festival’s international fashion show will include an appearance by Miss Vietnam California, as well as men and women dressed in the traditional dress of Japan, China, Korea, the Philippines, India and several other Asian countries.
Asian-American book authors will discuss their books and sign copies for fans. There is a presentation by an expert on travelling in Asia who will provide tips on planning a getaway to far-off places.
The Festival is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Orinda, the Orinda Library, the City of Orinda, and the Friends of the Orinda Library.
“We are bringing together a blend of Asian arts through music, food, dance and arts and crafts for families to enjoy and experience,” said Rotary Club President Weylin Eng. “It’s a celebration of cultures and a celebration of diversity.”
Download a printable schedule of events.
SATURDAY, MAY 26*
| 10:00am
|
Ribbon cutting, Lower Plaza,
Ribbon cutting with Deputy Consul-General Nagayoshi of Japan, Orinda Vice-Mayor Inga Miller, Assemblywoman Catherine Baker, San Francisco Asian Art Museum representative David Lei, Rotary DG Gary Vilhauer, Orinda Poet Laureateamy Alysa Glynn |
| 10:15am | White Crane Lion Dance, Lower Plaza |
| 10:30am | Introduction of art exhibition and artists, Library Gallery Foyer |
| 11:00am | HipHop-Natyam “Bollywood” dancers, tabla Indian music, OCC Founders Room; henna hand painting, Upper Plaza |
| 11:30am
|
Asian fashion show with Miss Vietnam California Christine Truong and models in ao dai (Vietnam), hanbok (Korea), sari (India), chipao/cheongsam (China), kimono (Japan), OCC Founders’ Room |
| 12:00pm | Food Trucks (Thai, Korean & Chinese), Parking Lot Origami crafts, Upper Plaza Japanese animation film: “A Letter to Momo”; Gallery Room (2 hrs) |
| 12:30pm | Chinese Calligraphy Demonstration, Upper Plaza
Asian cooking demonstration with Chef Raymond Tang, OCC Kitchen & Room 4 |
| 1:00pm | Mau Tamari’i A Tiare Polynesian Dancers, Auditorium
Fan painting activity for families & children with artist Pauline Tsui, Upper Plaza |
| 1:30pm | Mochi-making presentation by Kaori’s Kitchen, Garden Room |
| 2:00pm | Filipino Music: The Holy Tendencies Trio featuring Manny Tuazon & Willie Santamaria, Auditorium |
| 2:30pm | Martial arts demonstration, East-West BokFuDo, OCC Founders Room |
| 3:00pm | Author talks / book signings, Garden Room
Guzheng artist Winnie Wong & China’s Spirit Music Ensemble, Auditorium |
SUNDAY, MAY 27*
| 1:00pm | Balinese dance & interactive workshop, Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Lower Plaza |
| 1:30pm | Art exhibition / curator talk, Library Gallery Foyer
|
| 1:45pm | Tai Chi Demonstration with Taiji Master William Dere, OCC Founders Room |
| 2:00pm | Asian cooking demonstration with Chef Raymond Tang, OCC Kitchen & Room 4
Author talks / book signing, Garden Room
|
| 3:00pm | Taiko Drumming Ensemble, Eden Aoba, Lower Plaza |
| 3:30pm | “Becomingamerican: The Chinese Experience” video with Bill Moyers, Auditorium |
*All events and timing subject to change