News Release — For info contact Lori Melton, [email protected], 218-726-8830.
UMD's Asian Pacific American Association (APAA) presents Asian Awareness Month (AAM) during the month of April. AAM is dedicated to spreading Asian awareness throughout the UMD campus and the Duluth community. While AAM is usually celebrated in the month of May, due to the academic calendar, it was moved up a month at UMD.
There are a number of events taking place in the Twin Ports community. These events are sponsored by multiple organizations coming together to help spread awareness of Asians around the world. These organizations include Hmong Living in Unity and Balance (HLUB), She’s The First, Indian Student Association (ISA), College of St. Scholastica Asian Student Union (ASU), and APAA. Events occurring in collaboration of this program include Movie Nights, Food Festival, Cultural Heritage Nights, 5k run/walk, and many more.
Some events require a ticket to be purchased in order to attend, while most events are free. All events are open to the public.
Friday, April 1: Open Mic
Asian Pacific American Association, presents Open Mic Night. This event is a way to showcase student talents that vary from singing, poetry, dancing, and playing an instrument.
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: Kirby Rafters
Saturday, April 2: Hmong Heritage Event (HLUB’s Event)
Theme: Journey Beyond the Paj Ntaub
Time: 6–9 pm
Location: Kirby Rafters
Wednesday, April 6: Origami Relief Night
Time: 5 pm
Location: The Garage
Friday, April 8: Wong Fu Productions: "Everything Before Us" Screening
“Everything Before Us” is an independent film released in June 2015. In this film, “all romantic relationships are seen by the D.E.I- the Department of Emotional Integrity, similar to credit score given to represent financial responsibility, a 'relationship score' given to people accountable for their romantic activity and choices. Ben and Sara, a former couple in their early 30’s, they must meet again to settle a conflicting score and reconcile the reasons for their relationships fell apart. Seth and Haley decided to enter their register relationship together after just graduating school. These couple face different, but intersecting challenges in love amidst the DEI rule.” This film is the first featured film from Wong Fu Productions, founded by Wesley Chan, Ted Fu, and Philip Wang. They are known for their Youtube channel creating short films, music videos, sketches, and vlogs.
Time: 6–8 pm
Location: Chem 200
Saturday, April 9: College of St. Scholastica Asian Student Union’s Heritage Night
Theme: Reliving Our Legends
Time: 7 pm
Location: Mitchell Auditorium, College of St. Scholastica
Sunday, April 10: She’s the First 5k ScholaRUN
Time: 9 am
Location: Bagley Nature Center
Tuesday, April 12: “Beyond the Boat” Esera Tuaolo
Esera Tuaolo is an American who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League. Several years ago, after playing for nine seasons in the NFL (Atlanta, Green Bay and the Vikings), Esera came out on national television and told the world that he is gay. Esera’s personal story is a powerful and rare tale of coming face to face with who you really are and coming to terms with yourself and the world around you. As you might imagine, coming from the hyper macho world of professional football, this took great courage. Now, Esera cherishes the chance to share his story to help others face in an intolerant society. Esera also had to overcome the cultural resistance of his Pacific Islander family and friends who had a traditional, old world point of view.
Time: 5:30 pm
Location: Bohannon 90
Tuesday, April 19: Food Festival
Ready-to-Eat: Street Foods: Asian Pacific American Association presents “Ready-to-Eat: Street Foods”, in the East Asia, and everywhere in the surrounding, street foods are occasionally sell from vendors in the nights of Asia, many of us aren’t able to experience how Street food may be like. With, “Ready-to-Eat: Street Food”, we are able to showcase different Asian games, and Asian American fusion street foods and popular street foods in the surrounding of the Asian Pacific regions.
Time: 5–7 pm
Location: Kirby Commons
Thursday, April 21: Midwest Asian American Student Union Panel & Presentation
Time: 6 pm
Location: LSBE 129
Friday, April 22: Movie Day: IP Man 3
Time: 6–9pm
Location: Chem 200
Saturday, April 23, ISA Holi: Color Festival
Time: 11 am
Location: Kirby Terrace