20th Annual Asian American Heritage Festival at Kenisco Dam

On May 20, the 20th Annual Asian American Heritage Festival will introduce new audiences to traditions related to Asian culture at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. Typically attended by thousands of guests, the event will provide an afternoon of entertainment, including martial artists, acrobats and a traditional Lion Dance. Experts in cultural dances – from Indonesian and Korean to Filipino and Chinese traditions – will perform throughout the afternoon. Asian music traditions will be represented by a chorus who will sing Chinese folk songs and a guzheng instrumentalist. A “Kids Corner” will provide family-friendly activities, such as face painting, balloon sculptures, origami and more. An array of local cultural organizations and food vendors will also be available. The event is presented by OCA Westchester & Hudson Valley, which aims to share Asian American heritage with its community in order to build a deeper appreciation for these cultures. For more info, visit: oca-whv.org.

A version of this article first appeared in the May 2017 issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.

Image above: Asian American Heritage Festival 2015 (photo credit: Peter Milano Jr.)