"Heart of Asia" 2009 Oregon Asian Celebration

Welcome to the 24th Annual Oregon Asian Celebration!

The 2009 event is planned for
February 14 & 15
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p. m. and
Sunday 10:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
Lane Events Center at the Lane County Fairgrounds, Eugene, Oregon

* Planning for the 2009 Oregon Asian Celebration events are currently underway. New activities/events are being added as they become confirmed. Feel free to click on the links to the left to view some of the exciting activities planned for this year. If the schedule is from 2008, please check back soon to see the 2009 schedule of activities, as they will be posted, shortly.

This year's 2009 event theme is "Heart of Asia" and you will be presented with opportunities to explore many aspects of Asian cultural heritage in the expansive Lane Events Center. This year we have partnered with exciting community events, some of which are listed below. Check back often as we confirm our schedule of activities for you, your friends, and your family

For a detailed schedule of Oregon Asian Celebration activities, please click on any of the links to the left. Last year's activities will be replaced with 2009 events as they are confirmed.

The Oregon Asian Celebration is produced by an all-volunteer committee of dedicated and fun-loving people whose mission it is to create opportunities that foster friendship and harmonious relations among all people, and to enhance appreciation and understanding of Asian cultural heritage.

To honor this year's theme "Heart of Asia" don't miss any of our partnering events below:

PARTNER EVENTS
In keeping with our theme "Heart of Asia:" we are pleased to partner with several organizations this year that allows you to further explore Asian Culture. Click on the Partner Events link in the navigation bar to the left for more details and discover these exciting events coming soon.

THE FIRST 75 YEARS
January 24-April 12, 2009
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
University of Oregon

ASIAN CELEBRATION PREVIEW AT COZMIC PIZZA FAMILY NIGHT
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009
6-8:30 pm, free, all ages
199 W. 8th Ave., Eugene
www.cozmicpizza.com

AN EVENING OF ALOHA-MUSIC & HULA OF HAWAI'I
Presented by Mele 'Ohana
Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, 7:30 pm
(doors open at 6:30 pm)
Lane Events Center, Aloha Stage
Adults $20, 12 & under $10 (Tickets available at the door)
Advanced order for a light meal, add $5 www.meleohana.net

KUMORICON CONFERENCE
Saturday only, February 14
Open 11 am-5 pm

THIRD ANNUAL PACIFIC
MARTIAL ARTS CONFERENCE
Sponsored by Best Marial Arts Institute
Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 &
Saturday, April 4, 2009
10:30 am-5:00 pm
Eugene School of Karate,
921 International Way, Spfld
Free, $5 donation requested
www.pacificmartialartsconference.com

ASIAN CELEBRATION AFTER HOURS PARTY WITH DJ DROOPY
Satuday, Feb. 14, 2009, 10:00 pm
Taboo Nightclub, 23 W. 6th, Eugene
$5 for 21 & over, $10 for 18-20
www.tabooeugene.com

Skipping Stones 20 YEAR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!
Editor Arun Toke will host a table of Skipping Stones magazines and talk to young writers and artists. Youth are invited to participate in the Valentine Haiku Contest in honor of Skipping Stones, and the poems will be on display.

* Asian Celebration Admission is only $4.00. Kids ages 12 and under are free!

* Event Site Map of Activities

2009 Oregon Asian Celebration: "Heart of Asia"

Eugene, OR--Bring your loved ones to this year Oregon Asian Celebration! This year's 24th annual Oregon Asian Celebration celebrates the theme "Heart of Asia" with nonstop festivities February 14 and 15 at the Lane Events Center at the Fairgrounds.

This year's theme coincides with Valentine's Day and is about the heart and all that it symbolizes. Love. Life and Health.

This year's poster design by Eugene artist Marianne Walker, features two colorful intertwined fish known as Koi. The Koi is considered to be one of the most auspicious of collectable fish in Asia. Valued and prized for their coloring and pattern configuration, avid collectors take the markings of Koi very seriously.

The Koi fish symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Orange is the color of creativity and laughter. The colors orange and blue are very complementary and symbolize creative energy and expression, which will abound at this year's celebration.

This year's festival will be full of energy and color, according to event chair David Tam. Visitors can experience this year's theme by exploring different areas set up for learning about Asian cultural heritage and entertainment, or learn from non-stop demonstrations of crafts, martial arts and Asian cooking, Tam said.

Each area of the festival will have something to offer visitors that encourage them to explore Asian culture, from learning about cultural dances to learning how to prepare healthy low-cost tantalizing Asian dishes for the family. Several partnering events with organizations such as the Jordan Schnitzer Art Museum, are also planned and visitors are encouraged to attend and participate at these events, as well.

Arrive at the main stage for the opening performance at 10:00 a.m. and take part in scaring away the evil spirits with the Chinese Lion Dancers. This traditional performance signals the beginning of the event and features a gyrating Chinese Lion who winds his way through the festival site to usher in good luck for the festival.

A full schedule of main stage entertainment is planned, as well as entertainment planned for the arts stage, Youth room area, and Martial Arts stage. Don't miss the partner events by the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, "An Evening of Oloha-Music & Hula of Hawai'i by Mele 'Ohana, the 3rd annual Pacific Martial Arts Conference, Asian Celebration Preview Night at Cosmic Pizza and more.

Check back soon and learn about the variety of activities planned for this very special weekend event.