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e-culture: Building New Saigon, Dragon Boat Races, Asian Pacific Heritage Events
April 29, 2004
As new generations of Asian and Pacific Americans are raised in the United States, the events of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month are instrumental in connecting them to the heritage of their parents and grandparents.
Helping to preserve the pluralism of international cultures in our society, these artistic performances and exhibits improve the quality of all of our lives and create valuable cultural exchange. Please encourage friends and family to share in your diverse interests and help keep these events alive for future generations.
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Houston's Vietnamese Community
Lifted from the seas by Chinese merchant ships and foreign navies, many who were children still remember the terror and relief of resting on the decks of Australian and Indonesian war vessels, while their parents wondered if they would be processed and transferred to safety, or returned to Vietnam to risk their lives another day.
Some in their late twenties are old enough to remember leaving Vietnam in this way, as the world referred to the refugees as "Boat People," but many of college age have experienced a different world most of their lives. Born in the United States during the late 1970s and early 1980s, they are sometimes embarrassed by the customs and traditions of their parents and grandparents.
Unbeknownst to many of their children, following the American dream did not come easy for the immigrants.
Uncertainty, resentment, and even violent and bitter conflict greeted many of them in Texas, long after they left the aftermath of war in Vietnam behind. In many cases, living in fear of their neighbors characterized their daily lives.
Little is said of the hardships most faced after arriving in resettlement camps and establishing new lives in America cities. Anglo and African Americans talked of the "Asian Invasion" on radio dials and some took drastic measures to reject the newest Americans, including intimidation and threats by the Ku Klux Klan.
Building New Saigon
Throughout time people have wanted to know how they arrived in new lands. We consider the hardships faced by Vietnamese Americans, not only in coming to Texas, but in gaining acceptance and making it their home.
Read the story of building a new Saigon:
http://www.houstonculture.org/cultures/viet.html
View a photograph of a Vietnamese resident of Allen Parkway Village from our archive:
http://www.houstonculture.org/imgarch/apv/viet_woman.jpg
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Dragon Boat Races and Buffalo Bayou Regatta
Houston's fourth annual Dragon Boat Races take to the water on Saturday, May 1, at 8:30am with opening ceremonies by the Dulles High School Dragon Dancers. Competitive races start every 10 minutes with colorful entertainment, educational cultural booths, delicious cuisine, and fun games for kids and adults alike. A portion of the proceeds benefit breast cancer survivors served by The Rose [http://www.the-rose.org], a local Breast Cancer Survivor support group in Houston. There will be a special race in honor of the continued fight against this disease.
4th Annual Houston Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, May 1, 2004, 8:00am - 4:00pm
Allen's Landing - the birthplace of Houston (downtown)
http://www.houstondragonboat.com
Buffalo Bayou Regatta Events
Saturday, May 1, 2004
Test your endurance in Texas's largest kayak and canoe race! Whether you paddle competitively or just for fun, the regatta is a great way to see Houston from a whole new angle. Join in the fun at the 34th annual 15-mile canoe and kayak race down the Bayou or the first annual 1/2-mile Bayou Sprints. With prizes for kayakers, canoers, Corporate Cup and Styrofoam Cup winners.
Spectators are encouraged! Cheer on both regatta and sprint racers as the finish from Allen's Landing or the new North Side Trail and Festival Place on the north shore of Buffalo Bayou downtown. Or support regatta racers from bridges over the bayou throughout the course, from Voss to Main.
And, don't miss the "art car" fun of the Anything That Floats Parade!
9:00am - Buffalo Bayou Regatta Start
San Felipe Bridge (Buffalo Bayou)
9:00am - Bayou Sprints Start
North Side Trail, 300 Washington (Between Louisiana and Milam by UH Downtown)
12:30pm - Regatta and Sprints Awards Ceremony
Allen's Landing Downtown, 1019 Commerce Street and Main
3:30pm - Anything That Floats Parade Starts
Buffalo Bayou at Tapley Tributary, across bayou from Tinsley Park
4:15pm - Anything That Floats Parade Awards
Buffalo Bayou ArtPark at Sabine Street Bridge
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Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Events
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Kick-Off
Thursday, April 29, 2004, 6:00pm
JPMorgan Chase Building, Heritage Hall
707 Travis
Celebrate the culture and heritage of Asian Pacific American communities, featuring artworks of Asian and Pacific American artists. Art work will be on display throughout May. Art and photography created by Aasha Radhika, BenTzion, Fahmi, Hoque, Guoshun, Peihong Dong, Ravinder Reddy, Rehana Manji, Saroj Bahl, Sharat Valluri, Thao Hoang. Art and photography donated for exhibition from Rathna Kumar at the Anjali Center for Performing Arts and Dr. Ramesh Cherivirala at the India Culture Center, Sukrekha Gonuguntla, Jyoti Sanghvi, and Lisa and Charles Sommer. (Exhibit open and free to public)
9th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Parade
Sunday, May 02, 2004, 11:00am
Little Saigon (Midtown)
6th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival
Sunday, May 02, 2004, 12:00pm (Noon)
Little Saigon (Midtown)
The Art Institute of Houston Annual Art Exhibit
Opening May 06, 2004, 6:00pm
On display throughout May (open and free to public)
The Art Institute of Houston
1900 Yorktown Street
Houston, TX 77056-4197
Indian Culinary Night at the Art Institute of Houston
May 13, 2004
Time: TBA
The Art Institute of Houston
1900 Yorktown Street
Houston, TX 77056
APAHA's 12th Anniversary Gala, "Many Cultures, One World"
May 22, 2004, 6:30pm
Westin Oaks Galleria
5011 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77056
Asian Pacific American Heritage at the Children's Museum
May 29, 2004, 9:00am
The Childrenıs Museum
1500 Binz Street
Houston , TX 77030
www.apaha.org
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"Passage Through India"
A visual presentation by Samskriti, "India Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," with music and dance, and an exhibit on Mahatma Gandhi.
Saturday, May 1, 2004, 8:00pm
Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hermann Park
(281) 265-ARTS
www.anjalicenter.org
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A Concert By MUSIQA: "Made In America"
"Riveting...[Musiqa] is a collective of Houston composers interested in seeing very new music performed in a way that's approachable and intelligible, and the recent concert achieved this completely, judging by the standing ovation." --ArtsHouston
Featuring: Karol Bennett, soprano; Norman Fischer, cello; Jeanne Kierman Fischer, piano; Andrzej Grabiec, violin; Allison Jewett, flute; Andrea Moore, percussion; Paula Page, harp; Rod Waters, piano; Michael Webster, clarinet; and Kevin Noe, conductor.
Saturday, May 1, 2004, 7:30pm
The Rothko Chapel
1409 Sul Ross at Yupon
713-524-9839
www.musiqahouston.org
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FINAL SOLUTION: A Film by Rakesh Sharma
Set in Gujarat, India between February 2002 and July 2003, the film examines the aftermath of the deadly violence that followed the burning of 59 Hindus in the Sabarmati Express train at Godhra on 27 February 2002. In "reaction" to that incident, some 2,500 Muslims were brutally murdered, hundreds of women raped, and more than 200,000 families driven from their homes. The film is anti-hate/violence, in the spirit of the idea that "those who forget history are condemned to relive it." This is an important film that has won critical acclaim around the world. At the acclaimed February 2004 Berlin International Film Festival, it won the Wolfgang Staudte award and the Special Jury Award by the NETPAC jury. It has also won a humanitarian award at the 28th Hong Kong International Film Festival.
Monday, May 3, 2004, 5:30 - 8:30pm
University of Houston
University Center - Mediterranean Room
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A CONTEMPORARY SALON
With Guests:
Dr. Elizabeth Gregory, Director, Women's Studies Program
Rex Koontz, Assistant Professor of Art History, College of Art
Gabriela Baeza Ventura, Assistant Professor of Hispanic Literature, Department of Modern and Classical Languages
This panel discussion is held in conjunction with the exhibition, DANIELA ROSSELL: RICAS Y FAMOSAS, on view from April 24-June 13
Wednesday May 5, 2004, 7:00pm
Blaffer Gallery, The Art Museum of the University of Houston
120 Fine Arts Building
Houston, Texas 77204-4018
(713) 743-9530
http://www.blaffergallery.org
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International Festival of Muslim Cultures
May 15, 2004, 9:00am - 9:00pm
Eleanor Tinsley Park (Allen Parkway at Interstate 45)
Free admission
http://www.ifomc.org
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Anchee Min, Empress Orchid
Ms. Min and Houston resident and Chinese actress Lily Foster (Chen Ye) will perform a scene from Min's new novel Empress Orchid. Ms Foster is also the wife of Asia Society Texas Chairman, Charles C. Foster. Ms. Min will introduce the performance and take questions from the audience. Afterwards, there will be a book signing. In Empress Orchid, Min brings to life the story of China's longest-reigning female ruler and last Empress, Tzu His.
Free, Sponsored by Inprint
May 17, 2004, 7:30 - 11:00pm
The Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Avenue
713-439-0051
E-mail: txcenter@asiasoc.org
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Asia on My Mind - Deepavali in May!
India is a land of festivals! Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with fervor and gaiety. The festival is celebrated by young and old, rich and poor, throughout the country to dispel darkness and light up their lives. Perhaps the most popular festival in India, Deepavali usually occurs in the fall. This year all has changed. The revolutionary Vaswani's (Best-selling cookbook author, Suneeta Vaswani, and wine connoisseur, Nanik Vaswani) are moving the celebration to May. Join them in all that makes Deepavali so special - lights, flowers, finery, jewels, sumptuous food... and so much more! An evening with the Vaswani's is an unforgettable and priceless opportunity! Limited space available.
May 20th 7:30 - 10:00pm
Location Confirmed upon reservation
$250 per seat
713-439-0051
E-mail: txcenter@asiasoc.org
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Asia on My Mind - Behind the Jade Screen
Sylvia and John Sullivan are inviting you to their new home as Sylvia creates an evening in old China with extraordinary food and decor. Amidst Sylvia's magical Asian collections, you will feast on the delicacies of Asia and meet famous Chinese jewelry designer (her designs have been carried in Neiman Marcus and other exclusive jewelry stores) and collector of antique Chinese furniture, Kai Yin Lo. Limited seating!
May 25, 2004, 7:00 - 10:00pm
Location Confirmed upon reservation
$250 per seat
713-439-0051
E-mail: txcenter@asiasoc.org
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Asia on My Mind - A Totally Thai Experience
Nourish your mind, your soul and your palate and escape from the pressures of every-day life for an evening in old Siam! Surrounded by a rare collection of contemporary Asian art and antiquities at the home of the owner of Iklektik Designs and representative of Lotus Arts de Vivre, you will join Bill and Deborah Colton for an experience that will tantalize all of your senses and take you to another world. In this relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by exotic sights and scents, you will dine on a luscious variety of authentic dishes as you enjoy Thai dancers and music. The pampering will continue as the owner and staff of, "A Thai Experience" will make your evening complete with a relaxing and soothing neck or foot massage. You may never want to go home!
June 4, 2004, 7:00 - 10:00pm
Location Confirmed upon reservation
$250 per seat
713-439-0051
E-mail: txcenter@asiasoc.org
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Celebrating National Poetry Month
A Poetry Slam, Celebrating National Poetry Month
Presented by Voices Breaking Boundaries
Performances by
Lee High School Students: Yesenia Ruiz - a senior who lives to write poetry and dance; And, Brenda Valdivia - "failing gracefully." Just two steps away from dropping out, now she's taking two steps in the right direction.
Shannon Garth-Rhodes - a senior at the University of Houston, Shannon is editor of the University of Houston-Downtown's Literary and Visual Arts Journal, the Bayou Review. She's graduating with a B.S. in Professional Writing.
Marcel Murphy hosts and features in numerous venues around the Houston area and is instrumental in laying the groundwork for Houston to field itıs first slam team to nationals. Awards include third place in the Bluebonnet Poetry Slam (2003), part of the winning team at Slam Masters (Chicago 2002), and named by Renaissance Entertainment as the Most Valuable Poet in Houston (2001).
Jawad - a blues musician that has opened for and performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Gerald Albright, Alex Bugnon, The Manhattans and others. "Jawad is the kind of cat who can go anyplace, a coffee shop... a middle school... and play an impromptu set that audiences can feast on..." - Houston Press
Thursday, April 29, 4:00 - 6:00pm
Morris Frank Library
6440 W. Bellfort
Houston, TX 77035
(832) 393-2410
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kayumanggi on the Radio
We will talk to Koy Severino of the pinoy rock band, kayumanggi, on the KTRU World Music Show, about his newly released CD.
Several of the tracks were made during the band's live performances at area venues, such as the Asian American Festival at Miller Outdoor Theatre. We will ask the kayumanggi band leader about his upcoming tour and discuss the state of the music industry. Koy Severino, and other members of the group, plan to perform their innovative traditional and modern Filipino arrangements live on the air at 8:00pm on KTRU (91.7 FM), Monday, May 24.
Read a previous interview with Koy Severino
http://www.houstonculture.org/world/kayumanggi.html
Be sure to tune in the World Music Show every Monday, from 7 - 9:00pm, on KTRU, Rice University Radio.
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¡Viva Cinco de Mayo!
May Fifth is just a few days away, and once again, people will celebrate a historic event of great significance to North Americans. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the anniversary of General Ignacio Zaragoza's defeat of the French at the small village of Puebla.
Learn more about this featured tradition:
http://www.houstonculture.org/mexico/cincodemayo.html
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Assimilation in Chihuahua
An understanding of Chihuahua's indigenous inhabitants from the pre-Hispanic era to the Nineteenth Century requires an imagination that dispenses with national borders. The border of the present-day state of Chihuahua with its neighboring Mexican states and the American states on its north is a creation of political entities. These borders may cause the reader to believe that the indigenous groups from Chihuahua were unique to their area and distinct from the indigenous inhabitants of New Mexico, Texas, Coahuila, Sonora, or Durango.
However, nothing could be further from the truth. Although an international border separates Chihuahua from Texas and New Mexico, the indigenous inhabitants of Chihuahua did in fact have extensive cultural, linguistic, economic and spiritual ties with the indigenous groups of those two American states.
Learn more about the effects of War and Assimilation in Chihuahua:
http://www.houstonculture.org/hispanic/chih.html
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Upcoming Features
The next e-culture newsletter will feature Art Cars and Low Riders - We'll tell you about the upcoming Art Car Weekend, and explore the culture of low riders.
We will review the organization's upcoming travel plans, and note some important changes to the schedule. We will also post upcoming meeting dates and let you know how to get involved with Houston Institute for Culture.
Thank you for supporting diverse activities in Houston.
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M a r k @houstonculture.org
Cultural and Community Organization Listings:
http://www.houstonculture.org/listings
2003 Report to Friends and Volunteers:
http://www.houstonculture.org/report
Support Houston Institute for Culture:
http://www.houstonculture.org/giving
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