SAN FRANCISCO — The largest gathering of Asian Pacific Americans in the nation will be back when the Asian Heritage Street Celebration returns Saturday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a new look, new leadership, and a new location in San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza.
The re-imagined event commemorates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and comes at a unique moment in San Francisco’s history when the mayor and more than a third of San Francisco’s supervisors are Asian Pacific Americans.
“We are moving into one of the most beautiful spots in the city,” said Tamiko Wong, executive director of the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. “City Hall, the Asian Art Museum, and the Main Library will provide the backdrop to some of the finest Asian Pacific American performers, artists, and craftspeople.”
This year’s event will also see a shift in leadership as the OACC takes the reins from founder Ted Fang and the AsianWeek Foundation, who have produced the festival since 2005. Past locations have included Japantown, the Sunset District, and South of Market.
“Ted did an incredible job for 10 years,” Wong said. “We plan to continue that legacy and put our own stamp on one of the Bay Area’s marquee events.”
“I’m excited that OACC is taking over this community event, which gives craftspeople, performers, and visual artists a venue to showcase their work,” Fang said. “AHSC will continue to build bridges between communities with Tamiko and the OACC at the helm.”
The AHSC will attract more than 100 vendors who will be offering their own unique arts, crafts, and goods from a diverse array of Asian Pacific Islander traditions.
From Cynthia Lin and the Blue Moon All-Stars to Japanese koto, event entertainment on two stages will run the gamut of modern to traditional Asian performers.
The food bazaar will feature vendors preparing authentic and imaginative treats from Korean tacos to Filipino lumpia to Thai noodles to Vietnamese barbecue
There will also be a children’s area. Attendees are encouraged to wear cultural attire from their native or ancestral countries.
“2015 will be our first year,” said Wong. “And it will be a great year!”
Free admission. RSVP as general admission on the Eventbrite page to enter a raffle to win door prizes. Must be attending the event to win. http://tinyurl.com/ahst-oacc
Due to limited parking, using BART or Muni to get to Civic Center Plaza is recommended.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/AsianHeritageStreetCelebration.