Celebrate and learn about the customs and traditions of Asian-Americans with entertaining, educational events for the entire family as Tulsa City-County Library presents the 11th annual Asian-American Festival from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 1 at the Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road.
Explore the colorful cultures of Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and other countries in Asia. The festival features dynamic martial arts demonstrations, traditional drumming and dance presentations, a Japanese Tea Ceremony, Asian arts and crafts for children and teens, and an exhibition of children’s artwork from Kyoto, Japan.
Performances include Japanese drumming performed by Ohitsuji Taiko and the University of Oklahoma’s Arashi Taiko Drumming Group, “Rhythms, Stories and Sacred Songs From Asia” performed by Josh Massad, a Korean fan/drum dance performed by Di Dim Dol, and an interactive Tai Chi demonstration presented by Thomas Academy of Taiji Kung Fu.
Local martial arts instructors and their students will demonstrate Tae Kwon Do and other traditional Asian martial arts disciplines throughout the day under a big tent outside in the back of the library. Luohan Wushu Kungfu Center will kick off the festival at 10:45 a.m. with a traditional dragon dance.
Numerous activities and presentations are scheduled indoors throughout the festival, including authentic arts and crafts booths; interactive educational booths featuring crafts for kids, henna painting and more; plus a food concession with traditional Asian cuisine provided by India Palace and Sushi Train.
Festival attendees who come dressed in a cosplay costume or traditional Asian dress will get a chance to win a $50 gift card to Nam Hai Oriental Supermarket or Sushi Train.
The festival is sponsored and funded by the Tulsa Library Trust, with assistance from the Tulsa City-County Library Staff Association, Nam Hai Oriental Food Supermarket, Mazzio’s, Panera Bread and Reasor’s. Admission to the festival is free.
Visit http://TulsaLibrary.org/asianfestival for a complete list of participating groups, sponsors and presenters, plus schedule of presentations, or call 918-549-7323 for more information about the Asian-American Festival.