Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage/Asian Heritage Month from Cold Tea Collective!
Asian Heritage Month is when we, the Asian diaspora, celebrate our successes, reflect on our history, and connect. In a world that is becoming increasingly intersectional and embracing cultures outside our own, it’s hard to encapsulate our vast diversity within one month – because that’s not our reality.
Instead, the reality is that being part of the diaspora means it’s a lifelong journey for representation, diversity, inclusion and equity. The work we do empowers the next generation of the Asian diaspora to take control of their narratives.
Cold Tea Collective recognizes that much of the community’s reality is that of those in the Asian Pacific Islander community as well, which is why we chose to celebrate May as APAHM beyond AHM.
So, how will you shape your narrative? How do you want to celebrate being part of the Asian diaspora and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?
We’ve compiled an ongoing list of events and initiatives from across the United States, Canada, and online to connect with the community in May.
Stay tuned to our social media for updates on what the greater AAPI community is doing to celebrate APAHM.
VIRTUAL
Podcast: Conversation Piece with Patrick Armstrong
Cold Tea Collective is proud to be a media partner for this APAHM podcast series highlighting the parts and pieces of Asian American conversation we aren’t talking about, but should be. Show guests include folks representing a wide variety of intersectional identities within our Asian American diaspora. Topics range from colorism, to education policy, to relationships and beyond.
CALIFORNIA
May 4-13, Los Angeles – Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
The Festival presents approximately 150 films and mediaworks that celebrates Asian Pacific filmmakers and stories, attracting entertainment celebrities, civic and community leaders, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts in a celebration of the ongoing accomplishments by Asian Pacific cinematic artists.
May 11-21, San Francisco – CAAMFest (Center for Asian American Media)
CAAM presents CAAMFest in May, the world’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian film, food and music programs, annually presenting over 100 works in San Francisco and Oakland.
May 20, Los Angeles – Honor Your Feelings Fest
A celebration of both AAPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, Honor Your Feelings Fest will feature panel discussions, movement workshops, live music, a community marketplace, mental health resources and more. Taking place on the rooftop terrace of California Marketplace, our one-day festival aims to deepen the conversation about mental health in our Pan-Asian community.
May 28, Los Angeles – Strong Asian Lead Legacy Screening Series: Flower Drum Song
Watch the classic 1961 film Flower Drum Song alongside other cinephiles and AAPI history buffs. The film is about a young woman who arrives in San Francisco’s Chinatown from Hong Kong with the intention of marrying a rakish nightclub owner, unaware he is involved with one of his singers.
NEW YORK
May 15, Brooklyn, New York – Mixed Asian Media’s Comedy Night at Hana House Brooklyn
AAPI Comedy Night presented by our friends at Mixed Asian Media and more. A night of comedy featuring the hilarity of Asian American comedians Mohtasham Yaqub, Adam Mamawala and Dylan Adler.
May 20-21, Brooklyn, New York – Asian Creative Festival
Asian Creative Festival is a space to celebrate AAPI culture and creatives. With the support of AAPI creatives everywhere, we’re cultivating a place to exchange stories, inspire creativity, and support one another. This year the theme is Be Colorful.
May 27 – AAPINH Heritage Month Party – Brooklyn, NY
A party for community, by community. Hosted by Mixed Asian Media in collaboration with Cold Tea Collective and other community partners, join us for a night of music, connection, karaoke and community. It’s free to register.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
May 19, Vancouver – Asian Comedy Takeover
It’s the anticipated sequel to last year’s sold out comedy show celebrating Asian Heritage Month! This show features Yumi Nagashima, Julie Kim, Tin Lorica and headliner Robin Tran. Use the code COLDTEA for 15% off your ticket.
Image provided by Comedy Here Often?
May 15, 22, 29, June 12, Vancouver – Yoga for Radical Rest: Asian Solidarity
Join an in-person yoga care circle, led by Irene Yoga Flow, home of trauma-informed yoga and tarot offerings for women of colour and allies. This will be a trauma-informed and decoloniz(ing) yoga space that centers Asian kinfolk. There will be facilitated conversations around what it means to stand in solidarity with community and psycho-somatic practices for students to experience the radical practice of rest.
From the Cold Tea Collective team far and wide, Happy Heritage Month!
Have an event or initiative you’d like to celebrate, email editorial@coldteacollective.com.
