May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. About 7.8% of Philadelphia’s 1.6 million residents are Asian, according to U.S Census data. Here’s how to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in Philly 🎉
Friday, May 19
🇵🇭 Join the Pyramid Club and the Filipino Intercultural Society of Drexel University (FISDU) for a Filipino Culture Night, featuring seven traditional dance performances and Filipino-inspired drinks. A portion of the bar sales will be donated to FISDU.
Saturday, May 20
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Head to the Franklin Institute for a full day of programming, including a fashion show, a block printing workshop with Meghan Abdel-Moneim from Asian Arts Initiative, and a brain-centered seminar led by local bioscientist Jayatri Das. [free, Logan Square]
Asian Arts Initiative is one of my favorite sites in the city. (Brittany Valentine/City Cast Philly)
🇮🇳 Join the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) for a 2.5-hour, 1.5-mile walking tour and learn the stories of important South Asians in Philadelphia from 1785 to the present day. [by donation, Old City]
📚 Stop by the Cira Green rooftop for a pop-up book swap featuring writers and stories from across the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora. Bring a book you enjoyed and pick up your next favorite. [free, 129 South Street]
Wednesday, May 24
🇯🇵 Explore traditional architecture at the Japanese Shofuso Garden while enjoying sushi, sake, and a bassoon performance from Dainel Matsukawa. Proceeds from this event will be used to restore paintings and murals that were vandalized last July. [$35, West Fairmount Park]
