APIDA Arts Festival, Celebrating the Creativity of Asian, Pacific Island and Desi Americans in Chicago, in association with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Goodman Theatre and Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA), announces its inaugural festival, May 5 - 7, at venues in downtown Chicago. The mission of the APIDA Arts Festival is to amplify and unify Asian, Pacific Island and Desi/South Asian American artists in Chicago by showcasing their work at premier cultural institutions, providing greater representation, equity and opportunity. APIDA Arts Festival is also calling for submissions to participate in the Festival. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, Feb. 15. Interested artists including painters, musicians, dancers, comedians, film makers, spoken word and others may apply at APIDAArts.org/program.
“As a Korean American performing artist for more than 20 years in Chicago, I wasn't given the same opportunities as my peers,” says Executive Director Mia Park. “This festival creates space for Asian, Pacific Island and Desi/South Asian American makers and creators to showcase their work and connect. The aim of the festival is to amplify and unify these voices.”
The current APIDA Arts Festival schedule is available at APIDAArts.org and currently includes:
Friday, May 5
Claudia Cassidy Theater, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
FREE ADMISSION
5 - 6 p.m.: Live painting demonstration with Won Kim
5 - 8:30 p.m.: Artist Katie Chung in a fashion installation will mingle and interact throughout the evening with Festival guests
5:15 - 5:45 p.m.: Live classical music with Béke Trio
6 p.m.: Opening ceremony with Mia Park
6:15 p.m.: Stand up comedy with Eunji Kim
6:45 p.m.: Film screening of "Running,” written by and starring Danny Pudi (“Community,” “Mythic Quest”)
7:45 - 8:30 p.m.: Panel discussion: "Art as Unifier: how the promise of art and creativity can unify our community," moderated by Monica Eng in conversation with Danny Pudi and panel of local Chicago artists Tatsu Aoki, Richard Costes, Hannah Ii-Epstein and Patricia Nguyen.
Saturday, May 6
The Alice B. Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn Ave.
FREE ADMISSION
Free workshops for Chicagoans who identify as Asian, Pacific Island and South Asian American. No experience necessary to join these enriching workshops. Enrollment opens Saturday, April 1. ASL available by request.
1 - 3 p.m.: Playwriting 101 with Tanuja Devi Jagernauth
- Expect to get centered in your body before exploring your lived experiences through playwriting. Space for 15 students.
1:30 - 3 p.m.: Storytelling for 50 years and older with Ada Cheng
- Learn how to tell your personal story with an open mic opportunity to practice storytelling. Space for 25 people ages 50 years and older.
4 - 6 p.m.: Improv 101 with Stir Friday Night
- Two classes of 10 people will learn the basics of improvisation.
7 - 8:30 p.m.: Staged readings of short plays in the Rotunda, directed by Lavina Jadhwani and Karina Patel, with ASL provided.
Sunday, May 7
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA)
220 E. Chicago Ave.
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: DIY Craft Market, curated by Ed Mar
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.” Open Mic with master of ceremonies Jonald Reyes. Applications open until February 15.
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Outdoor Audio Walk lead by Jee Yeun Lee
”Shore Land,” a one hour event that reflects on the history of the Chicago lakefront and contrasts the settler’s engineering with Indigenous perspectives on land and water. Participants should expect 35 minutes of walking and should bring a smartphone and headphones to stream audio.
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Family Art Lessons
12 - 1 p.m.: Panel discussion:”Creativity for Wholeness and Healing,” moderated by Susie An, Can art making complete an individual or population? Exploring the healing potential of creativity by and for the Asian, Pacific Island and Desi/South Asian American communities. Panelists include Angelica Grace, Asad Ali Jafri, Lanialoha Lee, Anneliese Moy and Jigar Shah.
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.: Dance curated by Helen Lee featuring dancers Irene Hsiao, Helen Lee and Kinnari Vora perform. Applications open until February 15.
3 - 3:30 p.m.: Music by the rock band, Kim
Note: Schedule, performances and participants are subject to change.
ABOUT APIDA ARTS FESTIVAL
The mission of the APIDA Arts Festival is to amplify and unify Asian, Pacific Island and Desi/South Asian American artists in Chicago by showcasing their work at premier cultural institutions, providing greater representation, equity and opportunity.
By showcasing and bringing together the creativity and imagination of Asian, Pacific Island and Desi/South Asian Americans, APIDA Arts Festival envisions a strong and sustainable APIDA arts community that is an integral presence in Chicago’s culture - evocative of our past, declarative of our present and innovative towards our future. The programming includes a self-populated Artist Directory, networking events and a festival dedicated to APIDA arts.
First row: (L to R) Ada Cheng, Veramarie Baldoza, Katie Chung, Richard Costes, Angelica Grace and Anna Hu
Second row: (L to R) Asad Ali Jafri, Tanuja Devi Jagernauth, Asra Khan, Eunji Kim, Won Kim and Thavary Krouch
Third row: (L to R) Helen Lee, Lanialoha Lee, Jee Yeun Lee, Jonathan Lee-Rey, Ed Mar and Margaret Pak
Fourth Row: (L to R) Mia Park, Karina Patel, Jonald Reyes, Maaz Shahid, Caroline Uy and Kinnari Vora