August 2018 Cultural Work Roundup

/// August 2018 ///

Summer is finally in full swing! Escape the heat and support local artists of color by checking out these cultural events below!

EVENTS

• Thursday, 8/2: Astrology and Wellness for Radicals – How does astrology shape the stories that we tell about ourselves? Emerging astrologer Candace Kita will share how astrology supported her journey towards mental health and wellness. Plus, we will dive into the healing potential of each sign of the zodiac! 6pm-8pm. Midland Library.
• Saturday, 8/4: Portland Iranian Festival – Please join us in celebrating the 19th Annual Iranian Festival on Saturday, August 4th from 11am-4pm, in the South Park Blocks-PSU! The Festival’s theme this year is to honor the amazing women and artists that have contributed so much to our rich cultural heritage. This year the stage will be featuring the world-renowned Rahim Shahriari, the Eshta Divas dance group, DJ Nima, and the fantastic artists and business owners of our own community. There will be lots of Persian cuisines, dancing, and activities, so bring your friends and family and help us party with Portland Persian-Style! 11am - 4pm. South Park Blocks.
• Sunday, 8/5: Venezuelan Festival – The first Venezuelan Arts & Culture Festival in the PNW. Free to all who attend. The event will feature vendors, events, and artists such as Inés Volgar Belgique of the Oregon Symphony, the Freddy Vilches Trio, and Isabel Parra. 1pm-5pm. Oaks Park Dance Pavilion.
• Thursday, 8/9: Undocumented: Film with Discussion – This is a film screening of the documentary UNDOCUMENTED and following discussion with legal experts on ways to help fight for humane immigration policies. UNDOCUMENTED: One man’s journey from what was once called “the most dangerous city in the world” - Medellin, Colombia - to Princeton and Harvard Medical School to become one of the top cardiac surgeons in New York State. All proceeds will go to support Immigrant Legal Aid and KBOO Community Radio. No one turned away for lack of funds! 7pm-9pm. Clinton Street Theatre.
• Saturday, 8/11: 2018 Pan African Festival – The second annual Pan African Festival will celebrate the presence, resilience, strength and influence of Pan Africans in Oregon. It will be a day to enjoy live music, dance, food and entertainment, health education, education and career awareness, financial literacy, and relevant other opportunities for people to get involved and take action to solve problems in their community. 12pm - 8:30pm. Pioneer Courthouse Square.
• Sunday, 8/12: India Festival – India Festival brings India to Pioneer Courthouse Square! This festival is a celebration of India’s Independence Day with live music, dance, food and other entertainment. India Festival is hosted by the India Cultural Association, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing Indian cultural awareness. 10am - 8pm. Pioneer Courthouse Square.
• Sunday, 8/12: Mindfulness and Making Workshop – This workshop will invite participants to use clay, sand, and paper to express our emotions, experiences, and identities and create validating, healing, and safe spaces within ourselves. Through meditative and connective artistic exploration, we will build solidarity while maintaining awareness of and presence our own feelings. This workshop will cultivate 1) a better understanding and connection with your inner self, 2) replicable tools and practices that will support you and your communities in maintaining mental wellbeing, and 3) increased awareness about the narratives that we harbor around mental health. No previous artistic experience required. 1pm-3pm. Filipino-American Center.
• Wednesday, 8/15: Chak De! India - Free Movie in the Park – On 15th August 1947, India became a sovereign and democratic nation. To celebrate his native country's 72nd Independence, DJ Prashant is teaming up with Portland Parks & Recreation to present: Chak De! India (2007 NR), a Hindi movie w/ English subtitles. This event is FREE for all ages, everybody of every culture & nationality is encouraged to attend. Pre-movie entertainment (starting 6:30pm) will be provided by the team that produces Jai Ho! Dance Party featuring interactive Bollywood and Bhangra dance. Movie begins after dusk. 6:30pm - 11:59pm. Laurelhurst Park.
• Saturday, 8/18 & Saturday, 8/25: 2018 Jade International Night Market – The Jade International Night Market is a crucial tool to help support local small businesses in the Jade District neighborhood. The annual summer event provides a space to celebrate and recognize the diversity and culture of the communities who live and work in the Jade District and sheds light on the issues impacting a neighborhood in transition. The Jade International Night Market takes place every year and provides a unique cultural event that reflects the diversity of the Jade District communities. We envision an event that supports and roots the Jade District community in place, while providing an opportunity for community members and businesses to benefit economically from the event. 5pm-10pm. PCC Southeast Campus.
• Saturday, 8/25: TaikoWorks 2018 – TaikoWorks 2018 will explore the unique characteristics of Lan Su Garden as the audience journeys through the gorgeous landscapes and architectural elements in an unforgettable immersive storytelling experience. Pushing taiko and dance performance in new and unexpected ways, this second annual, site-specific showcase is an opportunity for Unit Souzou to share their most current artistic ruminations. Unit Souzou is excited to celebrate and bridge Asian Pacific American cultures with our esteemed partners at Lan Su Chinese Garden to present this special performance. 3pm-5pm, Lan Su Chinese Gardens.

OPPORTUNITIES

-Discounted workshops for artists at the Regional Arts & Culture Council: APANO affiliates receive a $5 discount for professional development workshops using the code APANO2017. Link: RACC 2017 workshops.

-RACC Opportunity: Call for Artists – Fresh Paint: The Regional Arts & Culture Council and Open Signal invite emerging artists/teams of artists who identify and belong to communities of color and are currently living in Clackamas, Multnomah or Washington County in Oregon, or Clark County in Washington to submit proposals for a temporary mural at Open Signal along the highly visible NE Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd. at 2766 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland. Fresh Paint is a partnership between RACC’s Public Art Murals program and Open Signal, a community-driven media arts center that provides the public with easy access to media tools, training, broadcast and opportunities for experimentation. Application Deadline: Monday, July 16, 2018, by 5:00pm PST.

-Low cost creative work spaces available at Broad Space, a co-working collective for artists who identify as female or non-binary. Spaces start at $95/month for a hot desk! Visit BroadSpacePDX.com for more details.

/// More on the Cultural Work Roundup ///

The Cultural Work Roundup is a monthly spotlight on arts and cultural events and opportunities that:

• Directly relate to APANO's cultural work strategies to impact beliefs, actions and policies through centering the voices of those most impacted and silenced, resisting and shifting harmful narratives and ideas, and moving beyond defensive strategies to envisioning alternatives.
• Centralize the voices of Oregon-based Asian and Pacific Islander artists and/or artists of color.

Events may include readings, exhibitions, festivals, openings, and performances. Opportunities may include calls for artistic submissions, grant and funding opportunities, and volunteer opportunities. The deadline for submissions is the third Monday of each month for events and opportunities that fall into the following month. For example, events and opportunities that take place in June are due to APANO by the third Monday in May.

The Cultural Work Roundup will be posted on APANO's website and shared via APANO's digital communications platforms. Events and opportunities will be posted at APANO's discretion based on alignment with our cultural work values. You may submit to the Cultural Work Roundup by filling out our Google Form at bit.ly/culturalworkroundup.

If you have any questions, please contact Cultural Work Manager Candace Kita at candace@apano.org. Enjoy!