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ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH // There is still a global Pandemic by Les Talusan

Photo: Oscar Olmedo

Photo: Oscar Olmedo

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month from your Filipinx Tita and Cambodian Bong Srey!⁣

Seda and I // SAMASAMA, have a couple of things up our sleeves for you!⁣

⁣5/15, Saturday, 12-6PM⁣
Sari-Sari Pop-Up Market at
Shopkeepers
We’re having an all-day market featuring local artists and food vendors!⁣

5/27-29⁣, Thursday-Saturday
SAMASAMA // All Together Now at
The Reach at The Kennedy Center⁣
We are curating the reopening kick-off weekend at The Reach! There will be an art market, a screening of “Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten”, an all-levels vinyasa class with Justin Espiritu, dance classes with Bonavy Chhim (Traditional Khmer Classical Ballet), Nāpualokelani Kamakele (Hula), Jamie Garcia (Asik) & Erica Childs (Hand Dancing), DJs (me and Shuno Re!) and the amazing Iza Flow with Dior Ashley Brown & Isabelle De Leon!⁣

⁣Also, every Fridays and Sundays (OPM Sundays) I DJ on twitch.tv/lestalusan - come kick it with us 🌿⁣

SAMASAMA Art Show & Gathering Schedule of Events by Les Talusan

* Flyer image painted by Henley Bounkhong

* Flyer image painted by Henley Bounkhong

Foreign National and Batang Kankaloo present the 3rd Annual SAMASAMA Art Show & Gathering. Founded in 2016 to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, this exhibition will present original work by artists of color from diaspora communities.

The term SAMASAMA means all together in Tagalog. The theme of the exhibit is Bayanihan, a Filipino custom derived from the Tagalog word bayan, meaning community. It refers to the spirit of communal unity, work, and cooperation to achieve a particular goal.

AAPI communities are rich in tradition and heritage, but tread quietly in the modern-day conversation of nuanced diversity. America's relationships and identities are more complex today than ever, uncovering layers of untold and underrepresented narratives. These differences are encouraged, celebrated, and is the foundation of supporting, and understanding one another's cross-cultural connections.

This year, SAMASAMA will continue its tradition of donating a portion of proceeds for all art sold to local organization Asian American LEAD (AALEAD). In support for the tireless work that they do for our youth. Please tag and follow us on IG @samasamaart and use the hashtag #SAMASAMAART2019 to view our activities throughout the month and share our artists’ powerful work!

OFFICIAL 2019 ARTIST LIST


SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Donations will be accepted at the door (suggested $5-20 donation), 15% of art sales will be donated to Asian American LEAD (AALEAD), a non-profit that supports low-income and underserved Asian Pacific American youth. All events will be held at Shopkeepers except for the movie showing on May 26th, which will be at Slash Run.

May 1 | OPENING RECEPTION | 6:00-9:00PM | RSVP
To kick off the month-long celebration, please join us for an evening of art and atmosphere. Featuring food by Maketto and Aiya, Kicheko Goods and SAMASAMA artists’ pop-up shop, live painting by Cita Sadeli CHELOVE and Maria Miller, live screen printing by Soul & Ink and Les The DJ, curating an all-vinyl set of Asian and AAPI music.

May 18 | KUNG FU 101 | 11:00AM-12:00PM | RSVP
Kung Fu, or sometimes referred to as Wushu, is a system of self-defense that is based on developing and improving the mind and body to efficiently function as one. Wong People has been in Washington, DC's Chinatown since 1971 and will be leading a free Kung-Fu 101 session. Open to all ages.

May 19 | STENCIL, CALLIGRAPHY, BOOKMAKING + POP-UP LIBRARY | 2:00-5:30PM | RSVP
Join our family-friendly event at Shopkeepers for a series of fun workshops where kids can make books, learn stenciling, Chinese calligraphy, and brush painting! Miss Chelove will be live printing (with prints and other items available for purchase). The pop-up art market will be open. Check the times below for each activity. Enjoy all-vinyl set by Les The DJ, in the cafe space. Food and beverage by Maketto will be available for purchase.

2:00-5:00PM | Make Books/Read Books with DCPL
Drop by anytime between 2-5:00PM at the DC Public Library table to make your own mini field journal, customized with imagery from DCPL's local history and punk archive collections. DCPL will also bring a pop-up library of books by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors, so bring your library card!

2:00-3:30PM | Stencil/Poster Workshop by Shani Shih
Join Shani Shih for a workshop on expressing identity, values, and vision through stencil art on a poster format. Participants will learn how to create stencils of various levels of complexity, and ultimately create a unique 11x17 poster with a combination of painting, typography, and image and pattern stencils. Stencils will be applied with spray paint outdoors.

4:00-5:30PM | Chinese Calligraphy and Brush Painting with Michelle Chen
Join us for an introduction to Chinese calligraphy workshop, open to all ages. Students will use traditional brushes and ink to write Chinese characters, and will have the opportunity to try different styles, such as standard, seal, and running script. We will also discuss some of the history and cultural significance of calligraphy. Rice paper, ink, and brushes will be provided.

May 25 | CLOSING RECEPTION | 4:00-7:00PM | RSVP
Please join us for our closing reception with The Color Curtain Project book release, live activations by Miss Chelove, Shani Shih and Michelle Chen, a pop-up art market and powerful performances, including a traditional Cambodian dance demo by Sadira and a contemporary Filipino folk dance by Jamie Garcia. It will be an evening full of delicious food provided by Maketto and Citizen Cook. Citizen Cook realizes Wilma Consul’s vision of making food that creates awareness about wellness, sustainability, and diversity. The chef will offer Filipino merienda (mid-afternoon snacks), adding rice plates at 5:00PM. The dishes can be enjoyed to the all-vinyl set of Asian and AAPI music curated by Les The DJ.

May 26 | BRUNCH MOVIE: BETTER LUCK TOMORROW AT SLASH RUN | 11:00AM-3:00PM | RSVP
Celebrate the end of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with us at Slash Run, a local burger joint, with a movie and brunch presented by Batang Kankaloo & Parle-G Baby! We'll watch Justin Lin's “Better Luck Tomorrow”, enjoy Slash Run's tasty brunch menu, and listen to all-vinyl jams by Les The DJ, before and after the movie.


For all the events, donations will be accepted at the door (suggested $5-20 donation), 15% of art sales will be donated to Asian American LEAD (AALEAD). Pay what you can, no one turned away.

We could not have produced this show without the pure passion, hard work, and dedication of our artists, AAPI community, and supportive allies. We hope you can check out any of our events to view their talent and craft. There's something for everyone. RSVP at bit.ly/2019samasama.