Seattle Center to Celebrate Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Seattle Center Festál: Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration, 11:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, May 7, in Seattle Center Armory, features live performances, martial arts, lei making, crafts and children's activities in celebration of the diversity of Asian-Pacific Islander communities in the region.

Festival highlights include a performance by The Filharmonic, an a capella singing sensation from the NBC programs Sing-Off and Pitch Perfect 2, at 3 p.m. The festival's Hum Bow Eating Contest, at 2 p.m., features the "Battle of the TV Stations," with teams from KCTS 9, KING 5, KIRO 7, KOMO and Q13. Interplay Improvisation Group performs at 1 p.m., and Hawaiian, Laotian and lion dancing groups take to the stage beginning at 1:15 p.m. The day concludes with Taiko drum group Kaze Daiko at 4:30 p.m.

Asian student coalitions seeking to create a festival to showcase the region's rich API heritage and diversity founded Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration. Today the Celebration launches a congressionally designated heritage month with lion dances, live music and expressive art forms exploring Cambodian, Thai, Lao, Filipino and Tongan civilizations.

In 2017, Seattle Center Festál celebrates 20 years of global music, dance, art, crafts, history, food and insight presented through a unique partnership among community organizations and Seattle Center. Festál provides a stage and platform for them to share their traditions, accomplishments and artistic expression. Festál events captivate and enlighten festival-goers as they experience the distinct cultures that shape the character and course of our broader community.

Seattle Center Festál is a program of Seattle Center Productions. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration, visit www.apiheritage.com, and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.

About Seattle Center Festál

This illuminating series of 24 ethnic cultural festivals on weekends throughout the year seeks to connect people in ways that build understanding, dispel stereotypes and generate pride among the generations who participate in these shared experiences. Seattle Center Festál is produced with the generous support of KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, Wells Fargo, The Boeing Company, 4Culture and ArtsWA. Additional support is provided by the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.

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