USAAF 2024

 

THE 27th ANNUAL UNITED STATES OF ASIAN AMERICA FESTIVAL: BE(LONG)ING HERE

FESTIVAL EVENTS ⚈ SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER ⚈ PRESS KIT

 

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL


Each year, the United States of Asian American Festival (USAAF) presents up to 20 different programs reflecting the artistic accomplishments and cultural diversity of San Francisco’s Pacific Islander and Asian American communities. USAAF showcases artists representing a diverse range of ethnic and cultural groups and aims to heighten the visibility of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) artists working in all disciplines - theater, music, dance, film, literature, visual arts, and more! Our goal is to nurture and empower these groups to be self-sufficient while providing the support they need to grow. 

This year’s theme, Be(long)ing Here, asks us what being and belonging means for ourselves and our communities. The festival will honor AAPI arts and culture reflecting on where we have been, where we are now, and what our collective future holds while acknowledging our roots as immigrants, refugees, and mixed-race descendants.

 Thank you to our many partners and funders including the San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, California Arts Council, Zellerbach Family Foundation and startsmall. 

 

2024 FESTIVAL EVENTS

Click the links below to purchase tickets or RSVP to upcoming festival events! 

WEEK 1

  • 4/25/2024 USAAF 2024 Festival Kick Off Event and Where Is Your Body Exhibition Opening 
    Join APICC, the Featured Arts Exhibition Festival Curator Delaney Chieyen Holton and exhibiting artists for a special gathering to celebrate the beginning of the 27th Annual United States of Asian America: Be(long)ing Here from 6:00–9:00 pm at SOMArts Cultural Center (934 Brannan St, San Francisco). 
  • 4/25/2024 - 5/24/2024 Where is Your Body Art Exhibition is Open to the Public (see below for more details!) 

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

WEEK 5

 

WEEK 6

 

WEEK 7

APICC X SUNDAY STREETS TENDERLOIN ARTIST SHOWCASE 

June 23, 2024 @ 1:00 - 4:00 PM 
Golden Gate Ave (between Jones & Hyde Streets, San Francisco)
RSVP Here

  • 6/23/2024 duy-ên-yeon by Johnny Huy Nguyễn & Tim Kim 
  • 6/23/2024 Curve Wrecker by Sun Park
  • 6/23/2024 bound by dNaga Dance Co.
  • 6/23/2024 The Panchakanyas Project by Swetha Prabakaran Productions // Nirmathi
  • 6/23/2024 Between Arrivals and Departures Poetry Reading by Preeti Vangani, Shikha Malaviya, Maw Shein Win

 

2024 FEATURED ARTISTS


Megan Lowe Dances


Megan Lowe Dances' production Just a Shadow brings together 7 powerful artists to make 6 distinct duets, in a process that nourishes the soul, supports healing, acknowledges resilience, celebrates life, and honors the memories of loved ones. It welcomes diverse perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds, recognizing that the narratives surrounding death and processing grief are multifaceted and deeply personal. Through dance performance, MLD aims to provide a platform for catharsis, empathy, and collective understanding, fostering connections that transcend individual stories and unite us in a shared journey toward solace and healing. Learn more at https://www.meganlowedances.com

Show Dates and Times:
Fri, May 31 @ 7:30-9PM
Sat, June 1 @ 7:30-9PM
Sun, June 2 @ 7:30-9PM
Fri, June 7 @ 7:30-9PM
Sat, June 8 @ 7:30-9PM
Sun, June 9 @ 7:30-9PM
Venue: The Joe Goode Annex

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

 

Ramon Abad


Ramon Abad's Duck Soup is an immersive theater experience for children and families at Bindlestiff Studio. The one-hour show will engage the audience by guiding them to various sections of the theater, where they will witness short stories brought to life through captivating puppet performances. "Duck Soup" is Depression-era slang for something that's "easy to do" or a "piece of cake." No actual ducks will be cooked. Tickled perhaps, but not cooked! Learn more at www.ramon-puppetry.com

Show Dates and Times:
Sat, June 8 @ 1-2PM
Sun, June 9 @ 1-2PM
Sat, June 15 @ 1-2PM
Venue: Bindlestiff Studios

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

 

FEATURED VISUAL ART EXHIBITION 

 

Exhibition Curated by Delaney Chieyen Holton




Where is Your Body highlights the body and its needs as the lowest common denominator for solidarity. Thinking of the body – in its capacities and vulnerabilities – as a site of both violence and resistance, the exhibition gathers women/trans/queer artists of API diasporic experience engaged in practices of the body to explore questions of labor, memory, and desire. Rather than gesturing towards an identarian collectivity, the racial and gendered angle of the exhibition recognizes how systems of disenfranchisement are interlocked, co-constituting, and mutually sustaining.

Exhibiting Artists:
Nibha Akireddy
Erina Alejo
Sholeh Asgary
Bhasha Chakrabarti
Edi Dai
Theo/Tina Kashiwagi
Private Practices Collection (via Kayla Tange and Hailey Loman)
Thuong Hoai Tran
Kim Ye
Rachel Youn
Learning Palestine

Venue: SOMArts Cultural Center

Event Dates and Times:

Thurs, April 25 @ 6-9PM Exhibition Opening Reception and USAAF 2024 Festival Kick-Off
RSVP FOR THE OPENING RECEPTION AND USAAF FESTIVAL KICK OFF

April 25 - May 24 Exhibition Open to the Public

Sat, May 4, 1:30–3:30 pm
Artist Workshop with Chia Amisola
Chia Amisola will give a hybrid performance and participatory workshop on digital ritualmaking, gathering, and identity. Chris Giang will offer tea service using handmade ceramic teaware during the event.

Sat, May 18, 1:30–3:30 pm
Tattoo Ritual with Kelsey Chen
Kelsey Chen will offer flash stick and poke tattoos for visitors on a first come first served basis. Chris Giang will offer tea service using handmade ceramic teaware during the event.

Fri, May 24 @ 6-9PM: Closing Reception
RSVP FOR THE CLOSING RECEPTION

 

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

APICC is seeking for volunteers for USAAF's Opening/Closing Reception and Outdoor Showcase in April, May & June. Please fill out our Volunteer Sign-Up Form to support AAPI artists!

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS AND SPONSORS

San Francisco Arts Commission, California Arts Council, SF Grants for the Arts, SF Office of Economic & Workforce Development, Zellerbach Family Foundation, APA Heritage Foundation, The Ruby SF, SOMArts Cultural Center

 

USAAF asian american arts festival
Powered by people like you
Nina Parks Michelle Johnstone Joelle Brouet Julie Cohen Quinton Scott Julia Flasphaler Fred Kahn Seema Gururaj Michael wiles Donabeth Houx Brightline Defense Yifan Xu East Bay Food Briefly Hans How 侯翰明 Bitch Talk Podcast🥃🎧🎙️🌉 Janet Nishihara
Nina Parks Michelle Johnstone Joelle Brouet Julie Cohen Quinton Scott Julia Flasphaler Fred Kahn Seema Gururaj Michael wiles Donabeth Houx

API Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street, San Francisco, CA

415.829.9467 | www.apiculturalcenter.org | [email protected]

©2015 Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center.

Site by Arc and Type Design. Created with NationBuilder.

Sign in with Facebook, Twitter or email. Created with NationBuilder