The month of May kicks off Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and this weekend a major festival will highlight the celebrations. <\/p>\n
More than 100 artists, performers, and vendors will honor the launch at the EVOLUTION: Asian American Arts Festival at the Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so important for us to have this Asian American Arts Festival in Chicago because representation still matters,\u201d said Mia Park, Asian American Arts Chicago executive director. <\/p>\n
Park is the producer of the two-day festival celebrating heritage and creativity. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so multi-disciplinary. We have 2D, 3D artists represented, food vendors, craft vendors,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got film showcases, spoken word showcases, dance theater.\u201d<\/p>\n
Park wanted to create a space where the community can showcase their talents. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe space to express themselves it creates an energy, like they\u2019re definitely going to vibe this weekend of this burst of creativity from our diaspora in Chicago,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a big celebration\u2014I\u2019m really excited for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vrisa Odedra is among the performers. The musical theater major at Columbia College connects her Indian heritage and modern style of dancing with a message.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like everyone to know you can connect to your own culture, the culture that you grew up in, and you can make it your own,\u201d said Odedra. <\/p>\n
Organizers hope attendees will leave the festival feeling inspired. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a vibrant part of Chicago tapestry, we contribute so much to the society, creatively, civically, and otherwise and just to make sure that we will all see other respect each other and celebrate each other,\u201d said Park. <\/p>\n