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Dear CDBF Community-
It's beginning to look a lot like summer -- which means the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival in this Year of the Dragon is right around the corner!
The CDBF Operations Committee has been working to bring together all the pieces that make up a great festival, and we'll be announcing this year's performers and vendors soon.
You can see the list of Dragon Boat race teams this month. You can also read about our 2012 Honorary Chair, Aya Medrud, whose inspirational life makes her a wonderful role model for all Asian Americans.
Returning by popular demand is the traditional Japanese Obon Dance, which is like a line dance, only in a circle.
We're also proud to announce a new feature as part of our Wellness Village: The first-ever Dragon 5K Run/Walk. It's part of our commitment to healthy living and athletic competition. We want this to be a fun race, and invite participants to wear dragon-themed costumes, hats, masks and more!
We have news about Dragonland and a Martiual Arts Stage in Gateway to Asia below, and don't forget, we'll have TWO Taste of Asia food courts and a new Band Stage this year.
Phew, that's a lot of news to squeeze into one email!
Until next month,
Erin Yoshimura
Executive Director
www.cdbf.org
FYI: there are only 64 days until the festival!
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NEW for 2012: Our first Dragon 5K Run/Walk
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 We're excited to announce our very first Dragon 5K Run/Walk -- a reflection of our commitment to healthy living and athletic competition!
What better way to start off the Sunday morning of the festival, than to run or walk around Sloan's Lake and enjoy the crisp summer air? You'll do your body good, and get a view of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival you've never seen before -- as it gets ready for the day's activities.
We want this to be a fun family activity, so feel free to wear Year of the Dragon costumes, hats and masks -- it'll help you get in the spirit of the dragon boats! The 8 am start time means you'll be done in time to stay at the park and enjoy the festivities afterwards!
Learn more about the Dragon 5K Run/Walk on our website. |
Meet our 2012 Honorary Chair: Aya Medrud
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 Each year, the Board of Directors of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival names a community leader who is a strong role model for Asian Americans, to serve as the Honorary Chair.
For 2012, we're proud to announce that the Honorary Chair is Aya Medrud, a longtime civil rights activist and volunteer within the area's Asian communities, including being a founding member of the Boulder Asian Pacific Alliance, the organization that sponsors the annual Boulder Asian Festival.
You can learn more about Aya's inspirational life on our website.
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Dragon Boat race teams are set!
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 The Dragon Boat race teams are set for 2012, and 51 teams are ready to compete in a weekend of competition. Paddlers will be traveling from as far away as Austin, Texas, Portland, Oregon (Blind Ambition, a team of blind paddlers) and Dubuque, Iowa to compete against our homegrown corporate and non-profit organizations' teams.
We'll once again have both Hong Kong style competitive racing matches as well as the fun Flag Catcher style of boats for festival visitors to cheer on. You can see the list of teams online, and start planning which teams to cheer on!
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Obon Dance Returns
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 In 2011 we introduced a new performance and invited the public to join in the fun: A Japanese Obon Dance. Think of it as Japanese line dancing, only in a circle instead of lined up side-to-side.
Best of all, you don't need to know any dance moves in advance, and you don't need to wear any fancy kimonos or traditional outfits. You can, but it's not required.
The Denver Buddhist Temple Minyo Kai dance group is returning this year to lead the crowd in an Obon dance on Saturday evening. Join in the fun! You can read more about last year's Obon Dance and see a video online
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Martial Arts Stage
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 Last year Gateway to Asia featured more martial arts demonstrations than ever before.
The stage was so popular, we're going to feature an all martial arts stage this year.
The demonstrations will be with the best area martial arts schools and organizations, featuring authentic traditions of styles from across Asia.
We'll be posting the schedule soon in our Gateway to Asia page.
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Bigger & better Dragonland area for kids!
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 Dragonland, CDBF's children's area, gets a makeover this year! We're introducing a new performing arts stage where children will be able to learn hip-hop moves from Hype 303, Chinese traditional dances from Christina Yeh Dance Studio, Bollywood style grooves from Mudra Dance Studio and much more! In addition, traditional Asian stories will be shared along with mixed martial art demonstrations. We're also bringing back popular arts and crafts such as Dragon Masks, facepainting, and temporary tattoos, and children will have a chance to contribute their hand prints in a large dragon mural in support of the Half the Sky Foundation. Bongo the Balloon Man and Richard Nakata Magician are also back by popular demand.
Plus in support of the recent opening of Toyota Elephant Passage, the Denver Zoo will be at Dragonland displaying real animals from the Chinese Zodiac! Come and join in on all the new and exciting activities for everyone to enjoy!
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Still Looking for a Few Hundred Good Volunteers
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 Join the CDBF family -- we're still accepting applications for volunteers to help out on festival weekend.
The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival depends each year on about 300 volunteers to help throw the biggest pan-Asian party in the region.
You can make a difference everywhere, from assisting at the performing arts stages to serving as Festival Ambassadors and answering visitors' questions; from supporting our food and gift vendors in the Marketplace and Taste of Asia food court to working with kids in Dragonland, our popular children's area, or keeping the Dragon Boat Races on time.
Register online now to be a 2012 Volunteer, or sign up 15 or more of your friends and volunteer as a group! |
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Upcoming Asian Community Events
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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 APDC 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
Connecting the Pieces: Dialogues on the Amache Archaeology Collection
When: May 21 - July 20, M-F 9 am-4 pm
Where: DU Museum of Anthropology, Room 102 Sturm Hall, 2000 E. Asbury Ave, Denver CO 80208
Cost: Free
The University of Denver's Museum of Anthropology presents the collaborative work of the DU undergraduate students and community members, Connecting the Pieces: Dialogues on the Amache Archaeology Collection. This exhibit showcases objects found at Camp Amache, the Japanese American internment camp near Granada, Colorado. For more information, contact 303.871.2688 or visit
http://www.du.edu/ahss/schools/anthropology/museum/index.html
May
2012 Asian American Heroes of Colorado Awards & Brunch
When: Sat. May 26, 10 am-12 pm
Where: King's Land Seafood Restaurant, 2200 W Alameda Ave #44, Denver CO 80223
Cost: $20/person, $10/student
Not every kind of hero can be found in a comic book or movie-some of our favorite heroes are people we see every day within our own community. To celebrate Asian Heritage Month, the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN), in collaboration with Colorado's APA organizations, will present the Asian American Heroes of Colorado Award to recognize the work of those friends, family members, neighbors, teachers, or mentors who work selflessly, but perhaps under the radar in their community. Each selected hero will also be featured in the cover story of Asian Avenue magazine's May issue. For tickets or more information, please contact CACEN at info@cacenetwork.org or 303.937.6888. 66th Annual Japanese American Community Memorial Day Service
When: Mon. May 28, 11 am
Where: Nisei War Memorial, Fairmount Cemeter, 430 S Quebec, Denver CO 80247
Cost: Free
Join the Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation in their 66th Community Memorial Day Service, dedicated to remember and honor the Japanese American US Armed Forces Veterans from the Rocky Mountain Region. This year's service will also include special guests, local recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal and the families of deceased recipients, as well as a tribute to the brave members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service. For veterans and their families who would like to take part in the tribute this year, or for general information, please contact Gayle Goto, 303.594.5839, ggoto@comcast.net or Jamie Chikuma, 303.525.0429, jchikuma@msn.com. Smart Energy Opportunities: Connecting Colorado and Japan
When: Wed. May 30, 11 am-1 pm
Where: Rocky Mountain Innosphere, 320 East Vine Drive, Fort Collins CO 80524
Cost: Free; RSVP required
The Japan American Society of Colorado (JASC) presents a unique networking and learning opportunity: the Smart Energy Opportunities discussion and luncheon has invited Colorado leaders to speak about how Colorado companies might work with Japan in its efforts after the 2011 tsunami to rebuild and renew its cities with innovative technology and renewable energy. To attend this event, please RSVP to info@jascolorado.org by May 23. For more information and a list of the speakers, visit http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1109067/0d71c678d6/ARCHIVE. JUNE TNT band (featuring Tim Paran and Tex Almiera)
When: June 2, First Saturday of every month, 7:30 pm
Where: Volcano Asian Cuisine, 10440 E Arapahoe Road, Centennial, CO 80112 (SW corner of Arapahoe and Havana in South DTC)
Cost: Free
Rock, pop and folk music by an Asian American (Filipino) duo, with guest musicians welcome every month. Relax with the fine music while you dine on sushi, Chinese and Hibachi cuisine at Volcano. Contact Volcano Asian Cuisine at 303.662.8111 or visit http://www.volcanoasiancuisine.com for more information. 5th Annual Miss Asian American Colorado (AACO) Finale Show
When: Sat. June 16, 6 pm
Where: University of Denver, Sturm Hall, 2000 E. Asbury Ave, Denver CO 80208
Cost: $20 Adult, $15 Student/Seniors 65+, $5 Children 12 & under
AACO and Asian Avenue Magazine present the culmination of the 2012 Miss Asian American Colorado, the Finale Show. After months of service projects, leadership workshops, bonding events, and BBQs, 14 candidates will showcase their talent, leadership, intelligence, and service. Join them in an evening of cultural exchange, confident speeches, and performances including color guard, basketball trick shots, and magic. For more information or ticket purchases, please contact info@missaaco.com or 303.937.6888, or visit http://www.missaaco.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69&Itemid=63. "Legend of the Sun" Chinese performance
When: Sat. & Sun. June 16 & 17, 7 pm
Where: Buell Theater, Denver Performing Arts Complex
1101 13th Street, Denver, CO 80204
Cost: $39, $58, $80, and $120 "Legend of the Sun" is a Guangxi Nanning Art Theatre cooperation with national first-class artists performing the Zhuang nationality dance drama, featuring colorful stage sets, beautiful music and talented Chinese performers. The play, adapted from beautiful folklore, organically integrates the cockfighting dance, popular in Guangxi, Hydrangea dance, shoes dance and fireworks dance. The music exudes a cordial and fresh concert-like sound with cheerful tones and strong drums. The unique stage set includes an array of large paintings that reflect the Zhuang ancestors dance. On this visit to the U.S., the 73-person troupe will perform in only three U.S. cities this summer: Chicago, Los Angeles and Denver! Hosted by the Chinese American Post and Confucius Classroom in Denver. Tickets available at http://ticketswest.rdln.com/Artist.aspx?contentID=16709. For more info, call 303-934-1773 or e-mail chinesepost@aol.com
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| About the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival |  Your Weekend Passport to Asia and the Pacific- Dragon Boat Races. Cultural Education. Performing Arts. Food. Marketplace.
About CDBF
Founded in 2001 to celebrate Colorado's diverse Asian Pacific American (APA) communities, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (CDBF), a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, has become the region's fastest growing, family-friendly summer festival. CDBF offers festival-goers the opportunity to explore APA culture through performances, educational programs, arts and crafts, shopping, dining and the exciting athletic competition of dragon boat racing.
Contact Information: 11049 West 44th Avenue Suite 110 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 T: 303-953-7277 F: 303-953-7278 Toll-free: 877.716.BOAT (2628)
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