JULY  

Mirai Daiko: Final Denver Taiko Concert of the Year! When: Fri. July 8, Noon-1:15 pm Where: Skyline Park, 16th Street Mall & Arapahoe, downtown Denver Cost: FREE We will be bringing out the BIG DRUM (Odaiko) and performing a long-set as part of the Downtown Denver Skyline Park Concert Series! This will be our final public performance in Denver with all of the members of Mirai Daiko together this Summer, seeing as Courtney Ozaki will be moving to NYC for Graduate School in early August. www.miraidaiko.com 

Tracing Heritage Back to China: One Family's Experience
When: Fri. July 8, 6:30-9 pm
Where: Jade Dragon Chinese Restaurant, 3958 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs
Cost: $27.00/non-members; $25.00/members (includes tax and gratuity)
Gayle and Sharon (Wong) White have been researching Sharon's family history, from her birth in Ogden, Utah, back to a small village in Southern China. Along the way they learned a lot about Chinese coming to America from the mid-1800s to the early-1950s. They are willing to share the experience that includes two visits to the National Archives, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for family information, a meeting with the advisor to the PBS special on Chinese Coming to America, a trip to China to find the family villages, meetings with the village chiefs in each village, history of the Chinese amnesty program in the 1960s, purchase of a variety of books on Chinese in America, two visits to Angel Island (processing center for Chinese entering the US) and the preparation of three books of family pictures and documents. Limited seating. Sponsored by the Colorado Springs Chinese Cultural Institute. Please RSVP online or mail check to CSCCI, P.O. Box 2625 Colorado Springs, CO 80901 by July 6. (719) 287-7624;  www.cscci.org

USVAVA Colorado PICNIC
When: Sun. July 10, 2-5 pm
Where: Sloan's Lake Park (at W. 17th Ave. & Utica St.)
Cost: Free
A friendly picnic event during the Independence Day season: You and your family are invited to join the United States Vietnamese American Veterans Alliance (USVAVA), Colorado Division to enhance friendships and enjoy the 2011 summer. Please RSVP to Sum Nguyen by email to  scn1693@comcast.net (to help in their planning of food and drinks). Bring your favorite food to share.

Asian Community Picnic
When: Sat. July 16, 11 am-3 pm
Where: Clement Park, Shelter H, 7306 W. Bowles Ave, Littleton (turn east on Bowles off Wadsworth)
Cost: Free
Come celebrate Independence Day with a community potluck to bring together the Asian American Pacific Islander community. Please bring a dish to share (hot dogs, hamburgers, water, condiments, paper goods will be provided by the contributing organizations) RSVP or Questions: Please email  SharedHumanity@gmail.com or call Hing Ryder @ 303-241-4203 by July 9, 2011. Contributing organizations include OCA, JACL, Asian American Journalists Association, Asian Chamber of Commerce, Isle Casino, Asian Avenue Magazine, Asian Roundtable of Colorado, NAAAP Colorado.

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:  www.jascolorado.org/events.php

"There Once was an Island: Te Henua E Nnoho"
When: Tues. July 19, 7 pm
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
Cost: Free
Three people in a unique Pacific Island community face the first devastating effects of climate change, including a terrifying flood. Will they decide to stay with their island home or move to a new and unfamiliar land, leaving their culture and language behind forever? This documentary tells the story of the Polynesian community of Takuu, a low-lying atoll in the southwestern Pacific Ocean that is experiencing the devastating effects of climate change, including coastal erosion and the incursion of salt water into the gardens. The community must decide whether to move to an uncertain future in the Melanesian town of Bougainville, or stay on Takuu and face a different, but equally uncertain future. Through interviews with the people of Takuu, the film provides a glimpse of the wide range of social, cultural, political and economic issues confronting the community. Part of the Denver Botanic Garden Indigenous Film Series A panel discussion on the Impacts of Climate Change on Indigenous Communities, with scientists from UCAR, will follow the film screening. Moderator: Mervyn Tano, International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management ( www.iiirm.org).

Free Duo Takase Violin Concert
When: Tues. July 19, 7 pm
Where:Simpson United Methodist Church, 6001 Wolff St., Arvada
Cost: Free
Featuring violinist Makoto Takase and pianist Mizue Takase playing Via Dolorosa, Amazing Grace, Home Sweet Home, and much more. This concert is hosted by the Nichigo Congregation.  www.simpsonumc.com

National Association of Asian American Professionals & The Asian Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours
When: Wed. July 20, 6-8 pm
Where: Mynt Lounge, 1424 Market Street, Denver
Cost: Free
Please join us for our July 20th business after hour's event to be held at Mynt Lounge in downtown Denver. This will be a great opportunity to attend an event with NAAAP & Asian Chamber of Commerce where you can meet other professionals and business owners. Light appetizers will be served and there will be a cash bar. There is no cost for this event. Please RSVP to the ACC office by July 18th @ 303-595-9737,  asiancc@rmi.net or to NAAAP directly

Workshop: Preserving Family Photos
When: Sat. July 23, 10 am-noon
Where: Japanese American Resource Center of Colorado, Sakura Square Plaza Level, 19th & Lawrence
Cost: $10
Join us at the Japanese American Resource Center of Colorado (JARCC) at Sakura Square to learn tips on how to identify and care for the photographic processes represented by your collection. Identification is the key to how you store, handle, and exhibit your photographs. Participants are encouraged to bring their own personal collections items for examination and possible identification. The workshop will be conducted by James Peterson, Curatorial Assistant at History Colorado. Conyact Joni Sakaguchi for more information,  jsakaguchi@interfold.com, 303-452-6888.

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

AUGUST 

17th Annual Boulder Asian Festival
When: Sat. and Sun. Aug. 13-14, 11 am-5 pm
Where: Pearl Street Mall, in front of the Boulder County Courthouse
Cost: Free
Sponsored by the Boulder Asian Pacific Alliance, the Boulder Asian Festival showcases the arts and culture of local Asian-Pacific communities through music, song, dance, visual artistry, crafts, and food. Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Filipino, Hawaiian, Indian, Thai and Tibetan cultures are just some of the groups that will be represented. Craft and merchandise booths will feature vendors selling clothing, handcrafted jewelry, paintings and other gifts. A Community tent will also be available and will have various children's activities, crafts, and discussion groups. At the Main Stage, experience performances featuring classical dances from India, Philippines, China and Polynesia, music played on traditional instruments from Japan and Bali, the popular Chinese Lion Dance and martial arts demonstrations. Performances by Wendy Woo, the Jack Hadley Band, and Denver Taiko are also crowd favorites.  http://www.bapaweb.org

Barong - Lion Dance of Bali w/ Gamelan Tunas Mekar
When: Sat. Aug. 27, 5:30-9 pm
Where: Pavilion Tent at Cherokee Ranch & Castle in Sedalia, Colorado (along S. Santa Fe between Littleton and Castle Rock)
Cost: VIP Reservations Adults, $35; Children 12 & under, $15 (5:30-7 pm includes Castle tour, Indonesian supper buffet, cash bar, performance, dessert & coffee with the performers); General Admission $20 (includes Performance, arrival time 7 pm, performance 7:30 pm)
The allure of the Indonesian island of Bali comes to Colorado! Join Tunas Mekar for a special performance including the Barong - Lion Dance of Bali, a traditional Balinese Bala Ganjur processional, and music and dance from Bali, Indonesia. The Barong is the mythical king of the spirits, leader of the forces of good, who is accompanied by two mischievous monkeys. He will also lead the Bala Ganjur processional, accompanied by an ensemble of cymbals, drums and gongs. The processionals are used to create commotion in the villages to chase away evil spirits and to accompany cremation ceremonies. Witness an ancient story come to life. Listen to a percussive processional performed on exotic bronze instruments. Watch Balinese dancers resplendent in traditional costume execute precise routines in perfect rhythm. Marvel as the benevolent Barong shares his otherworldly blessings. For reservations, please call Cherokee Ranch & Castle, (303) 688-4600. www.tunasmekar.org