4.15.2022 Gaithersburg Celebrates Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Gaithersburg, MD – (April 15, 2022) The City of Gaithersburg celebrates and honors Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May with programs and a proclamation highlighting the culture, heritage and achievements of our Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander neighbors. See the complete list here.
At the Mayor and City Council meeting on Monday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m., Mayor Jud Ashman will issue an official proclamation declaring May 2022 as Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the City of Gaithersburg, recognizing Asian Americans and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders whose valued presence has added to the rich cultural mosaic of our community. The proclamation will be presented to Jay Sun, Honorary President of Coordination Council of Chinese American Associations (CCCAA).
Sun is credited with creating a successful model of cross-cultural cooperation led by the Chinese American community. During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, he led CCCAA as the first local organization to coordinate with other Chinese American organizations and manage donations of PPEs to first responders and essential workers. Sun is highly recognized in local communities for his dedicated service, devotion and commitment.
Activities and programs throughout the month of May include:
Harmonious Art Group 22nd Annual Exhibition
April 15 – June 19
Reception: Sunday, May 15, 1 p.m.
Activity Center at Bohrer Park
This annual exhibit showcases artwork by Asian American artists and highlights both Chinese brush painting and calligraphy. The Gallery is open for viewing Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Art of Kolam Workshop
Saturday, May 7, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Learn geometrical line drawing used for ceremonial design during traditional Indian festivities. Tamil women from India often begin and sometimes end their day by drawing Kolams. These repeating patterns, drawn on the ground just outside the front door of houses using rice or rock powder, have been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. They symbolize the scientific and philosophical patterns innate to and infinite throughout the cosmos. The process can be meditative and healing. This workshop invites you to learn how to draw Kolams on paper, starting with simple exercises and moving on to more complex patterns. Register online here.
Hula Performances & Crafts
Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
May's free Drop-In Activity at the Community Museum includes craft making throughout the day and Hula performances at 2:30 p.m. by Alaula from Melelana Dance. Hula is a Polynesian dance form that originated in the Hawaiian Islands. No registration is necessary.
Storytime at the Arts Barn: "Yayoi Kusama Covered Everything in Dots and Wasn't Sorry"
Friday, May 20, 1 p.m.
Join the Arts Barn staff for an engaging story and creative arts activities. May's featured story is "Yayoi Kusama Covered Everything in Dots and Wasn't Sorry," a quirky book by Fausto Gilberti about the beloved contemporary artist. Register for this free program here. A parent or guardian must accompany their child.
Multicultural Story Time Tent
Saturday, May 21, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Explore cultures and traditions at the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Tigger, the Chinese New Year Tiger, welcomes children ages 2 to 8 at the Multicultural Story Time Tent. Three local Asian American authors will read their children's books at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Featured authors include Ambreen Tariq ("Fatima's Great Outdoors"), Frances Park ("The Royal Bee"), Ginger Park ("The One Hundred Choice Department Store"), and Young Vo ("Gibberish"). The Gaithersburg Book Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm. Admission is free.
Dreaming of Words
Monday, May 23, 12:30 p.m.
"Dreaming of Words" is a documentary film about Njattyela Sreedharan, a fourth standard dropout who compiled a dictionary connecting four major Dravidian languages. Travelling across four states and doing extensive research, he spent 25 years making this unique, multilingual dictionary that offers a comparative study of Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. "Dreaming of Words" traces Sreedharan's life, work, love for languages and the struggles to get the dictionary published. The film also explores the linguistic and cultural diversity in India. This event is free and all are welcome.
Tasty Books: "Eyes That Kiss in the Corners"
Saturday, May 28, 10:30 a.m.
$5 per person, Individual tickets need to be purchased for each child and adult
Stories come to life as they are read aloud and explored with hands-on crafts and snack-making. Adult supervision required. "Eyes That Kiss in the Corners" by Joanna Ho tells a story about learning to love and celebrate diversity. A young Asian girl notices that her eyes kiss in the corners just like her mother's, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. With the stories each of these powerful women in her life share, she discovers self-love and empowerment. Register online here.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month originated in a congressional bill in June of 1977. President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation proclaiming the week beginning on May 4, 1979, as Asian/Pacific American Heritage week, and President Barack Obama issued a proclamation proclaiming May 2009 as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. President Joe Biden proclaimed May 2021 as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, recognizing the history and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) across our Nation. Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders comprise many ethnicities and languages, and their many achievements embody the American experience.
The mission of the Multicultural Affairs Committee is to enrich our City through the promotion of understanding, respect, and appreciation of the many cultures of Gaithersburg. Learn more here.
