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Volume 13, Issue #3. Published on February 28, 2005
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by Maihito Tomoi
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Mrs. Imamura's Japanese Dancers captivate onlookers at Amerasia Week 2004.
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Amerasia Week Celebrates Diversity
Cultural week shows off area diversity.
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Harim Martinez
Asian Pacific Review
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For over three decades, the Amerasia Organization continues its tradition of the Amerasia Week celebration. Over the course of six days, showcases about Asian Americans will be presented at CSU Fresno.
In its 35th year, Amerasia Week strives to bring Asian Americans to the spot light. With documentaries, narratives, song and dance that are poignant and relevant to all, festival coordinators hope to whet audience curiosity on Asian American political, cultural and artistic issues.
The Amerasia Week is a weeklong event, which takes place every spring during the first week of March. Each night of the week is given to an Asian group to utilize in presenting various performances from their culture. The week ends with the grand finale, the Amerasia Festival Night.
People through out the state enjoy the colorful sights and sounds of many of the Asian cultures representative in the area at this yearly treat. Music, dance and martial arts will fill the Satellite Student Union with flying dancers and spinning kicks.
In 1970, professor Izumi Taniguchi created the Asian American Studies at Fresno State due to the political instability and student activism at the time.
Seeking better representation, two students of Taniguchi decided to create an organization for Asian American students to help promote cultural diversity and cultural awareness. The Amerasia Organization was the fruit of their labors.
Today Amerasia is a vastly diverse multi-cultural organization strongly promoting cultural diversity and community awareness. In addition, Amerasia seeks to support higher education by raising money to fund scholarships in the near future.
The Amerasia Festival Night highlights a rainbow of performances from various Asian cultures from both campus clubs and community organizations. Last year, the average turn out was over 350 people per weeknight and the average for Friday and Saturday exceeded 800. This year expectations are set to for a much more successful celebration.
Amerasia Week 2005 will be filled with new performances, along with a guest comedian from Harlem, NY. Featured groups will be Hmong Student Association, Cambodian Collegiate Association, Japanese Student Association, and South East Asian Teachers. Additionally, audience favorites such as John Cho's Lion Dance and acappella musical group PEARL will make appearances.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in this unique experience.
The week will be held Monday, Feb. 28, through Saturday, Mar. 5, at the Satellite Student Union from seven p.m. to nine p.m. Admission to all cultural performances is free. Parking is free in Lots O, P & J starting at six-thirty.
For more information, contact Kong Vang at (559) 917-1523.
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