Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander heritage with live music, dance, food and family art activities at the Rhythmix Cultural Works Asian & Pacific Islander Arts & Culture Festival on Saturday, April 26, noon to 5 p.m., at Bohol Circle Immigrant Park, 2901 Fifth Street.
A lively array of music and dance from local performing ensembles includes traditional Hawaiian hula from Alameda’s Hālau Makana, folk music from the Philippines with the Sampaguitas, exciting Punjabi folk dance with Dholrhythms Dance Company of Non Stop Bhangra, and vibrant drumming from South Korea with Korean Culture Center – Urisawe.
Participate in hands-on art activities for kids and tickle your tastebuds with mouthwatering Asian and Pacific-inspired foods while you enjoy the waterfront view.
The Asian & Pacific Islander Arts & Culture Festival is produced in partnership with the City of Alameda Recreation and Park Department and is supported in part by the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Admission is free; please RSVP.
Featured performers
Hālau Makana: Hawaiian, Tahitian and Māori music and dance. Hālau Makana’s mission is to preserve the Hawaiian, Tahitian, and Māori cultures through dance, art and music, sharing these cultural art forms with the community and anyone who has a desire to learn. Hālau Makana is the only professional Polynesian Dance Company located in Alameda, California.
Korean Culture Center Urisawe: Korean traditional dance and music. Founded by performer/teacher Me Sook Ko (originally from Seoul, Korea), Korean Culture Center Urisawe is dedicated to promoting and cultivating Korean cultural awareness through the performing arts. Built and supported by parents, students, and office workers, Urisawe promotes cultural diversity by performing at community and multicultural events throughout the Bay Area and offers traditional Korean dance and music classes with professional artists and teachers.
The Sampaguitas: Folk music from the Philippines. Based here in the Bay Area, the Sampaguitas sing Filipino folk songs and inspired originals in three-part harmony, drawing influences from folk, blues, doo-wop girl groups, and the Filipinx-American diaspora. Jenevieve Francisco, Cristina Ibarra, and Aireene Espiritu share music from their roots and explore what it means to be in a “third culture” between worlds. The sampaguita is the national flower of the Philippines and only fitting to describe the sweet sounds coming from their melded vocal textures, tones, and tight harmonies.
Dholrhythms Dance Company of Non Stop Bhangra: Dholrhythms is an all-women dance company dedicated to celebrating the vibrant rhythms and cultural heritage of Punjab, India. For more than 20 years, Dholrhythms has created a welcoming and joyful space where people of all backgrounds can experience the infectious energy of Punjabi music and dance.
Viet Steps: The first and currently only Vietnamese-American dance school in the Bay Area. Viet Steps believes that dance training is life training. Since 2017, Viet Steps has brought traditional Vietnamese dance to Lunar New Year festivals, Moon Festivals and other events throughout the Bay Area.
Lion Dance ME: Based in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Lion Dance ME specializes in traditional Chinese lion dance, music, and entertainment. What began as a high school club has grown into a thriving organization offering programs in schools across the city. Lion Dance ME has also been showcased on America’s Got Talent and made history with the first female Western Lion King title. Dedicated to preserving the cultural art of dragon and lion dance, Lion Dance ME continues to inspire through its youth programs and performances throughout San Francisco and beyond.
Samoan Solutions: Founded in 2008. Samoan Solutions serves the Samoan/Pasefika community in the San Francisco Bay Area, evolving from a Samoan Arts & Cultural Festival idea to addressing broader community needs. Guided by values of service, respect, and love, they offer programs that preserve the Samoan language and culture while adapting to the challenges faced by their community. Over 15 years, they’ve partnered with others to create a brighter future, honoring the legacy of their ancestors and empowering future generations.
Oakland Khmer Angkor Dance Troupe: The Oakland Khmer Angkor Dance Troupe preserves and promotes Cambodian traditional dance through education, performance, and community engagement. For over 25 years, they have empowered youth, fostered cross-cultural understanding, and enriched Oakland’s cultural tapestry. Supporting artistic growth, they provide opportunities for creative expression while preserving Khmer heritage through an archive of dance, costumes, music, and history.
For more information, visit the Rhythmix Cultural Works website.