Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month in Westchester
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Westchester County is proud to host diverse cultural celebrations for all community members. During AAPI Heritage Month, we come together to celebrate, learn, and discuss the rich contributions from countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Samoa, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. In Westchester County, our AAPI communities, each with unique heritage and traditions, are a vibrant tapestry of cultures. These celebrations and events provide a perfect platform for all AAPI communities to unite and celebrate their heritage in Westchester and speak to their experiences.
AAPI Heritage Month Events
Shake it Off & Mayura Dance Academy Present Holi Festival
May 4th, starting at 1 pm in Hawthorne
Start the AAPI Month celebrations with a day full of fun at Broadway Field Park in Hawthorne, NY, with Shake it Off & Mayura Dance Company for their Holi Festival of Colors Celebration. Drop by and enjoy delicious foods, bounce houses, music, and more. Make sure to dress in all white for the throwing of colors. Tickets are $20 per person and include admission to the event, bounce houses, and color packets for throwing colors. Don’t miss out on this fun-filled day; be sure to get there by 3:30 pm for the throwing of colors.
OCA’s Westchester & Hudson Valley Dance Night
May 4th, starting at 7 pm in Rye Brook
Their website states, “OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national non-profit civil rights organization that promotes and protects the political, economic, and cultural rights of all Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) in America through initiatives at all levels of government.” The Westchester and Hudson Valley Chapter was founded in 1980 and is a place for members of the APIA community to develop leadership, foster community involvement, and promote civil participation for all APIAs.
This year, they will kick off the month of celebration and events with a dance night open to members and non-members of the OCA-WHV chapter. The non-member fee is $10, light refreshments will be provided, and it should be a fun night of dancing. Registration is required, and you can RSVP on their website, oca-whv.org. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please get in touch with [email protected].
India Center of Westchester UP Chapter Presents: Holi Festival
May 5th, starting at 11 am in Hawthorne
Join the India Center of Westchester as they celebrate Holi on May 5th. Head to Hawthorne for a fun Holi Festival full of food, music, color, entertainment, games, a raffle, and prizes. The India Center of Westchester focuses on preserving Indian heritage through language, music, dance, and art instruction. This center is also a wonderful community space for new immigrants, seniors, and community members. Bring the entire family to this fun and free event for the community, where there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Asian American Pacific Islander Festival
May 18th, starting at 11:30 am in Ardsley
Mark your calendars for a day full of AAPI heritage celebration in Ardsley on Saturday, May 18th. At this festival, families will experience communal art, live dances, interactive workshops, a scavenger hunt with prizes, and overall, a chance to experience Asian arts by members of our community. We’re so excited to join in on the fun at this festival and support our communities. Head to ardsleyaapi.com for the event map and see everything they will offer this year.
AAPI Heritage Month Film: “K-Town ’92”
May 21st, starting at 7 pm in White Plains
OCA-WHV presents K-Town ’92, an interactive documentary about the riots in 1992 Los Angeles after four LAPD officers were acquitted of beating motorist Rodney King. This educational film will be presented in the White Plains library and aims to have viewers and community members disrupt “mainstream images of communities of color while uplifting new perspectives,” as stated on the K-Town ’92 site.
26th Annual Asian-American Heritage Festival
June 3rd, starting at noon in Valhalla
This year, Westchester County’s annual Asian-American Heritage Festival will take place at the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. Here’s what you can expect at this year’s festival: according to the Westchester County Parks department, “This cultural festival will showcase Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Thai and Vietnamese cultures with live songs, dances, musical performances, Asian arts and cultural exhibits, Chinese paper cutting and origami, and ethnic foods. It will also include, children’s entertainment, balloon sculptures, games and face painting. Free medical and dental screenings will be available to attendees.”
Organized by the OCA-Westchester and Hudson Valley Chapter with support from Arts Westchester, India Center of Westchester, and Westchester County Parks, this year’s festival will have something for every family member.
AAPI Heritage Month is bringing communities together in Westchester, and we’re excited to get out and support this month.
