Do you have an upcoming event that you want to share with the local APA community? CDBF has the most complete and updated listings of local Asian and Asian American events on our Community Calendar. If you don't see an event here in the newsletter, be sure to check our Calendar online -- it's updated as we receive announcements. Submit your Asian community event information with a brief description to calendar@cdbf.org .
ONGOING:
APDC needs food donations for refugee communities
The Asian Pacific Development Center is collecting food items donations for refugee clients (especially at their behavioral health clinic) who have been struggling to get by. These clients include people from the Bhutanese and Burmese communities. They have been running out of food for their families and are in HUGE need of food donations. Any items such as rice, oil, ramen noodles, soy sauce, canned fish, canned fruit or vegetables will be extremely helpful for the families. Donations can be dropped off at either APDC office, or, for questions or inquiries, please call either office:
York office - 1825 York St. Denver, CO | 303.393.0304
Elmira Office - 1544 Elmira St. Aurora, CO 80010 | 303.365.2959 x 102
JUNE
Kani Ka Pila: Hawai'ian Jam Session
When: Fri. June 17, 5:30-8:30 pm
Where: The Shack, 151 W Mineral Ave., Littleton
Cost: n/a
Join the Pi'ilani Hawaiian Civic Club of Colorado for a Hawaiian Jam Session with Esmond Ah Leong, Mark Kunimune and guests.
Masters of the Shakuhachi in Concert
When: Wed. June 22, 7:30 pm
Where: The Academy, 970 Aurora Ave. (Enter from 10th St.), Boulder
Cost: $20/$10 Seniors and Students
In the Academy at Boulder's beautiful Chapel, four top-level international artists from Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan, Sydney, Australia and Boulder, CO-Yôdo Kurahashi, Christopher Yohmei Blasdel, Riley Kôho Lee and David Kansuke Wheeler-present a bamboo flute extravaganza. These masters will perform classical and modern solos and ensembles, the timeless music of Japan's mystical and magical bamboo flute, the shakuhachi. A highlight of this concert is Kyoto shakuhachi master Yodo Kurahashi's performance of the classical solo "Sanya" (Sangha), as a prayer for the repose of the souls of the recent Earthquake. "Sanya" originated in the temple, Futai-ken, located near Sendai, Japan, the largest city struck by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The audience is welcome and encouraged to join the artists for a post- concert conversation. Contact David Kansuke Wheeler for more information: shakudavid@gmail.com
Comedian Henry Cho
When: Thurs. June 23-Sat. June 25 (various showtimes)
Where: Comedy Works South at the Landmark, 5345 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village
Cost: $17 and $25 depending on show
Clean, clean, clean ... this show is rated clean. Do you like clean comedy? This is the show for you! Henry Cho is very clean! Henry has his own one hour comedy special entitled: What's That Clickin' Noise? on Comedy Central. He was on the big screen starring opposite Hilary Duff in Material Girls and headlined at the HBO Comedy Festival in Aspen. www.comedyworks.com
NAAAP Colorado Annual BBQ
When: Sat. June 25, 11 am-4 pm
Where: Washington Park, 1000 S. Downing
Cost: Free for members, $5 non-members
Meet fellow professionals, friends of NAAAP, and representatives from other local Asian American organizations. Food, drink, fun and games provided! For your comfort, bring your personal chairs, blankets, and/or games. **Please RSVP at the
NAAAP Colorado Events Calendar to ensure there is enough food and drink for all.
40th Annual Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival)
When: Sat.-Sun. June 25-26, 11 am-4 pm / Obon Community Street Dance 7 pm
Where: Sakura Square, 19th & Lawrence
Cost: Free
Featuring continuous live entertainment, arts and crafts, taiko drums bonsai, ikebana, and other exhibits and demonstrations, plus gift vendors. Also a feast of Japanese foods and much much more! Visit www.tstbt.org/cherryblossom.html for more information, hotline 303-380-8972.
Hmong Colorado Culture & Community Resource Fair / 7th Annual Summer Festival
When: Sat.-Sun. June 25-26
Where: Shaw Heights Middle School, 8780 Circle Dr, Westminster
Cost: Free
Featuring entertainment, vendors, food, and sports all weekend: Soccer, volleyball, takraw, top spinning, basketball & flag football. www.hmongcolorado.org
4th Annual Miss Asian American Colorado Event
When: Sun., June 26, 7-10 pm
Where: Colorado Heights University Theater, 3001 S. Federal Blvd.
Cost: Free
Asian Avenue magazine is proud to present the 3rd Annual Miss Asian American Colorado Leadership Program. Our objective gives Asian American women in Colorado a sense of purpose and contribution to the growing community. We challenge conventional notions of beauty, culture, and intelligence, by emphasizing not merely on appearance but also beauty that radiates within. Beauty and intelligence make these Asian American women, future leaders for Colorado's Asian community. For more information and to apply as a contestant, visit http://www.missaaco.com
Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership Annual Picnic & Potluck
When: Tue, June 28, 5-7:30 pm
Where: Utah Park (East side), 1800 So. Peoria St., Aurora
Cost: Free
The Steering Committee of the Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership invites all our Friends to join them for their annual PICNIC-POT LUCK. We always have a fun time under the shade of a shelter beside a lovely duck pond. It doesn't get more relaxing than this, and the variety of foods will surprise you! Bring a dish or two to share with the group. Bring some games to play. Bring your family and friends - - the more the merrier! The Partnership will provide the fruit tray and beverages. The Partnership staff office will provide the water, plates and utensils. The grills are provided, but bring the coals. www.auroraasian.org
JULY
Comedian Arj Barker
When: Fri. July 1-Sun. July 3 (various showtimes)
Where: Comedy Works Downtown, 1226 15th St., Denver
Cost: $25
Arj is an American stand-up comedian who is developing a huge following in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and all over the world. His credits include HBO's Flight of the Conchords as "Dave", co-writer for The Marijuana-Logues, Super High Me, The Glass House, The 7PM Project, Good News Week, Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation, Comedy Central Presents, and Premium Blend. He has also appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! He appeared on the Australian show Thank God You're Here. www.comedyworks.com
23rd Annual Consul General of Japan Charity Golf Tournament
When: Mon., July 18
Where: Columbine Country Club, 17 Fairway Lane, Columbine Valley
Cost: $175 individual registration, $35 reception only, foursome & other rates available
Co-hosted by JASC and JFA, your support for this annual tournament makes it possible for the Japan America Society of Colorado and the Japanese Firms Association of Colorado to carry out our respective educational programs such as JFA's scholarships and JASC's Japan Cup as well as many other programs. Register and pay online: http://www.jascolorado.org/events.php
uNAVSA National Leadership Conference
When: July 28-31
Where: Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center
Cost: $175 individual registration, $35 reception only, foursome & other rates available
"The Blueprint of Our Legacy": The Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations (uNAVSA) Conference is considered to be one of the premier youth conferences in the country. Every year, the conference would house hundreds of undergraduates, graduates, and young professionals from around North America to participate in a multi-day event to further develop their leadership skills not only on the local level, but also on the regional level and national level, hold insightful discussions with speakers, and explore critical issues that the Vietnamese American community struggles with. http://conference.unavsa.org/
11th Annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival
When: Sat.-Sun. July 30-31, 10 am
Where: Sloan's Lake Park, 25th & Sheridan, Denver
Cost: Free to attend this family-friendly event!
It's your weekend pass to Asia and the Pacific with traditional and contemporary Asian and Asian American performances, demonstrations, cultural education, martial arts, hip-hop stage, dozens of gift and food vendors, and 51 teams competing in the exciting ancient sport of Dragon Boat Racing! http://cdbf.org
One of the biggest teams on the 
Michael Boyd serves as President, and is one of the founding members, of the 
Pepito Castellanes and wife Nancy have been Colorado residents since 1977. They raised three children and have been active in the community. Pepito has been a member of several community organizations including the Asian Roundtable of Colorado and Governor's Asian Advisory Board, and was a two-term president of the Philippine-American Society of Colorado (PASCO). He also coached the PASCO Pinoy Dragons race team for CDBF 2008. Pepito is a professional engineer; he graduated from the University of Colorado with a BSEE degree and now works for the US government. He volunteered to help CDBF and is now in charge of the Registration Team.
Derek Herman has been involved with the sport of dragon boat racing since 1986 when he raced for Team USA at the Taipei International Dragon Boat Competition. Over the years he has helped promote the sport as a paddler, sternsman, and race organizer and has helped to form several dragon boat organizations. He has helped organize several festivals throughout the Midwest and has been on the Race Committee with the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival since 2002.
This time around he accepted and paddled with the first-year Flying Dragons. The team placed 3rd overall and Stan was instantly hooked on the sport. In 2007 the Flying Dragons returned, finishing 1st overall. During this time, Stan married his girlfriend Claire and together with friends and family they continued to race with the Flying Dragons. In 2010 the Flying Dragons obtained a boat in honor of a fallen teammate, and sought out coaching from a member of the US Women's Premier team. The team went on to place 2nd at CDBF and also made their first out-of-state race at the Rose Regatta in Las Vegas, placing 2nd overall. In June of 2011 he will join a Seattle team as he attends his first international race in Vancouver at the Rio Tinto Alcan Festival.
Tom Ging has been a driving force for CDBF's dragon boat races since first year when he was a paddler on a team. He was a member of the Operations Committee and now is on the Race Committee. He also helps train racers with DRACO, and for the festival. 
Your Weekend Passport to Asia and the Pacific - 
