by Jenn Ngeth
This month, we're reminded of the contributions that the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have made throughout the Pacific Northwest. With many trailblazers rising from Seattle, such as Ruby Chow, the first Asian American to be elected to the King County Council; Chinatown-International District pioneer Bob Santos; world-famous martial artist and actor Bruce Lee; and many others, AA&NH/PI Heritage Month is a time for honoring their legacies and acknowledging the ripple effects of diversity and advocacy they've left behind for generations to come.
Let's continue to support our AA&NH/PI communities, businesses, and organizations by celebrating their talents and recognizing the diverse narratives of immigration, diaspora, belonging, and difference in America. Get ready for this event-packed month, and have a blast celebrating AA&NH/PI Heritage Month!
In-person May 9—19 and streaming May 20—27
Various locations
This year marks the Seattle International Film Festival's 50th anniversary, and one of its programs highlights filmmakers from the AA&NH/PI community: "Asian Crossroads." This program has 19 films that explore a plethora of genres, from horror to documentaries to animation — satisfying any mood you have for a flick. With award-winning films, like Girls Will Be Girls, directed by Shuchi Talati and winner of the World Cinema Audience Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival; or All Shall Be Well, directed by Ray Yeung and winner of the LGBTQ+ Teddy Award at the 2024 Berlinale. Film fanatics will flock to this festival, and specific films may feature a Q&A after the viewing. So be sure to check the details per film on SIFF's website.
May 15, 17, 22, 29, and 31, 6:15—7:15 p.m.
Filipino Community Center, 5740 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S.
New to yoga? No worries! This free yoga class, taught in Taglish (Tagalog and English) by Ate Lara Mae will be there to guide you through the asanas (poses). Feel the power of breath and ease into this slower-paced class that'll teach you wonderful stretches and controlled movements while listening to a kulintang and hip-hop set by DJ Po'Lo. Attendees must be 18 years or older to participate. Stretch the stress away and sign up for classes throughout the month!
Various dates
Various locations
Laugh it up with this AA&NH/PI comedy group that's been featured in The Seattle Times and KING 5! This year, this all-Asian American comedic group will feature talents like Kiki Yeung, Dante Chang, Kitty Pineapple, Juno Men, and more! Their jokes unapologetically crack into the themes of immigration, dysfunctional families, and everything in between when it comes to the Asian experience. Have a couple of drinks (boozy or not) and prepare for your cheeks to hurt after the show!
Times and locations include:
May 16, 8 p.m., Nate Jackson's Super Funny Comedy Club, Annex Building, 8402 S. Hosmer St., Tacoma
Purchase tickets on Nate Jackson's Super Funny Comedy Club's website.
May 19, 7 p.m., Capitol Hill Comedy Bar, 210 Broadway E., Seattle
Purchase tickets on Capitol Hill Comedy Bar's website.
May 19, 11 a.m.—4 p.m.
Filipino Community Center, 5740 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S.
Celebrate AA&NH/PI Heritage Month with your little ones at this free book event at the Filipino Community Center. This jam-packed event will have local children's books authors, panel discussions, readings, food, arts and crafts, photo opportunities, and more! The featured authors for the event are Annie Cheng, Lori Matsukawa, Suma Subramaniam, and Cindy Wong. With titles like Brave Mrs. Sato, Starhug, and A Bindi Can Be…, attendees will explore the many identities and cultures of, and connect on what it means to be a part of, the Asian diaspora.
May 19, 1—3:30 p.m.
mam's books, 608 Maynard Ave. S.
mam's books has turned into a community hub that holds a special place for the AA&NH/PI community within the Chinatown-International District. On May 19, there will be a movie night featuring the documentary Made in Cambodia. This short film, directed by Koji Minami and produced by Lauren Iida, showcases contemporary artists in Cambodia and the vibrant art scene that's bursting from the new generation. There will be an art sale from the artists featured in the documentary, and stay tuned after the viewing for a Q&A with the makers of the film. RSVP for this event on mam's books website.
May 24—26, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave.
For the month of May, Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) will have a program, AAPI Heritage Month 2024, showcasing a hotlist of films. Director Leon Le's first feature-length film, Song Lang, is an underground noir drama set in 1980s Saigon. Dung (Lin Bỉnh Pht), a debt enforcer for a ruthless loan shark, and Linh Phung (V-pop star Isaac), an opera singer of cải lng, a modern form of traditional Vietnamese opera, foster an improbable bond that stirs unexpected feelings. Amid Saigon's underworld ambience, their narrative unfolds with the echoing grandeur of opera. Purchase tickets for this in-person viewing at NWFF.
May 25, 11 a.m.—3 p.m.
Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St.
Come on over to Wing Luke Museum for its annual Spring Market in the Museum Community Hall to connect and support local artists. This year, WLM will be highlighting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander vendors, artists, and organizations. As May brings in flowers, gather around the free lei-making table and check out the many resources offered by the United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance (UTOPIA) Washington. Among the many talented creatives featured are jeweler Melted Porcelain, rad apparel and accessory designs from Heliaki, and CHamoru artist Roldy Aguero Ablao. Support your local artists and businesses during this AA&NH/PI event and shop to your heart's content! This free event does not include general admission to the museum.
May 26, 12—4 p.m.
Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Ave. S.
Get your rainbow gear and head over to Hing Hay Park to join Pride ASIA in celebrating AA&NH/PI Heritage Month and the LGBTQIA+ community! Since 2012, Pride ASIA's mission is to "celebrate, empower and nurture the multi-cultural diversity of the LGBTQ communities through the Asian Pacific Islander lens." This free and all-ages event will be hosted by Pride ASIA founder and Miss Gay Filipino Aleksa Manila, Gaysha Starr, and Dutchess Drew. To kick off the festival, the opening ceremony will feature a demonstration by Master David Leong and the NW Kung Fu Association. There will be numerous performances by musical artists, such as Atasha Manila, Moist Towelette, Kince de Vera, and many more. Show up and come celebrate the intersectionalities of these communities!
May 26, 7 p.m.
Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave.
Do you think your hard-to-love dad is better depressed? In this multi-award-winning film, Dealing with Dad, Margaret Chang and her brothers return to their hometown to deal with their father who's suddenly depressed. But … they prefer him this way. Directed by Tom Huang, this dramedy has garnered awards, such as the 2022 Audience Award Winner at the Hawai'i International Film Festival and Best Comedy Feature at the 2022 Arizona Film Festival (just to name a few). Enjoy this movie and purchase your tickets on the NWFF website. Be sure to stick around after the film to catch the Q&A with Tom Huang!
May 29, 6:40 p.m.
T-Mobile Park, 1250 1st Ave. S.
Cheer on the Mariners (or Astros) during this sporting event at T-Mobile! Not only will you get to experience the thrill of baseball, but you'll also be celebrating AANHPI Heritage Night with a great cause. The ticket includes a limited-edition Mariners-themed AANHPI T-shirt, and for every ticket sold, $5 will benefit the Wing Luke Museum. Tickets range from $21 to $31 depending on your seat choice. Get these tickets quickly by May 28 before 5 p.m. to attend this game.
May 29, 7—8 p.m.
The Seattle Public Library Central Library, Level 1 Microsoft Auditorium, 1000 4th Ave.
In partnership with Elliott Bay Book Company, The author of The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan, will be at The Seattle Public Library's Central Library to talk about her new book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles. In 2016, Tan was flooded with the anti-Asian hate and misinformation that was readily available on social media. She turned to nature for solace during the chaos, journaling and drawing the birds in her backyard, trying to understand the intricacies of a bird's life. With an intimate look into her original illustrations and love of nature, this event will give you a bird's-eye view on her new book. Register for this free event to participate.
This article is published under a Seattle Human Services Department grant, "Resilience Amidst Hate," in response to anti-Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander violence.
Jenn Ngeth is a Khmer American woman from Seattle, Washington, who grew up in South Park. She received her A.A.S. in visual communications from Highline College and is a published poet and multidisciplinary artist.
Featured Image: A still from the movie "All Shall Be Well," written and directed by Ray Yeung, now showing at SIFF. (Photo courtesy of SIFF.)
Before you move on to the next story …
The South Seattle Emerald™ is brought to you by Rainmakers. Rainmakers give recurring gifts at any amount. With around 1,000 Rainmakers, the Emerald™ is truly community-driven local media. Help us keep BIPOC-led media free and accessible.
If just half of our readers signed up to give $6 a month, we wouldn't have to fundraise for the rest of the year. Small amounts make a difference.
We cannot do this work without you. Become a Rainmaker today!