DaytonDailyNews.com

FAIRBORN — A month-long potpourri of lectures, films, art exhibits and entertainment will mark the Asian Heritage Festival at Wright State University in April.

The festival has been taking place for more than 12 years and continues to blossom, says Mai Nguyen, director of the Asian/Hispanic/Native American Center at the school.

A different country is featured each year: last year it was China, this year it's Korea – known as the "Land of the Morning Calm."

In the early years, Nguyen says, local groups and speakers were featured. These days, many come from out of state as well.

A highlight of the month is always Asian Culture Night, this year slated for Saturday, April 11. Last year 650 attended.

The lively party, ideal for families, includes music, dance, a fashion show and lots of authentic edible treats. Performing at the event will be a Chicago-based dance troupe, Little Ol Korea. Members will show off traditional Korean folks dances including the drum dance, the fan dance and the sword dance. The troupe will also stage a Korean wedding ceremony.

The kids will love the colorful fashion show featuring contemporary and traditional Asian garments, with ensembles from China, India, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Wright State students always participate in both the dancing and the fashion show and Nguyen says it's a wonderful way for the students who've grown up in America to re-connect with their cultural heritage.

Other highlights of the month:

• "Illusions of Flight," an origami art exhibit, will be of special interest to folks in our area. It's an installation by Columbus artist Yasue Sakaoka and will be on display in the student union art gallery from April 6-24.

Sakaoka says her goal is "to articulate the space with elements which abstractly suggest a variety of activities associated with flying objects."

A reception for the artist will be held at 12:15 on Tuesday, April 14 in the Pathfinder Lounge.

An Asian film series is also part of the special month with films slated for April 16, 21 and 22. Other activities range from a workshop on diabetes in Asian Americans slated for April 18 to a talk on Future Race Relations in America by civil rights attorney Angela Oh, planned for Tuesday, April 28.

The new gender role of Chinese immigrant wives will be the topic discussed by Dr. Yan Yu, professor of sociology at Grand Valley State University on April 23.

Nguyen, who grew up in Vietnam and came to this country at the age of 19, says the annual heritage month is a wonderful way to celebrate the Asian heritage.

"The Asian community really looks forward to this every year."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or MMoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.

WHAT: Asian Culture Night

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 11.

WHERE: Apollo Room, Student Union, Wright State University

ADMISSION: $10 adults, $8 for kids ages 5-12.

FOR INFO ON THE MONTH OF EVENTS: Call the Asian/Hispanic/Native American Center at (937) 775-2798 or visit www.wright.edu/adminis/ahna. Tickets are also available at the Student Union Box Office at 775-5544.