UNC Asheville Celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

UNC Asheville will celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with two cultural programs, including a performance by the acclaimed Vietnamese music ensemble, Khac Chi. Events are free and open to the public.

** A screening of the documentary “Taiwan Has Stood Up” will be screened at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, in UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union room 221. The film will be followed by a discussion with R.C. Wu, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta. A reception will conclude the program. The award-winning documentary “Taiwan Has Stood Up” describes the history of the island from its discovery five centuries ago to today’s socio-economic climate. Director-General Wu represents the Republic of China on Taiwanese issues, promoting cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries.

** Asian performer Kristina Sheryl Wong will discuss her performance work, films and writings at 6 p.m. Monday, April 18, in the Highsmith University Union Cafe. Wong will confront and challenge the popular connotations of words like “activism” and “feminism,” and redefine those terms through her art. She will demonstrate how revolution can be funny, effective and a part of daily life.

A solo performer, Wong has appeared on such television programs as “ER” and a series of Oscar Mayer commercials. She is a noted documentary filmmaker and serves as the Artistic Director of the Asian American Teen Theater Company. Events are free and open to the public.

** Wong will present a workshop entitled “Artists Who Subvert Culture” from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, in UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union room 221. In her talk, Wong will discuss subcultures that have emerged within Asian America, and will question the idea that subculture is equivalent to stereotype. By exploring the markers of subculture, she will discuss how artists are subverting subculture to make daring statements on race and gender.

** Vietnamese music ensemble Khac Chi will perform at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 22, in UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union Café. Based in Vancouver, the group has toured worldwide playing indigenous instruments such as the dan dap, a percussion instrument made of bamboo tubes, and the dan bau, a one-string zither. The ensemble will showcase a variety of Vietnamese music from various regions of the country.

For more information, call UNC Asheville’s Multicultural Student Programs Office at 828/232-5110.

Media Contacts:

• Deidre Wiggins, UNC Asheville Multicultural Student Programs Director, 828/232-5110
• Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526