Asian American Awareness Month

2007 AAAMonth Calendar

A downloadable PDF poster version of our calendar is also available featuring the artwork of UIC student David Mei. New events that have since added are:

• April 16th - Hepatitis B in Chicago's Chinatown
• April 27th - Voices of Resistance - South Asian performing arts event

Full details for these new events can be found in the calendar below.

Saturday, March 31
UPROOT: A Cultural Showcase Of Our Generation
Filipinos in Alliance proudly presents the sixth annual UPROOT, an evening of performances meant to convey the Filipino American experience. From traditional and modern dances to spoken word, these performances challenge any narrow definition of who we are as Filipinos in America. As FIA celebrates its 10th anniversary, this year's UPROOT serves as a "Reunion" of past and present ventures, experiences, and accomplishments. For more info go to http://fia.pages.uic.edu. Organized by Filipinos in Alliance.
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Illinois Room, UIC Student Center East
$5

Wednesday, April 4
George Takei: From Star Trek to Heroes
Best known for his portrayal of Mr. Sulu in Star Trek, but now finding a new audience with The Howard Stern Show and Heroes, George Takei shares his uniquely American story. After a childhood in U.S. internment camps, George embarked on an extraordinary career as a pioneering Japanese American actor who began in the business when Asian faces were rarely onscreen. He chronicles the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans and shares his optimistic message that the future as embodied in "Star Trek" -- a world where people from all backgrounds work together to overcome problems -- is going to happen. A member of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender political organization, George talks about his life as a gay Japanese American and how Star Trek’s cornerstone philosophy embodied in the show’s acronym “IDIC” – “Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations” -- remains relevant in today’s world. Organized by the Asian American Awareness Month Planning Committee. Co-sponsored by Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns; Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Asian Americans AND Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Issues, Japanese American Citizens League Chicago Chapter, Student Activities Funding Committee, Undergraduate Student Government. To learn more about George Takei, visit www.georgetakei.com.
4:00 p.m.
Illinois Room, UIC Student Center East

Entertainment provided by Midwest Buddhist Temple Taiko Group

Also join us for a week of fun Star Trek activities, April 2-6, in The Rainbow Resource, 181 BSB, from 12-1:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Download a detailed schedule,  e-mail Liz Thomson, lthomson@uic.edu or visit http://www.glbc.uic.edu.

Friday, April 6
ASAM Expo Workshops
Students from Introduction to Asian American Studies 125 run interactive
workshops focusing on a broad range of topics related to Asian American
issues and Asian American Studies. For more workshops to be offered and
additional Expo events, see April 13th. Organized by Asian American Resource
and Cultural Center and the ASAM 125 class.  ASAM Expo Schedule.
Two workshop sessions run from 2:00-3:00 and 3:00-4:00
Rooms 121, 300, 301, 320, Taft Hall

Monday, April 9
Jin Concert
Rapper extraordinaire, freestyle champion and former Ruff Ryders artist, Jin is a certified household name within the Hip-hop community. Best-known for his winning battles on “Fight Klub” and BET’s “106 and Park,” this
groundbreaking Chinese American artist broke stereotypes of Asian Americans in the entertainment industry. Jin integrates his Chinese heritage and love of hip-hop culture with his music, particularly his recent release ABC- which stands for “American Born Chinese,” a musical biography rapped exclusively in Cantonese (view the ABC Press Release). Organized by the Asian American Awareness Month Planning Committee.
6:00 p.m.
Inner Circle, UIC Student Center East
Valid i-card required for admission

Wednesday, April 11
Another Kind of Family: Asian American Adoptees and Birth Mother Speak Out
“It’s so cute, what is it?” “Will it speak English?” “Are you going to tell
her she’s adopted?” These and other comments will be shared and discussed in
order to examine the complex space adoptees regularly negotiate.
Additionally, hear a rare personal account from a birth mother and get an
update on current adoption issues from an international adoption agency
representative. For more info, contact organizer, Liz Thomson at
lthomson@uic.edu.
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Room 183, Behavioral Sciences Building (BSB)

Friday, April 13
2nd Annual ASAM Expo: Asian Americans in Education
Dr. Peter Kiang from University of Massachusetts, Boston delivers the keynote address on developing Asian American Studies in an urban university setting. A panel of visiting scholars from the field of education discusses research on Asian American in higher education. Students from ASAM courses exhibit research projects and run interactive workshops. Come learn about issues related to Asian Americans in higher education and Asian American Studies. All are welcome. Organized by Asian American Resource and Cultural Center and the ASAM 125 class.  ASAM Expo Schedule.
Research exhibit 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.; keynote address and panel discussion 12:00 - 1:45 p.m.; two workshop sessions from 2:00-3:00 and 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Exhibit, keynote, and panel: Room B & C, Student Service Building
Workshops: Rooms 121, 300, 301, 320, Taft Hall

Monday, April 16
Chinese Culture Festival
The Festival will be a combination of exhibits of artifacts and artwork, cultural performances, and presentations about China and the Chinese culture. Talks will be given about traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese music, and the urban development of China. Visit http://cssa.pages.uic.edu for more information. Organized by Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association.
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Room 302, UIC Student Center East
         

  

Monday, April 16 (NEWLY ADDED)
Asian American Health Disparities: A Natural History of Hepatitis B in Chicago Chinatown
Clinical research faculty discusses Asian American health disparities, including the relative risk of Asians & Asian Americans for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) disease and outcomes. The event includes a presentation of research and students’ experiences working in underrepresented populations. Refreshments served. For more info contact Greg Calip, gcalip1@uic.edu. Organized by the Asian Pharmacists Association.
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Room 134, College of Pharmacy

Tuesday, April 17
"Sentenced Home" Documentary Screening
“Sentenced Home" follows three Cambodian American men from Seattle who broke the law in their late teens, served time in prison, and thought they were getting on with their lives - until they received letters from the government informing them that, because of their criminal records, and in spite of time served, they would soon be deported back to Cambodia. There will be a Q&A session after the screening with David Grabias, one of the
directors, and Many Uch, one of the deportees. For more info contact Joyce Yin at jyin4@uic.edu. Organized by the Asian American Coalition Committee.
4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Lecture Center A-6

Saturday, April 21
India Night 2007
This is a showcase of various talents, which include dancing, singing, and
acting, that combines traditional Indian culture with contemporary
influences. Please join us to celebrate an unforgettable evening with
sensational performances! For details and tickets contact uic.isa@gmail.com.
Organized by the Indian Students Association.
6:00 p.m.
Paramount Arts Centre in Aurora
$15 advance tickets

Wednesday, April 25
AASIA Cook Off
Asian American Students in Alliance present their first cooking challenge. Watch as different UIC organizations sweat it out in a tournament style culinary battle for the grand prize. Held at Tatami, the new sushi restaurant in Student Center West, this is an opportunity to try foods from all over the world. Contact Joan Mercado for more info at jmerca4@uic.edu.
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Centennial Room, UIC Student Center West

Thursday, April 26
Mr. Asian Sens-Asian
Mr. Asian Sens-Asian is a male talent competition that serves as a vehicle to break Asian American male stereotypes, as well as to raise awareness of issues that affect the Asian American student population. Organized by Korean Americans United Serving Equality, alpha Kappa Delta Phi, and Chi Sigma Tau.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m., Show 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Chicago Room, UIC Student Center West

Friday, April 27
Kriti Festival Keynote: Anita Desai
Award-winning author Anita Desai will discuss South Asian literature. Desai is the noted Indian author of Fire on the Mountain (1977), which won the Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize. Her novels Clear Light of Day (1980), In Custody (1984) and Fasting, Feasting (1999) were shortlisted for the Booker
Prize. The Village by the Sea (1982), a children’s book, won the Guardian Children's Fiction Award. The Kriti Festival is a four-day event celebrating South Asian and diaspora literature, with panel discussions, performances, readings, music and song, storytelling for kids, and much more!
5:00 p.m. reception, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. talk
Illinois Room, UIC Student Center East
Advance registration (free) required. The entire Kriti Festival, including the keynote, is free for UIC students, staff, and faculty. To register and
see the four-day conference schedule, go to: http://www.desilit.org/kriti.html
 

Friday, April 27 (NEWLY ADDED)
Voices of Resistance

Voices of Resistance (VOR) is an annual exploration and affirmation of South Asian Diasporic identity through art. VOR's 2007 theme is Chai Tea Latte: An Exploration of Truth and Illusions , featuring art that explores both the realities of being a part the South Asian Diaspora as well as the myths that surround our identities. Our theme speaks to both recent events such as Hurricane Katrina and the national discussion on poverty in America and around the world, and to past events such as Partition and the identities
that were created as a result. Other topics may include the realities of globalization, the effects of the Model Minority myth, the Iraq war, and generational connections. For more information, go online to the South Asian Progressive Action Collective's website.

7:00 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Illinois Room, UIC Student Center East

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Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

For more information, visit the Asian American Resource and Cultural Center in Taft Hall (Room 101) or call (312) 413-9569.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in order to participate
in an event, please call (312) 413-9569 and every effort will be made to
provide an accommodation.

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LOCATIONS
Behavioral Sciences Building
1007 West Harrison Street
 

College of Pharmacy
833 South Wood Street

Lecture Center A
805 South Halsted Street

Paramount Arts Centre
23 East Galena Boulevard
Aurora, Illinois

Student Services Building
1200 West Harrison Street

Taft Hall
826 South Halsted Street

UIC Student Center East
750 South Halsted Street

UIC Student Center West
828 South Wolcott Avenue

PLANNING COMMITTEE ORGANIZATIONS
alpha Kappa Delta Phi
Asian American Coalition Committee
Asian American Resource and Cultural Center
Asian American Students in Alliance
Asian Pacific American Graduate Students Organization
Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Asian Americans
Chinese Students and Scholars Friendship Association
Chi Sigma Tau
Filipinos in Alliance
Korean Americans United Serving Equality
Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual , and Transgender Concerns

SPONSORS:
Asian American Resource and Cultural Center
Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Asian Americans
Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender Issues
College of Education
College of Engineering
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
College of Medicine
College of Nursing
Department of Communication
Department of English
Department of Psychology
Department of Sociology
Graduate College
Honors College
Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy
Jane Addams College of Social Work
Japanese American Citizens League – Chicago Chapter
Kamal Kishore Kapur Memorial Fund
Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns
Office of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
School of Public Health
Student Activities Funding Committee
Undergraduate Student Government
University of Illinois Alumni Association