Celebrate Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Heritage Month with events across San Diego
From film screenings to dragon boat racing, San Diego’s May calendar is packed with ways to connect with Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cultures.
Written by Lauren J. Mapp, Edited by Kate Morrissey
San Diegans are gearing up to celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.
From crafting experiences and dance classes to art exhibits and festivals, there is no shortage of opportunities to participate in educational and cultural experiences across the region.
Throughout May, San Diego’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities are hosting events that reflect their rich cultural traditions, creativity and resilience. The San Diego API Coalition has curated a calendar for the month, but here are a few events to check out.
Upcoming Events
May 1
San Diego Asian Film Festival: It’s the final night of the San Diego Asian Film Festival spring showcase. Tonight’s double feature is a showing of “Soldier of Love” by Kazakhstani director Farkhat Sharipov and “Between Goodbyes” directed by Jota Mun, a Korean adoptee. Tickets can be purchased online. 5 p.m., 7510 Hazard Center Dr #100, San Diego, CA 92108
May 2
AAPI Month Take Home Craft Distribution: The San Diego Library is giving away a hibiscus flower take home craft project for kids at the Linda Vista Library branch. The project is recommended for children age 5 and older and is also available for pick up on May 10 and May 24. All day while supplies last, 2160 Ulric St., San Diego, CA 92111
May 3
Convoy Nights + Kilowatt’s 10-Year Anniversary Celebration: Kilowatt Brewing celebrates its 10th anniversary and Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a night market with food and art vendors, entertainment cultural activities and a curated car exhibition by Tommy Nguyen. The event is all ages and free to the public. 4-9 p.m. 7576 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA, 92111
May 4
Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District Walking Tour: Docents from the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum lead a walking tour downtown in San Diego’s historic Chinatown, Japanese Nihonmachi, the Filipino Quarter and the African American Harlem of the West on the first Sunday of each month. The event is free for museum members and kids under 12, and ranges in price from $6 to $8 for other attendees. Registration by May 3 is required. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 404 Third Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
May 5
Rooted Here: The San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition celebrates AANHPI Month with an event at the Mingei International Museum. The night will include performances by LAOSD Dancers and Anakbayan San Diego, a DJ set by Mae or Mae Not, Zine making, food and drinks. The event is free but requires an RSVP to attend. 6-8 p.m., 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
May 6
Missing/Disappearing Bodies and Forgotten Geographies: Visiting scholar Dr. Junyoung Verónica Kim hosts a viewing at the University of California San Diego of filmmaker Im Heung-soon’s “Good Light, Good Air,” a film set in Gwangju, South Korea, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. 6 p.m., Mosaic Hall 113, 9605 Scholars Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093
May 7
Exhibit Opening Reception with Tom Hom: Honoring a Legacy Through Art: An exhibit featuring the art of former San Diego City Councilmember Tom Hom will be on display at UC San Diego from May 1 to June 29. The exhibit features replicas of Hom’s paintings, as well as historical documents sharing the history of the Chinese American community in San Diego.
The May 7 opening reception in the Sally T. WongAvery Library Breezeway & Events Room is free to attend, but registration is required. 3-4:30 p.m., 3100 Biomedical Sciences Way, San Diego, CA 92093
May 10
Chinese Paper Lanterns: Youth ages 12 to 18 can make Chinese Paper Lanterns for Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the Legler Benbough Teen Gaming Area at the Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library. 4-5 p.m. 5148 Market St., San Diego, CA 92114
Monument Unveiling for William Heath Davis Jr.: The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation and the Kanaka Davis Trust Group will unveil a monument dedicated to William Heath Davis, Jr. Known as “Kanaka Bill,” Davis was a Native Hawaiian trader who helped establish “New Town,” which is now downtown San Diego.
The event will include informational booths and a blessing from Kumeyaay bird singers. 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 500 West G Street, San Diego, CA 92101
May 13
Crafternoon: Watercolor Koi Fish: Kids age 5 and older are invited to visit the Balboa Library to watercolor paint koi fish art. 4-5 p.m. 4255 Mt. Abernathy Ave., San Diego, CA 92117
May 16
Taiko Drum Workshop: UC San Diego recreation instructor Jeff Onuma leads a workshop on the Japanese art of Taiko drumming in the campus’ main gym. The class is free, but registration is required. 12-1 p.m., 2995 Scholars Ln, La Jolla, CA 92093
May 17
Dragon Boat Festival: The San Diego Alliance for Asian Pacific Islander Americans will host its 18th annual Dragon Boat Festival at Tecolote Shores North. The all-day event features dragon boat races on Mission Bay, along with cultural performances and food vendors in the adjacent park. 1344 E Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109
May 22
Pacific Islander Festival Luau Fundraiser: PIFA will host a luau fundraiser for its annual festival at the Bali Hai Restaurant. The event includes a performance by Ta'utiare Polynesian Dance, a silent auction and a buffet meal. 5-8 p.m., 2230 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
May 23
50th Anniversary of the Vietnamese Community in San Diego: Little Saigon San Diego is hosting a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnamese community in San Diego at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park. 3-8 p.m., 4455 Wightman Street, San Diego, CA 921105
May 24
Asian Pacific Cultural Festival: Held at the International Cottages in Balboa Park, the festival celebrates cultural traditions from a wide array of Asian and Pacific Islander communities. This year’s free event features cultural entertainment by both traditional and contemporary performers, including Lani Polynesian Dance, Xingjian Dance Studio, singer Eva Mather and the San Diego Lao Heritage Group. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 2191 Pan American W Rd, San Diego, CA 92101
May 30
Bollywood Dance Workshop: UC San Diego recreation instructor Pranathi Nagendrakumar leads a bollywood dance class on campus. The class is free, but registration is required in advance. 12:30-1:30 p.m., RIMAC Activity Room 2, 2995 Scholars Lane, La Jolla, CA 92093
May 31
Dragon Boat Festival: The Hong Konger Club is hosting its Dragon Boat Festival for guests of all ages at the Rancho Bernardo Branch Library. The day will include storytelling in English and Cantonese, lychee-flavored snacks, dragon boat craft-making and rice dumpling decoration. 2-4 p.m., 17110 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
