Pasadena Celebrates Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

PASADENA, Calif.- The City of Pasadena is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by recognizing the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States with a series of virtual programs, events and activities for all ages. The events, programs, classes, and more are coordinated by the Pasadena Public Library and Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department. Library activities are sponsored by The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library.[Link]

EventsFor all ages unless specified.
American Mah Jongg Club
Mondays (except May 27), 12:30 - 2:30 p.m., Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr.

Join us for an afternoon of this wildly popular game. All levels of players are welcome. Bring your Mah Jongg set and yearly game card or use the library's. For ages 18+.

Tales of Asia and the Pacific Islands
Saturday, May 11, 2 p.m., Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave.

Come hear storyteller Barbara G. Wong spin magical tales about mythical Asian dragons that live in palaces beneath the sea, as well as other exciting stories. Join us as we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and the Year of the Dragon! The dragons are waiting…so don't be late!

Traditional Chinese Music Performed by Celia Liu
Thursday, May 16, 4:30 p.m., La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.

Relax and enjoy the delicate, expressive sounds of the pipa, a traditional Chinese four-stringed lute, played by award-winning virtuoso Celia Liu. She will perform traditional pipa favorites and share her musical journey and the history of pipa in Chinese music. For ages 18+.

The Architecture of the Huntington's Chinese and Japanese Gardens
Saturday, May 18, 2 p.m., Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens' Chinese and Japanese Gardens are celebrated worldwide as outstanding examples of East Asian garden design. This program focuses on the architecture of the buildings within those gardens. These include the recently opened 17th century Japanese country magistrates' residential compound, transplanted from Japan, and the dozen classical Suzhou-style buildings and pavilions within the Chinese Garden. These buildings were constructed, in large part, by over 60 traditional Chinese craftsmen from Suzhou, who spent over a year working on the project. For ages 18+.

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month & National Foster Care Month with the Asian Foster Family Initiative (AFFI)
Saturday, May 18, 3 p.m., Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave.

Understand the challenges faced by Asian foster children. Discover how you can help these children and families in need. Learn the process of becoming a foster/adoptive family. AFFI is an adoption and foster family agency seeking Asian bilingual and/or bicultural families to meet the needs of Asian foster children. Registration is encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome! To attend, sign up at CityOfPasadena.net/Library/Calendar/. For ages 18+.

Gamelan Merdu Kumala
Saturday, May 18, 4 p.m., Linda Vista Branch Library, 1281 Bryant St.

Join us to learn about and enjoy Balinese music-making tradition through Gamelan Merdu Kumala, a community gamelan assemble. For ages 5+.

Chinese Tea Brewing and Tasting: Gong Fu Style

Friday, May 24, 1-3 p.m. • Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

Participants will taste four Gong Fu style brewed teas, including leaves from the Ancient Tea Tree in the Yunnan Province in southwestern China. Presentations on the history, brewing techniques, and benefits of tea will be provided by Wendy Chen and Nathan Epstein, owners of the Callisto Tea House. Open on a first come, first serve basis to the first 50 participants in attendance. For more information, call (626) 744-7300.

Tea Tasting with Callisto Tea House • Explore the Teas of China, Korea and India
Saturday, May 25, 11 a.m., Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave.

From China to Korea and India, the types of tea are as varied as the countries they come from. Join us and learn more about the benefits of tea, different tea growing regions of the world, tea culture, and brewing styles. Presented by Callisto Tea House. To attend, sign up at CityOfPasadena.net/Library/Calendar/. For ages 13+.

Maps & Music: AAPI Edition
Thursday, May 30, 4 p.m., Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 E. Washington Blvd.

Travel with us as we discover some of the locations and music of Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Sashiko Mending
Saturday, June 1, 2:30 p.m., Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 E. Washington Blvd.

Learn the basics of sashiko mending, a Japanese style of hand stitching, in this hands-on program. To attend, sign up at CityOfPasadena.net/Library/Calendar/. For ages 18+.

StorytimesChinese Storytime
Saturday, May 11, 10:30 a.m., Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave.

Come visit us for a special bilingual Chinese/English storytime. Whether you're a native speaker or hoping to learn something new, it's a perfect way to have fun with language, stories and crafts! For ages 3-5 and their parents or caregivers.

Storytime and Art
Monday, May 13, 3:30 p.m., La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
Join educators from the USC Pacific Asia Museum as we explore Asian cultures, arts and practices through storytelling and hands-on art making! This program is free to families with elementary school-aged children. To reserve your spot, call (626) 744-7268, beginning May 1. For ages 5-12.

Storytime Adventures
Tuesday, May 14, 10:15 a.m., Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.

Join us for a fun-filled storytime adventure celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We'll explore exciting tales with colorful stories, lively music and interactive activities perfect for little ones. We can't wait to share the joy of AAPI cultures with you. For ages 1-4 and their parents or caregivers.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Storytime
Wednesday, May 22, 10:30 a.m., Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 E. Washington Blvd.

Join us for a special storytime featuring Asian American and Pacific Islander stories and authors, then stay to make a craft! For ages 3-5 and their parents or caregivers.

Kwentuhang Pambata: A Bilingual Storytime
Saturday, May 25, 3 p.m., Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr.

Join us in this fun and interactive Kwentuhang Pambata: A Bilingual Storytime. We will be sharing Tagalog/English children's stories, fingerplays, songs and craft. "Samahan kami sa masayang kantahan at kwentuhan."

Read with Pasadena Public Library: Asia & the Pacific Islands
Join us for a story map tour of library literature celebrating the voices, experiences and contributions of authors of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage - Arcg.Is/5S4Sz0.

CraftsAsian American and Pacific Islander Paper Dolls
Friday, May 3, 10 a.m. • While supplies last

Learn about various Asian and Pacific Islander cultures as you color and decorate paper dolls. No registration required. Pick-ups begin Friday, May 3. Kits can be picked up at Hastings, Jefferson and Santa Catalina Branch Libraries.

Cherry Blossom Craft

Monday, May 6, 1 p.m., San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd.

May marks the arrival of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - a month to celebrate - so let's enjoy the spring bloom with our cherry blossom craft. All supplies provided. To attend call (626) 744-7270. For ages 3+.

Drop-in Crafts: Mandalas
Monday, May 13 - Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave.

Embrace creativity and mindfulness and celebrate AAPI as you work on a mandala. We'll provide the supplies and the peace of mind! As supplies last.

DIY Compass
Thursday, May 16 • While supplies last

Create your own compass! We will have a kit for a DIY compass, an invention originating in Asia over 2,000 years ago. No registration required. Pick-ups begin Thursday, May 16. Kits can be picked up at Santa Catalina Branch Library. For ages 5+.

Take & Make: Tangram
Monday, May 20 • While supplies last

Make your own tangram! A tangram is a puzzle made up of seven particular shapes that can be arranged to form many different designs. All seven pieces must be used, without overlapping, and every piece must touch at least one other. The tangram was invented in China, where it was called Qi Qiao Ban, and brought to Europe and America by trading ships. Make your own puzzle pieces then challenge yourself to recreate a variety of images! Reserve a kit at CityOfPasadena.Libwizard.com/F/Tangrams. Sign-ups begin on Monday, May 20. Kits can be picked up at Hastings Branch Library. For ages 4+.

Social Media Campaign

The City's Communications and Marketing office is set to highlight Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned businesses in Pasadena. Follow us on social media to watch featured videos on Facebook and Instagram @CityOfPasadena and Twitter @PasadenaGov.

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