HOUSTON, May 7, 2016 — Now in it's second year, Asia Society Texas Center's annual AsiaFest celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with a full day of lively performances and creative activities. More than 2,600 guests came out to enjoy the sunny weather and cultural offerings from Houston's diverse community groups.

The colorful lineup on two stages (emceed by KTRK-TV's Gina Gaston and Miya Shay and Houston hip-hop artist Rocko Stedy) included traditional dances, musical performances, storytelling, tai chi demonstrations, and a bollywood workshop. Some of the city's most popular food trucks lined Southmore Boulevard, alongside local vendors selling organic foods, homemade garments, and fresh floral and produce. Inside, the building was filled with families taking part in games, origami, lantern-making, calligraphy, rangoli creations, and much more. The Center's two exhibitions, We Chat: A Dialogue in Contemporary Art in the upstairs gallery and Yuriko Yamaguchi in the Grand Hall, were also open for visitors to enjoy. 

AsiaFest would not have been possible without generous support from Hospice Compassus, Teresa Ong Lee and Jeffrey Y. Lee, and Quan Law Group. Additional support came from the Hotard Family, J.D. Joyce Ivestment Management Group, Bonna Kol and James Clifford, Total Home Care, Inc., Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Asset Management, and Cybele Woon, MD. Community partners included Asian Chamber of Commerce, Asian Pacific American Heritage Association, Filipino Young Professionals, Korean American Society of Houston, India Culture Center, and the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association.