Events planned to celebrate Asian American culture

Grand Valley will host the annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Celebration with a series of events through April. 

The events, sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and designed by the AAPI Heritage Celebration Committee, will highlight the history, culture, traditions and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

For a full list of events and sponsors, visit www.gvsu.edu/oma. 

Asian New Year Festival: Feb. 9 from 6-9 p.m. Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room

The festival showcases the traditional Asian New Year celebration with Asian ethnic cuisine, Chinese martial arts, a cultural fashion show, a dragon performance and Asian ethnic dances.

Vietnamese Culture Gala: Cùng Nhau  Nh°  M Ùt  (Together as One) Feb. 15 from 7-10 p.m. Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room

The gala includes cultural and educational activities ranging from traditional Vietnamese lion dance, martial arts, áo dài (Vietnamese traditional garment) parade illustration, and a special performance by members of VCA. JR Aquino, pop singer initially known for his appearance as a contestant in the fourth season of American Idol, will perform.

Asian Authors/Topics Reception: Feb. 20, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Holton Hooker Living Center

A reception to recognize and honor the publications and creative works of Asian faculty and staff members, as well as publications of Asian related topics and themes. 

Beyond Grateful: Reflections on Korean Adoptees in the United States: Feb. 28 from 3-4 p.m., Kirkhof Center, room 2263.

Kimberly McKee, director of the Kutsche Office of Local History, will present excerpts from her monograph, Disrupting Kinship: Transnational Politics of Korean Adoption in the United States.

R.I.C.E. Conference: Realizing and Addressing Issues in our Culture and Education: March 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center

The 2019 theme for the conference is empowerment. Lunch is provided. Event is free and open to the public. Register online.

Sacred Site Tour: Masjid at-Tawheed Islamic Center: April 12 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Meet in the Office of Multicultural Affairs; transportation will be provided. RSVP online.