News from/about/for the Partnership and Friends
Refer back to this blog regularly for current and upcoming activities, events and news from or about the Asian Pacific American (APA) communities of Aurora and the metropolitan area.
Also, visit the APA activities and events page for a more extensive list of happenings in any given month.
Join the conversation — use #AuroraAsian and #ColoradoAsian!
Sum Nguyen Receives “Spirit of King” Award
Partnership Steering Committee Member and past Co-Chair Sum Nguyen received the “Spirit of King Award” from the City of Aurora’s Community Relations Division during the 32nd Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration. Apologies for the belated post — photo of Sum in front of the So. Vietnam flag, Aurora Municipal Center lobby, with City of Aurora’s Community Relations Chief Barbara...
read moreTEA Theatre’s “Coping With America” Ends Apr 1
Ends Sunday, April 1st: An excellent production of three one-act plays! http://www.teatheatre.org Also sponsored by: Colorado Creatives and The Chinook Foundation. ...
read moreDiwali Celebration
Congressman Coffman was honored to have been invited by Partnership Ex-Officio Member Sudhir Verma and friends to celebrate Diwali at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of the Rockies. The photo shows Sudhir (the tallest one in the top photo) to the right of Congressman...
read morePicture Me Here and Write Our World Exhibits
Aurora History Museum Exhibits on refugees and immigrants through stories and images Write Our World is a nonprofit that promotes multicultural literacy and global citizenship through e-book authoring with youth worldwide. It’s an innovative educational resource that allows students to learn authentically from one another and deepen their connections to their heritage while building skills for their future – www.writeourworld.org. Picture Me Here is also on exhibit — a storytelling program for refugees, immigrants and others who have been displaced. Photography, video, animation and writing are taught as creative tools for self-expression, social engagement, community building, leadership and integration – www.picturemehere.org. Visit the Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Pkwy. (across the great lawn from the library). The exhibits are open through September 22nd – Hours: Tuesdays—Fridays, 9AM—4PM | Saturdays and Sundays, 11AM—4PM | Closed Mondays | (303) 739-6660 |...
read moreHawaiian Steel Guitar Assn Festival
HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION FESTIVAL Thursday through Saturday, September 21st, 22nd, and 23rd Hilton Fort Collins | 425 W. Prospect Rd. | Fort Collins, CO 80526 Three days of classic Hawaiian music performed by some of the modern greats of the steel guitar. This Mainland Festival and Convention will be held in Colorado for the fourth year, and has been, from the start, one of the premier Hawaiian musical events of the Rocky Mountain region. Enjoy guest performances by local hula halaus, Hawaiian slack key guitar and ‘ukulele, as well as ‘olelo workshops. In past years, the HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION FESTIVAL has played host to a “who’s who” of some of the true legends of the steel guitar– Ed Punua, son of long-time island musician Victor Punua, Sr. and born and raised on the island of Kaua’i, Jeff Au Hoy, one of the young lions of the steel guitar from Honolulu, Oahu, Duke Kaleolani Ching, the master of the triple-neck Fender– and this year is no exception. This year’s Guest of Honor is Kumu Alan Akaka, a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawaii and a student of the late, great steel guitar player Jerry Byrd. Alan has had a long career as an Hawaiian music educator and performer in Hawai’i, and around the world. He is the Director of KE KULA MELE HAWAI’I, the Alan Akaka School of Hawaiian Music, in Kailua, O’ahu, where he teaches ‘ukulele, steel guitar and upright bass or guitar to all ages. Cost: $20/day HSGA members | $25 non-members | $10 students with ID Saturday night luau (tickets sold separately): $50 Save yourself a plane ticket to Hawai’i! Mai hilahila, don’t be shy! Hope to see you all there! Ahui hou kakou! Download announcement here… Questions? Contact: Mark Kahalekulu, markkahalekulu@gmail.com | Visit...
read moreVietnam Veterans Honor Congressman Coffman
Congressman Mike Coffman named “legislator of the year” by Vietnam Veterans of America, calling the Vietnam War the most influential conflict of his legislative career — despite his own deployments — while accepting the award Friday at the organization’s gathering in New Orleans. Coffman serves on the House Veterans’ Affairs and Armed Services committees. Read the August 11th Denver Post article here… The Aurora Sentinel also posted an article about his award, noting his support for the Veterans Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act. Read the Sentinel article...
read moreHear Alito – from Takayama, Japan
Alito, Women’s Chorale from Takayama, Japan The Denver-Takayama Sister Cities Project is hosting a concert by Alito, a women’s choir from Takayama, Japan. The group will sing traditional and contemporary Japanese and western songs during the cultural exchange performance. Friday, August 11th, 4:30 PM Simpson United Methodist Church 6001 Wolff St., Arvada A free concert of traditional Japanese songs. Download the announcement for more information. Questions? Kaitlyn Lyle, (303) 923-6865 Saturday, August 12th, 5:00-6:30 PM First Baptist Church 1373 Grant St., Denver $20, DSCI members / $25 non-members The concert will be followed by a reception. See a YouTube video of the choir here. Learn more and purchase tickets here. Download the announcement here....
read moreFiji The Artist in Concert
Fiji, The Artist, with Drew Deezy, at the Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St., Denver, CO 80202 – a concert for ages 16+ on August 5th, starts at 7PM. Obtain a discount on ticket sales at this link, using this password: AAPCP — https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1511049. Fiji is one of the biggest Polynesian artists of our time. His golden voice and musical blends have launched him on the world stage as a pioneer of the Pacific Island Sound. A fusion of classic reggae, Hip-Hop, R & B and Jazz set Fiji apart as a performer. His unique style defies the idea of categorizing artists into a single genre of music, giving Fiji widespread appeal and capturing his array of musical influences. For those that love Hawaiian-style Hip Hop, Fiji offers established fans his recognizable energy and remarkable personality. Newcomers to his music embrace his smooth voice and exotic sound. Fiji has successfully captured the beauty and allure of the island life through his...
read moreAurora Welcome Center Merges
The Aurora Welcome Center merges with Village Exchange Center, expanding services to immigrants and refugees. Many of the Aurora Welcome Center’s programs and services will continue to be available through the Village Exchange Center, which recently opened at the former St. Matthew Lutheran Church building at 1609 Havana St. The building has 15,000 square feet of space available for faith groups, community gatherings and office space. “We are excited to see a future that not only preserves the important services that the Aurora Welcome Center has created for our local immigrants and refugees, but also promises a way to improve and expand upon those services,” said Ricardo Gambetta, head of Aurora’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs. “The Village Exchange Center offers so much space and so much expertise in dealing with the international community, and we believe this merger will do much to benefit the 20 percent of Aurora residents who were born outside the United States.” Read the full Press Release here… ...
read morePartnership Picnic at Utah Park
The Partnership’s Picnic/Potluck Tuesday, June 27th, 5:00 – 7:30 PM Aurora’s Utah Park | 1800 So. Peoria St. (east side of the park @ Mexico & Troy) Details: follow this link… Come with a friend, enjoy the potluck, and relax with more Friends! Note: This is not a political event. Meet the Partnership’s new Co-Chair Robert Payo… …an Aurora native and Filipino American, Robert Payo is Teacher Programs Coordinator at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, supporting the professional development needs of teachers in science education as well as a leading consultant on national projects related to education and museums. Robert is the immediate past Co-Assistant Artistic Director for Theatre Esprit Asia of the Aurora Cultural Arts District and has performed in theaters across the Denver metro area. ...
read more