May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Now more than ever, it is important to uplift and support the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
Billboard put together a list of how music business companies are honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. See the full list here.
You can also check out some music playlists highlighting artists from the Asian American music community here.
Here are just a few of many events around the country celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:
Flushing Town Hall
Jihye Lee Quintet: Rest in the Arms of Motherlands
FRI, MAY 21, 7 PM ET
Composer/arranger Jihye Lee brings her first, all-female, Korean jazz quintet to Flushing Town Hall to perform an elegy for victims of anti-Asian hate crimes, including a special dedication to the women of the recent tragedy in Atlanta, GA.
Funds will be raised to support the Korean American Family Service Center’s Rainbow House Shelter.
MSG KITCHEN
MSG Presents: Feast of Resistance
A dinner series about the Asian American diaspora featuring key moments in Asian American history and hidden stories in American culture. Watch chef Sean Liu cook these dishes as he discusses the history of struggle and resistance they are rooted in.
Chicken Wings, Vincent Chin, 1982 Watch Now
Beet Salad, Oxnard Strike of 1903 Watch Now
Watch the upcoming livestreams here
May 23rd 6PM ET: Collard Greens, David Fagen 1899
May 30th 6PM ET: Black Bean Ribs, LA Riots 1991
Asia Society
For the whole month of May, Asia Society is putting together in-person and online programs to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. You can view their entire program here and view previous webcasts as well as upcoming events.
On-Demand Discussion: Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Asian Americans
An August 2020 report from McKinsey & Company examined the pandemic’s initial effects on Asians and Asian Americans. In conversation with the Kinder Institute for Urban Research founding director Dr. Stephen Klineberg, report co-authors Elaine Dang and Harrison Lung discussed what drove the study, key insights and findings, and their main takeaways on the topic, including the crucial need for disaggregated data.
Monday Art Break: Filipinx Artists
New York-based artist Jeanne F. Jalandoni, Houston-based artist and community organizer Matt Manalo, and San Francisco-based artist Charlene Tan gathered to reflect on new perspectives and practices during lockdown in a conversation with curator Bridget Bray.
PBS
PBS is featuring several documentaries highlighting Asian American and Pacific Islander American experiences and histories. See their entire program here.
THE DONUT KING
May 24, 2021
Film by Alice Gu
An immigrant story with a (glazed) twist, The Donut King follows the journey of Cambodian refugee Ted Ngoy, who arrived in California in the 1970s and, through a mixture of diligence and luck, built a multimillion dollar donut empire up and down the West Coast.
Learn more and watch the preview here
Seattle Center
Seattle Center Festál presents Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration in partnership with the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition (APDC). The festival marks the beginning of the officially proclaimed and recognized Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) of May in the Greater Seattle area. It aims to preserve and promote the culture, heritage, and contributions of Asian Pacific Islanders (API) and Asian Pacific Americans (APA).
Learn more and watch the festival here
National Day of Solidarity Against AAPI Hate
Monday, May 31, 2021
Let’s rise together against hate. Solidarity Against AAPI Hate (SAAH) is an initiative created in direct response to the Atlanta shootings and the rise in anti-Asian violence brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Find a rally in your area and join us in a national day of solidarity in cities across the country on May 31, 2021 4pm EST / 1pm PST.
