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Schedule

Sunday, May 7, 2023
4 p.m. Program

Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2023 with our calendar of live events, recommendations, and on-demand content!

See the Calendar

Celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence with an evening of fashion, dance, and food!

Hosted by Emmy award-winning journalist Rekha Muddaraj, this event will feature a fashion show, performances by Anjali Center for Performing Arts and Rhythm India, mixing from DJ Rocky of South Asian and Bollywood hits from the ‘70s to today, and a reception catered by Daawat Catering. Join us for this stupendous showcase!

About the Master of Ceremonies

Rekha Muddaraj is an Anchor/Reporter at KHOU 11 News in Houston, Texas specializing in health/medical reporting. Rekha Muddaraj joined KHOU 11 News in 2012. She currently anchors the 4 p.m. weekday news. Prior to her move to Houston, Rekha worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor at KFMB-TV (CBS) in San Diego for five years, where she won an Emmy for her breaking news coverage of the 2007 Southern California wildfires.

Rekha also worked as a reporter at KOAM-TV in Pittsburg, KS. She covered news in four states including Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. She holds two degrees from Arizona State University: a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication (from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism) and a B.S. in Political Science.

About the DJ

A world renowned global DJ and entertainer based out of Houston, DJ Rocky has nearly three decades of music experience. His earliest influences began in London, England, where his dad’s classic Bollywood vinyl collection sparked his interest at the age of 8. It ignited his passion in music that he carried with him as he later moved to the U.S. From spinning for a decade in New York City, DJing across major cities in the country, he continues to play his sound all over the world. His musical talents and knowledge includes a multitude of genres such as Disco, House, D&B, Old Skool Hip Hop, Bollywood, International fusions sounds, and playing alongside some of the best live instrumentalists. DJ Rocky is known to bring a unique element and energy to the crowd – doing what he loves! He is a true pioneer turntablist who paved the way for other aspiring South Asian DJs.

Website: djrocky.com

Lead Sponsors of Celebrating Incredible India!

Sushila and Durga Agrawal
Hari Agrawal, CNA Metals Group
Vijay and Marie Goradia 
Swatantra and Bimla Jain
Jugal and Raj Malani
Mai and Aravind Melligeri
Rita and Bal Sareen

Sponsors of Celebrating Incredible India!

Arpita and Amit Bhandari
Asha and Pankaj Dhume
The Goradia Family
Annu Rao Naik and Sagar Naik
Simran and Pradeep Rihal
Seema and Randeep Suneja

Performing Arts and Culture programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Syamal and Susmita Poddar. Major support comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Endowment, and The Brown Foundation Inc. Generous funding also provided by AARP, The Anchorage Foundation of Texas, The Clayton Fund, The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, and the Wortham Foundation. Additional support provided by the Texas Commission on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and through contributions from the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing exceptional programming and exhibitions to Asia Society Texas.

Performing Arts and Culture Presenting Sponsors

Syamal and Susmita Poddar

Performing Arts and Culture Program Sponsors

Program Partner

About APAH Month at Asia Society Texas

Beginning in 2021, Asia Society Texas has celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the Houston community and beyond through a curated calendar for 31 ways to celebrate over the 31 days of May. Spotlighting the traditions, talents, and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans, the calendar highlights the month's key Asia Society programming, providing a platform to showcase local artists, performers, educators, and leaders who contribute to the vibrant, multicultural tapestry of Houston while also featuring staff recommendations for our favorite music, books, movies, and more by Asian and Asian American creatives.

At Asia Society Texas, APAH Month is an opportunity to celebrate and honor Asians and Asian Americans and to uplift their stories to a broader audience as part of our goal to inspire our larger community to better understand one another through culture, conversation, and connection. For information about sponsoring APAH Month and other projects like this one, please contact Saleena Jafry at [email protected] or 713.496.9939.

See the 2023 Calendar

Sponsors of APAH Month at Asia Society Texas

Asian American Bar Association of Houston
Comcast
The Heimbinder Family Foundation

Past APAH Month Calendars

2022: Highlights | Details
2021: Details

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.