On May 4, 2014 the Pan Asian Alliance, with the support from over 35 local organizations, held its fifth annual Pan Asian Festival at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. The event aims to present Asian culture with various performances, including Asian Indian, Chinese, Dai, Hmong, Indonesian, Japanese, Mongolian, Silk Road, Thailand, Tibetan, Yi and more.
“This art festival really is for our next generation,” Ange Hwang, the executive director from Asian Media Access, said. “Because there are lots of young kids, when they learn their cultural dance, they would appreciate more to keep their traditions and culture…we are taking a different education aspect.”
While enjoying the Asian dance and music, event goers could also experience authentic Asian food, experience craft makings and play carnival games.
“We do feel lots of differences this year,” Hwang said. “We have a lot more mainstream audiences. We used to have lots of Asians to come and support us, now we see more and more Caucasian and African American audiences come to see our show. That is really encouraging.”
This year’s performance has also featured a few new additions, such as a 45-minute version of Pan Asian Dance Drama YIYUSA. Based on an ancient Asian mystery, the story centers around the battle between good villagers and evils. According to Hwang, this piece utilizes multi-media, interweaving acrobatics and traditional Asian Dances to present a beautiful folk story. See the YIYUSA trailer here.
YIYUSA will hold another performance from 5:30-7:45 p.m. July 13 at Central Park Frank Rog Amphitheater, 2540 Lexington Ave. N. in Roseville.
Coverage of issues and events that affect Central Corridor neighborhoods and communities is funded in part by a grant from Central Corridor Funders Collaborative.
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Traditional Chinese food. (left-right) steamed bread, red bean bun, and the fish made of jelly
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