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April 29, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Andrea Castillo
(301) 699-3500 x6158
Andrea.castillo@pgcmls.info
Largo, Maryland – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is hosting more than 40 events in May 2024 to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, with programs representing the culture and traditions of Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the wider Asian diaspora including Afghanistan, China, Hawaii, India, Japan, Nepal, and more for children, teens, and adults.
Among the highlights for the month-long celebration is “In Full Bloom: Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage,” presented by Prince George’s County Councilmember Wanika Fisher (District 2) and Council Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5) at the Hyattsville Branch Library on Tuesday, May 28 at 5:30 pm. Celebrating solidarity and diversity, the all-ages event will honor Asian Pacific Americans in Prince George’s County and beyond through captivating performances, enlightening discussions, and delicious cultural cuisine.
“Prince George's County is home to tens of thousands of people who are part of the diverse Asian Pacific American community,” said Shom Tiwari, a library associate at the Hyattsville Branch Library who leads the system’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Team. This team has curated “a range of events and resources for everyone to celebrate the May heritage month. Our fun and educational programs will include arts and crafts, music and dance, socio-political topics, book discussions, STEM, storytimes, and more.”
Featured programs for PGCMLS’ 2024 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month events include the following:
All Ages
Moksha: University of Maryland's Competitive Indian Classical Dance Team Performance
Saturday, May 4 at 1 pm | Bowie Branch Library
Watch a performance from Moksha, the University of Maryland’s premier competitive Indian classical dance team, which combines contemporary and Indian music with classical dance to perform new pieces that explore diverse themes and social justice topics.
Cooking Demo: Flavors of Heritage - Exploring Asian American CuisineTuesday, May 7 at 6 pm | Glenarden Branch Library
The University of Maryland’s Asian American Studies program hosts a cooking demonstration featuring a favorite dish while providing a glimpse into the food’s historical significance and social context within Asian American communities.
Saturday, May 18 at 1 pm | Bladensburg Branch Library
Put on your dancing shoes, and learn a few steps of Bharathanatyam, an Indian classical dance form with elements of hip-hop culture. Instructor Chitra will offer social exchanges, movement exploration, and simple choreography in this interactive demonstration and dance open to all skill levels and ages.
Japanese Koto Recital - Presented by the Washington Toho Koto Society
Wednesday, May 29 at 6 pm | Upper Marlboro Branch Library
The Washington Toho Koto Society performs harmonious melodies on the koto, a 13-string traditional Japanese instrument made of paulownia wood. Experience koto music live, played with precision and grace.
Young Children
Thursday, May 9-Saturday, May 18 | Various Branches
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with your little ones at one of our storytimes taking place at library locations across the county! Each event is meant for either ages 2-3 or ages 3-5, so be sure to check our full lineup for details about each event.
Kids and Teens
Filipino Culture Through Arts & Crafts, Dances, and Stories
Saturday, May 4 at 1 pm | Beltsville Branch Library
Immerse yourself in Filipino culture in a variety of ways! Take part in flower crown-making or woven paper flag crafting in celebration of of the Flores de Mayo festival, learn about Filipino folk dances such as the Cariñosa and the Tinikling – and try them out for yourself – and explore Filipino folklore with stories like “Rockabye Crocodile” and “The Magic Lake.”
Filipinos of Prince George’s County - Presented by Mabuhay, Inc.
Tuesday, May 14 at 6 pm | Surratts-Clinton Branch Library
Hear about the experiences of Filipino migrants who have made new homes in Prince George’s County, as well as their backgrounds, their search for the American Dream, and their contributions to their local communities.
Teens and Adults
Afghan Jewelry Making Demonstration
Saturday, May 4 at 1 pm | New Carrollton Branch Library
Local artisan Farkhonda Mujadeddi hosts a live demonstration of Afghan jewelry making in this event for teens and adults.
Adults
Wednesday, May 1 at 6 pm | Laurel Branch Library
Take part in a dialogue exploring affirmative action, magnet schools, and more led by Janelle Wong, a professor of American Studies at the University of Maryland and co-author of legal briefs advocating for affirmative action and magnet school reforms.
Additional Resources
Visit PGCMLS’ Asian Pacific American Heritage Hub for a full list of events during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, as well as music, videos, information, and other resources.
Library card holders can watch films starring and made by Asian and Pacific Islander filmmakers in Kanopy’s Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month collection. Kanopy includes more than 26,000 movies, documentaries, indie and foreign films from producers including The Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, Kino Lorber, and PBS.
Read digital manga for free with your library card through Comics Plus, which provides unlimited digital access to thousands of graphic novels and comics. Search by genre, publisher, or title. Items can be checked out for seven days with unlimited renewals.
About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve book lovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. PGCMLS is the recipient of the 2021 Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award for Workforce and Economic Development. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.