The City of Austin's Asian American Resource Center (AARC) is hosting its annual CelebrASIA Austin event, featuring performances, art, culture, food, and more! This free, family-friendly festival will take place during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 11am to 3pm.
The main stage will be indoors in the AARC ballroom, with special performances from a wide range of groups, including Heavenly Dragon Lion Dance Association, Austin Kyudo, Aiping Tai Chi, Chinese Society of Austin, Korean American Association of Greater Austin, Nana Dance, Odissi Dance Company, Xiquan Wang, Austin Folk Dance & Music Group, KhushATX, QiLi Dance, Austin Uri Karak Dance Group, FASCA, Austin Moonflower Performing Arts Group, Senior Bollywoord Dance Group, Austin Matu Hula, G-Force, and Saloni Dance Group.
The AARC’s classrooms will be transformed into cultural experience rooms, where you can immerse in hands-on cultural experiences. This year’s cultural experience rooms will be curated by the following groups:
Austin Hong Kongers - The Hong Kong XR Museum will use AR technology to create a visually engaging environment that brings to life the traditions and heritage of Hong Kong.
Indonesian Diaspora Network of Greater Austin - Learn more about the Kebaya, traditionally worn by Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese women and now considered a national costume in Indonesia.
Natayla School of Dance - Join in and learn more about Bharathanaytam, a type of South Asian classical dance that uses a combination of intricate movements to tell stories.
Austin Japanese Minyo Group - Experience Japanese culture and heritage, and learn more about the traditions of origami, kimono, anime, matcha, and more.
AARC’s Teen Mentorship Program - This year, the AARC brought together teens and mentors from across Austin for the first time. Drop by to hear more from program participants and check out their capstone project!
Doors open at 11am and performances will begin at 11:30. Food will be available from local vendors, including Bake 'n Bite ATX, Lotus Creamery, Sharetea, Tsaocaa Austin, and Mama Kong Cambodian. There will also be other tables and activities provided by community organizations like Asian Family Support Services of Austin, Austin Community College, Austin Queer Asians, Indie Meme, Network of Asian American Organizations and more.
This is an indoor-outdoor event, so please dress accordingly. The AARC parking lot will only be available for ADA parking.
UPDATE: There will not be shuttles available from the other parking lots, but there will be a drop off area at the North entrance to the AARC parking lot. The 1520 Rutherford Lane lot is closest to the center and approximately a 5 minute walk away. Additional parking will also be available at 8700 and 8900 Cameron Road (Austin Transportation Dept).
If you need more information, email us at aarc@austintexas.gov.
About the Asian American Resource Center
The Asian American Resource Center’s mission is to create a space of belonging and healing for Asian American communities in Austin and beyond. We do this through community collaborations and partnerships; providing rental space; organizing cultural, educational and health wellness programs; and curating art and historical exhibitions. We lead with our values and our vision, so that our diverse communities are supported and connected.
The Asian American Resource Center is open, Monday – Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. We host regular programs and special events for the community. Visit our Events Calendar to learn more.
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance please contact (512) 974-3914 or Relay Texas 7-1-1.