HOUSTON, June 6, 2013 — As summer activities heat up around Houston, Asia Society Texas Center brings together cool, engaging offerings throughout June, presenting cultural treasures from around the world in the form of writers, musicians, and a revered ink-on-paper artist.

All programs will be held in Asia Society Texas Center’s critically-acclaimed building designed by renowned Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi. The schedule begins with interfaith activist Eboo Patel, who will read from his newest book, titled Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice, and the Promise of America, on June 12 at 7:00 pm. This will be followed by a much-anticipated performance of longtime favorites Riyaaz Qawwali, which blends drums, stringed instruments, and poetry into a lyrical celebration of music and the spoken word on June 15 at 7:30 pm.

On June 20 at 7:00 pm, Vietnamese writer and National Public Radio contributor Andrew Lam will discuss his newest work, a short-story collection titled Birds of Paradise Lost, which traces the lives of Vietnamese refugees living in America. This will be followed by internationally acclaimed author Anchee Min, who will discuss her new memoir, The Cooked Seed: An American Journey, on June 23 at 2:00 pm.

A significant highlight of the Center’s summer season features a major exhibition opening of famed artist Tawara Yūsaku, which draws together 77 of the late artist’s works. Universe Is Flux: The Art of Tawara Yūsaku opens June 19 and is on view through September 15 in the Louisa Stude Sarofim Gallery.

Asia Society Texas Center’s June programs close with a performance by The Dimen Dong Folk Chorus, whose redolent music speaks of diverse beauty of rural life, on June 27 and 28 at 6:30 pm.

“We end our inaugural programming season with a vibrant slate of thought leaders, artists, and writers,” says Sabrina Lynn Motley, Senior Director of Programs and Exhibitions at the Texas Center. “From the vocal beauty of Southwest China’s Dong people to the brilliance of interfaith activist Eboo Patel to the passionate voice of writer Anchee Min, Asia Society Texas Center celebrates the best of the human spirit both here and throughout the Asia Pacific region.”

The concert performances and author presentations will take place in the Center’s stunning Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater and Edward Rudge Allen III Education Center.

June 12, 7:00 pm: Interfaith activist Eboo Patel discusses his newest work, Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice, and the Promise of America. Offered as part of the Books in Conversation series, Patel will discuss the role of cultural plurality in the United States today. Tickets are free with reservations, limited to four tickets per person.

June 15, 7:30 pm: Riyaaz Qawwali (India/Classical Music and Spoken Word) performs its debut CD, Kashti. This unique blend of music and poetry reveals for audiences the similarities in cultures, religions, and languages, and inspires a deeper understanding of everyday language. Tickets are $18 for Asia Society members, $20 students/seniors, and $25 for nonmembers.

June 19: Universe is Flux: The Art of Tawara Yūsaku opens with a private members reception from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm and a public opening from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A highlight of the evening will be a site-specific gallery performance beginning at 7:30 pm by Mercury – the Orchestra Redefined, Antoine Plante, Artistic Director. The acclaimed orchestra has created a special program of contemplative music, inspired by Tawara’s work and philosophy, on period instruments. The event is free and open to the public. The run of Universe Is Flux will be accompanied by a robust schedule of programs, including curator talks, film screenings, and performances.

June 20, 7:00 pm: Vietnamese-American author Andrew Lam discusses his short-story collection, Birds of Paradise Lost. Lam, who was born in South Vietnam, emigrated to the U.S. during the fall of Saigon, and his book follows the lives of several Vietnamese refugees once they arrive in America. Tickets are free for Asia Society members and $5 for nonmembers.

June 22, 2:00 pm: John Teramoto, curator of Universe is Flux: The Art of Tawara Yūsaku and of Asian art at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, will discuss Universe is Flux. A members-only brunch with Teramoto will precede the talk at 11:00 am. This exhibition is the largest ever assembled of the artist in this country, and audience members will learn about the artist’s vision for his work. Tickets are free for Asia Society members and $5 for nonmembers.

June 23, 2:00 pm: Internationally known author Anchee Min discusses her newest memoir, The Cooked Seed: An American Journey. Min came to prominence 20 years ago with her first memoir, Red Azalea, which chronicled her life as a child in China during the Cultural Revolution. Joining Min will be her daughter, Lauryann Jiang. Tickets are free for Asia Society members and $5 for nonmembers.

June 27 and 28, 6:30 pm: Recipients of a 2009 Intangible Cultural Heritage designation from UNESCO and a 2012 International Spotlight Award from the White House, the Dimen Dong Folk Chorus is comprised of 14 young people dedicated to the revitalization and promotion of Dong culture through song. Their redolent music is characterized by polyphonic singing, or kgal laox, and speaks of diverse beauty of rural life.

For more information, please visit AsiaSociety.org/Texas. Tickets are available online, as is information about other summer activities at Asia Society Texas Center.